Maria Valtorta and her work

Chapter title: From Tarichaea to Jerusalem for Passover. John caught up in the love of the sea.

Date of vision: Tuesday, June 12, 1945

Calendar: Thursday, March 16, 28 (3 Nissan 3788).

Location (map): Near Tarichée. Towards Mount Tabor

Cycle: Apostolate in Galilee

Summary: The apostolic group stops off on the opposite shore to Gamala. They are in a wilder environment. Jesus is delighted to be out in nature, where the apostles are much more restless. Only James of Alphaeus, John and Simon the Zealot are interested in what pleases Jesus. Then comes a remark that causes Peter to grumble, and Christ lets them know that he is distressed by so much hatred. He needs comfort, and the disciples are touched by his sadness. But the Lord promises them that they'll find better ground, and says they're going to bring the Passover to the suffering. They will reach Mount Tabor, En-Dor, Naim and the plain of Esdrelon, without passing through Nazareth. On the one hand, he was obeying his mother; on the other, he didn't want to offend the Pharisee Simon, who had made some recommendations.

John reveals that he wants to see the great sea, which can be seen from Mount Tabor. Jesus questions him, and the apostle reveals his affection for this vast expanse of water, because it reminds him of God. He wants to go and evangelize in Rome and Greece, "to dark places to bring light". The apostles listen respectfully to his words, and Jesus promises that they will go and see the sea to make him dream again about the future of his Kingdom in the world. Judas then asks to go to En-dor too, as he is still bitter about the judgment of little Benjamin, in EMV 184. Since then, the Iscariot has felt diminished in the eyes of the Master. The Lord reassures him, saying that he need only fear his conduct and God's judgment, but agrees to go to this city to persuade him that he is still as dear to Him as before. He only warns him not to suffer from this visit later on, as his apostle has a desire in his heart that is not necessarily healthy.

Chapter contents: x

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 47

Chapter title: At En-Dor, after an ascent of Mount Tabor. The magician's cave and the meeting with Félix, who receives the name Jean.

Date of vision: Wednesday, June 13, 1945.

Calendar: Friday, March 17, 28 (4 Nissan 3788)

Location (map): En-Dor

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: The apostles have now passed Mount Tabor and arrived at En-Dor. Judas reveals that he wants to hear Jesus speak about King Saul, in the place where he met the sorceress. The group ask around and are advised to go and see a one-eyed old man, who decides to guide them there. In the meantime, he tells his story. In the past, this former Jew quarreled with a Roman and killed him over a woman. In the brawl, he lost his eye and was sentenced to the galleys. But he managed to escape. Now he lives in hatred, even of God. Jesus encourages him to leave behind his hatred and painful memories, so that He can give him something new: love. Felix laughs, but is finally touched by Jesus' gaze. He then learns that he is the Messiah, and Christ tells him again that he had moments of kindness, caring for others and regretting the wrong he had done to his guardian in the galleys. Increasingly touched, Felix points out a hovel where the events with Saul took place and waits for them there.

It's not a very glorious place, as Peter points out, and Jesus ends up talking about Saul's sin. Sin of ingratitude, disobedience, scandals, jealousy, and crime in killing his soul right here. The Master then asks the Iscariot why he wanted to come here, and the latter confesses that he hoped to absorb some of the magic of this place, so that he could do imposing works for the sake of Christ and his mission.

Jesus told him in a very fatherly way that he should avoid occultism and things that can't be explained. You mustn't try to perform obscure prodigies, but astonish with your holiness. Furthermore, we must not disturb the dead, and the Lord has forbidden occultism, necromancy and Satanism "in all its forms". Instead, we must go towards the Light, towards God. To console him, Jesus tells him that after Passover, they'll go to his mother's house.

Félix, for his part, wants a word with Jesus as they set off again. He asks him to come out of his spiritual tomb. The old one-eyed man has realized that he can still love and be loved, and asks him for a new name. Christ gave him the name John and accepted him as one of his disciples. The apostles are not thrilled, but put on a brave face.

John leaves to get his things, and Jesus takes advantage of being alone with the Twelve to order them not to talk about his past to anyone. Then they join him, and while the man has no trouble leaving his home, he has more trouble leaving behind his chickens, who have loved him and whom he has loved. Jesus understands this and tells him that he will give him all the love the world has denied him for thirty-five years. The Master then asks Matthew and Simon the Zealot to testify, and Simon confirms that all the past disappears if you put yourself at the service of the Lord. As for Matthew, he declares that peace and new youth have replaced the old age of "vice and hatred".

The villagers finally understand that this is the Messiah, and they want Christ's blessing. As the group leaves, Pierre befriends Jean d'En-Dor and helps him carry his books, which he has taken with him.

Chapter contents: 188.1: Why go to En-Dor? 188.2: In search of the Pythoness's cave, forgotten by all but one. 188.3: The cantankerous guide tells Jesus about his life and his hatred. 188.4: Without love, the world is hell, and you still have goodness in you. 188.5: Arrival at the cave where Saul committed one of his sins. 188.6: Judas wishes he were a bit of a necromancer to help him in his apostolate. 188.7: Felix becomes John, leaves everything and clings to Jesus. 188.8: He gives away all his possessions and turns the page on his past. 188.9: He donates his house to the neighbor who, recognizing Jesus, stirs up the crowd, some of whom follow Jesus. 188.10: Peter's sympathy for John of En-Dor, whom he helps to carry his bag of books.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 49

Chapter title: In Naïm. Resurrection of a widow's son.

Date of vision: Thursday, June 14, 1945.

Calendar: Friday, March 17, 28 (4 Nissan 3788)

Location (map): Naïm

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: Jesus arrives in Naim. The people of En-Dor are still following him. They encounter a funeral procession. The apostles try to guess who has died, and assume it is a child or a virgin, but eventually realize it is a young adult. The disciples are moved by the grief of the poor widow who has lost her son. Jesus is profoundly gentle and approaches the procession, which provokes a virulent reaction from the grieving mother. The Master calms her down and asks her to put the litter on the ground. They comply, and he performs a miracle: the deceased is resurrected. This caused a stir in the crowd, preventing him from leaving. Seeing this happy procession, Jesus weeps, thinking of his Mother's future desolation.

The mother finally blesses the Lord with her son, and the Master can finally leave. The synagogue ruler tries to hold him back, but Christ says he must continue on his way. He finally promises to return.

Chapter contents: 189.1: As Jesus approaches Naim, a funeral procession leaves the city walls. 189.2: Jesus, moved by the mother's grief, raises the young man from the dead. 189.3 : The young man, still bound in his bandages, calls out to his mother. 189.4 : Jesus has tears in his eyes as he thinks of his own Mother. 189.5 : Jesus promises the synagogue ruler that he will return.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 50.

Chapter title: Arrival on the Esdrelon plain at dusk on Friday.

Date of vision: Friday, June 15, 1945.

Calendar: Friday, March 17, 28 (4 Nissan 3788)

Location (map): Esdrelon

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: Jesus arrives on the plain of Esdrelon. Peter goes ahead to see if Doras, the son of Doras, has gone to Jerusalem. On the way, the Lord meets Isaiah, a peasant from Yokhanan, and the man reveals that Doras' fields are a disaster. Yokhanan, on the other hand, has fertile land, which creates a greater contrast between the ravaged land and the fruit-bearing, healthy land. Following his neighbor's misfortune, Yokhanan fears the Lord, and has decided not to mistreat his servants. Jesus requests hospitality from the Pharisee's servants, and it is agreed that Doras's former servants, who were scattered following the death of their former master, will be gathered as best they can.

Chapter contents: 190.1: Yokhanan's new attitude towards Jesus, whom he fears. 190.2: The cursed fields of Doras are completely ravaged. 190.3: Jesus stays with Yokhanan's peasants.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 51.

Chapter title: The Sabbath in Esdrelon. Little Yabeç (Jabé) and the parable of the rich man Epulon (parable of Lazarus and the bad rich man).

Date of vision: Saturday, June 16, 1945.

Calendar: Saturday, March 18, 28 (5 Nissan 3788)

Location (map): Esdrelon

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: Jesus sends Andrew and John to two points where the roads to Jezrael can be seen, to watch for the return of the steward devoted to the son of Doras. Then he sends Peter and Simon to fetch the Pharisee's peasants. Meanwhile, Yokhanan's peasants tell him of a quarrel between their master and Jonah's former tyrant, then the Lord finds all the peasants and gives them a lamb brought by John of En-Dor. He acts like a father, and the poor servants swallow their meal. One of them has a child in his arms, and cries. Jesus asks why he's doing this, and they start talking about the boy, an orphan who has lost both his brothers and his parents: they died in a landslide. Christ offers to entrust this innocent boy to the old man, and the grandfather gladly accepts. The child had no objection and gave his name: Yabeç.

Having heard this, the Master gives the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Jonah is like Lazarus, just as Doras is like the bad rich man, and Jesus would like to help his servants materially, but he can't and he suffers for it. So he teaches them never to hate, but always to love. As for the punishment of the fields of Doras, Jesus says he is Love and would not have struck, but since Love could not bend the cruel rich man, he abandoned him to Justice. May this remind them that Justice is always on the alert, even when it may seem absent. Jesus then takes leave of the peasants, and the wretched depart with regret...

Chapter contents: 191.1: Waiting for the peasants of Doras. 191.2 : Jesus serves them a meal. 191.3 : How his grandfather protected his grandson Yabeç (Jabé). 191.4 : Peter would like to adopt him. 191.5 : The parable of Lazarus and the rich man. 191.6: The rich man begs Abraham to deliver him. 191.7: Abraham cannot help the rich man. 191.8: Jonah was the new Lazarus. 191.9: Farewell to the peasants of Doras.

Former edition: Volume 3, chapter 52.

Chapter title: A prediction to James of Alphaeus. Arrival at En-Gannim after a break at Mageddo.

Date of vision: Friday, June 15, 1945

Calendar: Monday, March 20, 28 (7 Nissan 3788)

Locations (map): En-Gannim and Mageddo

Cycle: The Second Paschal Journey

Summary : To come

Chapter contents: 192.1: James will be like Elijah in Carmel. 192.2: Peter takes the weary Yabeç on his shoulders. 192.3 : He defends him against two scornful boys. 192.4: He looks after Yabeç like a father. 192.5: Meeting with Publius Quintilianus, who is escorting Claudia to Jerusalem. 192.6 : The soldier takes Yabeç in the saddle. Jean d'Endor knows the Roman. 192.7: Pierre buys Yabeç sandals.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 53

Chapter title: Arrival at Shechem after two days' march.

Date of vision: Monday, June 18, 1945.

Calendar: Tuesday, March 21, 28 (8 Nissan 3788).

Location (map): Towards Shechem

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: The apostolic group advances toward Jerusalem and marches toward Shechem. John of Endor and Marziam get on well and gravitate around Jesus, like two resurrected people who love their Savior very much, for all the love he has given them. The child is only saddened when he sees the plain of Esdrelon, where his grandfather stayed.

After a break, they set off again, finally stopping at a village. The next morning, they continue their journey and meet the Consul's convoy. Valeria, Plautina and Lydia join them and greet the Master. Jesus then tells Peter that he wants to make a detour via the Jordan, so that Marziam doesn't see the mountain that killed her parents, but Simon of Jonah convinces Christ to continue towards Shechem to go faster and not to worry his Mother; he and John of Endor will take care of distracting the child when the time comes.

They arrive in Shechem and find shelter. The vision ends there.

Chapter contents: 193.1: The two "miseries" collected by Jesus. 193.2: The difficulties of the walk from Samaria to Shechem. 193.3: The next day, meeting with Plautina, Valeria and Lidia. 193.4: The child Yabeç is entrusted to Mary. 193.5: Despite the crowds, Peter finds shelter in a hay shed.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 54

Chapter title: Revelation to little Yabeç (Jabé) during the journey from Shechem to Beerot.

Date of vision: Tuesday, June 19, 1945.

Calendar: Thursday, March 23, 28 (10 Nissan 3788)

Location (map): In Bethel, after leaving Shechem. Departure for Beerot.

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: John of Endor and Peter distract Yabeç along the way. As a result, he doesn't realize they're passing the mountain where his parents were buried. Then Jesus calls him and shows him the golden roofs of the Temple, and begins to ask him about the Word of God. The child cries as he remembers his parents, and Jesus reminds him of Jacob's dream, with the angels ascending to heaven and descending to earth. He promises him that at the end of his life, he won't have to climb that ladder, for he's already climbed it all his life. The Master also assures him that he will be loved by his Mother and the other Marys, and all his words console the little orphan.

Yabeç finally asks Christ about Limbo, and Jesus explains that he will open it once he has obtained the Father's forgiveness. Yabeç's mother will follow him to Heaven, and she will be there at the hour of her child's death. The boy is delighted by this thought, and they return to the examination the boy is to take.

After asking him about God and the Sabbath, Peter's protégé finally understands that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, and is stunned. But Jesus assures him that he need not be afraid of him. The group takes a break to eat, after which the orphan asks to be given a new name from the feast of his majority. The Lord grants his request, and decides that his Mother will give him one.

Christ then questions Yabeç, asking which books speak of the Messiah. The child replies that they are Daniel and Isaiah, and confesses his preference for the former. John of Zebedee, meanwhile, joins in the conversation, noticing that the child has the same words as he does, and Jesus sets off for Berot.

Chapter contents: 194.1: Yabeç distracted by a bad memory. 194.2 : Dialogue between Jesus and Yabeç: what Jacob's ladder will be for Yabeç. 194.3 : Limbo will be emptied. Your father and mother will take care of you. 194.4: The importance of the Sabbath day. Yabeç recognizes God in Jesus. 194.5 : He will receive a new name. The Messiah in the Scriptures. 194.6: Departure for Berot.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 55.

Chapter title: A lesson from Jean d'En-Dor to Judas. The entry into Jerusalem.

Date of vision: Wednesday, June 20, 1945

Calendar: Friday, March 24, 28 (Nissan 11, 3788)

Location (map): From Beerot to Jerusalem.

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: It's raining. Peter and Yabeç are in a good mood, but Judas is grumbling. John of Endor starts to argue with him, but the Iscariot is in no mood to be lectured, and points out that he is an apostle. John replies that you never know what you're going to become: he thought he'd end his life as an honest tutor in Cinthium, before turning into a murderer. Everyone can learn from the experience of others, and John is particularly fortunate to have found Jesus.

Judas feels that he knows no other wisdom than that of Israel, but the former prisoner believes that having God's wisdom is better, and that it's like a sunny day compared to a foggy one. He also believes that Jesus is God - for Judas points this out to him - but he does not yet dare to speak familiarly with the Master. He believes, however, that the Lord hears his soul weeping with gratitude. Jesus confirms this and encourages him to speak with himself. Judas then retorts that he once told him not to speak with his own self, which Christ confirms, but it was then because the man from Kerioth was inwardly slandering. In this case, John is speaking with himself to meditate, which is excellent.

Judas is agitated and aggressive, and Jesus points out that his heart is sullen like the weather. But he points out that the sun will soon return, and the apostle walks away in a bad mood. Bartholomew wonders what's wrong with him, and Peter hears that the Master has been disrespected, which immediately agitates Andrew's brother. But Jesus reassures him, and finally Simon of Jonah turns his attention back to the child. Finally, the apostolic group enters Jerusalem for Passover.

Chapter contents: 195.1: The experience of John of Gold and Judas clash in two conceptions. 195.2: Jesus confirms the wisdom of John of Gold. 195.3: The apostles react to Judas' anger. Jesus avoids provoking Peter's susceptibility. 195.4: The crowd and the apostolic group enter Jerusalem.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 56

Chapter title: The Sabbath in Gethsemane. Jesus recalls his Mother's childhood and classifies the different loves according to their power.

Date of vision: Thursday June 21, 1945

Calendar: Saturday, March 25, 28 (12 Nisan 3788).

NB: March 25 is the day the Church commemorates the Annunciation.

Location (map): Gethsemane

Cycle: The Second Easter Journey

Summary: To come

Chapter contents: 196.1: Yabeç will have a new garment. 196.2: What will Mary say about this child? 196.3: Recollection of Joachim explaining, through the parable of the bird that fell from the nest, how the Savior loved him without sin. 196.4: The three powers of love: that of God, of parents, of spouses. 196.5: These three loves as they were before the Fault. 196.6: Then love of neighbor, science and work, and that's all. Altercation between Peter and Judas. 196.7: Where does Jesus get his knowledge of Mary's childhood? A lesson in chastity from the very young Mary. 196.8: Joachim prophesied great truths about Mary, his daughter. 196.9: Yabeç will meet Mary before going to the Temple.

Old edition: Tome 3, chapter 57.