The morning of December 6th arrived, bringing with it an air of nervous anticipation across the church campus. The first-year students had their first exam in Scriptural Studies, and the topics were both extensive and challenging. The corridors buzzed with whispered prayers, last-minute revisions, and supportive wishes.
Maria sat at her desk in the examination hall, her heart racing. The neatly arranged desks, the soft rustling of papers, and the occasional cough from a nervous student set the scene. A large crucifix hung on the wall, reminding the students of the sacredness of their work.
---
Before the Exam
Catherine leaned over to Maria as they waited for their answer sheets.
Catherine:
"Do you think they'll ask more from the Old Testament or the New Testament?"
Maria smiled nervously.
Maria:
"I'm hoping for more from the Gospels. I feel like I understand those better. What about you?"
Catherine:
"Same. The Psalms and Proverbs are tricky because they're so poetic. It's hard to know what they'll focus on."
Their conversation was cut short by the sound of Sister Veronica addressing the room.
Sister Veronica:
"Ladies, please settle down. You have three hours to complete your exam. Remember to write legibly and answer each question to the best of your ability. May God guide your hearts and minds."
Maria closed her eyes for a brief prayer, clutching the cross around her neck.
Maria (whispering):
"God, please help me recall everything I've studied. Amen."
---
The Exam Begins
The sound of the clock ticking and pens scratching filled the hall as Maria opened her question paper. Her heart sank slightly as she scanned the questions, realizing they were as detailed as she had feared.
Section A: Interpretation of the Bible
Maria tackled the first question confidently: "Explain the significance of allegories in Biblical interpretation." She recalled her notes about how allegories were used to convey deeper spiritual truths and wrote with steady handwriting, citing examples from the Parables of Jesus.
Section B: Lessons from the Gospels
Here, the questions were more straightforward, asking for detailed explanations of specific teachings. One question read: "Describe the Beatitudes and their relevance to modern Christian living." Maria wrote passionately about the call for humility, mercy, and peacemaking, her words flowing naturally.
Section C: Understanding the Psalms and Proverbs
This section was challenging. One question required analyzing the metaphor of the shepherd in Psalm 23. Maria took her time, carefully crafting her response to highlight the themes of guidance, protection, and God's love.
Section D: Old and New Testament Teachings
The final section required comparisons between the Old and New Testament. Maria wrote about the shift from the strict laws of the Old Testament to the grace and forgiveness emphasized in the New Testament, ensuring her points were clear and concise.
---
Finishing Early
Maria finished her paper fifteen minutes before the time ended. She leaned back in her chair, scanning her answers for any mistakes or gaps. Satisfied that she had given her best, she neatly tied her answer sheets together and placed her pen down.
She looked around the hall. Some students were still furiously writing, their faces etched with concentration. Others looked lost, tapping their pens against their desks.
As the clock struck the final minute, Sister Veronica called out.
Sister Veronica:
"Time's up! Please stop writing and remain seated while the papers are collected."
Maria handed in her paper and walked out into the corridor, feeling a mix of relief and uncertainty. She leaned against the wall, waiting for Catherine.
---
Post-Exam Discussion
Catherine emerged a few minutes later, her face flushed from the effort.
Maria:
"Finally! I was starting to think you were rewriting the entire Bible in there."
Catherine laughed, shaking her head.
Catherine:
"It felt like that! Some of those questions were tougher than I expected."
Maria:
"Tell me about it. How did you find the section on the Psalms?"
Catherine:
"Oh, don't even ask. That question about Psalm 23? I think I rambled a bit too much about the shepherd metaphor."
Maria:
"I focused on God's guidance and protection. Hopefully, it's enough."
They walked toward the cafeteria, their footsteps echoing in the quiet corridor.
---
In the Cafeteria
The cafeteria was bustling with students discussing their papers. Maria and Catherine found a corner table and sat down with cups of coffee.
Catherine:
"So, what's the plan for tomorrow's paper? It's Moral Philosophy, right?"
Maria:
"Yes. I think we should focus on the key thinkers and their contributions tonight. We'll start with Thomas Aquinas and move on to St. Augustine."
Catherine:
"Good idea. But first, we deserve a break. Let's not talk about studying for at least half an hour."
Maria chuckled, raising her coffee cup.
Maria:
"Deal. To surviving the first paper!"
Catherine:
"And to doing even better on the next one."
They clinked their cups together, sharing a moment of camaraderie amid the stress of exams.
---
Reflection
That night, Maria sat by her desk, reviewing her notes for Moral Philosophy. But her thoughts kept drifting back to the day's exam. She replayed the questions in her mind, wondering if she could have written better answers.
Feeling restless, she logged onto her email and saw a message from Ayesha.
Ayesha's Email:
"How did your exam go? I've been praying for your success. Remember, preparation is important, but faith will carry you through the rest."
Maria smiled, her heart feeling lighter. She replied immediately.
Maria's Reply:
"The exam went well, Alhamdulillah. Thank you for your prayers. I'll keep working hard and trusting in God's plan."
As she closed her laptop and returned to her notes, Maria felt a renewed sense of determination. The journey was challenging, but she was ready to face whatever lay ahead.