TELL ME WHY?

An inspiring Song I come across, why we pass the blame, is this to be like this, why don't we pass a helping hand when so many are in need.... Let's think about this, Can I do something for this???

I CANNOT TOLERATE!

          We all know about the story of Abraham showing his hospitality to the three men (who are angels of God).   "Yahweh appeared to Abraham near the oak of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent, in the heat of the day, when he looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them. He bowed to the ground and said, "My Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass your servant by.  Let a little water be brought. Wash your feet and then rest under the trees.  I shall fetch some bread so that you can be refreshed and continue on your way, since you have come to your servant." (Genesis 18:1-5) It is because Jewish people known for their hospitality and not only that, it was part of Jewish custom to treat the strangers kindly.  They won't allow any stranger pass by their house without giving them some food and water or some refreshment to continue their journey.  The letter to the Hebrews also quoting this incident of Abraham, urges us to be hospitable.  "Do not neglect to offer hospitality; you know that some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2)

          So, one day there was a beggar passing by the the tent of Abraham.  When Abraham saw that beggar, he ran to him and welcomed him into his house, by washing his feet according to the Jewish custom.  He prepared delicious food and gave him to eat.  As that beggar did not eat for days together, when he saw the food just immediately he started to eat in a hurry.  When Abraham saw this, he got angry with the beggar and immediately he grabbed all the food from the beggar and chased him away in the cold winter night.

          On the same night God called Abraham, 'Here I am' replied Abraham.  God asked, 'What have you done to the beggar?'  'Oh, Lord, that beggar, he is really stupid. When I gave him food he did not say his prayer before meals, so took away my food and chased him out. I CANNOT TOLERATE him' was the answer of Abraham.  God replied, 'He has been eating like this, without saying any prayer not even thinking of me for past 38 years, still I am tolerating him, I bear all that.  But you cannot TOLERATE or BEAR with him just for few moments.'  Ashamed with the reply of the Lord, Abraham went out in that winder night searching that beggar again.

          This may be a very small story but it speaks volumes of lessons for us.  I CANNOT TOLERATE THIS, I CANNOT TOLERATE HIM / HER; I CANNOT TOLERATE ANYMORE; HOW LONG CAN I TOLERATE THIS; these are few phrases that we use in our day to day life.  Just imagine God is TOLERATING and bearing with us all along our life time, but we are not able to tolerate ever for sometimes. "Be humble, kind, patient, and bear with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2)  Have ever read this Word of God and at least remember there that is a Word of God like this.  Further St. Paul advises us,  "Put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience to bear with one another and forgive whenever there is any occasion to do so. As the Lord has forgiven you, forgive one another.  When you have put on all these, take love as your belt so that the dress be perfect." (Colossians 3:12-14)  Without this our dress, our spiritual garment, won't be perfect.

HELP US LORD, TO BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER AS YOU ARE WITH US. AMEN

RECYCLED RELATIONSHIP!

        Hai Friends, Happy to meet you all after a long time.  Meanwhile though I have written some of my reflections, at first I would like to post this story which I heard in the Introduction to Religious Life class, narrated by Profession Rev. Fr. Jesus Macatisbis, OAD.  The story goes like this:

        Once there was a orphaned boy brought to a monastery.  The monks received him and the boy was brought up there.  When he has grown up they wanted to educate him, but soon they found out that he is not so much interested in Education, so to say he is not intelligent, he is very poor in any academical qualification.  So, as a result the monks asked him to take care of the animals.  He was looking after the sheep, goat, cows, pigs and other domestic animals.  He was also so happy about that and sincerely he was doing that well.  He so dedicated himself, in course of time he even started talking with them so friendly.  By looking at this the Monks stopped eating the meat.  If they slaughter a pig for meat, the monks will comment that they are eating the friend of that boy.  So, all of them became vegetarians, eating only vegetables and fruits.  As the years passed by the boy was transferred to another monastery.  There he was asked to take care of the garden.  Again with so much dedication and sincerity he took care of the plants in the same way he will converse with the plants.  The whole garden was blooming with beautiful flowers.  

       Everyday the boy will pluck the flowers and keep it in the altar of the saints and in the chapel.  Though the flower was still fresh, he would change the flower everyday.  One day the one of the Monk asked him why he is changing the flower everyday thought the flowers are still fresh. The boy replied, "I don't want my relationship with these saints and Jesus to be a RECYCLED RELATIONSHIP. I want it fresh everyday.  Especially for Jesus, I try to arranged the best of all flowers."

        So, how about our relationship with Jesus, Mother Mary and Saints?  and even with our own family and friends?  Is it Daily Flower Fresh, or RECYCLED RELATIONSHIP?

         Let us pray to Jesus the grace to love God, our family and friends with a genuine, selfless love.  HELP US LORD TO LOVE YOU AND TRUST YOU TRULY, AND LOVE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AS YOU LOVE ME. AMEN.