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Water and Fire

October 9, 2020 4 Comments

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There wasn’t enough holy water but it would have to do. Guilt pricked Father John’s conscience at getting books wet. He spied books three and nine of his sister’s favorite novel series in the heap. He’d never gotten past book two. Other books he liked were there, totally helpless. He worked faster, sprinkling the water higher. He finished the blessing just as his brother priests arrived with the torches.

“You can’t destroy these books. They’ve been blessed.”

Father Austin laughed. “Brother, you’ve forgotten an important lesson. One of the only ways to get rid of something blessed is to burn it.”

By Elizabeth Hoyle

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cathleen O'Connor says

    October 9, 2020 at 10:26 am

    Elizabeth – your piece gave me chills – so much captured in 101 words – thank you!

    Reply
  2. b. says

    October 9, 2020 at 2:23 pm

    Thanks for this piece Elizabeth it is well written and thought provoking. It clearly shows how we redefine our reality to meet our expectations.

    Reply
  3. rena says

    October 9, 2020 at 2:53 pm

    well done!

    Reply
  4. Michael says

    October 10, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    Enter the fixer

    Reply

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