Lenten Lessons

My daughter has reached the age where she’s both understanding more, and questioning more, about the Considerable Catholic Conundrums she encounters.

Luckily I’m around to help out.

Sometimes she learns through figuring things out on her own. 

She noticed the perfectly sculpted toenails of the Jesus statue in the candle room included painted white marks on them.  This led her to the inevitable conclusion that Jesus had a pedicure. 

Based on the amount of foot washing in the scriptures, I didn’t feel the need to modify her belief.

Sometimes she learns through active discussions.

She looked at the stained glass windows in church and inquired,

“Why does he have a banana on his head?”

To which I cleverly replied, “WHAT?”

She said, “Look, he has a yellow banana on his head.”

“Those are halos,” I endeavored to explain.

“No,” she deftly replied, “Halos look like rings floating above people’s heads.”

“I guess you’re right,” I admitted, “It’s a banana.”

And sometimes she learns from lessons needed by others.

One particular lesson was needed by the artist for the youth ministry handout.

When depicting the Son of God bestowing a blessing:

The hands should be raised, not out to the side.

The fingers should be together, not splayed out.

The expression should be a beatific smile, not a goofy grin.

The background should be radiant light, not confetti.

I pointed out that with all four of those mistakes made –

“What you got there is your basic

Jazz Hands Jesus!”

She quickly added, “With a pedicure and a banana on his head.”

That’s my girl.