NEUOFFENBARUNG← The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Contents
The Infant's question about today's catch. The fish-loving Child's response to Joseph's reprimand: "I am at home wherever I am loved!" The big catch at the Infant's behest. 9 July 1844
01] When after about three hours, Jonathan returned with his catch of gold and silver, everybody was already up and looked at the still burning city.
02] Only the Infant and James ran towards Joseph and Jonathan as they were approaching the shore.
03] And as they stepped ashore, He greeted and kissed both of them and asked Jonathan whether he had already made a good catch of fish.
04] And, while embracing the Infant most lovingly, he spoke:
05] "O You my life and my love! – The fishing was quite a different matter today!
06] But with Your almighty help, I have rescued a stranded Roman ship, which carried an envoy to Cyrenius.
07] A lot of gold and silver fish fell into my net there and I stopped the fishing for today."
08] And the Infant spoke: "That is all very well;
09] but as I was looking forward to some fresh fish today, I would have appreciated it much more if you had brought real fish instead of your gold and silver fish!"
10] But Jonathan spoke: "O You my life, look, suspended along the shore there are a lot of cisterns full of the best fish, so we will get some very fresh fish from there!"
11] And the Infant smiled and spoke: "Yes, if it is like that, then you may keep your gold and silver fish from today!
12] But I am already quite hungry; will it take a long time until a fish can be prepared?"
13] And Jonathan spoke: "O no, You my life, in half an hour we will sit at the table!"
14] But Joseph said to the Infant: " You are really a little beggar!
15] Look, we are not at home here, therefore we should not act as if we were at home!
16] So be patient, something to eat will emerge, but begging for it is inappropriate in a strange house!"
17] But the Infant spoke: "So what! – I am at home wherever I am loved.
18] So wherever I am at home, I can do and speak as I like.
19] Yet Jonathan should not empty his cisterns without reward,
20] so let him throw out a net into the sea and he will promptly make a big catch for us! – Jonathan, do it!"
21] And Jonathan immediately threw a big net into the sea and caught an unbelievable amount of the best fish.
22] Then the Infant said to Joseph: "Look, if this is within My power, I should be able to ask Jonathan for some good fish, shouldn't I?" – At this moment Joseph became silent and Jonathan could not help himself out of sheer gratitude.