This morning the rain had finally passed. The apple leaves still sparkled with tiny drops, the grass smelled fresh, and the whole churchyard seemed washed clean. After Holy Mass, our Reading Club gathered beneath the old apple tree. Robert had already set up a little folding table with neat stacks of ham and cheese sandwiches and a big jar of ice-cold Jersey milk. Sister Mary Claire arranged everything so nicely, and Mini settled beside the table, pretending not to notice the sandwiches.
Father LeRoy smiled and said, “Kathy, would you read today’s chapter summary?”
I stood up and read.
“Today’s chapter shows how hard everyone tried to explain away what was happening at Lourdes without believing God was involved. Police officers, government officials, doctors, and even a man who claimed he could hypnotize people all examined Bernadette. Nothing worked. She stayed calm, honest, and exactly the same.
A wealthy family even offered to adopt her and give her parents a fortune, but they refused because they loved their daughter more than money. The authorities could find no crime she had committed, yet some still wanted to lock her away simply because they could not explain her.
The more people questioned Bernadette, the brighter her simple truth seemed to shine.”
When I finished, Father LeRoy folded his hands for a moment before speaking.
“Kathy,” he said, “truth has a quiet strength. Bernadette never argued, never tried to impress anyone, and never changed her story. She simply told the truth and left the rest to God.”
Robert nodded and added, “If she had been making it up, somebody would have found the mistake. Instead, every test seemed to make her story stronger.”
That made me think. Sometimes we imagine we must always have clever answers for everything. Bernadette teaches the opposite. A pure heart and an honest life can be stronger than the smartest arguments. She never defended herself with big speeches. She simply trusted God to defend the truth in His own time.
After our discussion we gathered around the little table and enjoyed the ham and cheese sandwiches with wonderfully cold Jersey milk. Everything tasted especially good in the cool air after the rain. Mini patiently watched every bite, hoping someone might accidentally drop a tiny piece which, of course, Robert did. I don’t think it was an accident.
Before we left, Father asked me to read our club prayer.
“Dear Jesus, give us hearts as simple and faithful as Bernadette’s. Help us to love truth more than praise, to choose honesty over comfort, and to trust You even when others do not understand us. May we never be afraid to stand quietly with You. Amen.”
Father LeRoy traced the Sign of the Cross over all of us.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in peace.”
As we walked home beneath the bright blue sky, the clean air smelled of wet earth and apple blossoms. Everything seemed fresh after the rain. I think God sometimes lets the storms pass so we can better appreciate the sunshine He was preparing all along.
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