Chapters 13-16 Summary and Analysis

Bruce reunites with Father Terrence in Chapter Thirteen; Father Terrence begins to explain to Bruce the difference in Father Flynn between knowledge of theology and belief. He describes his trying to link Aboriginal thought about paths of ancestors to Jesus' saying "I am the Way." Terrence explains that there is too much darkness in Aboriginal thought — too much murder — for them to have any alternative to jail other than modeling themselves after Jesus. Having missed the Awakening in the East that brought us Buddha, the Hindu Upanishads, and Jesus, the Aboriginal tribes had only their ancestral stories to guide them. The story of Jesus' birth in a stable was the point at which Terrence believes Flynn disconnected. Terrence explains that he is living just the way Jesus did: nomadic, poor and dedicated to teaching and service, and...