An old Irish priest lay dying. He sent a message for an Inland Revenue Inspector as well as his solicitor to come to the hospital.
When they arrived, they were ushered up to his room. As they entered the room, the priest held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed.
The priest grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything.
Both the Inland Revenue Inspector and the solicitor were touched and flattered that the old man would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled because the priest had never given any indication that he particularly liked either one of them.
Finally, the solicitor asked, " Father, why did you ask the two of us to come here? "
The old priest mustered all his strength, and then said weakly,
"Jesus died between two thieves, and that's how I'd like to go."
When they arrived, they were ushered up to his room. As they entered the room, the priest held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed.
The priest grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything.
Both the Inland Revenue Inspector and the solicitor were touched and flattered that the old man would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled because the priest had never given any indication that he particularly liked either one of them.
Finally, the solicitor asked, " Father, why did you ask the two of us to come here? "
The old priest mustered all his strength, and then said weakly,
"Jesus died between two thieves, and that's how I'd like to go."