His Eminance Malcolm Cardinal Ranjit, Bishop of Colombo, is the Good Shepherd that leads his flock with humility. He touches every heart by his simplicity with the spirit of the Lord shining upon him. For one who stood the test of time after the devastation of his church and though laden with immense trauma and the death of hundreds of his worshippers, having to nurture their losses, help them face the future, comfort them etc.. the Cardinal stood tall and determine to face the future.

He is a blessed soldier of Jesus Christ and nothing daunts him for the Lord. He will fight any battle on behalf of the Lord. As a witness to the Lord and from the Chapel of Thewatta Basilica, he awoke the depressed nation by the fear of Covid virus and those isolated as a result of the curfew and those confined to their homes. He is not alone in this battle as the grateful nation has rallied around him to lend a helping hand. 

At the altar, he was a lonely figure flanked by two priests, when he raised his voice.

‘There is no society without religion. Be it Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam etc. They all have one mission in life and that is to be true to their respective believes. Christians say ‘Lord’ and believe they can reach him. Those who abide by his doctrine will have the Holy Spirit dwell in their hearts. They will feel his presence and become truly His disciples.

‘We all have to make sacrifices to be children of Jesus Christ; who is our Shepherd and we follow his Journey. 
‘The Cardinal continued: 

‘Jesus said the birds of the air have nests to rest, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head’ What Jesus meant was the extent to which sacrifice is made; to leave behind worldy comforts, but we know that living in today’s world, we have to move with time, but try as we can we have to live very simple lives sharing our lot with the needy.

Trying to rise from the vandalism of our churches is very painful, but with Jesus leading the war for us, there is hope and sanctity. He will wipe away all evil and restore all of us.’

Perhaps the Cardinal may have recalled the burning of the Cathedral of Notre Dam in Paris due to a electricity failure few years ago, but how Jesus restored it back to normal like St. Anthony’s Kochchikade.

‘The Lord’s my shepherd I’ll not want 
he makes me down to lie
In pastures green, He leadeth me  
The quiet waters by’