March 13, 2026

A Brief Lenten Meditation

An old man lived in the desert, and the nearest water was twelve miles from his cell. One day, as he went to fetch water, he became discouraged and said, “Why do I need to go to so much trouble? I will come and settle down by the water.”

No sooner had he said these words than he turned around and saw someone following him and counting his steps. “Who are you?” he asked.

And the other said, “I am an angel of the Lord, and I have been sent to count your steps and give you your reward.”

Hearing this, the old man was filled with renewed zeal and moved his cell even farther from the water source.