However, these private “sessions” mortified us because we were sure we would be punished for this grave sin. The day Esteban got his first pimple, word spread that it was a punishment from the Devil himself. Another day, it would be Jorgito who would get a spot on his face. “It’s a punishment from the Lord for using that mirror,” said Alberto, the most religious of all.
On the other hand, the moréh’s classes were always boring. We read story after story of wars and annihilation, and we were told that our God was merciful and good.
One day the moréh tells us,
“Children, today we are going to study the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Do you know what happened to these cities?”
“Yes, moréh! They were destroyed because they were sinful.”
“What does the Bible teach us with this?”
“To respect the Lord!”
My classmates shouted as if they knew exactly what they were talking about. However, I had no idea what they were saying. I had to ask the teacher:
“Moréh, what did they do wrong that they were burned?”
“They engaged in dirty practices, very bad things.”
“Well, I also get dirty playing from time to time, is that a sin?”
“You are dirty inside and out, of course it is a sin.”