The unveiling, p.15
The Unveiling, page 15
part #3 of Chaos Series
Dick raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah, what did you do?”
“I saw Craig, then made some new friends.”
“That’s nice. Seeing that peaceful expression on your face, I thought perhaps you went to mass. After all, we Catholics have so much to be thankful for.”
“Never made it to church today, Pop.” Actually, I did. Only not a Catholic Church. If you only knew...
Dick shook his head and went back to reading the official transcript from Rome. Many Catholic apologists and reporters worldwide, after fully dissecting it, were doing their own speculating of sorts. Many praised the Pope’s viewpoint as bold and optimistic. Giving so much hope to more than a billion Catholics couldn’t have come at a more needed time.
Though he didn’t exactly say it, most were convinced that the Pontiff believed those vaporized last week were in hell, where they deserved to be for all eternity, without any chance of purgatory.
Which could only mean one thing: they had to be the most despicable humans on the planet. Perhaps they did unspeakable things to their children—unforgivable things!
Again, not exactly the Pope’s words, but the Vatican would never refute it. To most Catholics, including Dick Mulrooney, the Pope was the infallible vicar of Christ, and therefore, always to be taken at his word. But not all Catholic apologists felt that way.
Some concluded that the Pope had completely lost his mind. “How could he say such things about people he never even knew? Sure, they were a little odd at times, but a cancer? Evil? No way!”
That one comment by the Pope would soon cause great dissension within the Church.
Brian found his mother in the kitchen. “Mom, we need to talk.”
Noticing her son’s positive demeanor, she said, “We do?”
“Yep.”
“Well, alright then. Let’s talk.”
“I don’t think you understand, Mom, I mean talk…”
“O-o-o-o-o-h-h-h, talk. Like last night’s talk?”
“Precisely.”
Sarah searched her son’s eyes. They looked different. He looked different. “What’s gotten into you?”
“The Holy Spirit.”
“What do you mean by that, Brian?”
“Later, Mom, after Dad goes to sleep.”
“Okay then.” The Holy Spirit, huh? Sarah thought, getting back to emptying the dishwasher.
Just before midnight, Sarah entered the foyer carrying two steaming cups of Chamomile tea. Just knowing Mom prepared it made it all the more refreshing.
They sat in silence a few moments looking outside the window. Everything was calm. Peace and tranquility for a change. Brian knew it wouldn’t last. It was difficult imagining all of this being gone soon. The good old days were gone forever.
“Mom, I did it.”
“Did what?”
“I’m a born-again Christian.”
Sarah shot a confused look at her son, “When? How?”
“Today at the Waldorf-Astoria, with a new friend I made from Florida.” There was silence. “Well, aren’t you going to say something?”
“What can I say? Everything’s happening so fast.” Sarah looked away. “Besides, we’ve been believers all our lives, Brian.”
“I always thought so too. Had the Rapture not happened, I would never feel the need to question my standing with God, let alone yours. How ignorant I was...”
“Oh?”
“Today was such an amazing day, Mom. For the first time in my life, I feel alive spiritually! It’s like every second was orchestrated by God Himself.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Spiritually speaking, I crossed over from death to life. My friend Charles spent many hours explaining the Word of God to me. I learned more today than I did in all my years in Catholic schools. It’s like my eyes were opened for the very first time.”
“Oh, come on now, Brian.”
“It’s true, Mom. One thing he taught me was that true Christianity, regardless of denomination, was a ‘done’ thing, not a ‘do’ thing, meaning there was nothing anyone could do to atone for their sins—nothing!
“When Jesus was nailed to the cross, sin was nailed to it as well. In short, atonement was finished at the cross of Calvary for all who would believe in Jesus—done.”
Brian stopped a moment when he saw confusion creep onto his mother’s face. “What I’m trying to say, Mom, is that God’s salvation isn’t something that can be earned by going to church or by doing good works, regardless of the individual. The many things Catholics do thinking it will bring them closer to God actually keeps them from Him.”
Sarah looked at her son quizzically. Them? She kept it to herself.
Brian went on, “I learned today that no one can take a single step toward God. Since we’re all sinners, and since sin is an affront to His Holiness, we’re condemned already in His sight. Only Jesus can restore us back to God. A priest can’t do it. The Pope can’t do it. Mary is can’t do it.
“After reading the Bible all week, I was already starting to come to that conclusion even before I met with Charles. God used him to confirm it to me. Now that the blinders have been removed from my eyes, God’s plan of salvation for humanity makes perfect sense to me.”
Sarah had no reply. She lowered her head. What could she say? The more Brian spoke, the more it was evident that the person she gave birth to 33 years ago had found something significant to cling to in these perilous times.
The teacups were empty. With the conversation going nowhere, spiritually speaking, it was time to call it a night. Brian took the stairs two at a time up to his bedroom, with a growing sense of desperation.
He was leaving for Michigan in the morning and he’d yet to make any progress with his family. He could tell his mother was too blinded to the Truth to fully understand what he was saying. Time to turn it over to God!
Brian plucked the pieces of folded paper from his pants pocket with the notes he took earlier. After questioning Charles Calloway on the need to pray to a Sovereign God who knew everything anyway, his friend’s answer astounded him.
“I’ll give you five reasons,” Charles had said. “One, we’re commanded to pray without ceasing. Since all things come from God, we must go directly to the Source. Two, relationships require two-way communication. Now that we’re in proper relationship with our Maker, we have the distinct privilege of talking to Him whenever we want, without setting appointments. Three, prayer isn’t meant to change God. God is completely unchangeable. Prayer’s meant to change us! Four, prayer reverberates throughout the spirit world constantly reminding Satan to Whom we belong. And five, prayer ultimately is a declaration of our total dependence on God.”
As Brian feverishly wrote them down on Waldorf stationery earlier, Charles explained, “My father used to drill those five reasons into my head growing up. He said prayer was the most powerful, yet least used weapon in the Christian arsenal. Just wish I’d listened more closely to him.”
Time to put that sage advice to the test! Before climbing into bed, Mulrooney dropped to his knees and pressed his face into the mattress. Wanting his family to have the same eternal assurance he now had, this would be his earnest prayer from this day forward.
“Open their eyes, Lord, before it’s too late!”
29
THE MULROONEY FAMILY ARRIVED at Penn Station two hours before Brian’s train was scheduled to depart. At Brian’s insistence, Craig Rubin took a short break from work to meet them there.
Sarah kept pleading with her son to stay a little while longer, even just a few more days. As tempting as it sounded, Brian was expected back at work in the morning. After his life-changing experience with Charles Calloway, being in the hotel business suddenly seemed pointless at this time in history, like Brian wasn’t accomplishing anything worthwhile by being there.
A cloud of uncertainty was suddenly cast upon the career Mulrooney loved so much. But one thing was certain: if Charles Calloway, a successful businessman in his own right, was willing to forgo his own career so he could go wherever God wanted him to go, why couldn’t Brian do the same?
Regarding his relationship with Renate, Brian didn’t know what to make of it. All he knew for now was, from a spiritual standpoint, they were going in opposite directions.
Another thing he was unsure of was where Jacquelyn Swindell fit into the picture? Would she eventually become a believer? Would Mulrooney remain in Michigan? So many questions...
Life can be so funny at times, especially when you throw a cataclysmic event into the equation. There would be plenty of time on the train for contemplating his future.
For now, Brian needed to focus on his new Mission in life: winning souls for Jesus. Charles Calloway said the night before that if Brian didn’t acknowledge Jesus before others, Jesus wouldn’t acknowledge him before His Father in Heaven.
Brian was certain he’d heard that in Catholic school on many occasions, it just never took. Now he understood it with perfect clarity. Telling his mother last night about his spiritual conversion was the first step to acknowledging Jesus publicly.
Step number two would be taken when he gave Craig Rubin his Gift.
Though only a deliveryman, Brian knew if Craig rejected it, he’d ultimately doom himself for all eternity. Hopefully his good friend would choose Jesus this side of the grave. The stakes couldn’t be any higher. Hence, the growing tension on Brian’s part.
“Last call for Amtrak train number three-three-four to Pittsburgh. All passengers are to immediately proceed to track number four!”
“That’s me...” Normally, Brian could handle seeing his mother and sister wiping tears from their eyes, but this was a whole new ball game. He knew what his mother was thinking: Will we ever see each other again?
To keep from losing it, Brian shifted his focus to Craig. “Well pal, guess I’ll see you later. Thanks for seeing me off.”
“No need to thank me. My pleasure, bro.”
They embraced. Whispering in Craig’s ear, Brian said, “I have a Gift for you from Justin. He left it for you at my apartment.”
“What is it?”
“I can’t say. But if I were you, I would wait until you’re alone before opening it. He left the same thing for me. Trust me, it’s not something you’ll wanna open in front of others. It’s deeply personal.” Looking his longtime friend in the eye, he said, “Do I have your word?”
Craig raised an eyebrow, “Uh, yeah, sure.”
“Good. Hope it impacts your life as much as it already has mine.” There, I said it!
“Sounds promising. I could use some good news now.”
It’s good news all right—it’s the ultimate Good News. “Goodbye, pal. You know I love you.”
“Love you too,” said Craig.
Brian turned to his father and they embraced. “I love you, Pop.”
“Love you too, son. Hope to see you again soon.”
“Lord willing, right?”
“Indeed.”
Then to his sister: “Keep in touch, sis. Call anytime. Love you.”
Chelsea replied, “Love you too, Brian.”
“Have a safe trip to Michigan, son.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Seeing a new batch of tears surface, Brian hugged his mother extra tight. “Thanks for the late-night chats.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, in between sniffles. “Did you give Craig his Gift?”
“Yep. Just now.”
“Good for you.” Sarah knew how important it was to her son. “Please be careful out there.”
“Thanks, Mom. Whatever happens from here on out, I know I’ll be okay.”
“I hope so.”
“By the way, when you get home, look inside your top dresser drawer. I left the Bible intended for Justin’s parents there for you. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” Sarah said, trying not to sound as uncomfortable as she felt.
“Keep it between us for now.”
“Okay.”
“I love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, Brian.”
At that, Brian Mulrooney left to board his train. Once he was seated, his tears fell freely.
Will I ever see them again?
Part of him wanted to remain in New York. He felt safe with his family, much like he did as a child. Not only that, Brian would have loved another day or two with Charles Calloway before his brother in Christ went back to Florida.
But Mulrooney was just as eager to get back to Michigan, so he could share his life-altering experience with Jacquelyn Swindell. He felt like someone exploding with good news without an ear to hear it; namely Jacquelyn.
But in order for him to tell her, she first had to answer her phone. Brian still hadn’t heard from her in any capacity since he left Michigan.
Even the text message he sent before meeting with Charles Calloway went unanswered. Brian’s gut told him it stemmed from his relationship with Renate. Clearly, Jacquelyn didn’t want to be in the middle of his relationship, even if only in friendship.
This was yet another thing he would worry about it once he got back to Ann Arbor. For now, Mulrooney wanted to absorb as much of God’s Word as he possibly could, despite what others on the train might think or say.
Charles Calloway was right. With time being so short, he needed to be a witness for Jesus at all times. To do that, he needed to learn all he could from the Word of God, especially pertaining to these crazy times.
Mulrooney logged on to www.lsarglobal.org, opened his Bible to Revelation, chapter one, and started his new education, which was to learn all he could about the days in which he was living.
No more hiding the Word of God underneath sports magazines for me!
30
CRAIG RUBIN SAT ON the couch inside his apartment with Justin’s Gift resting on his lap. Per Brian’s strong urging, he was alone. He tore off the wrapping paper. What in the world? A Bible? Craig frowned. You gotta be kiddin’ me!
Rubin looked for the letter Brian said might also be enclosed. He found it and read it:
Dear Craig,
I bet you’re shocked to be receiving a Bible from me, especially with you being Jewish and all. Please don’t let that stop you from reading this letter. It’s the most important thing I’ve ever written to you, so please hear me out. Now that we’ve been reunited, I’m sure you’ve noticed I’m not the same person you used to know. Believe me, the changes in me are real.
“We didn’t reunite,” Craig said in disgust. “You vanished! Apparently you got what you deserved for believing in a false god and a false religion!”
Getting to the point, I became a born-again Christian twelve years ago when I was in college. I can’t begin to tell you how much Jesus has transformed my life. Because of Him, the fear of death that used to paralyze me at times, as I’m sure you can recall, no longer has a grip on me.
That’s because when I die, I’m guaranteed eternal life in Heaven. But certainly not because of anything good I’ve ever done. If I had to rely on myself to get to Heaven, I would never qualify.
Then again, no one can earn their salvation, Craig, no matter who they are or how much money they have in the bank. This includes a king or queen, a President, the Pope, a rabbi or a minister. Things like money, prestige and status are completely trivial to God.
The Bible clearly states that we’re all guilty before a just and Holy God, and the only chance anyone has of escaping hell when they die is by trusting in Jesus Christ for the remission of sin. There is no other way! Just because many choose not to believe it doesn’t make it any less true.
Now, I know most Jews think Jesus was a False Messiah at best. They fail to realize everything that happened in His life was prophesied in the Old Testament by God’s chosen prophets, all of whom were Jews, I might add. Were you aware of this?
If not, don’t take my word for it. Check it for yourself. If you do, you’ll see overwhelming proof in the Old Testament that Jesus was who He proclaimed Himself to be, the Savior of the world.
As you know, practicing Jews have anxiously awaited Messiah’s coming for many centuries now. What they don’t know is while they are right, Messiah is coming soon, it will be for the second time. The first time He (Yeshua) appeared, instead of worshiping Him, His own people crucified Him on a cross.
In the Book of Isaiah, chapters 52 and 53, the prophet described in vivid detail what would happen to Israel’s Messiah. I will paraphrase for you: Isaiah said Israel’s Messiah would die a gruesome death. He would be disfigured beyond that of any man. His form would be marred beyond human likeness. He would be despised and rejected by man. The Jews would esteem Him not. He would be pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. He would be oppressed and afflicted. Yet, He would not open His mouth. He would be led like a Lamb to the slaughter. He would be cut off from the land of the living.
For the transgressions of God’s people, He {Messiah} would be stricken and would be assigned a grave with the wicked. It would be God’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer. God made His life a guilt offering. But by His wounds, all who believe in Him will be healed. By His great suffering, He will justify many. And God will seat Him at His Right Hand where He will reign forever as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Even more telling was what David wrote in Psalm 22. In short, he recorded Jesus’ own words hundreds of years in advance before they were uttered on the cross.
Here is part of what David wrote, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. A company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.’
