He was fast asleep

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III

HE WAS FAST ASLEEP

He was fast asleep when the angel whispered in his ears, 'Till when will you live thus, a mere shadow of another person who dominates own you as he wills?' The voice was lenient and sincere, so the sleeping person was not disturbed by it but replied calmly, 'What do you mean, my master the angel?' The angel replied, 'I mean that you have lost your personality with regard to your thoughts and your spiritual life.. and now you have the personality of another person. That person exalted himself and became exalted in your eyes to the extent that you took him for an example. You began to follow his steps in everything; if he is elevated, you are elevated also and if he falls, you fall with him. You adopt his views and follow his deviations. Moreover, you defend his views more than he himself . You take his principles as incontestable; suffice you that the person whom you worship has uttered them once.'