One day, the elder and his disciple entered the gates of a big city to talk about the Christian faith.
One Christian, a resident of this city, approached him and said:
“Father, the residents of this city hardly need your sermons.” These inhabitants are heavy-hearted and resist the word of truth. They don't want to learn at all. Don't waste your time on them.
The elder looked at him and said:
- You're right.
A few minutes later another Christian approached the elder and said:
“Father, have no doubt: you will be warmly received in this beautiful city.” People are waiting for you and hoping to hear the precious words of the Gospel teaching coming from your lips. They are hungry for knowledge and ready to serve. Their hearts and minds are open to you.
The elder looked at him and said:
- You're right.
The student could not stand it and asked the elder:
“Father, explain to me how you said the same words to both one and the other, although they told you completely opposite things.”
The elder said to the student:
- You're right. But you probably noticed that both people spoke the truth that corresponded to their understanding of the world. The first one sees only the bad in everything, the second looks for the good. Both perceive the world as they expect it to be. Each of them comes from their own experience of understanding this world. Neither of them lied. They both told the truth. Just not all of it.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru