Picturing Where We Sat Talking of God

 

On the other side of this gate sits a bench and on that bench Lila and I sat talking about God. She asked about the man hanging on the cross. We visited many churches in South of France and Italy. This one in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume near Sillans-la-Cascade, a pinching cold natural pool and waterfall.

I remember the church clearly for two reasons. First, it holds the supposed sarcophagus of and cult of Mary Magdelene. And two, Lila and I talked about God for the first time.

She asked about the man on the cross, and being Christ on the Cross isn't part of my particular beliefs, it's difficult to answer. She also asked me why people were sitting there.

"They're praying," I told her.

"What's praying."

I too often forget that we take so many things for granted when we speak. What do words like God, prayer, sin mean to Lila? Most words she hears in a context and must divine meaning for herself. Explanations of most of these words lead only to more words to explain.

Who is Jesus? He was a man that, as taught by some religions, was the messiah.

"What's the messiah?" A person who will bring peace and harmony to all people. If you try to simplify even further, perhaps you will say the messiah will make us all calm and happy. I think the five-year-old mind can grasp that pretty well, perhaps better than the 35 year old mind can.

But is that an adeqate definition of messiah?

That was a good day.

Comments

[Carolina]

What a beautiful setting to talk about God at. I have a seven-year old at home and I know I've had a hard time answering his questions about religion when they come up. And the questions always come up when you least expect it. I know I've made it a little goal of mine to read about and think of some good ways to talk to my son about God in the next year, because at his age, the questions will just keep on coming.

[Ken]

Thanks for reminding me that I only had 5 min. left to daven mincha.

Is the issue here religion as a set of beliefs, how & why people react to and incorporate religion into their lives, or the messiah?

[Leigh Shulman]

It's more a matter of how to put these things into language. All these things have such different meanings to different people. And too often, the word loses meaning once you start explaining it. I know, a funny thing for a writer to say, but there it is.

I suppose silent meditation works so well for many because it can't be broken down and reconstructed. At least, you shouldn't be able to.

[Reluctant Housewife]

Those conversations can be difficult. My son was told about God by a friend at school. We're not religious and it was still difficult to explain. I didn't want to force belief on him but I also didn't want to force my lack of belief. It's a bit of a difficult balance for me to find.