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GRM 77.1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«At what time shall we be arriving?» asks Jesus Who is walking in the centre of the group behind the sheep, grazing on the grass on the banks.

«At about the third hour. It’s almost ten miles» replies Elias.

«Are we going to Kerioth afterwards?» asks Judas.

«Yes, we will go there.»

«Was it not quicker to go to Kerioth from Juttah? It cannot be a great distance. Is that correct, shepherd?»

«About two miles longer, more or less.»

«This way, we will be doing over twenty for nothing.»

«Judas, why are you so worried?»

«I am not worried, Master. But You promised You would come to my house.»

«And I will. I always keep My promises.»

GRM 78

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus, John, Judas and Simon the Zealot arrive in Keroth. The shepherds are gone. Judas is really agitated and can't hold it together. He asks the Master to tell him, and Simon points out to the Master that this man doesn't understand him. Jesus sighs, but says nothing.

They arrive in Keroth, and are greeted by Judas' mother. She greets him with great respect, offers him something to refresh himself and gives him sandals and a cloak. Jesus initially says nothing, but thinks nothing of it; then, when Mary declares that she knows nothing of the ways of kings, he asks to speak to his apostle alone. There, he rebukes him severely, saying that he is putting obstacles in the way of his mission, for Israel is subject to Rome, and Christ is in no way a King of the earth.

He really encourages Judas to withdraw, to leave the group. Then he describes his kingship and when he will be crowned king: on the wood of the cross, with an infamous sign and under the booing of his people. Jesus thus predicts his atrocious death.

Judas is mortified, but he implores the Master to keep him, that he will become good. He asks for forgiveness and Jesus, tired, forgives him. However, the Iscariot asks to stay and go to his town, as Judas has told everyone that the Lord is coming. So Jesus decides to go along with what Judas has planned, not for himself, but for his mother.

So Jesus goes to Keroth on a chariot, and the synagogue leader welcomes him and asks him to go to their place of prayer. Jesus accepts and preaches to the people. He declares that he is the Word of God, but reminds them that his kingship is primarily spiritual. He then confirms this to the notables of Keroth.

Old Saul intervenes and speaks of the Nativity of Christ, whom he has come to adore. Jesus confirms that it was him, and the old man has a vision of the Lord's kingship. He sees him transfigured, then with his Wounds and Blood. He dies after bearing witness to Jesus' heart, so the group must purify themselves to comply with the Law.

GRM 78.1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

78.1 I am under the impression that the steepest part, that is the most tangled part of Judaean mountains, is between Hebron and Jutah. But I may be mistaken, and this valley may be wider, opening onto wider horizons, with isolated mountains emerging here and there, not forming any real chain. It may be a valley between two chains of mountains. I do not know. It is the first time I see it, and I am puzzled. The fields are not very large, but they are well cultivated with various cereals: mainly barley and rye. There are also some nice vineyards in the sunny parts. Higher up, I can see some lovely forests of pine-trees and fir-trees and other trees typical of woody places. A reasonably good road leads into a small village.

«This is the suburb of Kerioth. Please come to my country house. My mother is waiting for You there. We will go to Kerioth afterwards» says Judas who is beside himself with excitement.

I omitted to mention that only Judas, Simon and John are now with Jesus. The shepherds are not here. Perhaps they remained in the pastures of Hebron or they have gone back towards Bethlehem.

«As you wish, Judas, but we could have even stopped here to meet your mother.»

«Oh! No! It is only a farm house. My mother comes here at harvest time. But she lives in Kerioth. And do You not want my town people to see You? Do You not want to take Your light to them?»

«I certainly do, Judas. But you already are aware that I do not mind the humbleness of the place that gives Me hospitality.»

«But today You are my guest… and Judas knows how to be hospitable.»

They walk for a few more yards among houses spread about the country, while men and women look out, called by children. It is obvious that their curiosity has been awakened. Judas must have sent word warning them.

«Here is my poor house. Forgive its poverty.»

But, after all, the house is not a hovel: it consists of a large and well kept ground floor only, in the middle of a thick flowering orchard. A small private clean road leads from the main road to the house.

«May I go ahead of You, Master?»

«Yes, go.»

Judas goes.

«Master, Judas has done things in great style» says Simon. «I rather suspected he would. But now I am certain. Master, You keep saying, and quite rightly, spirit… But he… he does not see things that way. He will never understand You… or perhaps only very late» he adds not to grieve Jesus.

Jesus sighs and is silent.

GRM 78.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

78.5 It is a short journey, about four hundred metres, probably a little more. The first houses of Kerioth are now visible and it looks like a decent little town. A little boy on the sunny road is watching and he immediately dashes away. When the cart reaches the first houses, the important people and the people welcome Him; the houses are decorated with draperies and branches. The people shout with joy and bow down deeply. Jesus, from the height of His shaking throne, can but greet them and bless them.

The cart moves on and after crossing a square it turns into a street, where it stops before a house the door of which is already wide open. Two or three women are standing at the door. They stop and get off.

«My house is Yours, Master.»

«Peace to it, Judas. Peace and holiness.»

They go in. Beyond the hall there is a large room with low divans and inlaid furniture. The important people of the place and other people go in with Jesus. There is a lot of bowing and curiosity: a showy joyfulness.

GRM 213

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: At Keroth, a prophecy of Jesus and the beginning of apostolic preaching.

Date of vision: Monday, July 9, 1945.

Calendar: Saturday, April 15, 28 (3 lyar 3788) according to maria-valtorta.org, Saturday, April 22, 28 according to Valtorta.fr

Location (map): Kerioth

Cycle: Apostolate in Judea

Summary: Jesus is inside the Kerioth synagogue. There is a commotion, and Judas obtains silence by tapping the lamps above them. Christ then has the synagogue leader read the fourth chapter of the second book of the Maccabees. When this is done, Jesus takes the floor and explains that he is going to launch apostolic preaching in the city of his beloved disciple, for the Master is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the crowds, and it is wiser for the apostles to practice speaking while the Lord is still among them.

So Jesus won't give any public teaching, but he will give a prophecy to the people of Kerioth, so that they will remember, when the hour of Crime comes, that he loves them and defends them from an unjust accusation against them. For their city is not an enemy of Christ.

So there will come a time when the true High Priest will be spoken ill of, and the Innocent will be attacked. An infamous being will go to the mighty of Israel, and hand over the High Priest to his enemies. Christ has already spoken of his death and the actions of Judas on the evening of Holy Thursday. He also foretells the eternal punishment of the traitor, as well as the punishment of Israel. So he urges the people of Keroth to remember his words, so that when they are told that the Master is a malefactor, they can reply that Jesus foretold all these events, and that the Victim died to atone for the sins of the world.

The synanogue empties, while Judas is moved to tears by Jesus' esteem for him. Peter, for his part, is more frightened at the thought of speaking. Finally, the synagogue ruler arrives, rejoicing at Judas' election, but saddened by the unworthy man who will betray him. He hopes that Judas will make up for this betrayal, and Judas promises that he will make every effort to do so...

Chapter contents: 213.1: Judas obtains silence in the synagogue and Jesus has 2 Maccabees,4 read. 213.2: The apostles will speak for me and I give you a prophecy concerning Kerioth. 213.3: The time of great betrayal will come. Death of the High Priest and punishment. 213.4: Kerioth admires Jesus' esteem for Judas, who is moved to tears. In Kerioth, there will be a favorite and an unworthy.

Previous edition: Volume 3, chapter 75

GRM 213.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

El interior de la sinagoga de Keriot. Es el lugar en que cayó muerto Saúl, tras haber visto la gloria futura del Cristo. Formando un grupo bien compacto, del que descuellan Jesús y Judas — los dos más altos; de rostro resplandeciente ambos, uno por su amor, el otro por la alegría de ver que su ciudad es constante en su fidelidad al Maestro y que se está rindiendo honor con pomposo homenaje —, están las personalidades de Keriot; luego, más distantes de Jesús, apretujados como granos dentro de un saco, están los habitantes de la ciudad, que llenan completamente la sinagoga, donde, a pesar de que estén abiertas las puertas, no se respira. Cierto es que, queriendo rendir homenaje, queriendo oír al Maestro, al final terminan creando todos una gran confusión y un rumor que no permite oír nada.

Jesús soporta y guarda silencio. Los otros, sin embargo, se inquietan, hacen aspavientos y gritan: «¡Silencio!». Pero el grito se pierde en el estrépito como un grito lanzado en una playa en tempestad.

Judas no se anda por las ramas. Se encarama en un alto escaño y traquetea las lámparas, que penden en forma de racimo: el metal hueco retumba, las sutiles cadenas se entrechocan y suenan como instrumentos musicales. La gente se calma. Por fin se le puede escuchar a Jesús.

Annotation

I see the interior of the Kerioth synagogue, on the very spot where the dead Saul lay on the ground after seeing the future glory of Christ. In EMV 78.