Main content
07/06/2016
A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Rania Hafez, a senior lecturer in education at the University of Greenwich.
Last on
Tue 7 Jun 2016
05:43
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
Script:
Good morning
One of the things I look forward to during the long summer days is the chance to spend time with friends. More so in Ramadan when weβre encouraged to break fast at sunset not just in the company of family and friends, but to invite to our table those whoβre in need of a meal, of company, or of a kind word. After all as weβre told in the Christian New Testament Hebrews (13:2) βDo not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing itβ - and across the 3 Abrahamic traditions God reminds us that when we feed a poor person, itβs God weβre actually feeding.
This reminds me of a story my father often tells, of a saint who would always insist on sharing his food with someone in need. One day he invites a poor old man to share his meal and as they sat down to eat the saint asks the old man to join him in a prayer of thanks for the food. The man refuses politely saying he doesnβt believe in the saintβs God. That angers the saint greatly and as heβs about to harshly rebuke the old man, he hears Godβs voice admonishing him: βIβve fed this man for 90 years never expecting thanks, yet you donβt have the patience to feed him once?β With this the saint realises his mistake and that Godβs love and mercy encompass each and every one of us unconditionally.
Generous, loving God, enable us today to open our hearts and even our homes to those in need, to feed the hungry, shelter the destitute, bring solace to the distressed, in humility, expecting nothing save the privilege and joy of serving others. Amen.
One of the things I look forward to during the long summer days is the chance to spend time with friends. More so in Ramadan when weβre encouraged to break fast at sunset not just in the company of family and friends, but to invite to our table those whoβre in need of a meal, of company, or of a kind word. After all as weβre told in the Christian New Testament Hebrews (13:2) βDo not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing itβ - and across the 3 Abrahamic traditions God reminds us that when we feed a poor person, itβs God weβre actually feeding.
This reminds me of a story my father often tells, of a saint who would always insist on sharing his food with someone in need. One day he invites a poor old man to share his meal and as they sat down to eat the saint asks the old man to join him in a prayer of thanks for the food. The man refuses politely saying he doesnβt believe in the saintβs God. That angers the saint greatly and as heβs about to harshly rebuke the old man, he hears Godβs voice admonishing him: βIβve fed this man for 90 years never expecting thanks, yet you donβt have the patience to feed him once?β With this the saint realises his mistake and that Godβs love and mercy encompass each and every one of us unconditionally.
Generous, loving God, enable us today to open our hearts and even our homes to those in need, to feed the hungry, shelter the destitute, bring solace to the distressed, in humility, expecting nothing save the privilege and joy of serving others. Amen.
Broadcast
- Tue 7 Jun 2016 05:43ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
"Time is passing strangely these days..."
Uplifting thoughts and hopes for the coronavirus era from Salma El-Wardany.