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Family martyrdom

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Aa

GRM 49.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«God is above also the holiest mother.»

GRM 54.6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

54.6 «Master… why did Your cousin not come, although he knows where You live?»

«My Peter!… You will be one of My stones, the first one. But not all the stones can be easily used. Have you seen the marble blocks in the Praetorium building? With hard labour they have been torn away from the bosom of the mountain side, and are now part of the Praetorium. Look instead at those stones down there shining in the moonlight, in the water of the Kidron. They reached the riverbed by themselves, and if anyone wants to take them, they do not put up any resistance. My cousin is like the first stones I am speaking of… The bosom of the mountain side: his family, they contend for him with Me.»

«But I want to be exactly like the stones in the torrent. I am quite prepared to leave everything for You: home, wife, fishing, brothers. Everything, Rabboni, for You.»

«I know, Peter. That is why I love you.»

GRM 56.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

My father is very old and I did not have the courage to hurt him. But now… Now, no longer so. Now I am going where my heart and my mind tell me. I am going to Jesus. I don’t think I am offending the Law by doing so. In any case… if what I want to do was not right, Jesus would tell me. I will do what He says. Is it right for a father to prevent a son from doing good? If I feel that my salvation is there, why prevent me from reaching it? Why, at times, are our fathers our enemies?»

Simon sighs as if he were overwhelmed by sad memories, he lowers his head, but does not speak.

Detail

Jude tells Simon the Zealot and Thomas about his father, Alphaeus.

GRM 56.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Tell me, Master, is it not right for a son to say to his father, without lacking respect: “Father, I love you. But God is above you and I will follow Him”?»

«Judas, My cousin and My friend, I tell you: you have made good progress on the way to Light. Come. It is lawful to speak thus to a father, when it is God Who calls. There is nothing above God. Also the laws of relationship cease, that is they are raised to a dignity, because with our tears we give our fathers and mothers a greater help and for something everlasting, not for a short time in this world. We draw them with us to Heaven, and by sacrificing our affections, to God.

Detail

Jude speaks to Jesus and says:

GRM 93

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus lives in Nazareth. There had been a storm the day before. He goes to find his Mother and, after kissing her tenderly, asks her if her plants have suffered. But Peter is watching and is a real gardener. He is slightly reminiscent of Porphyria, but is valiant and tries not to slander his mother-in-law. In any case, Jesus confirms that he will come to Capernaum, and he is delighted. The other disciples arrive. Present are Simon of Jonah, John, Judas, Simon the Zealot, Thomas, Andrew, James, Philip and the shepherd Joseph. Jude Thaddaeus is also present, which was not the case in the previous chapter. In any case, Christ talks about apostolic formation, and makes comparisons with nature (storms, frozen ground in winter). He then focuses on Jude's suffering, as he watches Alpheus' behavior as he nears death. He speaks of the martyrdom of the family, of always knowing how to respond to God's call and putting the Lord before blood. Of course, the Master gives great importance to filial love, but the family must not be a brake on our ascent towards God.