The giver is greater than the gift.

Commentary by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan

Besides having one's (own) wish granted, the joy of giving another (person) happiness, that itself is greater than a wish granted, if one has risen to that plane of human evolution when one can enjoy pleasure with the pleasure of another, when one can feel satisfaction in the satisfaction of another, when one can be happy in bringing happiness to another.

No one will give another happiness and will not have the same come to him a thousandfold.

There comes a stage of evolution in the life of man when he feels more satisfied by seeing another person satisfied with food than by his having eaten it himself, when he feels comfortable in seeing another person comfortable, when he feels richly adorned by seeing another person clothed nicely; for this stage is a stepping-stone to the realization of God.

Human beings living in their shells are mostly unaware of the privilege of life and so are unthankful to the Giver of it.

In order to see the grace of God man must open his eyes and raise his head from his little world.

Then he will see -- above and below, to the right and the left, before and behind -- the grace of God reaching him from everywhere in abundance.

A person who is loved by everybody in the world, and yet if he has not loved anybody, he has done nothing.

A person who has possessed the wealth of the whole world, but if he has given nothing, he has not earned.

A person honored by everyone in the world, but if he has not respected, he has not lived.

What does it mean?

It only means that what we gain is nothing, it is what we give that counts.

It is nothing -- what has been done to us -- if only we did all we wished to do, that is what counts.

Either learning or wisdom, position or power or wealth, all these things gained are very small compared with what one can give to the others.

Where There is Charity and Wisdom

Where there is charity and wisdom,
there is neither fear nor ignorance.

Where there is patience and humility,
there is neither anger nor annoyance.

Where there is love and joy,
there is neither greed nor selfishness.

Where there is peace and meditation,
there is neither anxiety nor doubt.

St. Francis of Assisi (paraphrased)

 

~~~ @@ ~~~

St. Peter Regalado

St. Peter Regalado
(1390-1456)

Peter lived at a very busy time. The Great Western Schism (1378-1417) was settled at the Council of Constance (1414-1418).
France and England were fighting the Hundred Years’ War, and in 1453 the Byzantine Empire was completely wiped out by the loss of Constantinople to the Turks.
At Peter’s death the age of printing had just begun in Germany, and Columbus's arrival in the New World was less than 40 years away.

Peter led the friars by his example.
A special love of the poor and the sick characterized Peter. Miraculous stories are told about his charity to the poor.
For example, the bread never seemed to run out as long as Peter had hungry people to feed.
Throughout most of his life, Peter went hungry; he lived only on bread and water.

St.Peter was an effective leader of the friars
because he did not become ensnared
in anger over the sins of others.

Peter helped sinning friars rearrange
the priorities in their lives and
dedicate themselves to living the gospel
of Jesus Christ as they had vowed.

This patient correction is
an act of charity available
to all Franciscans,

not just to superiors.

The Key To Heaven

Take time to think

Take time to pray

Take time to laugh

It is the source of power

It is the greatest power on earth

It is the music of the soul

Take time to play

Take time to love and be loved

Take time to give

It is the secret of perpetual youth

It is God's given privilege

It is too short a day to be selfish

Take time to read

Take time to be friendly

Take time to work

It is the fountain of wisdom

It is the road to happiness

It is the price of success

Take time to do charity

It is the key to heaven

A sign on the wall of Mother Teresa's children's home in Calcutta

The Gifts To Give

Because we have been forgiven, we know the way of forgiveness;
because we have been healed, we know the way of healing;
because we have know God, we know the way of God.
The gifts given to me are the gifts for me to give.

Seeking Forgiveness

Seeking forgiveness is sometimes difficult work.
It is made easier by meeting people who, without trivializing our sins, assure us that God rejoices over our repentance.
Being forgiven lifts a weight and prompts us to acts of charity.