The Story Goes On

a word of advice: in faith as in wisdom, pass it on

By Sister Anece Salay

It was a beautiful day when I left the Mission to bring our student, Eunice, home from school. A short drive turned into a few shorter sentences that taught me more than I could imagine. As we were nearing the Mission, the weather changed.

“Look at that!” I exclaimed. “The sun is shining on our Mission, and it is raining on the farm across the road.”

“That means the monkeys are getting married,” our high school student.

Her response was both curious and profound. Then she said nothing more.

I had to be careful not to tread on some “African wisdom” when I frankly but respectfully asked if she truly believed that.

She nodded her head and offered a simple “hmmm” in affirmation. It was not be questioned.

Pushing a bit further, I asked “Who told you this?”

“My Granny,” she answered.

And that was the end of it.

Clearly, being raised at Granny’s house Swaziland for the first seven or eight years of life had made an impact on my young companion. Granny had taught her many things practiced in the culture, and I knew “Granny” was very special to many of our children.

However, less I get side-tracked, the fact that Granny had said it stayed in my mind.

You see, development of faith is not just what we teach. It’s everything that moves in the heart of the person to whom we are teaching it. If we tell them the wonders, they will discover “the more” of it themselves. We teach it, and we leave it in God’s hands. It isn’t until they have their own experiences — those small profound moments — that they truly get it.

From generation to generation, elders today must tell the children of the wonders, the mysteries of our faith. Big feasts and celebrations sometimes slip by with no mention of the “God of all Mystery.” If we are not the bearers of the Word, from where do our children learn? Even to each other we can bear witness. And we can learn just like Eunice did.

Not long ago, I reminded her of our short ride and our “to the point” talk. Did she and does she believe the monkeys were getting married?

As though we were treading on sacred ground, she just smiled. I think she was remembering the “bearer of the Word” — her Granny.

I smiled too.

Jesus came to make known the mystery of God’s love for us. Take time today to share that great mystery and your experience of all it entails. Perhaps someone will ride on your wings of faith, just until they can share their personal experience of the Mystery of God’s Love.