[Dakota Rose sent me this chuckle]
The Pope met with his Cardinals to discuss a proposal from Benjamin
Netanyahu, the then leader of Israel.
“Your Holiness”, said one of his Cardinals. “Mr. Netanyahu wants to
challenge you to a game of golf to show the friendship and ecumenical spirit
shared by the Jewish and the Catholic faiths.”
The Pope thought this was a good idea, but he had never held a golf club in
his hand. “Don’t we have a Cardinal to represent me?” he asked.
“None that plays very well,” a Cardinal replied. “But,” he added, “There is
a man named Jack Nicklaus, an American golfer, who is a devout Catholic. We
can offer to make him a Cardinal, then ask him to play Mr. Netanyahu as your
personal representative. In addition to showing our spirit of cooperation,
we’ll also win the match.” Everyone agreed it was a good idea. The call
was made.
Of course, Nicklaus was honored and agreed to play. The day after the
match, Nicklaus reported to the Vatican to inform the Pope of the result.
“I have some good news and some bad news, your Holiness,” said the golfer.
“Tell me the good news first, Cardinal Nicklaus,” said the Pope.
“Well, your Holiness, I don’t like to brag, but even though I’ve played some
pretty terrific rounds of golf in my life, this was the best I have ever
played, by far. I must’ve been inspired from above. My drives were long
and true, my irons were accurate and purposeful, and my putting was perfect.
With all due respect, my play was truly miraculous.”
“There’s bad news?” the Pope asked.
“Yes,” Nicklaus signed. “I lost by three strokes to Rabbi Tiger Woods.”
~~
Dr Bob Griffin, www.grif.net
“Jesus knows me, this I love”