After Reynold A. Nicholson

*

Jesus passed by three men.

Their bodies were lean and their faces pale.

He asked them,

‘What has brought you to this plight?’

They answered,

‘Fear of the Fire’.

*

Jesus said,

‘You fear a thing created,

and it behoves God

that he should save those who fear’.

*

Jesus left them and passed by three others,

whose faces were paler and their bodies leaner,

he asked them, saying,

‘What has brought you to this plight?’

They answered,

‘Longing for Paradise’.

*

Jesus said,

‘You desire a thing created,

and it behoves God

that He should give you that which you hope for’.

*

Jesus went on

and passed by three others of exceeding paleness and leanness,

so that their faces were as mirrors of light,

He said,

‘What has brought you to this?’

They answered,

‘Our love of God’.

*

Jesus said,

‘You are the nearest to Him,

You are the nearest to Him’.