Jesus nodded and addressed the village women. “These men will need to be cared for each day. Their dressings changed and a balm applied.” The women nodded, their eyes wet with gratitude.

“Yes. Thank you,” they whispered.

Then Jesus pulled the messenger aside. “All should survive,” he told him. “But for the one with the deepest wounds, we can only wait and hope,” he said, pointing to the trembling man.

The messenger drew in a heavy breath. “He will survive. He must,” he said.

Jesus sensed the young man’s sudden tension. “Why must he survive?” he asked.

Through clenched teeth, the young man said, “Because the bandits stole our sister. Together my brother and I must find them, and take revenge.”

Learning of this horror, Jesus became enraged. Soon he found himself yearning to help the men seek out their sister and exact payment from her captors.

Across the room, Ruth sensed the coil tightening inside her friend. Rushing over, she pressed a hand along his back. “Let us go outside where the air is fresh,” she urged.

Jesus sat with Ruth under the sea-green canopy of an olive tree.

His shoulders bent under an invisible burden. “I am losing my way,” he told her.

Her eyes scanned the crowd of followers sitting at a distance. “They do not seem to think so,” she said, tipping her head toward the people.

Jesus let his head drop into his hands. “But I am,” he insisted.

Ruth nodded gently. Aware of his battle.

She drew a fallen leaf into her hand. “Your outrage is understandable,” she said. “Living according to The Way does not mean setting aside one’s emotions. Or turning a blind eye. Rather it means evaluating one’s impulses for what they are, and what they might become, before taking action.”

Jesus gripped his hands into fists. “I know that taking revenge is wrong. I do,” he insisted. “But when I hear of such desecrations, I simply … cannot … think with my better self.”

Ruth gave an easy smile. “It is because you realize this that I know The Way burns brightly within you.” She gave his knee a pat. “Do not demand perfection of yourself. Only mindfulness. When the way seems unclear, or difficult, you must remember. And sometimes you must remember to remember.” After sitting another moment, she glanced back toward the village. “They have built a fire and prepared a meal,” she said. “Let us join them.”

As Ruth stood to depart, Jesus tugged on her robe. “Ruth?” he said.

She looked down and saw a heaviness weighing his eyes. Part exhaustion, part despair.

“Help me, Ruth. Do not let me fail in this,” he said.

Ruth folded him into her arms. Something then made her recall Shereen’s final words to the young shepherd. “Be assured of yourself and of the path that lies ahead,” she said. And held him close.