Septuagesima Sunday

Thoughts for the Week - Fr. R. Taouk 
16th February 2014

Continued ...

"Another time I was playing in the barn. My father came with the keys to fasten the doors, but I did not want to go out, and begged him to go away again and not spoil my fun. He gave me the reason why he wanted to close the doors just then and asked me again to come out. I did not regard the reasons and repeated my request to stay. What did he do? He shut the doors and left me there till evening without food or drink. At first it was not at all unpleasant, and I continued my sport. But after an hour, when the bell on the roof of the house called the folks to supper and I was terrified at the moaning of the wind, I became restless and tried to get out. But in spite of all my efforts I could scarcely move the heavy doors, much less open them. My cries frightened a great owl that with loud hoot and clatter flew out from under the roof. No one paid any attention to the little prisoner. Night was coming on and no rescuer appeared. My repentance through anxiety and terror reached the highest grade. Then, for the first time in my life, I learned to pray from my heart. I went on my knees and recited all the prayers I knew. At last my father came and opened the door. When I promised not to go against his will again he remained silent.

He seldom censured or blamed, and seldom resorted to positive punishment. He punished me through myself. He was accustomed in the long winter evenings to hold a kind of school. Once I showed reluctance to go into the room and declared openly that I would rather remain with the servants and help cut turnips for the cattle. My two sisters followed my father very willingly. After a time I heard singing in the room. My father was teaching them the song 'Prince Eugene, the Noble King,' etc. I threw aside the knife with which I was cutting turnips, took my books and inkstand, and hastened to the room. It was locked, and I could not join in the amusements of the others. I sat down sadly on the step and bewailed my fault. But when the others came out and showed me the beautiful picture-book which my father had brought home from town that afternoon and given to them for their willingness to learn I almost died of sorrow. Thus was my self-will severely punished, and yet without a rod.

While he did not let my faults go unpunished he knew how to suitably reward me when I deserved it. When I had for several days distinguished myself by obedience and diligence I would know without being told why I received the reward which he gave in such a pleasant, kindly manner. To know that father was pleased with us was the sweetest of all rewards. At noon and in the evening he made, very cleverly too, all kinds of toys for us. Once he made a little wagon and harness so that we could make the big dog draw us about; another time he made a fiddle, with which we amused ourselves. For my sisters he made work boxes, needle-cases, and cradles for their dolls. While he was thus employed we made ourselves busy holding the boards, etc., and giving our opinion as to the way in which the playthings ought to be made. He would always answer kindly to our countless questions. If we pleased him we could stay with him while thus employed, but whoever fell under his displeasure received the order to go away and do some work elsewhere."

'O Lord grant us many holy Families'