It is not important how we are born, but how we die
From the chapter selection of flowers
Swami gave
a message from the Bible. It was in Greek. We sent it to Evelyn to be translated
into English. The message was entitled: Selection of flowers of love
After
receiving the translation, we were happy to see love verses from the New Testament
of the Holy Bible. In meditation, Swami (Sathya Sai Baba) asked me to write my
feelings about each verse. Let us see the 'flowers of love' verses.
Matthew
5:44-48
But I say
to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may
be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil
and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love
those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do
the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than
others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as
your heavenly Father is perfect.
Swami always
selects flowers of love from the Bible and the Gita. We must put these
scriptures into practice by showing this love to our enemies and those who harm
us. What Jesus says, Swami tells the same; Krishna also said the same. God is
our Father. Whatever He says, we must do. The sun is common for all. It gives
light to all. It never shows partiality to the good or the bad; it spreads its' light equally to all. Rainfall is
similar. It showers on everyone not showing partiality to the good or bad.
God’s love is also like this.
Why then do
we contain and restrict our love, limiting it? We only show love to those who
love us. We show love to our brother and sister, but do nothing for others. We must
show love to all. In this way, Jesus preached. He said all are brothers and all
are the children of the one Father. This is what Swami has said for the past 84
years. It is the Fatherhood of God and brotherhood of humanity. So, show love to
all. Swami asked me to compare this with my life. All Avatars have taught this
principle including Buddha and Jesus. I have practiced this throughout my life.
Just as the rain and the sun are common for all, so too is God’s love. The
bliss of Mukthi(liberation)is for everyone. I have come to show that everyone can
experience this bliss of Mukthi.
Not only
the saints and sages, but also the common person both good and bad will
experience ananda. All the religions teach this. Now, all will experience this
in their own lives. This is my only goal. I have performed penance for it to
happen. Even though God’s love is common for all, only a few can go deep enough
to realize God. Now at least once, all will taste the bliss. Only then will they
understand that there is nothing in worldly enjoyments. Everyone will
experience the bliss tasted by the saints and sages.
For this to
happen, the greatest Avatar descended on earth. Swami and I have accepted all the
karmas of the world and will give Mukthi to all. How perfect God is! Soon
everyone will be perfect like God. Swami and my feelings will enter all making them
perfect. This is what the verse from Matthew tells.