An Everlasting Name (A Novel)
Table of Contents
The story started with a dream I had several years ago about an angel beating up a monk. I didn’t know the angel was so mad. As I thought about it, a storyline developed in my mind involving gay monks and mysterious names. Two ghost boys and bunny rabbits soon emerged to join them. At the center of the story was the love of an elder monk for his younger monastic brother. This story brings together my interests in religion and spirituality and issues of gay love and is intended as a parable or metaphor.
Many years ago, when I was in graduate school, I wrote a paper about the prophetic oracle found in Isaiah 56: 4-5 from the Bible. The eunuchs remind me of the monks and their monastery. It’s from this passage that this story takes its title: An Everlasting Name.
Neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
The following is my tentative working table of contents.
Table of Contents:
Lunch conversation with guests, debate on religion, ghosts, church building.
The story of Tonis and Paddy, pt 1.
Brother Francis and Brother Cole talk.
The story of Tonis and Paddy, pt.2.
At the Chapter house meeting, Brother Francis criticized, Rule read.
Brother Francis has a dream.
Brother Francis weeps and Brother Timothy’s prayers.
The story of Tonis and Paddy, p3.
Brother Francis visits the Abbot and more about the names.
Brother Francis meditates on the Names.
Story of the fallen Church, narrated by the angel.
The incident in the church. Guest expelled.
Chat with Brother Paul.
The Brothers in the night, narrated by the angel.
More names come in the night.
Brother Timothy dies during Mass.
Brother Francis searches for Tonis and Paddy, comforted by a rabbit.
Vespers said over Brother Timothy.
Tonis and Paddy come to visit the body of Brother Timothy.
Confrontation with kitchen monk.
Brother Francis dreams of the angel, fighting the forces in the field.
More names. Brother Francis refuses to write.
Brothers come to comfort Brother Francis. The Abbot tells them about names.
Funeral arrangements are made. An unexpected visitor arrives.
Brother Francis understands the meaning of the names.
Brother Francis mourns Brother Timothy.
Decision and Brother Francis’s death
Conclusion: narrated by the angel.