How Men Sometimes Receive Grace
By Karmayogi
Bernie, a homeless man in USA whose wife had left him, had a 10
year old son who was very fond of his father. He drove in an old car, lived on
pick-pocketing and was once arrested. After getting released on bail, one day
his car got stuck and a plane crashed nearby. Bernie, though homeless and a
pilferer, had a warm human heart. The escape door in the plane could not be
opened from inside. There was a hue and cry from the passengers. Bernie opened
the door with great difficulty so some could get out. Others remained trapped
until he helped them escape too. Among them was a lady reporter trapped under a
seat. After saving her, Bernie stole her credit cards.
Most of the people were rescued just before the Fire Service arrived and the
plane exploded. Without reflecting on his humanitarian act, Bernie hitch-hiked
from the crash scene. He narrated his story to another homeless person, John. A
few days later, Bernie was again arrested. As soon as the passengers came out
of the hospital, they looked for the hero who had saved them.A million dollar award was announced if the hero of
the crash would step forward and identify himself. Bernie never
cared about what he had done. The other homeless man, John, a Vietnam war
veteran, was truly a war hero who had saved many of his fellow soldiers years
ago. He now decided to claim the award. He became a celebrity. But after he had
become famous, he had compunctions about being a fake. This conflict led him to
think of jumping off a high building. In the meantime, Bernie came out of jail
on bail. He heard about John's attempted suicide and rushed to the scene.
John was poised on the window ledge. John asked Bernie to take over the award,
as it was really his. Bernie was overwhelmed
by the fanfare of publicity and asked John to continue his impersonation. He
made a deal with John. All that he wanted was an allowance for his maintenance
and his son's education.
Life rewards even thieves for the GOOD they are capable of. They often miss it
and rarely enjoy it. Grace recognizes in us what the world does not and rewards
it. Mostly it goes to the persons around us. I know at least five persons who
missed the vice-chancellorships thrust on them and who 'passed' it
on to the man nearby.
Grace gives more than we can receive and possess.