"Why me, Lord? What did I ever do to deserve such treatment? My head's hurting so bad. They even took my clothes. And look at the blood. God, if somebody doesn't come soon, I could bleed to death . . . Is that it, Lord? Is this how my life is going to end? Beaten and bloody, lying naked by the side of the road? What about my family? Who will look after them? What about my wife? I may not deserve to live, but surely she doesn't deserve to be a widow. I have no brothers to look after her. How will she eat? Oh, God, why doesn't someone come? How long can I hold on? I move my lips but no sound comes out. Will anyone even see me? And even if they see me, will they care?

"Wait someone's coming. Oh, thank you, Lord. It's a priest. A man of God. Surely he will help me. At least he can bind up my …