a little story for the new year

        A few weeks ago Pastor Doug Warburton of Peace Lutheran church, during his sermon on the ever-present possibility of a person's life taking a new direction, told us this story:
        The priest was 75 years old and ready to retire.  He'd submitted  his request for retirement to the Vatican and had already picked out a place  where he'd like to live out the rest of his days.  
        But some friends of his, believing that his work was not yet done,  convinced him not to retire.
        So the priest, whose name was Jorge, continued his work, and at age 76 his life took an unexpected new direction.  Now he no longer goes by Jorge.  Now he is called Pope Francis.