For years, Father Anselmo walked the dusty streets of Villa Clara, his hands always extended to offer a blessing or a loaf of bread. To the villagers, he was a pillar of unshakeable faith, a saint who walked among them. Yet, when the heavy oak doors of the parish house closed at night, Anselmo would sit in the candlelight, staring at the blank pages of his journal. In the silence, the certainty he preached by day felt like a distant shore he could no longer see. He did not doubt the goodness of his work, but he doubted the presence of the hand guiding it. Still, when dawn broke and the first knock came at his door, he wiped his face, put on his habit, and went out to offer comfort, believing that his own doubt was a burden he must carry alone so that others might believe.
Based on the passage, which of the following best describes the contrast between Father Anselmo's public actions and his private feelings?
- AHe acts charitably primarily to gain the villagers' admiration, though he privately resents his duties.
- BHe plans to abandon his parish and travel to a distant shore to escape his responsibilities.
- He publicly projects absolute faith to support the community, while privately experiencing deep religious doubt.Answer
- DHe feels bitter about the isolation of his role, which creates a hostile atmosphere in the parish.