Spiritual nourishment of our soul

Father Tony Chakkunga

Once upon a time there was a king who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most and adored her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicious food. He gave her nothing but the best. He also loved the third wife very much and was always showing her off to neighbouring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another. He also loved his second wife. She was his confident and always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the king faced a problem, he could confide in her and she would help him get through the difficult times. The king’s first wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her. One day the king fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, “I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I will be all alone.” Thus, he asked the fourth wife, “I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I am dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way,” replied the fourth wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart. The sad king then asked the third wife, “I loved you all my life. Now that I am dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No,” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is too good! When you die, I am going to remarry.” His heart sank and turned cold. He then asked the second wife, “I have always turned to you for help and you have always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I am sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the second wife. “At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.” Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning. The king was devastated. Then a voice called out. “I will go with you. I will follow you no matter where you go.” The king looked up and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the king said, “I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance.” In truth, we all have the four wives in our lives. Our fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our third wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will go to others. Our second wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been for us, the farthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our first wife is our soul. Often we neglect in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasure of the world. However, our soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us through our eternity. Jesus asked the people in the Bible, “What good is it if someone gains the whole word but loses his soul? Or what can anyone trade for his soul!” (Mark 8:36-37) This story and these words of Jesus should inspire us to think about our spiritual life. We all are busy with all kind of material things and working hard for material prosperity. It is good, but we have to think about our spiritual health, too. How much time and effort do we take for our spiritual nourishment? We have time, money and energy for everything we want, but no time, money and energy for our spiritual nourishment. Jesus asked apostles in Gethsemane garden, “Are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted.” (Mark 14:38) Today, Jesus asked each one of us “couldn’t you spend one hour with me at least once in a week?” Many of us answer that we are busy. Those who are coming to church and participating in Holy Mass are also busy and hard working but they find time to answer Jesus’ invitation in their daily life and doing something good for their souls. We have evil impacts of dregs in our community. Many of our families are suffering because of dregs. If don’t develop a habit to nourish our spiritual life, evil tendencies like dregs come to our family and destroy our younger generation. If we all are strong in spiritual life, there is no place for evil like dregs in our community. Each parent should think how much spiritual nourishment you give to your children. On the way of the Cross, Jesus told the women who were weeping and wailing for Him: “Women of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me, but for yourself and your children.” (Luke 23:28) Every parent should work hard for the spiritual nourishment of their children. “Jesus is the way, truth and life, those who believe in Him will live.” “Discipline your children and you can always be proud of them. They will never give you reason to be ashamed. A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order. Happy are those who keep God’s law.” (Proverbs 29:7-28)