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Notes for this theme

Family and kinship of Jesus Christ

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GRM 174.3 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The severe looking Simon Zealot passes by; also Peter passes by; he is busy speaking to a dozen little children to whom he promises some olives if they keep quiet until the end of the sermon, and a thrashing if they disturb while the Master is speaking; the elderly serious Bartholomew passes by; Matthew and Philip pass carrying a cripple who would have to struggle too much to open his way through the crowd; also the cousins of the Lord pass by helping an almost blind beggar and a very old poor woman – I wonder how old she is – who weeps telling James all her troubles; James of Zebedee passes by holding in his arms a poor girl, who is certainly ill, and whom he has taken from her mother to ensure that she does not get hurt by the crowds, while the panting mother follows him; the last to pass by are Andrew and John, whom I would call the indivisible ones, because while John, in his serene simplicity of a holy child, is willing to go with his companions, Andrew, on account of his reservedness, prefers going with his old fishing companion and fellow disciple of the Baptist. They had stayed at the junction of the two main paths, to show people to their places, but there being no more pilgrims on the stony path of the mountain, the two have come together to go to the Master with the last offerings received.

Detail

Thomas and Judas are not named here, but they are looking after the pilgrims in EMV 174.2. They divide them into three groups: the sick, the poor and those awaiting teaching from Jesus.

GRM 174.11 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Some of the people are sitting on the grass, some on large stones, some are standing. The apostolic college is not complete. I can see Peter and Andrew, John and James, and I can hear the other two being called Nathanael and Philip. Then there is one who is and is not one of the group. Perhaps he is the last one who arrived: they call him Simon. The others are not there, unless they are among the crowds and I cannot see them.

Annotation

Contrary to appearances, this comment is perfectly coherent: John, James, Peter and Andrew were "seen" on February 25, 1944. The vision of the meeting with Nathanael and Philip took place on October 13, 1944, two months after the scene described here, and that with Simon the Zealot on October 26, 1944.

GRM 174.16 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The Iscariot is pensive in a corner. Jesus calls him three times, but he does not hear. At last he turns around: «Do You want me. Master?» he asks.

«Yes, go and take your food and help your companions.»

«I am not hungry. Neither are You.»

«Neither am I, but for different reasons. Are you upset, Judas?»

«No, Master. I’m tired…»

«We are now going to the lake and then to Judaea, Judas. To your mother’s, as I promised you…»

Judas cheers up. «Are You really coming only with me?»

«Of course. Love Me, Judas. I would like My love to be such in you as to preserve you from all evil.»

«Master… I am a man. I am not an angel. At times I feel tired. Is it a sin to feel the need of sleep?»

«No, providing you sleep on My chest. Look over there how happy the people are and how beautiful the scenery is from here. All Judaea must be lovely in springtime.»

«Most beautiful, Master. But spring, there, on the mountains, which are higher than here, is later. But there are beautiful flowers. The apple-orchards are magnificent. Mine, which is looked after by my mother, is one of the most beautiful ones. And when she moves about in it, with the doves following her to get some corn, believe me, it is a sight that soothes your heart.»

«I believe you. If My Mother is not too tired, I would like to take Her to see yours. They would love each other, because they are both good.»

Judas, drawn by this idea, cheers up and forgetting that «he was not hungry and he was tired» runs happily to his companions and tall as he is, he undoes the highest knots without any trouble and eats his bread and olives, as happy as a child.

Jesus looks at him pitifully and then goes towards the apostles.

Detail

Mary Magdalene burst onto the Mount of Beatitudes. At the time, she was a great sinner. Following a speech by Jesus, she left in a rage. After her intervention, Jesus goes to see Judas.

Annotation

I promised you: Reminder of the promise made to Judas in EMV 139.1.

Only, over there on the mountains, which are higher than here, spring comes later. Exactly: the difference is 3 or 4 weeks.

If my Mother isn't too tired, I'd be happy to take her to yours. They'd love each other, because they're both good people. Jesus wants to associate the two mothers who will have so much to suffer.

GRM 175.3.5 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The people throng around the Master, forming a circle which does not want to open at any cost. But the sun has set and the Sabbath rest begins. The villages are far away. But the people do not pine for their villages, their food or anything else. But the apostles are worried about it and they tell Jesus. Also the elder disciples are worried. There are women and children, and while the night is mild and the grass of the meadow is soft, the stars are not bread. Neither do stones become food.

Jesus is the only one who does not trouble. The people in the meantime eat the remains of their food without any worry and Jesus points it out to His apostles: «I solemnly tell you that these people are worth more than you are! Look how thoughtlessly they are finishing everything. I said to them: “Those who cannot believe that God will provide food for His children tomorrow, may go away”, and they stayed. God will not belie His Messiah and will not disappoint those who hope in Him.»

The apostles shrug their shoulders and do not show concern for anything else. (...)

[The scribe John came to their aid and Jesus said:]

«And what should I say now with regards to your incredulity? Did the Father not put bread for all of us into the hands of one who, by caste, is an enemy of Mine? Oh! men of little faith!… Go into the soft hay and sleep. I am going to pray the Father that He may open your hearts and to thank Him for His kindness. Peace be with you.»

Detail

Although none is specifically named, the Twelve are present in this chapter. Faced with their lack of faith and trust in the Father's Providence to feed the crowd, Jesus tells them this in EMV 175.5, after the scribe John has come to their aid.

GRM 176.1-2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus has delayed somewhat up on the mountain during the night, so that at dawn He can be seen standing on the edge of an escarpment.

Peter, who sees Him, points Him out to his companions and they go up towards Him. «Master, why did You not come with us?» many of them ask.

«I needed to pray.»

«But You also need to rest very badly.»

«My friends, during the night a voice came from Heaven asking for prayers for the good and the wicked and also for Myself.»

«Why? Do You need it?»

«As much as anybody. My strength is nourished with prayer and My joy with doing what My Father wants. My Father told Me the names of two people and a sorrow for Myself. The three things He mentioned need prayer so much.» Jesus is very sad and He looks at His apostles with eyes which seem to be begging or asking for something. His eyes rest on one, then on another and at last on Judas Iscariot and Jesus stares at him.

The apostle notices it and asks: «Why do You look at me like that?»

«I was not looking at you. My eyes were contemplating something else…»

«That is?.»

«The nature of a disciple. All the good and all the evil that a disciple can do and give to his Master. I was thinking of the disciples of the Prophets and of John. And I was thinking of My own. And I was praying for John, for the disciples and for Myself…»

«You are sad and tired this morning, Master. Tell those who love You what Your trouble is» begs James of Zebedee.

«Yes, tell us, and if there is anything we can do to relieve Your grief, we will do it» says His cousin Judas.

Peter speaks to Bartholomew and Philip, but I do not understand what they say.

Jesus replies: «Be good, endeavour to be good and faithful. That is the only relief. There is no other one, Peter. Have you understood? Forget your suspicion. Love Me and love one another, do not allow those who hate Me to seduce you, above all love the will of God.»

«Eh! If everything is within its control, also our errors are within it» exclaims Thomas in a philosophical tone.

176.2

«Do you think so? But it is not so. But many people have woken up and are looking here. Let us go down and sanctify this holy day with the word of God.»

GRM 177.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

View in context

Quotation

Jesus enters Capernaum coming from the country. Only the Twelve are with Him, or rather, only eleven apostles, as John is not there.

Annotation

We learn from Peter, in Bethsaida, that Jesus sent him "ahead" with Isaac to lead Mary to the Baptist(EMV 180.7).

GRM 178.1 · Volumen 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

I see Jesus heading towards the lake with eleven apostles, as John is still absent. Many people press around Him: among them there are many who were on the Mount, mainly men, who have reached Him at Capernaum to hear His words once again. They would like to detain Him. But He says: «I belong to everybody. And there are many who are entitled to have Me. I will come back. You will join Me. But let Me go now.» He has difficulty in walking through the crowd who throng the little narrow street. The apostles push with their shoulders to make room for Him. But it is like pushing a spongy substance that immediately springs back again. They get angry, too, but to no avail.

GRM 179.2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The boats of the apostles, after crossing the short stretch of the lake between Capernaum and Bethsaida, land in the latter town.

Detail

In this chapter, the Eleven are present. John has gone to find John the Baptist at Hennon with the Virgin.

GRM 179.7-8.9 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

He then turns towards Peter and says: «Go up the river as far as you can and stop on the other side.» (...)

The rubbing of the boat on the pebbly river-bed causes the conversation to be interrupted to allow them to go ashore. The low hills of Bethsaida, which almost reach down to the lake, have come to an end here, instead a plain rich in crops extends from the shore, on the other side of Bethsaida, northwards.

«Are we going to Merom?» asks Peter.

«No, let us take this path among the fields.»

The lovely and well kept fields show ears of corn still tender but well formed, all of the same height; and, while lightly undulating in the cool northern breeze, they look like another small lake, the sails of which are the trees growing here and there full of whistling birds.

«These fields are not like the ones of the parable» remarks Jesus’ cousin James.

«Not really! The birds have not devastated them, there are no stone, no bramble. The corn is beautiful! In a month’s time it will be golden… and in two it will be ready for the sickle and the granary» says Judas of Kerioth.

«Master… I remind You of what You said in my house. You spoke so well. But I am beginning to have ideas in my head that are as confused as those ruffled clouds up there…» says Peter.

«This evening I will explain it to you. 179.8 Now we are in sight of Korazim.» And Jesus stares at the new disciple saying: «Much is given to those who give. And possessions do not deprive the gift of its merits. Take Me to the sepulchre of your family and to your mother’s house.»

The young man kneels down kissing Jesus’ hand and weeping.

«Get up. Let us go. My spirit has perceived your weeping. I want to fortify you in your heroism through My love.»

«Isaac the Elder had told me how good You were. Isaac, You know? You cured his daughter. He was my apostle. But I see that Your Kindness is much greater than I was told.»

«We shall call also on the Elder to thank him for giving Me a disciple.»

They reach Korazim and Isaac’s house is the first one they find.

(...) They stop first near the sepulchre and pray. After, through still semi-bare vineyards, they go to Elias’ house.

(...) They go on the road which takes them back to the river, and from there to Bethsaida.

Detail

Jesus has just finished preaching in Bethsaida. He is on the lake, with the young disciple who didn't go to his father's funeral, and speaks to Simon of Jonah.

Annotation

"Go up as high as you can and moor the boat on the other side. The first known Roman bridge on this stretch of the Jordan is in fact located 11/12 km further north(Jacob's Daughters Bridge). This bridge was destroyed in 1918.

The low hills of Bethsaida, which dip their noses into the lake, are no longer visible here, but a plain with rich harvests stretches along this bank opposite Bethsaida to the north. Correct: The plain northwest of Bethsaida is some 500m wide and 1 or 2 km long, then rises steadily to the west.

"Are we going to Merom ? We're taking this path through the fields." Merom is some 17km away, to the northwest, a 4-hour walk... Chorazeïn is barely 4km away, heading due west in a straight line from Bethsaida. Whenever possible, Jesus naturally takes the shortest route.

The fields, beautiful and well-tended, show their ears of corn, still tender but already formed. Consistent: 15 days later, Maria Valtorta remarked that they were "well formed"(EMV 190.1).

Beautiful wheat! Within a month, it will already be blond... and within two months, it will be ready to be mowed and stored. Correct: Harvest takes place at the end of April, beginning of May (according to Jean-François Lavère's chronology, we're at the end of February and the beginning of March). In 2 months' time, it's the episode of the stolen ears of corn on the Sabbath(EMV 217.3).

We've now arrived at Chorazeïn. That's right: coming from the north of Bethsaida, it's only at the last moment, after rounding the hill, that we can see Chorazeïn, located on the southern slope.

- Master... I remind you of what you said at my house. You spoke so well! But I'm starting to get clouds in my head as confused as they are up there. Jesus advised the apostles to ask him about his Word, so that he could explain it to them, in EMV 179.3.

When they arrive in Chorazeïn, Isaac's house is the first they see. This is Isaac the Adult, an old man from Chorazeïn whose daughter Jesus has healed.

They retrace their steps to the river, and from there to Bethsaida. Consistent: in the next chapter we discover that they spend the evening in Bethsaida. It only takes them 2h30 / 3h00 to make this round trip in the afternoon.

GRM 179.7 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

While the two boats sail a short distance up the river and then stop near the bank, Jesus sits down and asks the new disciple: «Who is left at home now?»

«My mother and the eldest brother, who has been married for five years. My sisters are in various parts of the region. My father was very good and my mother mourns his death broken-heartedly.» The young man stops all of a sudden, stifling heartfelt sobs.

Jesus grabs his hand and says: «I experienced that sorrow Myself and I saw My Mother weep. So I can understand…»

Annotation

I too have known this pain and seen my Mother cry. So I understand you well... Consistent with the description of Joseph's death and Mary's sorrow(EMV 42.7 and EMV 42.8).