Main and cross-cutting keywords 🌟

The desire of God always precedes the desire of the creature, because He is Most Perfect and therefore His love is by far more eager and ardent than the love of the creature.

• God
• Words of wisdom

Aglae, who has been kneeling all the time, bends to kiss the feet of the Lord. She dares no more. She then picks up her sack and turns it upside down. Some plain dresses, a little tinkling purse and an amphora of fine pink alabaster fall out of it.

Aglae puts the dresses into the sack, picks up the purse and says: «This is for the poor. It is what is left of my jewels. I kept only some coins for my journey… because, even if You had not told me. I intended going to a remote place. And this is for You. It is not so sweet as the perfume of Your holiness. But it is the best the earth can give. And I used it for the worst… Here. May God grant me to smell at least like this, in Your presence, in Heaven» and she removes the precious cap of the amphora and pours its contents onto the floor.

Waves of a strong scent of roses rise from the floor bricks, which become impregnated with the precious essence. Aglae puts away the empty amphora saying: «In remembrance of this hour» and she bends again to kiss Jesus’ feet. She then stands up, withdraws backwards, goes out, closes the door…

I hear her steps receding towards the staircase, her voice exchanging a few words with Mary, then the noise of her sandals going down the steps and then nothing else. There is nothing left of Aglae except the little purse at Jesus’ feet and the very strong scent in all the room.

Jesus gets up… he picks up the purse, puts it in His bosom, goes towards an opening looking onto the road and smiles seeing the woman going away, all alone, in her Jewish mantle, towards Bethlehem. He makes a gesture of blessing and goes towards the terrace and calls: «Mother.»

Mary goes upstairs quickly: «You made her happy, My Son. She has gone, with strength and peace.»

«Yes, Mother. When Andrew comes in, send him to Me before anybody else.»

• The Virgin Mary

Gratitude is a great virtue.

• Gratitude - Recognition
• Words of wisdom

Humbleness supports love and makes it perfect.

• How to perfect and sanctify yourself
• Humility
• Love
• Words of wisdom

• Locations - Jerusalem
• Places - Jerusalem Temple
• Summary of EMV

It must be Wednesday morning because the group of apostles and women, preceded by Jesus and Mary with the boy between them, is approaching the Gate of the Fish. Joseph of Arimathea, who went to meet them as he had promised, is also there. Jesus looks for Alexander, the soldier, but does not see him.

«He is not here today either… I wonder why…»

The crowd is so large that it is quite impossible to inquire of the soldiers, and in any case it might not be wise to do so, as the Jews are more intolerant than ever before festivities; they are also upset because of the capture of the Baptist and they accuse Pilate and his satellites of being accomplices. I realise that the situation is such because of the epithets that are exchanged during squabbles between soldiers and citizens at the Gate, where picturesque… rude insults crack every moment like fireworks.

The women from Galilee are scandalised and they wrap themselves closer in their mantles and veils. Mary blushes, but proceeds without hesitation, as straight as a palm tree, looking at Her Son, Who does not even attempt to make the over-excited Jews see reason or induce the soldiers to be merciful towards the Israelites. And as some rather unpleasant epithet is addressed to the Galilean group, Joseph of Arimathea moves forward towards Jesus and is recognised by the crowd who become silent out of respect for him.

At last the Gate of the Fish is behind them, and the great crowd of people, pouring into the town in waves, rushes along the streets, along with donkeys and herds…

• André (apostle)
• James of Alphaeus (apostle)
• James of Zebedee (apostle)
• John of Zebedee (apostle)
• Joseph of Arimathea
• Judas de Kérioth (apostle)
• Jude of Alphée (apostle)
• Marie Salomé (mother of James and John of Zebedee)
• Marie d'Alphée (Mary of Cleophas)
• Matthew (apostle)
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Simon-Pierre - Simon de Jonas (apostle)
• The Virgin Mary
• Yabeç (Jabé) - Marziam (Margziam)

• Places - Jerusalem Temple
• Summary of EMV

Jesus turns around and goes towards the peasants who are in an ecstasy over Marjiam who is so changed. He takes a few steps then stops because of Thomas’ remark: «By Jehovah! He wanted to see in You the authoritativeness of a King! He got what he wanted!…»

«I beg you all to forget the incident, as I am striving to forget it. I order you to make no mention of it to Simon of Jonah, John of Endor and the little one. For reasons which you can easily understand, it is better not to grieve or scandalise those three. And no word about it at Bethany, with the women. My Mother is there, do not forget it.»

«Do not be concerned, Master.»

«We will do all we can to make amends.»

«And to comfort You» they all say.

«Thank you…»

• Jean d'Endor (Félix)
• Marie Salomé (mother of James and John of Zebedee)
• Marie d'Alphée (Mary of Cleophas)
• Simon-Pierre - Simon de Jonas (apostle)
• The Virgin Mary
• The Virgin Mary and Judas

Jesus turns around and goes towards the peasants who are in an ecstasy over Marjiam who is so changed. (...)

«Oh! Peace to you all. Isaac found you. I am glad. Enjoy your Passover in peace. My shepherds will be as many good brothers to you. Isaac, before they go away, bring them to see Me. I want to bless them once again. Have you seen the boy?»

«Oh! Master! How well he is! He is already much healthier! We will tell the old man. He will be so happy. This just man has told us that Jabez is now his son… It is a gift of Providence! We will tell him everything.»

«Also that I am a son of the Law. And that I am happy. And I always remember him. And he must not weep for me or for my mother. She is near me and she is near him like an angel and he will always have her, also in the hour of death, and if Jesus has already opened the gates of Heaven, well, then mummy will come to meet the old father and she will be more beautiful than an angel and will take him to Jesus. Jesus told me. Will you tell him? Will you be able to tell him properly?»

«Certainly, Jabez.»

«No. Now I am Marjiam. The Lord’s Mother gave me that name. It is as if you said Her name. She loves me so much. She puts me to bed in the evening and She makes me say the prayers which She made Her Child say. And She wakes me up with a kiss, She dresses me and teaches me many things. Also Jesus does. But they teach me so gently that I learn without any difficulty. My Master!!!» The child presses against Jesus with an attitude of adoration and love that is really moving.

«Yes, tell him everything, and also not to give up hope. This angel prays for him and I bless him. I bless you, too. Go. Peace be with you.»

• Farmers of Doras
• Isaac de Yutta (shepherd of the Nativity)
• Isaiah of Esdrelon (Yokhanan peasant)
• Joël d'Esdrelon (Yokhanan peasant)
• Micah of Esdrelon (Yokhanan peasant)
• Saul d'Esdrelon (Yokhanan peasant)
• The Virgin Mary

• Locations - Gethsemane
• Locations - Jerusalem
• Locations - Mount of Olives - Gethsemane olive grove
• Summary of EMV