MORAL STORIES

CONSTRUCTION OF A CATHEDRAL

The cathedral of a diocese was being reconstructed after the demolition of the old cathedral. The Bishop was visiting the site of construction. He met three artisans actively engaged in the construction. He asked the same question to each of them: “What are you doing now?”

The three workers gave different answers to the Bishop’s inquiry. The first man said, “I am making a window.” The second person said, “I am making a pillar.”

The third was a helper, engaged in mixing sand and cement to make mortar for the masons. But his answer was, “Lord, I am constructing a cathedral.”

The three men were working with different attitudes. The first two could find only a limited application to their activities. But the third had a broader vision. He did not consider his role as insignificant. He had a magnificent cathedral in his dream. He considered his share of the work as part of a great endeavour.

The construction and maintenance of the Church of God requires the active participation and close co-operation of all Christians. The role of an individual may be minor when compared to the target. But every action is relevant and significant in the eyes of God.

Mother Teresa, the saint and champion of Christian charity has said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

She considered herself and every one as little pencils in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a loving letter to the world through each of us. Every Christian is an instrument of Jesus to spread His message of love and practise His message of charity to redeem all around us.

When multitudes remained hungry, eagerly listening to the living words of Jesus, the simple and humble offering of a little boy was accepted by Jesus. He blessed and multiplied it to feed thousands of hungry people {John 6: 5-13}. Jesus taught that the two little copper coins offered by the poor widow with her full heart were more valuable than the lots of money offered by the rich men. {Luke 21: 1-4, Mark 12: 41-44}.

Our missionary activities may appear to be minor. We may be a catechist or we may be performing minor acts of love, service and charity or only doing our daily duties with dedication and honesty. These are God’s ways of evengelisation through us.

Jesus taught the parable of the three servants {Matthew 25: 14-30}. Here the master said to the faithful servants, “Well done, you good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!”

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

This is Story No. 151 in this 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 this site. Please click on a word in the 'Story Themes' to read stories on that theme.