His disciples drew nigh to Jesus and asked him, saying: `O Master, tell us the meaning of the parables which thou spakest unto the people.'   Jesus answered: `The hour of prayer draweth nigh; wherefore when the evening prayer is ended I will tell you the meaning of the parables.' When the prayer was ended, … Continue reading THE FAITHFIL SONS AND INFIDEL FATHER

Jesus walking along the sea of Galilee was surrounded by a great multitude of folk, wherefore he went into a little boat which lay a little off from the shore by itself, and anchored so near the land that the voice of Jesus might be heard. Whereupon they all drew nigh to the sea, and … Continue reading THE SOWER AND THE TARES

His disciples drew nigh unto Jesus after the nightly prayer, and said: `O Master, how must we do to escape pride?' Jesus answered: `Have ye seen a poor man invited to a prince's house to eat bread?' John answered: `I have eaten bread in Herod's house. For before I knew thee I went to fish, … Continue reading JOHN AT HEROD’S TABLE

Jesus said: `There was a man who had two debtors. The one owed to his creditor fifty pence, the other five hundred. Whereupon, when neither of them had wherewithal to pay, the owner, moved with compassion, forgave the debt to each. Which of them would love his creditor most?' Simon answered: `He to whom was … Continue reading THE PUBLIC SINNER AND SIMON

Shall the axe, perchance, boast itself at having cut down the forest where a man hath made a garden? Nay, assuredly, for the man hath done all, yea and [made] the axe, with his hands. `And thou, O man, shalt thou boast thyself of having done aught that is good, seeing our God created thee … Continue reading JESUS AT THE HOUSE OF SIMON

Accordingly, brethren, I, a man, dust and clay, that walk upon the earth, say unto you: Do penance and know your sins. I say, brethren, that Satan, by means of the Roman soldiery, deceived you when ye said that I was God. Wherefore, beware that ye believe them not, seeing they are fallen under the … Continue reading PRAYERS OF A PHARASEE AND A REPUBLICAN

Jesus departed from the desert and entered into Jerusalem; whereupon all the people ran to the temple to see him. So after the reading of the psalms Jesus mounted up on the pinnacle where the scribe used to mount, and having beckoned for silence with his hand, he said: `Blessed be the holy name of … Continue reading JESUS PREACHES AT JERUSALEM

Jesus having called together his disciples, sent them forth by two and two through the region of Israel, saying: `Go and preach even as ye have heard.' Then they bowed themselves and he laid his hand upon their heads, saying: ` In the name of God, give health to the sick, cast out the demons, … Continue reading DISCIPLES THROUGHOUT JUDEA

I will return now to avarice: and I tell you that when the sense would fain acquire a thing or tenaciously keep it, reason must say: "Such a thing will have its end." It is certain that if it will have an end it is madness to love it. Wherefore it behoves one to love … Continue reading GIVE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD