GRM 62.2
Notes for this keyword
Places - Méron - Mérom
Theme: Places in The Gospel as it was revealed to me
Reading comfort
Aa
GRM 179.7-8.9 · Volume 3
The Gospel as revealed to me
Quotation
He then turns towards Peter and says: «Go up the river as far as you can and stop on the other side.» (...)
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.
(...) They stop first near the sepulchre and pray. After, through still semi-bare vineyards, they go to Elias’ house.
(...) They go on the road which takes them back to the river, and from there to Bethsaida.
Detail
Jesus has just finished preaching in Bethsaida. He is on the lake, with the young disciple who didn't go to his father's funeral, and speaks to Simon of Jonah.
Annotation
"Go up as high as you can and moor the boat on the other side. The first known Roman bridge on this stretch of the Jordan is in fact located 11/12 km further north(Jacob's Daughters Bridge). This bridge was destroyed in 1918.
The low hills of Bethsaida, which dip their noses into the lake, are no longer visible here, but a plain with rich harvests stretches along this bank opposite Bethsaida to the north. Correct: The plain northwest of Bethsaida is some 500m wide and 1 or 2 km long, then rises steadily to the west.
"Are we going to Merom ? We're taking this path through the fields." Merom is some 17km away, to the northwest, a 4-hour walk... Chorazeïn is barely 4km away, heading due west in a straight line from Bethsaida. Whenever possible, Jesus naturally takes the shortest route.
The fields, beautiful and well-tended, show their ears of corn, still tender but already formed. Consistent: 15 days later, Maria Valtorta remarked that they were "well formed"(EMV 190.1).
Beautiful wheat! Within a month, it will already be blond... and within two months, it will be ready to be mowed and stored. Correct: Harvest takes place at the end of April, beginning of May (according to Jean-François Lavère's chronology, we're at the end of February and the beginning of March). In 2 months' time, it's the episode of the stolen ears of corn on the Sabbath(EMV 217.3).
We've now arrived at Chorazeïn. That's right: coming from the north of Bethsaida, it's only at the last moment, after rounding the hill, that we can see Chorazeïn, located on the southern slope.
- Master... I remind you of what you said at my house. You spoke so well! But I'm starting to get clouds in my head as confused as they are up there. Jesus advised the apostles to ask him about his Word, so that he could explain it to them, in EMV 179.3.
When they arrive in Chorazeïn, Isaac's house is the first they see. This is Isaac the Adult, an old man from Chorazeïn whose daughter Jesus has healed.
They retrace their steps to the river, and from there to Bethsaida. Consistent: in the next chapter we discover that they spend the evening in Bethsaida. It only takes them 2h30 / 3h00 to make this round trip in the afternoon.