825 (SIMPLICITY/ HUMILITY/ PURE HEART/ LOVE)
Abba Poimen and Abba Anub had five more brothers; they were all biological brothers and lived together as monks in the wilderness. The youngest of all had a very simple heart and his behaviour made it difficult for the others; he could not understand easily, did things at the wrong time and tired them without wanting to. The elders endured this for a long time, but at some point they said to each other:
«Let us leave him on his own, because we can no longer be in peace».
So they secretly got up to leave. But the younger one understood what was going on and started running after them, shouting. When they saw him, they told him rather harshly:
«Why are you haunting us again? Stay in the hut and let us go, so we can find some peace away from you».
And then he, with all the simplicity and purity of his heart, answered them:
«Yes, my brothers. Let us all go together, whereever you want».
When they heard these words, the brothers were crushed. Abba Poimen turned to the others and said:
«We cannnot leave him. He saves us».
And they all went back to their hut glorifying God, for they saw that the simplicity, humility and love of the younger brother was greater than any other exercise.
In other words, in spiritual life, it is not intelligence or “order” that saves us but the heart that truly says: «Yes, let us do whatever you want, my brothers…»
ALL PATERNAL ADVICES (in Blog Format)
ALL PATERNAL ADVICES (translated from no. 664) in PDF/WORD Format)