Notes for this theme
Reading comfort
GRM 29.8
Have you ever considered what humiliation I had to suffer from men, without defending Myself in any way? Even Joseph, who was a just man, had accused Me in his heart. The others, who were not just, had committed a sin of murmuring with regards to My condition, and the rumour of their words had come like a bitter wave to break up against My humanity.
Mary said to Maria:
GRM 29.11
Instead of descending I have always ascended. Instead of causing other people to descend, I have always attracted them towards Heaven: of My honest companion, I made an angel.
Marie says:
GRM 30
Chapter title: The announcement to the shepherds, the first adorers of the Word made man.
Date of vision and dictation: Wednesday, June 7, 1944 (Vigil of the Body of Christ)
Calendar: Wednesday, December 11, year -5
Location (map) : Bethlehem
Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus
Summary: Maria's vision begins in the Bethlehem countryside. There is a bright light in the sky, attracting the attention of animals and people. One of the shepherds goes out and calls his companions, intrigued by the phenomenon. One of the younger shepherds even starts to cry, until he regains his composure and seems captivated by something: he doesn't even pay attention to the others and steps forward. This makes his companions think and grumble a little, but young Levi tells them of a light descending. Then he is the first to see an angel, and they all fall to their knees to welcome the Lord's servant. The angelic messenger conveys the happy news of the Savior's birth, and a multitude of angels sing the Gloria. They then return to heaven, leaving the shepherds alone. But the shepherds don't procrastinate: they set off in the direction of the crib, taking a beautiful blanket for the Child, and a sheep to provide warm milk.
They arrive... But they don't know how. So they invite the youngest, Lévi, to watch what's going on. The shepherd looks on and tells them that the Virgin is looking after her baby, who is crying because of hunger and cold. The shepherds want Levi to come forward, but the young man wants Elijah to come forward, since he has already met Mary and Joseph in EMV 28. The shepherds thus make themselves known and can adore the child. They offer them their gifts and let in Elijah, who has remained at the entrance, not daring to approach. Jesus can now receive warm milk.
The shepherds point out that the Holy Family cannot stay here, and promise to help them and spread the news of the Lord's birth. When Joseph points out that they are poor and won't be able to compensate them, they say they don't want anything. On the contrary, they want to serve the Child and his parents. When Mary answers their questions and tells them that she has Zechariah and Elizabeth as parents, Elijah offers to go to him and tell him that Mary of Nazareth has asked him to come to Bethlehem.
Finally, each shepherd introduces himself by name, and then they retire... leaving their hearts behind, however, as Maria Valtorta points out.
Jesus then gives dictation, declaring that the shepherds are the first worshippers of the Word. They have all the qualities required to be Eucharistic souls, for they have certain faith, generosity, humility, desire, prompt obedience and, last but not least, love. Lastly, Christ emphasizes that those with the soul of a child, like Levi, know how to see God more clearly, and have the audacity to turn to Mary. He invites us to pray to Mary, for those who go to Mary find Him, and those who ask Mary receive Him through her Mother.
Chapter contents: 30.1: A dazzling moon in the countryside. 30.2: A shepherd boy attracted by a brighter light. 30.3: An angel appears and speaks to the shepherds. 30.4: A crowd of angels sings the Gloria. 30.5: The shepherd from the previous day points to the manger. 30.6: What the young shepherd sees behind the cloak at the entrance. 30.7: A sheep's skin and warm milk are presented. 30.8: Elijah finds a house and warns Zechariah. 30.9: The twelve shepherds name themselves and kiss the child. 30.10: Praise for the shepherds. 30.11: He who goes to Mary finds me.
GRM 30.6-7
The shepherd opens his mouth, but he only utters a faint moaning noise.
30.7 Joseph turns round and comes to the door. «Who are you?»
«Shepherds. We brought you some food and some wool. We have come to worship the Saviour.»
«Come in.»
They go in, and the stable becomes brighter because of the light of the torches. The older men push the young ones in front of them.
Mary turns round and smiles. «Come,» She says. «Come!», and She invites them with Her hand and Her smile, and She takes the boy who saw the angel and She draws him to Herself, against the manger. And the boy looks, and is happy.
The others, invited also by Joseph, move forward with their gifts and they place them at Mary’s feet with few deep-felt words. They then look at the Baby Who is weeping a little and they smile moved and happy.
The shepherds have joined the crib. Levi wants Elijah to say something, as he has already met Joseph and Mary.
GRM 30.8
«Is there anything You wish? Have You no relatives whom You would like to inform that He has been born?»
«Yes, I have them. But they are far away. They are at Hebron…»
«I will go,» says Elias. «Who are they?»
«Zacharias, the priest, and My cousin Elizabeth.»
«Zacharias? Oh! I know him well. In summer I go up those mountains because the pastures are rich and beautiful, and I am a friend of his shepherd. When I know you are settled, I will go to Zacharias.»
«Thank you, Elias.»
«You need not thank me. It is a great honour for me, a poor shepherd, to go and speak to the priest and say to him: ‘The Saviour has been born’.»
«No. You must say to him: ‘Your cousin, Mary of Nazareth, has said that Jesus has been born, and that you should come to Bethlehem’.»
«I will say that.»
«May God reward you.»
GRM 31
Chapter title: Zechariah's visit. Joseph's holiness and obedience to priests.
Date of vision and dictation: Thursday, June 8, 1944 (Corpus Christi)
Calendar: Monday, December 30, year -5
Location (map): Bethlehem
Cycle: Birth and childhood of Jesus
Summary: Zachariah arrives in Bethlehem. Joseph comes to greet him, as Mary is giving Jesus milk. The carpenter checks on John, who is growing very well, but is suffering from teething troubles: so he hasn't taken him with him. Elisabeth didn't come either, not only to look after her son, but also because it was very cold. Joseph understands, and describes to the priest the difficult conditions they experienced after Jesus' birth. As Mary's husband says, everything was ready in Nazareth, but they had nothing here.
In the meantime, the Virgin arrives and presents the Child, after greeting the priest. Zechariah worships Jesus with the utmost respect. The old man then gives gifts from himself and Elizabeth. The Immaculate regrets that she was unable to come with John, and Zacharias assures her that she will see them soon. Indeed, the old man thinks they should live in Bethlehem, so that when the time comes, he will be better accepted by the Sanhedrin, and Zechariah can serve as his teacher.
Joseph and Mary look at each other, not particularly agreeing with Zechariah's vision. One is thinking of his work, the other of his home and everything they've left behind. That's what Mary says, especially as it's difficult to get their things, since they have no house to store everything in Bethlehem. Above all, Mary thinks of Joseph and Joseph thinks of Mary. Her chaste husband, however, is willing to work double time if it's for Jesus.
At last, Mary tries to object one last time, pointing out that the Messiah will be called Nazarene, but Zechariah doesn't listen to reason, and the holy parents comply with her wish...
Mary then gives a dictation on the holiness of Joseph, who doesn't mind working harder, giving up everything if it's for his two treasures: Mary and Joseph. She then talks about Zechariah, who is a priest, but who is less heavenly-minded than Joseph. Zechariah thinks humanly and believes himself to be more knowledgeable than Mary, even to the point of being able to serve as the Master's teacher. Of course, Mary objects to what he says, and could have triumphed in their conversation, but she withdraws because of the priest's dignity.
After pointing out that a priest is generally enlightened by God, Mary finally emphasizes that obeying always saves, even if the advice one receives is not absolutely perfect. Staying in Bethlehem and Judea was a good thing when the flight to Egypt came: from Nazareth, it would have been much more difficult.
Finally, Mary teaches us that respect for priests is always a sign of good Christian training. Even if they lose their apostolic flame, they are still the ones who bring down the Bread from Heaven, and this contact makes them "as holy as a sacred chalice". We must therefore consider them as such, and pray for them if their souls are paralyzed and sick. We must pray to Christ for their sanctification, for to save one priestly soul "is to save a great number of souls".
Chapter contents: 31.1: Arrival of Zechariah alone, to whom Joseph recounts the events of the Nativity. 31.2: "The Host" in Zechariah's arms. 31.3: Gifts from Elisabeth for the child. 31.4: The Messiah must grow up in Bethlehem. 31.5: Zechariah convinces the couple to settle in Bethlehem. 31.6: Joseph's holiness. 31.7: Zechariah versus Joseph. 31.8: True priests and others. 31.9: Obedience always saves. 31.10: Respect for the priest is always a mark of Christian integrity.
GRM 31.1
31.1 I see the big room where I have already seen the meeting of the Magi with Jesus and their adoration. I understand that I am in the hospitable house where the Holy Family has been received. And I see Zacharias’ arrival. Elizabeth is not there.
The landlady runs out into the lobby to meet the arriving guest and she shows him to a door. She knocks, and then withdraws discreetly.
Joseph opens the door, and he utters a cry of joy when he sees Zacharias. He takes him into a little room, as small as a corridor. «Mary is suckling the Child. She will not be long. Sit down, you must be tired.» And he makes room for his guest on his couch, and sits beside him.
I hear Joseph asking after little John and Zacharias replies: «He is growing as strong as a little colt. But he is teething now and he is suffering a little. That is why we did not want to bring him. It is very cold, and that is why Elizabeth did not come either. She could not leave him without milk. She was very upset, but the season is so rigorous!»
«It is rigorous indeed,» replies Joseph.
«The man you sent me told me that you were homeless when He was born. You must have suffered a lot.»
«Yes, quite a lot. But our fears were greater than our discomfort. We were afraid the Child’s health might be injured. And we had to stay there for the first days. We lacked nothing, for ourselves, because the shepherds gave the good news to the people of Bethlehem, and many of them brought us gifts. But we had no house, not even a decent room, a bed… and Jesus cried so much, particularly at night, because the wind was blowing in from all directions. I used to light a little fire. Only a little one, because the smoke made Jesus cough… and it was still cold in any case. Two animals do not give out much heat, especially when the cold air comes in from all directions! We had no warm water to wash Him, nor dry clothes to change Him. Yes, He suffered quite a lot! And Mary suffered seeing Him suffer. I suffered.. so you can imagine His Mother’s anguish! She fed Him with milk and tears, milk and love… Now here it is much better. I had made such a comfortable cradle for Him and Mary had fitted it with a soft little mattress. But it is in Nazareth! Ah! If He were born there, it would have been different!»
«But Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. It was prophesised.»
GRM 31.1
I hear Joseph asking after little John and Zacharias replies: «He is growing as strong as a little colt. But he is teething now and he is suffering a little. That is why we did not want to bring him. It is very cold, and that is why Elizabeth did not come either. She could not leave him without milk. She was very upset, but the season is so rigorous!»
«It is rigorous indeed,» replies Joseph.
GRM 31.2
31.2 Mary comes in, She heard their voices. She is all dressed in white wool. She has taken off the dark dress She was wearing during the journey and in the grotto, and She is all white, as I have seen Her dressed before. She is not wearing anything on Her head, and She is holding Jesus in Her arms: He is sleeping, sated with milk, in His pure white swaddling clothes.
Physical description of Mary after the Nativity.
GRM 31.2
31.2 Mary comes in, She heard their voices. She is all dressed in white wool. She has taken off the dark dress She was wearing during the journey and in the grotto, and She is all white, as I have seen Her dressed before. She is not wearing anything on Her head, and She is holding Jesus in Her arms: He is sleeping, sated with milk, in His pure white swaddling clothes.
Zacharias stands up reverently and bows down in veneration. He then goes nearer, and looks at Jesus with the greatest respect. He bends down, not so much to see Him better, as to pay Him homage. Mary offers the Child to him, and Zacharias takes Him with such adoration that he seems to be holding up a monstrance. It is in fact the Host that he takes in his hands, the Host already offered and that will be sacrificed after being given to men as a nourishment of love and redemption. Zacharias hands Jesus back to Mary.