Wilbur: "Yes then...so, we are to forgive, even murderers...as individuals! But we are also to uphold the rule of law!

Now, keep in mind, when Jesus speaks to the mob that is about to stone the woman, he is not telling the acting Roman authorities what to do!"



Wilbur: "For he has already made it plain that the authorities are to ensure restitution! He does speak to magistrate individuals about the woman! He is warning authority impostors that she should not be condemned...not without due process of law, which they lack! They are but vigilantes, acting not out of necessity but out of vanity.

The woman's crime is an affront to Rome; but not to the Israel that no longer existed. And that is assuming they can prove the allegations against her true in the first place! They make no effort at a trial; but assume only the right, under their pretense of reverence for the Law, to play judge, jury, and executioner. Yet, they try to set a trap for Jesus, who was not bothering them at the time. With this evil in their hearts, they were already disqualified to be judge and jury, let alone executioners..."



Candi was glad to hear the sermon topic Wilbur had chosen that morning. While she wasn't sure she was entirely ready to forgive herself for ignoring the danger of the phone call, nor was she entirely ready to forgive the Meethlites for what they had done to her life.

She still appreciated hearing the truth that she would need to dispose of her sister's killers only to keep them from endangering society; but not because they killed her sister. It was more about vocation and prevention than it would be about revenge.

She was even more delighted to know that Denny actually showed up for a service.



Wilbur: "In this then, do we grow to understand the mind of God perhaps a little better. Justice and mercy are neither one complete until they have existed in balance and harmony with one another; and only an infinite being can perfectly balance the two!

He gives us a picture of harmony though: we are told as individuals to love our enemies! Yet, institutions are to uphold the rule of law and punish lawbreakers! That includes declaring war on those who've declared war on us in time of war. This goes along with the teaching of vocations; a time and a place for everything!"*



Wilbur: "Even within Rule of Law, there is a time when one is to be meted with understanding, and a time when one is to be meted out with death. As flawed as our human institutions may be, we can still gain very good guesses through learning what to look for.

King David understood that the time was not right to exact vengeance on the man who taunted him; for that man's heart was the problem; and if not treated, it would be God himself who would find a way for that man to face justice!**

Solomon did his share of making that happen[3], but the fact is, David denied his opportunity for personal revenge. Yet; at the same time, it was when Saul ignored his vocation to bring the Amalekites to justice that the Jews suffered endlessly from their enemies." [4]



The congregation had its share of individuals from numerous walks of life; and many of them grew uneasy with the implications of Wilbur's words. Yet, Wilbur remained thankful that nobody had outright left in frustration. He assumed it meant the Spirit was getting through, though he could see that many in the congregation were resisting the message.

Wilbur: "So even in terms of when to forgive and when to deal out discipline or judgment; there is a time to do one and to do the other. Life is a calling. Many of us will take a long time to figure out what ours really is..."



The words were beginning to hit Candi a little too close to home, but she listened on, as Denny watched on with great curiosity.

Wilbur: "But we must be assured that even when we completely mess up on determining what it is, God is right there, willing to lead us where we ought to go! We may doubt our direction, or feel we have two at once; and not know how to travel to two places at once!

Our vocator will not deal out vocation to us if it would contradict his word, nor will he abandon us to a conundrum that he himself cannot fix for us!"



In front of Candi and the others sat in a green-dressed Nolle Barret; a cold-hearted, retired schoolteacher. She had seen what had become of the children of Viron as they had grown up; become very aware of the evils they practiced regularly on campus.

Amidst her disillusionment, she had unfortunately reached the conclusion that the university was nothing but a pack of wolves which threatened her comfortable perception of reality with their decadence. Of many of the student body, she could not have been more right. But she was willing to go too far with her conclusion.

Frequently, she watched on in distrust of Candi. Very carefully, she and the other "Granny Brigade" members had begun to sway the congregation with their prejudice against Candi. Only Liz, Wilbur, and Denny did not believe a word of the slander.



After the sermon had ended, Denny quickly left, saying he had to get some things at the store. Candi piled out with the rest of the congregation, but something seemed very wrong. The children gathered around her; but she couldn't figure out what they wanted.



Candi: "Travis? What's wrong?"

Travis: "Please Candi! You look so awesome and all! I know you're cool! I don't believe what that old hag Mrs. Barret says about you! You will be our new Sunday School teacher, won't you?"



Candi: "Well...I would like to believe that I will be. But...what things is she saying?"

Before Travis could give away any more secrets, a loud voice called out, forcing Candi and the others to jump with surprise.



Pete: "Candi!!!"

Candi: "Yes, Pete?"

Pete: "Come into the office with me, right now!!!"



The kids immediately scattered, as though they expected that the conspiracy they were trying to warn Candi about might come after them as well.

Candi: "What's wrong, Pete?"

Pete: "Follow me into the office, and you'll find out!"

She didn't take too kindly to his threatening demeanor, but she knew that there was no way out. Why would anyone at that church be so angry with her? As she quickly turned back to look, all the faces seemed to be going about their manner...as though they expected what was happening her to be normal!

She knew something was very wrong now, but what?



Candi: "Would you please explain what's going on, Pete? You're freaking me out!"

Pete: "A good thing too! Now lock that door behind you!"

Candi: "No!!! I'm not locking myself in here with ANY man, but ESPECIALLY not you!"



Without hesitation, he rushed behind her and slammed the door shut, locking it.

Pete: ""Eat that, Miss Insubordination!!!"

Candi: "Pete, get away from the door, now!!!"



Pete: "You are not to go near those kids, understand???"

Candi: "They approached me! I had no..."

Pete: "Do you UNDERSTAND!!!???"

Candi: "Why won't you just tell me what's going on?"



Her phantom scream didn't go off, so she knew she wouldn't have to use her powers on him. Still, she suspected the worst given that his temper was out of line. Why was she being treated like this...in a church?

Candi: "You can't trap me in here like this without an explanation!"

Pete: "Don't you already know? How could you possibly apply for a position as a Sunday School teacher?"



Candi: "Easily! The kids love me, and this place needs me! Otherwise..."

Pete: "Otherwise known as...you are an outside piece of Viron University sewer trash who is now getting after the kids!!!"



As Candi heard that, she walked further back to get away from the imposing Pete, he walked further forward, offering her no comfort space.

It began to dawn on her...the kids were trying to warn her of something!

Candi: "What was Nolle saying to the kids about me?"



Pete: "Nolle is not your business!"

Candi: "Excuse me? Those kids claimed that she's been saying things about me! If I'm the target of a smear campaign, then it very well IS my business!"

Pete: "Don't be a rebel, Candi!"

Candi: "Rebel? I have rights, twirp!"

Pete: "You are not a leader; you never will be! So casually do you joke about what you did this past March during the basketball playoffs with your boyfriend!!!"


* Ecclesiastes 3 | ** 1 Samuel 16:9 | [3] ^ 1 Kings 2:3 | [4]^ 1 Samuel 15