People say I have an appalling taste in religious jokes – but they keep reading them. I haven’t posted one for a while so here goes:
The Chief Rabbi of Israel and the Pope are in a meeting in Rome. The Rabbi notices an unusually fancy phone on a side table in the Pope’s private chambers. “What is that phone for?” he asks the pontiff.
“It’s my direct line to the Lord.” The Rabbi is sceptical, and the Pope notices. The Holy Father insists the Rabbi try it out, and, indeed, he is connected to the Lord. The Rabbi holds a lengthy discussion with Him.
After hanging up the Rabbi says, “Thank you very much. This is great! But listen, I want to pay for my phone charges.” The Pope, of course, refuses, but the Rabbi is steadfast and finally, the pontiff gives in.
He checks the counter on the phone and says, “All right! The charges were 100,000 Lira” ($56). The Chief Rabbi gladly hands over the payment.
A few months later, the Pope is in Jerusalem on an official visit. In The the Chief Rabbi’s chambers, he sees a phone identical to his and learns it is also is a direct line to the Lord. The Pope remembers he has an urgent matter that requires divine consultation and asks if he can use the Rabbi’s phone. The Rabbi gladly agrees, hands him the phone, and the Pope chats away.
After hanging up, the Pope offers to pay for the phone charges. Of course, the Chief Rabbi refuses to accept payment. After the Pope insists, the Rabbi relents and looks on the phone counter.Shekel 50″ ($0.42).
The Pope looks surprised, “Why so cheap?”
The Rabbi smiles, “Local call.”
Tags: humour
So we have another Reader in ordination training joining us at St. David’s. It seems these days that Readership is just a jumping off point for Ordination. I can’t say that I am surprised as most of the ‘vocational’ material and meetings organised by the Diocese has concentrated on Ordained Ministry as if it were the only sort of ministry worthwhile; add to that the fact that Readers seem to be confused as to their role and reason for being. The demise of services such as Matins and Evensong, a greater emphasis on Communion, and the multitude of other Licensed Lay Ministries leaves many Readers looking for something distinctive to do.
Tags: Electronic Resources, Ministry
Over the years quite a few people have asked me about the Franciscan Third Order and the Franciscan lifestyle. Well, last week I received a message with a link to Patrick Comerford’s blog site which contains an excellent article which I believe will answer a number of those questions.
Patrick is a priest in the Church of Ireland (Anglican), Director of Spiritual Formation at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, and a Canon of Christ Church
Cathedral Dublin.
If you are interested in things Franciscan it is well worth a read.
Tags: Church, Ministry, mission, poverty, saints, Social Justice
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