Once two monks came to Abba Joseph with a request to explain to them whether it was better for them to joyfully receive the brothers visiting them or not to express this joy. Before they had time to open their mouths to express their difficulty to him, he forestalled their question and entered his cell. There he covered himself with old rags and walked between them in such attire, without saying a word.
Then he took off his rags, put on the good clothes that he wore on holidays, and walked between them again. Finally, he dressed as he always dressed and sat down with them.
The monks looked at him in surprise, not understanding anything of what he presented.
Then he told them:
-Did you notice what I did?
“Yes,” they answered.
“But,” added Joseph, “did you notice that the change in dress changed anything in me?” Have I become worse by wearing rags? Am I a better person by wearing better clothes?
- Of course not!
- Remember, in comparison with this, that everything created, even people, should not change anything by their appearance in our inner world. Receive with joy and innocence, and with Christian love, the brothers who visit you. And if no one comes to you, keep yourself focused in spirit.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru