There was once a young...
Illustration
There was once a young Israeli boy named Raziel who was involved in a terrible accident in Tel Aviv. He had been hit by a car on a lonely road near his home, and suffered a severe head injury. He had never regained consciousness, machines were keeping him alive, and his doctors had pronounced him brain dead, but his parents just could not bring themselves to turn off his life support. Every day, Raziel's parents waited and hoped for a miracle. One day another young man, an Arab boy named Asad, was moved into a room just down the hall from Raziel. Asad had been brought to Tel Aviv in hopes of finding an organ donor. Asad needed a new heart, but so far, a suitable donor had not been found. As they spent hours waiting for something to happen, Raziel's parents got to know Asad's parents. Under normal circumstances, an Arab and an Israeli would not be found talking so comfortably or candidly, but these were hardly normal circumstances. Raziel's parents found out that Asad was completely healthy in every way, except for a congenital heart defect that would cost him his life if he didn't have a new heart soon. Raziel's parents knew that their son was already gone. They knew there was nothing they could do to bring Raziel back, but they were still holding out for a miracle. Now they realized that their miracle had arrived. Raziel could give life to Asad by giving him his heart. One night Raziel's father approached Asad's mother and said, "We have no son anymore. Perhaps we can save yours. If he is a match, we wish Asad to have Raziel's heart." Despite the fact that their people were sworn enemies, Raziel, the little Israeli boy gave life to an Arab named Asad. Love your enemies, says Jesus, and do good to them. Lend and expect nothing back.
-- Parlette
-- Parlette
