<p>Many of us must have come across an amazing painting of ‘praying hands’. It has been a masterpiece since the fifteenth century. <br /><br />Two young wood-carving apprentices in France, Albrecht and Hans mutually expressed their interest in pursuing training and a career in painting.<br /><br />But such training would cost them a huge amount of money. Poor as they were, they decided that one would work and support the training of the other. <br /><br />When one would become rich and famous as a painter, he would then support the other. They tossed a coin to decide who works and goes to study first. <br /><br />Albrecht won the toss and travelled to Venice to commence his training. Hans found a job as a blacksmith and toiled extremely hard to pay for his friend Albrecht’s training.<br /><br />Years later, Albrecht became rich and famous and returned to meet Hans and pay for his training. <br /><br />To his shock he found the hands of his friend Hans completely blistered and bruised because of his hard work over the years. <br /><br /> They were hands that could never paint. But those hands spoke volumes of the true meaning of love and sacrifice. <br /><br />Albrecht painted those praying hands which the world has ever since admired. The Philosopher Socrates once said “There is no possession more valuable than a Good and Faithful friend”. <br /><br />Our Faith should be lived in loving fellowship with other another, looking to the needs of the other with unselfishness. <br /><br />Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians writes “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). </p>.<p>Using the imagery of a caring Shepherd, Jesus assures and teaches a lesson on love and sacrifice "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11)”.<br /><br />Saint Paul exhorts the Philippians “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.(Philippians 2:4). <br /><br />The Queen of Sweden once sold all her jewels to provide for the building of hospitals and orphanages for the poor people of her kingdom. <br /><br />She then went around visiting some of the patients in the hospitals. <br /><br />Tears of great joy and gratitude rolled down the eyes of an old, bed-ridden lady. <br /><br />When her tears fell on the Royal palms of the Queen, the queen greatly pleased expressed joyfully “God is giving me back my jewels”.<br /><br />When you lend a helping hand, give your shoulder for someone weary to lean on, when you wipe the tears from someone distressed, when you forgive; you receive blessings that the world’s possessions cannot buy.<br /><br />Our greatest joys do not come from possessions but from a life of love, sacrifice and self-giving.</p>
<p>Many of us must have come across an amazing painting of ‘praying hands’. It has been a masterpiece since the fifteenth century. <br /><br />Two young wood-carving apprentices in France, Albrecht and Hans mutually expressed their interest in pursuing training and a career in painting.<br /><br />But such training would cost them a huge amount of money. Poor as they were, they decided that one would work and support the training of the other. <br /><br />When one would become rich and famous as a painter, he would then support the other. They tossed a coin to decide who works and goes to study first. <br /><br />Albrecht won the toss and travelled to Venice to commence his training. Hans found a job as a blacksmith and toiled extremely hard to pay for his friend Albrecht’s training.<br /><br />Years later, Albrecht became rich and famous and returned to meet Hans and pay for his training. <br /><br />To his shock he found the hands of his friend Hans completely blistered and bruised because of his hard work over the years. <br /><br /> They were hands that could never paint. But those hands spoke volumes of the true meaning of love and sacrifice. <br /><br />Albrecht painted those praying hands which the world has ever since admired. The Philosopher Socrates once said “There is no possession more valuable than a Good and Faithful friend”. <br /><br />Our Faith should be lived in loving fellowship with other another, looking to the needs of the other with unselfishness. <br /><br />Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians writes “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). </p>.<p>Using the imagery of a caring Shepherd, Jesus assures and teaches a lesson on love and sacrifice "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11)”.<br /><br />Saint Paul exhorts the Philippians “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.(Philippians 2:4). <br /><br />The Queen of Sweden once sold all her jewels to provide for the building of hospitals and orphanages for the poor people of her kingdom. <br /><br />She then went around visiting some of the patients in the hospitals. <br /><br />Tears of great joy and gratitude rolled down the eyes of an old, bed-ridden lady. <br /><br />When her tears fell on the Royal palms of the Queen, the queen greatly pleased expressed joyfully “God is giving me back my jewels”.<br /><br />When you lend a helping hand, give your shoulder for someone weary to lean on, when you wipe the tears from someone distressed, when you forgive; you receive blessings that the world’s possessions cannot buy.<br /><br />Our greatest joys do not come from possessions but from a life of love, sacrifice and self-giving.</p>