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 FTER THE COMPLETION of the delicious morning meal which lasted for an hour, the hymn of praise was spoken by Joseph and all arose from the table.
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Since it was the day before the Sabbath or the Friday before the Easter Sabbath of the Jews, Joseph was a bit afraid and did not know how he was to observe these holidays here among all these Romans.
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For he knew that the Romans would on this occasion also visit him on the Easter Sabbath day just like on any other day.
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Therefore he was, as stated, afraid as to how he would be able to keep this exceptionally high Sabbath holy.
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As he was thus thinking, the youths gathered round about him and said: 'Listen to us, you just but vainly concerned man!
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You know that at about this time the angels of God also arrived in Jerusalem as archangels, Cherubim and Seraphim.
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And the Holy of Holies was constantly inhabited by them as you know, and as your wife knows.
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Since you know that we wait only upon the Lord and not the temple in Jerusalem, so also are we not in the temple.
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When the Lord dwelt in the temple at Jerusalem, then we were also in the temple.
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But now He dwells here, and we are also here to celebrate Easter with you and not one of us is in the temple which is now altogether forsaken!
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Now how will you celebrate Easter better than if you act like we do?
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See, we shall do the same tomorrow as we have done today and shall continue doing so, and that will be the right thing.
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You do the same, and you will observe the Sabbath and the Easter holidays correctly with us in the fullest presence of the Lord of the Sabbath and all holidays.
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Ask the most sublime Baby, and He will tell you the same and make this known to you with the greatest certainty.'
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And Joseph asked, 'Everything you say is good and true, but what about the Law of Moses? Does this cease?'
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The youths retorted, 'Just man, you are mistaken; say, did Moses ever decree the Easter holidays to be held at Jerusalem?
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Did he not decree the holiday to be held only there, where the Lord is with the Ark of the Covenant?
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See, now the Lord is no more with the Ark of the Covenant, but He is with you and with your house bodily!
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Now say, just where according to Moses should the Easter holidays rightfully be kept?'
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Here Joseph agreed, 'If that is the way it is, then of course the holidays must be observed here! But what shall we do with the many pagans here?'
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And the youths answered, 'O just son of David, do not concern yourself with that, but do what we do and everything will be all right.'
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Here the Baby wanted Joseph's attention (on which occasion the youths fell on their faces) and said:
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'Joseph, as today, so tomorrow and the day after tomorrow; but do not be concerned because of the uncircumcised, for these are now better than the circumcised!
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See, the circumcision of the foreskin is of no importance, but the circumcision of the heart is of the greatest importance!
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Now these Romans have a noble heart, so I am now keeping the Easter holidays with them, and not with the Jews.'
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These words again composed Joseph and he was filled with joy and turned all concern for the Easter holidays over to the youths.
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