B like goodness
What language do missionaries “speak”? Theirs is an alphabet of mercy, with letters that breathe life back into words and generate works
Reading the Gospel page of Matthew 11:25-30 (goodness is often hidden in simple people), this story came to mind.
Once upon a time there was a widowed woman named Naba.
She lived in a small village, together with her only daughter and a goat. Life flowed peacefully.
A leper, her hut neighbor, was jealous of her. He went to the king and told him, “Old Naba, my neighbor, is a dangerous woman. She is a witch. Many people, who have died in recent years, have been killed by her. She must be eliminated for the good of the village.”
The king answered him, “Why must she be killed? She has always behaved well and obeyed me.”
Then the leper said to him again, “Give this order to Naba: gather all the fruits of the mango plant. If she does not do this, she will have to die.”
Poor Naba received the king’s order and began to be afraid.
Old Kima was passing on the road and, seeing her, said to her, “You always welcomed me, especially when I was hungry. You fed me bananas from your field. Don’t worry. I will help you.”
The next day, the leper returned to the king and told him again, “Oblige Naba to demolish the largest hut in the village. If he does not do so, he will have to die.”
Mchwa (means: he who rests), who had heard the King’s order, went to Naba and said to her, “You have always found time to listen to me. Don’t worry. Together with my friends, I will do what the king has asked of you.”
The leper was now losing patience and behaving really badly in front of Naba. Every animal in the village then remembered all the good things she had done and decided to help her.
Mamba, the black snake, went to Naba and said to her, “You know that I ate your only goat. Now, however, I am repentant. I will go and kidnap the King’s daughter when she goes to bathe in the river. You will then tell the King, that if he wants her free, he will have to give me the leper’s liver.”
The King immediately agreed, and the leper died. Everyone saw where the truth lay. “For God does not love jealous people with dirty hearts and poisoned tongues. But he helps the poor who do good.”
How many times, listening or telling, in Africa, I had time to think and reflect on so many things. That’s kind of what Jesus did with the parables.
Those whose hearts were open understood what He meant. Others, however, thought it was just a little story to pass the time.
But speaking of Goodness, there would be so many stories to tell, so many moments of life lived together with so many people.
I understood that it is good who has a good heart, who thinks positively, who tries to build us up, who has patience, who listens, who serves others without expecting thanks.
This is something I learned from my parents and then, slowly, I tried to live it in every place I lived.
It wasn’t always easy, not least because some people confused goodness with getting their foot in the door, with being unintelligent, with being taken advantage of and exploited by those who sought their interests.
Yet, stubbornly, I started again each time, on top of everything, after disappointments.
I came to the conclusion (partial still), that it is still worth it.
As my father used to say: go to sleep at night with a clear conscience (this must be your pillow). Of course, you have to not only be good, but also help others understand that they can be good too.
Source
- Father Oliviero Ferro