Catholics have a reputation for severity, for judgment that comes down heavily. My
experience with Father Martin was not at all like that. He was very kind. He served me
tea and biscuits in a tea set that tinkled and rattled at every touch; he treated me like a
grown-up; and he told me a story. Or rather, since Christians are so fond of capital letters,
a Story.
And what a story. The first thing that drew me in was disbelief. What? Humanity sins
but it’s God’s Son who pays the price? I tried to imagine Father saying to me, “Piscine, a
lion slipped into the llama pen today and killed two llamas. Yesterday another one killed
a black buck. Last week two of them ate the camel. The week before it was painted storks
and grey herons. And who’s to say for sure who snacked on our golden agouti? The
situation has become intolerable. Something must be done. I have decided that the only
way the lions can atone for their sins is if I feed you to them.”
“Yes, Father, that would be the right and logical thing to do. Give me a moment to
wash up.”
“Hallelujah, my son.”
“Hallelujah, Father.”
