Caesars lord, p.55
Caesar's Lord, page 55
Rex smiled at his wife’s analogy. He knew he was no lion, just a regular man doing the best he could in a hostile world. At times he accomplished great things. Other times he failed miserably. But either way, Rex was glad to know that Flavia viewed him like that. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “Your support means everything to me. I’ll need it in the days ahead.”
Flavia glanced sideways at him with a mischievous smile. “You certainly will, Father Vitus.”
“Hey! Can we not use my baptismal name? It just doesn’t sound like me.”
“Alright,” Flavia agreed. “We’ll go with Father Rex. That has a good ring to it. You’re going to be a great priest. I’m confident of that.”
Rex again felt grateful for his wife’s support in uncertain times. Only two days ago, Pope Sylvester had named him as the pastor of the Church of Saint Sabina—the former house church in Flavia’s home. Long ago, Felix was its pastor, but that evildoer had been banished to the mines for attempted murder. Father Vincentius was the church’s next priest, and he led the congregation well. Yet the pope now needed Vincentius for other duties.
“I can think of no one better than you for this appointment,” Sylvester had said to Rex. “You’re theologically instructed. You’ve been a teacher and a deacon. Your life experience is broader than anyone I know. But most of all, you know what it means to receive divine grace.”
“I do,” Rex had agreed. “It reaches all the way down to the lowest point. Then it digs even lower and finds the people like me.”
“And that, my son, is why you are ready to be a pastor.”
Rex’s mind returned to the present as he gazed upon Rome. The distant horizon reminded him of open possibilities, of remote places unknown to him but well known to the God who sees all. “I’ll do my best,” he told Flavia. “And I’m glad you’re doing it with me.”
“We were meant to do this together, Rex. Just like we were meant to share all those adventures across the earth. We faced so many perils—things I don’t even want to recall! We left one child buried on the Vatican. Another in Alexandria. The Lord tested us at every turn. But now, it seems, he has brought us to a place of peace. We have a new house on this hill. We have a ministry to share. Our future is bright.”
“I keep thinking of the scripture that says, ‘The old things have passed away. Behold, the new has come.’ That’s how I feel. Like the turning of an age is upon us. I’m ready for it.”
“Me too,” Flavia said—and then she gasped in a way that made Rex’s heart leap.
“What is it?” he cried in sudden fear. A look of pain was on Flavia’s face, and her hand clutched the folds of her gown at her waist.
“My water just broke.” After wincing for a long moment, she breathed a sigh of relief. “The contraction has passed. But there will be more. Let’s get home and call the midwife. It’s time.”
Rex helped Flavia to her feet and supported her as she descended the temple’s steps. Their new house, located adjacent to the church, wasn’t far away. Even so, Rex felt anxious to get his wife there as quickly as possible.
“I can’t believe we’re having a baby!” he exclaimed as they walked side by side toward their home.
“Actually,” Flavia said with the gentle laugh Rex knew so well, “I think it’s going to be twins.”
Bryan Litfin is the author of several works of nonfiction about the ancient church, including Wisdom from the Ancients, Early Christian Martyr Stories, After Acts, and Getting to Know the Church Fathers. A former professor of theology at the Moody Bible Institute, Litfin earned his PhD in religious studies from the University of Virginia and his ThM in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is currently the Head of Strategy and Advancement at Clapham School, a classical Christian school in Wheaton, Illinois. He and his wife have two adult children and live in Wheaton, Illinois. Learn more at bryanlitfin.com.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Books by Bryan Litfin
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Spread of Christianity (Map)
Aelia Capitolina (Hierusalem)
City of Rome
Contents
Historical Note
The Dynasty of Constantine
Gazetteer of Ancient and Modern Place Names
Glossary
Prologue
Act 1: Exclusivity Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Act 2: Deity Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Act 3: Humanity Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
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Bryan Litfin, Caesar's Lord
