Theme: Charity

The good, really

Once, in the evening, a man was walking down the street began to feel very bad. As he was alone and this was a barely used road, he could not ask anyone for help. He tried to go on, even with trembling legs and panting breaths. But the discomfort increased until he passed out and fell to the ground, banging his head and injuring his face and arm.

After a few minutes another man approached that place. He was coming by car and was heading for his religious temple. He was praying, saying the teachings of the gospel. He was considered a good man, thoughtful with people, and knew well the texts that talked about the laws of God.

Looking at that man lying there, the religious thought to stop to help him. But he didn't want to be late for his appointment. He thought it was very important to fulfill protocols, so he thought:

- Soon someone else must be here. I can't stop now - and, forgetting that God also works through people, he said - I know God will help you.

A few more minutes passed. Another car, bigger and prettier, approached the fallen man. The driver was a wealthy, well-dressed businessman who was going to a party. He was also considered a good man. He was cheerful and talkative. He had done many donations to charities, as well as buying toys for needy children at Christmas.

Seeing the man on the way, the businessman realized that he needed help. Even so, he decided not to stop. There was soil and weed on the edge of that road. To help the man, he would have to get out of the car and carry him into the car. He thought inappropriate to show up at the party in scruffy clothes and dirty shoes. Therefore, the businessman, as well as the religious, lost the chance to be God's instrument to help that brother in need.

Soon after that, someone else came along that way. This time it was a man who was walking, returning home after his shift. He was a handyman who walked slowly due to tiredness. His name was Antony.

Seeing the man without strength, wounded and in dirty clothes, he was taken with great compassion.

Antony immediately phoned the emergency service, providing the address and the conditions under which he had found the needy.

He also phoned his wife, warning that he would probably be late to get home. He asked her to warn her son, as the boy always waited for him to play together.

While waiting for the rescuers to arrive, he crouched on the floor next to the man. Holding his hand, he began to pray in loudly voice, asking for the assistance of God and the good spirits. Then he said kindly:

- Hold on, my brother. You are already being helped. I'm here with you. You'll be fine!

Pretty soon, the ambulance arrived to take the injured man to hospital. Antony willingly went too to go along with him. He had found documents in the man's pocket and found that his name was Joseph.

Arriving at the hospital, Antony called the police to report the incident, requesting that Joseph's family be located and notified.

Overcoming his tiredness, Antony remained with Joseph, who was examined, received medication and was hospitalized for observation.

Only at dawn Joseph's wife, anxiously, arrived at the hospital.

A thoughtful Antony introduced himself and told everything he had heard from the doctors, including that Joseph would still be hospitalized for a few days but will be well.

Antony could finally go home in peace. His body was tired, but his soul was light, because he had answered God's call and practiced charity toward others.

When he got home, both his wife and son were already sleeping. He felt sorry for not playing with the boy, as he always did. But the other day, he was relieved when the little boy came to hug him proudly, saying:

- Daddy, daddy! Mom said it was you who helped a sick man last night. Can I ever go with you to help someone?

"Of course you do, son," Antony replied, smiling. - Let's visit him together at the hospital. You will see how good it is to do good!

Text inspired by the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com