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Cleophas of Emmaus (synagogue leader)

Theme: Characters in The Gospel as it was revealed to me

Reading comfort

Aa

GRM 140

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Cleophas of Emmaus, an old man who has come to Belle-Eau, welcomes Jesus into his home. He's an old man, but he's very willing. On this occasion, Jesus meets a certain Timon and Hermas, true Israelites who ask him to present his doctrine. Jesus replies that we must follow the Decalogue, and practice love and mercy. The Lord says that Mercy has now taken precedence over Justice, but he also points out that it was always present, from the Beginning. Now, it has come to reconcile man with his Father. Next, Cleophas presents a case of incest, which is being tried by the Pharisaic authorities. In this case, the case of incest is unfortunate: the brother and sister really didn't know they were from the same lineage. To follow the Law, the man repudiated her (with a broken heart) and the woman died of grief. Now the man, named Joseph, is condemned and ostracized from Israel. He's out. Jesus declares that this was materially an involuntary fault, but that there had been no will to sin. As soon as he learns that he is in the street, he goes out and lets him know that he is Mercy. He invites him to follow him and absolves him of his involuntary fault, he who is the spotless Lamb and divine Judge.