Notes for this theme

Old Testament

Page 51 of 63

Reading comfort

GRM 185.6 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

The poor men might object: “In that case, why do You allow single or collective storms to break out?”. If by My power I should destroy Evil, you would consider yourselves the authors of Good, which in actual fact is a gift of Mine, and you would not remember Me any longer, You would never remember Me. My poor children, you are in need of sorrow to remember that you have a Father. As the prodigal son remembered he had a father when he was hungry.
Misfortunes convince you of your nothingness, of your ignorance, which is the cause of so many errors, of your wickedness, the cause of so much mourning and grief, of your faults, the cause of the punishments which you inflict upon yourselves, as well as of My existence, of My power and of My goodness.
That is what today’s Gospel teaches you. “Your” Gospel of the present time, my poor children. Call Me. Jesus does not sleep except when He is in anguish because He sees that He is not loved by you. Call Me and I will come.»

Detail

The meaning of misfortune.

Keywords

GRM 186.4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«You were making grimaces because you had to pass near some animals.»
«They are unclean…»
«A sinner is much more so. These animals are made like that, and it is not their fault if they are like that. Man instead is responsible for being unclean because of his sins.»
«Why, then, are they classified as unclean[1] for us?» asks Philip.
«I have mentioned that once. In this commandment there is a supernatural reason and a natural one. The former reason is to teach the chosen people to live bearing in mind its election and the dignity of man, also in a common action like eating. A savage feeds on everything. It is enough for him to fill his stomach. A pagan, too, even if he is not a savage, eats everything, without considering that overeating foments vices and inclinations which degrade man. Indeed, pagans endeavour to reach this frenzy for pleasure, which is almost a religion for them. The more learned amongst you are aware of obscene celebrations in honour of their gods, which degenerate into lecherous orgies. A son of the people of God must be able to control himself, perfecting himself through obedience and prudence, bearing in mind his origin and his end: God and Heaven. The natural reason is not to stimulate the blood by means of food that causes a heat unbecoming of man, who is not forbidden also carnal love, but must always moderate it with the freshness of his soul tending to Heaven. Man must therefore make sure that the sentiment that joins him to his wife, in whom he must see a fellow creature like himself, not a female, is love, not sensuality. But the poor animals are neither guilty of being pigs nor of the effects that the flesh of pigs may cause in man’s blood on the long run. And the swineherds are much less guilty. If they are honest, what difference will there be, in the next life, between them and the scribe who is bent over his books but does not learn to be good? I solemnly tell you that we shall see swineherds among the just and scribes among the unjust.

Detail

Why were pigs declared unclean? Jesus answers this question, after the apostles had shown their disgust at these animals.

Annotation

Pigs are described as unclean in Leviticus 11:7 and Deuteronomy 14:8. More generally, the classification of clean and unclean animals, and the related prescriptions, are found in Genesis 7:2-3; Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14:3-21. See the altercation between Peter and an innkeeper in EMV 292.1.

Book of Leviticus 11, 7

Lv 11, 7 : Likethe swine, which has a divided horn and a cloven foot, but does not chew the cud: it will be unclean for you.

Deuteronomy 14, 8

Deut 14, 8: Like the swine, which has a divided horn but does not chew the cud: it shall be unclean for you. You shall not eat their flesh, nor touch their carcasses.

Book of Genesis 7, 2-3

Gn 7, 2-3 : Of all the clean animals, you shall take with you seven pairs, males and their females, and of all the animals that are not clean, you shall take two, a male and his female; seven pairs also of the birds of the air, males and their females, to keep alive their race on the face of all the earth.

Book of Leviticus 11

Lev 11: Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them: "Speak to the children of Israel, and say:

These are the animals you shall eat of all the beasts that are on the earth: Every animal that has a divided horn and a cloven foot, and chews the cud, you shall eat. But you shall not eat those that only chew the cud, or that only have a divided horn. Such is the camel, which chews the cud, but whose horn is not divided: it will be unclean to you. Like the jerboa, which chews the cud, but whose horn is not divided: it will be impure for you. Like the hare, which chews the cud but does not have a divided horn: it will be unclean for you. Like the pig, which has a divided horn and a cloven foot, but does not chew the cud: it shall be unclean for you. 8You shall not eat their flesh, nor touch their carcasses: they shall be unclean for you.

These are the beasts you shall eat of all that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, whether in the sea or in the rivers, you shall eat. But everything that does not have fins and scales, in the seas and in the rivers, among all the animals that move in the waters and among all the living creatures that are in them, you will find an abomination. They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, and their carcasses shall be an abomination to you. Everything in the waters that has no fins or scales is an abomination to you.

These are the birds you will abhor; they shall not be eaten, for they are an abomination: the eagle, the osprey and the vulture: the kite and all kinds of falcons; all kinds of ravens; the ostrich, the kite, the gull and all kinds of hawks; the owl, the cormorant and the owl; the swan, the pelican and the bearded vulture; the stork, all kinds of herons; the hoopoe and the bat.

Any winged insect that walks on four legs, you will abhor. But of all the winged insects that walk on four legs, you shall eat those that have legs above their legs, to leap on the earth. These are the ones you shall eat: every kind of locust, every kind of solam, every kind of hargol, every kind of hagab. Every other winged beast with four legs is an abomination to you.

These also shall make you unclean: whoever touches their dead body shall be unclean until the even, and whoever takes away any part of their dead body shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the even.

Any animal that has a divided horn, but is not forked-footed and does not chew the cud, will be unclean to you; whoever touches it will make himself unclean. And of the four-footed animals, everything that walks on the soles of its feet will be unclean to you: whoever touches their dead body will be unclean until evening; and whoever carries their dead body will wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. These animals will be unclean for you.

Among the little beasts that crawl on the earth, these are the ones that will be unclean for you: the weasel, the mouse and all kinds of lizards; the shrew, the chameleon, the salamander, the green lizard and the mole. These are the unclean reptiles for you: whoever touches them dead will be unclean until evening. Anything on which dead ones fall shall be unclean: wooden utensils, clothing, skins, sackcloth, anything you use; you shall put it in water, and it shall remain unclean until evening, after which it shall be clean. If any of it falls into the middle of any earthen vessel, everything in the middle of the vessel will be defiled, and you will break the vessel. Any foodstuff prepared with water will be defiled; any beverage used in any vessel will be defiled. Every object on which anything of their dead body falls will be defiled; the oven and the vessel with its lid will be destroyed; they will be defiled and you will hold them to be defiled. But the springs and cisterns, where the pools of water are formed, will remain pure; however, whoever touches the dead body will be unclean. If anything of their dead body falls on a seed that is to be sown, the seed will remain pure; but if water has been put on the seed, and anything of their dead body falls on it, you will hold it unclean.

If one of your food animals dies, whoever touches its corpse will be unclean until evening. Whoever eats of its dead body shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening; whoever carries its dead body shall wash his clothes and be unclean until the evening.

Every creeping thing that creeps on the earth is an abomination to you; it shall not be eaten. You shall not eat any animal that crawls on the ground, whether it be one that crawls on its belly, or one that walks on four feet or on many feet; for they are an abomination to you.

Do not make yourselves abominable by all these creeping things; do not make yourselves unclean by them; you will be defiled by them. For I am Yahweh, your God; you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, for I am holy; and you shall not be defiled by all creeping things that creep upon the earth. For I am Yahweh, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall be holy, for I am holy. "This is the law for all four-footed animals, for birds, for every living thing that moves in the water, and for every creeping thing that crawls on the earth, so that you may distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between the animal that can be eaten and the animal that cannot be eaten.

Deuteronomy 14, 3-21

You shall not eat any abominable thing. These are the animals you may eat: the ox, the sheep and the goat; the stag, the gazelle and the fallow deer; the ibex, the antelope, the wild ox and the wild goat. You shall eat of every animal that has a divided horn and a cloven foot, and that chews the cud. But you shall not eat of those that only chew the cud, or that only have a divided horn and a cloven foot; such are the camel, the hare and the rabbit, which chew the cud but do not have a divided horn: they shall be unclean to you; such again is the pig, which has a divided horn but does not chew the cud: it shall be unclean to you. You shall not eat their flesh, nor touch their carcasses.

These are the animals you shall eat of all that are in the waters: you shall eat everything that has fins and scales; but everything that does not have fins and scales you shall not eat: it shall be unclean for you. You shall eat every clean bird. These are the ones you shall not eat: the eagle, the osprey and the vulture; the falcon, the kite and all kinds of goshawk; all kinds of raven; the ostrich, the owl, the gull and all kinds of sparrowhawk; the owl, the ibis and the owl; the pelican, the cormorant and the loon; 18the stork and all kinds of heron; the hoopoe and the bat. 19You shall regard every winged insect as unclean: it shall not be eaten. You must eat every pure bird. You shall not eat any dead animal. You shall give it to the stranger within your gates to eat, or sell it to a foreigner; for you are a people holy to Yahweh, your God. You shall not boil a kid in its mother's milk.

Keywords

GRM 188.1-3.5-6 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

188.1
Jesus and the apostles have passed Mount Tabor and left it behind them. They are now walking on a plain lying between that mountain and another one facing it, talking of the climb made by them all, although at the beginning the elder ones had not been too keen. But now they are happy they had gone up to the top. The journey is now easy because they are on a main road which is quite comfortable for walking. It is early in the morning because I am under the impression that they have spent the night on the slopes of the Tabor.
«That is Endor» says Jesus pointing to a poor village built on the first heights of the other mountain. «Do you really want to go there?»
«If You wish to make me happy…» responds the Iscariot.
«Let us go, then.»
«But is it a long way?» asks Bartholomew, who, because of his age, is not very keen on walking tours.
«Oh! no! But if you wish to stay…» says Jesus.
«Yes! You may stay. I will go with the Master» says Judas of Kerioth immediately.
«Listen, before making up my mind, I would like to know what there is to be seen… From the top of Mount Tabor we saw the sea and after the boy’s speech I must admit that I saw it properly for the first time and I saw it as You see: with my heart. Here… I would like to know whether there is anything to learn, because in that case I will come even if it is tiresome…» says Peter.
«Do you hear that? You have not yet said what you intend doing. Be kind to your companions and tell us now» says Jesus invitingly.
«Did Saul not go to Endor[1] to consult the necromancer?»
«Yes, he did. So?»
«Well, Master, I would like to go there and hear You speak of Saul.»
«In that case I will come, too!» exclaims Peter full of enthusiasm.
«Let us go then.»
They walk fast along the last stretch of the main road, which they leave to follow a secondary road, which takes straight to Endor.
188.2
It is a poor village, as Jesus said. The houses cling to the slopes which, beyond the village become steeper. Poor people live in them. Most of them must be shepherds who pasture their flocks on the sides of the mountain and in the woods of old oak-trees. There are a few small fields of barley, or similar fodder grains, in favourable sites and some apple and fig-trees. There are only a few vines around the houses, decorating the walls, which are dark because the place is obviously a damp one.
«We will now ask where the place of the necromancer was» says Jesus. And He stops a woman who is coming back from the fountain with pitchers.
She looks at Him curiously, then replies impolitely: «I don’t know. I have much more important things to worry about than such nonsense!» and she goes away.
Jesus turns to an old man who is carving a bit of wood.
«The necromancer?… Saul?… Who bothers about them now? But, wait… There is one here who has studied and perhaps he knows… Come with me.»
And the old man climbs laboriously up a stony lane to a very poor and shabby looking house. «He lives here. I will go in and call him.»
Peter, pointing at some poultry scratching about in a dirty yard, says: «This fellow is not an Israelite.» But he says no more because the old man comes back followed by a man blind in one eye, who is as dirty and untidy as everything around his house.
The old man says: «See? This man says that it is over there beyond that dilapidated house. There is a path, a stream, a wood and some caves, the one at the top, where there are still traces of ruined walls on one side, is the one you are looking for. Is that right?»
«No. You have muddled everything. I will go with these strangers.» The man’s voice is harsh and guttural, which increases everybody’s feeling of uneasiness.
188.3
He starts walking. Peter, Philip and Thomas make repeated signs to Jesus to advise Him not to go. But Jesus does not pay attention. He walks with Judas behind the man, and the others follow Him… unwillingly. (...)
188.5
They arrive at a cavern made of rubble and mountain caves. The man endeavours to steady his voice and says: «Here it is. You may go in.»
«Thank you, My friend. Be good.»
The man does not say anything and remains where he was, while Jesus with His apostles, passing over large stones which must have been part of very strong walls, upsetting green lizards and other ugly looking insects, enters a large smoky grotto, on the walls of which there are still graffiti signs of the zodiac and similar things. In a corner blackened by smoke there is a niche and under it a hole which looks like a gully-hole for water. Bats hanging in disgusting bunches decorate the ceiling and an owl, upset by the light of a branch which James has lit to ensure they do not tread on scorpions or asps, complains by flapping its wadded wings and closing its ugly eyes which cannot bear the light. It is perched in the niche, and the foul smell of dead mice, of weasels and birds in decomposition at its feet is mixed with the stench of dung and of the damp soil.
«It is really a lovely place!» says Peter. «Your Tabor and your sea were much better, my boy!» And then addressing Jesus: «Master, satisfy Judas at once because this is not… Antipa’s royal hall!»
«Certainly. What is it that you want to know?» He asks Judas of Kerioth.
«Well… I would like to know whether and why Saul sinned coming here… I would like to know whether it is possible for a woman to evoke the dead. I would like to know whether… Oh! It is better if You speak. I will ask You questions.»
«It’s a long story. At least let us go out there, in the sunshine, on the stones… We will get away from the dampness and the stench» begs Peter.
And Jesus agrees. They sit as best they can on the ruins of the walls.
«Saul’s sin was only one of his sins. It was preceded and followed by many more. All of them serious. Double ingratitude towards Samuel who had annointed him king and who subsequently disappeared so as not to share with the king the admiration of the people. He was several times ungrateful to David who saved him from Goliath and spared him in the caves at Engedi and Hachilah. He was guilty of many acts of disobedience and of scandalising his people. He was guilty of grieving his benefactor Samuel by lacking in charity. He was guilty of jealousy, of making attempts on David’s life, David being another benefactor of his, and finally, of the crime he committed here.»
«Against whom? He did not kill anyone here.»
«He killed his soul in here, he finished killing it.
188.6
Why are you lowering your head?»
«I am thinking, Master.»
«You are thinking. I can see that. What are you thinking about? Why did you want to come? You must admit it was not out of mere curiosity of a scholar.»
«We always hear someone talk of magicians, necromancers, evoked spirits… I wanted to see whether I could discover anything… I would like to know how it is done… I think that since we are destined to amaze people in order to attract them, we should be, somehow, necromancers too. You are You and You do things by means of Your power. But we must ask for power, for help in order to perform exceptional deeds, which are necessary…»
«Are you mad? What are you saying?» shout many.
«Be quiet. Let him speak. He is not mad.»
«Yes, I thought that by coming here a little of the magic of gone by days would assume possession of me and make me greater. In Your interest, believe me.»
«I know that your present desire is a sincere one. But I will reply to you with eternal words, because they are words of the Book, and the Book will exist as long as man exists. Believed or mocked at, employed to defend the truth or scorned at, it will always exist. It states: “And Eve, seeing that the fruit of the tree was good to eat and pleasing to the eye, took it and ate it and gave some to her husband… Then their eyes were opened and they realised that they were naked and they made themselves loin-cloths… And God said: ‘How did you realise that you were naked? Only because you ate the forbidden fruit’. And He expelled them from the garden of delights”. And in the book of Saul, it states: “Samuel appearing said: ‘Why have you disturbed me, conjuring me up? Why do you consult me when the Lord has abandoned you? The Lord will deal with you as I told you… because you did not obey the voice of the Lord’ “. Son, do not stretch your hand towards the forbidden fruit. It is imprudent even to go near it. Do not be curious to know ultramundane things, lest its satanic poison should conquer you. Avoid the occult and what cannot be explained. One thing only is to be accepted with holy faith: God. But avoid what is not God and what cannot be explained by man’s reason or cannot be done by man’s power, so that the sources of wickedness may not be opened for you and you may realise that you are “naked”. Naked: repellent in your humanity mixed with satanism. Why do you wish to amaze people by means of obscure prodigies? Amaze them through your holiness, which should be as bright as things coming from God. Do not be anxious to tear the veils which separate the living from the dead. Do not disturb the deceased. Listen to them, if they are wise, while they are on the earth, venerate them by obeying them also after their death. But do not upset their second life. He who does not obey the voice of the Lord, loses the Lord. And the Lord has forbidden occultism, necromancy, satanism in all its forms. What more do you wish to know than the Word already tells you? What more do you wish to perform than your goodness and My power enable you to perform? Do not crave for sin, but for holiness, son. Do not feel mortified. I am glad that you disclose your humanity. Many people, too many, like what you like. But the purpose of your desire: “to be power to attract people to Me” removes a heavy weight from that humanity and puts wings on it. But they are the wings of a night bird. No, My dear Judas. Put wings as bright as the sun, wings of an angel on your spirit. By the simple breeze caused by flapping them you will attract hearts and will lead them in your wake to God. Can we go?»
«Yes, Master! I was wrong…»
«No. You have been an inquirer… The world will always be full of them. Come. Let us get away from the stench of this place. Let us go towards the sun! In a few days it will be Passover, and afterwards we will go to your mother’s. I conjure her up for you: your honest home, your holy mother. How peaceful it is!»
As usual, the recollection of his mother and the Master’s praise for her, cheer Judas.

Annotation

Wasn't it in En-Dor that Saul wanted to go and consult the Pythia? As we read in : 1 Samuel 28:3-25 | 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 | Sirach 46:20. Analogies are found in 2 Kings 21:6 | Isaiah 8:19-20.

The story of Saul and his "many other" sins, as told in EMV 188.5 (as well as in other passages such as EMV 263.2) is found essentially in 1 Samuel 9-31.

The practice of divination (or magic, or necromancy) is forbidden in Leviticus 19, 26.31 | Leviticus 20, 6.27 | Deuteronomy 18, 9-14.

The term "pythoness" given to the magician goes back to a pagan god (Pythian Apollo). The "Pythian spirit" given to the magician is peculiar to pagans (as seen in EMV 59.4 and EMV 129.3). Satan "speaks through the lips of the Pythias" (as we read in EMV 420.10). It is clear from the Work that the Sadducean sect, strongly hostile to Jesus and opposed to his teaching (as can be seen in EMV 356.5 | EMV 409.6 and EMV 594.6/7), indulged in such practices, to which Judas Iscariot also felt drawn (as can be seen in EMV 334.8 and EMV 357.6). An invective against necromancers can be found in EMV 503.7.

Ingratitude towards David, who had rid him of Goliath and spared him in Engadi's cave (1 Samuel 24.1-23 ) and at Hakilah (1 Samuel 26.1-25).

It says: "When Eve saw that the fruit of the tree was good to eat and beautiful to look at, she picked it, ate some and gave some to her husband... Then their eyes were opened and they saw that they were naked, and they made themselves girdles... And God said: 'And who told you that you were naked? So you ate from the tree I forbade you to eat from. And he drove them out of the paradise of delights. "In Genesis 3:6.

It is written in the book of Saul: "Samuel said, appearing: 'Why have you troubled me by making me call? Why question me after the Lord has withdrawn from you? The Lord will deal with you as I have told you... because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord. ' " In 1 Samuel 28:15-19.

In a few days, it will be Passover: 14 Nisan.

First book of Samuel 28, 3-25

1 Sam 28, 3-25: Samuel was dead; all Israel had mourned for him, and they had buried him in Ramah, in his city. And Saul had driven out of the land those who evoked the dead and the soothsayers.

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped at Sunam; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gelboe. When Saul saw the Philistines' camp, he was afraid and his heart was greatly troubled. Saul consulted Yahweh, but Yahweh did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by the Urim, nor by the prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek me out a woman who conjures up the dead, and I will go to her and consult with her." His servants told him, "There is a woman in Endor who conjures up the dead." Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and set off, accompanied by two men. They arrived at the woman's house by night, and Saul said to her, "Tell me the future by evoking a dead person, and bring me up whomever I tell you." The woman replied, "Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off from the land those who evoke the dead and diviners; why do you lay a trap for me, to kill me?" Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, "As Yahweh lives! no harm shall come to you because of this." And the woman said, "Whom shall I bring you up?" He replied, "Bring me up Samuel."

At the sight of Samuel, the woman gave a great cry; and the woman said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!" The king said to her, "Do not fear; but what did you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I see a god rising from the earth." He said to her, "What figure is he?" And she answered, "It is an old man ascending, and he is wrapped in a cloak." Saul understood that it was Samuel, and he threw himself with his face to the ground and bowed down.

Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you troubled me, bringing me up?" Saul answered, "I am in great distress: the Philistines make war on me, and God has withdrawn from me; he has not answered me either by prophets or by dreams. I have summoned you to let me know what I have to do." Samuel said, "Why do you consult me, since Yahweh has withdrawn from you and become your adversary? Yahweh has done as he foretold through me: Yahweh has snatched the kingship out of your hand, and given it to your companion, to David. Because you did not obey the voice of Yahweh, and did not deal with Amalek according to the fierceness of his anger, that is why Yahweh has done this to you this day. And even Yahweh will deliver Israel with you into the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me, and Yahweh will deliver the camp of Israel into the hands of the Philistines." Immediately Saul fell to the ground to his full height, for Samuel's words had filled him with dread; moreover, he lacked strength, for he had taken no food all day and all night.

The woman came to Saul and, seeing his great trouble, said to him: "Your handmaid has obeyed your voice; I have laid down my life, obeying the words you spoke to me. Now you too must listen to the voice of your handmaid, and let me offer you a morsel of bread; eat of it, that you may have strength when you go on your way." But he refused, saying, "I will not eat." His servants and the woman urged him, and he complied. He got up from the ground and sat down on the couch. The woman had a fatted calf at home, so she hastened to kill it, and taking some flour, she kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it. She set them before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that same night.

First Book of Chronicles 10, 13-14

1 Ch 10, 13-14 : Saul died because of his transgression against Yahweh, for he had not kept Yahweh's word, and for asking and consulting those who call up the dead. So he did not consult Yahweh, and Yahweh put him to death, and transferred the kingship to David, son of Jesse.

Book of Sirach 46, 20

Si 46, 20: And when he had fallen asleep, he prophesied and told the king of his approaching end. From the earth he lifted up his voice in prophecy, that he might blot out the iniquity of the people.

Second Book of Kings 21, 6

2 Kings 21, 6: He made his son pass through the fire; he practiced augury and divination; he instituted necromancers and sorcerers: thus doing more and more what is evil in the eyes of Yahweh, so as to irritate him.

Isaiah 8, 19-20

Is 8, 19-20: When they say to you: "Consult those who call up the dead, and the diviners who murmur and whisper," answer: "Should not a people consult their God? Will they consult the dead for the sake of the living? Here's to teaching and witnessing! "If the people speak otherwise, there is no dawn for them.

First book of Samuel 9-31

Given the number of chapters (nearly 12), we will not reproduce them in this note.

Book of Leviticus 19, 26.31

Lev 19, 26.31: You shall eat nothing with blood. You shall not practice divination or magic. Do not speak to those who call up spirits, nor to diviners; do not consult them, so as not to be defiled by them. I am Yahweh, your God.

Book of Leviticus 20, 6.27

Lev 20, 6.27: If anyone speaks to those who call up spirits and diviners, to play the harlot after them, I will turn my face against that man and cut him off from among his people. Any man or woman who evokes spirits or engages in divination will be put to death; they will be stoned: their blood is on them.

Deuteronomy 18, 9-14

Dt 18, 9-14 : When you enter the land given to you by Yahweh, your God, you must not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations. Let no one be found among you who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, who engages in divination, augury, superstition and enchantments, who resorts to charms, who consults evocators and sorcerers, and who questions the dead. For every man who does these things is an abomination to Yahweh, and because of these abominations Yahweh your God will drive out these nations from before you. You will be upright with Yahweh, your God. For these nations, whom you will drive out, listen to augurs and soothsayers; but Yahweh your God will not allow you to do so.

Book of Genesis 3, 6

Gn 3, 6 : The woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good to eat, pleasing to the eye and desirable for acquiring understanding; she took of its fruit and ate; she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

First Book of Samuel 24, 1-23

1 Samuel 24, 1-23: David went up from there and settled in the strongholds of Engaddi. When Saul had returned from pursuing the Philistines, someone came and told him, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engaddi." Saul took three thousand elite men from among all Israel, and went in search of David and his men as far as the rocks of the wild goats. He came to the sheep pens by the road; there was a cave there, where Saul went in to cover his feet; and David and his men were sitting at the bottom of the cave. David's men said to him, "This is the day of which Yahweh said to you, 'Behold, I deliver your enemy into your hand; deal with him as you please." David got up and cut Saul's cloak by stealth. After that, David's heart pounded, because he had cut off the front of Saul's cloak. And he said to his men, "Yahweh forbid that I should do such a thing against my lord, Yahweh's anointed, as to lay my hand on him, for he is Yahweh's anointed!" With his words, David rebuked his men and did not allow them to throw themselves at Saul. Saul got up to leave the cave and continued on his way.

After this David got up and, coming out of the cave, began to shout at Saul, saying, "O king, my lord!" Saul looked behind him, and David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. And David said to Saul, "Why do you listen to the talk of people who say: Behold, David seeks to harm you? Behold, today your eyes have seen how Yahweh has delivered you into my hands this very day in the cave. They told me to kill you; but my eye had pity on you, and I said, I will not lay my hand on my lord, for he is Yahweh's anointed. See, then, my father, see in my hand the skirt of your cloak. Since I have cut off the edge of your cloak and have not killed you, acknowledge and see that there is no wickedness or rebellion in my conduct, and that I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt for my life to take it from me. Let Yahweh be judge between me and you, and let Yahweh avenge me on you! But my hand will not be upon you. From the wicked comes wickedness, says the old proverb; so my hand will not be upon you. After whom did the king of Israel set out? Who are you after? A dead dog? A flea? Let Yahweh judge and decide between you and me. Let him look on and defend my cause, and let his sentence deliver me from your hand!"

When David had finished speaking these words to Saul, Saul said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. And he said to David, "You are more righteous than I. For you have done me good, and I have done you evil. You have shown kindness to me today, for Yahweh has delivered me into your hands and you have not killed me. If someone meets his enemy, does he let him go on his way in peace? May Yahweh do you good in return for what you have done to me this day! Now, behold, I know that you will be king and that the kingship of Israel will be stable in your hands. So swear to me by Yahweh that you will not destroy my descendants after me, nor cut off my name from my father's house." David swore to Saul. And Saul went to his house, and David and his men went up to the strong place.

First Book of Samuel 26, 1-25

1 Sam 26:1-25: The Ziphaeans came to Saul at Gabaa, and said, "David is hidden on the hill of Hachilah, east of the moor." Saul arose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph with three thousand of Israel's elite men, to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph. Saul camped on the hill of Hachilah, east of the heath, near the road, and David dwelt in the desert. When David realized that Saul was searching for him in the desert, he sent spies and learned that Saul had really arrived. David got up and came to the place where Saul was camped. David saw the place where Saul was lying, with Abner, son of Ner, chief of his army: - now Saul was lying in the middle of the camp, and the people were encamped around him. - So David addressed Ahimelech the Hittite and Abisai, son of Sarvia and brother of Joab, and said, "Who wants to go down with me to the camp to Saul?" And Abisai answered, "I will go down with you."

David and Abisai came to the people by night, and behold, Saul was lying in the middle of the camp and sleeping, his spear stuck in the ground at his bedside; Abner and the people were lying around him. Abisai said to David, "God has locked up your enemy in your hands today; now, I beg you, let me strike him with the spear and nail him to the ground with a single blow, without my having to return." But David said to Abisai, "Don't kill him! For who would lay hands on Yahweh's anointed and go unpunished?" And David said, "As true as Yahweh lives! It will only be Yahweh who strikes him; either his day will come and he will die, or he will go down to war and perish; but may Yahweh preserve me from laying hands on Yahweh's anointed! Now, take the spear that is at his bedside, with the pitcher of water, and let us go."

And David took the spear and the pitcher of water that were at Saul's bedside, and they went. No one saw, no one knew, no one awoke, for they were all asleep, Yahweh having caused a deep slumber to fall upon them.

David passed over to the other side, and stood far away on the top of the mountain; a great space separated them. And David cried out to the people and to Abner, son of Ner, saying, "Will you not answer, Abner!" Abner answered, saying, "Who are you, you who cry out to the king?" David said to Abner, "Are you not a man? And who is like you in Israel? Why then have you not kept the king, your lord? For one of the people has come to kill the king, your lord. What you have done here is not right. As Yahweh lives! You have deserved death, for not keeping your master, Yahweh's anointed. Now look where the king's spear and the jug of water that was at his bedside are."

Saul recognized David's voice and said, "Is this your voice, my son David?" And David answered, "It is my voice, O king, my lord." He added: "Why does my lord pursue his servant? What have I done, and what crime has my hand committed? Let the king, my lord, now deign to hear the words of your servant: if it is Yahweh who stirs you up against me, let him accept the fragrance of an offering; but if it is men, let them be accursed before Yahweh, since they have driven me out now, to take away my place from Yahweh's inheritance, saying: Go serve foreign gods! And now let not my blood fall upon the earth, far from the face of Yahweh! For the king of Israel has set out to seek a flea, as one would pursue a partridge in the mountains."

Saul said, "I have sinned; return, my son David, for I will harm you no more, since my life has been precious in your sight this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly and made a great mistake." David replied, "Here is the spear, O king; let one of your young men come and take it. Yahweh will render to every man according to his righteousness and faithfulness; for Yahweh had delivered you into my hand this day, and I would not lay hands on Yahweh's anointed. Behold, as your life was this day of great price in my sight, so shall my life be of great price in Yahweh's sight, and he shall deliver me from all anguish!" Saul said to David: "Blessed be my son, David! You will surely succeed in your endeavors." David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

Keywords

GRM 188.5 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Saul’s sin was only one of his sins. It was preceded and followed by many more. All of them serious. Double ingratitude towards Samuel who had annointed him king and who subsequently disappeared so as not to share with the king the admiration of the people. He was several times ungrateful to David who saved him from Goliath and spared him in the caves at Engedi and Hachilah. He was guilty of many acts of disobedience and of scandalising his people. He was guilty of grieving his benefactor Samuel by lacking in charity. He was guilty of jealousy, of making attempts on David’s life, David being another benefactor of his, and finally, of the crime he committed here.»
«Against whom? He did not kill anyone here.»
«He killed his soul in here, he finished killing it.»

Detail

About Saul, the king of Israel in the first book of Samuel.

Keywords

GRM 190.1-2 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Have You seen Doras’ fields?»
«I have come from Nain…»
«In that case You have not seen them. They are a complete ruin. (The man whispers that in a low but clear voice, like someone imparting a secret concerning something dreadful.) They are all ruined! There is no hay, no fodder, no fruit. Vines and orchards withered… Dead… everything is dead… like Sodom and Gomorrah… Come, I will show You. (...) Oh! Here are the ones who ploughed the field for me…» and the man runs to meet Peter and Andrew.
But Peter greets him briefly and proceeds on his way and begins to shout: «Oh! Master! There is no one left! They are all new faces. And everything is laid waste! He could very well do without any peasants here. It is worse than the Salt Sea!…»
«I know. Isaiah told Me.»
«But come and see! What a sight…»
(...) The sight of Doras’ fields is really distressing. Fields and meadows are dry and barren, vineyards are withered, the foliage and fruit of trees are completely destroyed by millions of insects of all kinds. Also the garden-orchard near the house looks like a desolate dying wood. The peasants wander to and fro uprooting weeds, crushing caterpillars, snails, earth-worms and the like, shaking branches under which they place basins full of water to drown little butterflies, aphides and other parasites which cover the leaves and eat away the plant until it dies. They endeavour to find a sign of life in the vine-shoots, which break like dry wood as soon as they are touched and sometimes fall off the main branch, as if the roots had been cut by a saw. The contrast with Johanan’s fields, vineyards and orchards is most striking and the ruin of the cursed fields seems more impressive when compared to the fruitfulness of the others.
«The hand of the God of Sinai is a heavy one» whispers Simon the Zealot.
Jesus makes a gesture as if to say: «How right you are!» but He does not say anything. He only asks: «How did it happen?»
A peasant replies between his teeth: «Moles, locusts, worms… but go away! The steward is faithful to Doras… Don’t cause us trouble…»
Jesus sighs and goes away.

Detail

Jesus talks to Isaiah, a peasant from Yokhanan.

Annotation

"The man runs to meet Peter and Andrew. Cf. EMV 109.4: Peter and Andrew, James and John, who took the place of the ploughmen to enable them to listen to Jesus' word.

We speak of You, with what we have learned from Jonah, from Isaac who often comes to us, and from your speech at Tisri. Cf. EMV 109.5.

He has a heavy hand, the God of Sinai. Direct reference to Jesus' words in EMV 109.12.

Keywords

GRM 191.3-4.9 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

One of them, a rather elderly man, is pressing to his side a boy about ten years old; he eats and weeps.
«What is the matter, father?…» asks Jesus.
«It’s because Your goodness is too great…»
The man from Endor says in his guttural voice: «That is true… and it makes you weep. But the tears are not bitter ones…»
«They are not bitter. That’s true. And then… There is something I would like. My tears express also a desire.»
«What do you want, father?»
«See this child. He is my grandson. He was left to me after the landslide of last winter. Doras does not even know that he has come to me, because I have to let him live like a wild animal in the wood and I see him only on the Sabbath. If he finds out he will either drive him away or compel him to work… and this tender offspring of mine will be treated worse than a pack animal. At Passover I am sending him to Jerusalem with Micah, to become a son of the Law… and after?… He is my daughter’s son…»
«Would you give him to Me, instead? Do not weep. I have many friends who are honest, holy and without any children. They will bring him up in a holy manner, in My Way…»
«Oh! Lord! That is what I have been wishing for since I heard of You. And I prayed that holy man Jonah to save my grandchild from this death, because he knows what it means to belong to this master…»
«Child, would you come with Me?»
«Yes, my Lord. And I will cause You no grief.»
«That is settled.»
191.4
«But… to whom do You wish to give him?» asks Peter pulling Jesus by the sleeve. «Also this one to Lazarus?»
«No, Simon. But there are so many without any children…»
«And I am one of them…» Peter’s desire seems to make his face grow thinner.
«Simon. I have already told you. You are to be the “father” of all the children I will bequeath to you. But you are not to be bound by any child of your own. Do not be upset. You are too important to your Master, Who cannot detach you from Himself because of an affection. I am exacting, Simon. I am more exacting than a very jealous husband. I love you most partially and I want you to be entirely Mine.»
«All right, my Lord… all right… Let it be done as You wish.» Poor Peter is really heroic in adhering to Jesus’ will.
«He will be the son of My dawning Church. All right? He will belong to everybody and to nobody. He will be “our” child. He will follow us when distances will allow him to, or he will come to us and the shepherds will be his guardians, as in every child they love “their” Child Jesus. Come here, My child, what is your name?»
«Jabez of John and I am from Judah» says the boy without hesitating.
«Yes. We are Judaeans» confirms the old man. «I used to work in Doras’ lands in Judaea, and my daughter got married to a man from that area. He worked in the woods near Arimathea and last winter…»
«I saw the disaster.»
«The boy was spared because that night he was far away with a relative… In actual fact the boy was appropriately named Jabez. I said to my daughter at once: “Why? Do you not remember the ancient tradition?”. But her husband insisted in giving him that name, so he is Jabez.»
«“The child will call on the Lord and the Lord will bless him and will extend his lands, and the hand of the Lord will be with him and will keep harm away from him”. That is what the Lord will grant him to comfort you, father, and the souls of the dead, and to console the orphan. (...)
I bless you, now. And I will pray for you at every dawn. And you, father, do not worry about the little lamb you are entrusting to Me. I will bring him back now and again, that you may rejoice seeing him grow in wisdom and goodness in the way of the Lord. He will be your lamb of this poor Passover of yours, the most pleasing of all the lambs offered at the altar of Jehovah. Jabez, say goodbye to the old father and then come to your Saviour, to your Good Shepherd. Peace be with you!»
«Oh! Master! Good Master! How painful it is to leave you!»
«Yes, it is painful. But it is better if the steward does not find you here. I came here deliberately to avoid punishment for you. Please obey for the sake of the Love Who advises you.»
The unhappy men rise with tears in their eyes and go back to their cross. Jesus blesses them once again and then, holding the boy by the hand and with the man from Endor on the other side, He goes back to Micah’s house along the same way He came.
Andrew and John join Him and the disciples after their watch.

Detail

Jesus is with the peasants of Doras, offering them food for Passover. One of the men presents him with his grandson.

Annotation

"Simon, I told you", in EMV 104.5. The last mention of Lazarus is in connection with the event reported in EMV 172.11.

"I saw the catastrophe", in EMV 139.2.

"Why this name? Don't you remember the old one? " (...) " The child will call upon the Lord and the Lord will bless him and enlarge his borders; the hand of the Lord is in his hand and he will no longer be burdened by misfortune. " The quotation is taken from 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.

First Book of Chronicles 4, 9-10

1 Ch 4, 9-10 : Yabesh was more honored than his brothers. His mother gave him the name Yabés (i.e.: In sorrow), saying: "I gave birth in distress." Yabes invoked the God of Israel, saying: "If indeed you bless me, you will enlarge my territory, your hand will be with me, and you will remove misfortune from me, so that my distress will end." And God granted him what he had asked for.

Keywords

GRM 191.5-7 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

(...) Listen to the parable that I have thought out for you.
There was once a very rich man. He wore the most beautiful garments, and in his purple and byssus clothes he used to strut about in squares and at home, respected by his citizens as the most powerful man in the country, and by his friends, who gratified his pride to gain benefits thereby. They feasted every day in his halls, where the multitude of his guests, all rich and none therefore needy crowded flattering Dives. His banquets were famous for the copiousness of food and of choice wines.
In the same town there lived a beggar, a great beggar. He was great in his misery as the other was great in his wealth. But under the crust of the human misery of Lazarus, the beggar, there was a treasure, which was even greater than Lazarus’ misery and Dives’ wealth. And it was Lazarus’ true holiness. He had never infringed the Law, not even when urged by need, and above all he had complied with the precept of love for God and for his neighbour. He, as is wont with poor people, used to go near the doors of rich people to ask for alms, so that he would not starve to death. And every evening he would go to Dives’ house, hoping to receive at least the crumbs of the pompous banquets which took place in the magnificent halls. He would lie in the street, near the door, and wait patiently.
But if Dives noticed him, he would have him driven away because that underfed body, covered with sores and ragged clothes, was too sad a sight for his guests. That is what Dives used to say. In actual fact, it was because the sight of so much misery and goodness was a continuous reproach to him. His well fed dogs, adorned with precious collars, were more pitiful than he was and they used to go near poor Lazarus and lick his sores, showing their great joy at being caressed by him. They even took the remains of the bountiful tables to him, so that Lazarus survived malnutrition thanks to animals. If he had relied on man he would have died, because man did not even allow him to enter the halls, after the banquet, to pick up the crumbs which had fallen from the tables.
191.6
One day Lazarus died. No one on earth noticed it, no one mourned him. On the contrary, Dives rejoiced not seeing on that day or afterwards that misery which he called a “disgrace” near his door. But the angels noticed it in Heaven. And when he was about to breathe his last breath in his cold barren cave, the celestial cohorts were present and in a bright dazzling light they picked up his soul and singing hosannas they took it to the bosom of Abraham.
Some time went by and Dives died. Oh! What a grand funeral! The whole town, already aware of his agony, crowded in the square where his abode was, some to be noticed as friends of the great man, some out of curiosity, some to gain favour with the heirs, and they all joined in the mourning, and their cries rose to the sky and with their cries also the false praises of the “great, just benefactor” who had died.
Can the word of man change God’s judgement? Can human apology cancel what is written in the book of Life? No, it cannot. What has been judged is judged and what has been written is written. And notwithstanding the grand funeral, the soul of Dives was buried in hell.
Then, in that horrible jail, eating and drinking fire and darkness, finding hatred and torture everywhere and in every moment of eternity, he raised his eyes to heaven. He raised his eyes to heaven which he saw in the brightness of lightning, in the fraction of a second, and the indescribable beauty of heaven remained present in his mind and tormented him in the midst of atrocious tortures. And he saw Abraham up there. Far, but bright, happy… and in his lap, bright and happy there was also Lazarus, poor Lazarus, once miserable, despised, revolting… and now? He was handsome in the light of God and of his holiness, full of God’s love, admired not by men but by the angels of God.
Dives weeping cried: “Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus, as I cannot possibly hope that you will do it yourself, send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and touch my tongue with it, to cool it, for I am in agony in these flames which pierce me continuously and burn me!”.
Abraham replied: “Remember, son, that you had all good things during your life, whereas Lazarus had all bad things. But he turned evil into good, whereas you did nothing but evil of all the good things. It is therefore just that now he should be comforted here and that you should suffer. In any case it is not possible to do it. Holy people are spread over the earth so that men may take advantage of them. But, if notwithstanding all the opportunities, he remains what he was – in your case, a demon – it is useless to make recourse to saints. We are now separated. Herbs are mixed when they are in the field. But when they are cut, the good ones are separated from the evil ones. That is what happens to you and to us. We were together on the earth and you rejected and tortured us in every possible way, you forgot us, acting against the law of charity. We are now divided. There is an abyss between you and us, and those who wish to cross it and come to you, cannot do it. Neither can you, where you are, cross the dreadful abyss and come to us”.
191.7
Dives, crying more loudly shouted: “Holy father, at least please send Lazarus to my father’s house. I have five brothers. I have never understood what love is, not even among relatives. But now I understand what a terrible thing it is not to be loved. And since where I am there is hatred, in the fraction of a second, when my soul saw God, I understood what Love is. I do not want my brothers to suffer the pains that I am suffering. I am terrified because they are leading the same life as I did. Oh! send Lazarus to tell them where I am, and why I am here, and let them know that hell does exist, and it is dreadful, and that those who do not love God and their neighbour come to hell. Send him! So that they may provide in good time, and may not come here, to this place of eternal torture” .
But Abraham replied: “Your brothers have Moses and the Prophets. They should listen to them”.
And with a deep groan of a tormented soul Dives replied: “Oh! Father Abraham! They will be more impressed by a dead person… Listen to me! Have mercy!”.
But Abraham said: “If they have not listened to Moses and the Prophets, they will not believe either one who has risen from the dead for one hour to speak words of Truth to them. In any case it is not fair that a blessed soul should leave my bosom to go and be insulted by the sons of the Enemy. The time of insults is over for such souls. They are now in peace by the order of God Who sees that it is useless to endeavour to convert those who do not even believe in the word of God and do not practice it”.
That is the parable and its meaning is so clear that no clarification is required.

Annotation

In his dictation of August 2, 1943, Jesus refers to this bad rich man as Epulon, the name of the priests in charge of organizing banquets in ancient Rome, which the original of this episode uses "Epulone" as the equivalent of bad rich man.

"He turned his eyes to the Heaven he had glimpsed". This is to be understood as Maria Valtorta commented on a typed copy: "He turned his eyes towards the limbo of the saints he had glimpsed ... and whose peaceful beauty was already unspeakable ...".

"During that second when my soul glimpsed God" is to be understood in the sense of "at the moment of particular judgment", as Maria Valtorta notes in a typescript.

Gospel of Luke 16:19-31

Lk 16, 19-31 : "There was a rich man, dressed in purple and fine linen, who made sumptuous feasts every day. Outside his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with ulcers. He wished he could have eaten what fell from the rich man's table, but the dogs came and licked his ulcers. So the poor man died, and the angels took him to Abraham. The rich man also died, and was buried.

In Hades, he was tortured; lifting up his eyes, he saw Abraham from afar and Lazarus close by. Then he cried out: "Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip his fingertip in water to cool my tongue, for I am suffering terribly in this furnace. - My child," replied Abraham, "remember: you received happiness during your life, and Lazarus, misfortune during his. Now he finds consolation here, and you, suffering. And in addition to all this, a great chasm has been established between you and us, so that those who would cross over to you cannot, and that, from there either, no one crosses over to us." The rich man replied, "Well, Father, I beg you to send Lazarus to my father's house. For I have five brothers: let him bear his testimony to them, lest they too come to this place of torture!" Abraham said to him, "They have Moses and the Prophets: let them listen to them! - No, Father Abraham," he said, "but if someone from the dead comes to them, they will be converted." Abraham replied, "If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, someone may rise from the dead: they won't be convinced."""

Keywords

GRM 192.1 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Is that the top of Mount Carmel, my Lord?» asks His cousin James.
«Yes, it is, brother. That is the chain of the Carmel and the highest peak is the one that gives the name to the chain.»
«The world must be beautiful also from there. Have You ever been up there?»
«Yes, once, by Myself, at the beginning of My mission. And at the foot of it I cured the first leper. But we will go there together, to commemorate Elijah…»
«Thank You, Jesus. You have understood me as usual.»
«And as usual I perfect you, James.»
«Why?»
«The reason is written in Heaven.»
«Would You not tell me, brother, since You can read what is written in Heaven?»
Jesus and James are walking one beside the other and only little Jabez, who is held by the hand by Jesus, can hear the confidential conversation of the two cousins who smile looking at each other’s eyes.
Jesus embraces James’ shoulders with His arm to draw him closer to Himself and asks: «Do you really want to know? Well, I will tell you by means of a riddle, and when you find the answer you will be wise. Listen[1]: “After assembling the false prophets on Mount Carmel, Elijah stepped out in front of all the people: ‘How long’ he said ‘do you mean to hobble first on one leg then on the other? If the Lord is God, follow Him; if Baal, follow him’. The people did not reply. Elijah then said to the people: ‘I, I alone am left as a prophet of the Lord’ and the only strength of the lonely prophet was his cry: ‘Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and are winning back their hearts’. Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the holocaust”. Guess, My brother.»
James is pensive with his head lowered and Jesus looks at him smiling. They walk for a few yards thus, then James asks: «Is it in connection with Elijah or with my future?»
«With your future, of course…»
James becomes thoughtful again and then whispers: «Am I perhaps destined to invite Israel to follow a way with sincerity? Am I destined to be the only one left in Israel? If so, do You mean that all the others will be persecuted and scattered and that… I will pray You for the conversion of this people… as if I were a priest… as if I were… a victim… But if it is so, Jesus, inflame me as from now…»
«You already are inflamed. But you will be carried away by Fire, like Elijah[2]. That is why you and I will go, all alone on Mount Carmel to speak…»
«When? After Passover?»
«Yes, after a Passover. And then I will tell you many things…»

Annotation

First Book of Kings, 18, 20-22.37-38

1 K 18, 20-22.37-38: Ahab sent messengers to all the children of Israel, and assembled the prophets at Mount Carmel. Then Elijah came to all the people and said, "How long will you be bells on both sides? If Yahweh is God, go after him; if Baal, go after him!" The people answered him nothing. And Elijah said to the people: "I am left alone of the prophets of Yahweh, and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal (...) Hear me, Yahweh, hear me! That this people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that it is you who turn their hearts back." Then Yahweh's fire fell, and it consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones and the earth, and absorbed the water that was in the ditch.

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 194.4 · Volume 3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

«Well! Let us go on. Towards the Holy City. We must arrive there tomorrow, towards evening. Why such a hurry? Can you tell me? Is it not the same if we arrive the day after tomorrow?»
«No. It would not be the same. Because tomorrow is Parasceve and after sunset one can walk only for six stadia. You are not allowed to go farther because the Sabbath and its rest have begun.»
«So one idles about on the Sabbath.»
«No. You pray to the Most High Lord.»
«What is His name?»
«Adonai. But saints can pronounce His name.»
«Also good children. Tell Me if you know.»
«Jaave» (the boy pronounces it thus: a very soft G, which is almost a J, and a very long ‘a’).
«And why does one pray to the Most High Lord on the Sabbath?»
«Because He told Moses, when He gave him the tables of the Law.»
«Oh! Did He? And what did He say?»
«He said that we must keep it holy. “For six days you shall labour, but on the seventh day you shall rest and make others rest, because that is what I did, too, after the creation”.»
«What? Did the Lord rest? Did He become tired creating? And was it He Who created? How do you know? I know that God never tires.»
«He was not tired, because God does not walk and does not move His arms. But He did it, to teach Adam and us, and to have a day on which we think of Him. And He created everything, most certainly. The Book of the Lord tells us.»
«But was the Book written by Him?»
«No. But it is the Truth. And one must believe it unless one wants to go to Lucifer.»
«You said that God does not walk and does not move His arms. How did He create then? What is He like? A statue?»
«He is not an idol: He is God. And God is… God is… let me think and remember what my mother said, and even better than she did, that man who, in Your name goes to visit the poor people at Esdraelon… My mother used to say, to make me understand God: “God is like my love for you. It has no body, but it exists”. And that little man, but with such a gentle smile, would say: “God is an Eternal Spirit, One and Triune, and the Second Person became flesh for the sake of us, poor people, and His name is… “ Oh! My Lord! Now that I think of it… it’s You!» The child, dumbfounded, prostrates himself on the ground adoring.
They all run thinking that he has fallen, but Jesus with His finger on His lips beckons them to be silent and then says: «Stand up, Jabez. Children must not be afraid of Me!»
The boy looks up reverently and looks at Jesus with a changed expression, almost of fear.
But Jesus smiles and stretches out His hand saying: «You are a wise little Israelite.»