That creative writer Father Andrew Greeley tells a story--a parable, really--about two sisters who worked as babysitters in their community. A young couple had recently moved into the neighborhood. They hired the younger of the two sisters to sit with their children.

Imagine their surprise when they came home to find their home a complete mess, with their kids looking haggard, and the babysitter half asleep on the couch.

The next day, however, the children excitedly told their parents how they had fun with the new babysitter, and how she had helped them do some assignments including saying their prayers. But this did not change the parent’s decision to fire the babysitter.

The next time the couple needed a sitter they hired the older sister. They were greatly impressed when they got hom…