A Good Man’s Doubt

 
Dear Diary,

After Holy Mass this morning, everyone gathered in the parish hall for our Lourdes Reading Club. Father LeRoy had a table waiting with Crispy Creme doughnuts, coffee for the grown-ups, and hot cocoa for the rest of us. Mini sat very politely beside my chair, hoping someone might accidentally drop a crumb. There were six people at the meeting today, and seven if you counted Mini, which I always do.

When everyone had settled in, Father asked if I would read my little review of Part 4 from Our Lady of Lourdes.

I told them that this chapter was mostly about the Prefect, M. Massy, one of the government officials watching the events at Lourdes. He was a good Catholic man who believed the miracles in the Bible, but he had trouble believing God might still be working miracles in his own time. He liked rules, laws, and order, and he thought everything should stay within those boundaries.

What struck me most was that he was not a bad man at all. In fact, he was intelligent, honest, and respected by everyone. The author seemed to be saying that sometimes good people can become so certain of their own understanding that they have difficulty recognizing something new when God places it right before them.

Father LeRoy nodded when I finished and said that humility is important because God often surprises us. Sister Mary Claire said that sometimes faith begins when we admit we do not have all the answers.

I thought that sounded very much like Bishop Laurence, who was carefully listening to all the evidence instead of rushing to a conclusion.

Afterward we enjoyed doughnuts and hot cocoa while everyone talked about what might happen next in the story. Mini received several pats on the head and looked very pleased with herself. She may not understand Lourdes, but she certainly understands doughnuts.

The afternoon was quiet back at Camp Littlemore. I spent some time reading on the porch steps while Mini lay nearby in the shade. The fields looked greener than they did just a few days ago, and the breeze carried the smell of fresh-cut hay from somewhere down the road.

Tonight I am thinking about how easy it must be to miss God’s work when we become too certain of ourselves. I hope I can always keep a little room in my heart for wonder.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Holy Mass, for good friends, and for another chapter of the story of Lourdes. Help me to be humble and willing to listen when You speak. Give me wisdom like the Bishop, faith like Bernadette, and a heart that is open to Your surprises.

Bless Father LeRoy, Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and everyone in our reading club. Please watch over Mini while she sleeps tonight.

Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Amen.

Good night, Dear Diary.

Love,

Kathy