The Reading Club met again today in our clubhouse, and Father LeRoy asked me to read my chapter summary. Mini settled beneath the table, while Sister Mary Claire, Robert, and Father listened.
The chapter explained how every argument against Lourdes had slowly fallen apart. First, the unbelievers said Bernadette was pretending. When her honesty could not be doubted, they said she only imagined the Lady. Then the spring appeared, and they denied that it was really a spring. When its water began flowing abundantly, they called it an accident.
After the cures became too numerous to deny, they claimed the water contained special minerals. But careful men of science found that it was only ordinary water. Each time the truth became clearer, the unbelievers moved to another excuse rather than humbly admit that God was at work.
Father said the comparison with ripe wheat was especially beautiful. Empty stalks stand stiff and proud, but when they are filled with good grain, they bow their heads. Truly wise people become humble before the truth.
We had a lively discussion about how pride can keep a person from believing even when the evidence is right before him. Sister Mary Claire said that faith does not ask us to close our eyes, but to open them more widely and recognize the hand of God.
Just then, the Breakfast Club arrived with a great pan of biscuits and gravy. Our little table was not quite prepared for such a feast! Sister Mary Claire hurried into the house and returned with a ladle, a stack of napkins, and a tiny gravy dish for Mini. Mini looked very pleased with the arrangements, although Father reminded us that she must wait until her dish had cooled.
The biscuits were warm and soft, and the gravy was so good that nobody talked much for several minutes. Robert said that even the Reading Club could occasionally learn something from the Breakfast Club.
When everything was cleared away, I read our closing prayer, asking God to keep our hearts humble and willing to follow the truth wherever it leads. Father LeRoy made the Sign of the Cross over us and gave us his blessing before dismissing the club.
I thought about the spring at Lourdes, flowing quietly from the rock while arguments rose and fell around it. Truth does not need to shout. It only needs to remain true.
Good night, dear diary.
All for Jesus,
Kathy
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