Off Topic

As we're settling in for the big exam today, our professor, Michelle, picks up a large zip-lock bag from the front table.
"Are these somebody's brownies?"

Questioning murmurs and a few hesitant "Shannon's?" are heard before I give the final, "Yes--those are everybody's. Help yourself. I hear they're delicious."

"Oooh! Are they 'special' brownies?" says my Classmate Who Never Will Pass my Mother Test ("would you allow him to treat your mother?")

When questions like this are put to me, I pretend I have no clue what's being referenced. I don't know why. Maybe because, for much of my life, I didn't know what people were talking about. Even though I have vague ideas now, it's still simpler to stick with the "innocent and clueless" ploy. Maybe I pretend because I don't find humor in people suggesting the presence of sedatives or hallucinogens in my best friend's yummy chocolate desserts. For whatever reason, I answered (quite honestly, in fact):
"Yes! They're very special brownies! They're Pope brownies!"

"Huh? Did you say Pope brownies? What the ..."

"My friend Sharon baked them for the Pope party we had last night. Do you know we have a new Pope? These are in honor of him."

"Umm, did you study last night?" that came from someone who would pass the Mother Test.

"No; but you know, I don't think we're going to have a new pope very many times in my lifetime. It's just so exciting. I had to celebrate with everyone at the rectory."

These people look at me funny, but they still associate with me. They even call me "friend." Marvelous, isn't it, that we can have so many different levels of "friends?" These are my friends I study with, that I play softball with, that I go bar-hopping with, that understand when I get excited about innovative treatment strategies. I pray for them, I do what I can--say what I can--to show my concern for their eternal salvation. But it's not reciprocal; that's not their primary concern for me. Even though they are aware of my concern, they're not fully aware--how could they be, unless they're already looking beyond this world?

And so they aren't my "true friends." And unless I live near some of those "true friends," I'm a pretty lonely girl.
So far I've been blessed. I've never been far from "true friends."
I draw my strength from them. I find myself more fearless in daily conversation, defending the Church, asserting moral boundaries, disapproving sinful situations. And to my surprise, my "school friends" don't run away. They may not all conform to the Truth, but they are not repulsed by it. I think a few of them actually respect the "strong opinions" I stand for; others think I'm too innocent to think anything different. Either way, I find myself "off topic" from everyone else much of the time.
Like today. Exam? Study? Well, I was at a wedding (one of the happiest days in the life of my good friend) and then our new Pope got elected yesterday (a momentous historical occasion for the Church, the Bride of Christ). What's an exam in light of all this?
I know we speak the same language. We're just talking about different things.