A LENTEN REFLECTION ~ 28

Once, Brother Weeps was speaking to a group of visitors. In answer to a woman’s question he said, “The holiest person I ever knew was a stick of a figure, a hermit who lived deep in the woods. He had two dogs. He loved those dogs almost as much as he loved God. He fed them generously while he ate the scraps and crumbs. At night the dogs took it upon themselves to sleep on either side of the monk on his straw mat, his boney body being so susceptible to the cold. He named one dog Peccavi which in Latin means “I have sinned.” The other dog he named Ego Dilecto which means “I am beloved.” So morning, noon, or night, whenever he had cause to call his four-legged companions, he confessed, “I have sinned! I have sinned!” and rejoiced, “I am beloved! I am beloved!”

~ Dan Miller. All Rights Reserved. © 2020.