Notes for this theme

Characters in The Gospel as it was revealed to me

Page 193 of 223

Reading comfort

GRM 196.7 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Tell us more about Your Mother. Her childhood is so bright! The very reflection of that brilliance makes our souls pure, and I, a poor sinner, need that light so badly!» exclaims Matthew.
«What shall I tell you? There are so many episodes, one more touching than the other…»
«Did She tell You about them?»
«Yes, some. But Joseph told Me many more, as the most beautiful stories he could tell a child, and also Alphaeus of Sarah, who was a few years older than My Mother, and was Her friend during the short period She was at Nazareth…»

Keywords

Joseph of Jacob (Saint Joseph)

GRM 196.7 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

It was not easy to see Mary every day, as She lived mostly at home, where She loved a little grotto more than any other place, and even nowadays She calls it “the grotto of Her nuptials”. So when She appeared outside, fair-haired, rosy and kind, She was overwhelmed by caresses. They used to call Her “the Flower of Nazareth” or “the Pearl of Galilee” or also “the Peace of God” in remembrance of a huge rainbow, which suddenly appeared as soon as She was born. She was in fact all that, and much more. She is the Flower of Heaven and of creation, the Pearl of Paradise and the Peace of God… Yes, the Peace of God. I am the Peaceful One because I am the Son of the Father and the Son of Mary: the Infinite Peace and the sweet Peace.

Detail

During the Virgin Mary's childhood, in Nazareth.

Keywords

Birth of the Virgin Mary

GRM 196.8 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Did Joachim and Anne know that She was the chosen Virgin?» asks Judas Iscariot.
«No, they did not know.»
«In that case, how could Joachim say that God had saved Her in advance? Does that not refer to Her privilege over sin?»
«Yes, it does. But Joachim spoke inspired by God, like all the prophets. He himself did not understand the sublime supernatural truth that the Spirit spoke through his lips. Because Joachim was just. So just as to deserve that paternity. And he was humble. There is no justice where there is pride. He was just and humble. He comforted his Daughter out of fatherly love. He taught her through his wisdom of a priest, as he was such as a guardian of the Ark of God. As a Pontiff he consecrated Her with the sweetest title: “The Immaculate One”. And the day will come when another grey haired Pontiff will say to the world: “She is the Immaculate Conception” and will give this truth to the world of believers, as a dogma which cannot be rejected, so that the Most Beautiful Virgin of God, crowned with stars, clad with the rays of the moon, which are not so pure as She is, brighter than all stars, the Queen of Creation and of God, may shine, fully revealed, in the world which in those days will be sinking deeper and deeper in the grey fog of heresies and vices. Because God-King has as His Queen, in His Kingdom, Mary.»
«So Joachim was a prophet?»
«He was a just man. His soul repeated like an echo what God said to his soul which was loved by God.»

Detail

In EMV 196.3, Jesus recounted the episode in EMV 7.5, with Joachim and Mary.

Annotation

The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception was proclaimed by Pius IX on December 8, 1854 with the bull Ineffabilis Deus. It was an age-old subject of controversy, and one of the reasons for the fierce opposition of established theology to Maria de Ágreda, who expressed this revelation in her visions.

(...) The All-Beautiful of God, crowned with stars, clothed with the rays of the moon less pure than herself, and supported by the stars, the Queen of the created and the uncreated; for, in his Kingdom, God-King has Mary as his Queen. Cf. Revelation 12:1-2.

Book of Revelation 12, 1-2

Ap 12, 1-2 : "A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and cried out in labor and the pains of childbirth."

Keywords

GRM 196.9 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«When are we going to this Mother, my Lord?» asks Jabez with eager eyes.
«This evening. What will you say to Her when you see Her?»
«“I greet You, Mother of the Saviour”. Is that all right?»
«Very good» confirms Jesus caressing him.
«But are we going to the Temple today?» asks Philip.
«We shall go there before leaving for Bethany. And you will stay here and be a good boy. Will you not?»
«Yes, my Lord.»
The wife of Jonah, the caretaker of the olive-grove, who has come near very quietly says: «Why don’t you take him. The boy is anxious to come…»
Jesus stares at her without saying anything.
The woman understands and says: «I see! I should still have a little mantle belonging to Mark. I will look for it» and she runs away.
Jabez pulls John’s sleeve: «Will the teachers be severe?»
«Oh! no. Don’t be afraid. In any case it is not today. In a few days’ time, with His Mother, you will be more learned than a doctor» John comforts him.
The others hear and smile at Jabez’ concern.
«But who will present him as if he were his father?» asks Matthew.
«Of course I will! Unless… the Master wishes to present him» says Peter.
«No, Simon. I will not present him. I leave that honour to you.»
«Thank You, Master. But… You will be there, too?»
«Certainly. We shall all be there. He is “our” boy…»
Mary of Jonah comes back with a dark violet mantle, which is still good. But what a colour! She says so herself: «Mark never wanted to wear it because he did not like the colour.»
No wonder! It is vile! And poor Jabez with his olive complexion looks ghastly in the violent violet colour. But he cannot see himself… and he is therefore happy to have the mantle in which he can drape himself like an adult.
«The meal is ready, Master. The woman has taken the lamb off the spit just now.»
«Let us go, then.»
And going down from the place where they were, they go into the large kitchen for their meal.

Detail

Jesus has just spoken of the Virgin Mary.

Keywords

GRM 197 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Peter is really stately while entering the enclosure of the Temple, acting as the father of Jabez, whom he is holding by the hand. He is walking so erect that he looks even taller than he really is.
All the others are behind him, in a group. Jesus is last and is engaged in close conversation with John of Endor, who seems to be ashamed to enter the Temple.
Peter asks his protege: «Have you ever been here before?» and the boy replies: «When I was born, father. But I do not remember» which makes Peter laugh heartily. Also the others, when they are told by Peter, laugh and say gently and wittily: «Perhaps you were sleeping and so…» or «We are all like you. We do not remember when we came here when we were born.»

Detail

The Twelve are present in this chapter, although they are not all named.

Keywords

GRM 197.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Peter is really stately while entering the enclosure of the Temple, acting as the father of Jabez, whom he is holding by the hand. He is walking so erect that he looks even taller than he really is.
All the others are behind him, in a group. Jesus is last and is engaged in close conversation with John of Endor, who seems to be ashamed to enter the Temple.
Peter asks his protege: «Have you ever been here before?» and the boy replies: «When I was born, father. But I do not remember» which makes Peter laugh heartily. Also the others, when they are told by Peter, laugh and say gently and wittily: «Perhaps you were sleeping and so…» or «We are all like you. We do not remember when we came here when we were born.»

Annotation

Peter asks his little protégé, "Have you never been there?" eliciting this reply, "When I was born, Father, but I don't remember." For the ceremony of his presentation in the Temple and the purification of his mother.

Keywords

GRM 197.1-2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Peter is really stately while entering the enclosure of the Temple, acting as the father of Jabez, whom he is holding by the hand. He is walking so erect that he looks even taller than he really is.
All the others are behind him, in a group. Jesus is last and is engaged in close conversation with John of Endor, who seems to be ashamed to enter the Temple.
Peter asks his protege: «Have you ever been here before?» and the boy replies: «When I was born, father. But I do not remember» which makes Peter laugh heartily. Also the others, when they are told by Peter, laugh and say gently and wittily: «Perhaps you were sleeping and so…» or «We are all like you. We do not remember when we came here when we were born.»
197.2
Also Jesus asks John of Endor the same question and gets a similar reply. In fact John says to Him: «We were proselytes and my mother carried me here in her arms, just at Passover, because I was born early in Adar and my mother, who came from Judaea, set out as soon as she was able to, to offer her son to the Lord in good time. Perhaps too early, because she was taken ill and never recovered. I was under two years of age when I lost my mother. The first misfortune in my life. I was her first-born, I became her only child because of her disease, and she was very proud to die having complied with the Law. My father used to say to me: “She died a happy death because she had offered you to the Temple”… Poor mother! What did you offer? A future murderer…»
«John, do not say that. You were Felix then, now you are John. Bear in mind the great grace that God granted you, always remember that. Forget your past debasement… Did you not come back to the Temple again?»
«Oh! Yes. When I was twelve years old and always after that, as long as… I was able to… Later, when I could have come, I did not, because I told You that I worshipped only one thing: Hatred… And that is why I dare not proceed further here. I feel like a stranger in the House of the Father… I have abandoned it for too long…»
«You are coming back to it led by the hand by Me Who am the Son of the Father. If I am taking you up to the altar, it means that I know that everything has been forgiven.»
John of Endor sobs deeply and says: «Thank You, my God.»
«Yes, thank the Most High. Can you not see that your mother, a true Israelite, had a prophetic spirit? You are the son sacred to the Lord and never ransomed. You are Mine, you belong to God, you are a disciple and thus a future priest of your Lord in the new era and in the new religion, which will be called after Me. I absolve you of everything, John. Proceed confidently towards the Holy. I solemny tell you that among those who live in this enclosure there are many more guilty and less worthy than you to go near the altar…»

Annotation

I was born in the first days of Adar. So in mid-February.

Keywords

GRM 197.3 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Peter in the meantime is busy showing the boy the most noteworthy things in the Temple, but he asks the more learned ones, particularly Bartholomew and Simon, to help him, because in the fulfilment of his duty as a father he feels more at ease with the elder ones.

Keywords

GRM 197.3-4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Peter in the meantime is busy showing the boy the most noteworthy things in the Temple, but he asks the more learned ones, particularly Bartholomew and Simon, to help him, because in the fulfilment of his duty as a father he feels more at ease with the elder ones.
They are near the treasury to make their offering when Joseph of Arimathea calls them. «You are here? When did you arrive?» he asks after greeting them.
«Yesterday evening.»
«And the Master?»
«He is over there, with a new disciple. He is coming.»
Joseph looks at the boy and asks Peter: «One of your grandsons?»
«No… yes… well: nothing by blood, a great deal by faith, everything by love.»
«I do not understand…»
«He is a little orphan… so nothing by blood. A disciple, therefore a great deal by faith. A son… so everything by love. The Master took him… and I caress him. He will be coming of age in the next few days…»
«Already twelve years old? And so small?»
«Eh!… The Master will tell you… Joseph, you are good… one of the few good people in here… Tell me… would you help me in this matter? You know… I am presenting him as if he were my son. But I am a Galilean and I am a nasty leper…»
«A leper?!» exclaims Joseph inquisitively moving away in fright.
«Don’t be afraid! I am a leper because I belong to Jesus! The most loathesome form of leprosy for those of the Temple, with a few exceptions.»
«No! Don’t say that!»
«It’s the truth and we must admit it… So I am afraid they will be cruel to the boy because of me and because of Jesus. In any case I do not know how much he knows of the Law, of the Halascia, the Haggadha and of the Midrasciots. Jesus says that he knows quite a lot…»
«Well, if Jesus says so! Don’t be afraid!»
«Only to cause me trouble they would…»
«You are very fond of this little fellow! Do you keep him with you all the time?»
«I cannot!… I am always about… The boy is too young and delicate…»
«But I would willingly come with you…» says Jabez who has been reassured by Joseph’s caresses.
Peter is bright with joy… But he says: «The Master says that we must not do that and we will not do it… But we shall meet now and again just the same… Joseph… will you help me?»
«Of course, I will! I will come with you. They will not do him an injustice in front of me. When?
197.4
Oh! Master! Give me Your blessing!»
«Peace to you, Joseph. I am happy to see you and I am glad that you are in good health.»
«I am happy, too, Master, and also Your friends will be pleased to see You. Are You staying at Gethsemane?»
«I was there, but after the prayer I am going to Bethany.»
«To Lazarus’?»
«No, to Simon’s. My Mother, the mother of My brothers and the mother of John and James are also there. Will you come and see Me?»
«Are You asking me? I will come with great joy and it is a great honour, for which I thank You. I will come with some friends…»
«Be careful, Joseph, with friends!…» suggests Simon Zealot.
«Oh! You already know them. Prudence teaches: “Do not let the air know”. But when you see them you will understand that they are friends.»
«Well…»
«Master, Simon of Jonah was telling me about the ceremony for the little one. You arrived when I was asking when you intend having it. I want to be there, too.»
«On the Wednesday before Passover. I want him to keep Passover as a son of the Law.»
«Very good. That is settled. I will come and join you at Bethany. But I will come with my friends on Monday.»
«Agreed.»
«Master, I must leave You. Peace be with You. It is the hour of incense.»
«Goodbye, Joseph. Peace be with you.»

Annotation

I don't know how he knows the Law, the Halakha, the Haggadah and the Midrashim. Jesus says he knows enough... To safeguard the Law, the religious and legal basis of the Jewish community, the rabbis surrounded it, after the exile, with an exegesis called Midrash (Interpretation). Midrashim are commentaries on passages of Scripture. Renowned authors of these midrashic traditions include Hillel, Schammei and Gamaliel.

Midrash also refers to the branch of rabbinic knowledge that deals with the rules of traditional (written) law, as opposed to the Mishnah (oral tradition). This interpretation of the Mosaic Law gave rise to new prescriptions, rules of conduct to be followed in worship and law (the Halâkoth). The interpretation of the historical parts of the Pentateuch gave rise to stories and legends(the Haggadah). However, in deference to the Mosaic Law, these midrashim were only to be passed down from generation to generation orally, although their authority came to practically equal that of the Law.

Time for incense. The incense burned in the Temple in the morning and evening, as prescribed in Exodus 30:7-8.

Book of Exodus 30, 7-8

Ex 30, 7-8 : Every morning, when Aaron comes to tend the lamps, he shall burn incense on them. And at sunset, when he lights the lamps, he will burn incense again. From generation to generation, incense will go up perpetually before the Lord.

Keywords

GRM 197.4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Oh! Master! Give me Your blessing!»
«Peace to you, Joseph. I am happy to see you and I am glad that you are in good health.»
«I am happy, too, Master, and also Your friends will be pleased to see You. Are You staying at Gethsemane?»
«I was there, but after the prayer I am going to Bethany.»
«To Lazarus’?»
«No, to Simon’s. My Mother, the mother of My brothers and the mother of John and James are also there. Will you come and see Me?»
«Are You asking me? I will come with great joy and it is a great honour, for which I thank You. I will come with some friends…»
«Be careful, Joseph, with friends!…» suggests Simon Zealot.
«Oh! You already know them. Prudence teaches: “Do not let the air know”. But when you see them you will understand that they are friends.»
«Well…»
«Master, Simon of Jonah was telling me about the ceremony for the little one. You arrived when I was asking when you intend having it. I want to be there, too.»
«On the Wednesday before Passover. I want him to keep Passover as a son of the Law.»
«Very good. That is settled. I will come and join you at Bethany. But I will come with my friends on Monday.»
«Agreed.»
«Master, I must leave You. Peace be with You. It is the hour of incense.»
«Goodbye, Joseph. Peace be with you.»

Detail

Jesus meets Joseph of Arimathea.