On life (143) -”A Penitent’s Dream” – 30/9/2016

   In the previous article, we started tackling the different types of pain that afflict human beings. We dealt with desirable remorse which leads man to repentance, thus changing his life to the better. We started the story of Peter whose love for money made cruel. We also spoke of the poor man who begged him for some charity. Peter tried to push the man away, but failed. So, he decided to throw a dry loaf of bread at him. Surprisingly, the poor man took the loaf and ran happily!
   Peter’s night was not as peaceful as the previous ones, for, in a dream, he saw as if it were doomsday. There was a scale. Its left-hand pan was carried by an ugly group of people who seemed to be thrusting bad deeds into it. The right-hand pan was carried by a lovely, luminous group of people who seemed to stand puzzled, not knowing what to put therein. After a while, they found the loaf of bread which he had thrown at the poor man. So, they put it in the right-hand pan. Peter leapt from his bed. He was very sad and remorseful for his cruelty. So, he decided to change his life to the better and spend the rest of it in good doing. 
   Peter’s heart did change. His cruelty was changed into love. He started caring for and supporting the needy. He became kind to everybody. He kept distributing his money among the poor. When he ran out of money, he sold himself slave to a wealthy Roman that he might distribute the money amongst the poor!
   Though Peter lived in slavery, his heart was set free. It became tender and loving. His master saw he was not a slave in essence. Rather, his life beamed with such peace and happiness that he had a great impact on whoever met him. He remained like that until another wealthy man got to know of his history. Peter felt that glory and dignity will pursue him, whereas he was seeking God’s reward only. So, he fled to the desert and lived with monks. He became a hermit who loved and served other monks. He won their love and became a role model for charity and goodness. He remained this way until he departed. 
   Remorse led Peter to repentance which, in turn, changed his mind and life. This kind of remorse helps man overcome the negative aspects of his life. Yet, this does not mean each and everybody should do what Peter did exactly. Rather, we should free our hearts from sin through remorse which leads to repentance. Yet, some remorse is destructive: for it leads man to despair. Thus, he stops at a crossroad. He might even deviate, stumble, fall, and … we shall continue.

General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center