Unplanned Redemption.

It happened the first time inside a church in Mexico City. Well, not inside exactly. The church happened to be closed; but a small entrance section was open with a place to kneel before a crucifix of the bleeding, abandoned & betrayed Christ in his final death throes.

A tourist visitor to the capital; he had been wandering around and the church looked interesting. There was no apprehension on his part, having been raised as a Catholic and being familiar with all the; imagery, incense, and elaborate rites enshrined in that faith.

He crossed himself from the stone font upon entering; then realized he was very much alone inside this small, quiet enclave.

Alone that is, until he knelt and became aware of the immediate overwhelming presence of his Maker.

Fear did not enter the equation; just a feeling of all emotions being subverted to a higher Being. There was no communication in mortal words; just an awareness of each other.

It was something he was not to experience again for about another ten years when he had visited the Jesuit Church in Rome.

But this time he was wandering around, whilst High Mass was being undertaken. Once again, it was a catalyst crucifix; this time in a side Chapel, not looked up at, (as is the convention), but from an inverted angle above.

The same overwhelming emotions, bordering on tears, for what rational he could not fathom.

Since then, nothing.

It is not something you can conjure up.

He had once on a spiritual retreat to a monastery in Ireland, observed monks prostrating themselves on cold granite floors, unaware of being observed. Were they, in those endeavours,* straining for the same religious experience he had been so unexpectedly given?

Prostrate, self abasement; arms extended in supplication and a thick heavy cowl covering the head from external, superfluous mortals.

The concept of salvation, (if it is ever thought of these days), holds a rational that is difficult to determine.

Is one judged by: one's deeds, one's faith, or just simply by what one's Maker decides?