Fourth Prayer - written

[awhitecrow]

[The handwriting, by this point, may well be familiar, and Jonathan Hollom can be found in his room at House Seven, having seen dinner served and eaten (and having had a bit himself, though he'll likely venture down for a larger meal of it later, after he's sure the others have eatn their fill) a short time ago.]

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Matthew, Chapter 16, Verse 15.

Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.
Jonah, chapter 1, Verses 1-4.

God calls men to preach for Him. Some answer Him quickly, others, even the great prophets, experience doubt.

Moses, whom God called to free the Hebrews from their slavery in Egypt, tried to protest when he was called.

And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Exodus, Chapter 4, Verses 10-12.

Jonah did not heed the call until God sent a storm and a giant fish to swallow him.

And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.
Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
The waters compassed me about, [even] to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.
I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.
When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.
Jonah, chapter 2, Verses 2-9.

It is a frightening call for some, for those who preach do not preach to the faithful. The faithful might find themselves strengthened to hear the Gospel, but it is those who do not believe who are in need of hearing the Word of God.

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Matthew, Chapter 9, Verses 10-13.

After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Luke, Chapter 10, Verses 1-3.

Though the dangers may be great or the man called to preach may feel himself unworthy, if God has called, it must be answered. It will, eventually, be answered.

And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.
Jonah, Chapter 3, Verses 1-3.

Many feel called for many things, whether it is to preach or to protect or to aide. Here, so many of the bonds that make it difficult to answer those calls are either gone or not so tightly held. Perhaps we are, here, meant to answer the callings we otherwise would not.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

[It's something of a reassurance to him. That perhaps if he adopts this role now, when he thought once of being part of the Church, he may save those around him from the curse that has followed him.

Being branded a Jonah... Perhaps there is some escape if he does what Jonah would not for so long.

If this is not God's intention... if he is not meant to spread the Word of God... surely there can be little worse than what he has endured being cursed.]

Comments

THERE.

[wouldntbetonit]

[Bush read the sermon as it was written, left his room for a moment, then returned to put down in small, almost neat cursive:]

God be praised.

/shut up I fixed it

[awhitecrow]

Amen.

written

[deadlyjuliet]

I've always loved listening to people praise and speak of Him. It's so interesting.

written

[awhitecrow]

I don't do Him or the Scripture justice, I fear.

written

[deadlyjuliet]

Oh, do cheer up. No one mortal can do Him justice, so you can only do as well as you have.

written

[awhitecrow]

Thank you. [He's not wholly sure if that merits saying that, but... it sounds like it might have been a half-reassurance of some kind. So he'll err on the side of believing it was supposed to be taken well, not as mocking.]

written

[deadlyjuliet]

[If Grell were human, I could say Grell is a horrible human being. Sadly, death god.]

In any case, it was lovely. Good to hear His Word again, so eloquently put.

[simplestgift]

Thanks be to God. I'm glad to see you're still our own chaplain.

[awhitecrow]

I cannot promise that I will not be a poor one, but I will try, Mister Kennedy.

[Written]

[rather_be_surfing]

[Derek reads all of that and then puts the journal down for a moment, looking thoughtful.]

If you haven't decided to take up the cloth yet, I think you should.

Thanks.

[Written]

[awhitecrow]

I intend to try. I've no formal training, but it seems better that someone untrained should try and speak when no one else is able.

[herotypical]

[ this is becoming tradition, buffy thinks, as she knocks on his bedroom door. hollom offers them a journal-sermon and she sneaks off to his room. for a chat. for something gentle and friendly.

to remind him that they don't have to just be housemates. they can be friends, too. ]

[awhitecrow]

[He knows who it is before she opens the door, but he smiles nonetheless.]

Good evening, Buffy. [Getting easier to use her first name, but there's still the note of hesitation.]

[herotypical]

Hey.

[ she leaves the door slightly ajar behind her. ] I liked the part about other callings.

[awhitecrow]

O-oh. Thank you.

It-- it just seems like a second chance, this place. Something... that shouldn't be wasted. [Perhaps it's selfish, trying to use Scripture to encourage himself to try the life he hadn't had before.]

[herotypical]

A second chance. Someone I know says that. He reminds me every day that I shouldn't waste what we've been given. [ a tight smile. ] It's a little heady. Like you kinda suggested, not all of us are used to the choice.

[rashness]

...Hollom, do you wanna come hang out with me?

[Seriously you're always writing these! Do you ever have fun?]

[awhitecrow]

Hang out?

[He hears the phrase enough around House Seven that he is fairly sure it doesn't have to do with actual hangings, but... the exact meaning still eludes him.]

[rashness]

You know... like, do things? [which do involve scribing down long verses]

[awhitecrow]

If you'd like me to, I would be glad to do so.

[ nothing ]

[talentsgirl]

[...this was not what Molly was expecting when she opened her journal this fine Sunday.

She was on a separate planet, fallen through the cracks of some time and space, and someone was writing a homily based off of the prophet Jonah?

I think Father Forthill would like this guy.

Still, she's not sure she wants to talk to him. Uncertain of where she stands exactly, in that grand design her father and mother had always had so much confidence in, and certain of how most of those of the faith tend to view what it was that she was, Molly thought it was probably better to leave things be.

Although on closer reading, it seems like... what the comments were really addressing was his own situation. This was written... as an encouragement to himself? Well. Father Forthill would approve of the sentiment, anyway. She goes to shut the journal, and the crucifix on her bracelet gleams in the light.

No. Not right now.]

[Written]

[lostinmyway]

Amen.

[She writes the word out of respect for his beliefs. But that does not mean she should not question him on them.]

The people of Luceti come from many different worlds, with many different gods. Will you preach to them as well?

[Written]

[awhitecrow]

If they care to listen, I will happily, though I cannot promise that I shall prove too good a preacher. I shall try, certainly.

[Written]

[lostinmyway]

[Well, he seems a...good-intentioned man, but he is rather clearly out of his depth.]

Will you let them speak to you about their god or gods in return?

[Written]

[awhitecrow]

I would not stop them from doing so, no.