Simon the Zealot (apostle)

75.1 The hills are becoming much higher and woodier than those around Bethlehem and they rise continuously and eventually form a real chain of mountains.

Jesus is climbing ahead of them all and He looks around, as if He were anxious to find something. He does not speak. He listens more to the voices of the woods than to the apostles’, who are a few yards behind Him and are speaking to one another.

A bell rings in the distance, but the wind carries its ding-dong. Jesus smiles. He turns around: «I hear the bells of sheep.»

«Where, Master?»

«I think near that hillock. But the wood prevents Me from seeing.»

John, without uttering one word, takes off his tunic — they have all rolled up their mantles and are carrying them across their backs, because they feel warm — and having on only his short tunic, he throws his arms around a tall smooth trunk, which I think is an ash tree, and he climbs up… until he can see. «Yes, Master. There are many herds and three shepherds over there, behind that thicket.» He comes down, and they proceed, sure of their way.

«Will it be them?»

«We shall ask, Simon, and if they are not, they will tell us something… They know one another.»

After approximately one hundred yards, there is a large, green pasture, surrounded on all sides by huge aged trees.

75.2

Many sheep are grazing on the thick grass of the undulated meadow. Three men are watching over them. One is old: his hair is all white, of the other two, one is about thirty, the other about forty years old.

«Be careful, Master. They are herdsmen…» advises Judas, when he sees Jesus hastening His step.

But Jesus does not even answer. He goes on, tall and handsome in His white tunic, with the setting sun in front of Him. He seems an angel, so bright He is…

• John of Zebedee (apostle)
• Judas de Kérioth (apostle)
• Location - Towards Hebron
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)

• Isaac de Yutta (shepherd of the Nativity)
• Jesus Christ
• John of Zebedee (apostle)
• Lucifer - Satan
• Places - Jutta (Yutta)
• Sarah from Yutta
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Summary of EMV

«By the way. For some days I have been anxious to ask You a question. These people are Your friends and the friends of God, are they not? The angels blessed them with the peace of Heaven, did they not? They have been faithful against all temptations, have they not? Would You explain to me, then, why are they unhappy? And what about Anne? She was killed because she loved You…»

«Are you therefore deducing that to be loved by Me and to love Me brings bad luck?»

«No… but…»

«But you are. I am sorry to see you so closed to the Light and so open to human things. No, never mind John, and you too, Simon. I prefer him to speak. I never reproach. I only want you to open your souls to Me that I may enlighten them. Come here, Judas, listen.

You have an opinion which is common to many people of our times and will be common to man in future. I said: an opinion. I should say: an error. But since you do not do so out of malice, but out of ignorance of the truth, it is not an error, it is only an incorrect opinion, like a child’s. And you are like children, My poor men. And I am here, as a Master, to make adults of you, capable of distinguishing truth from lies, good from bad and what is better from what is good. Listen to Me, therefore.

What is life? It is a period of pause, I would say the limbo of Limbo, that the God Father grants you as trial to establish whether you are good or bad children, after which He will allocate, according to your deeds, a future life without pauses or trials. Now tell Me: would it be fair if a man, simply because he has been granted the rare gift of being in the position of serving God in a special way, also had an everlasting wealth throughout his life? Do you not think that he has already been granted a great deal and may therefore consider himself happy, even if human things are against him? Would it not be unfair if he, who already has the light of divine revelation in his heart and the smile of a clear conscience, should also have worldly honours and wealth? And would it not also be unwise?»

77.3

«Master, I would also say that he would be a desecrator. Why put human joys where You already are? When one has You — and they had You, they are the only rich people in Israel because they have had You for thirty years — one should have nothing else. We do not put human things on the Propitiatory… and the consecrated vase is used only for sacred uses. And these people are consecrated since the day they saw Your smile… and nothing but You is to enter their hearts, which possess You. I wish I was like them!» says Simon.

«But you wasted no time, immediately after you saw the Master and were cured, in getting back your property» Judas replies ironically.

«That is true. I said I would and I did. But do you know why? How can you judge if you do not know the whole situation? My representative was given precise instructions. Now that Simon Zealot has been healed — and his enemies can no longer harm him, neither can they persecute him because he belongs only to Jesus and to no sect: he has Jesus and nothing else — Simon can dispose of his wealth which an honest and faithful servant kept for him. And I, being the owner for a further short time, gave instructions that the estate should be reorganised, so that I would get more money when selling it and I would be able to say… no, I am not telling what.»

«The angels say it for you, Simon, and they are writing it in the eternal book» says Jesus.

Simon looks at Jesus. Their eyes meet: Simon’s express surprise, Jesus’ blessing approval.

• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Simon the Zealot and Judas

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.

• Location - Marie de Kérioth's country house (on the outskirts of Kérioth)
• Places - Kérioth
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Simon the Zealot and Judas

• Aglaé (veiled woman from Belle-Eau)
• Jesus Christ
• Locations - Between Hebron and the Terebinth Valley
• Saul of Kerioth
• Shepherds of the Nativity
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Summary of EMV

80.5 I came here. I took My soul of the Son of man and I gave it its finishing touches and I thus finished the work of thirty years of humbleness and preparation in order to be perfect when starting My mission. Now I ask you to stay with Me for a few days in this cave. Our stay will be less depressing because we shall be four friends joining in our efforts against sadness, fears, temptation and the desires of the flesh. I was by Myself. It will be less painful because it is now summer and up here the mountain winds lessen the heat. I came here at the end of the Tebeth moon and the wind blowing down from the snowy tops was harsh. It will be less trying because it will be shorter and also because we have the necessary food to satisfy our hunger and in small leather flasks that I asked the shepherds to give you, there is enough water to last us for the days of our stay. I… I must snatch two souls from Satan. It can only be done by penance. I ask you to help Me. It will be training for you. You will learn how to snatch victims from Mammon: not so much with words but with sacrifice… Words!… The satanic uproar prevents one from hearing them… Every soul which is a prey of the Enemy is enveloped in a turbine of infernal voices… Do you want to stay with Me? If you do not want to, you may go and we will meet at Tekoah, near the market.»

«No, Master, I will not leave You» says John, while Simon at the same time exclaims: «You raise us by wanting us to be with You in this redemption.» Judas… does not appear to be terribly enthusiastic. But he puts a good face on… destiny and says: «I will stay.»

«Well, take the flasks and the bags and put them inside, and before the sun gets hot, break some wood and gather it near the crevice. The nights are severe, even in summer, and not all the animals are gentle. Light a branch at once. Over there, a branch of that gummy acacia. It burns very well. We will search in the crevices and with the fire we will drive out asps and scorpions. Go.»…

• John of Zebedee (apostle)
• Judas de Kérioth (apostle)
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)

«Now listen, and you in particular, John. We are going back towards My Mother and our friends. I beg you not to mention to My Mother the harshness which has been opposed to the love of Her Son. She would suffer too much. She will suffer so much because of man’s cruelty… but do not let us give Her the chalice now. It will be so bitter when it is given to Her! So bitter that it will creep like poison into Her holy viscera and veins and will gnash them and freeze Her heart. Oh! Do not tell My Mother that Bethlehem and Hebron rejected Me like a dog! Have mercy on Her! You, Simon, are old and good, and thoughtful as you are, you will not speak, I know. You, Judas, are a Judaean, and will not speak out of patriotic pride. But you, John, are a Galilean, and young, do not commit a sin of pride, criticism and cruelty. Be silent. Later… later you will tell the rest what I now ask you to be silent about. There is already so much to be said about Christ. Why add to it what is Satan’s work against Christ? My dear friends, do you promise Me that?»

«Oh! Master! We do promise. Be certain of it.»

«Thank you. Let us go to that small oasis. There is a spring, a well full of cold water and there is shade and greenery. The road towards the river passes near it. We shall find food and refreshment till evening. By starlight, we will reach the river, the ford. And we will wait for Joseph or join him if he is already back. Let us go.»

And they set out while the first pinkish hue in the sky, in the east, announces the rising of a new day.

• John of Zebedee (apostle)
• Judas de Kérioth (apostle)
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Suffering and pain of the Virgin Mary
• The Virgin Mary

«So who is the buyer?»

«There is one in Jericho and there are many in Jerusalem. But the one in Jericho!!! He is a shrewd Levantine gold-beater, a usurer, a middleman, a pander, he is certainly a thief, probably a killer, he is definitely persecuted by Rome. He has changed his name to Isaac, to be considered a Hebrew… But his real name is Diomedes. I know him very well…»

«Yes, we see that!» intervenes Simon Zealot, who speaks little, but notices everything. And he asks: «How come you know him so well?»

«Well,… you know… In order to please certain mighty friends. I went to see him… and did some business… You know… we of the Temple…»

«I know… you do all sorts of jobs» Simon ends with cold irony. Judas flares up, but keeps silent.

«Will he buy?» asks Jesus.

«I think so. He has plenty money. Of course, one must be skilful in selling because the Greek is shrewd and if he realizes he is dealing with an honest person, with a nestling dove, he plucks him mercilessly. But if he has to deal with a vulture like himself…»

«You ought to go, Judas. You are the right man. You are as sly as a fox and as raptorial as a vulture. Oh! Forgive me, Master. I spoke before You!» says Simon Zealot again.

«I am of the same opinion, and I will therefore tell Judas to go. John, you will go with him. We will meet again at sunset, and the meeting place will be the market square. Go. And do your best.»

Judas gets up at once. John’s eyes are imploring like a chastened puppy’s. But Jesus is speaking to the shepherds and does not notice John’s imploring look. And John sets out behind Judas.

81.7 «I would like to see you happy» says Jesus.

«You will always make us happy, Master. May God bless You for it. Is that man a friend of Yours?»

«Yes, he is. Do you think he should not be?»

The shepherd John lowers his head, and keeps silent. Simon, the disciple, speaks: «Only who is good, can see. I am not good, and therefore I do not see what Bounty sees. I see the exterior. He who is good penetrates into the interior too. You, John, see as I do. But the Master is good… and sees…»

«What do you see in Judas, Simon? I want you to tell Me.»

«Well, when I look at him, I think of certain mysterious places which look like dens of wild beasts and malarial ponds. Only a huge tangle can be seen and one is frightened and keeps clear… Instead… behind it there are turtle-doves and nightingales and the soil is rich in healthy waters and beneficial herbs. I want to believe that Judas is like that… I think he must be, because You chose him. And You know…»

«Yes, I know… There are many flaws in the heart of that man… But he has some good points. You saw that yourself in Bethlehem and in Kerioth. And his good points which are humanly good are to be raised to a spiritual goodness. Judas will then be as you would like him to be. He is young…»

«Also John is young…»

«And in your heart, you conclude that he is better. But John is John! Love poor Judas, Simon, I beg you. If you love him,… he will appear to be better.»

«I endeavour to love him, for Your sake. But he breaks all my efforts as if they were water canes… But, Master, there is only one law for me: to do what You want. I will therefore love Judas, although something within me shouts against him and towards myself.»

«What, Simon?»

«I do not know exactly what it is: something that resembles the cry of the night watchman… and says to me: “Do not sleep! Watch!” I do not know. That something has no name. But it is here… in me, against him.»

«Forget about it, Simon. Do not worry about giving it a definition. It is better not to know certain truths… and you might be mistaken. Leave it to your Master. Give Me your love, and you can be sure that it makes Me happy…»

• John of Zebedee (apostle)
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Simon the Zealot and Judas

«But the last thing I said to Isaac-Diomedes was: “Remember that the Judas of the Temple no longer exists. Now I am the disciple of a holy man. Pretend therefore that you never met me, if your life is dear to you”. And I was on the point of wringing his neck because he gave me a sharp answer.»

«What did he say to you?» asks Simon, coldly.

«He said: “You, the disciple of a holy man? I will never believe it, or I will soon see your holy man here, asking for a woman”. He said: “Diomedes is an old disgrace of the world. But you are a new one. And I may still change, because I became what I am when I was old. But you will not change. You were born like that”. Filthy old man! He denies Your power, see?»

«And being a good Greek, he speaks the truth.»

«What do you mean, Simon? Are you referring to me?»

«No. I am referring to everyone. He is a man who knows gold and men’s hearts the same way. He is a thief, the most filthy of all the filthy trades. But one perceives in him the philosophy of the great Greeks. He knows man, the animal with seven sinful jaws, the octopus that suffocates goodness, honesty, love and many other things, both in itself and in others.»

«But he does not know God.»

«And would you like to teach him?»

«Yes, I would. Why? It’s the sinners that need to know God.»

«True. But… the Master must know Him to teach Him.»

«And do I not know Him?»

«Peace, My friends. The shepherds are coming. Do not let us upset their souls with our quarrels. Have you counted the money? That is enough. Fulfil all your actions as you fulfilled this one, and I repeat it once again, in future, if you can, do not tell lies, not even to accomplish a good deed.»

• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Simon the Zealot and Judas

• Jesus Christ
• Judas de Kérioth (apostle)
• Lazare
• Location - Near Jerusalem
• Pain and suffering
• Sacrifice and immolation
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Summary of EMV
• The cry of Jesus Christ