Orthodox Parables and Stories: "Do you have love?"

 

Saint Cosmas of Aetolia once asked his audience:

"Which of you has love?"

"I, the Holy One of God, think I have love," a simple shepherd told him.

"What is your name and what work do you do?" the Saint asked him.

"My name is Costa and I keep sheep."

"You, Costa, take care of sheep and I weigh love. When I have a glass of wine and I drink it all by myself and I do not give it to you at all, do I have love then?"

"No! Holy of God," replied the shepherd.

"And when I have a loaf of bread and I eat it all by myself and I do not give it to you who are hungry, do I have love?", Saint Cosmas asked him again.

"No! I do not have love".

"You say you have sheep. You certainly have milk too. From milk, do you give to anyone else?"

"No, I do not give Holy of God."

"Do you have love then?"

"NO I have not".

"Well, then Costa, you are making fun of me, when you tell me that you have love and you do not do the works of love."