4 out of 4 stars
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No Dark Clouds by R.W. Nelson is an historical fiction, which takes the imaginary scene of Jerusalem in India. The novelist brings out the life of Jesus during His mission here on earth, His temptation, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. The prologue section, brings in the end of the story; the resurrected Jesus. From chapter 1 R.W. Nelson brings out intertwined scenes, on one side there are numerous beggar children on the streets of Jerusalem (India) taking opportunity of any chance they gets to beg, or using the begotten talents they have to entice the passerby at least to be rewarded, or using their cheeky methodologies like stealing to have something for food. For instance; Aditya, a slave girl of the Taskmaster uses her God-given sweet voice to sing, while, Beggar Boy cheekily uses her learned skills of folding her legs and arms to look like a cripple or just steals what he needs.
No Dark Clouds brings out numerous lessons well suited for the rich and the poor, the mighty and the powerless alike. For instance, the Taskmaster mistreats the slave children, and he could lock them or deny them food or leave them in cold if they do not meet his target after a long day of begging. On the same, the poor helping the poor scenario is brought as well. Aditya, a dwarf, is kindhearted. She is called the mother of other six beggars under Taskmaster’s care. Before her disappearance, she is concerned about Figs, another beggar who is mute and unwell, but the Taskmaster does not care. The Beggar Boy hides in an abandoned rock house. He is also kindhearted to those suffering, but also very witty and full of bitterness because of his past. He has scarred face, earned from his former Slave man beatings and knife-cuts years ago. Using his wit, he takes Aditya with him and sick Figs under his care. Beggar Boy is also very resilient when he heard of Jesus, the Healer Man, he searches for Him up the mountains of Jerusalem, to Galilee to Calvary to have his face cured. Because of Beggar’s Boy resilience, the resurrected Jesus meets the Boy, and gives Him a name; Zachary meaning God remembers.
The novel brings out the mighty Roman Empire characters, but their wisdom is only focused on the worldly materials and earthly leadership. The Roman Empire was frightened by the Nazarene-Jesus’ teachings. Though, the Roman Empire was led by seasoned religious leaders, the high priest Caiphas and the Levi they did not realize that the king of Jews who will save the whole world had come. Jesus overturned tables for traders in the synagogue simply because it is a place of prayer, but ironically the High priest Caiaphas only saw the loss incurred to an extend that he may not be able to feed 7000 priests under His care. Ironically, so many priests could not interpret the scripture. Jesus talked about destroying the temple and rebuilding it after three days, but the minds of the religious leaders were blocked and only saw the stone built-church of Jerusalem. The religious leaders were quick to judge and sentence Jesus to have a Passover with no blemish because the pouring of blood during Passover would wash away their sins, but they never recalled that in his last supper Jesus said whoever will eat His body and drink His blood will be saved.
Today the world is full of bitterness, hate and pain. No Dark Clouds is quite interesting it teaches us about forgiveness, as the Beggar boy forgives Centurion Leonide who did pierce Jesus’ side, and Jesus himself who said forgive them Father for they have no knowledge of their action. When Jesus was being judged and accused, He looked at the crowd and saw anger and hate and this could only be removed through forgiveness and love. Secondly, we learn the gift of prayer and persistence from the beggars’ children and Jesus Himself at the garden of Gethsemane. Thirdly, we learn about alms giving, we have to remember the poor and the needy in our societies and treat them with kindness like Claudia; Pilate’s wife who goes to the Taskmaster to uncage one of beggar’s Tabitha under the Taskmaster stable care. Fourthly, from the Beggar Boy and other Street children, we realize that the world has a lot of pain and it will always pass the same to us, but only death detaches us from this world to the heavenly life where no pain. Fifth, often during suffering we feel that God has forgotten us, but N.W. Nelson states that; God remembers. We may have no name of authority, leadership, or we have been given weird names depending on our stature or abilities, but God has our real names written in His palm He cannot forget us. Finally, we might be accused and sentenced like Jesus to die, send to prison, with no charge sheets or accused unfairly, but No Dark Clouds can surround us forever, with Jesus there is hope.
The book is full of ironical scenarios, the poor beggars helping one another while the rich traders ignore or kick them away. The poor Aditya girls allowing sickly Figs to die on her hands. The religious leaders being angered by Jesus the Rabbi, teacher of the religion. The Pilate who fears the crowd, but not God when judging Jesus and upholds that he has the power to sentence Jesus or set Him free. The Beggar Boy who saves Tribune Leonides from being stabbed by Barabbas. The Centurion Darius who portrays a strong faith, by asking Jesus to cure his servant by saying a word. And a crowd healed from many diseases, but repays back by laying false allegations against Jesus.
I thank the Almighty God that I read this book at this time of the year. I recommend it to all Catholics starting the Lenten season on this Ash Wednesday as it will arouse our hearts to look unto Jesus and do His will; doing the works of mercy, persistence in prayer and fasting. Remember, blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Having found this book quite interesting, with a flowing and biblical supportive information, and only two errors I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.
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No Dark Clouds
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