He had all the wrinkles from when I met him for the first time. He complained about how he had too much to do. I asked how was it possible to have so much work when he was all alone…

– I have to tame two falcons, train two eagles, keep two rabbits quiet, keep my eyes on a snake, carry a donkey and master a lion, he said.

– I don’t see any of those animals around where you live. Where are they?

He explained:

– These animals are in all men!

The two falcons throw themselves at everything that appears, good or bad. I have to train them to target only good prey. These are my EYES!

The two eagles harm and tear things apart with their claws. I have to teach them to be useful without causing harm. These are my HANDS!

The two rabbits want to go wherever they please. Running from others and diving away from difficulties… I have to train them to be quiet, even when things are painful, difficult and unpleasant. They are my FEET!

The hardest thing to keep track of is the snake. Though it’s locked up in a cage with 32 bars, all you have to do is barely open the cage and it’s always eager to bite and poison anyone close by. If I don’t watch it closely, it causes serious damage. It’s my TONGUE!

The donkey is stubborn and refuses to do what it’s told to. It complains about being tired and will not carry each day’s load. It’s my BODY!

Finally, I have to master the lion… He always wants to be King, to be the most important. It is a vain and proud animal. It is my HEART!

With the help of Bishop Marcio Carotti