The Drunkard at the Mosque

I heard that a drunkard, dizzy from wine, ran into the sanctuary of a mosque. He cried out at the threshold of grace: 'Lord, carry me to the highest paradise.' The muezzin seized his collar: 'Watch it, a dog in a mosque! You, stripped of sense and faith. What good have you ever done that you demand heaven? Such airs don't suit so ugly a face.' The old man said his piece, and the drunkard wept: 'I'm drunk, sir, take your hand off me. Does it amaze you, given the kindness of the Creator, that even a sinner may keep hoping? I'm not asking you to accept my excuse; the door of repentance is open and God is my helper. I feel shame before the Generous One's kindness to call my sin great in the face of His pardon. When old age knocks a man off his feet, unless you take his hand he can't get up. I am that old man, fallen and unable to rise; my God, by Your grace take my hand. I don't ask you to forgive my greatness or rank; forgive my helplessness and my sin. If a friend notices my small slip, he brands me famous for foolishness. You see all, and we fear one another, for You draw the veil while we tear it. People raise their outcry from outside, while You stay with Your servant behind the veil, covering it. If servants rebel out of ignorance, their masters draw a line through the offense. If You forgave sins in proportion to Your generosity, not one sinner would be left in existence. And if You grew angry in proportion to sin, send me to hell and call for no scales. If You take my hand, I'll get somewhere; if You cast me down, no one else will lift me. Who can overpower me when You give aid? Who can seize me when You grant salvation? On the Day of Judgment there will be two groups; I don't know which one they'll set me among. It would be a wonder if my road lay to the right, for nothing but crookedness ever came from me. Now and then my heart gives me this hope: that God feels shame before my white hair. I'd be amazed if He felt shame for my sake, when I feel no shame before myself. Consider Joseph, who saw so much suffering and chains, until his command prevailed and his standing rose high. Did he not pardon the guilt of Jacob's family? For a beautiful face carries beautiful meaning. He did not hold them to their evil deeds, nor turn away their meager offerings. From Your kindness we hope for the same; be generous to this empty-handed one, O Precious One. No one has seen a blacker record than mine, for I have no praiseworthy deed at all. Except this: that my trust is in Your help, my hope in Your forgiveness. I brought no goods but hope; my God, do not leave me hopeless of Your pardon.