The End Of All I Know

* Jesus pray for me
* Saint Cornelius pray for me

+---------This Is The End Of All I Know; The Thoughts Of Cornelius Before Peter's Arrival

At lunch I have sporadic visions of the
sun setting on an execrated Roman world,
of darkness enveloping languid peasant
peoples without even the slightest concern
for daylight, or times or seasons.
Even amongst the Citizenry this
torpidity pervades. Caesar and his nobles
lament that the red wine is always bitter,
the maids categorically spurn flax
claiming all of it is brittle,
incurable curse of Eden and Eve on fabric,
(of Nemesis dispensing her
whimsical retribution),
and the oxen and sheep all herald
apathy, petulance when served food.
These troubling visions grip and
detain my mind for days while
trying to surmise their rubric. Could it be
that angels seek
a dialogue on impending apocalypse,
damnation on everything I thought I knew,
suggestions of the advent of a new dawn
previously prophesied
(and that I secretly yearn for)?
Then, in other visions I see
Simon Peter traversing on water,
ensconced in faint white light,
water rippling behind his sandals,
approaching me, his arms reaching
directly for my head,
“When I come to you, prepare for the
Earth to be reborn” he says.
My family and I wait for this
visitation with bated breath, telling
our children to throw away their
clothing, I tell my wife to sell her jewelry
at the market, to hold me close.
Baptism, I tell them, will bury all the bad
things, like Daddy does when he
sends his soldiers to war against
savage enemies of the State. I
also tell them just like in any battle,
to brace themselves, that
in the face of the unknown
we all must be prepared to die.

(To our former selves).




--------Acts 10:25-48
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee. Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.