1 Sam. 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Cor. 15:45-49; Lk. 6:27-38
Dear bother and sisters
Once Chhatrapati Shivaji (who was a
famous King in India during the reign of Aurangzeb), was riding in
his horse in the forest for hunting. While he was going, suddenly a big stone
hit his head. Being a king, he became extremely angry, thinking who had the audacity to throw a stone at him. He was looking around to see who did this, but he could not see anybody.
Slowly, an old woman came in
front of him and told that it was she who threw the stone. When he asked her
the reason, she said, "I am sorry my Lord. I wanted to pluck those mangoes
from this tree, but I could not reach them. Hence I threw a stone to hit them.
But unfortunately it hit your head. Please forgive me."
Normally Shivaji himself or any
other person would have become angry and punished the offender. But by Lord's
mercy, Shivaji got a nice realization.
He thought, "If a tree,
which is not a highly elevated living entity, can be so tolerant and merciful
to give sweet mangoes even when hit by anyone; being a King, should I not be
more merciful and tolerant than the tree?"
Thinking this way, he donated a handful
of gold to the old woman.
Nature provides us many examples
to remind us of how humble and tolerant we should be.
During today's First
Reading from the First Book of Samuel, we heard a perfect example of Tolerance.
When Abishai saw the opportunity to kill Saul, he said to David, "Let me
pin him to the ground with one stroke of the spear...". To this comment,
David answered, "Do not destroy him; for who can raise his hand against the
Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?"
David did not want to
carry the guilt of being the one who killed king Saul who had been chosen by
God. Yes, the opportunity was there! Yes, king Saul has made David's life very
miserable! Yes, king Saul was jealous of David! But all of these reasons did
not justify taking into one's own hands the Divine justice of God. While David
would answer to God for his actions, king Saul would also answer to God for his
action. And as David has forgiven king Saul for the wrong that has been done to
him, God forgave David for many wrongs that he has done during his life.
"For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."
This words echo the
words of Jesus who said, "If you love those who love you, what credit is
that to you? For even sinners love those who love them... But love your
enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be
great, and you will be children of the most High."
The law of tolerance
should begin from home. There are a lot of things that a wife should practice
tolerating in the life of her husband and children. Husband should
be willing to tolerate many things in the life of his wife and
children, and children should be able to behave in the same way to the parents.
When families grow as a place of tolerance societies will
experience greater unity and the world will enjoy peace.
I would like to share
with you the words of Dr Abdul Kalam
‘Where there is
righteousness in the heart
There is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character,
There is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home,
There is order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There is peace in the world.’
There is beauty in the character.
When there is beauty in the character,
There is harmony in the home.
When there is harmony in the home,
There is order in the nation.
When there is order in the nation,
There is peace in the world.’
May God bless us to be
the ambassadors of tolerance and peace.
Satish