A monk once came to his mentor and said:
- Father, how many times have I come to you, repenting of my sins, how many times have you instructed me with advice, but I cannot improve. What good is it for me to come to you if after our conversations I again fall into my sins?
Avva replied:
- My son, take two clay pots - one with honey and the other empty.
The student did just that.
“Now,” said the teacher, “pour the honey several times from one pot to another.”
The student obeyed again.
“Now, son, look at the empty pot and smell it.”
The student looked, smelled and said:
- Father, the empty pot smells of honey, and there, at the bottom, there is a little thick honey left.
“That’s it,” said the teacher, “and my instructions settle in your soul.” If for the sake of Christ you learn at least part of the virtues in life, then the Lord, by His mercy, will make up for their lack and save your soul for life in paradise. For even an earthly housewife does not pour pepper into a pot that smells of honey. So God will not reject you if you retain at least the beginnings of righteousness in your soul.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru