Over at Mother of Mercy, my preferred venue for confessions, I wrapped up a list of weightier sins with, “. . . and losing patience with other people’s shortcomings, which I know is ridiculous, but there it is.”
Fr. A* was still thinking after the act of contrition. “For your penance, um . . .” when he does this, you know you’re in trouble, because it’s the sound he makes when he’s fitting the punishment to the crime, “. . . pray for anyone you may have lost your patience with–”
–maybe I can work with this–
“–in thought or in . . .”
Oh for crying out loud, Father! Even if I kept my mouth shut?! Really??
So did I pray for you? If you take a long time in the confessional, or you give evidence that you are unclear on why your car’s gas pedal is also called the “accelerator”? Then yes, I definitely prayed for you.
Postcard of the Basilica of Our Mother of Mercy, via Wikimedia (public domain).
*A is for Anonymous. I have no idea who’s behind the screen. That’s what I like about the place.