Historical Setting: 793 C.E. Lindisfarne
The bishop is reading the gospel. Everyone agrees it should be done as grueling as it is. Now there is wonder – is this the reading of only one gospel? Or is the reading of “the gospel” the whole four of them? Two hours into it, with only a small portion of pages on the read side of the spine the bishop doesn’t look up from his reading. The words mush into a drone of parables and more parables, with no surprises or suspense even in the miracles.
The parts that are most interesting to consider are few and far between, but they are the prophetic words of the end times. Here in their own Northumbrian skies, they have already seen wonders and omen. Their own time of drought has passed, and some are missing now, taken up to heaven or to hell, God only knows. Or maybe Beelzebub has a counting of it. Truly this is the beginning of the great eschaton and all will be judged. Best to stand for the reading of the gospel. And they have made it through now to the foretelling of the destruction of the Temple – the rumors of war – expectation of earthquakes coming soon.
Matthew Chapter 24, the desolating sacrilege, then Chapter 25, the bridesmaids who ran out of oil, unprepared, missing the moment. How does the bishop read in near darkness, with only a strained beam of sunlight on the book? Only God knows. The judgment of the nations – sorting the sheep from the goats – here those wools that get saved again and then there is the pit.
Knees numb for the horrific ending they’ve all heard it read over and over in Lent – the season of the hard ending — the betrayal — the denial — the trials — the God forsaken — the death by torture. Even the “rest in peace” burial was disturbed with resurrection. Over and over again, the angels say “Do not be afraid.” Do the angels mock our fears?
The bishop reads, “… and remember I am with you always until the end of the age.”
Everyone is gasping along with it, “the end?” “the age?” is this the end of the age now?
The bishop pulls his face from the pages, and looks out over the guests, still staggering their stances.
“Thus ends the reading of the Holy Gospel.” Exhale. And clamor to the benches.
(Continues tomorrow)
Lazarus Ink 