Paul Faber: Surgeon.Chapters 41 - 47

      Much of the reading for this week depicts people helping people and illustrates the role which helping others plays in spiritual growth, both in those who extend help, and those who receive it.  MacDonald explains that when the “love-heart” of a person is active in helping others, then “his mind is one with the mind of his Maker; God and man are one.”

Polwarth meets Juliet on the grounds of the Drake properties and subtly attempts to be a help to her.  When torrential rains come, Juliet flees and finds shelter in the Polwarth’s gate house.  In their whole-hearted and gentle ministration to her needs she begins to experience peace of heart. 

Houses throughout Glaston are flooded.  Wingfold and Helen use a boat to bring help to stranded people, as does Faber.  The Wingfolds do it happily; to Faber it is a difficult and arduous task.  Drake and Dorothy heartily take people into their home.  In a incident in which Amanda almost drowns but is rescued by Drake, Faber labors tirelessly to revive the child and provide for the well-being of the others.  

In ministering Amanda, he was struck by a peculiarity in the formation of the child’s ear and, after making diligent inquiry, discovers the child to be his own, conceived by a woman whom he never married, and who had forsaken him with her child.  What happened to her is unknown, but, as Faber contemplates the situation, he begins to see his own perfidy and hypocrisy.

IS THE SLOWNESS WITH WHICH HE BEGINS TO SEE HIMSELF AS HE REALLY IS TRULY BELIEVABLE?  WHAT TOOK HIM SO LONG?

Faber writes to Drake, admitting that Amanda was in truth his child and asking for permission to see her occasionally.The situation effects spiritual growth in both he and Drake  Later, as Wingfold is shown the letter, he remarks that Paul Faber was already becoming not merely a man to love, but a man to revere.

WHY DOES WINGFOLD SAY THIS?  WHAT IS HE ADMIRING IN FABER?

ANY REACTIONS TO THIS WEEK’S READING?  

Comments

Tim M said…
Yes I find it truly believable that it took him do long. We all justify ourselves in our wrongdoings to the place that we believe ourselves to be ok. It usually takes a lot for us to see us as others (or God). The fact that he could get so angry at Juliet's sin and not see the log in his own eye is an indication that he had put the incident clear out of mind until reminded in Amanda.

What is worth honor in Faber ... I think it is primarily that his heart can be softened ... He is not so hard of heart that he isn't even willing to acknowledge his sin. He is on the path now and Wingfold had faith that God will see him thru now that he is moving the right direction. If he would acknowledge his sin, He is faithful and just to forgive his sin and the cleanse him from all unrighteousness.
July 31, 2020 at 9:08 AM
Rolland Hein said…
Yes, I quite agree. God works with each individual in terms of that person's personality and attitudes towards life, and Faber needs the jolt he is given in order to begin to see himself, and the whole process takes time.
August 1, 2020 at 8:13 AM
Pat C said…
Most of us don't want to see ourselves as we truly are. Transformation is painful, but can turn out to be beautiful, helpful, and bring us to knowing God's love for His creation.
August 1, 2020 at 12:18 PM
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