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Who are the apostles?

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Reading comfort

Aa

GRM 80.8-11

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Listen. Once a man asked Me whether I had ever been tempted. He asked[1] Me whether I had ever committed sin, and whether, when tempted, I had ever given in. And he was surprised because, in order to resist temptation, I, the Messiah, had asked the Father for help, saying: “Father, lead Me not into temptation”.»

Jesus speaks slowly, calmly as if He were relating an event with which none of them was acquainted… Judas lowers his head as if he were embarrassed. But the others are so intent on looking at Jesus, that they do not notice him.

Jesus goes on: «Now, My friends, you will learn something of which that man had only a faint idea. After My Baptism I came here: I was clean, but one is never clean enough with regards to God, and the humility in saying: “I am a man and a sinner” is already a baptism which makes the heart clean. I had been called “the Lamb of God” by the holy prophet who saw the Truth and saw the Spirit descend upon the Word and anoint Him with its chrism of love, while the voice of the Father filled the Heavens saying: “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am very pleased”. You, John, were present when the Baptist repeated those words… After being baptised, although I was clean both by My nature and by appearance, I wanted to “prepare”. Yes, Judas. Look at Me. May My eyes tell you what My mouth does not yet speak. Look at Me, Judas. Look at your Master, Who although was the Messiah, did not consider Himself superior to man, on the contrary, knowing He was the Man, He wanted to be so in everything, except in yielding to evil. Exactly so.»

Judas has now raised his head and looks at Jesus in front of him. The light of the stars causes Jesus’ eyes to sparkle as if they were two stars fixed in a pale face.

80.9

«If one wants to prepare to be a teacher one must have been a pupil. I, as God, knew everything. My intelligence enabled Me to understand also the struggles of man, both by intellectual power and in an intellectual way, that is without any practical experience. But then some poor friend of Mine, some poor son of Mine, could have said to Me: “You do not know what it is to be a man and have senses and passions”. And it would have been a fair reproach. I came here, or rather on that mountain, to prepare… not only for My mission… but also for temptation. See? I was tempted where you are now sitting. By whom? By a mortal being? No. His power would have been too limited. I was tempted by Satan himself.

I was exhausted. I had not eaten for forty days… But while I was engrossed in prayer, everything had been forgotten in the joy of speaking to God, rather than forgotten, it had been made endurable. I felt it as a discomfort of a material nature, confined to matter only… I then came back to the world… I was back in the ways of the world… And I felt the needs of those who are in the world. I was hungry. I was thirsty. I felt the biting cold of the desert night. My body was worn out due to lack of rest, of a bed and with a long journey made in such a state of weariness that I could go no farther…

Because I am made of flesh too, My dear friends. Real flesh. And my flesh is subject to the weakness common to all flesh. And, with My flesh, I have a heart. Yes, I took the first and second of the three parts that form man. I took the physical part with all its needs and the morals with their passions. And whilst, with My will, I subdued all the bad passions at birth, I let the holy passions grow like mighty age-old cedars, that is filial love, love for the fatherland, friendship, work, everything that is best and holy. And here I felt nostalgia for My far away Mother, here I felt the need for Her care for My human frailty, here I felt once again the pain of parting from the Only One Who loved Me with perfect love, here I realised what sorrow is laid aside for Me and I was grieved at Her sorrows, poor Mother, Who will have to shed so many tears for Her Son and because of the wickedness of men, that She will be left tearless. And here I experienced the weariness of the hero and of the ascetic who in an hour of forewarning realise the uselessness of their efforts… I cried… Sadness… a lure for Satan. It is not a sin to be sad in painful circumstances. It is a sin to go beyond sadness and fall into inertness and despair. But Satan comes at once when he sees anyone in spiritual languor.

He came. Dressed as a kind traveller. He always takes on a kind appearance… I was hungry… and thirty years old. He offered to help Me. First he said to Me: “Tell these stones to become bread”. But before… yes… even before, he spoke to Me about woman. Oh! He knows how to speak of her. He knows her very well. He corrupted her first, to make her his ally in corruption. I am not only the Son of God. I am Jesus, the workman of Nazareth. I said to that man, who was speaking to Me then, the one who asked Me whether I had experienced temptations and almost accused Me for being unjustly blessed, because I had not sinned: “The act subsides when satisfied. A rejected temptation does not fade away, but becomes stronger also because Satan instigates it”. I resisted the temptation both of lust for woman and hunger for bread. And you must know that Satan proposed woman to Me as the best ally to succeed in the world, and he was quite right, from a human point of view.

Temptation did not give up because of My comment: “Man does not live on his senses only” and he spoke to Me of My mission. He wanted to seduce the Messiah after failing with the young Man. And he incited Me to crush the unworthy ministers of the Temple with a miracle… A miracle, the fire of Heaven, is not to be bent to form a wicker wreath to crown ourselves… And we must not put God to the test, asking for miracles for human purposes. That is what Satan wanted. The reason mentioned by him was an excuse: the truth was: “Boast of being the Messiah”, as he wanted to lead Me to another lust: the lust for pride.

He was not daunted by My reply: “You must not put the Lord your God to the test” and he circumvented Me with the third power of his nature: gold. Oh! gold. Bread is a great thing, and woman an even greater one for those longing for food or pleasure. To be acclaimed by the crowds is a very great thing for man. How many crimes are committed for these three things! But gold… gold! It is a key that opens, a circle that joins, it is the beginning and end of ninety-nine percent of human actions. For bread and a woman man becomes a thief. For power he also becomes a murderer. But for gold he becomes an idolator. The king of gold, Satan, offered Me his gold if I adored him. I pierced him with the eternal words:

“You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only”.

It happened here.»

80.10

Jesus is now standing. He seems taller than usual in the flat nature surrounding Him, in the slightly phosphorescent light of the stars. The disciples also get up. Jesus carries on speaking, staring intently at Judas.

«Then the angels of the Lord came… The Man had won the triple battle. The Man knew what it meant to be a man and had won. He was exhausted. The struggle had been more exhausting than the long fast… But the spirit was triumphant… I think that Heaven was startled at My becoming a perfect creature endowed with knowledge. I think that from that moment I got the power of working miracles. I was God. I had become the Man. Now, by defeating the animal nature connected with man’s nature, I was the Man-God. And I am. And as God I am omnipotent. And as Man I am omniscient. Do as I did, if you want to do what I do. And do it in memory of Me.

That man was amazed at My asking for the Father’s help, and at My praying not to be led into Temptation. That is, not to be left at the mercy of temptation beyond My strength. I think that that man will no longer be amazed, now that he knows. I ask you to do the same in My memory and to win as I did. And never doubt My nature of true Man and true God, seeing how strong I was in all the temptations of life, and how I won the battles of the five senses, of sensuality and of sentiments. Remember all of that.

80.11

I promised to take you where it would be possible for you to know the Master… from the dawn of His day, a dawn which is as pure as the one which is now rising, to the noon of His life. The noon which I left to go and meet My human evening… I said to one of you: “I also prepared”; you now see it is true. I thank you for your company in the return to the place of My birth and the place of My penance. My first contacts with the world had sickened and depressed Me. It is too ugly. My soul has now been nourished with the lion’s marrow: the union with the Father in prayer and solitude. And I can go back to the world and take My cross upon Me once again, the first cross of the Redeemer: the cross of the contact with the world. With the world, in which there are too few souls called Mary, called John…»

Detail

Summary: A lesson on the temptation of Christ. It covers Satan, the Lord’s temptation, the fact that He is the God-Man and therefore the Son of Man...

Annotation

Matthew 3:13–17 and 4:1–11: Then Jesus appeared. He had come from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me!” But Jesus replied, “Let it be so for now, for it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.” So John allowed it. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened: he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he became hungry.

The tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus replied, “It is written: ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the Holy City, set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is also written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

The devil took him again to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. He said to him, “I will give you all this, if you will fall down and worship me.” ’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For it is written: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve.”’

Then the devil left him. And behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Mark 1:9–13

In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And as soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn open and the Spirit descending upon him like a dove. A voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.” ” Immediately the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, and there he remained for forty days, being tempted by Satan. He lived among the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

Luke 3:21–22 and 4:1–13: As all the people were being baptized, and after Jesus had also been baptized and was praying, the heavens opened. The Holy Spirit, in bodily form like a dove, descended upon Jesus, and a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.”

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the banks of the Jordan; led by the Spirit, he went into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when that time was over, he was hungry.

The devil then said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus replied, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’”

Then the devil took him to a high place and showed him, in an instant, all the kingdoms of the earth. He said to him, “I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. So if you will worship me, all this will be yours.” Jesus replied, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.’”

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you,’ and again, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Having thus exhausted every form of temptation, the devil left Jesus until the appointed time.

John 1:29–34: The next day, seeing Jesus coming toward him, John declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world; it is of him that I said, ‘The one who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ And I did not know him; but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. And I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain—that is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen, and I testify: this is the Son of God.”

GRM 80.8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Now, My friends, you will learn something of which that man had only a faint idea. After My Baptism I came here: I was clean, but one is never clean enough with regards to God, and the humility in saying: “I am a man and a sinner” is already a baptism which makes the heart clean. I had been called “the Lamb of God” by the holy prophet who saw the Truth and saw the Spirit descend upon the Word and anoint Him with its chrism of love, while the voice of the Father filled the Heavens saying: “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am very pleased”. You, John, were present when the Baptist repeated those words… After being baptised, although I was clean both by My nature and by appearance, I wanted to “prepare”. Yes, Judas. Look at Me. May My eyes tell you what My mouth does not yet speak. Look at Me, Judas. Look at your Master, Who although was the Messiah, did not consider Himself superior to man, on the contrary, knowing He was the Man, He wanted to be so in everything, except in yielding to evil. Exactly so.»

Annotation

Matthew 3:13–17 and 4:1–11: Then Jesus appeared. He had come from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. John tried to stop him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me!” But Jesus replied, “Let it be so for now, for it is proper for us to fulfill all righteousness.” So John let him be. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened: he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he became hungry.

The tempter approached him and said, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus replied, “It is written: ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the Holy City, set him on the pinnacle of the Temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to him, “It is also written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

The devil took him again to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. He said to him, “I will give you all this, if you will fall down and worship me.” ’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For it is written: “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him alone shall you serve.”’

Then the devil left him. And behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Mark 1:9–13

In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And as soon as he came up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. A voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.” ” Immediately the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness, and there he remained for forty days, tempted by Satan. He lived among the wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

Luke 3:21–22 and 4:1–13: As all the people were being baptized, and after Jesus had also been baptized and was praying, the heavens opened. The Holy Spirit, in bodily form like a dove, descended upon Jesus, and a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.”

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the banks of the Jordan; led by the Spirit, he went into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when that time was over, he was hungry.

The devil then said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” Jesus replied, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone.’”

Then the devil took him to a high place and showed him, in an instant, all the kingdoms of the earth. He said to him, “I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. So if you will worship me, all this will be yours.” Jesus replied, “It is written: ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him alone.’”

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, set him on the pinnacle of the Temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here; for it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you,’ and again, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is written: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Having thus exhausted every form of temptation, the devil left Jesus until the appointed time.

John 1:29–34: The next day, seeing Jesus coming toward him, John declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world; it is of him that I said, ‘The one who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ And I did not know him; but I came baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. And I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain—that is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen, and I testify: this is the Son of God.”

GRM 80.11

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Now listen, and you in particular, John. We are going back towards My Mother and our friends. I beg you not to mention to My Mother the harshness which has been opposed to the love of Her Son. She would suffer too much. She will suffer so much because of man’s cruelty… but do not let us give Her the chalice now. It will be so bitter when it is given to Her! So bitter that it will creep like poison into Her holy viscera and veins and will gnash them and freeze Her heart. Oh! Do not tell My Mother that Bethlehem and Hebron rejected Me like a dog! Have mercy on Her! You, Simon, are old and good, and thoughtful as you are, you will not speak, I know. You, Judas, are a Judaean, and will not speak out of patriotic pride. But you, John, are a Galilean, and young, do not commit a sin of pride, criticism and cruelty. Be silent. Later… later you will tell the rest what I now ask you to be silent about. There is already so much to be said about Christ. Why add to it what is Satan’s work against Christ? My dear friends, do you promise Me that?»

«Oh! Master! We do promise. Be certain of it.»

«Thank you. Let us go to that small oasis. There is a spring, a well full of cold water and there is shade and greenery. The road towards the river passes near it. We shall find food and refreshment till evening. By starlight, we will reach the river, the ford. And we will wait for Joseph or join him if he is already back. Let us go.»

And they set out while the first pinkish hue in the sky, in the east, announces the rising of a new day.

Detail

After visiting Bethlehem, Kerioth, and the Mount of Temptation, Jesus asked the apostles:

GRM 81

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus meets the shepherds Simeon, Matthias and John for the first time. He is also accompanied by the shepherd Joseph, Simon the Zealot, and John. Intimidated at first, the shepherds are soon put at ease and tell of John's imprisonment. They could free him with a sufficient sum of money. But the group has Aglaia's jewels. Judas is sent to sell them with John. Simon the Zealot confesses his discomfort with the Iscariot.

GRM 81.1-3.7

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

I see the Jordan ford once again: the green road coasting the river on both banks, beaten by many travellers on account of its shade. Lines of little donkeys come and go, as well as many people. On the bank of the river, three men are pasturing a few sheep.

Joseph is on the road, waiting, and he looks up and down.

Jesus appears in the distance, with His three disciples, at the junction of the river path with the main road. Joseph calls the shepherds, who lead the sheep onto the road, driving them along the grassy bank. They walk fast towards Jesus.

«I haven’t got the courage… What shall I say to greet Him?»

«Oh! He is so good! Say: “Peace be with You”. He always says that.»

«Yes, He… but we…»

«And what about me? I am not even one of His first worshippers. and He is so fond of me… oh! so fond!»

«Which one is it?»

«The tallest One, with fair hair.»

«Matthias, will we tell Him of the Baptist?»

«Of course we will!»

«Will He not think that we preferred the Baptist to Him?»

«No, Simeon. If He is the Messiah, He can see into the hearts of men, and in ours He will see that in the Baptist we were still looking for Him.»

«Yes, you are right.»

The two groups are now a few yards apart. Jesus is already smiling His smile that cannot be described. Joseph hastens his step. Also the sheep begin to run urged by the herdsmen.

«Peace be with you» says Jesus raising His arms as if He were embracing them. And He specifies: «Peace to you, Simeon, John and Matthias, faithful to Me, and faithful to John the Prophet! Peace to you, Joseph» and He kisses him on his cheeks. The other three are now on their knees. «Come, My friends. Under these trees, on the river-bank and let us talk.»

They go down and Jesus sits on a large protruding root, the others on the ground. Jesus smiles and looks at them intently, one by one: «Let Me become familiar with your faces. Your souls are already known to Me, souls that seek and love what is good contrary to all worldly yearnings. Isaac, Elias and Levi send you their regards, and there are other greetings, from My Mother.

81.2

Have You any news of the Baptist?»

The men, so far gagged by embarrassment, take heart. They find their words at last: «He is still in jail. Our hearts tremble for him, because he is in the hands of a cruel man who is dominated by an infernal creature and is surrounded by a corrupted court. We love him… You know that we love him and that he deserves our love. After you left Bethlehem, we were persecuted by men… but we were distressed and disheartened because we had lost You, rather than by their hatred, and we were like trees uprooted by the wind. Then, after years of suffering, like a man, whose eyelashes have been stitched, endeavours to see the sun, but cannot, also because he is closed in a prison, but feels the warmth of the sun on his body, we felt that the Baptist was the man of God, foreseen by the Prophets to prepare the way to His Christ and we went to him. We said: “If the Baptist precedes Him, if we go to the Baptist, we will find Him.” Because, my Lord, it was You we were looking for.»

«I know, and you found Me. And now I am with you.»

«Joseph told us that You came to the Baptist. But we were not there on that day. Perhaps he had sent us somewhere. We served him, in spiritual matters, when he asked us, with so much love, and we listened to him with love, although he was so severe, because he was not You — the Word — but he always spoke words of God.»

81.3

«I know. And do you know this man?» and He points to John.

«We saw him with the other Galileans in the crowds that were most faithful to the Baptist. And, if we are not mistaken, you are the one whose name is John, and of whom he used to say to us, his closest disciples: “Here: I am the first, he is the last. And then: he will be the first and I the last”. But we never understood what he meant.»

Jesus turns round to His left side where John is and He draws him against His heart and with a most kind smile He explains: «He meant that he was the first to say: “Here is the Lamb” and that John here will be the last of the friends of the Son of man, to speak of the Lamb to the crowds; but that in the heart of the Lamb, John is the first, because he is dearer than any other man to the Lamb. That is what he meant. But when you see the Baptist — You will see him again, and you will serve him again until the predetermined hour — tell him that he is not the last in Christ’s heart. Not so much because of the blood, as on account of his holiness, he is loved as much as John. And remember that. If the saint in his humbleness proclaims himself “last”, the Word of God proclaims him equal to the disciple who is dear to Me. Tell him that I love this disciple because he has the same name and because I find in him the signs of the Baptist, who prepares the souls for Christ.»

«We will tell him… But shall we see him again?»

«Yes, you will.» (...)

[Jesus discusses with the Shepherds the fact that John is in prison and that a certain amount of money is needed to free him. It is decided that Judas will sell Aglaé’s jewelry. When Judas Iscariot leaves, the Master continues, addressing the Shepherds:]

«I would like to see you happy» says Jesus.

«You will always make us happy, Master. May God bless You for it. Is that man a friend of Yours?»

«Yes, he is. Do you think he should not be?»

The shepherd John lowers his head, and keeps silent. Simon, the disciple, speaks: «Only who is good, can see. I am not good, and therefore I do not see what Bounty sees. I see the exterior. He who is good penetrates into the interior too. You, John, see as I do. But the Master is good… and sees…»

GRM 81.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«And do you know this man?» and He points to John.

«We saw him with the other Galileans in the crowds that were most faithful to the Baptist. And, if we are not mistaken, you are the one whose name is John, and of whom he used to say to us, his closest disciples: “Here: I am the first, he is the last. And then: he will be the first and I the last”. But we never understood what he meant.»

Jesus turns round to His left side where John is and He draws him against His heart and with a most kind smile He explains: «He meant that he was the first to say: “Here is the Lamb” and that John here will be the last of the friends of the Son of man, to speak of the Lamb to the crowds; but that in the heart of the Lamb, John is the first, because he is dearer than any other man to the Lamb. That is what he meant. But when you see the Baptist — You will see him again, and you will serve him again until the predetermined hour — tell him that he is not the last in Christ’s heart. Not so much because of the blood, as on account of his holiness, he is loved as much as John. And remember that. If the saint in his humbleness proclaims himself “last”, the Word of God proclaims him equal to the disciple who is dear to Me. Tell him that I love this disciple because he has the same name and because I find in him the signs of the Baptist, who prepares the souls for Christ.»

«We will tell him… But shall we see him again?»

«Yes, you will.»

Detail

Jesus is talking with some shepherds from Bethlehem, who are disciples of John the Baptist.

GRM 81.5-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

81.5 «Judas, you said that those jewels are beautiful.»

«Yes, beautiful and valuable.»

«How much will they be worth? I think you are an expert.»

«Yes, I am a good judge. Why do You want to know how much they are worth, Master? Do You want to sell them? Why?»

«Perhaps… Tell Me: how much will they be worth?»

«At least six talents, if they are sold well.»

«Are you sure?»

«Yes, Master. The necklace by itself, so big and heavy, of the purest gold, is worth at least three talents. I have examined it carefully. And also the bracelets… I don’t know how Aglae’s thin wrists could hold them.»

«They were her shackles, Judas.»

«That’s true, Master… But so many would like to have such beautiful shackles!»

«Do you think so? Who?»

«Well… many people!»

«Yes, many who are human beings only by name… And do you know a possible buyer?»

«So, do You want to sell them? And is it for the Baptist? But look, it’s cursed gold!»

«Oh! Human inconsistency! You have just said with evident desire, that many people would love to have that gold, and then you say it is cursed?! Judas, Judas!… It is cursed indeed. But she said: “It will be sanctified if it is cursed for poor and holy people” and that is why she relinquished it, whoever benefits from it may pray for her poor soul which like the embryo of a future butterfly swells in the seed of her heart. Who is holier and poorer than the Baptist? He is equal to Elijah in his mission but greater than Elijah in holiness. He is poorer than I am. I have a Mother and a home… And when one has such things, and pure and holy as I have, one is never forlorn. He no longer has a home, and he has not even got the tomb of his mother. Everything has been violated and desecrated by human iniquity.

81.6 So who is the buyer?»

«There is one in Jericho and there are many in Jerusalem. But the one in Jericho!!! He is a shrewd Levantine gold-beater, a usurer, a middleman, a pander, he is certainly a thief, probably a killer, he is definitely persecuted by Rome. He has changed his name to Isaac, to be considered a Hebrew… But his real name is Diomedes. I know him very well…»

«Yes, we see that!» intervenes Simon Zealot, who speaks little, but notices everything. And he asks: «How come you know him so well?»

«Well,… you know… In order to please certain mighty friends. I went to see him… and did some business… You know… we of the Temple…»

«I know… you do all sorts of jobs» Simon ends with cold irony. Judas flares up, but keeps silent.

«Will he buy?» asks Jesus.

«I think so. He has plenty money. Of course, one must be skilful in selling because the Greek is shrewd and if he realizes he is dealing with an honest person, with a nestling dove, he plucks him mercilessly. But if he has to deal with a vulture like himself…»

«You ought to go, Judas. You are the right man. You are as sly as a fox and as raptorial as a vulture. Oh! Forgive me, Master. I spoke before You!» says Simon Zealot again.

«I am of the same opinion, and I will therefore tell Judas to go. John, you will go with him. We will meet again at sunset, and the meeting place will be the market square. Go. And do your best.»

Judas gets up at once. John’s eyes are imploring like a chastened puppy’s. But Jesus is speaking to the shepherds and does not notice John’s imploring look. And John sets out behind Judas.

Detail

Jesus speaks with the shepherds of Bethlehem about John the Baptist. He could be released in exchange for money. However, they have Aglaé’s jewelry, and Judas can sell it to a man named Diomedes.

GRM 81.6-7

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«So who is the buyer?»

«There is one in Jericho and there are many in Jerusalem. But the one in Jericho!!! He is a shrewd Levantine gold-beater, a usurer, a middleman, a pander, he is certainly a thief, probably a killer, he is definitely persecuted by Rome. He has changed his name to Isaac, to be considered a Hebrew… But his real name is Diomedes. I know him very well…»

«Yes, we see that!» intervenes Simon Zealot, who speaks little, but notices everything. And he asks: «How come you know him so well?»

«Well,… you know… In order to please certain mighty friends. I went to see him… and did some business… You know… we of the Temple…»

«I know… you do all sorts of jobs» Simon ends with cold irony. Judas flares up, but keeps silent.

«Will he buy?» asks Jesus.

«I think so. He has plenty money. Of course, one must be skilful in selling because the Greek is shrewd and if he realizes he is dealing with an honest person, with a nestling dove, he plucks him mercilessly. But if he has to deal with a vulture like himself…»

«You ought to go, Judas. You are the right man. You are as sly as a fox and as raptorial as a vulture. Oh! Forgive me, Master. I spoke before You!» says Simon Zealot again.

«I am of the same opinion, and I will therefore tell Judas to go. John, you will go with him. We will meet again at sunset, and the meeting place will be the market square. Go. And do your best.»

Judas gets up at once. John’s eyes are imploring like a chastened puppy’s. But Jesus is speaking to the shepherds and does not notice John’s imploring look. And John sets out behind Judas.

81.7 «I would like to see you happy» says Jesus.

«You will always make us happy, Master. May God bless You for it. Is that man a friend of Yours?»

«Yes, he is. Do you think he should not be?»

The shepherd John lowers his head, and keeps silent. Simon, the disciple, speaks: «Only who is good, can see. I am not good, and therefore I do not see what Bounty sees. I see the exterior. He who is good penetrates into the interior too. You, John, see as I do. But the Master is good… and sees…»

«What do you see in Judas, Simon? I want you to tell Me.»

«Well, when I look at him, I think of certain mysterious places which look like dens of wild beasts and malarial ponds. Only a huge tangle can be seen and one is frightened and keeps clear… Instead… behind it there are turtle-doves and nightingales and the soil is rich in healthy waters and beneficial herbs. I want to believe that Judas is like that… I think he must be, because You chose him. And You know…»

«Yes, I know… There are many flaws in the heart of that man… But he has some good points. You saw that yourself in Bethlehem and in Kerioth. And his good points which are humanly good are to be raised to a spiritual goodness. Judas will then be as you would like him to be. He is young…»

«Also John is young…»

«And in your heart, you conclude that he is better. But John is John! Love poor Judas, Simon, I beg you. If you love him,… he will appear to be better.»

«I endeavour to love him, for Your sake. But he breaks all my efforts as if they were water canes… But, Master, there is only one law for me: to do what You want. I will therefore love Judas, although something within me shouts against him and towards myself.»

«What, Simon?»

«I do not know exactly what it is: something that resembles the cry of the night watchman… and says to me: “Do not sleep! Watch!” I do not know. That something has no name. But it is here… in me, against him.»

«Forget about it, Simon. Do not worry about giving it a definition. It is better not to know certain truths… and you might be mistaken. Leave it to your Master. Give Me your love, and you can be sure that it makes Me happy…»

Detail

Jesus asks Judas who the buyer is who might be able to purchase Aglaë’s jewelry. Simon then intervenes, and when Judas leaves with John, the Zealot speaks with the Master of Iscariot. They also mention John the son of Zebedee.

GRM 81.7

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

81.7 «I would like to see you happy» says Jesus.

«You will always make us happy, Master. May God bless You for it. Is that man a friend of Yours?»

«Yes, he is. Do you think he should not be?»

The shepherd John lowers his head, and keeps silent. Simon, the disciple, speaks: «Only who is good, can see. I am not good, and therefore I do not see what Bounty sees. I see the exterior. He who is good penetrates into the interior too. You, John, see as I do. But the Master is good… and sees…»

«What do you see in Judas, Simon? I want you to tell Me.»

«Well, when I look at him, I think of certain mysterious places which look like dens of wild beasts and malarial ponds. Only a huge tangle can be seen and one is frightened and keeps clear… Instead… behind it there are turtle-doves and nightingales and the soil is rich in healthy waters and beneficial herbs. I want to believe that Judas is like that… I think he must be, because You chose him. And You know…»

«Yes, I know… There are many flaws in the heart of that man… But he has some good points. You saw that yourself in Bethlehem and in Kerioth. And his good points which are humanly good are to be raised to a spiritual goodness. Judas will then be as you would like him to be. He is young…»

«Also John is young…»

«And in your heart, you conclude that he is better. But John is John! Love poor Judas, Simon, I beg you. If you love him,… he will appear to be better.»

«I endeavour to love him, for Your sake. But he breaks all my efforts as if they were water canes… But, Master, there is only one law for me: to do what You want. I will therefore love Judas, although something within me shouts against him and towards myself.»

«What, Simon?»

«I do not know exactly what it is: something that resembles the cry of the night watchman… and says to me: “Do not sleep! Watch!” I do not know. That something has no name. But it is here… in me, against him.»

«Forget about it, Simon. Do not worry about giving it a definition. It is better not to know certain truths… and you might be mistaken. Leave it to your Master. Give Me your love, and you can be sure that it makes Me happy…»

Detail

Jesus speaks to the shepherds of Bethlehem.

GRM 82

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus is in Jericho. He teaches children to be kind to animals and not to be unkind to them. Next, Judas returns with John from his meeting with Diomedes, the buyer of Aglaia's jewels. He tells of his ruse, how he made John look like a young fiancé, how he made him believe he wanted to buy jewelry similar to Aglaia's so that the merchant would give his price. Then he told her he didn't want to buy, but to sell, and he managed to get twelve talents, which is considerable. But the apostle lied... Jesus warned him not to do it again, and gave all the money to John the Baptist's disciples.