A member of a particular group, which provided services regularly without warning stopped participating in its activities. After a few weeks, the leader of that group decided to visit him. It was a very cold night.
The leader found the man at home alone, sitting before the fire, which burned a bright and cozy fire. Guessing the reason for the visit, the man gave a warm welcome to the leader, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and stood quietly, waiting. Leader settled himself comfortably in the location indicated, but said nothing.
In serious silence that had formed just watched the flames dance around the wood logs that burned.
After a few minutes, the leader examined the coals that formed and carefully selected one of them, the most glowing of all, pushing it to the side.
Then returned to sit, remaining silent and motionless.
The host was watching it, fascinated and quiet. Gradually the solitary flame of coal decreased until there was a momentary glow and his fire was extinguished once.
Before long what was once a party of heat and light, now no more than a black, cold, dead piece of coal covered in a thick layer of gray soot. No word had been spoken since the initial greeting protocol between the two friends. The leader, before getting ready to leave, handled the cold and useless coal, putting it back in the fire again.
Almost immediately he made to glow, powered by light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
When the leader reached the door to leave, his host said:
- Thank you. For your visit and the beautiful sermon. I am returning to the conviviality of the group. God bless you!
Reflection: To the members of a group is worth remembering that they are part of the flame away from the group and they lose all shine. Leaders to remember that they are responsible for keeping the flame of each and to promote unity among all members , so that the fire is really strong , effective and long lasting.