by Paul O'Reilly, SJ
"When the Spirit of truth comes
He will lead you to the complete truth"
Not everyone likes asparagus. Mount Street Jesuit Centre,
I know this because Glen - an American friend of mine - has recently
"come out" as an asparagus hater after many years of silent
suffering, false smiles and little white lies. But his thin veneer
of civilization finally cracked last Thanksgiving at the family
dinner (for Brits, think Christmas dinner, but with more
patriotism). And he still insists that it would never have happened
if his dad hadn't insisted on a second round of bourbon before
dinner. (Again for the Brits, that's whiskey, Jim, but not as we
know it).
But when the main plate arrived, there it was - ASPARAGUS!!! - in
all its horrid dark green mushiness - the color of aliens and
stinging nettles. And somehow, it just caught him at the wrong
moment. Emboldened by four units of Jack Daniel's finest, he turned
to his mother and said. "Mom, I'm really sorry, but I just can't eat
this. I've always hated asparagus and now I don't live here any more
- I'm effectively a guest - I just can't bring myself to do it any
more. I'm sorry but I just can't eat it."
There then followed the longest and worst two-minute silence of his
life.
And then Steff, his sister, held their mother's hand and spoke
quietly: "Mom, I'm sorry, I love you very much, but I'm with Glen on
this one. I actually can't stand asparagus either."
There was another - shorter - pause and Glen's father spoke. "Mary,
I've never talked to you about this before, but actually I hate
asparagus too."
Glen looked back towards his mother and saw the tears form in her
eyes. In that instant he wished he had never had a drink in his
life. And as the first drop fell on her cheek, he wondered where he
could go to sign the Pledge. And when she spoke, it was the first
and only time he had ever heard her swear.
"But I only cooked it because I thought you liked it - I hate the stuff!"
There is a terribly unfair stereotype that all American family
stories end up with a tearful and emotional group hug. I'm sorry
that this story fulfils that stereotype.
And so, next Thanksgiving, Glen will go home to celebrate with his
family.
A special plate of asparagus will be cooked.
It will be placed with great ceremony in the middle of the table.
And absolutely no-one will eat it!
And Glen will celebrate with his family that they have learned to
live in Truth and Love.
I know that human beings cannot bear very much reality, but the next
time you feel tempted to that little white lie of social
complaisance, think of Greg's family and just ponder whether or not
the Truth might actually be the most truly loving thing.
"When the Spirit of truth comes
He will lead you to the complete truth"
114 Mount Street,
London SW1K 3AH.
ENGLAND.
fatbaldnproud@yahoo.co.uk