The Monk and the King

Saint Aidan was an Irish monk who later became bishop of Northumbria (Northern England and Parts of Scotland) in 635. He also founded the famous monastery at Lindisfarne. There is a story told of his friend and King, Oswin, who ruled a province in England and who gave the bishop an expensive horse as a gift. Soon after receiving the gift, a beggar approached Aidan and asked for money.

Aidan did one better, dismounted from the steed, and promptly gave the man the horse, along with all its costly trappings. Eventually this reached the king’s attention, who promptly scolded the generous…