from angels&demons

i really liked this one part:

"Father," Chartrand said, "may I ask you a strange question?"
The camerlengo smiled. "Only if I may give you a strange answer."
Chartrand laughed. "I have asked every priest I know, and I still don't understand."
"What troubles you?" The camerlengo led the way in short, quick strides, his frock kicking out in front of him as he walked. His black, crepe-sole shoes seemed befitting, Chartrand thought, like reflections of the man's essence . . . modern but humble, and showing signs of wear.
Chartrand took a deep breath. "I don't understand this omnipotent-benevolent thing."
The camerlengo smiled. "You've been reading Scripture."
"I try."
"You are confused beacuse the Bible describes God as an omnipotent and benevolent deity."
"Exactly."
"Omnipotent-benevolent simply means that God is all-powerful and well-meaning."
"I understand the concept. It's just . . . there seems to be a contradiction."
"Yes. The contradiction is pain. Man's starvation, war, sickness . . ."
"Exactly!" Chartrand knew the camerlengo would understand. "Terrible things happen in this world. Human tragedy seems like proof that God could not possibly be both all-powerful and well-meaning. If He loves us and has the power to change our situation, He would prevent our pain, wouldn't He?"
The camerlengo frowned. "Would He?"
Chartrand felt uneasy. Had he overstepped his bounds? Was this one of those religious questions you just didn't ask? "Well . . . if God loves us, and He can protect us, He would have to. It seems He is either omnipotent and uncaring, or benevolent and powerless to help."
"Do you have children, Lieutenant?"
Chartrand flushed. "No, signore."
"Imagine you had an eight-year-old son . . . would you love him?"
"Of course."
"Would you do everything in your power to prevent pain in his life?"
"Of course."
"Would you let him skateboard?"
Chartrand did a double take. The camerlengo always seemed oddly "in touch" for a clergyman. "Yeah, I guess," Chartrand said. "Sure, I'd let him skateboard, but I'd tell him to be careful."
So as this child's father, you would give him some basic, good advice and then let him go off and make his own mistakes?"
"I wouldn't run behind him and mollycoddle him if that's what you mean."
"But what if he fell and skinned his knee?"
"He would learn to be more careful."
The camerlengo smiled. "So although you have the power to interfere and prevent your child's pain, you would choose to show your love by letting him learn his own lessons?"
"Of course. Pain is part of growing up. It's how we learn."
The camerlengo nodded. "Exactly."

finally finished the book! one of my faves♥ passing it on to kanow tmrw. then i might just read it again [:
havent blogged in forevers. not much has changed. school sucks, dont look forward to it like i used to. i really hate that place. if i had it my way, id spend my lunches somewhere quiet with a good book. ha-ha jk? maaaan do i sound depressed! but really, weekends are the only days that make the week even close to being worthwhile.

saturday morning, tennis with kanow, jliu, thomas, adam, & wesley. then bball(: everyone (minus wes) walked to adams. eric cameee & rockband/halo! chilled with the cousins after.
today, woke up early to go hiking with the family[: then tennis with coach! mrs. kanow gave me a free 2 hour facial =D she had all the professional equipment & gave great messages. probably the highlight of my weeek. & now, im off to target..
counting down the days til suuuummmmerrrr.


<3 Jess


09:17 PM
SO i just came back from target. & i hear something about an earthquake? haha whoaaa. didnt feel anything while i was out.