290- The Thieves’ Wine

 

St-Takla.org Image: A bottle of wine with cup, devil, by Amgad Wadea. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: زجاجة خمر، مع كأس، رسم أمجد وديع.

St. Pephnotius never drank wine but he passed in front of a gang of thieves who were drinking. The chief of the gang knew that St. Pephnotius is a monk and doesn’t drink wine so he filled him a cup and grabbed his sword out threatening, “I’ll kill you, if you don’t drink.”

St. Pephnotius was neither afraid of death nor thirst for wine. He rather thought that the murder that the chief of the gang would commit would only harm the latter’s soul so he preferred to suppress his personal will and drink the cup for the sake of the man’s salvation, being sure that the Grace of God would work within him.

The chief of the gang was so ashamed in front of this man’s obedience and meekness and did not know what else to do but apologize, saying, “Oh father! Forgive me for, I’ve saddened you.”

The Saint then replied, “I’m sure that God will forgive you your sins for the sake of this cup.”

In repentance, the gangster said, “And I’m confident that with God’s Grace, I won’t sadden anyone else ever.”

It was then told that the whole gang repented on his hands.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: نبيذ اللصوص.

Lord, Grant me the spirit of love with wisdom.

Grant me the spirit of seriousness without being literal,

To care for my salvation, without neglecting the salvation of others,

Theirs and mine are in Your hands, Savior of the world.

We avoid people’s eyes, and sin in the presence of God.

* We know that God is the judge of the world,

* Yet we sin in front of His eyes.

* (St. Ambrose).

In the Mud

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

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