Parable for today

All in the… Family?

Once in a far away place a miracle happened, a young waif in the midst of the slums, formed a gang that did good, kind and charitable deeds.

Not every one was in agreement over what they did, although persecuted, they were a blessing to those they touched.

People called them the Children of love, servants of everyone.

They were closer and more loving than any family, they shared everything they had which was very little but they gave to those in need, encouraging, blessing and serving the least of needs.

And the power of this giving love, changed lives… hundreds, thousands, everyday.

People who observed or were touched joined them; they ate together and worked together.

In time, the tradition was passed on and spread into other areas.

Love answered all the questions.

Over time their leaders began to see the need to re-organize and re-organize until from being humble brothers with nothing, they became a powerful influence and a government unto themselves The Diadochi of state everywhere, they called themselves.

The gang grew and grew until many, many years later one of them questioned, Why are we doing what we do?

There is too much government and our goals are different.

Is this what we did when this started?

Even though his heart was right, it set the leadership off to defend why they changed and reminded him who they were.

Let’s get rid of this lad, doesn’t he understand we can no longer be what we once were.

Soon however others joined him and that became a turning point and set a precedent of separation.

Not too many years later a group was to leave these new sons of reform and do things their own way; again and again this was to happen… Division begot division.

Separating for different reasons but with the same excuse, we’re going back to our roots and so it went with few if any going back to the service of love.

Let us be better than the others... each would declare sincere but mocking what they came from.

In not so very long there were thousands of groups everywhere all claming to be the true brothers.

The loudest voice belonged to The Diadochi of State everywhere.

We are the original group, trace our roots to the beginning and of course we have the largest membership, the most influence and… the most money.

They said this and yet only some of their brothers were still doing what the originals did.

While the rest set themselves apart, above the crowd, prancing in robes and crowns they paraded their goodness… their specialness, their majesty and their power.

Most all the groups now resembled them more and more, then they did the original rag tag group.

What a mess, most groups were having membership drives and fund-raisers as their focal point leaving the wonderful work of love to just a hand full of workers.

They all went through the motions, work, work, work… but without love.

They all spoke about it to each other, We’re called the children of love, remember; however, now it was just empty words… so few even resembled the originals.

After years of each group proclaiming we have the only true message, we’re the only true group…

One day the ideas spread, why compete let’s join together and become one again.

So they began talking… no one wanted to go back to their roots they all had to change too much to do that. So they began to try to work out present differences, How we would rule the whole group together, how we might share the money we raise and the big problem of what would we call ourselves.

Well these talks started many years ago… and today they’re still there not much closer then when they started.

And what if they did get back together… what would it mean… what would unity gain now...a people of more loving service or… just give them more pride, more money and more power?

As for you… right now… Well… Who are your brothers?