Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/793

 celebrated the  Holy  Sacrifice  of  the  Mass,  and  the  faithful  received Holy Communion. Thus they  became  so  perfect  that,  of  their own accord,  they  sold  all  they  had,  and  brought  the  price  thereof to the  apostles  to  distribute  among  the  poor.

But among  the  good  seed  sown,  there  was  also  some  cockle. A certain man,  named  Ananias,  with  his  wife  Saphira,  sold  a piece of land,  and  brought  a portion  of  the  price  to  the  apostles,  pretending that  they  were  giving  the  whole  price,  while  they  concealed a part for  themselves.

But Peter  said:  “Ananias,  why  hath  Satan  tempted  thy  heart that thou  shouldst  lie  to  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  by  fraud  keep part of  the  price  of  the  field? Whilst it  remained,  did  it  not remain to  thee? And being  sold,  was  it  not  in  thy  power? Why hast thou  conceived  this  thing  in  thy  heart? Thou hast  not  lied to men,  but  to  God.”  Ananias,  hearing  these  words,  fell  down and expired. Great fear  came  upon  all  who  heard  it;  and  the young men,  rising  up,  carried  away  the  body.

About three  hours  after,  Saphira,  the  wife  of  Ananias,  came in, and  Peter  addressed  her,  saying:  “Tell  me  whether  you  sold the land  for  so  much?”  She  answered:  “Yea,  for  so  much.” Then Peter  rebuked  her  sharply: “Why  have  you  agreed  together to tempt  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord? Behold, the  feet  of  those  who