Extra Portion

There once was a man who had come to love his woman more than any other person he knew. They lived together for many years and the love they share grew stronger with each day. As often happens in life, one day she became ill. Each successive day she grew more sick. She rarely rose from bed and it was apparent to all she would soon die.

Her lover sent for a priest and requested that he say prayers for her to help her to recover. The priest said prayers all day. At the end of the day, he came out of the house to comfort the man in his moment of grief and sorrow. He told him, "Do not worry. We are praying for all those who suffer and all who are dying in the world."

The man lamented, "NO. Do not waste the prayers on so many. It will spread the effect too thin and there won't be enough goodness for my love. Please pray just for her."

"We are taught to pray for all who need our prayers, all who are ill, and all who may be dying. We can do it no other way."

"Well," said her lover, "the man in town who sells us our meat never looked favorably upon us being together and was always mean to her. How about excluding just him? Maybe that will provide enough extra to help?"