Maria Valtorta's work

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.

Christ, Judas, John and Simon have arrived in Bethlehem, near Rachel's tomb. They are approached by a local woman, who learns that Jesus has come to bring his Mother's salvation to some people in Bethlehem. She invites him to her home, and her husband welcomes them. But there is strong hostility towards the Messiah, as the massacre of the Innocents has taken place and left deep wounds among the people of Bethlehem. The Nativity shepherds, in particular, are hated by the locals, and the man who receives them is convinced that they let themselves be duped thirty years ago. So he curses the shepherds and the Magi, and blames himself for their credulity at the time. Jesus points out, however, that cursing is not permitted, as it is contrary to the commandment of love, and asks him if he is sure that his judgment is right, since the shepherds and magi may have told them the truth. He speaks of biblical prophecies - the Most High having anticipated the Savior's coming in an excess of love - and in particular mentions the star and the predictions in the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah. His host recognizes him as a rabbi, but when Jesus wants to know where the shepherds Elijah and Levi are, he becomes openly hostile, as Jesus enjoins him not to hate them and declares that the Messiah has indeed been born here.

Judas then gets on his high horse, but Jesus calms him down and the group leaves. A little further on, the Iscariot explodes and would have liked Jesus to be worshipped, but he doesn't want to reduce to ashes all those who sin against him.

Finally, Jesus takes them to the place of his birth, the grotto in Bethlehem. John and Simon are moved, Judas is disgusted at first, but is then overcome by emotion. And Jesus tells them the story of his birth...

Jesus is in Bethlehem with John, Judas and Simon the Zealot. They go into the town itself, as Christ wants to show them where the three kings greeted him. Then Judas shows his practicality and uses trickery to obtain information about Anne of Bethlehem, who had given shelter to the Holy Family. He passes off the apostolic group as Judeans from Jerusalem, and the innkeeper, a man named Hezekiah, tells them about the massacre of the Innocents and the death of Anne. Jesus goes to visit the ruins, then speaks to the people of Bethlehem. But when he speaks of his Mother and the Messiah, they become openly hostile. The crowd becomes agitated and throws stones, but Jesus is unable to appease them or comfort their pain. In a heroic gesture, Judas protects Jesus and the group withdraws. So the Savior doesn't insist, and decides to go and meet the shepherds at the Nativity.

Jesus, John, Simon the Zealot and Judas are walking towards Hebron. They hear the sound of bells and discover that there are shepherds nearby. Jesus then goes to Elijah, Levi and Joseph (son of the shepherd Joseph from the Nativity). He questions them, and when he reveals that he is from Nazareth, the shepherds ask if he has heard of Mary, Joseph and Jesus of Nazareth. They tell him about their persecutions, the Gloria they heard, the prayers and their behavior throughout their lives. When they declare that they are looking for the Savior, Jesus reveals himself to them, and the shepherds instantly believe: they are happy to find the Child they worshipped in the manger. Jesus sits down beside them and takes news of the twelve shepherds. Two are dead (Samuel and Joseph), but the other eight - Jonah, Jonathas, Benjamin, Isaac, Daniel, Simeon, John, Tobias (now Matthias) - are still alive.

They eat together, and the shepherds ask the Master about Mary, Joseph, the flight to Egypt, the return... Until they ask what they can do to serve him. The Lord tells them that he's going to tour Judea, that the disciples will keep them informed and that they can come later. In the meantime, they can accompany him to Yutta to see Isaac and to Hebron to gather at Samuel's tomb.

Elijah asks if they can serve him for the rest of their lives, and Jesus predicts that they will serve him for the rest of his. When the shepherd replies that he will die before Christ, the Lord disabuses him: Elijah will be one of the last eyes he sees when he dies, but the old man will see his triumph, after which he will await death, which will be synonymous with an eternal encounter with his Jesus.

Elijah, Levi, Joseph, Jesus, John, Simon the Zealot and Judas approach Yutta. Christ intends to go to Hebron, to pray over the bones of Samuel and Zechariah, but he gives priority to Isaac first, because we must always take care of those who suffer. Praying for our deceased is also important, but they are already at peace if they have been righteous.

After talking about the difference between man and animal, the communion of saints, and the link between the dead and the living, Jesus and his friends arrive at Yutta. Elijah goes ahead to see Isaac, telling him that Jesus wants to see him and tells him to come. The shepherd, who is crippled and paralyzed, is immediately healed and goes to see the Savior as quickly as possible.

There, he adores him, and takes him to a family in Yutta who have taken good care of him. They are a couple with four children: their names are Mary, Joseph, Emmanuel and the last has yet to be named. The little family believes in the Messiah and invites him to circumcise their newborn son. Jesus decides to name him Jesai. The priest who comes to perform the ceremony pays little attention to the Lord, and their guests are mortified, but he reassures and consoles them. He invites John to show the sheep to Joseph and Emmanuel. Little Mary stays close to Jesus, and he invites her to be as good as her Mother. The child immediately agrees and speaks to him with familiarity. Taken in by Judas, Jesus tells her to let it go, for the innocent are his joy, and only they can speak his name as purely as his Mother.

The apostolic group heads for Hebron. Judas is nervous and irritated that they didn't go to Kerioth first, as it would have been shorter. Jesus assures him, however, that he always keeps his promises. If he goes to Hebron beforehand, it's because Samuel, who has passed away, has suffered a great deal for him, and has never betrayed the memory of the Child Jesus. He remained faithful even though he didn't know he was alive, and so this man deserves to be honored and prayed for by Christ.

The Iscariot then points out that the shepherds were righteous, holy, and yet they were mistreated. Anne of Bethlehem even died as a result... And so he concludes, incidentally, that love for Jesus brings him bad luck. The Master prevents John and Simon from intervening, saying that he prefers Judas always to speak his mind. And he replies that, even if the shepherds have received much, it would not be right for them to have received a special privilege because they have received this or that gift, including that of being present at the Nativity. Simon, moreover, declares that we shouldn't put earthly things where heavenly things are.

Judas then ironizes directly, pointing out that, having been healed so soon, the Zealot has recovered all his possessions, and is therefore not living on spirit alone. But Lazarus' friend replies that he has given specific orders and is free of everything to follow Jesus.

Judas finally grumbles, because he's wrong again, and John tries to console him by saying that he's practical, but that he'll soon change in Jesus' presence.

The latter deftly changes the conversation when Judas continues to grumble, and he gives instructions to Levi and Elijah: they will lead him to Jonah, and Joseph will stay with the group as far as Jericho.

Finally, they arrive in Hebron, near Zechariah's house. But the house is surrounded by a wall, which wasn't there before. A man tells them that a Herodian has taken possession of the house, and that he has a prostitute with him. He talks for a long time about John - whom he sees as the Messiah, despite the dialogue with Jesus and John - and the Master does not insist when the man is stubborn and believes he has the truth.

On their way to the synagogue, they go round the house and meet Aglaia. Jesus enters Zechariah's house and engages in a very sincere conversation with the courtesan. She begins a journey of redemption, but after leaving him, Jesus is rejected by the synagogue. Prostitutes are not to be spoken to, and when Judas remarks on him once he's out on the town, the Lord declares that Aglaia will surpass him, and that the time will soon come when pagans will worship the true God, rather than the chosen people who should receive the Messiah.

Ultimately, he was unable to honor the remains of Samuel and Zechariah, but he tells them to rejoice, for the first resurrection is at hand.

Jesus, John, Judas and Simon the Zealot arrive in Keroth. The shepherds are gone. Judas is really agitated and can't hold it together. He asks the Master to tell him, and Simon points out to the Master that this man doesn't understand him. Jesus sighs, but says nothing.

They arrive in Keroth, and are greeted by Judas' mother. She greets him with great respect, offers him something to refresh himself and gives him sandals and a cloak. Jesus initially says nothing, but thinks nothing of it; then, when Mary declares that she knows nothing of the ways of kings, he asks to speak to his apostle alone. There, he rebukes him severely, saying that he is putting obstacles in the way of his mission, for Israel is subject to Rome, and Christ is in no way a King of the earth.

He really encourages Judas to withdraw, to leave the group. Then he describes his kingship and when he will be crowned king: on the wood of the cross, with an infamous sign and under the booing of his people. Jesus thus predicts his atrocious death.

Judas is mortified, but he implores the Master to keep him, that he will become good. He asks for forgiveness and Jesus, tired, forgives him. However, the Iscariot asks to stay and go to his town, as Judas has told everyone that the Lord is coming. So Jesus decides to go along with what Judas has planned, not for himself, but for his mother.

So Jesus goes to Keroth on a chariot, and the synagogue leader welcomes him and asks him to go to their place of prayer. Jesus accepts and preaches to the people. He declares that he is the Word of God, but reminds them that his kingship is primarily spiritual. He then confirms this to the notables of Keroth.

Old Saul intervenes and speaks of the Nativity of Christ, whom he has come to adore. Jesus confirms that it was him, and the old man has a vision of the Lord's kingship. He sees him transfigured, then with his Wounds and Blood. He dies after bearing witness to Jesus' heart, so the group must purify themselves to comply with the Law.

Jesus walks with his disciples towards Hebron. John, Judas and Simon the Zealot are present. His goal is to reach the shepherds, especially Levi and Isaac. Judas grumbles about the incident at Kerioth, where Saul died against Jesus' heart, but the Lord rebukes him. He also affirms that we must be faithful to the Law and set an example. The apostolic group meets up with the shepherds again, and Elijah relates that Aglaia gave him her jewels in Hebron. They discuss what to do with them, but Christ gives no orders for the moment. He gives a short parable about Aglaia and the souls who repent like them. The apostles would like to turn back and go back to her, but Jesus doesn't want them to and decides that they should leave right away for the Temptation Mountain.

Jesus arrives at the Temptation Site, accompanied by John, Judas and Simon the Zealot. It's a desolate place. Judas thinks he's only been there a few hours, but the Lord disabuses him. He explained that he had come there to prepare for his Mission. The Iscariot thought he'd been with a few teachers and rabbis, but who could teach the Word of God anything?

Jesus goes on to explain that men have a destiny and must choose between the Friend or Satan. Finally, he suggested that the apostles stay here for a few days, to teach them the power of penance. John and Simon the Zealot readily accept. Judas is less enthusiastic, but doesn't dare leave.

After a few days, Maria's vision continues. Jesus explains that his stay in the desert lasted forty days and took place during winter. He explains his baptism, given by John, and the Temptation by the Devil. In particular, he talks about his God-man nature, and also answers Judas' question as to whether or not he could have been tempted. At the end of his speech, he asks the disciples not to tell Mary about the world's hostility to Jesus. She would suffer too much...

Jesus meets the shepherds Simeon, Matthias and John for the first time. He is also accompanied by the shepherd Joseph, Simon the Zealot, and John. Intimidated at first, the shepherds are soon put at ease and tell of John's imprisonment. They could free him with a sufficient sum of money. But the group has Aglaia's jewels. Judas is sent to sell them with John. Simon the Zealot confesses his discomfort with the Iscariot.