On submission, order, and questions that outgrow their answers

24:1

In those days, the people came again to Christopher,

this time not with hunger,

but with certainty.

24:2

They asked him,

"Should a woman submit to her husband?"

24:3

Christopher did not answer.

24:4

They pressed him,

for they had verses prepared.

24:5

At last he said,

"Why do you ask?"

24:6

A man answered,

"Because order must be named."

24:7

A woman said,

"Because submission brings peace."

24:8

Christopher looked at me and said,

"Who should submit in the case of Ruth?"

Mentionning my daughter

24:9

They hesitated.

24:10

"She has taken a woman as her companion,"

someone said.

24:11

"Then who leads?" another asked.

24:12

Christopher waited.

24:13

No answer came.

24:14

Then he asked,

"And if children are to come,

who should decide?"

24:15

"The father," a man said.

24:16

"The mother," a woman said.

24:17

"For she carries them," someone added.

24:18

This pleased some.

24:19

And troubled others.

24:20

A woman stood and said,

"I am proud to submit to my husband."

24:21

"He leads me well."

24:22

"And I am joyful in it."

24:23

Many nodded.

24:24

They looked to Christopher.

24:25

He did not contradict her.

24:26

Another woman said,

"Should we not all do likewise?"

24:27

Verses were spoken.

24:28

Paul was named.

24:29

Peter was named.

24:30

Some waited for correction.

24:31

Christopher closed his eyes.

24:32

At length he said,

"You speak of structure."

24:33

"But you do not speak of love."

24:34

He added,

"I am tired."

24:35

And he stood slowly.

24:36

"I have answered enough questions for one life."

24:37

He went to rest.

24:38

The people remained.

24:39

And they finished the argument without him.

24:40

Some left affirmed.

24:41

Some left confused.

24:42

And some left certain that silence meant consent.