I saw a throne in heaven on which sat the Lord Jesus Christ as Judge. At his
feet sat the Virgin Mary. Surrounding the throne was a host of angels and a
countless multitude of saints. A certain monk, a great scholar of theology, stood
high up on a rung of a ladder that was fixed in the earth and whose top reached up
to heaven. With an impatient and agitated bearing, as though full of wickedness and
guile, he put questions to the Judge:
First question. "O Judge, I ask you: You gave me a mouth. May I not say what
I please?"
Second question. "You gave me eyes. May I not look at what I like with
them?"
Third question. "You gave me ears. Why should I not listen to what I please
with them?"
Fourth question. "You gave me hands. Why should I not do what I want with
them?"
Fifth question. "You gave me feet. Why should I not walk where I wish with
them?"
Christ's answer to the first question. Seated on the throne, the Judge, whose
bearing was meek and gentle, answered him, saying: "Friend, I gave you a mouth
in order rationally to speak words beneficial to your soul and body as well as words
for my glory."
Answer to the second question. "Second, I gave you eyes that you might see
the evils you must flee and the healthful things you must preserve."
Answer to the third question. "Third, I gave you ears that you might hear that
which pertains to truth and goodness."
Answer to the fourth question. "Fourth, I gave you hands that you might use
them to do that which is necessary for the body but not harmful for the soul."
Answer to the fifth question. "Fifth, I gave you feet that you might leave
behind the love of the world and go toward your soul's rest and love and toward
me, your Creator and Redeemer."
Revelations and Prophecies Imparted to St. Bridget
