The Hermit and the Baskets

We are beginning a New Year so it would be good to remember this story. There once lived a hermit named Brother Peter who was very sad about a certain problem that he had. He went to see his Superior and told him, "Father Superior, what is the use of my going to hear sermons? I can never remember what has been said!" The Superior was very wise and told Br. Peter, "Take one of these two baskets and go to the river; fill it with water and bring it to me!" The hermit was surprised at what his Superior had just asked him to do, but he obeyed just the same.

When he returned from the river, Br. Peter was told to fill the basket a second time with water, and then a third time as well. The hermit obeyed again and again and when he returned the third time the Superior said, "Now tell me Br. Peter, what is the difference between the basket you left here and the basket you went to fill with water from the river?"

Br. Peter looked at the two baskets and replied, "There is no difference, except that maybe the one that has been in the water looks cleaner than the other!"

"Yes, that is right!" the Superior said. "The basket you took to the river was not able to hold water, but it did become cleaner! And even though you are not able to remember all the words of the sermon, you still get a lot of blessings from the little that you do remember! Continue going to the sermons and you will gain many blessings from hearing them."

Yes, children; sometimes it's hard to sit still and listen to the sermon on Sundays and Holy Days, but even if you only remember a little bit, you will gain many blessings from God. You will get a blessing because you tried to be good in church and you will get a blessing because you tried to remember a little bit of the sermon.

And some day the memory of these few words from the sermon will help you not to sin, or will help you do a kind act toward somebody else. So you see, there is a reason for listening, even when it is hard. If you ask your Guardian Angel to help you, you can be sure that he will be glad to help you to listen and remember!

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