Entering the house, they saw the child with his mother, Mary, and fell at his feet and did homage to him. Then they unpacked their treasures, and offered to the child presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Be glad and rejoice, because your reward in Heaven will be great; for so men persecuted the Prophets who lived before you.

Calling his twelve Disciples to him, Jesus gave them authority over foul spirits, so that they could drive them out, as well as the power of curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

Do not provide yourselves with gold, or silver, or pence in your purses;

And, if any one gives but a cup of cold water to one of these lowly ones because he is a disciple, I tell you that he shall assuredly not lose his reward."

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and there was a voice from the cloud that said-- "This is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I delight; him you must hear."

I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him."

Afterwards the disciples came up to Jesus, and asked him privately: "Why was it that we could not drive it out?"

"Because you have so little faith," he answered; "for, I tell you, if your faith were only like a mustard-seed, you could say to this mountain 'Move from this place to that!' and it would be moved; and nothing would be impossible to you."

"Yes," answered Peter. But, on going into the house, before he could speak, Jesus said: "What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings take taxes or tribute? From their sons, or from others?"

And, as he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold towards the payment of the debt, together with his wife, and his children, and everything that he had.

No one could say a word in answer; nor did any one after that day venture to question him further.

Alas for you, you blind guides! You say 'if any answer by the Temple, his oath counts for nothing; but, if any one swears by the gold of the Temple, his oath is binding him'!

Fools that you are and blind! Which is the more important? The gold? Or the Temple which has given sacredness to the gold?

Fill up the measure of your ancestor's guilt.

and, owing to the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

"It could have been sold for a large sum, and the money given to poor people."

Then he came to his disciples, and found them asleep. "What!" he said to Peter, "could none of you watch with me for one hour?