THE END OF THE SERIES
Mike Cunningham
March 22, 2015

I wish today’s sermon wasn’t the last one in this series and I know that some of you folks will feel the same. However, since only a small number of you have expressed your opinion, either on my blog or in person, I can’t help wondering how the rest of my readers feel. I wish I that had received more feedback.

Please remember that I have only quoted excerpts from this highly entertaining, wonderful, thought provoking and inspiring book. I assure you that it contains much more of these features. That’s the reason I encourage you to purchase it. If you do, I believe you will enjoy it as much as I have. Unless I’m inclined otherwise, the following is the beginning of the “End Of The Series.”

“Captain Ponzelli had been trying in vain to contact his uncle in the Vatican. The secretary kept telling him the cardinal was busy with hearings and would contact him as soon as he was free. The captain was disappointed because he was hoping his uncle could be of some help to Joshua, never dreaming that it was his uncle who was chairing the proceedings against him.

Now that the proceedings were over the cardinal contacted his nephew and invited him over to his apartment. He didn’t have much time to talk then, but he would be able to spend the whole afternoon with him the next day.

The next morning a courier appeared at Joshua’s apartment house. He left a pass for an audience with the Holy Father. Joshua was delighted. The audience was for eleven-thirty the same morning. Joshua had over two hours before the audience so he decided to take a bus up to the Janiculan hill, overlooking Rome. It was hard finding the right bus, but once he did it took only a few minutes to wind its way up the streets to the top.

Joshua got off the bus, saw a food stand, and bought a candy bar. He walked along the sidewalk until he came to a place that provided a panoramic view of the whole city of Rome. The whole history of Christian civilization unfolded before him. The view was reminiscent of the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem. Only the dimensions were different. Many Jerusalem’s would fit into this scene. Joshua thought for a long time. He thought of the infant Church struggling to survive. He thought of the persecutions. He thought of the forced conversions of the pagans to Christianity and the heresies, the invasions, the rise in political power of the Church, the investigations into the beliefs of suspect Christians, the imprisonments, the tortures, the pope-generals leading armies into battle, killing other Christians. He thought of the proclamation of dogmas and the condemnation and excommunication of those who refused to believe. He thought of St. Francis and the many saints whose feet had trod this sacred ground. He looked at the magnificent sanctuaries spread out before him and saw the simple faith of people whose genius had raised these monuments of faith.

Joshua remembered days of old and the sad vision of his beloved city. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I would have gathered you together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not. And the days are coming upon you when your enemies will build ramparts around you and beat you to the ground, leaving not one stone upon another, because you have not known the day of your visitation.” Joshua wept. Jerusalem … Rome … The one did not recognize him in the flesh. The other did not recognize him in the spirit. Both rejected him in different ways, unable to comprehend the meaning of his coming or the spirit of his message. The legal system of doctrines and morals he fought so hard against in Judaism, and which brought about the final events of his life on earth, resurfaced in the Church and replaced the living spirit of the good news. His grand mission to give a new understanding of human living, to breath new hope into civilization, showing the world that to be Christian was different from anything it had ever known, and that the family of nations could see in Jesus’ message a new bond of love that could unite all men into one, that vision was imprisoned and shackled in a bureaucracy that merely mimicked the forms and ways of worldly governments.

The vision faded. Joshua realized it was getting late. He walked back to the bus stop and boarded the next bus to the city. He got off not far from St. Peter’s and walked to the Vatican.

The Swiss Guard recognized him but still waited for Joshua to show his identification, which this time was his invitation to the papal audience. The guard read Joshua’s invitation and then allowed him to enter. He was ushered through vaulting corridors and around corners until he reached the room where the Holy Father was working. An attendant took him inside, telling him to kneel as he approached the pope.

“Kneel, what for?” Joshua asked bewildered.
“That’s the rule sir,” the man answered politely.
“I cannot imagine Peter wanting anyone to kneel down before him,” Joshua said half to himself.

As he entered the room the pope was sitting at his desk at the other end. He was dressed in a white cassock. His head was bare. When Joshua was halfway across the room the pope stood and walked around the desk to welcome him. He was gracious. The attendant again told Joshua to kneel and kiss the Holy Father’s ring. The pope held out his hand. Joshua took it and shook it with deep feeling.

The attendant introduced the visitor.

“Holy Father, this is Joshua,” he said as the two men shook hands.
“Hello, Joshua,” the pope said cordially.
“It’s a great pleasure to see you, Peter,” Joshua said, to the Pope’s confusion. After talking about little things the pope told Joshua he had received a copy of the transcript of the proceedings.

“I must admit, I am not at all flattered or pleased by what I read. Cardinal Riccardo was impressed by many things about you, but he is a kindly compassionate man. Why do you feel you must say the things you do, young man?” the pope asked Joshua.
“I say them because they are the things Jesus taught, and they should be a surprise to no one. In fact, I can’t understand why it causes such consternation,” Joshua replied calmly.

“Have you studied theology and do you have a degree in theology?” the Holy Father asked.
“No, I did not think I needed a degree to talk about the things of God. They flow as naturally from the human spirit as the air we breathe. As God’s children they are our common heritage and, indeed, our very life.”
“Son, you certainly do not lack self-confidence. I notice in the transcript you criticize the way we live and the surroundings here.”
“I did not criticize. I was asked to comment and said honestly what I thought. Jesus taught the apostles to be humble and to live humbly and simply, not in the palace of kings, nor to rule like kings. You have changed greatly through the centuries, Peter, and it is not all for the good. Remember, it is by humility and meekness that you will win souls to God, not by rising above people in self-glory. Jesus also established twelve apostles, not one. Their identity has been overshadowed and all but lost. That is not right. Each apostle must be free to work with his own flock, with the different cultures and languages and understandings of life. The Spirit must be able to move freely and express Himself through a variety of gifts and not through sterile uniformity, which merely satisfies Man’s need for security.

The Holy Father was embarrassed by the audacity of this simple man’s rudeness in giving him a sermon. He blushed and told Joshua his name was not Peter. He told him he had a lot to learn about life and about the church, and if he was willing to learn, he should try to practice humility and care for his own soul rather than involving himself in matters and follow the directions the Congregation would be sending him. It is behavior like his that can do untold damage to the church and lead simple people away from God.

The Pope then gave an eye to the attendant, who came over and gently took Joshua by the arm. Joshua told the pope that he had done much good for the Church, and that he would suffer much, but he should not be discouraged because his sincerity would give him occasions to make great changes among God’s people that would bring honor to God. As he was leaving Joshua asked God’s blessing upon Peter and thanked him for the chance to meet with him.

The pope watched Joshua as he walked out, wondering what kind of man could have the boldness to preach a sermon to the pope. Yet Joshua was as Cardinal Riccardo said, a humble man and not really arrogant or cynical. The pope wondered as he watched Joshua walk down the long corridor.

At the same time Joshua was in audience with the Holy Father, Captain Ponzelli was just arriving at his uncle’s apartment.

“Uncle, it is so good to see you. It has been so long,” the captain said as Cardinal Riccardo welcomed him and the boy who accompanied him.

“I would like you to meet a friend of mine, Michael Szeneth. His father is a rabbi, and we have been friends for years,” the captain said as he introduced Michael to his uncle.

“Welcome, my son. I have a friend here in Rome who is a rabbi. Perhaps we can meet him while you are here. Now, Ennio, my dear nephew, tell me all about yourself. What have you been doing since I saw you last? My sister told me you were coming to Rome but unfortunately I have been so busy with proceedings, I haven’t had much free time.”

“Uncle, I have so many things to tell you, I don’t know where to start.”

“Before you begin,” the cardinal interrupted, “Let’s go out to a little restaurant I know. It is more relaxing than this place, with phones ringing and secretaries interrupting.”

The restaurant was just around the corner. As soon as they sat down and ordered light refreshments, the captain began to pour his heart out to his uncle. He told him about his friend the bishop asking him to do him a favor and take a certain fellow on board ship and make him work his way over to Rome by waiting on tables. The man had been summoned by the Vatican for a doctrinal proceeding. The man’s name was Joshua.”

“I obliged the bishop, took him on board, and assigned him to waiting on tables. Taking my cue from the bishop, I was cool to him, thinking he was a troublemaker. Two days into the voyage Michael fell down the stairs and literally broke his neck. The doctor examined him, found his vital signs weak, and tried to do what he could. But Michael died.”

“We all left the sick bay. I went to the radio room to send a message. When I was coming out of the radio room I saw this young man, Joshua, walking toward the sick bay. I stayed at a discrete distance and watched to see what he was up to. He entered the room, leaving the door partially open, and walked to the table where Michael’s body lay. Then, lifting the sheet from Michael’s face, he called out to him and told him to wake up. I thought I would faint.”

The cardinal listened intently, as his nephew recounted the rest of the details.

“But, Uncle, that was nothing. Two days later the most extraordinary thing happened. We had this violent storm at sea. There were gale winds and heavy rain. The waves were tossing the ship around like a piece of driftwood. I thought surely it was going to sink. Looking out on deck from the pilot’s window where I had gone to encourage the pilot, I saw a figure walking up along the deck. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was Joshua. I thought surely he would be swept into the sea. But as the ship steadied itself for a moment, he stood up straight, stretched his arms out as if commanding the storm, and yelled something that I could not hear. Immediately the wind died down, and the sun came out. Uncle, ever since then, I couldn’t help but think, could it be? Could it be?”

“Ennio, hearing what you tell me, and knowing what I found out myself, I have no doubt. I wish you could have reached me before I got tied up with the proceedings. The man we interrogated was Joshua. It went badly. No one could understand him, and they were cruel. Even I added my share, and I feel guilty. Let me tell you what happened.”

“During the middle of the proceedings I was beginning to become quiet impressed with Joshua and felt bad for him and the way he was being treated. It began to bother me so much; I could feel myself getting sick. Then, all of a sudden, I collapsed. I fell forward, and my head hit the top of the table. I was not totally unconscious, but I was dazed. I felt my left arm hanging, but I couldn’t lift it. The one side of my face was paralyzed. I couldn’t even move my tongue. I realized I had had a stroke. I just lay there, unable to help myself. Then I felt a hand caressing my head and face. It was Joshua’s. As soon as he touched me I felt power and life come back into my body. I lifted up my head and looked up at him. At that same moment one of the priests pushed him away and told him to sit down. I was shocked and could only think of the high priest and his servant. I saw myself in the same role, and I felt a shutter of horror pass through me.”

“I directed the proceedings to continue and tried to help Joshua. But there was little I could do. There were too many on the panel, and I couldn’t tell them what happened. They wouldn’t have believed me anyway. I realized that I wasn’t supposed to do anything, that it was all part of a plan. I just felt bad I had to be part of it. Yes, Ennio, in answer to your question, I have ho doubt but that it was.”

Michael just sat there and listened, thinking over everything he had heard and experienced. His own life would never be the same.

“Uncle, where is he now?” the captain asked.

“All I know is that he is staying temporally in an apartment on Via Sforza Pallavicini. I am thinking the same thing as I think you are thinking. Let us go and visit him and apologize for his rude reception.”

The captain put down the money for the pastry and coffee and they left.

They arrived at the apartment house in a few minutes. The doorman bowed obsequiously when he saw the cardinal. “Your Eminence,” he said, “I am honored. Can I help you?”

“Yes, is there a man here by the name of Joshua?”
“Yes. In fact he came in before you and just paid his bill. He is walking up those stairs now. His room is at the top of the stairs.”

“Which room,” the cardinal asked.
“There is only one room there. It is his. It was really an old closet, but it was all we had left.”

The three men went quickly over to the stairs and ran up. The door at the top of the stairs was open, and they could see shadows moving inside. Thank God they had caught him in time. They went to the room and knocked. No answer. They knocked again. Still no answer. They couldn’t understand. They walked in and looked around. There was no one there. The bathroom door was open. They looked inside. There was no one. The room was empty.

Over on the floor near the bed were two sandals. In one sandal there was a gold medal with the figure of a fiery sun and a man in the middle of the sun. Michael recognized it as the medal Marsha used to wear. In the other sandal were two old Roman coins.

The men somehow knew they would not find him. But what a strange thing to find the sandals and the coins, the only mementos of a reality that only the three of them knew and could share with each other, for who would believe them?” They would give the medallion to Marcia and the coins to whomever they belonged. The sandals were prized keepsakes, which they would forever treasure.”

Well that’s “The End Of The Series,” folks. I want to remind you that the author says that, “This story is fictional. The characters in the story are fictional, and any similarity to persons living or dead are coincidental. The author does feel, however, that what takes place in this book could very easily happen in real life.

Lord willing, next week….

Joshua, © 1983, 1987 by Joseph F. Girzone! 2003 Edition published by Touchstone, Rockefeller Center, Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020