The Owl Reveals Its Name by Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp

The Owl Reveals Its Name Visit to the Land of Shadows

Adventures of the Cabin-Log Kids Book III 1

For Dad 1935-2007

It is that kind of night, silent, redeemed from the void of dark by stars clinging to the breath of gravity that jealously guard the forest-wood; crisp and clearawareness of near things that awake to praise the One who gives them life. M. Kerry; Camp Woodsman, Louisiana

Ű&#x17E; â&#x20AC;&#x153;God is the music; God is the life that nurtures every creature in its kind. Our God is the song of the angel throng and the splendor of secret ways hid from all mankind. God is our life and the life of all. Hildegard of Bingen

The Door to Nowhere Last summer Joseph, Matthew, Anna, Jaclyn, Benjamin, Nicole and Renee found a castle in Walnut Forest during their summer vacation. It was a forest that held mysteries. Even the name â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walnutâ&#x20AC;? referred to symbols and mystery: the walnut shell representing wood of the cross and the stem of Jesse1 from the Bible; the unripe walnut fruit bitter as suffering and the ripe fruit sweet and nourishing as the Eucharist2. Each summer the Cabin Log kids (so called because their dad sells logs for cabins) went to live at the log cabin their dad built near Walnut Forest. They would set out from the cabin along a path and through an arch made of vines and branches. Last year their 1 2

Isaiah CF. Origin of Alexandria

adventure led them to a castle watched over by a steward. This summer they wanted to go back into the forest. They hoped to see the castle that they named “waterfall castle” because it looked like a waterfall.” Their greatest hope was to meet the Shepherd-King. The castle’s steward told them that everyone awaited the coming of the Shepherd-King. He also told them that in the forest there were rumors of a “door to nowhere.” Was it the great wooden door of Jesse from the Bible? Was it another door that really opened to nowhere? The steward asked them to revisit the castle so that he could tell them the rest of the story. “I remember the words to help us find the castle along the road of the sevensprings,” Benjamin told everyone. “When can we begin?” They heard a knock on the cabin door. Grandma Angel was dropping off fresh baked cookies. Everyone ran to the door to open it for her. “Grandma! Thanks for coming! How is granddad?” Their

grandfather had been sick for over four months. “Granddad is not feeling well today. He would love to see you though.” They all sat down to a glass of milk and a few cookies. Then and there they decided to spend time at Granddad Joe’s house. They would tell granddad about their adventures in the Walnut forest. Getting on their bikes – and bright red scooters that ran on batteries – the Cabin Log kids met Jaclyn and Nicole. Their cousins were already on the porch with Grandpa Joe. “Hey kids!” Granddad smiled from his chair on the porch. “Thanks for coming over. I want to talk to you. Did you get some of those great cookies that grandma baked?” Each of them sat on benches and chairs to listen to Granddad. Benjamin leaned on Grandpa Joe’s shoulder and gave him a big hug.

Grandpa Joe built this porch making it mosquito proof and rain-worthy. A hand painted bark of wood hanging over the doorway read: Serenity. The door was on a well oiled hinge and swung back to close creating a serene hide-a-way surrounded by songs of birds and scampering squirrels. Granddad Joe loved being “out in nature” with the fresh breezes warmed by the sun. During the evenings he would set up his telescope just outside of “Serenity” and invite grandkids and neighbors to tour the known universe by peering through the scope. All the while his audience listened to description of distant stars and galaxies. The star names were always exotic: Zeta Puppis, Mira, Betelgeuse, Aldebaran. Betelgeuse always made the kids giggle because it sounded like “beetle juice.” “Yuk,” Nicole would say. “Silly,” Renee would reply. Granddad would explain that Betelgeuse is

an important star to watch “because is it very big and very old.” Seeing the planets, and sometimes the moons around the planets, had everyone ooing and ahhing. During these moments the world became situated in a universe of wonder. Today granddad said he had something to share about the universe even more spectacular than star gazing. “In God’s eyes,” he told them, “The universe is as a drop of morning dew fresh on a leaf.3 Benjamin imagined what that would look like. “Do you mean that God is so big the universe is as small as a drop of dew to him?” “There are even smaller things in his creation – the things we can’t even see. Who are we that God loves us within this drop! Size doesn’t matter. That is the brilliance of it. The love of life! Love of everything that exists so that we will always

Wisdom 11:22; 12:2

exist. We have little to offer this kind of love – what do we offer? Nicole put her finger on her lip to think about the answer. Before she could say something granddad gave them a clue: “What happens when we live in gratitude for this beauty?” he asked each of them. There was a pause. “I will give you a clue: what is the name of this porch?” “Serenity!” Nicole sat up to pronounce this answer. “Correct! We receive this gift – serenity – and other gifts - compassion, the ability to see holiness in each person and God’s love expressed all around us. Earth overlaps with heaven. One day you will see that the two – earth and heaven - are one.” Granddad lay back in his chair and smiled at each of his grandkids. “So, tell me about the shepherd you met.” His eyes twinkled. “Granddad, how do you know?” Renee was surprised. “I have always known the Shepherd. I am so happy that you have met him.” “We’ve only just met him,” explained

Benjamin. “We do know the steward of the castle pretty well though.” Nicole gasped. “It is OK Nicole,” explained Granddad. Grandma Angel and I both know about the steward, the castle and the forest and its mysteries.” “You do?” exclaimed Renee, her face scrunched up into surprise and question mark all at once. At this granddad sat straight up and leaned forward in his chair. They all leaned in to hear what he was going to say next. “There is a new adventure for you,” he began, “in the Walnut Forest…” They listened carefully to the secret their granddad was entrusting to them.

The Philosopher â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want you to become friends of wisdom. Did you know that is what philosopher means? While you walk through the forest this time look for the Philosopher who is known as the Life-giver. Pursue the clues that are in the Walnut Forest. Remember your first and recent time there? You listened and heard nature speak, you found out what things are really important. The Philosopher can show you the pathway of life and can even tell you why the stars orbit the way they do.â&#x20AC;? Matthew liked this idea. He had always been excited about the grandeur of the universe with its quasars and black-holes all the way down to the smallest created things with names like quark and muon. Granddad had 10

told Matt that these were small particles but important basic building blocks of the universe. “How are we going to recognize the Philosopher? What does a philosopher look like?” queried Anna. “A philosopher holds a staff – like a shepherd – and a book – like a teacher. The true Philosopher shows you where life is found – and the way to life. There are signs that will be obvious to you.” “How long will it take us to find him?” asked Nicole. “Remember how you found the Shepherd?” “The steward helped us interpret the signs,” offered Benjamin. “Plus you helped, granddad,” Renee reminded him. “You helped us to know what a shepherd is so that when we met him we knew.”

“By entering the Forest this time,” Grandpa Joe sat back up in his chair, “you will once again be leaving the surety of your backyard. You will need faith like a bird that sings in the darkness has faith in the coming sunrise. Your grandmother and I lost a lot of things in the hurricane. I have another secret to tell you. I am now preparing to regain better possessions than the ones that I lost. These are everlasting possessions. There is not only a new reality that awaits me but a real presence. It won’t be easy for me to leave Grandma Angel, to leave each of you, to not see you as I do now – and hold you as I can now.” “Where are you going, granddad? What do you mean?” asked Benjamin. “I mean that my body is not going to be alive much longer. There is a cancer growing inside which I am no longer able to stave off. When you know the ShepherdKing, the Philosopher, you will understand. None of them were able to say anything. Grandma Angel had returned from her visit to their mom and dad at the log cabin. She 12

came to sit on the porch with them bringing Granddad a glass of iced-tea. “Did granddad share his news with you?” Each of the kids shook their head yes. They weren’t feeling especially joyful at that moment. “There are things that are unseen,” Grandma Angel explained. “Granddad is going to see them soon.” “Your granddad has always been a magus – one of the magi. Do you remember who the magi were?” “They brought Jesus gifts,” Nicole said. “And…” “And they looked at the stars to find Jesus,” added Anna. “They were astronomers and seekers,” Grandma Angel explained. “The true magus realizes the world is not governed by stars and elements. Elements are governed by love in the person of God. This is known as Providence.4” “There were times,” explained granddad, “that even the magi walked in the dark. Then the dark door of time was thrown open through hope.5 The stars governed by God guided their journey through desert places. I 4 5

God’s hidden plan. Col. 2:2 Spes Salvi; Benedict XVI

am going to a place that exists because the one who cannot-not-exist is existing.” “Wow,” said Joe who had been listening carefully. He was trying to put all of this information together. “Yes, wow,” repeated granddad. “What I want more than anything is that you know creation is also a Bible of God – the Word of God is the path to learn6 and God’s hidden plan is revealed through love. While it seems that those you love are fragile – know this: love cannot be destroyed by death7. While you may be uncertain about a lot of things you can be certain of this. Your granddad’s love will never leave you.8 The kingdom is present where ever there is love.” Grandma Angel agreed and gave granddad a great big kiss! In turn granddad hugged each of his grandkids and gave them a big kiss.

Cf. St Ephraim Romans 8:38 8 Galatians 2:20 7

The

Path of Tarchannen

“Enjoy your explorations in Walnut Forest. That is where you are headed now isn’t it?” asked Grandpa Joe. “I will tell you something more about the owl at the forest entrance. We begin our sight like a night owl blinking in the daylight. Our sight begins in the darkness. The owl that you met in daylight is a sign that you will also be ready to see things that you were not ready to see before.”9 The Cabin Log Kids waved to granddad and grandma as they got back on their bikes and scooters heading out to the arch of the vine and branches. They didn’t want to leave him. Maybe if they found the Philosopher he would return with them to be with granddad. 9

St Augustine; Confessions “When I first came to you, you drew me to yourself so that I might see that there were things for me to see, but that I myself was not yet ready to see them.”

That was their hope as they headed off toward the forest by the log cabin. Matt was the first the first “cabin kid” to meet the owl. Last summer they almost learned the owl’s name but a cat caused a distraction and the owl flew off. After entering the forest they met the lizard Lissome. Lissome led them on a path toward a waterfall following seven springs. It was at the end of this journey that the Cabin Log Kids saw a wonderful castle surrounded by fruit trees. This summer they wanted to visit the castle again to hear the story of the Shepherd-King – and maybe even meet him! Now they were also on a mission to find the Philosopher granddad had told them about. There was a part of the forest that the Cabin Log Kids didn’t know about. It was on the same path to the waterfall castle but would lead them on yet another mysterious adventure. It was known as the Path of Shadows or Tarchannen an ancient word meaning “to hide.” What was hiding in this part of the forest? Or was this part of the forest hidden? Soon they would find out.

Benjamin remembered the seven words that would lead them to the castle: stopping, awareness, calm, peace, stillness, wisdom, trust. “You really did remember all of the words this year!” Nicole congratulated Ben. Benjamin blushed nodding. “How did you remember?” asked Jaclyn. “I learned about the fruits of the Spirit,” explained Ben. They aren’t the same words but they reminded me of the seven words. There are seven fruits of the Holy Spirit as well.” Once they reached the arch of the vine and branches Matthew looked for the owl. “Listen,” he said. They all heard it: Fish are hidden in the dark sea They swim the tide to find moon-light On land we await the sunrise for sight Even night can shine like day in me.

“That is the owl reciting poetry,” stated Matt. No matter how hard they looked they couldn’t find the owl. When the owl didn’t show Joe reminded everyone: “Oh, well. 17

We know what to do.” They each took a piece of vine attached to a small branch on the arch and placed it in their pockets. Renee put the vine in hair and wore it like a crown. As they walked through the arch Jaclyn was the first to notice that the landscape had once again changed. “It is different,” stated Jaclyn “It is the same place as last time, but different.” “How can it be the same and different,” smiled Anna. “We are going in the same way, we are in the same forest, and we are the same and…” Anna waited for Jaclyn to finish her explanation. After a little while she asked “And?” Jaclyn looked at her and pointed – “and there is Lissome running ahead of us muttering something.” “The same but different,” Anna nodded in agreement. Lissome stopped running and waited for them to catch up. Benjamin recited the gifts of the Spirit as they followed the stream toward the castle: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and awe.

Nicole decided to match these words up with the seven words. They didn’t exactly match so she decided that some of the actions helped to create other actions. For example - stopping. Stopping was able to assist her in understanding. She would stop and think about decisions that had to be made. Then peace would come after praying for counsel. Praying came from piety. Piety meant “being devoted.” She decided that fortitude was a lot like awareness and stillness since in order to continue on any path you would need to be aware of where you were going and still enough to listen along the way. Wisdom matched up easily with wisdom. Trust was like awe since when you are in awe of someone who is awesome you find them trustworthy. God is the most trustworthy and worthy of awe. The word awe, Nicole remembered Grandpa Joe

explaining, comes from the word that means wonder and surprise. Everyone walked while whispering about the castle. Benjamin continued to recite the seven words slowly. He wasn’t sure when they would be stopping. Then Joe stepped in front of the troupe. He had pulled back the branch of a large tree and was looking into a part of the forest where the trail seemed to lead. It seemed smoky or foggier than the path they had been on. At the same time it was enticingly mysterious. “Look,” said Joe, “Don’t you think this may be the place that has the door to nowhere!” Anna wasn’t happy that Joe was so anxious to find this “door to nowhere.” It couldn’t be good, could it, if it led to nowhere? As they moved off of the trail they saw a place they didn’t expect. The land was dry and dusty. The sight of a land so empty made Anna’s eyes dry. No matter how hard she squinted water

wouldn’t fall past her eyelid and down her cheek. Any tears dried up around the edges of her tear ducts. Her eyes were dry like the land - dry wasteland without water. There were a few bushes on the edge of this wasteland. Nicole ventured near them. Anna’s vision blurred. She rubbed her eyes again. Benjamin shed the light from his flashlight over the ground. It wasn’t really dark but it was eerie. The land needed some light, he reasoned. Lissome doubled back from the path to meet up with them. “I don’t want it to be my business,” Lissome said breathlessly, “why you are going off of the path, pushing aside trees, looking to places that you may not be ready to travel and using that hot sun again!” Jaclyn, taking a deep breath, squished up her nose. This part of the forest couldn’t be

called a forest. Trees and the fresh air were missing. What they thought were bushes actually did turn out to be under grown trees that looked and smelled funny. Anna heard Lissome but kept walking onto this unknown path. She followed the stream that became a trickle. Nicole noted that the stream was only a trickle because it was clogged up with dead leaves. Broken branches were also blocking any flow of water from the distant seven springs. All around the branches dead leaves piled up like a dam. Joseph answered Lissome: “This is where the path leads, doesn’t it.” Lissome sighed. “If you are determined to take this path today – I am going back into the lush green forest if anyone wants to come! Tood-a-loo!” Lissome waited a few seconds impatiently tapping his lizard nails on the dry ground to see if anyone would follow. “Well then. I will tell the steward where you are!” Lissome offered. “Have a good day!”

Benjamin approached the trees “These bushes are dying here. Can we clear the stream so that their roots can drink fresh water?” “The sun isn’t getting through either,” noted Anna. “I am not sure why but there are hardly any leaves on the trees.” Getting closer to one of the small trees Jaclyn noticed worms eating the few green leaves left. Renee picked a leaf that was rolled up on the tree. She carefully opened it up. Nicole watched as she did this. “Yuck!” she grimaced as a half worm, half moth wriggled inside. Renee screamed and dropped the leaf into the muddy stream. It stuck in the mud that was sloshing down toward a dam that was building up. Lissome was still watching from a distance. When he saw the Renee unwrap the half worm - half moth he finally concluded: “Well, this really isn’t my path today. Last chance, last chance; listen to the ants, last chance. Though I suppose if it is your path then this is where your chances lie. If

anyone is listening!” Off Lissome ran while still freely giving advice. “If the kingdom is all around us,” asked Benjamin, “then why is the water dried up here?” “Not only are we surrounded by the kingdom,” Anna reminded him, “we bring the kingdom with us.” This was puzzling. As they pondered this someone begin coming toward them from the opposite side of the dead land. Renee, Benjamin and Jaclyn moved closer to Anna, Joe and Matt. All of them watched as the stranger drew closer. She stooped to pick up something turned, smiled at them and left the clearing. Two more women came out to meet her as they all walked away. What did she pick up? Who was she? Everyone kept staring as she walked away. Matt jumped as a voice from behind said: “Isn’t it interesting who you will meet on the edge of this mysterious place.” It was the Steward

from the castle. They were all happy to see him! “Quiet isn’t it?” he noted. They all agreed by shaking their heads. It will be hard to understand any animals or insects you come across here. There is a saying ‘I do not speak in secret in a land of darkness.” 10

“You did just see some who lives here,” noting that Renee was looking at the place the woman was. “She was picking up a stray word. Words that are spoken in Tarchannen11 can easily be forgotten or overlooked. Anyone who passes through here alone doesn’t always know the power of one word spoken in the dark.” These women walk the path to collect hidden words of people. They present these to God whose voice resounds in the heart.”

10 11

Isaiah 45:23 Ancient old High German origin of ‘to hide’

Fountain of Coraquilo “Let me tell you about silent presence and a listening heart. The first woman who walked through this arid part of the forest – her name Sorwen means sorrow – picked up the stray word of someone who had passed ahead of her on the path of shadow. This is what happened. As she held that word the silence of it engulfed her she was lost in her suffering and couldn’t hear the stray-word. She hated that it made her unhappy and wanted to toss it into the mud. Then something mysterious happened. This word jumped from her hand into the sorrow in her heart. The pain that had opened her heart allowed her to listen. She held the pain of this word within the pain of her heart. The silent presence of God allowed the word voice. She received the gift of a listening heart. “In her 26

powerlessness and in her sufferings she knew that she stood in the place where God’s kingdom was coming.”12 This gift also allowed her to see the path more clearly. It was lit by the light of the Shepherd-King and her communion with his presence. A spring started flowing in front of her. She placed the stray word within the waters of this spring. It became a fountain. That is where you saw the women going as they picked up stray words. The fountain was opened, they say, by the slain Shepherd.13 It was then she knew that the Shepherd-King was dead and had risen. Her sorrow, like that of the stray word, turned into joy. They named this place after one of the four-winds ‘aquilo’ and ‘cor’ an open heart. Winds angels or messengers of the Philosopher whom you seek. The spring is known as Pege – source of living water.” 12 13

Cf Benedict XVI; Jesus of Nazareth, 89 Zechariah Chapter 12

“By the way you are quite correct; you do bring the kingdom with you. You have a mission to reclaim places that have been mottled and dappled14. There was once a boundary between the land of promise and this hopeless land. A boundary that didn’t allow anyone to go between the lands of the seven springs, Halsursehan15, and Tarchannen. What you see on this path is the result of shadows. These are shadows only – the darkness cannot return. The Shepherd-King made all waters holy. The Pege’s source runs deep through the land. Believe that you can help clear this stream. First I want to show you how big your task will be. Follow me. All will be made new.” “Have you heard where the Philosopher is now?” asked Anna. “Our granddad is going to meet him and we would like to be there when he does.” Benjamin remembered all the other questions they needed answer for. He blurted them out before the steward could answer Anna. “We also need to find the 14 15

Stained or blemished. From the word origins of holy, source, to see

Philosopher. How do we find the gate of morning? What is the owl’s name? Where is the wooden door of Jesse?” Joseph threw in one more question for good measure: “Where is the door to nowhere?” When Joseph asked his question everyone held their breath waiting for the truth. The steward, who had been bent down to clean some branches from the stream now stood up to face them. “I cannot directly tell you about what some call ‘the door to nowhere.’ What you see here,” he gestured to the barren land around them, “is a clue: ‘Whose heart turns from the Lord is like a barren bush in the desert that enjoys no change of season but stands in a waste, a salt and empty earth.’” “The clue to finding the ‘gate of morning’ and the “door of Jesse” is: ‘One who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord, is like a tree planted beside the water that stays green – its leaves never fade – even in an empty waste.”16 16

Jeremiah 17: 5-8

“Some give up seeking with answers like this! The answers to the questions you ask are both old and new. The answers are mysterious meaning they are kept secret since they are sacred. To find them you will need courage. This I can tell you plainly: ‘The eternal city and the earthly city permeate one another.’ ”17 “That is what granddad said!” exclaimed Renee. “and how it should be.” Still, they all wondered, would they find the door to nowhere here in Tarchannen, the land of shadows? Did they really want to find the door to nowhere? When would they return to the seven springs in the land of Halsursehan18 with the waterfall castle?

Owl Eyes Open 17 18

Cf John Paul II From the word origins of holy, source, to see

The steward turned again to walk. They all followed him lost in thought. “There is a light that can illumine this dim part of the forest beyond these shadows, giving us the courage to keep walking,” offered the steward. Joseph remembered the sparks that flew out of the fire-place in the castle. They had been cool to his touch but bright like flames. He missed the fire place and the food at the castle. The forest was getting darker. It was difficult to follow the stream caked with mud. There were no green plants, flowers or grass to brighten up the dark earth. Fear crept in around the edges of the fog. “Here we need light sabers,” said Benjamin. “Did you say light tapers?” asked Anna, which made a lot more sense. “No, I said we need sabers” – Benjamin said this deliberately slow – “of – light.” “Oh,” said Anna. Jaclyn was holding on tightly to Anna’s arm. She thought Anna said – “to tight!”. So she loosed her hold but stayed as close as she could.

“Light is a good way to walk,” the steward spoke to no one in particular and kept walking ahead. “When you don’t have a lot to carry you can walk swiftly. I agree that sabers of light, as you call them, could help us to see better – that would also allow us to walk swiftly without tripping or falling into dark muddy holes.” Benjamin looked back at Anna and smiled a Ben smile. “Ok, ok,” retorted Anna. Suddenly the steward stopped Turning to look at them he asked. “Did any of you understand the meaning of Orien’s name?” “Oriens?” “Oh I gave it away! The owl’s name is Oriens!” laughed the steward. “I am sure Oriens would have revealed it soon enough. Oriens knows where the ‘gate of morning’ is. Oriens can tell you all about the root of Jesse. Once you pronounce Orien’s name you will not be denied any answer.”

They continued walking. It was getting a lot darker though it was still day. The fog was thicker and even though there were no trees it seemed the forest was dense with hidden objects. Mud was quickly drying into hard lumps that could easily be tripped over. Renee tripped. She was able to dust off the mud because it dried so quickly. Anna’s eyes were very dry now. Anna tried to keep her eyes closed asking Jaclyn to lead her by the arm. Jaclyn happily grabbed onto Anna again. It was scary to walk alone. Everyone was thirsty. “Can we go back?” asked Matthew. As soon as he asked this Matthew remembered the words of Oriens: “They all want to go back. Go through, go through!” “Ah,” the steward sighed, “Let us stop for a while, shall we.” Everyone gathered in a circle. “Have you guessed where we are?” Benjamin set his flashlight down in the middle of their circle. Everyone’s fact glowed with eerie light from the dull bulb.

“Matthew would like to turn around and go back on the path you left. Do you agree?” “I changed my mind,” reflected Matthew. “I have thought about his land of shadows. We entered the Walnut Forest through the arch of vine and branches. We didn’t leave the Walnut Forest. This may be a path that we will have to walk later if not now.” “There would be no shadow,” the steward explained, “if the Shepherd-King did not light up the kingdom. Shadows are cast by light. If any of you understand the name of the owl – Oriens – you will have the answer. Matthew is of course correct about the path. This path intertwines with all paths in the forest. You walk it now and you may yet walk it again. It will become more familiar to you but it will always be a path of shadow.” This had them all stumped. Looking disappointed Renee asked if they may have missed some sign. “The prophet19 gave us this sign: ‘In the desert I make a way, in the 19

Isaiah

wasteland rivers – see I am doing something new.’ Do you perceive it?” Perceive was a big word for Renee so she asked for a definition. “The definition will give you a hint about the meaning of Oriens’ name. Follow closely: to perceive is to see. What do you need in order to see?” “Light!” yelled Renee. The word “light” reverberated through the forest of small trees. The mud in the stream bubbled and burped. Fog swirled and lifted for a brief moment. “Right, Orien’s name is light, named after the eastern rising star or the gate of morning – the star of hope in fact! It is good that you yelled out the word light. It is a word that lifted the fog for a bit and allowed some water from the stream to get through. It takes courage to say ‘light’ in a dark place.” “Is this word a light?” Benjamin questioned. “Indeed, my friend Ben. There are words

that can be weapons for good and there are words that can be weapons for bad. Then there are words that we say when no one is listening – these words may even be prayers – but no word goes astray – as you witnessed.” “Seraphim, those are angels whose name means fiery-ones,” Joe remembered. “I thought maybe that was the Owl’s name. Are they like light sabers?” Nicole thought Joe said “life savers,” and listened closely to the answer. “The prophet also spoke of the power of names when he spoke of Seraphim, Joseph. He had a vision20 in which the Seraphim touched his mouth with a burning coal. His sin was purged – his words became good. God called him by name and he was able to answer ‘yes, send me.’”

Isaiah 6

“Does this explain the sparks that flew out of the fireplace in the castle? They were bright but cool to the touch.” “It is written that ‘those who are holy and refined as gold is by fire shall dart about as sparks and shine on the world.’”21 “I am a little tired,” said Nicole who had been paying attention to the conversation but didn’t quite understand it. “There isn’t any place to sit here. There is so much dry mud and a sloppy mess in the stream.” Saying this Nicole pushed the mud with a stick. The stick broke in two. She tossed the other half into the mud. “I am also very hungry and thirsty…and bored” “Thirst and hunger opens the world to the kingdom of God. Longing can make you a watcher who prepares the way for others to follow. Your heart can become ready to respond to something greater every moment.”

Wisdom 3

“Isn’t this a good time to call Oriens,” asked Jaclyn. She knew that Nicole was getting discouraged. “How do we call Oriens?” responded the steward. “Oriens – the owl – doesn’t come out in the dark like normal owls,” said Nicole. The steward looked up into the fog: “Thus the name – light. Every hour of this darkness we move closer to a dawning. Every time we see a dying tree we move closer to spring-time. Each time we feel cold mud we move closer to warm flowing water from the seven springs and the Cave of Treasures. Even in these shadows life can be prayer. Oriens will come with light for the path when we…” “Love, because love casts out all fear!” exclaimed Jaclyn who really was getting more afraid by the minute. “True. The Shepherd-King could have been proclaimed himself ruler and banished

darkness forever. He could have fed everyone in the desert. What he did was love – there was no violence in him. He relied on God; he trusted the compassion of people – even though betrayed by people. He allowed a spear to pierce his heart…” “Love hidden like a small seed takes root in the earth – transforming the earth into the kingdom so that the eternal kingdom is in now our midst.” Nicole was anxious to start walking again – or to sit. “So, how do we call Oriens?” She broke the silent meditation of the others who were shifting on their feet so as not to get stiff. She sat down on the driest spot she could find. Renee sat down next to Nicole. Benjamin did the same. They didn’t really care that they were sitting in dry mud. “You are the heirs to light and fire,22 do not sit in the room of doubt,” warned the steward.

St Gregory Nazianzen

Up until this point no one saw the door carved in the rock to the side of them. Was it there before? No one remembered seeing it. There were carvings on it in very detailed geometric shapes, lines and circles. “Why not go in? This is a dead-end path anyway” mumbled Benjamin. Nicole got up to get closer to the rock. She felt the carvings on the door. She looked for a handle. “You say we can’t go in there,” she questioned the steward. “Isn’t it a place where we can rest? Why did it appear?” Nicole felt the carvings by tracing her fingers around the figures carved there. She announced: “I see light coming from the cracks. Maybe Oriens is in there?” “There is another cave we can enter - wait until we arrive at the Cave of Treasures,” encouraged the steward. “That is where

Oriens is. That is really a well lit cave. This is an imposter. In the Cave of Treasures you will find the mercy seat is guarded by Cyrubim. When you near that cave you will hear the call of the peacock. The eyes on their feathers help you see into the cave which contains splendid treasures. Among these treasures are mirrors that reflect God’s promise. 23 There are no peacocks here. This is the door of doubt that leads to the cave of despair. I recognize it.” Nicole, Benjamin and Renee were still determined to find out what was behind the door. They each complained: “How do you know? We are hungry. You said it is good to be hungry and to search. I bet that other cave is a long way off.” “What are you searching for is the question.” sighed the steward. “Will you be satisfied with the lifeless waters in that cave? If true hope is misplaced then happiness is sought in things that can’t satisfy.24” 23 24

Dante; Paradiso IX: 60-63 Cf Benedict XIV

Nicole wasn’t listening. “I found a handle!” Renee and Ben ran over. The handle was long and curled like the bend of a twisting tail. 25 Ben helped her pull the door back just a little. Renee didn’t want to touch the handle. She thought it looked creepy. When the door was cracked a warm draft pushed past them. The smell of sizzling food on a grill and baked bread wafted past their nose. Light poured out of the door as if it were let loose after being set free. Renee thought she heard music. She put her ear closer to the door. It turned out to be her stomach growling. “Before you open that door any wider do not doubt me – doubt that room.” “Why?” Jaclyn asked. “ Because you now have only two choices. One - open the door because you doubt that there is anything else that will give you happiness. This choice will lead deeper into the cave of despair. Taking contentment in 25

Revelation 2; 11

places that easily satisfy but will not keep you happy” “The other choice is follow the road that you are on. Keeping hope for the Cave of Treasures, a choice leads to true joy. Nicole looked at Ben who shrugged as she peered through the door. “Even so, it is really pretty in there,” she commented. Renee started to pull the door open a little more to see what Nicole saw. Just then Renee’s stomach growled again. “I am still very hungry.” Nicole turned around and said, “I am still thirsty – I just want to get one drink…” Benjamin pushed her aside to feel the warm air still sneaking out of the door. “Ouch,” said Renee. She lost her peace and pushed Ben back. “I just want to warm up a little,” stated Benjamin. “The kingdom isn’t just a matter of eating or drinking,” the steward reminded them. “Don’t lose sight of the path or your serenity will fade away.”

The word serenity was not lost on Anna and Jaclyn. “The porch that grandpa built!” they exclaimed to each other. Nicole didn’t hear. She yelled out “I found the cave first!” and began to squeeze through the door past Ben and Renee. It widened as she entered. The screech it made was like fingernails on a blackboard – giant fingernails. Everyone held their ears closed.

Inside Cave

the

The table in the cave was laid out with just cooked hamburgers. Jugs of lemonade with floating lemons, fresh orange juice and

bowls of fruit were decoratively set in the center. There was a fire crackling at the far end of the table. Near the fire were marshmallows, bars of chocolate and jugs of milk. No one questioned where all of this came from or how it stayed fresh. Renee sat down to a hamburger. Nicole poured herself some lemonade. Benjamin went over to explore the fire place and grab a piece of chocolate. They were right thought Nicole. Soon enough the others would come in wondering why she wasn’t coming out. She looked around for a place to sleep. There were rooms toward the back of the cave. She was already feeling sleepy. After she ate, Nicole decided, she would investigate. The walls were trimmed in a glowing gold sequence. Something made them shimmer. After a while Ben noticed that the fire was getting low. It was chilly. He noticed that sticks were in a basket on the floor and went over to throw some into the fire place. This fire wasn’t’ like the waterfall castle fire. This

one was hot. It didn’t throw off much light. Ben switched on his flashlight to help him pick out the best firewood. Suddenly Renee was running around the table holding her mouth. “What was it!” asked Nicole who was just biting into a hamburger. “Sour, tart, bitter!” was all she could say. She grabbed the lemonade to pour herself a glass. Ben turned back around to attend to the fire. He planned on making some s’mores with the chocolate bars and marsmallows. When his flashlight exposed the basket of sticks he saw something move. Meanwhile Renee was not doing any better. Nicole was telling her to be quiet. All Renee could do was yell that her mouth was burning. Nicole felt her fingers become a little tingly. Her mouth felt prickly. Renee threw down the fruit bowl. She broke the jug with lemonade. Nicole reached for the orange juice just in time.

Benjamin picked up the sticks. They squirmed in his hand. “Aggg!” he yelled and tossed them into the fire where they hissed and crackled. They smelled nasty. When he lifted his hand to hold his nose he noticed that it was swelling. Now Nicole started yelling about drinking something really sour! Ben sat down to sum up what was happening. Then he noticed a shadowy figure. A voice invited them to “Clean water to rinse out your mouth; something to sooth your hand; fresh food – this room is only a display room…” The shadow started to walk toward the back of the cave. “Come,” it continued to gesture, “You are our guests. This is no place for guests….”

Voice of Light

When the door had opened earlier Joe tried to create a distraction so that Ben would not enter the cave. He picked up a dead branch to throw in Ben’s direction to get his attention As he lifted a branch from the stream the mud fell off revealing shining spots. The branch looked like a shepherd’s crook. He stared at it. Matthew noticed the glitter of light from the staff. The steward also noticed: “Go quickly to the place of Coraquilo! Dip it in to clean the mud off. The spring is fed from the seven springs. Go, it will tell you what to do.”

“What will tell us? Matthew asked bewildered and worried. Joe pulled Matt’s arm. “Let’s run like the wind, Matt, like the four winds. We need to clean this staff. Listen to the steward.” Benjamin turned toward them for a moment hearing the argument. It didn’t deter him from the door.

Matt looked at the staff. It was beginning to look like a sword or a saber, changing as they ran toward Pege Spring. Out of breath they neared the place where they last saw the woman. Matthew wondered where the fountain might be. When they stop to rest Matt pointed to a place distant from the muddy stream they had followed as they backtracked. Joe picked up leaves from the ground to rub off the mud. He noticed words engraved on the blade of the saber. He lifted it, turning it in his hand to see the lettering. “Come on, Matthew!” yelled Joe who ran ahead. “I think I see Coraquila!” Joe placed the sword flat against his chest in order to run fast. Matt had to pause to catch his breath. As he stopped to rest he saw Joe a short way ahead. Suddenly Joe disappeared. Matthew panicked. “Joe!” he called. “Joseph!” Joe reappeared. Gesturing with his hand he beckoned Matthew “It is really here!”

In seconds Matthew arrived. He rounded a corner by a bush. What he saw made him gasp: “Is this an oasis?” A woman answered “This spring is an opening of the heart. It is where nature is recreated through silence. In peaceful silence while there was still shadow, the Word leapt into the doomed land.”26 Joseph looked around. Around the fountain, silently turning water above the ground, were stones carved from various shapes. They stood knee high to him. There was also an entrance to this place that could not be seen. It was wall invisible from the outside reflecting the desert. Inside near the fountain, the walls, although still semitransparent, were pulsing with life. Matthew held the staff out to the woman who called herself Quddishe27 She placed the staff on the stones of the fountain. Joseph noticed someone sitting on the other side of the fountain. “Are you thirsty? I too am thirsting.” He held a stone jar of water to 26 27

Wisdom 18:14 Syriac for holy one.

Matthew and Joseph. Joseph noticed the book lying near him. “White robe, open book. The Philosopher,” he thought. Matthew took a drink and passed the jar to Joseph. The Philosopher looked over at the staff. “I found it,” explained Joseph, “The steward said it needed to be cleansed here. We are trying to help our sister, brother and cousin who are about to enter the cave of despair.” “You came to the right place to uncover its secret. Dip the sword into the Spring of Pege once and then listen. Dip it again and then read. Dip it a third time and then speak. First listen, then contemplate, then speak.” Joseph picked up the staff. He held it tight and dipped it into the water. When he pulled it up he heard voices and words spoken in many languages. He understood a few words: assist, take, offer. Sentences were also discernable if he paid attention to one voice long enough. Matthew and Joseph were both entranced by the voices.

“You don’t have much time. Dip the saber again.” Joseph saw that the staff was transforming into a saber. This time Matthew helped him hold it since it was getting heavier. When they both pulled it out letters formed on the silver. They both silently waited until the letters were fully formed. “You have found and chosen the ‘restorer of the gate’ said The Philosopher.

Αποκαταστάτης της πύλης28 “Place the staff in a third time. This time you may speak while the saber is completely washed.” “What do we say?” “You will know what to say.” Dipping the saber for the third time Joseph didn’t have to think about the words – they just poured out of his mouth: “For Renee, Nicole and Benjamin – they are outside of themselves entering the door of doubt.” “They are entering a space of unknowing. They must trust each other by accepting the 28

Greek for Restorer of the gate

gift of each other.” reflected The Philosopher. Matthew added: “Save them from the cave of despair.” As Matthew and Joseph spoke the women of the bnat qyama29 prayed. In fact the voices within the fountain whispered from all of the walls. “Within you is the sacred water. Take the pathway. Return to the place you left but with renewal as your weapon. This saber is Word, saving Word,” said Quddishe. “This is the sword of the Cyrubim guarding the path to the garden where grows the tree of life,” spoke The Philosopher. “It is this sword that pierces the heart that loves. From the side of this heart springs water. Watered the tree of life bears food. It is the staff of the Gardener who is the path and the foodbearer.”30

29 30

Covenant Cf. St Ephraim; Hymn 49: 9-11

Matthew and Joseph didn’t know how to say leave so they just shook their heads “yes” with intent to return to this place. “Are you who we are looking for?” “If you have been looking for me, you have found me.” “Will we see you again?” “Soon,” said The Philosopher, “When you seek me.” Following the muddy stream bed they held the sword between the two of them and ran as fast as the wind.

A Chrism and a Chasm 31

Meanwhile back at the cave…. 31

Anointing oil

“What happens if they enter the cave?” asked Jaclyn. “If the cave of despair is entered there is danger that they may remain inside – they will deny that ransom was already paid to free them.32 They may refuse to come back. By refusing to believe that they are loved – to accept love as free payment of ransom allows darkness to stir. The problem with caves such as this is that our hunger is a never ending emptiness. False foods lure us to fullness unsuccessfully.” “The only way to leave this cave is to declare that it is empty and to think of the other person.33 They will find it full of things and talk. They will not find silence. It is one thing to know you are empty and hungry. It is another to numb the emptiness with caves of false promise.” Joe and Matt arrived. Matthew announced to everyone what the words on the saber were. “Ah ha!” laughed the steward. “This is

32 33

Psalm 49 Spes Salvi no. 44

good! You have found the Restorer of the gate34.” The saber seemed to hum or sing when ever Matthew moved it. On the way back Matthew noticed that where water dripped off of the saber the stream would begin to flow. By dipping the saber into the water of Pege he had felt repentant for the times he had complained. He felt good now. A deep down good. Inside the cave a shadow voice kept luring Nicole deeper into the cave. “Did the Philosopher ever enter this cave?” Nicole wanted to know, “Did he pass this way? We need to find him for granddad.” Renee was using the word “fiend” very generously whenever the gloomy shadow spoke: “There is no ‘r’ in fiend!” “I can’t hear you,” answered the blurry shape. “Come in closer to talk. There is much being said in here. Someone will have an answer for you. Come, have some sweet 34

Revelation 2:16

drink. Eat some hot food. Sit near the fire to warm up.” Matthew took the saber in hand. He ran toward the cave with it in front of him. As he did it sang “Do not let the darkness speak to me”35. He clanged it on the door since there was no where else to hit. Then he jammed it into a crack in the door. Benjamin was telling the shadowy figure: “We have already tried to warm ourselves and eat. The food is sour and the fire burns.” “Come deeper then, deeper,” it offered. “You have just not come deep enough to know the happiness – there is so much more…. I can tell you everything you want to know.” Matthew pushed the saber through a crack in the door. A slice of light entered the cave. It moved across the floor displacing darkness with a glow like that of dawn. The shadowy figure protested. Ben saw it clearer then – the shadow was only smoke. Even as he saw 35

Cf. St Augustine, Confessions

this he felt very afraid. Would they get out of the cave? He remembered something the pastor at church said on Sunday. Ben repeated it aloud: “Fear – F E A R - false evidence appearing real.” More light cast across the smoky figure. Matthew was breaking into the cave. Joseph helped pull back the door. Anna and Jaclyn stood at the ready to grab Renee, Nicole and Ben to safety. Ben heard someone’s voice ask “Where are you?” “Here I am!” he shouted back. “C’mon Nicole and Renee. Lets get out of here!” Ben took Nicole and Renee’s hand pulling them toward the light. As they neared the door someone grabbed Nicole’s hand. Someone else grabbed Renee’s. They all slipped in the mud that was caused by the saber dripping water onto the dust. They dug their shoes tight into the mud. It squished into their shoes as they did. Anna, Jaclyn and Joseph were grappling with the door to get it open all the way.

Nicole’s breath was hard but she was able to say “Thanks!” Once she said “Thanks!” the door slid open easily. Freed the whole troupe fell back onto the mud. “I think I mean thanks, the food in there did taste really good at first!” Ben was experiencing an eye-opener or we could say an owl-opener. He realized that the very mud they were slipping in and that had earlier irritated them could be made into clay for jugs and cups. They could fill these with water from the Spring of Pege! He noticed all of the branches clogging the stream. These could be dried and used to build a warm fire! They had been surrounded by clues to the kingdom all this time! Just as grandpa had told him had happened to the magi - the dark door of time had been thrown opened. His hope was restored.36 Suddenly, without warning, except in their hearts, Oriens landed on a bush, lighting it up so that it seemed to be glowing on its own. In Orien’s light they now noticed that 36

Col. 1: 12-20

the steam was gurgling and beginning to teem with life. Lissome had rejoined them. His long tongue was zipping into the stream to catch little gnats. “Where were you?” demanded Anna, hands on hips. “Glad to see you too,” retorted Oriens. “Glad to see you have pitched your tent in the land of hope.” “Excuse me - Oriens - but we haven’t pitched a tent here,” Joseph reported. “Ha, so you know my name. Do you know the steward’s name? Didn’t tell you did he? It is a secret – but I will tell you. Do you want to know?” The steward frowned at Oriens. “So you know my name, do you?” “Yes, oh yes. It is so obvious.” Oriens rhymed. “Or did you guess?” added Joseph since ‘guess’ rhymed with ‘obvious’ and ‘yes’. Everyone laughed.

“His name is ….” but Oriens didn’t finish. “Wrong time – later I will tell you – maybe you will guess,” he nodded at Joseph. With a shrug of wings Oriens took off ahead of the group, singing while keeping the path well lit. The source of the water of life had died. The sun darkened when he did. Now the Shepherd-King alive! Our darkest captor is captive. He placed his tent37 among us The sword of his mouth at our bid.

“Now that Oriens is here, where are we going?” asked Nicole. “We met the Philosopher,” Matthew told everyone. “He said we will see him soon. When we look for him.” Oriens replied: “You have been on the path of shadow long enough. I am here to bring you to of the river of life, bright as crystal, 37

Jesus is the new and true tabernacle

flowing from the throne of the waterfall castle of the lamb.” Oriens silently flew ahead. At one point the hat Oriens wore fell off. It fell onto Lissome who was still looking for gnats. Matt took it off of Lissome who smiled up at him. “Second time that happened – think Oriens does it on purpose? Doesn’t like me eating gnats? What does matter to Oriens is that Lissome can’t run with this hat on….” “Nothing is so small that it doesn’t matter,” shared Matthew. “Lizards eat gnats, Matt.” Lissome gave Matthew a look that said “give me a break.” Matthew put the hat on his head. The hat was like a beret over one ear. He remembered something that granddad said: “Size doesn’t matter. That is the brilliance of it. The love of life! Love of everything that exists so that we will always exist.”

Hidden

Names

The path began to get wider. Since they had removed some of the dead leaves, sticks and mud upstream the water began to fill up the dry canals. 63

The first to walk into the forest opening, Anna experienced the expanse of her heart. She had a deep desire to understand the shapes of the trees, the hidden crevices behind rocks, the way the shadows fell. She had this experience before in an old church with stained-glass set into small stone window-panes. Light filtered though the glass as the light was filtering here through the trees. She had longed to go through those windows to experience the forms that caused her heart to awaken. Beauty, like breath taken into the lungs, had to be let out again in order to breathe in more. It was too hard to take it all in at once, the flow of all things, the light playing on the ground, the simple peace. When she looked up the Shepherd was gazing at her. “I will lead you on your journey.” His voice was like a whisper on the breeze. “By paths unknown I will guide you.” By now everyone entered into the broad opening. The forest opened wide ahead of

them – there was the Philosopher waiting. His hand on a staff and a book in his hand. “You knew our path!” exclaimed Benjamin. “In this darkest hour you make us whole,” steward smiled. “The desert is in bloom.38” “You have brought the castle to us!” Renee clapped. Sure enough the castle was right there in front of them. Anna had not seen it until she saw the Shepherd who was also the Philosopher. The beauty of the place astounded each of them. They turned in circles to take it all in first looking up, then down, then in front of them. It was very overwhelming. Then they understood the throne – the lamb – the Shepherd and the springs of living water. “Take this,” the Philosopher handed each one of them a white round stone. They resembled the stones that surrounded the Pege Spring

Isaiah 35

at Coraquila. “Your name is found here,” he explained. Benjamin turned it over and over in his hand until a name appeared: Son of my heart. “This is someone else’s stone,” he said handing it back. Renee saw her hidden name “Light of my life, and was also ready to return it. His laugh was like the sparkle of bubbles on crystal glass as he explained “These are your hidden names – your new names. Keep them. This is how I know you best.” In turn each of them saw their new name appear. They didn’t dare share it with anyone since something inside of them knew it was hidden by their one great friend– the Shepherd-King. Their new names were something like this: Nicole – Smile of my happiness. Joseph – Son of my rejoicing. Jaclyn – Joy in my eyes. Anna – Reflection of my beauty. “Are you still thirsty? Drink deeply,” he continued, “from the river of life, receive healing from the tree of life. Swim in this beauty. This place is foreshadows the beauty

that is to come. You will long for it until you know that you have arrived.” Benjamin placed his stone in his pocket. When he did he saw someone he did not expect “Grandpa!” he ran over to embrace his grandfather. Everyone turned to look. Granddad - how did he get here? He was sick. He wasn’t walking – now he was walking! Benjamin hugged his granddad long and hard – and then, as grandpa smiled, he kissed Benjamin – he hugged all of his grandchildren. He looked at the Philosopher -Shepherd -King and said: “At last, the door I have been approaching all my life is here! Every other door has allowed me to come near to this door.”39