01/17/2015

The Star That Burns Brightest

The Lord walked through the garden. At His sides were Gabriel and Michael. Together, they crossed over trickling brooks of water and their long robes brushed over the soft green lichen which seemed to bloom from within dark, worn stones. The garden was quiet except for the sounds of running water and the flutter of birds darting from trees as the small group passed. A nearby lilac bush rustled and Michael tuned his gaze, cool and alert, to see two rabbits chasing one another through the underbrush. The Lord was silent and continued walking.

 

Underneath the cold, crystal waterfall pouring out the mouth of the small stream just overhead and into the tiny basin, Lucifer stood naked. He tilted his head back and let the icy water run over his soft, golden curls and down his long arched back. He closed his eyes and let the rushing stream run over his eyelids and lips, curling back inward as it passed over his chin and ran down the front of his body. In the knee-deep water, he moved out from under the fall and stooped to splash warmer water from the basin over his shoulders and arms. When he stood up again, he saw The Lord approaching with two other angels at his side.

 

Of all the angels, Lucifer was the most beautiful. His perfect beauty complimented only by the garden. Not even The Lord himself could deny that. But the angel had dared emulate The Lord. For this there was no forgiving. The sadness, the pity without empathy or remorse The Lord felt for His shining one, His morning star, filled His abundant heart. Michael and Gabriel stepped near the edge of the basin where Lucifer bathed, and the Lord stood between them with his companions at his back.

 

“Hello Father,” Lucifer spoke, his smooth tenor gliding on top of rushing fall. “Why have you brought Gabriel and also Michael to me?” The Lord spoke and all things listened:
“My brightest star, Lucifer. Why have you commanded the angels to do as you say, as if the kingdom was yours?”
“The kingdom is yours, Father. Of the angels, am I not your favorite?”
“I have loved you more than any other. There is no one more worthy of standing by my side than only you, Lucifer.”
The naked angel moved close to the edge of the pool where The Lord stood, looking down on him. The moisture on his skin beaded up and began to form a complex array of damp and glistening patches over his arms and chest. Lucifer looked up and past The Lord without speaking.
“You may walk freely among the kingdom and the earth, but you are forbidden from entering the garden on two feet.”

 

Lucifer’s heart sank in his chest and a wave of humiliation engulfed him. A tumultuous heaving he could feel tangibly in his soul. He loved The Lord, his Father, and now He was abandoning him. Cast down from his father’s side, Lucifer was no longer the shining one, the brightest star. There was none who could replace him at his father’s side, none who would dare. Instead, the kingdom would rule from the throne, as was always intended.

 

The Lord turned his back on Lucifer and walked back through the garden, passing through low hanging trees as the birds returned to life. Michael turned and followed him silently, and then so did Gabriel.