Part 646 (1/2)

10:30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

10:31. Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows.

10:32. Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.

10:33. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.

10:34. Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword.

10:35. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

I came to set a man at variance, etc... Not that this was the end or design of the coming of our Saviour; but that his coming and his doctrine would have this effect, by reason of the obstinate resistance that many would make, and of their persecuting all such as should adhere to him.

10:36. And a man's enemies shall be they of his own household.

10:37. He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me.

10:38. And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.

10:39. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.

10:40. He that receiveth you, receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.

10:41. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive the reward of a prophet: and he that receiveth a just man in the name of a just man, shall receive the reward of a just man.

10:42. And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you he shall not lose his reward.

Matthew Chapter 11

John sends his disciples to Christ, who upbraids the Jews for their incredulity, and calls to him such as are sensible of their burdens.

11:1. And it came to pa.s.s, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he pa.s.sed from thence, to teach and to preach in their cities.

11:2. Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:

11:3. Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?

11:4. And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.

11:5. The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them.

11:6. And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me.

Scandalized in me... That is, who shall not take occasion of scandal or offence from my humility, and the disgraceful death of the cross which I shall endure.

11:7. And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the mult.i.tudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?

11:8. But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments?

Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings.