[StBernard] The Dying Priest

[Westley Annis]

THE DYING PRIEST

               
     In Washington, D.C. an old priest lay
      dying in the hospital. For years he had faithfully served the people
of
      the nation's capital and was well known among the elected officials.
He
      motioned for his nurse to come near.

       
      "Yes, Father?" said the nurse.

       
      "I would really like to see President Obama and Speaker Pelosi
      before I die", whispered the priest.

       
      "I'll see what I can do, Father", replied the nurse.
      The nurse sent the request to The President and Congress and waited
for
      a response. Soon the word arrived; President Obama and Nancy Pelosi
would be delighted to visit the priest.

       
      As they went to the hospital, Obama commented to Pelosi, "I don't
      know why the old priest wants to see us, but it will certainly help
our
      images and might even get me re-elected."
      Pelosi agreed that it was a good thing.

     When they arrived at the priest's room, the priest took Obama's hand in
      his right hand and Pelosi's hand in his left hand. There was silence
      and a look of serenity on the old priest's face.

       
      Finally President Obama spoke...
      "Father, of all the people you could have chosen, why did you
      choose us to be with you as you near the end?"

       
      The old priest slowly replied, "I have always tried to pattern my life
after our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

       
      "Amen", said Obama.
       "Amen", said Pelosi.

    The old priest continued, "Jesus died between two lying thieves;
I  would like to do the same."