Чума
Part IV
Butfortherest,oneshouldremainandagreetoputoneselfinGod’shands,evenconcerningthedeathofchildren,withoutseekinganypersonalsolution.
HereFatherPanelouxrecalledthetoweringfigureofBishopBelzunceduringtheplagueinMarseille.Heremindedhislistenersthattowardstheendoftheepidemic,aftertheBishophaddoneeverythingthathethoughtheshoulddo,believingthattherewasnofurtherremedy,hetooksomesuppliesandshuthimselfupinhishousewhichhehadwalledup.Theinhabitantsofthecity,whoidolizedhim,inachangeoffeelingsuchasonefindsinexcessivemisfortune,becameangeredagainsthim,surroundedhishousewithcorpsestoinfecthimandeventhrewbodiesoverthewallstoensurethathewouldbemorecertaintodie.SotheBishop,inalastmomentofweakness,hadthoughtthathecouldisolatehimselffromtheworldofdeath,andthedeadwerefallingfromheavenontohishead.Thesamemustbetrueofus:wemustnotbelievethatthereisanyislandintheplague.No,thereisnomiddleway.Wemustacceptwhatisoutrageous,becausewehavetochoosetohateGodortoloveHim.AndwhowouldchoosehatredofGod?
"Mybrethren,"FatherPanelouxsaidatlast,announcingthathewascomingtoanend,"theloveofGodisadifficultlove.Itassumesatotalabandonmentofoneselfandcontemptforone’sperson.
