SIMON ZELOTES - APOSTLE

                     SIMON ZELOTES - APOSTLE

                                by

                         Harriet Shikoski

To my Readers,

     Many details included in this story of Simon Zelotes were seen in the visions of Ven. Anne Emmerick (1774-1824).  She was a German Augustinian nun who was told in vision that she was privileged to receive more visions than had any other person in history.  Her visions were recorded by Clemens Bretano, arranged and edited by the Very Reverend Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.r., and translated from German into English.  In my turn I have also picked and arranged the material.

     How true are the details acquired in this fashion?  Even conceding that the private revelations to Sr. Anne Catherine were accurate portrayals, it would be a miracle indeed if they retained such accuracy after passing through so many human minds.  Bible references are included, not to prove the truth of these events, but to help you compare the two sources.

     Though the total accuracy may be questioned, I still believe that the following story helps us to better understand Simon Zelotes and the life he experienced.

                     SIMON ZELOTES - APOSTLE

     Simon, known as Simon Zelotes, the Apostle of Our Lord, was the son of Alpheus and Mary Cleophas.  He was related to Jesus; Mary Cleophas being the daughter of the sister of Jesus' Mother.  Though Mary Cleophas was a cousin of Jesus, she was closer in age to His Mother.  Simon was the full brother of James Alpheus and Jude Thaddeus; the half brother of Matthew, as they were both the sons of Alpheus; and the half brother of Joses Barsabas, both sons of Mary Cleophas.  Simon was one of those listed in the Bible as the "brothers of Jesus." (Mat 13:55, Mark 6:3)

     When Simon was growing up, he and his family lived near Chimki, the shepherd village not far from Nazareth.  His mother, Mary Cleophas, was a very close associate with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and her sons often played with Jesus.  The prophecies uttered by the aged Anna and Simeon in the Temple at the time of Jesus' Presentation were known by Mary Cleophas, she but did not realize their significance, or pay any attention to them.

     As a boy Jesus assisted His parents in every possible way wherever opportunity offered.  He cheerfully, eagerly, and obligingly helped everyone.  He assisted Joseph in his trade, or devoted Himself to prayer and contemplation.  He was a model for all the children of Nazareth; they loved Him and feared to displease Him.  When they were naughty and committed faults, their parents used to say to them: "What will Joseph's Son say when I tell Him this?  How sorry He will be!"  Sometimes they gently complained to Him before the little ones, saying: "Tell them not to do such or such a thing any more."  Jesus took it playfully and like a little child.  He would beg the children affectionately to do so and so, pray with them to His Heavenly Father for strength to become better, and persuade them to acknowledge their faults and ask for pardon immediately.

     Jesus was tall and slender with a delicate face and a beaming countenance.  Though pale, He was healthy-looking.  His perfectly straight, golden hair was parted over His high, open forehead and fell upon His shoulders.  He wore a long, light brownish grey tunic, which reached to His feet, the sleeves rather wide around the hand.

     At the age of eight years, Jesus went for the first time with His parents to Jerusalem for the Pasch, and every succeeding year He did the same.

     In those first visits, Jesus had already excited attention in Jerusalem among the friends with whom He and His parents stayed, and also among the priests and doctors.  They spoke of the pious, intelligent Child, of Joseph's extraordinary Son, and remembered Him at the next annual pilgrimage.  Many thought of Him as that modest, holy looking, clever peasant child, and recognized him again the next year.  So Jesus had already some acquaintances in the city when, in His twelfth year, with their friends and their sons, He accompanied His parents to Jerusalem.  His parents were accustomed to walk with the people from their own part of the country, and they knew that Jesus, who now made the journey for the fifth time, always travelled with the other youths from Nazareth.

     Jesus had been teaching two hours, when Joseph and Mary entered the Temple.  They inquired after their Child of the Levites whom they knew, and received for answer that He was with the doctors in the lecture hall.  But as they were not at liberty to enter that hall, they sent one of the Levites in to call Jesus.  Jesus sent them word that He must first finish what He was then doing.  Mary was very much troubled at His not obeying at once, for this was the first time He had given His parents to understand that He had other commands than their's to fulfil.  He continued to teach for another hour before He left the hall and joined His parents in the porch of Israel, the women's porch, leaving His hearers confounded, confused, and enraged.  Joseph was quite awed and astonished, but he kept a humble silence.  Mary however drawing near to Jesus, said: "Child, why have You done this to us?  Behold, Your father and I have sought You sorrowing!"  But Jesus answered gravely; "Why have you sought Me?  Do you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"  But they did not understand.

     They began their journey home with Him at once.  The by-standers gazed at them in astonishment.  Some of them were full of rage, but they allowed the Holy Family to depart peacefully.  Although the crowd was dense, yet a wide path was made to permit the Holy Family to pass.  Jesus' action made a great impression upon the scribes.  Some recorded the affair as a notable event, while here and there it was whispered around, giving rise to all kinds of remarks and false reports.  But the true statement the scribes kept to themselves.  They spoke openly of Jesus as of a very forward boy, possessed indeed of fine talents, but which required to be cultivated.

     When the Holy Family had returned to Nazareth, a feast was held in Anna's house, at which were gathered all the youths and maidens among their friends and relatives.  It was a celebration of the customary feast upon the completion of a son's twelfth year.  Jesus had returned from the Paschal journey and had been admitted to Jewish manhood.  He was now considered responsible for His own spiritual life.  They were also rejoicing at Jesus' having been found in the Temple after being been separated from His parents for three days.

     Beautiful bowers were erected over the table, from which hung garlands of vine leaves and ears of wheat.  The children were served with grapes and little rolls.  There were present at this feast thirty-three boys, all future disciples of Jesus.  During the whole feast, Jesus instructed the other boys, and explained to them a very wonderful parable which however was only imperfectly understood.  It was of a marriage feast at which water could be turned into wine and the lukewarm guests into zealous friends; and again, of a marriage feast where the wine could be changed into blood and bread into flesh, which blood and flesh would abide with the guests until the end of the world as strength and consolation, as a living bond of union.  He also said to one of the youths, a relative of His own named Nathanael, "I shall be present at your marriage."

     From His twelfth year, Jesus was always like a teacher among His companions.  He often sat among them instructing them or walked about the country with them.

     As the time drew near for Jesus to begin His mission of teaching, He became ever more solitary and meditative; and at the same time, about the thirtieth year of Jesus, Joseph began to decline.

     When Joseph was dying, Mary sat at the head of his bed, holding him in her arms.  Jesus stood just below her near Joseph's breast.  The whole room was brilliant with light and full of angels.  After his death, his hands were crossed on his breast, he was wrapped from head to foot in a white winding sheet, laid in a narrow casket, and placed in a very beautiful tomb, the gift of a good man.  Only a few men followed the coffin with Jesus and Mary; but it was accompanied by angels and environed with light.  Joseph's remains were afterward removed by the Christians to Bethlehem, and interred.

     There came to comfort the Holy Family on the death of St. Joseph and to see Jesus again, Joses Barsabas, the son of Mary Cleophas by her second marriage with Sabas, and the three sons of her first marriage with Alpheus, Simon Zelotes, James Alpheus and Jude Thaddeus.  All three were already carrying on business away from home.  They had not had any close communication with Jesus since His childhood.  They knew in general of Simeon's and Anna's prophecies on the occasion of His Presentation in the Temple, but they attached no importance to them.  They preferred to follow John the Baptist, who soon after passed through those parts.

     The Jews of Jesus' time were no longer as spiritual as their fathers.  Through commerce and their intercourse with heathens, they had become very corrupt.  One never saw the women in public nor at work in the fields, except the very poorest gleaning some ears of wheat.  They were to be seen only on pilgrimages to Jerusalem and other holy places.  Husbandry and all kind of traffic were carried on mostly through slaves.

     Jesus had suffered much persecution between His twentieth and thirtieth years from the Pharisees of Nazareth.  They could not bear the sight of Him.  Their jealousy often made them exclaim that the carpenter's Son thought He knew everything better than others, that He was often at variance with the teachings of the Pharisees, and that He always had around Him a crowd of young followers.

     After Joseph's death Jesus and Mary moved to a little village of only a few houses between Capharnaum and Bethsaida.  A man named Levi, who was very much attached to the Holy Family, had given Jesus a house there in which to live.  A couple of Levi's people were also in the house and acted as servants.  Levi himself supplied all necessities from Capharnaum.

     Mary Cleophas, who with her third husband, the father of Simeon of Jerusalem, dwelt in Anna's house near Nazareth, temporarily moved with her boy Simeon to Mary's house in Nazareth.  The rest of her family and her servants remained at Anne's.    

     When Jesus, a short time after, went from Capharnaum by way of Nazareth to the region of Hebron, He was accompanied by Mary as far as Nazareth, where she awaited His return.  She was always so solicitous about Him.

     When Jesus returned He stayed with some people near Chimke outside of Nazareth.  They were Essenians and friends of the Holy Family, and lived a very retired life.  The blessed Virgin and Mary Cleophas came to Jesus in the morning.  Jesus stretched out His hand to His Mother, His manner to her being affectionate, though very earnest and grave.  Mary was anxious about Him.  She begged Him not to go to Nazareth for the feeling against Him there was very bitter.  The Pharisees belonging to Nazareth, who had heard Him in the synagogue of Chimke, had again roused indignation against Him.  Jesus replied to His Mother's entreaties that He would stay where He was until the multitude that were going to go to the baptism of John came, and then pass through Nazareth.  Jesus conversed much with His Mother on this day, for she came to Him two or three times.  He told her that He would go up to Jerusalem three times for the Pasch, but that the last time would be one of great affliction for her.  He revealed to her many other mysteries.

     Mary Cleophas was a handsome distinguished looking woman.  She spoke with Jesus that morning about her five sons, and entreated Him to take them into His own service.  One, Simon Zelotes, was a clerk, or a kind of record keeper, and two were fishermen, James Alpheus and Jude Thaddeus.  These three were the sons of her first marriage.  Alpheus, her first husband, was a widower with one son when she married him.  This step-son was named Levi (later called Matthew).  She wept bitterly when she spoke of him for he was a publican.  Joses Barsabas, who was also at the fishery, was her son by her second husband Sabas; and by her third marriage with the fisherman Jonas, she had another son, the young Simeon, still a boy.  Jesus consoled her, promising that all of her sons would one day follow Him.  Of Levi, whom He had already seen when on His way to Sidon, He spoke words of comfort, foretelling that he would one day be one of His best disciples.

     The Blessed Virgin returned from Nazareth with some of her female relatives to her new home near Capharnaum.  The servants had come with asses from there to conduct them back.  They took several pieces of furniture with them which, after their last journey, had been left behind in Nazareth.  Various kinds of tapestry and woven materials, packages of other things, and some vessels were also taken.  All were packed in chests formed of broad strips of bark, and fastened to the sides of the asses.  Mary's house in Nazareth was so ornamented that it had, during her absence, the appearance of a chapel.  The fireplace looked like an altar.  A chest was placed over it on which stood a flower pot with a plant growing in it.  After Mary's departure this time, the Essenians occupied the house.

     The disciples whom Jesus had despatched with messages arrived in Capharnaum.  They were about five of the best known.  They had an interview with Mary, and then two of them went to Bethsaida for Peter and Andrew.  James Alpheus, Simon, Jude, John, and James Zebedee were present.  The disciples spoke of the mildness, meekness, and wisdom of Jesus, while the followers of John the Baptist proclaimed with enthusiasm the austere life of their master, and declared that they had never before heard such an interpreter of the Law and the Prophets.  Even John spoke enthusiastically of the Baptist, although he already knew Jesus well.  His parents had once lived only a couple of hours from Nazareth, and Jesus loved him even as a child.  The disciples celebrated the Sabbath here.  The next day the nine disciples travelled alone on their way to John, passing near Ephron and then through the desert toward Jericho.  Peter and Andrew particularly distinguished themselves by the zeal with which they spoke of the Baptist.  He was, they said, of a noble, priestly race; he had been educated by the Essensians in the wilderness, he would suffer no irregularity around him, he was as rigorous as he was wise.  Then Jesus' disciples put forward the mildness and wisdom of their Master, to which the others retorted that many disorders arose from such condescension, and they cited instances in proof of what they said.  Jesus' disciples replied that their Master, too, had been educated by the Essenians and that moreover, He had but lately returned from travelling.  They started together for the place of baptism, but after a few hours took different directions.

     John had built his hut at Ainon on the old foundation of what was once a large building, but which had fallen to ruins, and was now covered with moss and overgrown with weeds.  Here and there arose a hut.  These ruins were the foundations of the tent-castle of Melchizedek.  Abraham once had a vision here. (Gen 12:7-9)  He place two stones in position, one as an altar, and upon the other he knelt.  The vision that was shown to him was a City of God like the Heavenly Jerusalem, with streams of water falling from it.  The water streaming from the City spread around on all sides. (Gen 14:18, Gen 15:16)

     Abraham had this vision about five years before Melchizedek built his tent-castle on the same spot.  This castle was more properly a tent surrounded by galleries and flights of steps similar to Mensor's castle in Arabia.  The foundation alone was solid; it was of stone.  On this foundation, which now looked like a mound overgrown with vegetation, John had a little reed hut.  The tent-castle in Melchizedek's time was a public halting place for travellers, a kind of charming resting place by the pleasant waters.  Melchizedek, the leader and counsellor of the wandering races and nations, built his castle here in order to be able to instruct and entertain them.  But even in his time, it had some reference to baptism.

     Jacob too, had once lived a long time at Ainon with his herds.  The cistern of the baptism pool was in existence at that early time, and Jacob had repaired it.  The ruins of Melchizedek's castle were near the water and the place of baptism.  In the early days of Christian Jerusalem a church stood on the spot where John had baptized.

     Salem was a beautiful city, but it was ruined during the war when the Temple was destroyed before the time of Jesus. (2 King 25:9)

     John, perhaps for about two weeks, had been attracting public attention by his teaching and baptizing, when some messengers sent by Herod from Callirrhoe came to him.  Herod was at that time living in his castle at Callirrhoe, on the eastern side of the Dead Sea.  There were numerous baths and warn springs in the vicinity.  Herod wanted John to come to him.  But John replied to the messengers, "I have much to occupy me.  If Herod wishes to confer with me, let him come himself."  After that Herod went to a little city about five miles south of Ainon.  He was riding in a low wheeled chariot, and surrounded by a guard.  From its raised seat he could command a view upon all sides as from a canopied throne.  He invited John to meet him in the little city.  John went to a man's hut outside the city, and Herod went there to meet him.  Herod asked John why he dwelt in so miserable an abode at Ainon, adding that he would have a house built for him there.  But to this John replied that he needed no house, that he had all he wanted, and that he was accomplishing the will of One greater than he.  He spoke earnestly and severely, though briefly, standing all the while with his face turned away from Herod.

     Simon, James, Jude and Joses Barsabas, the sons of Mary Cleophas, were baptized by John at Ainon.  Andrew and Philip also were baptized by him, after which they returned to their normal occupations.  Other Apostles and many disciples had already been baptized.

     One day many priests and doctors of the Law came to John from the towns around Jerusalem intending to call him to account.  They questioned him as to who he was, who had sent him, what he taught, etc.  John answered with extraordinary boldness and energy, announced to them the coming of the Messiah and charged them with impenitence and hypocrisy.

     Not long afterward, many were sent from Nazareth, Jerusalem and Hebron by the Elders and Pharisees to question John upon his mission.  They made his having taken possession of the place chosen for baptism a subject of complaint.

     Many publicans had come to John.  He baptized some and spoke to them upon the state of their conscience.  Among them was the publican Levi, later called Matthew, the son of Alpheus by his first marriage, for he was a widower when he married Mary Cleophas.  Levi was deeply touched by John's exhortations, and he amended his life.  He was held in low esteem by his relatives.  John refused baptism to many of these publicans.

     A three days' festival was celebrated at the stone of the Ark of the Covenant where John's teaching tent had been erected.  John's disciples adorned the place with branches of trees, garlands, and flowers.  Peter, Andrew, Philip, Simon, Jude, James Alpheus, and many of the subsequent disciples of Jesus were there.  This spot had always been regarded as sacred by the devout among the Jews, but at this time it was rather dilapidated.  John had it repaired.  He, as well as some of his disciples, were in priestly robes.  Over a gray undergarment, the Baptist wore a white robe, long and wide, girded at the waist by a sash woven in yellow and white, the ends fringed.  On either shoulder was a setting as if of two curved precious stones, upon which were engraved the names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, six on each.  On his breast was a square shield, yellow and white, fastened at the corners by fine golden chains.  In this shield were set twelve precious stones each bearing the name of one of the Twelve Tribes.  Around his shoulders hung a yellow stole fringed at the ends.  His robe also was fringed with white and yellow silk balls like fruit.  His head was uncovered, but under the neck of his robe he wore a narrow strip of woven material that could be drawn over the head like a cowl, and which then hung over the forehead in a point.

     Before the stone upon which the Ark of the Covenant had rested, stood a small altar.  It was not exactly square.  In the center of the surface was a cavity covered by a grating, and below it a hole for ashes.  On the side were pipes, which looked like horns.

     There were present many disciples in white garments and broad girdles such as the Apostles used to wear in the early assemblies for divine worship.  They served at the incense sacrifice.  John burned several kinds of herbs, also spices and some wheat on the portable altar of incense.  All was decorated with green branches, garlands, and flowers.  Crowds of aspirants to baptism were present.

     The priestly garments and ornaments of the Baptizer had all been prepared at this place of baptism.  In those days there dwelt near the Jordan some holy women, recluses, who worked at all kinds of necessary things and prepared the sacred robes of the Baptist.  These women were not baptized.

     When Jesus with Andrew reached the neighborhood of Tarichaea, He put up near the lake at a house belonging to Peter's fishery.  Andrew had previously given orders for preparations to be made for Jesus' reception.  Jesus did not go into the city.  There was something dark and repulsive about the inhabitants, who were deeply engaged in usury, and thought only of gain.  Simon had some employment here, but with Jude and James Alpheus, his brothers, he had gone for the feast to Gennabris, where John and James Zebedee were.  Lazarus, Saturnin, and Simeon's son came here to meet Jesus, as did Nathanael of Cana, who invited Jesus and all His company to his marriage.

     The reason Jesus passed a couple of days in the vicinity of Tarichaea was that He desired to give the future Apostles and disciples time to communicate to one another.  While Jesus travelled around the country of Tarichaea, Andrew remained in the house.  He was busy writing letters with a reed upon strips of parchment.  The writings could be rolled into a little hollow, wooden cylinder and unrolled at pleasure.  Some men and youths were frequently entering the house seeking employment.  Andrew hired them as couriers to take letters to Philip, to his half brother Jonathan, to Peter, and to others at Gennabris, notifying them that Jesus would go to Capharnaum for the Sabbath and asking them to meet Him there.

     Meanwhile a messenger arrived from Capharnaum begging Andrew to entreat Jesus to go there right away, for a messenger from Cades had been there awaiting Him for the past few days.  This man wanted to ask Jesus for help.

     Accordingly with Andrew, Saturnin, Obed, and some of John's disciples, Jesus set out from the fisher house near Tarichaea to Capharnaum.  This last named city was not close to the lake, but on the plateau and southern slope of the mountain.  On the western side of the lake, the mountain formed a valley through which the Jordan flowed into the lake.  Jesus and His companions went in separate bands.  Andrew with his half brother Jonathan and Philip, both of whom had come in answer to his notification, walked together.  Jonathan and Philip had not yet met Jesus.  Andrew spoke enthusiastically to them.  He told them all that he had seen of Jesus, and protested that He was indeed the Messiah.  If they desired to follow Him, he added, there was no need of their presenting to Him a formal petition to that effect; all they had to do was to regard Him attentively, and He seeing their earnest wish, would give them a hint, a word to join His followers.

     Mary and the holy women were not in Capharnaum itself, but at Mary's house in the valley outside the city and nearer the lake.  It was there that they celebrated the feast.  Simon, Jude, James Alpheus, James Zebedee and John had already arrived from Gennabris with others of the future disciples.  There were many other relatives and friends of the Holy Family who had been invited to Cana for the wedding, celebrating the Sabbath here, because they had been notified that Jesus was expected.

     Jesus along with Andrew, Saturnin, some of John's disciples, Lazarus, and Obed, stopped at a house belonging to the bridegroom Nathanael.  Nathanael's parents were dead.  They had left a large patrimony to their son.

     The future disciples who had just come from Gennabris, experienced a certain shyness in Jesus' company because of the influence Nathanael Chased's opinion had over them, and also by the thought of the wonderful things they had heard about Jesus from Andrew and some of the others of John's disciples.  They were restrained by their own natural bashfulness and likewise by the remembrance of what Andrew had told them, that they were not to make advances themselves, but merely pay attention to the teaching of Jesus, which would be sufficient to make them decide to follow Him.

     About two in the afternoon Jesus went with His companions into an apartment in the court of Israel where a repast of fruit and rolls had been prepared.  The rolls were twisted like ques, or plaited hair.  A steward had been engaged to see to everything.  All necessaries could be bought or ordered in the precincts of the Temple itself, and strangers had the right to avail themselves of the privilege.  The Temple was so large that it seemed like a little city, and in it one could procure everything.  During this repast, Jesus gave an instruction.  When the men had finished, the women took some refreshment.

     Lazarus held a position in the Temple.  He went around with a box and took up a collection.  Jesus and His followers remained the whole afternoon in the Temple.  There were innumerable lamps and lights in the Temple on this Sabbath.

     Mary and the other holy women had left Capharnaum to go to Jerusalem.  Their route lay toward Nazareth and passed Thabor from which district other women came to join them, and then off through Samaria.  They were preceded by the disciples from Galilee and followed by servants with the baggage.  Among the disciples were Simon and his brothers, Peter, Andrew and their half brother Jonathan, the sons of Zebedee, Nathanael Chased and Nathanael the bridegroom.

     On the fourth of Nisan, Jesus spent the whole morning in the Temple with about twenty disciples, after which He taught at Mary Marc's and took a luncheon.  He afterward returned to Bethania and went with Lazarus to Simon the Pharisee's.  Already many of the lambs brought to the Temple had been rejected by the priests.

     Jesus was again in the Temple and in the afternoon taught at Joseph of Arimathea's not far from the home of John Marc, and near a stonecutter's yard.  It was a retired quarter of the city and little frequented by Pharisees.  At this period no one feared to be seen in company with Jesus, for hatred against Him had not yet been manifested in Jerusalem.

     Jesus continued to show Himself still more freely and boldly throughout Jerusalem and in the Temple.  With Obed He went in even into the place between the altar of Sacrifice and the Temple where an instruction was being delivered to the priests on the Pasche and its ceremonies.  (The Pasche was coming up on the 15th of Nisan.)  The disciples remained in back in the court of Israel.  The Pharisees were greatly annoyed at seeing Him present at that instruction.

     Jesus also addressed the people on the streets.  The crowds coming into Jerusalem for the Pasche, especially workmen, day laborers, servants and dealers in the necessities of life.  Around the city and in the open places, crowds of huts and tents had been erected.  Numerous lambs and other animals had been brought into the city.  Many heathens also came to Jerusalem for the feast.  Jesus taught and cured in Bethania; even sick strangers were brought to Him.

     He went again to the Temple when the priests left after the services.  Jesus stood among His disciples, teaching them and other good people about the nearness of the Kingdom of God, the Paschal solemnity, the approaching fulfillment of the Prophecies and of the symbols.  His words were earnest and severe.  Several priests, who were still going here and there in the Temple, were troubled at His discourse and secretly annoyed.  Jesus went back to Bethania that night.

     Preparations for the feast were actively going on in the Temple.  Halls and corridors were opened, stands and partitions were removed.  The altar could then be approached from many sides and everything presented quite a different appearance.

     Jesus went back to the Temple on the Sabbath and entered into the court containing the teacher's chair, from which later on He taught.  Priests and Levites were sitting on circular seats around the chair from which a discourse on the Paschal festival was being delivered.  The entrance of Jesus threw the assembly into consternation, especially when He started to object, and asked questions to which not one of them could answer.  He told them that the time was coming when the symbolic Paschal lamb would be replaced by the reality.  Then would the Temple and its services come to an end.  When they questioned Him as to how He knew that, He answered that His Father had told Him, but He did not say Who that Father was.

     When Jesus with His disciples again went to the Temple, He found, ranged around the court of the Suppliants, dealers in green herbs, birds, and all kinds of eatables.  In a kind and friendly manner He asked them to withdraw to the court of the Gentiles.  He admonished them gently about the impropriety of taking up a position where the bleating of lambs and the noise of other animals would disturb the recollection of the worshippers.  With the help of the disciples, He assisted the dealers to remove their tables to the places that He pointed out to them.

     When Jesus again went up to the Temple with His disciples, He admonished the dealers a second time to withdraw.  Since the immolation of the Paschal lambs were soon to take place, many had again crowded up to the court of the Suppliants.  Jesus told them to withdraw and shoved their tables away.  He acted with more passion than on the last time.  The disciples opened a way for Him through the crowd.  Some of the dealers became furious.  With violent gesticulations of head and hands, they resisted Him.  Then Jesus stretched out His hand, and pushed back one of the tables.  They were powerless against Him.  The place was soon emptied, and all things carried back to the exterior court.  Jesus warned them, saying that twice He had asked them to remove their goods.  If He found them there again He would treat them still more severely. (John 2:13-17)

     Jesus had never before been in Meroz.  It had been peopled by the descendants of Aser and Gad, sons of Jacob and the handmaiden Zelpha.  Some of them had intermarried with the gentiles of Sichem.  The other tribes refused to acknowledge the children of these mixed marriages on account of their faithlessness and perfidy.  In consequence Meroz became an isolated place and its inhabitants, being thus shut off from much good, were likewise shielded from much evil. (Judg 5:23)

     Jesus was joyfully received by the poor citizens of Meroz.  The Pharisees came to greet Him.  He taught in the synagogue before a large audience, taking for His subject the slothful servant and the buried talent. (Mat 25:14-30)  The Pharisees were not pleased with Jesus, but the people were so much more so, for they were greatly oppressed by the Pharisees.

     After the sermon, Jesus went with His disciples to an inn that stood outside the western gate of the city.  Lazarus had erected it for their use on some ground that He owned in these parts.  Bartholomew, Simon, Jude and Philip came here to see Jesus, by whom they were cordially received.  They dined with Jesus and remained over night.  Jesus had often before seen Bartholomew, had given him an interior call to His service and had even spoken about him to the disciples.  Simon and Jude were Jesus' cousins.  Philip was also acquainted with Him, and like Jude, was already among His disciples.  Jesus had called all these to follow Him when, upon His last visit to Capharnaum at Peter's fishery on the lake, he had spoken of their soon being summoned to do so.  It was then that Peter had expressed himself so desirous of being allowed to remain at home as unfit for such a calling.  Then it was that Peter uttered the words that later on were recorded in the Gospel. (Luke 5:8)

     Judas Iscariot likewise had come with them to Meroz.  He did not however spend the evening with Jesus, but at a house in the city where he had often before stayed.  Simon and Bartholomew spoke with Jesus about Judas.  They said that they knew him to be an active, well-informed man, very willing to be of service, and very desirous of a place among the disciples.  Jesus sighed as they spoke and appeared troubled.  When they asked Him the cause of His sadness, He answered, "It is not yet time to speak, but only to think of it."  He taught during the whole meal, and all slept at the inn.

     The newly arrived disciples had come from Capharnaum where they had met Peter and Andrew.  They had messages from there and had also brought Jesus some money for the expenses of the journey, the charitable gift of the women.  Judas having met them at Naim, accompanied them to Meroz.  Even at this early period, he was already known to all the disciples, and he had recently been in Cyprus.  His manifold accounts of Jesus, of His miracles, of the various opinions formed of Him, namely, that some looked upon Him as the Son of David, others called Him the Christ, and the majority esteemed Him the greatest of prophets, had made the Jews and pagans of Cyprus very inquisitive with regard to Jesus.  They had also heard about the many wonderful things of His visit to Tyre and Sidon.  The Cyprian pagan, the officer who visited Jesus in Ophra, had in consequence of all these marvelous accounts been sent there by his master, who was very much impressed by them.  Judas had accompanied the officer back to Cyprus.  On his return journey he stopped at Ornithopolis where the parents of Saturnin, originally from Greece, then dwelt.

     When Judas had learned on the way that Jesus was going into the region of Meroz, where he himself was well-known, he went to seek Bartholomew in Debbaseth.  They were already acquainted with each other.  Judas asked Bartholomew to go with him to Meroz and to present him to Jesus.  Bartholomew expressed his willingness to do so, but he first went to Capharnaum with Jude to see the disciples there, and then went with Jude and Philip to Tiberias, where Simon Zelotes joined them.  They then stopped at Naim for Judas who had journeyed there to meet them.  Judas again begged them to present him to Jesus as one who was desirous of becoming a disciple.  They were well pleased to do so, for they took delight in his cleverness, his readiness to render service, and his courteous manner.

     Next morning Jesus went again to the mountain and there during the whole forenoon delivered a grand discourse similar to that known as the sermon on the Mount.  The multitude present was great, and food was distributed, bread and honey, along with fish taken from the ponds fed by the little brooks that watered the region.  Jesus had, by means of the disciples, procured provisions for the poor.  Toward the end of the discourse, He alluded again to the one talent that, as children of the handmaid, they had received and buried, and He inveighed severely against the Pharisees for their hatred toward them, asking why they had not long ago led these people back to the truth.  His words vexed the Pharisees, and they began to retort.  They reproached Jesus for allowing His disciples so much liberty, especially on the score of fasting, washing, purifications, the Sabbath, the shunning of publicans and the different sects.  It was not this way, they said, the children of the Prophets and Scribes used to live.

     Jesus replied in the words of the Commandment of fraternal love, "Love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself.  That is the first Commandment!" and He told the disciples that they should learn to practice it, instead of covering up its abuse by means of exterior practices.

     Dothan was a beautiful, well-built, old city very agreeably situated.  In the rear, though at a considerable distance, arose a mountain chain, and in front it looked out upon the delightful plain of Esdrelon.  The mountains of this region were not so steep and rugged.  Peak rose above peak, and the roads were better.  The houses were of the old style, like those in David's time.  Many had little turrets on the corners of the flat roofs capped by large domes, or cupolas, in which an observer could sit and view the surrounding locality.  It was from such a cupola that David saw Bethsabee.  Also on the roofs were galleries of roses and even of trees.

     Jesus entered many of the forecourts of the dwellings, where He found sick whom He cured.  The occupants standing at their doors, implored Him to come in, which He did, accompanied by two of the disciples.  In different places they also urged the disciples to intercede for them, which they accordingly did.  In like manner Jesus went to the place in which the lepers lived, separated from all others, and there he healed the sufferers.  There were many lepers in this city.  It may have been on account of their frequent communication with strangers for trading purposes, for besides the trade in wood, the inhabitants of Dothan carried on other branches of industry.  They imported carpets, raw silk, and similar goods which they unpacked and again exported.

     Judas Iscariot and many other disciples returned from Dothan to their own homes.  Jesus kept with Him only nine, among them were Thomas, Simon, Jude Thaddeus, James Alpheus, Jude Barsabas, little Cleophas, Manahem, and Saturnin.

     After Jesus' departure, the Pharisees recommenced their mockery and insults.  They said to the people, "One can easily see who He is.  He has allowed Himself to be sumptuously entertained by Issachar.  His disciples are a set of lazy vagrants whom He supports and feasts at the expense of others.  If He did right, He would stay at home and support His poor Mother.  His father was a poor carpenter, but that respectable calling does not suit Him, and so He goes wandering around disturbing the whole country."

     While Issachar was distributing his alms, he constantly repeated, "Help yourselves freely!  Take freely!  It is not mine.  It belongs to the Father in Heaven.  Thank Him, for it is only loaned to me!

     After a journey of about five hours, and night having set in, Jesus and the disciples arrived at a lonely inn where only sleeping accommodations were to be found.  Near by was a well that been dug by Jacob.  The disciples gathered wood and made a fire.  On the way Jesus had had a long conversation with them, intended principally for the instruction of Thomas, Simon, Manahem, Little Cleophas and the others newly received.  He spoke of their following Him, and through the deep conviction of the worthlessness of earthly goods, of their leaving their relatives without regret and without looking back.  He promised that what they had left should be restored to them in His Kingdom a thousand fold.  But they should reflect maturely whether or not they could break their earthly ties.

     To some of the disciples Judas Iscariot was not particularly pleasing, especially to Thomas.  He did not hesitate to say plainly to Jesus that he did not like Judas, because he was too ready to say yes and no.  Why, he asked, had He admitted that man among His disciples, since He had been so difficult to please in others.  Jesus answered evasively that from eternity it was decreed by God for Judas, like all the others, to be of the number of His disciples.

     When the disciples had retired to rest, Jesus went alone into the mountains to pray.

     A great crowd of pagans who had been at Cornelius' feast were assembled at Bethsaida not far from Peter's fishery.  Jesus was instructing them and, as the throng became very great, He, with some of His disciples, went on board His little bark, while the rest of them and the publicans went on Peter's boat.  From the bark He taught the heathens on the shore, making use of the parables of the sower and the tares in the field. (Mat 13:1-9)  The instruction over, they struck out across the lake, the disciples in Peter's boat plying the oars.  Jesus' bark was fastened to Peter's, and the disciples took turns rowing.  Jesus sat on a raised seat near the mast, the others around Him and on the edge of the boat.  They interrogated Him upon the meaning of the parable and asked why He spoke in similes.  Jesus gave them this satisfactory explanation.  To those well disposed Jews who have made good use of the old covenant would now be given the understanding of the perfection of the new.  In contrast those who have rejected God's offers will lose all which they had because the old covenant is passing away. (Mat 13:10-17, Is 6:9-10, Acts 28:25-27)

     They landed at a point between the valley of Gerasa and Bethsaida-Julias.  A road ran from the shore to the houses of the publicans.  Jesus with the disciples continued along the shore to the right, thus passing at a distance the home of Eli, the publican tax collector, (later known as Matthew).  A side path ran from this road to his custom-office, and Jesus walked along it, the disciples timidly remaining behind.

     Servants and publicans were out in front of the custom-house, busied with all kinds of merchandise.  When Eli from the top of a little eminence, saw Jesus and the disciples coming toward him, he became confused and withdrew into his private office.  But Jesus continued to approach, and from the opposite side of the road called him.  Then Eli came hurrying out, prostrated with face on the ground before Jesus, protesting that he did not esteem himself worthy that Jesus should speak with him.  But Jesus said, "Eli, arise, and follow Me." (Mat 9:9, Mark 2:13-14, Luke 5:27-28)

     Eli arose saying that he would instantly and joyfully abandon all things and follow Him.  He accompanied Jesus back to where the disciples were standing, who greeted him and extended to him their hands.  Simon, Jude and James Alpheus were particularly rejoiced at his coming.  They and Eli were half-brothers.  Their father, Alpheus, before his marriage with their mother, Mary Cleophas, was a widower with a son, Eli.  Eli insisted upon all being his guests.  Jesus however assured him that they would return next morning.  They then continued on their way.

     Eli hurried back into his house, which stood in a corner of the mountains about a quarter of an hour from the lake.  The little stream that flows from Gerasa into the lake ran past it at no great distance, and the view extended over the lake and field.  Eli at once procured a substitute in his business, an excellent man belonging to Peter's boat, who was to discharge his duties until further arrangements could be made.  Eli was a married man with four children.  He joyfully imparted to his wife the good fortune that had fallen to him, as well as his intention to abandon all and follow Jesus, and she received the announcement with corresponding joy.  Then He directed her to see to the preparing of an entertainment for the next morning, he himself taking charge of the invitations and other arrangements.

     Eli was almost as old as Peter.  One might easily have taken him for the father of his young half-brother, Joses Barsabas.  He was a man of heavy, bony frame with black hair and beard.  Since his acquaintance with Jesus on the way to Sidon, he had received John's baptism and regulated his whole life most conscientiously.

     On leaving Eli, Jesus crossed the mountain at the rear of his dwelling and proceeded northward into the valley of Bethsaida-Julias, where He found encamped caravans and travelling pagans whom He instructed.

     Toward noon the next day Jesus returned with the disciples to Eli's where many publicans who had been invited were already assembled.  Some Pharisees and some of John's disciples had joined Jesus on the way, but they did not enter Eli's.  They stayed outdoors sauntering around the garden with the disciples, to whom they put the question, "How can you tolerate your Master's making Himself so familiar with sinners and publicans?"  They received for answer, "Ask Him yourself why He does so!"  But the Pharisees responded, "One cannot speak with a man who always maintains that he is right."

     Eli received Jesus and His followers most lovingly and humbly, and washed their feet.  His half-brothers warmly embraced him, and then he presented his wife and children to Jesus.  Jesus spoke to the mother and blessed the children, who then retired to return no more.  While Jesus sat, Eli knelt before Him,  Jesus laid His hand upon him, blessed him, and addressed to him some words of instruction.  Matthew had formerly been called Levi, but now he received the name of Matthew, which means "God's Gift."

     The feast was a magnificent one.  The table in the form of a cross was set in an open hall.  Jesus sat in the midst of the publicans.  In the intervals between the different courses, the guests arose and engaged in conversation with one another.  Poor travellers passing by were supplied with food by the disciples, for the street on which the house stood led down to the ferry.  It was on the occasion of their leaving the table that the Pharisees approached the disciples, and asked them why they tolerated their Master to eat and drink with publicans and sinners. (Luke 5:29-39)  The Pharisees insisted particularly on the subject of fasting, because among the strict Jews a fast day began that evening in expiation of the sacrilege King Joachim committed by burning the Books of the Prophet Jeremias. (Jer 36:21-24)

     Among the Jews, especially in Judea, it was not customary to pluck fruit by the wayside.  Now Jesus permitted it to His disciples, and this the Pharisees made a subject of reproach to Him.  While giving His answers to the Pharisees, Jesus was reclining at table with the publicans, whereas the disciples to whom the questions of the Pharisees were addressed were standing or walking among them.  Jesus turned His head from side to side in answering.

     Capharnaum was much more lively now than formerly.  Crowds of strangers were streaming in on account of Jesus, some of them His friends, others His enemies, and most of them pagans, the followers of Zorobabel and Cornelius.

     Jesus would not remain longer in Capharnaum.  The crowd was too great and excited.  Many Gergeseans also had come, and they wanted to follow Jesus.  They were poor, were habituated to a wandering life, and thought it would be a good thing to be supported by Him.  Besides this they were under the impression that Jesus would, like Saul or David, cause Himself to be anointed king and then establish His throne in Jerusalem.  But Jesus told them to go back to their homes, to do penance, to keep the Commandments, and to practice the lessons they had heard from Him.  His Kingdom, He said, was far different from what they imagined, and no sinner should have a part in it.

     Jesus afterward left Capharnaum, accompanied by The Twelve and about thirty disciples.  They directed their steps northward.  Crowds of people were journeying along the same way.  Jesus frequently paused to instruct sometimes this, sometimes that crowd, who then turned off in the direction of their homes.  In this way He arrived at about three in the afternoon at a beautiful mountain, three hours from Capharnaum and not quite so far from the Jordan.  Five roads branched out from it, and about as many little towns lay around it.

     The people who had followed Jesus thus far now took their leave, while He with His own party, having first taken some refreshment at the foot of the mountain, began to ascend the height.  There was a teacher's chair upon it, from which He again instructed the Apostles and disciples upon their vocation.  He said that now they should show forth what they had learned.  They should proclaim the advent of the Kingdom, that the last chance for doing penance had arrived, that the end of John's life was very near.  They should baptize, impose hands, and expel demons.  He taught them how they should conduct themselves in discussions, how recognize true from false friends, and how confound the latter.  He told them that now none should be greater than the others.  In the various places to which their mission called them, they should go among the pious, should live poorly and humbly, and be burdensome to no one.  He told them also how to separate and how again to unite.  Two Apostles and some disciples should journey together, while some other disciples should go on ahead to gather together the people and announce their coming.  The Apostles, He said, should carry with them little flasks of oil, which He taught them how to consecrate and how to use in effecting cures.  Then He gave them all many other instructions concerning their missions.  He made allusion to no special danger in store for them, but said only, "Today you will be welcomed everywhere, but a time will come when they will persecute you!" (Mark 6;7-13, Mat 10:1-42, Luke 9:1-6)

     After that the Apostles knelt down in a circle around Jesus as He prayed and laid His hands upon the hear of each; the disciples He only blessed.  Then they embraced and separated.

     Among the directions given to the Apostles, Jesus had indicated to them the place and time at which they should again join Him, in order to bring Him news and exchange places with the disciples that remained with Him.  Six of the Apostles continued with Him, Peter, James Alpheus, John, Philip, Thomas and Judas, besides twelve of the disciples.  Among the latter were the three brothers, James, Sadoch and Heliachim (Mary Heli's sons); Manahem, Little Cleophas and several others.  The other six Apostles had with them eighteen disciples, among whom were Joses Barsabas, Judas Barsabas, Saturnin, and Nathanael Chased.  Nathanael the bridegroom of Cana did not travel around.  He attended to the affairs for the Community, and like Lazarus rendered service in his own immediate circle.  All shed tears on separating.  The Apostles who were going forth on their mission descended the mountain by the eastern route leading to the Jordan.  When Jesus came down the mountain, He was again surrounded by a crowd returning home from Capharnaum.

     Jesus, with the Apostles and disciples, was making the journey from Capharnaum to Cana and Cydessa.  In the region of Giskala he placed The Twelve in three separate rows and revealed to each his own peculiar disposition and character.  Peter, Andrew, John, James Zebedee, and Matthew stood in the first row; Jude Thaddeus, Bartholomew, James Alpheus, and the disciple Barsabas, in the second; Thomas, Simon, Philip and Judas Iscariot, in the third.  Each heard his own thoughts and hopes revealed to him by Jesus, and all were strongly affected.  Jesus delivered at the same time a lengthy discourse upon the hardships and sufferings that awaited them, and on this occasion He again made use of the expression, "Among you there is a devil."

     The three different rows established no subordination among the Apostles, one to another.  The Twelve were classed merely according to their disposition and character.  On this journey Jesus further instructed The Twelve and the disciples exactly how to proceed in the future when healing the sick and exorcising the possessed, as He Himself did in such cases.  He imported to them the power and the courage always to effect, by imposition of hands and anointing with oil, what He Himself could do.  This communication of power took place without the imposition of hands, though not without a substantial transmission.  They stood around Jesus, and rays darted toward them of different colors, according to the nature of the gifts received and the peculiar disposition of each recipient.  They exclaimed, "Lord, we feel ourselves imbued with strength!  Your words are truth and life!"  And now each knew just what he had to do in every case in order to effect a cure.  There was no room left for either choice or reflection.

     After that Jesus with all His disciples arrived at Elcese, a place distant from Capharnaum one hour and a half.  There in the synagogue He delivered the sermon of the Sabbath, in which reference was made to the building of Solomon's Temple. (2 Chr 2:7-10)  He addressed the Apostles and disciples as the workmen who were to fell the cedars on the mountain and prepare them for the building.

     The services over, at which many Pharisees were in attendance, Jesus was invited to dine.  The meal was taken at the house of public entertainment.  Many people stood around during it, to hear what Jesus was saying, and numbers of the poor were fed.  The Pharisees, having remarked that the disciples had not washed their hands before coming to table, asked Jesus why His disciples did not respect the prescriptions of their forefathers, and why they did not observe the customary purifications.  Jesus responded to their question by asking why they themselves did not keep the Commandments, why with all their traditions they did not honor their father and mother, and He reproached them with their hypocrisy and their vain adherence to external purification.

     During this dispute the meal came to an end.  Jesus however continued to address the crowd that pressed around Him, "Hear and understand!  Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"  The disciples who had remained in the entertainment hall, told Jesus that these words of His had greatly scandalized the Pharisees, to which He responded, "Every plant that My Heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up!  Leave them alone!  They are blind and leaders of the blind.  And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the pit." (Mat 15:1-20)

     When on the following evening Jesus was closing the Sabbath instruction, the Pharisees again reproached Him on account of the irregular mode of the disciples' fasting.  But Jesus retorted by charging them with their avarice and want of mercy.  Among other things, He said, "The disciples eat after long labor, and then only if others are supplied.  But if these others are hungry, they give them what they have, and God blesses it."  Here Jesus recalled the multiplication of the loaves, on which occasion the disciples had given their bread and fish to the hungry multitude, and He asked the Pharisees whether they would have done the same.

     From Elcese, Jesus went with the Apostles and disciples through Cedes-Nephtali to Dan, also called Lais or Leschem.  Cedes-Nephtali was a stronghold and Levitical city built of black, shining stone.  On the way Jesus instructed His followers, His subject always being prayer.  He explained the Our Father.  He told them that in the past they had not prayed worthily, but like Esau had asked for the fat of the earth; but now like Jacob they should petition for the dew of Heaven, for spiritual gifts, for the blessing of spiritual illumination, for the Kingdom according to the will of God, and not for one in accordance with their own ideas.  He reminded them that even the heathens themselves did not petition for temporal goods alone, but also for those of a spiritual nature. (Gen 27:39-40)

     On the way to the mount and until Jesus retired to pray, the Apostles and disciples that had last returned from their several missions, gave their Master a full account of all that had happened to them, all that they had seen and heard and done.  He listened to everything and exhorted them to pray and hold themselves in readiness for what He was going to communicate to them.

     When before daybreak, they again gathered about Jesus, The Twelve stood around Him in a circle.  The disciples stood outside the circle, the most senior of them nearest the center.  Then Jesus, as if resuming the discourse of the preceding night, asked, "Who do men say that I am?"  The Apostles and elder disciples repeated the various conjectures of the people concerning Him, as they had heard here and there in different places; some, for instance, said that He was the Baptist, others Elias, while others again took Him for Jeremias, who had arisen from the dead.  They related all that had become known to them on this subject.  There was a pause.  Jesus was very grave, and they fixed their eyes upon His countenance with some impatience.  At last, He said, "And you, for whom do you take Me?:  No one felt impelled to answer.  Only Peter, full of faith and zeal, taking one step forward into the circle, with hand raised like one solemnly affirming, exclaimed loudly and boldly, as if the voice and tongue of all, "You are the Christ! the Son of the living God!"  Jesus replied with great earnestness, His voice strong and animated, "Blessed are you, Simon, son of John, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in Heaven!  And I say to you, You are a rock, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you shall bind on earth, shall be bound also in Heaven, and whatever you shall loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven!" (Mat 16:13-20)

     Jesus made this response in a manner both solemn and prophetic.  He appeared to be shining with light, and was raised some distance above the ground.  Peter, in the same spirit in which he had confessed to the Godhead, received Jesus' words in their full signification.  He was deeply impressed by them, but the other Apostles appeared to be troubled.  They glanced from Jesus to Peter as the latter exclaimed with such zeal, "You are the Christ, the Son of God!"

     Jesus words to Peter were spoken just at the moment of sunrise.  The whole scene was so much the more grave and solemn, since Jesus had for that purpose retired with His disciples into the mountain and commanded them to pray.  Peter alone was sensibly impressed by it.  The other Apostles did not fully comprehend, and still held earthly ideas.  They thought that Jesus intended to bestow on Peter the office of High Priest in His Kingdom, and James told John, as they walked together, that very probably they themselves would receive places next to Peter.

     Jesus now told the Apostles in plain language that He was the promised Messiah.  He applied to Himself all the passages to that effect found in the Prophets, and said that they must now go to

Jerusalem for the Feast.  They then directed their steps southwesterly and returned to the Jordan bridge.

     Peter, still profoundly impressed by Jesus' words relative to the power of the Keys, drew near to Him on the way to ask for information upon some points not clear to him.  He was so full of faith and ardor that he fancied his work was to begin right away for the conditions, namely, the Passion of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, were as yet unknown to him.  He asked therefore whether in this or that case also he could absolve from sin, and made some remarks upon the publicans and those guilty of adultery.  Jesus set his mind at ease by telling him that he would later on know all things clearly, that they would be very different from what he expected, and that a new Law would be substituted for the old.

     As they proceeded on their journey, Jesus began to enlighten His Apostles upon what was in store for them.  They should now go to Jerusalem, eat the Paschal lamb with Lazarus, after which they might expect many labors, much weariness and persecution.  He mentioned in general terms many circumstances of His future: namely, His raising of one of their best friends from the dead, which fact was to give rise to such fury among His enemies that He would be obliged to flee; and their going again after another year to the Feast, at which time one of them would betray Him.  He told them moreover that He would be maltreated, scourged, mocked, and shamefully put to death; that He must die for the sins of men, but that on the third day He would rise again.  He told them all this in detail and proved it from the Prophets.  His manner was very grave, but full of love.

     Peter was so distressed at the thought of Jesus' being maltreated and put to death that, while following Him, he spoke to Him in private, disputing with Him and exclaiming against such suffering, such treatment.  No! he said, that should not be!  He would rather die himself than suffer such a thing to happen!  "Far be it from You, Lord!  This shall not be done to You!" he exclaimed.  But Jesus turned to him gravely and said with warmth, "Go behind Me, Satan!  You are a scandal to Me.  You savor not the things that are of God, but the things that are of men!" and then walked on. (Mat 16:21-23)

     Peter was struck with fear, and began to turn over in his mind why it was that Jesus a short time before had said that not from flesh and blood but by a revelation from God had he (Peter) declared Him to be the Christ; but now He called him Satan and, because he had protested against His sufferings, He reproached him with speaking not according to God, but according to human desires and considerations.  Comparing Jesus' words of praise with those of His reproof, Peter became more humble and looked upon Him with greater faith and admiration.  He was nevertheless very much afflicted since, by this understanding, he became only the more convinced of the reality of the sufferings awaiting Jesus.

     The Apostles and disciples proceeded in separate bands, each walking with the Lord by turns.  He hurried on quickly, stopping nowhere, shunning the towns and villages as much as possible until nightfall, when they put up at the inn near the Baths of Bethulia.  Here Lazarus and some of the disciples from Jerusalem were awaiting Jesus' coming.

     Lazarus had already been informed that Jesus and His disciples would eat the Paschal lamb with him, and he had come here to meet Jesus in order to warn Him, the Apostles, and all the disciples, in respect to this Paschal solemnity.  He told them that an insurrection threatened during the Feast.  Pilate wanted to levy a new tax upon the Temple in order to erect a statue to the Emperor.  He also desired certain sacrifices in his honor and that certain high titles of reverence should be publicly decreed him.  The Jews were on that account ready for revolt, and a large number of Galileans had risen up against Pilate's proceedings.  They were headed by a certain Judas, a Gulonite, who had numerous adherents and who railed hotly against the servitude of his people and the Roman taxes. (Acts 5:37)  It would be well, Lazarus said, for Jesus to absent Himself from the Feast, as great disturbances might arise.  Jesus however replied that His time had not yet come, that nothing would happen to Him.  This uprising was but a forerunner of a far greater one that would take place the next year when, as He said, His time would have come.  Then would the Son of Man be delivered over into the hands of sinners.

     Jesus sent His Apostles and disciples on ahead.  They were divided into separate bands and were to journey by different routes.  He kept Simon Zelotes, Jude Thaddeus, Nathanael Chased and Judas Barsabas with Himself.  Some were to go down along the Jordan, while others proceeded westward from Garizim through places at which they had not yet been.  Lazarus journeyed with the disciples.  Jesus commanded them not to go into Samaritan cities, and gave them several directions as to their conduct.  He Himself went as far as Ginnim, to the estate of Lazarus where He passed the night.

     Jesus returned from His visit to Cyprus, where He had made arrangements for a number of Jewish Cypriots, who wished to follow Him, to be transported to Galilee.  He landed near the mouth of the Cison River, east of Hepha, which lies on the coast.  He was received on shore by several of the Apostles and disciples, among them Thomas, Simon, Jude, Nathanael Chased, and Heliacim, all of whom were unspeakably delighted to embrace Him and His companions.  They walked around the gulf for about three and a half hours, and crossed a little river that flows into the sea near Ptolemais.  The long bridge across this river was like a walled street.  It extended to the foot of the height behind which was the morass of Cendevia.  Having climbed this height, they proceeded to the suburbs of the Levitical city Misael, which was separated from them by a curve of that same height.  This suburb faced the sea on the west, and on the south rose Carmel with its beautiful valley.  Misael consisted of only one street and one inn, which extended over the height.

     Here near a fountain, Jesus was met by the people in festal procession, the children singing songs of welcome.  All bore palm branches, on which the dates were still hanging.  Simeon from Sichor-Libnath, the "City of Waters," was here with his whole family.  After his baptism, he came to Misael, for his children gave him no rest until he had again joined the Jews.  He had arranged this reception for Jesus, and all at his own expense.  When the procession reached the inn, nine Levites from Misael came forward to salute Jesus.

     Jesus arrived at an inn in Azanoth about dusk.  Here He found some friends from Capharnaum waiting for Him.  They shed tears of joy upon seeing Him again.  The following day He went to Damma to an inn where Lazarus and two disciples were waiting.  Jesus spoke of the Cypriots, those who accompanied Him and those that were to follow later, and made some remarks as to how these immigrants should be supported.

     Jude and James Alpheus were to proceed to Gessur, in order to receive and accompany the seven learned pagan philosophers who were to arrive there.  They had been baptized in Cyprus.  On their arrival the disciples were to welcome them and encourage them in their new environment and spiritual life.

     Not long after Jesus' return to Capharnaum, there were gathered around Him almost thirty disciples.  Some had come from Judea with the news of the arrival at Joppa of ships bringing two hundred Cypriot Jews, who were to be received there by Barnabas, Mnason, and his brother.  John, who was still at Hebron with relatives of Zachary, was charged with providing suitable quarters for these immigrants.

     The Essenians also helped care for them.  For a time the Cypriots were lodged in the grottos until proper destinations could be assigned them.  Lazarus and the Syrophoenician provided settlements near Ornithopolis.  The disciples who had lately come to Capharnaum lodged some at Peter's outside the city, some in Bethsaida, and some at the school in the city itself.  Jude and James Alpheus came from Gessur with three of the previously pagan philosophers, fine, handsome young men, who had received circumcision.  Andrew and Simon also came with several other disciples, and the welcome they received was most touching.

     Jesus, according to His custom, presented the newly converted to His Mother.  There was a tacit understanding, an interior agreement between Jesus and Mary, that she should take the disciples into her heart, into her prayers, into her benedictions and, to a certain extent, into her very being, as her own children and the brothers of Jesus, that she should be their spiritual Mother as she was His Mother by nature.  Mary did this with unique earnestness, while Jesus on such occasions treated her with great solemnity.  There was in this ceremony of adoption something holy, something interior.  Mary was the ear, the spike which produced Jesus' Flesh and Blood.

     The disciples related where they had been and all that had happened to them.  In some places stones had been thrown after them, but without striking them, from others they were obliged to flee, but everywhere they were wonderfully protected.  They had also met good people, had cured, baptized, and taught.  Jesus had commanded them to go to the lost sheep of Israel only.  They had likewise sought out the Jews in the pagan cities, though without meddling with the heathens excepting with those who were servants to the Jews.  In Gazora, northeast of Jabes Galaad, Andrew and the disciples that accompanied him had redeemed Jewish slaves from bondage, sacrificing to this purpose all that they possessed.  They asked Jesus whether they had done rightly, to which He answered in the affirmative.

     Jesus did not hearken to all that some of them had to say.  Many of them, while eagerly and with a certain warmth of manner, were relating their missionary labors, Jesus interrupted with words something like these, "I know that already."  To others who spoke simply and humbly, He listened for a length of time, and called upon the silent to relate what had happened to them.  When they whom He had interrupted asked why He would not hear their account, Jesus answered by showing them the difference between their own and their brethren's speech.  Frequently He interrupted their narratives with parables, for instance, that of the tares sown among the good seed and which, after it had grown up, was to be burnt at the time of harvest. (Mat 13:25-30, 36-43)  He said that all that had been sown would not come up.  He spoke of several that had fallen away from the disciples, and exhorted those present not to place too great security in their good works, for they would have to undergo great temptations.

     He recounted the parable of the lord going afar to take possession of a foreign kingdom.  He gave over to his servants remaining behind a certain number of talents for which later on he required an account. (Mat 25:14-30)  This parable referred to Jesus' own journey to Cyprus and to the account He was now exacting from the disciples of their activity during His absence.  As He spoke, He frequently turned first to one, then to another whose thoughts He divined, with the words, "Why are you thinking useless thoughts?" or "Do not think that way!" or "Your thoughts are now taking a wrong direction.  Think in this way, and not in that!"  He read the thoughts of His hearers and reproved them accordingly.

     When the hour sounded the commencement of the Sabbath, Jesus went with the disciples to the synagogue, where He found the Pharisees already standing around the lecture hall.  But Jesus walked straight up to it, and they at once made room for Him.  The instruction was on Rahab and the scouts sent by Joshua to Jericho. (Josh 2:1-24, 6:17)  The Pharisees were furious at what they called Jesus' audacity, and they said to one another, "Let Him go on now with His talk.  This evening, when the Sabbath is over, we shall hold a council and soon find means to close His lips."

     Jesus, knowing their malice, remarked that they were spies of a very peculiar kind, for they came not to find out the truth, but to betray Him and His followers.  His language against them was very severe.  He spoke about the destruction of Jerusalem, and the judgement in store for those of the people that would not do penance and recognize the reign of the Messiah.  He introduced into His discourse also the parable of the king whose son was slain in the vineyard by the unfaithful servants. (Mat 21:33-41)  The Pharisees dared not interrupt Him.  All the holy women were present in the synagogue, where they had places set apart for them.

     That afternoon Jesus, at the earnest request of the parents of some sick children, went with several of the disciples to about twenty houses of Capharnaum, of both the rich and the poor.  He cured a great many children, boys and girls from three to eight years old.  The malady was epidemic; they were all affected in much the same way.  The little sufferers' color was quite yellow, their throat, cheeks, and hands swollen.  Jesus did not cure them all in the same way.  On some He laid His hand on the parts affected, others He anointed with spittle, and over others He breathed.  Many of them rose up at once.  Jesus blessed them and gave them over to their parents with some words of admonition.  For others, He commanded prayer and a certain kind of nursing.  This was for the greater good of both children and parents.

     The market place of Capharnaum was on an eminence, and to it four streets ran.  Jesus visited this part of the city and entered the home of Ignatius, whom He cured.  The boy was a very lovely child of about four years.  His parents were wealthy.  They were engaged in the sale of brass or bronze vessels which were standing in long corridors.  For a couple of days the parents of Ignatius had begged Jesus to visit them, for He had just cured the child of their neighbor, the carpet merchant.  The market was surrounded by arcades, in which the goods of the various dealers were exposed for sale.  In the center played a fountain, and at either end rose two large edifices.

     The Phairsees were full of wrath at these cures.  Three of them went into the courtyard before Peter's house, in the porticos of which lay sick who had been transported there, and whom Jesus was now healing.  They forced their way through the crowd until they stood before Him.  Then they addressed Him, suggesting that He should stop curing, excite no disturbance on the Sabbath, and expressed their desire to enter into an argument with Him.  But Jesus turned away from them saying that He had nothing to do with them, that He could not cure them, since they were incurable.

     At the closing Sabbath exercises that evening Jesus again taught in the synagogue.  He spoke of the murmuring of the Israelites on the news brought by the scouts sent to view the Promised Land, of the curse that fell upon them, in consequence of which they perished in the wilderness, and only their children were permitted to see the Land of Promise. (Num 13:17-20, Num 14:1-12)  He laid special stress upon malediction and benediction, of which He spoke in very energetic terms.  Then He went on to speak of those that falsify the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God, of those that would never enter into it, of the non-recognition of the Messiah, and of the chastisement that menaced Jerusalem and the whole country.

     Two of the Pharisees, mounting the teacher's stand, began to comment upon some passages in the day's Lesson, in which it was recorded that God had commanded Moses in the wilderness to cause a certain man to be stoned by all the people for having gathered sticks on the Sabbath day. (Numbers 15;32-36)  This fact the Pharisees cited as an argument against the cures wrought on the Sabbath.  Jesus responded by asking whether the health of the poor and necessitous was like wood destined for the fire; or whether hypocrisy, lifeless and inflexible, were not much more of the nature of wood.  Was not the seeking of scandal in the healing of the poor, and the uncharitable fault-finding of those who had beams in their own eyes, more like a gathering of sticks than the curing of the sick?  Not, however, to prepare food for themselves, but to cast those sticks as stumbling blocks in the path of truth, to use them as fuel for distilling the poison of discord and persecution.  Is it not permitted  to receive on the Sabbath that which we pray for on the Sabbath? and also to give it to others on that same day if we have it?

     Then Jesus explained the passages in the Law that referred to manual labor.  He said that it was prohibited on the Sabbath only to leave man free for the performance of spiritual exercises. (Mark 2:27)  How could the Sabbath prevent the cure of the sick, since such cures sanctified the Sabbath?  In this way Jesus refuted the Pharisees and so confounded them that they had nothing more to say.  Some few of His hearers were moved by His words.  They reflected in silence upon what they had heard, while others put their heads together, saying, "Yes!  It is He!  He is the Messiah!  No mere man, no Prophet could teach in that way!"  Significant looks were exchanged throughout the crowd generally, for the people rejoiced over the Pharisees' humiliation.  Some, however, obdurate at heart, joined with the latter in taking scandal.

     When the Apostles and disciples alone were standing around Jesus, He told them many things that would take place after His return to the Father.  He predicted the persecution that would arise against Lazarus and the holy women and told the Apostles where they should retire during the first six months after His death. Peter, John, and James Alpheus were to remain in Jerusalem; Zacheus was to go to the region of Galaad; Philip and Bartholomew to Gessure on the confines of Syria.

     James Zebedee and one of the disciples were sent to the pagan regions north of Capharnaum.  Thomas and Matthew were despatched to Ephesus in order to prepare that country, where at a future day Jesus' Mother and many of those who believed in Him were to live.  They wondered greatly that Mary would go there to live.  Jude and Simon were to go first to Samaria, though none cared to go there.  All preferred to go to cities entirely pagan.

     Jesus told them that they would all meet twice in Jerusalem before going to preach the Gospel in distant pagan lands.  He spoke of a man between Samaria and Jericho, who would, like Himself, perform many miracles, though by the power of the devil.  He would manifest a desire of conversion, and they must receive him kindly, for even the devil should contribute to His glory.  Simon Magus was meant by these words of Jesus. (Acts 8:9-24)  During this instruction the Apostles, as in a familiar conference, questioned Jesus upon whatever they could not understand, which He explained to them as far as was necessary.  Everything was perfectly natural.

     When Jesus left the Temple after this discourse, the enraged Pharisees lay in wait for Him both at the gate and on the way, for they intended to stone Him.  But Jesus avoided them, proceeded to Bethania, and for three days went no more to the Temple.  He wanted to give the Apostles and disciples time to think over what they had heard.  Meantime they referred to Him for further explanations upon many points.  Jesus ordered them to commit to writing what He had said relative to the future.  It was Nathanael the Bridegroom, who was very skilful with the pen, not John, who recorded these predictions of Jesus.

     During these days, three young men came to Lazarus, at Bethania, from the Chaldean city of Sikdor, and he procured them quarters at the disciples' inn.  These youths were very tall and slight, very handsome and active, and much nobler in figure than the Jews.  Jesus spoke only a few words to them.  He directed them to the Centurion of Capharnaum, who had been a heathen like themselves, and who would instruct them.  When they were with the Centurion, He related to them the cure of servant. (Mat 8:5-13)  He told them that through shame of the idols that were in his house, and because it was just the time at which the pagan carnival was celebrated, he had begged Jesus, the Son of God, not to enter into his idolatrous household.  Five weeks before the Jewish feast of Easter, the pagans celebrated their carnival, during which they gave themselves up to all kinds of infamous practices.  The Centurion Cornelius after his conversion gave all his metallic idols in alms to the poor, or to make sacred vessels for the Temple.  The three Chaldeans returned from Capharnaum to Bethania and thence back to Sikdor, where they gathered together the other converts, and with them and their treasures went to join King Mensor.

     Up to this time Jesus had gone to the Temple with only three companions; but now He began to go there escorted by His whole company of Apostles and disciples.  The Pharisees retired from Jesus' chair into the surrounding halls, and peered at Him through the arches when He began to preach and to predict His Passion to the disciples.

     In the wall of one of the forecourts just in front of the entrance of the Temple, seven or eight vendors had taken up their quarters to sell eatables and some kind of red beverage in little flasks.  When Jesus, who had passed the night in Jerusalem, went next morning to the Temple and reached the hall in which these vendors were, He ordered them to be off instantly with all their goods.  As they hesitated to obey, He put His own hand to the work, gathered their things together, and had them removed.  When He afterward entered the Temple, He found the teacher's chair occupied by others, but they retired as hurriedly as if He had chased them away.

     On the following Sabbath, after the Jews had finished their sacred services, Jesus again taught in the Temple and prolonged His instruction late into the night.  In it He made frequent allusions to His journey among the pagans, so that it could be easily understood how good they were and how willing to receive His teachings.  In support of His words, He referred to the recent arrival of the three Chaldeeans.  They had not seen Jesus when He was in Sikdor, but they had heard of His doctrine and were so impressed by it that they had journeyed to Bethania for more instruction.

     On the following day Jesus caused three arches in the lecture hall to be closed, that He might instruct His Apostles and disciples in private.  He repeated on this occasion His early instructions upon His own fast in the desert.  He alluded also to many events connected with His own past life, and said why and how He had chosen the Apostles.  During this last part of His discourse, He placed the Apostles in pairs before Him.  With Judas however He spoke but few words.  Treason was already in his heart.  He was becoming furious, and had had an interview with the Pharisees.  After finishing with the Apostles, Jesus turned to the disciples, and spoke of their vocation also.

     All were very sad.  Jesus' Passion was near.

     Jesus' last instruction in the Temple before Palm Sunday lasted four long hours.  The Temple was full, and all who wanted to hear Him could do so.  Many women listened from a space separated by a grating.  He again explained many things from His former instructions and His own actions.  He spoke of the cure of the man at the Pool of Bethsaida, (John 5:2-9) and said why He had healed him just at that time; of the raising of the son of the widow of Naim, (Luke 7:11-15) also that of the daughter of Jairus, (Mark 5:20-24, 35-42) and said why the former had immediately followed Him, but the latter not.

     Then He referred to what was soon about to happen, and said that He should be abandoned by His own.  At first He would, with splendor and openness, as in triumph, enter the Temple, and the lips of the suckling who had never yet spoken would announce His entrance.  Many would break off branches from the trees and strew them before Him, while other would spread their mantles in His way.  Those, He explained, who strewed branches before Him, would not renounce for Him what they possessed, and would not remain faithful to Him, but those who spread their garments on the way would detach themselves from what they had, would put on the new man, and would remain faithful to Him.   Jesus did not say that He was going to enter Jerusalem on an ass, consequently many thought that He would celebrate His entrance with splendor and magnificence, with horses and camels in His train.  His words gave rise to a great whispering in the crowd.  They did not take His expression, "fifteen days," literally.  They understood it to mean a longer time, therefore Jesus repeated significantly, "In three times five days!"

     This instruction occasioned great anxiety among the Scribes and Pharisees.  They held a meeting in Caiaphas's house, and issued a prohibition against any one's harboring Jesus and His disciples.  They also set spies at the gates to watch for Him, but He remained concealed in Bethania with Lazarus.

     Early in the morning Jesus sent Eremenzear and Silas to Jerusalem, not by the direst route, but by a road that ran through the enclosed gardens and fields.  They were commissioned to make that road passable by opening the hedges and removing the barriers.  He told them that, in the meadow near the inn outside Bethphage (through which the road ran), they would find a she-ass with her foal; they should fasten the ass to the hedge and if questioned as to why they did that, they should answer that the Lord would have it so.

     Meanwhile Jesus had sent a band of the more senior disciples to Jerusalem by the usual route with orders to go, some to the house of Mary Marc, others to that of Veronica, to Nicodemus, to the sons of Simeon, and to friends like them, and notify them of His approaching entrance.  After that He himself with all the Apostles and the rest of the disciples set out for Bethphage.  The holy women headed by the Blessed Virgin followed at some distance.  When the party reached a certain house on the road surrounded by gardens, courtyards, and porticos, they paused for a considerable time.  Jesus sent two of the disciples to Bethphage with covers and mantles which they had brought with them from Bethania, in order to prepare the ass of which they had been directed to say that the Lord had need.

     Meantime He instructed the immense crowd of people that had gathered under the open portico.  Jesus stood on and elevated platform, the disciples and the crowd filled the courtyard.  Jesus spoke of foresight and of the necessity of using one's own wits, for the disciples had questioned Him upon His taking that by-route.  He answered that it was in order to shun unnecessary dangers.  One should protect himself, He said, and take care not to leave things to chance, therefore He had ordered the ass to be bound beforehand.

     Then Jesus arranged His procession.  The Apostles He ordered to proceed, two and two, before Him saying that from this moment and after His death, they should everywhere head the Community (the Church).  Peter went first, followed by those that were to bear the Gospel to the most distant regions, while John and James Alpheus immediately preceded Jesus.  All carried palm branches.  As soon as the two disciples that were waiting near Bethphage spied the procession coming, they hurried forward to meet it taking with them the two animals.  The she-ass was covered with trappings that hung to her feet, the head and tail alone being visible.

     The road from Bethphage to Jerusalem ran through the lower part of the valley of Mount Olivet, which was not as elevated as the plateau upon which the Temple stood.  Going up from Bethphage to the Mount of Olives, one could see, through the high hills that bordered the route on either side, the Temple standing opposite.  From this point to Jerusalem, the road was delightful, full of little gardens and trees.  Crowds came pouring out of the city to meet the Apostles and disciples, who were approaching with songs and canticles.

     Many among the crowd that followed Jesus to the Temple not only broke off branches from the trees and strewed them in the way, but snatched off their mantles and spread them down, singing and shouting all the while.  Many had quite despoiled themselves of their upper garments for that purpose.  The children rushed from the schools, and ran rejoicing with the crowd.

     Jesus wept, as did the Apostles also, when He told them that many who were now shouting acclamations of joy would soon deride Him, and that a certain one would even betray Him.  He looked upon the city, and wept over its approaching destruction.  When He entered the gate, the cries of joy became still greater.  Many sick of all kinds had been led or carried here, consequently Jesus frequently dismounted, and cured all without distinction.

     The nearer to the Temple, the more magnificent was the ornamentation of the road.  To move from the city gate to the Temple, although a distance of only about a half hour, the procession took three hours.

     By this time the Jewish authorities had ordered all the houses, as well as the city gate to be closed so that when Jesus dismounted, and the disciples wanted to take the ass back to where they had found it, they were obliged to wait inside the gate until evening.  In the Temple were the holy women and crowds of people.  All had to remain the whole day without food, for this part of the city had been barricaded.  Toward evening the gate was again opened.

     When they had gathered for the Pasche, Jesus gave the Apostles an instruction upon the Paschal lamb and the fulfillment of what it symbolized.  As the time was drawing near and Judas had returned, they began to prepare the tables.  After that they put on the traveling dresses of ceremony, which were in the anteroom, and changed their shoes.  The dress consisted of a white tunic like a shirt, and over it a mantle, shorter in front that in the back.  The tunic was tucked up into the girdle, and the wide sleeves were turned up.  Each took a staff in his hand, and then they walked in pairs to the table at which each stood in his place, his arms raised, and the staff resting upon one.  Jesus stood at the center of the table.

     The table was narrow and only high enough to reach one half foot above the knee of a man standing by it.  In form it was like a horseshoe, or inverted "U".  Opposite Jesus, in the inner part of the half circle, there was a space left free for the serving of the dishes.     In the center of the table lay the Paschal lamb on a dish, its head resting on the crossed forefeet, the hind feet stretched out full length.  All around the edge of the dish were little bunches of garlic.  Near by was another dish with the Paschal roast meat, and on either side a plate of green herbs.  These latter were arranged in an upright position and so closely together that they looked as if they were growing.  There was another plate with little bunches of bitter herbs that looked like aromatic herbs.  Directly in front of Jesus' place, stood a bowl of yellowish green herbs and another with some kind of a brownish sauce.  Small round loaves served the guests for plates, and they made use of bone knives.

     After the prayer, the master of the feast laid on the table in front of Jesus the knife used for carving the Paschal lamb, placed a cup of wine before Him, and from a jug filled six other cups, each of which he set between two of the Apostles.  Jesus blessed the wine and drank, the Apostles drinking two and two from one cup.  The Lord cut up the Paschal lamb.  The Apostles in turn reached their little loaves on some kind of an instrument that held them fast, and received each one a share.  They ate it in haste separating the flesh from the bone with their ivory knives.  The bones were afterward burned.  They also ate, and that very quickly, the garlic and green herbs, first dipping them into the sauce.  They ate the Paschal lamb standing, leaning a little on the back of the seats.  Jesus then broke one of the loaves of unleavened bread, covered up one part of it, and divided the other among the Apostles.  After that they ate the little loaves that had served as plates.  Another cup of wine was brought.  Jesus thanked, but drank not of it.  He said, "Take this wine and divide it among you, for I shall hence forth drink no more wine, until the Kingdom of God comes."

     After the Apostles had drunk, two and two, they chanted, and Jesus prayed and taught.  After that they again washed their hands, and then reclined on the seats.  During the preceding ceremony, they had been standing, or at least supporting themselves somewhat, and every thing was done in haste.  Jesus had also cut up another lamb, which was carried to the holy women in the side building where they were taking their meal.  The Apostles partook of the herbs, the salad, and the sauce.  Jesus was exceedingly serene and recollected.  He bade the Apostles forget their cares.  Even the Blessed Virgin was bright and cheerful as she sat at table with the women.  It was very touching to see her turning so simply to the other women when, at times, they approached her and drew her attention by a little pull at her veil.

     While the Apostles were eating the herbs, Jesus continued to converse with them still quite lovingly, though He afterward became grave and sad.  He said, "One among you will betray Me--one whose hand is with Me in the dish."  He was at that moment distributing one of the vegetables, namely, the lettuce of which there was only one dish.  He was passing it down His own side, and He had directed Judas, who was sitting crosswise from Him, to distribute it on the other side.  As Jesus made mention of a traitor, the Apostles became very much alarmed.  Then He repeated, "One whose hand is with Me at table, whose hand dips with Me into the dish," which was as much as to say, "One of The Twelve who are eating and drinking with Me--one with whom I am breaking My bread."  By these words, Jesus did not betray Judas to the others, for "to dip into the same dish," was a common expression significant of the most intimate friendship.  Still Jesus intended by it to warn Judas, for He really was dipping His hand with him into the dish while distributing the lettuce.  Later on, He said, "The Son of Man indeed goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man shall be betrayed!  It were better for him had he never been born."

     At these words the Apostles became very much troubled, and asked in turn, "Lord, is it I?"--for all knew well that they did not understand Him perfectly.  Peter meantime, leaning behind Jesus toward John, motioned to him to ask the Lord who it was, for having often received reproofs from Jesus, he was anxious lest it might be himself.  John was reclining at Jesus' right, and as all were leaning on the left arm in order to eat with the right hand, John lay with his head close to Jesus' breast.  At the sign from Peter, John approached his head to Jesus' breast, and asked, "Lord, who is it?"--at which word, he was interiorly admonished that Jesus referred to Judas.  John understood it when Jesus, having dipped into the sauce the morsel of bread folded in lettuce, offered it affectionately to Judas who too was asking, "Lord is it I?" (John 13:21-26)  Jesus looked at him lovingly and answered in general terms.  To give bread dipped was a mark of love and confidence, and Jesus did it with heartfelt love, to warn Judas and to ward off the suspicions of the others.

     They arose from table and while putting on and arranging their robes, as was the custom before solemn prayer, the master of the feast with two servants came in to take away the table and put back the seats.  While this was being done, Jesus ordered some water to be brought Him in the anteroom, and the master again left the hall with his servants.

     Jesus, standing in the midst of the Apostles, spoke to them long and solemnly.  He spoke of His Kingdom, of His going to His Father, and He told them that He would, before leaving them, give over to them all that He possessed.  Then He gave them instructions upon penance, the knowledge and confession of sin, contrition, and justification.  All except Judas acknowledged their sins with sorrow.  This discourse was long and solemn.  When it was ended, Jesus sent John and James Alpheus to bring the water from the anteroom, and directed the others to place the seats in a half circle.  Meantime He Himself retired to the anteroom, to lay aside His mantle, gird up His robe, and tie around Him a towel, one end of which He allowed to hang.

     While these preparation were being made, the Apostles got into a kind of dispute as to who among them should have the first place, for as the Lord had expressly announced that He was about to leave them and that His Kingdom was near, they were strengthened anew in their idea that He had somewhere a secret force in reserve, and that He would achieve some earthly triumph at the very last moment.

     Jesus, still in the anteroom, commanded John to take a basin, and James Alpheus a leather bottle of water.  James carried the bottle before his breast, the spout resting on his arm.  After He had poured some water from the bottle into the basin, Jesus bade the two follow Him into the hall in the center of which the master of the feast had set another large, empty basin.

     Entering the hall in this order, Jesus in a few words reproved the Apostles for the strife that had arisen among them.  He said among other things that He Himself was their servant, and that they should take their places on the seats for Him to wash their feet.  They obeyed, observing the same order as at table.  They sat on the backs of the seats, which were arranged in a half circle, and rested their bare feet upon the seat itself.  Jesus went from one to another, and from the basin held under them by John, with His hand scooped up water over the feet presented to Him.  Then taking in both hands the long end of the towel with which He was girded, He passed it over the feet to dry them, and then moved on with James to the next.  John emptied the water after each one into the large basin in the center of the room, and then returned to the Lord with the empty one.  Then Jesus again poured water from the bottle held by James over the feet of the next, and so on.

     During the whole of the Paschal Supper, the Lord's demeanor was most touching and gracious, and at this humble washing of His Apostles' feet, He was full of love.  He did not perform it as if it were a mere ceremony, but like a sacred act of love springing straight from the heart.  By it He wanted to give expression to the love that burned within.

     When He came to Peter, the latter through humility objected.  He said, "Lord, do You wash my feet?"  And the Lord answered, "What I do, you do not know now, but you shall know hereafter."  Quietly, in private, He said to him, "Simon, you have deserved that My Father should reveal to you who I am, whence I came, and where I go.  You alone have known and confessed it, therefore I will build My Church upon you, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  My power shall continue with your successors until the end of the world."  Then Jesus pointed to Peter while saying to the others, "Peter shall be My representative with you when I shall have gone from among you.  He shall direct you and make known to you your mission."  The Peter said, "Never shall You wash my feet!"  The Lord replied, "If I do not wash you, you shall have no part with Me!"  Thereupon Peter exclaimed, "Lord, wash me! not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!" to which Jesus replied, "He that is washed needs only to have his feet washed, but is clean wholly.  And you are clean, but not all."  At these last words, Jesus was thinking of Judas. (John 13:1-11)

     In His instruction, Jesus had spoken of the washing of feet as of a purification from daily faults, because the feet coming in continual contact with the earth in walking, are constantly liable to become soiled.  This was a spiritual foot-washing, a kind of absolution, or washing away of those minor daily faults.  Peter, however, in his zeal, looked upon it as too great a humiliation for his Master.  He did not know that to save him, Jesus would the next day humble Himself for love of him to the shameful death of the Cross.

     When Jesus washed Judas' feet, it was in the most touching and loving manner.  He pressed them to His cheek and in a low tone bade him enter into himself, for that he had been unfaithful and a traitor for the past year.  But Judas appeared not to notice, and addressed some words to John.  This roused Peter's anger, and he exclaimed, "Judas, the Master is speaking to you!"  Then Judas made some vague, evasive remark, such as, "Lord, far be it from Me!"

     Jesus words to Judas had passed unremarked by the other Apostles, for He spoke softly, and they did not hear.  They were besides busy putting on their sandals.  Judas' treachery caused Jesus more pain than any other part of His passion.  Jesus then washed the feet of John and James, first James' while Peter held the water bottle, then John's while James held the basin.

     Jesus next delivered an instruction upon humiliation.  He told them that he who was the greatest among them should be the servant, and that for the future they should in humility wash one another's feet.  Many other things He said bearing reference to their dispute as to who should be the greatest, as is recorded in the Gospel.  Jesus now resumed the garments that He had laid aside, and the Apostles let down theirs that had been girded up for the eating of the Paschal lamb. (Luke 22:24-27)

     At the command of the Lord, the master of the feast again set out the table, which he raised a little higher.  It was placed in the middle of the room and covered with a cloth, over which two others were spread, one red, and the other white and transparent.  Then the master set two jugs, one of water, the other of wine, under the table.

     Peter and John now brought from the back part of the hall where the Paschal hearth was, the chalice they had brought from Veronica's house.  They carried it between them in its case, holding it on their hands, and it looked as if they were carrying a tabernacle.  They placed the case on the table before Jesus.  The plate with the ribbed Paschal loaves, thin and whitish, stood near under a cover, and the other half of the loaf that had been cut at the Paschal Supper was also on the table.  There was a wine and water vessel, also three boxes, one with thick oil, another with liquid oil, and a third empty.  A flat knife lay near.

     The breaking and distributing of bread and drinking out of the same cup were customary in olden times as feasts of welcome and farewell.  They were used as signs of brotherly love and friendship.  Today Jesus elevated this custom to the dignity of the Most Holy Sacrament, for until now it was only a typical ceremony.  One of the charges brought before Caiaphas on the occasion of Judas' treason was that Jesus had introduced something new into the Paschal ceremonies, but Nicodemus proved from Scripture that this was an ancient practice at farewell feasts.

     Jesus' place was between Peter and John.  The doors were closed, for everything was conducted with secrecy and solemnity.  When the cover of the chalice had been removed and taken back to the recess in the rear of the Cenacle, Jesus prayed and uttered some very solemn words.  He was explaining the Last Supper to the Apostles, as also the ceremonies that were to accompany it.  It was the precedent of a priest teaching the Holy Mass to seminarians.

     Jesus then drew from the flat board upon which the vessels stood a kind of shelf, took the white linen that was hanging over the chalice, and spread it on the shelf.  Next He took a round, flat plate, from the chalice, and placed it on the covered shelf.  Then taking the loaves from the covered plate near by, He laid them on the one before Him.  The loaves were four cornered and oblong, in length sufficient to extend beyond the edge of the plate, though narrow enough to allow it to be seen at the sides.

     Then He drew the chalice somewhat nearer to Himself, took from it the little cup that it contained, and set the six smaller vessels, that stood around it, to the right and to the left.  He next blessed the Passover loaves and the oil which was standing near, elevated the plate of bread with both hands, raised His eyes toward heaven, prayed, offered, set it down on the table, and again covered it.  Then taking the chalice, He received into it wine poured by Peter and water by John.  The water He blessed before it was poured into the chalice.  He then added a little more water from the small spoon, blessed the chalice, raised it on high, praying and offering, and set it down again.

     After that Jesus held His hands over the empty plate upon which the loves had previously lain.  At His bidding Peter and John poured water on His hands.  Then, with the spoon that He had taken from the foot of the chalice, He scooped up some of the water that had flowed over His own hands, and poured it upon theirs.  Lastly, that same plate was passed around, and all the Apostles washed their hands in it.

     During all this time, Jesus was becoming more and more recollected.  He said to the Apostles that He was now about to give them all that He possessed, even His very Self.  He seemed to be pouring out His whole Being in love, and I saw Him becoming perfectly transparent.  He looked like a luminous apparition.

     Again Jesus prayed and taught.  His words glowing with fire and light, came forth from His mouth and entered into all the Apostles, excepting Judas.  He took the plate with the morsels of bread and said, "Take and eat.  This is My Body which is given for you."  While saying these words, He stretched forth His right hand over it, as if giving a blessing, and as He did so, a brilliant light emanated from Him.  His words were luminous as also the Bread, which as a body of light entered the mouth of the Apostles.  It was as if Jesus Himself flowed into them.  All of them were penetrated with light, bathed in light.  Judas alone was in darkness.

     Jesus next raised the chalice by its two handles to a level with His face, and pronounced into it the words of consecration.  While doing so, He was wholly transfigured and as it were transparent.  He was as if passing over into what He was giving.  He caused Peter and John to drink from the chalice while still in His hands, and then He set it down.  With the little spoon, John removed some of the Sacred Blood from the chalice to the small cups, which Peter handed to the Apostles who, two by two, drank from the same cup.  Judas immediately left the Cenacle.  He left without prayer or thanksgiving.

     Jesus' movements during the institution of the Most Blessed Sacrament were measured and solemn, preceded and followed by explanation and instructions.  The Apostles noted in little parchment rolls some of the things Jesus told them.  Jesus' turning to the right and left was full of gravity, as He always was when engaged in prayer. (Mat 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20)

     Jesus continued to give the Apostles an instruction full of mystery.  He told them how they were to preserve the Blessed Sacrament in memory of Him until the end of the world, taught them the necessary forms for making use of It and communicating It, and in what manner they were by degrees to teach and publish the mystery.  He told them when they were to receive what remained of the consecrated Species, when to give some to the Blessed Virgin, and how to consecrate It themselves after He should have sent them the Comforter.  He instructed them upon the priesthood, the sacred unction, and the preparation of the Chrism and the Holy Oils.  He taught them how to mix the ointment, what parts of the body to anoint and upon what occasions.

     After that Jesus anointed Peter and John, on whose hands at the institution of the Blessed Sacrament He had poured the water which had flowed over His own, and who had drunk from the chalice in His hand.  Jesus imposed hands upon Peter and John, first on their shoulders and then on their heads.  He told them that this anointing would remain with them until the end of the world.

     Jesus again delivered a long instruction and prayed several times with deep recollection.  The Apostles were filled with joy and zeal.  Then Jesus said, "It is enough.  Let us go hence!"  Then they sang a hymn of thanksgiving and went to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:26, Luke 22:38-39)

     After the Crucifixion and burial of the Lord, the Apostles were gathered in the house of the Last Supper.  Mary Magdalen knocked violently on the gate of the Cenacle.  Some of the disciples were still asleep on their couches around the walls, while others had risen and were talking together.  Peter and John opened the gate.  Without entering Magdalen cried, "They have taken the Lord from the tomb!  We don't know where," and ran in great haste back to the garden of the sepulchre.  Peter and John followed her. (John 20:1-3)

     In the open entrance hall outside that of the Last Supper room Nicodemus prepared a repast for the Apostles, the holy women and the disciples.  Peter and John imparted to the other eight Apostles, who were standing around them in a circle, the instructions which the Lord had intrusted to them.  All that Peter taught was repeated in the same way by John.  Afterward the holy women, nine in number, entered the hall.  Peter addressed them with some words of instruction.

     A table was prepared in the entrance hall.  The meal was conducted with ceremony.  The guests prayed standing, and ate lying while Peter and John taught.  At the end of the meal a flat ribbed loaf was placed before Peter which he divided into small pieces.  These he distributed right and left on two plates.  A large cup was then sent around and out of it each one drank.  Although Peter blessed the bread it was not a sacrament, only an agape, a love feast.  Peter said that they should all desire to be one, as was the bread that they were eating and the wine that they were drinking.  After that they sang Psalms while standing.

     When the tables were moved aside the holy women retired to an apartment at the end of the hall.  The disciples ranged on either side while the Apostles walked up and down teaching.  A feeling of deep devotion stole over them.

     Early in the morning Peter and John went with Andrew into the hall of the Last Supper room and vested in their priestly robes, while the other Apostles entered the ante-hall.  Pushing aside the folds of woven tapestry, the three Apostles entered the Holy of Holies.  The chalice with the remains of the Wine that Jesus had consecrated and the plate with what was left of the consecrated Bread were brought out.  Peter and John, bowing reverently, received the Blessed Sacrament first, before distributing It to the others.  After that they sang Psalms.

     All had ranged again for prayer when Luke and Cleophas knocked at the closed doors of the courtyard and received admittance.  Excitedly they told of meeting Jesus.  The joyful news they related interrupted prayer.  It had hardly begun again when Jesus came in through the closed doors.  He was robed in a long white garment simply girded.  He showed them His hands and feet, and, opening His garment, disclosed the Wound in His side.  He spoke to them, and seeing they were very much terrified, He asked for something to eat.  Peter gave Him some fish and honey.  Jesus gave thanks and blessed the food, ate, and gave a portion of it to some of the others.  He taught, and imparted strength to the Apostles.  Light streamed over them from His hands, His feet, His side, and His mouth as He breathed upon them.  They became interiorly recollected and felt themselves endued with power to forgive sins, to baptize, to heal and to impose hands.  Jesus explained to the Apostles several points of Holy Scripture relative to Himself and the Blessed Sacrament.

     Jesus spoke of the Mystery contained in the Ark of the Covenant.  He said that that Mystery was now His Body and Blood which He gave to them forever in the Sacrament.  He asked them to go in a couple of days to the region of Sichar and there proclaim His resurrection.  After that He vanished.  The Apostles assembled again under the lamp to sing canticles of praise and thanksgiving. (Luke 24:13-48)

     The Apostles went with a troop of disciples, among them Luke, in the direction of Sichar.  Peter said joyfully as they were setting out, "We shall go to the sea and catch fish," by which he meant souls.  They separated and went different ways, teaching at the inns and public places about the Passion and resurrection of Jesus.  This was the preparation for the conversions of Pentecost. (Acts 2:37-47)

     Peter taught until late at night in the school of Thanath-Silo.  The Apostles cured many sick persons there, among whom were some lunatics and some possessed.  They went about these cures just as Jesus had done, breathing upon them or imposing hands while leaning over them.  The disciples performed no cures, but they helped the others, carrying, lifting, and leading the sick.  Luke, who was a physician, served as an excellent nurse.

     Jesus appeared in many places during these days.  In Galilee in a large school many people were standing together, speaking about Him and expressing their doubts about the report of His resurrection.  He appeared in their midst, and vanished again after some words.  He appeared in this way at different times and in different localities.  Jesus communicated with the Apostles quite naturally in those days.  He ate and prayed with them, walked with them and repeated all that He had told them before.

     The night before His wonderful Ascension Jesus was in the inner hall of the house of the Last Supper with the Blessed Virgin and The Eleven.  The disciples and the holy women were praying in the side halls.  Toward morning Matins were solemnly recited under the lamp as usual.  Jesus again imparted jurisdiction over the others to Peter.  Before leaving the house Jesus presented the Blessed Virgin to the Apostles and disciples as their Mother, their Mediatrix, and their Advocate.  She bestowed her blessing upon all, which they received bowing very low.

     At dawn Jesus left the house of the Last Supper with The Eleven.  The Blessed Virgin followed close behind, the disciples a little distance farther back.

     When Jesus reached the top of the mountain, He was resplendent as a beam of white sunlight.  A shining circle glancing in all the colors of the rainbow fell around Him from heaven.  Jesus shone more brightly than the glory around Him.  He laid the left hand on His breast and, raising the right, turned slowly around, blessing the whole world.  The rays of light from above united with the glory emanating from Jesus, and He disappeared, dissolving as it were in the light from heaven, vanishing as He arose.  Full day compared to this would be dark.

     After some moments the splendor began to diminish, the whole assembly kept a deep silence.  Two figures appeared.  They were clothed in long white garments.  They addressed the multitude, their voice like trumpets resounding loud and clear, and said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up to heaven?  This Jesus who is taken up from you to heaven shall come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven." (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:11)

     On the eve of Pentecost the whole interior of the Last Supper room was ornamented with green brushes in whose branches were placed vases of flowers.  The Apostles stood in two rows along either side of the hall turned toward Peter.  From the outside halls the disciples ranged behind the Apostles and took part in the hymns and prayers.  After midnight a wonderful movement arose in all nature.  It communicated itself to all present as they stood in deep recollection.  Stillness pervaded the house.

     Toward morning a glittering white cloud from above the Mount of Olives, came down from heaven and drew near the house.  It seemed to contract and to shine with constantly increasing brightness, until at last with a rushing, roaring noise as of wind it sank like a thunder cloud, floating low in the atmosphere.  The whole thing was like a storm that had suddenly gathered, that instead of rising from the earth came down from heaven, that was light instead of dark, that instead of thundering came down like a rushing wind.  It was like a warm breeze full of power to refresh and invigorate.

     The luminous cloud descended low over the house, and with increasing sound, the light became brighter.  There shot from the rushing cloud streams of white light down upon the house and its surroundings.  The assembled Faithful were ravished in ecstasy.  Each involuntarily threw back his head and raised his eyes eagerly on high while into the mouth of every one there flowed a stream of light like a burning tongue of fire.

     The flames descended on each in different colors and in different degrees of intensity.  A joyous courage pervaded the assembly.  All were filled with emotion, as if intoxicated with joy and confidence.  The Holy Spirit had descended upon them!

     When persecution flared in Jerusalem during the first year after the Ascension, Simon and his brother Jude, following the directions of Jesus when He had foretold the persecution, went to Samaria to evangelize.

     About three years after the Ascension all the Apostles met in Jerusalem, after which Peter and John left the city, and Mary accompanied John to Ephesus.  In that first reunion the Apostles called together all who belonged to the body of the Church.  Then arose in Jerusalem the persecution of Lazarus, Martha and Magdalen, forcing them to leave Judea.  Up to that time Magdalen had been doing penance in the desert in the same cave in which Elizabeth had escaped with John during the massacre of the Holy Innocents.

     About the sixth year after Christ's Ascension the Apostles were again assembled in Jerusalem.  It was then that they drew up the Apostles' Creed, made rules governing the Church, relinquished all they possessed, distributed it to the poor, and divided the Church into Dioceses.  After that they separated and went into far off heathen countries.  Simon's brother, James Alpheus, became the Bishop of Jerusalem.  Simon evangelized in Egypt, after which he joined his brother, Jude, who was evangelizing in Armenia.

     As the Blessed Virgin felt her end approaching, she called the Apostles to her by prayer.  Before His Ascension Jesus had told His Mother what she should say at the end of her earthly career to the Apostles and some of the disciples who would be with her.  He had told her that she should bless them, and it would contribute very much to their welfare and eternal salvation.  He also entrusted to her certain spiritual labors for the general good, which being accomplished, her longing for Heaven would be realized.  He added that He Himself would always be with them.

     At the prayer of Mary, the Apostles received through angels an admonition to come to her at Ephesus.  Simon and his brother Jude were in Persia when they received their summons.  After traveling some distance together they met Peter and Andrew who were also on their way to Ephesus.  These four then traveled together.

     The Apostles went together into Mary's little sleeping chamber to take leave of her.  Mary sat upright and the Apostles knelt in turn at the side of her couch.  She prayed over each and blessed him with her hands laid upon him in the form of a cross.  Mary then addressed them in a body and did all that Jesus in Bethania had directed her to do.     Peter gave Mary the last anointing.  Then he administered Holy Communion.  After Communion Mary spoke no more.  Her face, blooming and smiling as in youth, was turned upward.  A pathway of light rose from Mary to the Heavenly Jerusalem.

     When the Apostle Thomas arrived next day and wanted to view Mary's remains, John went with him to the tomb.  Upon opening the coffin they discovered it to be empty.  Mary had been assumed into Heaven!

     The Apostles with tears and embraces took leave of one another after they had once more celebrated solemn service in Mary's house.  Mary's funeral was the last time the Apostles met together.  Even then, James Zebedee was not there, for he had already been martyred in Jerusalem.

     After the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Simon and his brother Jude returned to Osroene (Armenia).  They evangelized for a number of years there and in Mesopotamia, then decided to move south along the Euphrates River into Chaldea and Ur.  They converted many.

     Local rulers tried to force Simon and Jude to sacrifice to local deities.  They refused.  A demonic presence in the form of two black figures fled from the Persian temple howling furiously.  This enraged the rulers further.  They stirred up a howling mob which converged on the two elderly men.  A man with a spear came up to Jude and ran it through him.  Simon was seized by several thugs and was sawed in pieces.  They suffered martyrdom not far from Ur, the native land of Abraham.

     Simon acquired the name Zelotes because of his great fervor or zeal for "The Law and The Prophets."  He adhered strictly to the vow the Israelites gave to Joshua. (Josh 1:16-18)

     The Greek word "Zelotes" (Luke 6:15) and the Hebrew word "Cananean" (Mat 10:4, Mark 3:18) mean the same thing, "an ardent affection for one's belief."  Simon had a great respect and belief in "The Law and The Prophets" to which he later added the teachings of Jesus.  He was one of those Apostles who, at the time when Jesus drove the money-changers out of the Temple remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house will consume me." (John 2:17)  The zeal and understanding which Simon had for "The Law and The Prophets" expanded to include the fulfillment of that "Law."          Simon's zeal and active dedication to the cause of Christ earned for him the crown of martyrdom, canonization of the Church, and the peace of the Heavenly Jerusalem.