Fortitudo Dei

I am taking a chance at being the one to listen and observe. Yes, I have seen.

Now is your chance. What do you have to say, City? Speak, I'll listen.

For little else has been working.

Of course the rains had an end. Those of you that do read the Word would know that a cleansing flood will never happen again. And in light of the most recent earthquake,with no silence or seals breaking there should be nothing to fear.

Even if ruin is around the corner. When isn't it? You could die tomorrow. I could die tomorrow perminantly. I'm not afraid.

Might I say that there were some very brave efforts to quiet the less than savory members of the City. Well done.

I should know better than to let the droll antics of curses, but I feel that this is noteworthy and ever relevant to the salvation of your souls. This is not an issue that will leave you. In this City, in this reality and many others if you do not act you will perish. I digress. You may have heard vicious, slanted truths about the nature of God's relationship with you and myself. It is not incestuous. His love is pure and without wanton desire. His love is above simple physical sensuality. He gave His only son to the Earth, to live as man does and to die as man does sinful and forsaken to rewrite the contact that separated man from God. You can stop crying out '"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" He hasn't. Seek and ye shall find.

I don't understand any of you.

Services will be all day Sunday. I encourage you to attend. Tomorrow will be a day of silence.

Private to Jadis//Unhackable;
Do tell me where I can send you the text.

As innocent as it might seem, indulging in horoscopes leaves you open to alternative spirituality that, at times, can be a slippery slope.

Be cautious, would you?

I'm lucky in that respect, having never been born when there were such things as years or months.

Are there any out there who are celebrating the entire forty days of Lent? Any? I feel as though I would have more luck seeking out an echo.

In light of recent events, allow me to say that I have nothing to hide. I will tell no lies.

[voice]

You're handed this precious gift right?

[static, bad connection?]

Murders, rapists molesters all you have to do is repent and God takes you into his bosom.

...In all the worlds and all the universes, no one creature can make such a boast, save for man.

{sigh}

It's not fair.

If sweet, sweet God loves you so. I'll make you worthy of His love. I've been watching you for a long time. It's only in the face of true horror that you find your nobler self. And you can be so noble.

[static]

...so that those of you that survive this reign of hell on earth may be worthy of God's love.

Take good care, lovers. The world is full of wickedness, yet remember that with every burden and suffering are gifts given by God.

[Filtered from Disapproving Parents and Scorned Lovers]

Any engagements and ceremonies must be done in secret. Notify me and no other of the church.

[ooc; Secret marriages here?]

More snow. More demands. January is icy and bitter. There are means of warmth and comfort. Any being seeks it.

Do I need to tell you what comforts me? You can guess. I assure you it is not that complicated.

Try it.

My father and yours is the King of the Heaven of Earth, the Alpha and Omega.

He wants you to love Him as He loves you. He gave you choice. He gave you life. What have you done for Him ? I have given Him everything. And I will continue to. All that I am and all that I'll ever be is because of Him. It is His will. Man, angel, demon, dog...whatever He wishes.

I cannot imagine His infinite patience in the face of so much stubbornness, so much hate. Would it be so difficult to reconcile when what awaits you is eternal peace.

God is Love. God is great.

Christmas is coming, citizens. Five days time until the blessed day. It is not the gifts. It is not the trappings. Christmas day is a day of love, joy and triumph.

I say these things because it would appear that it is so easily forgotten in all other things. The network is abuzz with the quaint and meddling details of common place things. Consider your soul, would you?

I feel as though I'm a broken record. Or that I'm speaking to the deaf.

For the next five evenings, I'll be holding a midnight Mass at the chapel. Come as you are.

Father, all praise be given to thee. Again I think fondly of that night so long ago. Let me again think of the glory of your generosity. For few others will.

December once again. Still the most favored song to sing is that of a man in a red suit. While Saint Nicholas or Santa is a paragon of goodness, its rather silly to miss that he gives gifts in reminder of the greatest gift for all mankind. Unless you can think of something greater than eternal salvation.

...I think about the fields and the shepherds, kneeling and humble... Somehow it comes so vividly. It must be because I'm feeling tired. Yesterdays events were quite rousing to say the least. After Mass I'm unable to give confessions. Forgive me and come back tomorrow. I have a guest.

[ooc; action spamu for Jadis here. Ssssh.]

The body is indeed a temple. To have it in a state of disrepair...is unsettling. Do remember "the Lord will take away from thee all sickness." Oh but would you listen?

Weakness in body should never mean that there is a weakness in the soul. More voices cry out in pain and turmoil over this spreading illness. I'm still well, I consider it a blessing. For those of you that have not fallen under the weather, consider yourselves to be blessed. I will not pretend to put on the airs as a physician of any breed, I have no advice to give for an sick body. Merely a sick soul. There can't be a direct connection. I do wonder of the implications.

As usual, sermons will continue. I'd appreciate your attendance.

With the changing season I find that my garden withers.

Let us take hands and lay down arms. Are we not all children of creation? Do we not all deserve love, my brothers and sisters? So much time is wasted on hate and greed when in truth we are not all so different. God loves all.

Surely, now is the time to make friends with your loving, heavenly Father?

Private to Jadis;
Dear friend, we should speak in person.

There are a lot of competitive personalities within this City.

The fastest racer, the best dancer... this is all well and good but for what purpose? What does it all matter?

I remember well Octobers passed: blood, decomposing undead... Funny that there still are those who openly show love and adoration for Halloween. Wouldn't this be an omen of sorts? Consider, dear City, that if you open yourself to the unseen, spiritual forces around you you lay at their mercy defenseless.

Private to Jadis;
How are you fairing?

Private;
Thy will be done, Father, always. I am your vessel. I am your messenger.

What times we live in. A curse of marked sins, and how many were proudly displayed. Sin is sin. Have you forgotten? A blot upon the slate of your soul, which can be remedied. There's hope for you, always. You have but to admit to your sins and ask for forgiveness with all of your mortal heart.

Is that so difficult?

The chapel is open. As always.

Private to Jadis of Charn;
Please, won't you join me for tea?
end

Private//Unhackable
She has my face.

Father, I don't understand what is meant in this person. A warning? A lesson? A sign of hope? In your most worthy name, I will conduct myself as you would wish me without fear or hesitation. I will watch, wait and learn of her purposes for myself. There is purpose in this madness that the City seeks to hang over me in a shroud.

I'm not afraid. I worry. But I will not fall beyond the brink of despair.

Why do those given a gift...

So many questions, yet so few answers in those around you.

I may be greatly mistaken, but I feel as though this place has become a shred less damned than before. A lovely thought. It's so quiet and so so still in the chapel. I haven't been to the cathedral in a while. I may stop by to reflect.

Where are you, Children of God? Abraham's daughters and sons? Where have you gone, believers? Won't you rejoice with me. Another Satan leaves.

Come.

Father, are you waiting for me? Send me a sign.

This is not amusing nor clever.

Whoever is responsible for decorating the chapel with this....thing step forward.

Not one but two... significant individuals have appeared once more. One Lucifer Most Unclean. Little Horn. Son of Perdition. Accuser of the Brethren. has returned. He's quite forgotten himself.

And might I welcome Rosiel as well.

The City sleeps well this night. The sky isn't falling in nor opening up. To those that attempted escape, take heart. All things are possible through God. Place your faith in Him and you shall never fail.

Father, I wait and listen.