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A story is told about St. Francis of Assisi. There was, during St. Francis’ time, a priest who was

A story is told about St. Francis of Assisi. There was, during St. Francis’ time, a priest who was

a '''[[scandal]]''' to his parish. He was living with a woman in sin and nothing could convince the wayward priest to change his ways. He tried to change. He had faith in Jesus Christ, but the sinful habit of sex outside of marriage had a strangle hold on the priest.<br>The parish decided to take action so one night they went to the priest’s house carrying torches and clubs ...they would convince the priest to change his ways one way or another. After pounding on the door, the wayward priest appeared and St. Francis stepped forward to confront him. Both the priest and the mob thought that Francis would verbally chastise him but, to the

a '''[[scandal]]''' to his parish. He was living with a woman in sin and nothing could convince the wayward priest to change his ways. He tried to change. He had faith in Jesus Christ, but the sinful habit of sex outside of marriage had a strangle hold on the priest.<br>The parish decided to take action so one night they went to the priest’s house carrying torches and clubs ...they would convince the priest to change his ways one way or another. After pounding on the door, the wayward priest appeared and St. Francis stepped forward to confront him. Both the priest and the mob thought that Francis would verbally chastise him but, to the surprise of all, the holy St. Francis fell to his knees before the fallen priest. Francis took the priest’s hands and kissed them...“'''Sinner or no'''.” Francis said, “'''I kiss the hands of this man whom God has gifted with the power to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ...The hands of the one who has the power to forgive sins in God’s name.'''” The wayward priest fell to his knees too and began to sob uncontrollably. '''The scandalous priest there, kneeling with the saint, repented of his sins and turned his life back over to Christ.''' <br>The priest who had believed he was defeated by his sexually scandalous life, found victory that night. The parish that had given up on the wayward pastor and wanted vengeance found victory too as they witnessed Christ’s mercy melt the heart of a hardened sinner.  

surprise of all, the holy St. Francis fell to his knees before the fallen priest. Francis took the

priest’s hands and kissed them...“'''Sinner or no'''.” Francis said, “'''I kiss the hands of this man whom

God has gifted with the power to change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ...The

hands of the one who has the power to forgive sins in God’s name.'''” The wayward priest fell to

his knees too and began to sob uncontrollably. '''The scandalous priest there, kneeling with the saint, repented of his sins and turned his life back over to Christ.''' <br>The priest who had believed he was defeated by his sexually scandalous life, found victory that night. The parish that had given up on the wayward pastor and wanted vengeance found victory too as they witnessed Christ’s mercy melt the heart of a hardened sinner.  

Borrowed from another source.  

Borrowed from another source.  

There are weeds among the wheat today and now, as even way back then, and will be in the future. Let both grow together until the harvest. God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish. All are called to repentance and and to living a holy life in purity and good deeds of charity and mercy in the very image of God who is love. 2 Peter 3:8-18 and James 5:19-20; Acts 17:30-31. --[[User:Dataclarifier|Dataclarifier]] ([[User talk:Dataclarifier|talk]]) 13:59, 10 September 2020 (EDT)

There are weeds among the wheat today and now, as even way back then, and will be in the future. Let both grow together until the harvest. God is longsuffering and not willing that any should perish. All are called to repentance and and to living a holy life in purity and good deeds of charity and mercy in the very image of God who is love. 2 Peter 3:8-18 and James 5:19-20; Acts 17:30-31. --[[User:Dataclarifier|Dataclarifier]] ([[User talk:Dataclarifier|talk]]) 13:59, 10 September 2020 (EDT)