WHAT BECOMES OF A FAITH

 

In the confluence state of Kogi, where the rivers embraced, there was a community close to a dam. A priest known to be diligent and sagacious served a local church there. In times past, the rivers had overflowed their bounds to submerge the villages around causing untold destruction. This was compounded not only by the inclement weather and relentless rainfall but also by the release of a great volume of water from the dam. For a long time, since the priest arrived at the local church, nothing has happened. Life was normal and only a few people could still recall the past. 

Then one day during the rainy season, as the priest was on the altar offering the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass before his congregation, an uproar arose outside with a great splashing sound. Someone who knew what it portended raised the alarm. The river had overflowed and gushes of flood were approaching. Everyone inside the church ran away leaving the priest behind. The priest did not budge from his position but continued in prayer. A man ran back into the church and warned, "Father, a mighty flood is approaching. None may survive it. You must come away!" When the priest did not budge, he took off calling on others. Of course, God is the maker of heaven and earth. He has control over the elements and He can save His children if they truly trust in Him. Does it seem right to abandon God amid worship because of fear? 

The flood came in and submerged the pews. From the dais of the altar, the water gradually swelled up to the knees of the priest. At that point, it appeared he would not renege on his vow to God, to serve him at any cost of danger, for God can save His own. He was determined to remain steadfast until the prayers and sacrifice was done. Part of the walls to the entrance of the church suddenly gave way. Two men in a canoe paddled up to the priest and prayed that he join them. When he did not respond to them, they went away to the rescue of others, hoping to return. The water continued to swell as the prayer and sacrifice were almost done. Just then, a rattling sound suddenly rent the air. A helicopter hovered overhead atop the roof. Men hollered. Part of the roof gave way under force. A rope with a hook was let down through the opening. "Hold to it... Climb on... Hurry, we've got to go... !" The voices hollered. The priest tried to focus his mind on the sacredness of the rite, shutting off any distraction. 

Then there was no more voice or rattle except the rustling rush of water in volumes. The rite was done. The water had passed the waistline and come up to the chest. Debris flowed on all sides. The priest clambered onto the altar and clung to a wood skewed from the ceiling. He called out to someone, but there was no one, no response. Soon he was immersed. His pulse increased with his anxiety. He waddled his way out of the building into the water. Outside, he called for help and called to God. No one was about except the mass of water and debris. The volume of the water kept rising. He looked upward. The sky was all grey. All around, the sky and the water enclosed him in their embrace. The rise and flow of water tossed him about like the ebb and tide. He gradually lost his strength to struggle against the flow; and nature took precedence. 

When the water finally receded, people returned to recover or lament their lost items or losses; structures were damaged and animals drowned. The bloated body of the priest, far removed from the church, was found among some shrubs. He was buried at the priest's cemetery. No one has ever dwelt in that village again because of its proneness to flooding.