Electric Sermon

Bartholomew’s, said it best," Father Kincaid gave in reluctantly, sighing, "and I quote, 'You can put Machines in Man, but you can't put Man in the Machines’."

A simple silence settled over the table.

"I wonder what the church will do now?" asked Father Kincaid.

"Why, I hear they already have a replacement ready for next Sunday," said Father Brody in good spirit, "A human one, thank goodness," he added under his breath.

"I wonder who it could be?" pondered Father Kincaid.

Father Brody said nothing. He merely smiled.

* * *

St. Agatha was buzzing with curiosity, as her faithful congregation filed into the church pews, and waited anxiously to behold their new priest. After the chaos of last weekend, everyone was all too eager to put it behind them, gladly forgotten, and move on to a new beginning.

Father Brody stood by the podium as the new priest entered and confidently walked over to join him. The quietly alert audience listened to Father Brody’s introduction with care, then erupted into a round of nearly unanimous applause. The new priest, smiling warmly, strode up to the microphone and thanked them all, promising to fulfill their every spiritual need and meet their every expectation.

Father Kincaid stood in the back, sporting a dissatisfied frown.

With introductions over, the proud attendees of St. Agatha stood up, with psalm books in hands, awaiting the official opening of the mass.

Father Brody, smiling pleasantly, nodded his head, giving his consent to proceed.

The new priest thanked him and turned toward the podium microphone.

"Let us begin," she said.