JOIN USAmong the Eskimos there was an old tradition where the youngest in the family would have to hand over a loaf of bread to his father or mother who reaches the age of seventy five.
He then has to take them into the deepest forest amidst the snowy hills and leave them there to die in hunger and desolation or be devoured by wild animals.
A young Eskimo once handed over a loaf of bread to his aged mother and lead her into the forest.
They walked into the forest in silence. When the boy reached the deepest part of the forest and was about to bid farewell to his mother, she said: “My precious son, I know why you have brought me here.
But I am concerned about you. It is getting dark and I fear you may lose your way back so all along the way, I dropped pieces of bread that you gave me so that you may return home safely”.
Looking at his mother’s face and hearing those words of love, he wept profusely and hugged his mother saying: “Mamma, I am taking you back home. I cannot do this to you for all the love that you have shown me over the years”.
The boy returned with his mother and told everyone what had happened urging people that never again parents should be abandoned. The Lord promises great blessings for those who honor their parents.
“He who honours his father atones for sins, he stores up riches who revere his mother. He who honours his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays, he is heard. He who reveres his father will live along life; he obeys the Lord who brings comfort to his mother. (Sirach 3:3-6)
True worship is not possible even if you sing the best hymns and praises to God when you love have hatred and injustice against someone.
God through prophet Amos said, “I take no pleasure in your solemnities; your cereal offerings I will not accept, nor consider your stall-fed peace offerings.
Away with your noisy songs! I will not listen to the melodies of your harps. But if you would offer me holocausts, then let justice surge like water and goodness like an unfailing stream,”(Amos 5:21-24).
Jesus summarised the essence of religion when he said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as
yourself.' “(Mathew 22:36-40).
He said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”(John 15:13).
So, look compassionately upon those who need your love, do not despise anyone because God has never despised us, but looks upon us as his loving children.