His Last Request

Father O'Grady was saying his goodbye's to the parishioners after his Sunday morning service as he always does when Mary Clancey came up to him in tears.
"What's bothering you so, dear?" inquired Farther O'Grady.
"Oh, father, I've got terrible news," replied Mary.
"Well what would that be now, Mary?"
"Well, my husband, Father... he passed away last night."
"Oh, Mary," said the priest, "that's terrible. Tell me Mary, did he have any last requests?"
"Well, yes he did, Father, just one." replied Mary.
"What did he ask, Mary?"
Mary replied, "He said, 'Please, Mary, put down the gun...'"
Originally published September 30, 2004.