Two never born; two never died . . .

 

August 20, 2016

I just visited a parishioner at Hopkins, and as I was departing and walking down the hallway towards the elevator, I heard a woman calling towards me "hey, Mr. Reverend, hey, Mr. Reverend . . . ".   I turned around and encountered a very sweet looking elderly lady who then said to me "because you're a monk (I was wearing the Franciscan habit--the "monk" thing is a common misperception), and you are a man of the cloth, I have a riddle for you!"  

Inside, I was cast into a mild panic, as I prayed the "riddle" wouldn't be impossible for me to solve (you know, that whole "man of the cloth" thing -- I wouldn't want to scandalize anyone by not having enough knowledge to answer a religious riddle!).  She then said: "In the Old Testament, there were two people who were never born, and two others who never died.  Who were they?"   

I immediately thought to myself "the Blessed Virgin Mary never died and was assumed into heaven," (it was fresh in my mind we had celebrated the feast of the Assumption in the Roman Catholic Church just five days earlier) but I was sure she likely belonged to a "Sola Scriptura" Protestant church and most likely wouldn't agree with that answer!  Fortunately, and with much relief, I immediately responded "Adam and Eve were never born, Enoch and Elijah never died."   And then, grinning from ear to ear, she proclaimed: "I knew you would know!"

Whew, . . . I'm glad I passed today's test! 

But it's only because, in a recent Bible study at St. Ann Church, we had a discussion about this very theme.  It's now clearer than ever to me that it pays to keep up on your Bible trivia!  Praise God! 

Before continuing on to visiting my parishioner, I parted company with the woman with a smile and a warm handshake.  We agreed to pray for one another!  God is good! 

--See Genesis 5:24 and Second Kings 2:11 for the references about Enoch and Elijah.