Parable
PARABLE
"In the midst of a flourishing garden stood a venerable old man, happily contemplating his work.
An overflowing fountain of clear water sprinkled his cultivated garden.
The old one wished to share his fruits, and he invited travelers to partake of his blessings.
There came to him a man, sick with leprosy. The old one regarded him with love, received him and asked him what he was seeking. The traveler said to him: do not come near me for I am a leper.
The old one, without feeling any repugnance, allowed him to enter, he gave him shelter in his home, and he nourished him without asking the cause of his illness. The leper, while under the protection of the old one, cleansed his body, and full of gratitude, said to him: I will stay with you, for you have restored my health, I will help you to cultivate your fields.
Afterward a woman arrived at that place, with desperation reflecting on her face and the old one asked her: What do you need? And tearfully she replied: I cannot hide my sin, I have committed adultery and I have been turned away from my home, and have abandoned my small children. The old one said to her: do not fall into adultery again, love and respect your spouse, and before you go back to your home, drink from this clear water and purify yourself. But the woman replied: I cannot go back, but allow your calling to reach my home and I will remain at your service.
The days passed, and the small children who had been left alone, went in search of the old one, for they knew that he imparted charity and he said to them: What do you seek? And they answered: We have been left alone in our home, our parents have abandoned us and we have come to you in search of bread and shelter, for we know that through you we will find them. The old one said to them: Come in, your parents are with me, rest and join them.
Everyone was reunited, and in that blessed company they regained peace, there was forgiveness and reconciliation, and they returned to their everyday life. The regenerated father, cleansed of leprosy, sheltered the woman under his roof again, and gave warmth to his children. She, repentant and cleansed, was a refuge for the man and a cradle for her children. The children, who thought they had lost their parents forever, gave thanks to the old one for having regained them and for permitting their home to be restored."