«Is it you that wanted Me?» He asks the two strangers. «Here I am. Who are you?»
«We heard You the other evening… in the Temple. We looked for You in town. A man, who said he is a relative of Yours, told us You stay here.»
«Why are you looking for Me?»
«To follow You, if You will allow us, because You have words of truth.»
«Follow Me? But do you know where I am going?»
«No, Master, but certainly to glory.»
«Yes. But not to a glory of this world. I am going to a glory which is in Heaven and is conquered by virtue and sacrifice. Why do you want to follow Me?» He asks them again.
«To take part in Your glory.»
«According to Heaven?»
«Yes, according to Heaven.»
«Not everybody is able to go there. Because Mammon lays more snares for those yearning for Heaven than for the others. And only he who has strong willpower can resist. Why follow Me, if to follow Me implies a continuous struggle against the enemy, which is in us, against the hostile world, and against the Enemy who is Satan?»
«Because that is the desire of our souls, which have been conquered by You. You are holy and powerful. We want to be Your friends.»
«Friends!!!» Jesus is silent and sighs. Then He stares at the one who has spoken all the time and who has now removed the mantle-hood from his head, and is bareheaded. He is Judas of Kerioth. «Who are you? You speak better than a man of the people.»
«I am Judas, the son of Simon. I come from Kerioth. But I am of the Temple. I am waiting for and dreaming of the King of the Jews. I heard You speak like a king. I saw Your kingly gestures. Take me with You.»
«Take you? Now? At once? No.»
«Why not, Master?»
«Because it is better to examine ourselves carefully before venturing on very steep roads.»
«Do You not believe I am sincere?»
«You have said it. I believe in your impulsiveness. But I do not believe in your perseverance. Think about it, Judas. I am going away now and I will be back for Pentecost. If you are in the Temple, you will see Me. Examine yourself.
54.4
And who are you?».
«I am another one who saw You. I would like to be with You. But now I am frightened.»
«No. Presumption ruins people. Fear may be an impediment, but it is a help when it originates from humbleness. Do not be afraid. Think about it, too, and when I come back…»
«Master, You are so holy! I am afraid of not being worthy. Nothing else. Because I do not doubt my love…»
«What is your name?»
«Thomas, also known as Didymus.»
«I will remember your name. Go in peace.»
Jesus dismisses them and He goes into the hospitable house for supper.
54.5
The six disciples who are with Him want to know many things.
«Why, Master, why did You treat them differently? Because there was a difference. Both of them had the same impulsiveness…» asks John.
«My friend, also the same impulsiveness may have a different taste and bring about a different effect. They both certainly had the same impulsiveness. But they were not the same in their purposes. And the one who appears less perfect is, in fact, more perfect, because he has no incentive to human glory. He loves Me because he loves Me.»