John Gualbert of Florence, Italy, was an aristocrat by birth. As a young man his overriding ambition was to maintain the honour of his family by avenging the murder of his only brother Hugh. A golden opportunity presented itself on a Good Friday when John accidentally confronted the assassin all alone in a narrow pass way from where there was no escape. As he unsheathed his sword to mow down the unarmed murderer, the latter fell on his knees and with upraised arms asked for mercy in the name of Jesus, the crucified. It was a moment of grace and the consequent triumph of pardon over hatred. John gently alighted from his horse and embraced his arch enemy as a token of his unconditional forgiveness. Thereafter, he proceeded straight to the local monastery of San Miniato del Monte and knelt in prayer before the Crucifix. Jesus on the Cross responded by bowing his head. John interpreted this as a sign that the Lord had accepted his gesture of pardon and that his own sins had been forgiven. A transformed John became a monk in the same monastery. At a later stage, he was further enlightened from on high and established a new monastery at Vallombrosa with the Benedictine Rules. The Vallumbrosans embraced poverty, humility and generosity towards all those who knocked at the gate of the monastery. John had a natural death in 1073 and was canonized in 1193.
Reflection: Though John was a very holy monk and even Popes like St. Leo X and Stephen personally visited him to seek his guidance, he declined to become a priest as he felt himself unworthy of that exalted vocation. Yes, whoever comes closer to God realizes how sinful he is. St. Peter himself had that experience when he said in all humility: “Depart from me, Lord for, I am a sinful man.
The Centurion answered him, Lord, I am not worthy to have you under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. (Mt. 8: 8)
