The Priest & the Prostitute#
Sometime during the fourth century a desert father named Abba Ephrem trod an ancient road, a prostitute engaged him in conversation. Through her flatteries she attempted to lead him into shameful intercourse, or at the very least to make him angry, for none had ever seen Abba Ephrem angry.
His response to her was most surprising. He summoned to her - follow me! She did.
When they had reached a most crowded place Abba Ephrem then explained his bold request - in this place, please come and do what you desire.
But she, absent of purity yet daunted by the masses questioned him, how can we do what we want in front of so great a crowd without being ashamed?
Abba Ephrem replied - if you blush before men, how much more should we blush before God who knows what is hidden in darkness? Covered in shame she left him.#
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You. (Psalm 139:11-12)
Today's Soul Snippet:
"Righteousness will always prevail, wickedness cannot defeat righteousness."
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ENJOY too ~ Tales Strange & True from the Desert, A Parable of an Old Man
#Benedicta Ward (translator), The Sayings of the Desert Fathers ~ (Kentucky Cistercian Publications, 1984), 59-60 with SoulSupply edits.