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Character prophecies in the EMV

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GRM 3.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

3.4 The night is more and more crowded with stars and the camp with lights. Then little by little many lights go out. They are the lamps of those who were the first to have supper and who now go to sleep. Also the buzzing slowly decreases. No more children’s voices are heard. Only some babies still unweaned raise their lamb-like little voices seeking their mothers’ milk. The night blows her breath over places and people and obliterates pains and memories, hopes and ill-feelings. Or perhaps these last two survive in dreams, although alleviated by sleep.

Anne says so to her husband while lulling Alphaeus who is falling asleep in her arms: «Last night I dreamt that next year I will be coming to the Holy City for two feasts, instead of one only. And one will be the offering of my creature to the Temple… Oh! Joachim!…»

«Keep on hoping, Anne. Did you not perceive anything else? Did the Lord not whisper anything to your heart?»

«Nothing. Only a dream…»

«Tomorrow is the last day of prayer. All the offerings have already been made. But we will renew them again tomorrow, solemnly. We shall gain our favour from God by our faithful love. I always think that it will happen to you as it did to Anne of Elkanah.»

«May God grant it… and I wish I had someone say to me now: “Go in peace. The God of Israel has granted the grace you asked for!”»

«If the grace comes, your child will tell you turning over for the first time in your womb; and it will be the voice of an innocent, therefore the voice of God.»

Annotation

I still think the same thing will happen to you as to Hannah of Elkanah. Reference to 1 Samuel 1:1-20

- May God grant it... and may I soon hear a voice say to me: "Go in peace. The God of Israel has granted you the grace you asked for!" Reference to 1 Samuel 1, 17. This reference to Hannah of Elkanah is repeated in Volume 1, chapter 5, page 25 (EMV 4).

First Book of Samuel 1, 1-20

Sa 1, 1-20: There was a man of Ramathaim-Sophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, named Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Eliu, son of Thohu, son of Suph, an Ephrathite. He had two wives, one of whom was called Hannah, and the other Phenna; and Phenna had children, but Hannah was childless. This man went up from his city every year to worship Yahweh of hosts and offer sacrifices to him at Shiloh. There were Heli's two sons, Ophni and Phinehas, priests of Yahweh. On the day Elkanah offered his sacrifice, he gave portions of the victim to Phenna, his wife, and to all his sons and daughters; and he gave Hannah a double portion, for he loved Hannah, and Yahweh had made her barren. His rival still afflicted him exceedingly, in order to embitter him that Yahweh had made her barren. And every year Elkanah did so, whenever she went up to Yahweh's house, and Phenna mortified her in the same way. Then she wept and ate nothing. Elkanah, her husband, said to her: "Hannah, why do you weep and not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"

Anne got up, after they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh. - Heli, the high priest, was sitting on a seat before one of the posts of Yahweh's temple. - Her soul full of bitterness, she prayed to Yahweh and shed many tears; and she made a vow, saying, "Yahweh of hosts, if you deign to look upon the affliction of your handmaid, if you remember me and do not forget your handmaid, and if you give your handmaid a male child, I will give him to Yahweh for all the days of his life, and the razor shall not pass over his head." As she remained in prayer before Yahweh for a long time, Heli observed her mouth. Anne spoke in her heart and moved only her lips, without her voice being heard. So Heli thought she was drunk, and said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Pass your wine." Anne replied: "No, my lord, I am a woman afflicted in her heart; I drank neither wine nor intoxicating liquor, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh. Do not take your servant for a wife of Belial, for it is in the excess of my sorrow and pain that I have spoken thus far." Heli spoke again and said to her, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel answer your prayer to him!" She said, "May your servant find favor in your sight!" And the woman went her way; she ate, and her face was not the same. They got up early in the morning, bowed down before Yahweh and returned to their house in Ramah. Elkanah knew Hannah, his wife, and Yahweh remembered her. When the time was up, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel, "because," she said, "I asked Yahweh for him."

GRM 4.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

4.4 How shall we name our creature, whom I perceive talking to me in my womb as sweetly as the melody of waters, with its little heart beating repeatedly like the heart of a pretty turtle-dove held in one’s hands?»

«If it is a boy we shall call him Samuel… If a girl, Star. The word that stopped your song to give me the joy of learning that I am a father. The form it took to reveal itself in the holy shade of the Temple.»

«Star. Our Star, because, I don’t know why, but I think it is a girl. I think that such sweet caresses can only come from a most sweet daughter. Because I do not bear her, I have no pain. It is she who takes me along a blue flowery path, as if I were supported by holy angels and the earth was already far away… I have always heard women say that it is painful to conceive and to bear. But I have no pain. I feel strong, young, fresher than when I presented you with my virginity in my far away youth. Daughter of God -because this creature born of a barren stump, is more of God than ours– she gives no pain to her mother. She only brings her peace and blessings: the fruits of God, her true Father.»

«Mary, then, we shall call her! Star of our sea, pearl, happiness. The name of the first great woman in Israel. But she will never sin against the Lord and to Him only she will give her songs, because she is offered to Him: a victim before being born.»

«Yes, she is offered to Him. Male or female, as it may be, after rejoicing for three years over our creature, we shall give it to the Lord. Victims ourselves with her, for the glory of God.

Detail

The choice of Marie's first name. This is Anne, her mother, speaking.

GRM 5.2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

5.2 «Are you in pain?»

«No. But I can feel the great peace that I experienced in the Temple when I was granted the grace, and which I felt once again when I knew I was pregnant. It is like an ecstasy, a sweet sleep of the body while the soul rejoices and calms itself in a peace that has no bodily comparison. I have loved and still do love you, Joachim, and when I entered your house and I said to myself: “I am the wife of a just man”, I had peace: and I felt the same every time your provident love took care of your Anne. But this peace is different. Understand: I think that the soul of our father Jacob was invaded by a similar peace, like the soothing given by oil that spreads and appeases, after he dreamt of the angels. And, possibly more accurately, it is like the joyful peace of the Tobiahs after Raphael appeared to them. If I absorb myself in this feeling, it grows more and more in strength while I enjoy it. It is as if I were ascending into the blue spaces of the sky… And furthermore, I don’t know the reason for it, but since I have had this peaceful joy in me, I have a song in my heart: old Tobiah’s song. I think it was written for this hour… for this joy… for the land of Israel that receives it… for Jerusalem-sinner and now forgiven… But do not laugh at the frenzy of a mother… but when I say: “Thank the Lord for your wealth and bless the God of centuries, that He may rebuild His Tabernacle in you”, I think that He Who will rebuild the Tabernacle of the true God in Jerusalem will be This One who is about to be born… And I also think that the destiny of my creature was prophesied and not the fate of the Holy City, when the song says: “You shall shine with a bright light: all the peoples of the world will prostrate themselves before you: the nations will come bringing gifts: they will worship the Lord in you and will hold your land as sacred, because within you they invoke the Great Name. You will be happy on account of your children, because they will all be blessed and they will gather near the Lord. Blessed are those who love you and rejoice in your peace…”

Detail

Anne is about to give birth.

Annotation

Book of Genesis 28, 12

Gen 28, 12 : And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set upon the earth, and the top of it reached unto heaven; and behold, upon it the angels of God ascended and descended, and at the top stood Yahweh.

Book of Tobit 12, 15-21

Tb 12, 15-21: "I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand in the presence of the Lord. "When they heard these words, they were beside themselves, and trembling, they fell on their faces to the ground. And the angel said to them: "Peace be with you! Do not be afraid. For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God; so bless him and sing his praises. It seemed to you that I ate and drank with you; but I fed on an invisible food and a drink that the eye of man cannot reach. So it's time for me to return to the one who sent me; but you, bless God and publish all his wonders. "When he had said this, he was hidden from their sight, and they could see him no more. Then, prostrating themselves for three hours with their faces to the ground, they blessed God and, rising, told of all his wonders.

Book of Tobit 13, 1-18

Tb 13, 1-18: Old Tobias opened his mouth and blessed the Lord, saying: "You are great, Lord, in eternity, and your kingdom extends to all ages. For you punish and you save, you lead to the grave and you bring back from it, and there is no one who can escape your hand. Celebrate the Lord, children of Israel, and praise him before the nations. For he has scattered you among the nations who do not know him, so that you may tell of his wonders, and make known to them that there is no other Almighty God but him alone. He has punished us because of our iniquities, and he will save us because of his mercy. Consider how he has dealt with us, and bless him with fear and trembling, and glorify by your works the King of the ages.

As for me, I want to bless him in this country where I am a captive, because he has shone his glory on a criminal nation. Repent then, sinners, and do justice before God, trusting that he will have mercy on you! As for me, I will rejoice in him with all my soul. Bless the Lord, all you chosen people; celebrate days of joy and sing his praises!

Jerusalem, city of God, the Lord has chastened you for the works of your hands. Glorify the Lord with your good works, and bless the God of the ages, that he may rebuild his sanctuary in you, that he may call back to you all the captives, and that you may rejoice for ever and ever. You will shine with a bright light, and all the countries of the earth will bow down before you. Nations will come to you from distant lands, bringing gifts; they will worship the Lord within your walls, and regard your land as a sanctuary; for they will call upon the great Name in your midst. Cursed shall be those who despise you, condemned shall be those who blaspheme you; blessed shall be those who build you up. And you will rejoice in your children, for they will all be blessed and gathered to the Lord. Blessed are all who love you and rejoice in your peace!

Bless the Lord, my soul, for he, the Lord, our God, has delivered her city Jerusalem from all its tribulations. Happy will I be if there are still offspring of my race to see the splendor of Jerusalem! The gates of Jerusalem will be built of sapphires and emeralds, and the whole wall of her walls of precious stones. Immaculate white stones will form the pavement of her squares, and they will sing in her streets: Alleluia! Blessed be the Lord who gave Jerusalem this glory, and may he reign over her for ever and ever! Amen! "

GRM 5.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Anne smiles at one of her thoughts: «She is the Star» she says. «Her sign is in Heaven. Mary, arch of peace! Mary, my Star! Mary, pure moon! Mary, our pearl!»

«Are you calling Her Mary?»

«Yes. Mary, star and pearl and light and peace…»

«But it means also bitterness… Are you not afraid of bringing Her misfortune?»

«God is with Her. She belongs to Him before She existed. He will lead Her along His ways and all bitterness will turn into heavenly honey. Now be of Your mummy… for a little longer, before being all of God…»

Detail

The choice of Marie's first name. This is Anne, her mother, speaking.

GRM 6.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Zacharias whispers something to his colleague, who nods smiling. He then approaches the group, which has reassembled, and as he congratulates the mother and father on their joy and their loyalty to the promises, he is given the second lamb, the flour and the cakes.

«So this daughter is sacred to the Lord? May His blessing be with Her and with you. Here is Anna. She will be one of Her teachers. Anna of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. Come here, woman. This little one is offered to the Temple as a victim of praise. You will be Her teacher and She will grow holy under your guidance. »

Detail

Mary is presented at the Temple and the priest who performs the ceremony learns that the little girl will be consecrated to the Lord when she is three years old.

GRM 6.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

6.5 «I would like to give the offering to the Temple and go over there where I saw the light last year.»

They go accompanied by Anna of Phanuel. They do not enter the actual Temple; since they are women and it is the case of a little girl, it is understandable that they do not even go where Mary went to offer Her Son. But very close to the wide open door, they look into the half-dark inside from which sweet songs of girls can be heard and where precious lamps are lit and spread a golden light on two flower beds of white veiled heads: two real flowerbeds of lilies.

«In three years’ time You will be there too, my Lily» promises Anne to Mary, Who looks fascinated at the inside and smiles at the slow song.

«You would say that She understands» says Anna of Phanuel. «She is a beautiful child! She will be as dear to me as if She were my own. I promise you, mother. If I shall be granted to be so.»

«You shall, woman» Zacharias says. «You will receive Her amongst the sacred girls. I also shall be there. I want to be there that day to tell Her to pray for us from the very first moment…» and he looks at his wife who understands and sighs.

Detail

Anne has just purified herself. At the end of the ceremony, she says:

GRM 7.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

« I would also like to be a sinner, a big sinner, if I were not afraid of offending the Lord… Tell Me, mummy, can one be a sinner out of love of God?»

«But what are You saying, my dear? I don’t understand You.»

«I mean: to commit a sin in order to be loved by God, Who becomes the Saviour. He who is lost, is saved. Isn’t that so? I would like to be saved by the Saviour to receive His loving look. That is why I would like to sin, but not to commit a sin that would disgust Him. How can He save Me if I do not get lost?»

Anne is dumbfounded. She does not know what to say.

Joachim helps her. He has approached them walking noiselessly on the grass, behind the low hedge of vine-shoots. «He has saved You beforehand, because He knows that You love Him and You want to love Him only. So You are already redeemed and You can be a virgin as You wish» says Joachim.

«Is that true, daddy?» Mary embraces his knees and looks at him with Her clear blue eyes, so like Her father’s and so happy because of this hope She gets from Her father.

«It is true, my little darling. Look! I was just bringing You this little sparrow, that at its first flight landed near the spring. I could have left it there but its weak wings did not have enough strength to fly off again, and its tiny legs could not hold onto the slippery moss stones. It would have fallen into the water. But I did not wait for that. I took it and now I am giving it to You. You will do what you like with it. The fact is that it was saved before it fell into danger. God has done the same with You. Now, tell me, Mary: have I loved the sparrow more by saving it beforehand, or would I have loved it more saving it afterwards?»

«You have loved it now, because you did not let it get hurt in the cold water.»

«And God has loved You more, because He has loved You before You sinned.»

«And I will love Him wholeheartedly. Wholeheartedly. My beautiful little sparrow, I am like you. The Lord has loved us both equally, by saving us… I will now rear you and then I will let you go. And you in the forest and I in the Temple will sing the praises of God, and we shall say: “Please send the One You promised to those who expect Him”. »

Detail

Mary as a child has decided to be a virgin out of love for God, and she hopes to be the handmaid of the Mother of God. Then she adds:

Annotation

Can one be a sinner out of love for God? (...) How can he save me if I do not lose myself?

This paradoxical relationship between sin and grateful love for the Redeemer can be found in the Easter Exultet: Blessed is the sin of man, which brought the only Saviour to the world in distress!

Saint Paul also cultivates this paradox out of love for his brethren: I myself, for the Jews, my brethren by race, would wish to be anathema, separated from Christ (Romans 9:3).

GRM 10.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

10.4 This is My destiny. The secular Law of Israel wants every girl to be a wife, and every wife to be a mother. But, while obeying the Law, I must obey the Voice that whispers to Me: “I want You”; I am a virgin and a virgin I shall remain, How shall I succeed? This sweet invisible Presence that is with Me will help Me, because it is Its desire. I am not afraid. I have no longer My father and mother… and only God knows how My love for whatever human being belonged to Me was burnt in that pain. Now I have but God. I therefore obey Him unquestioningly… I would have done so also regardless of My father and mother, because I have been taught by the Voice that whoever wishes to follow It, must go beyond father and mother. Parents are loving patrols watching the hearts of their children, whom they wish to lead to happiness according to their plans… and they are not aware of other plans leading to infinite happiness… I would have left them My dresses and mantles, to follow the Voice that says to Me: “Come, My beloved Spouse”. I would have left them everything, and the pearls of My tears, for I would have cried having to disobey them, and the instincts of My blood, because I would have defied even death to follow the Voice calling Me who, would have told them that there is something greater and sweeter than the love of a father and mother and that is the Voice of God. But now, by His will, I am free from this tie of filial love. In fact, it would not have been a tie. My parents were two just people and God certainly spoke to them as He speaks to Me. They would have followed justice and truth. When I think of them, I imagine them in the quiet expectation among the Patriarchs and I hasten with My sacrifice the coming of the Messiah to open for them the gates of Heaven. I am My own guide on earth, or rather God guides His poor servant giving Her His commands and I fulfil them because it is a joy for Me to obey. When the time comes, I will reveal My secret to the spouse… and he will accept it.»

«But, Mary… which words will You find to persuade him? You will have the love of a man, the Law and life against you.»

«I shall have God with Me… God will enlighten the heart of the spouse… life will lose the incentives of the senses and become a pure flower with the fragrance of charity.

Detail

In this passage, Mary speaks of her future husband, whom she does not yet know.

GRM 10.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

How much Blood the Saviour will have to shed to redeem us! How much indeed! From the thousands of wounds that Isaiah saw on the Man of Sorrows, a stream of Blood is falling, like dew from a porous vase. May this divine Blood not fall where there is desecration and blasphemy, but into chalices of fragrant purity that may receive it and gather it for the purpose of spreading it amongst the diseased and leprous souls and amongst those who are dead to God. Give lilies to wipe with their pure petals the sweat and the tears of Christ! Give lilies for His keen desire of Martyrdom! Oh! Where is the Lily that will bear You? Where is the Lily that will quench Your parching thirst, that will become red with Your Blood, will die for the pain of seeing You dying, and will cry over Your bloodless Body? Oh! Christ! Christ! My desire!…»

GRM 11.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«I obey you, o Priest. But please tell Me how I am to behave… I have neither father nor mother. Please be My guide.»

«God will give You Your husband and he will be a holy man, because You have entrusted Yourself to God. You will tell him Your vow.»

«And will he agree?»

«I hope so. Pray, my child, that he may understand Your heart. Go now. May God always accompany You.