Jesus answered, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)
***
Travellers to India from the Philippines usually fly via Singapore, the major gateway of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The relationship between the two countries cannot be overemphasized, the two being formerly under British rule.
Trade, cultural and people-to-people ties are believed to have flourished when Sir Stamford Raffles (after whom the iconic colonial luxury hotel in the country is named), established the base of the British East India company in the island.
Records show though that as early as the 10th or 11th century, trade ties were already existent.
Today, Indians compose one of the three major ethnic groups in Singapore, along with the Chinese and Malays.
What’s the connection now, other than the two being strong partners of the Philippines in commerce, trade and culture and with India recently strengthening security relations with our country?
The two states are marking this month the anniversary of their independence.
Singapore formally separated from Malaysia on Aug. 9, 1965 while India gained independence from Britain on Aug. 15, 1947.
That makes the Singaporean National Day and the Indian Independence Day two occasions of celebration six days apart.
While I can pay particular attention to connections on further dimensions of international substance, I choose to focus on two little stories of faith I learned from my trips to the two countries.
***
“Am I on the right bus stop?” I asked a young man of about 20 at the near-crowded shed one early November afternoon. He was clad casually, unlike many in the crowd who wore trendy clothes.
“For what bus route?” he asked.
“I’m on my way to Woodlands. Bus route 950.”
Woodlands is a residential town in the north western side of the island near the causeway bordering the Malaysian state of Johor.
“Yes, you’re on the right stop. You must be new here…” he said, a fact which I readily acknowledged.
“So what strikes you most about Singapore?” he asked.
“Uhmm, plenty…”
Like what? he further asked.
And I rattled off my first impressions from the cleanliness of the city, the safety on streets, efficiency in public and transport services, the well-maintained landscape…
“That’s right and thank you for appreciating all these,” he said, adding that these observations are common among newcomers in the city.
“But I believe there is more to these things,” he said, his face suddenly turning serious.
His statement prompted me to probe.
“What made you say so?”
“All my life I have seen a rat race here. People are always on the go in pursuit of material things, like owning a house, buying and driving a new car, getting a high-paying job, being competitive at work…”
“What’s wrong with those goals?”
There’s too much emphasis on material things here, he answered.
And he continued, “I believe we should aim more for non-material things in life, our place does not seem to have a soul, that’s why I want people to realize there is more to life than good pay, material comfort and luxury.”
“You sound differently from others I have talked with,” I told him as I asked, “What could be the reason?”
And he was quick to reply, “I found the several years ago. I’m a Christian now and I want others to fill not only your material needs but also feed our spirit and soul.”
As he said this, he noticed that Bus 850 was approaching “There you go,” he said pointing to the bus.
I wish I could have continued the conversation but that meant I would be late for my appointment.
“Keep the faith, brother, and continue spreading it,” was all I could say before boarding the bus.
My words must have surprised him that I saw him waving at me as the bus rolled off.
***
India, considered as the world’s largest and oldest civilization, may be the cradle of Hinduism but it is also home to believers of Islam and has a slice of its population professing the Christian faith.
My knowledge of how Christianity was imbedded in that country was enriched by a trip to a rather lonely hill overlooking the southern metropolis of Chennai, previously known as madras.
I was attending the biennial conference of the Asian Christian Faculty Fellowship hosted by Madras Christian College when we had the opportunity to visit the shrine at the little mount of St. Thomas in Mylapore, located about 15 kms. from the city.
St. Thomas, apparently in response to Jesus’ call to spread His love and preach His word to all the world, travelled as far as India in 52 A.D. to pursue Jesus’ Great Commission.
On this hill, he was speared to his death by those who opposed his work in 72 A.D.
He hid in a hewn cave, where enemies of the faith caught up and martyred him while praying before the Cross which he embraced until his last gasp of air.
A chapel was built in 1525 in honor of the saint where the Bleeding Cross of Thomas, the care and a holy spring have been preserved.
It suffered heavy damage when a Muslim ruler invaded the place and was eventually restored by a Portuguese priest.
St. Thomas is buried in the Basilica named after him in Chennai, which is the biggest Catholic church in southern India.
St. Thomas has been declared “The Apostle of India”, where he built many churches until his death.
In 1955, records show, India’s first president of the Republic Dr. Rajendra Prasad, acknowledged that “St. Thomas came to India when many of the countries in Europe had not yet become Christian, and so those Indians who trace their Christianity to him have a longer history than many of the European countries, and it is really a matter of pride that it so happened.”
While St. Thomas martyrdom took place long centuries ago, the impact of his mission in India has remained strong as evidenced by the scores of believers who visit the shrine built in his memory on a hill not so distant from Chennai.
And yes, the call and challenge for us to spread God’s love to all far corners of the earth the Great Commission as ever.
***
Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) – NWI
