The Hermitage
Unknown Author
(Original text in Spanish, Translation)
The old man Haakon took care of a certain Hermitage. In it it was venerated a Crucifix of great devotion. This Crucifix had the name, well significant, of "Christ of the Favors". All came there to ask the Holy Christ. One day the hermit Haakon wanted to ask him a favor. He was compelled by a generous feeling. He knelt down before the image and said:
—"Lord, I want to suffer for you. Let me occupy your place. I want to replace thee at The Cross." And stayed put with fixed gaze at the Sacred Effigy, as in waiting for an answer. The Crucified opened his lips and spoke. His words felt from up high, whispering and admonishing:
—"Servant of mine, I accede to your wish, but it has to be with one condition."
—"Which one, Lord?", asked Haakon with supplicant accent.
—"It is a difficult condition", said the Lord.
—"I am willing to fulfill it with your help, Lord", answered the old hermit.
—"Listen: happens what happens and see what you see, you have to keep always silent". Haakon answered:
—"I promise it, Lord".And the change was done. Nobody noticed the exchange. Nobody recognized the hermit, hanging from four nails on the Cross.
The Lord occupied the place of Haakon. And this for long time fulfilled the obligation. He said nothing to anybody. The devout continued filing up asking for favors. But one day came a rich man, after having prayed, left forgotten his wallet there. Haakon saw it and kept silent.Nor even said anything when a poor, that came two hours later, took the wallet of the rich one. Neither said anything when a boy knelt down before him just after that to ask his grace before starting a long trip. But at that moment the rich entered looking for his bag. Not finding it, thought that the boy had taken it. The rich turned to the youth and irascible said:
—"Give me my bag that you have stolen from me!".Surprised the young answered:
—"I have stolen no bag".
—"Do not lie, give it to me right away!
—"I told you that I have not taken any bag", replied the boy.
The rich furiously charged against him. Then sounded a strong voice:
—"Stop!" The rich looked up and saw that the image was speaking to him.Haakon, that could not remain silent, cried, defended the youth, rebuked the rich for the false accusation. This was astonished, and left the Hermitage. The young left too because was rushing to start his trip. When the Hermitage was alone, Christ turned to his servant and said:
—"Come down from the Cross. You do not fit my office. You have not known to keep silent".
—"Lord", said Haakon, "how I could allowed that injustice?" The offices were changed. Jesus occupied the Cross again and the hermit stayed before the Crucifix. The Lord, nailed, continued talking:
—"You did not know that was right for the rich to lose the bag since in it he carried the price of a young woman’s virginity. The poor, on the contrary, had a need of that money and did fine in taking it; with respect to the boy that was about to be hit, his wounds would had prevented him to make the trip that for him would turn fatal. Now, some minutes ago the ship has shipwrecked and he has lost his life. You knew nothing. I do know. That’s why I keep silent". . .And the sacred image of the crucified kept silent.
How many times we pretend to lead our destiny believing that it is the best for us! Only God knows what is best for us. We have to learn to accept his/her Holy Will, even though sometimes we do not comprehend it.
From https://www.luisprada.com/fables_and_tales_i/#How%20Do%20You%20Know
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