GRM 164.4
The Gospel as revealed to me
Translation in progress
Notes for this theme
Reading comfort
GRM 164.4
Translation in progress
GRM 164.4
Translation in progress
GRM 165
The vision opens with birds attracted by the food near the caves. Jesus gives them breadcrumbs, and one bold bird even manages to take a piece of cheese. When the meal is over, Christ goes to wake the other apostles. Some are already ready, others are slower; John and Judas even have trouble getting up. Jesus goes to wake up his favorite, who, still fast asleep, takes him for his mother. Jesus laughs and gently wakes him up with a kiss on the cheek. The beloved disciple then wakes up completely, is surprised to see Jesus, and reveals to the Master what he has experienced in the cave. He had not come to see Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, during that week's retreat, but had come to Christ in the "Fire that is the Eternal Love of the Most Holy Trinity". After recounting his mystical experience to him, John asks not to say anything to his companions. Jesus agrees, and asks him to get ready for them to leave.
The Twelve are changed by this retreat: they are calmer, quieter, and more attentive to Christ's words. The soul has been king these last few days, and has made them grow: they are no longer children, but spiritual adolescents.
If Jesus were to remain with them, isolated from the world, he would soon turn them into great saints, but he must return to the world to fulfill the Father's Will. The Master will also send his apostles.
These are no longer the preferred disciples, but the apostles, the leaders of his Church. They will not be enough to accomplish everything, so they associate them with the disciples. They will all have the same mission, but their functions will be different. They will not all be perfect, nor will the spirit that animates them be eternal, for the world will tempt them, and they will have to defend themselves against temptation and against themselves.
The group now leaves the Gorge d'Arbel and heads for Tiberias for a few hours.
Jesus gives a short dictation to Maria, in which he points out that twenty centuries may have deprived the apostolic Gospel of certain parts. This does not harm the doctrine, but it does harm the ease of understanding the apostolic Gospel.
GRM 165.3-4
Translation in progress
GRM 166
Jesus descends from the Gorges d'Arbel. Men and women are waiting for him, and Jesus performs miracles to reward their faith. Then they introduce him to the apostles and say that they will take care of the needs of the souls, while he goes to find others who are even more miserable than they are. Frightened, the apostles follow him, but Jesus encourages them to obey and assures them that they have incorporated his Word without their realizing it. Dejected, they watch the Master leave, but Thomas and James of Alphaeus encourage them to practice obedience, and Matthew encourages them to say a prayer to Wisdom rather than lament.
As soon as the Twelve have finished, the people join him and nag them with questions. In particular, they want to follow the Lord's way, even though they are like grandchildren. Simon the Zealot takes the floor and urges them to examine themselves, keeping in mind the cornerstone of their faith. This is immutable, since it comes from God. Then we must examine all the other stones to see if they are good, bad or useless. If they are bad and come from sensuality, hatred or Satan, they must be destroyed; if they come from God, they must be kept, and our spiritual edifice rebuilt with them. In short, we must demolish "in order to rebuild and to ascend by testing the quality of your old stones at the sound of God's voice."
John then goes on to encourage souls not to be afraid of the path of holiness, even if they are children. There are heroes of holiness like John the Baptist, but the Lamb of God knows that souls are not yet purified, so he himself shows us the way. And his way is love.
John's long speech impressed all present.
Hermas and Stephen listened to him, and Stephen blessed him. But John is very humble and appoints Peter as their leader (Simon de Jonas is stunned). When Stephen asks to follow Christ, Andrew's brother asks him to examine himself, to discern, and then to come to the Lord. In the meantime, he can stay with them to see how they live.
GRM 166.1-2
Translation in progress
GRM 166.7
Translation in progress
GRM 166.8-9
Translation in progress
GRM 167.5
Translation in progress
GRM 167.7
Translation in progress