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The More
Important
Things in Life by Michelle Taylor
Aprofessor once wished to demonstrate a concept to his class.
Taking a wide-mouthed vase,
them in. Let's try."
inside it. Then he asked the stu
The professor set out another vase the same size as the previous
Everyone answered in unison,
year,
them into the vase. The pebbles set tled into the spaces between the
larger stones. Again he asked;
the water. Lastly, the young man
"And now, is it full?"
tried to place in the large stones, but these no longer fit since most of the vase was filled by the small
Then the professor took a handful of pebbles and dropped
timely articles of lasting interest for
each and every member of your family — from the history of Christian civilization to
one, then gathered the same num ber of large stones, another handful of pebbles, a can of sand, and ajar of water. Calling the student who had answered, he bade him pour in the pebbles first, then the sand and
"Yes."
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first, you will never be able to fit
he placed several large stones dents, "Is it full?"
SIX times a
"Not exactly," the professor replied. "The point is that unless you place the big stones in the vase
This time a few of the pupils hesitated, but the majority answered yes.
current Catholic events; from episodes in the lives of the saints to the persecution and martyrdom of Catholics in our own days; from inspirational stories for children to insightful discussion of child rearing; from apologetics to forgotten truths. Fully illustrated and dynamically presented,
and stones. For the third time the
serve God before all else and, in
Crusade will be a welcome addition to both
professor asked,"So, it is full?"
consequence, to truly love your neighbors and work out the salva
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The professor then took a can filled with sand and began pouring it in the vase. The sand filtered
into the spaces between the pebbles
Most of the students were now
unsure of the professor's meaning, but many still answered that it was.
er materials.
The professor explained his point: "The large stones are the really important things in your life, mainly the concern to love and
tion of your soul. Once you have made these your priority, then your other obligations and pursuits will
The professor then took ajar of water and poured it into the vase, saturating the sand. The pro
fall into place: your relationships
fessor now asked his class, "What
ies, work, leisure, and all the rest.
with family and friends, your stud
is the object of this demonstra
But if your first concem is with the
tion?"
smaller things—the pebbles, the
A young, talented student stood up and answered,"No matter how full the 'agenda' of one's life,
important ones—the large stones— will not find a place in your life.
one can always squeeze something else in."
sand, and the water—the more
"Seek first the kingdom of God and all else will be given to you." ■