Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | August 16, 2020

Today, let’s talk about Sonu Sood, the only actor about town who is on ‘ground zero’ helping migrant workers in their hour of need.

There’s a book that adorns my reading library, 365 Saints by Woodeene Koenig-Bricker. This book, in a very condensed manner, capsules the lives of saints, in a little under 350 words. I have been reading this book since the year 2014, and have covered all 365 Saints whose lives have been written about, and have re-read them.

St. Sonu Sood leads the way

Of late, whenever I have been reading the life of a saint, it almost, always points towards Sonu Sood. Every action, of the saint of the day and his or her life, points towards benevolence, of others before self. And ever since Sonu Sood has stood out during the pandemic, helping migrant workers reach their homes, I have been filled with admiration for this man, who has gone about his ‘duty’ without looking for accolades. This is rare.

And so, as a tribute to the man, who is never the hero in ‘Reel’ life, but has upturned the equations in ‘Real’ life, I stitch together, text from the book 365 Saints. I’m sure Woodeene Koenig-Bricker will not mind. This is a work of inspiration… inspiration of the man named Sonu Sood and the rich, spiritual text of Woodeene Koenig-Bricker. The book is a daily guide to the wisdom of the saints and the wonder of their lives!

The world has plenty of bad influences, what we need now are a few good influences. Going about our daily business might not make us official saints but we can never know for sure. Sonu Sood has been a good influence.

The real value of wealth

Wealth is often cited as one of the main stumbling blocks to spiritual growth. Sonu Sood has used his fortune wisely; he has understood that the real value in wealth lies in how you use it, not in how much you have.

The question one needs to ask oneself is this: “Do I let God show me that I am valuable? How do I show others that they are valuable?” The Gospel of St. Matthew says that even a single sparrow cannot fall to the ground without God knowing it. If God keeps a track of a sparrow, how much more so must each of us be valued? Sonu Sood (with his act of kindness, of putting others above self), has valued the lives of the migrant workers. He got moving to move them to the safety and comfort of their own homes.

All too often, we sip at life as if it were a tepid cup of weak tea. St. Peter tells us that instead of taking tiny little mouthfuls, we need to grab life with both hands and swig it down like an icy cold glass of spring water on the hottest day of summer. Sonu Sood did just that.

Life is not a dress rehearsal. We can’t wait for what we think is opening night to decide we’ll go on stage. If we do, we’ll discover the play is almost over and the curtain is ready to fall. Sonu Sood went on the stage, despite the odds stacked against him.

Being the change

Like St. Peter, Sonu Sood has jumped into the stormy sea. Like St. Maximillan Mary Kolbe, who took the place of a condemned prisoner being led to his execution, Sonu Sood broke the queue. Like Lydia, he has used his fortune wisely. Like St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, Sonu Sood realised that strength and courage does not come from determination but action.

Each of us is born with a compass in our soul pointing not to the magnetic north, but to heaven. Like a celestial homing device, it’s always with us, reminding us we are indeed merely travellers on earth and that our real home, with its welcoming surroundings awaits us at the end of our voyage.

Sonu Sood, with his act of kindness, travelled the plight of the migrant workers.

The world needs more humans like Sonu Sood.

(Moody Marty… Sometimes funny, sometimes informative, always downright forthright!)

Cover Pic Courtesy: Sameer Khan from Sonu Sood @ActorSonuSood
Pic Courtesy: Sonu Sood @ActorSonuSood

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