Oscar Wild's story "The Happy Prince", describes a prince who lived a very secluded life. When he died, the people erected a statue of him covered with gold leaves, with two sapphires for eyes and a red ruby on the handle of the sword.
One cold night a little swallow landed on the base of the statue to rest. A few drops of rain fell on him. Looking up, he saw that the Happy Prince was crying. "Why are you crying?" asked the swallow.
"When I was alive I saw no suffering," said the Prince, but now I see much unhappiness in the world. I would like to help, but I cannot move my feet. Would you be my messenger?"
"What can I do for you?" asked the swallow.
"There is a mother tending a sick child who has no money for a doctor," said the Prince; "take the ruby from my sword." With this ruby the woman was able to get a doctor to help her child.
The next night the Prince asked the swallow to take one of the sapphires to a little girl in the town square. She had sold no matches all day and was in danger of being beaten when she got home.
Then the Prince asked the swallow to take the golden leaves and deliver them to the poor and needy throughout the city. The swallow did all he was asked to do until one night the statue had no leaves left. The night was very cold.
The next morning the tiny swallow was found frozen and dead at the base of the statue. The Prince had given away all he had with the help of his faithful messenger the little swallow.
In a homily on the feast of Christ the King Father Rudy Novecosky explains that Christ, our King, gave himself totally while he was on earth. Even in dying he was still giving. Now we are his hands and his feet.
You and I are asked to be his messengers. We can pass on the gift of his love to those who need it most desperately. We can visit the lonely, share our coats with the poor, pass on the mercy, forgiveness and love that our King wants to share with the world.
Mother Teresa said: Jesus is the Word-to be spoken. Jesus is the Truth-to be told. Jesus is the Way-to be walked. Jesus is the Light-to be lit. Jesus is the Life-to be lived. Jesus is the Love-to be loved."
Father Rudy said to do things such as the little swallow one doesn't have to be either wealthy or talented. All one needs is a warm and willing heart. Everyone can do something.
