| The Back Door to Heaven |
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by Hugh F. Sharkey The angels had ceased from their singing strange whispers were filling the air; the saints seem perturbed over something and gathered in groups, here and there. Strange people were walking through heaven, with shadowy garments and face St. Paul to St. Thomas and Andrew, "who let those folks in this place?" But no one could answer this question; so he set out to look for his mate for surely St. Peter could tell him; he'd know if they passed through the gate. But Simon knew nothing about it, so off they both went to explore and hunted in vain through the heaven, until at the very last door; They heard such a terrible racket, both looked at each other and stopped. says Paul "What can Joseph be doing? for this was his carpenter's shop. Then opening the door kind of slowly, sure what you did see? a hole in the flag-stone of Heaven and Joseph down there on his knee. Till, spying a ladder descending, they saw the whole mystery unfold - he'd built a back doorway to Heaven, to rescue the poor suffering souls. St. Peter got mad as a hatter, "Man, this has all got to stop, or else you'll be put out of Heaven, we'll close your carpenter's shop!" St. Joseph got up from the ladder and drew himself up full of pride; if you dare suggest I leave Heaven, I'll take with me, Mary my bride; And since she is truly God's mother she'll take with her Jesus, her son. and then there won't be any Heaven... says Peter, "St. Joseph you've won." |
