315- Waiting for Thanks

 

St-Takla.org Image: Byzantine mosaic portrait of Saint John Chrysostom of Antioch (Hagios Ioannis Chrysostomos), Archbishop of Constantinople - Cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (modern Istanbul), dating late 9th or 10th century. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: لوحة فسيفساء بيزنطية تصور القديس يوحنا كريسوستوم الأنطاكي (يوحنا ذهبي الفم) رئيس أساقفة القسطنطينية (البطريرك) - كاتدرائية هاجيا صوفيا في القسطنطينية (اسطنبول حاليًا)، وترجع هذه اللوحة إلى أواخر القرن التاسع أو العاشر الميلادي.

A man came to me in great bitterness. He makes much good but no one even thanks him. He felt down; therefore, he thought of doing no more good. I then remembered what St. John Chrysestom said, “When we deal with others we should see Lord Jesus Christ. What we present is to Him Who gave us all His life put to death for our sake. We thank Him for His love through loving His beloved, the human beings.”

I remember what A. Naismith narrated about E. P. Hammond who visited Detroit in Michigan He noticed a man on whose face there were traces of a big wound. That man used to look from the window for long hours during the day. He asked him about the reason. The man replied, “Nine years ago, I saw a car running fast. In it, there was a girl screaming for help for, there wasn’t a driver in the car. I tried exerting much effort to stop the car. I succeeded but I’d a big wound. After I regained conscience I asked if the girl was safe. I knew that she was ok. I asked if she or any one of her family members came to thank me. Yet, I was told that no one came. Since that day, I’m looking from the window waiting for any one of them to thank me.”

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: ينتظر من يشكره.

+ Let me O Lord do good for Your sake,

Not waiting for a single word of praise.

You alone examine the heart.

You do not forget a fresh cup of water.

+ You gave me much.

How can I repay You Your many gifts?

Through my brethren.

Grant me a thankful heart,

To thank You with the tongue as with deeds.

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