Since several days Manila is gripped by Typhoon Maring (Trami), resulting in widespread displacement and hardship. The help given by the Jesuit-led Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan to many families made homeless by flooding reminds me of a story, told reputedly by the Hindu philosopher Radhakrishnan.
An old man passing a flooded river noticed a scorpion caught in the branches of a bush. He reached out his hand to save it. Naturally the scorpion stung him, but the old man persisted, suffering immensely painful stings in order to free the scorpion. A group of young people passing by called out, “You silly fool, don’t you know that scorpions sting?” The old man replied, “Because it is in the nature of scorpions to sting, I should not therefore change my nature, which is to be compassionate.”
It is a feature of our human nature to be compassionate, to serve others. As Teresa of Avila said, “When we reach the highest point of human maturity we will have only one question: how can I be of service?”
Love shows itself in service. Ignatius always linked the two: “En todo amar y server.” In all things love and serve. It is said that we can give without loving, but that we cannot love without giving. Giving is the inevitable, unavoidable fruit of love.
For Mother Teresa, the path to service begins with interior depth, which means finding a place for silence in our hearts. Inner silence can be found anywhere, even in the most crowded, busy places. She says:
The fruit of silence is prayer
The fruit of prayer is faith
The fruit of faith is love, and
The fruit of love is service.
One of the paradoxes of love and service is that they require on the one hand creativity, spontaneity and freedom, and demand on the other hand discipline, self-restraint and attention. Compassionate attention to the needs of others can school us for service. As we read or hear of people in need especially those made homeless by widespread flooding in Manila, the plight of asylum seekers at sea in a hostile world, or the attacks on Muslims in Myanmar, let us be mindful of the movements in our hearts that, if properly discerned and nourished, can lead us to join in fruitful service of others.
Mark Raper SJ
President, Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific
August 21, 2013