There was
a monk who lived in a monastery but did not care about the salvation of his
soul and spent his days in idleness. He lived to an advanced age and was
nearing death. When he fell ill with a deadly illness and was about to die, he
did not fear death but was happy and praised God as he was getting ready to
part with his body. His fellow monks, together with the abbot of that
monastery, asked him:
“We have
seen how you, brother, have been idle all your life. Why are you so fearless
and happy at this frightening hour of death? May God’s power raise you so that
you could explain it to us and make us praise God, too.”
The monk
rose at his bed and told them:
“You’re
right, honorable fathers, that I spent my life in idleness and carelessness.
Just now God’s Angels have brought me a record of all my bad actions and read
it to me. Having read it, the Angels asked me, “Do you plead guilty of all
these actions?” I replied, “Yes I do. But since the day I gave up on the world
and took the monastic vows, I have never judged anyone and never got angry with
anyone. Therefore, I appeal to God that the words of Jesus Christ Judge not,
that ye be not judged; if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you (Matthew 7:1; 6:14) be used in my case.” As soon as I
uttered these words, the holy Angels tore the account of my sins apart. This is
why I go to God with joy and happiness.”
Translated
by The Catalog of Good Deeds
CONVERSATION