YOUR POWERFUL WORD SCATTERED MY ENEMIES

Until six years ago I used to pray to the Lord as if it were an obligation. I did not have much faith nor knew the Lord's power. But one fine day, during the homily at a Holy Mass one line from Hebrews touched me. "No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him"( 11: 6). After that day there was no much interest for me in the world. I became aware of the indwelling of the Holy Trinity and better acquainted with the Holy Bible. One line from the Scriptures changed my life. "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, Jesus to die on the cross, so that every one who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its Saviour"( Jn 3: 16- 17). There have been many miracles, big and small, that took place in my life subsequently. I mention only one.

I was miraculously saved from death. My brother runs a business and owns an office and a workshop which are at two different places. In the year 1992, on 6th October, as usual I went to the office at 8.30 am. After five minutes two unknown men entered the office and asked me to accompany them to Chembur Highway. Their vehicle had met with an accident and so I should go and take a look and give them an estimate of it as they wanted to claim the amount from the Insurance company. I could not oblige since nobody would be there in the office. On the pretence of goingout for a cup of tea, they left, but to my surprise, returned with one more man. I was busy writing something so I did not take any notice of them. Before I could ask them to sit, they attacked me with knives and choppers. I was seated and did not get a chance to stand up. I tried my level best to avoid them, but I could not as they were three and I was alone. I tried to defend myself with my bare hands and in the bargain I broke my left hand in two and it was dangling. They hit me badly on my head. That was the time when I was dazed and speechless; even though I was in a pool of blood they kept hitting me. I had wounds on my body. At that very moment I thought of Lord Jesus and criedout to him loudly. One of them heard me and stabbed me on my chest. Again I cried out to the Lord and to my great surprise the knife did not pierce me, but they got scared. Thank you Jesus! Again I cried out to the Lord for the third time. They started to shiver and they lost their strength. I shouted, "Save me from my enemies, my God; protect me from those who attack me!"( Ps 59: 1) Even then they tried to hit me; I felt they were hitting the air; their weapons were not touching me. Praise the Lord Alleluia! I kept calling to Jesus. They left me and ran away. Then the words that came to my mind were : "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears"( Ps 34: 4). This happened in the span of ten minutes. I was about to fall on the ground but at that very moment I felt somebody's hand supporting me. The words from Ps 63: 8, " I cling to you, and your hand keeps me safe," came to my mind. I heard an inner voice saying, "Do not be afraid, I will save you... Do not be afraid, I am with you" (Is 43: 1,5). I knew it was the voice of the Lord. I got strength and courage and was also filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. I came out of the office and saw an auto- rickshaw waiting as though it were sent for me by the Lord. The driver, without saying a single word, took hold of my hand and made me sit in the auto and drove me to the nearest nursing home. Since it was a police case they did not let me in. I heard a voice telling me to go to Holy Spirit Hospital. The driver did not know the way to the hospital; I told him, I would direct him but miraculously without my directing him, we reached the hospital. That day my brother- in- law happened to be there. Since my case was serious I was immediately rushed to Hinduja Hospital. I was conscious throughout and felt as though nothing had happened.

Meanwhile the police arrived and took my statement. My head and hand had to be operated on immediately. Praise the Lord! through God's grace, all the necessary equipment, good doctors and the blood I required were available. "I call to God, the most high, to God, who supplies my every need!"( Ps 57: 2) A sum of Rs 25000- to Rs 30000 was to be deposited, but the banks were already closed. But whomsoever my brother approached for money, gave it to him without hesitation.

The surgery took 3 1/ 2 hours. I know the Lord was present with me. The greatest Doctor of all doctors, the King of Kings, Lord Jesus Christ blessed me and I was discharged in 8 days to the great surprise of the doctors. My hand which was in 2 pieces was healed in 2 months and in the 4th month, I started working, attending Mass and prayer meetings at Vinayalaya. Thank you Jesus! This dreadful incident- how, why and by whom it was done, I still don't know nor do I want to know. I am thankful to the Lord for all this. In the name of Jesus and by his Most Precious Blood I forgive those who wanted to hurt me and love them and also ask the Lord to let his kingdom come in them. Praise the Lord! Alleluia!

By the grace of God, from last August 1995, I have been arranging and organising the private bus service every Sunday from Marol, Andheri to Tabor Divine Retreat Ashram, Kalyan. By the power of Lord Jesus through me and through our Divine Bus Service, hundreds of people have been visiting the Tabor Divine Retreat Ashram and attending the oneday and four- day retreats, which have brought marvellous changes in their day- to- day living. I thank you Lord and Praise you. alleluia.

Anthony Castelino,

Castelino House, Gav Devi Tank, Marol Maroshi Road, Marol,

Andheri East Post J. B. Nagar, Bombay

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