Orthodox Parables and Stories: "Joy of Almsgiving"

 

A young man, from a Christian family, began to show indifference to the Church, the spiritual, but also to his family and fellow human beings. His mother was inconsolable, seeing him constantly moving away from the right path.

One Sunday morning, she called her son and said:

"My dear child, please take this parcel and take it to this street, there is a poor house, in which a very poor widow lives, with many children. Give her this package."

"Should I take this package? But we are not well off ourselves."

"Listen to me, son, take the package, and I promise I'll give you whatever you ask."

"If that's the case, I agree. Give me the package to deliver."

The young man, mindful of the reward, quickly arrived outside the poor house, knocked on the broken door and when he entered, he found himself in front of a poor woman with five children crying and shouting:

"Mom, Mom, I'm hungry."

Frozen and unable to react, the young man gave the package to the poor woman and went back out with his head down.

"Sir," the woman told him, "you leave without me saying at least a thank you. God reward you for your gesture and the comfort you offer us!"

The young man left crying with emotion, but also of jubilation. He ran and went inside the first Church he found, went into a corner and cried.

On his return, the mother asks him:

"Why are you late, son? Did you at least take the package I gave you?"

"Yes, Mother, I did. But you must not forget your promise."

"You're right, son, come on, tell me what you want?"

"Prepare another parcel for me, because I would like to once again feel the joy and satisfaction I felt, offering and comforting poor people, suffering and hungry