Luke was a boy
who was
constantly
discontented
with life. From
a poor but
loving family,
he felt inferior
to his
classmates who
had better
resources than
he had.
One day he came
home sad and
distressed. At
the time of the
prayer they said
together every
week - the
Gospel at Home -
Luke was grumpy
and
disheartened.
After reading a
passage from the
Gospel, in which
Jesus spoke
about the need
to do good to
others, each one
gave their
opinion. When it
was his turn,
Luke said full
of anger:
 |
- Talk is cheap!
How can we do
charity if we
have nothing? We
are the ones who
need charity
from people! ...
At least on
Children's Day I
would like to
receive a gift!
His mother
listened to him
and then,
seriously,
explained:
|
|
- I know, dear.
But, how can you
say we have
nothing? Do we
lack food at
home? Are you
and your
brothers
unclothed or
barefoot? Don’t
you have your
school books and
materials? |
His two
brothers, Joseph
and Marc, shook
their head,
agreeing.
- I'm not
talking about
those every day
things, Mom. I
would like hang
out with my
classmates, get
new clothes,
travel... get
it? My friends
always tell me
what they did
over the
weekend; I keep
quiet because I
never have
anything to
tell. We are
poor! - Luke
responded,
hanging his
head.
His father, who
had remained
silent,
considered:
- How can you
say we have
nothing, Luke?
We have things
that are much
more important
and true which
we have received
from God to
administer!
- What, for
example, Dad? -
asked the angry
boy.
- The
administrator is
not only the one
who cares for
material goods
such as money
and authority.
He is also the
one that takes
care of the
resources
entrusted to him
by God, such as
a perfect body,
health, being
able to work,
the capacity to
learn, true
friends, his
home and,
undoubtedly, the
time we have at
our disposal.
Aren’t all of
these things
treasures that
God gives us?
...
- That’s true,
Dad. But I was
referring to the
things that I
would like to
have and I don’t
have.
The father
smiled slightly
and noted:
- I know, son.
But do your
classmates have
all of these
gifts? Think
about it! Are
all of them
well? Are they
at peace?
The boy thought
about his
classmates and
remembered:
- Well. Victor
got a skateboard
and hurt
himself,
breaking his leg
which is now in
a cast.
Fernando's
father, who owns
a big company,
is broke and is
going to close
it, that’s I
have heard. Tito
and his family
were traveling
this week and
had an accident;
Fortunately,
they seem to be
fine. Ah,
Melina! She told
me that her
parents are
separating ...
Felix has a
brother who has
a disability and
cannot learn!
Hugo...
His father, who
listened in
silence,
considered:
- Do you see
how important these
values are?
Health, family
togetherness,
using well the
resources we
have, among
other things...
Do you
understand?
Luke nodded,
agreeing with
his father:
- That’s true,
Dad! I had not
thought of that.
We have less
money but we
lack nothing. We
are well,
healthy, we have
intelligence to
learn and study,
we have a real
home and we love
each other.
Luke stood up
and embraced his
father, mother
and two
brothers.
Right then,
moved, his
father invited
everyone to say
the final
prayer, which
Luke was keen to
do:
- Lord Jesus, we
thank you for
all we have
received in our
lives.
Especially for
today and for
our meeting. I
realize now how
fortunate we are
here at home.
Bless all our
relatives,
classmates and
friends, and
Dad’s job, which
gives us the
means to live
well. So be it!
When he finished
the prayer,
everyone was
happy, and Luke
added:
- I am proud to
belong to this
family! Thank
you, Dad.
Thanks, Mom!
And, thinking
about the text
we read, I
remembered that
we can do
charity to
others through
our actions,
affection,
attention, and a
friendly word.
His father
smiled and
agreed:
- That's right,
son. We do not
need money to
help people. All
we need is good
will and a
desire to serve.
Then he stopped
talking and
smiled:
- I forgot that
I have a
surprise to tell
you today. Do
you know what? I
got a raise and
I thought we
could travel to
your
grandparents’
home. What do
you think?
Everyone jumped
for joy! The
boys loved to
visit their
grandparents,
who
would also be
happy to be able
to see them.
- That’s great!
It will be our
Children's Day
present!
That night
everyone slept
well, especially
Luke, who was
grateful to God
for all he had
been given.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
28/07/14.)
