One day a poor bedraggled black slave fleeing for his life limped up to a rich cultivator 's house.Weak with hunger and thirst he knocked at the door.
The lady of the house dressed in fine clothes opened the door and looked at him questioningly.
The man twisted his battered hat nervously in his hand and said, ' Mam, I have not eaten for two days, please can you give me something to put into my aching belly."
The woman sighed deeply as she examined his shabby smelly form. "Meet me at the back door," she said and disappeared into the house.
The man waited politely on the back porch while the lady fetched him a bowl of soup and a few slices of bread. Handing him the food she gazed at him with her piercing blue eyes." You know the Lord' s prayer - Out Father which art in heaven, say it before you begin to eat.Tell God how grateful you are for this food." she commanded.
The hapless man hesitated, beads of perspiration shining on his ebony forehead. Holding the bowl in his trembling hands, he lifted his eyes towards heaven started to pray,"Your Father which art in heaven." "Stop,' barked the lady, her face red with irritation," What are you praying? Don' t you know the prayer begins with Our Father not Your Father. Say it the right way."
The black man sadly shook his head and put down the food on the ground near the lady 's well shod feet. Then putting his hat back on his head he said, 'No Mistress, if he was our father , you would have invited me into your house and fed me on your front porch at least, " With that he turned around and walked away from the silent house.
The days of slavery are over but prejudices and divides exist all over the world. In my country there are walls of class, caste, religion , language, economy etc. We have to demolish these barriers for the sake of Christ and humanity.
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2 (New Testament)
1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?.
5Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?.
James 2 (New Testament)
10 Fertilize my soul:
This story provokes thought.
Jesus said that love should be the base of our life. We should love not only our sisters and brothers in Christ, not only our parents or friends. We should love even strange people, even if they don't believe in Christ - in this case we set them the example.
"Soul searching" is the right label for this!
Dear Zimb , you are right embracing people who are different from us is what is love is all about.
Thank you David
Amrita, your people are still steeped in age old superstitions and religious bigotry centered on class distinctions. It may take a longer time for them to escape from these centuries old system. But nothing is impossible with God. Of all religions in the world, Islam and Hinduism are by far the most rabid and intolerant of them all. Thanks for the post. God bless you always.
Dear Amrita,
How brave and deep your thoughts and speech are.
Bigotry and self righteousness are
well known in Norway too, and I sometimes must admit, I'm not without guilt myself.
I had never seen a beggar or met a hungry person until I was a grown woman.
My heart bled the first times I saw the raw face of powerty.
I'd give anyone who asked.
This last decade we have been invaded by beggars from Eastern Europe. Poor, filthy and probably also ill persons are stretching out their hands. Only problem is, that just around the corner a well dressed young man is watching closely, snatching the coins given to the poor one.
Human trafficking, exploiting the poor and even our best quality, the one wanting to helpour neighbor.
Oh, I pray that my heart must remain clean and soft; that no one feels forced to pray "Your Father".
An important and timely reminder.
Thank you and God bless your week end.
From your Norwegian sister Felisol
Dear Mel , DeanO and Felisol, I really appreciate your comments.
Ye s many time s prejudices are a result of religious beliefs. Some years ago a stranger came to us and asjed us to make him a Christian., When we aske d him why he wanted to accept Christianity , he said the high caste people of his religion mis treated him. H eknew Christians treated everyone alike and there was no distinction. We told him that was not reason enough to become a Christian. We gave him the gospel and asked him to see a Pastor in his area about spiritual matter. We just hope he did that.
Dear Felisol thank you for your exhortation. Your kindness is reaching people beyond the borders of norway.
Hi David, our faith empasses all areas of our lives
Hi Amrita..popped by to give you cyber hugs....and to tell you He will never leave you. Stay strong ok.
Sarah dear I send a huge hug back.
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