“I was taught to share”

Reversing the idea that we are the good ones and the good ones, we tell in this column when we have been “merciful”

For only by discovering love can we return it. In fact, in addition to doing the works of mercy, we must learn to receive and acknowledge them

Before we left for Africa, someone told me that we would go and bring many things.
In short, it was us – the rich – who were giving things to the poor.

But when I got there, I had to quickly change that idea.

They taught me to share. I have something and I give it away, and they have something and they give it away. We put them together, share them, and everything becomes easier.
You don’t just share material things, but ideas, life.

Being together with them, everything becomes easier. It is normal for them to share.

One of the things that always made me think is seeing the children sharing the candy they had received. Or when, during the meal, everyone was gathered around a bowl and each took a handful of rice.

Each person had his share because the others understood his problem.

Instead, we have forgotten all this.

Perhaps we have become a little selfish, perhaps we have forgotten that others exist too.

Sometimes, I find myself thinking how nice it would be if everyone shared what they have with others. There would be more joy and happiness.

Maybe that is a utopia. I don’t think so. Jesus taught us this, telling us, “Take, eat…share.”

How many times African brothers and sisters have shown me this.
How many times they invited me to share food with them, times of feast and times of sorrow.

They made me feel like one of them, one of their house.

It is beautiful and I would like this positive gesture, one of many, to be known as well.
That people would stop seeing only the negative of Africa.

If you welcome, you will be welcomed. If you learn to share, you will receive a hundred times as much.

Source and Image

• P. Oliviero Ferro
• spazio + spadoni