Chapter Seven

The smiling angel addressed the waiting friends: “Good day to you, Brothers Seán and Nole, and welcome to the Serene Palace of Heavenly Justice. I am Sister Celeste, one of the assisting angels of the Serene Palace, which is the judgement seat of Brother Peter, holder of the keys of the gates of the kingdom of heaven,” the lady angel greeted and informed Seán and Nole.

“And good day to you, Sister Celeste. We are both delighted to meet you,” Seán greeted in return for both, and Nole nodded his approval.

“Brother Peter will pass judgement on you. If he grants you absolution you will become members of the kingdom of heaven by passing through the pearly gates of heaven, which you have seen. Your spiritual mentalities will then be opened to all the mysteries of heaven, where you will reside for evermore,” Sister Celeste informed them, smiling.

“That is our burning ambition, Sister Celeste, no doubt about it,” Nole assured.

“And hopefully we will be successful, Sister,” Seán added.

“Not many souls having travelled the crooked road to heaven fail, and for those that do it is only a temporary setback,” Sister Celeste enlightened.

“Well, Sister, whatever the good Brother Peter decides will be fine with me and no complaints.” Nole made his feelings known.

“Commendable, Brother Nole,” the angelic spirit replied, smiling. “If you feel ready now you can enter the Serene Palace, but Brother Peter will only receive spiritual souls individually; therefore one of you must wait here until the other has been examined.”

“Well, Sister Celeste, if Brother Seán would like to go in first I don’t mind waitin’ my turn,” Nole suggested, hoping that Seán would agree.

“OK, Nole, I’ll break the ice so to speak and enter first. Is there any special form of address I should use, Sister Celeste?” Seán requested.

“Only one, Brother Seán. You should address the keeper of the keys of heaven simply as Brother Peter. We are all equal in heaven. There are no doors in the palace. Your spiritual self will pass through the entrance.”

“I’ll keep my spiritual fingers crossed for you, Seán. If you qualify for heaven don’t forget to put a good word in for me,” Nole entreated.

Seán spiritually smiled and answered, “I think you are more than capable of ploughing your own furrow, Nole, but nevertheless I’ll put a word in for you if I’m allowed,” Seán assured.

“Ah now, I knew you would. I’ll be prayin’ hard for you out here. Good luck, Seán.”

Seán walked to the silver-grey entrance and his spiritual self melted into the mist-like construction. In that same moment he found himself in the interior of the Serene Palace of Heavenly Justice, which seemed to be created from the silver-grey foam that was the spiritual vapour that gently flows beneath the Purging Bridge in which he and Nole had bathed their spiritual selves before continuing their journey on the crooked road. He was standing at one end of the spacious, similarly constructed hall. At the other end of the hall stood a spiritual figure beside a spiritual-lectern, but Seán couldn’t see the face of the spiritual figure because of the sphere of intermingling light patterns that obscured its head and facial features.

The figure addressed him in the telepathic language. “Welcome, Brother Seán, to the Serene Palace of Heavenly Justice. I am Brother Peter, holder of the keys of the kingdom of heaven. You are wondering why you can’t see my face and the reason for that is because you are only granted that privilege after your judgement and on acceptance into the kingdom of heaven. Is that understood, Brother Seán?”

“Yes, Brother Peter. I believed there would be a reason and I understand the logic. It is also a pleasure to meet you, Brother Peter.” Seán made his feelings known.

“And likewise pleased to meet you, Brother Seán. I have been studying your short lifetime record and the circumstances surrounding your premature presence here, which is as the result of a vehicle accident on earth whilst in the act of delivering an intoxicated friend home because of your concern for his well-being.”

“That is correct, Brother Peter. My friend Tom was a good man at heart and he had three dependants: a wife and two young children. He wasn’t an alcoholic, but he liked a few drinks and, well, at times perhaps a few too many. I’m sure that might well have been unintentional - at least that’s how I saw it, Brother Peter.”

“I see, Brother Seán. And you were in life a keen advocate against the propulsion of any kind of vehicle after having consumed alcohol-fortified drinks.”

“Yes, Brother Peter, I always stood by that rule.”

“You were a wise soul, Brother Seán, but then you unfortunately became involved in an accident whilst taking instant action to avoid running over a fox?” Brother Peter recalled.

“Yes, Brother Peter. I love animals and I acted instinctively to avoid killing the fox,” Seán explained.

“Your instant decision is highly commended, Brother Seán, but the truth is you wouldn’t have killed the fox because it was a spirit, just as you had earlier suggested during your evening discussion with your friend Tom concerning his regular encounters with the fox whilst cycling home under the influence of alcohol,” Brother Peter revealed.

“So I guessed right, Brother Peter!” Seán spiritually exclaimed, surprised.

“Not merely guessed, but thoughtfully suggested Brother Seán, and that is the only way that a spiritual soul visiting living family members, relatives and friends on earth can intervene in their earthly existence by being granted heavenly permission to spiritually disguise itself as another creature, such as a fox, to warn loved ones or friends against indulging in dangerous habits. You will also be pleased to know that the spiritual fox was, with your unexpected intrusion, successful in its mission, which you will discover for yourself later.”

“If that means, Brother Peter, that Tom is going to stop getting himself intoxicated and wobbling his way home on his bicycle in the dark, I’ll be more than pleased - really delighted.”

“It does indeed mean that, Brother Seán!”

“Well, that indeed is really good news Brother Peter.” And after a thoughtful moment Seán asked, “Brother Peter, could you explain what you meant when you just said I would discover something for myself later?”

“Yes, Brother Seán. My reason for my remark is that, as you already qualify for acceptance into heaven, I have decided to send you back to earth to continue your life there. You were to be married soon in life to your beloved fiancée, Maura, and she will be greatly relieved and delighted to learn that you survived the accident, as will your parents, family members and friends too.”

“Yes, Brother Peter, I can imagine their joy, but being spiritual at the moment, and without emotions, I can’t feel their reactions and delight.” Seán expressed his spiritual feelings.

“All your physical emotions will return when your spiritual clone rejoins your spiritual self in your earthly body. Did you enjoy your life on earth, Brother Seán?”

“I do remember being happily alive Brother Peter.”

“You have the mental and physical ability to do a lot of good in your continued earthly existence Brother Seán, so do your best to make life content for yourself, your future wife, Maura, and future children. Remember, Brother Seán, there is a definite reason for existence on earth and it can be discovered through the evolution of the mentality. You cultivate your quality of thought and you will reap the rewards Brother Seán.”

“I will endeavour to do my very best, Brother Peter, and I promise you and God that I will never break my pledge on drinking and driving,” Seán stated with conviction.

“I believe you will keep your promise, Brother Seán, because you are a thoughtful, strong-willed soul and worthy of a second chance,” Brother Peter commended.

“I extend my most grateful thanks to you Brother Peter.”

“Your gratitude is noted and will not be forgotten Brother Seán. Go now with my good wishes. Continue your earthly life and accept its struggles, for they are of paramount importance to existence and may your evolving mentality guide you safely through all your difficulties.”

“My deepest thanks to you Brother Peter and... could I say something on behalf of my friend Nole?”

“There’s no need to Brother Seán. I have also decided to send your friend, Brother Nole, back to his earthly body as well. You were both close friends on earth, so I shall not separate you now.”

“That is wonderful news Brother Peter! I can’t think of suitable words to express my appreciation, but a timeless thank you might suffice to compensate for my lack.”

“I understand your spiritual joy. Go now. I can hear your friend calling your name. Farewell, Brother Seán.”

“Farewell, Brother Peter. I’ll never forget you.”