John of Zebedee (apostle) in “Apostles” (page 19/26)

GRM 172

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus talks about oaths, fasting and prayer. In his sermon, he dwells on man's difficulty in being honest and on his false oaths: all too often, man is a perjurer, and he who demands an oath does not himself have much confidence in his neighbor. When we take an oath and swear to something, invoking that which is dearest to us, we deceive our neighbor: we are thieves, sacrilegious, traitors and homicidal. But we don't deceive God, who is Truth itself. Jesus therefore encourages people not to take false oaths, as in the Gospel, and he enjoins others not to swear on the dead, nor on the head of our family, nor on our body, which belongs to God. Let our yes be a yes and a no be a no.

Secondly, Christ insists on prayer said from the heart, where we seek not to be noticed and are not overcome by scruples. We must stop counting the number of hours we spend in prayer: it's not so much soulless prayers that count, but actions and words said with love. Jesus declares that we can do anything by praying: whether it's making a loaf of bread or doing our work, as long as we seek to love in everything. We must also not be afraid to ask, for God is a Father who watches over us and our needs.

Then the Master explains why God may not answer our prayer. He may refuse us a grace because it would hurt us in the future. Sometimes, therefore, God says: "I cannot", because in His Wisdom, He sees that such a grace, which seems good to us now, would be harmful to us later.

Finally, Jesus applies what he says about prayer to fasting: we mustn't flaunt it in public or be sad, but be joyful and act as if we've eaten well. Hiding this fast from others will be an act of heroism, and God will reward us for not seeking praise from men. What's more, anyone who fasts out of love feeds on love.

The Savior then sends away the people who are listening and welcomes two poor people. One is Ishmael, a man rejected by his daughter who wants to make his last Easter; the other is a woman named Sarath who is ill. He heals the latter and Jesus asks him to look after the old man. Christ then asks Simon the Zealot if he can entrust them to Lazarus, since they are two poor men who have nothing, and Lazarus assures him that he can. The episode ends with the old man happily adopting a new daughter and finding a new protector.

Keywords

GRM 174.2-5.8 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The crowds start moving about to form three groups: those who are sick, those who are poor, and those who are anxious only to hear Jesus teaching. (...)
Jesus is already bending over sick people and the hosannas of the crowds punctuate each miracle.
The woman, who appears to be completely distressed, dares to pull John’s tunic, while he is speaking to Andrew and she smiles.
He bends and asks her: «What do you want, woman?»
«I would like to speak to the Master…»
«Are you not well? You are not poor…»
«I am well and I am not poor. But I need Him… because there are evils without any fever and there is misery without poverty and mine… mine…» and she weeps.
«Listen, Andrew. This woman is sick in heart and would like to speak to the Master. What shall we do?»
Andrew looks at the woman and says: «It is certainly something which is painful to tell…» The woman nods assent. Andrew goes on: «Do not weep… John, try and take her behind our shed. I will take the Master there.»
And John, smiling, begs people to let him pass, while Andrew goes in the opposite direction towards Jesus.
But they are noticed by two distressed men, and one of them stops John, and the other Andrew, and shortly afterwards they are both with John and the woman behind the shed of branches which is part of the tent.
Andrew reaches Jesus when the Latter is curing the cripple who raises his crutches like two trophies, as brisk as a skilled dancer, shouting his blessing. Andrew whispers: «Master, behind our shed there are three people weeping. But it is their hearts that ache and their grief cannot be made known…»
«All right. I still have this girl and this woman. Then I will come. Go and tell them to have faith.»
Andrew goes away (...)
All the sick people have been satisfied and they are the ones who shout most in the crowd applauding «the Son of David, glory of God and ours.»
Jesus goes towards the shed.
Judas of Kerioth shouts: «Master! What about these?»
Jesus turns around and says: «Let them wait where they are. They will be comforted, too» and He walks fast to the back of the shed where the three people in anguish are with Andrew and John. [Christ listens to these three people, who leave satisfied.]
Jesus goes back to the crowds, towards the poor people and gives them alms according to His own judgement. Everybody is now happy and Jesus can speak.

Keywords

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.

Keywords

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.

Keywords

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.

Keywords

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.»

Keywords

GRM 177.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

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).

Keywords

GRM 178.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

I see Jesus heading towards the lake with eleven apostles, as John is still absent.

Annotation

Jean left with Isaac for Enon, where the Baptist had taken refuge.

Keywords

John of Zebedee (apostle)

GRM 180.2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

If John was here he would tell you better than I can. But I will tell you as best I can.

Detail

Simon the Zealot tries to formulate an idea about God, and evokes John of Zebedee.

Annotation

We know from EMV 177.1 and EMV 178.1 that John was sent on a mission to Enon by Jesus.

Keywords

John of Zebedee (apostle)

GRM 180.7-10 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Have you understood? Have you any questions to ask? No? In that case we can go and rest and tomorrow we will leave for Capernaum. There is one place to which I must go before starting on My journey to Jerusalem for Passover.»
«Shall we go through Arimathea again?» asks the Iscariot.
«I am not sure. It depends on…»
There is a loud knocking at the door.
«Who can it be at this time?» asks Peter getting up to open the door.
John comes in. He is most upset, covered in dust, and he has obviously been weeping.
«You are here!» they all shout. «What’s the matter?»
Jesus, Who has stood up, says only: «Where is My Mother?»
And John, coming forward and kneeling at the feet of the Master, holding his arms as if he were asking for help, says: «Your Mother is well, but She is weeping as I am, as many others are, and She begs You not to come following the Jordan on our side. That is why She sent me back, because Your cousin John has been captured…» And John weeps while everybody is bewildered.
Jesus turns very pale but does not become excited. He only says:
«Stand up and tell us.»
«I was going down with Your Mother and the other women. Isaac and Timoneus were also with us. We were three women and three men. I was carrying out Your instruction to take Mary to John… Ah! You knew it was their last farewell!… It was to be their last farewell… Because of the storm of a few days ago, we had to stop for a little while. But it was enough to make it impossible for John to see Mary… We arrived at noon and he had been captured at daybreak…»
«Where? How? By whom? In his cave?» they all ask, they all want to know.
«He was betrayed!… They used Your name to betray him!» «How horrible! Who did that?» they all shout.
And John shuddering, whispering in a low voice what not even the air should hear, states: «It was one of his disciples…»
The confusion is at its highest pitch. Some curse, some weep, some are petrified with astonishment.
180.8
John throws his arms around Jesus’ neck and shouts: «I am afraid for You!… for You! The saints have their traitors who sell themselves for gold and for fear of the mighty ones, yearning for reward, obeying Satan. For thousands of things! Oh! Jesus! Jesus! How dreadful! My first master! My John who gave me to You!»
«It is all right! Do not worry! Nothing will happen to Me for the time being.»
«But later? What will happen later? I look at myself, at these… I am afraid of everybody, also of myself. Will one of us be Your traitor?…»
«Are you mad? And do you think that we would not tear him to pieces?» shouts Peter.
And the Iscariot: «Oh! You really are mad! It will never be I! But if I should feel so weak as to eventually become so, I would kill myself. Better than be the murderer of God.»
Jesus frees Himself from John’s grip, shakes Judas violently saying: «Do not swear! Nothing can make you weak, unless you want! And if that should happen, make sure you weep for it, and do not commit another crime in addition to deicide. He becomes weak who cuts off his vital link with God.»
180.9
He then returns to John, who is weeping with his head on the table and he says: «Speak calmly. It grieves Me, too. He was of My blood and was My Precursor.»
«I only saw some of the disciples, who were dismayed and furious with the traitor. The others accompanied John towards his prison to be near him at his death.»
«But he is not dead yet… the last time he managed to escape.» says the Zealot endeavouring to comfort John of whom he is very fond.
«He is not dead yet. But he will die» replies John.
«Yes, he will die. He knows as well as I do. Nothing and no one will save him this time. When? I do not know. I know that he will not come out of Herod’s hand alive.»
«Yes, Herod. Listen. John went to the mountain gorge, between Mount Ebal and Gerizim, where we also passed coming back from Galilee, because the traitor said to him: “The Messiah is dying after being attacked by His enemies. He wants to see you to entrust a secret to you”. And he went with the traitor and some other people. Herod’s armed men were in the shade of the valley and they captured him. The others ran away and gave the news to the disciples who had remained near Hennon. They had just come when I arrived with Your Mother. And the dreadful thing is that he was one from our towns… and that the Pharisees of Capernaum are the leaders of the plot to catch him. They went to John saying that You had been their guest and that You were leaving from there to go to Judaea… he would not have left his refuge but for You…»
180.10
Dead silence follows John’s report. Jesus looks bloodless, His deep blue eyes are dimmed. He is standing with his head bowed, His hand still on John’s shoulder, and His hand is trembling lightly. No one dare speak. Jesus breaks the silence: «We shall go to Judaea following a different route. But I must go to Capernaum tomorrow. As early as possible. Rest now. I am going up to the olive-grove. I need to be alone.» And He goes out without saying anything else.
«He is certainly going to weep» whispers James of Alphaeus.
«Let us follow Him, brother» says Judas Thaddeus.
«No. Let Him weep. But let us go out quietly and keep watch. I fear tricks everywhere» replies the Zealot.
«Yes, let us go. We fishermen to the shore. If anybody comes from the lake we will see him. You go to the olive-grove. He is certainly in the usual place, near the walnut-tree. At dawn we will have the boats ready to go away early. Those snakes! Ehi! I did tell you! Tell me, boy? But… is His Mother really safe?»
«Oh! Yes! The shepherd disciples of John have also gone with Her. Andrew… we will never see our John again!»
«Be quiet! It sounds like the song of the cuckoo… One precedes the other and… and…»
«By the Holy Ark! Be quiet! If you go on talking about misfortunes to the Master, I will start from you, letting your backs feel the weight of my oar!» shouts an enraged Peter. «You…» he then says to those who are to go to the olive-grove: «Get some clubs, some big branches, you will find some in the wood-shed… and spread out, armed with them. The first one to come near Jesus to harm Him, kill him.»
«The disciples! We must be careful with the new ones!» exclaims Philip.
The new disciple feels hurt and asks: «Are you in doubt about me? He chose me and wanted me.»
«Not about you. I mean the scribes and Pharisees and their worshippers. That is where the trouble will come from, believe me.»
They go out, some towards the boats, some towards the olive-trees on the hills, and it all ends.

Detail

In the previous chapters, John of Zebedee had to accompany the Virgin to Hennon to see John.

Annotation

"Your Mother is doing well, but she is in tears like me, like many people, and she begs you not to come along the Jordan on our side." (...) " We will go to Judea by another way." Jesus confirms in EMV 187.3 that he respects his mother's wish, and speaks to Mary about it again in EMV 198.1/2.

We arrived at the sixth hour, and he had been captured at the crowing of the cock... Gallicinium, "the crowing of the cock", corresponded to the last watch: from 3am to 6am.

"By one of his disciples..." This fact, which doesn't seem to be mentioned in any tradition, indicates that The Forerunner was also betrayed by one of his own.

I will never betray. But if I felt weak enough to do so, I'd kill myself. It's better than being God's murderer. This is the germ of the idea of suicide, which Judas will put into practice after his betrayal (EMV 605.1/13).

Yes, he will die. He knows it, as I know it. In fact, Jesus had not hidden this from John himself, when he visited him (EMV 148.2). The Baptist's death is announced in EMV 270.7.

He went to the same gorge we passed through on our way back to Galilee. It was during the encounter with the Samaritan woman Fotinai in EMV 143.4.

The Pharisees of Capernaum who are at the head of the plot to capture him. This plot was probably organized by Joachim and Elijah of Capernaum (see EMV 182.1).

He would not have left his refuge for anyone but you ... Enon (or Hennon), on the border of Decapolis and Samaria, was outside Herod's jurisdiction. John was safe there.