El pajarillo

Here is a short parable from The Names of Christ (1583) by Fray Luis de León applicable to the fate of the Church at large as well as the Christian believer in the world. To whit, the book in question is in dialogue form between three scholars Marcelo, Sabino and Juliano who discuss the importance of the names given to Christ in Scripture. This genre was popular in the Renaissance in this particular case shows a remarkable fusion of Platonic, Ciceronian, Erasmian, and contemporary Italian Renaissance dialogues. One thing to keep in mind is that Jesus, the Greek form of Joshua, Yeshua, means salvation or “one who saves”.

On the opposite riverbank from where Marcelo and his friends were standing there was a small bird of a most striking size and plumage perched on a tree. Almost the whole time that Juliano was talking, as if overhearing him, it would at times answer him with its calls and this with such soothing tones and harmony that Marcelo and the rest couldn’t help but take noticed of it. Right after Juliano had finished talking and Marcelo had responded with what I have just reported, Sabino wanted to say something in reply when they heard a ruckus near that same area. Upon turning around they saw that two big crows were the ones making the racket, flying and circling around the little bird trying to wound it with their beaks and talons. At first the bird defended itself with the tree’s branches hiding among the thickest ones. But as the stand-off progressed they pressed in more and more no matter where the bird went and it was forced to fall into the water calling out as if asking for help. The crows also went towards the water and flying over the surface of the river they chased the bird until it became completely submerged in the water without leaving a single trace. At this point Sabino spoke up and said with a cry:

`“Oh the poor thing has drowned on us!”

His companions who also believed this to be the case felt saddened because of it. Then the avian enemies went away cheerful as if victorious. After a good space of time had passed and Juliano had consoled Sabino with a little laughter, who cursed the crows and couldn’t help but feel sorry for his little birdie, as he called it. All of a sudden right where Marcelo was standing and almost next his feet, they saw the little bird stick its head out of the water and get out of the stream onto the riverbank all tired and soaking wet. Upon emerging it perched on a low branch that was right nearby where it stretched out its wings and shook the water off. Then beating them in a timely manner it began to lift itself up into the air singing with a renewed sweetness. As if responding to its call many other birds of the same feather came from different parts of the clearing. They approached as a sign of congratulations and flew around the little bird. Then in a show of triumph, they all made three or four circles in the air with agile turns going up higher and higher until they were lost from sight.

Sabino reacted to this latest development with great rejoicing and happiness. But Marcelo told me that at this moment while Sabino was looking at him he saw a change in Sabino’s face as if disturbed and deep in thought, which surprised him a great deal and wishing to ask Sabino how he was feeling he saw his friend, fixing his gaze on the sky, who said between his teeth with a suppressed sigh:

“In the end Jesus is Jesus.” (which means salvation is salvation.)