Mother Superior was on her way to late morning prayers
when she passed two novices just leaving early morning
prayers, on their way to classes. As she passed the
young ladies, Mother Superior said, “Good morning
ladies.”
The novices replied, “Good morning, Mother Superior,
may God be with you.”
But after they had passed, Mother Superior heard one
say to the other, “I think she got up on the wrong
side of the bed this morning.” This startled Mother
Superior, but she chose not to pursue the issue.
A little further down the hall, Mother Superior passed
two of the Sisters who had been teaching at the
convent for several years. She greeted them with,
“Good morning, Sister Martha, Sister Jessica, may God
give you wisdom for our students today.”
“Good morning, Mother Superior. Thank you, and may God
be with you.” But again, after passing, Mother
Superior overheard, “She got up on the wrong side of
the bed today.” Baffled, she started to wonder if she
had spoken harshly, or with an irritated look on her
face. She vowed to be more pleasant.
Looking down the hall, Mother Superior saw retired
Sister Mary approaching, step by step, with her
walker. As Sister Mary was rather deaf, Mother
Superior had plenty of time to arrange a pleasant
smile on her face before greeting Sister Mary. “Good
morning, Sister Mary. I’m so happy to see you up and
about. I pray God watches over you today, and grants
you a wonderful day.”
“Ah, Good morning, Mother Superior, and thank you. I
see you got up on the wrong side of the bed this
morning.”
Mother Superior was floored! “Sister Mary, what have I
done wrong? I have tried to be pleasant, but three
times already today people have said that about me.”
Sister Mary stopped her walker, and looked Mother
Superior in the face. “Oh, don’t take it personally,
Mother Superior. It’s just that you’re wearing Father
Murphy’s slippers.”