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GRM 69.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

We have everything in us: good and evil. We carry everything with us. And the breath of God blows on the good and vivifies it like a thurible of sweet-smelling holy incense. And Satan blows on evil, thus kindling a furious blazing fire. But diligent goodwill and constant prayer are like damp sand on the hellish fire: they suffocate it and put it out.

Annotation

We have everything within us: good and evil. In a note to the second edition, the editor writes: "These statements are correct when applied to the human condition in general. Nevertheless, Maria Valtorta corrected them on a typewritten copy, in a way that seems more suited to the dual human and divine nature of the speaker: Around us, we have everything: good and evil. We can take everything into ourselves.

GRM 69.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

I will meet the poor as well as the rich, slaves as well as kings, pure people as well as sinners. But if I have to be grateful to those who supply Me with bread and a roof that I may carry on My work, whatever the roof and the bread may be, I will always give My preference to the humble. The great ones already have so many joys. The poor have but their honest conscience, a faithful love, children and the joy of being listened to by those who are above them. I will always be bent over the poor, the afflicted, and sinners.

GRM 70

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus arrives at Jonah's house in the olive grove of Gethsemane. Jonas tells him that John has come, and Jesus immediately goes to meet him. They meet again, and the young disciple is happy. He informs him that he has left Docco with Simon, who has gone to find Lazarus in Bethany. John thinks that Simon is very competent, but the Master tells him that he too acts very well.

They arrive at the house and have a meal with their host. Then they go out into the olive grove, where they see Jerusalem, and Jesus comments on the Temple, which is no longer the Holy Place it should be. John then proposes to go and see Hanne and Caiaphas and a rich fish merchant to talk about Jesus and to make him less weary, but the Lord declines the invitation and speaks of that of Judas, who had made him a similar proposal to "be better regarded". John believes that Judas will be better than them because he is better educated, but Jesus teaches him that this is not the case, and that it is often the hearts that are untouched by knowledge that know how to love the most. That said, he asks him to be a friend to Judas, to help him become a better man.

Meanwhile, John mentions Simon Peter and the purse he received from a stranger (Matthew). He gives him the money and Jesus says he'll distribute it to the poor, so Judas will find out about their habits. John understands who it is and is surprised, but gives news of Thomas, who has gone to meet Philip and Bartholomew. Jesus then tells him that he wants the Twelve to love each other without preference, like a holy family.

Finally, he declares that he is going to pray, and John wants to stay with him, but he soon falls asleep, and Jesus continues the prayer in silence, while his apostle rests on his heart.

Finally, Jesus gives a dictation comparing Judas and John. The former keeps his way of thinking and seeing, the latter strips himself of all self to be "the disciple". He is the model for all apostles, while Judas is the very type of all failed apostles.

GRM 70.2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

70.2 They have arrived at the little house. They enter the low smoky kitchen. The landlord greets them: «Peace be with You.»

Jesus replies: «Peace to this house, to you and to those who live here with you. I have a disciple with Me.»

«There will be bread and oil for him, too.»

«I brought some dried fish that James and Peter gave me. And passing by Nazareth, Your Mother gave me some bread and honey for You. I walked all the time without stopping, but it will be dry now.»

«It does not matter, John. It will always have the flavour of My Mother’s hands.»

John pulls out his treasures from the knapsack that he had put in a corner. And I see them prepare the dried fish in a strange way. They put it for a few minutes in hot water, they then put some olive oil on it and they roast it on the fire.

Jesus blesses the food and sits at the table with His disciple. Also the landlord, whose name I hear is Jonah, and his son, sit at the same table. The landlady comes and goes bringing fish, some black olives, boiled vegetables dressed with oil. Jesus offers also some honey. And He offers it to the landlady, spreading it on some bread. «It comes from My beehive» He says. «My Mother looks after the bees. Eat it. It is good. You are so good to Me, Mary, and you deserve much more than this» He then adds, because the woman does not want to deprive Him of the sweet honey.

The supper ends in a short time, while they hold a brief conversation on common topics. As soon as they finish, and after thanking for the food, Jesus says to John: «Come. Let us go out into the olive-grove for a little while. It is a clear, mild night. It will be pleasant to be out there for a short time.»

The landlord says: «Master, I say “good night” to You. I am tired and also my son is tired. We are going to bed. I will leave the door ajar and the lamp on the table. You know what to do.»

«Go, Jonah. And put out the lamp. There is such a bright moonlight, that we will be able to see without any light.»

«But where will Your disciple sleep?»

«With Me. On My mat there is room also for him. Is that right, John?»

John is enraptured at the idea of sleeping beside Jesus.

Detail

Jesus is with John and they go to a friendly house, the olive grove at Gethsemane, owned by Jonah and Mark, his son.

GRM 70.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«I do not want to be the one who starts war. There will be war in any case. Because I shall be the cause of a silly human fear for some, and the cause of reproach for others. But this must be written in their book, not in Mine.»

GRM 70.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

« (...) I want you to love one another, without preferences, helping one another mutually and bearing with one another, No one is perfect, John, Neither the young nor the old. But if you have goodwill, you will reach perfection and what is wanting in you, I will supply. You are like the children of a holy family. In it there are very different characters. One is strong, another is sweet, or brave, or shy, or impulsive or very cautious. If you were all alike, you would be really strong in one character, but very weak in all the others. Whereas you thus form a perfect union, completed by you all. Love unites you, it must unite you, for the sake of God’s cause.»

«And for Your sake, Jesus.»

«First the cause of God and then the love for His Christ.»

GRM 70.8-9

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

70.8 Then Jesus says:

«Another comparison between My John and another disciple. A comparison that makes the figure of My beloved disciple clearer and clearer.

He is the one who divests himself also of his own way of thinking and judging, in order to be “the disciple”. He is the one who gives himself without wishing to withhold even a particle of himself, as his self was before becoming a disciple. Judas is the one who does not want to divest himself of himself. His donation is therefore unreal. He carries with himself his ego diseased with pride, sensuality and greed. He maintains his way of thinking. And he thus counteracts the effect of the donation and of Grace.

Judas: the first of all the apostles who failed. And they are so many! John: the first of those who become victims out of love for Me. And you are one of them.

My Mother and I are the sublime Victims. It is difficult to reach us, in fact it is impossible, because our sacrifice was of total bitterness. But My John! He is the victim that all My lovers can imitate: virgins, martyrs, confessors, evangelisers, servants of God and of the Mother of God, devoted to activity or contemplation: he is an example for everyone. He is the one who loves.

Note their different ways of reasoning. Judas investigates, quibbles, is obstinate, even when he pretends to give in, he still has mental reservations. John feels he is nothing, he accepts everything, he does not ask for reasons, he is satisfied with making Me happy. That is the example.

70.9 And did you not feel completely peaceful before his simple dear love? Oh! My John! And My little John, whom I want to be more and more like My beloved. Accept everything, always saying as the apostle: “Everything You do, is well done, Master”, in order to deserve to always hear Me say to you: “You are My loving peace”. I need comfort as well, Mary. Give Me it. My Heart for your rest.»

Detail

Dictation in connection with EMV 70.1-6

GRM 70.8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

My Mother and I are the sublime Victims. It is difficult to reach us, in fact it is impossible, because our sacrifice was of total bitterness. But My John! He is the victim that all My lovers can imitate: virgins, martyrs, confessors, evangelisers, servants of God and of the Mother of God, devoted to activity or contemplation: he is an example for everyone. He is the one who loves.