Skip to content

Notes for this keyword

Faustina (Valeria's child)

Theme: Main and secondary characters

Reading comfort

Aa

GRM 158.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

The news of Fausta's recovery "spread like lightning" in Roman circles, reports Jeanne de Kouza.

GRM 193.3-4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Now, between two high mountains, the highest in the area, one can see straight through a valley, in the middle of which there is the very fertile well-watered land of Shechem. It is here that Jesus and His disciples are caught up with by the joyful caravan of the Consul’s court, on its way to Jerusalem for the festivity. There are slaves on foot and slaves on the wagons guarding the luggage… My God, how many items they carried with them in those days!!! And with the slaves there are wagons that are packed with all sorts of goods, even complete litters and travelling coaches: the four wheel wagons are very wide, well sprung, with tilt, under which the ladies are sheltered. And then many other carts and slaves…

A curtain is drawn, by the bejewelled hand of a lady and the severe profile of Plautina appears: she nods smiling but does not say anything. Valeria, whose little girl on her knees trills and smiles, greets people in the same fashion. The other wagon, which is even more stately, passes by but no curtain is drawn. But when it has gone by, the pinkish face of Lydia looks out from the rear, through the closed curtains and she nods, too. The caravan goes away…

193.4

«They travel in comfort!» says Peter who is tired and wet with perspiration. «But, if God helps us, the day after tomorrow evening we shall be in Jerusalem.»

«No, Simon. I must make a detour and go towards the Jordan.»

«But why, my Lord?»

«Because of the boy. He is very sad, and it would be too sad for him to see the mountain of the disaster.»

«But we shall not see it! Or rather, we shall see the other side… and I take it upon myself to divert his attention. John and I… His attention is easily distracted, poor little dove without a nest. To go towards the Jordan! Well! It is better this way. A straight road. Shorter. Safer. No. No. This one, this one. See? Also the Roman ladies are taking it. Along the sea and the river there is the risk of fever during the first summer rains. It is healthy here. In any case… When are we going to arrive if we increase the distance? Consider how agitated Your Mother must be after that unpleasant business of the Baptist!…» Peter wins and Jesus agrees.