THE SAMARITAN WOMAN. 158 CHAPTER LXXI. THE SAMARITAN WOMAN.-OUR LORD TEACHES IN THE SYNAGOGUE OF NAZARETH.-CURE OF THE PARALYTIC. N a certain day Jesus being weary, rested by Jacob's well near a city of Samaria, and His disciples went to buy food. A woman, who was a sinner, came to draw water. him to drink, and then proceeded to declare to her the secret sins she had committed. He counselled her to seek of Him the living water which would spring up to eternal life. The woman was struck with admiration at what He said, and when Our Lord declared to her that He was the Messias, she hastened to the city saying to all whom she met: "Come, and see a man who has told me all things whatsoever I have done. Is not He the Christ?" And many of the Samaritans believed, and Jesus abode in that place two days. On a certain Sabbath, Jesus entered into the synagogue in His own town of Nazareth. But when He read from Isaias, and explained the prophecies concerning the Messias, they wondered at the words What occurred when Jesus waited by Jacob's well? What did our Lord reply to the question of the woman? In what manner did He show His prophetic knowledge? What report did the woman make! What did our Lord read in the Synagogue of Nazareth? of grace that proceeded from His mouth, and they said: "Is not this the son of Joseph ?" Then Our Lord answered their thoughts, and concluded by saying: "Amen I say to you, that no prophet is accepted in his own country." And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger. And they brought Him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. But He passing through the midst of them, went His way. It came to pass on a certain day, as Jesus sat teaching, that there were also Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, that were come out of every town of Galilee and Judea, and Jerusalem. And behold men brought in a bed, a man who had the palsy; and when they could not find by what way they might bring him in, because of the multitude, they went up upon the roof, and let him down through the tiles with his bed into the midst before Jesus. Whose faith when He saw, He said: "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." And the scribes and Pharisees began to think, saying: "Who is this who speaketh blas phemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone??? And Jesus knew their thoughts, and answered: "What is it you think in your hearts? Which is easier to say: Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say: Arise and walk? But that you may know that the Son of What did the people attempt to do? Relate the cure of the paralytic. What did the scribes and Pharisees object? In what words did our Lord rebuke them? THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION. 155 Man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (He saith to the sick of the palsy) I say to thee: Arise, take up thy bed, and go into thy house." And immediately rising up he took the bed on which he lay, and went to his own house, glorifying God. CHAPTER LXXII. THE FAITH OF THE CENTURION.-CALLING OF ST. MAN THEW. THE WIDOW OF NAIM.- -THE DINNER IN AND THE HOUSE OF SIMON THE PHARISEE. ND in Capharnaum, there came to Jesus a centurion, saying: "Lord, my servant lieth at home sick, and is grievously tormented." And Jesus saith: "I will come and heal him." And the centurion said: "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof: but only say the word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, having under me soldiers; and I say to this: Go, and he goeth, and to another: Come, and he cometh, and to my servant: Do this, and he doeth it.” And Jesus hearing, marvelled; and said to them: "Amen I say to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel. And He said to the centurion: "Go, and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee." And the servant was healed at the same hour. What was the petition of the centurion? In what words did he show his humility and faith? What did Jesus answer? |