It was a couple of weeks after Sister Augustin’s unfortunate death. Father Kiesler was on his way to the sanctuary to give the midday mass when he ran into Monifa in the corridor. The girl looked downcast. “Are you all right?” he asked her.
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just…”
“What is it, Liebling?” He added the endearment because they were completely alone.
“It’s just that there has been so much death lately. First, Father Schmidt and then Sister Augustin.”
“I know that losing them within weeks of each other has taken a toll on everyone.”
“They say that these things happen in threes.”
“So you’re worried that someone else will die.”
“Yes.”
“I know that death can be a scary thing but God doesn’t want us to worry about it or live in fear of it. It says in His Word, that the Lord Jesus became flesh and blood too by being born in human form for only as a human being could He die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. Only in that way could He deliver those who through fear of death have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread.”
“I heard someone once say that no good Catholic should be afraid of death.”
“That’s true, Monifa. Remember it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.”
“Thanks, Father. I’ll remember that.”
“I have a few copies of a booklet called, Freedom From the Fear of Death which I think you should read. It will show you how to alleviate your fears and what you can do about death itself. Just stop by the office and ask Miss Mueller to give you a copy.”
“Danke, Vater.”
He smiled. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes, Father.”
They parted ways. Monifa went to the office and he continued on his way to the sanctuary.
Gracelyn was at the filing cabinet when Monifa walked in. “Hello Monifa.”
“Hello, Miss Mueller.”
“Is there something I can help you with?” she asked the girl.
“Yes. Father Kiesler said that he had copies of the Freedom From the Fear of Death booklet and he said to ask you for a copy.”
“Oh. They are in his office. I’ll go and get you one.” She moved away from the filing cabinet and went into Father Kiesler’s office. She returned a few minutes later. “Here you go.”
Monifa took the booklet from her. “Thank you, Miss Mueller.”
“You’re welcome. It’s funny. There are people who are scared of death and they wish that it didn’t have to happen to them while you have other people who wish for it like Job. He said that there are those who long for death, and it won’t come; who search for death as others search for food or money. And it’s a blessed relief for them when they finally die.”
“Job was depressed because he had just lost everything except his life and I guess for him death was would have been a relief. I don’t think I would ever feel that way about death, though.”
“Many people wouldn’t either, except those who are suffering. I don’t think you should fear death, though. I don’t. I once read a quote about death which I have never forgotten. It said, ‘Let your hope of heaven master your fear of death.’”
“I like that quote.”
“Remember it every time you think about death.”
“I will. Thank you, Miss Mueller.”
“You’re welcome.”
Monika quickly left the office and headed straight to her room to read the booklet.
Gracelyn returned to her filing.
It was after supper and Monifa was in the hideaway which she had discovered quite by accident last year. It was where she came to read, think, relax and this evening was the first time she was going to meet Father Kiesler here. As she waited for him, she thought about her conversation with Miss Mueller and the quote about the hope of heaven mastering the fear of death. She wondered whose quote it was.
She remembered what Father Schmidt had said to her about approaching death with peace and trust, knowing that “you are going to leave this life to be with the Lord. After death, is eternal life which He promised to all those who have faith in Him.” And she imagined him and Sister Augustin together in Heaven, happy and at peace with the Lord.
When Father Kiesler joined her a few minutes later, she was in a much better frame of mind. “Thanks for the booklet,” she said. “It was very helpful.”
“I’m happy to hear that.” His gaze traveled over her and although he became aroused, he said, “You really shouldn’t be dressed like that.”
She glanced down at her tee shirt with the holes which exposed her skin. “Don’t worry,” she said. “I wore another tee shirt over it. It’s over there in my knapsack.”
“And your shorts?”
“I wore a skirt over them. And I wore sandals.” She was bare feet at the moment.
He moved closer to her. “You’re a bit of both, aren’t you?”
“A bit of both?”
She smiled. “I guess I am.”
“I like that,” he murmured before he leaned down and kissed her.
She kissed him back. The kisses soon became very intense as he pressed her up against the wall and pinned her hands above her head. His mouth left hers to pressed urgently against the side of her neck before he drew back to pull her tee shirt over her head. Her bra, shorts and underwear soon followed. He covered her heaving bosom with kisses. And she closed her eyes, moaning when he fastened his mouth to each nipple. Her hand went up and she clutched his head, her nails digging into his scalp.
He burned a trail with his lips down her stomach and then, he got down on his knees in front of her. She gasped when he buried his face between her legs, his fingers cupping her buttocks as he tasted her. Pleasure washed over her like a tidal wave and minutes later, she shuddered against him.
He drew back, his face flushed with desire, his breath labored and rose to his feet. He frantically removed his shoes, socks, cassock, shirt, trousers and underwear. When, he was naked, he spread his cassock on the floor and told her to lie down on it. She did and he lay down beside her. He lowered his head and kissed her hungrily. She eagerly responded.
“Ich liebe dich, Monifa. Ich liebe dich so sehr,” he muttered thickly against her lips.
“Ich liebe dich auch sehr.”
He parted her legs and positioned himself between them. She closed her eyes when he entered her and began to move his hips. As she gave herself to him, she tried not to think about Father Schmidt’s last words to her which were, “May the very God of peace sanctify you completely. And I pray to God that your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Sources: Catholic Mom; iBelieve; Bible Gateway
Notes to Women 