“He already is. I think John was the closest thing to a son that Anthony ever had.”
“Did you bring the stone brick you found in the ancient chapel?”
“It’s in that backpack John is holding onto so tightly. Anthony said it would be useful.”
“Vital would be a better choice of words, Father. I believe it will assist us in finding something of enormous significance here in Israel.”
“Do you have any hint of what we’re looking for?”
“We’ll be trying to find the answer to that question when the whole team comes together at my house later today. We’re hoping that the stone contains additional information, maybe even some subtle engravings, which will help us discover its true purpose. From what Father Morelli said, I have a feeling that a lot of people would like to get their hands on that brick right now.”
“John and I were chased all over Rome by security men from the Vatican, and Anthony mentioned in his letter that our lives were in danger. As strange as this might sound, he told me in a letter that I’m supposed to find an object that dates back to the time when Lucifer was cast out of heaven… so basically, I have no idea what I’m looking for.”
Lev turned the vehicle to the right as they reached the Mediterranean Sea and headed north along the coastal highway. “You’re not alone in this search, my friend. Whatever it is we’ve been called on to do will be revealed to us soon. I’m sure of it. Do you believe the code in the Bible is the word of God, Leo?”
“Well, I guess I’ve narrowed it down to the simple fact that the Bible was divinely inspired by God, and the code is in the Bible. Using that reasoning as a premise, and considering everything that’s happened over the past few days, I would have to say that I’m becoming convinced that God is using the code to lead us.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, Father, because you will have to open yourself up to the fact that you are being led in the days ahead. You know, I can’t help but think back to the days of Moses. Do you think it’s possible that God chose something as simple as a burning bush to talk to man thousands of years ago, and is now using a complex code embedded in the Bible to speak to mankind in today’s world?”
“That’s an interesting concept, Professor.” Leo was impressed with the fact that Lev’s analogy simplified things and brought the complexities of the code into a biblical perspective. It was the mark of a very intelligent mind. “Doesn’t the name Lev mean lion in Hebrew?”
“Yes, as does your name, Leo. You’re also a lion.”
Leo sat up in his seat. “I seem to be running into a lot of things with subtle meanings lately. John’s last name is Lowe, another name that means lion.”
“I’m beginning to think that all of God’s lions are gathering here now, Father.” Lev pulled a cigar from his pocket and glanced over at Leo with the realization that an unrevealed plan was coming together and that he had met someone special, a kindred soul in the search for an unknown truth.
The Land Rover continued along the coast road as the men’s discussion revealed that both shared a common bond of scholars who felt a passion for digging down deep and uncovering new realities within their respective fields.
“Have you always lived here, Lev?”
“I grew up on a kibbutz.”
“I’ve always wondered, what exactly is a kibbutz?”
“It’s a communal farm run collectively and dedicated to the principal that intellectual work, production work, and domestic work are all of equal value. I built my house on the coast and the area surrounding it to resemble the kibbutz I was raised on. My mother and father moved to Palestine back in 1946 shortly before I was born. They were French Jews and were part of the French resistance that fought the Nazis in World War II. One of my uncles was killed by the Germans for hiding some American flyers who were shot down close to his farmhouse. When the war was over, my father wanted to leave Europe as quickly as possible. He and my mother traveled through Cyprus and ended up on a boat bound for the Holy Land.”
Leo hadn’t realized that Lev’s family had been part of the exodus from Europe. “That must have been very difficult for them. Did your father ever talk about those days?”
“He said it seemed peaceful here at first. The British still controlled the area and had been trying to limit Jewish immigration to Palestine. After the Holocaust, tens of thousands of Jews flocked to the region. The Irgun, an underground Jewish organization, fought the British, blowing up their headquarters in the King David Hotel. The Brits finally had enough and pulled the last of their troops out of Palestine in 1948 after the U.N. voted for the partition of the Holy Land into an Arab state and a Jewish state. Jerusalem was supposed to be an international city. After the British pulled out, it was open warfare between the Arabs and Jews. My parents went to live in a kibbutz formed outside of Tel Aviv for safety. I remember the fighting then and have witnessed it ever since.”
“You’ve led quite a life, Lev. I have to admire the Jewish people for preserving their heritage after everything they’ve been through. Why did you convert to Christianity?”
“That’s a strange question coming from a priest.”
Leo smiled. “Not really. I just haven’t met many Jews who’ve converted to another religion. They all seem pretty happy with their own beliefs.”
Lev lit the cigar hanging from his mouth with a match. “Most are happy with being Jewish. Sometimes, I think they’re a little too happy.”
Leo seemed puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“Well, here in Israel, we’re basically a Jewish state, even though the government is supposedly secular, and that causes problems in any society.”
As a university professor of theology, this was the kind of discussion Leo relished. “Are you saying that nationalism, along with a predominant national religion, gives rise to radicalism?”
“Yes, in a way, but religion by itself is broader than nationalism and affects people in many countries all over the world. I believe that, no matter where you live, only religious moderation can stop religious extremism.”
“So you converted to Christianity because you found it more moderate?”
“No, we Christians can be just as extreme in our beliefs. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that. My late wife was a Christian. She was truly an angel sent from above. We had long talks on the subject of Christ’s ministry and how he gave his life to save humanity. She believed we lived in a self-centered world instead of a God-centered world and dedicated her life to looking out for others. She never pushed her Christian beliefs on me, and I never pushed my Jewish ones on her. Out of curiosity and respect for her, I began reading the Christian Bible and the story of Jesus.”
“What happened?” Leo asked.
“Slowly, over time, I began to join the ranks of the Sabra, other Jews who believe Christ was the Messiah.”
“Was there any one thing that convinced you?”
“Without going into details, let’s just say I had a religious experience one day when I was walking with my wife through the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. I converted shortly thereafter.”
“Sounds mysterious,” Leo said. “However, if you’re going to have a religious experience, I can’t think of a better place to have one.”
Lev smiled. He was starting to like this priest and his easy going manner.
“Did you meet your wife here in Israel?” Leo asked.
“Yes, she moved here to study at the university. She told me she wanted to experience biblical history from a front row seat. We were both young students at the time, and she totally captivated me. We dated for only three months before I begged her to stay here in Israel and marry me. Despite her better judgment, she finally gave in.”
“Did she ever miss living back in the States?”
“No, she was very happy here. She had seen the culture in America slowly change over time. The society had become increasingly more consumer-driven and self-centered. The work ethic of the agrarian society that existed before the Great Depression had largely vanished, replaced instead with a dependent society that allowed the government and big corporations to make all their decisions for them. Over the years, we both watched as a whole generation of Americans drifted away from God and civil discourse became less polite and more aggressive. Society was becoming more violent, and just driving down the highway was becoming an exercise in probability, but for some reason, there was no unifying sense of outrage. There was only denial and a detachment from past values.”