The diary of a country priest by Bernanos Georges 1888-1948

Author:Bernanos, Georges, 1888-1948
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New York : Carroll & Graf
Published: 1983-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

'Madame,' I said, 'no matter how high our birth or riches may have placed us, still we are all the servants of someone else. But I am everybody's servant. And "servant" is even too big a word for a wretched little priest. Really I should say: "a thing to be used by everyone," or even less, if God so wills it.'

'Can one be less than a thing?'

'There are useless things, things people throw away because they can find no use for them. And if, for instance, I should ever be considered by my superiors as incapable even of discharging the modest duties with which they entrusted me, I should be such a thing.'

*If that's what you really think of yourself, I consider you highly imprudent to take it upon you—'

'Madame, I take nothing upon me. That poker there is only an instrument in your hands. Had God endowed it with just enough consciousness to put itself into your hands whensoever you needed it, that would be more or less what I am for all of you—what I wish to be.'

She smiled, though certainly her face was expressive of something quite different from gaiety, or ironic smiling. But I was amazed at my own calm. Perhaps it contrasted so entirely with the humility of my spoken words that this intrigued her and made her uncomfortable. Several times she sighed, eyeing me furtively.

'What do you want to tell me about my daughter?'

'I saw her yesterday in church.'

'In church? I should never have thought it. Children who rebel against their parents have no business in church.'

'A church is for everyone, madame.'

She looked at me again, this time straight in the face.

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