Notes for this theme

Judea region

Page 11 of 14

Reading comfort

GRM 174.16 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The Iscariot is pensive in a corner. Jesus calls him three times, but he does not hear. At last he turns around: «Do You want me. Master?» he asks.
«Yes, go and take your food and help your companions.»
«I am not hungry. Neither are You.»
«Neither am I, but for different reasons. Are you upset, Judas?»
«No, Master. I’m tired…»
«We are now going to the lake and then to Judaea, Judas. To your mother’s, as I promised you…»
Judas cheers up. «Are You really coming only with me?»
«Of course. Love Me, Judas. I would like My love to be such in you as to preserve you from all evil.»
«Master… I am a man. I am not an angel. At times I feel tired. Is it a sin to feel the need of sleep?»
«No, providing you sleep on My chest. Look over there how happy the people are and how beautiful the scenery is from here. All Judaea must be lovely in springtime.»
«Most beautiful, Master. But spring, there, on the mountains, which are higher than here, is later. But there are beautiful flowers. The apple-orchards are magnificent. Mine, which is looked after by my mother, is one of the most beautiful ones. And when she moves about in it, with the doves following her to get some corn, believe me, it is a sight that soothes your heart.»
«I believe you. If My Mother is not too tired, I would like to take Her to see yours. They would love each other, because they are both good.»
Judas, drawn by this idea, cheers up and forgetting that «he was not hungry and he was tired» runs happily to his companions and tall as he is, he undoes the highest knots without any trouble and eats his bread and olives, as happy as a child.
Jesus looks at him pitifully and then goes towards the apostles.

Detail

Mary Magdalene burst onto the Mount of Beatitudes. At the time, she was a great sinner. Following a speech by Jesus, she left in a rage. After her intervention, Jesus goes to see Judas.

Annotation

I promised you: Reminder of the promise made to Judas in EMV 139.1.

Only, over there on the mountains, which are higher than here, spring comes later. Exactly: the difference is 3 or 4 weeks.

If my Mother isn't too tired, I'd be happy to take her to yours. They'd love each other, because they're both good people. Jesus wants to associate the two mothers who will have so much to suffer.

Keywords

GRM 180.7 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Have you understood? Have you any questions to ask? No? In that case we can go and rest and tomorrow we will leave for Capernaum. There is one place to which I must go before starting on My journey to Jerusalem for Passover.»
«Shall we go through Arimathea again?» asks the Iscariot.
«I am not sure. It depends on…»
There is a loud knocking at the door.

Detail

Jesus has just explained the parable of the sower to the disciples.

Keywords

GRM 186.3 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Is that not Gamala?» asks the Zealot.
«Yes, it is Gamala. Do you know the town?» says Jesus.
«I was a fugitive there, one night, a long time ago. Then I was affected by leprosy and I did not come out of the sepulchres any more.»
«Did they pursue you so far?»
«I was coming from Syria, where I had gone seeking protection. But they discovered me and only my flight to this place saved me from being captured. Afterwards slowly and continuously threatened I went down as far as the desert of Tekoa and from there, suffering already from leprosy, to the Valley of the Dead. Leprosy saved me from my enemies…»
«These people are heathens, are they not?» asks the Iscariot.
«Almost everybody. Only a few Jews are here on business, and then there is a mixture of beliefs, or no beliefs at all. But they did not treat the fugitive badly.»
«These are places for bandits. What gorges!» exclaim many.
«Yes, but believe me, there are more bandits on the other side» says John who is still impressed by the capture of the
Baptist.
«On the other side there are also bandits among those who enjoy the reputation of being just» concludes his brother.

Keywords

GRM 193.4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

We will stop early and have a good rest and tomorrow we will leave at dawn to be at Gethsemane in the evening of the day after tomorrow. The day after Friday we will go to Bethany to see My Mother and we will leave John’s books there, as they have been quite a burden for you, and we will find Isaac there and will entrust him with this poor brother of ours…

Annotation

Jesus is talking about John of Endor, whom he will entrust to Isaac.

Keywords

GRM 194

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Revelation to little Yabeç (Jabé) during the journey from Shechem to Beerot.

Date of vision: Tuesday, June 19, 1945.

Calendar: Thursday, March 23, 28 (10 Nissan 3788)

Location (map): In Bethel, after leaving Shechem. Departure for Beerot.

Cycle: The second Paschal journey

Summary: John of Endor and Peter distract Yabeç along the way. As a result, he doesn't realize they're passing the mountain where his parents were buried. Then Jesus calls him and shows him the golden roofs of the Temple, and begins to ask him about the Word of God. The child cries as he remembers his parents, and Jesus reminds him of Jacob's dream, with the angels ascending to heaven and descending to earth. He promises him that at the end of his life, he won't have to climb that ladder, for he's already climbed it all his life. The Master also assures him that he will be loved by his Mother and the other Marys, and all his words console the little orphan.

Yabeç finally asks Christ about Limbo, and Jesus explains that he will open it once he has obtained the Father's forgiveness. Yabeç's mother will follow him to Heaven, and she will be there at the hour of her child's death. The boy is delighted by this thought, and they return to the examination the boy is to take.

After asking him about God and the Sabbath, Peter's protégé finally understands that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, and is stunned. But Jesus assures him that he need not be afraid of him. The group takes a break to eat, after which the orphan asks to be given a new name from the feast of his majority. The Lord grants his request, and decides that his Mother will give him one.

Christ then questions Yabeç, asking which books speak of the Messiah. The child replies that they are Daniel and Isaiah, and confesses his preference for the former. John of Zebedee, meanwhile, joins in the conversation, noticing that the child has the same words as he does, and Jesus sets off for Berot.

Chapter contents: 194.1: Yabeç distracted by a bad memory. 194.2 : Dialogue between Jesus and Yabeç: what Jacob's ladder will be for Yabeç. 194.3 : Limbo will be emptied. Your father and mother will take care of you. 194.4: The importance of the Sabbath day. Yabeç recognizes God in Jesus. 194.5 : He will receive a new name. The Messiah in the Scriptures. 194.6: Departure for Berot.

Previous edition: Tome 3, chapter 55.

Keywords

GRM 194.2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

They are now climbing a very steep hill, because they have left the dusty crowded main road and have taken this short cut through woods. And when they reach the summit, they can distinctly see in the distance a huge bright light shining above an agglomeration, perhaps whitewashed houses.
«Jabez» calls Jesus «come here. Can you see that golden spot? It is the House of the Lord. There you will swear to obey the Law. But do you know it well?»
«My mother used to speak to me about it and my father taught me the precepts. I can read… and… and I think I know what “they” told me before they died…» The boy, who had come smiling when Jesus called him, is now weeping with his head lowered and his trembling hand in Jesus’ hand.
«Do not weep. Listen. Do you know where we are? This is Bethel. Holy Jacob dreamt of the angels here. Do you know? Do you remember?»
«Yes, Lord. He saw a ladder that from the earth reached up to Heaven and the angels went up and down, and my mother used to say that when one dies, if one has always been good, one sees the same thing and goes up that ladder to the House of God. My mother used to tell me many things… But now she does not tell me anymore… I have them all in here and that is all I have of hers…» Tears stream down his little sad face.
«Do not weep like that! Listen, Jabez. I also have a Mother and Her name is Mary and She is holy and good and can tell many things. She is wiser than a teacher and more gentle and beautiful than an angel. We are going to see Her now. She will love you so much. And She will tell you many things. And then John’s mother is with her and she is very good, too, and her name is Mary. And there is the mother of my brother Judas, and she is as sweet as a honey cake and her name is Mary, too. They will love you so much. Because you are a clever boy and for My sake, because I love you so much. And you will grow up with them and when you are big, you will be a holy man of God, like a doctor you will preach Jesus Who has given you a new mother here and Who will open the gates of Heaven to your dead mother and to your father, and will open them also to you when your hour comes. You will not even need to climb the long ladder of Heaven when you die. You will have climbed it during your lifetime, being a good disciple, and you will find yourself up there, at the gate of Paradise, and I will be there and I will say to you: “Come, My friend and son of Mary” and we shall be together.» Jesus’ bright smile, while walking slightly bent to be closer to the raised face of the child who is walking beside Him with his hand held by Jesus, and the wonderful story wipe his tears and make him smile.

Annotation

Book of Genesis 28, 10-19

Gen 28, 10-19 : Jacob left Bersabee and went to Haran. He came to a place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones and made it his bedside table, and lay down there. And he had a dream: and behold, a ladder was set upon the earth, and the top of it touched heaven; and behold, upon it angels of God ascended and descended, and at the top stood Yahweh. He said: "I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. This land on which you lie, I will give it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth; you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south, and all the families of the earth will be blessed in you and in your descendants. Behold, I am with you, and I will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have told you. "

Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it! "Seized with fear, he added: "How dreadful this place is! This is indeed the house of God, this is the gateway to heaven. "Arising early in the morning, Jacob took the stone from which he had made his bedside, set it up as a monument and poured oil on its top. He named the place Bethel, but the original name of the town was Luz.

Keywords

GRM 194.6 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

But now we ought to go, so that we can be in Beeroth very early. The number of the people is increasing and the weather looks threatening. There will be a rush for shelters. And I do not want you to be taken ill.»
John calls his companions and they set forth again towards Beeroth, across a plain which is not very well cultivated, but is not so barren as the little mountain they climbed after Shiloh.

Keywords

GRM 195.2-3 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Jesus is God.»
«I know, and I believe it. More than you do. Because I have revived through His work, you have not. No matter how good He is, He is still God, and I, a poor wretch dare not treat Him with familiarity as you do. My soul speaks to Him… my lips dare not. My soul does, and I think that He perceives it weeping out of gratitude and repentant love.»
195.2 «That is true, John. I do perceive your soul.» Jesus comes into the conversation of the two. Judas blushes with shame, the man of Endor with joy. «I perceive your soul, that is true. And I perceive also the work of your mind. What you said is correct. When you have been formed in Me, your experience as a teacher and a diligent pupil will be of great help to you. Speak, do speak, also to yourself.»
«Once, Master, not long ago, you told me that it is wrong to speak to one’s ego» remarks Judas insolently.
«That is true, I did. But that was because you were grumbling with your ego. This man is not grumbling, he is meditating, and for a good purpose. He is not doing anything wrong.»
«In brief, I am wrong!» Judas is aggressive.
«No, your heart is impatient. But the weather cannot be always good. Farmers want rain. It is charity to pray that it may rain. And this is also charity. But look, there is a beautiful rainbow forming an arch from Ataroth to Ramah. We are already beyond Ataroth, we have passed the large sad valley, and here the country is cultivated and pleasant under the sun, which is breaking through the clouds. When we are in Ramah we shall be thirty-six stadia from Jerusalem. We shall see the Holy City again after that hill, which is the place of the horrid lewd crime committed by the men of Gibeah. What a terrible thing is the concupiscence of the flesh, Judas…»
Judas does not reply, instead he delays splashing angrily in the puddles.

Detail

Judas speaks to John of Endor.

Annotation

- That's right, I said it. In EMV 183.1.

Gibeah or Guibeah: In the days of the judges, an old man invited a Levite from Ephraim and his concubine to lodge with him for the night. Shortly afterwards, men from Gibeah, scoundrels, surrounded the house, demanding that the Levite be handed over to them so they could have relations with him. The old man offered them his daughter, but they refused. The Levite gave them his concubine. They abused her all night, so much so that she died in the morning. Pieces of her body were sent to the tribes of Israel as a token of infamy (Judges 19:15-30). As the tribe of Benjamin sided with the guilty men of Gibeah, the other tribes went to war with them. Twice, they suffered heavy losses before finally defeating the Benjaminites and delivering Gibeah to the fire (Judges 20).

Judges 19, 10-30

Jg 19, 10-30 : The husband did not consent to spend the night; he got up and left. He came as far as Jebus, which is Jerusalem, with the two pack donkeys and his concubine. By the time they were near Jebus, it was very dark. So the servant said to his master, "Come, please, let us turn aside to this city of the Jebusites, and spend the night there." His master replied, "We will not turn aside to a foreign city, where there are no children of Israel; we will go as far as Gibeah." again he said to his servant, "Come, let us try to reach one of these places to spend the night, either Gibeah or Ramah." They walked on, and the sun set when they were near Gabaa, which belongs to Benjamin. They turned this way, to spend the night at Gabaa.

When the Levite entered, he stopped in the town square, and there was no one to receive them into his house to spend the night. 16But, behold, an old man returned in the evening from working in the field; he was a man of the hill-country of Ephraim, who sojourned in Gibeah, and the people of the place were Benjamites. When he looked up, he saw the traveler in the town square, and the old man said, "Where are you going and from where have you come?" He replied, "We are going from Bethlehem of Judah to the end of the mountain of Ephraim, where I come from. I had been to Bethlehem of Judah, and now I am going to Yahweh's house, and there is no one to receive me in his house. However, we have straw and fodder for our donkeys, and also bread and wine for me, for your maid and for the young man who is with your servants; we lack nothing." The old man said, "Peace be with you! Only I will provide for all your needs; but don't spend the night in the square." He let him into his house, and gave fodder to the donkeys; the travelers washed their feet, then ate and drank.

While they were gladdening their hearts, behold, men from the city, perverse people, surrounded the house and, knocking loudly at the door, they said to the old man, master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, so that we may know him." The master of the house went out to them and said, "No, my brothers, please don't do evil; since this man has entered my house, don't commit this infamy. Here is my daughter, who is a virgin, and her concubine; I will bring them out to you, and you shall do violence to them and treat them as you please; but do not commit such an infamous deed upon this man." The men would not listen. So the man took his concubine and brought her outside. They got to know her and abused her all night until morning, then sent her away at dawn.

Towards morning, the woman fell at the door of her husband's house, and stayed there until daylight. Her husband got up in the morning and, having opened the door of the house, went out to continue his journey. And behold, the woman, his concubine, was lying at the entrance of the house, with her hands on the threshold. He said to her, "Get up and let's get out of here." But no one answered. So the husband put her on his donkey and set off for his home.

When he got home, he took a knife and, seizing his concubine, cut her limb from limb into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel. All who saw this said, "Nothing like this has ever happened or been seen since the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt to this day; ponder it, consult and pronounce."

Keywords

GRM 196.9 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«When are we going to this Mother, my Lord?» asks Jabez with eager eyes.
«This evening. What will you say to Her when you see Her?»
«“I greet You, Mother of the Saviour”. Is that all right?»
«Very good» confirms Jesus caressing him.
«But are we going to the Temple today?» asks Philip.
«We shall go there before leaving for Bethany. And you will stay here and be a good boy. Will you not?»
«Yes, my Lord.»
The wife of Jonah, the caretaker of the olive-grove, who has come near very quietly says: «Why don’t you take him. The boy is anxious to come…»
Jesus stares at her without saying anything.
The woman understands and says: «I see! I should still have a little mantle belonging to Mark. I will look for it» and she runs away.
Jabez pulls John’s sleeve: «Will the teachers be severe?»
«Oh! no. Don’t be afraid. In any case it is not today. In a few days’ time, with His Mother, you will be more learned than a doctor» John comforts him.
The others hear and smile at Jabez’ concern.
«But who will present him as if he were his father?» asks Matthew.
«Of course I will! Unless… the Master wishes to present him» says Peter.
«No, Simon. I will not present him. I leave that honour to you.»
«Thank You, Master. But… You will be there, too?»
«Certainly. We shall all be there. He is “our” boy…»
Mary of Jonah comes back with a dark violet mantle, which is still good. But what a colour! She says so herself: «Mark never wanted to wear it because he did not like the colour.»
No wonder! It is vile! And poor Jabez with his olive complexion looks ghastly in the violent violet colour. But he cannot see himself… and he is therefore happy to have the mantle in which he can drape himself like an adult.
«The meal is ready, Master. The woman has taken the lamb off the spit just now.»
«Let us go, then.»
And going down from the place where they were, they go into the large kitchen for their meal.

Detail

Jesus has just spoken of the Virgin Mary.

Keywords

GRM 197.4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Oh! Master! Give me Your blessing!»
«Peace to you, Joseph. I am happy to see you and I am glad that you are in good health.»
«I am happy, too, Master, and also Your friends will be pleased to see You. Are You staying at Gethsemane?»
«I was there, but after the prayer I am going to Bethany.»
«To Lazarus’?»
«No, to Simon’s. My Mother, the mother of My brothers and the mother of John and James are also there. Will you come and see Me?»
«Are You asking me? I will come with great joy and it is a great honour, for which I thank You. I will come with some friends…»
«Be careful, Joseph, with friends!…» suggests Simon Zealot.
«Oh! You already know them. Prudence teaches: “Do not let the air know”. But when you see them you will understand that they are friends.»
«Well…»
«Master, Simon of Jonah was telling me about the ceremony for the little one. You arrived when I was asking when you intend having it. I want to be there, too.»
«On the Wednesday before Passover. I want him to keep Passover as a son of the Law.»
«Very good. That is settled. I will come and join you at Bethany. But I will come with my friends on Monday.»
«Agreed.»
«Master, I must leave You. Peace be with You. It is the hour of incense.»
«Goodbye, Joseph. Peace be with you.»

Detail

Jesus meets Joseph of Arimathea.