A married man stepped into the confessional, seeking forgiveness for a near-miss with another woman. He began to recount his tale, leaving out no details, and the priest listened intently. As the man finished his story, the priest’s expression turned stern.
“What do you mean by ‘almost’?” the priest asked, his curiosity piqued. The man explained that he and the woman had gotten undressed and rubbed together, but he had stopped short of crossing the line. The priest’s expression remained unchanged.
“Let me tell you something,” the priest said firmly. “Rubbing together is equivalent to taking the next step. You’re not to see that woman again.” The priest then assigned the man a penance: five Hail Mary’s and a $50 donation to the poor box.
As the man left the confessional, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. He approached the poor box, paused for a moment, and then turned to leave. But the priest was watching, and he quickly intercepted the man.
“I saw that,” the priest said with a hint of amusement. “You didn’t put any money in the poor box!” The man smiled mischievously and replied, “Well, I rubbed the $50 on the box. According to you, that’s the same as putting it in!” The priest couldn’t help but chuckle at the man’s playful twist on his earlier words.
