1770

Lawrence does appear completely flummoxed. Emotionally he is barely holding on, and appears as if he could break down into a weltering weeping mess at the drop of a pin. "I can see this is finally making an impression on you, Lawrence", says Jesus. "I never would have thought", he says. "I never would have guessed, nor even remotely guessed that that was affecting her that way." "That you are this moved over her condition is a sign of great hope for you, Lawrence", says Jesus. He raises his eyes to the rest of us and says, "People who backslide from, who abandon the Christian faith never do so for reasons that are not completely and thoroughly selfish. They have become so completely consumed in their own misgivings, bitterness and selfishness that they neither know or care just how they are affecting others through their behaviour. It suddenly becomes all about them as they try to carve their own road in life, absolutely heedless and indifferent to all the innocent souls, all the lovely flowers that get trampled and mowed down and destroyed by them as they try to move in what they think is a forward direction." He returns his gaze onto Lawrence. "in your case this has been particularly toxic because you have become a life support for your appetites, one gaping maw that must always find something to consume and swallow..."