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Notes for this theme

Saints, venerable and blessed of the Catholic Church

Page 48 of 111

Reading comfort

Aa

GRM 96

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

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.

GRM 97

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

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.