A certain monk prayed earnestly, saying:
"Lord, you are merciful and patient, so why is it so hard to save the soul and why is hell full of sinners?"
He prayed for a long time, asking this question to God. And then, finally, an angel of the Lord came to him and says:
"Let's go, I'll show you the ways people walk."
They left the cell, and the angel led the monk into the forest.
"You see that woodcutter who bears a heavy bundle of firewood and does not want to lose a little for relief?" asked the angel. "Similarly, certain people bear their sins and do not want to repent."
After that the angel shows the monk a well with water and says:
"Do you see a madman who draws water from a well with a sieve?" So people repent. They draw the grace of forgiveness, and then sin again, and grace flows like water through a sieve.
Again the angel shows the monk a person and says:
"Do you see the one who laid a log across the horse and mounted on horseback to enter the temple of God, and the log in the door gets stuck?" So people do their good deeds - without humility but in pride. And now, you yourself, tell me, is it easy for God to save such people by conforming to mercy with His justice?
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