The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1954-12-17

to whispers concerning this inn
VIII you share your wisdom with
an old woman"
Calamity her host assured her
4 am yours to command
Hope cleaned within her eye,
as she asked. VIII you share tht
truth about the night of the census
when the inn was crowded. Wht
were these two seeking ROOM Re
Gently whispers have reached M
ears. They speak i'll Of my hus
band, SO / must know The truth
| felt that he was kind indeed Il
the poor ones; he allowed them tC
sleep in the stable What more
could he have done?''
A questioning look in his eyes
the innkeeper gently answered
He could have driven forth som.
Of Caesars drunken soldiers ant
given them the best room in tn,
inn. Even that would have beer
poor enough"
Fear crept into her old eyes
Softly she whispered: THE whis
pers speak true2 Heaven did toucl
earth that night? But how wer,
We to know? We we're SO busy .
and who could expect us TO drivi
forth paying guests to make room
for this poorly clad coupler"
Kindness TO those in need eve
carries its own reward" the inr
keeper admonished. Had you
hearts been filled with kindnes
that light. the greatest honor eve
given to a mortal might have hsv
becorle yours. To have housed tn
Son of God and His parents"
She began to weep. Again sh
demanded. How were We L
know" Then she added, "Whs
proof do you have? How do Vol
know the whispers speak true?'
Soberly the innkeeper replied
''The day of doom, when all cres
ton revolted as three Crosses aros
on Calvary ] had bought thi
inn while before and listened t
the stories concerning this grea
Shepherd Who taught of a new wa
of life, life of love and not O
hate. had talked with a few 0
His followers, yet l had never see
Him. I became so enthrslled from
i the stories I'd heard about Hir
that | left my brother in charg
here and set out to seek Him."
"Why did you wish 10 find thi
Child born here in the msnger?
the woman asked. What was s
wonderful about Him? Tell m
/ truel'
! With pity in his heart, he gentl
told her. "Can you not grasp thi
great truth? This Child TO whor
you denied room in this inn wa
the Christ. Son of the living Cod
But how were we to know? VIII
did they not speak out?"
"You were too engrossed wit
worldly things. You would neve
have listened. nor believed. onl
to those humble in heart is tn
road to the stable made plain"
Harshly she demanded: "Whi
did you mean by your queer wore
the day of DOOM"
Grief came into his eyes as /
explained. when / found the gre;
Shepherd. He was agonizing upo
the Cross AS | looked upon H
suffering, my heart broke With
me and / knew the truth. THIS ipt
the Son of God Then could n,
understand why He should have
die - for to gaze upon Him W;
to. know innocence from my sin.
/ Frightened, she insisted: M
possiblel'
With compassion he agrees
"This would not have been possibl
had He not been the promised Or
of Israel. The earth trembled, th
day became as night, for the cart
agonized with her Lord. The dres,
full day of doom for the betrayt
Judas vet, he could haN
found mercy"
Moving restlessly. she murmu
ed: eve were in a distant countr
at that time, yet whispers came
us =. whispers we would not b,
lieve."
so you heard the glad truth
The tomb was not the end, for
could not hold Him; He was tn
Lord of lifel The Garden of Resul
rection procIaims a deathless low
for the price of our Redemptio
had been paid. II is not too late fc
you to seek after our L0rd
love
She began to sob aloud. Il hay