The Meaning Of Life

The Meaning Of Life

“Father!”

“As always, I am here, son.”

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

“Son, they are just fulfilling their manifest destiny. They were destined to crucify you. But you know that.”

“I know. I know. But it hurts. Why do they cause one another such pain?”

“Man’s inhumanity to man is unbounded. I sent you into the world to take away worldly sins, to demonstrate my love.”

“And this is my reward?”

“You knew this from your birth. Do you recall the stable?”

“Yes, I remember. I will cling to that memory. I will use it, focus on that holy night, to channel away the pain. Can you take away my pain?”

“No son. You must endure the pain, embrace the pain. You must take away the pain of the world with your death. By the way, the soul to your right is talking to you.”

“Thank you, friend. I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

“Why did you say that to him? His has been the perfect example of a sinful life?”

“Because I am here to save every soul, even the lamb who has strayed.”

“Very good son. Your short time on this Earth has taught you well. Now, concentrate. Here comes your Earthly mother and your friends. Remember, she will live on after you. Remind them to continue looking after her, once you have gone.”

“Mother, behold your son. Friends, behold your mother!”

“Good. They’ve understood your meaning and that was a simple enough sentence for them to remember and write it down.”

“Write it down?”

“Yes. They’ve been remembering every word you have said. Would have been best if they’d written it down straight away, while it is fresh in their memory but one day, when they are old and grey, they will get round to writing it all down.”

“Like the Book of Isiah?”

“Similar, though, as you are my son, possibly a little more important.”

“Interesting that I ‘am’ actually important. Sometimes I have wondered. Dad. Dad? Where are you? My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

“I’m here. I just had to be somewhere else, somewhen else. Remember, I am omniscient. That comes with a pretty heavy schedule.”

“What? More important than me dying down here?”

“No, but I can’t neglect the rest of creation, the rest of time.”

“Time. I meant to ask you about that. During my 40 days in the desert, I was thinking about time. You’ve been around for all of time, right? Since before the universe began?”

“I have.”

“And you have guided all of history up to this point and know what will happen in all of the future, after I die?”

“That’s true.”

“Good. Then I have a question. What is the meaning of existence? What has been the meaning of my life? Why was I born?”

“Mmmm. Well, according to Douglas Adams, the answer to the meaning of life, the universe and everything is 42.”

“Douglas Adams? Who is Douglas Adams?”

“Someone you will discover in the future. Also in the future, they will make films about you. Films about you here, on the cross.”

“What are films?”

“I’ll tell you later. For now, just be at peace. Concentrate on dying.”

“I thirst.”

“Then drink from that sponge they have placed near your lips.”

“That’s foul. It isn’t water. It’s vinegar.”

“Then there is nothing left to live for, my son. Now is the time to die.”

“It is finished. Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

“Rest in peace, my son.”

“But why 42?”

“I’ll tell you later. Rest now, son. You’re going to be very busy in three days’ time.”