Holy places

Jesus speaks to Judas. They are waiting for Simon the Zealot and John of Zebedee, who are to join him. Jesus reveals that John is his first disciple, and Judas is hurt, but he says nothing to the Master. The Master, who knows the heart, asks the Iscariot why he doesn't tell him what he thinks. Then he asks him if his father loved him, and Judas speaks of his sire with emotion. The Lord then assures him that, if his father raised him as Judas tells him, he was certainly a righteous man, and that he will rejoice to know him a disciple of the Messiah. But Judas must see in Jesus the father he had lost, and hide nothing from him. Judas declares that he will become good if Christ loves him that much. He confesses that he was hurt not to have been the first disciple, but Jesus assures him that He makes no difference in His heart between the first and the last.

Simon and John arrive in the meantime. The former leper greets his Savior with a shout of joy, and Jesus blesses him for the evangelistic work he has already accomplished. Simon takes the opportunity to mention Lazarus, and Jesus promises to visit him. Then the introductions between the disciples take place. Jesus sends John with Judas, and he asks Simon to be lenient with this man, whom Simon-Peter and others will not appreciate. Simon agrees, and with these words they go off to evangelize the people at the Temple.

Jesus, John, Simon the Zealot and Judas are together. The Master asks them to accompany him to Judea, unless it would be very painful for them, especially Simon. But Simon says he has a new vigor since the Lord's miracle, and that the scales of hate have fallen from his heart. He even claims that this miracle of the heart is greater than the physical miracle, and grumbling, Judas asks why Jesus doesn't act this way with everyone. John then steps in and says that the Master is already changing them: at least he has been since the Messiah called him to follow him. The Beloved is then embarrassed to have spoken in front of the Master, but James' brother didn't want Judas to sadden the Master. Then Jesus speaks up and says that there will come a time when they will receive strength, grace and wisdom from the Lord, and judge justly. He even says that he will send them out and that they will be able to perform miracles... Judas rejoices at this thought, John less so, for they will no longer be with Jesus. Simon the Zealot nevertheless points out to them that if Christ acts in this way, it's because he'll know what he's doing and that they should trust him, remaining humble even when they perform miracles. Judas declares that if he wants to perform miracles, it's to see the Master triumph... And Simon speaks to him skilfully about the human thoughts that corrupt the image of Christ announced in Scripture: he takes the example of the Zealots, who wanted a human Kingdom and were punished by God and Rome. In his punishment, however, Simon knew the Son of God and recognized him at the right moment.

The conversation dies down, and Jesus reveals that they are going to Bethlehem.

In Judea, near Bethlehem.

Jesus goes up to the Temple in Jerusalem with Simon the Zealot to pray to the Father. He has no intention of preaching there. Slight reference to the Shepherds of Bethlehem. Jesus plans what they're going to do: go to Jonah, go to Nazareth, then to Capernaum. They will also meet up with the other disciples. They talk about the soul, then about beautiful Galilee, Nazareth and Mary. Judas preaches to men in the Temple. Simon repents for thinking badly of him in EMV 83. The two men then go to meet John at the Olive grove in Gethsemane. There, he has met Annalia's mother, Elise, and encouraged her to come and see Jesus, as her daughter is very ill.

Jesus is at the Gate of Pisces, where he is to meet Judas and the shepherds (Isaac, Levi, Joseph). He meets the soldier Alexander, who invites him to calm the Jews. Jesus makes a short speech to his brothers in the faith. Afterwards, he continues to talk with Alexander: among other things, they discuss the soul. Then Judas and the shepherds arrive. Annalia, who has been healed, also arrives to bless the Savior, and after saying a few words to her, the Lord lets her go. Finally, Judas speaks to her. He is discouraged, so Jesus encourages him and says that defeats are normal in the apostolate, but then everything turns into victory. Finally, he speaks to the Shepherds, and so it ends.

Jesus is in the Temple in Jerusalem. He is praying. But Alexander, the Roman soldier he has met before, appears. His horse has wounded a child, who is in agony, so he comes looking for the Master, who he is sure can save this innocent. His arrival causes a scandal, because a pagan in the Temple is very serious in the eyes of the Pharisees. So Jesus goes straight to him and heals the boy. The doctors of the Law then reproached him for all the commotion he was causing in the holy place...