Notes for this theme

Divine virtues and characteristics of Jesus Christ

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Reading comfort

GRM 60.1-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

60.1 Peter is speaking to Jesus. He says: «Master, I would like to ask You to come to my house. I did not dare to ask You last Sabbath. But… I would like You to come.»
«To Bethsaida?»
«No, here… to my wife’s house. I mean her home.»
«Why do you want that, Peter?»
«Well, for many reasons… also because today I was told that my mother-in-law is ill. If You would heal her, perhaps she…»
«Tell Me, Simon.»
«What I wanted to say is… if You go to her, she would stop… yes, well, You know, it is not the same thing to hear people speak of someone and to see and listen to someone, and if the person in question heals… well…»
«You mean also the ill-feeling would come to an end?»
«No, not exactly ill-feeling. But, You know… there are many opinions in the village, and she… does not know whom she should listen to. Come, Jesus.»
«I will come. Let us go. You will tell those who are waiting for Me that I will speak to them from your house.»
60.2 They go as far as a low house, even lower than Peter’s house at Bethsaida, and it is also closer to the lake. It is separated from the lake by the pebbly shore and I think that when there is a storm, the waves break against the walls of the house, which, while being low, is very wide, as if several people lived in it.
In the kitchen garden in front of the house, facing the lake, there is only an old gnarled vine, supported by a rustic pergola, and an old fig-tree which the winds, blowing from the lake, have bent towards the house. The ruffled foliage of the tree brushes the walls of the house and beats against the shutters of the little windows, which are now closed as a protection against the bright sunshine. There is nothing but the vine and the fig-tree and a greenish little wall of a low well.
«Come in, Master.»
There are some women in the kitchen, some are busy mending the nets, some are preparing the food. They greet Peter and they bow embarrassed to Jesus, peering up at Him curiously.
«Peace be to this house. How is the patient?»
«Tell Him, you who are the oldest daughter-in-law» three of the women say to another one, who is drying her hands on the edge of her dress.
«Her temperature is very high. The doctor has seen her and he said she is too old to get better and that when the disease goes from the bones to the heart, and gives a temperature, one dies, particularly at an old age. She will not eat any more… I try and prepare something good, even now, see, Simon, I was preparing the soup she used to like so much. I chose the best fish that I got from my brothers-in-law. But I do not think she will be able to eat it. And… she is so restless! She complains, and shouts, and cries, and curses…»
«Be patient, as if she were your mother and God will grant you merit for it.
60.3 Take Me to her.»
«Rabbi… Rabbi… I don’t know if she will be pleased to see You. She does not want to see anybody. I dare not say to her: “I am now bringing the Rabbi in to see you”.»
Jesus smiles calmly. He addresses Peter: «It is your turn, Simon. You are a man and the oldest son-in-law, you told Me. Go.»
Peter makes a significant grimace and obeys. He walks across the kitchen, and goes into another room and through the door which he closes, I can hear him talking to a woman. He looks out and says: «Come, Master, quick.» And he whispers in a very low, just audible voice: «Before she changes her mind.»
Jesus walks across the kitchen and opens the door wide. Standing on the threshold, He pronounces His sweet, solemn greeting: «Peace be with you.» He goes in, although He gets no reply. He goes near a low bed on which a little old woman is lying, grey-haired, thin, panting because of the high temperature which causes her wasted face to flush.
Jesus bends over the little bed, smiles at the old woman: «Are you in pain?»
«I am dying!»
«No. You will not die. Do you believe that I can heal you?»
«Why would You want to do that? You do not know me.»
«For Simon, who asked Me… and for you, to give your soul time to see and love the Light.»
«Simon? It would be better if he… How come Simon thought of me?»
«Because he is better than you think. I know him and I am sure. I know him, and I am happy to satisfy him.»
«Would You heal me, then? I will not die, then?»
«No, woman. You will not die as yet. Can you believe in Me?»
«I believe, I believe. It is enough for me not to die!»
60.4 Jesus smiles once again. He takes her hand. Her hand, wrinkled and with swollen veins, disappears in the younger hand of Jesus, Who stands straight up, and takes the position He normally assumes when performing a miracle. He shouts: «Be healed! I want it! Get up!» and He lets her hand go. And her hand falls down without any complaint, whereas before, notwithstanding Jesus had taken it very gently, she groaned when it was moved.
There is silence for a few moments. Then the old woman cries out: «Oh! God of our fathers! But there is nothing wrong with me! I am healed! Come! Come!» Her daughters-in-law rush in. «Look!» says the old woman: «I can move and I feel no pain! And I am no longer feverish! Feel how cool I am. And my heart no longer feels like the blacksmith’s hammer. Ah! I am not dying any longer!» Not one word for the Lord!
But Jesus does not mind. He says to the oldest daughter-in-law: «Dress her that she may get up. She is fit to be up.» And He makes for the door.
Simon, mortified, says to his mother-in-law: «The Master has healed you. Have you nothing to say to Him?»
«Certainly. I wasn’t thinking of that. Thank You. What can I do to thank You?»
«Be good, very good. Because the Eternal Father has been good to you. And if it is not too much trouble for you, allow Me to rest in your home today. I have been to all the nearby villages the past week, and I arrived here at dawn this morning. I am tired.»
«Certainly! Certainly! You may stay if You wish.» But there is not much enthusiasm in her words.
60.5 Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James and John go and sit down in the kitchen garden.
«Master!…»
«Yes, Peter?»
«I feel humiliated.»
Jesus makes a gesture, which meant: «Never mind.» He then goes on: «She is not the first, and will not be the last who do not feel immediate gratitude. But I do not seek gratitude. All I want is to give souls the chance to save themselves. I do My duty. Let them do theirs.»
«Ah! There have been other cases like this one? Where?»
«Curious Simon! But I will please you, although I do not like useless curiosity. At Nazareth. Do you remember Sarah’s mother? She was very ill when we arrived in Nazareth and we were told that the little girl cried. Since she is good and gentle, and I did not want her to become an orphan and a stepdaughter in the future, I went to see the woman… I wanted to heal her… But I had not yet set foot in the house, when her husband and a brother drove Me away, saying: “Away! Go away! We do not want to get into trouble with the synagogue”. For them, for too many, I am already a rebel… I healed her just the same… for the sake of her children. And I said to Sarah in the kitchen garden, caressing her: “I will heal your mother. Go home. Do not cry any more”. And the woman was healed the same moment and the little girl told her, and she told also her father and her uncle… and she was punished for speaking to Me. I know, because the child ran after Me when I was leaving the village… But it does not matter.»
«I would have made her become ill again.»
«Peter!» Jesus is severe. «Is that what I teach you and the others? What have you heard Me say from the very first time you heard Me? Of what have I always spoken as being the first condition to be My true disciples?»
«It is true, Master. I am a real beast. Forgive me. But… I cannot bear the fact that they do not love You!»
«Oh! Peter! You will see much greater indifference! You will have many surprises, Peter! People that the so called “holy” world scorns as being money-changers, who instead will set an example in the world, an example which will not be followed by those who despise them. Heathens who will be My most faithful ones. Prostitutes who will become pure by strong will power and penance. Sinners who amend their way of living…»
«Listen: that a sinner amends his way… it may well be. But a prostitute and a money-changer!…»
«You do not believe it?»
«I do not.»
«You are mistaken, Simon.
60.6 But here is your mother-in-law coming towards us.»
«Master, I beg You to come and sit at my table.»
«Thank you, woman. May God reward you.»
They go into the kitchen and sit at the table. The old woman serves them with plenty of fish, both as soup and roasted. «I have nothing else but this» she apologises. And, to keep up the habit, she says to Peter: «Your brothers-in-law are doing even too much, all alone as they are, since you went to Bethsaida! If it had only helped to make my daughter richer… But I hear that you are very often absent and you do not go fishing.»
«I follow the Master. I have been to Jerusalem with Him and I am with Him on Sabbaths. I do not spend my time in revelries.»
«But you don’t earn any money. Since you want to be the Prophet’s servant, you had better come back here again. At least that poor daughter of mine will be fed by her relatives while you are acting the saint.»
«But are you not ashamed of speaking like that in front of Him Who healed you?»
«I am not criticising Him. He is doing His job. I am criticising you, you are a sluggard. In any case, you will never be a prophet or a priest. You are an ignorant sinner, a good for nothing.»
«You are lucky that He is here, otherwise…»
«Simon, your mother-in-law gave you very good advice. You can go fishing even here. I am told that you used to go fishing also at Capernaum. You can come back again.»
«And live here again? But Master, You do not…»
«Be good, Peter. If you are here, you will be either on the lake or with Me. So what difference is it for you if you are or you are not in this house?» Jesus has laid His hand on Peter’s shoulder and His calmness seems to pass into the fiery apostle.
«You are right. You are always right. I will do that. But… what about these?» and he points to his partners John and James.
«Can they not come, too?»
«Oh! Our father and above all our mother will be happier if they know we are with You, rather than with them. They will not object.»
«Perhaps Zebedee will come, too» says Peter.
«Quite likely. And others with him. We will come, Master.»

Detail

Note: There are two miracles in this extract, that of Peter's mother-in-law, and that of the mother of the child Sarah, in Nazareth (cf. 60.5).

Annotation

Matthew 8:14-15

As Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and served him.

Mark 1, 29-31

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever. They immediately told Jesus about the sick woman. Jesus went to her, took her by the hand and raised her up. The fever left her, and she served them.

Luke 4:38-39

Jesus left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and Jesus was asked to do something for her. He bent over her, threatened the fever, and it left her. Immediately, the woman got up and served them.

Keywords

GRM 61.1-2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus has climbed on top of a pile of baskets and ropes at the entrance to the kitchen garden of the house of Peter’s mother-in-law. The kitchen garden is crowded with people, and other people are on the lake shore, some sitting on the shore, some on the beached boats. It looks as if He has been speaking for some time, because the sermon has started.
I hear: «… Certainly many times you have thought so in your hearts. But it is not so. The Lord has not lacked in kindness of heart towards His people. Notwithstanding His people lacked in loyalty to Him thousands of times.
Listen to this parable. It will help you to understand.
A king had many wonderful horses in his stables. But he was particularly fond of one of them. He gazed fondly at it, even before he had it. Afterwards, when he got it, he put it in a delightful place and he often went to admire his favourite horse, both with his eyes and with his heart, dreaming it would become the wonder of his kingdom. And when the horse rebelled against commands, disobeyed and ran away under another master, the king, in his sorrow and his severity, promised he would forgive the rebel after it had been punished. And loyal as he was, although far away, he watched over his favourite and sent gifts and guardians to it, hoping they would keep his remembrance in the horse’s heart.
But the horse, although suffering from the exile from the kingdom, was not steady, as the king was, in loving and wishing complete forgiveness. At times it was good, at times bad; neither was its goodness greater than its badness. In fact, it was the other way round. And yet the king was patient and, with reproaches and caresses, he endeavoured to turn his horse into a dearer and more docile friend. As time went by, the horse became more and more loath. It invoked its king, it cried under the whip of other masters, but it did not really want to belong to the king. It simply did not want to. Oppressed, exhausted, moaning, it did not say: “I am such through my own fault”. Instead; it accused its king for it.
The king, after trying everything, decided to make one last effort. “So far” he said, “I have sent messengers and friends. Now I will send my own son. His heart is like my own and will speak the same love as I would, and will make use of the same caresses and gifts as I used, indeed, he will be even kinder, because my son is like myself, but made more sublime by love”. And he sent his son.
That is the parable.
61.2
Now tell Me: do you think that king loved his favourite horse?»
The crowd together reply: «He loved it with infinite love.»
«Could the animal complain of its king about all the ill it had suffered after leaving him?»
«No, it could not» reply the people.
«Answer also this question: how do you think that horse will have received the king’s son who went to rescue and cure it and take it back once again to the delightful land?»
«With great joy, of course, with gratitude and love.»
«Now, if the king’s son said to the horse: “I have come for this reason, to do such and such a thing for you, but now you must be good, obedient, willing and loyal to me”, what do you think the horse replied?»
«Oh! There is no need to ask! Now that it was aware of how much it cost to be expelled from the kingdom, it will have said that it wanted to be as the king’s son suggested.»
«Well, then, what was the duty of that horse, according to you?»
«To be even better than it was requested, more affectionate, more docile, to be forgiven for past faults, and out of gratitude for all the good received.»
«And if it did not do that?»
«It would deserve death, because it was worse than a wild beast.»
«My friends, you have judged correctly. But do exactly yourselves as you would have liked that horse to do. I beseech you, men, the favourite creatures of the King of Heaven, of God, My Father and yours, to be at least as you judge that horse to be. Because after the Prophets, God sends you His own Son and I implore you, for your good, and because I love you as only God can love, the God Who is in Me to work the miracle of Redemption. Woe to those men who lower themselves to a lower degree than animals! But if it was possible to excuse those who committed sin up to the present time — because too long a time has elapsed since the Law was given and too much worldly dust has settled on the Law — now it is no longer so. I have come to bring the word of God once again. The Son of man is amongst men to lead them back to God. Follow Me. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.»

Detail

Parable of the king's beloved horse. Man is God's beloved creature

Keywords

GRM 61.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus tells His disciples: «Let the poor come forward. There is a rich offer for them made by one who begs to obtain forgiveness from God.»
Three tattered old men come forward, two blind men and a cripple; they are followed by a widow with seven emaciated children.
Jesus stares at them, one by one, He smiles at the widow and particularly at the children. He says to John: «Put those over there in the kitchen garden. I want to speak to them.» But He becomes stern, with blazing eyes, when a little old man appears. But He says nothing for the time being.
He calls Peter, whom He asks for the purse received shortly before and for another one containing smaller coins, which are offerings collected from good-hearted people. He empties the coins onto the bench near the well, He counts them, and divides them. He makes six parts. A very big one, all silver coins, and five smaller ones in size, with many bronze coins and a few big ones. He calls the poor, sick people and asks them: «Have you nothing to tell Me?»
The blind men are silent; the cripple says: «May He Who sent You, protect You.» Nothing else.
Jesus puts the offering into his good hand.
The man says: «May God reward You. But more than this offering, I would like to be healed by You.»
«You did not ask for that.»
«I am poor, a worm trodden on by the mighty ones, I dared not hope You would have mercy on a beggar.»
«I am Mercy that bends over all miseries calling Me. I refuse no one. All I ask for is faith and love, that I may say: I am listening to you.»
«Oh! My Lord! I believe You and I love You. Save me, then! Heal Your servant!»
Jesus lays His hand on the crook-back, He moves it gently, as if He were caressing the man and says: «I want you to be healed.» The man straightens up, agile and wholesome, uttering endless blessings.

Detail

Healing a hunchback.

Keywords

GRM 61.3.5-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus tells His disciples: «Let the poor come forward. There is a rich offer for them made by one who begs to obtain forgiveness from God.»
Three tattered old men come forward, two blind men and a cripple; they are followed by a widow with seven emaciated children.
Jesus stares at them, one by one, He smiles at the widow and particularly at the children. He says to John: «Put those over there in the kitchen garden. I want to speak to them.» But He becomes stern, with blazing eyes, when a little old man appears. But He says nothing for the time being.
He calls Peter, whom He asks for the purse received shortly before and for another one containing smaller coins, which are offerings collected from good-hearted people. He empties the coins onto the bench near the well, He counts them, and divides them. He makes six parts. A very big one, all silver coins, and five smaller ones in size, with many bronze coins and a few big ones. (...) 61.5 The third old man comes forward, He seems to be the most ragged. But Jesus has only the big pile of money left. He calls in a loud voice: «Woman, come here with your little ones.»
The young emaciated woman comes forward with her head lowered down. She seems a sad hen with her sad brood of chickens.
«How long have you been a widow, woman?»
«Three years at the moon of Tishry.»
«How old are you?»
«Twenty-seven.»
«Are they all your children?»
«Yes, Master… and I have nothing else. I finished everything… How can I work if no one wants me with all these little ones?»
«God does not abandon even the worm He created. He will not abandon you, woman. Where do you live?»
«On the lake. Three stadia outside Bethsaida. He told me to come here… My husband died on the lake; he was a fisherman.» She points to Andrew, who blushes and would like to disappear.
«You did well, Andrew, telling the woman to come to Me.»
Andrew takes heart and whispers: «The man was a friend of mine, he was good, he died in a storm and lost his boat too.»
«Take this, woman. It will help you for a long time, then another sun will rise on your days. Be good, bring your children up in the Law and you will not be without God’s help. I bless you: you and your little ones.» And He pats them, one by one, with great pitiful love.
The woman goes away pressing her treasure to her heart.
61.6
«And what about me?» asks the old man who is left last.
Jesus looks at him, but is silent.
«Nothing for me? You are not fair! You gave her six times as much as the others, and nothing to me. Of course… she was a woman!»
Jesus looks at him, but is silent.
«Look everybody; and tell me if there is justice! I have come from far away, because I was told that money was given here, and now I see that some get too much and I get nothing. A poor, old, sick man! And He wants us to believe in Him!…»
«My old man, are you not ashamed of telling such lies? Death is behind your back and you lie and endeavour to rob also who is hungry. Why do you want to rob your brothers of the offering that I received to give it with justice?»
«But I…»
«Be quiet! You should have understood by My silence and My action that I had recognised you and you should have followed My example and been silent. Why do you want Me to shame you?»
«I am poor.»
«No, you are a miser and a thief. You live for money and usury.»
«I have never lent on usury. God is my witness.»
«And is this not the most fierce usury, to rob those who are in dire need? Go. Repent. That God may forgive you.»
«I swear…»
«Be quiet! I tell you! It is said: “You shall not swear falsehood”. If I did not respect your old age, I would search you and in your breast I would find a purse full of gold: your real heart. Go away!»
The impudent old man, seeing that his secret has been discovered, goes away without any need for Jesus’ thundering voice.
The crowd threaten and scorn him, and they insult him as a thief.
«Be quiet! If he did wrong, do not do the same. He lacks sincerity: he is dishonest. If you insult him, you lack charity. A brother who makes a mistake is not to be insulted. Everybody has his sins. No one is perfect but God. I was compelled to shame him, because nobody must ever be a thief, and much less steal from poor people. But only the Father knows how much I suffered having to do it. You must also be sorry, seeing that a man in Israel infringes the Law endeavouring to defraud the poor and a widow. Do not be greedy. May your souls, not money, be your treasure. Do not be perjurers. Let your language be as sincere and honest as your actions. Life is not eternal and the hour of death will come. Live in such a way that at the hour of your death peace may be in your souls. The peace of those who lived an honest life. Go home…»

Detail

Jesus gives a large sum of money to a twenty-seven-year-old widow with seven children. Behind him is a poor, ragged widow.

Keywords

GRM 61.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

61.4 Jesus hands the offering to the blind men and waits an instant before dismissing them… then He lets them go. He calls the old people. He gives the alms to the first one, and helps him to put the coins into his belt pouch. He listens pitifully to the mishaps of the second one, who informs Jesus of the disease of one of his daughters.
«I have but her! And she is dying. What will happen to me? Oh! if only You came! She cannot come, she cannot stand up. She would love to… but cannot. Master, Lord, Jesus, have mercy on us!»
«Where do you live, father?»
«At Korazim. Ask for Isaac of Jonah, named the Adult. Will You really come? Will You not forget our misfortunes? And will You heal my daughter?»
«Do you believe I can heal her?»
«Oh! I do believe it. That is why I am speaking to You about it.»
«Go home, father. Your daughter will be greeting you on the doorstep.»
«But she is in bed and she has not been able to get up for the last three… Ah! I now understand! Oh! Thank You, Rabboni! Blessed are You and He Who sent You! Praise be to God and His Messiah!» The old man goes away, plodding along as fast as he can. But when he is almost outside the kitchen garden he says: «Master, will You come just the same to my poor house? Isaac will be waiting for You to kiss Your feet and wash them with His tears, and offer You the bread of love. Come, Jesus: I will speak to the townsfolk about You.»
«I will come. Go in peace and be happy.»

Detail

Healing of an old man's daughter, who can no longer walk. His name is Isaac de Jonas.

Keywords

GRM 61.7

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

61.7 «Have mercy, Lord! This son of mine is deaf because a demon vexes him.»
«And this brother of mine is like an unclean animal, he wallows in the mud and eats excrement. A malignant spirit forces him to do that, and although against his will, he does foul things.»
Jesus goes towards the imploring group. He lifts His arms and orders: «Come out of them. Leave to God His creatures.»
Amidst shouts and uproars the two unhappy men are healed. The women leading them kneel down, blessing.
«Go home and be thankful to God. Peace to you all. Go.»
The crowd leave, commenting on the events. The four disciples gather around the Master.
«My friends, I solemnly tell you that all sins can be found in Israel and the demons have taken up their abode there. Neither are the possessed the only ones whose lips are mute, or are driven to live like animals and eat filth. But the most real and numerous possessions are those that make hearts mute to honesty and love, and turn hearts into a sink of filthy vices. Oh! Father!» Jesus sits down depressed.
«Are You tired, Master?»
«Not tired, My dear John, but afflicted because of the state of hearts and the lack of will to grow better. I have come… but man… man… Oh! Father!…»
«Master, I love You. We all love You…»
«I know. But you are so few… and My eagerness to save is so great!»
Jesus has embraced John, and is resting His head on His disciple’s. He is sad. Peter, Andrew and James are near Him, and they look at Him with love and sadness.
And the vision ends in this way.

Keywords

GRM 62.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

62.3 Why were you looking for Me, is there anything you want of Me?»
«No, Master. But there are many who want so much from You. There were already people coming from Capernaum, and they were poor, sick, depressed people, people of goodwill and anxious to be taught. When they inquired about You, we said: “The Master is tired and is sleeping. Go away and come back next Sabbath”.»
«No, Simon. You must not say that. There is not one day only for mercy. I am Love, Light and Health every day of the week.»
«But… so far You have spoken only on Sabbaths.»
«Because I was still unknown. But as I become known, every day there will be effusions of Grace and graces. I tell you solemnly that the time will come when even the moment of time which is granted to a sparrow to rest on a branch and eat some little grains will not be granted to the Son of man for His rest and meals.»
«But You will be taken ill! We will not allow that. Your kindness must not make You unhappy.»
«And do you think that could make Me unhappy? Oh! If all the world came to Me to listen to Me, to bewail its sins and sorrow on My heart, to be healed in its bodies and souls, and I were worn out speaking and forgiving and pouring forth My power, I would be so happy, Peter, that I would not even regret Heaven, where I was in the Father!…

Keywords

GRM 63.1-5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

63.1 Since before dawn, as in the detail of a perfect photograph, I see in my spirit a poor leper.
He is really a mess of a man. He is so ravaged by his disease, that I could not tell his age. Reduced to a skeleton, half naked, his body is in the state of a corroded mummy, with contorted hands and feet, parts of which are missing, so that the miserable limbs no longer seem to belong to a human being. His hands, twisted and clawed, resemble the talons of a winged monster, his feet are so fragmented and disfigured, that they are almost like the hooves of an ox.
And his head!… I think that the head of anyone left unburied, which becomes mummified by sun and wind, must be like the head of this man. A few surviving forelocks, spread here and there, sticking to the yellowish, crusty skin, like dust dried on a skull, very deep set eyes half open, lips and nose half eaten by the disease and showing cartilage and gums, two embryonic wrecks of outer ears, all his visible body covered by a wrinkled skin, as yellow as some types of kaolin, with bones showing here and there: his skin seems to have the task of keeping all the poor bones together, in its filthy sack all covered with ugly scars and putrid sores. A real wreck!
I cannot help thinking of the personification of Death wandering on the earth, covered by a wrinkled skin on its skeleton, wrapped in a filthy mantle falling to bits and pieces, holding in its hand not a scythe, but a knotty stick torn from a tree.
He is at the entrance of a remote cave, a real cave, in such a state of ruin that I cannot say whether it was originally a sepulchre, or a hut for wood cutters or the remains of a demolished house. He is looking at the road, over one hundred metres away from his cave, a main road, dusty and still sunny. There is nobody on the road. As far as the eye can see, on the road there is sunshine, dust and solitude. Much higher up, to the northwest, there must be a village or a town. I can see the first houses. It must be at least a kilometre away.
The leper looks and sighs. He takes a chipped bowl and fills it at a brook. He drinks. He goes into a tangle of bushes, behind his cave, bends down and pulls some wild roots out of the ground. He goes back to the brook, he washes them, removing the coarser dirt with the little water of the rivulet and he eats them slowly, taking them painfully to his mouth with his ruined hands. They must be as hard as sticks. He finds difficulty in chewing them and he has to spit many out as he is unable to swallow them, notwithstanding the water he drinks to help himself.
63.2 «Where are you, Abel?» shouts someone.
The leper rouses, he has something on his lips that might be a smile. But his lips are in such a bad state that even that outward sign of a smile is vague and shapeless. He replies with a strange, squeaky voice: it reminds me of the cry of certain birds, the exact name of which I do not know: «I am here! I did not believe you were coming anymore. I thought something had happened to you. I was sad… If I lose you too, what will happen to poor Abel?» While speaking, he walks towards the road, as far as he can according to the Law, apparently, because at half the way, he stops.
A man comes foreward on the road, he is moving so fast that he seems to be running.
«Is that really you, Samuel? Oh! If it is not you I am waiting for, whoever you may be, don’t hurt me!»
«It’s me, Abel, it’s me! And I am healed. Look how I can run. I am late, I know. And I was worried about you. But when you hear… oh! you will be happy. And I have with me not only the usual crusts of bread, but a whole loaf of good, fresh bread, and it is all for you, and I have some good fish, and some cheese, and it is all for you. I want you to rejoice, my poor friend, and thus get ready for a greater joy.»
«But how have you become so rich? I do not understand…»
«I will tell you.»
«And healed. You do not seem the same man!»
63.3 «Listen, then. I heard that there was at Capernaum that Rabbi who is a holy man, and I went…»
«Stop, stop! I am infected.»
«Oh! It does not matter! I am no longer afraid of anything.» The man, who is indeed the cripple healed and helped by Jesus, with his fast step has almost reached the leper and is only a few steps from him. He spoke while walking and smiling happily.
But the leper says once again: «In the name of God, stop. If anyone should see you…»
«I will stop. Look: I am putting the provisions here. Eat, while I speak to you.» He puts a bundle on a large stone, and opens it up. He then withdraws a few steps, while the leper moves forward and throws himself on the rare food.
«Oh! How long it is since I had food like this! How good it is! And I was just thinking that I was going to rest with an empty stomach. Not one merciful soul today… and not even you… I had chewed some roots…»
«Poor Abel! I was afraid of that. But I said: “Well, he may be sad now, but he will be happy after!”»
«Happy, yes, because of this good food. But after…»
«No! You will be happy forever.»
The leper shakes his head.
«Listen, Abel. If you can have faith, you will be happy.»
«But faith in whom?»
«In the Rabbi. In the Rabbi Who healed me.»
«But I am a leper. And at the last stage! How can He heal me?»
«Oh! He can. He is holy.»
«Yes, also Elisha healed Naaman the leper… I know… But I… I cannot go to the Jordan.»
«You will be healed without the need of any water. Listen: this Rabbi is the Messiah, do you understand? The Messiah! He is the Son of God. And He heals everyone who has faith. He says: “I want” and the demons flee, limbs are straightened, and blind eyes see.»
«Oh! I would have faith, I would indeed! But how can I see the Messiah?»
«Exactly… I have come just for that. He is often over there, in that village. I know where He will be this evening. If you want… I said: “I will tell Abel, and if Abel feels he can have faith, I will take him to the Master”.»
«Are you mad, Samuel? If I go near houses, I will be stoned.»
«Not near the houses. It will be soon getting dark. I will take you to that thicket, and then I will go and call the Master. I will bring Him to you…»
«Go, go at once! I will go by myself to that place. I will walk in the ditch, behind the hedge, but go, go… Oh! go, my good friend! If you only knew what it is to suffer from this disease. And what it means to hope to be healed!…» The leper no longer is interested in the food. He cries and gesticulates imploring his friend.
«I am going, and you will come.» The healed cripple runs away.
63.4 Abel with difficulty climbs down into the ditch coasting the road, as it is full of bushes which have grown on the dry earth. Only in the centre there is a fine stream of water. It is getting dark, and the poor man slides among the bushes, always on the look-out in case he should hear any steps. Twice he has to hide on the bottom: the first time when a man on horseback passes along the road, the second time when three men, laden with hay, pass by going to the village. And he goes on.
But Jesus and Samuel reach the thicket before him. «He will be here before long. He moves very slowly because of his wounds Please be patient.»
«I am not in a hurry.»
«Will You heal him?»
«Has he faith?»
«Oh!… he was dying of starvation. He saw that food after years of abstinence, and yet, after a few mouthfuls, he left it all to come here.»
«How did you meet him?»
«You know… I lived on charity after my misfortune and I went along the roads from one place to another. I used to pass here every seven days and I met the poor man… one day, when driven by hunger, he had come on the main road looking for something, under a most violent storm. He was searching amongst the garbage, like a dog. I had a chunk of dry bread in my knapsack, the gift of some good people, and I shared it with him. We have been friends ever since, and I bring him some food every week. With what I have… If I have a lot, I can give a lot; if I have little, I give little. I do what I can as if he were my brother. Since You healed me, may You be blessed, I have been thinking of him… and of You.»
«You are good, Samuel; that is why you have been visited by grace. He who loves deserves everything from God.
63.5 But there is something moving among the branches…»
«Is that you, Abel?»
«Yes, it is me.»
«Come, the Master is waiting for you here, under the walnut tree.»
The leper rises from the ditch and climbs onto the bank, which he crosses and goes into the meadow. Jesus, leaning with His back against a very tall walnut tree, is waiting for him.
«Master, Messiah, Holy One, have mercy on me!» and he throws himself onto the grass at Jesus’ feet. With his face still bent down on the ground he says: «My Lord! If You want, You can cleanse me!» He then dares to rise onto his knees, he stretches out his skeleton-like arms, with contorted hands, he lifts his emaciated ruined face… Tears run down from his diseased eye sockets to his corroded lips.
Jesus looks at him so pitifully. He looks at that shadow of a man, devoured by the terrible disease, who is so horrible and ill-smelling that only true charity can endure to be near him. And yet, Jesus stretches out His hand, His beautiful wholesome right hand to caress the poor fellow.
The leper, without getting up, throws himself back on his heels, and shouts: «Don’t touch me! Have mercy on me!»
But Jesus takes a step forward. Stately, good, kind He lays His fingers on the head devoured by leprosy, and in a low voice, which is full of love and yet most authoritative, He says: «I want it! Be cleansed!» His hand remains on the poor head for a few minutes.«Get up. Go to the priest. Fulfil the prescriptions of the Law. And do not tell anyone what I did for you. But be good. Do not sin any more. I bless you.»
«Oh! Lord! Abel! You are completely healed!» Samuel, seeing the complete change of his friend, shouts out of joy.
«Yes, he is healed. He deserved it because of his faith. Goodbye. Peace be with you.»
«Master! Master! Master! I will not leave You. I cannot leave You.»
«Do what the Law prescribes. We will meet again. Once again I bless you.»
Jesus goes away, nodding to Samuel to stay. And the two friends shed tears of joy, while in the light of a quarter of the moon they go back to the cave for the last rest in that den of misfortune.
And the vision ends in this way.

Detail

Healing of a leper.

Samuel arrives in 63.2. The miracle takes place in 63.4. To get the full context, it's a good idea to reread EMV l'EMV 61.3 as well as all of EMV 62.

Annotation

Gospel of Mark 1:40-45

Mk 1:40-45: A leper came to him, begged him and, falling to his knees, said, "If you are willing, you can cleanse me." Seized with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, "I am willing, be cleansed." Instantly, the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. With firmness, Jesus immediately sent him away, saying: "Be careful, don't say anything to anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest, and give for your cleansing what Moses prescribed in the Law: it will be a testimony to the people." Once he had gone, this man began to proclaim and spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly, but stayed away in deserted places. But people came to him from everywhere.

Gospel of Luke 5:12-14

Lk 5:12-14: Jesus was in a town when a man came along, covered in leprosy; when he saw Jesus, he fell face down and begged him, "Lord, if you are willing, you can cleanse me." Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do, be cleansed." Instantly, the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him not to tell anyone: "Instead, go and show yourself to the priest and give for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; it will be a testimony to all."

Keywords

GRM 64.1.3-4.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

64.1 I see the shore of the lake of Gennesaret. And I can see the boats beached by the fishermen; on the foreshore, leaning against the boats, are Peter and Andrew, intent on mending the nets, which their assistants bring them still dripping, having rinsed them in the lake to remove entangled rubbish. About ten yards away, John and James, bent over their boat, are busy at tidying it up, and they are helped by an assistant and by a man about fifty or fifty-five years old, who I think is Zebedee, because the assistant calls him «master» and also because he is very like James.
Peter and Andrew, with their backs to the boat, are working silently knotting the threads of the nets and fixing corks to them. Now and again they exchange a few words about their work, which, as far as I understand, has not been profitable.
Peter is sorry about it, not because of the loss of profit or the unprofitable work, but he says: «I am sorry, because… what shall we do to feed these poor people? We receive only occasional offerings and I am not going to touch the ten pieces of silver and the seven drachmas we collected during the last four days. Only the Master can tell me to whom and how that money is to be given. And He will not be back here until Sabbath! If we had had a good haul!… I would have cooked the small fish for the poor… and if anyone at home grumbled, I would not have cared. Healthy people can find food for themselves. But sick people!…»
«Above all that paralytic!… They have already travelled so much to bring him here…» says Andrew.
(...) [Jesus returns to his disciples, and the Master delivers a sermon in the home of one of his apostles.]
People crowd into the big room at the back of the house, which is used as a store for nets, ropes, baskets, oars, sails, and provisions. Peter must have put it at Jesus’ disposal, because everything has been piled up in one corner to make room. The lake cannot be seen from here. Only its gently lapping waves can be heard. Instead one can see the low greenish wall of the kitchen garden, with the old vine and the leafy fig-tree. There are people even on the road, as they pass from the room into the kitchen garden and hence onto the road.
64.4 Jesus begins to speak. In the front row, there are five… high-ranking people, who have elbowed their way through the crowd taking advantage of the fear they strike into poor people. Their sumptuous garments and their pride announce them as Pharisees and doctors.
(...) 64.5 «Master!» shouts Peter amidst the crowd, «the sick people are here. Two of them can wait until You come out, but this one is crushed amongst the crowd and… he cannot stay here any longer. It is impossible for us to come in. Shall I send him back?»
«No, lower him down through the roof.»
«You are right. We will do that at once.»
I can hear them shuffling on the low roof of the big room, the terrace of which is not built of cement, as the store-room is not really part of the house. The roof is formed with branches covered by chips of stone like slate. I do not know what stone it is. They make an opening through which, by means of ropes, they lower down the little stretcher on which the patient is lying. It is lowered in front of Jesus. The crowds throng closer to see.
«Both you and who brought you have great faith.»
«Oh! Lord! How could we have no faith in You?»
«Well, I say to you: son (he is a very young man) your sins are forgiven.»
The man looks at him, crying… perhaps he is somewhat disappointed because he was hoping to be healed in his body. The Pharisees and doctors whisper something to one another turning up their noses, foreheads and mouths in disdain.
«Why are you muttering, more in your hearts than with your lips? According to you, it is easier to say to the paralytic: “Your sins are forgiven” or “Get up, take your little bed and walk away”? You think that only God can forgive sins. But you cannot answer which of these things is greater, because this man, whose whole body is lost to him, has spent a lot of money without being healed. And he can only be healed by God. Now, that you may learn that I can do everything, that you may learn that the Son of man has authority both over bodies and souls, on the earth and in Heaven, I say to him: “Get up. Pick up your bed and walk. Go home and be holy”.»
The man jerks, he shouts, stands up, he throws himself at Jesus’ feet, kisses and caresses them, he cries and laughs, and his relatives and the crowd do likewise. The crowd divides into two to let him pass, as if he were triumphant, and they follow him rejoicing. The five resentful men go away, conceited and as stiff as sticks.

Annotation

Matthew 9:1-8

Jesus got into a boat, made the crossing again, and went to his town of Capernaum.

Behold, a paralyzed man was brought to him, lying on a stretcher. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Trust, my child, your sins are forgiven." And behold, some of the scribes were saying to themselves, "This one blasphemes."

But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, asked, "Why are you thinking evil thoughts? For what is easier? To say, "Your sins are forgiven", or to say, "Get up and walk"? Well, that you may know that the Son of Man has the power on earth to forgive sins... - Jesus then addressed the paralyzed man - get up, take your stretcher, and go home." He got up and went home.

When the crowds saw this, they were filled with fear, and gave glory to God who had given such power to men.

Mark 2, 1-12

A few days later, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word spread that he was at home. So many people gathered that there was no room, not even in front of the door, and he proclaimed the Word to them.

Some people arrived and brought him a paralyzed man, carried by four men. As they were unable to approach him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof above him, made an opening, and lowered the stretcher on which the paralyzed man was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven."

Now there were some scribes sitting there, reasoning within themselves, "Why does this one speak like that? He blasphemes. Who then can forgive sins but God alone?" Immediately perceiving in his mind the reasonings they were making, Jesus said to them, "Why do you hold such reasonings? Which is easier? To say to this paralyzed man, 'Your sins are forgiven', or to say to him, 'Get up, take your stretcher and walk'? Well! So that you know that the Son of Man has the authority to forgive sins on earth... - Jesus addressed the paralyzed man - I tell you, get up, take your stretcher, and go home." He got up, immediately took his stretcher and went out in front of everyone. They were all amazed and gave glory to God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

Luke 5:17-26

One day when Jesus was teaching, there were Pharisees and teachers of the Law in the audience, from all the villages of Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was at work to make him perform healings.

People arrived, carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed; they sought to bring him in to place him before Jesus. But, not seeing how to do this because of the crowd, they climbed up onto the roof and, pushing aside the tiles, lowered him and his stretcher right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." The scribes and Pharisees began to reason: "Who is this man? He speaks blasphemies! Who then can forgive sins, if not God alone?" But Jesus, catching their thoughts, answered them, "Why these thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier? To say, 'Your sins are forgiven you', or to say, 'Get up and walk'? Well! That you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, - Jesus addressed the one who was paralyzed - I tell you, get up, take your stretcher and go back to your house."

Immediately the paralyzed man stood up in front of them, took up his bed and went home, giving glory to God. They were all amazed and gave glory to God. Filled with fear, they said, "We have seen extraordinary things today!"

Keywords

GRM 64.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

“My Beloved went down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flocks in the gardens, and gather lilies… He pastures his flock among the lilies”, says Solomon, the son of David, from whom I descend, I, the Messiah of Israel.
My garden! Which garden is more beautiful and worthy of God than Heaven, where the flowers are the angels created by the Father? And yet, it is not so. The Only Begotten Son of the Father, the Son of man wanted another garden, because it is for the sake of man that I took flesh, without which I would not be able to redeem the faults of the flesh of man. A garden which might have been but little inferior to the heavenly one, if from the earthly Paradise the children of Adam, the children of God, had spread about, like sweet bees from a beehive, to populate the earth with holiness destined entirely for Heaven. But the enemy sowed brambles and thorns in Adam’s heart, and brambles and thorns have overflown from his heart on to the earth. It is no longer a garden, but a wild cruel forest in which fever stagnates and snakes nestle.
And yet the Beloved of the Father still has a garden in this world which is domineered by Mammon. The garden in which He feeds on His celestial food: love and purity; the bed where He picks the flowers dear to Him, flowers not stained with sensuality, greed, pride. These ones. (Jesus caresses as many of the children as He can, patting with His hand the little attentive heads, one big caress that touches them lightly and makes them smile happily). Here are My lilies.
Solomon in all his wealth, did not have a robe more beautiful than the lily that scents the valley, neither did he possess a diadem of a more splendid gracefulness than the one in the pearl chalice of a lily. And yet, for My heart, there is no lily worth one of these. There is no flower-bed, no garden of wealthly people, all cultivated with lilies, that I consider worth only one of these pure, innocent, sincere, simple, little children.