Notes for this keyword

Marie Salomé (mother of James and John of Zebedee)

Theme: Family and kinship of the twelve apostles · Page 2 of 4

Reading comfort

GRM 164.1-2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Translation in progress

Keywords

GRM 194.2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

They are now climbing a very steep hill, because they have left the dusty crowded main road and have taken this short cut through woods. And when they reach the summit, they can distinctly see in the distance a huge bright light shining above an agglomeration, perhaps whitewashed houses.
«Jabez» calls Jesus «come here. Can you see that golden spot? It is the House of the Lord. There you will swear to obey the Law. But do you know it well?»
«My mother used to speak to me about it and my father taught me the precepts. I can read… and… and I think I know what “they” told me before they died…» The boy, who had come smiling when Jesus called him, is now weeping with his head lowered and his trembling hand in Jesus’ hand.
«Do not weep. Listen. Do you know where we are? This is Bethel. Holy Jacob dreamt of the angels here. Do you know? Do you remember?»
«Yes, Lord. He saw a ladder that from the earth reached up to Heaven and the angels went up and down, and my mother used to say that when one dies, if one has always been good, one sees the same thing and goes up that ladder to the House of God. My mother used to tell me many things… But now she does not tell me anymore… I have them all in here and that is all I have of hers…» Tears stream down his little sad face.
«Do not weep like that! Listen, Jabez. I also have a Mother and Her name is Mary and She is holy and good and can tell many things. She is wiser than a teacher and more gentle and beautiful than an angel. We are going to see Her now. She will love you so much. And She will tell you many things. And then John’s mother is with her and she is very good, too, and her name is Mary. And there is the mother of my brother Judas, and she is as sweet as a honey cake and her name is Mary, too. They will love you so much. Because you are a clever boy and for My sake, because I love you so much. And you will grow up with them and when you are big, you will be a holy man of God, like a doctor you will preach Jesus Who has given you a new mother here and Who will open the gates of Heaven to your dead mother and to your father, and will open them also to you when your hour comes. You will not even need to climb the long ladder of Heaven when you die. You will have climbed it during your lifetime, being a good disciple, and you will find yourself up there, at the gate of Paradise, and I will be there and I will say to you: “Come, My friend and son of Mary” and we shall be together.» Jesus’ bright smile, while walking slightly bent to be closer to the raised face of the child who is walking beside Him with his hand held by Jesus, and the wonderful story wipe his tears and make him smile.

Annotation

Book of Genesis 28, 10-19

Gen 28, 10-19 : Jacob left Bersabee and went to Haran. He came to a place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones and made it his bedside table, and lay down there. And he had a dream: and behold, a ladder was set upon the earth, and the top of it touched heaven; and behold, upon it angels of God ascended and descended, and at the top stood Yahweh. He said: "I am Yahweh, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. This land on which you lie, I will give it to you and your descendants. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth; you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south, and all the families of the earth will be blessed in you and in your descendants. Behold, I am with you, and I will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have told you. "

Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it! "Seized with fear, he added: "How dreadful this place is! This is indeed the house of God, this is the gateway to heaven. "Arising early in the morning, Jacob took the stone from which he had made his bedside, set it up as a monument and poured oil on its top. He named the place Bethel, but the original name of the town was Luz.

Keywords

GRM 197.4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Oh! Master! Give me Your blessing!»
«Peace to you, Joseph. I am happy to see you and I am glad that you are in good health.»
«I am happy, too, Master, and also Your friends will be pleased to see You. Are You staying at Gethsemane?»
«I was there, but after the prayer I am going to Bethany.»
«To Lazarus’?»
«No, to Simon’s. My Mother, the mother of My brothers and the mother of John and James are also there. Will you come and see Me?»
«Are You asking me? I will come with great joy and it is a great honour, for which I thank You. I will come with some friends…»
«Be careful, Joseph, with friends!…» suggests Simon Zealot.
«Oh! You already know them. Prudence teaches: “Do not let the air know”. But when you see them you will understand that they are friends.»
«Well…»
«Master, Simon of Jonah was telling me about the ceremony for the little one. You arrived when I was asking when you intend having it. I want to be there, too.»
«On the Wednesday before Passover. I want him to keep Passover as a son of the Law.»
«Very good. That is settled. I will come and join you at Bethany. But I will come with my friends on Monday.»
«Agreed.»
«Master, I must leave You. Peace be with You. It is the hour of incense.»
«Goodbye, Joseph. Peace be with you.»

Detail

Jesus meets Joseph of Arimathea.

Keywords

GRM 198.1-10 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus is walking fast with His disciples towards Lazarus’ town, along a shady road which links the Mount of Olives to Bethany. One could say that the green ramifications of the mountain stretch as far as the countryside of Bethany. Jesus is recognised even before entering the town and voluntary messengers run in all directions to inform people of His arrival. Thus Lazarus and Maximinus arrive running from one side, Isaac with Timoneus and Joseph from another, and the third group to arrive is Martha with Marcella, who lifts her veil to bend down and kiss Jesus’ tunic. Immediately after Mary of Alphaeus and Mary Salome reach the spot, they greet the Master and then embrace their sons. Little Jabez, still held by the hand by Jesus, is tossed about by so much rushing and watches everything dumbfounded. John of Endor, feeling like a stranger, withdraws to the end of the group and stands aside. Suddenly, in the lane leading to Simon’s house, Jesus’ Mother comes forward.
Jesus drops Jabez’ hand and gently pushes His friends to one side to hasten towards Her. The well-known words resound in the air, like a solo of love above the whispering of the crowd: «Son!»; «Mother.» They kiss each other and in Mary’s kiss there is the anguish of a mother who has been afraid for a long time and now that the terror, which had seized her, is dissolving, she feels the tiredness of the effort she made and evaluates the risks He has run…
Jesus, Who understands, caresses Her saying: «Beside My angel I had Yours, Mother, watching over Me. No harm could have befallen Me.»
«May the Lord be praised for that. But I suffered so much!»
«I wanted to come sooner, but in order to obey You, I had to come a different way. But it was a good thing, because Your order, Mother, bore good fruit, as usual.»
«It was Your obedience, Son!»
«It was Your wise order, Mother… » They smile at each other like two lovers.
Is it possible that this Woman is the Mother of this Man? Where are the sixteen years of difference in age? The freshness and grace of Mary’s face and of Her virginal body make Her a sister of Her Son, Who is in the fullness of a handsome manliness.
«Are You not asking Me why it bore good fruit?» asks Jesus smiling all the time.
«I know that My Jesus conceals nothing from Me.»
«My dear Mother!» He kisses Her again…
People have kept away a few yards pretending not to be watching the scene. But I bet that there is not one of all the eyes that seem to be looking elsewhere that does not cast sidelong glances at the loving scene.
198.2
The one who is most keen in watching is Jabez, whom Jesus left when He ran to embrace His Mother, and who has been left all alone, because owing to the quick succession of questions and answers, everybody’s attention was diverted from the poor boy… He looks, then bends his head, endeavours to restrain his tears… but he cannot and bursts out weeping, moaning: «Mummy! Mummy!»
Everybody turns around, Jesus and Mary are the first, and everybody endeavours to help or find out who the boy is. Mary of Alphaeus rushes towards him with Peter – they were together – and they both ask: «Why are you crying?»
But before Jabez can catch his breath and speak while shedding so many tears, Mary has run towards him and taken him in Her arms saying: «Yes, my little child, your Mother! Do not cry anymore… and excuse Me if I did not see you before. My friends, here is My little son…» It is obvious that Jesus, in the few seconds approaching the boy, must have said to Her: «He is a little orphan brought with Me.» Mary realised the rest.
The boy is still weeping, but not so disconsolately, and as Mary is holding him in Her arms and kissing him, he ends up by smiling while his face is still wet with tears.
«Let me dry those tears of yours. You must not cry any more! Give Me a kiss…» Jabez was expecting nothing but that and after being caressed by bearded men, he is overjoyed in kissing Mary’s smooth cheek.
198.3
3Jesus has been looking for John of Endor and when He sees him, He goes to get him in his remote corner. And while all the apostles are greeting Mary, Jesus comes towards Her, holding John of Endor by the hand and He says: «This is the other disciple, Mother. Your command gained these two sons for You.»
«It was Your obedience, Son» repeats Mary and She greets the man saying: «Peace to you.»
The man, the coarse restless man of Endor, who has changed so much since that morning when Judas’ whim took Jesus to Endor, completely divests himself of his past while bowing to Mary. I think it is so, because his face, after bowing, looks really serene and truly «at peace».
198.4
They all set out towards Simon’s house: Mary with Jabez in Her arms, Jesus holding John of Endor by the hand, and then, around them and behind them, Lazarus and Martha, the apostles with Maximinus, Isaac, Joseph, and Timoneus.
They enter the house on the threshold of which Simon’s old servant greets Jesus and his master with deep respect.
«Peace to you, Joseph, and to this house» says Jesus, lifting His hand to bless after laying it on the old servant’s white head.
Lazarus and Martha, after their first expression of joy, are somewhat sad and Jesus asks them: «Why, My friends?»
«Because You are not staying with us and because everybody comes to You except the soul that we would like to be Yours.»
«Fortify your patience, your hope and your prayers. After all, I am with you. This house!… This house is but the nest from which the Son of man will fly every day to His dear friends, so close in space, but if we consider the situation in a supernatural way, infinitely closer in love. You are in My heart and I am in yours. Can we be closer than that? But we will be together this evening. Please sit at My table.»
«Oh! Poor me! And I am idling about! Come, Salome, there is a lot to be done!» The exclamation of Mary of Alphaeus makes everybody laugh while Jesus’ good relative gets up immediately to her work.
Martha joins her: «Don’t worry about the food, Mary. I will go and give the necessary instructions. Just lay the table. I will send you enough chairs and what is necessary. Come, Marcella. I will be back at once, Master.»
198.5
«I saw Joseph of Arimathea, Lazarus. He is coming here on Monday with some friends.»
«Oh! Well, You are my guest on that day!»
«Yes. He is coming to spend the day with us, but also to arrange a ceremony concerning Jabez. John: take the boy up to the terrace. He will enjoy himself there.»
John of Zebedee, who is always obedient, gets up at once and shortly afterwards the boy can be heard chattering and running about on the terrace that surrounds the house.
«The child» Jesus explains to His Mother, His friends, the women among whom there is also Martha, who has rushed back so that she would not miss one moment of joy near the Master, «is the grandson of one of Doras’ peasants. I passed through Esdraelon…»
«Is it true that the fields are a complete ruin and that he wants to sell them?»
«They are a ruin. Whether he wants to sell them, I do not know. One of Johanan’s men mentioned it to me. But I do not know whether it is certain.»
«If he should sell them… I would willingly buy them to have a refuge for You also in the middle of that nest of snakes.»
«I do not think that you will be successful. Johanan is ready to buy them.»
«We shall see… But go on. Who are the peasants? He scattered all the former servants.»
«Yes, he did. The present ones come from his land in Judaea, at least the old man, the boy’s relative, does. The boy was kept in a wood, like a wild animal, so that Doras could not see him… and he had been there since last winter…»
«Oh! poor boy! But why?» The women are all moved.
«Because his father and mother were buried under the landslide near Emmaus. The whole family: father, mother and his little brothers. He survived because he was not at home. They took him to the old father. But what could a peasant of Doras do? Isaac, also in this case, you spoke of Me as a saviour.»
«Was that wrong?» asks Isaac humbly.
«You did the right thing. God wanted it. The old man gave me the boy, who is to come of age in the next few days.»
«Oh! poor little thing! So tiny at twelve years of age?! My Judas was twice his size at that age… And Jesus? What a beautiful flower!» says Mary of Alphaeus.
And Salome: «Also my children were much stronger!»
Martha whispers: «He is really tiny! I thought he was not ten yet.»
«Eh! Hunger is a nasty thing. And he must have suffered from starvation since he was born. And now… What could the old man give him, if they are all dying of starvation there?» says Peter.
«Yes, he suffered a great deal. But he is good and intelligent. I took him to comfort both the old man and the boy.»
198.6
«Are you going to adopt him?» asks Lazarus.
«No. I cannot.»
«Well, I will take him.»
Peter sees his hopes vanish and he utters a really deep groan: «Lord! Everything to him?»
Jesus smiles: «Lazarus, you have already done so much and I am grateful to you. But I cannot entrust this child to you. He is “Our” boy. He belongs to all of us. He is the joy of the apostles and of the Master. Besides, he would be brought up in luxury here. I want to make him a present of My royal mantle: “honest poverty”. The poverty that the Son of man wanted for Himself, to be able to go near the greatest miseries without mortifying anybody. You have had a gift from Me also recently…»
«Ah! Yes! The old patriarch and his daughter. The woman is very active, the old man very good.»
«Where are they now? I mean: in which place?»
«They are here, in Bethany. Do You think I was going to send away the blessing You had sent me? The woman weaves linen. Light skilful hands are required for that job. Since the old man insists on working, I put him at the beehives. Yesterday he had a long golden beard, didn’t he, sister? The bees swarmed and clung to his long beard and he was speaking to them as if they were daughters. He is happy.»
«I am sure he is! May you be blessed!» says Jesus.
«Thank You, Master.
198.7
But that boy will cost You a lot. You will allow me at least to…»
«I will see to his clothes for the ceremony» shouts Peter. They all laugh at his impulsive reaction.
«All right. But he will need other clothes. Simon, be good. I have no children either. Allow Martha and me to find some solace seeing to some little garments to be made for him.»
Peter, who has been thus besought, is moved at once and he says: «His clothes… yes… But his dress for Wednesday… I am going to get it. The Master promised me and He told me that I would be going with His Mother to buy it tomorrow.» Peter explains everything in detail lest there should be some unexpected change to his disadvantage.
Jesus smiles and says: «Yes, Mother. Please go with Simon tomorrow. Otherwise he will die of heart-failure. You will give him some advice as to what he should choose.»
«I said: a red dress and a green sash. He will look lovely. Much better than the shade he has on now.»
«Red will be all right. Also Jesus was dressed in red. But I would say that a red sash would be better on a red dress, or at least it should be embroidered in red» says Mary gently.
«I was saying green because I see that Judas, who is swarthy, looks very smart with those green stripes on his red tunic.»
«But these are not green, my friend!» laughs Judas.
«No? What shade are they then?»
«This hue is called “agate vein”.»
«How do you expect me to know that?! They look green to me. I saw that hue also on leaves…»
The Most Holy Virgin interrupts benignly: «Simon is right. It is the exact shade of leaves at the first rain in the month of Tishri…»
«That’s it! And since leaves are green I was saying that it was green» concludes Peter happily. The Sweet Mother has also settled this small matter peacefully.
198.8
«Will you call the boy, please?» begs Mary. And the child arrives at once with John.
«What is your name?» asks Mary caressing him.
«It is… it was Jabez. But I am expecting a new one ..»
«Are you?»
«Yes, Jabez wants a name meaning that I have saved him. You will find one for him, Mother. A name of love and of salvation.»
Mary is pensive… She then says: «Marjiam (Maarhgziam). You are the little star in the sea of those saved by Jesus. Do you like it? Thus it will remind you also of Me besides Salvation.»
«It is beautiful» says the boy joyfully.
«But isn’t it a woman’s name?» asks Bartholomew.
«With “I” at the end instead of “m”, when this tiny drop of Mankind is grown up, you can change his name into the name of a man. For the time being he has the name which the Mother has given him. Is that right?»
The boy says «yes» and Mary caresses him.
Her sister-in-law says to Her: «This wool is good» and she feels Jabez’ mantle. «But its colour! What do You think? I would dye it very dark red. It will come out lovely.»
«We will do it tomorrow evening. Because he will have his new mantle. We cannot take it off him now.»
Martha says: «Would you come with me, my little boy? I will take you to a place near here, to see many things, then we will come back here…»
Jabez does not object. He never refuses… but he seems somewhat afraid to go with the woman who is almost unknown to him. He says shyly and gently: «Could John come with me?»
«Of course…»
They go away.
198.9
And during their absence the various groups continue their conversations. They narrate, comment and sigh on human harshness. Isaac tells what he has been able to find out about the Baptist. Some say he is at Machaerus, some at Tiberias. His disciples have not yet come back…
«But did they not follow him?»
«Yes. But near Doco those who had captured him crossed the river with their prisoner and no one knows whether they went up to the lake or down to Machaerus. John, Matthias and Simeon are moving around to find out and they will certainly not abandon him.»
«And you, Isaac, will certainly not abandon this new disciple. He will stay with Me for the time being. I want him to celebrate Passover with Me.»
«I will celebrate it in Jerusalem, in Johanna’s house. She saw me and offered a room for me and my companions. They are all coming this year. And we shall be there with Jonathan.»
«Those from Lebanon too?»
«Yes. Perhaps John’s disciples will not be able to come.»
«Johanan’s men are coming, did you know?»
«Are they? I will be at the door, near the priests offering sacrifices. I will see them and take them with me.»
«They will be arriving at the last moment. Their time is very limited. But they have a lamb.»
«I have one, too. A marvellous one. Lazarus gave me it. We will sacrifice this one and they can keep theirs for their journey back home.»
198.10
Martha comes back with John and the boy who is wearing a little white linen dress and a red overall. On his arm he is carrying a mantle which is also red.
«Do you remember them, Lazarus? See, things are always useful.»
They smile at each other.
Jesus says: «Thank you, Martha.»
«Oh! My Lord! I have a passion for keeping things. I inherited it from my mother. I still have many of my brother’s robes. They are dear to me because they were handled by my mother. Now and again I take one to give it to a child. I will now give them to Marjiam. They are a little long for him, but they can be shortened. When Lazarus came of age, he did not want them any more… The typical passing fancy of a child… and he got his own way because my mother adored her Lazarus.»
She caresses her brother fondly and Lazarus takes her beautiful hand, kisses it and says: «And do you not?» They smile at each other.
«That is a gift of Providence» remark many.
«Yes, my whim has done a good turn. Perhaps I shall be forgiven because of that.»
Dinner is ready and everyone sits at his place…

Keywords

GRM 199.1-3 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The beautiful morning invites people to leave their homes and beds and go for a walk, and the people living in the Zealot’s house get up very early, and like bees at sunrise they go out to breathe the pure air in Lazarus’ orchard around the hospitable house. They are soon joined by Lazarus’ guests, that is, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, Andrew and James of Zebedee. The sun shines in joyfully through all the windows and wide open doors and illuminates the simple tidy rooms with a golden hue, which brightens the shades of clothes and enlivens the hues of hair and eyes.
Mary of Alphaeus and Salome are busy serving the men who enjoy a hearty appetite. Mary instead is watching one of Lazarus’ servants who is sorting Marjiam’s hair, cutting it with greater skill than his first barber ever did. «That will do for the time being» says the servant. «Later, when you have offered God the curls of your childhood, I will cut it shorter. The warm season is coming and you will feel better without any hair on your neck. And your hair will grow stronger. It is dry, weak and has been neglected. See, Mary? It needs some attention. I will now put some oil on it to keep it in place. Can you smell the lovely scent, my boy? It is oil that Martha uses. It is very good. Almond, palm and medulla of the finest quality with a rare essence. My mistress told me to keep this little jar for the boy. Oh! Here you are! You now look like the son of a king» and the servant, who is probably the barber of Lazarus’ house, pats Marjiam on the cheek, greets Mary and goes away looking quite satisfied.
«Come and let Me dress you» says Mary to the boy who has only a short tunic with short sleeves; I think it is a shirt or what was used in those days as a shirt. By its fine linen I gather that it must have belonged to Lazarus when a boy. Mary takes off the towel in which Marjiam was wrapped and puts on him a linen vest puckered round the neck and cuffs, and a red woollen robe with wide neck and sleeves. The shining snow-white linen protrudes from the neck-opening and the sleeves of the dull red cloth. Mary’s skilful hands must have adjusted the length of the robe and of the sleeves during the night, and it now fits the boy, particularly when Mary girds his waist with a soft sash adorned with a woollen white and red tassel. The child no longer looks like the poor little creature of a few days earlier.
«Now go and play, but do not get dirty, while I get ready» says Mary, caressing him. And the boy bounds out happily, looking for his big friends.
199.2
Thomas is the first one to see him: «How lovely you are! Fit for a wedding! You make me cut a poor figure» says plump Thomas who is always merry and genial. And he takes him by the hand saying: «Let us go and see the women. They were looking for you to feed you.»
They go into the kitchen and Thomas causes the two Maries, who are bent over the kitchen-stove, to start, when he shouts in his loud voice: «There is a young man here looking for you» and laughing he introduces the boy who was hiding behind his robust back.
«Oh! dear! Come here that I may give you a kiss! Look, Salome, how lovely he is!» exclaims Mary of Alphaeus.
«He is, indeed! All he needs now is to become more robust. But I’ll see to that. Come here, that I may kiss you, too» replies Salome.
«But Jesus is going to entrust him to the shepherds…» objects Thomas.
«Not on your life! My Jesus is mistaken here. What can you men do or pretend you can do? You are only good at quarrelling – because, incidentally, you are rather quarrelsome… like little goats which are fond of one another and gore one another with their horns – at eating, speaking and you have a thousand needs and you claim the Master to pay all His attention to you… otherwise you become sulky… Children need mothers. Is that right? What is your name?»
«Marjiam.»
«Of course! But blessed be my Mary! She could have given you an easier name!»
«It’s almost like Hers!» exclaims Salome.
«Yes, but Hers is more simple. There aren’t those letters in the middle of it… They are too many…»
The Iscariot, who has just come in, says: «She gave a name which is precise in its meaning, according to the genuine old language.»
«All right. But it is difficult, and I will take one letter away and say Marziam. It is easier and the world will not collapse because of that. Is that right, Simon?»
Peter, who is passing by the window speaking to John of Endor, looks in and asks: «What do you want?»
«I was saying that I shall call the boy Marziam. It is easier.»
«You are right, woman. If the Mother allows me, I will call him thus, too. But how wonderful you look! So do I, eh? Look!»
In fact he is perfectly tidy, his cheeks have been shaved, his hair cut, his beard trimmed and scented with oil, his clothes show no creases and his sandals are so clean that they look like new ones. I do not know what he has polished them with. The women admire him and he laughs happily.
The boy has finished eating and goes out to meet his great friend, whom he always calls: «Father».
199.3
And there is Jesus coming from Lazarus’ house together with the latter. The boy runs towards Him and Jesus says: «Peace be with us, Marjiam. Let us exchange the kiss of peace.»
Lazarus, greeted by the boy, caresses him and gives him a sweet.
They all gather around Jesus. Also Mary, wearing a turquoise woolen dress on top of which a darker mantle is draped, comes towards Her Son smiling.
«We can go, then» says Jesus. «You, Simon, with My Mother and the boy, if you still wish to buy his robe, now that Lazarus has seen to it.»
«Of course I do! And then… I will be able to say that once I walked beside Your Mother. A great honour.»
«Go, then. Simon, you will take Me to your leper friends…»
«Really, Master? Then, if You do not mind, I will run ahead, to gather them… You will reach me. You know where they are…»
«All right, go. The others can do what they like. You are all free until Wednesday morning. At the third hour everybody is to be at the Golden Gate.»
«I am coming with You, Master» says John.
«And I» says his brother James.
«And us, too» say the two cousins.
«I will come, too» says Matthew, and Andrew after him.
«And I? I would like to come, too… but if I go to do the shopping, I cannot come…» says Peter, pressed by two desires.
«It can be done. We shall go to the lepers first, while My Mother with the boy goes to the house of a friend in Ophel. We will reach Her later and you will go with Her, while the others and I go to Johanna’s. We will meet at Gethsemane for our meal and towards sunset we will come back here.»
«If You allow me, I will go to see some friends…» says Judas Iscariot.
«I have already told you. Do what you like.»
«In that case, I will go to my relatives. Perhaps my father has already come. If he is there, I will bring him to see You» says Thomas.
«What about us two? What do you say, Philip? We could go and see Samuel.»
«Very good» Philip replies to Bartholomew.
«And what about you, John?» Jesus asks the man of Endor. «Do you prefer to remain here and sort out your books, or do you wish to come with Me?»
«Really, I would prefer to come with You… My books… I am already less fond of them. I prefer to read You, the Living Book.»
«Come, then. Goodbye, Lazarus…»
«I will come, too. My legs are a little better, and after we have seen the lepers, I will leave You and go to Gethsemane and wait for You there.»
«Let us go, Peace to you, women.»
They remain all together until they are near Jerusalem. Then they part, the Iscariot goes on his own and enters the town probably through the Gate near the Antonia Tower; Thomas, Philip and Nathanael walk for about ten more yards with Jesus and their companions and then enter the town through the suburb of Ophel, together with Mary and the boy.

Annotation

"What's your name?

- Marziam.

- I see! But my blessed Mary could have given you an easier name!

- It's almost hers! exclaims Salomé.

- Yes, but hers is simpler. It doesn't have those three consonants in the middle... Three is too many... " MaRGZiam, simplified to Marziam in the new translation, as expressed by Marie d'Alphée and Pierre in the rest of the text.

"She took the exact name for what it means, in accordance with the ancient language". Hebrew, no doubt, since Aramaic (a closely related language) had become the common language of Jesus' time. This proximity is perfectly captured in Salome's reflection. We also know this closeness from Jesus' prayer on the cross: Elôi, elôi, lama sabachthani, a slightly different Aramaic quotation in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34. This proximity does not exclude differences, however, since chapter 8 of the Book of Nehemiah reports that the exiles returning to Jerusalem heard the Torah read "in the old language", but did not understand it: it had to be translated.

You, Simon, are going to accompany me to your leper friends ... Simon the Zealot is a former leper, healed by Jesus.

You're all free until Wednesday morning. At the hour of tierce, everyone goes to the Golden Gate. This gate leads directly into the Temple from Bethany and Gethsemane.

Meanwhile, Mother and the child go to a friendly house in Ophel. This neighborhood is south of the Temple and therefore east of the city.

The two of us, what do you say, Philippe, we could go to Samuel's house. Probably Samuel, Annalia's fiancé.

He probably enters the city through the gate by the Antonia Tower. The Pisces Gate.

Keywords

GRM 200.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus goes back to the Zealot’s house alone. It is getting dark and the evening is quiet and serene after so much sunshine. Jesus looks in at the kitchen door, says hello and then goes upstairs, to meditate in the upper room, which has already been prepared for supper. He does not look very happy. He often sighs and walks to and fro in the large room, looking now and again at the surrounding country, which can be seen through the many doors of this large room, shaped like a cube above the ground floor. He goes out also and walks on the terrace making a tour of the house and He stops at the rear side looking at John of Endor who is kindly drawing water from a well and handing it to busy Salome. He looks, shakes His head and sighs.
The power of His glance draws the attention of John, who looks up and asks: «Master, do You want me?»
«No, I was only looking at you.»
«John is good. He helps me» says Salome.
«And God will reward him for that help too.»

Keywords

GRM 201.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

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…

Keywords

GRM 202.4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

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…»

Detail

Jesus has just reproached Judas and leaves him in the meantime.

Keywords

GRM 203.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

Jesus comes out with His apostles from a house near the walls and I think that they are still in the Bezetha district, because to go outside the walls, one must pass again by Joseph’s house, near the Gate, which I hear people call Herod’s Gate. The town is semi-deserted in the placid moonlit evening. I understand that they have celebrated Passover in one of Lazarus’ houses, which, however, is not the one of the Last Supper. They are, in fact, poles apart. One in the north, the other in the south of Jerusalem.
On the doorstep Jesus takes leave, with His usual kindness, of John of Endor, who is to take care of the women and whom He thanks for accepting that task. He kisses Marjiam, who has also come to the door and then sets out for Herod’s Gate.

Annotation

To leave the walls, we still have to pass Joseph's house, which is near the gate I've heard called Herod's Gate. Joseph of Arimathea, who had invited them the evening before.

Keywords

GRM 205.2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

They go down, assembling the others as they procede, and they all sit down in a circle in the shade of the apple orchard. Also Lazarus, who was speaking to the Zealot, joins the company. They are about twenty people in all.