They prayed for a baby, tender and mild…
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Not in the Bible
«He did not wait for me to say: “Have mercy, my Lord!” He said to me: “Follow Me!”»
– Matthew, when asked to speak on his meeting with Jesus
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Matthew’s Recollection of being Called
Philistine sailor: “That is true. Are you looking for a job?”
Peter: “Yes.”
“I will take you on, if you wish. I can see that you are a clever sailor” said the owner.
“I instead will take you.”
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Peter connects with the Philistines
«But who makes You so good, that You make Your disciples so kind?»
– an old trembling man to Jesus
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Jesus approaches the bed slowly.
He kindly wipes the perspiration on the face of the woman, who finds difficulty in doing so because her hands are incredibly swollen, and He fans her head with a fan made with palm leaves.
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Peter: «What do You want from me, Master? My life? I have but that, because You have taken everything… But if You want, I will give it to You.»
Jesus in reply, «I do not want to take anything from you. I want to give you something…»
– Jesus, after Mary’s request for Peter, grants him his great wish
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In a thundering voice says Mary: «The Master said that we must hope beyond hope, and in God only. And we will do that.»
«But he is dying, according to what I hear!» says Doras.
«So what? Let him die! I will not obstruct God’s decree and I will not disobey the Rabbi.»
«And what do you expect after his death, foolish woman?» says the Herodian mockingly.
«What? Life!»
– Referring to Lazarus, Mary’s voice is a cry of absolute faith.
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Mary Magdalene: Faith, Strength
«Once, twice, three times… There is a limit!»
– Peter, on how many times he can forgive Judas Iscariot for his rudeness to Jesus
«There is no limit to love and forgiveness. There is none.»
– Jesus, in reply
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No Limit to Love and Forgiveness
«Instead a new wealth, which I had never possessed before, descended upon my desolation: the wealth of a conviction: “God exists.”»
– The formerly rich and powerful Simon Zealot on the wealth he received while a leper.
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Peter: «That old man hates You, remember that. He is one of Your first and fiercest accusers at the Temple.»
Jesus: «I remember that I am Mercy.»
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«You are wrong. You have still two things there.»
«Which?»
«Remembrance and hatred. Remove them. Become really empty… and I will give you something new to put in there.»
«What?»
«Love.»
«Ah! Ah! You make me laugh.»
– John of Endor, prior to understanding who he was speaking with.
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« Your Father created the worlds… Could You not make two eyes for my child?»
– A mother, when asked by Jesus if she believed he could give sight to her blind son
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Jesus Creates Two Eyes for a Child
«Here are Your servants, O Lord. May your will always be done by us, in every hour, in every event, for Your glory and Your love.»
– Mary offering her newborn to the Father, with Joseph kneeling by her side.
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«A favour, Johanna.» Jesus looks at her and smiles: «I would like those to have a mother, a father, a home; and the mother’s name to be Johanna…»
He has no time to finish because Johanna’s cry is like that of one freed from prison, while she prostrates herself to kiss the feet of her Lord.
– Jesus asking a great favor of Johanna, who has hoped for this exact joy.
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Jesus’ Favor of Johanna of Chuza
«I am lost…»
«I am the One seeking who is lost.»
«I am dead.»
«I am the One who gives Life.»
«I am filth and falsehood.»
«I am Purity and Truth.»
– In the ruins of John the Baptist’s house, the initial exchange between Aglae and Jesus her savior.
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«…he, wonder of wonders! comforts our sorrows. People come from Hippo and Gamala and even from Gherghesa and Aphek to hear him. When he heard of the miracle of the two men possessed… oh! he began to preach faith in You.
«Lord, if men greeted You with Your name of Messiah, if women greeted You as victor and king, if children know Your name and that You are the Holy One of Israel, that is due to the poor leper.»
– An elder describing to Jesus the faith of an amazing poor leper as they approach his cave.
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