Revelation
Apr. 3rd, 2015 08:19 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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section7mfuIllya Kuryakin was a child of the war, and had been fighting against evil all his life. Therefore, he found it impossible to reconcile a loving, all-powerful God, with the state of the wickedness in the affairs of men.
Like most superstitions, he never argued with those sentimentalists who proclaimed its efficacy. He nodded politely and moved on, even when it was he, and not some sky-man, who had accomplished the necessary good.
But every once and a while, the Russian found himself wrangled into a position from which he could not extricate himself politely. The most recent of these encounters was an invitation to the christening of the first child of Prudence Waverly.
Illya’s personal history with the Waverlys stretched back to when he was an exchange student in their home (re: “The Change of Heart Affair”). Their daughter Prudence was the same age, and they bonded as brother and sister. Although his familial ties to the Waverlys had stretched over the years, not to be present for this particular service was unthinkable. After all, he had missed Pru’s wedding to Edgar Middlemarch several years prior. Off on some affair or other, he didn’t quite remember. And after Pru and Edgar set up housekeeping, IK’s own attendance at the Waverlys’ casual Sunday suppers slacked off. But for this, of course he was included, and of course, he would attend. He considered his participation simply a congratulatory salute to an old friend’s new life.
He took his cues from the worshipers around him, when to kneel, sit, stand, bow one’s head, or clasp hands. Watching intently the ceremony up front, he felt his heart strangely warmed by Pru’s glorious smile. She glows, he marveled. She is utterly trusting, utterly committed.
The minister gave some introductory remarks, then began the ages-old questions.
“Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of your sin?” He addressed the parents and godparents.
Illya took the question to heart. Of course, he asserted silently. Renouncing wickedness, rejecting evil power—that’s what I do, it’s who I am.
“Do you accept the freedom and the power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?”
To resist evil, injustice and oppression. It was his job description. And his power and freedom comes from...God?
The Russian held his breath as he considered this notion. This was an extremely personal moment. Was Illya Nickovitch Kuryakin actually on God’s side? And more astonishing, was this mysterious God on Kuryakin’s side?
“We close with this benediction, Peace on you all.”
But Kuryakin’s spirit was restless, not peaceful. This revolutionary idea required more investigation.
Like most superstitions, he never argued with those sentimentalists who proclaimed its efficacy. He nodded politely and moved on, even when it was he, and not some sky-man, who had accomplished the necessary good.
But every once and a while, the Russian found himself wrangled into a position from which he could not extricate himself politely. The most recent of these encounters was an invitation to the christening of the first child of Prudence Waverly.
Illya’s personal history with the Waverlys stretched back to when he was an exchange student in their home (re: “The Change of Heart Affair”). Their daughter Prudence was the same age, and they bonded as brother and sister. Although his familial ties to the Waverlys had stretched over the years, not to be present for this particular service was unthinkable. After all, he had missed Pru’s wedding to Edgar Middlemarch several years prior. Off on some affair or other, he didn’t quite remember. And after Pru and Edgar set up housekeeping, IK’s own attendance at the Waverlys’ casual Sunday suppers slacked off. But for this, of course he was included, and of course, he would attend. He considered his participation simply a congratulatory salute to an old friend’s new life.
He took his cues from the worshipers around him, when to kneel, sit, stand, bow one’s head, or clasp hands. Watching intently the ceremony up front, he felt his heart strangely warmed by Pru’s glorious smile. She glows, he marveled. She is utterly trusting, utterly committed.
The minister gave some introductory remarks, then began the ages-old questions.
“Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of the world, and repent of your sin?” He addressed the parents and godparents.
Illya took the question to heart. Of course, he asserted silently. Renouncing wickedness, rejecting evil power—that’s what I do, it’s who I am.
“Do you accept the freedom and the power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?”
To resist evil, injustice and oppression. It was his job description. And his power and freedom comes from...God?
The Russian held his breath as he considered this notion. This was an extremely personal moment. Was Illya Nickovitch Kuryakin actually on God’s side? And more astonishing, was this mysterious God on Kuryakin’s side?
“We close with this benediction, Peace on you all.”
But Kuryakin’s spirit was restless, not peaceful. This revolutionary idea required more investigation.
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Date: 2015-04-03 03:28 pm (UTC)Definitely, tell us more.
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Date: 2015-04-04 08:39 pm (UTC)kinda thing?
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