Anthony, a middle-aged monk, was on pilgrimage, visiting Benedict his good friend, a monk in another country. Arriving at the monastery, Benedict, a gracious host and friend, welcomed Anthony, and as they started climbing a long flight of steps, said, “We have no elevators here. I apologize for the many steps we have to climb to get to your room.”
Anthony, with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, answered, “There are many steps in my home monastery, too.” Then he added, “I count them as I climb…. This is how I count them: one, one, one…!”
Source: Based on a story told by Donagh O’Shea in goodnews.ie
CONSIDER THIS
In the spiritual life, it is always the beginning.
- “Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.” —Meister Eckhart
- “Spiritual life is a constant beginning and beginning again.” —Josemaría Escrivá, The Forge, 384
