It was almost ten years ago that he made his first visit. I as a student at malankara seminary then. Life was not that eventful like these days. I saw him like any other ordinary beggar who had been coming there expecting something for their sustenance . What stroked me with a second look was he had a semblance to one whom I kept so close to my heart. He had something which kept on telling me that he was more than a beggar.
I asked him why he came. He told me two needs. His glasses are broken hence he needed a new pair of glasses and some money to buy lottery tickets. He told me he used to sell lottery tickets but now he is not in position to buy them. We had enough fund to meet both needs and he went peacefully with tears in his eyes.
The second visit was in the next year and I was about to complete mu priestly formation. I told him that you might not see me when you come here next time. He asked for my contact number but I did not have any personal number then. Wherever you go once in an year I will come to see you, told he and went away. By then I got it very well that he had no family nor children and he was coming out from the streets.
I started my priestly ministry in a remote village and after few months it was a great surprise for me to see him in the place where I lived. To the question ho did he manage to locate me I did not get any answer but he simply laughed and asked for some water.
One more time he came. I saw him some more aged and wrinkled and was struggling to walk. He said he is in an old age home and it is with great struggle that he could come this time. He said he would not stay there any longer that the place lacked clean air. He stayed for some time and when he was about to go I wished him to stay back. He refused and said, I will come whenever I want to meet you father.
Often we think that poor people come to visit us always for money. But to me this old man was of different genus. He accepted money only if he was in need of money. Often when I offer money he used to tell, do you think I come for money, father?
That was the last visit.
Years rolled by and now whenever the calling bell rings I pray that I would be he who is standing at the threshold. Still I wait. But never he came. I don't know whether he is alive.
Actually I don't know anything about him .
