Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)

Jesus begins to walk again and His attention is drawn by two eyes staring at Him, the eyes of a tall strong young man who has stopped to let the train of followers pass, as he seems to be going in a different direction. Jesus says to him: «Follow Me.»

The young man starts, changes colour, blinks as if he were dazzled by light, then opens his mouth to speak but cannot find an immediate reply. At last he says: «I will follow You. But my father died at Korazim and I must bury him. Let me do that and then I will come.»

«Follow Me. Leave the dead to bury their dead. You have already been attracted by Life. On the other hand, you aspired that. Do not weep over the gap Life opened around you to make you a disciple. The maiming of affection is the root of the wings which are born of a man who has become a servant of the Truth. Leave corruption to its own fate. Rise towards the Kingdon of the incorrupt. You will also find the incorruptible pearl of your father there. God calls and passes by. Tomorrow you would no longer find your heart of today or God’s invitation. Come. Go and announce the Kingdom of God.»

The man is leaning against a low wall with his arms hanging by his sides: he is holding two bags, full of perfumes and bandages, his head is lowered in thought, wavering between two loves: for God and for his father.

Jesus waits and looks at him, he then gets hold of a little child clasps him to His heart saying: «Say with Me: “I bless You, o Father, and I invoke Your light for those who weep in the haze of life. I bless You, o Father, and I invoke Your strength for those who are like a child in need of support. I bless You, o Father, and I invoke Your love that it may cause men to forget everything which is not Yourself, as they can find all good in You, both here and in Heaven, although they cannot believe it”.» And the child, an innocent boy about four years old, repeats in his thin voice the holy words with his hands held in prayer by the right hand of Jesus, Who holds them by their plump, wrists as if they were two flower stems.

The man makes up his mind. He hands the two bundles to a companion and comes towards Jesus, Who puts down the child after blessing him, and embraces the young man, proceeding thus with him, to comfort him and support him in his effort.

(...) They reach the shore. Jesus goes on board Peter’s boat and whispers a few words to him. I see Jesus smile while Peter makes a gesture expressing amazement. But He does not say anything. Also the man who did not go to bury his father in order to follow Jesus, gets into the boat.

• Death and loss of a loved one - Bereavement
• Deceased
• Discipleship - Following Jesus Christ
• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)
• Family
• Family martyrdom
• Jesus Christ and children
• Let the dead bury their dead
• Moral martyrdom
• Parents and children

«Coming here from Capernaum I was thinking what I should tell you and I found an indication in the events of this morning.

You saw three men come to Me. One came spontaneously, the second because I urged him, the third came because of a sudden enthusiasm. And you also saw that I took only two of them. Why? Did I perhaps see a traitor in the third one? No, in truth. But I saw that he was unprepared. To all appearances, this one here beside Me, the one who was going to bury his father, seemed more unprepared. Instead the most unprepared was the third one. This one was so prepared, without being aware of it, that he was able to make a really heroic sacrifice.

Heroism in following God is always evidence of strong spiritual preparation. And that is the explanation of certain surprising events that take place around Me. Those who are most prepared to receive Christ, whichever their caste and education might be, come to Me with absolute promptitude of faith. Those who are less prepared examine Me as an exceptional man or they study Me with suspicion or curiosity, or they attack and defame Me accusing Me in various ways. The different ways of behaviour are proportional to the unprepared nature of spirits.

• Discipleship - Following Jesus Christ
• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)
• Heroism
• The three men who wanted to follow Jesus

He then turns towards Peter and says: «Go up the river as far as you can and stop on the other side.» And while the two boats sail a short distance up the river and then stop near the bank, Jesus sits down and asks the new disciple: «Who is left at home now?»

«My mother and the eldest brother, who has been married for five years. My sisters are in various parts of the region. My father was very good and my mother mourns his death broken-heartedly.» The young man stops all of a sudden, stifling heartfelt sobs.

Jesus grabs his hand and says: «I experienced that sorrow Myself and I saw My Mother weep. So I can understand…»

The rubbing of the boat on the pebbly river-bed causes the conversation to be interrupted to allow them to go ashore. The low hills of Bethsaida, which almost reach down to the lake, have come to an end here, instead a plain rich in crops extends from the shore, on the other side of Bethsaida, northwards.

«Are we going to Merom?» asks Peter.

«No, let us take this path among the fields.»

The lovely and well kept fields show ears of corn still tender but well formed, all of the same height; and, while lightly undulating in the cool northern breeze, they look like another small lake, the sails of which are the trees growing here and there full of whistling birds.

«These fields are not like the ones of the parable» remarks Jesus’ cousin James.

«Not really! The birds have not devastated them, there are no stone, no bramble. The corn is beautiful! In a month’s time it will be golden… and in two it will be ready for the sickle and the granary» says Judas of Kerioth.

«Master… I remind You of what You said in my house. You spoke so well. But I am beginning to have ideas in my head that are as confused as those ruffled clouds up there…» says Peter.

«This evening I will explain it to you.

179.8

Now we are in sight of Korazim.» And Jesus stares at the new disciple saying: «Much is given to those who give. And possessions do not deprive the gift of its merits. Take Me to the sepulchre of your family and to your mother’s house.»

The young man kneels down kissing Jesus’ hand and weeping.

«Get up. Let us go. My spirit has perceived your weeping. I want to fortify you in your heroism through My love.»

«Isaac the Elder had told me how good You were. Isaac, You know? You cured his daughter. He was my apostle. But I see that Your Kindness is much greater than I was told.»

«We shall call also on the Elder to thank him for giving Me a disciple.»

They reach Korazim and Isaac’s house is the first one they find. The old man, who is on his way back home, when he sees Jesus with His apostles and the young man from Korazim among them, raises his arms, holding his walking stick in his hand, and is speechless and dumbfounded. Jesus smiles and His smile gives speech back to the old man.

«May God bless You, Master! Why so much honour to me?»

«To say “Thanks” to you.»

«But what for, my God? I have to say that word to You. Come in. Oh! I am sorry that my daughter is absent, assisting her mother-in-law. Because she got married, You know? I have received nothing but blessings after I met You! After she was cured that rich relative of ours came from far away, a widower, with the little ones needing a mother… Oh! But I have already told You all that! My head is old! Forgive me!»

«Your head is wise and forgets to be proud of the good it does for its Master. To forget the good done is wisdom. It shows humility and trust in God.»

«But I… I would not know…»

«And this disciple… have I not had him through you?»

«Oh!… But I have done nothing, You know? I only told him the truth… and I am happy that Elias is with You.» He turns towards Elias and says: «Your mother, after the first moment of astonishment, was relieved when she heard that you were with the Master. The last honours rendered to your father were really solemn. He has not been long buried.»

«And what about my brother?»

«He is quiet… you know… he was rather upset by your absence… because of the village people… He still has that mentality…»

The young man turns to Jesus: «You said so. But I would not like him to be dead… Let him become alive as I am, and at Your service.»

The others do not understand and they look at one another inquisitively, but Jesus replies: «Do not despair, but persevere.» He blesses Isaac and goes away, notwithstanding he entreats Him to stay.

179.9

They stop first near the sepulchre and pray. After, through still semi-bare vineyards, they go to Elias’ house.

The meeting of the two brothers is rather a cold one. The elder feels offended and wants people to notice it. The younger feels guilty from a human point of view and does not react. But the arrival of their mother, who without saying anything prostrates herself and kisses the hem of Jesus’ tunic, brightens the atmosphere and their spirits. And they want to honour the Master But Jesus does not accept anything, He only says: «Let your heart be just, one towards the other, as just was he whom you are mourning. Do not give a human sense to what is super-human: death and the election to a mission. The soul of your just father was not upset seeing that this son was not present at the burial of his body, but it rested quietly on the certainty of Elias’ future. Do not let worldly thoughts disturb the grace of the election. If the world was surprised at not seeing him near his father’s coffin, the angels exulted seeing him beside the Messiah. Be just. And may that comfort you mother. You brought him up wisely and he has been called by Wisdom. I bless you all. Peace be with you now and always.»

They go on the road which takes them back to the river, and from there to Bethsaida. Elias did not delay even for one moment on the threshold of his father’s house. After kissing his mother goodbye, he followed the Master with the simplicity of a child who follows his real father.

• Anonymous characters
• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)
• Isaac de Jonas, nicknamed the Adult of Chorazeïn

«The disciples! We must be careful with the new ones!» exclaims Philip.

The new disciple feels hurt and asks: «Are you in doubt about me? He chose me and wanted me.»

«Not about you. I mean the scribes and Pharisees and their worshippers. That is where the trouble will come from, believe me.»

They go out, some towards the boats, some towards the olive-trees on the hills, and it all ends.

• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)

Une aube claire fait briller comme des perles les eaux du lac et enveloppe les collines d’une brume légère. A travers ce voile de mousseline, les oliviers et les noyers, les maisons et les villages, juchés sur les sommets arrondis qui environnent le lac, appa­raissent embellis. Les barques glissent tranquillement et sans bruit en direction de Capharnaüm. Mais, à un certain moment, Pierre tourne la barre du gouvernail si brusquement que la barque penche d’un côté.

« Que fais-tu ? demande André.

– Je vois la barque d’un hibou ! Elle sort maintenant de Capharnaüm. J’ai de bons yeux et, depuis hier soir, un flair de fin limier. Je ne veux pas qu’ils nous voient. Je retourne au fleuve. Nous irons à pied. »

L’autre barque a elle aussi suivi la manœuvre, mais Jacques, qui tient la barre, demande à Pierre :

« Pourquoi as-tu fait cela ?

– Je te le dirai. Suis-moi. »

Jésus, qui est assis à la poupe, se réveille quand il est presque à la hauteur du Jourdain.

« Mais que fais-tu, Simon ? lui demande-t-il.

– On descend ici. Il y a un chacal en vue. On ne peut pas aller à Capharnaüm aujourd’hui. Je vais y aller, moi d’abord, pour me rendre compte. Simon et Nathanaël viennent avec moi : trois personnes dignes contre trois indignes… si du moins les indignes ne sont pas plus nombreux.

– Ne vois pas des pièges partout, maintenant ! N’est-ce pas la barque de Simon le pharisien ?

– C’est bien elle.

– Il n’était pas à la capture de Jean.

– Moi, je n’en sais rien.

– Il est toujours respectueux à mon égard.

– Je n’en sais rien.

– Tu me fais paraître lâche.

– Je n’en sais rien. »

Bien que Jésus n’ait pas envie de rire, il doit sourire devant ce saint entêtement de Pierre.

« Mais nous devrons quand même aller à Capharnaüm. Si ce n’est pas aujourd’hui, ce sera plus tard…

– Je t’ai dit que j’y allais d’abord, moi, et je me rendrai compte et… le cas échéant… je ferai encore cette… ce sera une belle couleuvre à avaler… mais je le ferai par amour pour toi… J’irai… j’irai chez le centurion lui demander sa protection…

– Mais non, il ne faut pas ! »

La barque s’arrête sur une petite plage déserte en face de Bethsaïde. Tous descendent.

« Venez, vous deux. Viens toi aussi, Philippe. Vous, les jeunes, restez ici, Nous aurons vite fait. »

Elie, le nouveau disciple, supplie :

« Viens chez moi, Maître. Je serais si heureux de te donner l’hospitalité…

– Je viens. Simon, tu me rejoindras chez Elie. Adieu, Simon. Va. Mais sois bon, prudent et miséricordieux. Viens, que je t’embrasse et te bénisse. »

Pierre ne promet pas d’être bon, ni patient, ni miséricordieux. Il se tait et échange un baiser avec son Maître. Simon le Zélote, Barthélemy et Philippe échangent eux aussi un baiser d’adieu et les deux groupes se séparent en prenant deux directions opposées.

• André (apostle)
• Barthélémy - Nathanaël (apostle)
• Centurion of Capernaum (Roman officer)
• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)
• James of Zebedee (apostle)
• Jean-Baptiste
• Philip (apostle)
• Places - Capharnaüm
• Simon of Capernaum (Pharisee)
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Simon-Pierre - Simon de Jonas (apostle)

The crowds gather in Elias’ little kitchen garden requesting Jesus to speak to them. And although He is not inclined to do so, sad as He is because of the Baptist’s capture and the way it happened, He yields and begins to speak in the shade of the trees.

• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)
• Jean-Baptiste
• Locations - Corozaïn - Chorazeïn

The crowds slowly disperse. The eight apostles, Elias, his brother and mother, old Isaac, whose soul rejoices seeing his Saviour, stay in the kitchen garden.

• André (apostle)
• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)
• Isaac de Jonas, nicknamed the Adult of Chorazeïn
• James of Alphaeus (apostle)
• James of Zebedee (apostle)
• John of Zebedee (apostle)
• Judas de Kérioth (apostle)
• Jude of Alphée (apostle)
• Matthew (apostle)
• Thomas (apostle)

«Let us go to the house. The sun is already too warm. It looks as if there is going to be a storm. And you are tired because of the sleepless night.»

«The rooms in the house are high, large and cool. You will be able to rest» says Elias.

They go up the outside staircase. But only the apostles lie down on the mats to rest. Jesus goes out onto the terrace, a corner of which is shaded by a very tall oak-tree, and becomes engrossed in thought.

• Creation - Flore
• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)
• Locations - Corozaïn - Chorazeïn

Jesus says goodbye to the hospitable family and also to the new disciple, to whom He must have given some instructions.

• Elie de Corozaïn (Elie de Chorazeïn)