LET’S BE GENEROUS IN SHARING WHAT WE HAVE AND WE CAN

LET’S BE GENEROUS IN SHARING

 WHAT WE HAVE AND WE CAN

A stranger went into a village where people were selfish to the core and did not share what they had with each other. So the stranger asked for some food to eat. A woman said, “I have nothing to give you.” The man said, “Never mind. I have a magic stone. If you place this stone in a pot of boiling water, you will get a wonderful soup.” The woman, with great excitement, brought a pot filled with water and placed it on the fire. Then she went and told all the people about the magic stone. The whole village assembled to watch the miracle about the magic stone. The whole village assembled to watch the miracle. The man took a stone form his pocket and put into the boiling water. Then he tasted the water and said, “Ah! The soup only needs some potatoes.” One woman shouted, “I have some potatoes,” then went and brought them form her house. The stranger sliced them and put them into the pot. After some time he tasted the soup and said, “Oh! If only it had some meat in it, it would be a fine soup.” A housewife said, “I have some meat at home.” She went and brought it. The stranger took the meat and mixed it in the soup. Little later, he tasted the soup again and said, “Ah! If only we have some onions, carrots, and beans, the soup would be almost perfect.” One villager shouted, “I have some of them, and I will fetch them right now.” The stranger added them to the soup. A little later he tasted the soup and said. “Ah! The soup is excellent. It only needs a little salt and pepper.” Another man voluntarily offered them. When he tasted it now, it was perfect. He said, “It’s ready. Everybody get a bowl and spoon and some bread if you like, and taste this wonderful soup. Come let us feast and enjoy each other’s company.” All of them rushed home to get a bowl and a spoon and some and some bread. They ate together and laughed together. The stranger having finished his meal, took the stone from the pot, put it into his pocket, and departed before anyone could thank him.

This is the story of a stranger who turned a crowd of selfish men and women into a fellowship of sharers. In the same way, transcending our little selfish worlds of “I” and “Me”, the story asks us to part with what we can. It may not be very valuable, may not be much. There are many ways of doing this, either by contributing materially in some way, or offering our efforts, talents, time to listen too others or to help someone in need.

Let us be generous to our friends, workers in our schools, communities, offices, and families. Let us try to reach out to the people who hunger for acceptance and love, to people who hunger for understanding, who hunger for understanding, who hunger for justice and peace. Remember friends God love a cheerful giver.