The shortest sermon. A story from life

I arrived at the church where I used to work. The liturgy was served by an unfamiliar grey-haired priest. Or was it some priest I knew? They’re going grey so fast these days. After communion, instead of preaching, he said to the parishioners, “Please smile more often. Dress nicely. Be kind. Especially with your loved ones. After all, life is so short.” And when I approached the cross, he said, smiling happily at me, “Happy feast day to you!” And he said the same thing to all the others at the cross with the same smile. The service ended, and I asked a parishioner I knew:

– “Who is that smiling bishop? I don’t recognise him. Is he new?

– No. He serves in another church, and he’s our weekday substitute. His wife died two years ago and he’s left with a sick daughter. But he smiles. And he says these words to us.