Habits of the Heart+ |
Father Satoru prayed for peace. The terorist had taken hostages in his church. He was bound to the alter railing. An immigrant from Japan, Fr. Satoru had requested a transfer to Isreal: the city of peace. There was always the threat of violence, but this was sacrilege. There were families in danger on consecrated ground.+ The leader of the hostage takers Jehu, spoke calmly with a negotiator on a cell phone. Father Satoru had trained in the art of the Ninja as a SWAT team leader in Japan. The endless violence had lead him to the ultimate conclusion: violence will not end violence. He took the vows of the Priesthood to admister the Sacraments, to devote his life to Jesus Christ and never kill again. Jehu laughed, "God is with us! Release our comrades or we will execute one hostage every hour!" Father Satoru, "God does not love murders. There is no honor in murdering defenseless people." Jehu slapped the Priest accross his face. Father Satoru did not flinch. He had known pain. Jehu untied the Priest and put a gun to his chest. Jehu hollered, "You will be the first!" Without hestitation, Father Satoru took the gun from Jehu and shot him dead. There were two more terroist with automatic rifles. The Priest shot them dead. The hostages stared at Father Satoru. Father Satoru "Forgive me. But, I cannot allow murder in my Father's house. I am Ninja.+" Reflections: What one must do and what one must believe is written in blood. |