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Aglaé (veiled woman from Belle-Eau)

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Aa

GRM 121

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

At Belle-Eau, the apostles are restless, for Herod's brother-in-law, Manahen, has arrived to listen to the Master. But Jesus isn't there yet, and the Twelve are troubled by the lack of instructions from the Lord. An argument soon breaks out between Peter and Judas: Simon of Jonah doesn't want the Iscariot to approach Aglaia, and ends up telling Judas the truth. The other apostles intervene, as all this arguing is tiring Jesus, and both Jude and Philip report two episodes in which they caught Jesus crying. The future betrayer bursts into tears, and the Savior arrives in the meantime. Peter blames himself for being too hard on Judas, but Judas also admits he's no good. Jesus calms things down, assures them that Manahen wants to see him without any bad intentions, then sends the others away and talks to Judas. Jesus wants his disciple to examine himself and speak with his soul, the better to discern his faults, and Judas finally confesses that Christ is not righteous. In fact, the man from Keroth is jealous and Jesus puts the church back in the middle of the village. He reminds them that he has constantly defended them to the other apostles, and then Jesus takes his leave, as it is time for him to go and see the crowd waiting for him.

The Master gives a speech to La Belle-Eau on the commandment "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain". He returns to Israel's error, believing that pagans blaspheme when they pronounce the Name of God. But pagans have the right to seek the Lord. Jesus adds that even those who believe pronounce God's name in vain when their souls are unrepentant or hypocritical. We might then think that only little children have the right to call upon the Most High, but sinners can (and must) invoke Him when they want to be healed of their faults. Finally, Jesus concludes: "God's name is spoken 'in vain' if we do not try to change for the better".

There are no sick people, and when Christ realizes that Manahen is about to leave, after hesitating for a moment, he asks him if he has a place to sleep and if he has any food. The future disciple reveals that he doesn't, and Jesus invites him to La Belle-Eau.

GRM 124

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

It's raining in Belle-Eau. There are no pilgrims. The apostolic group is in good spirits, however, and the apostles eventually discover that the veiled woman is living in a very precarious shelter. So they decide to help her. Judas confesses that he knows where she is sheltering, but he has managed to fight his curiosity and not discover who she is. Jesus congratulates him, and the Twelve wonder what to do about the veiled woman. Jesus asks them to decide, as this is a situation where their self-esteem "is at stake" and he has no business pressuring them to protect it. Everyone then gives their opinion, and it is decided to take her to a separate room, where they welcome the sick. When Aglaé is safe, Jesus talks to them briefly about neighborly love, and about souls that don't change because their masters don't act holily.

GRM 127

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus meets three of John the Baptist's disciples for the first time. John the Baptist is free and happy to see souls coming to Christ. He says that he must diminish, while Jesus must grow. The disciples also report the Forerunner's comments on Aglaé (the veiled woman of Belle-Eau), and then Jesus speaks of John and his spotless soul thanks to Mary's Visitation. After that, the conversation ends and Jesus speaks to the people present about the "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God". He dwells at length on the death of Doras, who no longer cared for his soul, and cared only for his body, the earth and his own riches. It would have been better if he had repented, rather than died impenitent.