THEIR STORY, OUR STORY

“The Four-Way Test: Peace Through Service”

           A long time ago, famine struck a land where two brothers worked as farmers. The younger brother thought that since his older brother had a bigger family, he needed more rice. And so at night he secretly carried one sack of rice to his brother’s storehouse. To the younger brother’s surprise the next day, he still had the same sacks of rice as he had before he carried one to his brother. So that night he set out again to bring his secret offering when he bumped into his older brother carrying also a sack of rice. The two brothers wept after realizing that both had thought of doing the same thing. That is, carry a sack of rice to each other’s storehouse with the thought that one needs it more.

          Ladies and gentleman, this is one folktale that clearly sends a universal message that when we think more of others and less of ourselves, we find a greater gift in our relationships and within ourselves, the gift of peace. But is peace really born out of service?

          Today, I am given the task of scrutinizing the phrase “peace through service.” And I will do this by putting it under the magnifying glass of the Four-Way Test. The questions are as follows: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And will it be beneficial to all concerned?

          My dear friends, we all love to hear stories. Stories about triumphs of the human spirit amidst trials and tribulations have clearly been sources of inspiration. There is no other powerful example than a man’s life story to prove a point. Therefore, the four ethical questions that will be posed to me today shall be answered through the names of these notable men whose works of peace through service have forever been etched in the history of mankind.

          First, is it the truth? Mahatma Gandhi’s name echoes resoundingly to answer this question as his optimism led him to believe that all throughout history, the way of truth had always been won. He found truth through nonviolence, thus his efforts paid for the freedom of his country, India from the British rule. His philosophy of passive resistance transcended religious and political ideologies. We can win a person not through the way of violence but through the way of love, sacrifice, and service. His truth also became our truth.

          Second, is it fair to all concerned? Hasn’t Martin Luther King, Jr. exemplified this enough? His tireless service to end racism and discrimination in the U.S through peace efforts may have cost him his life but it started a movement that empowered the black community, thus encouraged the U.S government to abolish laws in black and white segregation. Peace through service transcends the color of our skin, the differences in our faith, abilities, and social background.

          Third, will it build goodwill and better friendships? Oskar Schindler, a German businessman saved thousands of Jews from the atrocities of Hitler during World War II by letting them work in his factory. When after the war he became bankrupt, the Jews in his ‘Schindler’s List’ - the Jews he helped, financially supported him and his family. Peace through service creates an effect of kindness and gratitude that ripples far beyond our own lives.

          Lastly, will it be beneficial to all concerned? Benigno Aquino’s struggle to bring back democracy to his country cost him his life but it gained back the freedom of the Filipinos against Martial Law. One cannot deny the fact that this man’s peace efforts have benefitted and will benefit the many generations of Filipinos.

          My dear friends, these are stories of ordinary men who made such extraordinary actions and because of that they became the movers and shakers of this world. We are no different from these men. We have in our hands the key to peace and that is through service.

          Let me go back to the folktale of two brothers I have narrated in the beginning. It was said that not long after, a church was built on the same spot where the brothers bumped into each other. It was because they couldn’t think of a holier place than that spot where the selfless act of service was exhibited. Ladies and gentlemen, may you let your every standing ground be a holy place of service. Act now!

A piece I wrote for Jeiya Nicole de Castro which won 1st runner-up during the 30th Rotary Four-Way Test Oratorical Contest held in Red Cross Building Bonifacio Drive La Paz, Iloilo City on February 8, 2013.