Act the Inspiration

Act the Inspiration

Much of what we are is because of the influence of our family, our society, our education, and some prominent personalities. Often we hail many individuals who become an inspiration for us. Take some examples of great leaders who have been an inspiration for us. Mahatma Gandhi till today is an inspiration for peace and non-violence, Mother Teresa of Calcutta is an inspiration for service to the poor and the downtrodden, and in our recent past we bid farewell to a great soul, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam who was an inspiration for humility, honesty and simplicity.

Many a time we hear our politicians and ordinary men and women citing the examples of such heroes in order to impress people. But I feel that we are lost in this first level of merely talking about such inspirations. Many of us say that I am inspired by Dr. Abdul Kalam’s such and such thought or idea, but I wonder whether this inspiration reaches the level of action. If we say we are inspired by Gandhiji’s idea of peace and non-violence, we must begin to act on such ideas. Being inspired by the idea of peace or non-violence cannot reduce hatred and violence, we need to work towards that.

Thousands of people admire what Mother Teresa has done and feel inspired by her commitment to the poor and the needy. But we still have millions who go hungry every day. We need to ask “why”. I think it is because we fail to act on the inspiration. To be inspired by an idea or a person is a great thing, but to be just happy with the inspiration is not really a great thing. To act according to the inspiration does not only mean to bring change or some revolution in the life of others or in the society, but it also calls for inner conversion. The inspirations must make me first a better person. If I am inspired by the humility, gentleness and simplicity of Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, I must make these values a part of my life, only then can I expect the same from others.

Pope Francis is making headlines every day because of his charismatic and down-to-earth ideas. He is inspiring millions of people all over the world. In the religious circle too we find examples of the Holy Father being quoted in many homilies and talks. He is indeed a man full of passion and love for the poor. But we need to ask ourselves, Are we really putting into practice his thoughts on consecrated life, on evangelisation, on ecological concern, on the church of the poor, and so on, in our personal lives and in the life of the society? If not, we need to rethink and begin with something.

Jesus Christ gives us the perfect example of the doer. He said, “Love your enemies,” and he showed it by example when he forgave those who crucified him. Let us not just be hearers but doers of the inspiration. St. James in his Letter says, “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves” (James 1:22).

 Br.Pawanjit Singh