Smiles and applause broke out all around. And from the bells on the steeple of the Immaculate Conception Catholic church on south Elm street, just a few miles from the Brown's farm, it rang out all across Louisburg and echoed on everyone's lips with great pride that Ben Brown, their local son and hero, had put Louisburg on the map and maybe on the road to greater prosperity. Mrs. Brown received phone calls from all over town: the Mayor, Ben's principal, the Louisburg Chamber of Commerce, the Mom's Club, the Busy Bees of Liberty, and many others with vitations to join groups and charities that she had never heard of. She even received a call from her old insurance company, offering free insurance for a year, which she gratefully declined.
Yet beneath all the furore and the church steeple and bells and its arched wooden girders and white washed walls, sat a solitary figure in a centre aisle pew, weighed down in thought, staring beyond the altar at the arched stain glass window of Jesus the good shepherd holding a lamb.
A shutter slid back in the dark confessional box, revealing the outline of a priest.
"Father, I'm not part of this church," Ben said in a weak voice. "But I was..."
"-God welcomes one and all."
"Even if you're not sure he exists?"
"Welcomes one and all. What's on your mind, son?"
"I was wondering about god's will. And… his hand, how far it might extend if he wanted to do something."
"No one can presume the infinite power and wisdom of god."
"He could use someone of little faith?"
"No one can presume the infinite power and wisdom of god. He can move in mysterious ways."
"Which means what?"
"Which means with faith, anything's possible."
"If you have no faith?"
"Who doesn't have faith? In the rising sun, the changing tides, changing seasons? To what extent, it's just a question of knowledge and understanding."
Ben contemplated his words and the priest looked around at him.
"If you don't mind, I should be preparing evening mass."
"Of course. Thank you."
The shutter slid shut.
Source: Free House Publishing
