GRM 37.1-2
The Gospel as revealed to me
Quotation
Joseph watches and takes an interest as if it were a very serious matter. He then suggests to make a small lake, the following day, but not with an old cracked pot, but with a small wooden basin well coated with pitch and stucco, in which Jesus would be able to launch small real wooden boats which Joseph would teach Him how to make.
37.2 Just then, he was bringing Him some small working tools suitable for Him, that He might learn to use them, without any fatigue.
«So I will be able to help you!» Jesus says, smiling.
«So You will help me, and You will become a clever carpenter. Come and see them.»
And they go into the workshop. Joseph shows Him a small hammer, a tiny saw, some very small screwdrivers, a plane suitable for a doll, which are all lying on the bench of a budding carpenter: a bench suitable for little Jesus’ size.
«See, to saw, You must put this piece of wood like that. You then take the saw like that, and making sure that You do not catch Your fingers, You start sawing. Try…»
And the lesson begins. And Jesus, blushing with the effort and pressing His lips together, saws the piece of wood carefully and then planes it, and although it is not perfectly straight, He thinks it is nice. Joseph praises Him and with patience and love teaches Him how to work.
Detail
Context: Jesus, who is about five years old, plays in the garden but fails to create a small lake in the ground.
Challenge: Screwdrivers don't exist.
Editor's note on the screwdriver: in reality, the screw and the screwdriver did not exist at the time. In fact, they must have been small, old-fashioned wood chisels, i.e. an iron rod with a flattened, sharpened end, to which a wooden handle was fitted for easy manoeuvring. In 42.2, Maria clarifies her uncertainty by adding: "me semble-t-il" ("it seems to me").