Christian Reflection and Prayer

A PRIEST'S RETIREMENT DINNER
 
 
 A Priest was being honored at his retirement
dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading
local politician and member of the congregation
was chosen to make the presentation and to
give a little speech at the dinner. However, he
was delayed, so the Priest decided to say his
own few words while they waited:
   
 
“I got my first impression of the parish from the
first confession I heard here. I thought I had been
assigned to a terrible place. The very first person
who entered my confessional told me he had stolen
a television set and, when questioned by the police,
was able to lie his way out of it. He had stolen
money from his parents, embezzled from his
employer, had an affair with his boss's wife, he had
taken illegal drugs . I was appalled. But as the days
went on, I learned that my people were not all like
that and I had,indeed, come to a fine parish full of
good and loving people."
  
Just as the Priest finished his talk, the politician
arrived full of apologies at being late. He immediately
began to make the presentation and gave his talk:
“I'll never forget the first day our parish Priest
arrived, said the politician. In fact, I had the honor of
being the first person to go to him for confession."

MORAL: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER BE LATE