Analise D Mello MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

I always feel these lines have been written for me!

As I live in a state in my country where English is not spoken frequently. I attend the one Sunday Eucharistic celebration in English held at 11 am at a church in the main city, as I wish to participate and celebrate the Lord and am not very fluent in prayers in the local language. (Yes, india has 22 official languages so it changes at every state.)

While attending the service while the rest of the locals are usually silent and not responsive to the prayers (language issues), I sing my heart out in public! I recite my prayers loud enough for the celebrant to know there is a response, and I pay attention with rapture and awe at every word said, unless of course I fall asleep (rare occasions). I always have this weird feeling and recollect this sentence midway through it….

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,

I am there singing “Lord, Lord” at the top of my lungs and praying, but it is the most alive I feel in the entire week (now since I’m on a study break). I feel the urge to participate with my entire being, and yes, I absolutely love to sing along with the choir!!

but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

This is where the problem lies!

I am not exactly the best follower of the will of the Lord! But aren’t we all struggling to keep up with the standards?

This Advent I am trying, and I failed on the very first day of keeping certain basic standards! It is difficult to follow the will and easier to sing and pray during a weekly Sunday mass!

But the Lord doesn’t want me singing but doing his every will even when it doesn’t look cool or takes me a lot of courage and conviction to do it! This Advent I want to listen to the Lord! Prepare my heart and soul and not by just singing carols or wearing the best dress! but by being humble and doing His will…

AMEN.

About the Author

Hello! I’m Dr Analise Maria D’ Mello, (MBBS, MS obgyn, DNB) from the beautiful state of Goa in India. I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, learning my prayers, catechism and Catholic values from my parents and grandmothers. I am currently practicing as an obstetrician and gynecologist for 3 years since my residency.

I often speak on anti-abortion to college students and married couples, and counsel distressed pregnant women with appropriate medical advice. I am part of the St Luke’s Medical Guild of Catholic Doctors in my state providing services in prisons, and Lenten and advent retreats for medical professionals and their families.