So on to the story of the "Rattle Snake".
About three years after I was married I converted to Catholicism. I was in the Navy stationed in Sicily with my wife when I converted. After we returned to the US I announced to my family of my new found faith. Being from middle Georgia at the time and knowing the usual falsehoods that we were taught regarding the Catholic faith; I invited my mother to Mass with us one Sunday.
We entered the Church and she wanted to sit in the back (for a quick getaway) and would not put her purse down and had to sit at the end of the pew. I told her that it was OK, that her skin would not burst into flames or that someone was not going to convert her in any way. She relaxed a little but her guard was full up for any signs of foul play and looking around the entire Church for any threats every few minutes.
We got through the Liturgy of the Word and on to the collection. The users started at the front with baskets on the end of poles. This is when I noticed my mother starting to squirm a bit. At about 1/3 of the way back my mother asked me what they were doing and it went something like this..
Mom - Son what are those guys with the baskets on poles doing?
Son - Testing their faith
Mom What do you mean testing their faith?
Son Thats how Catholics test their faith, they put their hands in the basket
At this point mom is squirming more and has gathered up her purse into her lap, checking to make sure the way was clear for a fast getaway.
Mom- How does putting your hand in the basket test your faith?
Son There is a Rattle Snake in the baskets and all Catholics have to pet the head of the Rattle Snake
Now I can see all the color drain from my mothers face and I am just waiting for her to make her break for the door.
Mom Son what if the Rattle Snake bites them?
Son Then they were not good Catholics and need to be bit so that we can get them out of the Church.
Then a quizzical look came over my mother as she realized that folks were putting money in the baskets and said
Mom Son why are they putting money in the baskets!
Son Mom they are bribing the Rattle Snake so that it wont bite them
It is only now that my mother is mad because she has just realized that they were taking up the collection and her son just had a little bit of fun with her.
Mom Son they are taking up a collection, there is no Rattle Snake in that basket
Son - This is true, but the fact is you believed the Catholic Church would do something like this. So what else would you like to know about Catholicism?
In the end my mother was accepting of my new found faith and was glad that I was getting to Church on a regular basis.
