Maria Valtorta's work

Jesus leaves Jonah, the shepherd of Bethlehem. The shepherd is sad that the Master is leaving and weeps, but Jesus encourages him to stay and promises to bring him Mary, his Mother. He finally affixes a seal to Doras' land so that nothing can harm his domain. Simon the Zealot then asks to speak to the Master, and proposes that the redemption of his house be used to free Jonas. The Zealot suggests going through Lazarus, and Jesus accepts. He then tells him that he suffers to see the good suffer, but that God does not provide everything, for he would then be committing theft from his friends, who must also be merciful and charitable. Simon understands his thought, and says that the further he advances, the more he glimpses the Perfection that is God. Jesus then gives a beautiful definition of the Most High, and Levi, the shepherd, asks to go with him to Nazareth, in his Mother's name. Jesus accepts.

Later, Jesus arrives in his town. He greets some women, including Mary of Alphaeus, who has come to take water jugs for the Virgin. Jesus takes the jugs from her and goes to surprise his Mother. She is delighted to see her Son again, but can see that he is tired and weary. He wants to rest beside her, and ends up falling asleep on Mary's Heart.

Jesus slept in Nazareth. Mary discreetly takes care of her house. She bakes bread and is joined by Mary of Alphaeus, who has a single concern: to warn Jude that his cousin is in Nazareth. Jesus arrives and tells her that his blood brother is coming. He talks a little with Mary, who has noticed his sad sleep. But now he's happy, because he's with his Mother. He goes to fetch the two shepherds - Levi and Joseph - who have asked to see Mary. The Lord also introduces him to Simon the Zealot, John and Judas. Then Peter arrives. He is surprised and stunned when he sees Jesus, but he is very, very happy to see his Master again, and never wants to leave him. He meets the two shepherds for the first time, then Judas, and comments on the Zealot's soul. Jesus then invites them to go elsewhere and let the women do their work. Levi goes back to Elijah and Isaac. Simon the Zealot prepares a letter for Lazarus, with a view to freeing Jonah.

Jesus is with Peter, Andrew, John, James, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Jude, Simon and Judas, as well as the shepherd Joseph. Jude and Matthew are missing from the Twelve. Jesus has decided to send them out into the world, but to do so, he must train them. So he tells them to love one another, to stick together. They must be one, and not despise souls who don't know God. They must all see themselves as brothers, as members of the same family. To illustrate his point, Jesus takes his inspiration from ants working together for the good of their anthill. When he has finished teaching, Judas sulks: he has the impression that the Master favors Galilee over Keroth and Judea. He thus reveals the poor reception Christ received there, which the Lord wanted to hide. Jesus gives him many reasons why he did not despise the land of Judas. Peter is obviously seething and demands that the Iscariot apologize, but Jesus cuts him short. He reiterates his request that they not tell his Mother about the poor reception he received in Judea.

Jesus is still in Nazareth. He is with Peter, Andrew, John, James, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Jude, Simon and Judas, as well as the shepherd Joseph. He teaches them that all that is hidden will one day be known, and that we must act out of kindness without seeking to be noticed by men. It is God who gives the reward. Next, the Lord encourages us not to judge by appearances. He briefly describes the case of a father who speaks harshly to his son: either he does this to inspire his child to repentance, or he does it out of laziness, and that's a sin. Finally, Jesus talks about the fact that the disciple works himself with the help of his master, but that success depends on our good will. He ends by talking about his Mother, who is ready to follow him, but who is aware of the defilement of the world around her. We come to quote Genesis with Cain and Abel, and the Crime that will take place with the death of Jesus.

Jesus lives in Nazareth. There had been a storm the day before. He goes to find his Mother and, after kissing her tenderly, asks her if her plants have suffered. But Peter is watching and is a real gardener. He is slightly reminiscent of Porphyria, but is valiant and tries not to slander his mother-in-law. In any case, Jesus confirms that he will come to Capernaum, and he is delighted. The other disciples arrive. Present are Simon of Jonah, John, Judas, Simon the Zealot, Thomas, Andrew, James, Philip and the shepherd Joseph. Jude Thaddaeus is also present, which was not the case in the previous chapter. In any case, Christ talks about apostolic formation, and makes comparisons with nature (storms, frozen ground in winter). He then focuses on Jude's suffering, as he watches Alpheus' behavior as he nears death. He speaks of the martyrdom of the family, of always knowing how to respond to God's call and putting the Lord before blood. Of course, the Master gives great importance to filial love, but the family must not be a brake on our ascent towards God.

Jesus is in Capernaum. He leaves Peter's house. He is asked to teach the people, which he accepts, but he wants to go and see someone first. And so he goes with Peter and Andrew to see the Belle of Chorazeïn, a leper whom Andrew has converted. The woman believes thanks to the apostle and asks for the life of her soul so that she can die in peace. Jesus gives her absolution and asks her to go and bathe in the lake. When she comes out, she is healed and blesses the Lord. He gives her his peace and leaves. The second part of the vision shows him in Capernaum. He speaks of David's bad behavior, having put a man to death to get his wife (which was reprehensible to God), and then quotes his psalm in which he repents. Then he talks about the story of Sansom in the Book of Judges. He invites man not to tempt the Lord his God, even in his goodness. He forgives, forgives, forgives, but you have to be willing not to commit your sin again. Then he speaks briefly of the Belle of Chorazeïn, whom he has healed, and asks for the charity of the citizens of Capernaum.

James of Alphaeus joins Jesus in Capernaum, along with his brother Jude. He explains that the whole family is against them, and when he learned that God had to be put above his father, he made the decision to go and find the Holy One of God. The cousins have believed from the start that he is the Messiah. Jesus welcomes him. He suffers Alphaeus' rejection, but spiritually, as the Word of God, he rejoices in this decision.

Now they have to give the tax to Matthew. Peter speaks ill of him, and it's Jesus who introduces himself to the future disciple. They have a brief exchange. Then Christ makes a speech about money and repentance.

When he has finished, he is told that Mary of Alphaeus is present. She is devastated for her Alpheus, who rejects God. She asks him for a miracle, but the Lord won't grant it, because it's not good to do so. But he does promise eternal salvation for her Alpheus, and gives words of encouragement to her aunt.

Jesus preaches in Bethsaida, accompanied by the inhabitants of Capernaum. He tells them that the powerful will do everything in their power to accuse Christ and turn them away from the Messiah. Then he tells them about the Belle of Chorazeïn, whom he healed, and affirms that he will go out to sinners again, for he is the Savior. He also insists that the women of Bethsa¨ide forgive his adulteries and the sins she has committed in the past. He doesn't want them to be tigresses, but gentle sheep. He talks for a moment about the Belle's deep repentance, then about baptism and the hypocrisy of some.

With the subject closed, Jesus talks about the co-redeemers and the fact that the angels themselves cannot suffer. He emphasizes that it is a glorious destiny to suffer, and that men surpass angels in this. Finally, he insists on purity, particularly of the eyes (the eye is the lamp of the body). Then he talks about marriage, and chastity and virginity in the couple, too. The speech ends there. He goes off to eat at Philip's house, and Matthew listens quietly.