Where There Are Thorns, There Also Will Be Roses

'Why are you crying, woman? ' The little old woman turns round and she sees the young, tall, stately man, in a beautiful new white tunic and a matching snow-white mantle. She mistakes Him for a doctor because of His garments and His aspect. Her surprise is the greater because doctors and priests neither pay attention to the poor nor do they protect them from the stinginess of merchants. She explains to Jesus the reason for their tears. 'Change this lamb for these believers. It is not worthy of the altar, neither is it fair that you should take advantage of two poor old people, only because they are weak and unprotected. ' says Jesus to the lamb vendor. 'And who are You? ' 'A just man. ' 'By Your way of speaking and Your companions', I know You are a Galilean. Can there be a just man in Galilee? ' 'Do what I told you and be a just man yourself. ' 'Listen! Listen to the Galilean Who is defending His equals! And He wants to teach us of the Temple! ' The man laughs and jeers, imitating the Galilean accent, that is more musical and softer than the Judaean. Many people draw nearer to them and other merchants and money changers take the side of their fellow merchant against Jesus. Amongst the people present there are two or three ironical rabbis. One of them asks: 'Are You a doctor? ', in a manner that would try even the patience of Job....