A man enters the confessional booth, his face slightly flushed as he begins to pour out his worries to the priest behind the screen. “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. I almost had an affair with another woman,” he confesses, a hint of guilt woven into his voice.
The priest, leaning forward with a furrowed brow, responds, “What do you mean, almost?” He can sense there’s more to the story.
The man takes a deep breath, recalling the moment. “Well, we got undressed, naked and rubbed together,” he admits, pausing for effect. “But then I stopped.”
The priest, who has heard more than his fair share of confessions, raises an eyebrow, trying to maintain his composure. “Rubbing together is the same as putting it in,” he replies sternly. “You’re not to see that woman again. For your penance, say five Hail Marys and put $50 in the poor box to make amends.”
Feeling both relieved and burdened by the weight of his confession, the man nods earnestly. He leaves the confessional and, after saying his prayers, walks over to the poor box. However, he hesitates for a moment, considering his options. Just as he’s about to leave without donating, the priest, who had been watching closely, rushes over, slightly out of breath.
“I saw that! You didn’t put any money in the poor box!” the priest exclaims, a mixture of disappointment and urgency in his voice.
The man, unperturbed, shoots back with a smirk, “Yeah, but I rubbed the $50 on the box, and according to you, that’s the same as putting it in!”
The priest, momentarily taken aback, can’t help but chuckle. “My son, if only it were that simple! It seems you’ve found a way to stretch the truth.”
Both men share a laugh, and the weight of the situation feels a little lighter. It’s moments like these that remind them that while sins may be serious, a little humor can go a long way in helping them through life’s confounding challenges.
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