When I was working as a priest, it seemed sometimes that people thought they were paying me to be “church” so that they did not have to be. They wanted me to do all the things they felt should be done, but they did not want to do themselves: visit their elderly parents, teach their children, increase attendance, give to the poor, preach the gospel, etc. etc. I began to think that Anglican clergy get called vicar (short for vicarious?) because their congregations want someone to be good on their behalf.
Now for the joke:
When I was a pastor, I was paid to be good.
Now, I’m good for nothing.
h/t quester
Comment by: Benjamin
1Joe,
Did you work as a priest? Or is that just part of the setup?
I’d have to change it. I used to work as a missionary, and I suppose, at some level, I was paid to be good. The thing is, I *wasn’t* good. Alas. (although I did sort of, mostly, fulfill the things I was “getting paid” for).
Now I’m … more “good” than I was back then, but I’m *also* more aware of how far from “good” I really am.
Better to be kind than good, I’m thinking. (Not that I’m much at being kind either).
Alas, I’ve thoroughly destroyed the joke.
I suppose if I *could* be good, I’d rather get paid for it than not.
Comment by: joe
2Hi B, to be clear, this is a quote I found and not mine…
Comment by: Quester
3And it wasn’t all that funny (and not at all original) when I posted it on my blog. I was, admittedly, feeling a little tired and cynical.
And, yeah, I make no claim to actual goodness. That was just part of the joke.
Comment by: Benjamin
4Hey Quester,
Thank you for dropping by =).
I tend to feel a little tired and a little cynical as a rule, these days.
Comment by: tim
5when will we priests get to be honest? I’m starting now…
I hope they’ll let me be ordained.
Comment by: Benjamin
6Tim,
me too. we need more priests like you.