by T. A. Staver
posture soften as they started to engage in a discussion. Lucifer began to think he could actually pull this off. That would get Satan off of his back!
“Well, Satan makes most of the decisions.” Because he would throw us into a molten pit if we backtalk him, Lucifer thought to himself. “But technically, we all have the same input.” Lucifer lied as smoothly as he breathed. “That’s only fair, you know. Everyone’s ideas are as good as the next person’s.”
“What about ultimate truths? Isn’t there an absolute right and wrong?” Michael looked intently at Lucifer.
“Is there an absolute truth, Michael? Oh, I suppose that two plus two will always equal four, but when it comes to how we live our lives, is my way better than yours? Can you stand there and tell me that you know the best way to live my life? I don’t think you are one to judge others. “Judge not, lest yea be judged’. I see you have been reading the bible. I’m sure you’ve covered that quote in there.”
“Yes, I have covered that. But I believe it’s meant in the context of letting God be the final judge of what is right and wrong. If we follow God’s rules, then we do have the capacity to judge one’s actions. We don’t have the capacity to judge as to whether someone is going to Heaven or Hell. That’s God’s judgment.”
“Yes, I can see how you could look at it that way,” Lucifer said smoothly. He could tell he wasn’t going to win that one: time to move to another argument.
“Dr. A’Dowter…”
“Call me Michael,” the doctor said.
Ugh. Lucifer hated that name. “Certainly, a most wonderful name,” he lied. “I have an…acquaintance here in the afterlife with that same name.” Lucifer looked around. “Has he been here? Do you see him around much?”
“No, I haven’t met him yet. I have heard a lot about him, and I’m looking forward to meeting him.” Michael smiled.
“Yes, that would be wonderful,” Lucifer said with little conviction. “Back to our discussion: in your time on Earth you were a non-believer. Doesn’t all of this religion make you feel like a hypocrite?”
Michael smiled broadly. “I was wrong. It’s that simple.”
“But what about your study of science, your belief in proof and evidence? Don’t you feel that all of this faith stuff is just a smokescreen to explain away some made-up story? A story, by the way, that is ultimately buttressing the hierarchy of the Church.” Lucifer loved this argument. It had tripped up more souls than he could count. He smiled in anticipation.
“The Church is God’s way of explaining His teachings on Earth. It allows us to determine the best way of implementing His teachings. It also allows the Holy Spirit to intercede with the workings of humans to help us learn more about His will.”
Lucifer maintained a smile on his face, but inside he was seething. He hated the Holy Spirit almost as much as he hated Michael the Archangel. Always foiling Satan’s plans, the Holy Spirit was enemy number one in Hell.
“But Michael, you’re dead now. You don’t have any need of the Church anymore.” Lucifer felt he had a better argument this time.
“Well Lucifer, that’s not quite right. The Church is connected throughout my journey to God. On Earth, the faithful are known as the Church Militant. Now I’m in the Church Suffering. That’s those of us repenting of our sins. My goal is to be admitted to the Church Triumphant, those souls allowed to enter Heaven. So you see, I’m still connected to the Church.” Michael smiled at the demon.
Lucifer wasn’t done yet. “What about Faith? You haven’t answered that question. How can you start believing something you can’t touch, see, or prove? Doesn’t that go against everything you stand for as a scientist?” Lucifer felt he was losing momentum, and needed to score some points.
“You’re right, that is hard.” Michael looked serious. “As a scientist, faith wasn’t in my vocabulary. I’ve been working diligently to increase it.” Michael smiled. “I got some very good advice about faith when I first got here.”
Lucifer was becoming angry. This conversation wasn’t going anywhere near where he wanted it to go. “Who’s this big-time advice giver? Do you think he knows anything about your situation, or is he just spouting off?”
Michael placed his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels, smiling broadly. “It was an angel named Gabriel.”
“Bah, I know Gabriel. He’s not as smart as…” Lucifer felt a presence behind him. He turned, and there was the angel in question. “Hello Gabe. We were just talking about you.” Lucifer looked Gabriel up and down. “I see you’re still sporting the wings and halo motif. You should get with the times.”
Gabriel smiled. “Hello Lucy. I happen to like the image that is conveyed with the wings and halo. It shows a respect for tradition. I don’t feel I have to hide behind a cheap suit.” Gabriel ran his fingers under Lucifer’s jacket lapel. “How’s everything down below? Still putting up with Satan’s mood swings?”
Lucifer started to turn red. “You know I hate that nickname,” he said through clenched teeth. Then he cleared his throat and stood tall. “Satan and I are still doing business, yes. We have a very good relationship.”
“I’m sure. He speaks and you jump.” Gabriel placed his hands on Lucifer’s shoulders. “You know that with a sincere and contrite confession, you would be welcomed back.” Gabriel looked into Lucifer’s eyes. “We exclude no one from saving grace.”
Lucifer knocked Gabriel’s hands away. “Like that would ever happen! Why would I want to be associated with a bunch of losers like you?” Lucifer looked at Michael, who had turned to look at Gabriel. His expression was one of love and devotion. Blast it! That’s why he hated angels: they always screwed up a perfectly good soul reaping. He could see that Michael was not going to be swayed by any arguments.
“Well Gabriel, you’ve gummed up the works again. Don’t you have a nun to talk to or something? I was this close,” Lucifer held two fingers almost touching, “to talking Imriy Michael here into joining me. But no, you had to ruin all of our fun.”
Gabriel turned to Michael. “Remember our discussion about freewill? I give you the choice: Lucifer and Hell, or the work of repentance and Heaven.”
Lucifer jumped at the chance. “That’s right, Michael, freewill! You can do whatever you like in Hell. No rules! Want to murder someone? Go ahead. Want to steal something? Have a go at it. Lie, cheat, we don’t care! In fact, we revel in it.
“You could be here for the rest of eternity. Who knows how long your penance will last? And how about the people you left on Earth? Do you think any of those sinners, your friends, will be coming this way? I doubt it. They had the same beliefs as you.
“So what do you say? Stay here and work your tush off for something that Gabriel wants you to take on faith that might be in the future, or come with me for the guaranteed, no rules, do-as-you-like experience.” Lucifer flashed his best smile.
Michael looked at Lucifer. Lucifer smiled wider, and spread his arms. Michael looked at Gabriel. Gabriel looked him in the eye, his hands crossed at the waist, a small smile on his lips.
“I will stay here,” Michael said. “The work is hard. Reviewing the sins of my life isn’t fun. But the rewards are beyond comprehension. As for my friends and family still on Earth, I pray for them every day. That is the great thing about a connected family of God. We can help each other no matter where we are in our journey to God.”
Lucifer dropped his arms to his sides. He turned to Gabriel. “You bug me.” He turned in a circle, taking in the multitudes that had no clue of the struggle for Michael’s soul that had just taken place. “I have half a mind to start some other conversations here. Do you think all of these penitent souls have the willpower of Michael here? As a matter of fact...” Lucifer sensed another presence, one he was quite familiar with.
He turned to face the new arrival in their presence, garbed in the attire of a warrior.
“Michael,” Lucifer greeted the angel.
“Lucifer,” Archangel Michael dipped his helmeted hea
d in greeting. “Kind of far from home, aren’t you?”
“Just here doing the bidding of my master. You know, all work, no play.” Lucifer was casually looking for a way to make an exit. Since Michael the Archangel had thrown him out of Heaven, they had had a rocky relationship, if it could be said that angels and fallen angels had a relationship at all.
Imriy Michael spoke up. “I thought you said that all seven of the Princes of Hell had a say in how things went there, that no one was higher than any other.”
“Yeah, about that: I lied.” Lucifer started to back up. “Well, it’s been a little slice of Heaven, but I really should be going. Bye.” With that, Lucifer disappeared in his signature cloud of dirty smoke.
“I’m glad I was here to move Lucifer along,” said Michael the Archangel, “but I really came by to meet the suffering soul who has taken the name of Michael.” He extended his hand to shake Michael’s hand. “I am very glad to meet you, Imriy Michael A’Dowter. And I am very proud that you passed a most difficult test. Lucifer can be very persuasive. Be on your guard, he may return. The beings of Hell have long memories and do not give up easily.”
“Thank you, Michael. I hope that my prayer and guidance from the likes of you and Gabriel will aid me on my journey towards Heaven.”
Gabriel placed his arm on Michael’s shoulder. “You are doing just fine, Michael, just