André (apostle)

Jesus goes to Bethany to face the hostility of the Pharisees. Lazarus gives him the land of Belle-Eau. In this chapter, we discover that the son of Theophilus intervened a great deal in secret, on behalf of Jesus and his friend Simon. The Lord speaks of his friend's spiritual goodness and promises that the Father has a great reward in store for him. He speaks of his future sanctification in Heaven, and by extension of the saints and blessed who will be there.

At Belle-Eau, John comes to Jesus to tell him that Judas is trying to be good and wants to stay with the son of Zebedee. Jesus allows John to stay with Judas as long as no trouble enters his heart. Then he instructs Peter to help Judas become good. He heals a mentally handicapped child by having him repeat the Name of Jesus, which is salvation. Christ then speaks to the apostles about sickness, entered into the world by Satan, and the power of his Name. There is a brief mention of John the Baptist. Finally, the Master gives a discourse on the Commandment: "Thou shalt honor thy father and thy mother". He talks about the family, parents and children. Then he grants a distraught mother the conversion of her wicked son.

Jesus is in Belle-Eau, giving a talk on the Commandment: "You shall keep holy the feasts". He talks about Sabbath rest - for us, it's the equivalent of Sunday rest. It's a physical, moral and spiritual order. Jesus also talks about work. He insists on honest work, driven by love of neighbor. Finally, when we rest on the seventh day, we must dedicate it to our family, to God, and take the opportunity to examine our conscience, so as to be better the following week. Finally, the Lord enjoins us to be like toddlers, and there's the beautiful physical healing of a child who was paralyzed after being run over by a herodian.