Excerpt: The Hidden Kingdom

Recognition flooded into her face as our eyes met. "I know," she said. "I know. It surprised me the first time, too. I have never seen a statue so alive before. But it is a necessity in a church. Do you know why?"

I shook my head mutely. To my side I could see Valentín. He watched me with equal concern.

"So we can look upon the suffering of Christ and know that he died for our sins. The statue is there to remind us of our past actions, and to repent to a better way of life - a life lived well, a life without sin." She faced the crucifix at the head of the church. "It is not so horrible once you remember that his death was an act of love."

I bit my lip hard and glanced up at the statue. It was not so shocking now, though such an impression would be etched in my memory for many nights to come. "Why is he cast in pain? He should smile and look upon the crowd, upon his followers. Why does he grimace if it is an act of love?" Araceli turned to look at me, though I did not return her gaze. I listened to her and tried to understand.

"Love is not a kind or gentle force, Jophiel. It can be violent or cruel, and more often than not leads us with ropes of longing and despair. There are wonderful, quiet moments where we can enjoy its freedom, but one must not forget that it is as changing as the sea. It can be calm in the morning and rough and trecherous at night. Christ is in pain not only from the weight of our sins, He is in pain because the love He has for us is so immense, so deep, it can only be expressed through a sacrifice, such as death, to proclaim such love.
"I was taught as a child that Christ was sent down to Earth to remind people of the way life had been, a life that could only imitate that of Adam and Eve in the Garden. It was a life of love, respect for God, and a carefree existence filled with good deeds. We as people had forgotten that life as soon as Eve had eaten the flesh of the apple, and so God retreated and let humanity govern our own fates. But He had doubts, if He is able to have doubts, and thus sent His Son, Christ, to Earth as a test for people again. The majority failed, though this time the people who wanted to follow such a good, noble path could do so. That is where religion and Catholocism comes from, I think, and why the crucifix is displayed. To remind us of a time when we weren't so wonderful, and of the idea that we could change our lives for the better if we remembered that Christ died to benefit us...to give us an opportunity out of his love." Araceli then cleared her throat quietly, removed her hand from mine, and retrieved a Bible from the pockets assembled on the back of the pew before us.

I stared at her, stunned by the eloquence and surprising poignancy of her statement. I had not expected such a reply from her. I turned to face the statue of the crucifix again, taking to heart the words that still ran through me, through my veins and heart and head. I found that I could look upon the tortured image of the Son, though it was still upsetting in a visual sense. I looked and felt an odd sense of pride in the self-sacrifice He endured for humanity. I could tell that Araceli smiled beside me; her contentment radiated and spread to me. I settled into my seat and looked at Valentín. His eyes, focused on his wife, glimmered with respect and adoration. He had heard her reply as well. He watched her a moment longer, then noticed I was watching him. He turned and gave me a small smile, blushed, and resumed reading the open Bible on his lap.