The End

 

The building drew me closer and closer.  It practically screamed my name.

            The bell tower raised up high over the Earth, pleaded silently as it rang.

As I neared the newly polished double doors which were made from the finest oak.

            I saw a handsome golden plaque and read the inscription which wrote:

About how we should follow a man who makes the whole world light,

            And how we can make our lives souley his and never walk in the night.

Slowly I cracked the door to the building.  It opened without a sound.

            I was momentarily paralyzed by fear as I dared to look around.

It took an instant for my eyes to clear through the darkness I found inside.

            I quickly recognized this as the place that worshiped the man who had died.

Countless heads, hundreds I think, were sitting in long narrow pews.

            A stained glass window read Esther on top and below read ‘home of the Jews’

Another told of a promised land.  I believe Zion was the name.

            One showed a man overcome by demons and a man who helped him be tamed.

In the very center of the colorful spectrum I saw some words inscribed.

I squinted my eyes, trying to see what the darkness was trying to hide.

Something about how every man would be judged by what he had done,

            For very soon all Earthly things would be forever gone.

I can’t quite say what made me move, but soon I was sitting down.

            The priest was speaking of upcoming events while dressed in a royal blue gown.

Before I could blink the church was singing an old familiar song.

            Sounds of amazing grace filled the air as the organ played loud and strong.

A commotion began while I was singing as people greeted each other.

            I saw the man who passed the plate and a woman hug each other.

My mind turned to earlier that week when I had seen him at lunch.

            I remembered how I’d heard him curse when he’d just spilled some punch.

The wife of the man who led the music and efficiently ran the bank,

            I knew about how she’d squandered his money on things that were selfish and vain.

I saw a youth firmly shaking hands with the man who was his dad,

            Yet I saw no love in his eyes for the man.  His look was rather sad.

I had to say I knew how he felt.  I saw the years of neglect.

            I felt his pain, saw it in his eyes, and knew this was the final effect.

People passed but did not smile.  They put on their Sunday faces.

            None acknowledged, most ignored, while they thought of being other places.

Time passed.  The invitation was sung and I saw each person go forward.

            All kneeled and bowed their heads but did not pray to the Lord.

As the service ended the music played and quickly people filed out.

            The look of relief that shown on their faces made me want to shout.

Looking up, I saw the man that rules above all others.

            The look of sadness on his face made me scorn my sisters and brothers.

With love in his eyes, I saw a tear that slowly ran down his cheek.

            He quoted a verse that made me start, for now I knew what I’d come to seek.

It spoke of watching out for strangers, of loving them like a friend.

            For even in the most holy of places, it might be an angel in the end.

 

Hebrews 13:2