Egyházi Értesítő, 1994 (365-367. szám)
1994-06-01 / 365. szám
szexiem. DON’T WASTE OPPORTUNITY If you have ever had occasion to visit a Lost Property Office, you will have seen the enormous number of articles which are lost each day. Yet thiB is nothing compared with the number of opportunities lost daily because we are not aware that they are offered. In the New Testament we notice that the innkeeper at Bethlehem let go his chance of welcoming the Saviour of the world when he had no room for the Holy Family. If he had realised later what he had done, he would .no doubt have made his excuses - that he did not know,or that no one had told him. Yet Anna and Simeon (St. Luke 2:25-^0), who apparently had no special knowledge, were able to recognise the Christ Child as soon as He was brought into the Temple, and Pilate would have left a different name behind him had he acted otherwise. (St.Luke 23:2^). By taking trouble we.can generally recover the things we lose,but an opportunity lost is gone for ever<> Looking back over life, we can regretfully see many missed opportunities when we could have been of help to friends or neighbours, but we were often unaware of their difficulties, or too deaf to hear their appeals for help» Sometimes opportunities are denied us through no fault of our own; when sickness comes and we can no longer give our customary help to others, or when trouble descends and we do not have the means to support those in need. When this happens we chafe because we seem so useless. Yet no one could have experienced such frustration as St.Paul when so many avenues of spreading the gospel were of-j fered, though he was hindered from doing God's work by suffering and danger, (II Cor.11: 23-27), until he found that God could overrule these, when he said, "I will glory of the things which concern mine Infirmities." (II Cor.11:30). He found that every trouble and persecution trough its chance of serving God. Each day opportunities come our way- may we be ready to take them. "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men." (Gal.6:10). Egyházi Értesitő 199^ junius ho
