An experienced senior collector at Delhi customs had been observing a Naval officer for years. He found it hard to believe that someone could be so upright. No bribes. No smuggling. No putting down others. No seeking favours. When praised, this officer would often respond that the credit should go to someone else. He helped others silently, with no fanfare. His former students revered him. He was evidently brilliant, and, with a sparkling sense of humour, fun to be with.
After years of silent admiration, the customs official told the Navy commander, who was a Catholic: “I have been observing you for years. Whenever I praised you for something, you tended to give the credit to someone else. What if I tell you that you are the finest human being I have ever come across?”
Many others who knew this man felt the same way. I knew him very well. He has been a great inspiration in my life.
Isn’t this the best that a person can aspire to—to become as fine a human being as we can be?
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Fr Joe Mannath
