Christian Reflection and Prayer

The Monk's Vision

This is a nice little story that reminds us of the
best way to truly serve God here on Earth.


An old monk prayed many years for a vision
from God to strengthen his faith, but it never
came. He had almost given up hope when, one
day, a vision appeared. The old monk was
overjoyed. But then, right in the middle of the
vision, the monastery bell rang. The ringing of
the bell meant it was time to feed the poor who
gathered daily at the monastery gate. And it
was the old monk's turn to feed them. If he
failed to show up with food, the poor people
would leave quietly, thinking the monastery
had nothing to give them that day.

The old monk was torn between his earthly
duty and his heavenly vision. However, before
the bell stopped tolling, the monk had made
his decision. With a heavy heart, he turned his
back on the vision and went off to feed the poor.
Nearly an hour later, the old monk returned to
his room. When he opened the door, he could
hardly believe his eyes. There in the room was
the vision, waiting for him. As the monk dropped
to is knees in thanksgiving, the vision said to him,
"My son, had you not gone off to feed the poor,
I would not have stayed."

The best way to serve God is to reach out in
service to our brothers and sisters, especially
those less gifted than ourselves.

(from GodVine)