Father Denny Dempsey

A Family from Bethany

This article is the first in a series of six which I wrote for our parish bulletin throughout the Lenten season.

"Wake up, Nathan! Mom says to get up. We get to go with her to Jerusalem this morning!"

Maria shook her brother's mat. She had rolled up her sleeping mat an hour ago, gotten dressed, and eaten her breakfast of barley cakes, cheese and goat's milk. What always took her little brother so long? She couldn't remember being such a sleepy head back when she was six. She gave him another shake.

Patience was not Maria's strong suit when a visit to Jerusalem was in the offing. She loved going into the city. Although it was only two miles away from their village of Bethany, it seemed like another world to her with its beautiful buildings and crowded streets…especially today. It was Thursday, market day in Jerusalem. There were always merchants passing through from one far off land to another selling spices, beautiful cloth, jewelry, and dozens of other marvelous things. Back when she was five years old, she had seen a stall where the merchant was selling monkeys. She had been so taken by the little creatures that she begged and pleaded with her Mom to buy one for her. Many tears were shed that day as Naomi had taken her little girl firmly by the hand and practically dragged her away, trying to explain the impracticality of their having a monkey, not to mention that it would have cost two weeks wages from her husband Samuel's work in the olive orchards. Maria had gotten over her disappointment after a few days, but, although she never saw him again, she still kept an eye out every market day for the merchant with the turban, dark brown skin and long black beard, and, of course, his monkeys.

This market day was extra special. In just a few weeks Maria would turn nine. This was the week, she figured, to give her Mom some hints as to what would make a nice birthday present. She would also be sure to give her Dad a full report of their visit to Jerusalem, just in case her Mom didn't catch her hints.

A Tempting Line

I’ve never been tempted to turn stones into bread. As for jumping off high places, not many people share that temptation with Jesus unless there is deep water below, a parachute on their back, bungie chords attached to their ankles or drugs in their system. What are some more common temptation lines today? This is no David Letterman top ten list…but a few of what I guess to be among Satan’s tried-and-true favorites. Perhaps you’ve heard a few of them before or could add some others to the list:

A little won’t hurt.

You’ve been pretty good lately.

Just one.

Just this once.

Just for a little while.

Everyone else does.

It’s really not that bad.

You’re strong. Just play along for a while.

He deserves it.

She started it.

It’s not like you’re telling lies about her.

It’s only fair.

No one will know.

You can do it later.

Someone else will do it.

Everyone cheats on their taxes.

It’s okay. You love each other.

It’s not like you’re taking anything expensive.

It’s just a little white lie.

Nobody’s perfect.

You deserve a little fun now and then.

You've earned it.

You’re only human. God will understand.

Mexico Revisited

Leaving Minnesota during the coldest week in years, I made our second parish visit to Maltrata, Vera Cruz, in Mexico with three other group members.   Several hundred Mexicans living in Northfield hail from Maltrata.  I carried a large suitcase filled with letters and small packages, mostly photos and videos, to deliver to families back home.  Everyone had received phone calls from Minnesota telling them to expect a visit, and they welcomed us with hugs, kisses, and something to eat.  We felt a certain camraderie to Santa showing the courtesy of downing a plate of cookies at every house on his Christmas Eve delivery route. 

During the visit we signed a document officially declaring our parishes as "Sister Parishes".  We lope to receive Padre Ernesto Ceronio and a delegation from San Pedro Apostol of Maltrata to Northfield in early June. 

At a going away Mass, an elderly lady in the worn garb of the poor country peasants, gave me a hug and pressed a bill of 50 pesos in my hand.  I was about to return it to her since she needed it far more than I, but there was such a smile on her face and light in her eyes.  She had a  treasure in her heart worth more than any amount of dollars could buy...and in respect to that treasure I received what she gave me in humility and appreciation. 

Kevin Fink and I hiked to the top of a hill on the edge of town to take the picture above.  You can see the church in the middle of the picture.  For more pictures go to http://www.kodakgallery.com/luigi_sison_family