Zacharie (father of John the Baptist) — notes (page 3/6)

GRM 22.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

[Elizabeth speaks to Mary and she says :]
«How painful it is to see him dumb, my Zacharias! But I hope that when the baby is born also the father will be freed from his punishment. Will You pray, too, since You are the Seat of the Power of God and the Cause of delight in the world. To obtain this grace I make my offers to the Lord, as best I can. I offer my creature: because it belongs to Him, as He lent it to His servant to grant her the joy of being called “mother”. It is the testimony of what God has done for me. I want his name to be “John”. Isn’t my son a grace? And didn’t God grant me it?»
«And God, I am sure, will grant you the grace. I will pray… with you.»
«I suffer so much seeing him dumb!…» Elizabeth is crying. «When he writes, as he can no longer speak to me, there seem to be mountains and oceans between me and my Zacharias. After so many years of sweet conversation, now there is nothing but silence from his mouth. And particularly now, when it would be so nice to talk about him who is about to come. I even refrain from speaking to avoid seeing him getting strained in his efforts to reply to me by gestures. I have cried so much! How much did I long for You! The people of the village watch, talk and criticise. Such is the world. But when one has a pain or a joy, one needs to be understood, not criticised. But now my life seems completely improved. I feel a joy in me since You came here. I feel that my test is about to end and that I shall soon be completely happy. I am right, am I not? I have resigned myself to everything. But if God would only forgive my husband! If I could only hear him pray once again!»

Annotation

Luke 1, 5-25 : In the days of Herod the Great, king of Judea, there was a priest of the Abia tribe named Zacharias. His wife was also a descendant of Aaron; her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God: they followed all the Lord's commandments and precepts blamelessly. They had no children, for Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now, while Zechariah, during the time allotted to the priests of his group, was ministering to God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priests, to go and offer incense in the sanctuary of the Lord. The whole multitude of people were praying outside at the time of the incense offering. The angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. At the sight of the angel, Zacharias was overwhelmed with fear.

The angel said to him: "Fear not, Zechariah, for your supplication has been heard: your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. You will rejoice and be glad, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. He will not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb; he will cause many sons of Israel to return to the Lord their God; he will go before, in the presence of the Lord, with the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, to bring back the rebellious to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare for the Lord a people well disposed."

Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How am I to know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

The angel replied: "I am Gabriel, and I stand in the presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. But behold, you will be silenced, and until the day it comes true, you will no longer be able to speak, because you have not believed my words; they will be fulfilled in their own time."

The people waited for Zechariah, wondering why he lingered in the sanctuary. When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they understood that, in the sanctuary, he had had a vision. He made signs to them and remained mute. When he had completed his time of liturgical service, he returned home. Some time later, his wife Elisabeth conceived a child. For five months, she kept the secret. She said to herself: "This is what the Lord has done for me, in these days when he has set his eyes to erase what was my shame before men."

Keywords

GRM 22.8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«No one must learn from My mouth what the goodness of the Lord has done. Certainly you are the exception, because the Spirit revealed it to you.»
«I have not mentioned it to anybody, not even to Zacharias who would have been very happy. He thinks you are a mother according to nature.»
«I know. And I decided that out of prudence. The secrets of God are holy. The angel of the Lord did not reveal My divine maternity to Zacharias. He could have done so, if God had wanted, because God knew that the time for the Incarnation of His Word in Me was already imminent. But God hid this joyful light from Zacharias, who rejected your late maternity as something impossible. I have complied with the will of God, as you have seen. You perceived the secret living in Me. He did not perceive anything. Until the screen of his incredulity does not fall before the power of God, he will be separated from supernatural lights.»
Elizabeth sighs and turns silent.

Detail

Mary tells Elizabeth about her motherhood and she says:

Keywords

GRM 22.9

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

22.9 Zacharias comes in. He offers some parchment rolls to Mary. It is the hour of prayer before supper. Mary prays in a loud voice instead of Zacharias. Then they settle down at the table.
«When You are no longer with us, how we shall regret having no longer anyone to pray for us,» says Elizabeth, looking at her dumb husband.
«You will pray then, Zacharias,» says Mary.
He shakes his head and writes: «I will never be able to pray again for other people. I became unworthy when I doubted of my God.»
«Zacharias, you will pray. God forgives.»
The old man wipes a tear and sighs.
After supper, Mary goes back to the loom.
«That’s enough!» says Elizabeth. «You will become too tired.»
«Your time is approaching, Elizabeth. I want to prepare for your child clothes worthy of him who will precede the King of the House of David.»
Zacharias writes: «Of whom will He be born? And where?»
Mary replies: «Where the Prophets said, and of whom the Eternal Father will choose. Whatever our Most High Lord does, is well done.»
Zacharias writes: «Well, in Bethlehem then! In Judah. We shall go and worship Him, woman. And You will come to Bethlehem, too, with Joseph.»
And Mary, bowing Her head over the loom says: «I will come.»
The vision ends thus.

Annotation

Luke 1, 5-25 : In the days of Herod the Great, king of Judea, there was a priest of the Abia tribe named Zacharias. His wife was also a descendant of Aaron; her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God: they followed all the Lord's commandments and precepts blamelessly. They had no children, for Elisabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now, while Zechariah, during the time allotted to the priests of his group, was ministering to God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priests, to go and offer incense in the sanctuary of the Lord. The whole multitude of people were praying outside at the time of the incense offering. The angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. At the sight of the angel, Zacharias was overwhelmed with fear.

The angel said to him: "Fear not, Zechariah, for your supplication has been heard: your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. You will rejoice and be glad, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. He will not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb; he will cause many sons of Israel to return to the Lord their God; he will go before, in the presence of the Lord, with the spirit and power of the prophet Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, to bring back the rebellious to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare for the Lord a people well disposed."

Then Zechariah said to the angel, "How am I to know that this will happen? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."

The angel replied: "I am Gabriel, and I stand in the presence of God. I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news. But behold, you will be silenced, and until the day it comes true, you will no longer be able to speak, because you have not believed my words; they will be fulfilled in their own time."

The people waited for Zechariah, wondering why he lingered in the sanctuary. When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they understood that, in the sanctuary, he had had a vision. He made signs to them and remained mute. When he had completed his time of liturgical service, he returned home. Some time later, his wife Elisabeth conceived a child. For five months, she kept the secret. She said to herself: "This is what the Lord has done for me, in these days when he has set his eyes to erase what was my shame before men."

Keywords

GRM 22.11

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Prudence forbade me to reveal the truth to Zacharias. That would have implied going beyond the work of God. And if I was His Spouse and Mother, I was still His servant, and I could not take the liberty of substituting Him and exceeding Him in a decree, simply because He had loved Me beyond measure.
Elizabeth in her holiness understood, and was silent. Because a holy person is always submissive and humble.

Keywords

GRM 23

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Birth of John the Baptist. All suffering subsides in Mary's womb.

Date of vision and dictation: Monday, April 3, 1944 (Holy Monday)

Calendar: Thursday, July 4, year -5

Location (map): Hebron

Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus

Summary: Mary and Elizabeth stroll through Zachariah's house. They walk slowly and Mary is attentive to everything. Caring for her relative, she goes to help Sarah, the servant, then invites Elizabeth to walk a little further. They go to see the doves, and Elizabeth is moved by their affection for her. Her condition makes her fear death and worry for her husband and child. Mary reassures her that all will be well, and invites her to trust in God. As Elizabeth's suffering returns, they return home. The work of the Precursor's mother begins. Mary comforts Zacharias and prays with the old man. When he falls asleep (it's the middle of the night), she takes care of him and continues her prayer.

Elizabeth calls the Virgin and asks her to place her hand on her immaculate womb. Mary soothes her, tells her to trust in God, and tells her that Jesus is there. When her cousin has calmed down, she leaves. Zachariah is still asleep. The Immaculate prays intensely, until the old priest wakes up. But John is still not born.

Mary continues to pray, and soon dawn breaks. A little later, to the great joy of both parents, John is born. Zacharias receives the child, and Mary brings him back to his mother. The baby calmed down as soon as he was on Mary's breast. Elizabeth asks her if Zacharias can speak, but unfortunately he cannot. The Virgin tells her to hope again in the Lord...

After the vision, the Full of Grace gives dictation to Maria and explains that, while she was preserved from the Fault and the pains of childbirth, her spiritual motherhood was nonetheless filled with suffering. Mary then invites us to always come to her, for she is the eternal bearer of Jesus. She prays unceasingly for us and for our salvation.

Chapter contents: 23.1: A vision of peace in the midst of dark hours. 23.2: Mary helps Elisabeth and Sarah in the garden. 23.3: She reassures an Elisabeth who is afraid of dying. 23.4: She watches over everything in the house. 23.5: Ailing Elisabeth calls her to her bedside. 23.6: She returns to reassure Zechariah. 23.7: Zechariah is nervous, Mary prays. 23.8: The boy is brought to the father. Mary brings him back to the mother. 23.9: The heartbreak of Mary's spiritual childbirth. 23.10: Come to me, the eternal bearer of Jesus.

Keywords

GRM 23.2-4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Let us take a few more steps. They will do you good.» And as Elizabeth is tired, and does not wish to move, Mary says to her: «Let us go only to see if your doves are all in their nests, and if the water in their tub is clear. We shall then go back home.»
23.3
Doves must be the favourite pets of Elizabeth. When they are in front of the rustic tower where all the doves are gathered, Elizabeth is deeply moved; in fact the hens are in the nests and the cocks are in front of them, but neither of them move, instead they all start cooing loudly when they see the two women: a gentle form of greeting. Elizabeth is overcome by the weakness of her condition and by fears that make her cry. She expresses her fears to her cousin. «If I should die… what will happen to my poor little doves? You will not be staying here. If You were to remain in my house, it would not matter if I died. I have had the greatest joy a woman can possibly have. The joy which I was no longer expecting to have, and I cannot even complain of death with the Lord, because He has overwhelmed me with His benignity, may He be blessed for it. But there is Zacharias… and then there will be the child. An old man who would feel as though he were lost in a desert without his woman. And the other is so small, that he would be like a flower, condemned to die of cold because he is without his mother. Poor baby, without the caresses of his mother!…»
«But why are you so sad? God has given you the joy of being a mother, and He will not take it away from you when it is full. Little John will receive all the kisses of his mummy, and Zacharias all the attentions of his faithful wife until the very end of his long life. You are two branches of the same tree. One will not die, leaving the other alone.»
«You are good, and You comfort me. But I am so old to have a son. And now that I am about to have one, I am afraid.»
«Oh! No! Jesus is here. We must not be afraid where Jesus is. My Child relieved your pain, you said that yourself, when He was just a newly formed bud. Now that He is becoming more and more mature, and He already lives as My Creature — I can feel in My throat the beating of His little heart, and I feel as if a little nestling with a light pulsating heart were resting on My throat — He will remove all dangers from you. You must have faith.»
«I have. But if I should die… don’t leave Zacharias straightaway. I know that You are concerned with Your own house. But please remain here a little longer to help my husband in his first days of sorrow.»
«I shall stay to take delight in your joy and in the joy of your husband, and I will leave you when you are strong and happy. But now be quiet, Elizabeth. Everything will be alright. Nothing will happen to your household while you are suffering. Zacharias will be served by the most loving maid, your flowers will be looked after, and your doves will be attended to, and you will find them all beautiful and happy to rejoice with, when their beloved mistress comes back.
23.4
Let us go in now, because you are getting pale…»
«Yes, I think I am beginning to suffer again. Perhaps my time has come. Mary, pray for me.»
«I will support you with My prayer until your labour ends in joy.»

Detail

Elizabeth is about to give birth. She is outside with Mary, who urges her to walk a little.

Keywords

GRM 23.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The two women slowly go back into the house. Elizabeth withdraws to her rooms. Mary, a capable and provident woman, gives the necessary instructions, prepares everything that may be necessary, and at the same time, She comforts Zacharias who is worried.
In the house that is sleepless that night, and where one can hear the unfamiliar voices of women called in to help, Mary is watchful like a lighthouse on a stormy night. The whole house rotates around Her, and She sees to everything, smiling sweetly. And She prays. When She is not called for this or that matter, She concentrates on prayer. She is now in the room where they always gather for their meals and to work.
Zacharias is with Her, and he sighs and walks up and down uneasily. They have already prayed together. Then Mary has continued to pray. Even now that the old man, tired, has sat down on his big chair near the table, and is quiet and sleepy, She prays. And when She sees him sleeping with his head resting on his arms crossed on the table, She takes Her sandals off to make no noise and walks barefooted and, making less noise than a butterfly fluttering around the room, She takes Zacharias’ mantle, and lays it on him so gently that he continues to sleep in the comfort of the woollen cloth that protects him from the cold air of the night that comes in, in gusts from the door, which is very often open. Then She starts praying again, and She prays more and more intensely, kneeling down, raising Her arms, when the painful cries of Elizabeth become louder.

Detail

Elisabeth paled and felt the pain returning. She is about to give birth.

Keywords

GRM 23.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

23.6 Some time goes by, and Elizabeth is in labour once again. Mary kisses her again, and goes out. She goes downstairs very quickly in the moonlight, and goes to see if the old man is still sleeping. He is sleeping, and moaning in his sleep. Mary makes a gesture of compassion, and starts to pray once again.
More time passes. The old man awakes from his sleep and lifts up his head, and he is confused, because he does not recollect why he is there. Then he remembers, makes a gesture, and utters a gutteral exclamation. He then writes: «Is he not born yet?» Mary shakes Her head in denial. Zacharias writes: «How much pain! Oh my poor woman! Will she manage without dying?»
Mary takes the hand of the old man, and reassures him: «At dawn, in a short while, the baby will be born. Everything will be alright. Elizabeth is strong. How beautiful this day will be
— it will soon be daybreak — how beautiful this day will be when the child sees the light! It will be the best day of your life! The Lord has kept aside great graces for you and your child is the announcer of them.»
Zacharias shakes his head sadly, and points to his dumb mouth. He would like to say many things, but cannot.
Mary understands, and replies: «The Lord will complete your joy. Believe in Him completely, hope in Him indefinitely, love Him totally. The Most High will grant you more than you dare hope for. He wants this total faith from you, to wash out your past mistrust. Say in your heart with me: ‘I believe’. Say it with every beat of your heart. The treasures of God are opened for those who believe in Him and in His powerful bounty.»

Keywords

GRM 23.7-8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The light begins to filter in through the partly open door. Mary opens it. Dawn makes the dewy earth completely white. There is a strong smell of humid earth and grass, and the first chirping of the birds, calling one another from branch to branch, can be heard.
The old man and Mary move towards the door. They are pale because of the sleepless night, and the light at dawn makes them look even more pale. Mary puts on Her sandals, and goes to the foot of the staircase and listens. A woman looks out, nods, and then goes back in. Nothing yet.
Mary goes into the room, and comes back with some warm milk which She gives to the old man. She goes to the doves, comes back, and disappears into the same room. Perhaps it is the kitchen. She moves around attentively. She looks as though She had slept the most perfect sleep, She is so quick and serene.
Zacharias is walking up and down the garden very nervously. Mary looks at him compassionately. She then goes again into the usual room, and kneeling near Her loom, She prays intensely, because the cries of Elizabeth are becoming sharper. She bows down to the ground imploring the Eternal Father. Zacharias comes back in, and seeing Her in this prostrate state, the poor old man cries. Mary gets up and takes him by the hand. She is so much younger than he is, but She looks as though She were the mother of the poor old desolate soul, and She consoles him.
23.8 They are standing thus, one beside the other, in the sun that makes the morning air rosy, and it is then that the joyful news reaches them: «He is born! He is born! It’s a boy! Happy father! A boy as beautiful as a rose, as beautiful as the sun, as strong and good as his mother! Joy for you, father, blessed by the Lord Who gave you a son that you may offer him to the Temple! Glory to God, Who has granted posterity to this house! Blessed are you, and your son who was born to you! May his offspring perpetuate your name for centuries, from generation to generation, and may his descendants always be in union with the Eternal Lord.»
Mary blesses the Lord weeping for joy. Then the two receive the little one, who has been brought to the father, so that he may bless him. Zacharias does not go to Elizabeth. He receives the child, who is screaming desperately, but he does not go to his wife.
Mary instead goes, carrying with love the little one, who turns quiet, as soon as She takes him in Her arms. The woman who is following Her notices this, and she says to Elizabeth: «Woman, your child turned quiet immediately, when She took him. Look how peacefully he is sleeping, and only Heaven knows how restless and strong he is. But look now! He seems a little dove.»
Mary lays the creature near his mother and caresses her, tidying up her grey hair. «The rose is born», She whispers in a low voice, «and you are alive. Zacharias is happy.»
«Does he speak?»
«Not yet. But hope in the Lord. Rest now. I am staying with you.»

Keywords

GRM 24

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Circumcision of John the Baptist. Mary is a source of grace for those who welcome the Light.

Date of vision: Tuesday, April 4, 1944 (Holy Tuesday).

Date of dictation: Tuesday, April 4, 1944. On a typed copy, Maria Valtorta notes: "The Blessed Virgin Mary dictated these words on Holy Wednesday."

Calendar: Friday, July 12, year -5

Location (map): Hebron

Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus

Summary: It's John's circumcision. Zachariah's house is crowded. They talk about the child's name, and want to give him his father's name, but Elisabeth is adamant: his name will be John. Zechariah's opinion is sought, and he writes that his name will indeed be John, "God is gracious". His tongue loosens and he says his hymn. Elizabeth is overjoyed. The circumcision takes place, and the little one calms down in the Virgin's arms. Zechariah goes to her and asks her forgiveness for not recognizing her, even though she is pregnant with the Savior. He blesses her, and the Immaculate replies that all praise must go to God. The Immaculate also asks him to pray for her, for if being the mother of the Savior is a blessed destiny, being the mother of the Redeemer must be a destiny of excruciating suffering.

In the dictation that follows, Mary explains that God forgives those who recognize their fault and repent. She invites us to rid our souls of all that weighs them down, and to welcome God's Light. The Virgin goes on to explain that those who possess God, who have God's friendship, are never alone, for even if this does not take away our suffering, He gives us light and caresses that lighten our cross. We must also know how to thank the Most High for his graces.

Finally, the Immaculate explains that we make her suffer a lot, because we reject grace. When she gives the dictation, Good Friday is approaching, so she invites us to pray in the words of her Son on the Cross. Finally, she reminds Maria that, while she sees her joys, her suffering has always grown exponentially, until she receives her dead Son in her arms.

Chapter contents: 24.1: The house in celebration. 24.2: The name. The miracle. The Benedictus. 24.3: Only Mary can soothe little John's pain on his return from circumcision. 24.4: Zacharias, now able to speak again, prostrates himself before Mary. 24.5: Mary asks for his prayers for the Coredemptrix she will become. 24.6: God forgives the repentant. 24.7: He makes pain sweet in its bitterness. 24.8: The pain of seeing an enemy of Jesus. 24.9: The mystery of Good Friday. 24.10: An ever-increasing pain.