For over ten years, (not hyperbole) I've seen this book, on the top shelf. I always passed it by, barely dusting it. Acts of Faith, the title, is quite bold. That's what made me pass it by. The noun, "Faith", blaring so bright.
I thought it was a theology book. It was probably a religious textbook. I ignored it.
Until the day I decided to weed my books. Acts of Faith was written by Erich Segal. Erich Segal wrote Love Story. That Erich Segal!!! Acts of Faith is a novel!
All these years have gone by, and I could have enjoyed a good Erich Segal story. This particular story intertwines the lives of 3 people who grew up in New York. The reader gets involved and even though he kind of highly suspects the way the story is going, he rapidly turns each page. Danny and Deborah are brother and sister. Their father is a famous Jewish Orthodox rabbi. Danny is the heir apparent. Deborah is to be married when she turns 18. Both buck the system.
Tim Hogan is an orphan. He is brought up by relatives who never read Dr. Spock. Tim had it rough. In fact, he was a bully, even beating up Danny. However, the day he threw a rock through the rabbi's window changed everything. To pay for the damage, Danny becomes the Shabbat Goy. He lights the lamps for Shabbat. Doing that job, Danny learns Yiddish, and more importantly, meets Deborah.
Since he is Catholic, and she is Jewish, there is no way they can be a couple. They move on. More or less. Sometimes more. More often less. He becomes a priest. Deborah moves to Israel and when she's 18, she moves to a kibbutz.
Meanwhile, Danny tries to survive the pressure to take over the family ministry. He and Tim become good friends, but their lives take them on different journeys.
How these three become involved, and grow together, is the story. Besides the passion, religious politics, and religion, the reader actually learns about the Jewish and Catholic faiths. In fact, I finally understand why Catholic priests can't marry. (I'm sure Erich Segal intended to prove the opposite.) Tim Hogan advances to become a bishop in Brazil. Segal in describing the ceremonial rite states, "Such was the silence in the massive basilica that His Holiness could be heard to whisper, "L'anello." He then said quietly in Latin. "Your hand." Tim complied and stretched forth his wedding finger as the Holy Father pronounced in solemn tones, "Take this ring, the seal of your fidelity. With faith and love protect the bride of God, His holy Church."
This exchange dope slapped me. Don't we say the same vows in our marriage ceremonies? The words spoken during the ring exchange are very significant. They express love, fidelity, and commitment.
Take this ring as a symbol of my love and commitment to you, and as a reminder that I will always be by your side, no matter what life brings.”
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you. I promise to stand by your side, to support and encourage you, and to cherish you for all the days of my life.”
WOWZA! The priest is marrying the church. The church is the bride; hence, her partner must be male. The church has always been called the bride of Christ. The priest marries the church and vows to "love and protect the bride of God, His holy Church."
How do you like that? I learned. I understand. Finally. Oh, and it was a good story, too.
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