July 13, 2004

Annointing

A couple of years ago, CP accompanied me to the hospital for some outpatient tests. We were seated in the waiting room when, to my surprise, one of my fellow clerics of a “higher” persuasion arrived. He couldn’t have attracted any more attention had he worn a chasuble and brought a vested thurifer swinging incense. The crowded room came to an ominous silence.

After a rather bombastic hello with hugs all around, including greetings to the other waiting patients, he asked in his best pontifical voice if I’d like him to anoint me. Everyone stared, quizzically awaiting my answer. Certain that they had sized me up as terminal and never having learned that “No” is a complete sentence, I said, “Why yes, of course.”

When he left, a woman across the room said to us, “I’m new in town, and I’ll bet you all are just the ones who can tell me where I can find St Mary’s Book Store.”

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