«I am eighty-four years old… my way is near its end. I was no longer expecting to meet the Grace of God. Instead I have found You… and now I do not wish to see any other light than Yours… Yes. I see You as You are in this merciful attire, which is the flesh You have taken. I see You! Listen to the voice of a man who sees the Light of God while dying!»
The people press around the old inspired man, who is in Jesus’ group. No longer leaning on his walking stick, he lifts his trembling arms and raises his white head, which, with its separated beard, seems the head of a patriarch or a prophet.
«I see Him: The Chosen, Supreme, Perfect One, Who descended here out of love, I see Him rise again to the right hand side of the Father and become One with Him. But… Oh! He is not just a Voice or an incorporeal Essence, as Moses saw the Most High, or as Genesis tells the First Parents heard Him and spoke to Him in the evening breeze. I see Him as real Flesh rising to the Eternal Father. Blazing Flesh! Glorious Flesh! Oh! Pomp of Divine Flesh! Oh! Beauty of the Man-God! He is the King! Yes. The King. Not of Israel: of the world. All the royalties of the earth bow to Him and all the sceptres and crowns fade away in the splendour of His sceptre and jewels. He has a crown on His head and a sceptre in His hand. He wears a rational on His chest: it is adorned with pearls and rubies, the brightness of which was never seen before. Flames issue from it as if it were a blazing furnace. There are two rubies on His wrists and buckles with rubies are on His holy feet. There is so much light from the rubies! Admire, peoples, the Eternal King! I see You! I see You! I am rising with You… Ah! Lord! Our Redeemer!… The light increases within my soul… The King is decorated with His own Blood! The crown is a wreath of bleeding thorns. The sceptre is a cross… Here is the Man! He is here! It is You!’… Lord, for the sake of Your sacrifice have mercy on Your servant, Jesus, I commend my soul to Your mercy.»
The old man, who so far had stood up, rejuvenated by the fire of prophecy, suddenly collapses and would fall if Jesus were not quick in holding him up against His chest.
«Saul.»
«Saul is dying!»
«Help!»
«Be quick.»
«Peace to the just man who is dying» says Jesus, Who has slowly knelt down to support the old man, who has become heavier and heavier.
There is silence.
Then Jesus lays him down on the ground. And He stands up. «Peace to his soul. He died seeing the Light. In his expectation, which will be a short one, he will already see the face of God and will be happy. There is no death, that is parting from life, for those who died in the Lord.»
The people, after a little while, go away commenting. The elders, Jesus, His disciples and the head of the synagogue remain.
«Did he prophesy, Lord?»
«His eyes saw the Truth. Let us go.»