Late at night, Jesus

When I think about why I feel called to be a priest, why I continue to feel called to be a priest... it is for people like this parishioner, for these interactions which happen regularly wherever I am, whatever I am doing.  When I think about it, pray about it, it is for these interactions, one on one on one.  I am grateful.

Late at night

When I can*t quite go to sleep

Or stay asleep

Things settle into

My mind

Spin in the dark.

Once I had a parishioner.

Late at night

He often thought he was Jesus.

The Second Coming, I think.

He would call me at 11

And ask for absolution.

I gave it to him

Every time.

I did not worry about the sense

Of it all.      

He would call,

Sure that he was responsible

For not resolving all the pain in the world.

It was a heavy burden to bear.

He lived alone

In a single room occupancy, walk-up.

I would absolve him.

He would thank me.

Then he could sleep.