Daily Reflections-32, November 20, 2014 Fr. Jose panthaplamthottiyil CMI A Drink of Water Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586) was an English soldier, courtier and writer. Named after his godfather Philip II of Spain, he became well-known as a poet with the publication of Astrophil and Stella (Star Lover and Star) which consisted of 108 sonnets and 11 songs. In 1586, he fought against the Spanish at Zutphen where he was severely wounded. While his wound was being dressed, someone brought him water to drink. At that time another wounded soldier was pleading for water. When Sidney heard the cry for water, he passed the water to him saying, “Thy need is greater than mine.” Sidney, who had lost lot of blood through the wound, died twenty-two days later. Sidney himself was urgently in need of water as he was severely wounded. But he had the heart to see the crying need of his fellow soldier. He realized his neighbor’s need was greater than his own. Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara who will be canonized on November 23, 2014 in Rome also had the same feeling toward the needs of others. That was why he wrote, “A day in which you do not do any good for others will not be counted in the book of life.” We are all called to help our fellow human beings in need. Unlike Sidney, most of us may not have the generosity of heart to realize that the needs of our fellow human beings are greater than our own. However, we should be able to look at their needs at least as important as our own. When we become generous to others as taught by Jesus in meeting their needs, the Lord will also reward us abundantly. Remember the words of Jesus, “Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ…will surely not lose his reward” (Mark 9:41). It is nice to know that our acts of kindness can not only warm the hearts and meet the needs of others, but they can also bring us unbelievable rewards from the Lord.
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 05:33:36 +0000
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