Salt of the earth...
ÿ
John is the salt of the earth and yet he writes me that he has been beaten by his guards. Several times I have returned to Capernaum to visit Joseph, the young officer. He has promised to use his influence to free John. How wary he is of becoming involved with the prison authorities. In Jerusalem my intercessions are ridiculed: John is branded treasonous.
Authorities are evasive or antagonistic. They ridicule our wish to uplift the world. I am told to take care.
Guards at the citadel refused to allow me to visit John.
Written requests go unanswered.
Peter, James and Matthew are no luckier than I.
ÿ
A finch is watching me as I write under the olives.
Rain is threatening.