The Mango Tree - Conclusion

If you were the man, how would you feel? ...

Now, I must state that the issue isn't about the neighbour stealing the fruits, it's about the man's feelings. Shouldn't the man be the first one to taste the fruit? Doesn't he have the right to? After all his tender loving care? You're all probably saying "of course, duh!" Anyone in their right minds would agree to that, and would be indignant that the neighbour got to taste the fruit rather than the man himself!

This story illustrates what happens when we further our studies, either overseas or to W. M'sia and you're away from CCL. As you look for a church to worship in, there may be many factors that cause you to attend a certain church; friends are there, nearest to your house, easy to get to, you feel comfortable there etc, do you actually consider going back to an Anglican church? Or it could be that there's no Anglican church there, fair enough if that's the case. If there were two churches near each other, an Anglican or another denomination, which would you choose?

Often times we think about ourselves, whether we feel at home, whether we find any friends there. And if we know of our friends in another church, we will not hesitate to hop. (I am talking about when we're outside of our home city, ok?) I have never thought about what our priests and pastors feel, in this case, they would be the man with the mango tree. Their thoughts are: "don't we, the Anglican church, have the right to our young people? Can't we taste the fruit of our labour?" And it pains them to see youths going to another church. Truly it does. Lest you think I'm making this up, I heard this mango tree story from AD JY, who in turn, heard it from Bishop AV. So.. this is from the top, guys.

This is the plea. I commend Grace, and Elias, and all those who chose to go to FCC simply because it's the Anglican church. I do not wish to put criticism or guilt on others who aren't going FCC, but I simply state what our Bishop, priests and pastors think.

Doesn't our church have the right? Can't we taste the first fruit of our labour?