The net that shall enmesh them all
Edited, Written, and Published by J.C. Nossiter
Friday, November 5th, 2004
That was an especially glorious sunrise the other morning, such fiery reds, such muted blues, (did I see the hand of brother Turner?) thanks and praise. Of course there has been talk, doubtless spread by you know who, that the magnificent skies we’ve been enjoying lately are less the influence of our artistic bretheren than they are the result of the unbridled industrial activities of our earth-bound brothers and sisters. Particulate matter and sunlight refraction is much discussed. I have been patiently explaining that it is all Your will, of course, and I am pleased to report that the doubters amongst us are few. Indeed, especially among the newer arrivals, the level of devotion is very, very high. Praiseworthy, certainly, but perhaps bordering on excessive?
That is in fact my reason for writing. You know I am not one to complain; suffering, after all, is rather my raison d’etre. But I am troubled by the attitude of the new recruits. Their faith is admirable, but they seem oddly deficient in humility, charity, meekness, and those gentler virtues I went through so much to impart. There is, even if I say it who shouldn’t, a decidedly unChristian arrogance and intolerance in many of our newer bretheren. Furthermore, as brother Peter memorably puts it, they don’t seem to have put aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings. Of course I judgeth not, but faith untempered by reason has so often led to trouble. I greatly fear such trouble lies ahead. You bestowed, in Your bounty, many faculties upon your children. If those of the intellect are not used, is it not a sin?
Speaking of which, I know Your views on Your name being taken in vain. Imagine then my own dismay when I hear my name so often in the mouth of one earthly king who, while professing to follow my game plan, talks the talk but fails to walk the walk, if you’ll forgive me for putting it so (the football season is upon us…) But when I see what this foolish son has wrought, acting without shame, in my name, it does make me see through a glass darkly. After all, in brother James’ words, the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. Belying his words, this particular earthly king appears to be getting his wisdom from elsewhere.
That is why, dear Father, while of course I would never conceive of doubting Your infallibility in all things, I cannot help but wonder about the recent reaffirmation of the powers of this particular earthly king, especially when his hand has caused so much unnecessary suffering – is that thunder I hear? And so nearby. I therefore close in haste,
Your devoted son.
©J.C. Nossiter, 2004
