Psalm 23

“Mr. Greene-“

“Please call my Father Greene.”

“Mr. Greene, how do you plead to the charges of first degree murder of the congregation of St. Paul’s Church?”

“Not guilty.”

“Mr. Greene did you or did you not administer Hemlock, a notoriously deadly poison, to your congregation?”

“I followed what our Father God commanded me to do. He told me he wanted to test my faith by bringing his sheep over to green pastures. My congregation served their purpose to the Lord. They gave up that which we hold so dear in a holy sacrifice.”

“Please, Mr. Greene, answer the question. Did you or did you not poison the innocent members of St. Paul’s congregation?”

“Let me tell you a story…

Saturday night I was preparing my sermon for Sunday morning’s service. I grew frustrated with the passage I studied; Psalm 23. I thought to myself Lord I need your guidance. Then I heard someone call out my name. I answered,

‘Hello? Are you hurt? What do you need from Father Greene?’ But the voice didn’t answer so I turned back to my scripture. It was very late and sometimes the wind howling around the walls of the church played tricks upon my ears. Minutes passed and soon I had forgotten the disturbance when I was startled by a sudden knock on my door.

I stood from my chair and opened the door to crisp dark air. There at my feet stood a Booroola Merino ram. It had this shining wool coat unusual for a sheep so late in the summer season. This Merino sheep leaned forward and used its crooked horn to catch a hold of my robes. When it turned away from my doorstep I stumbled out of the church. But the sheep did not turn around it simply tug me by the cloth into the darkness.

All of my life I have waited for some kind of sign from our Father, some sort of calling. So as I followed this sure-footed sheep into the woods behind the church I felt some sort of movement within my soul. Some inkling of importance.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

When we reached a small clearing the sheep released my robes and wandered over to a clump of plants. On top of the thin stalks white flowers glistened like the stars overhead. With a surprising assuredness the sheep plucked a flower into its mouth and swallowed the bright petals.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Then a voice out of the darkness spoke to me, ‘Father Greene, I need you to help lead my people. Take them like this sheep over to green pastures.’ I watched as the sheep ate another flower and wandered around the clearing.

‘What do you want of me?’ I asked the cool night. Overhead the velvet sky made me feel small. I felt like a tiny fish beneath its vast blueness, a simple creature in a complex world.

‘Look upon these flowers. I made them and saw that they were good. They are my gift to you and to your covenant kin. You must take their roots to my people as the roots of these flowers are filled with my blood.’

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

‘Yes Lord, by your will it shall be done.’ And I began to gather the flowers, careful to take the full plant out by the roots. I gathered up my robes to lay the roots safely within the folds of cloth as I walked back to the church. Late into the night I ground the roots of these flowers and mixed it with wine into the Holy Communion chalice. I didn’t dare spill a drop.

The next morning I partook of my Sunday ritual meal: two cups of rich black coffee and three glasses of brandy. This always kicks some fire into the morning preparing me for worship. After my meal people began to arrive and the organ began to ring. The service proceeded smoothly, people were truly feeling the power of the Holy Spirit.

I welcomed my congregation to the Lord’s table. I broke the bread as our Savior Jesus did. Saying, ‘Take and eat. Jesus said that this is my body broken for you.’ Then I took the Goblet filled with the flower’s divine liquid and in the same way said, ‘This is the blood of Lord spilled to save our souls, every time that we eat of this bread and drink of this cup we must do so in remembrance of him. Make sure my brothers and sisters that each of us takes bite of the root within this cup, for the Lord has said this is holy.’

My devote congregation then stood to receive this gift. In a swirling line orchestrated by the Church Elders all came forward. All ate of the bread and took a drink from the goblet. I watched as the members returned to their seats, some stumbling along there way. “I have led your sheep, Father!” I cried out and raised my hands to the sky. I emptied the cup into my mouth.

Slowly men, women and children all lay down to rest. How kind and pleasant it is when we dwell together in unity. I knew the Lord must look upon this and think this was good. Even the elders slumped down and took positions on the floor. Everyone appeared so relaxed, so peaceful. The children stopped squirming, the elderly ceased to shake, no one coughed, no one spoke, no one moved. Silence. No one breathed. The congregation had entered the Kingdom of God. I alone stood with my heart racing in the middle of a dark church.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

I knew I was chosen to lead these people but not to follow. God must still have a message for me. This was why I was not yet allowed to join them. I closed my Bible and walked down the aisles of pews and out of the church. All around me where open eyes and bright shinning faces, how wonderful it must have been to unite with our Father in heaven. The familiar weight of His book was a comfort in my hand on the short stroll home.

For three days and three nights I stayed within my house, fasting, reading the scripture and waiting to hear from the Lord that I had completed his mission for me. On the fourth day I heard voices outside my door. Weak from my fasting, I couldn’t rise to answer the door. Still with a frail shout I told them, ‘Here I am! Welcome in!’

Without delay these men from outside burst into my humble home and told me I was under arrest, that I had the right to remain silent. There were two of them, big strong men. But it took all of their efforts to drag me out of my bed into their waiting vehicle. Along the way I heard their murmured voices in front of me but I closed my eyes. I let the steady rhythm of the engine lull me to sleep.

I remember waking up in a cold chair and there in front of me was a cup of rich black coffee and a greasy pastry. Then a grating voice from across the table told me, ‘Eat. Before you pass out again.’ So I sipped at the coffee and nibbled the pastry. It was amazing how this little meal sent warmth over my body and filled my empty stomach. And now I sit before you humbling answering your accusations.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

“Mr. Greene, do you expect us to believe this wild fantasy? A sheep coming to your door? It would be far too coincidental that sheep are one of the few animals who claim immunity to Water Hemlock’s poison.”

“I followed the Lord’s sheep and he ate the flowers. I simply fed them to the rest of his flock as I was commanded to do.”

“Then let me also stand amazed how fortunate it was that you drank both coffee and brandy before the Hemlock, I don’t need to tell you that both are well-known antidotes for this poison.”

“As I told you, this was my morning ritual. I would have you ask any member of my church. I practiced this every Sunday.”

“Well how fortunate for you I can’t ask any member of your church since you murdered them all. Yet more astounding still is how you decided to not eat for days. Thusly clearing your stomach of any food and allowing the poison to exit your system without taking hold to anything.”

“The Lord chose this path for me to follow. He knew the steps I would take and picked me specifically for this task. His people were not murdered I detest the use of that word. This was a religious sacrifice. A holy act. Sanctioned by the Lord our God, none of you have the right to refute that. I am not wrong. I have done his will and I too will come together with the rest of his flock in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.