If You Love Me…
Story
It is said that a certain emperor decided to bear all the costs of building a huge cathedral. He spared no expense throughout the project. After the completion of construction, a memorial plaque was installed at the entrance, mentioning the emperor as the person who consecrated and inaugurated the cathedral.
The following day, the authorities noticed that the emperor’s name had been erased from the plaque and was replaced with two other names. They were quite surprised, and removed the plaque and replaced it with another one bearing the emperor’s name. This process however was repeated several times, until the emperor heard of it. He immediately prayed to God asking Him to reveal the reason for what happened. An angel then appeared to him and told him that two children deserved, more than he, to have their names inscribed on the plaque, since they had paid much.
The emperor wondered how two children could have paid much, when he was the one who paid all the expenses. The angel said that the two children deserved this honour because they loved God so much, that they longed to offer something towards building His house. Seeing that all they possessed in this world were two hearts full of love, they resolved to carry a container of water to the camels carrying the stones to build the Lord’s house; thus they toiled every morning, offering their labour and their love.
Truly, the house of the Lord needs unseen soldiers – young, old, men and women – capable of offering pure, precious love.
~ Fr. Tadros Malaty ‘Stories for the Youth’
Commentary
“Christ gives us each other to prepare us for the kingdom of heaven, through our love for one another. As we care for each other, little by little, and day by day, we come to understand the depth of Christ’s love”
Jason Ketz (St. Vladimir’s Seminarian)
Question
God knows the truth of our hearts by the depth of love we offer in both the big and small things. What are small things we do day by day that can either be filled with love or can reveal our lack of love?