Thursday 26th March 2026

Apology for skipping 2 weeks in a row—jet lag is real, and so is joining work after a 5-month break!

As I browsed through the last post’s comments, I noticed how everyone mentioned being a terrorist nation and women being oppressed! I would like to say, “Yeah, so I have read on the internet, and narratives have been told.” The US is, however, having collateral damage to civilians and children too!

I am not the best proponent of violence and living as a minority religion in a country with its own oppression of women and Christianity—I have seen and heard a fair share of trouble! I do realize how tough it is to live in a world like that where freedom is measured and dependent on others—I am fortunate I get to work and pray with zero fear of being caught or killed or arrested, although nuns and priests have faced the brunt often in many parts of my country!

Today’s Gospel has Jesus being asked the existential question

Who do you make yourself out to be?”

I am a girl who has a desire to be loved and live in peace. Do the work I love, perform surgeries on cancer-ridden women and make them better, spread health awareness, and just be happy with my family and friends.

I bow my head and pray at the Blessed Sacrament, surrendering my petty issues of work, family, and then all my sick patients! My ultimate goal is to end my life with immense love and remember I have been a source of love to everyone around me through Christ!

This Lent has been chaotic with my travel and work thrown across everything, so much so I even have a very dear colleague and flatmate getting married (Hindu) on Easter weekend!

It has not been the typical fasting but a test in my patience! But as I held those candles, lit at the shrine of Our Lady of Fatima … I had this peace in my heart, and I knew all will be okay—my family, my return to Goa, and even my workplace. I prayed hard and realized it’s just the fact that I am at the best place in my life with the best people around me.

Today, as we are almost ending the Lenten season, I hope we all just pray for a better world for you and me! Surrender our issues health, money, family and others unto His feet hold onto the Lord’s robe for a touch to be cleansed, and he figures out “who we make ourselves to be.” — humans first — lessen the judgment and focus on being better! every day with Christ walking by our side!

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.

Author Archive Page

12 Comments

  1. I love your phrase “hold on to the Lord’s robe.” I will visualize that image from time to time as I pray. Sometimes it’s hard to pray with words, so that visualization can be a beautiful prayer.

  2. Amen! Love this reflection your words are inspirational. I to am holding on to Christ’s robe as we journey to eternal peace and happiness. God bless you and may your Holy Week be filled with many blessings. 🕊️🙏🏼💓

  3. Thank you for your beautiful reflection. I too, reflect holding onto Jesus’s robe for healing. May we all put our worries, fears, doubts at the foot of the cross & trust in Jesus. God bless you & your family always.

  4. I look forward to your reflections and appreciate your insight.
    I am offended, greatly however, that you are using this platform to promote your personal feelings on politics. That country has been a terrorist state for decades. They slaughtered over 30,000 of their own people just this year. A world class 19 yo athlete admired by millions was recently executed. We, USA have lost precious blood over there. There have been innocents killed from strikes. Not condoning it. This war began over 40 years ago. America is fighting FOR the people of Iran who no longer want to live in terror everyday. Where women are at best 2nd class citizens. I may be offending some but I take extreme exception when you blame the USA for what is taking place over there. That kind of rhetoric only incites Iran. Please, please return to your reflections of grace, loving and helping all.

  5. Thank you Analise and welcome back to ACM.I also love the image of reaching out to touch Christ’s robe.A comforting and blessed thought 🙏🏻

  6. Welcome back, your reflections have been missed. I read a prayer the other day and one of the verses struck a very loud chord within me, “Free me from carrying what was never mine to hold.” Daily I try to surrender the fear, the anger of what is going on all over America & the world, the judgement of others (judgement is God’s job, not ours), the tendency to try and control everything… and this verse reminds me it was never mine to hold. We are all a beloved child of God and His only ask is for us to live a life of love, helping & loving others and treating all life with dignity & respect. Have a blessed upcoming Holy Week.

  7. Welcome back beautiful reflection thank you for your complete and total surrender to our lord in the blessed and holy sacrament . may you have a blessed and holy Easter thank you for all you do you are an inspiration too us all love in Christ Jesus our lord and our mother Mary and saints Angel 🧎🏼🩸🙏

  8. Thanks to Noreen for her comments.

    Analise – No comments on politics, please. Unfortunately, this is not the first time and has happened several times in the past.

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