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Barthélémy - Nathanaël (apostle)

Theme: Apostles · Page 5 of 15

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GRM 121

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

At Belle-Eau, the apostles are restless, for Herod's brother-in-law, Manahen, has arrived to listen to the Master. But Jesus isn't there yet, and the Twelve are troubled by the lack of instructions from the Lord. An argument soon breaks out between Peter and Judas: Simon of Jonah doesn't want the Iscariot to approach Aglaia, and ends up telling Judas the truth. The other apostles intervene, as all this arguing is tiring Jesus, and both Jude and Philip report two episodes in which they caught Jesus crying. The future betrayer bursts into tears, and the Savior arrives in the meantime. Peter blames himself for being too hard on Judas, but Judas also admits he's no good. Jesus calms things down, assures them that Manahen wants to see him without any bad intentions, then sends the others away and talks to Judas. Jesus wants his disciple to examine himself and speak with his soul, the better to discern his faults, and Judas finally confesses that Christ is not righteous. In fact, the man from Keroth is jealous and Jesus puts the church back in the middle of the village. He reminds them that he has constantly defended them to the other apostles, and then Jesus takes his leave, as it is time for him to go and see the crowd waiting for him.

The Master gives a speech to La Belle-Eau on the commandment "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain". He returns to Israel's error, believing that pagans blaspheme when they pronounce the Name of God. But pagans have the right to seek the Lord. Jesus adds that even those who believe pronounce God's name in vain when their souls are unrepentant or hypocritical. We might then think that only little children have the right to call upon the Most High, but sinners can (and must) invoke Him when they want to be healed of their faults. Finally, Jesus concludes: "God's name is spoken 'in vain' if we do not try to change for the better".

There are no sick people, and when Christ realizes that Manahen is about to leave, after hesitating for a moment, he asks him if he has a place to sleep and if he has any food. The future disciple reveals that he doesn't, and Jesus invites him to La Belle-Eau.

GRM 123

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

It's raining in Belle-Eau. The veiled woman is still present and Peter is watching over her. Jesus gives a discourse on the Commandment: "Thou shalt not commit impurity". He talks about marriage, adultery, fornication, abortion and homosexuality. Finally, he addresses Aglaia, who repents, but his speech could be addressed to any soul who wants to regain its former purity. Finally, there are the Pharisees who resent Aglaia's presence with the Master. They spit the drool of their hatred. Jesus is not present, but the apostles defend him: Peter is very funny at one point, and Jude gives them a magnificent reply. Jesus then thanks them, but says that if Aglaé's soul is redeemed, her joy will more than make up for all this criticism.

GRM 125

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus is in Belle-Eau, giving a talk on the Commandment: "You shall keep holy the feasts". He talks about Sabbath rest - for us, it's the equivalent of Sunday rest. It's a physical, moral and spiritual order. Jesus also talks about work. He insists on honest work, driven by love of neighbor. Finally, when we rest on the seventh day, we must dedicate it to our family, to God, and take the opportunity to examine our conscience, so as to be better the following week. Finally, the Lord enjoins us to be like toddlers, and there's the beautiful physical healing of a child who was paralyzed after being run over by a herodian.

GRM 126

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

At La Belle-Eau, Jesus gives a talk on the Commandment: "Thou shalt not kill". He explains that to measure a sinner's guilt, we must ask ourselves this question: "Whom have I struck? What did I hit? Where did I strike? With what means did I strike? Why did I strike? How did I strike? When did I strike? After answering all these questions, he speaks of the master who makes his slaves suffer gratuitously. This leads to a confrontation between the Master and Doras, the Pharisee. The latter dies on the spot, to the amazement of the apostles.

GRM 127

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus meets three of John the Baptist's disciples for the first time. John the Baptist is free and happy to see souls coming to Christ. He says that he must diminish, while Jesus must grow. The disciples also report the Forerunner's comments on Aglaé (the veiled woman of Belle-Eau), and then Jesus speaks of John and his spotless soul thanks to Mary's Visitation. After that, the conversation ends and Jesus speaks to the people present about the "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God". He dwells at length on the death of Doras, who no longer cared for his soul, and cared only for his body, the earth and his own riches. It would have been better if he had repented, rather than died impenitent.

GRM 128

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

A man with leprosy (adolescent) presents himself to Jesus. He has committed adultery with a beautiful woman. The leprosy has just appeared and he is about to be condemned. He begs for God's mercy, but is not truly repentant. Jesus achieves physical healing, not because of the young man, but because of his mother. Then he makes a speech about not coveting another's wife.