slim 5

When Jesus had returned to Nazareth... 

I saw a feast in Anne’s house...

at which were gathered all the youths and maidens among their friends and relatives. 

I know not whether it was a feast of rejoicing at Jesus’ having been found, a feast solemnized upon the return from the Paschal journey, or a feast customary upon the completion of a son’s twelfth year. Whatever it may have been, Jesus appeared to be the object of it.

Beautiful bowers were erected over the table, from which hung garlands of vine leaves and ears of corn. The children were served with grapes and little rolls. There were present at this feast thirty-three boys, all future disciples of Jesus, and I received an instruction upon the years of Jesus’ life. 

During the whole feast, Jesus instructed the other boys... 

and explained to them a very wonderful parable which, however, was only imperfectly understood. It was of a marriage feast at which water could be turned into wine, and the lukewarm guests into zealous friends.

And again, of a marriage feast where the wine could be changed into Blood, and the bread into Flesh, which Blood and Flesh would abide with the guests until the end of the world as strength and consolation, as a living bond of union. 

He said also to one of the youths, a relative of His own named Nathanael: “I shall be present at thy marriage.”

From His twelfth year, Jesus was always like a teacher among His companions. 

He often sat among them instructing them... 

or walked about the country with them.

~bron~