The morning of December 8th was colder than usual, with a biting wind that made the students clutch their cloaks tighter as they made their way to the exam hall. Maria and Catherine walked together, their breath visible in the frosty air. Both were deep in thought, their expressions reflecting the pressure of the second paper: Theology and Doctrine.
The subject was known to be one of the most challenging in the curriculum, covering complex topics such as the Holy Trinity, Christology, Ecclesiology, and Sacraments.
Before the Exam
As they entered the examination hall, Maria turned to Catherine.
Maria:
"I read through Christology again last night, but I'm worried about the Sacraments. There's just so much detail to remember."
Catherine:
"Same here. I kept mixing up the definitions of Baptism and Eucharist during my revision. Let's just pray they don't ask us to compare them."
Maria nodded, gripping her rosary tightly as she whispered a quick prayer. The hall filled up quickly, the air tense with anticipation.
Sister Veronica stood at the front of the room, her voice calm but firm.
Sister Veronica:
"Ladies, this is your second paper. You have three hours. Please write clearly and ensure all sections are attempted. God bless you all."
The sound of rustling papers and pens being uncapped filled the room as the students began.
The Exam
Maria opened the question paper and felt her heart race. The questions were indeed difficult, requiring detailed knowledge and thoughtful analysis.
Section A: The Holy Trinity
The first question asked, "Explain the concept of the Holy Trinity with reference to biblical texts and theological interpretations." Maria took a deep breath and started writing, quoting passages from Matthew and John to support her explanation. She focused on the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, ensuring her answer was both comprehensive and concise.
Section B: Christology
This section required an essay on "The dual nature of Christ as both fully divine and fully human." Maria poured her thoughts onto the page, referencing the Council of Chalcedon and its declaration about the hypostatic union.
Section C: Ecclesiology
The third section was particularly tricky. One question asked, "Discuss the role of the Church as both an institution and a community of believers." Maria carefully structured her response, balancing historical facts with theological insights.
Section D: Sacraments
The final section demanded detailed explanations of at least three Sacraments and their significance. Maria chose Baptism, Eucharist, and Marriage, ensuring she included both scriptural references and practical applications.
By the time Maria finished, her hand ached, and the clock showed only five minutes remaining. She glanced at Catherine, who was still writing furiously. Maria quickly reviewed her answers, making small corrections where needed.
End of the Exam
The sound of the bell signaled the end of the exam. Sister Veronica's voice echoed through the hall.
Sister Veronica:
"Please stop writing and place your pens down. Wait for your papers to be collected before leaving the hall."
Maria leaned back in her chair, exhaling deeply. She looked at Catherine, who gave her a small nod, signaling that she had managed to finish as well.
Once the papers were collected, the students shuffled out of the hall. Maria waited for Catherine by the door.
Maria:
"You made it just in time, didn't you?"
Catherine:
"Barely. That question on the Sacraments was brutal. I thought I'd run out of time before finishing."
Maria:
"Same here. I feel like I wrote a lot, but I'm not sure if it was good enough."
At the Cafeteria
The cafeteria was less crowded than usual, with many students heading straight to their rooms to rest. Maria and Catherine grabbed cups of hot tea and found a quiet table by the window.
Catherine:
"Alright, let's dissect this paper. What did you think of the first question about the Holy Trinity?"
Maria:
"It was straightforward but required a lot of detail. I focused on the scriptural basis and theological interpretations. What about you?"
Catherine:
"I did the same. I quoted from John 14:26 and Matthew 28:19. Hopefully, that's enough."
Maria:
"What about the question on Christology? I think I wrote too much about the Council of Chalcedon."
Catherine:
"I did too. It's such an important part of Christology, though, so I think it's fine. Did you manage to finish the Sacraments section?"
Maria:
"Yes, but barely. I chose Baptism, Eucharist, and Marriage. I'm not sure if I explained them well enough, though."
Catherine nodded thoughtfully, sipping her tea.
Catherine:
"We'll just have to wait and see. At least it's over now. What's the next paper?"
Maria:
"Moral Philosophy. I think we'll need to focus on Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine tonight."
Catherine:
"Agreed. But let's take a short break first. My brain feels fried after that paper."
They both laughed, the tension from the exam finally starting to lift.
Reflection
That evening, Maria sat by her desk, reviewing her notes for Moral Philosophy. The day's exam had been exhausting, but she felt a sense of accomplishment for having completed it.
As she opened her email, she saw a message from Ayesha.
Ayesha's Email:
"How did your second paper go? I hope it wasn't too difficult. Remember, challenges are a part of growth. Keep pushing forward, and you'll succeed, Insha'Allah."
Maria smiled, feeling a wave of gratitude. She replied:
Maria's Reply:
"The paper was tough, but I managed to finish it. Thank you for your encouragement. Please keep me in your prayers."
With renewed determination, Maria picked up her notebook and began preparing for the next challenge, knowing that each step brought her closer to her goals.