My Moher the Theologian

My mother is a gem. She is one of these women who are funny when they don't mean to be, but it is in their nature and they just can't help it. Like the time I found her sitting, with a look that told me she was pondering something deep. When I asked her what was up, she said, "You know, I've been thinking . . . we're very lucky that Jesus died on the Cross as He did." I agreed, and then asked why she said that. In all seriousness, she replied, "Because if they had hung Him, we'd look pretty stupid walking around with a guy on a noose around our necks."

The other day, while she and I were driving to our bi-weekly mani/pedi, we started talking about Marian devotion. My mother said, "A Catholic has to have a devotion to the Blessed Virgin, it's just part of being a Catholic." I agreed, and once again, waited for the pearl of wisdom I know would follow.

"It's like I told Joan Purvis," she explained, "When Joan was converting back when you were kids. She came to me and asked, 'Dorothy, I still don't get this thing with Mary.' I told her, 'Joan, you have to pray to Mary - with all those Protestants, there's just too many in line for Jesus with their prayers. You wanna get results, you go to His Mother.'"

With that, Ma settled back in her car seat with a look of satisfaction that she had pretty much resolved all debate over Marianology between Catholics and our Protestant brothers.

Oh, she's gonna be a hoot when we move to Tennessee . . .