The Reflection and the Thought for the day will be read by Preet Kothari
The Prayer will be said by Taher Fanuswala
The news headlines will be read by Vyoma Shah
The Preamble will be read by Ahmad Golandaz
The Scripture reading is taken from Romans Chapter8; verse 10
If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
This is the word of the Lord
Inspirational Reading
The ancient scriptures say that we are all floating like shells in a vast ocean of life. Even though everybody is born out of the same consciousness, no two lives are the same. As diverse as our lives are, they are inter-dependent on each other and there is something to learn from everyone.
To get an all-round exposure to life, take out five days.
Spend one day – morning to evening, with a farmer. Go with him to the farm early morning and see whatever he does all day. You will become sensitive towards the environment, towards food. A third of the food in the world is wasted and thrown. We will know the hard work and resources that go into producing food and we will think twice before wasting it.
Spend one day in jail (but without committing a crime). You will realize that the people we label as criminals and put in prisons landed there due to circumstances, due to ignorance. When anger grips a person, they are not in control of their actions. It will become evident that inside every culprit there is a victim crying for help. Compassion will arise in your heart. If you have hatred in your heart towards anybody, that hatred will vanish.
On the third day, become a school teacher. You will understand why a guru is needed. Wherever you are in life, there are so many that you can help and guide. It brings a deep satisfaction within. You don’t really need a special skill to be a guru, you need compassion.
Spend the fourth day in a mental institution. Whatever anybody in a mental hospital says to you, whatever names they call you, you won’t take it to heart. After spending a day when anybody can say anything to you, you will develop the strength to face criticism without being shaken. Not only will you be strong enough to accept all criticism, you will have compassion for those who criticize you.
Spend one day in the cemetery or funeral home. You will have a very close and intense experience of the impermanence of life. Whatever complaints you have will vanish. Having the experience that death can come anytime will change your perspective on life for good.
Reflection
Just formal education is not enough. It is important to explore different dimensions of life to get a holistic education. When we keenly see different facets of life unfolding around us, it makes us centred and established in our Self.
Thought fort the day
In order for great change to occur, it must begin with us.
Let us pray
Dear God, Help me love the life I live right now. Show me the good things I often overlook and help me be content with what I have. Forgive me when I compare myself to others. Forgive me for longing for things outside of you and your kingdom. Thank you for loving me right where I am and as I am. Help me to keep my eyes on you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Let us continue by saying the Lord’s Prayer together.
The news headlines for today are as follows
The Preamble
Kindly stand to attention for the National Anthem.