WATCHING THE WORMS
A vicar was leading a
crusade against alcoholism in his parish. In a meeting of the parishioners, describing alcohol as 'devil's drink', he
declared emphatically, “Alcohol is man’s greatest enemy.” A drunkard from the
audience raised an objection. He asked, “But, Father, Jesus taught us to love
our enemies.” The priest retorted, “That is true, dear son. Jesus taught us only
to love our enemies, not to swallow them!”
The vicar organised a
seminar for the students of the parish to enlighten them about the ill effects
of alcohol. He invited a doctor to present the topic scientifically. The doctor
started his class with a dramatic live demonstration. He placed two tall glass
jars on the table, clearly visible to all. One was labelled ‘WATER’ and the other was labelled ‘ALCOHOL’ in large, clear letters. Then
he poured pure water into the first jar and alcohol in the other jar. Next, he
opened a container and picked two long, live earthworms. Explaining his experiment
eloquently, he dropped one worm into the jar of water and another worm into the
jar of alcohol. He asked the audience to watch the worms carefully. The worm
put in water happily wriggled about, displaying that it was alive, agile and
active.
The worm dipped into alcohol
curled, shrivelled up and writhed painfully and died instantly. It sank and settled to the
bottom of the jar. Glad to have successfully completed the demonstration, the
doctor asked the audience “Tell me what you learnt from the experiment?”
A smart, young boy stood up
and declared aloud, “The experiment has proved that alcohol is an effective
medicine to kill and eliminate the worms infesting the intestine.” The doctor was
lost for words.
Chemically speaking, an alcoholic
drink is a ‘solution’ – a solution of ethanol in water. Alcohol dissolves many
substances. But it is not a solution to our problems. Problems may appear to
dissolve in alcohol and disappear, but later they reappear in a more intense
form. Alcohol is a poison, which distorts the
personality, destroys domestic life and initiates sinful anti-social
activities.
Recently a drunkard returned from
the bar to his car, heavily drunk. Entering the car, he tried to start it but could
not, as the pedals and steering wheel were missing. He cried aloud that someone
has stolen these parts from his car. Persons who heard the cry came near him
and found that he was occupying the back seat of his car!
Addiction to alcohol (alcoholism) has ruined the life of millions. The Holy Bible
warns that drunkards will not possess God’s Kingdom {1 Corinthians 6:10;
Galatians 5:19-21}. It is stupid to
get drunk {Proverbs 20:1, 23:20, 23:29-35}.
Wine has been the ruin of many {Sirach 31:25-31}.
We must abstain from this harmful habit and pray for God’s grace to transform
the alcoholics in our society.
Drinking alcohol, smoking, chewing pan,
abuse of drugs, watching immoral pictures etc. are sinful pleasures that
destroy our health, peace, purity, character and life, leading to physical,
mental and moral disease and death. Let us avoid all harmful habits.
St. Paul asks, “Don’t you know that your body is the
temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourselves but to God; He bought you for a price. So use
your bodies for God’s glory” {1
Corinthians 6:19, 20}.
…………………………………………………………………..
© By: Prof. Dr. Babu Philip,
Darsana Academy, Kottayam-686001, Kerala, India ( Former Professor, Cochin
University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala,
India), Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St.
Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St.
Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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