A priest opened business, and offered to sell


Some penance to purchase, then get.


One customer asked if it covered, as well,


The sins which had not been done yet.



The priest couldn't knock back a promising sale,


Accepted that customer's dough,


Continued to trade on the way sinners fail,


Until he was ready to go.



He tied up his money, all safely secure


In bags, with his hefty reward,


Recalling confessions he'd had to endure,


And then felt the point of a sword.



So, held up and robbed, he surrendered his stash


And turned, as the thief left, and saw


That it was the customer who had paid cash


For sins not committed before.



So who was more foolish? The one who believed


That he could premeditate sin,


And purchase a pardon, already retrieved


Before his misdeeds could begin.



Or was it the priest, who committed the fraud


Of standing in Jesus Christ's place,


Pretending his own blood could ever afford


The price of God's infinite grace?

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23.5.09 15/1/11