On March 31, 1981, the main story in newspapers all over the world was the assassination attempt on President Reagan. A youth had fired six shots at the President in the space of 2 seconds with an automatic pistol. One bullet had entered his chest and settled in his lung. Before he reached hospital, he lost half the blood of his body. But emergency treatment came to his assistance, and his life was saved.

Before long, the President was well on the way to recovery and chatting with the doctors and nurses in his hospital ward. He recalled his earlier career as a film-star, in which he had never achieved outstanding fame. One of the remarks he made in this connection was: “If I’d got this much attention in Hollywood, I would never have left.”

Why did John Hinckley commit this deed? He was in love with a young actress by the name of Jodie Foster. He had written to her time and time again, but had received no response. Eventually, one day before his attack on President Reagan, he wrote to her saying: “Now you’II know who I am.”

Next day, this unknown youth had made headlines all over the world; he had become big news; his name could be heard on radios and television sets in every country of the globe. Just by pulling a trigger, he had achieved more fame than others do after a lifetime of effort.

Hinckley was a would-be assassin, Ronald Reagan his victim, but in as much as both were after fame both of them were the same. One person may seem to be a criminal, and another innocent, but if both are seeking worldly gain, then they are both living on the same plane. In this world, people are judged on appearances: in the next world, they will be judged according to realities. No matter what one is doing on earth, no matter whether one’s efforts seem to be directed towards a noble or an ignoble end, if one is working for fame, then one will have nothing but ignominy to look forward to when one comes before God. □