I was trying to get an electrician to restore power supply at my mother’s home, which remained disrupted for three days. There were number of visits to the office of the electricity department and it did not seem to give me an indication of any hope even on the fourth day. I was frustrated, angry and restless.
I remembered an incident Dr. Elsie Philip, professor of Paediatrics shared in a meeting of doctors invoking us to do good even in most provocative circumstances. Jacob andJ Joseph were neighbors who cultivated their land in north Malabar. Their friendship lasted for over twenty years. Jacob subtly began extending his boundary fence into Joseph’s property little by little. Joseph’s protest did not change Jacob’s behavior.
Jacob had a stroke and was no longer able to cultivate his land. His income had declined and was getting trapped by debt. Joseph offered to cultivate paddy in Jacob’s field and offered to give him the entire produce. Joseph did this for three seasons. By then Jacob was moved by Joseph’s attitude of love and concern and apologized for his crafty behavior. Their relationship was restored. Jacob recovered remarkably after this and was able to take care of his family and property. Joseph was a Good samaritan.
I was ready to confront the electrician when he came home, which he did in the evening. But the story of Joseph was resounding in my heart. I noticed a large boil on the forehead of the electrician and it looked unhealthy with cellulitis. He has been applying ointment over it for two weeks. I gave him some antibiotics and asked him to have a medical check up for Diabetes. He was a known Diabetic for five years.
It is good to forgive and do good as much as possible. That is how, we leave marks of goodness around us. Jesus of Nazareth went about doing good in spite of provocations, humiliations and rejection by his own people.
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