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GRM 76.4-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«You told me that You want to inform Isaac that You are here, but You do not want to go into the village?»

«Yes, that is what I want.»

«Well, we had better part. I will go to him, Levi and Joseph will stay with the herd and with You. I’ll go up here. It will be quicker.» And Elias starts climbing up the mountain side, towards the white houses which are so bright up there in the sunshine.

I seem to be following him. He is now at the first houses. He goes along a tiny path between houses and kitchen gardens. He walks thus for about ten metres. He then turns into a wider road and then enters the square. I forgot to mention that this is happening in the early morning hours. I am saying so now because the market is still on in the square and housewives and vendors are shouting under the shady trees of the square.

Elias goes resolutely to the point where the square ends and quite an attractive street starts. Perhaps the nicest in the village. At the corner there is a little house, or rather, a room with its door wide open. Almost on the threshold there is a little bed, on which an emaciated sick man is lying, asking all passers-by for alms, in a plaintive voice.

Elias dashes in. «Isaac… it’s me.»

«You? I was not expecting you. You were here last month.»

«Isaac… Isaac… Do you know why I have come?»

«No, I don’t… You are excited. What’s happening?»

«I have seen Jesus of Nazareth, He is a man, now, a rabbi. He came looking for me… and He wants to see us. Oh! Isaac! Are you not well?»

Isaac, in fact, has fallen back as if he were dying. But he comes round: «No. The news… Where is He? What is He like? Oh! If I could see Him!»

«He is down in the valley. He sent me tell to you exactly this: “Come, Isaac, because I want to see you and bless you”. I’ll call someone now to help me and I’ll take you down.»

«Is that what He said?»

«Yes, it is. But what are you doing?»

«I’m going.»

Isaac throws away the blankets, he moves his paralysed legs, he throws them off the straw mattress, he puts his feet on the floor, he stands up, still somewhat hesitating, and shaky. It all happens in an instant, under Elias’ wide open eyes… who at last understands and begins to shout… A little woman looks in curiously. She sees the sick man stand up and cover himself with one of the blankets, since he has nothing else, and run away, shouting like a mad man.

«Let us go… this way, it will be quicker and we will not meet the crowd… Quick, Elias.»

They run through a little door of a kitchen garden in the back, they push the gate, made of dry branches, and once outside, they run along a narrow dirty path, then down a little road along kitchen gardens and finally through meadows and thickets, right down to the torrent.

76.5

«There is Jesus, over there» says Elias, pointing at Him. «The tall, handsome one, with fair hair, with a white tunic and red mantle…»

Isaac runs, he cuts through the grazing sheep, and with a cry of triumph, joy and adoration he prostrates himself at Jesus’ feet.

«Stand up, Isaac. I have come. To bring you peace and blessings. Stand up, that I may see your face.»

But Isaac cannot stand up. Too much excitement at once and he remains prostrated, with his face on the ground, crying! happily.

«You came at once. You did not worry whether you could…»

«You told me to come… and I came.»

«He did not even close the door or pick up the alms, Master.»

«It does not matter. The angels will watch his house. Are you happy, Isaac?»

«Oh! My Lord!»

«Call Me Master.»

«Yes, my Lord, my Master. Even if you had not healed me, I would have been happy to see You. How could I find so much grace with You?»

«Because of your faith and patience, Isaac. I know how much you suffered…»

«Nothing! nothing! It does not matter! I have found You. You are alive. You are here. That’s what matters. The rest, all the rest is over. But, my Lord and my Master, You are not going away anymore, is that right?»

«Isaac, I have the whole of Israel to evangelise. I am going…

But if I cannot stay, you can always serve and follow Me.

76.6

Do you want to be My disciple, Isaac?»

«Oh! But I am not capable!»

«Can you avow Who I am? Avow it against jeers and threats? And tell people that I called you and you came?»

«Even if You did not want, I would avow all that. I would disobey You in that, Master. Forgive me for saying so.»

Jesus smiles. «You can see then that you are capable of becoming a disciple!»

«Oh! If that’s all one has to do! I thought it was more difficult, that we had to go to school with the rabbis to learn how to serve You, the Rabbi of rabbis… and to go to school at my age…» The man in fact must be at least fifty years old.

«You have done your schooling already, Isaac.»

«Me? No.»

«Yes, you have. Have you not continued to believe and love, to respect and bless God and your neighbour, not to be envious, not to wish what belongs to other people, and even what was your own and you no longer possessed, to speak only the truth, even if it should be harmful to you, not to associate with Satan committing sins? Have you not done all these things, in the last thirty years of misfortunes?»

«Yes, Master.»

«So you see, you have done your schooling. Go on doing so and reveal, in addition, to the world, that I am in the world. There is nothing else to be done.»

«I have already preached You, Lord Jesus. I preached You to the children, who used to come, when I arrived lame in this village, begging for bread and doing some work, such as shearing and dairy work, and the children used to come round my bed, when I got worse and I was paralysed from my waist downwards. I spoke of You to the children of many years ago, and to the children of present times, who are the sons of the previous ones… Children are good and they always believe… I told them of Your birth… of the angels… of the Star and the Wise Men… and of Your Mother… Oh! Tell me! Is She alive?»

«She is alive and She sends you Her regards. She always spoke of you all.»

«Oh! If I could see Her!»

«You will see Her. You will come to My house one day. Mary will greet you saying: “My friend”.»

«Mary… yes, when you utter that name it is like filling your mouth with honey…»

GRM 76.4.7.8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Elias goes resolutely to the point where the square ends and quite an attractive street starts. Perhaps the nicest in the village. At the corner there is a little house, or rather, a room with its door wide open. Almost on the threshold there is a little bed, on which an emaciated sick man is lying, asking all passers-by for alms, in a plaintive voice.

Elias dashes in. «Isaac… it’s me.»

«You? I was not expecting you. You were here last month.»

«Isaac… Isaac… Do you know why I have come?»

«No, I don’t… You are excited. What’s happening?»

«I have seen Jesus of Nazareth, He is a man, now, a rabbi. He came looking for me… and He wants to see us. Oh! Isaac! Are you not well?»

Isaac, in fact, has fallen back as if he were dying. But he comes round: «No. The news… Where is He? What is He like? Oh! If I could see Him!»

«He is down in the valley. He sent me tell to you exactly this: “Come, Isaac, because I want to see you and bless you”. I’ll call someone now to help me and I’ll take you down.»

«Is that what He said?»

«Yes, it is. But what are you doing?»

«I’m going.»

Isaac throws away the blankets, he moves his paralysed legs, he throws them off the straw mattress, he puts his feet on the floor, he stands up, still somewhat hesitating, and shaky. It all happens in an instant, under Elias’ wide open eyes… who at last understands and begins to shout… A little woman looks in curiously. She sees the sick man stand up and cover himself with one of the blankets, since he has nothing else, and run away, shouting like a mad man.

«Let us go… this way, it will be quicker and we will not meet the crowd… Quick, Elias.»

They run through a little door of a kitchen garden in the back, they push the gate, made of dry branches, and once outside, they run along a narrow dirty path, then down a little road along kitchen gardens and finally through meadows and thickets, right down to the torrent. (...)

[Isaac reunites with Jesus, and they go to visit a family that has always been kind to the shepherd.]

«This way, Master. It is easier for the sheep and we will avoid the people, who are most certainly excited. The old woman, who saw me getting up, will have certainly told them.» (...)

One can hear a lot of shouting from the house. Isaac walks in front of them all. He goes in. He calls at the top of his voice: «Mary, Joseph, Emmanuel! Where are you? Come to Jesus.»

Three little ones run: a girl about five years old, and two little boys, about four and two years of age, the latter still somewhat uncertain when walking. They are dumbfounded when they see the… revived man. Then the little girl shouts: «Isaac! Mummy! Isaac is here! Judith was right.»

A woman comes out of a room where there is a lot of noisy shouting: the buxom, brown, tall, lovely mother of the past vision, most beautiful in her best dress: a snow-white linen dress, like a rich chemise falling in puckers down to her ankles, tied at her well-shaped waist by a multicoloured striped shawl, that covers her wonderful hips dropping in fringes down to her knees at the back, while at the front it is tied under the philigree buckle and its ends are hanging loose. A light veil patterned with rose branches on a beige background is pinned to her black plaits, like a tiny turban, and falls onto her neck in flowing folds and then onto her shoulders and breasts. It is held tight on her head by a small crown of medals tied together by a little chain. Heavy rings hang from her ears, and her tunic is held close to her neck by a silver necklace which passes through eyelets of her dress. She wears heavy silver bracelets on her arms.

«Isaac! What’s this? Judith… I thought she had gone mad… But you are walking! What happened?»

«The Saviour! Oh! Sarah! He is here! He has come!»

«Who? Jesus of Nazareth? Where is He?»

«Over there! Behind the walnut-tree, and He wishes to know if you will receive Him!»

«Joachim! Mother! Come here, all of you! The Messiah is here!»

Detail

Judith of Yutta saw Isaac's healing and talked about it in the village.

GRM 76.7-11

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

76.7 There is a woman in Juttah, she is a woman now, she had her fourth child not long ago, but once she was a little girl, one of my little friends… and she called her children: Mary and Joseph the first two, and as she dared not call the third one Jesus, she called him Emmanuel, as a good omen for herself, her home and Israel. And she is now thinking of the name to be given to her fourth child, born six days ago. Oh! When she hears that I am healed! And that You are here! Sarah is as good as home made bread, and her husband Joachim is also so good. And their relatives? I owe them my life. They have always helped and sheltered me.»

«Let us go and ask them for hospitality during the hottest hours of the day and to bless them for their charity.»

«This way, Master. It is easier for the sheep and we will avoid the people, who are most certainly excited. The old woman, who saw me getting up, will have certainly told them.»

76.8 They follow the torrent, then further south they depart from it, and take to a steep path, following a prominence of the mountain shaped like the prow of a ship. Now the torrent flows in the opposite direction to that of those who are climbing. The water runs along a beautiful uneven valley formed by the intersection of two ranges of mountains. I recognise the place. It is unmistakable. It is the scene of the vision of Jesus and the children, which I saw last spring. The usual little dry-stone wall marks the boundaries of the estate, which declines towards the valley. I see the meadow with apple-trees, fig-trees, walnut-trees, then the white house surrounded by green lawns, with the protruding wing which protects the staircase and forms a porch and loggia. And there is the little dome on the highest part, the kitchen garden with the well, the pergola and the flower beds…

One can hear a lot of shouting from the house. Isaac walks in front of them all. He goes in. He calls at the top of his voice: «Mary, Joseph, Emmanuel! Where are you? Come to Jesus.»

Three little ones run: a girl about five years old, and two little boys, about four and two years of age, the latter still somewhat uncertain when walking. They are dumbfounded when they see the… revived man. Then the little girl shouts: «Isaac! Mummy! Isaac is here! Judith was right.»

A woman comes out of a room where there is a lot of noisy shouting: the buxom, brown, tall, lovely mother of the past vision, most beautiful in her best dress: a snow-white linen dress, like a rich chemise falling in puckers down to her ankles, tied at her well-shaped waist by a multicoloured striped shawl, that covers her wonderful hips dropping in fringes down to her knees at the back, while at the front it is tied under the philigree buckle and its ends are hanging loose. A light veil patterned with rose branches on a beige background is pinned to her black plaits, like a tiny turban, and falls onto her neck in flowing folds and then onto her shoulders and breasts. It is held tight on her head by a small crown of medals tied together by a little chain. Heavy rings hang from her ears, and her tunic is held close to her neck by a silver necklace which passes through eyelets of her dress. She wears heavy silver bracelets on her arms.

«Isaac! What’s this? Judith… I thought she had gone mad… But you are walking! What happened?»

«The Saviour! Oh! Sarah! He is here! He has come!»

«Who? Jesus of Nazareth? Where is He?»

«Over there! Behind the walnut-tree, and He wishes to know if you will receive Him!»

«Joachim! Mother! Come here, all of you! The Messiah is here!»

«Women, men, boys, little ones run out shouting and yelling… but when they see Jesus, tall and stately, they lose heart and become petrified.

«Peace to this house and to you all. The peace and blessing of God.» Jesus walks slowly, smiling, towards the group. «My friends: will you give hospitality to the Wayfarer?» and He smiles even more.

His smile overcomes all fears. The husband takes heart: «Come in, Messiah. We have loved You before meeting You. We will love You more after meeting You. The house is celebrating today for three reasons: for You, for Isaac and for the circumcision of my third son. Bless him, Master. Woman, bring the baby! Come in, my Lord.»

76.9 They go into a room decorated for the feast. There are tables with foodstuffs, carpets and branches everywhere.

Sarah comes back with a lovely new-born baby in her arms. She presents him to Jesus.

«May God be always with him. What is his name?»

«No name yet. This is Mary, this is Joseph, this is Emmanuel… but this one has no name yet…»

Jesus looks at the parents, who are close to each other, He smiles: «Find a name, if he is to be circumcised today…»

They look at each other, they look at Him, they open their mouths and close them again without saying anything. Everyone is paying attention.

Jesus insists: «The history of Israel has so many great, sweet, blessed names. The sweetest and most blessed ones have already been given. But perhaps there are still some left.»

The parents cry out together: «Yours, Lord!» and the mother adds: «But it is too holy…»

Jesus smiles and asks: «When will he be circumcised?»

«We are waiting for the circumciser.»

«I will be present at the ceremony. And in the meantime I wish to thank you for what you have done for My Isaac. He no longer needs the help of good people. But good people still need God. You called your third son: God be with us. But you had God with you ever since you were charitable to My servant. May you be blessed. Your charity will be remembered in Heaven and on the earth.»

«Is Isaac going away now? Is he leaving us?»

«Is that upsetting you? But he must serve his Master. But he will come, and so will I. In the meantime, you will speak of the Messiah… There is so much to be said to convince the world!

76.10 But here is the person you are expecting.»

A pompous individual comes in with a servant. There are greetings and low bows. «Where is the child?» he asks with haughtiness.

«He is here. But greet the Messiah. He is here.»

«The Messiah! The one who healed Isaac? I heard about it. But… We will talk about it after. I am in a great hurry. The child and his name.»

The people present are mortified by the man’s manners. But Jesus smiles as if the impoliteness was not addressed to Him. He takes the baby, He touches his little forehead with His beautiful fingers, as if He wanted to consecrate him and says: «His name is Jesai» and He hands him back to his father, who goes into another room with the haughty man and other people. Jesus remains where He was until they come back with the child, who is screaming desperately.

«Woman, give Me the child. He will not cry any longer» He says to comfort the distressed mother. In fact, the child, once he is laid on Jesus’ knees, is silent.

Jesus forms a group of His own, with the little ones around Him, and also the shepherds and disciples. The sheep that Elias has put in an enclosure are bleating outside. There is the noise of a party in the house. They bring sweets and drinks to Jesus. But Jesus hands them out to the little ones.

«Are You not drinking, Master? Will You not have anything. We are offering it warmly.»

«I know, Joachim, and I accept wholeheartedly. But let Me make the little ones happy first. They are My joy…»

«Pay no attention to that man, Master.»

«No, Isaac. I will pray that he may see the Light. John, take the two little boys to see the sheep.

76.11 And you, Mary, come closer to Me and tell Me: Who am I?»

«You are Jesus, the Son of Mary of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem. Isaac saw You and he gave me the name of Your Mother, that I may be good.»

«To imitate Her, you must be as good as an angel of God, purer than a lily that blooms on top of a mountain, as pious as the holiest Levite. Will you be like that?»

«Yes, Jesus, I will.»

«Say: Master or Lord, little girl.»

«Let her call Me with My name, Judas. Only when it is uttered by innocent lips, it does not lose the sound that it has on My Mother’s lips. Everybody, throughout future centuries, will mention that name, some because of an interest or other, some to curse it. Only innocent people, without any interest and any hatred, will pronounce it with the same love as this little girl and My Mother. Also sinners will invoke Me, because they need mercy. But My Mother and the little ones! Why do you call Me Jesus?» He asks, caressing the little girl.

«Because I love You… as I love my father, mother and my little brothers» she says, embracing Jesus’ knees, and smiling with her head turned upwards.

And Jesus bends down and kisses her… and it all ends in this way.

Detail

Isaac speaks of those who cared for him throughout his infirmity. He decides to go to them to thank them for their kindness to the shepherd.

Sarah of Yutta appears in 76.8, as do the children, while Joachim appears in 76.9. The blessing of the newborn Yesai takes place in 76.9-10. Finally, Jesus speaks to the child Mary in 76.11.

GRM 76.10-11

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus forms a group of His own, with the little ones around Him, and also the shepherds and disciples. The sheep that Elias has put in an enclosure are bleating outside. There is the noise of a party in the house. They bring sweets and drinks to Jesus. But Jesus hands them out to the little ones.

«Are You not drinking, Master? Will You not have anything. We are offering it warmly.»

«I know, Joachim, and I accept wholeheartedly. But let Me make the little ones happy first. They are My joy… (...) John, take the two little boys to see the sheep.

76.11 And you, Mary, come closer to Me and tell Me: Who am I?»

«You are Jesus, the Son of Mary of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem. Isaac saw You and he gave me the name of Your Mother, that I may be good.»

«To imitate Her, you must be as good as an angel of God, purer than a lily that blooms on top of a mountain, as pious as the holiest Levite. Will you be like that?»

«Yes, Jesus, I will.»

«Say: Master or Lord, little girl.»

«Let her call Me with My name, Judas. Only when it is uttered by innocent lips, it does not lose the sound that it has on My Mother’s lips. Everybody, throughout future centuries, will mention that name, some because of an interest or other, some to curse it. Only innocent people, without any interest and any hatred, will pronounce it with the same love as this little girl and My Mother. Also sinners will invoke Me, because they need mercy. But My Mother and the little ones! Why do you call Me Jesus?» He asks, caressing the little girl.

«Because I love You… as I love my father, mother and my little brothers» she says, embracing Jesus’ knees, and smiling with her head turned upwards.

And Jesus bends down and kisses her… and it all ends in this way.

GRM 77

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

The apostolic group heads for Hebron. Judas is nervous and irritated that they didn't go to Kerioth first, as it would have been shorter. Jesus assures him, however, that he always keeps his promises. If he goes to Hebron beforehand, it's because Samuel, who has passed away, has suffered a great deal for him, and has never betrayed the memory of the Child Jesus. He remained faithful even though he didn't know he was alive, and so this man deserves to be honored and prayed for by Christ.

The Iscariot then points out that the shepherds were righteous, holy, and yet they were mistreated. Anne of Bethlehem even died as a result... And so he concludes, incidentally, that love for Jesus brings him bad luck. The Master prevents John and Simon from intervening, saying that he prefers Judas always to speak his mind. And he replies that, even if the shepherds have received much, it would not be right for them to have received a special privilege because they have received this or that gift, including that of being present at the Nativity. Simon, moreover, declares that we shouldn't put earthly things where heavenly things are.

Judas then ironizes directly, pointing out that, having been healed so soon, the Zealot has recovered all his possessions, and is therefore not living on spirit alone. But Lazarus' friend replies that he has given specific orders and is free of everything to follow Jesus.

Judas finally grumbles, because he's wrong again, and John tries to console him by saying that he's practical, but that he'll soon change in Jesus' presence.

The latter deftly changes the conversation when Judas continues to grumble, and he gives instructions to Levi and Elijah: they will lead him to Jonah, and Joseph will stay with the group as far as Jericho.

Finally, they arrive in Hebron, near Zechariah's house. But the house is surrounded by a wall, which wasn't there before. A man tells them that a Herodian has taken possession of the house, and that he has a prostitute with him. He talks for a long time about John - whom he sees as the Messiah, despite the dialogue with Jesus and John - and the Master does not insist when the man is stubborn and believes he has the truth.

On their way to the synagogue, they go round the house and meet Aglaia. Jesus enters Zechariah's house and engages in a very sincere conversation with the courtesan. She begins a journey of redemption, but after leaving him, Jesus is rejected by the synagogue. Prostitutes are not to be spoken to, and when Judas remarks on him once he's out on the town, the Lord declares that Aglaia will surpass him, and that the time will soon come when pagans will worship the true God, rather than the chosen people who should receive the Messiah.

Ultimately, he was unable to honor the remains of Samuel and Zechariah, but he tells them to rejoice, for the first resurrection is at hand.

GRM 77.1-3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

77.1 «At what time shall we be arriving?» asks Jesus Who is walking in the centre of the group behind the sheep, grazing on the grass on the banks.

«At about the third hour. It’s almost ten miles» replies Elias.

«Are we going to Kerioth afterwards?» asks Judas.

«Yes, we will go there.»

«Was it not quicker to go to Kerioth from Juttah? It cannot be a great distance. Is that correct, shepherd?»

«About two miles longer, more or less.»

«This way, we will be doing over twenty for nothing.»

«Judas, why are you so worried?»

«I am not worried, Master. But You promised You would come to my house.»

«And I will. I always keep My promises.»

«I sent word to my mother… and after all, You said so Yourself, one can be near the dead also with one’s soul.»

«I did. But just think, Judas: you have not yet suffered because of Me. These people have been suffering for thirty years, and they have never betrayed, not even My memory they betrayed. They did not know whether I was dead or alive… and yet they remained faithful. They remembered Me as a newly-born baby, an infant with nothing but tears and the need of milk… and they have always worshipped Me as God. Because of Me they have been beaten, cursed and persecuted as if they were the disgrace of Judaea, and yet their faith has never faltered, neither did it wither under blows, on the contrary it took deeper roots and became stronger.»

77.2 «By the way. For some days I have been anxious to ask You a question. These people are Your friends and the friends of God, are they not? The angels blessed them with the peace of Heaven, did they not? They have been faithful against all temptations, have they not? Would You explain to me, then, why are they unhappy? And what about Anne? She was killed because she loved You…»

«Are you therefore deducing that to be loved by Me and to love Me brings bad luck?»

«No… but…»

«But you are. I am sorry to see you so closed to the Light and so open to human things. No, never mind John, and you too, Simon. I prefer him to speak. I never reproach. I only want you to open your souls to Me that I may enlighten them. Come here, Judas, listen.

You have an opinion which is common to many people of our times and will be common to man in future. I said: an opinion. I should say: an error. But since you do not do so out of malice, but out of ignorance of the truth, it is not an error, it is only an incorrect opinion, like a child’s. And you are like children, My poor men. And I am here, as a Master, to make adults of you, capable of distinguishing truth from lies, good from bad and what is better from what is good. Listen to Me, therefore.

What is life? It is a period of pause, I would say the limbo of Limbo, that the God Father grants you as trial to establish whether you are good or bad children, after which He will allocate, according to your deeds, a future life without pauses or trials. Now tell Me: would it be fair if a man, simply because he has been granted the rare gift of being in the position of serving God in a special way, also had an everlasting wealth throughout his life? Do you not think that he has already been granted a great deal and may therefore consider himself happy, even if human things are against him? Would it not be unfair if he, who already has the light of divine revelation in his heart and the smile of a clear conscience, should also have worldly honours and wealth? And would it not also be unwise?»

77.3 «Master, I would also say that he would be a desecrator. Why put human joys where You already are? When one has You — and they had You, they are the only rich people in Israel because they have had You for thirty years — one should have nothing else. We do not put human things on the Propitiatory… and the consecrated vase is used only for sacred uses. And these people are consecrated since the day they saw Your smile… and nothing but You is to enter their hearts, which possess You. I wish I was like them!» says Simon.

Detail

The apostolic group is walking towards Hebron, and Judas has the impression that they won't be going to Kerioth. In fact, he regrets that they are going to Hebron to pray over the bones of the shepherd Samuel, and recalls Jesus' lesson in EMV 76.2 about the suffrages of the dead and the prayer of the dead, which can be done anywhere. He then asks why the shepherds, who are friends of God and have received divine favors, had to suffer so much.

GRM 77.1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«At what time shall we be arriving?» asks Jesus Who is walking in the centre of the group behind the sheep, grazing on the grass on the banks.

«At about the third hour. It’s almost ten miles» replies Elias.

«Are we going to Kerioth afterwards?» asks Judas.

«Yes, we will go there.»

«Was it not quicker to go to Kerioth from Juttah? It cannot be a great distance. Is that correct, shepherd?»

«About two miles longer, more or less.»

«This way, we will be doing over twenty for nothing.»

«Judas, why are you so worried?»

«I am not worried, Master. But You promised You would come to my house.»

«And I will. I always keep My promises.»

«I sent word to my mother… »

GRM 77.1-3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«At what time shall we be arriving?» asks Jesus Who is walking in the centre of the group behind the sheep, grazing on the grass on the banks.

«At about the third hour. It’s almost ten miles» replies Elias.

«Are we going to Kerioth afterwards?» asks Judas.

«Yes, we will go there.»

«Was it not quicker to go to Kerioth from Juttah? It cannot be a great distance. Is that correct, shepherd?»

«About two miles longer, more or less.»

«This way, we will be doing over twenty for nothing.»

«Judas, why are you so worried?»

«I am not worried, Master. But You promised You would come to my house.»

«And I will. I always keep My promises.»

«I sent word to my mother… and after all, You said so Yourself, one can be near the dead also with one’s soul.»

«I did. But just think, Judas: you have not yet suffered because of Me. These people have been suffering for thirty years, and they have never betrayed, not even My memory they betrayed. They did not know whether I was dead or alive… and yet they remained faithful. They remembered Me as a newly-born baby, an infant with nothing but tears and the need of milk… and they have always worshipped Me as God. Because of Me they have been beaten, cursed and persecuted as if they were the disgrace of Judaea, and yet their faith has never faltered, neither did it wither under blows, on the contrary it took deeper roots and became stronger.»

77.2

«By the way. For some days I have been anxious to ask You a question. These people are Your friends and the friends of God, are they not? The angels blessed them with the peace of Heaven, did they not? They have been faithful against all temptations, have they not? Would You explain to me, then, why are they unhappy? And what about Anne? She was killed because she loved You…»

«Are you therefore deducing that to be loved by Me and to love Me brings bad luck?»

«No… but…»

«But you are. I am sorry to see you so closed to the Light and so open to human things. No, never mind John, and you too, Simon. I prefer him to speak. I never reproach. I only want you to open your souls to Me that I may enlighten them. Come here, Judas, listen.

You have an opinion which is common to many people of our times and will be common to man in future. I said: an opinion. I should say: an error. But since you do not do so out of malice, but out of ignorance of the truth, it is not an error, it is only an incorrect opinion, like a child’s. And you are like children, My poor men. And I am here, as a Master, to make adults of you, capable of distinguishing truth from lies, good from bad and what is better from what is good. Listen to Me, therefore.

What is life? It is a period of pause, I would say the limbo of Limbo, that the God Father grants you as trial to establish whether you are good or bad children, after which He will allocate, according to your deeds, a future life without pauses or trials. Now tell Me: would it be fair if a man, simply because he has been granted the rare gift of being in the position of serving God in a special way, also had an everlasting wealth throughout his life? Do you not think that he has already been granted a great deal and may therefore consider himself happy, even if human things are against him? Would it not be unfair if he, who already has the light of divine revelation in his heart and the smile of a clear conscience, should also have worldly honours and wealth? And would it not also be unwise?»

77.3

«Master, I would also say that he would be a desecrator. Why put human joys where You already are? When one has You — and they had You, they are the only rich people in Israel because they have had You for thirty years — one should have nothing else. We do not put human things on the Propitiatory… and the consecrated vase is used only for sacred uses. And these people are consecrated since the day they saw Your smile… and nothing but You is to enter their hearts, which possess You. I wish I was like them!» says Simon.

«But you wasted no time, immediately after you saw the Master and were cured, in getting back your property» Judas replies ironically.

«That is true. I said I would and I did. But do you know why? How can you judge if you do not know the whole situation? My representative was given precise instructions. Now that Simon Zealot has been healed — and his enemies can no longer harm him, neither can they persecute him because he belongs only to Jesus and to no sect: he has Jesus and nothing else — Simon can dispose of his wealth which an honest and faithful servant kept for him. And I, being the owner for a further short time, gave instructions that the estate should be reorganised, so that I would get more money when selling it and I would be able to say… no, I am not telling what.»

«The angels say it for you, Simon, and they are writing it in the eternal book» says Jesus.

Simon looks at Jesus. Their eyes meet: Simon’s express surprise, Jesus’ blessing approval.

«As usual. I am wrong.»

«No, Judas. You have a practical sense, you said so yourself.»

«Oh! but with Jesus!… Also Simon Peter was full of practical sense, but now!… You, too, Judas, will become like him. You have only been with the Master a short time, we have been longer with Him, and we are already better» says John who is always kind and conciliatory.

«He did not want me. Otherwise I would have been His since Passover.» Judas is really bad-tempered today.

Jesus puts an end to the argument by asking Levi: «Have you ever been to Galilee?»

«Yes, my Lord.»

«You will come with Me, to take Me to Jonah. Do you know him?»

«Yes, I do. We always met at Passover. I used to go and see him then.»

Joseph, mortified, lowers his head. Jesus notices and says: «You cannot both come. Elias would be left alone with the sheep. But you will come with Me as far as the Jericho pass, where we will part for some time. I will tell you after what you have to do.»

«What about us? Shall we not do anything?»

«Yes, you will, Judas, you will.»

Detail

The apostolic group is walking towards Hebron, and Judas has the impression that they won't be going to Kerioth. In fact, he regrets that they are going to Hebron to pray over the bones of the shepherd Samuel, and recalls Jesus' lesson in EMV 76.2 about the suffrages of the dead and the prayer of the dead, which can be done anywhere. He then asks why the shepherds, who are friends of God and have received divine favors, had to suffer so much.

GRM 77.2-3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«By the way. For some days I have been anxious to ask You a question. These people are Your friends and the friends of God, are they not? The angels blessed them with the peace of Heaven, did they not? They have been faithful against all temptations, have they not? Would You explain to me, then, why are they unhappy? And what about Anne? She was killed because she loved You…»

«Are you therefore deducing that to be loved by Me and to love Me brings bad luck?»

«No… but…»

«But you are. I am sorry to see you so closed to the Light and so open to human things. No, never mind John, and you too, Simon. I prefer him to speak. I never reproach. I only want you to open your souls to Me that I may enlighten them. Come here, Judas, listen.

You have an opinion which is common to many people of our times and will be common to man in future. I said: an opinion. I should say: an error. But since you do not do so out of malice, but out of ignorance of the truth, it is not an error, it is only an incorrect opinion, like a child’s. And you are like children, My poor men. And I am here, as a Master, to make adults of you, capable of distinguishing truth from lies, good from bad and what is better from what is good. Listen to Me, therefore.

What is life? It is a period of pause, I would say the limbo of Limbo, that the God Father grants you as trial to establish whether you are good or bad children, after which He will allocate, according to your deeds, a future life without pauses or trials. Now tell Me: would it be fair if a man, simply because he has been granted the rare gift of being in the position of serving God in a special way, also had an everlasting wealth throughout his life? Do you not think that he has already been granted a great deal and may therefore consider himself happy, even if human things are against him? Would it not be unfair if he, who already has the light of divine revelation in his heart and the smile of a clear conscience, should also have worldly honours and wealth? And would it not also be unwise?»

77.3

«Master, I would also say that he would be a desecrator. Why put human joys where You already are? When one has You — and they had You, they are the only rich people in Israel because they have had You for thirty years — one should have nothing else. We do not put human things on the Propitiatory… and the consecrated vase is used only for sacred uses. And these people are consecrated since the day they saw Your smile… and nothing but You is to enter their hearts, which possess You. I wish I was like them!» says Simon.

«But you wasted no time, immediately after you saw the Master and were cured, in getting back your property» Judas replies ironically.

«That is true. I said I would and I did. But do you know why? How can you judge if you do not know the whole situation? My representative was given precise instructions. Now that Simon Zealot has been healed — and his enemies can no longer harm him, neither can they persecute him because he belongs only to Jesus and to no sect: he has Jesus and nothing else — Simon can dispose of his wealth which an honest and faithful servant kept for him. And I, being the owner for a further short time, gave instructions that the estate should be reorganised, so that I would get more money when selling it and I would be able to say… no, I am not telling what.»

«The angels say it for you, Simon, and they are writing it in the eternal book» says Jesus.

Simon looks at Jesus. Their eyes meet: Simon’s express surprise, Jesus’ blessing approval.

Detail

Contextualization: Judas asks Christ a question about the shepherds. Jesus answers and teaches the apostles a lesson: Simon joins in the conversation.

Note: The businessman mentioned by Simon the Zealot is certainly Lazarus (see EMV 84.4-5), who lives very close to Simon's house. If the apostle has recovered his possessions, it is to benefit his elderly servant, Joseph of Bethany (see also EMV 84.4-5).