Sunday, September 05, 2021

Two words to say it all: what will you say? (Sunday homily)

 Just as a change of pace, I’m going to tell a joke.


There’s this man and he decides to join a religious community. 

It is very strict and observes total silence; no one speaks at all.

After six months, he meets with the superior, 

and then, he can say just two words. 


So the superior calls him in, and asks for his two words:

“Bad food,” he says. 

The superior nods, and sends him back to his room to keep praying.


Another six months go by, and he meets the abbot again,

who asks for his two words: “Hard bed.”

The abbot nods and sends him back to his room.


Another six months go by, and the abbot calls him back a third time.

This time his two words are, “I quit.”


The abbot responds sadly, “I can’t say that I’m surprised; 

ever since you got here, all you’ve done is complain!”


What if all you got to say were two words.

Two words to tell people what you stand for,

what matters most in your life? 


What two words would you choose?