C1 English Reading – Short Story & Grammar Quiz
Father Michael stood at the pulpit. His voice filled the quiet church. His Sunday preach was always expected, but today, his words felt very important. “My dear church members,” he started, “we all have trouble doing what is right. It’s hard when temptations whisper. The road to true prosperity is often not easy. And the world outside our church is alleged to be full of things that pull us away.”
He talked about how greed and envy can quietly grow, even in good people. “Remember,” he said strongly, “the key to doing God’s will is always watching and praying. We must forbid ourselves to do anything that hurts our spirit.” He told an old story about a man who gained much from resisting bad habits.
Then he shared his own story. “Years ago,” he began, “I was offered a truly prestigious role, a chance to leave this humble parish for a far grander one. It would have meant more comforts, more recognition. I confess, for a moment, I had trouble doing the right thing. The thought of that elevated status was very appealing. But I remembered my calling here, my commitment to this community. I said no. My vocation was here. This honest, little, personal story helped to get everyone to do some thinking about themselves.
“It’s not about being perfect,” he explained, “but about always trying. We must have our hearts protected from the strong pull of worldly wants.” His gentle but firm words touched everyone deeply. The quiet nods showed they all had a collective realization. In this holy realm, far from daily stress, the message of prevention against spiritual traps felt more important than ever.