Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

James K. Baxter Complete Prose Volume 3

[Do not ask about this man]

[Do not ask about this man]

1.Do not ask about this man, ‘Is he a prophet?’ This man is a hole in the wall that the wind blows through. He is an old kumara rotting in the ground. When the time comes for the hangi, the young kumaras will be dug up, and page 557 they will be firm and red, but the old kumara will be thrown into the brambles. Do not ask about this man. He is already under the night of God’s judgment.
2. [How] about question, ‘Do we obey God?’
3. You say, ‘There is a problem.’ What is the answer? You throw out your net and catch only water. Perhaps you need another net if you are to catch fish. The net of God is moving closer to the poor.
4. When Jungstratter went to jail and was beheaded for refusing to fight for the Nazis, he may have been mad, he may have been honestly mistaken, or he may have been carrying out the will of God. The Bishop told him his duty was to look after his family and obey the Nazis. Jungstratter did not condemn the Bishop. He said, ‘God has not given him the grace.’
5. If this man makes a home for those who are being torn to pieces in the towns, then may he not in his way be honestly mistaken, in his way be carrying out the will of God. Even if he is carrying out the will of God he turns out to be a sinner. Every dog has his fleas. To be a sinner shames [me]. But getting a load to carry is not always reason for rejoicing.

1972 (706)