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In a ancient times there lived two groups of people who lived in villages adjacent to one another. Times were trying. Survival … existence was what most of life was about. Food and water were scarce. They all lived in tattered clothing. Life was just very challenging One day all the villagers were summoned by a “spirit” to journey up onto a steep, forested hill nearby. Mysteriously, when they arrived in a clearing they found two huge vats, huge tanks. Each filled with the most aromatic, wonderful food they had ever seen. A potential, rare feast for two groups of people who had lived in poverty for so long. Maybe their prayers had finally been answered. The vast amount food here could feed their entire villages for months!
All the villagers hurried and circled around both tanks. There was great excitement in their faces as they peered at the beautiful food below. Each villager was then given a six foot long spoon to reach into the wonderful food. The first group anxiously extended their spoons deep into the tank. But they were soon devastated. Because their spoons were so long, so ridged they couldn’t bring the food to their mouths? They could only lift the spoons up from the tank finding the food on the end of their spoon was beyond their reach. No matter how they tried … each villager was simply unable to maneuver the lengthy spoons to feed themselves. Their anguish was intense.
The second group encountered the very same dilemma. Spoons were too long, too ridged. Food was out of reach. They too screamed in frustration. Unable to feed themselves. Just like the others. Then, suddenly, the second group discovered something miraculous.
One in their group turned slowly to another villager and extended his long spoon across the tank… carefully lifting it to his friend’s lips. Voraciously, his friend consumed all he could eat. The others were stunned. They extended their spoons offering food to those across from them. Smiles of delight abounded. And, you guessed it … all had more to eat than they ever could have prayed for. The simple gesture of offering what they had themselves to another? … Had saved the day. All enjoyed the feast that the “spirit,” God had girted them that day. The first group, amazed … now looked at one another excitedly and did the very same. They reached out offering their food to the others across from them. And yes, all in both villages lived and thrived happily thereafter …
As Jesus said, “ … and the second commandment is like unto it. ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself.’ The Parable of the Spoons.
Have a blessed, Happy Thanksgiving …