The Mestizo: Another Judas

a response to The Power and the Glory

In the story of the passion, Jesus admits to one of his disciples that he will soon betray him. The man is Judas, Judas Iscariot, and immediately after hearing the news of Jesus' crucifixion, he was overwhelmed with pride and turned his master in for only three silver coins. Such a cheap trade, for such a powerful and forgiving man. Jesus was a savior, a redeemer, a rescuer and for only a small price, was turned in to the authorities, who then, in order to fulfill scripture, crucified him.

This is a similar event to one in, The Power and the Glory, a parallel novel to the passion. While a whiskey priest is escaping to Carmen, his home town, he comes upon a mestizo. He is sick with a fever but cannot help noticing the priest's "priest-like" features. The priest, representing Christ, realizes the horrible condition that the mestizo is in and allows him to tag along on his journey. “This was the pride, devilish pride, lying here offering his shirt to the man who wanted to betray him. Even his attempts at escape had been half-hearted because of his pride – the sin by which the angels fell.” (95) This quote is a turning point in the priest's life. He has just told a poor sick man that he is a fugitive priest and that the reward of five hundred pesos is still on the line for the man who turns him in. The mestizo says that he would never turn the priest in, but the priest is aware that he is in the presence of Judas, the betrayer.

The Mindset of a Mother

Author's Note - This is a poetic response to the novel, The Bean Trees. When Taylor Greer -- a young adult who has just taken on her independent life -- decides to drive away from her hometown, in search of a new beginning, she is struck with a whole new world: motherhood. The already big change of moving away has just been made tougher, with the new responsibility of caring for a child. She is confused and this poem digs deeper into her mind; what exactly was going through her head during this time?

How can I take on
Yet another responsibility
Of a small human life
When I was just given my own

Brand new to this world
My eyes have barely opened
When another is introduced
The world of motherhood
I was just the child
Now I have to care for one
I just left my mother
Now I have to be one

I am supposed to love this child
Like my own flesh and blood
But how can I do that?
When, truly, she is not

Confusion fills my brain
I am full of questions
What makes a good mother?
Do I have what it takes?

I look into the child's eyes
Beautiful and full of youth
Her gentle hands
Rub against my face
She deserves better
But then again,
I am the only chance she has
And she may be the chance I need

Right now I feel nothing
Maybe I will soon?
All I can do
Is love her
Hold her tight
And never let her go

True Identity

a response to The Bean Trees
There are many people in this world who choose to hide under a mask in order to keep themselves from reality. For some, this is because they are unhappy with the person they’ve become but for others, they feel worthless and find no reward in revealing themselves. In the novel, The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, the concept of true identity comes into play; this book is filled with characters who keep their true persona hidden. They do this in order to maintain a decent reputation, when underneath, they are actually hurt, alone and confused. Kingsolver is trying to warn us about the dangers of living an isolated life.

Imagine if the whole world were hidden under one huge cloak; we would never be able to recognize people by their true identity. Despite the pain it may bring, people have to learn to openly express themselves. By exposing yourself, the door that allows others to help you, is unlocked. This is a well-learned lesson by one of the main characters, Taylor Greer, when she meets another young mom, Lou Ann. They were both hidden away -- trying not to let anyone know they were troubled -- but when the met each other, these women honestly discuss their lives in the most sincere way. Lou Ann and Taylor released theirs masks and because of this, they were able to rescue one another from their buried lives. True identity is nothing to hide. If you are unhappy with the person you are, holding on to your agony is not the right thing to do. Do not be afraid to show yourself to the world, to reveal yourself, to cry for help. You never know, the answer to your call may be a rescue.