This one's a little lengthy but worth the read.
Subject: Jesus, Joseph, & St Peter
Saint Peter asks Jesus to watch the gates for a few minutes, so he can tak a much needed break & Jesus agrees.
As Jesus is standing there, he sees an old man leading a
donkey up from Earth to Heaven. He notices the old man has
carpenter's tools with him. When the old man gets to the
gates, Jesus asks him to describe his life & explain why
he feels he should be admitted into heaven.
The man explains, "In Italy I am Giuseppe. In American, my
name would be Joseph, but I didn't live in America or
Italy. I lived a modest life, making things out of wood.
I'm not remembered very well by most people, but almost
everyone has heard of my son. I call him my son, but I was
more of a Dad to him, he didn't really come into this world
in the usual way.
I sent my son out to be among the people of the World. He
was ridiculed by many, & was even known to associate
himself with some pretty unsavory characters, although he
himself tried to be honest & perfect. My single biggest
reason for trying to get into Heaven is to be reunited with
my son."
Jesus is awe-struck by the man's story. He looks into the
old man's eyes & asks, "Father?"
The old man's face brightens; he looks at Jesus, and beams, "Pinocchio?"
Saint Peter asks Jesus to watch the gates for a few minutes, so he can tak a much needed break & Jesus agrees.
As Jesus is standing there, he sees an old man leading a
donkey up from Earth to Heaven. He notices the old man has
carpenter's tools with him. When the old man gets to the
gates, Jesus asks him to describe his life & explain why
he feels he should be admitted into heaven.
The man explains, "In Italy I am Giuseppe. In American, my
name would be Joseph, but I didn't live in America or
Italy. I lived a modest life, making things out of wood.
I'm not remembered very well by most people, but almost
everyone has heard of my son. I call him my son, but I was
more of a Dad to him, he didn't really come into this world
in the usual way.
I sent my son out to be among the people of the World. He
was ridiculed by many, & was even known to associate
himself with some pretty unsavory characters, although he
himself tried to be honest & perfect. My single biggest
reason for trying to get into Heaven is to be reunited with
my son."
Jesus is awe-struck by the man's story. He looks into the
old man's eyes & asks, "Father?"
The old man's face brightens; he looks at Jesus, and beams, "Pinocchio?"
