The abbot gave the monks a very stern lecture. “In all the world, there is no one, no one who is free from error! And when you leave this world, you will be brought, bound hand and foot, to be judged. Therefore, while you have breath in your body and freedom to act, beg forgiveness!! Fall upon your knees and ask the Almighty to wipe away your debt, for He has the power and He is most merciful!”

Later, the Abbot called the monks before him one by one, asking each one if he had begged forgiveness for his sins. And each one replied, “Yes father.” All the monks but one.

“Did you ask forgiveness?” the abbot inquired of this one, and this monk replied, “No, father. The opposite.”

The abbot was astounded. “What? Why not? What do you mean, the opposite? Are you mad? You are risking eternal punishment!”

“Father,” said the monk, “I thought deeply about my sins – they are many and to my sorrow I cannot undo them. Recalling them, I was filled with regret and my tears fell like rain. But God is merciful and all-powerful, as you said. So then I prayed that God would not forgive me until He had first healed all the hearts of those I have wounded.”