Today I was teaching the Burmese kids that will be making their first communion on May 1st. We were learning about the 10 commandments. I found myself explaining the word COVET. Many times its easier to demonstrate than explain. So I enacted giving one child a pretend prize and then responded with joy and excitement at her winning the prize. Next, I showed the idea of coveting by responding with jealousy and negativity and sulking. I asked the children if they have ever experienced these negative feelings of jealousy or wanting so badly what another person had it consumed them and became their god, rather than God.
Ta raised his hand and answered "Yes". I presses Ta about what happened to make him feel this way. He responded. "In Thailand I had no food. Other families had food".
WOW! I was silenced... I expected a typical kid answer like, "I wanted my friends new video game or the same kind of bike he had, or I wished I had name brand clothes like she was wearing".
After I picked up my jaw from the floor, I quickly asked the kids if Jesus had been there with Ta, what would he have wanted the people with the food to do... they replied, "Share".
I wanted to SHARE this spiritual food with you all because it really gave me some perspective and the exchange humbled and nourished me.
Our Burmese community graces me with gifts such as these each time we meet. Today Father Jerry was talking and I overheard him say, "We need them maybe even more than they need us- they are a blessing for us". His words certainly ring true for me.
Ta raised his hand and answered "Yes". I presses Ta about what happened to make him feel this way. He responded. "In Thailand I had no food. Other families had food".
WOW! I was silenced... I expected a typical kid answer like, "I wanted my friends new video game or the same kind of bike he had, or I wished I had name brand clothes like she was wearing".
After I picked up my jaw from the floor, I quickly asked the kids if Jesus had been there with Ta, what would he have wanted the people with the food to do... they replied, "Share".
I wanted to SHARE this spiritual food with you all because it really gave me some perspective and the exchange humbled and nourished me.
Our Burmese community graces me with gifts such as these each time we meet. Today Father Jerry was talking and I overheard him say, "We need them maybe even more than they need us- they are a blessing for us". His words certainly ring true for me.
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