More Than Good Intentions

The father of a twenty-four-year-old daughter and a twenty-three-year-old son formulated the following telephone answering machine message to respond to calls from his grownup offspring …

“Hello, I’m sorry I’m not home to receive your call, but listen carefully to the instructions and tell your mother and me what you want.

If you require financial assistance, press one.

If you are in a state of emotional turmoil concerning matters romantic, press two.

If you are being treated unfairly at work or at school, press three.

If you wish to communicate your anger to a family member, press four.

If your car or household appliance need repair or replacement, press five.

If you are calling merely to inquire about our well being, and to engage in a few moments of pleasant conversation, please check the number and dial again.

In any case, please tell us what you want.

There is a Gospel Episode in which Jesus is walking along the banks of the River Jordan. John…