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Notes for this theme

Family and kinship of Jesus Christ

Page 28 of 70

Reading comfort

Aa

GRM 57.3-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Come in, My friends!»

They go in and greet Jesus’ Mother. Judas kisses Her and then runs looking for his mother.

Jesus introduces the five disciples indicating their names: Peter, Andrew, James, Nathanael, Philip; because John, who has already met Mary, spoke to Her immediately after Judas, bowing down to Her and receiving Her blessing.

57.4 Mary greets them and asks them to sit down. She is the landlady and although adoring Her Jesus with Her glances — Her soul seems to be speaking to Her Son through Her eyes — She takes care of Her guests. She would like to bring some water to refresh them, but Peter objects: «No, Woman. I cannot allow that. Please sit near Your Son, Holy Mother. I will go, we will all go into the kitchen garden to refresh ourselves.»

Mary of Alphaeus rushes in, flushed and covered with flour, she greets Jesus Who blesses her, she then leads the six men into the kitchen garden, to the fountain, and comes back happy. «Oh! Mary!» she says to the Virgin. «Judas told me. How happy I am! For Judas and for You, my dear sister-in-law. I know that the others will scold me. But it does not matter. I will be happy the day I know that they are all for Jesus. We are mothers and we know… we feel what is good for our children. And I feel that You, Jesus, are the wealth of my children.»

Jesus caresses her head and smiles at her.

The disciples come back in and Mary of Alphaeus serves them sweet-smelling bread, olives and cheese. She then brings a small amphora of red wine, which Jesus pours out to his friends. It is always Jesus Who offers and then hands things out.

57.5 At first the disciples are somewhat embarrassed, then they become more sure of themselves and they speak about their houses, of the journey to Jerusalem, of the miracles worked by Jesus. They are full of zeal and affection and Peter endeavours to form an alliance with Mary in order to be taken by Jesus at once, without having to wait at Bethsaida.

«Do what He tells you» urges Mary, with a gentle smile. «The wait will be more useful to you than an immediate union. Whatever My Jesus does is always well done.»

Peter’s hope vanishes. But he submits with good grace. He only asks: «Will it be a long wait?»

Jesus smiles at him, but does not say anything.

Mary interprets Jesus’ smile as a favourable sign and She explains: «Simon of Jonas, He is smiling… I therefore say to you: as fast as a swallow’s flight over the lake will be the time of your obedient waiting.»

«Thank You, Woman.»

57.6 «Have you nothing to say, Judas? And you, John?»

«I am looking at You, Mary.»

«And I.»

«I am also looking at you… and do you know? This reminds Me of bygone days. Also then I had three pairs of eyes staring at Me lovingly. Do you remember, Mary, My three pupils?»

«Oh! I do remember! You are quite right! And even now, three of almost the same age, are looking at You with all their love. And I think that John is like Jesus, as Jesus was then, so fair and rosy, the youngest of them all.»

The others are anxious to know more… and memories and stories of the past are awakened and related. It is growing dark.

«My friends, I have no bedrooms. But the workshop where I used to work is over there. If you wish to take shelter there… But there is nothing but benches in it.»

«A comfortable bed for fishermen, used to sleeping on narrow boards. Thank You, Master. It is an honour and a blessing to sleep under Your roof.»

They withdraw after saying goodnight. Judas also goes home with his mother.

Jesus and Mary are left in the room, sitting on the chest, in the light of the little oil lamp, each with one arm round the other’s shoulder, and Jesus tells Mary of His recent journey. And Mary listens blissful, anxious, happy.

The vision ends in this way.

Detail

Mary has a discussion with Peter and gives advice similar to that of Cana: "Do whatever he tells you".

GRM 57.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

57.6 «Have you nothing to say, Judas? And you, John?»

«I am looking at You, Mary.»

«And I.»

«I am also looking at you… and do you know? This reminds Me of bygone days. Also then I had three pairs of eyes staring at Me lovingly. Do you remember, Mary, My three pupils?»

«Oh! I do remember! You are quite right! And even now, three of almost the same age, are looking at You with all their love. And I think that John is like Jesus, as Jesus was then, so fair and rosy, the youngest of them all.»

The others are anxious to know more… and memories and stories of the past are awakened and related. It is growing dark. (...)

Detail

John's resemblance to Jesus.

GRM 59.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

59.6 «Do You not consider Yourself bold in avowing Yourself a representative of God? None of the Prophets dared so much and You… Who are You, Who are speaking? And by whose order do You speak?»

«The Prophets could not say of themselves what I state of Myself. Who am I? The Expected One, The Promised One, the Saviour. You have already heard His Precursor say: “Prepare the way for the Lord… Here the Lord God is coming… Like a shepherd He will feed His flock, although He is the Lamb of the true Passover”. Many amongst you heard these words from the Precursor and they saw the heavens brighten with a light that descended in the shape of a dove and they heard a voice speak and say who I am. By whose order do I speak? By the order of Him Who is and Who sends Me.»

GRM 67.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Who are You who speak such words and break swords with Your will power? Only One can do such things: the Messiah. Not even John the Baptist is greater than He is. Are You perhaps the Messiah?» three or four people ask Him.

«Yes, I am.»

«You? Are You the One who heals sick people and preaches God in Galilee?»

«I am.»

GRM 67.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

67.6 «I will come… Have you any news of the Baptist, since you are a Judaean and you live with the mighty ones?»

«I know that he is still in jail, but they want to set him free, because the crowds are threatening a revolt, if they do not get their prophet. Do You know him?»

«Yes, I do.»

«Do You like him? What do You think of him?»

«I think no one has been more like Elijah than he is.»

«Do You really consider him the Precursor?»

«Yes, he is. He is the morning star announcing the sun. Blessed are those who through his preaching have prepared themselves for the Sun.»

«John is very severe.»

«Not more with others than he is with himself.»

«That is true. But it is difficult to follow him in his penance. You are more kind, and it is easy to love You.»

«And yet…»

«Yet… what, Master?»

«Yet, as he is hated because of his austerity, I will be hated because of My goodness, because they both preach God, and God is disliked by the wicked. But it is to be thus. As he precedes Me in preaching, so he will precede Me in death. Woe to the killers of Penance and Goodness.»

«Why, Master, have You always such sad forecasts? The crowds love You. You saw that…»

«Because I am sure. Humble people do love Me. But the crowd is not all humble and of humble people. But I am not sad. It is a placid vision of the future and compliance with the will of the Father, Who sent Me for that. And I have come for that. Here we are at the Temple. I am going to the Bel Nidrasc to teach the crowds. If you wish, you may stay.»

«I will stay with You. There in only one thing I wish: to serve You and let You triumph.»

They enter the Temple, and it all ends.

GRM 68.2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Here, Master, the official.»

«Peace be with you. I ask to teach Israel, amongst the rabbis of Israel.»

«Are You a rabbi?»

«Yes, I am.»

«Who was Your teacher?»

«The Spirit of God Who speaks to Me in His wisdom and enlightens every word of the Holy Scriptures for Me.»

«Are You greater than Hillel, since You say You know all doctrines, without a teacher? How can one be formed if there is no one forming him?»

«As David was formed, an unknown little shepherd, who became a powerful and wise king by God’s will.»

«Your Name?»

«Jesus of Joseph of Jacob of the House of David, and of Mary of Joachim of the House of David and of Anne of Aaron. Mary, the Virgin married in the Temple by the High Priest, according to the law of Israel, because She was an orphan.»

«Who can prove that?»

«There must still be some Levites here who will remember the event and who were the same age as Zacharias of the class of Abijah, My relative. Ask them, if you doubt My sincerity.»

«I believe You. But who will prove to me that You are capable of teaching?»

«Listen to Me and you will judge for yourself.»

«You are free to do it… But… are You not a Nazarene?»

«I was born at Bethlehem of Judah, at the time of the census decreed by Caesar. Banished by unfair orders, the children of David are now everywhere. But the family is of Judah.»

«You know… the Pharisees… all Judaea… throughout Galilee…»

«I know. But be reassured. I was born at Bethlehem, at Bethlehem Ephrathah, whence My family comes; if now I live in Galilee, it is only to fulfil the given sign…»

The official goes away a few yards, hastening to where they call him.

GRM 68.2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Your Name?»

«Jesus of Joseph of Jacob of the House of David, and of Mary of Joachim of the House of David and of Anne of Aaron. Mary, the Virgin married in the Temple by the High Priest, according to the law of Israel, because She was an orphan.»

GRM 68.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

68.5 The voice that spoke in the desert is no longer heard. But it is not mute. It still speaks to God on behalf of Israel and still speaks to every Israelite with an honest heart and it says — after teaching you to do penance to prepare the ways to the Lord Who is coming, and to be charitable giving what is surplus to those who lack even what is necessary, and to be honest without extorting and vexing — it says: “The Lamb of God, He Who takes away the sins of the world, Who will baptise with the fire of the Holy Spirit is amongst you. He will clear His threshing-floor and gather His wheat”.

Endeavour to recognise Him Whom the Precursor indicates to you. His suffering is imploring God to give you light. See. May your spiritual eyes be opened. You will recognise the Light that is coming. I pick up the voice of the Prophet announcing the Messiah, and with the power I receive from the Father, I amplify it and I add My authority to it and I call you to the truth of the Law. Prepare your hearts for the grace of the oncoming Redemption. The Redeemer is amongst you. Blessed are those who will be worthy of being redeemed, because they are men of goodwill.

Peace be with you.»

Someone asks: «Are You a disciple of the Baptist, since You speak of him with such veneration?»

«I was baptised by him, on the banks of the Jordan, before he was imprisoned. I venerate him because he is holy in the eyes of God. I solemnly tell you that among the children of Abraham there is no one greater in grace than he is. From his birth to his death, the eyes of God will rest upon that blessed man without any feeling of disdain.»

«Did he give You any assurance about the Messiah?»

«His word, which does not lie, pointed out the living Messiah to those present.»

«Where? When?»

«When it was time to do so.»

GRM 70.2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

70.2 They have arrived at the little house. They enter the low smoky kitchen. The landlord greets them: «Peace be with You.»

Jesus replies: «Peace to this house, to you and to those who live here with you. I have a disciple with Me.»

«There will be bread and oil for him, too.»

«I brought some dried fish that James and Peter gave me. And passing by Nazareth, Your Mother gave me some bread and honey for You. I walked all the time without stopping, but it will be dry now.»

«It does not matter, John. It will always have the flavour of My Mother’s hands.»

John pulls out his treasures from the knapsack that he had put in a corner. And I see them prepare the dried fish in a strange way. They put it for a few minutes in hot water, they then put some olive oil on it and they roast it on the fire.

Jesus blesses the food and sits at the table with His disciple. Also the landlord, whose name I hear is Jonah, and his son, sit at the same table. The landlady comes and goes bringing fish, some black olives, boiled vegetables dressed with oil. Jesus offers also some honey. And He offers it to the landlady, spreading it on some bread. «It comes from My beehive» He says. «My Mother looks after the bees. Eat it. It is good. You are so good to Me, Mary, and you deserve much more than this» He then adds, because the woman does not want to deprive Him of the sweet honey.

The supper ends in a short time, while they hold a brief conversation on common topics. As soon as they finish, and after thanking for the food, Jesus says to John: «Come. Let us go out into the olive-grove for a little while. It is a clear, mild night. It will be pleasant to be out there for a short time.»

The landlord says: «Master, I say “good night” to You. I am tired and also my son is tired. We are going to bed. I will leave the door ajar and the lamp on the table. You know what to do.»

«Go, Jonah. And put out the lamp. There is such a bright moonlight, that we will be able to see without any light.»

«But where will Your disciple sleep?»

«With Me. On My mat there is room also for him. Is that right, John?»

John is enraptured at the idea of sleeping beside Jesus.

Detail

Jesus is with John and they go to a friendly house, the olive grove at Gethsemane, owned by Jonah and Mark, his son.

GRM 70.8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

My Mother and I are the sublime Victims. It is difficult to reach us, in fact it is impossible, because our sacrifice was of total bitterness. But My John! He is the victim that all My lovers can imitate: virgins, martyrs, confessors, evangelisers, servants of God and of the Mother of God, devoted to activity or contemplation: he is an example for everyone. He is the one who loves.