It says that "As long as there is love
there is hope” but I would say, “As
long as there is Fr. Ribes, there will be new
books coming up”.
At the age of 75 people think of getting retired
from their work just to relax but there is one
generous giver like Fr. Ribes, who is striving
to give more and more to humanity, keeping in
mind the Jesuit spirituality of Magis by writing
books on different topics.
“Stories, Parable and Fables of Life”
is the fourteenth book of Fr. Peter Ribes, s.j.
His books are a profound source of inspiration
and guidance to the servants of God, who are
involved in the ministry of showing the right
path for those who want to live a life, that
is fully human, fully alive.
This book is especially for those who are involved
in the ministry of the word. It can be used
for the various purposes like talks, sermons,
catechism, moral instruction, value education,
prayer meetings and group discussions.
It has forty small stories. Each one has sprung
from a firm conviction of the writer that they
will inspire the audience to respond in a better
way to live their lives and to become the visible
witness of the invisible reality.
We pray for Fr. Peter Ribes, s.j. for his good
health and may he write many more books out
of his music of experience.
- Bro. Felix D'Souza
NEVER-DYING
TREE
Once upon a time, a young
lad fell in love with a tree that was growing
in the forest not far from his home. He loved
the tree, and affectionately watered, manured
and pruned the tree. His daily delight was gazing
at his tree growing stronger by the day.
With the passing of time, the
days became shorter, nights cooler, skies turning
grew, snow falling and consequently the tree
was bare with its brownish leaves withered and
fallen, making the tree look dead.
The boy was crest-fallen. Yet,
deep down he had a feeling that his tree is
alive. Hoping against hope, he kept waiting.
Then, with warmer days, shorter nights, and
spring setting in, the friendly sunrays revived
the tree. Soon luscious leaves covered the tree
with a fresh
and green mantle of beauty. The lad was overjoyed,
and said to himself, “Yes, I knew it, feeling
it in my bones, that the tree would come back
to life.”
On
an unfortunate day, the lad was stricken with
grief to see his tree no more. Some evil hands
had felled the tree, with only the stump there
as a sad reminder of his lost friend.
A long time later, he chanced
to pass the forest at the spot of his tree friend,
and was delighted to see it spruced again with
new supple branches, luscious leaves and multi-coloured
flowers. The lad was heard saying “No!
The tree wasn't dead, only my hope died!
Reflection:
Are there reasons in our faith for an enduring
and never-dying hope even in our darkest moments?
- Fr P Ribes, s.j.
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