Sometimes, an earthly miracle <br />needs human mediation; <br />it’s what creates our saints; <br />and what our saints create. <br /> <br />This story’s told of Abba Alonius, <br />known always to speak the truth: <br /> <br />One day a man, provoked beyond restraint <br />by ceaseless taunts and treachery, <br />murdered a man, within the Abba’s sight; <br /> <br />fled to the Abba’s cell, begging him, <br />‘Forgive me, Abba, in the sight of God, <br />before they hang me in the sight of men…’ <br /> <br />Abba Alonius said, <br />that was not in his power.. <br /> <br />The police came, asked that holy man, <br />‘Did this man murder in your sight? ’ <br /> <br />The Abba said, all he could say <br />was that the man sought blessing in his cell.. <br /> <br />the murderer looked astonished at that holy man, <br />who had for his sake, broken holy vow of truth; <br />and for one man’s soul.. That soul <br />cried out to God, to redeem the holy Abba’s lie… <br />and in the instant, knew itself redeemed. <br /> <br />After the trial with no witness to the deed, <br />he sought the Abba, to know the holy truth: <br /> <br />And Abba said: ‘Better for me to express a lie, <br />and so, deliver your soul over to God unbound; <br />for God knows all.. Do what you can, <br />and leave the rest to God..’<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-earthly-miracle/
