The Good Angel And The Bad Angel

The Good Angel never missed a session of counseling with a sinner, but he arrived late, very late. He grunted a greeting the Bad Angel who delivered bread and milk to hungry but uncomplaining kids. They know - they're cared for. The Good Angel knows the complete liturgy, and recites the prayers in a slow, sweet voice. The Bad Angel remembers nothing, recites nothing. He bows his head and does not complain. After the service, the children gather around him, and he tells them the stories they love. The Good Angel keeps people keyed up for Judgment: "I am a sinner; you know this. You are all sinners; do you know this? Or pretend not to? " Meanwhile, the Bad Angel watches the purposeful activity of birds. "How do they know when to sing? Do their songs reach Heaven? Yes, yes! " The Good Angel can enter Heaven whenever he wants to. When he enters Heaven, a detachment of militant angels who served in the War in Heaven blow Trumpets of Prophecy. When the Bad Angel arrives, he is shunted to the back, where he hears the chorus and organ with heightened beauty. The Good Angel has quarters in the office, where church business is conducted. It's lively, distracting, the Good Angel's prayers are cut short, the words lie untended on the floor. The Bad Angel listens at a distance in a perfect silence. Grace descends. At the end of Time, the Bad Angel is told, "You have, with the help of the Holy Spirit, redeemed yourself. Congratulations! You can enter Heaven! " The Good Angel was promiseda fanfare of victory, but only a pack of sinners showed up in need of counseling.