Barthélémy - Nathanaël (apostle) — notes (page 1/15)

GRM 50.5-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

An elderly man goes near the group, inquisitively. Jesus turns around to caress a child who is pulling His mantle and sees him. He stares at him, intensely. The man blushes and greets Him, but does not say anything else.
«Come! Follow Me!»
«Yes, Master.»
Jesus blesses the children and walking beside Philip, (He calls him by his name) He goes back home. They sit in the little kitchen garden.
«Do you want to be My disciple?»
«Yes, I do… but I dare not hope for so much.»
«I have called you.»
«Then I am Your disciple. Here I am.»
«Did you know about Me?»
«Andrew spoke to me about You. He said to me: “The One you were pining after has come”. Because Andrew knew that I yearned for the Messiah.»
«Your expectation has not been disappointed. He is in front of you.»
«My Master and my God!»
«You are a well-intentioned Israelite. That is why I am manifesting Myself to you.
50.6
Another friend of yours is waiting, he is a sincere Israelite, too. Go and say to him: “We have found Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph of the House of David, Him of Whom Moses and the Prophets have spoken”. Go.»
Jesus remains alone until Philip comes back with Nathanael-Bartholomew.
«Here is a true Israelite in whom there is no fraud. Peace be with you, Nathanael.»
«How do You know me?»
«Before Philip came to call you, I saw you under the fig-tree.»
«Master, You are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel!»
«Because I said I saw you, while you were meditating under the fig-tree, you believe? You will see greater things than that. I solemnly tell you that Heaven is open and because of your faith you will see angels descending and ascending above the Son of man: that is above Me, Who am speaking to you.»
«Master! I am not worthy of such a favour!»
«Believe in Me and you will be worthy of Heaven. Will you believe?»
«I will, Master.»

Annotation

John 1:43-51:

The next day, Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. He found Philip, and said to him, "Follow me." Philip was from Bethsaida, the village of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him, as it is written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets, Jesus son of Joseph of Nazareth. Nathanael replied, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip replies, "Come and see." When Jesus sees Nathanael coming to him, he declares of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed: there is no guile in him." Nathanael asks him, "How do you know me?" Jesus replies, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael said to him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus continues: "I tell you that I saw you under the fig tree, and that's why you believe! You will see even greater things. And he adds, "Amen, amen, I say to you: you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending above the Son of Man."

Keywords

GRM 50.8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

50.8 The crowd utter words of emotional approval and slowly go away. Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip and Bartholomew stay.

Detail

The following apostles were present at the preaching in Bethsaida.

Keywords

GRM 50.9

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

50.9 «Well, tomorrow morning at dawn, I will leave with John.»
«Master…»
«Yes, Simon, what is it?»
«Master… are You going to Jerusalem?»
«You know I am.»
«I am going at Passover too… and also Andrew and James.»
«Well?.. Do you mean that you would like to come with Me? And your fishing? And your profit? You told Me that you like to have money, and I will be away for many days. I am going to My Mother’s first. And I will go there on My way back as well. I will stop there to preach. How will you manage?…»
Peter is perplexed, undecided… then he makes up his mind: «I think… I will come. I prefer You to money!»
«I am coming, too.»
«And so am I.»
«We are going too, aren’t we, Philip?»
«Come, then, you will help Me.»
«Oh!…» Peter is more than excited at the idea of helping Jesus. «How shall we do that?»
«I will tell you. To do good, all you need do, is do what I tell you. He who obeys always does good. We will now pray and then each of us will go and perform his duties.»
«What will You do, Master?»
«I will continue to pray. I am the Light of the world, but I am also the Son of man. I must, therefore, draw from the Light, to become the Man Who redeems man. Let us pray.» Jesus says a psalm. The one beginning: «He who rests in the help of the Most High, will live in the protection of the God of Heaven. He will say to the Lord: “You are my protector and my shelter. He is my God, I will hope in Him. He rescued me from the snares of fowlers and from harsh words” etc.» I find it in the fourth book. It is the second psalm in book four, I think it is number 90, (if I read the Roman number correctly).
The vision ends in this way.

Detail

Jesus declares to the disciples present (Philip and Bartholomew, James of Zebedee, Andrew and Peter):

Keywords

GRM 53.1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

53.1 I see Jesus entering the enclosure of the Temple with Peter, Andrew, John, James, Philip and Bartholomew.

Detail

The apostles present at the first cleansing of the Temple were as follows.

Keywords

GRM 54.1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

54.1 Jesus is together with His six disciples. Neither the other day nor today have I seen Judas Thaddeus, who said he wanted to come to Jerusalem with Jesus.

Keywords

GRM 55

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Andrew, Peter, James and John, Bartholomew, Philip, and Thomas are at the house of Jonah, the guardian of Gethsemane. Thomas tells how he came back to the scene. Jesus questions him, and offers him to stay. The apostle is happy, and Jesus takes the opportunity to teach the apostolic group a lesson about hospitality. Peter grumbles and makes a few remarks, saying that those we welcome are not always well-intentioned, and the Lord replies. Then he asks Thomas to go and find Simon the Zealot in the tombs, and to accompany him until he is purified. They meet again later. As for Judas, he encourages him not to go and see him, or even to seek his presence.

Peter grumbles again, and Christ asks him why. Simon of Jonah then points out that he gives missions to those who have just arrived, but not to the first disciples who followed him. The Master smiles at his words, and points out that, if he doesn't give such missions, it's because he knows them and is sure of them. The one who must be put to the test is the one who is not yet sure, the Savior asserts, and yet Christ esteemed them so much that he took his first apostles "without demanding proofs and without feeling the need to give you any". Peter is reassured and asks for forgiveness. Jesus, for his part, asks him not to argue about the places and merits of each. The Redeemer reminds them that He Himself is man's servant, and so He reminds them to remain humble.

Finally, Jesus gives Thomas the portrait of Simon the Zealot. All that remains is to find him...

Keywords

GRM 56.7

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«And what about us?»
«You, Peter? You will go back to your fishing nets.»
«Why?»
«Because I will teach you slowly and I will take you with Me, when I find that you are ready.»
«But will we see You, then?»
«Certainly. I will often come to see you, or I will send for you when I am at Capernaum. Now, let us say goodbye, My friends and let us go. I bless you, who are staying here. May My peace be with you.»
And the vision ends.

Detail

Jesus gives instructions to Andrew, Jude of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot. Peter then speaks up for those who remain: himself, Andrew, James and John of Zebedee, Philip and Bartholomew.

Keywords

GRM 57.1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

57.1 Jesus is near Nazareth with His cousin and the six disciples. From the top of the hill where they are, the white village can be seen amongst the green of the trees, with its houses scattered up and down the sweetly undulating slopes, gently declining in some cases, more steep in others.
«Here we are, My friends. That is My house. My Mother is at home because there is smoke rising from the house. Perhaps She is baking. I will not ask you to stay with Me, because I imagine you will be anxious to go to your homes. But if you wish to share My bread with Me and meet My Mother, Whom John has already met, then I say to You: “Come”.»
The six disciples, who were already sad because of the impending separation, are all happy again and they accept the invitation wholeheartedly.
«Let us go, then.»
They go down the hillock quickly and take to the main road. It is evening. It is still warm, but the shades of evening are falling over the country, where the crops are beginning to ripen.
They go into the village. Women are coming and going from the fountain, men standing on the thresholds of their little workshops or working in the kitchen gardens wave to Jesus and James.

Detail

Jesus invites the disciples to meet his Mother for the first time (except John, who already knows her).

Keywords

GRM 57.3-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Come in, My friends!»
They go in and greet Jesus’ Mother. Judas kisses Her and then runs looking for his mother.
Jesus introduces the five disciples indicating their names: Peter, Andrew, James, Nathanael, Philip; because John, who has already met Mary, spoke to Her immediately after Judas, bowing down to Her and receiving Her blessing.
57.4 Mary greets them and asks them to sit down. She is the landlady and although adoring Her Jesus with Her glances — Her soul seems to be speaking to Her Son through Her eyes — She takes care of Her guests. She would like to bring some water to refresh them, but Peter objects: «No, Woman. I cannot allow that. Please sit near Your Son, Holy Mother. I will go, we will all go into the kitchen garden to refresh ourselves.»
Mary of Alphaeus rushes in, flushed and covered with flour, she greets Jesus Who blesses her, she then leads the six men into the kitchen garden, to the fountain, and comes back happy. «Oh! Mary!» she says to the Virgin. «Judas told me. How happy I am! For Judas and for You, my dear sister-in-law. I know that the others will scold me. But it does not matter. I will be happy the day I know that they are all for Jesus. We are mothers and we know… we feel what is good for our children. And I feel that You, Jesus, are the wealth of my children.»
Jesus caresses her head and smiles at her.
The disciples come back in and Mary of Alphaeus serves them sweet-smelling bread, olives and cheese. She then brings a small amphora of red wine, which Jesus pours out to his friends. It is always Jesus Who offers and then hands things out.
57.5 At first the disciples are somewhat embarrassed, then they become more sure of themselves and they speak about their houses, of the journey to Jerusalem, of the miracles worked by Jesus. They are full of zeal and affection and Peter endeavours to form an alliance with Mary in order to be taken by Jesus at once, without having to wait at Bethsaida.
«Do what He tells you» urges Mary, with a gentle smile. «The wait will be more useful to you than an immediate union. Whatever My Jesus does is always well done.»
Peter’s hope vanishes. But he submits with good grace. He only asks: «Will it be a long wait?»
Jesus smiles at him, but does not say anything.
Mary interprets Jesus’ smile as a favourable sign and She explains: «Simon of Jonas, He is smiling… I therefore say to you: as fast as a swallow’s flight over the lake will be the time of your obedient waiting.»
«Thank You, Woman.»
57.6 «Have you nothing to say, Judas? And you, John?»
«I am looking at You, Mary.»
«And I.»
«I am also looking at you… and do you know? This reminds Me of bygone days. Also then I had three pairs of eyes staring at Me lovingly. Do you remember, Mary, My three pupils?»
«Oh! I do remember! You are quite right! And even now, three of almost the same age, are looking at You with all their love. And I think that John is like Jesus, as Jesus was then, so fair and rosy, the youngest of them all.»
The others are anxious to know more… and memories and stories of the past are awakened and related. It is growing dark.
«My friends, I have no bedrooms. But the workshop where I used to work is over there. If you wish to take shelter there… But there is nothing but benches in it.»
«A comfortable bed for fishermen, used to sleeping on narrow boards. Thank You, Master. It is an honour and a blessing to sleep under Your roof.»
They withdraw after saying goodnight. Judas also goes home with his mother.
Jesus and Mary are left in the room, sitting on the chest, in the light of the little oil lamp, each with one arm round the other’s shoulder, and Jesus tells Mary of His recent journey. And Mary listens blissful, anxious, happy.
The vision ends in this way.

Detail

Mary has a discussion with Peter and gives advice similar to that of Cana: "Do whatever he tells you".

Keywords

GRM 58.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«He might have been severe with the old Simon. But with My Peter, with the new man, the man of His Christ… no, Peter, He will not. He loves you and will love you.»
«And what about me?»
«You, too, Andrew; and John, James, Philip and Nathanael as well. You are the first chosen by Me.»

Detail

Peter asks if the Father won't be too harsh on poor Simon. Jesus replies: