"Forgiveness", the Reverend began.
"Forgiveness is at the heart of the Church's message. We cannot go about our daily lives with anger and hate in our hearts."
The young Reverend looked around at the faces of his parishoners. Each face was upturned toward his own, and he smiled inwardly at their attention.
"To err is human," he continued, "to forgive divine. As our fists are closed in anger, we make enemies rather than friends. It encourages the building of walls rather than bridges."
The Reverend looked around again, seeing the nods of the men and women in the church.
"How many of you attending services today can claim to have no anger towards anyone else? How many of you can claim to have no enemies?"
Slowly, an elderly lady stood up from where she had been seated and raised her hand in acknowledgement.
"I have no enemies, Reverend."
The Reverend raised his arms up to the Heavens in praise and said, "Mrs. Abernathy! Our eldest member! Take note all of you! Mrs. Abernathy has been alive for 96 years and yet has no enemies! Tell us, Mrs. Abernathy, what is the secret? How have you accomplished such a task?
Mrs. Abernathy calmly looked back at him and responded, "It's easy, Reverend. I outlived the bitches."
