The Decaying Monastery

By Jim Ryan

The old monastery had fallen upon hard times. Once a great order, with wealth and lands, now things were bad and there were only the old Abbot and four elderly monks remaining; clearly it was a dying order. In the surrounding woods, there was the retreat of a local Rabbi, from the nearby town. The Abbot, thinking that there wasn't much time left for his order, decided to visit his old friend the Rabbi, and ask him if by some chance he could offer any advice that might save the monastery. 

The Rabbi welcomed the Abbot, but on hearing of his plight, could only commiserate with the Abbot, agreeing that certainly, the spirit has gone out of the people. It was the same for him, very few visited the synagogue also. So both shared their fears, ate, and prayed together. As he was leaving, the Rabbi expressed his sorrow at not being able to give the Abbot the help he wanted, but commented at their parting that one of them at the monastery was the Messiah!

On his return to the monastery, the Abbot relayed what had occurred to the other monks, adding the very puzzling statement about the Rabbi declaring that one of them was the Messiah. In the days, weeks, and months that passed, the old monks thought long and hard about this strange message. The Messiah is one of us? Which one? Could it be the Abbot? He had been in charge for a long time and was a devout man. On the other hand, Brother Thomas was so holy, he was always in prayer and contemplation. Or Brother Eldred, he seems to be always right. What about Brother Phillip, so peaceful and kind, always at hand to help? And each even thought about himself, could he be the Messiah? As an ordinary monk, each tried his best, but to be the Messiah, surely not!

As they contemplated in this manner, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that one amongst them might be the Messiah. This aura of tremendous respect that began to surround the old monks seemed to radiate out from and permeate the atmosphere of the place. There was something strangely compelling and attractive about this place. Hardly knowing why, many visitors started to come to the old monastery and its beautiful grounds, to picnic, to play, to pray. They began to tell their friends, and they bought others to this special place.

Then it happened that some of the younger men who came started to talk more and more with the old monks. After a while one asked if he could join, then another, and another. So within a few years, the monastery had once again become a thriving order and a vibrant center of light and spirituality, all thanks to the Rabbi's gift.