On Death and Loss
From LanceaSanctum
The Weight of Death and loss
Sermon by Sariel St. James
Written for August 10th, 2007
Mass in Aspen, Co
We have all felt a cold sting. From the moment we wake after the damnation that is chosen. From the moment we are given the choice and we choose to take it. We feel loss. No longer will we see the sun, or know the warmth of it upon our skin. No more will we be able to walk through life and be able to look upon the gates of heaven when we die. We become damned, and in doing so we shoulder two great things. Death and Loss. These two things while we think are not that great at times, can be the hardest thing to handle. As it is, we have felt the sting of that much in this year. We have done well to try and understand. But I will speak of those that we know and feel. There was the feel of pain when St. Leoninus was passed on. Rumored that he was the patron saint of the gangrel clan, we will miss the wisdom he could teach us. We also felt it when the death of Archbishop Van Der Haas. One who spoke out and would also seek to make sure things were handled well. One who saw to protect a carthian and help try and guide him. One who walked into a trap, knowing what his end might be and that he would still trust to god. Finally, the most recent is the passing of Carlo Gialloti. Once a cardinal of our covenant, and now. Destroyed by some issue. One who I would even argue with, and rarely saw eye to eye with. I respected him though and will miss him as I would miss any sanctified’s death. I have carried my shouldering of death. Of even in the small places I walk. When a mortal hunter dies because they think we are servants of the adversary. Even though things seem to crumble around us. We see the death of our loved ones and the loss of friends pass in time. We are damned and should remember this well. Even though I will always feel and know the death of many, We must shoulder this burden.
Longinus did such a thing, when the blood touched upon his lips and eyes, when he was shown to gods plan. He understood that he would have to carry Death and loss with him. As it is now, there are voices amongst every covenant that screams out for war, for slaughter, for death. In all this, what will it attain? More death and loss. More death of the damned, and more death of those who we are here to guide. Let us Remember that while we may not agree with the Circle of the Crone Nor the Ordo Dracul. We are here to do god’s will.. Not to start wars, let tho be the folly of the kine. Of the Sheep, not of the wolves. For how things are.. We shall be here long after these are done. For let us not forget that even Longinus took these to bear.. As it is written in the Torments of Longinus,
“It was then that I came upon that dark monastery and did secretly look on the monks inside. They who were meant to be servants of the Lord, who has sworn themselves to service for years numbering only as long as a man would live, had grown doubtful and idle and within them found sin. So were they shown that the fearsome hunger of Death might creep out of the night and bite through claims of piety. So were they all bled and slain and devoured by the lion of the Lord. All save one. [LS 49] “
He latter gave the choice to Monachus, damnation.. Or death. A choice.. And the choice was made. The embrace was given, and two great weights grew heavier on the shoulders. Death and loss. We must all shoulder the pains of these two things. We must let it be weights to help us realize.. Without feeling the pain of these, we fall dangerously close to the beast.
So, look about you now. These are the wolves that sit amongst us all. The Sanctified are the shepherd of the wolves. Let us guide them, and help them. Let us remember that even the lone wolf must come close to others, so that we may remember. Let us quell the notions of war and calling for another death. It will only lead to more and more. This is why it is a sin to kill another kindred. We are ment to shoulder Death and Loss, so let us shoulder it. Let us wait for the time in which we shall see the end days.
Though my work is sinful, my mission is divine. [LS 215]
As it Seems though, we must remember who and what we are. In essence, we are damned creatures with a diving mission. In doing this mission we must accept certain fates. We must shoulder the burden of all those who die at our hands. Weither because we are at our beasts mercy or we do so because of our thirst for blood. We must remember all those who have passed. We must remember to carry on in teachings the words. To carry the Spear on. We must not forget those who have perished. They have merely carried the spear and word as long as they could, and now rest aside the road. Soon we shall see them again. We must carry on and press to carry the word. So brothers and sisters, although we carry the responsibilty of death and loss, we must never forget that it is a price. To be kindred.
<Aremthic> Soon my time will come, and my blood shall wash away in the sands of time. I will pay for my sins in hell. Where I shall fight the demons that I have placed there by god. I will stand in the fires of hell, and be the guardian of the those gates form the inside. Gods Speed.
