Saint Moses the Black and the Leaky Jug: A Lesson on Judging Others
The video recounts a story from the Egyptian desert about Saint Moses the Black, a former gang leader who became a respected monk. Monks gathered to judge a brother who had sinned and sent for Moses. He arrived carrying a leaky jug of water that dripped behind him with every step.
When the monks asked why he carried it, Moses replied that his sins were running out behind him unseen, yet he had been called to judge someone else's sins. The monks immediately understood and forgave their brother. The speaker identifies this as the heart of repentance in Orthodoxy: honestly facing one's own sins removes the urge to judge others.
He quotes the prayer "grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brothers" and says this mentality is needed more than ever. The speaker also mentions that it feels good to be back recording after a break.
Key moments
- Monks gather in the Egyptian desert to judge a brother who has sinned.
- They call for Moses, an ex-gang leader who became one of the most respected monks.
- Moses arrives carrying a leaky jug of water that drips behind him with every step.
- The other monks ask Moses why he is carrying a leaky jug.
- Moses replies: "My sins are running out behind me and I don't even see them. Yet today, I've been asked to come and judge someone else's."
- The monks understand immediately and forgive their brother.
- The speaker identifies this as the heart of repentance in Orthodoxy: facing one's own sins honestly removes the urge to judge others.
- The speaker quotes the prayer "grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brothers" and says we need this mentality more than ever.