November/December 2001
Common Ground
by Joseph Tkach
A thousand years ago, while the Holy Roman Empire was flourishing in Europe, a mighty ruler arose in the East. His name was Mahmud of Ghazni. His empire encompassed the countries today known as Afghanistan, Pakistan, most of Iran and portions of India.
Among those who served Mahmud at his magnificent court was a man named Ayaz. Ayaz had been brought to Mahmud's court as a slave, but Ayaz the slave eventually became Mahmud's friend, companion and trusted adviser.
Many were jealous of Ayaz. Envious courtiers informed Mahmud that every day, Ayaz spent time in a secret room.
Mahmud's curiosity got the better of him. He confronted Ayaz and demanded to be shown into his private room. Ayaz wept, then reluctantly unlocked the door.
The room was empty of all furniture. All it contained was a hook on the wall. On the hook hung a tattered and patched cloak, a staff and a beggar's bowl.
"I have tried never to forget my origins, and for this reason I come here every day to remind myself of what I was," Ayaz explained. "I belong to you, and all that belongs to me are my rags, my stick, my bowl and my wandering over the face of the earth."
Ayaz saw himself as an undeserving recipient of blessings from a benevolent master.
God is our Master. In his mercy, God lifted us out of the world -- out of a hopeless existence -- and bought and paid for us. We're now both his slaves and his friends. As Ayaz said to Mahmud, we must say to God, "I belong to you!" And we must never forget what he has done for us.