Reflections

Heaven was not the same that day…Friday, Restless Manitou:

The Big Cats and their kind, twitched and paced nervously and spoke only to each other in their own tongues. 

The Wolves and their kind checked in with each other rubbing necks …”you must be ready” said the largest one.  The winds and rain, all weather under the Spirit’s direction, remained at ready.  

The Eagles and their kind soared and practiced their dive.  There would be no lessons on the refinements of flight for the messengers today.  Today all Manitou would fight side by side.  Winged creatures together with one mission. 

Many others of heaven’s creatures who had never seen battle, wanted to help.

The Angels formed Ranks. 

Some of them had been with the shepherd hill dwellers and their flocks at the boy’s birth.  They were first to volunteer for the rescue.

The Father had not yet called for an army…but they were all ready.  

Gabriel flew across a great expanse then landing, he stepped close to the Gitche Manitou and took his hand, “Father…surely you saw that beating … the whips.”  The Father lowered his head and said, “Yes Gabriel I saw it. I felt it.  I have never yet taken my eyes or my heart from him.”

“We are ready Father”, the Angel spoke in a deliberate tone.

“I know, you may tell Michael…and the others, they may go, only if he calls for you.  Then go and then go quickly,” He said with his head still lowered.  

  The messenger, warrior replied. “But what if He won’t call for us… Father …we are afraid He won’t call for us.” 

Slowly the Father said… “I have blocked my knowing of what my Son will do.  I spoke to him last night.  He knows what we must know.  Gabriel, he has free will like all of you, and all of them.  He must decide now…but I tell you my dear one ….I hope he does not call out… even in his greatest pain, I hope my Son does not call for you.”

The angel fell to his knees and lowered his head to rest it on the Father’s knee, and spoke in a near whisper, “Hasn’t he suffered enough, Father, Please?”   The Father stroked his shiny blue black hair and with tears in his eyes he said… “The depth of the evil of my humans can only be redeemed one way now…Gabriel.  He knows that, He and I have always known that….”

With a tender look Father said…”Go back to the others, give them my love…and tell them to wait.  We must now all wait.  I only know what I must do.  I have chosen not to know what my Son will do.” 

Gabriel returned to the other manitou all ready for battle beating their shields to make the “rousing noise” to stay alert; it was the message to both angel and animal. 

They did not mark time; only listened for the Son to call.   All were ready. 

The ones created first, knew what Gabriel’s message meant, or guessed.  But the others had hope.  “Call for us” Michael kept saying, “call for us It is enough now, Call…”  The Father heard the angel, and part of him wanted it too.  Even in his knowing.

Then the worst of it had come.  The Father wrenched away from his Son for the first time in all time.  All heaven heard the cry from the tree… “Where are you Eloi Eloi have you left me now to die alone?”   The last agony for the price of the human’s wanton fall from grace that severs humanity from God had been accomplished.  All heaven quieted to listen as the final earthly breath escaped the Son, his body sagged nearly tearing out the spikes. 

Michael sat leaning on his great bow.  Barely able to get sound from his mouth, he called to Gabriel.  The two sitting only inches apart, covered each other with great wings and grieved privately.  Gabriel and Michael had seen so much battle.  They had lost this one, without a fight.

And, as if they had announced it to all manner of heaven’s creatures who had been ready for the call; all species assembled.  The warriors made the sound of defeat; never before had heaven heard it.  

As the mournful noise went out of them, a voice over took it.  “Go, Go now bring him home…it is finished, did you not hear him?   Spirit you know what I want from you, make the thunder in the darkness like no other.  They will know my anguish.”  

Warriors began to fly when Michael shouted to stop. 

There they were, forming the joined light that had been missing for so long.  Father and Son in an embrace that could not distinguish one from the other. Their Spirit joined, and, from them came flowing dancing color one becoming another and another.  Then once more, only light. Gitche Manitou whole in the dance.

Slowly they became distinguishable again.  “My Son has more to do,” Father said softly, “Sunday was coming.”

But the end of the wonder filled beginning was certain.  

The sound of victory was once more heard for heaven and all galaxies to remember.