#176 Nunsuch — Part 2
For Monday, June 24, Day 176 of the Story-a-Day Challenge
"If you eat meat on a Friday, that's a mortal sin," said the priest during Religion class.
"Who says?" I asked.
"The Church says," he replied. "The Church is the direct extension of Jesus."
"So Jesus said you can't eat meat on Friday?"
"Not exactly. But through those he appointed to carry on his church."
"So, we don't know for sure?" I prodded. The priest wasn't happy.
"That's just the way it is."
"Who says?" I asked again.
"The Catechism says. It has everything in it. You read it, don't you?"
"Yes, Father. But I have some issues..."
"Are you messin' with me, son?" he asked, angrily.
"No, sir. I mean, what are we supposed to do? Just accept all this on faith?"
"Yes!" he shouted. "That's what faith is!"
"Who says?"
He regarded me carefully, the vein in his forehead slowly collapsing. "Alright. Let's go through 'em, shall we? Anyone else here got concerns?" All eye contact diverted, except mine. "Good. Now, your concerns?"
"Do the good really have so suffer with the bad?"
"Yes, they do."
"What Commandment is that?"
"It's somewhere between the Eleventh and Twelfth."
"Do you have to do what your parents say, even if it's bad?"
"Yes, you do. Fourth Commandment. "
"God! What about them?"
"Second Commandment, son."
"If I fall asleep during Mass, am I going to Hell?
"Third Commandment. So go to Confession."
"I'm not saying I did. Just if. What if I die if I don't steal an apple to eat?
"Seventh Commandment. Eat that apple and your soul'll die."
"Father, what's adultery. It's not as bad as killing, since it comes after. But is it worse than lying, which comes after it?"
"Adultery's lying...in a way."
"So there're two commandments about lying, then?"
"In a way," he repeated.
"What the difference? I'm into four commandments already. I'm getting worried here."
"The difference is, well...a grown-up thing."
"Too grown up for me? Like all this coveting stuff, too?"
"Yes."
"Who says?"
"That's it! I'm dismissing your Guardian Angel from the room. Now you go and report to Sister Helena about this adultery stuff. Now move!"
I never felt so alone in the comfort of my faith.
________________
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Louisiana, the place I grew up and lived for a long time, just made it a law that the 10 Commandments must be displayed in every classroom. 47th in academic achievement, and this is what the state worries about.
__________
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Amen! For Monday, June 24, Day 176 of the Story-a-Day Challenge
366 WORDS (without A/N)
Title-accompaniment photo was AI-generated but the stones for the glass houses were not!
---
There are currently three surviving Vocal writers still participating in the 2024 Story-a-Day Challenge:
• L.C. Schäfer, challenge originator
• Rachel Deeming
• Gerard DiLeo (some other guy)
Read them. Support them. Pray for them. And watch the stones fly.
About the Creator
Gerard DiLeo
Retired, not tired. In Life Phase II: Living and writing from a decommissioned church in Hull, MA. (Phase I was New Orleans and everything that entails. Hippocampus, behave!
https://www.amazon.com/Gerard-DiLeo/e/B00JE6LL2W/
Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.
Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also pledge your support or give them a one-off tip, letting them know you appreciate their work.
Keep reading
More stories from Gerard DiLeo and writers in Fiction and other communities.
From Despair to Triumph
Chapter 1: The Depths of Despair In the bustling city of New York, nestled in a modest apartment, lived Emily Turner. Once a promising artist, Emily’s life took a devastating turn when her husband, Mark, passed away suddenly. The loss left her shattered, struggling to make ends meet while raising their seven-year-old daughter, Lily. Emily’s vibrant paintings, once filled with life and color, now reflected the gray emptiness that enveloped her soul.
By Sherif Saad4 days ago in Fiction
Comments (5)
wow! no what? how can they force this in classrooms? I mean, I would also say it's the parents' decision to teach their kids about the ten commandments and such.. wow
Whoaaaa, that's a law now? Lol. I'm speechless
Gerard, I come from Louisiana and retired on family properties that I inherited. I love the Lord and am a patriot of the Constitution, also. I believe in the values of the Ten Commandments with my whole heart. BUT when I sent my kids to school, I just wanted them to teach about reading, writing, and arithmetic. Leave the rest to me. I totally believe in separation of church and state. Pledge of Allegiance should be enforced and a moment of SILENCE for any prayer. Our state should concern themselves with more jobs for people and better roads.
It fascinates me how often critical thinking and the dictums of faith are in complete opposition. You know you have a serious problem when you feel guilty for engaging the world with reason and logic. I loved this story, Gerard! Also loved that your guardian angel pic has a furry halo!
Awesome Article. keep up the good work.