The Man Who Left No Footprints
A young monk was rewarded for taking his duties as guest-master seriously.
658
A young monk was rewarded for taking his duties as guest-master seriously.
658
This post is number 5 in the series Miracles of St Cuthbert
In about 658, Abbot Eata sent Cuthbert from Melrose Abbey away south to Ripon, to be the guest-master in a new monastery there. It was while he was at Ripon that Cuthbert had a remarkable experience which left him trembling with excitement and fear.
EARLY one snowy morning, Cuthbert found a footsore and travel-stained visitor resting in the monastery guesthouse. The monk treated his raw hands and feet, and invited him to breakfast. The wanderer said his home was a long way off, and he must go; but waving aside his protestations Cuthbert dashed to the kitchens and soon returned with freshly-baked bread, only to find the guesthouse empty.
That puzzled him mightily. Snow had fallen overnight and the only footprints were his own. He shrugged the mystery off, however, and was just leaving the little guesthouse when he noticed a delicious aroma, with a hint of honey. It proved to be rising from three loaves of hot, white bread, set by the door.
His first thought was that if he could make bread like that, he would call himself a baker. His second, with a thrill, was that only the guest who made no footprints could have left them — and that he had been entertaining an angel unawares.*
Next in series: ‘Why Am I Still Lying Here?’
See Hebrews 13:3 - ‘Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.’
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
How did Cuthbert make his guest feel welcome?
He bathed his feet and serving breakfast.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Cuthbert had a guest. He offered him breakfast. The guest declined.