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Fr. O'Brien's Ministry Message

One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were about to begin.

Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally worn out bible.

The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive party of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories.

As the cowboy took a seat, people began to move away from him. No one greeted, spoke to or welcomed him. They were appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.

As the old cowboy was leaving church, the priest approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor: "Before you come back, have a talk with God and ask Him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worship."

The old cowboy assured the priest he would.

The next Sunday, he showed up again for services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots and hat. And again, he was completely shunned and ignored.

The priest approached him and said, "I thought you said you'd speak to God before you came back."

"I did," replied the cowboy.

"What did God tell you about the proper way to dress for worship here?" asked the priest.

"Well, Father, God told me He didn't have any idea what I should wear. He said He'd never been in this church."

Note added: It seems God cares more about what we carry in our hearts than what we have on our backs...