THE PENNY THE MOTHER OF JESUS NEVER HAD

THE PENNY THE MOTHER OF JESUS NEVER HAD

By Tikum MbahAzonga

From where I stood, it looked like a match stic

And it was so close to her effigy

I needed one badly to light the altar candle

So I said, “How timely!”

I had not found any on the table for candles to be lit for Mary

Yet there were usually boxes of matches there ready and waiting for the faithful.

 I couldn`t find the catechist anywhere to ask

No one else could

If this was the Presbyterian Church I would readily have found

An array of church elders in their resplendent white gowns

Only too willing to help.

But this was the Catholic church

At the catechist`s house I was told “he must be somewhere out there”

There at the altar there were many other anxious Christians ready to light a candle and drop something for Mary

For the one and only Mary, the mother of Christ

Aswe waited to no avail, we grew weary

And one by one, we started leaving the church

Some people still dropped their contribution in the box

But some of us felt that to so would be to short change Our Blessed Mother

It would be to betray her   foolishly

Despite what she had done to save the world?

I left with my contribution in my pocket

Hoping that the following Sunday at mass I would try again

Unfortunately, since no one knows tomorrow except God

On that day I found myself somewhere else

And not at that particular church

At this other church, as it turned out

There was no provision for a box for Mary

That`s why an opportunity knocks only once.

THE END