Kelvyquayo wrote:
gbaji wrote:
There was a great mountain. And upon the mountain, at its highest point, there was a great monastery full of light and warmth and wisdom. One day, as night was falling on the mountain, the monks within heard a knocking at the door. They looked out through the grate and saw a man standing there. They asked him "Why have you come to this monastery?". He replied "I was traveling upon the mountain. I walked along its paths, explored its valleys, and climbed its peaks. And the more I saw the more I realized how magnificent it was. Each new discovery lead to another, and another, and I have enjoyed every step of my journey. And as I had explored all of the mountain that I could, the daylight waned, and I found myself here before the door to this monastery, and I thought to take my rest here". "Ah", said the monks. "We too love the mountain and all of its wonderful gifts. We built our monastery here so that those who held the same appreciation could rest here after their journey was done. You are welcome to come inside".
A short time later, another knock came at the door. Again, the monks looked out through the grate and saw a man standing there, shivering in the early night chill. "Why have you come to this monastery?" they asked. He replied "I heard tales of this great monastery and the wonders within. I have spent much time seeking out the greatest wise men to learn of it and searching for maps which would guide me to it. I had to struggle through difficult paths, treacherous valleys, and steep dangerous peaks. But during my journey, no matter how many obstacles appeared in my way, or distractions threatened to take me away from the path, I persevered and continued onward, ever seeking my end goal. And finally, now that night is upon me, I have found the door to this greatest of places and I would like to come in so I may enjoy the wonders which exist within." "Oh", said the monks. "We're sorry. There is no great wisdom for you here. You were supposed to learn it during your journey on the mountain. But you avoided all the lessons it had to teach you. In your haste to get to your journey's end, you have missed the point of the journey itself. We cannot let you in".
And so the man was lost out in the dark and the cold for the whole long night.
Make sense to you? Don't put so much weight on salvation that you forget to live your life.
A short time later, another knock came at the door. Again, the monks looked out through the grate and saw a man standing there, shivering in the early night chill. "Why have you come to this monastery?" they asked. He replied "I heard tales of this great monastery and the wonders within. I have spent much time seeking out the greatest wise men to learn of it and searching for maps which would guide me to it. I had to struggle through difficult paths, treacherous valleys, and steep dangerous peaks. But during my journey, no matter how many obstacles appeared in my way, or distractions threatened to take me away from the path, I persevered and continued onward, ever seeking my end goal. And finally, now that night is upon me, I have found the door to this greatest of places and I would like to come in so I may enjoy the wonders which exist within." "Oh", said the monks. "We're sorry. There is no great wisdom for you here. You were supposed to learn it during your journey on the mountain. But you avoided all the lessons it had to teach you. In your haste to get to your journey's end, you have missed the point of the journey itself. We cannot let you in".
And so the man was lost out in the dark and the cold for the whole long night.
Make sense to you? Don't put so much weight on salvation that you forget to live your life.
There is much to be said of this parable that you have written. However, rather than give you some kind of philosophical analysis of it I will point you to a parable of Christ that I believe is quite remarkably apropos and I will pray that you take it to heart (and mind).
Matthew 20 - The Parable of the Vineyard Workers 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the workers on one denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 To those men he said, ‘You also go to my vineyard, and I’ll give you whatever is right.’ So off they went. 5 About noon and at three, he went out again and did the same thing. 6 Then about five he went and found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day doing nothing?’
7 “‘Because no one hired us,’ they said to him.
“‘You also go to my vineyard,’ he told them.8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard told his foreman, ‘Call the workers and give them their pay, starting with the last and ending with the first.’
9 “When those who were hired about five came, they each received one denarius. 10 So when the first ones came, they assumed they would get more, but they also received a denarius each. 11 When they received it, they began to complain to the landowner: 12 ‘These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat!’
13 “He replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I’m doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me on a denarius? 14 Take what’s yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my business? Are you jealous because I’m generous?’
This seems to be the answer to your problem with Christ (and religion in general I suppose). you see: in your parable the inhabitants of the monastery were quite ready to judge and condemn the other people seeking entrance due to the quality and circumstances of their journey just like the laborers in Christ parable were ready to judge and condemn certain laborers and deny them their wages because of the quality and circumstances of their labors.. however Christ makes it clear that ALL are welcome regardless of their journey.. as He says "Are you jealous because I am generous?".
Do you see? Do not put so much weight on your earthly life and forget about salvation.
I enjoyed the parable. It is shockingly relevant to the modern day. Especially in regards to the minimum wage issue in the US. Many people fretting because they think they are worth more for doing the same job longer.