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The man arrived at the monastery
exhausted:
- I have been looking for
God for so long - he said. - Perhaps you can teach me the right
way of finding Him.
- Enter and see our convent
- said the priest, taking him by the hand and leading him to the
chapel. - Here are some fine works of art of the 16th century, which
portray the life of the Lord, and His glory among men.
The man waited, while the
priest explained each one of the beautiful paintings and sculptures
which adorned the chapel. Afterwards,
he repeated the question:
- Everything you showed me
is very beautiful. But I'd like to learn the best way to find God.
- God! - replied the priest.
- You said exactly that: God!
And he took the man to the
refectory, where supper was being prepared for the monks.
- Look around: soon supper
will be served, and your are invited to dine with us. You will be
able to listen to the Scriptures, while you satisfy your hunger.
- I am not hungry, and I have
already read the entire Scriptures - insisted the man. - I wish
to learn. I have come here to find God.
Again the priest took the
stranger by the hand and they began walking around the cloisters
which encircled a lovely garden.
- I ask my monks to always
keep the grass cut, and to remove the dry leaves from the fountain
you see over there in the middle. I think this must be the best
kept monastery in the whole region.
The stranger walked with the
priest a short way, then excused himself, saying he must be leaving.
- Won't you stay for supper?
asked the priest.
As he mounted his horse, the
stranger spoke:
- Congratulations on your
fine church, your welcoming refectory and the perfectly clean courtyard.
But I have journeyed many leagues just in order to learn to find
God, and not to marvel at efficiency, comfort and discipline.
A flash of lightening struck,
the horse reared up and the earth shook. Suddenly, the strange man
removed his disguise, and the priest saw that it was Jesus.
- God is wherever He is invited
in - said Jesus. - But you have closed the doors of this monastery
to Him, with rules, pride, wealth, ostentation. The next time a
stranger comes asking to find God, do not show him what you have
managed in His name: listen to the question, and try to answer with
love, charity and simplicity.
And so saying, He disappeared.
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