There is a story about one of the desert fathers. Does anyone know which one this is about? I think it is either Anthony or Macarius.
The story, roughly, is like this:
The monks of Scetis got together to judge a brother for his sin and they invited the Abba. He refused, but eventually the monks sent a priest to him to demand he come by obedience. He came, but was sad about it. He filled a large basket with sand and poked a hole into it, so that the sand spilled out behind him as he walked.
When he arrived they questioned him about it, saying, "Why are you carrying a basket filled with sand?"
He said, "They are my sins, which are following behind me, and I go forth to judge my brother."
Hearing this, the brothers felt ashamed and went to their cells to think on their own sins.
