Чума
Part II
Noearthlypower—noteven,notethiswell,vainhumanscience—canshieldyoufromthishandasitreachesouttoyou.Beatenonthebloodythreshingfloorofpain,youwillbecastoutwiththechaff."
Thenthepriestexpandedevenmoreonthepoignantimageoftheflail.Hesuggestedtheimageofthemightypieceofwoodturningabovethetown,strikingindiscriminatelyandreturningcoveredinblood,onlytoscatterthebloodandhumanmisery"inasowingthatwouldmakewayforaharvestoftruth".
AttheendofthislongdevelopmentFatherPanelouxstopped,hishaironhisforeheadandhisbodyshakenbyatremorthathishandscommunicatedtothepulpit;thenheresumedinadullerbutmoreaccusingtone:"Yes,thehourhascometoreflect.YouthoughtthatitwasenoughforyoutovisitGodonSundaytobefreetodoasyouwishedfortherestoftheweek.Youthoughtthatafewgenuflectionswouldbesufficientcompensationforyourcriminallackofconcern.ButGodisnotlukewarm.SuchacasualrelationshipisnotsufficientforHisall-devouringaffection.Hewantedtoseeyoulonger:thisisHiswayoflovingand,intruth,itistheonlyway.Thisiswhy,tiredofwaitingforyoutocometoHim,Hehasallowedthescourgetovisityouasithasvisitallthecitiesofsinsincehistorybegan.Youknownowwhatsinis,asCainandhissonsknew,thosebeforetheFlood,thoseofSodomandGomorrah,PharaohandJobandalltheaccursed.
