GRM 27.2-4
The Gospel as revealed to me
Quotation
27.2 Joseph comes in. He seems to be coming from the village, because he comes in through the main door, not from the workshop. Mary lifts Her head and smiles at him. Also Joseph smiles. But his smile seems to be a forced one, as if he were worried. Mary looks at him inquisitively. She then gets up to take the mantle that Joseph is taking off and She folds it and lays it on a chest.
Joseph sits at the table. He rests one elbow on it and lays his head on one hand, while with the other hand, absentmindedly, he combs and ruffles his beard with alternate strokes.
«Is there anything worrying you?» asks Mary. «Can I help you?»
«You always comfort me, Mary. But this time, I have a big problem… that concerns You.»
«Me, Joseph. And what is it?»
«They have posted an edict on the synagogue door. It orders the census of all Palestinians. And everybody must go and register in his place of origin. We must go to Bethlehem…»
27.3 «Oh!» exclaims Mary, interrupting him and putting one hand on Her bosom.
«It’s a shock, isn’t it? And a sad one. I know!»
«No, Joseph. That’s not it. I am thinking… I am thinking of the Holy Scriptures: Rachel, Benjamin’s mother and Jacob’s wife of whom the Star will be born: the Saviour. Rachel buried in Bethlehem, of which it is said: ‘But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, the least of the clans of Judah, out of you will be born the Ruler’. The Ruler who was promised to the House of David. He will be born there…»
«Do You… do You think it is already the time?… Oh! What shall we do?» Joseph is completely dismayed. He looks at Mary with two pitiful eyes.
She realises this and smiles. But She smiles more at Herself than at him. A smile that seems to say: «He is a man, a just man, but a man. And he sees as a man. He thinks as a man. Have pity on him, o soul of Mine, and guide him so that he may see as a spirit.» But Her kindness induces Her to reassure him. She is not untruthful. She simply diverts his anxiety. «I do not know, Joseph. My time is very close. But could the Lord not delay it to relieve you from this worry? He can do everything. Don’t fear.»
«But the journey!… Think of the crowds. Shall we find good lodgings? Shall we be in time to come back? And if… if You are to become a Mother there, what will we do? We have no home there… We do not know anybody anymore.»
«Don’t be afraid. Everything will be alright. God finds a shelter for the animal about to give birth. Do you think He will not find one for His Messiah? We trust in Him, don’t we? We always trust in Him. The harder the trial, the more we trust. Like two children we put our hands in His fatherly ones. He is our guide. We rely entirely on Him. Consider how He has led us with love so far. A father, even the best of fathers, could not do it with greater care. We are His children and His servants. We fulfil His will. No harm can befall us. Also this edict is His will. What is Caesar after all? An instrument in the hands of God. Since the time when the Father decided to forgive man, He pre-arranged the events so that His Christ may be born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem, the smallest town in Judah, did not yet exist and its glory was already destined. And there… a powerful man has risen, very far from here, and he conquered us, and now he wants to know all his subjects, now, while the world is in peace… so that the glory of Bethlehem may be accomplished and the word of God may not be belied, — as it would be if the Messiah were to be born elsewhere. Oh! What is our small trouble if we consider the beauty of this moment of peace? Just think, Joseph: a period of time when there is no hatred in the world! Can there be a happier hour for the rising of the ‘Star’, the light of which is divine and its influence is redemption? Oh! Do not be afraid, Joseph. If the roads are not safe, if the crowds will make the journey a difficult one, the angels will defend and protect us. Not us: but their King. If we find no accomodation, their wings will be our tents. No mishap will befall us. It cannot: God is with us.»
27.4 Joseph looks at Her and listens to Her, happily. The wrinkles on his forehead smooth away. He gets up, no longer tired or worried. He smiles. «You are blessed, Sun of my soul! You are blessed, because You see everything through the Grace of which You are full! Don’t let us waste time, then. Because we must leave as soon as possible, and come back as soon as possible, because everything is ready here for the… for the…»
«For our Son, Joseph. He must be such in the eyes of the world, remember that. The Father has covered His coming with the veil of mystery and we must not lift that veil. Jesus will do it, when the time comes…»
The beauty of Mary’s face, look, expression and voice, when She says «Jesus» cannot be described. It is already an ecstasy. And the vision ends on it.