The Tunic (Part 12)

(The Tunic is a fictional story based on the Passion of Jesus. The story began on post March 18, 2019.)


  Cato found Livia and Remus waiting outside for his return.  Remus again came running towards him.  Cato thought it was the most joyous and beautiful sight ever.  Moments earlier Cato was completely exhausted, but now seeing Remus, he was filled with new energy.
  "Papa, Papa have you heard?!"
  Cato quickly dismounted from his horse and ran towards Remus.  "Have I heard what?"
  "Jesus might be alive again!" Remus said grinning from ear to ear.
  "Where did you hear that?" questioned Cato.
  "Mama and I took another walk around town and we heard people talking about it!  Isn't it great!"
  Cato didn't know what to say.  He drew his lips tight together afraid the wrong words might escape. He loved seeing Remus smile again.
  Lidia sensed her husband's stress.  "Remus let's all go inside and eat dinner. I'm sure Papa is hungry and tired after such a long day. He needs some rest."
  "Can I play outside for a little longer? I already ate."
  Livia looked questionably at her husband and shrugged her shoulders.  "We didn't know when you would be home.  I gave him an early dinner.  He gets so hungry know that he can run around and play."
  Cato nodded yes and headed inside.  He really didn't know what to say to Remus' news, and appreciated Livia giving him a chance to collect his thoughts.  Dinner smelled delicious and Cato realized he hadn't eaten all day.
  Livia placed a generous plateful in front of Cato.  Cato seemed lost in thought.  She knew she had to chose her words carefully.  She thought for a moment as Cato enjoyed his dinner.  "You're home late today. You must have had a very busy day."
  Cato let out a sigh.  "It was a long, unsuccessful day of searching."
  "Oh?....What were you searching for?" asked Livia.
  "The body of Jesus."
  "What?  Is it true then?  It's missing?" Livia asked trying to restrain her excitement.
  "His body is missing from the tomb.  No one is claiming to have taken it and we can't find it.  And believe me, we have searched.  Pilate is furious!  He wants his body found and nobody knows where it is.  We've been door to door asking if anyone has any information.  So far we have come up with nothing."
  "Nothing?"
  "Well...we have some stories that Jesus predicted he would rise again.  There are stories that he had healed people who had died and brought them back to life.  One man, Lazarus, was in the tomb 3 days when he raised him to life."
  "Cato that is amazing!  How could an ordinary person perform such miracles?"
  "They are stories Livia.  How can people be brought back to life?  I have never seen it happen.  If a man had this kind of power, then how could he not have stopped his own crucifixion?"
  Livia remained silent for a few minutes while Cato continued to eat.  She knew in her heart that she had been healed by Jesus, but she had no explanation as to why this God would allow His son to be crucified.  It was such a horrible way to die.  But...what if Jesus really was alive?  Livia desperately wanted to meet him now.  She wanted Remus to meet him!  She wanted to say thank you, she wanted to....follow him?....Yes, she wanted to be a follower of Jesus!  Very cautiously Livia allowed a few words to escape.  "I hope he is alive."
  Cato froze with the sound of her words.  "Livia, you are a sensible person.  Please stop this nonsense.  It can't be possible.  Livia I helped crucify the man.  He is dead!  We put a sword through his heart.  I removed his body from the cross and placed it in his mother's arms.  The man is dead!  People don't come back from the dead!"
  Livia never liked confrontations with Cato, but she couldn't help herself.  "Cato look at your son.  How do you explain his healing?  Look at my arms.  How are the scars gone?  How is the terrible pain gone?"
  Cato shook his head and pounded the table.  "I don't know...I don't know...."  Cato closed his eyes as his hands tried to stop his head from spinning.  How were they healed? Terrible pain? Livia had never spoken of her own pain.  All these months she had remained silent, focusing only on Remus.  Cato was confused, he was tired, and .... a little scared. He could feel his heart racing. What if Jesus really could rise from the dead?  Would he come get revenge on Cato for crucifying him? Would his followers try to get revenge for Jesus?  Is his family even safe here while he is gone all day?  If anything ever happened to them again while he was gone, he couldn't live with himself. Maybe they should move.  He has to keep his family safe. Where could they go?  Can you even hide from God?  Cato's thoughts pounded one after another on his brain demanding answers. (Suddenly breathing became difficult. Why was he perspiring so much?) He would do whatever he had to do. He knew how to fight. His face felt flushed and he just wanted to scream when he felt Livia's soft touch on his shoulder.
  "Cato, I'm sorry.  I should have remained silent.  I'm sorry I have angered you."  When Cato opened his eyes, he saw his wife's beautiful, tear stained face begging for forgiveness.  Instinctively, he took her hands in his and gently kissed them. He let out a very deep sigh.  "Livia, it has been a very long day.  I have no answers tonight, but I promise that I will search for the truth."

(to be continued...)

-Susan