Mr. Killington 3
Good day commonwealth! I recently sat down with none other than the local minister, Father Maxi Brutus. I intentionally wanted to interview him based on his seemingly respectful reputation. I approached him and asked him nicely if he would care to talk with me for my local periodical. He happily obliged. He clearly did not know of my past articles, for his answer would not have involved the word “yes”. I interviewed him right on one of his own pews. He seemed comfortable and willing to talk about anything he had encountered over the years. He was Catholic and God was his almighty master. He loved the townspeople and welcomed visitors. Father Brutus baptized the newborns and laid the elderly down for their final rests. He is a good man and leads a life without regret. He asked if I would like to enter into a confession. I opted for one after the interview. I eventually asked him if he had read Thomas Paine’s pamphlet entitled, Common Sense. He smirked and clearly disregarded the question. I interrupted him and asked him to answer my question. The look on his face that followed was sent not from God, but from the Devil. He looked angrier than Jonathan Edwards after he heard a homily from an “unworthy” soul. The look read, “How dare you ask me something that clearly dominates my view of religion!” Or at least that is what I thought it looked like. I decided not to tempt the Devil and proceeded on with the interview, which was quickly spiraling downward. He told me of his home and how every room in his small abode contained a cross. Really? A cross in EVERY room? Somehow I do not think the Devil is just going to decide to show up one day in the kitchen and destroy the biscuits you so lovingly made. However, that is his choice and I respect his faithfulness to God. After all, it does take extreme dedication to serve a character that has never been physically confirmed. After the interview, I entered confession and spoke of my sins. I came out feeling relieved and, yet, still wondering something. How can we speak of our sins to a man of God and just have everything be dandy? Are we relieved of punishment due to the sole fact we spend 25 minutes in a small box? Are we not indirectly gloating about our sins and, therefore, condemning us to a life of Hellfire? I took a long walk after that interview. “What if?” That is the question we need to ask ourselves.
- Mr. Killington, Jamestown Gazette