We were conducted to the home of Simon and Andrew, with many calls of congratulation and gratitude on the way. I learned, as we walked, that the fishermen had decided very soon that to try to keep all the catch for themselves would be impractical and unjust, and so after so much unloading, they had passed the word among other fishing families to take the surplus catch into their own brine tanks.
     On arriving at their home, we were greeted by a neighbour who told us that Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a fever, and that the neighbour’s wife had attended her through the day, had made the Sabbath preparations of food for the family, and would come back later in the evening to serve our meal. Simon started to thank the neighbour, but Jesus caught Simon’s sleeve and said- “Take me to your mother”.
     Simon paused and then without speaking led the way into the house. Jesus followed him, and the rest of us hesitated, not wanting to intrude on the sick woman’s privacy.
     Jesus turned and said- “Come, all of you. Come see how your Father loves you”.
     We followed them to an inner room where the sick woman lay, on a bed, and covered by several blankets. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her skin was taut, yellow, and beaded with sweat. She was not aware of our presence, but neither did she sleep. Her lips were silently working to the tune of her mind’s sad wanderings.
     Jesus knelt by her, cupped her face in his hands, and raised his own face to heaven. After several moments of urgently whispered prayer which none could quite hear, he slowly bent his head close to the woman’s face until his hair fell forward and gradually obscured both their faces. After a little time, he raised his head and withdrew his hands. The woman’s face was clear and in repose. Gone were the yellowness and the inflammation of the eyes, which were now closed in sleep.
     Jesus stood and turned to speak- “All of you go into the outer room, and Simon will you wake your mother gently, and ask her forgiveness for bringing so many guests to attend to so unexpectedly”
     We went out and waited in silence. Presently Simon’s mother –in-law came to us, walking between Jesus and Simon. Not that they were supporting her; rather they escorted her. She smiled at us.
     “Welcome to our home. Please sit down. Andrew, make our guests comfortable, and I will bring in supper”.
      After supper during which we recalled the happenings of the day, Jesus talked to us again, in his gentle, coaxing way. He told us of God’s generosity, and explained that just as parents seek for reasons to praise and reward a child, so God is always seeking for ways to provide for us against evil, and to acknowledge us as his children.
     Simon’s mother-in-law said “A woman cannot comment on religious teachings, Rabbi, but as a mother I feel you have an uncommon understanding of parenthood, and yet I have the impression that you are not married?”
     “No, I am not. But you know that our Father promised Abraham that his seed would number as the stars in the sky? Well those same numbers will be only a portion of those laid to my care. Yet when I call, those ones will not listen. They will stumble on into the darkness. Though my voice echo after them through twelve thousand years, they will shun me and seek me where I am not”.

     In these words Jesus had withdrawn and spoken almost to himself. Simon was disturbed, and said “Master? Master, do not despair. If a brute like me can hear you? My failings did not make me deaf”.

     “Simon”- Jesus’ thoughts had brought him back to us at the sound of Simon’s anxious voice- “would you turn our story about?”

     “Master?”

     “No matter, Simon. We have many roads to travel, ere that riddle un-solves itself”.

     We slept that night where we each sat, and next morning, as the hour for prayer approached, the eight of us set off for the synagogue.