Legacy
Can we make a difference in the world? One man did. Telemachus, a fourth century monk, travelled to Rome and was appalled by what he saw. As he sat in the Coliseum, he was traumatised to see gladiators hacking each other to death. In the end, he could take no more and he stood to his feet. ‘In the name of Christ, forbear’ he cried. ‘Stop!’ He was a solitary voice among the bloodthirsty cheering. The crowd bristled and told him to shut up, but he refused and raised his voice again.
Finally, one of the gladiators made his way to where the monk stood and ran him through with his sword. Telemachus was murdered by a man whose life he was trying to save. But as the monk lay dying, someone decided to leave the Coliseum in disgust. Others followed suit and soon a massive exodus took place. There would never be gladiatorial games held at the Coliseum again. Telemachus had no idea – he died on the ‘grandstand’ – but his legacy was a final ending to the blood-letting.
Life is painful. But if we live boldly and beautifully, we can leave a wonderful legacy behind.