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Maria Valtorta and her work

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GRM 182

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Discourse to shepherds, in the presence of Zechariah, the little orphan.

Date of vision: Saturday, June 9, 1945.

Calendar: Friday, March 3, 28

Locations (map): In Chorazeïn, then in the countryside, towards Magdala

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: Peter returns from Capernaum and tells what he has learned. The Pharisees Elijah and Joachim are probably behind the plot, as they were out of town. The Pharisee Simon spoke to him discreetly, giving advice to the Master, and Peter even went to see the centurion whose servant Jesus had healed. He obtained his protection, before returning to Chorazeïn. Jesus then took leave of Elijah, and set off again with the Twelve.

They walk through the countryside and meet shepherds, including the orphaned Zachariah. Zechariah reveals his grief at the loss of his father, and as the shepherds want to hear from the Master, Jesus speaks to them and says a few words. The shepherds regret being cut off from everything, so Jesus urges them to see things in a spiritual way, and explains that in this way they are far from the corruption of the world. Then the Lord encourages them to be kind to this young child, being to him like a surrogate father. Then the apostolic group goes on its way...

Chapter contents: 182.1: Peter gives good news from Capernaum. 182.2: Jesus speaks to young Zechariah, an unfortunate shepherd boy. 182.3 : The shepherds sought to see Jesus. 182.4 : Catechesis adapted to those cut off from everything. 182.5 : Help and protection for the child. Farewells. 182.6 : Where are we going?" asks the Iscariot.

Former edition: Volume 3, chapter 42.

GRM 183

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Healing of a wounded man in Mary of Magdala's house.

Date of vision: Saturday, August 12, 1944

Calendar: Wednesday, February 23, 28 (10 Adar I 3788) according to maria-valtorta.org; Friday, March 3, 28 according to Valtorta.fr

Location (map): Magdala. The crossroads Jesus takes is probably on this map.

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: Jesus continues on his way Peter wonders if they are going to Capernaum, and he learns from Jesus that they are going to Magdala. This scandalizes him a little, and Jesus informs him that he will have to go to real brothels for love of Him. But neither John, nor he, nor the others will defile themselves as long as we refuse to let impurity into our hearts. Judas grumbles inwardly, and the Master enjoins him not to slander inwardly and not to trust himself. After asking Matthew for advice on the road, the apostolic group goes to the richest district of Madgala and they hear a shout. There has been a brawl between a Roman and a Jewish man who is dying, because of Mary of Magdala. The dying man's mother is desperate, and accuses Mary of having put him in this state. Jesus takes note of Lazarus' sister, but is more interested in the dying man and asks that he be taken to his mother's house, so that he can perform the miracle. Finally, he asks the mother to forgive Mary Magdalene and heals the adulterer for the sake of his wife and children.

He then leaves without a word to Mary Magdalene, and rebukes Peter when he speaks badly of her.

Chapter contents: 183.1: Surprising decision to go to Magdala. 183.2: A murder has been committed. 183.3: It is in Mary Magdalene's house. 183.4: Jesus heals the victim because of kinship, but outside the house of sin. 183.5: Peter! Do not insult. Pray for sinners.

Old edition: Tome 3, chapter 43

GRM 184

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Little Benjamin of Magdala and two parables about the Kingdom of Heaven.

Date of vision: Saturday, August 12, 1944

Calendar: Wednesday, February 23, 28 (10 Adar I 3788) according to maria-valtorta.org; Saturday, March 4, 28 according to Valtorta.fr

Location (map): Magdala

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: Jesus heads for the poor neighborhood of Magdala and asks for the hospitality of a mother, who agrees to take him in. She is accompanied by a child who makes a lot of noise. His mother wants to listen to the Master, so she scolds him and gives him a slap, and the child goes to weep in Christ's lap. Jesus tries to find extenuating circumstances for his mother, but the child answers frankly that she simply wants to listen to him. Jesus then dialogues with her for a while, and when she implies that loose women have it easy, he replies that they're not happy, even if they seem to be. The woman then asks to stay, and Jesus offers to tell two parables that will appeal to little Benjamin. He tells Mary Magdalene, because the apostles doubt that she will return to good. Then he gives the parable where the divine Sower casts the seed. The seed grows, the grain is formed, and when it is ripe, the sower returns and passes on the scythe. In this way, the Word of God accomplishes the same work, but it is slow, and the soul must be allowed to work itself. At the Lord's request, Matthew confirms that it was Jesus' patience that helped him the most.

Benjamin's mother has left to fetch his brothers, and he continues to talk to the apostolic group. He ranks the apostles one by one and doesn't like Judas, so much so that the latter laughs yellow. Meanwhile, his mother has returned with a dozen people, including her husband, and as she begs him to speak, Jesus gives yet another parable about the Kingdom of Heaven. He gives the parable of the mustard seed and explains that it's through the small realities of each day that we build the Kingdom within us. Love, above all, is the means to peace and the glory of Heaven.

Jesus blesses this hospitable family, then sets off again.

Chapter contents: 184.1: A young boy receives a slap from his mother. 184.2: A mother should not envy the fate of a prostitute. 184.3 : You doubt that Mary (of Magdala) will return to the Good. 184.4 : The parable of the grain planted in the ground. 184.5 : Jesus' patience, rather than the Pharisees' reproaches, led Matthew to conversion. 184.6: Matthew was converted out of love. 184.7: Benjamin gives the good apostle test, which Judas fails. 184.8: The parable of the mustard seed. Love in hearts. 184.9: An astonished husband discovers his wife's merits.

Former edition: Volume 3, chapter 44

GRM 185.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Now that everybody is asleep I am telling you my joy. I «saw» today’s Gospel.

Detail

Vision given on January 30, 1944. See annotation.

Annotation

Maria Valtorta's daily catecheses, recorded in the "Cahiers" series, began in April 1943, but the Gospel visions didn't really start until January 1944. So this is one of the very first visions. The visions are not in chronological order.

GRM 185.5-6 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

185.5

Jesus then says:

«I will not expound the Gospel in the same way as everybody else does. I will illustrate the circumstances preceding the Gospel passage.

Why was I sleeping? Did I perhaps not know that there was going to be a storm? Yes, I knew. Only I knew. Why was I sleeping, then?

The apostles were men, Mary. They were full of goodwill, but still very much “men”. Man thinks he is always capable of everything. When he is really capable of doing something he is full of haughtiness and attachment to his “ability”. Peter, Andrew, James and John were good fishermen and consequently they thought they were unexcelled in handling a boat. As far as they were concerned I was a great “Rabbi”, but a mere nothing as a sailor. Thus they thought I was unable to help them, and when on the boat to cross the Sea of Galilee, they begged Me to sit down because I was not capable of doing anything else. Also their love for Me was behind their attitude, as they did not want Me to do any material work. But their attachment to their own ability was greater than their love.

I do not impose Myself, Mary, except in exceptional cases. I generally leave you free and wait. On that day, tired as I was and being requested to rest, that is to let them act, clever as they were, I went to sleep. My sleep also included the ascertainment of how man is “man” and wants to do things by himself without feeling that God asks but to help him. I saw in those “spiritual deaf men”, in those “spiritual blind men”, all the spiritual deaf and blind people, who throughout centuries would ruin themselves, because “they wanted to do by themselves”, although I was bent over their needs awaiting to be asked to help them.

When Peter shouted: “Save us!”, My bitterness dropped like a stone. I am not “man”, I am the God-Man. I do not behave as you do. When someone rejects your advice or your help, and you see him in trouble, even if you are not so bad as to rejoice at it, you are uncharitable enough to look at him disdainfully and indifferently, without being moved by his shouts for help. Your attitude means: “When I wanted to help you, you did not want me? Well, help yourself now”. But I am Jesus. I am the Saviour. And I save, Mary. I always save as soon as I am asked to.

185.6

The poor men might object: “In that case, why do You allow single or collective storms to break out?”. If by My power I should destroy Evil, you would consider yourselves the authors of Good, which in actual fact is a gift of Mine, and you would not remember Me any longer, You would never remember Me. My poor children, you are in need of sorrow to remember that you have a Father. As the prodigal son remembered he had a father when he was hungry.

Misfortunes convince you of your nothingness, of your ignorance, which is the cause of so many errors, of your wickedness, the cause of so much mourning and grief, of your faults, the cause of the punishments which you inflict upon yourselves, as well as of My existence, of My power and of My goodness.

That is what today’s Gospel teaches you. “Your” Gospel of the present time, my poor children. Call Me. Jesus does not sleep except when He is in anguish because He sees that He is not loved by you. Call Me and I will come.»

Detail

Maria has just seen the storm subside.

Annotation

Gospel of Matthew 8, 23-27

Mt 8, 23-27 : As Jesus got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, the sea became so rough that the boat was covered by the waves. But he was asleep. The disciples went to him and woke him up, saying, "Lord, save us! We are lost." But he said to them, "Why are you so fearful, men of little faith?" Then Jesus stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. The people were amazed, saying, "Who is this that even the winds and the sea obey him?"

Gospel of Mark 4, 37-41

Mk 4, 37-41 : A violent storm came up. The waves were crashing against the boat, so that it was already filling up. He was asleep on the cushion at the stern. The disciples woke him up and said, "Master, we're lost; don't you care?" Awakened, he threatened the wind and said to the sea, "Silence, be quiet!" The wind died down, and there was a great calm. Jesus said to them: "Why are you so fearful? Have you not yet faith?" Seized with great fear, they said to each other, "Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

Gospel of Luke 8, 23-25

Lk 8, 23-25 : While they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. A storm came up on the lake. They were submerged and in great peril. The disciples went to him and woke him up, saying, "Master, master! We're lost!" And he, awakening, threatened the wind and the turbulent waves. They calmed down, and calm was restored. Then Jesus said to them, "Where is your faith?" Filled with fear, they were astonished and said to one another, "Who is this that he even commands the winds and waves, and they obey him?"

GRM 186

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: The two possessed Gerasenes.

Date of vision: Monday, June 11, 1945

Calendar: Thursday, March 16, 28 (5 Nisan 3788)

Location (map): Near Gamla (or Gamala) and Ippo (Hippos).

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: Jesus crosses the lake and lands near Hippos. The apostolic group then walks along a path that climbs a rock. There is a herd of pigs. The disciples are disgusted and talk about the surroundings, which Simon the Zealot knows well. They talk about their disgust for pigs, and Jesus points out that sin is much more impure than animals. The apostles then ask why pigs have been declared unclean, and Jesus answers them.

At the end of the explanation, two possessed people arrive. The episode is faithful to the Gospel account: the demons speak, ask Jesus to send them to the cattle around them, and the herd throws itself off the cliff. Their guardians are frightened and ask Jesus to leave. He meekly complies and returns to their boat.

Chapter contents: 186.1: Instructions. 186.2 : Near Hippo, through a herd of pigs. 186.3 : The panorama from the top of a rock. 186.4: Discourse: why the impurity of pigs? 186.5: The exorcism of the two possessed. Their demons are driven out in pigs. 186.6: The two miraculous people are stunned. 186.7: The inhabitants chase Jesus away. 186.8: Back to the boats. One of the miraculous remains to testify.

Previous edition: Volume 3, chapter 47

GRM 186.1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The vision «The calming of the storm» which you saw on 30th January 1944, is to be put here. Then the following vision.

Detail

Maria receives the following instructions.

Annotation

The vision concerns the possessed of Gerasa.