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Jesus' entourage

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GRM 161

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus arrives in Capernaum with the disciples. They go to a fountain, and John gives the Master a drink. Simon Peter, who has gone to take some fish home, comes running and warns that the grandson of Elijah the Pharisee has been bitten by a snake: the boy is now dying. The grandfather is out of his mind and begs the Master to come and heal him. In fact, after asking Peter to take him home, he himself arrives to implore Jesus' kindness. Jesus comforts him and goes to save the child, sucking on the bite, as if to draw out the poison. The child is saved, but when he wakes up, he remembers the seprent and is frightened. Christ reassures him, and Elisha declares that he likes him, even though his grandfather told him to call him "cursed". Elijah reacts immediately and, of course, claims he never said that.

Jesus leaves, bidding farewell to the stricken family, and Judas reproaches him for not having performed a brilliant miracle. The Lord then replies that, had he done so, Elijah would have accused him of having been helped by Beelzebub, and he further affirms that the miracle "brings to both those who are already on this road". When you don't have humility, miracles drive people to blasphemy, so it was better to act simply. As for having helped his enemy, Jesus replies that he is Goodness itself, and none of his adversaries will be able to say that he was vindictive and provocative towards them.

GRM 162.1-8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus is in Capernaum. Mary Salome and Mary of Alphaeus are there, preparing the kitchen. After greeting them, the mother of James and Jude tells him that Simon, another of her sons, has come. She's delighted, but she won't be truly happy until her whole family belongs to Jesus. The Lord assures her that this will happen, and then goes to find his Mother.

On the way, he meets Simon of Alphaeus, Alphaeus, son of Sarah, Joseph of Emmaus and the shepherd Isaac. The group chats for a while, and the Savior confides that he has three new disciples in Isaac. Then they go to eat, and it's during the meal that Elijah, the Pharisee from Capernaum, arrives.

The latter has many gifts for Christ, to thank him for the miracle for his grandson. Jesus accepts, and he also hears his cousin Simon announce that he is going to follow him. But once the Pharisee has left, he goes into seclusion, and Matthew joins him to keep him company. The future evangelist notices that his Lord doesn't look happy, and he reveals that Elijah's and Simon's conversions were only human, whereas the tax collector's was complete and sincere. After this morning, Elijah will become Elijah again, and Simon will always remain inhabited by his humanity.

The Master then invites his apostle to stay close to him, and when his disciple tells him that he doesn't know how to speak and that he fears he'll never be able to speak about the Messiah, Jesus comforts him and tells him that the publican is a "poor man who, thanks to his will, becomes the man, the just man dreamt of by God."He will therefore know how to guide souls, and the Savior asks him to lean on him, and to console him, for not being understood is one of his great bitternesses.

GRM 162.1-2.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

In EMV 162, several female disciples are present, namely: Mary of Cleophas (or Mary of Alphaeus), Mary Salome, Susanna and the Virgin Mary. They make the meal, help set the table, then retire downstairs to the Capernaum house. Suzanne comes to warn Jesus of the arrival of Elijah, the Pharisee.

GRM 162.1-7

The Gospel as revealed to me

Translation in progress