The Hermit

While on a journey, the Roman Emperor, Theodosius the Great, heard of a hermit who was famous for his piety, for his great spirit of poverty, and for his hard labour and good works. Theodosius decided that he would visit this hermit and refresh his soul with the wisdom of this saintly man.

Without letting the hermit know, Theodosius arrived one day in plain clothes at the hermit’s cell. The hermit welcomed him heartily. After a short pause, the hermit continued with his work—he was weaving a mat with great care.

The Emperor talked to the hermit a long time and was greatly edified by his piety. When at last he rose to leave, the hermit invited him to share his meal. Theodosius gladly accepted the meal, partly because he had grown hungry, and partly because he wished to see what food the hermit ate. The hermit set before his guest a few pieces of bread, a little bit of salt, and a cup of cold water, which he had drawn from a nearby well. The Emperor ate this little meal with greater delight than ever before in his life.

On leaving, the Emperor made himself known to the hermit, and said, “I am the Emperor, but you are happier than I, for I never have a day on which I can eat undisturbed.”…

The example of the hermit tells us that the root of greatness lies in denying ourselves the many foods we enjoy and the secret of happiness lies in living in poverty and denying ourselves the many luxuries of life. But from Theodosius we learn that even an Emperor has his grief and finds his recreation always disturbed.

Therefore let us not be surprised and unhappy, if in our daily life and in all our undertakings, things do not always turn out as we had hoped. St. Francis de Sales tells us to desire from the depths of our hearts anything that we cannot avoid. He tells us this in order that the thousand of trials and problems that come our way may not be to our ruin, but to our good.

So kids, remember that doing a little penance every day, giving up a food you like, letting your brother or sister play with your toys, all helps you become stronger for the day when God will ask you to do something even harder! Think about this for a while. Remember, little sacrifices today, make it easier to do bigger sacrifices tomorrow.

Home | Contents

Accueil