In Ken Follett's The Pillars...
Illustration
Object:
In Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth, the monk, Remigius, has been a lifelong enemy and traitor to the monastery's Prior Philip. Near the end of the novel, Remigius has reaped the consequences of his enmity toward Philip and is without protector or income. Prior Philip spots Remigius in the town's rubbish dump. Remigius expects Philip to gloat.
Philip dismounts his horse and offers a drink of wine from his flask. Remigius is too hungry to resist. Philip also gives him bread (Christians should catch the Eucharistic significance). Philip asks Remigius if he wants to return to the priory, and Philip's companion is stunned that Remigius is welcomed. Philip puts Remigius on his own horse and walks with him, joyfully, knowing that he has employed and enjoyed God's mercy (what Isaiah also calls the "abundance of steadfast love") and as God "lifted them up and carried them," Philip has won a human soul with God's methods.
Philip dismounts his horse and offers a drink of wine from his flask. Remigius is too hungry to resist. Philip also gives him bread (Christians should catch the Eucharistic significance). Philip asks Remigius if he wants to return to the priory, and Philip's companion is stunned that Remigius is welcomed. Philip puts Remigius on his own horse and walks with him, joyfully, knowing that he has employed and enjoyed God's mercy (what Isaiah also calls the "abundance of steadfast love") and as God "lifted them up and carried them," Philip has won a human soul with God's methods.
