Principles – «What is happening?» – Saturday January 28, 2017

   We tackled at the previous article hardships and how every one of us is distinguished by the way he sees them. We also said that principles have a great role in overcoming life’s obstacles; even if they were slow to enact, goodness is to triumph eventually. We also commenced the story of the governor who asked his people to pour a glass of milk in a huge jar amid the cityas long no one sees them.

   The villagers marveled at the governor’s request and hastened to do as he said. They rose at night while each one of them held a glass of milk to pour it in the jar under the night’s cover. No sooner sun rose to declare a new day is to come than the governor was waiting the villagers where the jar was placed to open it and find to his amusement water instead of milk!!

   He was troubled and asked the villagers why they wouldn’t have been honest at doing their job. However, he found no answer but that each villager thought he was the only one who poured water instead of milk considering his deed would never affect what others offered. Each one of them decided to make others did the job while he himself wasn’t committed to do it right. Then, they began to accuse one another of dishonesty willingly or unwillingly not realizing they did the same. Hence, the governor asked, “what is the destiny of a city where dishonest and insincere people live?!” Over days, the answer was clear as matters worsened and hunger prevailed that many people died as they found no hand to help them. This is what happens exactly to those who forsake high principles whenever facing difficulties.

   Another story told by Mother Teresa that happened when she was a little girl. Story says, once upon a time a friend visited a family and during their chat he told them a story of Hindu family that its 8 children haven’t eaten for days. What Mother Teresa did was to offer that family, who their eyes glitter with hunger, a plate of food. However, the mother took the plate thankfully. She offered half its food for her children, put the other half on a plate then left the house for moments and came back with an empty plate… to be continued

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center