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 [1] that they were giving the whole price, while they concealed a part for themselves.
But Peter said: “Ananias, why hath Satan[2] tempted thy heart that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost[3], 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[4], rising up, carried away the body.
About three hours after, Saphira [5], the wife of Ananias, came in, and Peter addressed her, saying: “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”[6] 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
- ↑ Pretending. Ananias and Saphira wished to appear as generous as their fellow-Christians, and sold a field for the benefit of the common fund, but, instead of giving the whole price, they avariciously kept a part for themselves. Ananias took the remainder to the apostles, acting as if it were the whole price. By the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, Peter was aware of the deception.
- ↑ Satan. Why have you allowed yourself to be seduced by Satan to tell this lie?
- ↑ Holy Ghost. Ananias knew the apostles to be the representatives of God and under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Therefore his lie was an offence against the Holy Ghost.
- ↑ Young men. Who attended to, and maintained order at the religious services of the Christians.
- ↑ Saphira. Came to the assembly of the faithful, hoping to be praised by the apostles for her generosity and self-sacrifice.
- ↑ For so much. In order to lead her to make a contrite confession of her guilt, St. Peter asked her, pointing to the money which Ananias had brought, and which still lay beside him: “Did you sell the field for so much?”
