After an awkward silence M spoke. "What do you
think?"
“I don’t know…is there some other way?"
"Not really. You were chosen for SMI instead of
Purgatory because of your skills with people and because of your problems with
people. The Heavenly Hosts have decided Purgatory is not an option. Have you
read any of Dante’s works about the Underworld?"
"Yeah...but that’s just classical literature, that’s
not scripture."
"True, but some of what Dante described is actually
accurate in that the tasks you must complete are related to your own personal
struggle with sin. Not to be trite, but the old saying, `the punishment fits
the crime` is accurate when it comes to this. "
"Look, I know I wasn't a saint, and I could have
been a better person…I get that. I could have been more involved with people,
but I’m a little unclear on simply being overly self involved has brought me
here with such an exhaustive plan.”
M looked hard at Frank. He seemed to be choosing his
words carefully.
“Frank...do you know what the sin of omission is?"
"It’s when you fail to perform the commands of
God"
"Very good. Nevertheless, there is more to it than
simply that. When your actions don’t express positively what you believe, that
is part of it. The first epistle of John says `how can you say you love God,
who you don’t see when you don’t love your brother who you have seen?` You have
been baptized, confirmed and went through all the motions but without producing
any works positively expressing your beliefs. Frankly, this is why you have a
sickly faith. You are fortunate you made it to SMI, let alone Purgatory.
There’s nothing for it mate. You either do these tasks or you can take your
place with those who have rejected God’s love in Hell...for eternity.”
Frank looked down and shook his head. He finally spoke,
"Look, I know I don’t understand everything here, but isn't there some
sort of appeal process or a different authority I can talk this over with? It’s
obvious everything is well organized here, surely there is someone else I can
talk to. This seems like way too much trouble for taking care of one guy who
was a little selfish.”
“You are such a typical American. Everything is
negotiable. Never taking ‘no” for an answer, trying to weasel your way out of
everything. I thought you were different when first I met you but now I return to my
first impression when I saw your file. I had a feeling this was a bad idea, I
told Antonius you were not suited for this but he said that “They” wanted you
here. Do you know who the Heavenly Host is?”
“I assume it’s the all of angels…I guess.”
“It’s a phrase we use to express the decision making body
of Heaven. Which is really just the Trinity. The Almighty God made this
decision, not some bureaucrat with a halo. You can’t negotiate with Him, you
can’t fill out a form. You have received incredible grace ending up here. If
you think you have been treated wrongly you are sadly mistaken. You have
received more than you deserved and you don’t even have the sense to realize it
and cry like some spoiled dandy that you are unjustly forced to do what you don’t
fancy. “
Frank wasn't sure what to say. M stood up and began to
pace the room.
“Let me tell you a story. I died about 150 years ago and
for 10 years I wandered the earth in heavy chains as a result of my sins. Day
and night, year after year I saw all my life could have been, seeing all the
good I could have done, seeing all the suffering in the world that was a result
of my selfishness or that I could have alleviated. I saw those that I did care
for become more and more like me, heading towards this cold hell of regret that
would never end. I prayed to God that I could have a chance to warn my friend
and business partner even though there was no reason God should hear me. But he
did. Antonius came to that region where I was trapped and told me I could warn
my friend and three other spirits would help turn him back to God. I warned him
of all the pain and suffering and how my selfishness had ruined my life and how
he was in worse shape than I was. Soon after my visit and the three other
spirits ministered to him, he changed his way. He turned his heart to God and
opened his life to others. He became a new man. Even though I was still in this
cold hell of regret, wandering on the wind, chained to my sins forever, I had
some relief that I had helped my friend…”
M stopped at this point and looked down and was silent.
Frank tilted his head and squinted.
“Wait a minute. Are you Jacob Marley--the 'Marley' in the book?”
M looked up slowly.
“That’s correct my boy…”
