Notes for this keyword

John of Zebedee (apostle)

Theme: Saints, venerable and blessed of the Catholic Church · Page 6 of 26

Reading comfort

GRM 74.2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Do not contradict me if I should say something,… something… which is not true.»
«What do you mean? Why tell lies? I am the Truth and I want no lies in Me or around Me.»
«Oh! I will only tell half lies. I will say that we are all coming back from remote places, from Egypt for instance, and that we are seeking news of dear friends. I will say that we are Judaeans coming back from exile. After all, there is some truth in everything, and I will be speaking, and… one lie more, one lie less…»
«But Judas! Why deceive?»
«Never mind, Master! The world lives on deceit. And at times deceit is a necessity. Well: to make You happy, I will only say that we are coming from far and that we are Judaeans. Which is true for three out of four of us. And you, John, please do not speak at all. You would give yourself away.»
«I will be quiet.»

Detail

Judas wants to know more about the massacre of the Innocents and Anne, since Jesus wants to go there. So he asks Christ to let him tell half lies and asks John to keep quiet.

Keywords

GRM 75.1-2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

75.1 The hills are becoming much higher and woodier than those around Bethlehem and they rise continuously and eventually form a real chain of mountains.
Jesus is climbing ahead of them all and He looks around, as if He were anxious to find something. He does not speak. He listens more to the voices of the woods than to the apostles’, who are a few yards behind Him and are speaking to one another.
A bell rings in the distance, but the wind carries its ding-dong. Jesus smiles. He turns around: «I hear the bells of sheep.»
«Where, Master?»
«I think near that hillock. But the wood prevents Me from seeing.»
John, without uttering one word, takes off his tunic — they have all rolled up their mantles and are carrying them across their backs, because they feel warm — and having on only his short tunic, he throws his arms around a tall smooth trunk, which I think is an ash tree, and he climbs up… until he can see. «Yes, Master. There are many herds and three shepherds over there, behind that thicket.» He comes down, and they proceed, sure of their way.
«Will it be them?»
«We shall ask, Simon, and if they are not, they will tell us something… They know one another.»
After approximately one hundred yards, there is a large, green pasture, surrounded on all sides by huge aged trees.
75.2
Many sheep are grazing on the thick grass of the undulated meadow. Three men are watching over them. One is old: his hair is all white, of the other two, one is about thirty, the other about forty years old.
«Be careful, Master. They are herdsmen…» advises Judas, when he sees Jesus hastening His step.
But Jesus does not even answer. He goes on, tall and handsome in His white tunic, with the setting sun in front of Him. He seems an angel, so bright He is…

Detail

Jesus seeks out the shepherds Elijah and Levi.

Keywords

GRM 76

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Elijah, Levi, Joseph, Jesus, John, Simon the Zealot and Judas approach Yutta. Christ intends to go to Hebron, to pray over the bones of Samuel and Zechariah, but he gives priority to Isaac first, because we must always take care of those who suffer. Praying for our deceased is also important, but they are already at peace if they have been righteous.

After talking about the difference between man and animal, the communion of saints, and the link between the dead and the living, Jesus and his friends arrive at Yutta. Elijah goes ahead to see Isaac, telling him that Jesus wants to see him and tells him to come. The shepherd, who is crippled and paralyzed, is immediately healed and goes to see the Savior as quickly as possible.

There, he adores him, and takes him to a family in Yutta who have taken good care of him. They are a couple with four children: their names are Mary, Joseph, Emmanuel and the last has yet to be named. The little family believes in the Messiah and invites him to circumcise their newborn son. Jesus decides to name him Jesai. The priest who comes to perform the ceremony pays little attention to the Lord, and their guests are mortified, but he reassures and consoles them. He invites John to show the sheep to Joseph and Emmanuel. Little Mary stays close to Jesus, and he invites her to be as good as her Mother. The child immediately agrees and speaks to him with familiarity. Taken in by Judas, Jesus tells her to let it go, for the innocent are his joy, and only they can speak his name as purely as his Mother.

Keywords

GRM 77.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«As usual. I am wrong.»
«No, Judas. You have a practical sense, you said so yourself.»
«Oh! but with Jesus!… Also Simon Peter was full of practical sense, but now!… You, too, Judas, will become like him. You have only been with the Master a short time, we have been longer with Him, and we are already better» says John who is always kind and conciliatory.
«He did not want me. Otherwise I would have been His since Passover.» Judas is really bad-tempered today.

Detail

Judas has just had a conversation with Jesus and Simon the Zealot. He grumbles at the end, because he wasn't right, and says:

Keywords

GRM 78

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Jesus, John, Judas and Simon the Zealot arrive in Keroth. The shepherds are gone. Judas is really agitated and can't hold it together. He asks the Master to tell him, and Simon points out to the Master that this man doesn't understand him. Jesus sighs, but says nothing.

They arrive in Keroth, and are greeted by Judas' mother. She greets him with great respect, offers him something to refresh himself and gives him sandals and a cloak. Jesus initially says nothing, but thinks nothing of it; then, when Mary declares that she knows nothing of the ways of kings, he asks to speak to his apostle alone. There, he rebukes him severely, saying that he is putting obstacles in the way of his mission, for Israel is subject to Rome, and Christ is in no way a King of the earth.

He really encourages Judas to withdraw, to leave the group. Then he describes his kingship and when he will be crowned king: on the wood of the cross, with an infamous sign and under the booing of his people. Jesus thus predicts his atrocious death.

Judas is mortified, but he implores the Master to keep him, that he will become good. He asks for forgiveness and Jesus, tired, forgives him. However, the Iscariot asks to stay and go to his town, as Judas has told everyone that the Lord is coming. So Jesus decides to go along with what Judas has planned, not for himself, but for his mother.

So Jesus goes to Keroth on a chariot, and the synagogue leader welcomes him and asks him to go to their place of prayer. Jesus accepts and preaches to the people. He declares that he is the Word of God, but reminds them that his kingship is primarily spiritual. He then confirms this to the notables of Keroth.

Old Saul intervenes and speaks of the Nativity of Christ, whom he has come to adore. Jesus confirms that it was him, and the old man has a vision of the Lord's kingship. He sees him transfigured, then with his Wounds and Blood. He dies after bearing witness to Jesus' heart, so the group must purify themselves to comply with the Law.

Keywords

GRM 79.1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

79.1 Jesus is walking with His disciples on a road along the torrent. The road is not really running along the torrent. The torrent is below; high above, on the side of the mountain, there is a twisting road, as can be normally found in mountain places. John is almost purple, laden like a porter, with a big heavy satchel. Judas is carrying Jesus’ bag and his own. Simon has only his bag and the mantles. Jesus is now wearing his own clothes and sandals. But Judas’ mother must have had His tunic washed, because it is no longer creased.
«How much fruit! How beautiful are those vineyards on those hills!» says John, who is always in good spirits, despite the heat and the fatigue. «Master, is this the river on the banks of which our fathers picked the miraculous grapes?»
«No, it is another one, farther south. But the whole region was blessed with rich fruit.»
«It is not so blessed now, although still beautiful.»
«Too many wars have devastated the country. Israel was made here… but it had to be fecundated by its own blood and by the blood of its enemies.»

Annotation

Book of Numbers, 13, 23-24: They went as far as the Valley of Eshkol, where they cut a branch and a bunch of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole. They had also picked pomegranates and figs. The place was called the Valley of Eshkol (i.e.: the Bunch) because of the bunch the sons of Israel had cut there.

Keywords

GRM 79.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

79.4 «Master» says Elias. «That woman… the woman who is in John’s house… three days after You left and we were pasturing the sheep on the meadows of Hebron — they belong to everybody, the meadows, and they could not send us away — she sent her maid to us with this bag and told us that she wanted to speak to us… I don’t know whether I did the right thing… but the first time I gave the bag back to her and said: “I do not want to listen to her”… Then she sent this message: “Come in Jesus’ name” and I went. She waited until her… well, the man who keeps her, had gone… She wanted to know so many things. But I… didn’t tell her very much. Out of prudence. She is a prostitute. I was afraid it might be a trap for You. She asked me who You are, where You live, what You do, if You are a gentleman… I said: “He is Jesus of Nazareth, He goes everywhere, because He is a Master, and He goes around Palestine teaching”; I said You are a poor man, a simple workman, made wise by Wisdom… Nothing else.»
«You did well» says Jesus, and Judas at the same moment exclaims: «You did the wrong thing! Why did you not say that He is the Messiah, the King of the world? The proud Roman woman should be crushed under the blow of God’s splendour.»
«She would not have understood me… In any case how could I be sure that she was sincere? When you saw her, you said what she is. Was I to throw holy things, and everything that is Jesus is holy, into her mouth? Was I to endanger Jesus, giving too much information? Anyone may hurt Him, but I will not.»
«John, let us go and tell her who the Master is, and explain the holy truth to her.»
«Not me. Unless Jesus tells me.»
«Are you afraid? What can she do to you? Do you loathe her? The Master did not.»
«I am not afraid neither do I loathe her. I feel sorry for her. But I think that if Jesus wanted, He could have stopped to teach her. He did not do it… it is not necessary for us to do it.»
«At that time there were no signs of a conversion… Now…»

Detail

Elijah was called by Aglaia in Hebron. She gave him her jewels. Judas reacts... very spontaneously and suggests that John turn back, but he refuses to do so unless Jesus orders him to.

Keywords

GRM 80.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

80.5 I came here. I took My soul of the Son of man and I gave it its finishing touches and I thus finished the work of thirty years of humbleness and preparation in order to be perfect when starting My mission. Now I ask you to stay with Me for a few days in this cave. Our stay will be less depressing because we shall be four friends joining in our efforts against sadness, fears, temptation and the desires of the flesh. I was by Myself. It will be less painful because it is now summer and up here the mountain winds lessen the heat. I came here at the end of the Tebeth moon and the wind blowing down from the snowy tops was harsh. It will be less trying because it will be shorter and also because we have the necessary food to satisfy our hunger and in small leather flasks that I asked the shepherds to give you, there is enough water to last us for the days of our stay. I… I must snatch two souls from Satan. It can only be done by penance. I ask you to help Me. It will be training for you. You will learn how to snatch victims from Mammon: not so much with words but with sacrifice… Words!… The satanic uproar prevents one from hearing them… Every soul which is a prey of the Enemy is enveloped in a turbine of infernal voices… Do you want to stay with Me? If you do not want to, you may go and we will meet at Tekoah, near the market.»
«No, Master, I will not leave You» says John, while Simon at the same time exclaims: «You raise us by wanting us to be with You in this redemption.» Judas… does not appear to be terribly enthusiastic. But he puts a good face on… destiny and says: «I will stay.»
«Well, take the flasks and the bags and put them inside, and before the sun gets hot, break some wood and gather it near the crevice. The nights are severe, even in summer, and not all the animals are gentle. Light a branch at once. Over there, a branch of that gummy acacia. It burns very well. We will search in the crevices and with the fire we will drive out asps and scorpions. Go.»…

Detail

Jesus is on the Mount of Temptation, where he fasted for forty days. He says:

Keywords

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.”

Keywords

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: