THE DAILY SPARK

ONE HUMAN FAMILY

“In a happy family you don’t receive in proportion to your input.  You receive in relation to your needs. 

If we could but recognize our common humanity, that we do belong together, that our destinies are bound up in one another’s, that we can be free only together, that we can survive only together, that we can be human only together, then a glorious world would come into being where all of us lived harmoniously together as members of one family, the human family.”

Quote by The Most Reverend Desmond M. Tutu,Anglican Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa

REFLECTION: 

  • Do you ever want to go to the “no fair”…. because life isn’t always fair.  Make your “no fair” list.
  • Look at your list… Can you accept you have received in relation to your needs? Not receiving all your desires, has that been a blessing?  
  • In this divisive time in our country, what are you doing to recognize and ensure others are part of our common humanity… one human family?

THE LAST WORD

If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral.  And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. Every now and then I wonder what I want them to say.  Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize, that isn’t important.  Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards, that’s not important.  Tell them not to mention where I went to school.  I’d like somebody to mention that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others.  I’d like for somebody to say that day, that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody.  I want you to say that day, that I tried to be right on the war question.  I want you to be able to say that day, that I did try to feed the hungry.  And I want you to be able to say that day, that I did try, in my life, to clothe those who were naked.  I want you to say, on that day, that I did try, in my life, to visit those who were in prison.  I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.

Quote by Martin Luther King, Jr.  -Extract from the “Drum Major Instinct” sermon given in February, 1968, two months before King’s assassination.

REFLECTION:

  • What do you want said about you at your funeral? 
  • What legacy do you want to be remembered for? 
  • What are you doing to ensure what you want said and remembered about you when ‘you meet your day’ will be delivered?

BEYOND BREAD

Let us not make a mistake – that the hunger is only for a piece of bread.  The hunger of today is so much greater:  for love – to be wanted, to be loved, to be cared for, to be somebody.

Quote by Mother Teresa

REFLECTION:

  • What do you hunger for?
  • Do you know someone who needs some love and reassurance today?  Reach out!