Notes for this theme
Reading comfort
GRM 191.7 · Volume 3
It is not fair that a blessed soul should leave my bosom to go and be insulted by the sons of the Enemy. The time of insults is over for such souls. They are now in peace by the order of God Who sees that it is useless to endeavour to convert those who do not even believe in the word of God and do not practice it.
In the parable of Lazarus and the poor rich man, Abraham speaks and says the following.
GRM 191.8 · Volume 3
I would like to be able to help you all, also materially, but I cannot, and I am sorry for that. I can but point Heaven to you. I can only teach you the great wisdom of resignation and promise the future Kingdom to you. (...) It is better to be Lazarus than Dives, believe Me. Believe it and you will be blessed.
GRM 191.8 · Volume 3
Do not hate, never, for any reason whatsoever. Hatred is strong in the world. But it always has a limit. Love has no limit of power or time. Love therefore, to possess love, as a defense and comfort on the earth, and as a reward in Heaven.
GRM 192
Apart from James of Alphaeus, Simon Peter and Simon the Zealot, the other apostles are not named, but they did travel with Jesus.
GRM 192.1 · Volume 3
«Is that the top of Mount Carmel, my Lord?» asks His cousin James.
«Yes, it is, brother. That is the chain of the Carmel and the highest peak is the one that gives the name to the chain.»
«The world must be beautiful also from there. Have You ever been up there?»
«Yes, once, by Myself, at the beginning of My mission. And at the foot of it I cured the first leper. But we will go there together, to commemorate Elijah…»
«Thank You, Jesus. You have understood me as usual.»
«And as usual I perfect you, James.»
«Why?»
«The reason is written in Heaven.»
«Would You not tell me, brother, since You can read what is written in Heaven?»
Jesus and James are walking one beside the other and only little Jabez, who is held by the hand by Jesus, can hear the confidential conversation of the two cousins who smile looking at each other’s eyes.
Jesus embraces James’ shoulders with His arm to draw him closer to Himself and asks: «Do you really want to know? Well, I will tell you by means of a riddle, and when you find the answer you will be wise. Listen[1]: “After assembling the false prophets on Mount Carmel, Elijah stepped out in front of all the people: ‘How long’ he said ‘do you mean to hobble first on one leg then on the other? If the Lord is God, follow Him; if Baal, follow him’. The people did not reply. Elijah then said to the people: ‘I, I alone am left as a prophet of the Lord’ and the only strength of the lonely prophet was his cry: ‘Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and are winning back their hearts’. Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the holocaust”. Guess, My brother.»
James is pensive with his head lowered and Jesus looks at him smiling. They walk for a few yards thus, then James asks: «Is it in connection with Elijah or with my future?»
«With your future, of course…»
James becomes thoughtful again and then whispers: «Am I perhaps destined to invite Israel to follow a way with sincerity? Am I destined to be the only one left in Israel? If so, do You mean that all the others will be persecuted and scattered and that… I will pray You for the conversion of this people… as if I were a priest… as if I were… a victim… But if it is so, Jesus, inflame me as from now…»
«You already are inflamed. But you will be carried away by Fire, like Elijah[2]. That is why you and I will go, all alone on Mount Carmel to speak…»
«When? After Passover?»
«Yes, after a Passover. And then I will tell you many things…»
First Book of Kings, 18, 20-22.37-38
1 K 18, 20-22.37-38: Ahab sent messengers to all the children of Israel, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. Then Elijah came to all the people and said, "How long will you be bells on both sides? If Yahweh is God, go after him; if Baal, go after him!" The people answered him nothing. And Elijah said to the people: "I am left alone of the prophets of Yahweh, and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal (...) Hear me, Yahweh, hear me! That this people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that it is you who turn their hearts back." Then Yahweh's fire fell, and it consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones and the earth, and absorbed the water that was in the ditch.
GRM 192.1 · Volume 3
«Is that the top of Mount Carmel, my Lord?» asks His cousin James.
«Yes, it is, brother. That is the chain of the Carmel and the highest peak is the one that gives the name to the chain.»
«The world must be beautiful also from there. Have You ever been up there?»
«Yes, once, by Myself, at the beginning of My mission. And at the foot of it I cured the first leper. »
Unidentified episode. This miracle must have taken place after the first miracle at Cana.
GRM 192.2 · Volume 3
Be as frank as an angel.
GRM 193.2 · Volume 3
They stop for a meal and then resume the journey towards Jerusalem. But it must have rained heavily or the area is rich in underground water, because the meadows look like a marsh owing to the water that glitters among the thick grass and rises lapping on the banked road, which, however, is still very muddy. The adults pull their tunics up to prevent them from becoming soiled with mud, and Judas Thaddeus puts the boy on his shoulders to let him rest and to cross more quickly the flooded and perhaps unhealthy area.
Daylight is beginning to fade when, after walking along the edge of other hills and crossing a dry rocky valley, they enter a village situated on a raised rocky embankment. They push their way through the crowd of pilgrims and look for accommodation in a very rural type hotel: a large shed under which is spread much straw and nothing else. Small lamps lit here and there shed a glow on the supper of the pilgrim families, poor families, like the apostolic one, because most of the rich people have put up tents outside the village, disdaining contact with either the local people or the poor pilgrims.
Night and silence fall… The first to fall asleep is the boy, who, tired as he is, lays his head on the lap of Peter, who lays him on the straw and covers him carefully.
Jesus gathers the adults in prayer and then each throws himself on the straw to rest after the long journey.
GRM 193.3 · Volume 3
The day after: the apostolic group that left in the morning is about to enter Shechem in the evening, having passed through Samaria, a beautiful town, surrounded by walls, adorned with splendid imposing buildings, around which are grouped some lovely tidy houses. I am under the impression that the town, like Tiberias, has been recently rebuilt with systems borrowed from Rome. Outside the walls, around the town, the land is very fruitful and well cultivated.
GRM 193.5 · Volume 3
«Here we are at the gate of Shechem. Go ahead with your brother and with Judas of Simon and look for accommodation. I will go to the market square and wait for you there.»
They part and Peter goes away looking for a shelter, while the others walk with difficulty in the streets crowded with people shouting and gesticulating, with donkeys, wagons, all going to Jerusalem for the oncoming Passover. The shouting, calling cursing of people, added to the braying of donkeys cause a noise that resounds very loudly under the vaults, which link one house to another, a noise that resembles the rumble of certain shells when placed near one’s ear. The echo travels from vault to vault where the shades become darker and the crowds, like an impetuous torrent, rush into the streets, insinuating themselves everywhere, looking for a roof, a square, a meadow in which to pass the night…
Jesus, holding the child by the hand, leaning against a tree, is waiting for Peter in the square, which, for the occasion, is always full of vendors.
«Let us hope that no one sees us and recognises us!» says the Iscariot.
«How can you recognise a grain of sand among the sands?» replies Thomas. «Don’t you see the crowds?»
Peter comes back: «Outside the town there is a shed with some hay. I could not find anything else.»
«Neither shall we look for anything else. It is even too much for the Son of man.»