CG
01-05-04, - 09:41 AM
I am writing a book of Spiritual short stories. Here is one that has been published in a few Church Bulletins. It is a good one for the New Year. This is a good time to ask ourselves which monk we are. Are we the young monk or the old one?
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The young monk took pride in the fact that he loved everyone. He never missed an opportunity to tell people just how loving he really was. An old monk listened to him as he bragged. Then he asked him, "Do you love the sick?" "Of course I love the sick! " Responded the young monk. "Good." Said the old monk, "Then you will come with me when I visit the lepers’ colony this afternoon." The young man looked very surprised. "Oh, I don't think so. I am afraid of lepers I don't want to get sick. But I will pray for them."
"Then tell me,"asked the old man "do you love the dying? The young monk folded his hands and a pious look came over his face. "Of course. They will soon be in the company of heaven!" The old monk smiled. "Then you will come with me this evening and we will visit with the dying in the hospital." The young monk thought for a minute. "No, that is too depressing, but I will pray for them."
The old monk went on naming different groups of suffering people and asking the young monk to help, but the young man always had some reason why he could not offer his help. The old monk looked at the young boy and asked. "Tell me, who do you really love?" Without waiting for an answer, the old man walked way to practice his love. The young man sat where he was and talked about his love.
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The young monk took pride in the fact that he loved everyone. He never missed an opportunity to tell people just how loving he really was. An old monk listened to him as he bragged. Then he asked him, "Do you love the sick?" "Of course I love the sick! " Responded the young monk. "Good." Said the old monk, "Then you will come with me when I visit the lepers’ colony this afternoon." The young man looked very surprised. "Oh, I don't think so. I am afraid of lepers I don't want to get sick. But I will pray for them."
"Then tell me,"asked the old man "do you love the dying? The young monk folded his hands and a pious look came over his face. "Of course. They will soon be in the company of heaven!" The old monk smiled. "Then you will come with me this evening and we will visit with the dying in the hospital." The young monk thought for a minute. "No, that is too depressing, but I will pray for them."
The old monk went on naming different groups of suffering people and asking the young monk to help, but the young man always had some reason why he could not offer his help. The old monk looked at the young boy and asked. "Tell me, who do you really love?" Without waiting for an answer, the old man walked way to practice his love. The young man sat where he was and talked about his love.