And Then What?
A young student came to Saint Philip Neri one day and told him he was to study law. 'What a happy man I am. I am going to study and become a learned man."
"And then what?" asked Father Philip. "Then I shall become a great lawyer and win fame."
"And then what?" asked Father Philip. ''Then I shall become very rich and build a beautiful home for myself."
"And then what?" asked Father Philip.
''Then I shall marry and live in comfort to a ripe old age."
"Francis, and then what?"
Francis knew no further answer. After some thought, he said, 'Then, like everybody else, I shall die." "And then what, Francis?" asked Philip.
The young man was disturbed, but he answered gravely, 'Then I shall await to learn what judgment will come upon me." Here he stopped. He could not answer further.
This question made him change all his plans for the future.
Paul J. Wharton
Stories and Parables
Paulist Press
"And then what?" asked Father Philip. "Then I shall become a great lawyer and win fame."
"And then what?" asked Father Philip. ''Then I shall become very rich and build a beautiful home for myself."
"And then what?" asked Father Philip.
''Then I shall marry and live in comfort to a ripe old age."
"Francis, and then what?"
Francis knew no further answer. After some thought, he said, 'Then, like everybody else, I shall die." "And then what, Francis?" asked Philip.
The young man was disturbed, but he answered gravely, 'Then I shall await to learn what judgment will come upon me." Here he stopped. He could not answer further.
This question made him change all his plans for the future.
Paul J. Wharton
Stories and Parables
Paulist Press
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