"One rainy afternoon, we were hanging out at Persons With AIDS, or, PWA with some of our friends there. Then suddenly we sensed that God was telling us both to get over to St. James for the Tuesday evening service at 6. Doug and I often got, simultaneously, such strong promptings in the Spirit, and always it turned out that God was leading us. There didn't seem to be enough time when, one of the members offered us a ride, so we did arrive just in time. Lloyd, the elder priest, who also liked us, was celebrant.
"Everything began in good order. Then, I think it was during the reading of the Gospel, when something extraordinary happened. Father Wright suddenly passed out in front of the altar. Doug was just ahead of me as he rushed over to catch him before he fell, and eased him to the floor. Then I arrived and we both began to pray over him. His eyes were wide open, but he had lost consciousness and was hyperventilating terribly. We were both sure he was, in Doug's words, down for the count, that he was about to die. But I placed my hand on his forehead, prayed silently, then his eyes closed. Then he opened them, and with our assistance got up. He announced that mass was cancelled. One of the old ladies there was weeping wildly.
"But you know, even though we were instruments of God's Grace, helping save the life of their worthy and beloved curate, no one seemed particularly grateful. In fact, they only became even more fearful, suspicious and hateful of us. Such Christian love indeed!"
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