Greetings brothers and sisters of Amarr. Today I come before you to discuss one of our blessed holy scriptures, passed down from God to His chosen race the Amarr, words of timeless wisdom that direct the facets of our life. The verse I will focus on today is from the Book of Missions verse 5:14 hence the title of todays sermon "The Road Not Taken".

The title of this sermon is telling in a number of ways for it describes the decision all Amarr must make in their lives as they follow the path of life. Eventually we call come to forks in the road, situations where we can do what's easy or what is right, we can do what brings us personal gain or whats best for Amarr, where we can think of ourselves over God if we so choose.

Thus "The Road Not Taken" in the context of this sermon is the road of faith, obedience and dedication many Amarrians like myself have taken yet was not taken by many.

The Road Not Taken.

The Book of Missions speaks of the gates of paradise. A life in the presenece of God with all the blessings He can bestow on us. All we must do is accept his gift when the gates of paradise open. In effect the gates of paradise have opened for True Amarr from birth for they were blessed with the birthright of their God. The Ni-Kunni and others who have been assimilated into Amarrian culture over time have likewise had the gates of paradise open to them if they are only willing to accept the gifts and guidance of God. Even the Ammatar could be said to have had the gates open for them as they accept the Enlightenment and find their place in the grand scheme of the universe.

Yet some have chosen to turn from these gates of God and take a path they thought was easy, would bring them fame, would bring them titles, would bring them riches. They thought only of the path to instant gratification and not about the path of God.

The Road Not Taken.

The Book of Missions verse 5:14 states:

'Which test reveals more of the soul - the test that a man will take to prove his faith. or the test that finds the man who believed his faith already proven? If you know this answer, then you also know which of these challenges bear the greatest penalty for failure, The gates of paradise will open for you one time only; woe to the soul who dares to knock twice.'
-Book of Missions, 5:14, The Scriptures

Clearly the inference is that those who have turned away from the gates of God will never be allowed to enter them. They will not open again for those who took the path of self over the path of God. Likewise is a telling indication of what awaits these unfaithful should they try with "woe to the soul who dares to knock twice". It seems to indicate not only will they never see the gates open again but they will suffer the damnation of Amarr and those who did take the road of faith over the road of self.

Choice isn't really a complicated thing when you look at it this way. I often have opportunity to speak at the Imperial Academy to the youth corps of young teenage Amarrians who will someday train to fly Amarrian Navy vessels. I explain to them that someday in the future, somewhere, something will happen and they will have the choice to do what is "easy" over what is "right". I point to this verse of scripture in particular and remind them of the blessings bestowed on them already as Amarrians and the fact the gates are in effect open to them at birth as Amarrians. I likewise point out the price of taking the wrong path.

The Road Not Taken.

Brothers and sisters do not take the easy way. Follow the scriptures, obey the words of God and obey what you know is right, there is no room in God's paradise for one who seeks only their own over the masses of faithful.

Go with God.

Archbishop