From Worship of Naxalism
to
Worship of the Nazarene
I was born in the Wynad
settlements of North Kerala. The discipline imposed by over-strict parents
made me a rebel right from my childhood. My mother’s ailments affected
my father adversely- physically, mentally and economically. My earliest
memory is that of the biggest house in the place and that had been our
own once upon a time. The mental and financial strain my father had to
undergo intensified his domineering nature. Even small faults received
heavy punishments. I was the eldest of seven children. Though exceptionally
good at studies, I stopped my schooling before answering the SSLC. An avid
reader, books were my intimate friends. As the Naxalite movement gained
momentum in the seventies, I became an ardent admirer of it and eventually
became a member. In 1978 I courted arrest along with several others. Then
came any number of police cases and trouble. Everyone hated me. My kinsfolk
looked down upon me. Admission was denied in the homes of several relatives.
I began to read more. Marx, Gandhi, Nehru, Plato and Socrates became the
suibjects of study. The insincerity of politicians gradually distanced
me from the party. In 1981 I became a Sevadal cadet in the Congress pary.
But I did not find fulfilment even there.
In 1982 my parish priest
compelled me to attend the Capuchin Mission retreat in Kenichira parish
church. I was not interested at all in the beginning because I had suffered
a great deal at the hands of Church authorities.
Anyway, during the retreat
I was convinced that God is not a myth but true.Then began my search .In
the end I found the God who was seeking me (cf Gen 16:13).The more I got
to know this God, the greater was my attraction towards him. God filled
me with his abundant peace, love and mercy (cf Lk 2:14).
Since 1988 I was a full
time worker in God’s vineyard. As youth co-ordinator of the diocese of
Manantoddy, member of the Advisory Board of the Kerala Service Team and
a collabarator with priests in various retreat centres, I make use of the
opportunities God gives me to serve him. He uses me to conduct an inner
healing retreat every month in Potta Ashram. At other times I am busy in
and outside of Kerala, preaching the word of God. I also had the good fortune
to study the Bible for two years under the guidance of Fr(Dr) Michael Karimattom
of Sandesh Bhavan, Tellicherry.
Personal prayer, Bible reading,
Sacramental life, group prayer - these are the means I use to grow in the
spiritual life. At present I reside at Poomala near Athani in Trichur district
along with my wife Annie and sons Lijomon and Sijomon.
George Kunnumpurath