Notes for this theme
Reading comfort
GRM 200.2 · Volume 3
«Son, Susanna has arrived in Jerusalem with her family and she brought Aglae here at once. Do You wish to listen to her while we are alone?»
«Yes, Mother. At once. And do not let anyone come up until it is all over. I hope to deal with her before the others come back. But please watch that there is no indiscreet curiosity… in no one… particularly with regards to Judas of Simon.»
«I will watch carefully…»
GRM 200.4 · Volume 3
«Will I have the strength to destroy my guilty flesh?»
«In your solitude where Satan will attack you with livid violence the more you become worthy of Heaven, you will find an apostle of Mine, once a sinner and later redeemed.»
«Not the blessed apostle who spoke to me of You? He could not have been a sinner because he is too honest.»
«Not that one. Another one. He will reach you at the right moment. He will tell you what you cannot know just now. Go in peace. The blessing of God be with you.»
Aglaé isolates herself from the rest of the world and questions Christ.
You'll find one of my apostles, once a sinner, then redeemed. Probably Matthew.
So that's not the blessed apostle who was telling me about you? André.
GRM 200.6 · Volume 3
Some time goes by, then I hear the voices of the apostles, who have come back… Andrew goes upstairs: «Master, do You want me?»
«Yes, come here. No one will know, but it is only fair that I should tell you. Andrew, thank you in the name of God and of a soul.»
«Thanks? For what?»
«Can you not smell this perfume? It is a souvenir of the Veiled woman. She came. She is saved.»
Andrew turns as red as a cherry, he falls on his knees, and cannot find words… At last he says: «Now I am happy. Blessed be the Lord!»
«Yes, get up. Do not tell the others that she came.»
«I will be quiet, my Lord.»
«You may go. Listen: has Judas of Simon come yet?»
«Yes, he wanted to come with us, telling us… a lot of lies. Why does he do that, Lord?»
«Because he is a spoiled boy. Tell Me the truth: have you quarrelled?»
«No, My brother is too happy with his boy to be anxious to quarrel, and the others, You know… are more prudent. It is true, we are all disgusted, in our hearts. But after supper he is going away… Other friends… he says. Oh! and he despises prostitutes!…»
«Be good, Andrew. You must be happy, too, this evening…»
«Yes, Master. I also have a sweet, although invisible, paternity. I am going.»
I, too, have my invisible, but sweet paternity. I'm off. Reference to Peter's paternity towards Marziam. Jesus granted him to be his adoptive father in EMV 199.
GRM 200.7 · Volume 3
After some time the apostles come upstairs in a group with the boy and John of Endor. The women follow them with dishes and lamps. The last to come are Lazarus and Simon.
GRM 200.7 · Volume 3
After some time the apostles come upstairs in a group with the boy and John of Endor. The women follow them with dishes and lamps. The last to come are Lazarus and Simon. As soon as they enter the room, they exclaim: «Ah! it was coming from here!!!» and they smell the air saturated with the scent of roses, although the doors are wide open.
«But who scented this room thus? Perhaps Martha?» many of them ask.
«My sister has not left the house, today, after our meal» replies Lazarus.
«Who then? An Assyrian Satrap?» asks Peter facetiously.
«The love of a redeemed woman» Jesus says gravely.
«She might have spared this useless exhibition of redemption and given the poor what she spent. There are so many of them, and they know that we always give. I have not even a small coin left» says the Iscariot angrily. «And we have to buy a lamb, rent a room for the Supper and…»
«But I offered you everything…» says Lazarus.
«That is not fair. The rite loses its beauty. The Law says: “You shall take a lamb for you and your household”. It does not say: “You shall accept a lamb”.»
Bartholomew turns around all of a sudden, he opens his mouth, but closes it at once. Peter turns crimson in the effort to keep quiet. But the Zealot, who is in his own house, feels he can speak and says: «Those are rabbinical quibbles… May I ask you to forget about them and have, instead, respect for my friend Lazarus.»
«Well done, Simon.» Peter will burst if he does not speak. «Very good! I also think that we are forgetting too much that only the Master is entitled to teach…» Peter has to make an heroic effort to say: «we are forgetting» instead of saying: «Judas is forgetting.»
«It is true… but… I am nervous… I am sorry, Master.»
«Yes. And I also will reply to you. Gratitude is a great virtue. I am grateful to Lazarus. As that redeemed woman was grateful to Me. I pour on Lazarus the perfume of My blessing, also on behalf of those, among My apostles, who are not capable of doing so, I, the head of you all. The woman poured at My feet the perfume of her joy for being saved. She acknowledged the King, she came to the King, before many others upon whom the King bestowed much more love than upon her. Let her do as she wishes without criticising her. She will not be able to be present at My acclamation, or at My unction. Her cross is already upon her shoulders. Peter, you asked whether an Assyrian Satrap had come here. I solemnly tell you that not even the incense of the Magi, so pure and precious, was sweeter or more precious than this. Its essence was mixed with tears and that is why it is so intense: humbleness supports love and makes it perfect. Let us sit down to our meal, My friends…»
And with the offering of the food, the vision ends.
Aglaia presented herself to Jesus and spread perfume around the room as a sign of her conversion. When the apostles went upstairs, she had already left.
Book of Exodus 12, 3
Ex 12, 3: Speak to all the congregation of Israel, and say: On the tenth day of this month, let every man take a lamb for every family, a lamb for every house
GRM 201.1 · Volume 3
It must be Wednesday morning because the group of apostles and women, preceded by Jesus and Mary with the boy between them, is approaching the Gate of the Fish. Joseph of Arimathea, who went to meet them as he had promised, is also there. Jesus looks for Alexander, the soldier, but does not see him.
«He is not here today either… I wonder why…»
The crowd is so large that it is quite impossible to inquire of the soldiers, and in any case it might not be wise to do so, as the Jews are more intolerant than ever before festivities; they are also upset because of the capture of the Baptist and they accuse Pilate and his satellites of being accomplices. I realise that the situation is such because of the epithets that are exchanged during squabbles between soldiers and citizens at the Gate, where picturesque… rude insults crack every moment like fireworks.
The women from Galilee are scandalised and they wrap themselves closer in their mantles and veils. Mary blushes, but proceeds without hesitation, as straight as a palm tree, looking at Her Son, Who does not even attempt to make the over-excited Jews see reason or induce the soldiers to be merciful towards the Israelites. And as some rather unpleasant epithet is addressed to the Galilean group, Joseph of Arimathea moves forward towards Jesus and is recognised by the crowd who become silent out of respect for him.
At last the Gate of the Fish is behind them, and the great crowd of people, pouring into the town in waves, rushes along the streets, along with donkeys and herds…
GRM 201.2-3 · Volume 3
«Master, we are here!» shouts Thomas, who is on the other side of the Gate with Philip and Bartholomew.
«Is Judas not here?», «Why are you here?» ask many.
«No. We came here at daybreak, because we were afraid that You might come earlier. But we have not seen him. I met him yesterday, he was with Sadoc, the scribe, you know, Joseph? The old, very lean man, with a wart under his eye. And there were other people with him… young people. I shouted to him: “Hallo, Judas”. But he did not reply, pretending he did not know me. I said: “But what’s the matter with him?” and I followed him for a few yards. He left Sadoc, in whose company he looked like a Levite, and went with the other men of his own age… who were certainly not Levites… And now he is not here… And he knew that we had decided to come here!»
Philip does not say anything. Bartholomew tightens his lips so much that they can no longer be seen, in an effort to stifle his opinion, which is rising from his heart.
«Very well! Let us go just the same! I will certainly not weep because of his absence» says Peter.
«Let us wait for a little while. He may have been held up» says Jesus seriously.
They lean against the wall, on its shady side, the women in one group, the men in another.
They are all wearing their best clothes. Peter, especially, is really magnificent. He is showing off brand new snow-white headgear, adorned with a galloon embroidered in red and gold. He is wearing his best tunic, a very dark garnet-red, adorned with a new belt identical in style with the decoration of his headgear. A knife, like a dagger, with an engraved hilt and an open-work brass sheath, through which the blade shines, hangs from his belt. The others are also armed more or less in the same fashion. Only Jesus is without a weapon. He is wearing a pure white linen tunic and a fleur-de-lis blue mantle, which Mary has certainly woven for Him during the winter months. Marjiam’s dress is pale red with a festoon in a darker shade around the neck, cuffs and hem. A similar galloon is embroidered around the waist and the hem of the mantle, which the boy is carrying on his arm and caresses happily. Now and again he raises his head and his little face looks half smiling and half worried… Also Peter has a little parcel in his hand and he holds it very carefully.
201.3
Some time goes by… but there is no sign of Judas.
«He did not deign…» grumbles Peter, and perhaps he would say something else, but John, the apostle, says: «Perhaps he is waiting for us at the Golden Gate…»
They go to the Temple. But Judas is not there.
Joseph of Arimathea loses patience. He says: «Let us go.»
GRM 201.3-7 · Volume 3
«Let us go.»
«Marjiam turns rather pale and kisses Mary saying: «Pray… pray for me!»
«Yes, My dear. Do not be afraid. You are so clever…»
Marjiam then clings to Peter. He presses Peter’s hand nervously and as he still does not feel safe, he would like to take Jesus’ hand.
«I am not coming, Marjiam. I am going to pray for you. I will see you later.»
«You are not coming? Why, Master?» asks Peter who is greatly surprised.
«Because it is better thus…» Jesus is very serious, I would say that He looks sad. And He concludes: «Joseph, who is a just man, can but approve of My decision.»
In fact Joseph does not utter one word and his silence, with an eloquent sigh, confirms his agreement.
«Well, then… let us go… » Peter is somewhat distressed.
Marjiam then clings to John. And they set out, preceded by Joseph to whom people bow deeply showing their respect. Also Simon and Thomas go with them. The others remain with Jesus.
201.4
They enter the hall which Jesus also entered once. A young man, who is writing in a corner, springs to his feet on seeing Joseph and he bows so profoundly as almost to touch the floor.
«God be with you, Zacharias. Please call Asrael and Jacob at once.»
The young man goes out and comes back almost at once with two men who are rabbis, or members of the synagogue, or scribes, I do not know. Two sullen personages whose haughtiness subsides only in Joseph’s presence. Eight other less imposing men follow them. They sit down leaving the postulants, Joseph of Arimathea included, standing.
«What do you want, Joseph?» asks the senior examiner.
«I wish to present to your wisdom this son of Abraham who has reached the age prescribed to come under the Law and comply with it by himself.»
«Is he a relative of yours?» and they look at one another amazed.
«We are all relatives in God. But the boy is an orphan, and this man, whose honesty I guarantee, has adopted him as he does not wish to be without descendants.»
«Who is the man? Let him reply himself.»
«Simon of Jonas, from Bethsaida in Galilee, married with no children, a fisherman for the world, a son of the Law for the Most High.»
«And you, a Galilean, are taking this paternity upon yourself? Why?»
«It is written in the Law that we must take care of orphans and widows. That is what I am doing.»
«Can he possibly know the Law so well as to deserve to… But, boy, tell me. Who are you?»
«Jabez Marjiam of John, from the country near Emmaus, I was born twelve years ago.»
«So you are a Judaean. Is it lawful for a Galilean to take care of him? Let us look up the laws.»
«But what am I? A leper or am I cursed?» Peter begins to boil with anger.
«Be quiet, Simon, I will speak for him. I told you that I am standing surety for this man. I know him as if he were of my own household. Joseph the Elder would never propose anything against the Law or the laws. Please examine this child with justice and dispatch. The yard is full of children waiting to be examined. Please make haste, for everybody’s sake.»
«But who can prove that the child is twelve years old and was redeemed from the Temple?»
«You can prove it looking up the documents. It is a piece of boring research, but can be done. Boy, did you tell me that you were the first-born?»
«Yes, sir. You will be able to see that, because I was consecrated to the Lord and redeemed with the prescribed offerings.»
«Let us look for these details then…» says Joseph.
«It is not necessary» reply coldly the two captious examiners.
201.5
«Come here, child. Say the Decalogue» and the boy replies without any hesitation. «Give me that roll, Jacob. Read, if you can.»
«Where, rabbi?»
«Wherever you wish. What comes first under your eyes» says Asrael.
«No. Here. Give it to me» says Jacob. He then unfolds the roll and says: «Here.»
« “He then said to them secretly: ‘Bless the Lord of Heaven, utter His praise before all the living, because He has been merciful with you. It is right to keep the secret of a king, but it is also right to reveal… ‘ “.»
«That is enough, quite enough! What are these?» asks Jacob, showing the fringes of his mantle.
«The sacred fringes, sir: we wear them to remember the precepts of the Most High Lord.»
«Is it lawful for an Israelite to eat any meat?..» asks Asrael.
«No, sir. Only the ones which are declared clean.»
«Tell me the precepts…»
And the docile child begins the string of: «You shall not…»
«That is enough! As a Galilean, he knows even too much. Man, it is for you now to swear that the boy is of age.»
Peter, with the best grace of which he is still capable after so much rudeness, delivers his paternal speech: «As you have ascertained, my son, at the prescribed age, knows how to conduct himself, as he knows the Law, the precepts, habits, traditions, ceremonies, blessings, prayers. Therefore, as you have verified, both he and I can ask you to declare him of age. In actual fact, I should have stated that before; but the custom has been infringed here, and not by us Galileans, and the child was questioned before the father. But I say this to you: since you have judged him competent, from this moment I am no longer responsible for his actions, neither in the eyes of God nor of men.»
«Pass into the synagogue.»
The little procession passes into the synagogue, followed by the sullen looks of the rabbis, whom Peter has put in their place. While Marjiam is standing in front of the lecterns and lamps, they cut his hair, shortening it so that it covers his ears, whereas before it reached down to his shoulders. Peter then opens his little parcel and takes out of it a beautiful red woollen belt embroidered in gold-yellow and ties it around the boy’s waist, and while the priests are tying little leather strips on his forehead and arm, Peter is busy fixing the sacred fringes on to the mantle which Marjiam has handed over to him. And Peter is deeply moved when he intones the hymn praising the Lord!…
201.6
The ceremony is over. They slip out quickly and Peter says: «Thank goodness! I could not stand it any longer! What do you think, Joseph? They did not even fulfil the rite. It does not matter. You, my son, have Who will consecrate you… Let us go and get the lamb for the sacrifice of praise to the Lord. A little lamb, as dear as you are. And I thank you, Joseph! Say “thanks” to this great friend. If you had not been there, they would have thoroughly abused us.»
«Simon, I am glad I have been useful to a just man like you, and I beg you to come to my house in Bezetha for dinner. Of course, you will bring all the others.»
«Let us go and tell the Master. For me… it is too great an honour!» says Peter humbly, but he is beaming with joy.
They go through the yards and the halls once again to the yard of the women, where Marjiam’s friends congratulate him. The men then go into the hall of the Israelites where Jesus is present with His disciples. They all join together in a dignified happy union, and while Peter goes to sacrifice the lamb, they all proceed through porches and yards to the first enclosure.
201.7
How happy is Peter with his boy, who is now a perfect Israelite! He is so happy that he does not notice the wrinkle that furrows Jesus’ forehead. So happy that he does not notice the rather oppressive silence of his companions. It is only in the hall of Joseph’s house – when the boy, who is asked the ritual question as to what he wants to do in future, replies: «I will be a fisherman like my father» – that Peter, weeping, remembers and understands…
«But… Judas has spoiled our feast with a drop of poison… And You are upset, Master… and that is why the others are sad. Forgive me if I did not notice it before… Ah! Judas!…»
I think that everybody’s heart is sighing like Peter’s. But Jesus, to remove the poison, strives to smile and says: «Do not worry, Simon. We miss only your wife… I was also thinking of her; she is so good and is always sacrificed. But she will soon have her joy, unexpected but so welcome. Let us think of the good that is in the world. Come. So Marjiam answered all the questions correctly? I knew he would…»
Joseph comes back into the hall after giving instructions to his servants. «I thank you all» he says «for making me feel young again with this ceremony and for the honour of having in my house the Master, His Mother, His relatives and you all, my dear fellow disciples. Come into the garden. It is cool and the flowers…» and it all ends.
GRM 201.7 · Volume 3
How happy is Peter with his boy, who is now a perfect Israelite! He is so happy that he does not notice the wrinkle that furrows Jesus’ forehead. So happy that he does not notice the rather oppressive silence of his companions. It is only in the hall of Joseph’s house – when the boy, who is asked the ritual question as to what he wants to do in future, replies: «I will be a fisherman like my father» – that Peter, weeping, remembers and understands…
«But… Judas has spoiled our feast with a drop of poison… And You are upset, Master… and that is why the others are sad. Forgive me if I did not notice it before… Ah! Judas!…»
I think that everybody’s heart is sighing like Peter’s. But Jesus, to remove the poison, strives to smile and says: «Do not worry, Simon. We miss only your wife… I was also thinking of her; she is so good and is always sacrificed. But she will soon have her joy, unexpected but so welcome. Let us think of the good that is in the world. Come. So Marjiam answered all the questions correctly? I knew he would…»
Joseph comes back into the hall after giving instructions to his servants. «I thank you all» he says «for making me feel young again with this ceremony and for the honour of having in my house the Master, His Mother, His relatives and you all, my dear fellow disciples. Come into the garden. It is cool and the flowers…» and it all ends.
Marziam has just passed her majority exam.
GRM 202.1-4 · Volume 3
It is the eve of Passover. Jesus is alone with His apostles, because the women have not joined the group, and He is waiting for Peter, who has taken the lamb of Passover to be sacrificed. While they are waiting and Jesus is speaking to Marjiam of Solomon, Judas crosses the large yard. He is with a group of young men speaking, gesticulating ostentatiously and assuming an inspired attitude. He shakes his mantle continuously, then drapes it round himself posing skilfully. I do not think that Cicero looked so stately when delivering his orations…
«Look, Judas is over there!» says Thaddeus.
«He is with a group of saforim» remarks Philip.
And Thomas says: «I am going to hear what he is saying» and he runs away before Jesus may express a foreseeable «don’t».
Oh! Jesus’ countenance! A countenance of suffering and of severe judgement. Marjiam, who was looking at Him while He was speaking kindly and somewhat sadly of the great king of Israel, notices, the sudden change, is almost frightened by it and shakes Jesus’ hand to call Him back to His senses exclaiming: «Don’t look! Don’t look! Look at me, for I love You.»…
202.2
Thomas is successful in reaching Judas without being seen by him and follows him for a few steps. I do not know what he hears, but I know that he bursts into a sudden thundering exclamation. which causes many people to turn around, and in particular Judas, who becomes livid with rage: «How many rabbis there are in Israel! I congratulate you, new light of wisdom!»
«I am not a flint-stone. I am a sponge. And I absorb. And when the desire of those starving for wisdom demands it, I squeeze out all my juices of life to give them…» Judas is pompous and contemptuous.
«You sound like a perfect echo. But an echo can only exist, if it is near the Voice. Otherwise it fades away, my friend. You seem to be going away from it. He is over there. Are you not coming?»
Judas changes colour, with the rancorous disgusting countenance of his worst moments. But he controls himself. He says: «Goodbye, my friends. Here I am with you, Thomas, my dear friend. Let us go to the Master at once. I did not know that He was here in the Temple. If I had known, I would have looked for Him» and he clasps Thomas’ shoulders with his arm, as if he were very fond of him.
But Thomas, who is placid but not foolish, is not deceived by such protestations… and asks rather astutely: «What? Don’t you know that it is Passover? And do you think that the Master is not faithful to the Law?»
«Oh! Never on your life! But last year He went about, and spoke… I remember this very day. He attracted me by means of His royal authoritativeness… Now… He looks to me like one who has lost vigour. Don’t you think so?»
«No, I don’t. I think He looks like one who has lost esteem.»
«Yes, in His mission, you are quite right.»
«No. You have misunderstood. He has lost men’s esteem. And you are one of those responsible for that. Shame on you!» Thomas no longer smiles. He is serious and his words lash Judas like a whip.
«Watch how you speak!» threatens the Iscariot.
«Watch how you behave. We are two Jews here, with no witnesses. And that is why I am speaking to you. And I say once again: “Shame on you!”. And now be quiet. Don’t feign tragedy and don’t start lamenting, otherwise I will speak in front of everybody.
202.3
There is the Master and your companions. Control yourself.»
«Peace to You, Master…»
«Peace to you, Judas of Simon.»
«It is a great pleasure for me to find You here… I would like to speak to You…»
«Do so.»
«You know… I wanted to tell You… Can You not listen to me aside?»
«You are among your companions.»
«But I wanted You only.»
«At Bethany I am alone with those who want Me and look for Me, but you do not look for Me. You avoid Me…»
«No, Master. You cannot say that.»
«Why did you offend Simon and Me yesterday, and Joseph of Arimathea, your companions and My Mother and the other women as well?»
«I did? But I did not see you!»
«You did not want to see us. Why did you not come, as we had arranged, to bless the Lord because of an innocent child who was being accepted by the Law? Tell Me! You did not even feel the need to inform us that you were not coming.»
«There is my father!» shouts Marjiam who sees Peter coming back with his lamb, which has been slaughtered, eviscerated and wrapped once again in its skin. «Oh! Micah and the others are with him! I am going, can I go and meet them and hear of my old father?»
«Yes, son, go» says Jesus caressing him. And touching John of Endor on his shoulder, he says to him: «Please, go with him and… keep them there for a little while.» And He addresses Judas once again: «Tell Me! I am waiting for your reply.»
«Master… a sudden obligation… an unbreakable one… I was very sorry… But…»
«But was there not one person in Jerusalem who could bring your justification, supposing you had one? And even that would have been a fault. I remind you that recently a man did not bury his father to follow Me, and that these brothers of Mine left their father’s house, amongst imprecations, to follow Me, and that Simon and Thomas, and Andrew, James, John, Philip and Nathanael with them, left their families and Simon Cananean left his wealth to give it to Me and Matthew his sins to follow Me. And I could go on mentioning one hundred more names. There are people who leave their lives, their very lives, to follow Me to the Kingdom of Heaven. But since you are so selfish, at least be polite. You have no charity, at least be courtly. Since you like them, imitate the false Pharisees who betray Me, who betray us behaving like well-bred people. It was your duty to be free to be with us yesterday, so as not to offend Peter, for whom I demand respect from everybody. But if you had at least sent notice…»
«I made a mistake.
202.4
But now I was coming to You on purpose, to tell You that for the same reason I cannot come tomorrow. You know… I have friends of my father and…»
«That is enough. Go with them. Goodbye.»
«Master… are You angry with me? You told me that You would act as my father… I am a reckless son, but a father forgives…»
«I forgive you. But go away. Do not keep your father’s friends waiting, as I do not keep waiting the friends of holy Jonah .»
«When are You leaving Bethany?»
«At the end of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Goodbye.»
Jesus turns around and goes towards the peasants who are in an ecstasy over Marjiam who is so changed. He takes a few steps then stops because of Thomas’ remark: «By Jehovah! He wanted to see in You the authoritativeness of a King! He got what he wanted!…»
«I beg you all to forget the incident, as I am striving to forget it. I order you to make no mention of it to Simon of Jonah, John of Endor and the little one. For reasons which you can easily understand, it is better not to grieve or scandalise those three. And no word about it at Bethany, with the women. My Mother is there, do not forget it.»
«Do not be concerned, Master.»
«We will do all we can to make amends.»
«And to comfort You» they all say.
«Thank you…»
Jesus tells the child about Solomon: It's probably King Solomon.
He is with a group of saforim. Saforim (sopherîms): scribes.
I won't keep the friends of the holy Jonah waiting any longer. Jonah of Esdrelon.
By Jéovêh! He wanted to see you with your royal violence! Geovà in the original text. See the pronunciation of the divine name.