Since hearing the news from Paris

[Ref. testimony #2]

Ever since hearing the news from Paris, Jesus’ words have come to thought again and again:  “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.  Even as he was being crucified and in the face of such barbarism, Jesus was able to utter those sublime words.  And this can now be our prayer, when we think of the terrorists in Paris, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”.

I had a very small experience today which somehow helped to reinforce one’s trust in man’s innate sense of love and brotherhood.   I was out and about, and had stopped at a garage to fill up with petrol.  As I was paying the bill at the check-out, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder.   I looked round, and there stood a burly man, dressed head to toe in black leather, his huge helmet almost obscuring his face.  With a smile, he said, “Here, you dropped this…” and he handed me a £5 note. Unbeknown to me, I had dropped it on the floor as I opened my purse to pay for the petrol.  I could have hugged him, but instead I said simply,  “Bless you for your honesty”, and with that he smiled at me again, and went on his way.

As I drove home, I thought to myself, “THAT is the reality of man…THAT is the man of God’s creating…man expressing the God-like qualities of honesty, and love, and kindness and fellowship!” Moments like these help to reinforce one’s faith in humanity, and in the innate goodness of man as the expression of God’s being.