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GRM 77

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

The apostolic group heads for Hebron. Judas is nervous and irritated that they didn't go to Kerioth first, as it would have been shorter. Jesus assures him, however, that he always keeps his promises. If he goes to Hebron beforehand, it's because Samuel, who has passed away, has suffered a great deal for him, and has never betrayed the memory of the Child Jesus. He remained faithful even though he didn't know he was alive, and so this man deserves to be honored and prayed for by Christ.

The Iscariot then points out that the shepherds were righteous, holy, and yet they were mistreated. Anne of Bethlehem even died as a result... And so he concludes, incidentally, that love for Jesus brings him bad luck. The Master prevents John and Simon from intervening, saying that he prefers Judas always to speak his mind. And he replies that, even if the shepherds have received much, it would not be right for them to have received a special privilege because they have received this or that gift, including that of being present at the Nativity. Simon, moreover, declares that we shouldn't put earthly things where heavenly things are.

Judas then ironizes directly, pointing out that, having been healed so soon, the Zealot has recovered all his possessions, and is therefore not living on spirit alone. But Lazarus' friend replies that he has given specific orders and is free of everything to follow Jesus.

Judas finally grumbles, because he's wrong again, and John tries to console him by saying that he's practical, but that he'll soon change in Jesus' presence.

The latter deftly changes the conversation when Judas continues to grumble, and he gives instructions to Levi and Elijah: they will lead him to Jonah, and Joseph will stay with the group as far as Jericho.

Finally, they arrive in Hebron, near Zechariah's house. But the house is surrounded by a wall, which wasn't there before. A man tells them that a Herodian has taken possession of the house, and that he has a prostitute with him. He talks for a long time about John - whom he sees as the Messiah, despite the dialogue with Jesus and John - and the Master does not insist when the man is stubborn and believes he has the truth.

On their way to the synagogue, they go round the house and meet Aglaia. Jesus enters Zechariah's house and engages in a very sincere conversation with the courtesan. She begins a journey of redemption, but after leaving him, Jesus is rejected by the synagogue. Prostitutes are not to be spoken to, and when Judas remarks on him once he's out on the town, the Lord declares that Aglaia will surpass him, and that the time will soon come when pagans will worship the true God, rather than the chosen people who should receive the Messiah.

Ultimately, he was unable to honor the remains of Samuel and Zechariah, but he tells them to rejoice, for the first resurrection is at hand.

GRM 77.2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

I am here, as a Master, to make adults of you, capable of distinguishing truth from lies, good from bad and what is better from what is good.

GRM 77.2-3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

[Judas is talking about the shepherds at the Nativity.]

77.2 «By the way. For some days I have been anxious to ask You a question. These people are Your friends and the friends of God, are they not? The angels blessed them with the peace of Heaven, did they not? They have been faithful against all temptations, have they not? Would You explain to me, then, why are they unhappy? And what about Anne? She was killed because she loved You…»

«Are you therefore deducing that to be loved by Me and to love Me brings bad luck?»

«No… but…»

«But you are. (...) Come here, Judas, listen.

You have an opinion which is common to many people of our times and will be common to man in future. I said: an opinion. I should say: an error. But since you do not do so out of malice, but out of ignorance of the truth, it is not an error, it is only an incorrect opinion, like a child’s. And you are like children, My poor men. And I am here, as a Master, to make adults of you, capable of distinguishing truth from lies, good from bad and what is better from what is good. Listen to Me, therefore.

What is life? It is a period of pause, I would say the limbo of Limbo, that the God Father grants you as trial to establish whether you are good or bad children, after which He will allocate, according to your deeds, a future life without pauses or trials. Now tell Me: would it be fair if a man, simply because he has been granted the rare gift of being in the position of serving God in a special way, also had an everlasting wealth throughout his life? Do you not think that he has already been granted a great deal and may therefore consider himself happy, even if human things are against him? Would it not be unfair if he, who already has the light of divine revelation in his heart and the smile of a clear conscience, should also have worldly honours and wealth? And would it not also be unwise?»

77.3 «Master, I would also say that he would be a desecrator. Why put human joys where You already are? When one has You — and they had You, they are the only rich people in Israel because they have had You for thirty years — one should have nothing else. We do not put human things on the Propitiatory… and the consecrated vase is used only for sacred uses. And these people are consecrated since the day they saw Your smile… and nothing but You is to enter their hearts, which possess You. I wish I was like them!» says Simon.

Detail

Judas recalls the shepherds of the Nativity and the death of Anne of Bethlehem. He says that love for Jesus is bad luck, and Christ responds.

GRM 77.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«How much trouble we had because of the Baptist! But he is our great man! He is really great! Even when he was born there was a miracle. Elizabeth was as old as a withered thistle but she became as fruitful as an apple in Adar, and that was the first miracle. Then a cousin of hers came and She was a holy woman, and She served her and loosened the priest’s tongue. Her name was Mary. I remember Her, although we saw Her very rarely. How it happened I don’t know. They say that to make Elizabeth happy, She made Zacharias put his mute mouth against Her pregnant bosom or that She put Her fingers into his mouth. I don’t know. It is a fact that, after nine months’ silence, Zacharias spoke praising the Lord and saying that there was a Messiah. He did not explain more. But my wife was there on that day and she assured me that Zacharias, praising the Lord, said that his son would precede Him. Now I say: it is not what people believe. John is the Messiah and he goes before the Lord, as Abraham went before God. That’s what it is… Am I not right?»

«You are right with regards to the spirit of the Baptist, who always proceeds before God. But you are not right with regards to the Messiah».

«Well, the woman who said that She was the Mother of the Son of God — Samuel said so — was it not true that She was? Is She still living?»

«Yes, She was. The Messiah was born, preceded by him who raised his voice in the desert, as the Prophet[1] said.»

«You are the first to say so. John, the last time that Jowehel took him a sheepskin, which he did every year at the beginning of winter, although he was questioned about the Messiah, did not say: “The Messiah is here”. When he will say so…»

«Man, I was a disciple of John and I heard him say: “Here is the Lamb of God” pointing to…» says John.

«No, no. He is the Lamb. A true Lamb who grew up by himself, almost without the need of a father and mother. As soon as he became a son of the Law, he lived isolated in the mountain caves overlooking the desert, and he grew up there conversing with God. Elizabeth and Zacharias died, and he did not come. God only was his father and mother. There is no holy man greater than he is. You can ask everyone in Hebron. Samuel used to say so, but the people in Bethlehem must have been right. John is the holy man of God.»

«If someone said to you: “I am the Messiah”, what would you say?» asks Jesus.

«I would call him a “blasphemer” and I would drive him away, throwing stones at him.»

«And if he performed a miracle to prove that he was the Messiah?»

«I would say that he was “possessed”. The Messiah will come when John reveals himself in his true nature. The very hatred of Herod is the proof. Cunning as he is, he knows that John is the Messiah.»

«He was not born in Bethlehem.»

«But when he is freed, after announcing by himself his impending oncoming, he will reveal himself in Bethlehem. Also Bethlehem is waiting for that. Whilst… Oh! Go, if you have plenty of guts, and talk to the Bethlehemites of another Messiah… and you will see…»

«Have you a synagogue?»

«Yes, about two hundred steps straight ahead. You cannot go wrong. Near it there is the sarcophagus with the violated remains.»

«Goodbye, may God enlighten you.»

Detail

A woodcutter from Hebron talks with Jesus, John, Judas and the shepherd Elijah. He declares:

GRM 77.7

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«My Lord!»

«Woman.»

«Your Name, my Lord.»

«Jesus.»

«I never heard it. I am a Roman: a mime and dancer. I am an expert only in lust. What is the meaning of Your name? My name is Aglae and.. and it means: vice.»

«Mine means: Saviour.»

«How do You save? And whom?»

«Those who are anxious to be saved. I save by teaching to be pure, to prefer sorrow to honour, to desire good at all costs.» Jesus speaks without bitterness, without even turning towards the woman.

«I am lost…»

«I am the One seeking who is lost.»

«I am dead.»

«I am the One who gives Life.»

«I am filth and falsehood.»

«I am Purity and Truth.»

«You are also Bounty, You do not look at me. You do not touch me, You do not tread on me. Have mercy on me…»

«First, you must have mercy on yourself. On your soul.»

«What is the soul?»

«It is what makes a god of man and not an animal. Vice and sin kill it, and once it is killed, man becomes a repulsive animal.»

«Will it be possible for me to see You again?»

«Who looks for Me, finds Me.»

«Where do You live?»

«Where hearts need doctors and medicines to become honest again.»

«In that case… I will not see You again… I live where no doctor, medicine or honesty is wanted.»

«Nothing prevents you from coming to where I am. My name will be shouted in the streets and will reach you. Goodbye.»

«Goodbye, my Lord. Allow me to call You “Jesus”. Oh! Not out of familiarity!… But that a little of salvation may come to me. I am Aglae, remember me.»

«I will. Goodbye.»

Detail

Dialogue between Aglaia, a prostitute, and Jesus.

GRM 78

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus, John, Judas and Simon the Zealot arrive in Keroth. The shepherds are gone. Judas is really agitated and can't hold it together. He asks the Master to tell him, and Simon points out to the Master that this man doesn't understand him. Jesus sighs, but says nothing.

They arrive in Keroth, and are greeted by Judas' mother. She greets him with great respect, offers him something to refresh himself and gives him sandals and a cloak. Jesus initially says nothing, but thinks nothing of it; then, when Mary declares that she knows nothing of the ways of kings, he asks to speak to his apostle alone. There, he rebukes him severely, saying that he is putting obstacles in the way of his mission, for Israel is subject to Rome, and Christ is in no way a King of the earth.

He really encourages Judas to withdraw, to leave the group. Then he describes his kingship and when he will be crowned king: on the wood of the cross, with an infamous sign and under the booing of his people. Jesus thus predicts his atrocious death.

Judas is mortified, but he implores the Master to keep him, that he will become good. He asks for forgiveness and Jesus, tired, forgives him. However, the Iscariot asks to stay and go to his town, as Judas has told everyone that the Lord is coming. So Jesus decides to go along with what Judas has planned, not for himself, but for his mother.

So Jesus goes to Keroth on a chariot, and the synagogue leader welcomes him and asks him to go to their place of prayer. Jesus accepts and preaches to the people. He declares that he is the Word of God, but reminds them that his kingship is primarily spiritual. He then confirms this to the notables of Keroth.

Old Saul intervenes and speaks of the Nativity of Christ, whom he has come to adore. Jesus confirms that it was him, and the old man has a vision of the Lord's kingship. He sees him transfigured, then with his Wounds and Blood. He dies after bearing witness to Jesus' heart, so the group must purify themselves to comply with the Law.