The Prophet

A short story

Under diverse and mysterious circumstances spiritual leaders from eight of the world’s religions including a Buddhist monk, a rabbi, a Lutheran minister, an Imam, a Greek Orthodox priest, a Catholic nun, a Hindu priest, and a Pentecostal preacher all reported receiving a message that God had sent a new prophet for them to search out. This prophet would answer five questions upon which the group had first to agree. The responses should be received as if coming directly from God.

As to how each heard the summons, none would reveal, at least publicly. Yet all stated that they believed the communication to be authentic. So the quest began to find the oracle. After several months, their efforts were successful. All concurred the prophet was a fourteen years old girl, Jenta, living in a village in Kenya.

International media and the Internet were ablaze with speculation as to just what was supposed to happen at the meeting which was scheduled for September 21st. In addition to the eight religious designees, two others received an invitation directly from Jenta to also attend. One was a woman who claimed no religious affiliation or beliefs, but was open to being convinced that the prophetess was other than a hoax, and indeed might even have something worth hearing. The final member was also a woman, this one an avowed atheist from China who welcomed the opportunity to prove the foolishness of the entire endeavor.

The momentous day arrived, the ten gathered in the village meeting house to meet with Jenta. The following are the questions submitted by the eight, and the responses from the prophetess as could best be ascertained from discussions with the attendees after the convocation.

Question: What religious creed contains the best pathway to obtain God’s favor?

Response: All roads that lead adherents to the knowledge and practice of God’s truths are equal in God’s eyes.

Question: Is there one nation or people that are the chosen ones of God?

Response: For God, there is only life in all its glorious forms. All are one in God’s eyes, and all are connected. Not only humankind, but animals, birds of the sky, fish in the sea, plants and trees, all of nature are special to God.

Question: How are scientific discoveries to be viewed by people of faith?

Response: The intellect is an essential part of what makes you, you, and as such is part of your identity as a being made in the image and likeness of God. Scientific discoveries are necessary aids in the evolution of human consciousness that will lead humankind closer to God. Science is not to be feared, but to be embraced.

Question: Should spiritual and political/secular dimensions be kept separate in societies?

Response: How can an individual be two people? There can only be one integrating force in each person’s life. All aspects of your experiences come from the same Source. But religious structures and rules are not to be imposed on secular governing bodies. Changing people’s hearts and minds should be the goal, not imposing uniform strictures binding all.

Question: On what criteria should people of faith select their be political leaders?

Response: By their fruits you shall know them. Those that sow hatred, discord, intolerance, and division, and know not truth, are to be avoided.

Those whose words and actions evidence charity towards all people without exception, that care for the poor and downtrodden among you, that truly believe that all humankind are connected and responsible for one another, that see themselves as caregivers for the environment with which I have blessed you, follow those.

Understand also that no person is completely evil, and none totally righteous, so weigh the preponderance of the words and actions of those that would be your leaders.

God has a question for all of you to answer in the silence of your hearts that God alone will hear. Why do your religions make things so complicated for my people? Instruct them simply and directly that they were created out of My love for them. This love will be with them for all eternity. My only wish is that they allow themselves to feel this love, allow it to nurture them throughout their brief time on earth, and that they share it with all the rest of my creation. The pain and hurt that has been inflicted upon My people in My name has caused more Me more anguish than all the harm done by tyrants throughout history.

As the religious leaders left, they all felt somewhat disappointed. None had heard exactly what they had wanted to hear. There was no justification to be found for the uniqueness of their respective religious affiliation, no validation of their special closeness to God.

The agnostic was left with her doubts though she felt better somehow for having been in the presence of one who did seem to be graced with a special aura.

The atheist while hearing as much nonsense as she expected was surprised at her begrudging respect for the demeanor and sincerity of Jenta.

As for Jenta, no one knows what she thought about the encounter. She continues to go about her village bestowing good will and a sense of rightness upon all who gaze upon her countenance.