My wife and I recently took out a mortgage for a lovely flat in a brand new estate, still surrounded by scaffolding and the sounds of builders at work. We simply must bless it! No one’s lived here before, and how can we start without God’s blessing? insisted my grandmother the moment she found out. Of course, the home should be blessed. We cant risk any misfortune here. We need happiness, laughter and plenty in our new place, my mum chimed in, clearly warming to the idea.
Despite our hesitation, there was only so long we could resist. Soon enough, we agreed to arrange a blessing in our new home.
Its important, mark my words, Gran told us, leaving no room for argument. When the day came, the doorbell rang right on schedule, and a vicar appeared on the doorstep, his hair well peppered with grey and a beard to match. He wore a large cross about his neck, strung on a thick chain, and carried a battered old bag and a little censer. He handed each of us a candle, and started to explain how everything would go.
My dear ones, the vicar announced, his voice full of confidence, please light your candles and follow my lead. Dutifully, we obeyed, ready for something solemn and moving. But when my dad tried to light his candle, nothing went as planned. The candle spat and spluttered, refusing to catch, no matter what he tried. Even after several attempts, it just wouldn’t take. The vicar hurriedly gathered up his things, shoving them with haste into his bag.
Get out, get out nowtheres something wrong here, the vicar muttered, a look of deep confusion on his face. His voice sounded worried. He grabbed his bag and made for the door, leaving us standing about in puzzlement.
That was the most peculiar vicar, and an even stranger candle, said my wife, eyeing the vicars own candle, which, ironically, was burning perfectly well.
Maybe he just wasnt in the right spirit for it all, thats why the ritual went sideways! joked my mum, ever the peacemaker, trying to lighten the mood.
He talks the talk, but then legs it. Probably cant get decent WiFi where hes off to next, I thought, in desperate need of a chuckle after the odd turn our afternoon had taken. As for us, well, with the mortgage bills ahead of us for the next fifteen years, I dont see where we could run even if we tried, I added, grinning.
Well, do we stay here, or try to find another vicar? Grans question brought us swiftly back to reality, as we looked for some way out of the bizarre predicament.
Lesson learned: Sometimes, traditions and rituals dont always go as planned, no matter the good intentions or pressure from family. At the end of the day, its not the blessing itself, but the love and laughter within these walls that truly make this flat our home.
