With the ongoing
struggles between the Israelis and Palestinians, I share with you a story told
by St Teresa of Calcutta about the gift of sharing and getting along, in spite
of major differences.
“One day a man
came to our home and told me that there was a Hindu family with 8 children who
have not eaten in a week. He asked me if I could help them. So I took a bag of
rice and went to their place, and as soon as I arrived, I noticed the pain of
hunger on all the children’s faces. But as soon as I gave them the rice, I
noticed the mother divide the rice in two portions. And she went outside and
left me alone with the children. When she returned I asked her, ‘What did you
do, where did you go?’ And she answered softly ‘They are hungry too....’ She
had gone to their neighbours, who were Muslims and gave them half of the rice.
Now understand that Muslims and Hindus do not get along and often fight
fiercely with each other. But she knew that they were hungry too. That day I
did not return to give them more rice, so that she could enjoy the joy of
giving, the pleasure of sharing. What surprised me the most however was the
fact that she knew they were also hungry.” Do we know if our neighbours need
some unusual help? Are we aware of any need in our neighbourhood? How willing
are we to share with those who have practically nothing?
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