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“Is that bad?”
“No, not bad. Just confusing. My father wasn’t religious at all. He never gave much thought to his faith or the faith of others. So, I don’t understand why he would be interested in finding holy or religious relics. I mean, he was an archaeologist, but his specialty was Egyptology, not biblical relics. He would have loved to have found anything significant, but this just doesn’t fit with the man I know.”
“Maybe it’s not about religion,” said Matthew. “Maybe this is about him needing clarity on some things. Or, and mind you, I didn’t know your father. Maybe it was about fame and money.”
Elena bit back a sharp retort, not wanting to offend Matthew. There was a grin on his face as if he knew she was fighting her response.
“He wouldn’t have cared about that, Matthew. My father let others take greater credit all the time. It infuriated my mother because he wasn’t worried about the money or fame associated with it. I think my mother would have liked to see a more driven husband,” she smirked.
“Oh, I’ll bet your father was driven. Just not by fame or money. He was driven toward discovery, adventure, finding the unknown.”
“If his notes are valid, if they’re correct, he was on the trail of the biggest find in history. It would confirm everything we know about Christianity,” said Elena. “I know that I was only eleven, but I would have understood this. Why wouldn’t he tell me?”
“Maybe he was concerned that if he told you, others could use you against him. I’m not sure, but I would feel that way if it were me and you were my daughter.”
“The Ark of the Covenant is believed to be in Aksum at the Church of St. Mary of Zion. Allegedly, a virgin monk watches over it and cannot leave until his death. But no one has seen it. Others have claimed that they found it and know where it is, but, of course, they refuse to tell anyone. It’s sometimes called theArk of the Testimonyor theArk of Godand is believed to have been the most sacred religious relic of theIsraelites.”
“Fascinating,” smiled Matthew. “Tell me more.”
“Well, it’s described as a wooden chest coated in pure gold and topped off by an elaborate golden lid known as themercy seat. In both the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, the Ark contained theTablets of the Law, by whichGoddelivered theTen Commandments.
“Here’s where it gets really interesting,” she smiled. “The biblical account says that approximately one year after the Israelites'exit from Egypt, the Ark was created according to the pattern that God gave to Moses when the Israelites were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai. After that, it was lifted and carried in front of the Levites no matter where they traveled.”
“And do other archaeologists agree with this?” he asked.
“Some. Contemporary archeologists disagree about the history of the Ark's movements and dating of the Ark narratives. Others debate what led to the creation of the Ark. Basically, everyone believes it holds the tablets of the Ten Commandments, the rod of Aaron, and a pot of manna.” She looked at Matthew and continued. “Oh, sorry. Manna was something the Israelites ate.”
“I see,” he smiled. “But you don’t believe this exists. Any of it.”
“It’s not that I don’t believe,” she said hesitantly. “It’s more that it’s hard to believe. I want tangible.”
“And are tombs thousands of years old more tangible? Even those that you know are there, but you can’t find them? Say, like Cleopatra.”
“Well, I-I,” she hesitated before answering, looking at him. “Honestly, Matthew, I’m not sure. As I said, my parents weren’t connected to any religion. I believe in religion of all types because I think it serves to give people hope and connection. But I can’t quite put my finger on a specific deity that I believe in. I know that sounds contradictory.”
“It sounds like an intelligent woman of science trying to make faith scientific,” he smiled.
“Oh, I have faith!” she said excitedly. “I know that there is something or someone guiding us all. I just don’t have a specific religion I attach to.”
“Faith is what’s important, Elena. I remember being in the South Pacific, trying to understand the tribes around me. Some believed in idols, some believed in gods. But I wanted to know why. In the end, it didn’t matter to me. We all had faith in something. My own sons struggled with their time in the service as well, and I suspect my grandsons and great-grandsons have as well.
“Many, many years ago, I stood beside my good friend Harry Beauvais at his wedding. His wife was Methodist, and he was happy to have their ceremony in the Methodist church. But I remember the reverend pulling them aside and saying, ‘when you get home, find a place of worship. Don’t look at the name on the building – just walk in, and if you like what you hear, go back next week.’ I never forgot that.”
“But you and Mama Irene are devout Catholics,” said Elena.
“We are. But if there was not a Catholic church near us, we would find another church where we liked what we heard. Here’s the real important lesson. You don’t have to enter a building of worship to have faith, to believe in something bigger than yourself. You feel it,” he said, placing the palm of his hand over her heart. “Here.”
Elena sucked in a breath, the feeling of warmth and pulsing light filling her body. She smiled at him with tears in her eyes.
“You know who your father was as a man. Follow his notes. Follow where he takes you, and you will at least know what it was he was searching for.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Major found his new wife sitting on the stone bench with a large smile on her face, just staring at the cherubic stone statue fountain. He watched her for a moment, making sure she wasn’t praying or deep in thought. She turned to look at him.
“Hi. Am I disturbing you?” he asked.
“Not at all. I just had the loveliest, most insightful conversation of my life with Matthew. I feel… lighter. Happier. I can’t explain it,” she giggled.
