Skip to content

Notes for this theme

Holy places

Page 7 of 8

Reading comfort

Aa

GRM 197.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Peter is really stately while entering the enclosure of the Temple, acting as the father of Jabez, whom he is holding by the hand. He is walking so erect that he looks even taller than he really is.

All the others are behind him, in a group. Jesus is last and is engaged in close conversation with John of Endor, who seems to be ashamed to enter the Temple.

Peter asks his protege: «Have you ever been here before?» and the boy replies: «When I was born, father. But I do not remember» which makes Peter laugh heartily. Also the others, when they are told by Peter, laugh and say gently and wittily: «Perhaps you were sleeping and so…» or «We are all like you. We do not remember when we came here when we were born.»

Annotation

Peter asks his little protégé, "Have you never been there?" eliciting this reply, "When I was born, Father, but I don't remember." For the ceremony of his presentation in the Temple and the purification of his mother.

GRM 199.3-4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

They remain all together until they are near Jerusalem. Then they part, the Iscariot goes on his own and enters the town probably through the Gate near the Antonia Tower; Thomas, Philip and Nathanael walk for about ten more yards with Jesus and their companions and then enter the town through the suburb of Ophel, together with Mary and the boy.

199.4

«And now, let us go and see those unhappy people!» says Jesus, and turning His back to the town He goes towards a desolate place on the slope of a rocky hill which lies between the two roads from Jericho to Jerusalem, A strange place, similar to a flight of steps after the first slope, up which climbs a path, so that there is a drop of at least three yards from the first terrace to the path, and the same from the second one. It is an arid, dead… extremely sad place.

«Master» shouts Simon the Zealot «I am here. Stop where You are, that I may show You the way…» and the Zealot, who was leaning against a rock to be in the shade, comes forward and leads Jesus up the steps of a path leading towards Gethsemane, but separated from it by the road that from the Mount of Olives goes to Bethany.

«Here we are. I lived among the tombs of Siloam and my friends are here. Some of them. The others are at Ben Hinnom, but cannot come… They would have to cross the road and would be seen.»

«We shall go to them also.»

«Thank You! On their part and mine.»

GRM 201

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Marziam's majority examination.

Date of vision: Tuesday, June 26, 1945.

Calendar: Wednesday, March 29, 28 (16 Nissan 3788)

Places (map): Jerusalem Temple

Cycle: The Second Paschal Journey

Summary: The apostolic group is with the women and Joseph of Arimathea. Near the Temple, they wait for Judas, Thomas and Bartholomew, but only the last two show up. Iscariot is not there. They go to another place to wait for him, but the apostle doesn't show up. Joseph of Arimathea grows impatient and they finally head off to the holy place, where Marziam is about to take her exam. Jesus is unable to accompany her, as this would be a disservice to him. Peter is saddened but understands. Instead, Joseph accompanies Simon and his adopted son. They are greeted by Azrael and Jacob, two rabbis or synagogue leaders who show contempt for Peter and skim over the exam. But Marziam is accepted and the child returns with his father, all happy. Jesus is happy too, but is saddened, like the others, by Judas' defection, and Peter belatedly realizes this. However, the Master reassures him and they go to Joseph of Arimathea. That's when the vision ends.

Chapter contents: 201.1: Entry into the Temple amidst insults from soldiers and crowds. 201.2: We meet up with the apostles, but Judas is absent. 201.3: We look for him in vain, and Peter enters with Marziam, without Jesus. 201.4: Joseph of Arimathea plays up his prestige. First questions. 201.5: Marziam passes the exam and Peter delivers his little speech. 201.6: Joseph of Arimathea invites to a banquet. Peter sacrifices a lamb. 201.7: Judas has been a troublemaker.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 62

GRM 202

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Reproach to Judas and the arrival of the peasants from Yokhanan (Giocana).

Date of vision: Wednesday, June 27, 1945.

Calendar: Thursday, March 30, 28 (17 Nissan 3788)

Location (map): Jerusalem Temple

Cycle: The Second Paschal Journey

Summary: The apostolic group is at the Temple, without the women. They are waiting for Peter, who has gone to sacrifice a lamb. Meanwhile, they spot Judas and Thomas goes to listen to what he says, without waiting for Jesus' agreement. The apostle soon makes his presence known to the Iscariot, so Judas decides to go with him to see the rest of the group. But Thomas is no fool, and warns him to be careful about his behavior.

Once in front of the Master and the others, Judas greets Jesus, but Jesus is serious and points out that Judas is running away from him. Christ also points out that he ignored Peter and the group on the day of Marziam's examination. While Judas tries to justify himself, the child happily slips away to see the peasants of Doras, and Jesus asks John of Endor to hold them back a little. This is followed by a reprimand to Judas, who lets him know that he won't be able to be there the next day to see some of his father's friends. The man leaves and Jesus asks his friends to forget the incident and not to tell Simon-Pierre, John of Endor, Marziam and his Mother.

Finally, the peasants of Doras greet the Master and are ecstatic at the good health of Yabeç, who makes no secret of his affection for his Jesus. And so the vision ends.

Chapter contents: 202.1: In the Temple courtyard, Judas struts among the scribes. 202.2: Thomas goes to find him and rebukes him. 202.3: Jesus severely reproaches Judas for his absence and rudeness. 202.4: And asks the others to remain silent about the incident. 202.5: The peasants notice Marziam's happiness.

Previous edition: Volume 3, chapter 63

GRM 203

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: The Lord's Prayer

Date of vision: Thursday, June 28, 1945

Calendar: Thursday, March 30, 28 (17 Nissan 3788)

Location (map): Jerusalem then Gethsemane

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: Jesus leaves the house where he is staying with the apostles, except Judas, who is not present. He asks John of Endor to watch over the women-disciples in their absence, and goes to the Mount of Olives with the disciples. On the way, he tells them that he wants to give them a great gift, and thanks them for their love for him.

As they walk, the Master points out that the apostles endure continual disappointments and trials, but that they must always trust in God. Meanwhile, he informs them that they are going to the Mount of Olives, to Gethsemane.

Chapter contents: 203.1: Jesus wishes to be alone with his apostles. 203.2: I will teach you to pray. 203.3: Simon of Jonah is transformed into Jesus' Peter. 203.4: Judas, absent, has become less good. He is jealous of Jesus. 203.5: The perfect prayer: When you pray, say thus. 203.6: Our Father: feel yourselves sons. 203.7: Hallowed be the holy and sweet Name. 203.8 : May God's reign come on earth. 203.9 : Perfect obedience on earth as it is in heaven. 203.10: Daily bread from the good Father. 203.11: Necessity of forgiveness. 203.12: Temptations. The humility of knowing oneself. 203.13: The gift of the second Passover. Return to Gethsemane.

Previous edition: Volume 3, chapter 64

GRM 203.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus comes out with His apostles from a house near the walls and I think that they are still in the Bezetha district, because to go outside the walls, one must pass again by Joseph’s house, near the Gate, which I hear people call Herod’s Gate. The town is semi-deserted in the placid moonlit evening. I understand that they have celebrated Passover in one of Lazarus’ houses, which, however, is not the one of the Last Supper. They are, in fact, poles apart. One in the north, the other in the south of Jerusalem.

On the doorstep Jesus takes leave, with His usual kindness, of John of Endor, who is to take care of the women and whom He thanks for accepting that task. He kisses Marjiam, who has also come to the door and then sets out for Herod’s Gate.

Annotation

To leave the walls, we still have to pass Joseph's house, which is near the gate I've heard called Herod's Gate. Joseph of Arimathea, who had invited them the evening before.

GRM 203.6 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

“Our Father”.

I call Him: “Father”. Father of the Word, Father of the Incarnate. That is how I want you to call Him because you are all one with Me, if you remain in Me. Once man had to prostrate himself with his face on the ground to whisper, trembling with fear: “God!” He who does not believe in Me and in My word is still in such paralyzing fear… Watch the interior of the Temple. Not God, but the very remembrance of God is concealed from the eyes of the faithful by a triple veil. He who prays is separated by remoteness and veils, everything has been devised to say to him: “You are mud. He is Light. You are contemptible. He is Holy. You are a slave. He is King”.

But now!… Stand up! Come near Me! I am the Eternal Priest. I can take you by the hand and say: “Come”. I can grasp the veils and draw them, and thus throw open the inaccessible place closed so far. Closed? Why? Closed by Sin, yes. But even more closed by the dispirited thought of man. Why closed if God is Love, if God is Father? I can, I must, I want to take you not into the dust, but into the azure; not far, but near; not as slaves, but as children onto the heart of God.

Say: “Father! Father!”. And never tire repeating this word. Do you not know that every time you say it, Heaven shines because of God’s joy? If you said with true love no other word but that one, you would be saying a prayer pleasing to the Lord. “Father! Father!” the little ones say to their fathers. It is the first word they say: “Mother, father”. You are the little children of God. I created you from the old man you were and whom I destroyed by means of My love to give birth to the new man, the Christian. Call, therefore, the Most Holy Father Who is in Heaven, with the first word that little children learn.

GRM 207.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Simon of Jonah comes forward, he reaches Jesus’ group and asks: «Is this the road to Bethlehem? John says that the last time You took another road.»

«That is true» replies Jesus. «But that was because we were coming from Jerusalem. This one is shorter. At Rachel’s sepulchre, which the women wish to see, we will part, as you decided some time ago. We will meet later at Bethzur, where My Mother wishes to stop.»

Annotation

Are we going from here to Bethlehem? John says you took a different route last time. Journey of Jesus, John, Judas and Simon the Zealot. Cf. EMV 70 to EMV 74.

We'll meet again at Bet-çur: BET-ÇUR: (the watchman's house). Betsur (pronounced Betsour) in Maria Valtorta's original. Translated by Béthsur (1985) and Bet-Çur (2016) in French editions. Other spellings encountered: Bethsur, Beth-Tsur, Beth-Zur, Bethsour. Today Beit Sur, 6 km north of Hebron.

Where my Mother wishes to stop: To meet a friend from the Temple: Élise. See EMV 208 below.

Genesis 35:18-19 - Rachel, Laban's youngest daughter. She was very beautiful. Jacob met her at the well where she was watering her flock, near Haran in Mesopotamia. As soon as he saw her, he loved her. Jacob, who had no property of his own, could not pay the sum that every suitor would give to the parents of a young girl. So he served his father-in-law for 7 years, in order to obtain Rachel. At the same time, Jacob, isolated and fugitive, was happy to be attached to a patriarchal group. He entered into a contract, and was given a wife from the clan. From then on, he could not leave and take his wife and children without permission, even at the end of the contract. At the end of the first 7 years, Laban tricked Jacob into marrying Leah, his eldest daughter, who was apparently much less attractive. Isaac's son served another 7 years to get the youngest, the only one he loved. Rachel became his wife(Genesis 29:1-30), the mother of Joseph(Genesis 30:22-25), then of Benjamin; she died when Benjamin was born(Genesis 35:16-20; 48:7). Jacob buried her a little north of Ephrata, better known as Bethlehem. The tomb was in a place that travelers passing through on their way from Bethel to Bethlehem (source BibleOnLine).

Book of Genesis 35, 16-19

Gn 35, 16-19 : They set out from Bethel. There was still some distance to go before they reached Ephrathah, when Rachel gave birth, and her labor was painful. During the pains of childbirth, the midwife said to her, "Do not be afraid, for you are about to have another son." As her soul departed - for she was dying - she named him Benoni; but his father called him Benjamin. Rachel died, and was buried on the road to Ephrathah, which is Bethlehem. 20Jacob erected a monument over her grave; this is the monument of Rachel's Tomb, which still stands today.

GRM 207.2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

They proceed westwards, along the cool valley. The road then bends lightly to the north along a protruding hill and they thus reach the road which takes from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, near a cube-shaped building surmounted with a small dome, which is Rachel’s tomb. They all go near it and pray reverently.

«Joseph and I stopped here… Everything is exactly the same as then. Only the season is different. It was a cold day in the month of Chislev. It had rained and the roads were muddy, then an ice-cold wind began to blow and perhaps during the night there was frost. The roads had hardened, but furrowed by cart-wheels and crowded with people, they were like a sea crowded with boats and My little donkey had difficulty in proceeding…»

«And did You not, Mother?»

«Oh! I had You!…» and She looks at Him with a tender blissful face. She then resumes speaking: «It was getting dark and Joseph was very worried… a biting cold wind was blowing stronger and stronger… People were rushing towards Bethlehem, pushing one another and many took to abusing My little donkey because it was going so slowly in an effort to find suitable places for its hooves… It seemed to be aware that You were there… and that You were sleeping for the last time in the cradle of My bosom. It was cold… But I was warm. I could feel You coming… Coming? You could say: “Mother, I had been there nine months”. Yes. But now it was as if You were coming from Heaven. Heaven was bending down over Me and I could see its brightness… I could see God inflamed with joy for Your oncoming birth and those flames pierced Me, burned Me, abstracted Me from everything… Cold… wind… crowds… it was all… nothing! I saw God… Now and again, with an effort, I would succeed in bringing My spirit back to the earth and I would smile at Joseph, who was afraid I might be cold and tired, and he led the little donkey lest it should stumble and he wrapped Me in a blanket lest I should get cold… But nothing could have happened to Me. I felt no jolts. I seemed to be moving along a starry path, among snow-white clouds, supported by angels… And I smiled… First at You… I looked at You, through the barrier of the flesh, while You were sleeping, with Your little fists closed, in Your cradle of living roses, My lily-bud… Then I smiled at My spouse, who was so distressed, to encourage him… And then at the people who were not aware that they were already breathing the air of the Saviour…

We stopped near Rachel’s tomb to let the donkey rest for a moment and to eat a little bread and some olives, the provisions of poor people. But I was not hungry. I could not be hungry… I was nourished with My joy…

GRM 217.4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

There is One here Who is by far greater than the Temple and can take anything He wants of what exists in creation, because God has made everything a footstool for the Word. And I take and give. And that applies both to the ears of corn of the Father, laid on the immense table of the Earth, and to the Word. I take and give. Both to the good and to the wicked. Because I am Mercy. But you do not know what is Mercy. If you knew what My being Mercy means, you would also know that I want nothing but mercy. If you knew what Mercy is, you would not have condemned innocent people. But you do not know. You do not even know that I do not condemn you, you do not know that I will forgive you and, more than that, I will ask the Father to forgive you. Because I want mercy and not punishment. But you do not know. You do not want to know. And that is a greater sin than the one you impute to Me, it is greater than the one you say these innocent men have committed. You must know that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath and that the Son of man is also master of the Sabbath.

Detail

Jesus is speaking to some Pharisees who are hostile toward him.

Annotation

To both the good and the bad, for I am Mercy. But you do not know what mercy is. If you knew what it means, you would also understand that I desire nothing but mercy. See Hosea 6:6, also quoted in Matthew 9:13.