Oh, Liz...I can't remember laughing this hard. And me a former thurifer,too. Number nine bus...! I just think it all has to do with sacred/profane (or mundane) juxtaposition, like, oh, Jesus' jock. Evening-off that considered sacred, which leaves the sanctity untouched. Incidentally, doesn't "short shrift" originally mean forgiveness of sin done in a rushed fashion, or inadequately?