This was no ordinary Sunday. At least not for Jennifer and her family. As little baby Jimmy cooed and frantically reach for all the hands that were touching him, he was happy to be made a fuss all over. The ladies who were attending the baptism all marveled at how adorable he is. As Jennifer passed around homemade butter cookies in a favor gift bag, she heard some of them talking about her unmarried status. Nevertheless, today was about Jimmy, not her. Jimmy was her precious package now and she couldn't bear to part with him again.



Jennifer carried the baby to the altar. With every step towards the crib, she was bought back to the time when her boyfriend had walked out on her when she told him she was pregnant. Angered and ravaged at that moment, she had attempted to abort it. But now as she kisses the baby's cheek, her eyes began to tear and she took back all the thoughts of that selfish desire. ?My beloved family and friends, we are now going to start the prayer. In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit?? Jennifer made the sign of the cross and bowed her head to pray.

?Anyone saw my sash? On no, where did I leave it?? Mala was scurrying down the hallways searching for it. At the back of the room, Nalini and Asha were arguing over the best ways to tie the ribbon. Mala nearly bumped into Sister Anita when she suddenly appeared on the door. In her hands was Mala's sash. Sister Anita's stern look was enough to make the whole company quiet down as they slowly went up to her for checking.

The three girls quieted down and went through Sister Anita to make sure all of them were clean and tidy looking. All of them then head to the little chapel at the corner of St Theresa's Orphanage. As the girls pass through the garden, they loose all their poise and start talking and prancing among the jasmines and azaleas in the garden. It was truly beautiful, thanks to the efforts of the students and the sisters of the orphanage. It was the least they can do after the chapel was restored from generous alms giving from the community. At least, it does not look as bad as the derelict classrooms beside it.

Sister Anita held her tongue when she saw them. She wanted to remind them about Mother's Priyanka lecture on decorum. However, as she looked at their smile, she couldn't resist but to smile with them. At that age, those girls have gone through much more than an average teenager would. They were the abandoned children of the Calcutta. Poverty, violence and abuse were the only things they had witnessed while growing up. Anita was one of the unfortunate once.

?Come in children. Here, take these favors and give it to your new siblings.? Mother Priyanka gestured them to the gift bags lying on the floor.

Asha opened it and her eyes went wide as a dollar coin, Chocolates! Her favourite! She hesitated for a moment but was nearly knocked over by the two friends who were pushing her to the front. All the children were excited as this was a very rare treat for them and it is the best thing they received since the beginning of the year.

Mother began to ask the children to quiet down. As she bowed her heads in prayer, she gave thanks to God as she welcomes Asha, Nalini and Mala into the orphanage and into God's embrace of love.

It seems as if there were needles poking into his lungs whenever he breathed, Seng thought. He looked around and was greeted by the plain looking walls and the strong antiseptic smell of the ward. However, at the corner of his eyes, he saw a new wooden crucifix hanging atop of him. He struggled to wake up.

He fought back tears as he remembered his hale and hearty youth two decades ago. ?How long has it been?.? He recalled the heady days where his services business was flourishing throughout South East Asia. Blissfully married to Ai Ling, when she gave birth to their son Meng, their happiness is complete. But he fell into temptation when Minna entered the picture. It was just one brief affair!

When Ai Ling found out, she filed for divorce despite his begging and pleading, leaving Meng with him.

Life with Minna was so glitzy to the extent Seng lost control of himself, ignoring his responsibilities to the organization he build. Eventually, he lost everything but Minna still clung to him like a parasite. With no one to turn to, Meng became the victim of abuse which he then ran out of his life too. Life got much worse when he turned to beers, drugs and women as he enjoys the worldly pleasures while venting his anger at God all the time. However, when Seng was diagnosed with cancer, he began to rethink his actions and wondered if it was too late for him.

He knew that today was a special celebration at the church. Judging by the decorated eggs he had for breakfast, he reckoned it was Easter Sunday. He begged the nurses to bring him to a priest. He knew his time was near and he wanted to make amends before it was all too late. When they reached the church, Seng knocked and was greeted by a face so painfully familiar. His eyes began to quiver with tears.

The priest lifted Seng up ever so gently. Seng was weeping as he muttered the words of repentance from God.

?Our Heavenly Father forgives all, but will you also forgive me, father??

Baptism ? an act of christening and renewing ones life without placing limitation on age, race or any earthly bounds. When we are given an opportunity to forgive our sins and welcoming Gods love, it is the best baptism favor we can give not only to us but the people around us as we share the ultimate gift of love.