I went out for a jog through the streets of my Córdoba; I loved doing so through the Jewish quarter (judería). However, lately, something was pushing me to run down a specific street—narrow, whitewashed, and with stairs, adjacent to what centuries ago had been the “Doctor’s House” in Jewish times and the Archaeological Museum.
So, I let myself be swept away, but halfway down the street, the end was nowhere in sight. How strange!, I thought. I continued jogging, my instincts surfacing. And upon reaching a certain point in my route, I entered a different street, filled with stone buildings reminiscent of medieval structures or Fernandine churches. All the facades together in unison faced a cobbled square: one showed its beautiful side facade, two others their fronts, and another its rear. I understood nothing!
I directed my steps toward one of those beautiful buildings, the one facing the square with its side facade. It had a high ceiling with vaulted endings, featured a dome in the center, large stones fallen on the ground, and small windows through which some light entered, in addition to the front stained-glass window adorned with religious images forming a large rose window. Curiously, I felt no fear, only tranquility and curiosity. I heard a noise and searched among the shadows for its source; atop a large stone sat that beautiful winged being. He was tall, with pale skin, blue eyes, and large wings of soft white feathers.
“Are you an Archangel?”
“Yes, I am.”
“You wouldn’t happen to be Saint Raphael?”
“Shhh, do not mention him, lest he appear. I am Gabriel.”
A thousand memories and teachings flooded my mind—fifteen years of religious education. Of course, I had also read apocryphal testaments and learned about religions other than Christianity. It is curious, because I did all that thanks to Father Manolo, who belonged to the Jesuit Order.
“What are you seeking here, in Córdoba?”
I was excited, frightened, intrigued… this was a different plane. I looked around; that building appeared ruinous, yet it lost not a shred of majesty.
The Archangel spread his enormous white wings and approached me, rising with a soft flutter, shedding a magical white feather.
“You, my Dear. Without a doubt, you.”
He placed his soft hands on my chin to lift my face and my gaze.
“I have nothing in particular.”
“That decision does not depend on you. It depends on God. And He endowed you with a great gift. The Apocalypse is near; times are changing, Faith is almost gone, only individualism and selfishness remain. However, He still has hope in you.”
I understood nothing, but being by his side filled me with tranquility, with a unique, unimaginable, and unexpected peace.
Gabriel drew closer; my feet stepped back, tripping over a stone. Losing my balance, I nearly fell onto a column lying on the ground, but… He caught me in mid-air, and with his beautiful wings, he embraced me. It was then that I knew he would be for me much more than a protective Archangel.