WELCOMING VISITORS

                             Once a businessman had a dramatic dream. He was staying in his house with his wife and teen-aged daughter. In his dream, hearing a knock at the door, he opened the door. Three old men, with long and grey beards were at the door. They appeared to be noblemen tired after a long journey. He welcomed them to his house and requested them to rest and have a drink. They replied that only one of them could be invited to enter his house and the man had the option to choose the person. "What are your names?" asked the man to the strange visitors. The visitors informed that their names were: LOVE, WEALTH and VICTORY.

                            The man was confused and so decided to consult his wife and daughter before inviting one of them to enter his house. His wife was in favour of 'victory' as she wanted to be victorious in every facet of life. He personally preferred 'wealth' over the others as his only interest in life was in amassing wealth. His young daughter argued for welcoming 'love' as she felt that love was the most important aspect of life. After much argument, they decided to give preference to the opinion of their daughter. So they invited 'LOVE' into their home. Immediately all the three visitors entered their house, together, in a hurry. 

                            The man asked them why they changed their mind and decided to accompany the invited guest. Then they replied, "If you had invited either wealth or victory, only the selected one would have entered your house. But because you selected love, all three of us would gladly enter and bless your home. Where there is true love, victory and wealth are sure to enter." The man learned a great lesson about the importance of love from the angels of love, wealth and victory who visited him in his dream.

 

                            St. John, the Apostle, is known as the Apostle of Love. He learned the value of true love, while witnessing the cruel crucifixion of Christ on Calvary. In his old days, the only advice St. John used to deliver during his sermons was, "My children, you must love one another." In his Epistle, he wrote, "My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action" {1 John 3: 18}. "God is love and whoever lives in love lives in union with God and God lives in union with him" {1 John 4: 16}.

                           Worried over the lack of love among some Corinthians, St. Paul wrote to them his famous words of wisdom about real love, "I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell..." {1 Corinthians 13: 1-13}.

                           Love is the language that Jesus taught his disciples as the universal medium for evangelisation. Love can be heard by the deaf, seen by the blind and felt even by the mentally retarded.

                          We may give without loving; but we cannot love without giving. Love is giving all we can. Love is like a smile - neither have any value unless given away. Karl Menninger said, "Love cures people - both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it." Mother Teresa said, "It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts."

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is Story No. 237  in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

ISAIAH AND THE MESSIAH

                          The 'Septuagint' ('the seventy', LXX) is the oldest Greek translation of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. It was translated from the original Hebrew Bible of the Jews. It was started in about 280 BC at Alexandria under emperor Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt. He sent messengers to the High Priest of the Jews to send Holy Scriptures, scholars and scribes to undertake the translation to be preserved in the large library he planned at Alexandria. The High Priest selected about seventy scholars (about six from each of the twelve tribes of Israel) and deputed them to Alexandria. As the translation took about three centuries, the scholars of the original team (70 or 72) were possibly replaced by others during the progress of the translation.

                          One of the scholars who translated the Scriptures from Hebrew to Greek was a learned priest by name 'Simeon'. He was entrusted with the translation of the verses of the Book of Isaiah. When he reached the verse, Isaiah 7: 14, the Hebrew verse read as: "Behold, a virgin (almah) shall conceive and bear a son and name him Immanuel." Simeon doubted the possibility of a virgin giving birth to a child. He thought for a long period and substituted the correct Greek word for 'virgin' (parthenos)  by a different word in Greek which means 'a young woman' . But miraculously, the word used by Simeon was erased by an angel and replaced by the correct word for virgin (parthenos). Simeon tried to change it again but the miracle occurred thrice and was followed by a divine revelation to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that the miracle of virgin birth was possible for God and that since he had doubted His divine will, Simeon would not die before he had seen the Lord's promised Messiah {Luke 2: 26}, as the son of the Holy virgin, St. Mary.

                         Decades later, Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit into the Temple when Joseph and Mary brought child Jesus for the 'presentation'. Simeon took the child in his arms and gave thanks to God: "Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace. With my own eyes I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples: a light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel" {Luke 2: 27-35}.

                          This story teaches us that no one is permitted  to alter the words of God as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. St. Paul warns the Galatians, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel that is different from the one we preached to you, may he be condemned to hell!" {Galatians 1: 8}.

                          This message is strongly emphasized in the hymn, " Poulose Sleeha dhanyan cholketten ithevam..." sung before the reading of the Epistles of St. Paul during the Holy Eucharist in the Antiochene (Antiochian) liturgy that is followed by the Malankara Orthodox Church, Jacobite Syrian Church and the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church. This meaningful hymn may be translated and sung in the original tune as follows:

Poulose Sleeha dhanyan cholketten ithevam...

(English translation by Prof. Dr. Babu Philip, Email: drbabuphilip@gmail.com)

Listen, St. Paul, Holy Apostle taught us,

"If someone comes and teaches

Against what we taught you well,

He will be cursed by the Church

Though he may be an angel."

       Different versions of doctrines

      May arise and spread in world.

      Blest is the one who stays firm

      In divine guidance of God.

Videos of the hymn are available in the links given below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEsdGme0fv8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vh6J49Ivzk

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is Story No. 236  in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

GROWTH TO BECOME SMALL

                     Before slavery was abolished, slave markets were very common in the developed countries. Here, poor and helpless people, were exhibited in the public and sold for a price like animals or vegetables.

                    A rich man bought a young slave from the market to work in his farm. The slave was a Christian and obeyed his master's orders with love and respect. Impressed by his innocence and dedication, the landowner asked him to accompany him during his next visit to the slave market to buy more slaves for his new farms.

                    Reaching the slave market, they saw a large number of slaves displayed for sale. The owner sought the opinion of the slave in selecting suitable slaves. The slave pointed at an old and frail man and pleaded to purchase him. The rich man was reluctant  as the man was old and weak, but the young slave insisted. Finally the old man was bought and brought to the farm. The young slave was eager to help the old slave and even shared his duties with pleasure. When he fell ill, the young slave looked after him and saved him by his tender care. Seeing these acts of affection, the master asked the young slave whether the old man was his father or a close relative. The young slave denied. When the master insisted, he told the story of his association with the old man.

                    When the young slave was a child, the old man had stolen him and sold him as a slave to the slave traders. The master asked, "That means he is your worst enemy. Then why did you care for him?" The young slave replied, "Sir, I am a Christian. Jesus taught us to love our enemies. I am following His commandments." The owner was impressed by this exemplary display of Christian love. He became a true Christian and granted freedom to his slaves.

                    Jesus taught, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who ill-treat you { Luke 6: 27, 28; Matthew 5: 44, 45}. The supreme sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, His forgiveness and His constant compassionate love to us in the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of Salvation, are exemplified in the popular hymn in Malayalam, "Thiruvosthiyay ennil anayum, sneham, Daiva sneham..." in the album "Oru Vilippadakaley", composed by the blessed poet, Rev. Fr. Joy Chencheril, MCBS of Kerala, South India and tuned by Mr. Jacob Koratty. The lyrics of this hymn are translated here to be sung in the original tune as follows:

"In Eucharist you fill my mind, Oh! Love, Divine Love!

You come to stay inside my mind, Oh! Love, my Jesus! (2)

         To become so small, how much should one grow?

         How to be so lavish in love? (2)

I pained Him with my bitter tongue.

There He gave 'Sacrament of Love'! (2)

I blamed Him so much in my mind.

He blessed it with merciful love! (2)

       {To become so small........in love?(2)}

I crucified Him with my hands.

There He gave me 'Manna of Life'! (2)

My mind was furious at Him.

He filled it with flames of deep love. (2)

    

{In Eucharist........Jesus.}

{To become so small........in love? (2)}"

Translated from Malayalam into English by Prof. Dr. Babu Philip (Email: drbabuphilip@gmail.com)

For a video of the original hymn, kindly visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e8Xt9uoAl4

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is Story No. 235  in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

SEA AS SHIELD

                          A wise king built a beautiful palace. He had amassed a lot of wealth for his country. He preserved this wealth as solid gold in a well-guarded treasure house within the palace. He built several safety devices and secret passages within the palace. The details of these arrangements were kept in secret.

                          There was a secret passage from the palace to the nearest forest for the escape of the royal family and major officers in case of an emergency. The treasure house had a secret door which was known only to the king and his faithful treasurer. The treasure house had a majestic false door which was never opened but was always guarded by armed guards.

                          The country was invaded by a mighty emperor with a heavily armed army. They reached the palace and planned to plunder it. The king, with his family and officers secretly escaped to the forest through a secret passage from the palace. The victorious enemies led by the emperor and his commander-in-chief reached the closed door of the treasure house. They used all their might and skill to break and open the door. Finally the door was broken and suddenly there was a torrential gush of sea-water from the room which filled the area killing the mighty army  of the enemy and all its leaders.

                          Unknown to others, the king had made a secret tunnel from the treasure house that led directly to the sea. The room was much below sea  level and so sea water could gush in as soon as the door was opened by force. That was an ingenious arrangement made by the intelligent king to protect the treasure of the country.

                         Later, when the enemies had perished, the king returned to his palace. With the assistance of his skilled engineers, he could seal the connection to the sea. The water was emptied to restore the treasure in an intact form. The people of the country praised the wisdom of their king.

                         A pious queen of Sweden was a champion of charity. She sold her jewels and used that money to build hospitals and orphanages for the poor people of her country. One day she was visiting the inmates of a convalescent home she had built for the poor patients recovering from illness. She met a bedridden woman and talked to her, enquiring about her health. The woman shed tears of gratitude . Her tears fell on the hands of the queen, who was supporting her. The queen later remarked to her aide about those teardrops, "God is sending back my jewels to me!"

                         We take every effort to preserve our treasure on earth. We waste a major share of our time, health and energy to amass fame, wealth and glory. Jesus advised us, “Provide for yourselves purses that don’t wear out, and save your riches in heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief can get to them and no moth can destroy them {Luke 12:33}. “No one can be a slave of two masters; he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” {Matthew 6: 24, Luke 16:13}.                                       

                                Money may fetch us amusement, but not happiness; a bed, but not sleep; books, but not brains; a car, but not safety; companions, but not friends; education, but not wisdom; flattery, but not respect; food, but not appetite; a house but not a home; luxuries, but not culture; medicines, but not health; ornaments, but not beauty; a violin, but not music. Money is like sea water; the more we drink, the thirstier we get.

                        “Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. {Matthew 6: 19, 20} Lord Jesus taught us the correct attitude to wealth during his meeting with the rich, young man who was reluctant to sacrifice his wealth to follow Jesus. We find it in Matthew19: 16-30, Mark 10: 17-31 and Luke-18: 18-30. Let us save our riches in heaven.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is Story No. 234  in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.

A FOREST FIRE

                      A baby elephant had no playmate. He approached all the animals in the forest including the birds and fishes, but none of them was willing to accept him as a friend. The birds told him that he was very heavy and could not fly and so could not join them in their games in the air. The fishes argued that he could not swim with them to the depths of the lake and so they were helpless.

                      Land animals told him that due to his large size he may step on them while playing and crush them to death by accident and so they were afraid to play with him. He remained helpless and hopeless, cursing the disgusting bitterness of solitude.

                      One day a wild fire broke out in the forest. The animals fled to safer places. The dry bushes caught fire and the fire was sure to spread all around the forest. The baby elephant rose to the occasion and ran to the nearest stream. He collected water in his trunk and rushed to the burning bushes. He sprayed the water on the fire with force to extinguish the flames. He ran to the stream and returned with water at top speed several times. As the fire was not widespread, he could control the fire and extinguish it completely by his repeated and rapid action.

                      While he was resting after the strenuous exercise, all the animals and birds came to him and expressed their thanks for his bold and timely service, most sincerely. They told him that he was a friend in need and so was a friend indeed. They were now ready to include him in their company as their best friend and their mighty saviour. He promised to take utmost care to see that no harm is caused to them by his movement or involvement in their games. He was extremely happy to get the affectionate company of several friends. He marched through the forest, carrying several small animals and birds on his back.

                     Joseph Addison said, "Friendship improves happiness, and abates misery, by doubling our joys, and dividing our grief."

                     The Bible teaches, "Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share trouble?" {Proverbs 17: 17}. A loyal friend is like a medicine that keeps you in good health" {Sirach 6: 16}. "The greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them" {John 15: 13}.

"I think that God will never send,

A gift so precious as a friend.

A friend who always understands,

And fills each need as it demands."- Rosalie Carter.

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© By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally and Leo. S. John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.

For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:

http://www.moral-stories.com

http://christian.moral-stories.com

This is Story No. 233  in the second site. Please click ‘Older Posts’ at the bottom of a page to read previous stories and click 'Newer Posts' at the bottom of a page to read newer stories in these sites. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.