Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/592

 -minded,  filling  him  with  peace  and  conformity  to  God’s  will. He who  prays  devoutly  feels  himself  raised  and  filled  with  joy. Have you  ever  prayed  thus? Compose yourself  carefully  before you begin  your  prayers,  and  say:  “Lord,  teach  me  how  to  pray!”

ESUS having  returned  with  His  disciples  to  Capharnaum,  those who collected  the  annual  tribute  for  the  Temple  came  to Peter  and  asked:  “Doth  not  your  Master  pay  the  didrachma?” Peter replied:  “Yes”,  and  went  to  tell  Jesus.



But when  Jesus  saw  Peter  coming,  He  said  to  him:  “Of  whom do the  kings  of  the  earth  take  tribute  or  custom? Of their  own children, or  of  strangers?”  Peter answered: “Of  strangers.”  Jesus continued : “Then the  children  are free. But, that  we  may  not  scandalize them,  go  to  the  sea  and  cast in  a hook,  and  the  fish  which  shall first come  up,  take; and  when  thou hast opened  its  mouth,  thou  shalt  find a stater;  take  that,  and give it  to  them  for  me  and  for  thee.” Peter  did  as  his  Master had commanded.

Then Jesus  began  to  upbraid  the  Pharisees,  saying: “Woe  to you,  scribes  and  Pharisees,  hypocrites,  because  you  tithe  mint  and anise and  cummin,  and  have  left  the  weightier  things  of  the  law, judgment and  mercy  and  faith. These things  you  ought  to  have done, and  not  leave  those  undone. Blind guides,  who  strain  at  a gnat  and  swallow  a camel! Woe to  you,  scribes  and  Pharisees, hypocrites, because  you  are  like  to  whited  sepulchres,  which