Repentance

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Chapter 13

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The fireplace in the middle of the room was glowing brightly, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for all who entered. The comfortable sofa at the center was plush and cushioned, perfect for curling up with a book or enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. The floor was carpeted and cozy, a perfect contrast to the cold outside.

In addition, the walls were decorated with polished wood, adding to the rustic charm of the space. The wooden shelves held books and knick-knacks, bringing life and personality to the area. The said room was well-loved and cared for, filling anyone with a sense of security and comfort.

And in the said room was Judith, a single mother, staring at the flickering flames, still dressed in her commoner dress, standing alone with a look of contemplation on her face as her thoughts lingered on her husband, who had died before her child was born.

Many things happened over the years, good and bad, but as time went on, she learned to move on when a kind young man helped her with his endless wisdom and knowledge. It is hard to forget the past, for it remains always at the back of one's mind, but even so, people are able to overcome it by having someone there with them.

How much she missed her husband, the man she fell in love with and married out of her own will. They were inseparable and always thinking of each other, until that fateful day he never came back; he perished from a mission she was never told.

And yet, here she is, thinking to herself why someone like her is still stuck in the past despite how much Seth has helped her through the years. It's just that she wasn't sure she would be able to move on and start over. She loves her son, but she needs something else for the moment.

Hearing the door suddenly open, Judith turned to see her beloved son and then someone that she valued highly. "Seth," a smile grew on her lips, "welcome to our home, sire," curtsying in show of respect, "it's an honor to have you here, the honored founder of your movement."

He too, also smiled in return. "Judith," he greeted kindly, "you must not be formal with me," chuckling a bit, "I'm no royalty, just a man that wishes to see a friend." His way of being kind and respectful always made her appreciate him further.

Blushing from his compliment, she shifted her attention to her son. "Solomon, have you finished gathering all the fresh wheat?" She asked, needing confirmation as she doesn't wish to miss the deadline of the market: "We need as many as possible for tomorrow." Her tone became slightly demanding as her child must be fully aware of his responsibilities.

Solomon swiftly raised his eyes and said, "Crap! I need to go." Not wanting to waste anymore time, he turned around at the closed door they previously entered and left before slamming it shut from behind, leaving Seth and Judith alone in this cozy atmosphere together.

"Your boy is sweet but forgetful," Seth said with a laugh before approaching her with an embrace. "How are you? Is there anything that I can help with?" He inquired, genuinely concerned for the widow and her child, as she too returned the hug.

A part of her heart ached the moment they separated after a memory popped up in her head of how her husband had always hugged her before leaving to do his duty. "Excuse me for a moment," a single tear dripped down from her left eye as she tried to hide it in order to remain strong.

But Seth, being the sagacious he is, took notice of it and immediately wiped it away with a thumb. "Please, tell me what bothers you," he said, showing his concern to the woman. "Is it about your husband again?" He guessed accurately, much to her disappointment.

"Yes," was all she could say, having no energy to explain or argue about her being weak. "It's shameful to think of him, but I cannot stop myself; it is just that I cannot remove him from my mind," she said, feeling ashamed of herself for not being able to move on.

He understood clearly what she meant: it wasn't easy to recover from loss, but everyone needs to move on so they can continue living. "Grief can be a powerful emotion that grips the heart and mind," he said, nodding in acknowledgement, "yet, I believe that you're strong enough to keep on and see what lies ahead."

Her face, becoming more relaxed after hearing those comforting words, "It's good to have someone by your side." She appreciates Seth's for everything he's done for her and her son. "I really don't know what I'd do if I weren't met by you all these years," she says, seeing a fellow human being as her savior. "In fact, I am deeply thankful for all of it."

His heart pounded with love and affection. "Ah, that is good to hear," she tearfully said in a smile. "Let us sit," motioning her to the comfortable sofa. "I would love to talk more about your issues," he stated as they both sat next to one another, "though, if you don't mind, that is."

Judith shook her head in denial. "Oh, please," she tilted her head with a smile of her own. "I am in great debt to you, especially after what you've done for the both of us," the woman remarked in deep appreciation of the man. "Without you, I fear what may have happened to my boy." Her tone switched to serious as she expressed her genuine gratitude.

Seth stared down at his lap and said, "Hold on to my hand," closing his eyes. "We shall pray together," asking with a kind and loving smile. Confused and surprised to receive this kind of offer, she simply accepted and gripped his hand with her own.

"Follow my words when I say this," he announced with gentleness, "repeat them with your own heart, listen, and let go of any ill emotions or thoughts that may have plagued you." The man's eyes remained shut as he spoke his advice, "clear your mind of any anger and frustration, breathe in and out," taking slow and deep breaths together with her.

Doing just that, she followed along in a synchronized pace, letting out a small sigh every few seconds as the tension and stress subsided from her muscles and bones. "There, now you're feeling better, aren't you?" He chuckled.

Nodding her head in agreement, she is finally ready to start the prayer. "I'm ready," the mother of Solomon answered, not afraid anymore of having to confront her past. Seth smiled upon hearing her confidence: "Now then, let us begin with the Lord's Prayer," beginning the spiritual session.

"The days of this life are few and evil, full of sorrows and straits, where man is defiled with many sins, ensnared with many passions, bound fast with many fears, wearied with many cares, distracted with many questionings, entangled with many vanities, compassed about with many errors, worn away with many labors, weighed down with temptations, enervated by pleasures, tormented by poverty."

Words spoken of truths, an epitome of what is humanity, as Seth stopped, catching his breath, while Judith remained silent, shocked at hearing the passage for the first time ever. She heard many teachings in the past from her own mother; even Seth himself has taught her various things of life, but never in her existence of listening to the cruelty humanity itself is.

Its almost like reality slapped her face, reminding her what people are capable of committing in their greed for power and desire. She knows all these things, of course, being a farmer and living in the country. But the way he said it, it was different—something more unique and honest than the great divines combined.

Then he continued, causing her to snap out of her trance. His alluring speech was like the voice of an angel, beautiful and calming: "Console my exile, mitigate my sorrow, for towards Thee all my desire longeth. For all is to me a burden, whatsoever this world offereth for consolation. I yearn to enjoy you intimately, but I cannot attain it. I long to cleave to heavenly things, but temporal things and unmortified passions press me down. In my mind, I would be above all things, but in my flesh, I am unwillingly compelled to be beneath them. So, wretched man that I am, I fight with myself and am made grievous even unto myself, while the spirit seeketh to be above and the flesh to be beneath." The words came from the heart and soul as he uttered them out in perfect pitch.

Such wisdom and knowledge are unheard of. What kind of man is it anyway to be able to speak such wisdom for a lifetime? Or maybe it was the gift of God that allowed him to be the man he is today. Either way, it is both inspiring and grieving to hear such cruel truths.

"Oh, how I suffer inwardly, while with the mind I discourse on heavenly things, and presently a crowd of carnal things rusheth upon me whilst I pray. My God, be not Thou far from me, nor depart in wrath from Thy servant. Cast forth Thy lightning and scatter them; send out Thine arrows; and let all delusions of my enemy be confounded. Recall my senses unto yourself; cause me to forget all worldly things; grant me quickly to cast away and despise the imaginations of sin. Succour me, O Eternal Truth, that no vanity may move me. Come unto me, O Heavenly Sweetness, and let all impurity flee from before Thy face. Pardon me also, and of Thy mercy, deal gently with me whensoever in prayer I think of anything besides Thee, for truly I confess that I am wont to be continually distracted. For often and often, where in the body I stand or sit, there I myself am not; but rather am I there, where I am borne by my thoughts. Where my thought is, there am I, and there commonly is my thought where that which I love is. That readily occurs to me, which naturally delights or pleaseth through custom."

Their hearts filled with dread, understanding each word by word as Seth once more breathed in and exhaled his breath in a relaxed manner. No human has been able to master their minds or simply learn to control them with ease by saying these passages.

"Therefore Thou, who art the truth, hast plainly said, Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. If I love heaven, I gladly meditate on heavenly things. If I love the world, I rejoice in the delights of the world and am made sorry by its adversities. If I love the flesh, I am continually imagining the things that belong to the flesh; if I love the spirit, I am delighted by meditating on spiritual things. For whatever things I love, I readily converse, listen, and carry home with me the images of them. But blessed is that man who for Thy sake, O Lord, is willing to part from all creatures; who doth violence to his fleshly nature and crucifieth the lusts of the flesh by the fervor of his spirit, so that with serene conscience he may offer unto Thee a pure prayer and be made worthy to enter into the angelic choirs, having shut out from himself, both outwardly and inwardly, all worldly things."

Seth and Judith opened their eyes, having finished their prayer, as she observed his calm expression of peace. "How do you feel?" He asked her concernedly, his expression changing to worry, "Are you okay?" He asked again; his soothing voice was like the warmth of the sun, though her attention was mostly focused on the flickering fire.

"Yes!" Judith swiftly turned her head to him and said, "I was just...where did you get that speech from?" Curious to know as it reminded her of a hymn, "Never heard of the way you speak, if it is one of your original teachings or...?" She inquired as her gaze switched to him, watching him raise his brows in confusion.

Showing his puzzlement, "Oh, that," smiling sheepishly, "the passages are from a book called 'The Imitation of Christ'," answering the woman truthfully, "it came from a wise man named Thomas Hemerken, born around the 13th century," saying it with pride while the woman looked confused at this.

"Who was he?"

Just when he was about to give out an answer, Soloman barged inside, exhausted and sweating immensely. "Mama!" He shouted at the top of his lungs, startling both Judith and Seth in the process. Both were surprised to see him all tired and sweaty. "What in the name of the Great Divines!?" The boy's face turned in horror as he ran to them, moving to face them.

"You...!" Staring at the hold hands, he cackled manically, "You guys are in love!" He jumped to the conclusion while pointing the accusing finger. "Why didn't you tell me earlier!? Why didn't you say that you loved each other?" He yelled at them, shocking them.

The boy's mother blushed heavily, quickly withdrawing her hand before saying, "Solomon!" Scolding her child in embarrassment, "This is most improper!" She shouted at him as Seth laughed softly at these two bickering about this misunderstanding.

Seth can't lie, but he enjoys having company with people.

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.043 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 07:32, Dec 26 2024