A MOTHER’S HEART

A MOTHER’S HEART

The horrendous Kurukshetra war had just ended. The victorious Pandavas were closeted with Sri Krishna, discussing the implications of their momentous, yet in some ways, tragic victory.

In their absence, Ashwathama, the son of their guru, Dronacharya, attacked the Pandava camp, setting it ablaze. He swooped down upon Draupadi’s sons, killing all five of them.

A distraught, heart-broken Draupadi it was, who met the Pandavas on their return. Her piteous, heart-rending cries moved them to sorrow and anger.

“Do not weep,” Arjuna said to her. “I promise you, I shall bring the head of Aswathama and lay it at your feet!”

Arjuna was as good as his word. Aswathama was sought out, and vanquished in a one-to-one battle of might. As he was about to kill him, Arjuna hesitated a fraction of a second. Was not Aswathama the son of his revered Guru Dronacharya?

Bhima admonished Arjuna, “Remember our sons, whom he slaughtered ruthlessly in the darkness of the night,” he urged. “You must kill him, for it is your sacred promise to the mother of our sons.”

However, when Aswathama was brought before Draupadi, her heart melted.

“Let Aswathama live,” she said to Arjuna. “If you kill him, my heart shudders to think the plight of his mother!”

A grievously wronged mother, Draupadi’s heart, nevertheless, went out to the mother of the man who had killed her own sons!


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GROWING TOGETHER, BUILDING A MARRIIAGE THAT LASTS

EDINBURG
October 01, 2009 5:14 PM


— An eight-week class titled, “Growing Together, Building a Marriage that Lasts,” is being offered at First Lutheran Church.

These sessions will cover topics including,

Looking at Your Spouse in Reality;

Forgiveness in the Marriage Relationship;

Building Trust;

Sharing the Work of Marriage;

Talking and Listening;

Physical Intimacy;

Avoiding Adultery,

and Assessing Your Marriage.


The first session will take place on Oct. 11 from 5-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

The remaining sessions will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8 p.m.

Couples of all ages are welcome to attend.


To register, call the church office at (956) 383-2647. First Lutheran Church is located at 302 S. Sugar, one block south of University.


http://www.themonitor.com/news/edinburg-31215-notes-religion.html?orderby=TimeStampDescending&oncommentsPage=1#slComments

CONTINUE TO SEARCH HIM

CONTINUE TO SEARCH HIM

Malik was a holy man. He was loved and respected by all in his neighbours as a man of God.

A young man, who lived in the neighbourhood, was notorious for his profligacy and bad behaviour. He was a constant source of chagrin to all the people who lived in the locality. They appealed to Malik to have a word with him. Perhaps, the holy man’s counsel would help him change his ways, they felt.

Malik went to meet the young man. Gently, he urged him to mend his behaviour.

“I’m a protégé of the Sultan!” replied the youth arrogantly. “I can do whatever I like, and no one dare question me.”

“What if the people complain to the Sultan about you?” asked Malik.

“That will be quite useless,” laughed the youth. “The Sultan is so fond of me that he will not hear a word against me!”

“I shall complain to the Sultan of Sultans – to Allah Himself,” warned Malik.

“O, He is All-Beneficent, All- Merciful! He is too forgiving to condemn me!” replied the youth nonchalantly.

His behaviour grew from bad to worse. Finding it impossible to tolerate his ways, the entire neighbourhood decided to confront him and protest against his profligacy. Malik agreed to join them.

That night, Malik had a dream in which a Voice urged him, “Do not reproach My friend. He is under My protection.”

When Malik awoke the next morning, he clearly remembered the words. He did not join the neighbours who berated the youth severely.

The young man was surprised that Malik was not among them. Later that day, he came to Malik and asked him, “Why weren’t you with the rest?”

Malik narrated his dream to the young man. He repeated what the Voice had said to him, “Do not reproach My friend, for he is under My protection.”

The profligate was stunned, “Did He really call me His friend?” he demanded.

“That was what He said to me,” Malik asserted.

The young man was not seen in the locality any more. People wondered what had happened to him. He had not seemed to take their warnings seriously. Where could he have gone?

Years rolled by. On a pilgrimage to Mecca, Malik met the young man. Surprised by his presence at the holy city, he asked the youth, “What brings you here?”

“Ever since the day that you told me about Him, I have been here, searching for my Friend,” the youth replied, “I shall continue to look for Him until I find Him!”


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