Chapter 5 – The Tyrant Apostles
While heading towards his next destination, the thought of his family weighs heavily on his mind.
Azrael notices this and asks him, “Is something bothering you?”
“It’s…uh. It’s the thought of seeing my family again.”
“Now why would that bother you after all you’ve seen?”
“I don’t know. Maybe I still feel guilty for what I did.”
“It’s good to feel guilty. You’ll get rid of that feeling after this next trial.”
“Oh, I thought they were going to be next.”
“We could go for them next if you wanted. This next one is around the same difficulty as it so we could do that if you want.”
“No, I’d rather save them for last. Besides, I’m sure you know better than I do for what I’m supposed to do.”
“He only knows so much. That’s why I’m with him,” Cherub says.
“You’re a helper Cherub. It’s not like you’re my own guardian angel.”
“Whatever you say Azrael. It’s not like I don’t keep you company and give you good advice.”
“You do, and I always thank you for it.”
“You’re welcome.”
Before they even reach the next location, Daniel’s eyes are drawn to the top of it. It’s a cathedral and it’s the biggest building in the area. Light shines on the building, which gives it color and makes it stand out. The closer they get the grander it looks as it appears to be from Heaven itself. Many people walk in and out of the cathedral with their guardian angels, so this appears to be a common challenge for many. Azrael hands Daniel’s luggage over to a hooded priest and he allows him into the church.
Once inside, Daniel really begins to appreciate the art and design of the interior. The statues and paintings are divinely inspired. A choir above him sings hymns of joy and wonder while people pray below them in the pews. A single man comes out from a back room from the front of the church. He appears to be very skeletal in appearance and he wears a high priest’s outfit. The hat he wears has the upside-down cross of Saint Peter that goes through his head and into his mouth. The people in the pews rise up to reveal that they have similar horrifying appearances to the man who seems to be leading them.
“I know what this is,” Daniel says as he sits at the back of the cathedral.
“Is something the matter my child,” a priest sitting by him says.
“I never liked how the church acted like it was the authority of everything.”
“Why shouldn’t she? She is God’s bride and, as such, He gives her the authority to infallibly teach matters of faith and morality. She needs to be there to guide people to the truth.”
“Even for the forgiveness of sins? All of us are close to God and can talk to the angels and saints. Why do we need the church when we can directly talk to them?”
“Because priests and clergymen are given the blessing to do so. The laity can ask for forgiveness and do penance and can be forgiven, but only the ordained can absolve you of your sins. It is as God commanded it to be.”
“But why are people like the bishops and the pope infallible when they teach?”
“A Church that can teach without error needs official teachers who can teach without error.”
“What about the pope?”
“Every body needs a head to guide it.”
“What about the pope’s papal infallibility?”
“It’s only when he agrees with what’s previously established. He can’t change everything on a whim nor do his opinions carry weight. The pope has to be in agreement with the successors of the apostles in order to make infallible decisions that affect the way people think and act.”
“Sure, but what about the bad popes?”
“There’s no guarantee that there won’t be bad popes. They don’t affect the Church’s teachings, nor have they ever nor will they ever.”
“Is that why there’s a pope suffering over there?”
“Yes, he is being punished for giving the succession of apostles an ugly look. He will still be forgiven for his sins. It just takes longer for people like him. All of us have acted like hypocrites. It shouldn’t surprise you that even the best of us can and will fall at points in our life.”
Daniel sits in silence of thought before saying, “Thank you, father. I haven’t thought about it that way before.”
“It is my pleasure. Here, for your
journey,” the priest blesses him with chrism, “Go in peace, my child.”
“Are you going to stay here?”
“Of course.”
“Why not go to Heaven?”
“The Church is Heaven on Earth. I’ve
been in Heaven ever since I entered. It’s honestly better than dealing with a wife
in my opinion.”
The priest and Daniel quietly laugh
before Daniel walks away. He leaves the church with a fresh understanding of
things and one more trial to go through before reaching Heaven.
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