St.
Paul of the Cross Retreat Center
Thought
for the Day
Last
Updated July 1, 2003
EXCUSE ME ...
A
man on a weekend business trip took Sunday
morning
off to be with the Lord...
.
He found a nearby church, arrived there early,
parked
his car, and got out.
Another
car pulled up along side him and
the
driver got out and said,
"Excuse
me, sir, I always park there! You took my place!"
.
The visitor went inside for Sunday School,
found
an empty seat, and sat down.
A
young lady from the church approached him and stated,
"Sir,
That's my seat... You took my place."
.
He
was somewhat miffed by this rude welcome,
but
said nothing.
.
After Sunday school he went down to the
Sanctuary
and sat down.
Another member walked up to him and said,
"That's
where I always sit, you must be new here.
You're
in my place!"
.
Even more disturbed by this treatment,
he
still said nothing.
.
Later as the congregation was praying for Christ
to
dwell among them, the visitor stood up,
and
his appearance began to change.
Horrible scars were clearly visible on his hands
and
on his sandaled feet, as his suit changed into a robe.
.
As He walked out someone noticed him and called out,
"What
happened to you?"
As a tear fell from His eye, He looked back and said,
"I
took your place..."
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