Ed Googled “Jesus and pigs” and now he can’t figure out why
Jesus did it. And what about the owners
of the herd? That was their
livelihood. That wasn’t right.
I felt a certain satisfaction when he brought it up last
night. I’m usually the one who starts
the discussions. I didn’t comment on the
validity of the question, partly because I’m too polite and also because it had
occurred to me, too.
“Can you imagine what would happen today if someone did that
to somebody’s business?” he sputtered.
“They would have sued him before you could say knife.”
“Damn right.”
“Sorry, God.”
“Charlie, you don’t need to apologize to God for me.”
I didn’t say anything.
“All right. I’m
sorry, God.”
“I’m just surprised they didn’t take it to the
Pharisees. They would have loved it.”
“But the Pharisees wouldn’t have cared, because pigs were
unclean anyway and the owners would have been Gentiles, who didn’t count.”
“But it would have been a chance to get Jesus.”
“Yeah, they missed an opportunity there.”
“Don’t mention that to Betsey. She’ll be even more upset.”
Then Ed had an idea.
“Listen, Charlie. Why don’t you
go to Kate or Father Mike and tell them that you’re upset, because you
are. Then at least we’d have something
to tell Betsey.”
“Why don’t you?”
“You’re more comfortable with clergy.”
“You’ve been a Christian longer than I have.”
I knew I’d have to be the one to do it. But I was afraid I’d break down and say it
was really Betsey.
Then I had a thought, “Don’t you remember anything about
it? After all those years in Sunday
School?”
“I never paid attention.
I thought church was a bore. By
the time I got to college, I was practically an atheist.”
I was surprised to hear that. “But I met you at the college
Episcopalian group.”
“Oh . . . well, I saw you around and I thought you were
cute. So I asked some people and
somebody told me you went there.”
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