Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Leave vengeance to God

Desert Fathers_webA brother whom another brother had wronged came to see Abba Sisoes and said to him, ‘My brother has hurt me and I want to avenge myself.’ The old man pleaded with him saying, ‘No, my child, leave vengeance to God.’ He said to him, ‘I shall not rest until I have avenged myself.’ Th e old man said, ‘Brother, let us pray.’ The n the old man stood up and said, ‘God, we no longer need you to  care  for us,  since  we do  justice  for ourselves.’  Hearing  these words, the brothers fell at the old man’s feet, saying, ‘I will no longer seek  justice from my brother; forgive me, abba.’

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