Lazare

• Lazare
• Martha of Bethany
• Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala or Mary of Bethany)
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)

• Feast of the Dedication - Feast of the Encenias - Feast of Lights - Feast of the Purification
• Female disciples in the EMV (characters)
• Joseph of Bethany (servant of Simon the Zealot)
• Lazare
• Martha of Bethany
• Mary Magdalene (Mary of Magdala or Mary of Bethany)

• Healing and physical miracles
• Ishmael of Bethany
• Lazare
• Miracles of Jesus Christ
• Sarah of Bethany
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)

In the meantime Jesus tells Peter to take the tent down.

«Are we really going away?»

«Yes, we are.»

«Because she came?…»

«Yes, but do not tell anybody, especially the Zealot. He would be upset because of Lazarus. I cannot allow the word of God to be mocked at by heathens…»

«I see, I see…»

«Well, there is another thing you must understand.»

«Which, Master?»

«That it is necessary to be silent in certain cases. Please do not forget. You are so dear, but you are also so impulsive as to burst out into biting criticism.»

«I understand… You do not want for Lazarus and Simon…»

«And for others as well.»

«Do You think there will be any today?»

«Today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, always. It will always be necessary to watch the rashness of My Simon of Jonah. Go now and do what I told you.»

Peter goes away calling his companions to help him.

• Enemies of Jesus Christ
• Lazare
• Pharisees
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• Simon-Pierre - Simon de Jonas (apostle)

Listen.

You doubt Mary’s conversion to Good. There is no sign in her in that direction. Brazen and impudent, conscious of her rank and power, she dared to defy the people and come to the very threshold of the house where they are weeping because of her. She laughed at Peter’s reproach. She replied to My inviting look by striking a proud attitude. Perhaps some of you, either for Lazarus’ sake or for mine, would have liked Me to speak to her directly, at some length, subduing her with My power, showing My strength as Messiah and Saviour. No. All that is not needed. I already said so many months ago with regards to another sinner. Souls must react by themselves. I pass and sow the seed. The seed works in secret. A soul is to be respected in this work. If the first seed does not take root, another must be sown, and a third one… and one must give up only when there is definite proof that it is useless to sow. And one prays. Prayer is like dew on the clods of earth: it keeps them soft and nourishes them, so that the seed can sprout.

• Aglaé (veiled woman from Belle-Eau)
• Lazare
• Messiah
• Sauveur

One of them, a rather elderly man, is pressing to his side a boy about ten years old; he eats and weeps.

«What is the matter, father?…» asks Jesus.

«It’s because Your goodness is too great…»

The man from Endor says in his guttural voice: «That is true… and it makes you weep. But the tears are not bitter ones…»

«They are not bitter. That’s true. And then… There is something I would like. My tears express also a desire.»

«What do you want, father?»

«See this child. He is my grandson. He was left to me after the landslide of last winter. Doras does not even know that he has come to me, because I have to let him live like a wild animal in the wood and I see him only on the Sabbath. If he finds out he will either drive him away or compel him to work… and this tender offspring of mine will be treated worse than a pack animal. At Passover I am sending him to Jerusalem with Micah, to become a son of the Law… and after?… He is my daughter’s son…»

«Would you give him to Me, instead? Do not weep. I have many friends who are honest, holy and without any children. They will bring him up in a holy manner, in My Way…»

«Oh! Lord! That is what I have been wishing for since I heard of You. And I prayed that holy man Jonah to save my grandchild from this death, because he knows what it means to belong to this master…»

«Child, would you come with Me?»

«Yes, my Lord. And I will cause You no grief.»

«That is settled.»

191.4

«But… to whom do You wish to give him?» asks Peter pulling Jesus by the sleeve. «Also this one to Lazarus?»

«No, Simon. But there are so many without any children…»

«And I am one of them…» Peter’s desire seems to make his face grow thinner.

«Simon. I have already told you. You are to be the “father” of all the children I will bequeath to you. But you are not to be bound by any child of your own. Do not be upset. You are too important to your Master, Who cannot detach you from Himself because of an affection. I am exacting, Simon. I am more exacting than a very jealous husband. I love you most partially and I want you to be entirely Mine.»

«All right, my Lord… all right… Let it be done as You wish.» Poor Peter is really heroic in adhering to Jesus’ will.

«He will be the son of My dawning Church. All right? He will belong to everybody and to nobody. He will be “our” child. He will follow us when distances will allow him to, or he will come to us and the shepherds will be his guardians, as in every child they love “their” Child Jesus. Come here, My child, what is your name?»

«Jabez of John and I am from Judah» says the boy without hesitating.

«Yes. We are Judaeans» confirms the old man. «I used to work in Doras’ lands in Judaea, and my daughter got married to a man from that area. He worked in the woods near Arimathea and last winter…»

«I saw the disaster.»

«The boy was spared because that night he was far away with a relative… In actual fact the boy was appropriately named Jabez. I said to my daughter at once: “Why? Do you not remember the ancient tradition?”. But her husband insisted in giving him that name, so he is Jabez[1].»

«“The child will call on the Lord and the Lord will bless him and will extend his lands, and the hand of the Lord will be with him and will keep harm away from him”. That is what the Lord will grant him to comfort you, father, and the souls of the dead, and to console the orphan.

• Lazare
• Pontiff
• Priestly celibacy
• Simon-Pierre - Simon de Jonas (apostle)

«Oh! Master! Give me Your blessing!»

«Peace to you, Joseph. I am happy to see you and I am glad that you are in good health.»

«I am happy, too, Master, and also Your friends will be pleased to see You. Are You staying at Gethsemane?»

«I was there, but after the prayer I am going to Bethany.»

«To Lazarus’?»

«No, to Simon’s. My Mother, the mother of My brothers and the mother of John and James are also there. Will you come and see Me?»

«Are You asking me? I will come with great joy and it is a great honour, for which I thank You. I will come with some friends…»

«Be careful, Joseph, with friends!…» suggests Simon Zealot.

«Oh! You already know them. Prudence teaches: “Do not let the air know”. But when you see them you will understand that they are friends.»

«Well…»

«Master, Simon of Jonah was telling me about the ceremony for the little one. You arrived when I was asking when you intend having it. I want to be there, too.»

«On the Wednesday before Passover. I want him to keep Passover as a son of the Law.»

«Very good. That is settled. I will come and join you at Bethany. But I will come with my friends on Monday.»

«Agreed.»

«Master, I must leave You. Peace be with You. It is the hour of incense.»

«Goodbye, Joseph. Peace be with you.»

• Lazare
• Locations - Bethany
• Locations - Gethsemane
• Locations - House of Simon the Zealot in Bethany
• Marie Salomé (mother of James and John of Zebedee)
• Marie d'Alphée (Mary of Cleophas)
• Simon the Zealot (apostle)
• The Virgin Mary

Jesus is walking fast with His disciples towards Lazarus’ town, along a shady road which links the Mount of Olives to Bethany. One could say that the green ramifications of the mountain stretch as far as the countryside of Bethany. Jesus is recognised even before entering the town and voluntary messengers run in all directions to inform people of His arrival. Thus Lazarus and Maximinus arrive running from one side, Isaac with Timoneus and Joseph from another, and the third group to arrive is Martha with Marcella, who lifts her veil to bend down and kiss Jesus’ tunic. Immediately after Mary of Alphaeus and Mary Salome reach the spot, they greet the Master and then embrace their sons. Little Jabez, still held by the hand by Jesus, is tossed about by so much rushing and watches everything dumbfounded. John of Endor, feeling like a stranger, withdraws to the end of the group and stands aside. Suddenly, in the lane leading to Simon’s house, Jesus’ Mother comes forward.

Jesus drops Jabez’ hand and gently pushes His friends to one side to hasten towards Her. The well-known words resound in the air, like a solo of love above the whispering of the crowd: «Son!»; «Mother.» They kiss each other and in Mary’s kiss there is the anguish of a mother who has been afraid for a long time and now that the terror, which had seized her, is dissolving, she feels the tiredness of the effort she made and evaluates the risks He has run…

Jesus, Who understands, caresses Her saying: «Beside My angel I had Yours, Mother, watching over Me. No harm could have befallen Me.»

«May the Lord be praised for that. But I suffered so much!»

«I wanted to come sooner, but in order to obey You, I had to come a different way. But it was a good thing, because Your order, Mother, bore good fruit, as usual.»

«It was Your obedience, Son!»

«It was Your wise order, Mother… » They smile at each other like two lovers.

Is it possible that this Woman is the Mother of this Man? Where are the sixteen years of difference in age? The freshness and grace of Mary’s face and of Her virginal body make Her a sister of Her Son, Who is in the fullness of a handsome manliness.

«Are You not asking Me why it bore good fruit?» asks Jesus smiling all the time.

«I know that My Jesus conceals nothing from Me.»

«My dear Mother!» He kisses Her again…

People have kept away a few yards pretending not to be watching the scene. But I bet that there is not one of all the eyes that seem to be looking elsewhere that does not cast sidelong glances at the loving scene.

198.2

The one who is most keen in watching is Jabez, whom Jesus left when He ran to embrace His Mother, and who has been left all alone, because owing to the quick succession of questions and answers, everybody’s attention was diverted from the poor boy… He looks, then bends his head, endeavours to restrain his tears… but he cannot and bursts out weeping, moaning: «Mummy! Mummy!»

Everybody turns around, Jesus and Mary are the first, and everybody endeavours to help or find out who the boy is. Mary of Alphaeus rushes towards him with Peter – they were together – and they both ask: «Why are you crying?»

But before Jabez can catch his breath and speak while shedding so many tears, Mary has run towards him and taken him in Her arms saying: «Yes, my little child, your Mother! Do not cry anymore… and excuse Me if I did not see you before. My friends, here is My little son…» It is obvious that Jesus, in the few seconds approaching the boy, must have said to Her: «He is a little orphan brought with Me.» Mary realised the rest.

The boy is still weeping, but not so disconsolately, and as Mary is holding him in Her arms and kissing him, he ends up by smiling while his face is still wet with tears.

«Let me dry those tears of yours. You must not cry any more! Give Me a kiss…» Jabez was expecting nothing but that and after being caressed by bearded men, he is overjoyed in kissing Mary’s smooth cheek.

198.3

3Jesus has been looking for John of Endor and when He sees him, He goes to get him in his remote corner. And while all the apostles are greeting Mary, Jesus comes towards Her, holding John of Endor by the hand and He says: «This is the other disciple, Mother. Your command gained these two sons for You.»

«It was Your obedience, Son» repeats Mary and She greets the man saying: «Peace to you.»

The man, the coarse restless man of Endor, who has changed so much since that morning when Judas’ whim took Jesus to Endor, completely divests himself of his past while bowing to Mary. I think it is so, because his face, after bowing, looks really serene and truly «at peace».

198.4

They all set out towards Simon’s house: Mary with Jabez in Her arms, Jesus holding John of Endor by the hand, and then, around them and behind them, Lazarus and Martha, the apostles with Maximinus, Isaac, Joseph, and Timoneus.

They enter the house on the threshold of which Simon’s old servant greets Jesus and his master with deep respect.

«Peace to you, Joseph, and to this house» says Jesus, lifting His hand to bless after laying it on the old servant’s white head.

Lazarus and Martha, after their first expression of joy, are somewhat sad and Jesus asks them: «Why, My friends?»

«Because You are not staying with us and because everybody comes to You except the soul that we would like to be Yours.»

«Fortify your patience, your hope and your prayers. After all, I am with you. This house!… This house is but the nest from which the Son of man will fly every day to His dear friends, so close in space, but if we consider the situation in a supernatural way, infinitely closer in love. You are in My heart and I am in yours. Can we be closer than that? But we will be together this evening. Please sit at My table.»

«Oh! Poor me! And I am idling about! Come, Salome, there is a lot to be done!» The exclamation of Mary of Alphaeus makes everybody laugh while Jesus’ good relative gets up immediately to her work.

Martha joins her: «Don’t worry about the food, Mary. I will go and give the necessary instructions. Just lay the table. I will send you enough chairs and what is necessary. Come, Marcella. I will be back at once, Master.»

198.5

«I saw Joseph of Arimathea, Lazarus. He is coming here on Monday with some friends.»

«Oh! Well, You are my guest on that day!»

«Yes. He is coming to spend the day with us, but also to arrange a ceremony concerning Jabez. John: take the boy up to the terrace. He will enjoy himself there.»

John of Zebedee, who is always obedient, gets up at once and shortly afterwards the boy can be heard chattering and running about on the terrace that surrounds the house.

«The child» Jesus explains to His Mother, His friends, the women among whom there is also Martha, who has rushed back so that she would not miss one moment of joy near the Master, «is the grandson of one of Doras’ peasants. I passed through Esdraelon…»

«Is it true that the fields are a complete ruin and that he wants to sell them?»

«They are a ruin. Whether he wants to sell them, I do not know. One of Johanan’s men mentioned it to me. But I do not know whether it is certain.»

«If he should sell them… I would willingly buy them to have a refuge for You also in the middle of that nest of snakes.»

«I do not think that you will be successful. Johanan is ready to buy them.»

«We shall see… But go on. Who are the peasants? He scattered all the former servants.»

«Yes, he did. The present ones come from his land in Judaea, at least the old man, the boy’s relative, does. The boy was kept in a wood, like a wild animal, so that Doras could not see him… and he had been there since last winter…»

«Oh! poor boy! But why?» The women are all moved.

«Because his father and mother were buried under the landslide near Emmaus. The whole family: father, mother and his little brothers. He survived because he was not at home. They took him to the old father. But what could a peasant of Doras do? Isaac, also in this case, you spoke of Me as a saviour.»

«Was that wrong?» asks Isaac humbly.

«You did the right thing. God wanted it. The old man gave me the boy, who is to come of age in the next few days.»

«Oh! poor little thing! So tiny at twelve years of age?! My Judas was twice his size at that age… And Jesus? What a beautiful flower!» says Mary of Alphaeus.

And Salome: «Also my children were much stronger!»

Martha whispers: «He is really tiny! I thought he was not ten yet.»

«Eh! Hunger is a nasty thing. And he must have suffered from starvation since he was born. And now… What could the old man give him, if they are all dying of starvation there?» says Peter.

«Yes, he suffered a great deal. But he is good and intelligent. I took him to comfort both the old man and the boy.»

198.6

«Are you going to adopt him?» asks Lazarus.

«No. I cannot.»

«Well, I will take him.»

Peter sees his hopes vanish and he utters a really deep groan: «Lord! Everything to him?»

Jesus smiles: «Lazarus, you have already done so much and I am grateful to you. But I cannot entrust this child to you. He is “Our” boy. He belongs to all of us. He is the joy of the apostles and of the Master. Besides, he would be brought up in luxury here. I want to make him a present of My royal mantle: “honest poverty”. The poverty that the Son of man wanted for Himself, to be able to go near the greatest miseries without mortifying anybody. You have had a gift from Me also recently…»

«Ah! Yes! The old patriarch and his daughter. The woman is very active, the old man very good.»

«Where are they now? I mean: in which place?»

«They are here, in Bethany. Do You think I was going to send away the blessing You had sent me? The woman weaves linen. Light skilful hands are required for that job. Since the old man insists on working, I put him at the beehives. Yesterday he had a long golden beard, didn’t he, sister? The bees swarmed and clung to his long beard and he was speaking to them as if they were daughters. He is happy.»

«I am sure he is! May you be blessed!» says Jesus.

«Thank You, Master.

198.7

But that boy will cost You a lot. You will allow me at least to…»

«I will see to his clothes for the ceremony» shouts Peter. They all laugh at his impulsive reaction.

«All right. But he will need other clothes. Simon, be good. I have no children either. Allow Martha and me to find some solace seeing to some little garments to be made for him.»

Peter, who has been thus besought, is moved at once and he says: «His clothes… yes… But his dress for Wednesday… I am going to get it. The Master promised me and He told me that I would be going with His Mother to buy it tomorrow.» Peter explains everything in detail lest there should be some unexpected change to his disadvantage.

Jesus smiles and says: «Yes, Mother. Please go with Simon tomorrow. Otherwise he will die of heart-failure. You will give him some advice as to what he should choose.»

«I said: a red dress and a green sash. He will look lovely. Much better than the shade he has on now.»

«Red will be all right. Also Jesus was dressed in red. But I would say that a red sash would be better on a red dress, or at least it should be embroidered in red» says Mary gently.

«I was saying green because I see that Judas, who is swarthy, looks very smart with those green stripes on his red tunic.»

«But these are not green, my friend!» laughs Judas.

«No? What shade are they then?»

«This hue is called “agate vein”.»

«How do you expect me to know that?! They look green to me. I saw that hue also on leaves…»

The Most Holy Virgin interrupts benignly: «Simon is right. It is the exact shade of leaves at the first rain in the month of Tishri…»

«That’s it! And since leaves are green I was saying that it was green» concludes Peter happily. The Sweet Mother has also settled this small matter peacefully.

198.8

«Will you call the boy, please?» begs Mary. And the child arrives at once with John.

«What is your name?» asks Mary caressing him.

«It is… it was Jabez. But I am expecting a new one ..»

«Are you?»

«Yes, Jabez wants a name meaning that I have saved him. You will find one for him, Mother. A name of love and of salvation.»

Mary is pensive… She then says: «Marjiam (Maarhgziam). You are the little star in the sea of those saved by Jesus. Do you like it? Thus it will remind you also of Me besides Salvation.»

«It is beautiful» says the boy joyfully.

«But isn’t it a woman’s name?» asks Bartholomew.

«With “I” at the end instead of “m”, when this tiny drop of Mankind is grown up, you can change his name into the name of a man. For the time being he has the name which the Mother has given him. Is that right?»

The boy says «yes» and Mary caresses him.

Her sister-in-law says to Her: «This wool is good» and she feels Jabez’ mantle. «But its colour! What do You think? I would dye it very dark red. It will come out lovely.»

«We will do it tomorrow evening. Because he will have his new mantle. We cannot take it off him now.»

Martha says: «Would you come with me, my little boy? I will take you to a place near here, to see many things, then we will come back here…»

Jabez does not object. He never refuses… but he seems somewhat afraid to go with the woman who is almost unknown to him. He says shyly and gently: «Could John come with me?»

«Of course…»

They go away.

198.9

And during their absence the various groups continue their conversations. They narrate, comment and sigh on human harshness. Isaac tells what he has been able to find out about the Baptist. Some say he is at Machaerus, some at Tiberias. His disciples have not yet come back…

«But did they not follow him?»

«Yes. But near Doco those who had captured him crossed the river with their prisoner and no one knows whether they went up to the lake or down to Machaerus. John, Matthias and Simeon are moving around to find out and they will certainly not abandon him.»

«And you, Isaac, will certainly not abandon this new disciple. He will stay with Me for the time being. I want him to celebrate Passover with Me.»

«I will celebrate it in Jerusalem, in Johanna’s house. She saw me and offered a room for me and my companions. They are all coming this year. And we shall be there with Jonathan.»

«Those from Lebanon too?»

«Yes. Perhaps John’s disciples will not be able to come.»

«Johanan’s men are coming, did you know?»

«Are they? I will be at the door, near the priests offering sacrifices. I will see them and take them with me.»

«They will be arriving at the last moment. Their time is very limited. But they have a lamb.»

«I have one, too. A marvellous one. Lazarus gave me it. We will sacrifice this one and they can keep theirs for their journey back home.»

198.10

Martha comes back with John and the boy who is wearing a little white linen dress and a red overall. On his arm he is carrying a mantle which is also red.

«Do you remember them, Lazarus? See, things are always useful.»

They smile at each other.

Jesus says: «Thank you, Martha.»

«Oh! My Lord! I have a passion for keeping things. I inherited it from my mother. I still have many of my brother’s robes. They are dear to me because they were handled by my mother. Now and again I take one to give it to a child. I will now give them to Marjiam. They are a little long for him, but they can be shortened. When Lazarus came of age, he did not want them any more… The typical passing fancy of a child… and he got his own way because my mother adored her Lazarus.»

She caresses her brother fondly and Lazarus takes her beautiful hand, kisses it and says: «And do you not?» They smile at each other.

«That is a gift of Providence» remark many.

«Yes, my whim has done a good turn. Perhaps I shall be forgiven because of that.»

Dinner is ready and everyone sits at his place…

• Isaac de Yutta (shepherd of the Nativity)
• Joseph of Emmaus
• Lazare
• Marcelle (servant of Bethany)
• Marie Salomé (mother of James and John of Zebedee)
• Marie d'Alphée (Mary of Cleophas)
• Martha of Bethany
• Maximin of Bethany
• Simon-Pierre - Simon de Jonas (apostle)
• The Virgin Mary
• Timon d'Aëra (head of the Belle-Eau synagogue)
• Yabeç (Jabé) - Marziam (Margziam)

The beautiful morning invites people to leave their homes and beds and go for a walk, and the people living in the Zealot’s house get up very early, and like bees at sunrise they go out to breathe the pure air in Lazarus’ orchard around the hospitable house. They are soon joined by Lazarus’ guests, that is, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Andrew and James of Zebedee. The sun shines in joyfully through all the windows and wide open doors and illuminates the simple tidy rooms with a golden hue, which brightens the shades of clothes and enlivens the hues of hair and eyes.

Mary of Alphaeus and Salome are busy serving the men who enjoy a hearty appetite. Mary instead is watching one of Lazarus’ servants who is sorting Marjiam’s hair, cutting it with greater skill than his first barber ever did. «That will do for the time being» says the servant. «Later, when you have offered God the curls of your childhood, I will cut it shorter. The warm season is coming and you will feel better without any hair on your neck. And your hair will grow stronger. It is dry, weak and has been neglected. See, Mary? It needs some attention. I will now put some oil on it to keep it in place. Can you smell the lovely scent, my boy? It is oil that Martha uses. It is very good. Almond, palm and medulla of the finest quality with a rare essence. My mistress told me to keep this little jar for the boy. Oh! Here you are! You now look like the son of a king» and the servant, who is probably the barber of Lazarus’ house, pats Marjiam on the cheek, greets Mary and goes away looking quite satisfied.

«Come and let Me dress you» says Mary to the boy who has only a short tunic with short sleeves; I think it is a shirt or what was used in those days as a shirt. By its fine linen I gather that it must have belonged to Lazarus when a boy. Mary takes off the towel in which Marjiam was wrapped and puts on him a linen vest puckered round the neck and cuffs, and a red woollen robe with wide neck and sleeves. The shining snow-white linen protrudes from the neck-opening and the sleeves of the dull red cloth. Mary’s skilful hands must have adjusted the length of the robe and of the sleeves during the night, and it now fits the boy, particularly when Mary girds his waist with a soft sash adorned with a woollen white and red tassel. The child no longer looks like the poor little creature of a few days earlier.

«Now go and play, but do not get dirty, while I get ready» says Mary, caressing him. And the boy bounds out happily, looking for his big friends.

199.2

Thomas is the first one to see him: «How lovely you are! Fit for a wedding! You make me cut a poor figure» says plump Thomas who is always merry and genial. And he takes him by the hand saying: «Let us go and see the women. They were looking for you to feed you.»

They go into the kitchen and Thomas causes the two Maries, who are bent over the kitchen-stove, to start, when he shouts in his loud voice: «There is a young man here looking for you» and laughing he introduces the boy who was hiding behind his robust back.

«Oh! dear! Come here that I may give you a kiss! Look, Salome, how lovely he is!» exclaims Mary of Alphaeus.

«He is, indeed! All he needs now is to become more robust. But I’ll see to that. Come here, that I may kiss you, too» replies Salome.

«But Jesus is going to entrust him to the shepherds…» objects Thomas.

«Not on your life! My Jesus is mistaken here. What can you men do or pretend you can do? You are only good at quarrelling – because, incidentally, you are rather quarrelsome… like little goats which are fond of one another and gore one another with their horns – at eating, speaking and you have a thousand needs and you claim the Master to pay all His attention to you… otherwise you become sulky… Children need mothers. Is that right? What is your name?»

«Marjiam.»

«Of course! But blessed be my Mary! She could have given you an easier name!»

«It’s almost like Hers!» exclaims Salome.

«Yes, but Hers is more simple. There aren’t those letters in the middle of it… They are too many…»

The Iscariot, who has just come in, says: «She gave a name which is precise in its meaning, according to the genuine old language.»

«All right. But it is difficult, and I will take one letter away and say Marziam. It is easier and the world will not collapse because of that. Is that right, Simon?»

Peter, who is passing by the window speaking to John of Endor, looks in and asks: «What do you want?»

«I was saying that I shall call the boy Marziam. It is easier.»

«You are right, woman. If the Mother allows me, I will call him thus, too. But how wonderful you look! So do I, eh? Look!»

In fact he is perfectly tidy, his cheeks have been shaved, his hair cut, his beard trimmed and scented with oil, his clothes show no creases and his sandals are so clean that they look like new ones. I do not know what he has polished them with. The women admire him and he laughs happily.

The boy has finished eating and goes out to meet his great friend, whom he always calls: «Father».

199.3

And there is Jesus coming from Lazarus’ house together with the latter. The boy runs towards Him and Jesus says: «Peace be with us, Marjiam. Let us exchange the kiss of peace.»

Lazarus, greeted by the boy, caresses him and gives him a sweet.

They all gather around Jesus. Also Mary, wearing a turquoise woolen dress on top of which a darker mantle is draped, comes towards Her Son smiling.

«We can go, then» says Jesus. «You, Simon, with My Mother and the boy, if you still wish to buy his robe, now that Lazarus has seen to it.»

«Of course I do! And then… I will be able to say that once I walked beside Your Mother. A great honour.»

«Go, then. Simon, you will take Me to your leper friends…»

«Really, Master? Then, if You do not mind, I will run ahead, to gather them… You will reach me. You know where they are…»

«All right, go. The others can do what they like. You are all free until Wednesday morning. At the third hour everybody is to be at the Golden Gate.»

«I am coming with You, Master» says John.

«And I» says his brother James.

«And us, too» say the two cousins.

«I will come, too» says Matthew, and Andrew after him.

«And I? I would like to come, too… but if I go to do the shopping, I cannot come…» says Peter, pressed by two desires.

«It can be done. We shall go to the lepers first, while My Mother with the boy goes to the house of a friend in Ophel. We will reach Her later and you will go with Her, while the others and I go to Johanna’s. We will meet at Gethsemane for our meal and towards sunset we will come back here.»

«If You allow me, I will go to see some friends…» says Judas Iscariot.

«I have already told you. Do what you like.»

«In that case, I will go to my relatives. Perhaps my father has already come. If he is there, I will bring him to see You» says Thomas.

«What about us two? What do you say, Philip? We could go and see Samuel.»

«Very good» Philip replies to Bartholomew.

«And what about you, John?» Jesus asks the man of Endor. «Do you prefer to remain here and sort out your books, or do you wish to come with Me?»

«Really, I would prefer to come with You… My books… I am already less fond of them. I prefer to read You, the Living Book.»

«Come, then. Goodbye, Lazarus…»

«I will come, too. My legs are a little better, and after we have seen the lepers, I will leave You and go to Gethsemane and wait for You there.»

«Let us go, Peace to you, women.»

They remain all together until they are near Jerusalem. Then they part, the Iscariot goes on his own and enters the town probably through the Gate near the Antonia Tower; Thomas, Philip and Nathanael walk for about ten more yards with Jesus and their companions and then enter the town through the suburb of Ophel, together with Mary and the boy.

• Lazare
• Marie Salomé (mother of James and John of Zebedee)
• Marie d'Alphée (Mary of Cleophas)
• The Virgin Mary
• Thomas (apostle)
• Yabeç (Jabé) - Marziam (Margziam)

«And now let us go to Ben Hinnom» says Jesus.

«Master… I would like to come. But I realise that I cannot. I will go to Gethsemane» says Lazarus.

«Go, Lazarus. Peace be with you.»

While Lazarus is slowly walking away, the apostle John says: «Master, I will go with him. He walks with difficulty and the road is not very good. I will join You later at Ben Hinnom.»

«Yes, you may go. Let us go.»

• John of Zebedee (apostle)
• Lazare