«Is that the top of Mount Carmel, my Lord?» asks His cousin James.
«Yes, it is, brother. That is the chain of the Carmel and the highest peak is the one that gives the name to the chain.»
«The world must be beautiful also from there. Have You ever been up there?»
«Yes, once, by Myself, at the beginning of My mission. And at the foot of it I cured the first leper. But we will go there together, to commemorate Elijah…»
«Thank You, Jesus. You have understood me as usual.»
«And as usual I perfect you, James.»
«Why?»
«The reason is written in Heaven.»
«Would You not tell me, brother, since You can read what is written in Heaven?»
Jesus and James are walking one beside the other and only little Jabez, who is held by the hand by Jesus, can hear the confidential conversation of the two cousins who smile looking at each other’s eyes.
Jesus embraces James’ shoulders with His arm to draw him closer to Himself and asks: «Do you really want to know? Well, I will tell you by means of a riddle, and when you find the answer you will be wise. Listen[1]: “After assembling the false prophets on Mount Carmel, Elijah stepped out in front of all the people: ‘How long’ he said ‘do you mean to hobble first on one leg then on the other? If the Lord is God, follow Him; if Baal, follow him’. The people did not reply. Elijah then said to the people: ‘I, I alone am left as a prophet of the Lord’ and the only strength of the lonely prophet was his cry: ‘Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and are winning back their hearts’. Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the holocaust”. Guess, My brother.»
James is pensive with his head lowered and Jesus looks at him smiling. They walk for a few yards thus, then James asks: «Is it in connection with Elijah or with my future?»
«With your future, of course…»
James becomes thoughtful again and then whispers: «Am I perhaps destined to invite Israel to follow a way with sincerity? Am I destined to be the only one left in Israel? If so, do You mean that all the others will be persecuted and scattered and that… I will pray You for the conversion of this people… as if I were a priest… as if I were… a victim… But if it is so, Jesus, inflame me as from now…»
«You already are inflamed. But you will be carried away by Fire, like Elijah[2]. That is why you and I will go, all alone on Mount Carmel to speak…»
«When? After Passover?»
«Yes, after a Passover. And then I will tell you many things…»