THE BEAUTY OF TEARDROPS

There is a story of a competition held in heaven. God offered a grand prize for the angel who collected the most beautiful object in the universe. The angels searched everywhere and returned with several beautiful articles such as flowers, feathers, butterflies, coral fishes and dewdrops.

God was not fully satisfied with these collections. Finally, an angel returned with a small bottle containing the tears of a repenting sinner. This angel was given the first prize.

The sacrament of penance and reconciliation is instituted in the church so that those who approach the sacrament may obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against Him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins (and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labours for their conversion).[Ref:-Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part-2, Section-2, Chapter-2, Article-4, No.1422] .

Jesus said, "I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent." {Luke 15:7}. David sings in the Psalms, "You know how troubled I am; you have kept a record of my tears. Aren't they listed in your book?" {Psalms 56:8}

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India. For more moral stories, parables and anecdotes for students, catechists, teachers and preachers, kindly visit the web-site: http://www.moralstorieschristian.blogspot.com