THE GOOD SHEPHERD
“At the end of a dinner, a well-known theater actor entertains the guests by reciting texts from Shakespeare.
Then he offered to be ordered an extra piece. A shy priest asked the actor if he knew the 22nd Psalm.
The actor replied: ‘Yes, I know it, but I am willing to recite it on one condition; let you recite it afterwards’.
The priest felt a little uncomfortable, but agreed.
The actor gave a beautiful performance, with perfect diction:
‘The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing:
in green meadows makes me lie down;
leads me to quiet springs
and repair my strength;
guide me along the right path,
for the honor of his name.
Though I walk through dark falls,
I fear nothing, because you go with me:
your rod and your staff soothe me.
You prepare a table before me,
in front of my enemies;
you anoint my head with perfume,
and my cup overflows.
Your goodness and your mercy accompany me
every day of my life,
and dwell in the house of the Lord
for years without end.’
At the end, the guests applauded loudly.
It was the turn of the priest, who got up and, after a moment of silence and closing his eyes, slowly recited the same words of the Psalm. This time, when he finished, there was no applause, only a deep silence and the beginning of tears on some faces.
The actor was silent for a few moments, then stood up and said: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you have realized what has happened tonight: I knew the Psalm, but this priest knows the Pastor.’
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