Summary of EMV

Jesus is still in Nazareth. He is with Peter, Andrew, John, James, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Jude, Simon and Judas, as well as the shepherd Joseph. He teaches them that all that is hidden will one day be known, and that we must act out of kindness without seeking to be noticed by men. It is God who gives the reward. Next, the Lord encourages us not to judge by appearances. He briefly describes the case of a father who speaks harshly to his son: either he does this to inspire his child to repentance, or he does it out of laziness, and that's a sin. Finally, Jesus talks about the fact that the disciple works himself with the help of his master, but that success depends on our good will. He ends by talking about his Mother, who is ready to follow him, but who is aware of the defilement of the world around her. We come to quote Genesis with Cain and Abel, and the Crime that will take place with the death of Jesus.

Jesus lives in Nazareth. There had been a storm the day before. He goes to find his Mother and, after kissing her tenderly, asks her if her plants have suffered. But Peter is watching and is a real gardener. He is slightly reminiscent of Porphyria, but is valiant and tries not to slander his mother-in-law. In any case, Jesus confirms that he will come to Capernaum, and he is delighted. The other disciples arrive. Present are Simon of Jonah, John, Judas, Simon the Zealot, Thomas, Andrew, James, Philip and the shepherd Joseph. Jude Thaddaeus is also present, which was not the case in the previous chapter. In any case, Christ talks about apostolic formation, and makes comparisons with nature (storms, frozen ground in winter). He then focuses on Jude's suffering, as he watches Alpheus' behavior as he nears death. He speaks of the martyrdom of the family, of always knowing how to respond to God's call and putting the Lord before blood. Of course, the Master gives great importance to filial love, but the family must not be a brake on our ascent towards God.

Jesus is in Capernaum. He leaves Peter's house. He is asked to teach the people, which he accepts, but he wants to go and see someone first. And so he goes with Peter and Andrew to see the Belle of Chorazeïn, a leper whom Andrew has converted. The woman believes thanks to the apostle and asks for the life of her soul so that she can die in peace. Jesus gives her absolution and asks her to go and bathe in the lake. When she comes out, she is healed and blesses the Lord. He gives her his peace and leaves. The second part of the vision shows him in Capernaum. He speaks of David's bad behavior, having put a man to death to get his wife (which was reprehensible to God), and then quotes his psalm in which he repents. Then he talks about the story of Sansom in the Book of Judges. He invites man not to tempt the Lord his God, even in his goodness. He forgives, forgives, forgives, but you have to be willing not to commit your sin again. Then he speaks briefly of the Belle of Chorazeïn, whom he has healed, and asks for the charity of the citizens of Capernaum.

James of Alphaeus joins Jesus in Capernaum, along with his brother Jude. He explains that the whole family is against them, and when he learned that God had to be put above his father, he made the decision to go and find the Holy One of God. The cousins have believed from the start that he is the Messiah. Jesus welcomes him. He suffers Alphaeus' rejection, but spiritually, as the Word of God, he rejoices in this decision.

Now they have to give the tax to Matthew. Peter speaks ill of him, and it's Jesus who introduces himself to the future disciple. They have a brief exchange. Then Christ makes a speech about money and repentance.

When he has finished, he is told that Mary of Alphaeus is present. She is devastated for her Alpheus, who rejects God. She asks him for a miracle, but the Lord won't grant it, because it's not good to do so. But he does promise eternal salvation for her Alpheus, and gives words of encouragement to her aunt.

Jesus preaches in Bethsaida, accompanied by the inhabitants of Capernaum. He tells them that the powerful will do everything in their power to accuse Christ and turn them away from the Messiah. Then he tells them about the Belle of Chorazeïn, whom he healed, and affirms that he will go out to sinners again, for he is the Savior. He also insists that the women of Bethsa¨ide forgive his adulteries and the sins she has committed in the past. He doesn't want them to be tigresses, but gentle sheep. He talks for a moment about the Belle's deep repentance, then about baptism and the hypocrisy of some.

With the subject closed, Jesus talks about the co-redeemers and the fact that the angels themselves cannot suffer. He emphasizes that it is a glorious destiny to suffer, and that men surpass angels in this. Finally, he insists on purity, particularly of the eyes (the eye is the lamp of the body). Then he talks about marriage, and chastity and virginity in the couple, too. The speech ends there. He goes off to eat at Philip's house, and Matthew listens quietly.

In Capernaum, little Jeanne and Tobie are fighting over figs. The older brother has unintentionally dropped a stick on his sister, hurting her. Jesus reconciles them and picks figs for them. Then he rejoins the apostles. Peter, always true to form, grumbles because Elijah from Capernaum has passed by and has always been so unpleasant. But Jesus assures them that he will try to make peace with them by being respectful.

They arrive at the square in Capernaum and Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. The disciples are stunned, Matthew's welcome is mixed, Judas is icy. They go to the house of the publican, who wants to throw a big party for his conversion. When he leaves, Judas reproaches him and Peter tells him the truth. Jesus is stern and tells them to behave when Matthew and his friends return.

The meal is over. Three Pharisees - Elijah, Simon and Uriah - ask to enter, which Jesus allows, lest their malice exaggerate what is going on. The Pharisees are obviously contemptuous, despite Jesus' words, and leave. But Jesus says to let it be, and that their good conscience justifies them.

Jesus and the Twelve are on the lake, in two boats. They come across another Roman boat, with Mary Magdalene on board. Jesus is absorbed in his thoughts while Judas, Peter and Simon the Zealot intervene, mainly because of the Iscariot. Then the Lord asks Simon of Jonah to lead them into a separate corner. He teaches them at length about the essential lines of his doctrine.

Jesus is in Tiberias. He is guided by the shepherd Simon to the home of Kouza. He is well received, but Jeanne is dying and Jonathas, in a last desperate effort, has led her to the mountains of Lebanon. Elise, Jeanne's nurse, weeps and Jesus encourages her to have faith. He points out that he will be in Nazareth and that if Jonathas returns within six days, his mistress must be sent to her hometown.

The apostolic group arrives in Nazareth. Philip wants to give up his bed to Matthew, who refuses, and it is finally Thomas who wins the game: it is he who will give his bed to the former tax collector. The sons of Alphaeus go to see their father first. Jesus talks to Peter about them.

Christ then meets Alpheus, Anne's now grown-up boyfriend. He introduces him to his son, whom he has named Joseph. The Nazarene then tells the Messiah that his Mother is staying with Alphée. When Christ learns that the old father might mistreat Jude and James, he leaves his traveling companion to go to the house of Alphaeus. This is an unjust scene, and Jesus appeases the old man, but he won't forgive his sons for joining the Savior, and drives Jesus away. The Lord leaves him in peace, and goes to console Jude and James, who are truly afflicted. Peter too says comforting things, and Mary eventually joins him...