Papal decree

33

The Bible.

The most prodigious book ever written. The majority of its words were inspired by God, and those that were not were written by His own hand.

He always carried it with him in a paperback edition worn out from so much reading. He gave special attention to the synoptic gospels, especially John, as well as the Acts, but what really satisfied his soul was the Apocalypse. He chose specifically for today Jesus said to him: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me, from the Gospel of John. He read it and re-read it until he didn’t need to read it again, it was so deeply fixed in his memory. He looked at another paper with the names of those whom God was calling to Himself and he had the pleasure of dispatching. Three names, three people who would come before the God of judgment. God would deal with them as He knew best.

He had no great admiration for the Old Testament, though he’d read it several times with the greatest respect. Certain passages struck a deep chord with him, especially the story of Abraham, who in certain respects resembled him, since he obeyed the will of God without question. He had no doubt that he would kill his father, mother, and children, if he had any, if it were asked of him. The Exodus from Egypt was one of his favorites, and he found great wisdom in the Book of Proverbs, written by the great Solomon, the son of the no lesser David. The Book of Job, the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, Jonah in the belly of the whale, Noah, Absalom, Jacob, Joseph, and many others, the history of the Chosen People, who deserved all the suffering they endured. Caiaphas was guilty of sending the Son of God to His death. He considered himself an avenger, or rather, an avenging angel, a savior, freeing His world from evil. Thanks to Him, he did it extremely well.

He frequently used a personal ritual with Him. He shut the holy book and thought about some extremely important event in his life, then immediately opened it at random and placed his finger on a verse. God would tell him what to do through those prophetic words, sanctioning what would occur; He never failed, since He was omnipotent.

He did the same when he looked at the first name on the list of three below the words Deus vocat. He shut the Bible and opened it at random. Put his finger on a verse and read it. He smiled. I know well what you can do, and none of your desires will be denied, from the Book of Job.

God had made His judgment.

He hit the brakes as he reached his destination. He looked at his watch and unbuckled the seat belt. Right on schedule.