I'm probably stretching things a bit to come up with a meaningful point from the following story quoted from Between Heaven and Mirth by James Martin. If that requires an apology, then I apologize.
But here's hoping you just appreciate the laugh.
One priest friend recounted the story of his first wedding, which he performed shortly after his ordination. My friend had borrowed the marriage rites book, the guide containing the script of the marriage ceremony, from an elderly Jesuit. The old Jesuit had written little notations in pencil, because the rites book includes all of the words needed for the wedding Mass, but not what you might call the "Stage directions." So alongside the script for the marriage vows the old priest had scribbled helpful directions like, "Turn to the bride," "Turn to the groom," "Go back to the presider's chair," "Take the rings from the best man." He also wrote directions for the congregation that aren't included in the book, like saying, "Please stand" or "Please kneel."
All was going smoothly until my newly ordained friend reached the end of the vows. There was a little notation that added something that most priests say, but is not included in the official Catholic rites.
The penciled-in note said, "You may now kiss the bride."
My friend found that baffling. But who was he to argue with the elderly priest, who had done more weddings than he had? So my friend stopped, closed his book, leaned down, and kissed the bride.
She stood there dumbstruck, and everybody burst out laughing. Finally, he said to the groom, "Uh, I think YOU were supposed to do that!"
* * * * * * *
Truth is...Sometimes, unquestioning obedience might be questionable.
