e
man in hell whimpered, 'Woe! woe! woe! Let my five brothers who still
dwell on earth know that they must be merciful to the poor, so that
they may not be in my case. And Abraham said: 'They have the prophets
on earth who tell them that every day.' Then the man whined: 'Oh,
Father Abraham, they do not listen to the prophets. If only you would
make one of the dead live again, that he might tell them how the
unmerciful are punished, then they would believe. And Abraham: 'If
they do not believe the living, how should they believe the dead?"

During the Master's recital, the host several times stretched forth his
hand to his glass, but each time drew it back again. He had not a word
to say, and the desire to lay snares for the Prophet had gone. He
stole unnoticed from the hall, went down to his steward, and ordered
him henceforth never to send a needy man from the door unrefreshed.

One of his friends who was at the banquet was immensely pleased that
this betrayer of the people should have so exposed himself. "You
understood? The story was nothing but an attack on the possessors of
property."

"Let that be," said the host, and turned away. Then he went and
furnished the Prophet and His little band with provisions, gave Him
directions for His journey, and pointed out how He could best avoid
pursuers. He looked after them for a long time. "They have prophets
on earth and do not heed them." He would like to accompany this
prophet. His little soul had been caught by Him he had wished to catch.

Things did not go so well with our fugitive in other places. An evil
slander about the Baptist was spread abroad--that he was a glutton and
a wine-bibber! Jesus heard of it, and said: "John the Baptist fasted.
They said of him that he was possessed by a demon. It is neither
eating nor fasting that they object to in the prophets; it is the truth
which they speak."

Then they came to villages and farms where they wished to rest, but
none would give them shelter. This angered the Master. The dust on
the ground was not worthy to remain sticking to the feet of those who
came to bring the Kingdom of God. The heartless would be thrust aside!
But anger was turned into pitiful love. When a contrite man approached
Him He raised him up with both arms, encouraged him, taught him to be
kind, showed him the joy of life, and how to penetrate the sacred
recesses of his own being--self-examination.

Self-examination! That is