Monday, August 25, 2014

THE DOG AT THE DOOR

THE DOG AT THE DOOR


                         John Baillie (1886-1960) was a renowned Scottish theologian. He wrote popular books in theology including ‘A Reasoned Faith’, ‘Invitation to Pilgrimage’, ‘The Place of Jesus in Modern Christianity’, ‘Christian Devotion’ and ‘A Diary of Private Prayer’.
                         John Baillie once narrated the story of a seriously sick patient who was rushed to a hospital. The doctor examined him in detail and from the facial expression of the doctor he could infer that he was nearing his end. He asked the doctor in fear, “Now, what can I do?”
                        The doctor heard the sounds of knocking and scratching on the closed door of the room. “Who is there?” asked the doctor. The patient replied, “He is my pet dog, doctor. He knows that I am here. He makes these sounds in an attempt to reach me.” The doctor was enlightened by this incident. He advised the dying patient, “That is exactly what you too should do. Our ultimate goal in life is to reach our heavenly master. Prepare for that inevitable journey.
                        The impatient dog teaches us a great lesson. Our attitude during old age and illness should not be of depression or worry. We must realise that we are moving forward to meet our master who will greet us in heaven. In this journey, we cannot carry with us any earthly possession except our virtues.
                        There is a meaningful hymn sung at the home of the dead during the funeral rites of the Syro-Malabar Catholic church. In Malayalam, the words are:

“Maranam varumoru naal; Orkkuka marthya nee.
Koode porum nin, jeevitha cheythikalum.
Salkrithyangal cheyyuka nee, alasatha koodathe.”

                        The hymn may be translated as follows and sung in the same tune:
“Death will reach you once,
Bear in mind, mortals.
Actions done by you
Come along with you.
Do good deeds and be ready
Do not be lazy.”
                        Man’s way leads to a hopeless end while God’s way leads to an endless hope. 



…………………………………………………………………………
© 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.
                         For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit our web-sites:
                         This is Story No. 322 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.

No comments: