Are You Ready; Chapter V "A Stark Reality"

A Stark Reality

Morning arrived with the sun shining more brilliantly than usual, but not a real concern since our task at hand was to drive towards an unknown, yet heart-seeking safety and peaceful surroundings that would bring back the Church and the Sacraments we so longed to share in, again.

Roger and I kept in constant communication via our cell phones and left no more than a mile between us, just in case another incident would occur and we could somehow be supportive to one another, or at least be there as a back-up, whatever that might be.

An hour passed with no disturbance when suddenly the sound of helicopters, several at least, loomed above us and this time they were flying low and certainly did not appear to be friendly. Their actions became unnerving and the faster we drove the more intense their intimidation became. “We were thankful that no gun-fire or aggressive actions took place, but just to attempt a safe driving procedure and keep my eyes on the road were enough to give my heart palpitations like I never experienced in my life.” “I contacted Roger and he wasn’t seeing the same thing as us, but the distance between us might have been good since perhaps we were the only vehicle the helicopters noticed. Since the road was surrounded with many trees and the sky became cloudy maybe Roger’s car was hidden a little. As we rounded a sharp curve we viewed a tunnel which was the entrance to what appeared as a large mountain in front of us. Roger had mentioned only a couple of moments earlier the same tunnel and as we entered one could not see the other end.

“I wondered what we might encounter as our car would exit the tunnel; would there be military units waiting or a clearing which might contain the helicopters and perhaps the Murphy family already in custody.” “All we did was to pray and noticed that the drive through this very dark tunnel was very long and it even had curves which seemed strange for most mountain passes anywhere I had driven before.”

Finally, after what seemed extremely long, we exited the tunnel and to our surprise there parked on the side of the road were the Murphy and Johnston families along with a large number of other vehicles with numerous people, standing around. We parked, got out and looking into the sky saw only sunshine, birds flying as if in an oasis, and no sound of helicopters or any other aggressive action threatening us.

It was interesting that more than a few people had rosary beads, and some people were on their knees giving thanks to God for some type of intervention for all of us. A priest came over and told us that he received a message that just ahead was to be a turning point in our escaping the war and a crisis within the Church. He continued with an explanation that just beyond the hill ahead of us would become a sign promised and we should begin to walk towards an opening which seemed to beckon as peace and tranquility.

Our hearts became light and the feeling of something beyond our most ardent expressions lifted that hope we looked for on this last part of our journey.

As we reached the end of the opening beyond the mountain pass the sight was so glorious that we nearly had to close our eyes. Before us stood an altar, un-describable, yet there and what appeared to be Angels singing, crowds of people singing, and the feeling of so much peace and the presence of God’s Love could be felt all around.

It was as if Revelation came alive and a new Jerusalem was seen for each person standing and crying, praising God and knowing that we had finally reached a haven of tranquility with God at the center and no more war, no more threats against the Church. We had found the Church Alive and Christ was the Light of our lives. We had reached beyond the trials of anarchy and would fear no more.

My thought s went back to my dream, so long ago, the day Angela and I walked into the church and Fr. Mike vested came in for Mass. Whatever occurred then, as now, the Grace of Almighty God comes through at the worst times in our lives and He alone will take us into His arms and Bless us as He promised in the Beginning.