A Sunbird finds nectar from the flowers and subsequently feeds on an insect found in the bark of a tree in our garden.
A sunbird was looking for its 'daily bread' !
A rich young ruler was seeking for eternal life, because of which he came to Jesus of Nazareth, knelt before him and 'began asking Him, Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life' (Mark 10: 17-22).
A young, rich ruler was seeking for longevity, security and continuity! His question to Jesus of Nazareth was all about a longing for his future!
Jesus 'felt a love for him' (v21) turned his attention away from himself, his possession and position. Jesus of Nazareth calls for a voluntary dispossession of his wealth and turn his attention to the poor.
What preoccupies me sometimes is the need of the tomorrows!
Yesterday when I met a neurosurgeon who is in his late seventies, reminded me of the premature retirement he took to take care of his ageing parents who were in their late eighties. The neurosurgical work he did in a private sector during that time, while staying near to his parents, invited resistance from other neurosurgeons. One litigation against him was by neurologist, whose father had his malignant tumour resected without any complication or neurological deficit. A bleed following his recovery was attributed to the operation by the lawyer who served him a notice. This neurosurgeon of considerable repute realised that the lawyers plotted against him without substantial ground. He refused to respond to the lawyer's notice and he was well advised by his lawyers to avoid getting trapped as he was legally well protected. He referred to this difficult experience and said, ' I felt protected and taken care of because most of his surgical work involved operating upon those, which other neurosurgeons refused to operate upon' ! This neurosurgeon was able to negotiate that difficult season in life, because he lived truthfully, worked diligently and engaged himself helping those who were financially stressed. He went on to do even more humanitarian work in the neurosurgical field for another two decades. He did not seek after his prospects. He refused to be distracted or compelled to defend himself, but stayed focussing on helping those in need.
A cardiologist who himself needed coronary by-pass surgery at a relative young age, carries a special concern for the life style dimension that compounds cardiovascular stress. He spends time with people who come to him to help them to disengage themselves from indulgent living and addictive practices !
The rich young ruler wanted personal security; but the sunbird was satisfied with daily bread and the neurosurgeon and the cardiologist were engaged in taking care of others in need.
The sign board to the way of living points to others in need! We can either follow that sign board or create a self-seeking agenda for oneself.
Jesus of Nazareth said, 'The lamp of the body is the eye; if therefore your eye is clear, your body will be full of light' (Matthew 6:22).
What is this lamp within!
It was while reading the recently released book, Carry Your Candle...Go Light Your world, by Usha Jesudason and Sulochana Abraham, focussing on the lives of Dr Abraham Joseph and Dr Sulochan Abraham, I received an insight about this lamp within! In the rear cover page of the book, it is mentioned that, ' In Dr Sulochana Abraham, his wife, Dr Abraham Joseph found a partner whose compassion and commitment mirrored his own..' The lamp represents the inner dimension of attitude and outlook to life. A lamp sheds light around and beyond!
A lamp is therefore a path finder leading us to others in need!
Each of us is blessed with this lamp within! The lamp of compassion and commitment towards others!
M.C.Mathew (text and photo)
