Notes for this theme
Reading comfort
GRM 75.4
75.4 And what about the others? You were twelve: Elias, Levi, Samuel, Jonah, Isaac, Tobias, Jonathan, Daniel, Simeon, John, Joseph, Benjamin. My Mother always mentioned your names to Me. Because you were My first friends.»
«Oh!» The shepherds are more and more moved.
In EMV 30, Mary promises the shepherds to repeat their names to her Son, and here we see that she keeps her word.
GRM 76.6
«I have already preached You, Lord Jesus. I preached You to the children, who used to come, when I arrived lame in this village, begging for bread and doing some work, such as shearing and dairy work, and the children used to come round my bed, when I got worse and I was paralysed from my waist downwards. I spoke of You to the children of many years ago, and to the children of present times, who are the sons of the previous ones… Children are good and they always believe… I told them of Your birth… of the angels… of the Star and the Wise Men… and of Your Mother… Oh! Tell me! Is She alive?»
«She is alive and She sends you Her regards. She always spoke of you all.»
«Oh! If I could see Her!»
«You will see Her. You will come to My house one day. Mary will greet you saying: “My friend”.»
«Mary… yes, when you utter that name it is like filling your mouth with honey…»
Isaac, the shepherd of the Nativity, finds Jesus. He speaks of the children he has evangelized, and then of the Virgin Mary.
GRM 76.10-11
Jesus forms a group of His own, with the little ones around Him, and also the shepherds and disciples. The sheep that Elias has put in an enclosure are bleating outside. There is the noise of a party in the house. They bring sweets and drinks to Jesus. But Jesus hands them out to the little ones.
«Are You not drinking, Master? Will You not have anything. We are offering it warmly.»
«I know, Joachim, and I accept wholeheartedly. But let Me make the little ones happy first. They are My joy… (...) John, take the two little boys to see the sheep.
76.11 And you, Mary, come closer to Me and tell Me: Who am I?»
«You are Jesus, the Son of Mary of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem. Isaac saw You and he gave me the name of Your Mother, that I may be good.»
«To imitate Her, you must be as good as an angel of God, purer than a lily that blooms on top of a mountain, as pious as the holiest Levite. Will you be like that?»
«Yes, Jesus, I will.»
«Say: Master or Lord, little girl.»
«Let her call Me with My name, Judas. Only when it is uttered by innocent lips, it does not lose the sound that it has on My Mother’s lips. Everybody, throughout future centuries, will mention that name, some because of an interest or other, some to curse it. Only innocent people, without any interest and any hatred, will pronounce it with the same love as this little girl and My Mother. Also sinners will invoke Me, because they need mercy. But My Mother and the little ones! Why do you call Me Jesus?» He asks, caressing the little girl.
«Because I love You… as I love my father, mother and my little brothers» she says, embracing Jesus’ knees, and smiling with her head turned upwards.
And Jesus bends down and kisses her… and it all ends in this way.
GRM 77
The apostolic group heads for Hebron. Judas is nervous and irritated that they didn't go to Kerioth first, as it would have been shorter. Jesus assures him, however, that he always keeps his promises. If he goes to Hebron beforehand, it's because Samuel, who has passed away, has suffered a great deal for him, and has never betrayed the memory of the Child Jesus. He remained faithful even though he didn't know he was alive, and so this man deserves to be honored and prayed for by Christ.
The Iscariot then points out that the shepherds were righteous, holy, and yet they were mistreated. Anne of Bethlehem even died as a result... And so he concludes, incidentally, that love for Jesus brings him bad luck. The Master prevents John and Simon from intervening, saying that he prefers Judas always to speak his mind. And he replies that, even if the shepherds have received much, it would not be right for them to have received a special privilege because they have received this or that gift, including that of being present at the Nativity. Simon, moreover, declares that we shouldn't put earthly things where heavenly things are.
Judas then ironizes directly, pointing out that, having been healed so soon, the Zealot has recovered all his possessions, and is therefore not living on spirit alone. But Lazarus' friend replies that he has given specific orders and is free of everything to follow Jesus.
Judas finally grumbles, because he's wrong again, and John tries to console him by saying that he's practical, but that he'll soon change in Jesus' presence.
The latter deftly changes the conversation when Judas continues to grumble, and he gives instructions to Levi and Elijah: they will lead him to Jonah, and Joseph will stay with the group as far as Jericho.
Finally, they arrive in Hebron, near Zechariah's house. But the house is surrounded by a wall, which wasn't there before. A man tells them that a Herodian has taken possession of the house, and that he has a prostitute with him. He talks for a long time about John - whom he sees as the Messiah, despite the dialogue with Jesus and John - and the Master does not insist when the man is stubborn and believes he has the truth.
On their way to the synagogue, they go round the house and meet Aglaia. Jesus enters Zechariah's house and engages in a very sincere conversation with the courtesan. She begins a journey of redemption, but after leaving him, Jesus is rejected by the synagogue. Prostitutes are not to be spoken to, and when Judas remarks on him once he's out on the town, the Lord declares that Aglaia will surpass him, and that the time will soon come when pagans will worship the true God, rather than the chosen people who should receive the Messiah.
Ultimately, he was unable to honor the remains of Samuel and Zechariah, but he tells them to rejoice, for the first resurrection is at hand.
GRM 77.4-5
77.4 «There are some houses over there» says John, who is walking a few steps in front of the others.
«It’s Hebron. Between two rivers with its crest. See, Master? That house there, amidst all the green, a little higher up than the others? That’s Zacharias’ house.»
«Let us quicken our paces.»
They cover the last stretch of the road very rapidly and go into the village. The sheep’s little hooves sound like castanets on the uneven stones of the road, which is paved very roughly. They reach the house. People look at the group of men, who are so different by look, age and garments amongst the white sheep.
«Oh! It’s different! There was a gate here!» says Elias. Now instead of the gate there is a metal door which prevents one from seeing, and also the enclosure wall is higher than a man and thus nothing can be seen inside.
«Perhaps it will be open at the back.» They go round a large quadrilateral wall, it is rather a long rectangular one, but the wall is the same height all round.
«The wall was built not long ago» remarks John, examining it. «There is not a scratch on it and there is still lime rubble on the ground.»
«I cannot even see the sepulchre… It was near the wood. Now the wood is outside the wall and… and it seems to belong to everybody. They are gathering firewood in it.» Elias is puzzled.
77.5 A man, an old woodcutter, small but strong, who is watching the group, stops sawing a trunk he has cut down, and goes towards the group. «Whom are you looking for?»
«We wanted to go in, to pray on Zacharias’ tomb».
«There is no tomb any longer. Don’t you know? Who are you?»
«I am a friend of Samuel, the shepherd. This…»
«It is not necessary, Elias» says Jesus and Elias keeps quiet.
«Ah! Samuel!… I see! But since John, Zacharias’ son, was put into prison, the house is no longer his. And it is a misfortune, because he had all the profit of his property given to the poor people in Hebron. One morning a man came from Herod’s court, he threw Jowehel out, he affixed seals, then he came back with bricklayers and they started raising the wall… The sepulchre was over there, in the corner. He did not want it… and one morning we found it all spoiled and half destroyed… the poor bones were all scattered… We put them together again, as best we could… They are now in a sarcophagus… And in the house of the priest Zacharias, that filthy man keeps his lovers. Now there is a mime from Rome. That is why he raised the wall. He does not want people to see… The house of the priest a brothel! The house of the miracle and of the Precursor! For it is certainly him, if he is not the Messiah. And how much trouble we had because of the Baptist! But he is our great man! He is really great! Even when he was born there was a miracle. Elizabeth was as old as a withered thistle but she became as fruitful as an apple in Adar, and that was the first miracle. Then a cousin of hers came and She was a holy woman, and She served her and loosened the priest’s tongue. Her name was Mary. I remember Her, although we saw Her very rarely. How it happened I don’t know. They say that to make Elizabeth happy, She made Zacharias put his mute mouth against Her pregnant bosom or that She put Her fingers into his mouth. I don’t know. It is a fact that, after nine months’ silence, Zacharias spoke praising the Lord and saying that there was a Messiah. He did not explain more. But my wife was there on that day and she assured me that Zacharias, praising the Lord, said that his son would precede Him. Now I say: it is not what people believe. John is the Messiah and he goes before the Lord, as Abraham went before God. That’s what it is… Am I not right?»
«You are right with regards to the spirit of the Baptist, who always proceeds before God. But you are not right with regards to the Messiah».
«Well, the woman who said that She was the Mother of the Son of God — Samuel said so — was it not true that She was? Is She still living?»
«Yes, She was. The Messiah was born, preceded by him who raised his voice in the desert, as the Prophet said.»
«You are the first to say so. John, the last time that Jowehel took him a sheepskin, which he did every year at the beginning of winter, although he was questioned about the Messiah, did not say: “The Messiah is here”. When he will say so…»
«Man, I was a disciple of John and I heard him say: “Here is the Lamb of God” pointing to…» says John.
«No, no. He is the Lamb. A true Lamb who grew up by himself, almost without the need of a father and mother. As soon as he became a son of the Law, he lived isolated in the mountain caves overlooking the desert, and he grew up there conversing with God. Elizabeth and Zacharias died, and he did not come. God only was his father and mother. There is no holy man greater than he is. You can ask everyone in Hebron. Samuel used to say so, but the people in Bethlehem must have been right. John is the holy man of God.»
«If someone said to you: “I am the Messiah”, what would you say?» asks Jesus.
«I would call him a “blasphemer” and I would drive him away, throwing stones at him.»
«And if he performed a miracle to prove that he was the Messiah?»
«I would say that he was “possessed”. The Messiah will come when John reveals himself in his true nature. The very hatred of Herod is the proof. Cunning as he is, he knows that John is the Messiah.»
«He was not born in Bethlehem.»
«But when he is freed, after announcing by himself his impending oncoming, he will reveal himself in Bethlehem. Also Bethlehem is waiting for that. Whilst… Oh! Go, if you have plenty of guts, and talk to the Bethlehemites of another Messiah… and you will see…»
«Have you a synagogue?»
«Yes, about two hundred steps straight ahead. You cannot go wrong. Near it there is the sarcophagus with the violated remains.»
«Goodbye, may God enlighten you.»
They go away. They turn around onto the front of the house.
GRM 77.5
«How much trouble we had because of the Baptist! But he is our great man! He is really great! Even when he was born there was a miracle. Elizabeth was as old as a withered thistle but she became as fruitful as an apple in Adar, and that was the first miracle. Then a cousin of hers came and She was a holy woman, and She served her and loosened the priest’s tongue. Her name was Mary. I remember Her, although we saw Her very rarely. How it happened I don’t know. They say that to make Elizabeth happy, She made Zacharias put his mute mouth against Her pregnant bosom or that She put Her fingers into his mouth. I don’t know. It is a fact that, after nine months’ silence, Zacharias spoke praising the Lord and saying that there was a Messiah. He did not explain more. But my wife was there on that day and she assured me that Zacharias, praising the Lord, said that his son would precede Him. Now I say: it is not what people believe. John is the Messiah and he goes before the Lord, as Abraham went before God. That’s what it is… Am I not right?»
«You are right with regards to the spirit of the Baptist, who always proceeds before God. But you are not right with regards to the Messiah».
«Well, the woman who said that She was the Mother of the Son of God — Samuel said so — was it not true that She was? Is She still living?»
«Yes, She was. The Messiah was born, preceded by him who raised his voice in the desert, as the Prophet[1] said.»
«You are the first to say so. John, the last time that Jowehel took him a sheepskin, which he did every year at the beginning of winter, although he was questioned about the Messiah, did not say: “The Messiah is here”. When he will say so…»
«Man, I was a disciple of John and I heard him say: “Here is the Lamb of God” pointing to…» says John.
«No, no. He is the Lamb. A true Lamb who grew up by himself, almost without the need of a father and mother. As soon as he became a son of the Law, he lived isolated in the mountain caves overlooking the desert, and he grew up there conversing with God. Elizabeth and Zacharias died, and he did not come. God only was his father and mother. There is no holy man greater than he is. You can ask everyone in Hebron. Samuel used to say so, but the people in Bethlehem must have been right. John is the holy man of God.»
«If someone said to you: “I am the Messiah”, what would you say?» asks Jesus.
«I would call him a “blasphemer” and I would drive him away, throwing stones at him.»
«And if he performed a miracle to prove that he was the Messiah?»
«I would say that he was “possessed”. The Messiah will come when John reveals himself in his true nature. The very hatred of Herod is the proof. Cunning as he is, he knows that John is the Messiah.»
«He was not born in Bethlehem.»
«But when he is freed, after announcing by himself his impending oncoming, he will reveal himself in Bethlehem. Also Bethlehem is waiting for that. Whilst… Oh! Go, if you have plenty of guts, and talk to the Bethlehemites of another Messiah… and you will see…»
«Have you a synagogue?»
«Yes, about two hundred steps straight ahead. You cannot go wrong. Near it there is the sarcophagus with the violated remains.»
«Goodbye, may God enlighten you.»
A woodcutter from Hebron talks with Jesus, John, Judas and the shepherd Elijah. He declares:
GRM 77.8
77.8 Jesus goes straight along the road. He knocks at the synagogue.
A resentful old man looks out. He does not even give Jesus time to speak. «The synagogue is forbidden, in this holy place, to those who deal with prostitutes. Go away.»
Jesus turns away without replying and continues walking along the road. His disciples follow Him. They begin to speak when they are outside Hebron.
«You asked for trouble, Master» says Judas. «A prostitute, of all people!»
«Judas, I solemnly tell you that she will surpass you. And now, since you are reproaching Me, what do you say of the Judaeans? In the most holy places in Judaea we have been scoffed at and driven away… That is the truth. The day will come when Samaria and the Gentiles will worship the true God, and the people of the Lord will be soiled with blood and a crime… a crime in comparison with which the sins of prostitutes, who sell their bodies and their souls, will be a very small thing. I was not able to pray on the tomb of My cousins and of the just Samuel. It does not matter. Rest, holy bones, rejoice, souls, that dwelt in them. The first resurrection is near. Then the day will come when you will be shown to the angels as the souls of the servants of the Lord.»
Jesus stops speaking and the vision ends.
Jesus has just spoken with a prostitute. He didn't look at her once, but he inspired her to conversion (see EMV 77.7). Then he returns to the synagogue. He is rejected, and in the face of Judas's remarks, he predicts the future.
GRM 78.2
78.2 Judas comes out with a woman who is about fifty years old. She is rather tall, but not so tall as her son, who has her same dark eyes and curly hair. But her eyes are kind and rather sad, whereas those of Judas are imperious and shrewd.
«I greet You, King of Israel» she says prostrating herself in a real salutation of a subject. «Allow Your servant to give You hospitality.»
«Peace to you, woman. And may God be with you and your creature.»
«Oh! yes! With my creature.» It sounds more like a sigh than a reply.
«Stand up, mother. I have a Mother, too, and I cannot allow you to kiss My feet. I kiss you, woman, in My Mother’s name. She is a sister of yours… in love and in the painful destiny of the mother of those who are marked.»
«What do You mean, Messiah?» asks Judas somewhat worried.
But Jesus does not reply. He is embracing the woman, whom He has kindly raised up from the ground and is now kissing her cheeks. And, holding her hand, He walks toward the house.
Jesus meets Marie de Kérioth, Judas's mother, for the first time.
GRM 78.8
78.8 An old man says: «Listen, my Lord. Some time ago, a long time ago, at the time of the edict, we heard here that the Saviour was born in Bethlehem… and I went there with other people… I saw a little Baby, exactly like all other new-born babies. But I adored Him with faith. Later I heard that there was a holy man, whose name is John. Which is the true Messiah?»
«The One you adored. The other is His Precursor: a great saint in the eyes of the Most High. But he is not the Messiah.»
«Was it You?»
«It was I. And what did you see around the new-born Child?»
«Poverty and cleanliness, honesty and purity… A kind serious carpenter, whose name was Joseph, a carpenter but of the House of David, a young mother, fair and kind, whose name was Mary, before whose grace the most beautiful roses of Engedi turn pale and the lilies of the royal flower beds seem mis-shapen, and a Child with large blue eyes and pale gold hair… I saw nothing else… And I can still hear the voice of the Mother say to me: “On behalf of My Creature I say to You: may the Lord be with you until the eternal meeting and may His Grace come towards you on your way”. I am eighty-four years old… my way is near its end. I was no longer expecting to meet the Grace of God. Instead I have found You… and now I do not wish to see any other light than Yours…
GRM 78.8
78.8 An old man says: «Listen, my Lord. Some time ago, a long time ago, at the time of the edict, we heard here that the Saviour was born in Bethlehem… and I went there with other people… I saw a little Baby, exactly like all other new-born babies. But I adored Him with faith. Later I heard that there was a holy man, whose name is John. Which is the true Messiah?»
«The One you adored. The other is His Precursor: a great saint in the eyes of the Most High. But he is not the Messiah.»
«Was it You?»
«It was I.»