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Maria Valtorta and her work

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GRM 177

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: The healing of the Centurion's servant.

Date of vision: Saturday, June 2, 1945.

Calendar: Sunday, February 20, 28 (7 Adar I 3788).

Location (map): Capernaum

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: Jesus arrives in Capernaum and meets the Roman centurion. The Roman asks Jesus to heal him, but he has so much faith that he believes Jesus can heal him from a distance. The notables of Capernaum ask the Master to accede to his request, and Jesus reiterates his proposal to go to his house. The centurion confessed that if he said just one word, his servant would be healed. Everything happened just as he had wished: Jesus performed the miracle, and declared to the Jews that all nations would come to him, as Isaiah had prophesied. Better still, the pagans will surpass Israel. Jesus then leaves for his home in Capernaum.

Chapter contents: 177.1: The Roman centurion approaches Jesus, whom he has heard preach. 177.2 : He asks for the healing of a servant. 177.3 : The local notables appreciate this Roman. Jesus heals the servant from a distance. 177.4: Speech: the nations will flock. 177.5 : The centurion is asked to verify the healing.

Former edition: Volume 3, chapter 37

GRM 178

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Three men who want to follow Jesus.

Date of vision: Sunday, June 3, 1945

Calendar: Monday, February 21, 28 (8 Adar I 3788) according to maria-valtorta.org or Wednesday, March 1, 28 according to Valtorta.fr

Locations (map):Capernaum

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: Jesus makes his way with difficulty to the shore of Lake Tiberias, as the crowds hold him back. But Christ belongs to everyone, and many must have him. So he promises he'll be back. By the time he reaches Peter's boat, three men accost him. The first, having been won over by the Lord's words, promises to follow him. He asks what route he intends to take, and is not satisfied with Jesus' first answer - that he is taking the road to Heaven. When he asks in which houses he will stop, Jesus replies that the Son of Man has no place to lay his head, and the man understands that his home is everywhere. The Master then reminds us that we must be sacrificial, obedient, charitable to all, and heal the wounds of our brothers, without distancing ourselves from them because they are in the mud. His interlocutor asks him to try to follow his way, and Jesus actually encourages him to try.

The second man is challenged by the Savior. Christ urges him to follow, but Elijah has lost his father, and Jesus tells him to "let the dead bury their dead". He teaches that the mutilation of affections can serve to give wings to God's servant. As the man ponders, he has a little child pray aloud, and the youngster makes up his mind. Jesus supports him in his effort.

Finally, a third asks him to follow him after saying goodbye to his parents. But there's still too much humanity in him. He has to uproot the roots that are still too deep in the human, and if he can't, he has to pull them out. For to be a disciple, one must be totally free in spirit, and God is demanding. So you have to know how to carry your cross and put your hand to the plough without looking back. Jesus invites this person to work on himself before following him. Then the Master climbs into Peter's boat.

Chapter contents: 178.1: Jesus walks with difficulty through the crowd to the shore. 178.2: A scribe who hesitates to follow Jesus replies: Foxes have their dens, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. 178.3: A young man makes up his mind, leaving the dead to bury the dead. 178.4 : A third man will come later: No one who has put his hand to the plough can look back at what he has left.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 38

GRM 178

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

The vision of June 3, 1945 is preceded by Maria Valtorta's reflections on Pius XII's speech commenting on the defeat of Germany, formalized a month ago by the armistice of May 8, 1945. This text is inserted, as of today's date, in the Cahiers de 1945 à 1950.

GRM 179

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: The parable of the sower. At Chorazeïn with Elijah, the new disciple.

Date of vision: Monday, June 4, 1945

Calendar: Monday, February 21, 28 (8 Adar I 3788) according to maria-valtorta.org or Wednesday, March 1, 28 according to Valtorta.fr

Locations (map):Bethsaida, then Chorazeïn. Jesus then returns to Bethsaida, to Peter's house.

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: Jesus gives a little dictation to explain why the city no longer appears to be on the shores of the lake, but inland. This is explained by the twenty centuries of alluvial deposits brought down by the river and the scree that came down from the Bethsaida hills. Then the vision begins, and Maria sees Jesus and the Twelve land in Bethsaida. They go to her house in Bethsaida, which is not her mother-in-law's in Capernaum. Porphyria is also there.

Peter is very happy, but very grumpy, because they're asking for the Master, and the apostle would like to have him all to himself. He finally confesses that he feels he has retained nothing of Jesus' teachings. When he hears him, he understands everything, but afterwards he remembers nothing, and thinks with terror of the moment when Christ will leave them. The other apostles back him up. Jesus then testifies that every word once planted a seed. A little later, he even evokes the future Pentecost and the eternal Spirit. In the meantime, he asks the apostolic group to take advantage of their private moment to question him, so that he can explain his Word to them. He then takes his leave, bowing to Porphyria to go and speak to those waiting for him.

Jesus then returns briefly to the three men who approached him, in EMV 178, saying that the one whose heart was truly prepared was the one who lost his father. Heroism explains strong spiritual preparation: the most prepared, whatever their caste or culture, come to the Savior with absolute readiness and faith; the least prepared observe Christ as something out of the ordinary; still others denigrate him with various accusations. The chosen people should welcome the Messiah, since they have been prepared by the prophets and see the Redeemer's miracles. But unfortunately, they fight against Him, and in the end it's the pagans who welcome Him. Because the Israelites are saturated with their own wisdom, and don't know how to welcome Christ's wisdom, by accepting what is necessary. The others have no anchor, but rather burdens of error and sin, which they willingly abandon. To explain the different fruits of the same labor, Jesus gives the Gospel parable of the sower.

Jesus then walks away with Peter. He then talks to Elijah of Capernaum, the man who did not bury his father. The latter tells of his mother weeping for her husband, and Jesus decides to go to Chorazeïn, where his new disciple's family is staying. On the way, they see Isaac the Adult, who preached Jesus to Elijah, and the Lord thanks him for his apostolate. He then urges Elijah's brothers to make peace with their younger brother, and their mother helps the Lord to do so. Then they all leave, and the young man follows his Savior.

Chapter contents: 179.1: Jesus comments on the situation in Bethsaida at the time. 179.2: Arrival at Peter's house: he regrets not having Jesus to himself. 179.3: He complains that he listens happily to what Jesus says, but retains nothing. 179.4: Riding in a boat, Jesus comments to the crowd on the varied welcome given to those who wanted to follow him. 179.5: The parable of the sower: the grain that fell on good soil. 179.6: The grain that fell on other kinds of soil. 179.7: Jesus walks towards the bereaved family of the new disciple, in Chorazeïn. 179.8: Jesus thanks Isaac of Chorazeïn, who informs Elijah that his mother has understood his departure. 179.9: Jesus prays at the tomb of Elijah's father. He justifies Elijah's conduct in returning with him to Bethsaida.

Old edition: Tome 3, chapter 39

GRM 179.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus says to me showing me the course of the Jordan, or rather, the mouth of the Jordan where it flows into Lake Tiberias, that is where the town of Bethsaida lies on the right bank of the river, with respect to those facing north: «The town nowadays no longer appears to be on the shore of the lake, but a little inland. And that puzzles scholars. The explanation is to be found in the earth that filled this part of the lake, as it was deposited there throughout twenty centuries by the river, by alluvia and landslides from the hills of Bethsaida. The town was then just at the mouth of the river and in fact the smaller boats, particularly in seasons rich in water, used to sail upstream, almost as far as Korazim; the river, however, was always used as a harbour and shelter for the boats of Bethsaida when the lake was very rough. I am not saying this for you, to whom it is of no interest, but for difficult doctors. And now go on.»

GRM 179.3 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Peter then confesses his great grief: «The trouble is that I am a blockhead and my mind wanders easily. When You speak in a square, on a mountain, amongst a large crowd, I understand everything, but I do not know why, I remember nothing. I told also my companions and they say that I am right. Other people, I mean the people who listen to You, understand You and remember what You say. How often have we heard someone say: “I have no longer done that because You told us”, or: “I came because once I heard You say so and so I was impressed by it”. We instead… hum! it’s like a water course which passes by and does not stop. The river bank no longer has the water that has passed by. It is true that other water comes, a great deal of it, but it passes by, it passes by… And I am terrified at the thought that, if what You say will come true, the moment will come when You will no longer be there to play the part of the river and… and I… What will I give to those who are thirsty if I cannot save even one drop of the great lot You give me?»

Also the others support Peter’s moaning, complaining that they are left with nothing of what they hear, whilst they would like to remember everything to reply to those who ask them questions.

Jesus smiles and replies: «I do not think so. People are very satisfied with you as well…»

«Certainly… of course! For all we do! Make room for You, by elbowing our way through the crowds, carrying sick people, collecting alms and saying: “Yes, that is the Master!”. Wonderful, isn’t it?»

«Do not defame yourself too much, Simon.»

«I am not defaming myself. I know myself.»

«That is the most difficult wisdom. But I wish to relieve you of your great fear. When I speak and you cannot understand and remember everything, ask Me without any fear of boring or discouraging Me. We always have some hours of privacy, when you can open your hearts to Me. I give so much to so many. And what would I not give you whom I love so much that God could not love you more? You spoke of waves that pass by and nothing is left on the bank. The day will come when you will realise that every wave has deposited a seed and that a plant has grown from every seed. You will find in front of you flowers and plants for all occasions and you will be amazed at yourself saying: “What has the Lord done to me?” because you will then be redeemed from the slavery of sin and your present virtues will have reached a great height of perfection.»

«You say so, my Lord, and I rest upon Your word.»

GRM 180

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Discussion in Peter's kitchen in Bethsaida. Explanation of the parable of the sower. News of John the Baptist's second capture.

Date of vision: Thursday, June 7, 1945

Calendar: Monday, February 21, 28 (8 Adar I 3788) according to maria-valtorta.org or Wednesday, March 1, 28 according to Valtorta.fr

Locations (map):Bethsaida

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: The apostolic group has just had a hearty meal at Peter's house. Porphyria, who must have been preparing it all day, is tired but happy. The apostles discuss among themselves the pride of certain individuals, and Peter predicts that they will treacherously attack the Truth. Thomas wonders if they'll have the strength to resist, and Peter says he wouldn't have it on his own, but trusts in the Lord. Matthew and James of Alphaeus believe that the trial will be proportionate to their strength, and that God will increase theirs according to the battle to be waged. Simon the Zealot then gives his testimony, declaring that it was during his illness that he came to know God. Before that, his faith was nothing but formalism. When he was crushed, he knew how to demolish his ego and encounter the "immanent God above our earthly beings".

Judas rebounds from his statement, for it seems to him that Simon is speaking heresy. The Iscariot argues that we know God through the Law and the prophets, but Israel is more a son of the laws than a Son of the Law, according to Jude. Simon, for his part, explains that we need to have an image of God, with the essential qualities we attribute to the Most High. And the more the soul advances, the more it achieves an exact knowledge of God. Peter supports this, asserting that we then know not only his terrible majesty, but also his very gentle fatherhood. He concludes that we must imitate God as much as possible and be holy like the Father, which offends Judas, who sees it as pride.

Jesus then intervenes and repeats the phrase: "Be perfect as your Father is perfect". Porphyria is pleased with the compliment, and Peter asks for an explanation of the parable of the sower. Christ then prefaces by explaining that much is given to the apostles, for they must understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Twelve give everything to God, so God gives everything to them too. As for the others, the Lord speaks to them in parables, so that they may hear and understand the Word according to their willingness to adhere to God. For few of those who hear God adhere to Him: Israel's heart is closed. As for the prophets, they too returned to darkness after God had given them the light to understand the prophecies. But Jesus reiterates his promise that, even if Peter is unable to retain his word, the eternal Spirit will later enlighten him and his successors, "if they live by God as their only bread".

Now comes the explanation of the parable. There are honest men of good will, prepared "by their own work and that of an apostle". Their fields are fertile and the word of God prospers. Then there are the thorny fields: carelessness "has let penetrate the tangles of personal interests that choke the good seed. They have let themselves go and are no longer watched. There are still fields full of stones. They are "sons of laws", meaning they cultivate all human laws. They create a shell for divine law. The root is no longer nourished and cannot penetrate deep into the earth. They are enthusiastic when they hear the Word, but then they replace it with their human doctrines. It would take heroism to remove these stones. Finally, there are the virgin fields of all weeks are those of the selfish men of the world. "Comfort is their law, enjoyment their goal. Not to tire, to slumber, to laugh, to eat... The spirit of the world is king in them."

Jesus asks if they've understood, and soon after that, John arrives at Peter's house, in tears. Jesus immediately asks where his Mother is - for she was accompanying Zebedee's son - and John assures him that she is well, but he paradoxically tells him of John the Baptist's arrest. He has been betrayed by one of his disciples and caught by Herod. It's a thunderclap for the apostolic troupe, and John is afraid the same thing might happen to the Master. For the time being, Jesus calms him down, and although he controls himself, he suffers. So he goes off to pray, while the apostles are inflamed with anger and sadness. They now fear all things for the Lord and keep watch.

Chapter contents: 180.1: The apostles talk about the coming persecutions and God's support. 180.2: The Zealot talks about his conversion to God. 180.3: Discussion of the notion of an immanent God between the Zealot and Judas. 180.4: Jesus congratulates Peter and Simon the Zealot. 180.5: Why do you speak in parables? 180.6: Explanation of the parable of the sower. 180.7: John emerges dismayed to announce the capture of the Baptist by one of his disciples. 180.8: John fears the same will happen to Jesus. 180.9: The circumstances of the arrest. 180.10: Jesus goes out alone. The fearful apostles keep watch.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 40

GRM 180.5 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

I solemnly tell you that many Prophets and many just people were anxious to see what you see and they did not see it, and to hear what you hear and they did not hear it. They pined away with the desire to understand the mystery of the words, but as soon as the light of the prophecy went out, the words remained like burnt out coals, also for the holy man who had received them.

Only God reveals Himself. When His light fades out, as soon as the purpose of illuminating the mystery comes to its end, the inability to understand envelops the regal truth of the word received, like the bandages of a mummy. That is why I said to you this morning: “The day will come when you will find everything I have given you”. Now you cannot remember. But later light will come upon you, not just for a moment, but for an inseparable union of the Eternal Spirit with yours, whereby your teaching concerning what pertains to the Kingdom of God will be infallible. And what applies to you, will also apply to your successors, if they live of God as of one bread only.

Detail

Concerning papal infallibility and the dictation of Jesus, see the annotation below.

Annotation

Many a prophet and many a righteous man has wished to see what you see and not seen it, to hear what you hear and not heard it. In the continuity of the text reported by Matthew.

Mt 13:16-17 : But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Amen, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it; to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.

Luke gives it in another context (Luke 10:24).

Lk 10:23-24: Then he turned to his disciples and said to them in particular: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings have wished to see what you see, and have not seen it; to hear what you hear, and have not heard it."

That's why I told you this morning: this is typically the kind of seemingly insignificant detail, but very useful for establishing chronology.

Later, the light will come upon you, not for an instant, but for an indissoluble union of the eternal Spirit with your soul, which will make your teaching on what concerns the Kingdom of God infallible. The same will be true of your successors, if they live by God as their only bread.

Note from maria-valtorta.org:

This condition of pontifical infallibility must have aroused an objection from Father Migliorini. Maria Valtorta notes:

"Having submitted to Jesus P. M(igliorini)'s objection to papal infallibility, contrary to the sentence in p. ... file ... line ... of ..., Jesus replies: "I answer your question like this:

It is true that the Pope's infallibility in the spiritual realm is a definite truth. It exists in each of my vicars, regardless of his form of life and degree of virtue. But it is equally true that you cannot find a dogma defined and proclaimed by popes who are - notoriously or not - deprived of my grace. The soul that is not in a state of grace cannot be in the friendship of the Holy Spirit.

Anyone who thinks such a thing is possible is truly a heretic!

God is just: the way he treats the poor, he treats the rich. the way he treats the layman, he treats the Sovereign-Pontiff. Unfortunately, there are dark areas in the history of my Church. To want to close our eyes so as not to see these dark spots is to live in darkness over the totality of the Church, even over the very many and angelically luminous, divinely luminous, glorious epochs of my Church.

Because we must also be sincere in these things, as I was to my apostles, my disciples and those who followed me. Many crowds, not all of them saints, not all of them lukewarm, not all of them wicked. I recognized each one's merit or demerit, I gave each one what he deserved, without taking into account any particular emotional reasons. Truth is truth, in all things.

This is also true in the study of history. And in the study of the history of my Church. History, to be history and not a fable, must be impartial. The dark ages, moreover, are those foretold in the prophetic allusions to the idol-shepherd and this Sebna, prefect of the Temple (this character will be solemnly repeated in the message to Pius XII of December 23, 1948). That it stings and burns, I admit. But you can't say "Anathema" to a truth.

So lean on this certainty: dogmas are true and infallibility exists because I don't grant dogmas to those who don't deserve it. That's what was included in the sentence that prompted the objection.

You're satisfied. Go in peace. I gave you this clarification immediately because I am the author of these words, and therefore I know and remember them, even if the dictation is not present."

30-6-45, 8 a.m.".

We find the same idea in Jesus' words to the apostle James, son of Alphaeus, in EMV 258.6: "God will grant his light according to the degree you have reached. God will not let the light fail you, unless sin comes and extinguishes grace in you."

This doctrine of infallibility, willed by Christ, was reaffirmed 20 years later in the Apostolic Constitution on the Church, Lumen gentium, § 25: "This infallibility, with which the divine Redeemer willed his Church to be endowed in the definition of doctrine concerning faith or morals, extends as far as the content of divine Revelation, which must be guarded with veneration and faithfully expounded. This infallibility, the Roman Pontiff, Head of the College of Bishops, possesses by virtue of his office..."

Note from the second edition:

If they live from God as their only bread: this condition placed on papal infallibility must have aroused an objection from Father Migliorini, to whom Maria Valtorta passed on this reply from Jesus (dated June 30, 1945). We report the main passages: [...] Jesus replied: "[...] It is true that the infallibility of the pope in spiritual matters is a definite truth. It exists in each of my vicars, regardless of his form of life and degree of virtue. But it is equally true that you cannot find a dogma defined and proclaimed by popes who are - notoriously or not - deprived of my grace. The soul that is not in a state of grace cannot be in the friendship of the Holy Spirit. [...] Rely, then, on this certainty: dogmas are true and infallibility exists because I do not grant dogmas to those who do not deserve them. This is what was included in the sentence that gave rise to the objection [...]. "The same idea can be found in Jesus' words to the apostle James, son of Alphaeus, in 258.6: "God will grant his light according to the degree you have reached. God will not let the light fail you, unless sin comes and extinguishes grace in you. "

GRM 181

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: The parable of the good grain and the tares.

Date of vision: Friday, June 8, 1945.

Calendar: Tuesday, February 22, 28 (9 Adar I 3788) according to maria-valtorta.org - Thursday, March 2, 28 according to Valtorta.fr

Location (map): Bethsaida

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: The apostolic group is on Lake Tiberias. Peter is suspicious of everyone since John the Baptist was arrested, and when he sees Simon the Pharisee's boat near Capernaum, he decides to change their destination. In spite of Jesus' remarks, they landed elsewhere. Peter left them to go to Capernaum, after which the rest of the group went to Chorazeïn, to the house of Elijah, the new disciple. There, Jesus heals a granddaughter who is probably jaundiced. But the crowd knows the Master is there, and he resigns himself to speaking despite his sadness at his cousin's arrest. Rest of summary to come.

Chapter contents: 181.1: Peter, suspicious, refuses to go to Capernaum. 181.2: Jesus goes to the home of Elijah, the new disciple. Healing of a little girl. 181.3: The parable of the good grain and the tares. 181.4: The general meaning of the parable. 181.5: Application to the apostles and disciples. 181.6: Application to the traitor and the saint. 181.7 : Man remains free.

Former edition: Volume 3, chapter 41