Read Online The Third Grace by Deb Elkink - Free Book Online

turned back to the painting.
    â€œIf you could read Latin, you would know that the letters issuing from the mouth of the angel proclaim, ‘Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee.’ The words themselves were able to ‘enflesh,’ as it were, the Word of God.”
    A tentative hand was raised. “What is Mary reading?”
    â€œExcellent question. She’s studying the hallowed Scriptures, humbling herself before the literature of her fathers,” Lou said, wondering how many of them caught her sardonic intent. “In point of fact, as a lowly female in that day she wouldn’t have been able to read at all. But the artist’s imagery is obvious—Mary is the conduit between the written and the spoken message, and as a result of her submission brings forth the Son of God into our world.” She paused and then in qualification emphasized, “But keep in mind that this biblical myth of incarnation is preceded by, and resonates with, the equally valid tales of earlier cultures.”
    At that, a couple of students squirmed in their desks, likely preparing to blurt out some Sunday school verse to prove the Bible’s eclipsing pre-eminence. That should provoke discussion. Ah yes, one girl was collecting herself.
    â€œAre you saying the Bible is just fiction?”
    â€œWhat do you think?” Lou asked.
    The student prevaricated. “Well, I know some people who believe it’s true.”
    â€œBut truth isn’t the antithesis of fiction, is it?” Lou asked, playing the devil’s advocate. “Fiction isn’t a lie, but rather a form of truth. Jesus Himself told parables—hypothetical stories meant to illustrate a profound reality.”
    This simple argument always stumped the Bible thumpers, fewer in number now than even a decade ago. A pity, as the religious pupils always brought up the most contentious issues and always fell the hardest when given correct thinking skills. Her goal in the classroom was dissonance, and controversy her subversive teaching tool.
    Lou allowed her logic to register before continuing. “So Christian writings parallel other philosophical literature. For example, we all know every fable carries a moral. ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ by Aesop teaches us that slow and steady wins the race. This sounds remarkably like the biblical injunction to run the race of faith with perseverance to the finish line, doesn’t it?”
    Blank stares faced Lou. Her patent rejection of the Bible as a unique source of truth was lost on them. She tried again.
    â€œTake another of the Greek fables, ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper,’ identical in theme to the command in the book of Proverbs that says, ‘Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise.’ These virtues, whether told through Aesop or the Bible, all hold our society in good stead. All were situated as well in the mythology of foregoing and ensuing civilizations.”
    Lou doubted her students were catching the concept. If they were unfamiliar with Greek fables, there was little use in her alluding to lofty literary tragedies like Agamemnon , so she forwarded through several screens and stopped at the enlargement of Aglaia’s postcard. The nudity perked up the backbenchers. Men were so predictable. “Mary subjected herself to the rule and words of Gabriel,” she continued, “but in our course material we will explore alternative expressions of response to male prerogative.”
    Lou thought how necessary it was to provide her students with an example of church-sanctioned art like the Van der Weyden painting of Mary so they could grasp the monumental and demoralizing effect of patriarchy. Greek society provided a proper foil.
    â€œYou see on the screen a sculpture portraying the Charites , commonly known as the Three Graces. These goddesses presided over the banquet, the dance, and all the arts. They attended