John of Zebedee (apostle)

James of Alphaeus joins Jesus in Capernaum, along with his brother Jude. He explains that the whole family is against them, and when he learned that God had to be put above his father, he made the decision to go and find the Holy One of God. The cousins have believed from the start that he is the Messiah. Jesus welcomes him. He suffers Alphaeus' rejection, but spiritually, as the Word of God, he rejoices in this decision.

Now they have to give the tax to Matthew. Peter speaks ill of him, and it's Jesus who introduces himself to the future disciple. They have a brief exchange. Then Christ makes a speech about money and repentance.

When he has finished, he is told that Mary of Alphaeus is present. She is devastated for her Alpheus, who rejects God. She asks him for a miracle, but the Lord won't grant it, because it's not good to do so. But he does promise eternal salvation for her Alpheus, and gives words of encouragement to her aunt.

Jesus preaches in Bethsaida, accompanied by the inhabitants of Capernaum. He tells them that the powerful will do everything in their power to accuse Christ and turn them away from the Messiah. Then he tells them about the Belle of Chorazeïn, whom he healed, and affirms that he will go out to sinners again, for he is the Savior. He also insists that the women of Bethsa¨ide forgive his adulteries and the sins she has committed in the past. He doesn't want them to be tigresses, but gentle sheep. He talks for a moment about the Belle's deep repentance, then about baptism and the hypocrisy of some.

With the subject closed, Jesus talks about the co-redeemers and the fact that the angels themselves cannot suffer. He emphasizes that it is a glorious destiny to suffer, and that men surpass angels in this. Finally, he insists on purity, particularly of the eyes (the eye is the lamp of the body). Then he talks about marriage, and chastity and virginity in the couple, too. The speech ends there. He goes off to eat at Philip's house, and Matthew listens quietly.

In Capernaum, little Jeanne and Tobie are fighting over figs. The older brother has unintentionally dropped a stick on his sister, hurting her. Jesus reconciles them and picks figs for them. Then he rejoins the apostles. Peter, always true to form, grumbles because Elijah from Capernaum has passed by and has always been so unpleasant. But Jesus assures them that he will try to make peace with them by being respectful.

They arrive at the square in Capernaum and Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. The disciples are stunned, Matthew's welcome is mixed, Judas is icy. They go to the house of the publican, who wants to throw a big party for his conversion. When he leaves, Judas reproaches him and Peter tells him the truth. Jesus is stern and tells them to behave when Matthew and his friends return.

The meal is over. Three Pharisees - Elijah, Simon and Uriah - ask to enter, which Jesus allows, lest their malice exaggerate what is going on. The Pharisees are obviously contemptuous, despite Jesus' words, and leave. But Jesus says to let it be, and that their good conscience justifies them.

Jesus and the Twelve are on the lake, in two boats. They come across another Roman boat, with Mary Magdalene on board. Jesus is absorbed in his thoughts while Judas, Peter and Simon the Zealot intervene, mainly because of the Iscariot. Then the Lord asks Simon of Jonah to lead them into a separate corner. He teaches them at length about the essential lines of his doctrine.

Jesus is in Tiberias. He is guided by the shepherd Simon to the home of Kouza. He is well received, but Jeanne is dying and Jonathas, in a last desperate effort, has led her to the mountains of Lebanon. Elise, Jeanne's nurse, weeps and Jesus encourages her to have faith. He points out that he will be in Nazareth and that if Jonathas returns within six days, his mistress must be sent to her hometown.