2

INDEX THE SECOND YEAR OF THE PUBLIC LIFE

141. Instruction to the Disciples while Going towards Arimathea. 4
142. Instruction to the Apostles Going towards Samaria. 6
143. Photinai, the Samaritan oman. !
144. ith the People o" S#char. 1$
14%. &'angeli(ation at S#char. 12
146. Good)#e to the People o" S#char. 14
14!. Instruction to the Apostles and the *iracle o" the oman o" S#char. 1%
14+. ,esus -isits the .aptist near &nnon. 1!
14/. ,esus 0eaches the Apostles. 1/
1%$. ,esus at 1a(areth. 2 Son, I ill 3ome with 4ou. 5 21
1%1. In Susanna6s 7ouse in 3ana. 0he 8o#al 9""icer. 23
1%2. In :e)edee6s 7ouse. Salome Is Accepted as a Disciple. 24
1%3. ,esus Spea;s to 7is Disciples o" omen6s Apostolate. 2%
1%4. ,esus at 3aesarea on Sea Spea;s to the Galle#<Sla'es. 26
1%%. 3ure o" the =ittle 8oman Girl at 3aesarea. 3$
1%6. Annaleah De'otes 7ersel" to God as a -irgin. 34
1%!. Instruction to the omen Disciples at 1a(areth. 3!
1%+. ,esus Spea;s to ,ohanna o" 3hu(a on the =a;e. 4$
1%/. ,esus at Gherghesa. ,ohn6s Disciples. 42
16$. >rom 1aphtali to Giscala. *eeting with 8a))i Gamaliel. 44
161. 0he Grandson o" &li, a Pharisee o" 3apernaum, is 3ured. 4+
162. ,esus in the 7ouse in 3apernaum a"ter the *iracle on &lisha. %$
163. Dinner in the 7ouse o" &li, the Pharisee o" 3apernaum. %3
164. 0owards the 8etreat on the *ountain )e"ore the &lection o" the Apostles. %%
16%. 0he &lection o" the 0wel'e Apostles. %!
166. 0he >irst Sermon o" Simon :ealot and ,ohn. 6$
16!. In the 7ouse o" ,ohanna o" 3hu(a. ,esus and the 8oman =adies. 6%
16+. Aglae in *ar#6s 7ouse at 1a(areth. !$
16/. 0he Sermon o" the *ount?
2 4ou Are the Salt o" the &arth 5. !%
1!$. 0he Sermon o" the *ount. 0he .eatitudes @Part 9neA. !/
1!1. 0he Sermon o" the *ount. 0he .eatitudes @Part 0woA. +4
1!2. 0he Sermon o" the *ount. 0he .eatitudes @Part 0hreeA. ++
1!3. 0he Sermon o" the *ount. 0he .eatitudes @Part >ourA. /3
1!4. 0he Sermon o" the *ount. 0he .eatitudes @Part >i'eA.
&ncounter with the *agdalene. /!
1!%. 0he =eper 3ured at the >oot o" the *ountain. 1$!
1!6. 0he Sa))ath a"ter the Sermon. At the >oot o" the *ountain. 11$
1!!. 0he Ser'ant o" the 3enturion Is 3ured. 112
1!+. ,esus *eets 0hree *en ho ant to >ollow 7im. 113
1!/. 0he Para)le o" the Sower. 11%
1+$. =esson to the Apostles in Peter6s Bitchen and
Announcement o" the .aptist6s 3apture. 11/
1+1. Para)le o" the Darnel. 124
1+2. 9n 7is a# to *agdala ,esus Spea;s to Some Shepherds. 12+
1+3. ,esus at *agdala. 7e *eets with *ar# *agdalene the Second 0ime. 13$
1+4. At *agdala in the 7ouse o" .enCamin6s *other. 132
1+%. 0he 3alming o" the Storm. 13!
1+6. 0he Demoniacs o" Gadara. 13+
1+!. 0owards ,erusalem "or the Second Passo'er.
>rom 0arichea to *ount 0a)or. 142
1++. >rom 0a)or to &ndor in the 3a'e o" the 1ecromancer.
&ncounter with >eliD ho .ecomes ,ohn. 144
1+/. 0he Son o" the idow o" 1ain. 1%$
1/$. >rom 1ain to &sdraelon. ,esus Sta#s at *icah6s. 1%2
1/1. 0he Sa))ath at &sdraelon. =ittle ,a)e(. 0he Para)le o" 8ich Di'es. 1%4
1/2. >rom &sdraelon to &ngannim Stopping at *egiddo. 1%+
1/3. >rom &ngannim to Shechem in 0wo Da#s. 161
1/4. >rom Shechem to .eeroth. 163
1/%. >rom .eeroth to ,erusalem. 166
1/6. 0he Sa))ath at Gethsemane. 16+
INDEX THE SECOND YEAR OF THE PUBLIC LIFE 3
1/!. In the 0emple at the 7our o" the 9""ering. 1!3
1/+. ,esus *eets 7is *other at .ethan#. 1!%
1//. ,esus Goes to the =epers o" Siloam and .en 7innom.
0he Power o" *ar#6s ord. 1+$
2$$. Aglae *eets the *aster. 1+6
2$1. *arCiam6s &Damination. 1+/
2$2. At the 0emple on the &'e o" Passo'er. 1/2
2$3. 0he 2 9ur >ather 5. 1/%
2$4. ,esus to the Gentiles? >aith Is .uilt as 4our 0emples. 1//
2$%. 0he Para)le o" the Prodigal Son. 2$3
2$6. 0he Para)le o" the 0en -irgins and the Para)le o" the 8o#al edding. 2$!
2$!. >rom .ethan# to the Grotto o" .ethlehem. 214
2$+. Going to &li(a6s at .eth(ur. 21/
2$/. ,esus in &li(a6s 7ouse Spea;s o" Sorrow that .ears >ruit. 22%
21$. 0owards 7e)ron. 0he orld6s 8easons and God6s. 22+
211. elcome 8eception at 7e)ron. 231
212. At ,uttah, ,esus Spea;s in Isaac6s 7ouse. 23%
213. At Berioth, ,esus Spea;s in the S#nagogue. 23/
214. In ,udas6 7ouse at Berioth. 241
21%. 0he =unatic Girl o" .ethginna. 244
216. In the Plain towards Ash;elon. 24+
21!. ,esus Is *aster also o" the Sa))ath. 2%1
21+. Arri'al at Ash;elon. 2%3
21/. 0eaching at Ash;elon. 2%/
22$. ,esus at *agdalgad Incinerates a Pagan Idol. 263
221. =esson to the Apostles Going to ,a)neel. 26!
222. 0owards *odin. 2!1
223. ,esus Spea;s to 7ighwa#men. 2!3
224. Arri'al at .ether. 2!6
22%. 0he Paral#tic at the Pool o" .eth(atha. 2+$
226. *ar# 7as Sent "or *artha at *agdala. 2+%
22!. *arCiam Is &ntrusted to Porphirea. 2+!
22+. ,esus Spea;s at .ethsaida. 2+/
22/. 0he oman with a 7emorrhage and ,airus6 Daughter. 2/$
23$. ,esus and *artha at 3apernaum. 2/2
231. 0wo .lind *en and a Dum) Demoniac 3ured. 2/6
232. Para)le o" the =ost Sheep. 2//
233. 3omment on 0hree &pisodes 3onnected with the 3on'ersion o" *ar# o"
*agdala. 3$$
234. *artha 7as 7er -ictor# within 7er Grasp. 3$4
23%. *ar# *agdalene in the 7ouse o" Simon, the Pharisee. 3$%
236. 0he 7ar'est Is 8ich )ut the =a)ourers Are >ew.
0he Para)le o" the 0reasure 7idden in the >ield. 3$/
23!. 0he *agdalene Is Accompanied )# *ar# among the Disciples. 313
23+. 0he Para)le o" the >ishermen. 316
23/. *arCiam 0eaches *ar# *agdalene the 2 9ur >ather 5. 32$
24$. ,esus Is the Power"ul =o'er. 0he Para)le o" the =ost Drachma. 321
241. Bnowledge Is not 3orruption i" it Is 8eligion. 324
242. In the 7ouse at 3ana. 33$
243. ,ohn 8epeats the Speech *ade )# ,esus on *ount 0a)or. 334
244. ,esus at 1a(areth. 33+
24%. In the S#nagogue at 1a(areth on the Sa))ath. 341
246. 9ur =ad# 0eaches the *agdalene. 34%
24!. At .ethlehem in Galilee. 34+
24+. Going towards Sicaminon. 3%4
24/. ,esus *eets the Disciples at Sicaminon. 3%!
2%$. At 0#re, ,esus Spea;s o" Perse'erance. 362
2%1. 8eturn to Sicaminon. ,esus Spea;s o" >aith. 36%
2%2. Departure "rom Sicaminon.
0he .lessed -irgin *ar# and Spiritualised *aternit#. 36/
2%3. S#nt#che, the Gree; Sla'e. 3!2
2%4. Good)#e to *ar# o" *agdala, to *artha and to S#nt#che. 3!!
2%%. ,esus Spea;s o" 7ope. 3+$
2%6. ,esus Goes up *ount 3armel with 7is 3ousin ,ames. 3+4
2%!. ,esus 8e'eals to ,ames o" Alphaeus 7is >uture Apostolic *ission. 3+%
2%+. ,esus and 7is 3ousin ,ames on 0heir a# .ac; "rom *ount 3armel. 3/$
INDEX THE SECOND YEAR OF THE PUBLIC LIFE 4
2%/. Peter Spea;s to Doras6 Peasants a)out the =o'e hich Is Sal'ation. 3/%
26$. ,esus to ,ohanan6s Peasants? 2 =o'e Is 9)edience 5. 3//
261. In the 7ouse o" Dora and Philip. 4$1
262. 0he *an with the ithered 7and. 4$6
263. A Da# o" ,udas Iscariot at 1a(areth. 4$+
264. Instructions to the Apostles at the .eginning o" 0heir Apostolate. 414
26%. ,ohn the .aptist Sends 7is Disciples to As; ,esus
whether 7e Is the *essiah. 41/
266. ,esus or;s as a 3arpenter at Bora(im. 424
26!. ,esus Spea;s o" =o'e. 426
26+. 0he Dispute with the Pharisees and the Arri'al o" ,esus6
*other and .rothers. 43$
26/. 0he 1ews o" the *urder o" ,ohn the .aptist. 436
2!$. Departure in the Direction o" 0arichea. 44$
2!1. Spea;ing to a Scri)e on the .an;s o" the ,ordan. 443
2!2. >irst *iracle o" the =oa'es. 44%
2!3. ,esus al;s on the ater. 44+
2!4. 0he Deeds o" 3orporal and Spiritual *erc#. 4%1
141. Instruction to t! Disci"#!s $i#! %oin& to$'r(s Ari)'t!'.
1*t A"ri# 1*4+.
1 2 *# =ord, what shall we do with this manE 5 Peter as;s ,esus pointing at a
man, whose name is ,oseph, and who has )een "ollowing them since the# le"t
&mmaus. ,oseph is now listening to the two sons o" Alphaeus and to Simon,
who are pa#ing particular attention to him.
2 I ha'e told #ou. 7e is coming with us as "ar as Galilee. 5
2 And thenE...5
2 And then... he will )e sta#ing with us. 4ou will see that that is what is going
to happen. 5
2 Is he going to )e a disciple, tooE ith that "oul stor# a)out himE 5
2 Are #ou a Pharisee, tooE 5
2 1ot meF .ut... I thin; that the Pharisees are too ;een on ;eeping an e#e on
us...5
2 And the# will cause us trou)le i" the# see him with us. 0hat is what #ou mean.
So, we should allow a son o" A)raham to )e plunged into grie", )ecause we are
a"raid o" )eing anno#ed. 1o, Simon Peter. It is a soul that can )e lost or sa'ed
according to how its deep wound is healed. 5
2 .ut, are we not 4our disciplesE...5
,esus loo;s at Peter and smiles sweetl#. 7e then sa#s? 2 9ne da#, man# months
ago, I said to #ou? G*an# more will come.H 0he "ield is 'ast, 'er# 'ast. .ecause
o" its 'astness, the wor;ers will ne'er )e su""icient... also )ecause man#, li;e
,onah, will die wor;ing hard. .ut #ou will alwa#s )e *# "a'oured ones 5
concludes ,esus, drawing gloom# Peter close to 7imsel" and 7is promise cheers
the apostle.
2 So, he is coming with us. 5
2 4es, until his heart is re"reshed. 7e is deepl# disillusioned )# all the )itter
hatred he has had to endure. 7e is indeed poisoned. 5
Also ,ames, ,ohn and Andrew ha'e Coined the *aster and are listening to 7im.
141. Instruct!n t! t"# Dsc$%#s &"%# '!n( t!&)r*s Ar+)t"#). ,
2 2 4ou cannot appraise the enormous harm that a man can do another man )#
means o" his hostile intolerance. I as; #ou to remem)er that #our *aster was
alwa#s 'er# )enign towards those who were su""ering "rom a spiritual disease.
4ou thin; that *# greatest miracles and *# main 'irtue consist in the curing o"
)odies. 1o, *# "riends... 4es, #ou too, who are ahead o" us and #ou, who are
)ehind *e, come here. 0he road is wide and we can wal; in a group. 5
0he# all gather round ,esus ho continues? 2 *# main deeds, the ones that )ear
the clearest witness to *# nature and *# mission, the ones upon which the
>ather loo;s with Co#, are the healing o" hearts, whether the# are "reed "rom one
or more capital 'ices, or relie'ed "rom grie". 7earts are discouraged )# grie"
when the# are con'inced that the# ha'e )een struc; and a)andoned )# God.
hat is a soul that has lost the certaint# o" the help o" GodE It is a thin )ear)ine
crawling in the dust, as it is no longer a)le to clutch at the idea that was its
strength and its Co#. It is horri)le to li'e without hope.
=i"e is )eauti"ul, in its hardship, onl# )ecause it recei'es such warmth "rom the
Di'ine Sun. 0he aim o" li"e is that Sun. 0he da#s o" man ma# )e dismal, wet
with tears and smeared with )lood. .ut the Sun will rise again. 0hen there will
)e no more grie", no separations, no harshness, no hatred, no miser# or solitude
in an en'eloping "og. Instead there will )e )rightness and singing, serenit# and
peace, there will )e God. God? the eternal SunF See how gloom# the earth is
when there is an eclipse. I" man were compelled to sa#? G0he sun is de"unctH
would he not "eel as i" he were to li'e "ore'er in a dar; h#pogeum, )uried and
dead )e"ore d#ingE .ut man ;nows that )ehind the planet that hides the sun and
ma;es the world loo; dismal there is still God6s )right sun. And the thought o"
)eing united to God during li"e is li;e that. I" men hurt, steal, calumniate, God
cures, grants, Custi"ies. And 7e does so in "ull measure. *en ma# sa#? GGod has
reCected #ou.H .ut a con"ident soul thin;s, must thin;? GGod is Cust and good. 7e
;nows all reasons and is )enign. 7e is more )enign than the most )enign o"
men. 7e is in"initel# so. 0here"ore 7e will not reCect me i" I lean m# tear<stained
"ace on 7is )osom and I sa# to 7im? 6>ather, I ha'e )ut 4ou. 4our son is in
anguish and depressed. Gi'e me 4our peace....6 H.
I ha'e )een sent )# God to gather those whom man has upset and Satan has
o'erwhelmed and I sa'e them. 0hat is reall# *# wor;. A miracle on a )od# is a
mani"estation o" di'ine power. 0he redemption o" souls is the wor; o" ,esus
3hrist, the Sa'iour and 8edeemer. I thin;, and I am not mista;en, that those who
ha'e )een reha)ilitated )# *e in the e#es o" God and in their own, will )e *#
"aith"ul disciples, the ones who with greater strength will )e a)le to lead crowds
o" people to God sa#ing? GAre #ou sinnersE So am I. Are #ou depressedE So am
I. Are #ou desperateE So was I. And #et #ou can see that the *essiah had merc#
on m# spiritual distress and 7e wanted me to )e 7is priest. .ecause 7e is merc#
and 7e wants the world to )e con'inced o" that, and no man is more suita)le to
con'ince than he who has eDperienced such merc# in himsel".H 1ow I will put
them on a par with *# "riends, and with those who ha'e worshipped *e since I
was )orn, that is, I will associate them with #ou and with the shepherds. 1a#, I
will set them alongside the shepherds, with those who ha'e )een cured, with
those who without an# special election, li;e #ou twel'e, ha'e "ollowed *# wa#
and will "ollow it as long as the# li'e.
Isaac is near Arimathea, as reIuested )# our "riend ,oseph. I will ta;e Isaac with
*e, so that he ma# Coin 0imoneus when the latter arri'es. 4ou ma# Coin them,
,oseph, i" #ou thin; that there is peace in *e and a purpose "or a whole li"e.
0he# will )e good )rothers to #ou. 5
3 2 9 m# 3om"ortF It is eDactl# as 4ou sa#. *# deep wounds, )oth as a man
and as a )elie'er, are )eing cured 'er# Iuic;l#. I ha'e )een with 4ou three da#s.
And I "eel that what was m# torture onl# three da#s ago, is a dream that is
"ading awa#. I had that dream, )ut the more time elapses, the more its harsh
details 'anish )e"ore realit#. During the past nights I ha'e pondered o'er things.
I ha'e a good relati'e at ,oppa. 7e was... the in'oluntar# cause o" m# trou)le,
)ecause it was through him that I met that woman. And that will tell 4ou
whether we were in a position to ;now whose daughter she was... 0rue, she ma#
ha'e )een the daughter o" m# "ather6s "irst wi"e. .ut he was not the "ather. 7er
name was di""erent and she came "rom "ar awa#. She )ecame acIuainted with
m# relati'e through )usiness transactions. And that is how I met her. *#
relati'e was 'er# "ond o" m# )usiness. I am going to ma;e him an o""er. 0he
)usiness would come to an end without a master. I am sure he will )u# it, also
)ecause there)# he will not "eel remorse "or the trou)le he caused me. I will
then )e sel"<su""icient and I will )e a)le to "ollow 4ou without an# worr#. I onl#
as; 4ou to grant me that man Isaac 4ou mentioned. I am a"raid o" )eing all
alone with m# thoughts. 0he# are still too sad...5
2 I will let #ou ha'e Isaac. 7e is a ;ind soul. Sorrow has per"ected him. 7e has
carried his cross "or thirt# #ears. 7e ;nows what it means to su""er... In the
meantime we will go ahead. And #ou will Coin us at 1a(areth. 5
141. Instruct!n t! t"# Dsc$%#s &"%# '!n( t!&)r*s Ar+)t"#). -
2 Are we not stopping at ,oseph6sE 5
2 ,oseph is pro)a)l# in ,erusalem... 0he Sanhedrin is 'er# )us#... e will "ind
out "rom Isaac. I" he is there, we will ta;e him our peace. I" he is not there we
will stop onl# one night, to rest. I am anDious to reach Galilee. 0here is a *other
ho is su""ering. 4ou must remem)er that there are people who are ;een on
distressing 7er. I want to reassure 7er. 5
14,. Instruction to t! A"ost#!s %oin& to$'r(s S')'ri'.
,1st A"ri# 1*4+.
1 ,esus is with the twel'e apostles. 0he region is still mountainous, )ut since the
road is Iuite wide, the# are all in a group and are spea;ing among themsel'es.
2 .ut, now that we are all )# oursel'es, we can tal; a)out it? wh# so much
Cealous# )etween the two groupsE 5 as;s Philip.
2 ,ealous#E It is nothing )ut prideF 5 replies ,udas o" Alphaeus.
2 1o. I sa# that it is onl# a preteDt to Custi"#, somehow, their unCust )eha'iour
towards the *aster. Jnder the co'er o" (eal "or the .aptist, the# succeed in
dri'ing 7im awa#, without alienating the crowds too much 5 sa#s Simon.
2 I would unmas; them. 5
2 Peter, we would do man# things that 7e does not do. 5
2 h# does 7e notE 5
2 .ecause 7e ;nows it is )etter not to do so. All we ha'e to do is to imitate
7im. It is not "or us to guide 7im. And we must )e happ# a)out it. It is a great
relie" to ha'e onl# to o)e#...5
2 2 4ou are Iuite right, Simon 5 sa#s ,esus, ho was wal;ing ahead o" them
apparentl# pensi'e.
2 4ou are Iuite right. It is easier to o)e# than to command. It does not seem so,
)ut it is. It is certainl# eas# when the spirit is good. And li;ewise it is di""icult to
command when the spirit is upright. .ecause a spirit that is not righteous, gi'es
irrational orders and worse than irrational. 0hen it is eas# to command. .ut...
how more di""icult it is to o)e#F hen a man is responsi)le "or a place or a
group o" people, he must alwa#s )e charita)le and "air, wise and hum)le,
moderate and patient, "irm )ut not o)stinate. 9hF It is di""icultF... >or the time
)eing #ou ha'e )ut to o)e#. 4ou must o)e# God and #our *aster. 4ou, and #ou
are not the onl# one, wonder wh# I do or do not do certain things, #ou wonder
wh# God allows or does not allow such things. See, Peter, and all o" #ou, *#
"riends. 9ne o" the secrets o" the per"ect )elie'er is not to set onesel" as the
interrogator o" God.
Hh# do 4ou do thatEH a soul that is not completel# "ormed as;s God. And that
soul seems to )e ta;ing the attitude o" a wise adult )e"ore a little school)o# and
sa#s? G0hat is not to )e done. It is sill#. It is wrong.H ho is a)o'e GodE
4ou now see that under the pretence o" (eal "or ,ohn I am )eing dri'en awa#.
And #ou are scandalised. And #ou would li;e *e to put matters right )#
polemi(ing with those who maintain such principles. 1o, ne'er. 4ou ha'e heard
what the .aptist said through the mouths o" his disciples? G7e must grow
greater, I must grow smaller.H 0here is no regret in him, no clinging to his
position. A saint is not attached to such things. 7e does not wor; to increase the
num)er o" his GownH "ollowers. 7e has no "ollowers o" his own. 7e wor;s to
increase the )elie'ers in God. God alone is entitled to ha'e "ollowers. 0here"ore,
as I do not regret that some people, in good or in )ad "aith, remain disciples o"
the .aptist, so he is not distressed, as #ou ha'e heard, i" some o" his disciples
come to *e. 7e disregards such numerical pettiness. 7e loo;s at 7ea'en. And I
loo; at 7ea'en. Do not argue, there"ore, among #oursel'es, whether it is "air or
un"air that the ,ews should accuse *e o" snatching disciples "rom the .aptist,
whether it is Cust or unCust to allow people to sa# that. 0hose are altercations o"
tal;ati'e women round the 'illage "ountain. Saints help one another, the# gi'e
and eDchange spirits with unreser'ed ease, smiling at the idea o" wor;ing "or the
=ord.
I ha'e )apti(ed, na#, I made #ou )apti(e , )ecause the spirit is so dull,
nowada#s, that it is necessar# to present piet#, miracles and doctrine in a
material "orm to it. .ecause o" such spiritual dullness I will ha'e to a'ail *#sel"
o" the help o" material su)stances when I want to ma;e #ou wor; miracles. .ut
)elie'e *e, the e'idence o" holiness is neither in the oil, nor in the water, nor in
an# other ceremon#. 0he time is a)out to come when an impalpa)le, in'isi)le
142. Instruct!n t! t"# A$!st%#s '!n( t!&)r*s S)+)r). .
thing, which materialists cannot concei'e, will )e the Iueen, the Greturning
IueenH, power"ul and hol# with e'er# hol# thing and in e'er# hol# thing.
0hrough it man will )ecome again the Gson o" GodH and will wor; what God
wor;s, )ecause he will ha'e God with him? Grace. 0hat is the returning Iueen.
0hen )aptism will )e a sacrament. 0hen man will spea; and understand the
language o" God and will gi'e li"e and =i"e, he will gi'e power o" science and o"
strength, then... ohF thenF .ut #ou are not #et mature to learn what Grace will
grant #ou. Please help its coming )# continuousl# training #oursel'es and "orget
useless and mean things.
3 0here is the )oundar# o" Samaria. Do #ou thin; I ought to spea; thereE 5
2 9hF 5 0he# are all more or less scandalised.
2 I solemnl# tell #ou that there are Samaritans e'er#where, and i" I should not
spea; where there is a Samaritan, I should not spea; an#where. 3ome there"ore.
I will not ma;e an# e""ort to spea;. .ut I will not disdain to spea; o" God i" I am
as;ed. 9ne #ear is o'er. 0he second is )eginning. It is )etween the )eginning
and the end. At the )eginning the *aster was still predominant. 1ow the
Sa'iour is )eing re'ealed. 0he end will see the "ace o" the 8edeemer. =et us go.
0he more a ri'er approaches its estuar#, the more it grows. I also am increasing
the wor; o" merc# )ecause the end is approaching. 5
2 Are we going towards some )ig ri'er a"ter GalileeE Perhaps to the 1ileE 9r
the &uphratesE 5 whisper some o" the disciples.
2 Perhaps we are going amongst the Gentiles...5 repl# others.
2 Do not spea; among #oursel'es. e are going towards G*#H end. 0hat is,
towards the "ul"illment o" *# mission. =isten care"ull# to what I sa# to #ou,
)ecause a"terwards I will lea'e #ou and #ou will ha'e to continue in *# name. 5
14-. Potin'i. t! S')'rit'n /o)'n.
,,n( A"ri# 1*4+.
1 2 I will stop here. 4ou go into town and )u# what is necessar# "or our meal.
e shall eat here. 5
2 Shall we all goE 5
2 4es, ,ohn. 4ou had )etter )e all together. 5
2 And what a)out 4ouE 4ou will )e le"t alone... 0he# are Samaritans...5
2 0he# will not )e the worst enemies o" 3hrist. Go. I will pra#, while waiting
"or #ou. I will pra# "or #ou and "or them. 5
0he disciples reluctantl# go awa#, and the# turn round three or "our times to
loo; at ,esus, ho has sat down on a little wall, eDposed to the sun, near the low
)road edge o" a well. It is a )ig well, so wide that it seems a cistern. In summer
it is shaded )# tall trees, which are now )are. It is not possi)le to see the water,
)ut the little puddles and ring mar;s o" wet pitchers on the ground near the well,
are clear signs that water has )een drawn. ,esus sits down and meditates, in 7is
usual attitude, 7is el)ows resting on 7is ;nees, 7is hands stretched out and
Coined, 7is )od# slightl# )ent "orward and 7is head lowered. hen 7e "eels the
mild warmth o" the sun, 7e lets 7is mantle drop "rom 7is head and shoulders
and holds it round 7is waist. 7e raises 7is head and smiles at a "light o"
wrangling sparrows Iuarrelling o'er a large crum) o" )read, which someone has
dropped near the well.
.ut the sparrows "l# awa# when a woman arri'es near the well. ith her le"t
hand she is holding an empt# amphora )# one o" its handles, whilst her right
hand with a gesture o" surprise pushes aside her 'eil to see who the man is who
is sitting there. ,esus smiles at the thirt#<"i'eK "ort# #ear old woman. She is tall,
with a )eauti"ul strongl# mar;ed "igure. A Spanish t#pe, we would sa#? a pale
oli'e compleDion, rather thic; )right<red lips, dar; e#es which are e'en
eDceedingl# large, 'er# dar; e#e)rows and hair, 'isi)le through her transparent
'eil. Also her rather plump "eatures are t#picall# oriental and slightl# so"t, as is
customar# with Ara) women. 7er dress is a multicoloured striped ro)e, which is
held 'er# tight round her waist and her plump sides and )reast, and then "alls to
the ground in a ;ind o" wa'# "ringe. She is wearing se'eral rings on her rather
plump dar; "ingers and )racelets on her wrists, which appear under her linen
slee'es. 8ound her nec; she wears a hea'# nec;lace "rom which some medals
are hanging I should call them amulets )ecause the# are o" all shapes. 7ea'#
ear<rings hang down as "ar as her nec; and shine under her 'eil.
2 2 Peace )e with #ou, woman. ill #ou gi'e *e some water to drin;E I ha'e
143. P"!tn)/ t"# S)+)rt)n 0!+)n. 1
wal;ed a long wa# and I am thirst#. 5
2 Are 4ou not a ,udaeanE And 4ou as; me, a Samaritan woman, to gi'e 4ou a
drin;E hat has happenedE 7a'e we )een reha)ilitated, or ha'e #ou )een
routedE A great e'ent must ha'e ta;en place, i" a ,udaean spea;s ;indl# to a
Samaritan woman. .ut I should sa# to 4ou? GI will not gi'e 4ou an#thing, to
punish in 4ou all the insults the ,ews ha'e )een heaping on us "or centuries.H 5
2 4ou are right. A great e'ent has ta;en place. And )ecause o" it man# things
ha'e changed and man# more will change. God has granted a great gi"t to the
world and through it man# things ha'e changed. I" #ou ;new the gi"t o" God and
ho is sa#ing to #ou? GGi'e *e a drin;H, perhaps #ou would ha'e as;ed 7im to
gi'e #ou a drin; and 7e would ha'e gi'en #ou li'ing water. 5
2 =i'ing water is in the 'eins o" the earth. It is in this well. .ut it is ours. 5 0he
woman6s tone is derisor# and arrogant.
2 ater comes "rom God. As )ount# comes "rom God. As li"e comes "rom God.
&'er#thing )elongs to the 9ne 9nl# God, woman. And all men come "rom God?
Samaritans and ,udaeans. Is this not ,aco)6s wellE And is not ,aco) the head o"
our raceE I" later on an error di'ided us, that does not change our origin. 5
2 9" course, it was our error, was it notE 5 the woman as;s aggressi'el#.
2 1either ours nor #ours. It was the error o" one who had lost sight o" 3harit#
and ,ustice. I do not wish to o""end #ou or #our race. h# do #ou wish to stri;e
an o""ensi'e attitudeE 5
2 4ou are the "irst ,udaean whom I hear spea; thus. 0he others... .ut re'erting
to the well, #es, it is ,aco)6s and its water is so plenti"ul and clear that we in
S#char pre"er it to other "ountains. .ut it is 'er# deep. 4ou ha'e neither
amphora nor )uc;et. 7ow could 4ou, there"ore, draw li'ing water "or meE Are
4ou greater than our hol# Patriarch ,aco), who "ound this a)undant 'ein "or
himsel", his sons and his cattle and le"t it to us as his sou'enir and gi"tE 5
2 4ou are right. .ut whoe'er drin;s this water, will )e thirst# again. I instead
ha'e a water and whoe'er drin;s it will not )e thirst# again. .ut it is onl# *ine.
And I will gi'e it to whoe'er as;s *e "or it. And I solemnl# tell #ou that
whoe'er has the water I gi'e him, will alwa#s )e satis"ied and will ne'er )e
thirst# again, )ecause *# water will )e an un"ailing eternal spring. 5
2 hatE I do not understand. Are 4ou a magicianE 7ow can a man )ecome a
wellE A camel drin;s and la#s a suppl# o" water in his )ig stomach. .ut he then
consumes it and it does not last all his li"e. And 4ou sa# that 4our water lasts a
whole li"etimeE 5
2 &'en longer? it will last until eternal li"e. In those who drin; it, it will gush
until eternal li"e and will gi'e germs o" eternal li"e, )ecause it is a spring o"
health. 5
2 Gi'e me some o" that water, i" 4ou reall# ha'e it. I get tired coming here. I" I
ha'e it, I will not )e thirst# an# more and I will ne'er )e ill or )ecome old. 5
3 2 Is that the onl# thing o" which #ou get tiredE 9" nothing elseE And #ou "eel
onl# the need o" drawing water to drin; and satis"# #our poor )od#E 0hin;
a)out it. 0here is something more important than #our )od#. 4our soul. ,aco)
did not procure onl# the water o" the earth "or himsel" and his sons. 7e was
anDious to )e hol# and to )estow holiness, the water o" God. 5
2 4ou call us heathens... I" what 4ou sa# is true, we cannot )e hol#...5 0he
woman6s tone is no longer insolent and ironical and she is su)missi'e and
somewhat con"used.
2 Also a heathen can )e 'irtuous. And God, ho is Cust, will reward him "or the
good he has done. It will not )e a complete reward, )ut I can tell #ou that
)etween a guilt# )elie'er and an innocent heathen, God loo;s at the latter with
less se'erit#. And i" #ou ;now #ou are such, wh# do #ou not come to the 0rue
GodE hat is #our nameE 5
2 Photinai. 5
2 ell, tell me, Photinai, are #ou sorr# that #ou cannot aspire to holiness
)ecause #ou are a heathen, as #ou sa#, or )ecause #ou are in the ha(e o" an old
error, as I sa#E 5
2 4es, I am sorr#. 5
2 ell, then, wh# do #ou not li'e at least as a 'irtuous heathenE 5
2 =ordF...5
2 4es, can #ou den# itE Go and call #our hus)and and come )ac; here with him.
5
143. P"!tn)/ t"# S)+)rt)n 0!+)n. 2
2 I ha'e no hus)and. 5 0he em)arrassment o" the woman increases.
2 4ou ha'e spo;en the truth. 4ou ha'e no hus)and. .ut #ou ha'e had "i'e men
and #ou ha'e one with #ou now who is not #our hus)and. as that necessar#E
Also #our religion condemns lewdness. 4ou ha'e the Decalogue, too. h#,
then, Photinai, do #ou li'e thusE Are #ou not tired o" the eDertion o" )eing "lesh
"or e'er#)od#, instead o" )eing the honest wi"e o" one man onl#E Are #ou not
a"raid o" the e'ening o" #our li"e, when #ou will )e all alone with #our memo<
ries and regretsE And with #our "earsE 4es, all those. >ear o" God and o" ghosts.
here are #our childrenE 5
0he woman lowers her head completel# and does not repl#.
2 4ou ha'e none in this world. .ut their little souls, whom #ou pre'ented "rom
seeing the da# o" their )irth, are reproaching #ou. And the# alwa#s will.
,ewels... )eauti"ul dresses... a splendid house... a )ounti"ul ta)le... .ut
emptiness, and tears, and interior miser#. 4ou are "orlorn, Photinai. And onl#
through sincere repentance, through God6s "orgi'eness and conseIuentl# through
#our children6s "orgi'eness, #ou can )ecome rich again. 5
4 2 =ord, I see that 4ou are a prophet. And I am ashamed...5
2 And when #ou were doing e'il things, were #ou not ashamed o" #oursel"
)e"ore the >ather ho is in 7ea'enE Do not weep out o" deCection )e"ore the
*an... 3ome here, Photinai. 3ome near *e. I will spea; to #ou o" God. Perhaps
#ou did not ;now 7im well. And that is wh# #ou ha'e )een so "ault#. I" #ou had
;nown the 0rue God well, #ou would not ha'e degraded #oursel" so much. 7e
would ha'e spo;en to #ou and supported #ou...5
2 =ord, our ancestors ha'e worshipped on this mountain. 4ou sa# that one must
worship onl# in ,erusalem. .ut 4ou said that there is onl# 9ne God. 7elp me to
see what I must do and where...5
2 oman, )elie'e *e. .e"ore long the >ather will )e worshipped neither on the
mountain in Samaria nor in ,erusalem. 4ou worship 7im hom #ou do not
;now. e worship 7im hom we ;now, )ecause sal'ation comes "rom the
,udaeans. I remind #ou o" the Prophets. .ut the time will come, na#, it has
alread# arri'ed, when the true worshippers will worship the >ather in spirit and
truth, no longer according to the ancient rite, )ut to the new one, where there
will )e no sacri"ice o" animals consumed )# "ire. 0here will )e the eternal
sacri"ice o" the Immaculate -ictim consumed )# the >ire o" 3harit#. It will )e a
spiritual cult in a spiritual Bingdom. And it will )e understood )# those who are
a)le to worship in spirit and truth. God is Spirit. 0hose who worship 7im must
do so spirituall#. 5
2 4ou spea; hol# words. I ;now, )ecause we also ;now something, that the
*essiah is a)out to come? the *essiah, 7e ho is called also G3hrist.H hen
7e comes, 7e will teach us e'er#thing. 1ot "ar "rom here there is also one who
is said to )e 7is Precursor. And man# go and listen to him. .ut he is so
se'ereF... 4ou are ;ind... and the souls o" poor people are not a"raid o" 4ou. I
thin; that 3hrist will )e good. 0he# sa# that 7e is the Bing o" Peace. ill it )e
long )e"ore 7e comesE 5
2 I ha'e told #ou that 7is hour has alread# come. 5
2 7ow do 4ou ;nowE Are 4ou perhaps one o" 7is disciplesE 0he Precursor has
man# disciples. Also 3hrist will ha'e them. 5
2 I, ho am spea;ing to #ou, am ,esus 3hrist. 5
2 4ouF... 9hF...5 0he woman, who had sat down near ,esus, stands up and is
a)out to run awa#.
2 oman, wh# are #ou running awa#E 5
2 .ecause I am struc; with terror at )eing near 4ou. 4ou are hol#. 5
2 I am the Sa'iour. I came here, although it was not necessar#, )ecause I ;new
that #our soul was tired o" wandering. 4ou are disgusted with #our "ood... I
ha'e come to gi'e #ou a new "ood, which will remo'e #our nausea and
tiredness... 7ere are *# disciples coming )ac; with *# "ood. .ut I ha'e
alread# )een "ed )# gi'ing #ou the "irst crum)s o" #our redemption. 5
5 0he disciples glance at the woman out o" the corners o" their e#es, more or
less prudentl#, )ut no one spea;s. She goes awa# "orgetting a)out her amphora
and the water.
2 7ere, *aster 5 sa#s Peter. 2 0he people ha'e treated us 'er# well. 7ere is
some cheese, "resh )read, oli'es and apples. 0a;e what 4ou want. It6s a good
Co) that woman le"t her amphora. e shall draw water with it Iuic;er than with
our small "las;s. e shall ha'e a drin; and then we shall "ill them. And we shall
not ha'e to as; the Samaritans "or an#thing else. 1either shall we ha'e to go
near their "ountains. Are 4ou not eatingE I wanted to get some "ish "or 4ou, )ut
143. P"!tn)/ t"# S)+)rt)n 0!+)n. 13
there was none. Perhaps 4ou would ha'e pre"erred it. 4ou loo; tired and pale. 5
2 I ha'e a "ood which is un;nown to #ou. I will ha'e some o" it and it will
restore *e considera)l#. 5
0he disciples loo; at one another inIuisiti'el#.
,esus replies to their silent Iuestions? 2 *# "ood is to do the will o" 7im ho
sent *e and to accomplish the wor; which 7e wants *e to complete. hen a
sower sows the seed, can he sa# that he has done e'er#thing and thus state that
he can reap the har'estE *ost certainl# not. 7ow much more there is still to )e
done )e"ore he ma# sa#? G*# wor; is accomplished.H And he cannot rest until
that moment. =oo; at these little "ields in the )right midda# sunshine. 9nl# a
month ago, e'en less than a month ago, the soil was )are and dar; )ecause it
was wet with rain. =oo; now. It loo;s as i" it were co'ered )# a light whitish
'eil, )ecause o" the man# 'er# pale<green corn stems, which ha'e Cust come up
and loo; e'en lighter )ecause o" the )right sunshine. 0hat is the "uture crop and
seeing it #ou sa#? GIt will )e har'est time in "our months. 0he sowers will
emplo# reapers, )ecause i" one man is Iuite su""icient to sow his "ield, man#
men are reIuired to reap the har'est. And the# are all happ#. .oth the man who
sowed a small sac; o" corn and now must prepare his granaries to store the crop,
and those who in a "ew da#s earn enough to li'e on "or a "ew months.H Also in
the spiritual "ield those who reap what I ha'e sown will reCoice with *e and li;e
*e, )ecause I will gi'e them the wages and crops due to them. I will gi'e them
what to li'e on in *# eternal Bingdom. 4ou ha'e )ut to reap. I ha'e done the
hardest wor;. And #et I sa# to #ou? G3ome. 8eap the har'est in *# "ield. I am
glad that #ou )urden #oursel'es with the shea'es o" *# corn. hen #ou ha'e
har'ested all the corn that I, without e'er tiring, ha'e sown e'er#where, then the
will o" God will )e "ul"illed and I will sit at the )anIuet in the 3elestial
,erusalem.H 7ere the Samaritans are coming with Photinai. .e ;ind to them.
0he# are souls coming to God. 5
144. /it t! P!o"#! o0 S1c'r.
,-r( A"ri# 1*4+.
1 A group o" Samaritan dignitaries are coming towards ,esus, led )# Photinai. 2
God )e with 4ou, 8a))i. 0his woman has told us that 4ou are a prophet and
that 4ou do not disdain spea;ing to us. e )eg 4ou to sta# with us and not to
re"use to spea; to us, )ecause i" it is true that we are cut o"" "rom ,udah, that
does not mean that onl# ,udah is hol# and that all the error is in Samaria. Also
amongst us there are some Cust people. 5
2 I told her eDactl# the same. I will not impose *#sel", neither will I reCect those
who see; *e. 5
2 4ou are Cust. 0he woman told us that 4ou are 3hrist. Is that trueE 8epl# to us
in the name o" God. 5
2 I am. 0he *essianic epoch has come. Israel is united )# her Bing. And not
onl# Israel. 5
2 .ut 4ou will )e the *essiah "or those who... are not in error, as we are 5
remar;s an imposing elderl# man.
2 *an, I see that #ou are their leader and I also see that #ou are honestl# see;ing
the 0ruth. 1ow, listen to *e since #ou are learned in the hol# scriptures. I was
told what the Spirit said to &(e;iel, entrusting him with the prophetic mission?
GSon o" man, I send #ou to the people o" Israel, to a nation o" re)els, who ha'e
re)elled against *e... 0he# are impudent and stu))orn children... 0he# ma#
listen to #ou and then not ;eep #our words, which are *# words, )ecause the#
are a re)ellious house, )ut at least the# will ;now that there is a prophet among
them. 0here"ore, )e not a"raid o" them, nor )e a"raid o" their words, )ecause
the# are un)elie'ing and re)ellious... And #ou shall spea; *# words to them,
whether the# hear or re"use to hear #ou. Do what I tell #ou, hear what I sa# to
#ou, )e not re)ellious li;e them. &at, there"ore, whate'er "ood I gi'e #ou.H And
I came. I do not "latter *#sel" and I do not eDpect to )e recei'ed as a triumphant
'ictor. .ut since the will o" God is *# hone#, here I am to "ul"ill it, and i" #ou
wish I will tell #ou the words which the Spirit said to *e. 5
2 7ow can the &ternal >ather ha'e thought o" usE 5
2 .ecause 7e is lo'e, *# children. 5
144. 0t" t"# P#!$%# !4 S5c")r. 11
2 1ot all the 8a))is in ,udah sa# so. 5
2 .ut that is what the *essiah o" the =ord tells #ou. 5
2 It is written that the *essiah is to )e )orn o" a 'irgin in ,udah. 9" whom and
where were 4ou )ornE 5
2 In .ethlehem &phrata, o" *ar# o" the 7ouse o" Da'id, )# means o" a spiritual
conception. I as; #ou to )elie'e *e. 5 ,esus6 )eauti"ul 'oice is a declaration o"
triumphant Co# in proclaiming 7is *other6s 'irginit#.
2 4our "ace is shining with a )right light. 1o, it is not possi)le "or 4ou to lie.
0he "aces o" the children o" dar;ness are gloom# and their e#es are grim. 4ou
are )rightL 4our e#es are as )right as the morning star and 4our words are true.
Please come to S#char and teach the children o" this people. 0hen 4ou will go
awa#... and we will remem)er the Star that appeared in our s;#...5
2 h# would #ou not "ollow itE 5
2 7ow can weE 5 0he# are tal;ing while wal;ing towards the town. 2 e are
cut o"". At least that is what the# sa#. .ut we were )orn in this "aith and we do
not ;now whether it is right to a)andon it. >urther... well, I "eel I can tell 4ou.
A"ter all we ha'e e#es to see and minds to thin;. hen we pass through #our
countr#, on Courne#s or on )usiness, not e'er#thing we see is so hol# as to
persuade us that God is with #ou ,udaeans or with #ou Galileans. 5
2 I solemnl# tell #ou that the remainder o" Israel will )e charged with not
persuading and leading #ou )ac; to God )# means o" good eDamples and
charit#, instead o" o""ending and anathematising #ou. 5
2 7ow much wisdom there is in 4ou. 7a'e #ou all heard 7imE 5
0he# all nod assent whispering their admiration.
2 0he# ha'e in the meantime reached the town and man# people draw near
while the# wal; towards a house.
2 =isten, 8a))i. Since 4ou are wise and good, please resol'e a dou)t o" ours. A
great deal o" our "uture depends on it. As 4ou are the *essiah and thus the
8estorer o" Da'id6s Bingdom, 4ou must )e happ# to reCoin this se'ered lim) to
the )od# o" the state. Are 4ou notE 5
2 I am ta;ing care not so much to reunite the se'ered parts o" what is perisha)le
and transient, as to lead )ac; to God all the souls, and I am happ# when I restore
the 0ruth to a heart. .ut eDpress #our dou)t. 5
2 9ur "athers sinned. Since then the souls o" Samaritans ha'e )een disli;ed )#
God. hat )ene"it will we recei'e i" we "ollow GoodE e will alwa#s )e li;e
lepers in the e#es o" God. 5
2 4our regret is the eternal dissatis"action o" all schismatics. 9nce again I will
repl# to #ou with &(e;iel? GAll souls are *ineH sa#s the =ord. G0he soul o" the
"ather as well as the soul o" the son. 9nl# the soul that sins shall die. I" a man is
righteous, i" he is not an idolator, i" he does not "ornicate, or steal or lend at an
interest, i" he has merc# )oth on the )od# and on the soul o" his neigh)our, he is
righteous in *# e#es and shall li'e a true li"e.H And "urther on. GI" a Cust man
has a re)ellious son, shall that son li'e )ecause his "ather was a Cust manE 7e
shall not li'e.H And also? GI" the son o" a sinner is a righteous man, will he die
li;e his "ather, )ecause he is his sonE 1o, he shall li'e eternal li"e )ecause he
was Cust.H It would not )e "air i" one had to su""er "or the iniIuit# o" another.
0he soul that has sinned shall die. 0he soul that has not sinned shall not die.
And i" he who has sinned is repentant and comes to the Custice, )ehold, he shall
ha'e true li"e, too. 0he =ord God, the 9ne and 9nl# =ord, sa#s? GI do not want
the death o" the sinner, )ut I want him to repent and li'e.H 0hat is wh# 7e sent
*e, o wandering children? that #ou ma# ha'e true li"e. I am the =i"e. ho
)elie'es in *e and in 7im ho sent *e will ha'e eternal li"e, e'en i" up to the
present moment he was a sinner. 5
2 7ere we are at m# house, *aster. Do 4ou not detest entering itE 5
2 I detest onl# sin. 5
2 3ome in, then, and sta#. e shall )rea; our )read together and then, i" it is not
a )urden to 4ou, 4ou will eDplain the word o" God to us. 0hat word has a
di""erent "la'our when it is eDplained )# 4ou... and we are tortured )# a dou)t?
we do not "eel sure that we are right...5
2 &'er#thing would )e appeased i" #ou dared to come openl# to the 0ruth. *a#
God spea; to #our hearts. It is getting dar;. 0omorrow, at the third hour I will
spea; to #ou at some length, i" #ou wish so. Go now with the *erc# which is
close to #ou. 5
14,. E6)n(#%7)t!n )t S5c")r. 12
14+. E2'n&!#i3'tion 't S1c'r.
,4t A"ri# 1*4+.
1 ,esus is spea;ing to a large crowd in the centre o" a sIuare. 7e has clim)ed on
a stone )ench near the "ountain. 0he crowds are around 7im. Also the 0wel'e
are around 7im... their "aces are disma#ed, or anno#ed, or the# clearl# show
disgust at certain contacts. .artholomew and the Iscariot in particular clearl#
show their em)arrassment and to )e as "ar as possi)le "rom the Samaritans, the
Iscariot is sitting astride the )ranch o" a tree as i" he wanted to dominate the
scene, while .artholomew is leaning against a door in a corner o" the sIuare.
0he preCudice is e'ident and clearl# 'isi)le in all o" them.
,esus, on the contrar#, has not changed 7is usual attitude in the least. 1a#, I
would sa# that 7e is endea'ouring to pre'ent 7is maCest# "rom "rightening the
people and at the same time 7e tries to let it shine to remo'e all dou)ts. 7e
caresses two or three little ones and as;s them their names, 7e ta;es an interest
in an old man to whom 7e gi'es alms 7imsel", 7e replies to two or three
Iuestions, which are put to 7im on pri'ate matters, not on general pro)lems.
2 0he "irst one is the reIuest o" a "ather whose daughter had eloped and is now
)egging to )e "orgi'en.
2 >orgi'e her at once. 5
2 .ut I su""ered )ecause o" her, *aster. And I still su""er. In less than a #ear I
ha'e grown ten #ears older. 5
2 >orgi'eness will relie'e #ou. 5
2 It is not possi)le. 0he wound is still there. 5
2 0hat is true. .ut in the wound there are two parts that hurt. 9ne is the
undenia)le a""ront #ou recei'ed "rom #our daughter. 0he other is the e""ort to
cease lo'ing her. 8emo'e at least the latter . >orgi'eness, which is the highest
"orm o" lo'e, will remo'e it. 4ou must consider, poor "ather, that #our daughter
was )orn o" #ou and is alwa#s entitled to #our lo'e. I" #ou ;new that she was
su""ering "rom a ph#sical disease and that she would die, unless #ou cured her
#oursel", would #ou let her dieE *ost certainl# not. 3onsider then that #ou, with
#our "orgi'eness can put an end to her trou)le and )ring her )ac; to her
wholesome instinct. .ecause #ou must realise that she was o'erwhelmed )# the
)asest material instinct. 5
2 So 4ou would ad'ise me to "orgi'e herE 5
2 4ou must. 5
2 7ow will I )e a)le to see her mo'e a)out the house, and not curse her "or what
she has doneE 5
2 In that case #ou would not "orgi'e her. 4our "orgi'eness must not consist in
opening once again the door o" #our house to her, )ut in reopening #our heart.
.e good, man. hatE Shall we not ha'e "or our own child the patience we ha'e
"or a restless steerE 5
A woman, instead, as;s ,esus whether she ought to marr# her )rother <in<law to
gi'e a "ather to her little orphans.
2 Do #ou thin; he will )e a real "ather to themE 5
2 4es, *aster, I do. 0he# are three )o#s. It ta;es a man to guide them. 5
2 *arr# him, then, and )e a "aith"ul wi"e to him, as #ou were to #our "irst
hus)and. 5
0he third man as;s 7im whether he will )e doing the right thing or not )#
accepting an in'itation to go to Antioch.
2 *an, wh# do #ou want to go thereE 5
2 .ecause I ha'e not enough means here "or m#sel" and m# large "amil#. I met a
Gentile who would emplo# me )ecause he saw how s;ill"ul I am in m# wor;
and he would ta;e on also m# sons. .ut I would not li;e... the scruple o" a
Samaritan ma# seem strange to 4ou, )ut there it is. I would not li;e to lose our
"aith. 0hat man, 4ou ;now, is a heathenF 5
2SoE 1othing contaminates unless one wants to )e contaminated. Go to Antioch
and )e o" the 0rue God. 7e will guide #ou and #ou will )e the )ene"actor o"
#our master, who will acIuire the ;nowledge o" God through #our honest#. 5
3 7e then )egins spea;ing to the crowd.
2 I ha'e heard man# o" #ou and I ha'e percei'ed that each o" #our hearts is rent
)# a secret sorrow, a grie", o" which #ou are not e'en aware. 4our sorrow has
)een accumulating "or centuries and neither the reasons eDpressed )# #ou nor
the insults hurled at #ou can dissol'e it. 9n the contrar# it )ecomes deeper and
14,. E6)n(#%7)t!n )t S5c")r. 13
deeper and weighs li;e snow that )ecomes ice.
I am not one o" #ou, neither am I one o" those who accuse #ou. I am ,ustice and
isdom. And once again I will Iuote &(e;iel to sol'e #our case. 7e spea;s o"
Samaria and ,erusalem in a prophetical st#le, and he sa#s that the# are daughters
o" one mother and calls them 9holah and 9holi)ah. 0he "irst to "all into idolatr#
was the "ormer, whose name is 9holah, )ecause she was alread# depri'ed o" the
spiritual help "rom union with the >ather o" 7ea'en. Jnion with God is alwa#s
sal'ation. She changed true wealth, true power, true wisdom with the poor
wealth, power and wisdom o" one who was in"erior to God, who was e'en lower
than she was, and she was seduced to such an eDtent as to )ecome the sla'e o"
the wa# o" li'ing o" her seducer. She wanted to )e strong, and instead )ecame
wea;. She wanted to )e superior, and )ecame in"erior. She )ecame insane
)ecause she was imprudent. It is not eas# "or one to get rid o" an in"ection, when
one has imprudentl# )ecome in"ected )# it. 4ou ma# sa#? GIn"eriorE 1o. e
were great.H 4es, #ou were great, )ut howE At what costE 4ou ;now. 7ow
man# people, also amongst women, )ecome rich at the dread"ul cost o" their
honourF 0he# achie'e something that ma# come to an end. 0he# lose something
that ne'er ends? their reputation.
hen 9holi)ah saw that 9holah6s "oll# had )rought her wealth, she wanted to
imitate her and )ecame more deranged than her sister, and was twice as guilt#,
)ecause she had the 0rue God with her and she should ne'er ha'e trodden on
the strength that she recei'ed "rom that union. And a terri)le se'ere punishment
was in"licted on the twice cra(# "ornicatriD 9holi)ah, and a more se'ere
punishment will )e imposed. God will turn 7is )ac; on her. 7e is alread# doing
so, in order to go to those who do not )elong to ,udah. 1either can God )e
accused o" )eing un"air, )ecause 7e does not impose 7imsel". 7e opens 7is
arms to e'er#)od#, 7e in'ites e'er#)od#, )ut i" one sa#s to 7im? HGo awa#H,
7e goes awa#. 7e goes to see; lo'e elsewhere, to in'ite other people, until 7e
"inds someone who sa#s to 7im? GI will come.H I there"ore sa# to #ou that #ou
can "ind relie" "rom #our torture, #ou must "ind it, )# meditating on what I told
#ou. 9holah, reco'er #our consciousness. God is calling #ou.
0he wisdom o" man consists in ac;nowledging his "aults, the wisdom o" the
spirit lies in lo'ing the 0rue God and 7is 0ruth. Do not loo; at 9holi)ah, or
Phoenicia, or &g#pt, or Greece. =oo; at God. 0hat is the >atherland o" e'er#
righteous soul? 7ea'en. 0here are not man# laws, )ut one onl#? God6s. 0hrough
the law one achie'es =i"e. Do not sa#? Ge sinnedH, )ut sa#? Ge do not want
to sin an# more.H 4ou ha'e the proo" that God still lo'es #ou and that 7e has
sent 7is ord to sa# to #ou? H3ome.H I sa# to #ou? G3ome.H 7a'e #ou )een
o""ended and proscri)edE .# whomE .# #our own "ellow creatures. .ut God is
a)o'e them and 7e sa#s to #ou? G3ome.H 0he da# will come when #ou will
reCoice )ecause #ou were not in the 0emple... 4our hearts will reCoice at that.
.ut souls will reCoice e'en more )ecause God6s "orgi'eness will alread# ha'e
descended upon the righteous hearts scattered throughout Samaria. Prepare 7is
coming. 3ome to the uni'ersal Sa'iour, o children o" God, who ha'e lost #our
wa#. 5
4 2 Some o" us at least would come. .ut those on the other side do not want us.5
2 And once again with the priest and prophet I sa# to #ou? GI am a)out to ta;e
the stic; o" ,oseph, which is in the hand o" &phraim and the tri)es o" Israel
associated with him and I will Coin it to the stic; o" ,udah and ma;e them one
stic;...H Do not go to the 0emple. 3ome to *e. I do not reCect an#one. I am
called the Bing dominating o'er e'er#)od#. I am the Bing o" ;ings. I will puri"#
all peoples i" the# wish to )e puri"ied. I will gather #ou together, o herds without
shepherds or with idol<shepherds, )ecause I am the Good Shepherd. I will gi'e
#ou one ta)ernacle onl# and I will place it in the midst o" *# )elie'ers. 0hat
ta)ernacle will )e the source o" li"e, the )read o" li"e, it will )e light, sal'ation,
protection, wisdom. It will )e e'er#thing, )ecause it will )e the =i'ing 9ne
gi'en as "ood to the dead to ma;e them li'e, it will )e God hose holiness will
o'er"low to sancti"#. 0hat is what I am and will )e. 0he da#s o" hatred, o"
incomprehension, o" "ear ha'e come to an end. 3omeF People o" IsraelF People
separatedF People a""lictedF People remoteF 4ou are a dear people, in"initel#
dear, )ecause #ou are ill and wea;, )ecause #ou ha'e )een wounded )# an
arrow that has opened the 'eins o" #our souls and has let the 'ital union with
#our God escape. 3omeF 3ome to the )osom where #ou were )orn, come to the
)reast "rom which #ou recei'ed li"e. Bindness and warmth are still here "or #ou.
3omeF 3ome to =i"e and to Sal'ation. 5
14-. '!!*85# t! t"# P#!$%# !4 S5c")r. 14
144. %oo(51! to t! P!o"#! o0 S1c'r.
,+t A"ri# 1*4+.
1 ,esus sa#s to the Samaritans o" S#char?
2 .e"ore lea'ing #ou, as I ha'e other children to e'angeli(e, I want to show #ou
the shining paths o" hope, and set #ou on them sa#ing to #ou? #ou ma# go sa"el#
as the goal is certain. 0oda# I will not Iuote the great &(e;ielL I will Iuote
,eremiah6s "a'ourite disciple, a most great Prophet.
.aruch spea;s "or #ou. 9hF 7e reall# ta;es #our souls and spea;s on )ehal" o"
them all to the Su)lime God ho is in 7ea'en. 4our souls. I do not mean onl#
the souls o" the Samaritans, )ut all #our souls, o "amilies o" the chosen people
who ha'e "allen into mani"old sinsL and 7e ta;es also #our souls, o Gentile
peoples, who "eel there is an un;nown God among the man# gods #ou worship,
a God hom #our souls percei'e to )e the 9nl# 0rue God and hom #our
dullness pre'ents #ou "rom see;ing and ;nowing, as #our souls would wish. At
least a moral law was gi'en to #ou, o Gentiles and idolaters, )ecause #ou are
men, and man has in himsel" an essence that comes "rom God, and its name is
spirit, which alwa#s spea;s o" and suggests no)ilit# and urges to hol# things in
li"e. And #ou ha'e compelled it to )ecome the sla'e o" #our 'icious "lesh,
in"ringing the human moral law that #ou had, thus )ecoming sinners, also "rom a
human point o" 'iew and #ou lowered the concept o" #our "aith and #oursel'es
to a le'el o" )rutalit# that ma;es #ou in"erior to animals. And #et listen. 4ou all
listen. 0he deeper #our ;nowledge o" the moral supernatural =aw gi'en to #ou
)# the 0rue God, the more #ou will understand and, conseIuentl#, act
accordingl#.
2 7e pra#s M and this is the pra#er that is to )e said )# #our hearts humiliated )#
a no)le humilit#, which is not degradation or pusillanimit#, )ut an eDact
;nowledge o" one6s misera)le conditions, as well as a hol# desire to "ind means
o" impro'ing them spirituall# M .aruch thus pra#s? G=oo; down, =ord, "rom
4our hol# dwelling place, ta;e heed o" us and listen. =oo; at us, =ord and
considerL the dead down in Sheol, whose )reath has )een ta;en "rom their
)odies, are not the ones to gi'e glor# and due o)ser'ance to the =ordL the person
o'ercome with a""liction, who goes his wa# )owed down and "rail, with "ailing
e#es and hungering soul, he is the one to gi'e 4ou glor#, =ord, and due
o)ser'ance.H And .aruch weeps hum)l# and e'er# Cust soul should weep with
him, seeing and calling )# their true names the mis"ortunes that ha'e turned a
strong people into a sad, di'ided and su)dued one? Ge did not listen to 4our
'oice and so 4ou carried out what 4ou had promised through 4our ser'ants the
prophets... and )ehold the )ones o" our ;ings and o" our ancestors ha'e )een
dragged "rom their resting places and ha'e )een tossed out to the heat o" the da#
and the "rost o" the night and people died in dread"ul agon#, "rom "amine, sword
and plague. And so )ecause o" the wic;edness o" the 7ouse o" Israel and the
7ouse o" ,udah, 4ou ha'e reduced this 0emple, where 4our 1ame was in'o;ed,
to what it is toda#.H
9hF 3hildren o" the >ather, do not sa#? G.oth our 0emple and #ours ha'e )een
re)uilt and are )eauti"ul.H 1o. A tree split )# a thunder)olt "rom its top down to
the roots will not sur'i'e. It ma# Cust 'egetate in a misera)le manner through an
e""ort to li'e )# means o" the shoots coming "rom the roots, which are reluctant
to die, )ut it will )e )arren )rushwood, it will no longer )e a health# tree, laden
with wholesome sweet "ruit. 0he ruin that started with the separation, grows
worse and worse, although the material structure does not appear to )e damaged,
on the contrar# it loo;s )eauti"ul and new. It crushes down the consciences that
li'e in it. And then the hour will come when e'er# supernatural "lame will )e
eDtinguished and the 0emple will )e depri'ed o" its 'er# li"e, the 0emple, an
altar o" precious metal, which can su)sist onl# i" it is continuousl# smelted )#
the warmth o" its ministers6 "aith and charit#L and ic#, dull, soiled, "ull o" dead
)odies, it will )ecome putre"action upon which "oreign crows and the a'alanche
o" di'ine punishment will rush to ruin it completel#.
Pra#, children o" Israel, weeping with *e, #our Sa'iour. *a# *# 'oice support
#ours and reach up to the throne o" God, as it is a)le to. ho pra#s with 3hrist,
the Son o" the >ather, is heard )# God, the >ather o" the Son. =et us sa# the old
Cust pra#er o" .aruch? GAnd now, Almight# =ord, God o" Israel, e'er# soul in
anguish, e'er# trou)led heart cries to 4ou. =isten and ha'e pit#, o =ord. 4ou are
a *erci"ul God, ha'e merc# on us "or we ha'e sinned in 4our sight. 4ou sit
enthroned "ore'er, and shall we perish continuall#E Almight# =ord, God o"
Israel, hear the pra#er o" the dead o" Israel and o" their sons, who ha'e sinned
against 4ou. 0he# did not listen to the 'oice o" the =ord their God, hence the
disasters that ha'e )e"allen us. Do not call to mind the misdeeds o" our
ancestors, )ut remem)er instead 4our power and 4our 1ame... .ecause we
in'o;e 4our 1ame and we turn "rom the wic;edness o" our ancestors, ha'e
merc# on us.H
Pra# thus and )e trul# con'erted, )# returning to true wisdom, which is the
wisdom o" God. It can )e "ound in the .oo; o" God6s commandments and in the
14-. '!!*85# t! t"# P#!$%# !4 S5c")r. 1,
=aw that lasts "ore'er, and that I, the *essiah o" God, ha'e now come to )ring
to the poor o" the world in its simple unchangea)le "orm, announcing them the
Gospel o" the time o" 8edemption, o" >orgi'eness, o" =o'e, o" Peace. ho
)elie'es in that ord will reach eternal li"e.
3 I lea'e #ou, citi(ens o" S#char, who ha'e )een good to the *essiah o" God. I
lea'e #ou with *# peace. 5
2 Sta# a little longer. 5
2 3ome )ac; again. 5
2 1o one will e'er spea; to us as 4ou did. 5
2 *a# 4ou )e )lessed, good *aster. 5
2 .less m# little one. 5
2 Pra# "or me, since 4ou are a Saint. 5
2 Allow me to ;eep one o" 4our "ringes, as a )lessing. 5
2 8emem)er A)el. 5
2 And me, 0imoth#. 5
2 And me, ,orai. 5
2 I will remem)er #ou all. Peace )e with #ou. 5
0he# go with 7im "or a "ew hundred #ards out o" town, and then the# slowl# go
)ac;...
146. Instruction to t! A"ost#!s 'n(
t! 7ir'c#! o0 t! /o)'n o0 S1c'r.
,4t A"ri# 1*4+.
1 ,esus is wal;ing ahead o" the apostles, alone, close to a hedge o" pric;l#
cactus, the lea'es o" which are shining in the sun and seem to )e deriding all the
other )are plants. 9ne can see on them a "ew sur'i'ing "ruits which age has
coloured )ric;<red and an odd earl# "lower pleasantl# )right in its #ellow<
cinne)ar hue.
.ehind 7im, the apostles are whispering to one another, and I get the impression
that the# are not reall# spea;ing in praise o" the *aster. All o" a sudden ,esus
turns round and sa#s? 2 Keep watching the wind and you will never sow, stare at
the clouds and you will never reap. It is an old pro'er) and I "ollow it. And #ou
can see that where #ou were a"raid o" ill winds and did not want to stop, I "ound
a "ertile soil and the possi)ilit# o" sowing. And notwithstanding G#ourH clouds,
which, ma# I tell #ou, #ou ought not to displa# where *erc# wants to show 7is
sunshine, I am sure I ha'e alread# har'ested. 5
2 7owe'er, no one as;ed 4ou "or a miracle. 0heir "aith in 4ou is 'er# oddF 5
2 And do #ou thin;, 0homas, that "aith is e'idenced onl# )# reIuesting
miraclesE 4ou are wrong. It is the 'er# opposite. I" a man wants a miracle to )e
a)le to )elie'e, it means that without the tangi)le proo" o" the miracle, he would
not )elie'e. ho instead sa#s? GI )elie'eH in some)od# else6s word, shows the
greatest "aith. 5
2 So the Samaritans are )etter than we areF 5
2 I am not sa#ing that. .ut in their state o" spiritual disa)ilit# the# ha'e shown a
much greater capacit# "or understanding God than the )elie'ers in Palestine.
4ou will "ind that 'er# o"ten in #our li"etime, and I would as; #ou to remem)er
this instance, so that #ou will ;now how to )eha'e with the souls who turn to
the "aith in 3hrist. 5
2 .ut, ,esus, "orgi'e me "or telling 4ou, I thin; that with all the hatred against
4ou, it does 4ou no good to gi'e rise to new accusations. I" the mem)ers o" the
Sanhedrin ;new that 4ou ha'e...5
2 4ou ma# 'er# well sa#? Glo'edH, )ecause that is what I ha'e done and I do,
,ames. And since #ou are *# cousin, #ou can understand that I can )ut lo'e. I
ha'e shown to #ou that I alwa#s lo'e also those who were against *e amongst
*# ;ins"ol; and countr#men. And should I not lo'e those people who respected
*e, although the# did not ;now *eE 0he mem)ers o" the Sanhedrin can do all
the harm the# li;e. .ut it will not )e the thought o" such "uture e'il that will
stop the e""usion o" *# omnipresent and omnie""ecti'e lo'e. In an# case... e'en
i" I did... I would not pre'ent the Sanhedrin "rom "inding accusations in their
hatred. 5
2 .ut, *aster, 4ou are wasting 4our time in an idolatrous countr#, whilst so
man# places in Israel are eDpecting 4ou. 4ou sa# that e'er# hour is to )e
consecrated to the =ord. Are the hours spent here not lostE 5
14..Instruct!n t! t"# A$!st%#s )n* t"# 9r)c%# !4 t"# 0!+)n !4 S5c")r. 1-
2 0he da# spent in gathering the lost sheep is not lost. It is not lost, Philip. It is
said? GA man multiplies o""erings )# ;eeping the =aw... )ut )# ha'ing merc# he
o""ers a sacri"ice.H It is said? GGi'e the *ost 7igh as 7e has gi'en to #ou,
generousl# as #our means can a""ord.H I do that, *# "riend. And the time
de'oted to sacri"ice is not wasted. I show merc# and I ma;e use o" the means I
recei'ed )# o""ering *# wor; to God. 0here"ore )e calm. 2 In an# case... ho
wanted a reIuest "or a miracle to )e con'inced that the people in S#char )elie'e
in *e, is now satis"ied. 0hat man is certainl# "ollowing us "or some reason. =et
us stop. 5
A man in "act is coming towards them. 7e seems to )e )ent under a large )undle
that he is carr#ing on his shoulders. hen he sees the group stop, he stops, too.
2 7e wants to harm us. 7e stopped )ecause he saw that we noticed him. 9hF
0he# are SamaritansF 5
2 Are #ou sure, PeterE 5
2 9" course I amF 5
2 ell, then. 4ou all sta# here. I will go and meet him. 5
2 1e'er, m# =ord. I" 4ou go, I will come, too. 5
2 3ome, then. 5
,esus wal;s towards the man. Peter Cogs along )eside 7im, curious and hostile at
the same time. hen the# are a "ew #ards "rom the man, ,esus sa#s? 2 hat do
#ou want, manE hom are #ou loo;ing "orE 5
2 >or 4ou. 5
2 h# did #ou not loo; "or *e when I was in townE 5
2 I did not dare... I" 4ou had reCected me in the presence o" e'er#)od#, I would
ha'e su""ered too much and would ha'e )een ashamed. 5
2 4ou could ha'e called *e as soon as I was alone with *# disciples. 5
2 I was hoping to reach 4ou when 4ou were alone, as Photinai did. I also ha'e a
gra'e reason "or )eing alone with 4ou...5
2 hat do #ou wantE hat are #ou carr#ing on #our shoulders so hea'il#E 5
2 *# wi"e. A spirit has ta;en possession o" her and has turned her into a dead
)od# and a dull intelligence. I ha'e to "eed her, dress her and carr# her li;e a
)a)#. It happened all o" a sudden, without an# disease... 0he# call her the
Gpossessed woman.H It causes me much pain. And wor;. And eDpenses. =oo;. 5
0he man la#s on the ground his )undle containing an inert )od# en'eloped in a
mantle, as i" it were a sac;, and he unco'ers the "ace o" a woman, who is still
#oung. I" she did not )reathe, one would sa# that she was dead. 7er e#es are
closed, her mouth is hal" open... her "ace loo;s as i" she had )reathed her last.
,esus )ends o'er the poor woman l#ing on the ground, loo;s at her, loo;s at the
man? 2 Do #ou thin; that I canE h# do #ou )elie'e itE 5
2 .ecause 4ou are 3hrist. 5
2 .ut #ou ha'e not seen an#thing that pro'es it. 5
2 I heard 4our word. 0hat is enough. 5
2 Peter, do #ou hear himE hat do #ou thin; I should do now, in the presence o"
such good "aithE 5
2 ell..... *aster..... 4ou..... I..... As 4ou wish, a"ter all...5 Peter is 'er#
em)arrassed.
2 4es, I will do as I wish. *an, loo;. 5 ,esus ta;es the woman )# the hand and
sa#s? 2 Go out o" her. I want it. 5
0he woman, so "ar motionless, is sha;en )# a dread"ul con'ulsion? at "irst she is
silent, then she shouts and groans and "inall# )ursts into a loud cr#, during
which she opens her e#es wide as i" she were awa;ing "rom a nightmare. She
then calms down and somewhat )ewildered she loo;s around, staring "irst at
,esus, the Jn;nown *an smiling at her.... she then loo;s at the dust on the road
where she is l#ing, she ga(es at a tu"t o" grass that has grown on the edge o" the
road and on which the tin# white<red heads o" daisies seem pearls a)out to open
out in a halo o" ra#s. She loo;s at the cactus hedge, at the deep )lue s;#, and
loo;ing round she sees her hus)and..... who "ull o" anDiet# is watching e'er#
mo'ement o" hers. She smiles and now, "ull# "ree, she Cumps to her "eet and
see;s re"uge on the chest o" her hus)and, who caresses and em)races her,
weeping.
2 hat is itE 7ow am I hereE h#E ho is that manE 5
14..Instruct!n t! t"# A$!st%#s )n* t"# 9r)c%# !4 t"# 0!+)n !4 S5c")r. 1.
2 7e is ,esus, the *essiah. 4ou were ill and 7e has cured #ou. 0ell 7im that #ou
lo'e 7im. 5
2 9hF 4es. 0han; 4ou... .ut what was the matter with meE *# children...
Simon... I do not remem)er the past, )ut I remem)er I ha'e some children...5
,esus sa#s? 2 4ou need not remem)er the past. Alwa#s remem)er the present
da#. And )e good. Good)#e. .e good and God will )e with #ou. 5 And ,esus
withdraws Iuic;l#, "ollowed )# the )lessings o" )oth o" them.
hen 7e reaches the others who remained )ehind, close to the hedge, 7e does
not spea; to them. .ut 7e addresses Peter? 2 SoE 4ou were sure that that man
wanted to hurt *e, what are #ou going to sa# nowE Simon, SimonF 7ow much
#ou still lac; to )e per"ectF 7ow much #ou all lac;F ith the eDception o" their
well ;nown idolatr#, #ou ha'e all the sins o" those people and arrogance in
Cudging o'er and a)o'e. =et us ha'e our meal now. e cannot reach )e"ore
night the place I wanted to. e shall sleep in some )arn, i" we do not "ind
an#thing )etter. 5
0he 0wel'e, with a sense o" reproach in their hearts, sit down without spea;ing
and ta;e their "ood. It is a peace"ul da# and the sun shines on the countr# which
slopes towards a plain in mild undulations.
3 A"ter their meal the# stop "or a little while, until ,esus stands up and sa#s? 2
Simon and Andrew, come with *e. I am going to see whether that house is a
"riendl# one or not. 5 And 7e goes awa# while the others sta# and are silent,
until ,ames o" Alphaeus sa#s to ,udas Iscariot? 2 Is that woman coming here not
the woman o" S#charE 5
2 4es, she is. I ;now her )# her dress. I wonder what she wants. 5
2 She will )e wanting to go her wa# 5 replies Peter sul;il#.
2 1o, she is loo;ing in our direction, shielding her e#es with her hand. 5
0he# watch her until she is near them and as;s in a low 'oice? 2 here is #our
*asterE 5
2 7e has gone awa#. h# do #ou want 7imE 5
2 I need 7im. 5
2 7e does not waste 7is time with women 5 replies Peter curtl#.
2 I ;now. 7e doesn6t with women. .ut I am the soul o" a woman who needs
7im. 5
2 =ea'e her alone 5 suggests ,udas o" Alphaeus. And he replies to Photinai? 2
ait. 7e will soon )e )ac;. 5
0he woman withdraws to a little corner where the road )ends and she remains
still and silent, while no one pa#s attention to her. ,esus is soon )ac; and Peter
sa#s? 2 7ere is the *aster. 0ell 7im what #ou want and )e Iuic;. 5
0he woman does not e'en repl# to him, )ut goes towards ,esus and ;neels down
at 7is "eet. She is silent.
2 Photinai, what do #ou want "rom *eE 5
2 4our help, m# =ord. I am so wea;. And I do not want to sin an# more. I ha'e
alread# told the man. .ut now that I am no longer a sinner, I ;now nothing. I do
not ;now what good is. hat shall I doE Please tell me. I am mud. .ut 4our "eet
tread on the road to go towards souls. 0rample on m# mud, )ut come to m# soul
with 4our ad'ice. 5 She is weeping.
2 4ou cannot "ollow *e, a lonel# woman as #ou are. .ut i" #ou reall# do not
want to sin an# more and #ou want to learn how not to sin, then go )ac; to #our
house with a repentant mind and wait. 0he da# will come, when amongst man#
more women who ha'e also )een redeemed, #ou will )e a)le to )e near #our
8edeemer and learn the science o" Goodness. Go. .e not a"raid, Perse'ere in
#our present will not to sin. Good)#e. 5
0he woman ;isses the ground, stands up, retreats "or a "ew #ards, then goes
awa#, towards S#char.....
148. 9!sus :isits t! B'"tist n!'r Ennon.
,6t A"ri# 1*4+.
1 It is a clear moonlight night, so clear that the ground appears in all its details
and the "ields, co'ered with corn which has Cust come up, loo; li;e green<sil'er
plush carpets, on which the countr# paths seem dar; stripes, watched o'er )#
141. :#sus ;sts t"# B)$tst n#)r Enn!n. 11
the tree trun;s that are white on the moonlit side and completel# dar; on the
other.
,esus is wal;ing stead"ast and alone. 7e proceeds 'er# "ast along 7is wa# until
7e reaches a stream that is "lowing down gurgling towards the plain in a north<
east direction. 7e goes upstream as "ar as a lonel# spot near a wood# slope. 7e
mo'es to one side, clim)s up a steep path and arri'es at a natural ca'e on the
side o" the hill.
7e goes in and )ends o'er a )od# that is l#ing on the ground and can )e seen
onl# indistinctl# in the moonlight, which shines on the path outside, )ut does not
illuminate the ca'e. 7e calls him? 2 ,ohn. 5
0he man awa;es and sits up, still drows#. .ut he soon realises ho is calling
him and Cumps to his "eet, then prostrates himsel" sa#ing? 2 7ow is it that m#
=ord came to meE 5
2 0o ma;e #our heart and *ine happ#. 4ou wanted *e, ,ohn. 7ere I am. Get
up. =et us go out into the moonlight and sit and tal; on the roc; near the grotto.
5
,ohn o)e#s, gets up and goes out. .ut when ,esus sits down, he ;neels down in
"ront o" 3hrist. 7e is wearing a sheeps;in, which hardl# co'ers his 'er# lean
)od#, and he pushes )ac; his long dishe'elled hair, which had "allen o'er his
e#es, to see the Son o" God )etter.
0he contrast )etween them is 'er# strong. ,esus is pale and "airhaired, 7is hair is
so"t and tid# and 7is )eard is trimmed round the lower part o" 7is "ace. ,ohn is
li;e a )ush o" 'er# dar; hairs, in which two deep set e#es can )e seen? two
"e'erish e#es, I would sa#, as the# shine so much in their Cet )lac; setting.
2 2 I ha'e come to than; #ou. 4ou ha'e "ul"illed and are "ul"illing, with the
per"ection o" Grace within #ou, #our mission as *# Precursor. hen the hour
comes, #ou will enter 7ea'en )eside *e, )ecause #ou will ha'e deser'ed
e'er#thing "rom God. And in the eDpectation, #ou will alread# )e in the peace o"
the =ord, *# )elo'ed "riend. 5
2 I will enter peace 'er# soon, m# *aster and God, )less 4our ser'ant to
strengthen him "or his last trial. I am aware it is now near and that there is still
one witness I ha'e to )ear? the witness o" m# )lood. And 4ou are aware more
than I am, that m# hour is a)out to arri'e. 0he merci"ul )ount# o" 4our Di'ine
heart has )rought 4ou here, to "orti"# the last mart#r o" Israel and the "irst o" the
new era. 0ell me onl# one thing? will I ha'e to wait long "or 4our comingE 5
2 1o, ,ohn. 1ot much longer than the time that elapsed )etween #our )irth and
*ine. 5
2 *a# the *ost 7igh )e )lessed "or that. ,esus... ma# I call 4ou soE 5
2 4ou can, )ecause o" our )lood and #our holiness. 0he 1ame, which also
sinners pronounce, can )e pronounced )# the hol# one in Israel. It is sal'ation
"or them, let it )e ;indness to #ou. hat do #ou want "rom ,esus, #our *aster
and cousinE 5
2 I am a)out to die. As a "ather is anDious "or his children, so I am anDious "or
m# disciples. *# disciples... 4ou are a *aster and 4ou ;now how "ondl# we
lo'e them. *# onl# "ear in d#ing is that the# ma# get lost li;e sheep without a
shepherd. ill 4ou please gather them. I gi'e 4ou )ac; the three who are
4ours and who ha'e )een per"ect disciples while waiting "or 4ou. 0he#, and
*atthew in particular, reall# possess wisdom. I ha'e some more and the# will
come to 4ou. Allow me to entrust those three to 4ou personall#. 0he# are the
dearest. 5
2 And the# are dear to *e. Do not worr#, ,ohn. 0he# shall not perish. 1either
those three, nor the other true disciples o" #ours. I will collect #our inheritance
and loo; a"ter it as the dearest treasure recei'ed "rom the per"ect "riend and
ser'ant o" the =ord. 5
3 ,ohn prostrates himsel" to the ground, and what seems impossi)le in such an
austere personage, he )ursts into tears so))ing out o" spiritual Co#.
,esus la#s a hand on his head? 2 4our Co#"ul and hum)le tears are in unison with
a song o" long ago at the sound o" which #our little heart leapt out o" Co#. 0he
song and #our tears are the same h#mn o" praise to the &ternal >ather, ho Ghas
done great things, 7e that is *ight#, to hum)le souls.H
Also *# *other is a)out to intone once again the song that She sang then. .ut
later, the greatest glor# will come also to 7er as to #ou a"ter #our mart#rdom. I
con'e# also 7er greetings to #ou. 4ou deser'e all respect and com"ort. 7ere it is
onl# the hand o" the Son o" man, which is laid on #our head, )ut =ight and =o'e
are descending "rom the open 7ea'ens to )less #ou, ,ohn. 5
141. :#sus ;sts t"# B)$tst n#)r Enn!n. 12
2 I do not deser'e so much. I am 4our ser'ant. 5
2 4ou are *# ,ohn. 0hat da# at the ,ordan, I was the *essiah ho was )eing
re'ealedL here, now, it is #our cousin and God ho wishes to gi'e #ou the
'iaticum o" 7is lo'e as God and as a relati'e. Get up, ,ohn. =et us ;iss each
other good)#e. 5
2 I do not deser'e so much. I ha'e longed so much "or it, all m# li"e. .ut I dare
not do that to 4ou. 4ou are m# God. 5
2 I am #our ,esus. Good)#e. *# soul will )e near #ours until peace comes. =i'e
and die in peace "or the sa;e o" #our disciples. 0hat is all I can gi'e #ou "or the
time )eing. .ut in 7ea'en I will gi'e #ou one hundred"old, )ecause #ou ha'e
"ound grace in the e#es o" God. 5
,esus has li"ted him and em)raced him, ;issing him on his chee;s and )eing
;issed )# him. 0hen ,ohn ;neels once again and ,esus la#s )oth hands on his
head and pra#s with 7is e#es turned to 7ea'en. 7e seems to )e consecrating
him. 7e is impressi'e. 0he# are silent "or some time. 0hen ,esus ta;es 7is lea'e
with 7is ;ind salutation? 2 *a# peace )e alwa#s with #ou 5 and 7e resumes the
same road as )e"ore.
14*. 9!sus T!'c!s t! A"ost#!s.
,8t A"ri# 1*4+.
1 2 *# =ord, wh# do 4ou not rest during the nightE =ast night I got up and did
not "ind 4ou. 4our place was empt#. 5
2 h# were #ou loo;ing "or *e, SimonE 5
2 I wanted to gi'e 4ou m# mantle. I was a"raid 4ou might "eel cold in the
limpid )ut 'er# cold night. 5
2 And were #ou not coldE 5
2 In man# #ears o" miser# I got accustomed to )eing )adl# dressed, )adl# "ed
and )adl# lodged... 0hat 'alle# o" the deadF... 7ow horri)leF ,ust now it was not
the case. .ut the neDt time we go to ,erusalem, )ecause we will certainl# go
there, come, m# =ord, to that place o" death. 0here are so man# unhapp# people
there... and their ph#sical miser# is not the worst... hat most tortures and
consumes them is their desperation.... Do 4ou not thin;, m# =ord, that lepers
are too harshl# treatedE 5
0he Iscariot replies to the :ealot, who is pleading the cause o" his old
companions, )e"ore ,esus does? 2 So #ou would lea'e them amongst the peopleE
So much the worst "or them i" the# are lepersF 5
2 0hat6s all we need to ma;e the ,ews mart#rsF 7ow lo'el# it would )e to ha'e
lepers wal;ing in the streets with the soldiers and other thingsF...5 eDclaims
Peter.
2 I thin; it is a "air and wise step to ;eep them con"ined 5 remar;s ,ames o"
Alphaeus.
2 4es. .ut it should )e done in a charita)le manner. 4ou do not realise what it is
to )e a leper. 4ou cannot spea; a)out them. I" it is "air to ta;e due care o" our
)odies, wh# are we not eIuall# "air to the souls o" lepersE ho spea;s to them
o" GodE And God onl# ;nows how much the# need to thin; o" God and o"
peace in their utter desolationF 5
2 Simon, #ou are right. I will go to them. .ecause it is Cust and to teach #ou all
such merc#. So "ar I ha'e cured the lepers that I met )# chance. So "ar, that is,
until I was dri'en out o" ,udaea. I addressed the great people in ,udaea, as the#
are the most remote and in the greatest need o" redemption, in order to )e o"
help to the 8edeemer. As I am now con'inced that such an attempt is Iuite
useless, I am a)andoning it. I will no longer address the might# ones, )ut the
lower and misera)le people in Israel. And the lepers in the 'alle# o" the dead
will )e amongst them. I will not disappoint the "aith that those, who ha'e )een
e'angeli(ed )# the grate"ul leper, ha'e in *e. 5
2 7ow do 4ou ;now, m# =ord, that I did thatE 5
2 As I ;now what "riends and enemies, whose hearts I search, thin; o" *e. 5
2 2 Goodness graciousF 4ou reall# ;now e'er#thing a)out us, *asterF 5 shouts
Peter.
2 4es, I do. Also that #ou, and not onl# #ou, wanted to send Photinai awa#. Do
142. :#sus T#)c"#s t"# A$!st%#s. 23
#ou not ;now that #ou are not allowed to send a soul awa# "rom goodE Do #ou
not ;now that to get to the heart o" a town #ou must )e most ;ind and merci"ul
also towards those whom human societ#, which is not hol# )ecause it is not
identi"ied with God, calls and Cudges unworth# o" merc#E .ut do not )e upset
)ecause I ;now all that. .e sorr# onl# that the sentiments o" #our hearts are not
appro'ed o" )# God and endea'our not to ha'e them in "uture. I told #ou, the
"irst #ear is o'er. In the new #ear I will proceed along *# wa# with new "orms.
In the second #ear #ou must ma;e progress, too. 9therwise it would )e useless
"or *e to get tired e'angeli(ing, and super<e'angeli(ing #ou, *# "uture priests.
5
2 Did 4ou go and pra#, *asterE 4ou promised to teach us 4our pra#ers. ill
4ou do that this #earE 5
2 I will. .ut I want to teach #ou to )e good. Goodness is alread# a pra#er. .ut I
will do it, ,ohn. 5
2 And will 4ou teach us also to wor; miracles this #earE 5 as;s the Iscariot.
2 *iracles are not taught. 0he# are not the game o" a Cuggler. A miracle comes
"rom God. ho has grace in the e#es o" God o)tains it. I" #ou learn to )e good,
#ou will ha'e grace and o)tain miracles. 5
3 2 .ut 4ou are not answering our Iuestion. Simon as;ed 4ou and ,ohn as;ed
4ou, )ut 4ou ha'e not told us where 4ou went last night. It could )e dangerous
to go out alone in a heathen countr#. 5
2 I went to ma;e a righteous soul happ# and since he is doomed to death, I went
to collect his inheritance. 5
2 Did 4ouE as it a large oneE 5
2 4es, Peter, 'er# large and o" great 'alue. 0he "ruit o" the wor; o" a true Cust
man. 5
2 .ut I ha'e not seen an#thing in 4our )ag. Are the# Cewels which 4ou are
carr#ing on 4ouE 5
2 4es, Cewels that are most dear to *# heart. 5
2 =et us see them, =ord. 5
2 I will ha'e them when the man doomed to death dies. >or the time )eing he
needs them, and I need them, lea'ing them where the# are. 5
2 7as he in'ested them at an interestE 5
2 Do #ou thin; that mone# is the onl# 'alua)le thingE It is the most useless and
"ilth# thing on earth. It is onl# use"ul "or material things, "or crimes and "or hell.
9nl# rarel# man ma;es use o" it "or a good purpose. 5
2 ell, i" it is not mone#, what is itE 5
2 0hree disciples "ormed )# a saint. 5
2 4ou ha'e )een to the .aptist. 9hF h#E 5
2 h# 4ou alwa#s ha'e *e with #ou. And #ou all together are not worth a
single "inger nail o" the Prophet. as it not right that I should go to ta;e God6s
)lessing to the hol# one in Israel to "orti"# him "or his mart#rdomE 5
2 .ut i" he is hol#... he does not need to )e "orti"ied. 7e can manage )#
himsel"F...5
2 0he da# will come when G*#H saints will )e )rought )e"ore Cudges and
condemned to death. 0he# will )e saints, in the grace o" God, com"orted )#
"aith, hope and charit#. And #et I can alread# hear their cries, the cries o" their
souls? G=ord, help us in this hourF.H 9nl# with *# help *# saints will )e strong
in persecutions. 5
4 2 e are not the ones 4ou are re"erring to, are weE .ecause I am utterl#
incapa)le o" su""ering. 5
2 0hat is true. 4ou are not capa)le o" su""ering. .ut, .artholomew, #ou ha'e not
)een )apti(ed #et. 5
2 4es, I ha'e. 5
2 ith water. 4ou still need another )aptism. 0hen #ou will )e a)le to su""er. 5
2 I am alread# old. 5
2 And when 'er# old, #ou will )e stronger than a #oung man. 5
2 .ut 4ou will help us Cust the same, will 4ou notE 5
2 I shall alwa#s )e with #ou. 5
142. :#sus T#)c"#s t"# A$!st%#s. 21
2 I will endea'our to get accustomed to su""ering 5 sa#s .artholomew.
2 I will alwa#s pra#, "rom now on, to o)tain this grace "rom 4ou 5 sa#s ,ames
o" Alphaeus.
2 I am old and all I as; "or is to precede 4ou and enter peace with 4ou 5 sa#s
Simon :ealot.
2 I... I do not ;now what I would li;e. hether to precede 4ou or to )e near
4ou and die together 5 sa#s ,udas o" Alphaeus.
2 I will )e unhapp# i" I sur'i'e 4ou. .ut I will )e com"orted )# preaching 4ou
to the people 5 states the Iscariot.
2 I am o" the same opinion as 4our cousin 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 I, instead, am with Simon the :ealot 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 And what a)out #ou, PhilipE 5
2 ell... I sa# that I do not ;now what to thin; a)out it. 0he &ternal >ather will
gi'e me what is )est. 5
2 9hF Beep Iuiet. 4ou would thin; that the *aster is to die soonF I do not want
to thin; o" 7is deathF 5 eDclaims Andrew.
2 4ou are Iuite right, m# dear )rother. 4ou are #oung and health#, ,esus. 4ou
will ha'e to )ur# us all, I mean the ones who are older than 4ou. 5
2 hat i" the# ;illed *eE 5
2 =et that ne'er happen to 4ou, )ut I will a'enge #ou. 5
2 7ow .# a )lood 'engeanceE 5
2 ell... also )# that means, i" 4ou will allow me. 9therwise, )# m# pro"ession
o" "aith amongst peoples, I will con"ute the accusations mo'ed against 4ou. 0he
world will lo'e 4ou )ecause I ill )e inde"atiga)le in preaching 4ou. 5
2 0hat is true and that is what will happen. And what a)out #ou, ,ohn, and #ou,
*atthewE 5
2 I must su""er and wait until I ha'e washed m# soul )# su""ering a great deal 5
sa#s *atthew.
2 And I... I do not ;now. I would li;e to die at once so that I would not see 4ou
su""er. I would li;e to )e near 4ou to com"ort #ou in 4our agon#. I would li;e
to li'e "or a long time to ser'e 4ou. I would li;e to die with 4ou to enter
7ea'en with 4ou. I would li;e e'er#thing, )ecause I lo'e 4ou. And I thin; that
I, the least o" m# )rothers, will )e a)le to do all that, i" I ;now how to lo'e 4ou
properl#. 5 ,esus, increase 4our lo'eF 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 4ou mean? GIncrease m# lo'eH 5 remar;s the Iscariot.
2 1o. I sa#? GIncrease 4our =o'e.H .ecause the more 7e will in"lame us with
7is lo'e, the more we shall lo'e. 5
,esus draws the pure passionate ,ohn to 7imsel" and ;isses his "orehead sa#ing?
2 4ou ha'e re'ealed a m#ster# o" God a)out the sancti"ication o" hearts. God
e""uses 7imsel" to Cust souls, and the more the# surrender to 7is lo'e, the more
7e increases it and their holiness grows greater. 0hat is the m#sterious and
ine""a)le wor; o" God and o" souls. It is accomplished in m#stical silence, and
its power, which cannot )e descri)ed )# human words, creates indescri)a)le
masterpieces o" holiness. It is not a mista;e, )ut a wise pra#er, to as; God to
increase 7is lo'e in one6s heart. 5
1+;. 9!sus 't N'3'r!t. < Son. I /i## Co)! $it You. =
-;t A"ri# 1*4+.
1 ,esus is alone. 7e is wal;ing "ast along the main road near 1a(areth. 7e enters
the 'illage and directs 7is steps towards 7is house. hen 7e is near it 7e sees
7is *other. She is also going towards the house and 7er nephew Simon is with
7er, carr#ing a )undle o" "irewood. ,esus calls 7er? 2 *otherF 5
*ar# turns round eDclaiming? 2 9hF *# .lessed SonF 5 and the# )oth run to
meet each other, while Simon drops the )undle to the ground and li;e *ar# runs
towards ,esus and greets 7im wholeheartedl#.
2 *other, I ha'e come. Are 4ou happ# nowE 5
2 So happ#, Son. .ut... I" 4ou came onl# )ecause I )egged 4ou, I tell 4ou that it
1,3. :#sus )t N)7)r#t". < S!n/ I 0%% C!+# &t" Y!u. = 22
is not right "or *e or "or 4ou to listen to the call o" )lood, rather than to 4our
mission. 5
2 1o, *other. I ha'e come "or other reasons as well. 5
2 Is it reall# true, SonE I thought, I wanted to )elie'e that the# were "alse
rumours and that 4ou were not hated so much...5 0here are tears in *ar#6s 'oice
and in 7er e#es.
2 Do not weep, *other. It grie'es *e so much. I need 4our smiles. 5
2 4es, Son. 0hat is true. 4ou see so man# harsh "aces o" enemies, that 4ou need
so much smiling lo'e. .ut here, seeE 7ere is She ho lo'es 4ou on )ehal" o"
e'er#)od#...5 *ar# is leaning lightl# on 7er Son, ho em)races 7er shoulders,
and while wal;ing slowl# towards the house, She endea'ours to smile, to eDpel
all grie" "rom ,esus6 heart.
2 Simon has pic;ed up his )undle and is wal;ing )eside ,esus.
2 4ou are pale, *other. 7a'e the# grie'ed 4ou so muchE 7a'e 4ou not )een
wellE 7a'e 4ou tired 4oursel" eDcessi'el#E 5
2 1o, Son, no one has grie'ed *e. *# onl# sorrow is that 4ou are "ar "rom *e
and the# do not lo'e 4ou. 7ere e'er#)od# is good to *e. I will not e'en
mention *ar# and AlphaeusL 4ou ;now what the# are li;e. Also Simon, see how
good he is. 7e is alwa#s li;e that. 7e has helped *e all these past months. 7e is
now suppl#ing *e with wood. 7e is so good. Also ,oseph is. 0he# are so
thought"ul o" their *ar#. 5
2 *a# God )less #ou, Simon, and ma# 7e )less also ,oseph. I "orgi'e #ou "or
not lo'ing *e #et as the *essiah. 9hF 4ou will e'entuall# lo'e *e as 3hristF
.ut how could I "orgi'e #ou "or not lo'ing 7erE 5
2 It is "air and peace"ul to lo'e *ar#, ,esus. 4ou are lo'ed, too..... onl#, see, we
are too much a"raid "or 4ou. 5
2 4es, #ou lo'e *e with a human lo'e. 4ou will come to the other lo'e. 5
2 4ou, too, Son, are pale loo;ing and thin. 5
2 4es, 4ou loo; older. I can see that, too 5 remar;s Simon.
3 0he# go into the house, and Simon, a"ter la#ing the "irewood in its place,
withdraws discreetl#.
2 Son, now that we are alone, tell *e the truth. 0he whole truth. h# did the#
dri'e 4ou awa#E 5 *ar# spea;s holding 7er hands on ,esus6 shoulders and
staring at 7is thin "ace.
,esus smiles ;indl# )ut sadl#? 2 .ecause I tried to )ring man )ac; to honest#,
Custice and to the true religion. 5
2 .ut who accuses 4ouE 0he peopleE 5
2 1o, *other, the Pharisees and the scri)es, with the eDception o" a "ew Cust
ones amongst them. 5
2 .ut what ha'e 4ou done to incur their accusationsE 5
2 I told them the truth. Do 4ou ;now that it is the )iggest mista;e with menE 5
2 hat could the# sa# to Custi"# their accusationsE 5
2 0he# told lies. 0he ones 4ou ;now and man# more. 5
2 0ell 4our *other. Place 4our sorrow, all 4our sorrow on *# )osom. A
mother6s )osom is accustomed to sorrow and is happ# to consume it, to remo'e
it "rom the heart o" her son. Gi'e *e 4our sorrow, ,esus. 3ome here, as 4ou
were wont to do when a child, and lea'e all 4our )itterness. 5
,esus sits on a little stool at 7is *other6s "eet and tells 7er all a)out the months
spent in ,udaea, without an# grudge and without concealing an#thing.
*ar# caresses 7is hair with a heroic smile on 7er lips to "ight )ac; the tears
shining in 7er )lue e#es.
,esus mentions also the necessit# o" approaching women to redeem them and
7is grie" at not )eing a)le to do so owing to the wic;edness o" men.
*ar# nods assent and then She decides? 2 Son, 4ou must not den# *e what I
want. >rom now on I will come with 4ou when 4ou go awa#. I will come at an#
time, in an# season, to an# place. I will de"end 4ou "rom "alse accusations. *#
simple presence will cause the mud to "all o"". And *ar# will come with *e.
She is so anDious to. 0hat is what is needed near the 7ol# 9ne, against the
demon and against the world? a mother6s heart. 5
1,1. In Sus)nn)>s H!us# n C)n). T"# R!5)% O44c#r. 23
1+1. In Sus'nn'>s Hous! in C'n'. T! Ro1'# O00ic!r.
1st 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is possi)l# going towards the la;e. 7e certainl# arri'es at 3ana and
directs 7is steps towards Susanna6s house. 7is cousins are with 7im. hile the#
are in the house and the# rest and ta;e some "ood, ,esus, to hom 7is relati'es
and "riends are listening as the# should alwa#s do, teaches those good people in
a 'er# simple wa#. 7e also com"orts the hus)and o" Susanna, who appears to )e
ill. She is in "act a)sent and while I hear them tal; continuousl# o" how much
she su""ers, a well dressed man enters and prostrates himsel" at ,esus6 "eet.
2 ho are #ouE hat do #ou wantE 5
hile the man is still sighing and weeping, the landlord pulls ,esus )# the hem
o" 7is tunic and whispers? 2 7e is an o""icer o" the 0etrarch. Don6t trust him too
much. 5
2 Spea; up. hat do #ou want "rom *eE 5
2 *aster, I heard that 4ou are )ac;. I ha'e )een waiting "or 4ou as one waits
"or God. 3ome to 3apernaum at once. *# son is so ill that his hours are
num)ered. I saw ,ohn, 4our disciple. 7e told me that 4ou were coming here.
3ome, please come at once, )e"ore it is too late. 5
2 hatE 3an 4ou, a ser'ant o" the persecutor o" the 7ol# 9ne in Israel, )elie'e
in *eE 4ou do not )elie'e in the Precursor o" the *essiah. So, how can #ou
)elie'e in the *essiahE 5
2 0hat is true. e are guilt# o" incredulit# and o" cruelt#. .ut ha'e merc# on a
"atherF I ;now 3hu(a. I ha'e seen ,ohanna. I ha'e seen her )e"ore and a"ter the
miracle. And I )elie'ed in 4ou. 5
2 NuiteF 4ou are such an incredulous and wic;ed generation that #ou will not
)elie'e without signs and miracles. 4ou lac; the essential Iualit# that is
necessar# to o)tain a miracle. 5
2 It is true. It is all 'er# true. .ut 4ou can see... I )elie'e in 4ou now and I )eg
4ou? come to 3apernaum at onceF I will ha'e a )oat read# "or 4ou at 0i)erias,
so that 4ou ma# come Iuic;er. .ut please come )e"ore m# child diesF 5 and he
weeps desolatel#.
2 I am not coming Cust now. .ut go to 3apernaum. 4our son is cured as "rom
this moment and he will li'e. 5
2 *a# God )less 4ou, m# =ord. I )elie'e 4ou. .ut as I want all m# household
to welcome 4ou when 4ou come to 3apernaum, come to m# house. 5
2 I will come. Good)#e. Peace )e with #ou. 5
0he man rushes out and soon a"ter the trot o" a horse can )e heard.
2 2 .ut is the )o# reall# curedE 5 as;s Susanna6s hus)and.
2 Is it possi)le "or #ou to thin; that I tell liesE 5
2 1o, m# =ord. .ut 4ou are here and the )o# is there. 5
2 0here is no )arrier, no distance "or *# spirit. 5
2 ell, then, m# =ord. 4ou changed water into wine at m# wedding, please
change m# tears into happ# smiles. 3ure m# Susanna. 5
2 hat will #ou gi'e *e in eDchange "or thatE 5
2 0he amount o" mone# 4ou want. 5
2 I will not stain what is hol# with *ammon6s )lood. I am as;ing #our spirit
what it will gi'e *e. 5
2 *#sel", i" 4ou wish so. 5
2 And i" I as;ed, without an# words, a great sacri"iceE 5
2 *# =ord, I as; 4ou to grant ph#sical health to m# wi"e and the sancti"ication
o" us all. I don6t thin; I can sa# that an#thing is too much to ha'e that...5
2 4ou are su""ering agonies )ecause o" #our wi"e. .ut i" I restored her to health
and I got her to )ecome *# disciple "ore'er, what would #ou sa#E 5
2 0hat... 4ou are entitled to do it and that... I will imitate A)raham in his
readiness to the sacri"ice. 5
3 2 4ou are right. =isten, e'er#)od#? the time o" *# Sacri"ice is approaching.
=i;e a course o" water it is running "ast and incessantl# to the sea. I must
accomplish what I ha'e to do. And human hardness precludes so much o" the
1,1. In Sus)nn)>s H!us# n C)n). T"# R!5)% O44c#r. 24
"ield o" *# mission. *# *other and *ar# o" Alphaeus will come with *e
when I go awa# amongst people that do not lo'e *e #et or will ne'er lo'e *e.
*# wisdom ;nows that women will )e a)le to help the *aster in those
precluded "ields. I ha'e come to redeem also women and in the "uture centur#,
in *# time, women will )e seen ser'ing the =ord and the ser'ants o" the =ord as
priestesses. I ha'e chosen *# disciples. .ut to elect women who are not "ree, I
must as; "athers and hus)ands to do it. Do #ou agreeE 5
2 =ord, I lo'e Susanna. And so "ar I ha'e lo'ed her more as a )od# than as a
soul. .ut a"ter 4our teaching, something is alread# changed in me and I loo; at
m# wi"e as a soul )esides as a )od#. A soul )elongs to God and 4ou are the
*essiah, the Son o" God. I cannot den# 4our right on what )elongs to God. I"
Susanna wants to "ollow 4ou, I will not oppose her. I onl# )eg 4ou to wor; the
miracle that will cure her )od# and m# "eelings...5
2 Susanna is cured. In a "ew hours6 time she will come here to tell #ou how
happ# she is. =et her soul "ollow its impulse without an# mention o" what I ha'e
Cust said. 4ou will see that her soul will come to *e spontaneousl# as a "lame
tends upwards. .ut )ecause o" that, her lo'e o" a wi"e will not )e sti"led. 9n the
contrar# it will rise to the highest degree, which is to lo'e each other with the
)etter part? with #our souls. 5
2 Susanna )elongs to 4ou, =ord. She was to die a 'er# pain"ul slow death. And
once she was dead, I would ha'e lost her "ore'er in this world. .ut as 4ou sa#, I
will still ha'e her )eside me, to lead me on to 4our wa#. God ga'e me her, and
God is ta;ing her awa# "rom me. .lessed )e the *ost 7igh in gi'ing and in
ta;ing. 5
1+,. In ?!5!(!!>s Hous!. S'#o)! Is Acc!"t!( 's ' Disci"#!.
,n( 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is in a house, which, "rom what the people li'ing in it sa#, I understand
to )e the house o" ,ohn and ,ames. ith ,esus, )eside the two apostles, there are
Peter and Andrew, Simon :ealot, the Iscariot and *atthew. I do not see the
others.
,ames and ,ohn are most happ#. 0he# come and go "rom their mother to ,esus
and 'ice'ersa, li;e )utter"lies which do not ;now which o" two eIuall# lo'ed
"lowers the# should pre"er. *ar# Salome, who is also most happ#, caresses each
time her )ig )o#s, while ,esus smiles.
0he# must alread# ha'e had their meal, )ecause the ta)le is still laid. .ut the
two disciples at all costs want ,esus to eat some )unches o" white grapes, which
their mother has preser'ed and which must )e as sweet as hone#. hat would
the# not gi'e ,esusE
.ut Salome wants to gi'e and recei'e something )etter than grapes and
caresses. And a"ter )eing lost in thought "or a little while, loo;ing at ,esus, then
at :e)edee, she ma;es up her mind. She goes near ,esus ho is sitting with 7is
)ac; to the ta)le, and ;neels down )e"ore 7im.
2 hat do #ou want, womanE 5
2 *aster, 4ou ha'e decided that 4our *other, and the mother o" ,ames and
,udas should come with 4ou, and also Susanna is coming, and the great ,ohanna
o" 3hu(a will certainl# come as well. I" onl# one woman comes, all the others
who 'enerate 4ou, will come. I would li;e to )e one o" them. 0a;e me, ,esus. I
will ser'e 4ou with all m# lo'e. 5
2 2 4ou ha'e :e)edee to loo; a"ter. Do #ou not lo'e him an# moreE 5
2 9hF 9" course I lo'e him. .ut I lo'e 4ou more. 9hF I do not mean that I lo'e
4ou as a man. I am siDt# #ears old, I ha'e )een married "or almost "ort#, and I
ha'e ne'er seen an# other man )ut m# hus)and. I am not going to )e cra(# now
that I am old. 1either is m# lo'e "or m# :e)edee going to end )ecause o" m#
old age. .ut 4ou... I am not good at spea;ing. I am a poor woman. I will tell
4ou as )est I can. 0hus? I lo'e :e)edee with m# constant in)orn "emininit#. I
lo'e 4ou with the spirit 4ou ha'e aroused in me with 4our words and what
,ames and ,ohn ha'e told me. It is something completel# di""erent... )ut so
)eauti"ul. 5
2 It will ne'er )e so )eauti"ul as the lo'e o" a 'er# good hus)and. 5
2 9hF 1o. It is much more )eauti"ul. 9hF Don6t ta;e it amiss, :e)edeeF I still
lo'e #ou with all m# heart. .ut I lo'e 7im with something, which is still *ar#,
)ut it is no longer *ar#, #our poor wi"e, it is something more... 9hF I do not
;now how to tell #ouF 5
1,2. In ?#8#*##>s H!us#. S)%!+# Is Acc#$t#* )s ) Dsc$%#. 2,
,esus smiles at the woman who does not wish to o""end her hus)and, )ut cannot
conceal her new great lo'e. Also :e)edee smiles gra'el#, and goes near his
wi"e, who, still on her ;nees, turns round to loo; at her hus)and and at ,esus
alternatel#.
3 2 Do #ou realise, *ar#, that #ou will ha'e to lea'e #our homeE And #ou are
so proud o" itF 4our do'es, #our "lowers... this 'ine that )ears such sweet grapes
o" which #ou are so proud... #our )eehi'es, which are the most "amous ones in
the 'illage... and #ou will no longer ha'e #our loom on which #ou ha'e wo'en
so much linen and so much woollen cloth "or #our dear ones... And what a)out
#our little nephewsE hat will #ou do without #our little nephewsE 5
2 9hF *# =ordF hat do all these things matter? walls, do'es, "lowers, 'ines,
)eehi'es, looms, the# are all good and dear things, )ut so insigni"icant as
compared to 4ou and to lo'ing 4ouEF *# little nephews... wellF 4esF I will "eel
sorr# that I cannot put them to sleep on m# lap or hear them call me... .ut 4ou
are worth moreF 9hF 4ou are worth more than all the things 4ou mentionedF
And i" those things were ta;en all together and )ecause o" m# wea;ness the#
were as dear or dearer than ser'ing and "ollowing 4ou, I would cast them aside,
with the tears o" a woman, to "ollow 4ou with the smile o" m# soul. 0a;e me,
*aster. ,ohn, ,ames, will #ou tell 7im... and #ou too, m# hus)and. .e good.
7elp me. 5
2 All right. 4ou will come with the others. I wanted #ou to meditate care"ull# on
the past and the present, on what #ou lea'e and what #ou get. .ut come,
Salome. 4ou are mature to enter *# "amil#. 5
2 9hF *atureF I am less than a child. .ut 4ou will "orgi'e m# errors and hold
me )# the hand. 4ou... )ecause, coarse as I am, I will )e much ashamed )e"ore
4our *other and )e"ore ,ohanna. I will )e ashamed )e"ore e'er#)od#. &Dcept
4ou. .ecause 4ou are the Good 9ne and 4ou understand, pit# and "orgi'e
e'er#thing. 5
1+-. 9!sus S"!'@s to His Disci"#!s o0 /o)!n>s A"osto#'t!.
-r( 7'1 1*4+.
1 2 hat is the matter with #ou, PeterE 4ou loo; discontented 5 as;s ,esus,
ho is wal;ing along a countr# path under almond<trees in )lossom, which
announce to men that the worst season is o'er.
2 I am thin;ing, *aster. 5
2 4ou are thin;ing. I ;now. .ut #ou do not seem to )e thin;ing o" happ# thingsF
5
2 As 4ou ;now e'er#thing a)out us, 4ou alread# ;now m# thoughts. 5
2 4es, I do. Also God the >ather ;nows the needs o" men, )ut 7e wants in man
the intimac# that discloses his needs and as;s "or help. I can tell #ou that #ou are
wrong in )eing 'eDed. 5
2 So m# wi"e is not less dear to 4ouE 5
2 9" course not, Peter. h# should sheE 0here are man# dwelling places o" *#
>ather in 7ea'en. And man# are the tas;s o" men on the earth. And the# are all
)lessed, pro'ided the# are "ul"illed in a hol# manner. 3ould I possi)l# sa# that
all the women who do not imitate the *aries and Susanna are disli;ed )# GodE5
2 3ertainl# notF Also m# wi"e )elie'es in the *aster, )ut she does not "ollow
the eDample o" the other women 5 sa#s .artholomew.
2 1either does m# wi"e nor m# daughters. 0he# are sta#ing at home, )ut the#
are alwa#s read# to gi'e us hospitalit#, as the# did #esterda# 5 sa#s Philip.
2 I thin; m# mother will do the same. She cannot lea'e e'er#thing... she is all
)# hersel" 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
2 It is trueF I was sad )ecause I thought mine was so... so little... ohF I cannot
eDplainF 5
2 Do not criticise her, PeterF She is an honest woman 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 She is 'er# sh#. 7er mother had them all under her thum), )oth her daughter
and her daughters<in<law 5 sa#s Andrew.
2 .ut she should ha'e changed in all the #ears she has )een with meF 5
1,3. :#sus S$#)@s t! Hs Dsc$%#s !4 0!+#n>s A$!st!%)t#. 2-
2 9hF .rotherF 4ou are not all that sweet<tempered #oursel", #ou ;now. I" a
person is sh# #ou are li;e a spo;e in his wheel. *# sister<in<law is 'er# good
and the )est proo" is that she has alwa#s tolerated with patience her mother and
her )ad temper, and #ou and #our o'er)earance. 5
0he# all laugh at Andrew6s outspo;en conclusion and at Peter6s astonished "ace
when he hears o" his o'er)earance.
2 In addition ,esus laughs heartil#. 7e then sa#s? 2 0he "aith"ul women who do
not "eel li;e lea'ing their homes to "ollow *e are eIuall# use"ul to *e )#
sta#ing at home. I" the# all wanted to come with *e, I would ha'e to as; some
o" them to remain. 1ow that some women are going to Coin us, I will also ha'e
to see to them. It would )e neither decent nor wise "or the women to )e without
a dwelling place while the# mo'e a)out. e can rest an#where. A woman has
di""erent necessities "rom men, and needs a shelter. e can all sleep in one
place. .ut the# could not sta# with us, )oth )ecause o" the respect due to them
and )ecause o" their more delicate constitution. e must ne'er tempt
Pro'idence and nature )e#ond their limits. 1ow, o" e'er# "riendl# house, where
there is one o" #our women, I will ma;e a shelter "or their sisters. I will do that
with #our house, Peter, with #ours, Philip, with #ours, .artholomew, and with
#ours, ,udas. e cannot eDpect our women to tra'el around incessantl#, as we
do. Instead we shall ha'e them waiting "or us, at the meeting place, "rom which
we shall mo'e in the morning and go )ac; in the e'ening. e shall gi'e them
instructions "or the hours o" rest and the world will no longer )e a)le to grum)le,
i" other unhapp# women come to *e, neither shall I )e pre'ented "rom listening
to them. 0he mothers and wi'es that "ollow us will de"end their sisters and *e
against the slander o" the world. 4ou can see that I am ma;ing a Iuic; trip to
greet *# "riends or where I ;now that I will ha'e "riends. I am not doing that "or
*#sel". I am doing that "or the wea;er disciples who )# means o" their wea;<
ness will support our strength and ma;e it help"ul to man# more creatures. 5
2 4ou said that we are going to 3aesarea now. ho is thereE 5
2 3reatures see;ing the 0rue God are to )e "ound e'er#where. Springtime is
alread# announced )# the pin;ish<white almond )lossoms. 0he cold da#s are
o'er. In a "ew da#s6 time I will decide upon the places where we shall stop and
shelter the women disciples, and we shall start mo'ing around again, to spread
the word o" God, without worr#ing a)out our sisters, without an# "ear o" slander
and )oth their patience and their ;indness will )e a lesson to #ou. 0he hour o"
reha)ilitation o" women is almost here. 0here will )e a great "lowering o" hol#
'irgins, wi'es and mothers in *# 3hurch. 5
1+4. 9!sus 't C'!s'r!' on S!' S"!'@s to t! %'##!1AS#'2!s.
4t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is in the centre o" a )eauti"ul wide sIuare, "rom which a 'er# wide road
leads o"", one which is almost an eDtension o" the sIuare as "ar as the seaside. A
galle# must ha'e le"t the har)our onl# recentl# and it is ta;ing to the open sea
dri'en )# the wind and )# the oarsmen. Another one is manoeu'ring to enter the
har)our, )ecause its sails are )eing "urled and the oars are wor;ed on one side
onl# to 'eer round into a suita)le position. 0he har)our cannot )e seen "rom the
sIuare, )ut it must )e near)#. 9n the sides o" the sIuare there are rows o" large
houses, the t#pical walls o" which ha'e almost no openings. 0here are no shops.
2 here are we going nowE 4ou wanted to come here, instead o" going to the
eastern side and this is the heathen district. ho do 4ou thin; will listen to 4ou
hereE 5 sa#s Peter reproach"ull#.
2 =et us go o'er there, to that corner towards the seaside. I will spea; there. 5
2 4ou will )e spea;ing to the wa'es. 5
2 Also the wa'es were created )# God. 5
0he# go. 0he# are now Cust at the corner and the# can see the har)our into
which the galle# the# saw )e"ore is now slowl# entering and is moored at its
place. Some sailors are idling along the Iua#s. Some "ruit<sellers chance going
towards the 8oman )oat to sell their goods. 1othing else.
,esus, leaning with 7is )ac; against the wall, reall# seems to )e spea;ing to the
wa'es o" the sea. 0he apostles, not 'er# happ# with the situation, are all around
7im, some standing, some sitting on stones scattered here and there, to )e used
as )enches.
2 2 >oolish is the man who, seeing that he is power"ul, health# and happ#, sa#s?
Ghat do I needE hom do I needE 1o)od#. I need nothing, I am sel"<
1,4. :#sus )t C)#s)r#) !n S#) S$#)@s t! t"# ')%%#5AS%)6#s. 2.
su""icientL there"ore God6s decrees and moral laws mean nothing to me. *# onl#
law is to do what I can, without considering whether it is good or )ad "or other
people.H 5
A 'endor turns round on hearing the sonorous 'oice and comes near ,esus ho
continues? 2 0hat is how a man and a woman without wisdom and "aith spea;.
.ut i" that pro'es a more or less great power, it also e'idences a relationship
with &'il. 5
Some men come o"" the galle# and other )oats and come towards ,esus.
2 A man, not )# words o" mouth, )ut )# deeds pro'es that he is related to God
and to -irtue, when he considers that li"e is more changea)le than the wa'es o"
the sea, which one moment are calm and soon a"ter storm#. =i;ewise the power
and wealth o" toda# ma# turn into miser# and incapacit# tomorrow. 0hen what
will a man do i" he is )ere"t o" union with GodE 7ow man# on the galle# were
one da# happ# and might# and are now sla'es and considered criminalsF
3riminals? there"ore twice sla'es, o" the human law, which is derided in 'ain
)ecause it eDists and punishes its transgressors, and o" Satan who "ore'er ta;es
possession o" criminals, who do not repent and hate their crimes. 5
3 2 7ail, *asterF 4ou are hereFE Do 4ou ;now meE 5
2 *a# God come to #ou, Pu)lius Nuintilianus. SeeE I ha'e come. 5
2 And 4ou are here, in the 8oman district. I was not hoping to see 4ou again.
.ut I am 'er# happ# to hear 4ou. 5
2 And I am happ#, too. Are there man# men chained to the oars on that galle#E 5
2 4es, Iuite a large num)er. *ostl# war prisoners. Are 4ou interested in themE
5
2 I would li;e to approach that )oat. 5
2 3ome. Get awa# "rom here 5 he orders the "ew people who had come near and
who draw )ac; at once, mum)ling rude remar;s.
2 4ou ma# lea'e them. I am accustomed to )eing pressed )# crowds. 5
2 I can ta;e 4ou so "ar, not an# "arther. It6s a militar# galle#. 5
2 It is enough. *a# God reward #ou. 5
,esus resumes spea;ing while the 8oman, in his splendid uni"orm, seems to )e
mounting guard )eside 7im.
2 Sla'es )# mis"ortune, that is, sla'es onl# once. Sla'es "or a li"etime. .ut e'er#
tear that "alls on their chains, e'er# )low that stri;es them writing pain on their
"lesh, "iles their handcu""s, adorns what does not die, opens to them the peace o"
God, ho is the "riend o" 7is poor unhapp# children, and ho will gi'e them
as much Co# as the pain the# su""ered here. 5
Some men o" the crew loo; out "rom the )ulwar;s o" the galle# and listen. 1one
o" the galle# sla'es are there, o" course. .ut ,esus6 power"ul 'oice certainl#
reaches them through the rowloc; soc;ets and it spreads through the Iuiet air at
low tide. Pu)lius Nuintilianus is called )# a soldier and goes awa#.
2 I want to tell these unhapp# men who are lo'ed )# God, to )e resigned to their
mis"ortune, and to turn their pains into "lames that will soon un"asten the chains
o" the galle# and o" their li'es, ending in a desire "or God. 7a'ing endured the
poor da#, which is our li"e, a dar;, storm#, "ear"ul, pain"ul da#, the# thus enter
the da# o" God, a )right, serene, "earless and Co#"ul da#. 4ou will enter the great
peace, the in"inite "reedom o" Paradise, o mart#rs o" a pain"ul destin#, pro'ided
#ou are good in #our su""ering and #ou aspire to God. 5
4 Pu)lius Nuintilianus comes )ac; with other soldiers and he is "ollowed )# a
litter carried )# sla'es, and the soldiers ma;e room "or it.
2 ho is GodE I am spea;ing to Gentiles who do not ;now who God is. I am
spea;ing to the children o" the peoples su)dued who do not ;now who God is.
In #our "orests, o Gauls, I)erians, 0hracians, Germans, 3elts, #ou ha'e a sham
god. A soul is naturall# inclined to worship, )ecause it remem)ers 7ea'en. .ut
#ou cannot "ind the 0rue God, ho put a soul into #our )odies, a soul eIual to
the soul we people o" Israel ha'e, eIual to the soul o" the might# 8omans who
ha'e su)dued #ou, a soul that has the same duties and the same rights to Good
and to which the Good 9ne, that is the true God will )e "aith"ul. .e eIuall#
"aith"ul to Good. 0he god or gods that #ou ha'e worshipped so "ar, learning his
or their names on #our mothers6 ;neesL the god o" whom #ou no longer thin;
)ecause #ou do not "eel an# com"ort coming "rom him to relie'e #our su""ering,
the god that perhaps #ou hate and curse in #our dail# despair, is not the 0rue
God. 0he 0rue God is =o'e and Piet#. ere perhaps #our gods li;e thatE 1o,
the# were not. 0he# were also hard, cruel, "alse, h#pocrites, 'icious, thie'es.
And now the# ha'e a)andoned #ou, without the least com"ort, which is the hope
1,4. :#sus )t C)#s)r#) !n S#) S$#)@s t! t"# ')%%#5AS%)6#s. 21
o" )eing lo'ed and the assurance o" a rest a"ter so much su""ering. It is so
)ecause #our gods do not eDist. .ut God, the 0rue God, ho is =o'e and Piet#,
and ho I can assure #ou eDists, is 7e ho made the s;#, the seas, the
mountains, the "orests, the plants, the "lowers, the animals and man. 7e is the
9ne ho inspires conIuerors to treat the poor people o" the world with merc#
and lo'e, as 7e is *erc# and =o'e.
5 9 might# masters, consider that #ou all come "rom the same origin. Do not act
cruell# against those who )# mis"ortune ha'e come under #our power, and )e
human also to those whom a crime has tied to the )ench o" a galle#. *an sins
man# times. 1o man is without sins which are more or less secret. I" #ou
considered that, #ou would )e reall# good to #our )rothers, who, not so luc;# as
#ou are, ha'e )een punished "or crimes which #ou also ha'e committed,
without, howe'er, )eing punished "or them.
7uman Custice is such a dou)t"ul thing in Cudging, that it would )e dread"ul i"
di'ine Custice were li;e it. 0here are guilt# people who do not appear to )e so,
whereas innocent people are considered guilt#. =et us not as; wh#. It would )e
too gra'e an accusation against unCust men who hate their "ellow menF 0here are
people who are reall# guilt#, )ut ha'e )een led to perpetrate a crime )# o'er<
)earing circumstances that somewhat eDtenuate their crime. .e there"ore human,
#ou who are in charge o" galle#s. A)o'e human Custice there is a much higher
di'ine Custice. 0he Custice o" the 0rue God, ho created ;ings and sla'es, roc;s
and grains o" sand. 7e watches #ouL )oth #ou on the oars and #ou who are in
charge o" the crewL woe )etide #ou i" #ou are cruel without an# reason. I, ,esus
3hrist, the *essiah o" the 0rue God can assure #ou? at #our death 7e will tie
#ou to an eternal galle#, and will entrust the demons with a )lood<stained lash
and #ou will )e tortured and struc; eDactl# as #ou did. .ecause, i" according to
human law a criminal is to )e punished, #ou must not o'erstep all limits.
8emem)er that. A man who is power"ul toda# ma# )e misera)le tomorrow.
God onl# is eternal.
I would li;e to change #our hearts, and a)o'e all I would li;e to untie #our
"etters, gi'e #ou )ac; #our "reedom and send #ou )ac; to #our "atherlands. .ut,
*# dear galle#<sla'es, #ou are *# )rothers, #ou cannot see *# "ace, )ut #our
sorel# wounded hearts are well ;nown to *eL instead o" the "reedom and
"atherlands, which I cannot gi'e #ou now, while #ou are the poor sla'es o"
might# men, I will gi'e #ou a greater "reedom and >atherland. >or #our sa;e I
ha'e )ecome a prisoner *#sel", "ar "rom *# "atherland, I will redeem #ou )#
o""ering *#sel" in ransom, )ecause #ou are not the disgrace o" the world, as
men call #ou, )ut the shame o" man, who "orgets the limits o" the rigours o" war
and Custice. I will ma;e a new law "or #ou on the earth and a pleasant a)ode "or
#ou in 7ea'en. 8emem)er *# 1ame, o children o" God, who are weeping. It is
the name o" a >riend. 8epeat it in #our su""ering. .e sure that, i" #ou lo'e *e,
#ou will ha'e *e, e'en i" we ne'er see one another on the earth. I am ,esus
3hrist, the Sa'iour, #our >riend. I com"ort #ou in the name o" the 0rue God.
*a# peace come to #ou soon. 5
6 A crowd o" people, mainl# 8omans, ha'e gathered round ,esus, hose new
ideas ha'e astonished e'er#)od#.
2 .# ,o'eF 4ou ha'e made me ponder on new things, o" which I had ne'er
thought )e"ore. I "eel the# are true...5 Pu)lius Nuintilianus loo;s at ,esus,
pensi'e and mo'ed at the same time.
2 It is so, *# "riend. I" man used his )rains, he would ne'er go so "ar as to
commit a crime. 5
2 .# ,o'e, )# ,o'eF onder"ul wordsF I must remem)er themF 4ou said? GI"
man used his )rains....H 5
2 ... he would ne'er go so "ar as to commit a crime. 5
2 It is true. 4ou are reall# a great man, 4ou ;nowE 5
2 &'er# man who wanted, could )e as great as I am, i" he were all one with God.
5
0he 8oman continues his seIuence o" 2 )# ,o'es 5 in increasing admiration.
0hen ,esus sa#s to him? 2 3an I gi'e some solace to those galle#<sla'esE I ha'e
some mone#... some "ruit, some com"ort, that the# ma# ;now that I lo'e them. 5
2 Gi'e me it. I can do that. 9n the other hand there is a lad# o'er there who can
do much. I will as; her. 5 Pu)lius goes to the litter and spea;s through the
curtains that ha'e )een slightl# drawn. 7e comes )ac;. 2 I am authorised to do
it. I will see to the distri)ution, so that the Cailors ma# not ta;e ad'antage o" it.
And it will )e the onl# time a soldier o" the &mpire deals merci"ull# with war
sla'es. 5
2 0he "irst, )ut not the onl# time. 0he da# will come when there will )e no
1,4. :#sus )t C)#s)r#) !n S#) S$#)@s t! t"# ')%%#5AS%)6#s. 22
sla'es, and e'en )e"ore that *# disciples will go among galle#<men and sla'es
and call them )rothers. 5
A "urther seIuence o" 2 )# ,o'es 5 can )e heard in the calm air while Pu)lius is
waiting to ha'e enough wine and "ruit "or the galle#<sla'es. .e"ore going on
)oard the galle# he whispers near ,esus6 ear? 2 3laudia Procula is in there. She
would li;e to hear 4ou again. In the meantime she wants to as; 4ou something.
Go and see her. 5
7 ,esus goes towards the litter.
2 7ail, *aster. 5 0he curtain is drawn a little, showing a )eauti"ul woman a)out
thirt# #ears old.
2 *a# the desire "or wisdom come upon #ou. 5
2 4ou said that a soul remem)ers 7ea'en. 0here"ore, that thing which 4ou sa#
we ha'e within us, is it eternalE 5
2 4es, it is eternal. 0hat is wh# it remem)ers God. It remem)ers the God ho
created it. 5
2 hat is the soulE 5
2 0he soul is the true no)ilit# o" man. 4ou are "amous )ecause #ou )elong to the
3laudi "amil#. A man is e'en more so )ecause he )elongs to God. In #our 'eins
there is the )lood o" the 3laudi, the might# "amil#, which, howe'er, had a
)eginning and will come to an end. In man, )ecause o" his soul, there is the
)lood o" God. .ecause a soul is the spiritual )lood M as God is a *ost Pure
Spirit M o" the 3reator o" man? o" the &ternal, Almight#, 7ol# God. .ecause o"
the soul, which is in him and which is ali'e as long as it is united to God, man is
eternal, power"ul and hol#. 5
2 I am a pagan. So I ha'e no soul...5
2 4ou do ha'e it. .ut it has "allen into a state o" letharg#. a;e it up to the
0ruth and to =i"e...5
2 Good)#e, *aster. 5
2 *a# ,ustice conIuer #ou. Good)#e. 5
8 2 As #ou ha'e seen, here also I had people listening to *e 5 sa#s ,esus to the
disciples.
2 4es, )ut with the eDception o" the 8omans, who will ha'e understood 4ouE
0he# are )ar)ariansF 5
2 hoE All o" them. Peace is with them and the# will remem)er *e more than
man# others in Israel. =et us go to the house where the# are o""ering us
hospitalit# "or our meal. 5
2 *aster, that woman is the same one who spo;e to me on the da# that 4ou
cured the sic; man. I saw her and I recognised her 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 4ou can see, there"ore, that e'en here there was someone waiting "or us. .ut
#ou do not seem to )e 'er# happ# a)out it. I will ha'e accomplished a great deal
when I succeed in persuading #ou that I ha'e come not onl# "or the ,ews, )ut "or
all the peoples, and I ha'e prepared #ou "or them all. And I tell #ou? remem)er
e'er#thing o" #our *aster. 0here is no e'ent, howe'er tri"ling it ma# seem, that
ma# not )e a lesson "or #ou one da# during #our apostolate. 5
1o one replies and a sad smile o" pit# appears on ,esus6 lips.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
9 0his morning 7e had such a smile also "or me...
I was in a state o" such deep depression that I )egan to weep o'er so man#
things, the tiredness o" writing and writing with the "irm )elie" that so much
)ount# o" God and wor; o" little ,ohn are utterl# useless, not )eing the least.
And weeping I in'o;ed m# *aster, and when out o" ;indness 7e came
eDclusi'el# "or me, I told 7im what worried me.
7e shrugged 7is shoulders as i" 7e wished to sa#? 2 >orget a)out the world and
its nonsense 5, and then 7e caressed me sa#ing? 2 So whatE ould #ou not li;e
to help *e an# moreE Does the world not want to ;now *# wordsE ell, let us
repeat them to each other, "or *# Co# in mentioning them to a "aith"ul heart, "or
#ours in hearing them. 0he weariness o" the apostolateF... *ore depressing than
an# other wor;F It depri'es the serenest da# o" its light and the sweetest "ood o"
its sweetness. &'er#thing )ecomes ashes and dirt, nausea and )itterness. .ut,
*# dear soul, these are the hours in which we ta;e upon oursel'es the weari<
ness, the dou)ts, the miser# o" the worldl# people who die )ecause the# do not
possess what we ha'e. And the# are the hours in which we do more. I told #ou
1,4. :#sus )t C)#s)r#) !n S#) S$#)@s t! t"# ')%%#5AS%)6#s. 33
also last #ear. G0o what ad'antageEH wonders the soul su)merged )# what
su)merges the world, that is, )# the wa'es sent )# Satan. And the world drowns.
.ut the soul nailed to the cross with its God does not drown. It is in dar;ness "or
a moment and sin;s under the nauseating wa'e o" spiritual tiredness, then it
emerges "resher and more )eauti"ul. 4our eDpression? GI am no longer good "or
an#thingH is the conseIuence o" such tiredness. 4ou would ne'er )e good "or
an#thing. .ut I am alwa#s I, and thus #ou will alwa#s )e good "or #our tas; o"
mouthpiece. 9" course, i" I saw that *# gi"t were hidden a'ariciousl# li;e a
hea'# most 'alua)le gem, or it were used imprudentl#, or out o" indolence it
were not protected )# means o" the sa"et# precautions commanded )# human
wic;edness in such cases, to guard the gi"t and the person through whom the gi"t
is granted, I would sa#? G&nough o" that.H And this time without an# possi)le
recurrence. &nough "or e'er#)od#, with the eDception o" *# little soul, which
toda# loo;s Cust a little "lower in a downpour. And with such caresses can #ou
dou)t *# lo'e "or #ouF 3heer upF 4ou helped *e in wartime. 7elp *e again,
now... 0here is so much to )e done. 5
And I calmed down under the caress o" the long hand and o" the 'er# ;ind smile
o" *# ,esus, so candid as when 7e is all "or me.
1++. Cur! o0 t! Litt#! Ro)'n %ir# 't C'!s'r!'.
+t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus sa#s?
2 =ittle ,ohn, come with *e, as I ha'e to ma;e #ou write a lesson "or the
consecrated people o" the present time. atch and write. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
2 ,esus is still at 3aesarea on Sea. 7e is no longer in the same sIuare as
#esterda#, )ut "urther inland, "rom where the har)our and ships can still )e seen.
0here are man# warehouses and shops and as on the ground, in this open space,
there are mats with 'arious ;inds o" goods, I realise that it is near the mar;et
place, which was perhaps located near the har)our and warehouses, "or the
con'enience o" seamen and o" the people )u#ing goods )rought )# sea. 0here is
a lot o" shouting and )ustling among the people. ,esus with Simon and 7is
cousins, is waiting "or the others who are )u#ing the "ood that is needed. Some
children loo; curiousl# at ,esus, ho caresses them lo'ingl# while spea;ing to
7is apostles. ,esus sa#s? 2 I am sorr# to see dissatis"action )ecause I approach
the Gentiles. .ut I can )ut do what I must do and )e good to e'er#)od#. At least
#ou three and ,ohn must endea'our to )e goodL the others will "ollow #ou and
imitate #ou. 5
2 7ow can one )e good to e'er#)od#E A"ter all the# despise and oppress us,
the# do not understand us, the# are "ull o" 'ices... 5 sa#s ,ames o" Alphaeus
apologeticall#.
2 7ow can one do thatE Are #ou happ# that #ou were )orn o" Alphaeus and
*ar#E 5
2 9" course I am. h# do 4ou as; meE 5
2 And i" God had as;ed #ou )e"ore #ou were concei'ed, would #ou ha'e chosen
to )e )orn o" themE 5
2 3ertainl#. .ut I do not understand. 5
2 I" instead, #ou were )orn o" a Gentile, and #ou heard someone accuse #ou o"
wanting to )e )orn o" a heathen "ather, what would #ou ha'e saidE 5
2 I would ha'e said... I would ha'e said? GIt is no "ault o" mine. I was )orn o"
him, )ut I might ha'e )een )orn o" someone else.H I would ha'e said? G4ou are
un"air in accusing me. I" I do no harm, wh# do #ou hate meE.H 5
2 &Dactl#, also these people, whom #ou despise )ecause the# are pagans, can
sa# the same. It is no merit o" #ours, i" #ou were )orn o" Alphaeus, a true
Israelite. 4ou can onl# than; the &ternal >ather, ho granted #ou a great gi"t,
and out o" gratitude and humilit# #ou can endea'our to ta;e to the 0rue God
those who did not recei'e such a gi"t. 9ne must )e good. 5
2 It is di""icult to lo'e those whom we do not ;now. 5
2 1o. It is not. =oo;. 4ou, little "ellow, come here. 5
3 A little )o#, a)out eight #ears old, who is pla#ing in a corner with two other
little lads, comes near ,esus. 7e is a strong )o#, with 'er# dar; hair and a "air
compleDion.
2 ho are #ouE 5
1,,. Cur# !4 t"# Ltt%# R!+)n 'r% )t C)#s)r#). 31
2 I am =ucius, 3aius =ucius, o" 3aius *arius, a 8oman, the son o" the Decurion
o" the guards, who remained here a"ter he was wounded. 5
2 And who are thoseE 5
2 0he# are Isaac and 0o)#. .ut we must not sa#, )ecause the# are not allowed to
pla# with us. 0he ,ews would hit them. 5
2 h#E 5
2 .ecause the# are ,ews and I am a 8oman. 0he# are "or)idden to associate with
us. 5
2 .ut #ou are pla#ing with them. h#E 5
2 .ecause we are "ond o" one another. e alwa#s pla# together dice or Cumping.
.ut we ha'e to hide. 5
2 And would #ou lo'e *eE I am a ,ew, too, and I am not a )o#. ,ust imagine? I
am a *aster, something li;e a priest. 5
2 hat do I careE I" 4ou lo'e me, I will lo'e 4ou. And I lo'e 4ou )ecause 4ou
lo'e me. 5
2 7ow do #ou ;nowE 5
2 .ecause 4ou are good. ho is good, lo'es. 5
2 0here #ou are, *# "riends. 0hat is the secret to lo'e? to )e good. 0hen #ou
lo'e without considering to which "aith other people )elong. 5
Arid ,esus, holding little 3aius =ucius )# the hand, goes and caresses the little
,ewish children, who are "rightened and hide in a passage wa# and 7e sa#s to
them? 2 Good children are angels. Angels ha'e one "atherland onl#? Paradise.
0he# ha'e onl# one religion? the religion o" the 9ne God. 0he# ha'e onl# one
0emple? the 7eart o" God. =i;e little angels, alwa#s lo'e one another. 5
2 .ut i" the# see us the# will hit us... 5
,esus sha;es 7is head sadl# )ut does not repl#...
4 A tall shapel# woman calls =ucius, who lea'es ,esus sa#ing? 2 *# motherF 5
and shouts to the woman? 2 I ha'e a )ig "riend. 7e is a *asterF... 5
0he woman does not go awa# with her son, on the contrar#, she comes near
,esus and as;s 7im? 2 7ail. Are 4ou the Galilean who spo;e at the har)our
#esterda#E 5
2 4es, I am. 5
2 ait "or me, then. I6ll )e )ac; in a moment 5 and she goes awa# with her little
son.
In the meantime the other apostles ha'e also arri'ed, with the eDception o"
*atthew and ,ohn, and the# as;? 2 ho was sheE 5
2 A 8oman, I thin; 5 repl# Peter and the others.
2 hat did she wantE 5
2 She told us to wait here. e shall soon "ind out. 5
Some people ha'e come near them in the meantime and are waiting curiousl#.
0he woman comes )ac; with other 8omans. 2 So 4ou are the *asterE 5 as;s
one who loo;s li;e a ser'ant o" a rich "amil#. A"ter recei'ing an answer in the
a""irmati'e, he as;s? 2 ould it upset 4ou i" 4ou had to cure the little daughter
o" one o" 3laudia6s "riendsE 0he child is cho;ing to death and the doctor does
not ;now the cause o" it. She was all right last night. 0his morning she is in
agon#. 5
2 =et us go. 5
0he# ta;e a "ew steps along a street towards the place where the# were
#esterda# and the# arri'e at a wide open main entrance o" a house where
8omans appear to )e li'ing.
2 ,ust a moment. 5 0he man rushes in and almost immediatel# loo;s out again
and sa#s? 2 3ome in. 5
5 .ut )e"ore ,esus can go in, a #oung lad#li;e woman comes out. 7er eDtremel#
piti"ul state is 'er# o)'ious. She is holding in her arms a little child, onl# a "ew
months old, completel# inert, li'id with su""ocation. I would sa# that she is
su""ering "rom a lethal diphtheritis and is a)out to )reathe her last. 0he woman
clings to ,esus6 chest li;e a shipwrec;ed person to a roc;. 7er tears pre'ent her
"rom spea;ing.
1,,. Cur# !4 t"# Ltt%# R!+)n 'r% )t C)#s)r#). 32
,esus ta;es the )a)#, whose 'er# pale tin# hands with nails alread# )lue are
sha;en )# "its, and li"ts her up. 7er little head hangs down motionless. 0he
mother, no longer a proud 8oman in "ront o" a ,ew, has "allen at ,esus6 "eet, in
the dust, so))ing, her "ace raised, her hair dishe'elled, pulling at ,esus6 tunic and
mantle with her outstretched arms. .ehind and round her there are 8omans o"
the household and ,ewish women o" the town, loo;ing at her.
,esus wets 7is right hand "ore"inger with sali'a, puts it into the little panting
mouth, pressing it down the throat. 0he child writhes and )ecomes dar;er in the
"ace. 0he mother cries? 2 Don6tF Don6tF 5 and she writhes as i" she were pierced
)# a )lade. 0he people are holding their )reath.
,esus pulls 7is "inger out with a mass o" putrid mem)ranes. 0he child writhes
no longer, cries "or a "ew seconds, then calms down and smiles innocentl#,
sha;ing her hands and mo'ing her lips li;e a little )ird, that chirps "lapping its
little wings while waiting to )e "ed.
2 0a;e her, woman. >eed her. She is cured. 5
0he mother is so )ewildered that she ta;es the child and still ;neeling in the dust
she ;isses and caresses her and )reast<"eeds her. She seems to )e out o" her wits,
as i" she had "orgotten e'er#thing eDcept her child.
A 8oman as;s ,esus? 2 7ow did 4ou do thatE I am the Proconsul6s doctor and I
am cle'er. I tried to remo'e the o)struction, )ut it was too "ar downF... .ut
4ou... so... 5
2 4ou are cle'er. .ut the 0rue God is not with #ou. *a# 7e )e )lessed.
Good)#e. 5 And ,esus is a)out to go awa#.
6 .ut a small group o" Israelites "eel the# should inter"ere. 2 h# did 4ou ta;e
the li)ert# o" approaching "oreignersE 0he# are corrupted and unclean, and
whoe'er approaches them, )ecomes such. 5
0he# are three and ,esus stares at them se'erel# and then sa#s? 2 Are #ou not
7aggai, the man "rom A(otus, who came here last 0ishri to negotiate )usiness
with the merchant at the "oundation o" the old "ountainE And are #ou not ,oseph
o" 8amah, who came here to consult the 8oman doctor, and #ou ;now, as well
as I do, wh#E SoE Do #ou not "eel uncleanE 5
2 A doctor is ne'er a stranger. 7e cures )odies and all )odies are ali;e. 5
2 And souls are e'en more so. A"ter all, what did I cureE 0he innocent )od# o" a
child and )# doing so I hope to cure the souls o" strangers, which are not
innocent. 0here"ore )oth as a doctor and as the *essiah I can approach
an#)od#. 5
2 1o, 4ou cannot. 5
2 1o, 7aggaiE And wh# do #ou deal with the 8oman merchantE 5
2 I onl# approach him through goods and mone#. 5
2 And as #ou do not touch his )od#, )ut onl# what was touched )# his hands,
#ou do not thin; that #ou are contaminated. 9hF 7ow )lind and cruel #ou all
areF
7 =isten, e'er#)od#. In the 'er# )oo; o" the Prophet, whose name this man
)ears, it is written? GAs; the priests this Iuestion on the =aw? 6I" a man carries
consecrated meat in the "old o" his gown and with this "old touches )read, )roth,
wine or "ood o" an# ;ind, does such "ood )ecome hol#E6 0he priests answered?
61o, it does not6. 7aggai then said? 6I" a man made unclean )# contact with a
corpse touches an# o" this, does it )ecome uncleanE6 0he priests answered? 64es,
it does.6 H
.# means o" such shi"t#, "alse, inconsistent )eha'iour, #ou )ar and condemn
Good and accept onl# what is pro"ita)le to #ou. 0hen there is no more
indignation, no disgust, no horror. Pro'ided no personal detriment is caused to
#ou, #ou decide whether a thing is clean or unclean, whether it ma;es one clean
or not. And how can #ou, liars as #ou are, state that what has )een sancti"ied )#
contact with hol# "lesh or some hol# thing, does not ma;e hol# what it touchesL
and what has touched an unclean thing can ma;e unclean what it touchesE
Do #ou not realise that #ou are )el#ing #oursel'es, "alse ministers o" a =aw o"
0ruth, eDploiters o" that 'er# same =aw, which #ou twist as i" it were a hempen
rope, when #ou are anDious to pro"it )# it, #ou h#pocritical PhariseesE Jnder
religious preteDts #ou gi'e 'ent to #our human en'ious malice, entirel# human,
#ou desecrators o" what )elongs to God, re'ilers and enemies o" the *essenger
o" God. I solemnl# tell #ou that e'er# action, e'er# conclusion, e'er# mo'ement
o" #ours is moti'ated )# a compleD shrewd mechanism, where the wheels,
springs, weights and rods are #our sel"ishness, #our passions, #our insincerit#,
#our hatred, #our anDiet# to o'erwhelm people, #our en'#.
1,,. Cur# !4 t"# Ltt%# R!+)n 'r% )t C)#s)r#). 33
ShameF Greed#, trem)ling, spite"ul, #ou li'e in the supercilious "ear o" )eing
o'ercome )# someone who ma# not )elong to #our own caste. 4ou thus deser'e
to )e li;e the one who "rightens and irritates #ouF As 7aggai sa#s, o" a heap o"
twent# measures #ou ma;e one o" ten, and o" "i"t# )arrels #ou ma;e twent#, and
#ou poc;et all the di""erence, whereas to set an eDample to men and "or the lo'e
to )e gi'en to God, #ou should add something o" #our own to the heap o" the
measures and to the num)er o" the )arrels, "or the )ene"it o" those who are
hungr#, instead o" ta;ing it awa#. 4ou thus deser'e to )e made )arren )# a
)urning wind and )# rust and hail stones, in all the deeds o" #our hands.
ho are those amongst #ou who come to *eE 0hose whom #ou consider dung
and "ilth, who are so ignorant that the# do not e'en ;now that there is a true
God, the# come to the 9ne ho )rings them that God, ho is present in 7is
deeds and in 7is words. 4ou, instead, ha'e )uilt a niche "or #oursel'es and #ou
sta# in there, as arid and cold as idols awaiting incense and worship. And since
#ou consider #oursel'es gods, #ou deem it useless to thin; o" the 0rue God, as
one should thin; o" 7im, and #ou consider dangerous that other people, who are
not li;e #ou, should dare what #ou do not dare. In "act #ou cannot dare, )ecause
#ou are idols and ser'ants o" the Idol. .ut he who dares, can do it, )ecause not
he, )ut God wor;s in 7im.
8 GoF 0ell those who sent #ou to sp# on *e, that I disdain merchants who do
not "eel contaminated i" the# sell goods or their "atherland or the 0emple to
those "rom whom the# recei'e mone#. 0ell them that I "eel disgusted at the
)rutes, who worship onl# their own "lesh and )lood, "or the reco'er# o" which
the# do not consider the contact with a "oreign doctor to )e contaminating. 0ell
them that the measure is the same "or e'er#)od# and that there are not two
measures. 0ell them that I, the *essiah, the ,ust Admira)le 3ounsellor, upon
hom the Spirit o" the =ord shall rest with 7is se'en gi"ts, ho will not Cudge
)# what appears to the e#es, )ut )# the secrets o" hearts, ho will not condemn
according to what 7is ears hear, )ut )# the spiritual 'oices 7e will hear in e'er#
man, ho will side with the hum)le and Cudge the poor with righteousness, the
9ne ho I am, )ecause that is ho I am, is alread# Cudging and smiting those
who on the earth are nothing )ut earth. And the )reath o" *# lip will sla# the
wic;ed and destro# their dens, )ut will )e =i"e and =ight, >reedom and Peace
"or those who desirous o" Custice and "aith will come to *# 7ol# *ountain to )e
sated with the Science o" the =ord. 0hat is Isaiah, is it notE
*# people. &'er#thing comes "rom Adam and Adam comes "rom *# >ather.
&'er#thing is there"ore the wor; o" the >ather and it is *# dut# to gather all
men together "or the >ather. And I )ring them to 4ou, o 7ol#, &ternal,
Almight# >ather. I shall lead the stra# children )ac; to 4ou, a"ter gathering
them together )# means o" lo'ing words, under *# pastoral rod, which is li;e
the one *oses raised against the deadl# sna;es. 0hat 4ou ma# ha'e 4our
Bingdom and 4our people. And I ma;e no di""erence )ecause in the depths o"
all men I see something that shines )righter than "ire? a soul, a spar; o" 4our
&ternal .rightness. 9 *# eternal desireF 9 *# untiring willF
0his is what I want and what I cra'e "or. 0hat the whole earth ma# sing 4our
1ame. 0hat man;ind ma# call 4ou >ather. A 8edemption that will sa'e
e'er#)od#. A "orti"ied will that will ma;e e'er# man o)edient to 4our will. An
eternal triumph that will "ill Paradise with an e'erlasting hosanna... 9hF
*ultitude o" 7ea'ensF .ehold, I see the smile o" God... and that is the reward
compensating all human harshness. 5
9 0he three men ha'e "led in the hail o" reproaches. All the others, )oth 8omans
and ,ews, are gaping. 0he 8oman woman, with her child, who has suc;ed her
"ill and is sleeping peace"ull# in her lap, is still where she was, almost at ,esus6
"eet, weeping, o'erwhelmed )# maternal Co# and spiritual emotion. *an# are
mo'ed to tears )# the last words o" ,esus ho seems to )e "lashing with glor#
in 7is ecstas#.
And ,esus, lowering 7is e#es and returning with 7is spirit "rom 7ea'en )ac; to
the earth, sees the crowd and the mother... and passing )#, a"ter wa'ing good)#e
to e'er#)od#, 7e caresses her lightl#, )lessing her "or her "aith. And 7e wal;s
awa# with 7is disciples, while the crowds, still ama(ed, remain where the#
were...
10 @0he #oung 8oman woman, unless it is a casual resem)lance, is one o" the
8oman women who were with ,ohanna o" 3hu(a on the wa# to 3al'ar#. As no
one here called her )# her name, I am not sure.A
1,-. Ann)%#)" D#6!t#s H#rs#%4 t! '!* )s ) ;r(n. 34
1+4. Ann'#!' D!2ot!s H!rs!#0 to %o( 's ' :ir&in.
4t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus with Peter, Andrew and ,ohn, ;noc;s at the door o" 7is house in
1a(areth. 0he door is opened at once )# 7is *other, hose "ace )rightens with
a )eauti"ul smile on seeing ,esus.
2 elcome home, *# SonF Since #esterda# I ha'e had with *e a pure do'e
waiting "or 4ou. She came "rom "ar awa#. 0he person who )rought her here
could not sta# longer. As she as;ed "or *# ad'ice, I told her what I could. .ut
onl# 4ou, *# Son, are the isdom. 4ou are welcome, too 5 She sa#s to the
disciples. 2 3ome in and re"resh #oursel'es. 5
2 4es, sta# here. I am going at once to see the girl who is waiting "or *e. 5
0he three disciples are 'er# curious, )ut show their curiosit# in di""erent wa#s.
Peter stares intentl# in all directions, almost hoping to see through the walls.
,ohn loo;s as i" he wanted to read on *ar#6s "ace the name o" the un;nown girl.
Andrew, who on the other hand has )lushed, stares intentl# at ,esus and )oth his
e#es and his lips seem to )e trem)ling with a silent entreat#.
2 ,esus pa#s no attention to an# o" them. hile the three ma;e up their minds
and go into the ;itchen, where *ar# o""ers them some "ood in the warmth o" the
"ireplace, ,esus draws the curtain that conceals the door opening on to the
;itchen garden and goes out into it.
0he mild sunshine ma;es more air# and dream<li;e all the )looming )ranches o"
the tall almond<tree. 0he onl# tree in )lossom, the tallest in the ;itchen garden,
loo;s splendid in its sil; white<pin; dress, compared with the po'ert# o" all the
others? the pear<tree, the apple<tree, the "ig<tree, the pomegranate, the 'ines
which are still all )arren, statel# in its so"t )right 'eil, which contrasts with the
dra) humilit# o" the oli'e trees? it seems to ha'e caught with its long )ranches a
wisp# cloud, lost in the )lue "ield o" the s;#, and to ha'e adorned itsel" with it to
sa# to e'er#)od#? 2 0he wedding o" springtime is coming. 8eCoice, plants and
animals. It is the time "or ;isses with the winds, the )ees, the "lowers. It is the
time "or ;isses under the tiles, or in the thic; o" woods, o little )irds o" God and
snow<white sheep. Bisses toda#, o""spring tomorrow, to perpetuate the wor; o"
our 3reator God. 5
,esus with 7is arms "olded on 7is chest, standing in the sun, smiles at the serene
grace"ulness o" 7is *other6s ;itchen garden, with its )ed o" lilies recogni(a)le
"rom their "irst lea'es, its still )are rose<)ushes and sil'er# oli'e lea'es, and
man# other "amilies o" "lowers spread among the hum)le )eds o" legumes and
'egeta)les, which are Cust )ecoming green. 3lean, tid# and unassuming, it also
seems to eDhale the purit# o" per"ect 'irginit#.
3 2 Son, come to *# room. I will )ring her to 4ou, )ecause she ran there when
she heard so man# 'oices. 5
,esus enters 7is *other6s room, the chaste, the most chaste little room, which
heard the words o" the angelical con'ersation and which eDhales, e'en more
than the ;itchen garden, the 'irginal, angelical, hol# essence o" 7er ho has
li'ed in it "or #ears and o" the Archangel who 'enerated his Nueen in it. 7a'e
thirt# #ears gone )# or did the meeting ta;e place onl# #esterda#E Also toda# a
dista"" holds its so"t and almost sil'er# tu"t o" wool and the thread is on the
spindle, "olded em)roider# is on the shel" near the door, )etween a parchment
roll and a copper amphora in which there is a thic; almond )ranch in )loomL
also toda# the striped curtain, lowered on the m#ster# o" the 'irginal dwelling, is
mo'ed )# a gentle )ree(e, and the )ed, neat in its comer, still has the genteel
loo; o" the )ed o" a girl who has Cust reached the threshold o" #outh. hat will
one dream or has dreamt o" on the low pillowE...
0he curtain is so"tl# raised )# *ar#6s handL ,esus, ho was contemplating that
a)ode o" purit#, standing with 7is )ac; to the door, turns round.
2 7ere, *# Son. I ha'e )rought her to 4ou. She is a little lam). 4ou are her
Shepherd 5 and *ar#, ho has come in holding )# the hand a slender )runette
#oung girl, who )lushes 'ehementl# when she appears in ,esus6 presence,
Iuietl# withdraws letting the curtain down.
4 2 Peace to #ou, child. 5
2 Peace... =ord...5 0he girl, deepl# mo'ed, is speechless, )ut she ;neels down
and )ows her head.
2 Stand up. hat do #ou want "rom *eE Do not )e a"raid...5
2 I am not a"raid... )ut... now that I am in "ront o" 4ou... a"ter longing so much...
what seemed eas# and necessar# to tell 4ou... I cannot remem)er... it does not
seem what it was... I am sill#... "orgi'e me, m# =ord...5
1,-. Ann)%#)" D#6!t#s H#rs#%4 t! '!* )s ) ;r(n. 3,
2 Do #ou want a grace "or this worldE Do #ou need a miracleE 7a'e #ou souls to
con'ertE 1oE hat, thenE Spea; upF 4ou had so much courage and now are
losing heartE Do #ou not ;now that I am the 9ne ho increases strengthE 4esE
4ou doE ell, then, spea; as i" I were a "ather "or #ou. 4ou are #oung. 7ow old
are #ouE 5
2 SiDteen #ears, m# =ord. 5
2 here ha'e #ou come "romE 5
2 >rom ,erusalem. 5
2 hat is #our nameE 5
2 Annaleah ...5
2 0he dear name o" *# grandmother and o" man# more hol# women o" Israel,
and Coined to it, to ma;e one onl#, the name o" the good, "aith"ul, lo'ing, mee;
wi"e o" ,aco). It will )e a good omen to #ou. 4ou will )e a model wi"e and
mother. 1oE 4ou are sha;ing #our headE 4ou are weepingE 7a'e #ou )een
reCectedE 1oE 4our "iancO perhaps diedE 7as no one proposed to #ou #etE 5
5 0he girl alwa#s sha;es her head. ,esus ta;es a step "orward, caresses her and
"orces her to raise her head and loo; at 7im... ,esus6 smile o'ercomes the girl6s
eDcitement. She ta;es heart? 2 *# =ord, I could )e a wi"e and a happ# one,
than;s to 4ou. Do 4ou not recognise me, m# =ordE I am the girl who su""ered
"rom tu)erculosis, the d#ing "iancOe, whom 4ou cured at 4our ,ohn6s reIuest...
A"ter 4our grace I... I ha'e had another )od#? this health# one in the place o" the
d#ing one I had )e"oreL and I ha'e had another soul... I do not ;now. I did not
"eel the same... 0he Co# o" )eing cured, and conseIuentl# the certaint# I could
get married M m# regret in d#ing was that I could not get married M the# onl#
lasted "or a "ew hours. And then...5 0he girl )ecomes "ran;er and "ran;er, she
"inds the words and the ideas that she had lost in the eDcitement o" )eing alone
with the *aster... 2 ...And then I "elt that I should not )e onl# sel"ish, and sa#
onl#? G1ow I will )e happ#H, )ut that I should thin; o" something else,
something that came to 4ou and to God, 4our >ather and mine. Something that,
although small, should eDpress m# gratitude. I ga'e the matter a lot o" thought
and when the "ollowing Sa))ath I saw m# "iancO I said to him? G=isten, Samuel.
ithout the miracle I would ha'e died in a "ew months6 time and #ou would
ha'e lost me "ore'er. 1ow I would li;e to o""er a sacri"ice to God, with #ou, to
sa# to God that I praise 7im and than; 7im.H And Samuel, )ecause he lo'es me,
said at once? G=et us go to the 0emple together and o""er a sacri"ice.H .ut that
was not what I wanted. I am a poor and common girl, m# =ord. I ;now 'er#
little and I can do much less. .ut through 4our hand, which 4ou laid on m#
diseased )reast, something had come not onl# into m# corroded lungs, )ut also
into m# heart. It was health to m# lungs, and wisdom to m# heart. And I realised
that the sacri"ice o" a lam) was not the sacri"ice wanted )# m# soul that... that
lo'ed 4ou. 5 0he girl )ecomes silent, )lushing a"ter her pro"ession o" lo'e.
6 2 Go on without an# "ear. hat did #our soul wantE 5
2 0o sacri"ice something worth# o" 4ou, the Son o" GodF And so... so I thought
it should )e something spiritual li;e what comes "rom God, that is, the sacri"ice
o" postponing m# wedding, "or 4our sa;e, m# Sa'iour. A wedding, 4ou ;now,
is a great Co#. hen one is in lo'e it is a great thingF 9ne longs to... is anDious
to cele)rate itF... .ut I was no longer the same person as a "ew da#s pre'iousl#. I
no longer wanted m# wedding as the dearest thing... I told Samuel... and he
understood me. 7e also wanted to )e a na(irite "or one #ear, starting on the da#
which was to )e the da# o" our wedding, that is the da# a"ter the calends o"
Adar. In the meantime he has )een loo;ing "or 4ou, )ecause he wanted to lo'e
and ;now 7im ho had gi'en him )ac; his "iancOe? 4ou. And he "ound 4ou,
a"ter man# months, at the 3lear ater. I came too... and 4our word completed
the change o" m# heart. 1ow m# pre'ious 'ow is no longer su""icient "or me...
=i;e that almond<tree out there, which in the warmer and warmer sunshine has
re'i'ed a"ter )eing dead "or months and has )lossomed and will lea" and then
)ear "ruit, so I ha'e continuousl# grown in the ;nowledge o" what is )etter. 0he
last time, when I was alread# sure o" m#sel" and o" what I wanted M I ha'e
pondered on the matter all these past months M the last time I went to the 3lear
ater, 4ou were no longer there... 0he# had dri'en 4ou awa#. I wept and
pra#ed so much that the *ost 7igh heard me and persuaded m# mother to send
me here with a relati'e who was going to 0i)erias to spea; to the courtiers o"
the 0etrarch. 0he steward told me that I would "ind 4ou here. I "ound 4our
*other... and 7er words, onl# listening to 7er and )eing )eside 7er these two
da#s, ha'e completel# matured the "ruit o" 4our grace. 5 0he girl has ;nelt
down as i" she were in "ront o" an altar, her arms "olded on her )reast.
2 All right. .ut what do #ou want eDactl#E hat can I do "or #ouE 5
2 =ord, I would li;e... I would li;e a great thing. And onl# 4ou, the Donor o"
li"e and health, can gi'e it to me, )ecause I thin; that what 4ou can gi'e, 4ou
1,-. Ann)%#)" D#6!t#s H#rs#%4 t! '!* )s ) ;r(n. 3-
can also ta;e awa#... I would li;e 4ou to ta;e the li"e 4ou ga'e me, during the
#ear o" m# 'ow, )e"ore it ends...5
2 h#E Are #ou not grate"ul to God "or the li"e #ou recei'edE 5
2 So grate"ulF In"initel#F .ut "or one thing onl#? )ecause )# li'ing )# 7is grace
and )# 4our miracle I ha'e understood what is )est. 5
2 hich isE 5
2 hich is to li'e li;e angels. As 4our *other, m# =ord... as 4ou li'e... as
4our ,ohn li'es... 0he three lilies, the three white "lames, the three )eatitudes o"
the earth, m# =ord. 4es. .ecause I thin; that it is a )eatitude to possess God and
God is possessed )# the pure. I )elie'e that who is pure is a 7ea'en with God in
its centre and the angels around... 9hF *# =ordF 0hat is what I would li;e...
=ittle ha'e I heard o" what 4ou, 4our *other, the disciple and Isaac ha'e said.
1either ha'e I approached an#one else who could tell me 4our words. .ut I "eel
as i" m# soul heard 4ou all the time and 4ou were its *aster... I ha'e told 4ou
e'er#thing, m# =ord...5
7 2 Annaleah, #ou are as;ing "or 'er# much and are gi'ing 'er# much...
Daughter? #ou ha'e understood God and the per"ection to which a creature ma#
rise to )e li;e the *ost Pure and to please the *ost Pure. 5
,esus has laid 7is hands on the sides o" the head o" the dar;<haired girl, who is
;neeling in "ront o" 7im and spea;s )ending o'er her? 2 7e ho was )orn o" a
-irgin M )ecause 7e could )ut )uild 7is nest on a pile o" lilies M is nauseated,
*# dear daughter, )# the triple lecher# o" the world and 7e would )e crushed
)# so much nausea i" 7is >ather, ho ;nows on what 7is Son li'es, did not
inter'ene with lo'ing help to support *# soul in anguish. 0he pure are *# Co#.
4ou are gi'ing *e what the world ta;es "rom *e through its uneDhausted
)aseness. *a# the >ather and #ou, dear girl, )e )lessed "or that. Go happil#.
Something will inter'ene to ma;e #our 'ow an eternal one. .e one o" the lilies
scattered on the )lood<stained wa#s o" 3hrist. 5
2 9hF m# =ord... there is still one thing I would li;e...5
2 hichE 5
2 1ot to )e present at 4our death... I could not see 7im die, ho is m# =i"e. 5
,esus smiles ;indl# and with 7is hand 7e wipes the tears streaming down her
little dar; "ace. 2 Do not weep. =ilies are ne'er in mourning. 4ou shall smile
with all the pearls o" #our angelical crown when #ou see the crowned Bing enter
7is Bingdom. Go. *a# the Spirit o" the =ord teach #ou while I am awa#. I )less
#ou with the "ire o" &ternal =o'e. 5
,esus loo;s out on to the ;itchen garden and calls? 2 *otherF 7ere is a little
daughter, she is all 4ours. She is now happ#. .ut immerse her in 4our purit#
e'er# time we go to the 7ol# 3it#, that she ma# )ecome snow o" celestial petals
spread on the throne o" the =am). 5 And ,esus goes )ac; to 7is disciples, while
*ar# caresses the girl and sta#s with her.
8 Peter, Andrew and ,ohn loo; at 7im inIuisiti'el#. And ,esus6 )right "ace tells
them that 7e is happ#. Peter cannot help as;ing? 2 0o whom did 4ou spea; so
long, m# *asterE And what ha'e 4ou heard to )e so )eaming with Co#E 5
2 0o a woman at the dawn o" li"e, to her who will )e the dawn o" man# more
that will come. 5
2 hoE 5
2 0he 'irgins. 5
Andrew mum)les, in a low 'oice, to himsel"? 2 It is not her...5
2 1o. It is not she. .ut do not tire o" pra#ing, )e good and patient. &'er# word
o" #our pra#er is li;e a call, a light in the dar; and it supports and guides her. 5
2 .ut who is m# )rother waiting "orE 5
2 >or a soul, Peter. A great po'ert# that he wants to change into a great wealth.
5
2 And where did Andrew "ind it, since he ne'er goes a)out, he ne'er spea;s,
and he is a helpless sort o" chapE 5
2 9n *# wa#. 3ome with *e, Andrew. =et us go and see Alphaeus and )less
7im amongst his man# grandchildren. 4ou wait "or *e at ,ames and ,udas6. *#
*other wants to )e le"t alone all da#. 5
And while the# go awa#, some here, some there, secrec# en'elops the Co# o" the
"irst girl consecrated to 'irginit# "or 3hrist6s sa;e.
1,.. Instruct!n t! t"# 0!+#n Dsc$%#s )t N)7)r#t". 3.
1+6. Instruction to t! /o)!n Disci"#!s 't N'3'r!t.
6t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is still at 1a(areth, at home. 8ather, 7e is in the old carpenter6s shop.
0he twel'e apostles are with 7im as well as *ar#, *ar# mother o" ,ames and
,udas, Salome, Susanna, and, something new, *artha. A reall# sorrow"ul
*artha, with clear signs o" tears )elow her e#es. A *artha who is lost and
"rightened at )eing alone in the presence o" other people and a)o'e all o" the
=ord6s *other. *ar# endea'ours to "amiliarise her with the other women and to
relie'e her o" the "eeling o" uneasiness "rom which She sees she is su""ering. .ut
poor *artha6s heart seems to )e swelling more and more with 7er caresses. She
"lushes and weeps alternatel# under her 'eil, which she has pulled 'er# low o'er
her sorrow and discom"ort.
,ohn comes in with ,ames o" Alphaeus. 2 She is not in, m# =ord. She and her
hus)and are the guests o" a "riend o" hers. So the ser'ants said 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 She will certainl# )e 'er# sorr#. .ut she will alwa#s )e a)le to see 4ou and
recei'e 4our instructions 5 concludes ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 All right. 0he group o" women disciples is not here as I eDpected it. .ut, #ou
can see, *artha, 0heophilus6 daughter and =a(arus6 sister, is present in the place
o" the a)sent ,ohanna. 0he disciples ;now who *artha is. So does *# *other.
4ou, too, *ar#, and perhaps also #ou, Salome, ha'e alread# heard "rom #our
sons who *artha is, not so much as a woman according to the world, )ut as a
creature in the e#es o" God. And #ou, *artha, on the other hand, ;now who
these women are, who consider #ou as their sister and will lo'e #ou so much.
4ou are their sister and daughter. And #ou are in great need o" their lo'e, *#
dear *artha, that #ou ma# enCo# the com"ort o" their ;ind "ondness, which God
does not condemn, )ut has gi'en to man to support him in the weariness o" li"e.
And God has )rought #ou here Cust when I had chosen to la# the "oundation, I
could sa#, to gi'e #ou the can'as on which #ou will em)roider #our per"ection
o" disciples.
2 Disciple means to "ollow the discipline o" the *aster, o" 7is doctrine.
0here"ore, in a wide meaning, all those who now and in "uture centuries will
"ollow *# doctrine, will )e called disciples. And to a'oid mentioning man#
names, sa#ing? disciples o" ,esus according to the teaching o" Peter and Andrew,
o" ,ames or ,ohn, o" Simon or Philip, o" ,udas or .artholomew, or o" 0homas
and *atthew, the# will )e called christians )# one word onl#, which will unite
them all under one sign. .ut in the great mass o" the "ollowers o" *# discipline
I ha'e alread# selected the "irst and the second ones and the same will )e done
throughout centuries in *# memor#. As in the 0emple, and e'en )e"ore, in
*oses6 da#s, there was a Ponti"", the priests, the =e'ites, those responsi)le "or
'arious ser'ices, o""ices and duties, the singers and so on, so in *# new
0emple, as large as the earth, which will last as long as the earth, there will )e
superiors and in"eriors, all o" them use"ul and lo'ed )# *e, and )esides, there
will )e women, the new categor#, whom Israel has alwa#s despised, con"ining
them to the 'irginal songs in the 0emple or to the teaching o" the 'irgins in the
0emple. .ut nothing more.
Do not discuss whether that was "air or not. In the closed religion o" Israel and
in the da#s o" rath it was "air. All the shame "ell upon women, the origin o"
sin. In the uni'ersal religion o" 3hrist and in the da#s o" >orgi'eness all that is
changed. All the Grace was assem)led in one oman and She deli'ered it to the
world, that it might )e redeemed. oman is there"ore no longer the anger o"
God, )ut the help o" God. And through the oman, )elo'ed )# the =ord, all
women can )ecome disciples o" the =ord, not onl# as the mass o" "ollowers, )ut
as minor priestesses, assistants to the priests, to whom the# can gi'e so much
help )eside them and among the )elie'ers and non<)elie'ers, among those who
will )e )rought to God not so much )# the call o" hol# words as )# the hol#
smile o" one o" *# women disciples.
3 4ou ha'e as;ed to "ollow *e, as men do. .ut, as "ar as #ou are concerned, it
is too little "or *e, i" #ou onl# come, onl# listen and onl# practise. It would )e
#our sancti"ication. A great thing. .ut not #et enough "or *e. I am the Son o"
the A)solute 9ne and I want the a)solute "or *# )elo'ed ones. I want
e'er#thing, )ecause I ha'e gi'en e'er#thing.
>urther, not onl# I eDist, there is also the world. 0his terri)le thing, the world. It
should )e tremendous in holiness? a )oundless holiness, in num)er and power,
o" the multitude o" the children o" God. Instead it is tremendous in wic;edness.
Its "ull iniIuit# is reall# unlimited owing to the num)er o" its mani"estations and
the power o" its 'ices. All sins are in the world, which is no longer a multitude
o" the children o" God, )ut a multitude o" the children o" Satan, and a)o'e all,
the sin )earing the clearest sign o" its paternit# is most ali'e? hatred. 0he world
hates. ho hates sees e'il e'en in the most hol# things, and wants other people
to see e'il, e'en i" the# do not see it. I" #ou as;ed the world wh# I came, it
would not sa# to #ou? G0o do good and redeem.H .ut it would sa#? G0o corrupt
1,.. Instruct!n t! t"# 0!+#n Dsc$%#s )t N)7)r#t". 31
and usurp.H I" #ou as;ed the world what it thin;s o" #ou who "ollow *e, it
would not sa#? G4ou "ollow 7im to )ecome hol# and gi'e com"ort to the
*aster, through holiness and purit#.H .ut it would sa#? G4ou "ollow 7im
)ecause #ou ha'e )een seduced )# the man.H
Such is the world. And I am telling #ou also that, so that #ou ma# consider
e'er#thing )e"ore showing #oursel'es to the world as the chosen women discip<
les, the "ounders o" a "amil# o" "uture women disciples, the cooperators o" the
ser'ants o" the =ord. 0a;e #our hearts in #our hands, and sa# to them, to those
sensiti'e hearts o" women, that #ou, and #our hearts with #ou, will )e scorned
at, calumniated, spit at, trampled on )# the world, )# contempt, )# "alsehood, )#
the cruelt# o" the world. As; #our hearts whether the# are capa)le o" recei'ing
all the wounds without shouting out o" indignation, cursing those who wound it.
As; them whether the# "eel the# can "ace the moral mart#rdom o" slander with<
out going to the eDtent o" hating the slanderers and the 3ause "or which the# are
calumniated. As; them whether, sated and co'ered with the en'# o" the world,
the# will alwa#s )e a)le to eDhale lo'e, whether poisoned with a)sinth the# will
)e a)le to sIuee(e out hone#, whether when su""ering all tortures o" incompre<
hension, o" scorn, o" malicious gossip, the# will still )e a)le to smile, pointing to
7ea'en, their goal, to which #ou wish to lead other people, out o" womanl#
charit#, which is motherl# charit# also in #oung girls, still motherl# e'en i"
)estowed upon old people who could )e #our ancestors, )ut are spiritual )a)ies
Cust )orn and incapa)le o" understanding and conducting themsel'es in the wa#,
the li"e, the truth, the wisdom that I ha'e come to )ring, )# gi'ing *#sel"? a#,
=i"e, 0ruth, di'ine isdom. I will lo'e #ou Cust the same i" #ou sa# to *e? GI
ha'e not the strength, m# =ord, to challenge the whole world "or 4ou.H
4 4esterda# a girl as;ed *e to immolate her, )e"ore the hour o" her wedding
stri;es, )ecause she "eels that she lo'es *e, as God is to )e lo'edL that is with
her whole sel", with the a)solute per"ection o" gi'ing hersel". And I will do it. I
ha'e concealed the hour "rom her, that her soul ma# not trem)le with "ear, or her
)od# more than her soul. 7er death will )e li;e the end o" a "lower, that closes
its corolla in the e'ening, thin;ing it will reopen it the "ollowing da#, )ut ne'er
opens it again, )ecause the ;iss o" the night has suc;ed its li"e. And I will do it,
according to her desire , )# )ringing "orward her repose o" death to a "ew da#s
)e"ore *ine. So that this "irst 'irgin o" *ine ma# not )e ;ept waiting in lim)o,
and I ma# "ind her immediatel# a"ter *# death...
Do not weepF I am the 8edeemer... 0his hol# girl did not as; to "ollow *e, )ut
she did not limit hersel" to hosannas immediatel# a"ter the miracle, )ut she
wor;ed the miracle as i" it were mone# in'ested at an interest, and "rom human
gratitude she passed to a supernatural one, "rom an earthl# desire to a hea'enl#
one, showing a maturit# o" spirit, which is superior to almost e'er#)od# else6s. I
sa# GalmostH )ecause amongst #ou who are listening to *e, there are
per"ections that are eIual and e'en greater. She did not as; to "ollow *e, na#
she showed the desire to accomplish her e'olution "rom a girl to an angel in the
secrec# o" her a)ode. And I lo'e her so much that in the hours o" disgust at what
the world is, I will recall this ;ind creature, )lessing the >ather, ho wipes
awa# *# tears and perspiration o" a *aster in a world that does not want *e,
)# means o" such "lowers o" lo'e and purit#.
5 .ut i" #ou want, i" #ou ha'e the courage to remain the chosen women
disciples, )ehold, I will point out to #ou the wor; #ou ha'e to do to Custi"# #our
presence and #our election near *e and near the saints o" the =ord. 4ou can do
so much amongst #our "ellow creatures and "or the ministers o" the =ord.
I ha'e alread# mentioned it to *ar# o" Alphaeus man# months ago. 7ow great
is the necessit# o" a woman near the altar o" 3hristF 0he in"inite miseries o" the
world can )e cured much more and much )etter )# a woman than )# a man, and
then ta;en to man to )e completel# cured. *an# hearts, particularl# o" "emales,
will open to #ou, o women disciples. 4ou must recei'e them as i" the# were
dear children led astra#, who are coming )ac; to their "ather6s house and dare
not "ace their parent. 4ou are the ones who will recom"ort the culprit and
placate the Cudge. *an# will come to #ou see;ing God. 4ou will welcome them
as i" the# were tired pilgrims, sa#ing? G0his is the house o" the =ord, 7e will )e
here at onceH, and in the meantime #ou will en'elop them with #our lo'e. A
priest o" *ine will come, i" I do not.
A woman ;nows how to lo'e. She was made to lo'e. She degraded lo'e into
sensual lust, )ut true lo'e, the gem o" her soul, is still imprisoned in the depth o"
her heart? lo'e de'oid o" "oul sensual mud, made o" angelical wings and
per"umes, o" pure "lame and remem)rances o" God, o" its origin "rom God and
its creation )# God. oman? the masterpiece o" goodness near the masterpiece
o" creation, which is man? GAnd now I will ma;e Adam a helpmate that he ma#
not "eel alone,H must not a)andon the Adams. 0a;e there"ore that "acult# o"
lo'ing and ma;e use o" it in the lo'e o" 3hrist and "or 3hrist amongst #our
neigh)ours. .e most charita)le to repentant culprits. 0ell them not to )e a"raid
o" God. Is it possi)le "or #ou, mothers and sisters, not to )e a)le to do thatE 7ow
1,.. Instruct!n t! t"# 0!+#n Dsc$%#s )t N)7)r#t". 32
o"ten #our little ones, #our #oung )rothers were ill and needed a doctorF And
the# were a"raid. .ut with caresses and lo'ing words #ou relie'ed them o" their
"ear and the#, no longer terri"ied as )e"ore, with their little hands held )# #ours,
let the doctor cure them. 3ulprits are #our sic; )rothers and children, who are
a"raid o" the doctor6s hand, and o" his sentence... 1o, it must not )e so. Since
#ou ;now how good God is, tell them that God is good and no one must )e
a"raid o" 7im. &'en i" 7e is "ran; and resolute in sa#ing? G4ou shall not do it
again,H 7e will not reCect who has alread# done it and has "allen ill. .ut 7e will
cure him to restore him to health.
6 .e mothers and sisters to hol# li'ing people. 0he#, too, need lo'e. 0he# will
)ecome tired and worn out in e'angeli(ing. 0he# will not )e a)le to do all that is
to )e done. 7elp them, discreetl# and diligentl#. omen ;now how to wor; at
home, near ta)les and )eds, at looms and e'er#thing that is needed "or e'er#da#
li"e. 0he "uture o" the 3hurch will )e a continuous "low o" pilgrims to the places
o" God. .e their ;ind hotel<;eepers, ta;ing upon #oursel'es all the most hum)le
wor;, so that the ministers o" God ma# )e "ree to continue the wor; o" the
*aster.
0hen di""icult, sanguinar#, cruel times will come. 3hristians, also the hol# ones,
will undergo hours o" terror and wea;ness. *an is ne'er 'er# strong in
su""ering. omen, instead, as compared to men, enCo# the true ;ingliness o"
)eing a)le to su""er. 0each men, supporting them in the hours o" "ear,
discouragement, tears, tiredness and )loodshed. In our 7istor# we ha'e
eDamples o" wonder"ul women, who per"ormed deeds o" li)erating daring. e
ha'e ,udith, ,ael. .ut )elie'e *e, no one is greater, so "ar, than the mother who
was eight times a mart#r, se'en times with each o" her sons, and once hersel", in
the times o" the *acca)ees. 0hen there will )e another one... And a"ter 7er,
there will )e countless num)ers o" heroines o" sorrow and in sorrow, women
who will )e the solace o" mart#rs and mart#rs themsel'es, who will )e angels
"or those who are persecuted, silent priestesses who will preach God )# their
wa# o" li'ing, and who, with no other consecration )ut the one the# recei'ed
"rom the God<=o'e, will )e consecrated and worth# o" it.
7 0hose are the outlines o" #our main duties. I will not )e a)le to de'ote much
time to #ou in particular. .ut #ou will )e "ormed )# listening to *e. And #ou
will )e "ormed e'en more under the per"ect guidance o" *# *other.
4esterda# this maternal hand @and ,esus ta;es *ar#6s hand in 7is ownA )rought
*e the girl o" whom I ha'e spo;en to #ou and who told *e that to listen to 7er
and )e )eside 7er "or a "ew hours had matured the "ruit o" the grace she had
recei'ed and had carried it to per"ection. It is not the "irst time that *# *other
has wor;ed "or 3hrist, 7er Son. 4ou and #ou, who are *# disciples as well as
cousins, ;now what *ar# is "or the "ormation o" souls to God and #ou will )e
a)le to tell )oth those men and women who ma# )e a"raid that I ha'e not
prepared them "or their mission or that the# are still insu""icientl# prepared
when I shall no longer )e with #ou. *# *other will )e with #ou now, when I
am not amongst #ou, and later when I shall no longer )e with #ou. She will
remain with #ou, and with 7er will remain the wisdom o" all 7er 'irtues. As
"rom now #ou ma# "ollow all 7er ad'ice.
4esterda# e'ening, when we were alone, and I was sitting near 7er, as I used to
when I was a child, *# head resting on 7er shoulder, which is so so"t and so
strong, *# *other said to *e we had )een tal;ing o" the girl who had le"t earl#
in the a"ternoon, with enclosed in her 'irginal heart a sun, )righter than the one
in the s;#? her hol# secret M She said to *e? G7ow lo'el# it is to )e the
8edeemer6s *otherFH 4es, how lo'el# it is when the creature coming to the
8edeemer is alread# a creature o" God, a creature in whom there is onl# the
stain o" origin, that can onl# )e washed awa# )# *e. All the other small stains
o" human imper"ection ha'e )een washed awa# )# lo'e.
.ut, *# sweet *other, *ost Pure Guide o" souls to 4our Son, 7ol# Star o"
orientation, Bind 0eacher o" saints, Pious >oster *other o" the most little ones,
7ealth# 3ure o" sic; people, not alwa#s such creatures who are not repugnant to
holiness will )e coming to 4ou... .ut lepers, horrors, stench, a tangle o" sna;es
and "oul things, will creep to 4our "eet, o Nueen o" man;ind, and will shout?
G7a'e merc#F Succour usF 0a;e us to 4our SonF.H And 4ou will ha'e to put
this pure hand o" 4ours on their wounds, and )end with 4our e#es o" a hea'enl#
do'e on hellish de"ormities, inhale the stench o" sin and not run awa#. 1a#, 4ou
will ha'e to press to 4our heart those who ha'e )een mutilated )# Satan, those
a)ortions, that "ilth, and wash them with 4our tears and )ring them to *e... And
then 4ou will sa#? G7ow di""icult it is to )e the 8edeemer6s *otherF.H .ut 4ou
will do it )ecause 4ou are the *other... I ;iss and )less these hands o" 4ours
"rom which so man# creatures will come to *e, and each o" them will )e a
glor# o" *ine. .ut )e"ore *ine, it will )e a glor# o" 4ours, 7ol# *other.
8 *# dear women disciples, "ollow the eDample o" *# 0eacher, o" the 0eacher
o" ,ames and ,udas, o" e'er#one who wishes to )e "ormed in Grace and
1,.. Instruct!n t! t"# 0!+#n Dsc$%#s )t N)7)r#t". 43
isdom. >ollow 7er word. It is the same as *ine, )ut made sweeter. 1othing is
to )e added to it )ecause it is the word o" the *other o" isdom.
And #ou, *# "riends, endea'our to acIuire the hum)leness and "irmness o"
women, and demolishing manl# pride, do not despise the women disciples, )ut
mitigate #our strength, and I could sa# also #our hardness and #our intolerance,
in contact with the ;indness o" women. And a)o'e all, learn "rom them how to
lo'e, to )elie'e and to su""er "or the =ord, )ecause I solemnl# tell #ou that the#,
the wea; ones, will )ecome the strongest in "aith, in lo'e, in daring, in
sacri"icing themsel'es "or their *aster, hom the# lo'e with their whole sel'es,
without as;ing "or an#thing, without pretending an#thing, satis"ied onl# with
lo'ing to gi'e *e solace and Co#.
Go now to #our homes, or to the houses where #ou are guests. I will sta# with
*# *other. God )e with #ou. 5
9 0he# all go awa# eDcept *artha.
2 *artha, #ou sta# here. I ha'e alread# spo;en to #our ser'ant. 0oda# it is not
.ethan# that is gi'ing hospitalit#, )ut it is ,esus6 little house. 3ome. 4ou will eat
)eside *ar# and sleep in the little room near 7ers. 0he spirit o" ,oseph, our
com"ort, will com"ort #ou while #ou are resting, and tomorrow #ou will go )ac;
to .ethan# stronger and more sure o" #oursel", to prepare women disciples also
there, while waiting "or the one dearest to *e and to #ou. Do not dou)t, *artha.
I ne'er promise in 'ain. .ut it ta;es time to turn a desert "ull o" 'ipers into a
hea'enl# thic;et. 0he "irst wor; is not noticed. 1othing seems to ha'e ta;en
place. Instead the seed has alread# )een sown. 0he seeds. All o" them. And then
tears will come, to act as rain that opens the seeds... And the good trees will
come... 3omeF eep no moreF 5
1+8. 9!sus S"!'@s to 9o'nn' o0 Cu3' on t! L'@!.
8t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is on the la;e, in Peter6s )oat, )ehind two other )oatsL one is a common
"ishing )oat, li;e that o" Peter, the other is a slender eDpensi'e pleasure )oat. It
)elongs to ,ohanna o" 3hu(a. .ut the owner is not in her )oat. She is at ,esus6
"eet, in Peter6s hum)ler cra"t.
I would sa# that the# met )# chance somewhere on the "lower# shore o"
Gennesaret, most )eauti"ul in this "irst appearance o" Palestinian springtime,
which strews its clouds o" )lossoming almond<trees and la#s the pearls o" "uture
"lowers on pear and apple<trees, on pomegranates, Iuince<trees, on all the trees
which are most "ruit"ul and )ear the most )eauti"ul )lossoms and "ruit. hen the
)oat ;eeps close to the shore eDposed to the sun, one can alread# see millions o"
)uds swelling on the )ranches, awaiting to )lossom, while the petals o" the earl#
almond<trees "lutter in the Iuiet air until the# alight in the clear water. 0he
shores, co'ered with the new grass, which loo;s li;e )right green sil;, are
studded with the golden e#es o" )uttercups, or radiate<star daisies, near which
the )eauti"ul, thin )luish "orget<me<nots, sti"" on their stems li;e little crowned
Iueens, smile gentl#, as placid as children6s e#es, and the# seem to )e sa#ing
G#es, o" courseH to the sun, to the la;e, to the other her)s, which are happ# to
)loom, under the s;#<)lue e#es o" their =ord.
At the )eginning o" spring the la;e has not #et the opulence that will turn it into
a triumph the "ollowing months, it has not the luDurious pomp, which I would
call sensual, o" the man# thousand rigid or supple roseries, in the "orm o" tu"ts in
gardens or 'eils against walls, o" the man# thousand cor#m)s o" c#tisi and
acacias, o" the thousands and thousands o" groups o" tu)eroses, o" the thousands
and thousands o" waDed stars o" citrus trees, o" all the )lending o" hues, o"
strong, so"t, ine)riating per"umes, which "orm the en'ironment and spur o"
human great desire "or enCo#ment that desecrates this corner o" the earth, which
is so pure, and is the la;e o" 0i)erias, the place chosen centuries ago to )e the
theatre o" the greatest num)er o" miracles wor;ed )# our =ord ,esus.
,ohanna loo;s at ,esus a)sor)ed in the )eaut# o" 7is Galilean la;e and her "ace
smiles re"lecting, li;e a "aith"ul mirror, 7is smile. 0he# are spea;ing in the other
)oat. 0here is silence here. 0he onl# noise is the thud o" the )are "eet o" Peter
and Andrew, who are manoeu'ring the )oat, and the sigh o" the water opened )#
the prow and whispering its pain to the sides o" the )oat, and then changing into
laughter at the stern, when the wound heals and )ecomes a sil'er# wa;e that the
sun causes to spar;le as i" it were diamond dust.
At last ,esus ends 7is contemplation and turns 7is e#es towards ,ohanna. 7e
smiles at her and as;s her? 2 e are almost there, are we notE And #ou will )e
sa#ing that #our *aster is not a 'er# pleasant companion. I ha'e not spo;en one
1,1. :#sus S$#)@s t! :!")nn) !4 C"u7) !n t"# L)@#. 41
word to #ou. 5
2 .ut I ha'e read them on 4our "ace, *aster, and I heard e'er#thing 4ou said to
these things which are around us. 5
2 ell, then, what was I sa#ingE 5
2 =o'e, )e pure, )e good. .ecause #ou come "rom God, and nothing )ad or
impure has come out o" 7is hands. 5
2 4ou ha'e read right. 5
2 .ut, m# =ord, the her)s will do that... Also the animals will do it. *an... h#
will he not, although he is the most per"ectE 5
2 .ecause Satan6s tooth has pierced man onl#. 7e pretended to demolish the
3reator through 7is greatest prodig#, most li;e 7im. 5
2 ,ohanna lowers her head in thought. She seems to )e hesitating and weighing
two opposite desires. ,esus is watching her. She then raises her head and sa#s? 2
ould 4ou mind approaching some "riends o" mine, who are pagansE 4ou
;now... 3hu(a is a courtier... And the 0etrarch M and e'en more so the true
mistress o" the 3ourt? 7erodias, to whose will e'er# desire o" 7erod #ields, as it
is... "ashiona)le, to show that the# are more re"ined than an# other Palestinian, to
)e protected )# 8ome )# worshipping 8ome and e'er#thing that is 8oman M
"lirts with the 8omans o" the proconsular household... and almost imposes them
on to us. 8eall# I must sa# that the women are not worse than we are. Also
amongst us, on these 'er# shores, there are some women who ha'e "allen 'er#
low. And what can we spea; o", unless we spea; o" 7erodiasE... hen I lost m#
child and I was ill, the# were 'er# good to me, although I did not see; them.
And a"ter, we ha'e remained "riends. .ut i" 4ou tell me that it is wrong, I will
put an end to it. 1oE 0han; 4ou, m# =ord. 0he da# )e"ore #esterda# I was with
one o" these "riends. It was a "riendl# 'isit, as "ar as I was concerned, a dut# call
with regard to 3hu(a. It was an order o" the 0etrarch who... would li;e to come
)ac; here )ut does not "eel too sa"e and so... he enters into more interested
relations with 8ome, in order to )e protected. 1a#... please... 4ou are a relati'e
o" the .aptist, are 4ou notE ell, tell him not to )e too trust"ul. 7e should ne'er
lea'e Samaria. 9n the contrar#, i" he does not mind, he should hide there "or
some time. 0he sna;e is going near the lam) and the lam) has a lot to )e a"raid
o". 9" e'er#thing. =et him )e watch"ul, *aster. .ut it must not )e ;nown that I
said it. It would )e the end o" 3hu(a. 5
2 Do not worr#, ,ohanna. I will in"orm the .aptist in such a wa# that no harm
will )e done. 5
2 0han; 4ou, m# =ord. I want to ser'e 4ou... )ut )# doing so, I would not li;e
to harm m# hus)and. 1a#... I... will not alwa#s )e a)le to come with 4ou.
Sometimes, I will ha'e to sta#, )ecause he wants me to, and it is Cust...5
2 4ou will sta#, ,ohanna. I understand e'er#thing. Sa# no more, )ecause it is
not necessar#. 5
2 .ut will 4ou want me to )e near 4ou in the most dangerous hours "or 4ouE 5
2 3ertainl#, ,ohanna. 5
2 9hF hat a )urden it was "or me ha'ing to sa# that and actuall# gi'ing 'oice
to the wordsF .ut now I am relie'ed...5
2 I" #ou ha'e "aith in *e, #ou will alwa#s )e relie'ed. 3 .ut #ou were tal;ing
a)out a 8oman lad# "riend...5
2 4es. She is a close "riend o" 3laudia and I thin; she must )e a relati'e o" hers,
too. And she would li;e to spea; to 4ou, or at least, listen to 4ou. And she is
not the onl# one. 1ow that 4ou ha'e cured -aleria6s child, and the news
tra'elled as Iuic; as lightning, the# are more anDious than e'er. At the )anIuet
the other e'ening, there was a lot o" tal;ing, in #our "a'our and against 4ou.
.ecause some 7erodians were present, as well as some Sadducees... although, i"
#ou as;ed them the# would den# it... and there were also some women... rich...
)ut... )ut not honest. 0here was... I regret telling 4ou )ecause I ;now that 4ou
are a "riend o" her )rother... )ut there was *ar# o" *agdala with her new "riend
and another woman, a Gree;, I thin;, as dissolute as she. 4ou ;now... among
heathens, women are at ta)le with men and that is 'er#... 'er#... hat a
nuisanceF *# "riend was so ;ind as to choose m# hus)and as m# companion and
that was a great relie". .ut the others... ohF... ell... 0he# were tal;ing a)out
4ou, )ecause >austina6s miracle caused a stir and i" the 8omans admired 4ou as
a great doctor or magician M "orgi'e me, m# =ord M the 7erodians and the
Sadducees 'omited 'enom on 4our 1ame. And *ar#F 9h *ar#F 7ow
horri)leF... She )egan sneering and then. 1o, I will not tell 4ou. I wept all night
o'er it...5
2 1e'er mind. She will reco'er. 5
1,1. :#sus S$#)@s t! :!")nn) !4 C"u7) !n t"# L)@#. 42
2 .ut she is all right, 4ou ;nowE 5
2 7er )od# is. All the rest is poisoned. She will reco'er. 5
2 4ou sa# so... 0he 8oman women, 4ou ;now what the# are li;e... said? Ge
are not a"raid o" witchcra"t, neither do we )elie'e in lies. e want to Cudge )#
oursel'esHL and a"ter the# said to me? G3ould we not hear 7imEH 5
2 0ell them that at the end o" the month o" She)at I will )e in #our house. 5
2 I will tell them, m# =ord. Do 4ou thin; the# will come to 4ouE 5
2 0here is a world to )e re)uilt in them. >irst it is necessar# to destro#, then to
)uild. .ut it is not impossi)le. 4 ,ohanna, there is #our house and #our garden.
or; in it "or #our *aster, as I told #ou. Good)#e, ,ohanna. 0he =ord )e with
#ou. I )less #ou in 7is name. 5
0he )oat draws near to the shore. ,ohanna )egs? 2 Are 4ou reall# not comingE 5
2 1ot now. I must re'i'e the "lames. In the a)sence o" a "ew months, the# ha'e
almost gone out. And time "lies. 5
0he )oat stops in the little )a# which penetrates into 3hu(a6s garden. Some
ser'ants rush to assist their mistress in getting o"". 7er )oat arri'es at the whar"
a"ter Peter6s, and ,ohn, *atthew, the Iscariot and Philip come o"" it and get on
)oard Peter6s )oat, which slowl# departs and resumes its 'o#age to the opposite
shore.
1+*. 9!sus 't %!r&!s'. 9on>s Disci"#!s.
*t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is spea;ing in a town which I ha'e ne'er seen )e"ore. At least, that is
what I thin;, )ecause all the towns are ali;e in st#le and it is di""icult to tell one
"rom the other at "irst sight. Also here a road coasts the la;e and all the )oats are
on the shore. =arge and small houses are set in a row on the other side o" the
road, )ut the hills are much more distant and so the little town is on a charming
plain which stretches along the eastern shores o" the la;e, protected "rom the
winds )# the range o" hills, and warmed )# the sun which here, more than in the
other parts o" the countr#, increases the )lossoming o" the trees.
I thin; that ,esus6 sermon has alread# )egun )ecause 7e sa#s? 2 ... It is true, 4ou
sa#? Ge will ne'er a)andon 4ou )ecause to a)andon 4ou is to a)andon GodH,
.ut, o people o" Gherghesa, remem)er that nothing is more changea)le than the
human mind. I am con'inced that at present that is what #ou reall# thin;. *#
word and the miracle that too; place ha'e encouraged #ou in that direction and
at the present moment #ou are sincere in what #ou sa#. .ut I wish to remind #ou
o" one e'ent, I could Iuote a thousand )oth remote and recent. I will mention
onl# this one.
2 ,oshua, the ser'ant o" the =ord, on the e'e o" death, gathered around him all
the tri)es with their elders, leaders, Cudges and scri)es and he spo;e to them in
the presence o" the =ord, reminding them o" all the )ene"its gained "rom and
prodigies wor;ed )# the =ord through 7is ser'ant. And a"ter enumerating all
these things, he as;ed them to repudiate an# god which was not the =ord or at
least to )e "ran; in their "aith, choosing with sincerit# either the 0rue God or the
gods o" *esopotamia and o" the Amorites, so that there should )e a clear
separation )etween the sons o" A)raham and the pagani(ing people.
An openl# declared error is alwa#s )etter than a h#pocritical pro"ession and
miDture o" "aiths, which is an insult to God and death to souls. And nothing is
easier to maintain and more commonl# met than such miDture. 0he appearance
is goodL the su)stance underneath it is not good. 0hat state applies also
nowada#s. 0hose )elie'ers who miD the o)ser'ance o" the =aw with what is
"or)idden )# the =aw, those misera)le "ellows who stagger li;e drun;en people
)etween lo#alt# to the =aw and the pro"it o" )usiness and compromise with
outlaws "rom whom the# hope to recei'e some ad'antage, those priests or
Scri)es or Pharisees who no longer ma;e the ser'ice o" God the aim o" their
li'es, )ut indulge in shrewd politics to triumph o'er other people and thus )e
a)le to do an#thing against more honest persons, )ecause the# are not the
ser'ants o" God, )ut the# ser'e a power which the# ;now is strong and use"ul
"or their purposes, all those people are nothing )ut h#pocrites who miD our God
with "alse gods.
0he people replied to ,oshua? G1e'er let it )e that we shall a)andon the 0rue
God to ser'e "alse gods.H ,oshua told them what I, ha'e Cust told #ou a)out the
hol# Cealous# o" the >ather, a)out 7is will to )e lo'ed eDclusi'el#, with our
1,2. :#sus )t '"#r("#s). :!"n>s Dsc$%#s. 43
whole sel'es, a)out 7is Custice in punishing those who are untruth"ul.
PunishmentF God can punish Cust as 7e can reward us. It is not necessar# to )e
dead to recei'e our reward or punishment. 3onsider, o people o" Israel, whether
God, a"ter gi'ing #ou so much, "reeing #ou "rom the Pharaohs, leading #ou
sa"el# through the desert and the snares o" enemies, allowing #ou to )ecome a
great and respected nation, "ull o" glor#, has not punished #ou once, twice, ten
times, "or #our sinsF 3onsider what #ou ha'e )ecome nowF And I, ho see #ou
throwing #oursel'es headlong into the most sacrilegious idolatr#, I see also into
which a)#ss #ou are a)out to "all )ecause #ou alwa#s perse'ere in the same
"aults. And )ecause o" that I re)u;e #ou, o people who are twice *ine, )ecause I
am #our 8edeemer and )ecause I was )orn o" #ou. *# reproach is not hatred, it
is not grudge, nor intolerance, it is lo'e, e'en i" it is se'ere.
,oshua then said? G4ou are witnesses? #ou ha'e chosen the =ordH and the# all
replied? G4es, we are.H And ,oshua, who was wise )esides )eing )ra'e, ;nowing
how "leeting the will o" man is, wrote in the )oo; all the words o" the =aw and
o" the co'enant and he put them in the temple, and also in the sanctuar# o" the
=ord in Shechem, which contained the 0a)ernacle "or the occasion, he set a
great stone as witness and said? G0his stone which has heard all #our words to
the =ord shall remain here as a witness so that #ou ma# not lie and den# the
=ord #our God.H
3 A stone, no matter how great and hard it ma# )e, can alwa#s )e reduced to
powder )# man, )# thunder)olt or )# the erosion o" water and time. .ut I am the
&ternal 3orner<Stone. And I cannot )e destro#ed. Do not lie to this =i'ing
Stone. Do not lo'e it onl# )ecause it wor;s miracles. =o'e it )ecause through it
#ou will touch 7ea'en. I would li;e #ou to )e more spiritual, more "aith"ul to
the =ord. I am not sa#ing to *e. I am, onl# )ecause I am the -oice o" the
>ather. .# trampling on *e, #ou wound 7im ho sent *e. I am the mediator.
7e is e'er#thing. 0a;e what I o""er #ou and ;eep within #oursel'es what is hol#
so that #ou ma# reach God. Do not lo'e the *an, lo'e the *essiah o" the =ord
not )ecause o" the miracles 7e wor;s, )ut )ecause 7e wants to wor; in #ou the
intimate and su)lime miracle o" #our sancti"ication. 5
4 ,esus )lesses and directs 7is steps towards a house. 7e is almost at the door
when 7e is stopped )# a group o" elderl# men who greet 7im respect"ull#
sa#ing? 2 *a# we as; 4ou a Iuestion, =ordE e are disciples o" ,ohn and as he
alwa#s spea;s o" 4ou and also )ecause the "ame o" 4our miracles reached us,
we wish to ma;e 4our acIuaintance. e ha'e Cust listened to 4ou and we ha'e
a Iuestion to as; 4ou. 5
2 As; it. I" #ou are disciples o" ,ohn, #ou are alread# on the path o" Custice. 5
2 4ou said, spea;ing o" the idolatries which are common amongst )elie'ers, that
there are people amongst us who come to compromise )etween the =aw and
those who are out o" the =aw. .ut 4ou also are a "riend o" theirs. e ;now that
4ou do not disdain the 8omans. SoE 5
2 I do not den# it. .ut can #ou sa# that I do it to ma;e a pro"itE 3an #ou sa# that
I caress them e'en to recei'e onl# their protectionE 5
2 1o, *aster. And we are more than certain. .ut the world is not made onl# o"
us, who want to )elie'e onl# in the e'il that we see and not in the e'il we are
told a)out. 1ow tell us the con'incing reason "or approaching Gentiles, "or our
own guidance and to de"end 4ou in the e'ent o" someone slandering 4ou in our
presence. 5
2 It is e'il to ha'e contact when one does it "or human purposes. It is not e'il
when one approaches them to ta;e them to the =ord our God. 0hat is what I do.
I" #ou were Gentiles, I could spend some time eDplaining to #ou how e'er# man
comes "rom 9ne God onl#. .ut #ou are ,ews and disciples o" ,ohn. 4ou are
there"ore the cream o" ,ews, and I need not eDplain that to #ou. 4ou can
there"ore understand and )elie'e that it is *# dut#, as the ord o" God, to ta;e
7is word to all men, the sons o" the Jni'ersal "ather. 5
2 .ut the# are not 7is sons, the# are pagans...5
2 ith regard to Grace the# are not. .ecause o" their erroneous "aith, the# are
not. 0hat is true. .ut until I redeem #ou, man, also a ,ew, will ha'e lost Grace,
he will )e depri'ed o" it, )ecause the Stain o" 9rigin pre'ents the ine""a)le ra#
o" Grace "rom descending into men6s hearts. .ut with regard to creation, man is
alwa#s a son. >rom Adam, the "ounder o" the human "amil#, descend )oth the
,ews and the 8omans and Adam is the son o" the >ather ho ga'e him 7is
spiritual li;eness. 5
2 0hat is true. 5 Another Iuestion, *aster. h# do ,ohn6s disciples "ast 'er#
sternl# and 4ours do notE e do not mean that 4ou should not eat. Also the
Prophet Daniel was hol# in the e#es o" God although he was a great man at the
court in .a)#lon, and 4ou are greater than he. .ut the#...5
1,2. :#sus )t '"#r("#s). :!"n>s Dsc$%#s. 44
2 hat 'er# o"ten is not achie'ed )# rigorism, is achie'ed )# cordialit#. 0here
are people who would ne'er come to the *aster, and the *aster must go to
them. 0here are others who would go to the *aster, )ut are ashamed o" going
amongst the crowd. 0he *aster must go also to them. And since the# sa# to *e?
G.e m# guest that I ma# ;now 4ouH I go, )earing in mind, not the pleasure o" a
rich ta)le, and o" a con'ersation that sometimes is 'er# pain"ul "or *e, )ut onl#
and alwa#s the interest o" God. 0hat is as "ar as I am concerned. And as o"ten at
least one o" the souls which I approach is con'erted to God, and e'er#
con'ersion is a wedding "east "or *# soul, a great "east in which all the angels
in 7ea'en ta;e part and which is )lessed )# the &ternal God, *# disciples, the
"riends o" *e<the Spouse, reCoice with the Spouse and >riend. ould #ou li;e to
see *# "riends in pain while I reCoiceE hile I am with themE .ut the time will
come when the# will no longer ha'e *e. And then the# will "ast. 1ew methods
"or new times. Jp to #esterda#, in the da#s o" the .aptist, there was the ash o"
Penance. 0oda#, in *# da#s, there is the sweet manna o" 8edemption, o" *erc#,
o" =o'e. 0he old methods could not )e engra"ted into *ine, as *# method
could not ha'e )een used then, not e'en #esterda#. .ecause *erc# was not #et
on the earth. It is now. 1o longer the Prophet, )ut the *essiah, to hom
e'er#thing has )een entrusted )# God, is on the earth. &ach da# has what is
use"ul to it. 1o)od# sews a new cloth on to an old garment, lest the new piece o"
cloth, particularl# when )eing washed, should shrin; and thus tear the old cloth
and the hole would )ecome )igger. =i;ewise no one puts new wine into old
wines;ins, otherwise the new wine would )urst the wines;ins, which cannot
stand the e""er'escence o" the new wine, and it would run out o" the )urst
wines;ins. .ut the old wine, which has alread# )een decanted se'eral times, is
put into old wines;ins, and the new wine into new ones. So that one "orce ma#
)e compensated )# another eIual one. 0he same happens now. 0he "orce o" the
new doctrine suggests new methods to di'ulge it. And I, ho am aware o" it,
ma;e use o" them. 5
6 2 0han; 4ou, =ord. e are now happ#. Pra# "or us. e are old wines;ins.
ill we )e a)le to restrain 4our "orceE 5
2 4es, )ecause the .aptist shaped #ou and )ecause his pra#ers and *ine will
ma;e #ou capa)le o" so much. Go with *# peace and tell ,ohn that I )less him.5
2 .ut... according to 4ou, is it )etter "or us to sta# with the .aptist or with 4ouE
5
2 As long as there is old wine, drin; it, i" its "la'our is agreea)le. =ater... as the
putrid water which is e'er#where will disgust #ou, #ou will lo'e the new wine.5
2 Do 4ou thin; that the .aptist will )e recapturedE 5
2 4es, most certainl#. I ha'e alread# sent him a warning. Go now. &nCo# #our
,ohn as long as #ou can and ma;e him happ#. A"terwards #ou will lo'e *e.
And #ou will "ind it hard... also )ecause no one who has )ecome used to old
wine will all o" a sudden wish to ha'e new wine. 9ne sa#s? G0he old one was
)etter.H And in "act I will ha'e a di""erent "la'our, which will seem sour to #ou.
.ut #ou will relish its 'ital "la'our da# )# da#. Good)#e, "riends. *a# God )e
with #ou. 5
14;. Fro) N'"t'#i to %isc'#'. 7!!tin& $it R'55i %')'#i!#.
1;t 7'1 1*4+.
1 2 *asterF *asterF Do 4ou ;now who is ahead o" usE 0here is ra))i GamalielF
7e is sitting with his ser'ants, in a cara'an, in the shade in a wood, sheltered
"rom the windsF 0he# are roasting a lam). hat are we going to do nowE 5
2 hat we were going to do, *# "riends. e will proceed along our wa#...5
2 .ut Gamaliel is o" the 0emple. 5
2 Gamaliel is not wic;ed, Do not )e a"raid. I will go ahead. 5
2 9hF I am coming too 5 sa# 7is cousins at the same time, as well as all the
Galileans and Simon. 9nl# the Iscariot, and to a lesser degree, 0homas, do not
seem 'er# anDious to proceed. .ut the# "ollow the others.
0he# wal; "or a "ew #ards along a mountainous road deep set )etween the
wooded slopes o" the mountain. 0he road then )ends and opens on to a ;ind o"
ta)leland and crosses it, widening out, and soon a"ter that it )ecomes once again
narrow and winding under a roo" o" interwo'en )ranches. In a sunn# )are patch,
which is howe'er shaded )# the "irst lea'es o" the wood, there are man# people
under a rich tent, while other people are )us# in a corner turning the lam) on the
"ire.
1-3. Fr!+ N)$"t)% t! 'sc)%). 9##tn( &t" R)88 ')+)%#%. 4,
0here is no dou)t a)out itF Gamaliel too; 'er# good care o" himsel". >or one
person tra'elling he set a crowd o" ser'ants in motion with I do not ;now how
much luggage. 7e is now sitting in the centre o" his tent? a cloth supported )#
"our gilt poles, a ;ind o" canop# under which there are low seats co'ered with
cushions and a ta)le the top o" which rests on car'ed wooden legs. A 'er# "ine
ta)le<cloth is spread on the ta)le and the ser'ants are la#ing 'alua)le dishes on
it. Gamaliel loo;s li;e an idol. ith his hands open on his ;nees, sti"" and
hieratic, he loo;s li;e a statue to me. 0he ser'ants mo'e round him li;e large
)utter"lies. .ut he pa#s no attention to them. 7e is pondering, his e#elashes
rather lowered on his se'ere e#es, and when he raises them, his deep 'er# dar;
pensi'e e#es are displa#ed in all their se'ere )eaut# at the sides o" a long thin
nose and under the high rather )ald "orehead o" an elderl# man. 7is "orehead is
mar;ed )# three parallel wrin;les and )# a large )luish 'ein which "orms a -
shaped angle in the centre o" his right temple.
2 0he noise o" the oncoming people causes the ser'ants to turn round. Gamaliel
also loo;s round. 7e sees ,esus approaching ahead o" e'er#one and he ma;es a
gesture o" surprise. 7e stands up and mo'es to the edge o" the tent, )ut no
"arther. >rom there he )ows low with his arms crossed on his chest. ,esus replies
to him in the same wa#.
2 4ou are here, 8a))iE 5 as;s Gamaliel.
2 I am here, ra))i 5 replies ,esus.
2 *a# I as; 4ou where 4ou are goingE 5
2 It is a pleasure "or *e to tell #ou. I am coming "rom 1aphtali and I am going
to Giscala. 5
2 9n "ootE .ut it is a hard and long road along these mountains. 4ou are tiring
4oursel" too much. 5
2 .elie'e *e. I" I am welcomed and listened to, all tiredness disappears. 5
2 ell, then... allow me to )e "or once the one who will remo'e 4our "atigue.
0he lam) is read#. e would ha'e le"t the lea'ings to the )irds )ecause I ne'er
ta;e them with me. 4ou can see that it is no trou)le "or me to o""er "ood to 4ou
and to 4our "ollowers. I am "riendl# to 4ou, ,esus. I do not consider 4ou
in"erior to me, )ut greater than I am. 5
2 I )elie'e #ou. And I accept #our hospitalit#. 5
Gamaliel spea;s to a ser'ant who appears to )e the highest in authorit# and who
passes on the order. 0he tent is eDtended and more seats and dishes "or ,esus6
disciples are ta;en o"" the man# mules.
0he# )ring )owls to puri"# their "ingers. ,esus per"orms the rite with the greatest
courtliness, whereas the apostles, on whom Gamaliel is casting sharp sidelong
glances, do so as well as the# can, with the eDception o" Simon, ,udas o"
Berioth, .artholomew and *atthew, who are more accustomed to ,ewish
re"inements.
,esus is )eside Gamaliel who is alone on one side o" the ta)le. 0he :ealot is in
"ront o" ,esus. A"ter the pra#er o" than;sgi'ing, which Gamaliel sa#s with calm
solemnit#, the ser'ants car'e the lam) and di'ide it among the guests and the#
"ill the cups with wine or water sweetened with hone#, "or those who pre"er it.
3 2 e ha'e met )# chance, 8a))i. I was ne'er eDpecting to see 4ou and on the
wa# to Giscala. 5
2 I am going towards the whole world. 5
2 4es, 4ou are the inde"atiga)le Prophet. ,ohn is the stationar# one, 4ou are the
roaming 9ne. 5
2 It is easier, there"ore, "or souls to "ind *e. 5
2 I would not sa# so. 4our continuous mo'ing a)out, disorientates them. 5
2 I disorientate *# enemies. .ut those who want *e, )ecause the# lo'e the
ord o" God, "ind *e. 1ot e'er#)od# can come to the *aster. And the *aster,
ho wants e'er#)od#, goes to e'er#)od#, helping thus the good and warding
o"" the conspiracies o" those who hate *e. 5
2 Are 4ou re"erring to meE I do not hate 4ou. 5
2 1ot to #ou. .ut since #ou are Cust and "ran;, #ou can sa# that I am spea;ing
the truth. 5
2 4es, it is so. .ut... see... 0he "act is that we old people do not understand 4ou
well. 5
2 4es, old Israel does not understand *e well. 0hat is her mis"ortune... and
1-3. Fr!+ N)$"t)% t! 'sc)%). 9##tn( &t" R)88 ')+)%#%. 4-
)ecause o" her will. 5
2 1o, no. 5
2 4es, ra))i. 0he# are not willing to understand the *aster. And who con"ines
himsel" to that, does e'il, )ut a comparati'e e'il. *an# instead deli)eratel#
misunderstand and distort *# word to harm God. 5
2 GodE 7e is a)o'e human snares. 5
2 4es. .ut e'er# soul that goes astra# or is led astra#, M and it is misleading to
distort *# word or *# wor;, )oth with regard to onesel" and to other people, M
harms God in the soul which is lost. &'er# soul that is lost is a wound to God. 5
4 Gamaliel lowers his head, and closing his e#es, he meditates. 7e then presses
his "orehead )etween his long thin "ingers, in an in'oluntar# gesture o" pain.
,esus watches him. Gamaliel raises his head, opens his e#es, loo;s at ,esus and
sa#s? 2 .ut 4ou ;now that I am not one o" those. 5
2 I ;now. .ut #ou are one o" the "ormer. 5
2 9hF It is true. .ut it is not true that I am not willing to understand 4ou. 0he
truth is that 4our word stops on m# mind and does not penetrate "arther. *#
mind admires it as the word o" a learned man and the spirit...5
2 And the spirit cannot recei'e it, Gamaliel, )ecause it is encum)ered with too
man# things. And ruined things. A short while ago, coming here "rom 1aphtali,
I passed near a mountain, which Cuts out "rom the mountain chain. I was pleased
to pass there to see the two )eauti"ul la;es o" Gennesaret and *erom, "rom high
a)o'e, as eagles and the angels o" the =ord see them, to sa# once again? G0han;
4ou, 3reator, "or the )eaut# 4ou grant us.H ell, whilst the whole mountain is
co'ered with "lowers, green meadows, orchards, "ields, woods, and the laurels
smell sweet near the oli'e<trees, preparing the white host o" thousands and
thousands o" "lowers and also the strong oa;<tree seems to )ecome gentler as it
dresses itsel" with wreaths o" clematis and wood)ine? o'er there, there is no
"lowering, no "ertilit#, neither o" man nor o" nature. All the e""orts o" the winds,
all the toil o" men are "rustrated )ecause the 3#clopean ruins o" ancient 7at(or
encum)er e'er#thing and )etween one large stone and another onl# nettles and
)ushes can grow and sna;es can hide. Gamaliel...5
2 I understand. e are ruins, too... I understand the para)le, ,esus. .ut... I
cannot... I cannot... do otherwise. 0he stones are too hea'#. 5
2 9ne in hom #ou )elie'ed said to #ou? G0he stones shall 'i)rate hearing *#
last words.H .ut wh# wait "or the last words o" the *essiahE ill #ou not regret
that #ou did not "ollow *e )e"oreE 0he lastF... Sad words, li;e those o" a "riend
who is d#ing, and to whom we ha'e to listen, )ut too late. .ut *# words are
more important than the words o" a "riend. 5
2 4ou are right... .ut I cannot. I am waiting "or that sign, that I ma# )elie'e. 5
2 hen a piece o" ground is )arren, a thunder)olt is not su""icient to till it. 0he
soil will not recei'e it. .ut the stones that co'er the soil will recei'e it.
&ndea'our at least to remo'e them, Gamaliel. 9therwise, i" the# are le"t where
the# are, in the depth o" #our heart, the sign will not lead #ou to )elie'e. 5
5 Gamaliel is silent, engrossed in thought. 0he meal is o'er.
,esus stands up and sa#s? 2 I than; 4ou, *# God, )oth "or the meal and "or the
opportunit# o" spea;ing to a wise man. And than; #ou, Gamaliel. 5
2 *aster, do not go awa# li;e that. I am a"raid 4ou are angr# with me. 5
2 9hF noF 4ou must )elie'e *e. 5
2 0hen, do not go awa#. I am going to 7illel6s tom). ould 4ou disdain coming
with meE It will not ta;e us long, )ecause I ha'e mules and don;e#s "or
e'er#)od#. All we ha'e to do is to ta;e o"" their pac;<saddles, which the
ser'ants will carr#. And the hardest part o" the road will )e shortened "or 4ou. 5
2 I do not mind coming with #ou or going to 7illel6s tom). It is an honour. =et
us go. 5
Gamaliel gi'es the necessar# instructions, and while the# are all )us# ta;ing
down the temporar# dining<room, ,esus and Gamaliel mount two mules and
the# go ahead, one )eside the other, along a Iuiet steep road, on which the
ironshod hoo'es resound loudl#.
Gamaliel is silent. 9nl# twice he as;s ,esus whether 7is saddle is com"orta)le.
,esus replies and then )ecomes Iuiet, engrossed in thought. So much so that 7e
does not notice that Gamaliel, holding his mule )ac; a little, lets 7im go
"orward )# a "ull nec;, so that he ma# stud# e'er# gesture o" 7is. 0he e#es o"
the old ra))i are so ;een in penetration that the# loo; li;e the e#es o" a haw;
1-3. Fr!+ N)$"t)% t! 'sc)%). 9##tn( &t" R)88 ')+)%#%. 4.
ga(ing at its pre# .ut ,esus is not aware o" it. 7e proceeds calml#, "ollowing the
undulant pace o" 7is mount, 7e is pensi'e and #et 7e o)ser'es all the "eatures
o" what is around 7im. 7e stretches out a hand to pic; a hanging )unch o"
golden c#tisus, 7e smiles at two little )irds which are )uilding their nest in a
thic; Cuniper, 7e stops the mule to listen to a )lac;cap and, as a )lessing, 7e
nods assent to the anDious cr# )# which a wild do'e urges her mate to wor;.
2 4ou lo'e her)s and animals 'er# much, do 4ou notE 5
2 4es, 'er# much. 0he# are *# li'ing )oo;. *an alwa#s has the "oundations o"
"aith in "ront o" him. Genesis li'es in nature. 1ow, one who ;nows how to see,
;nows also how to )elie'e. 0his "lower, so sweet in its scent and in the su)s<
tance o" its pendulous corollas, and in such a contrast with this thorn# Cuniper
and with that "ur(e, how could it ha'e made itsel" )# itsel"E And loo;? that ro)in
red)reast, could it ha'e made itsel" with that dried )loodstain on its so"t throatE
And those two do'es, where and how ha'e the# )een a)le to paint those on#D
collars on the 'eil o" their gre# "eathersE And o'er there, those two )utter"lies? a
)lac; one with large gold and ru)# rings, while the other, with )lue stripes,
where ha'e the# "ound the gems and ri))ons "or their wingsE And this streamE It
is water. Agreed. .ut where did it come, "romE hich is the "irst source o" the
water<elementE 9hF 0o loo; means to )elie'e, i" one ;nows how to loo;. 5
2 0o loo; means to )elie'e. e loo; too little at the li'ing Genesis that is in
"ront o" us. 5
2 0oo much science, Gamaliel. And too little lo'e, and too little humilit#. 5
Gamaliel sighs and sha;es his head.
6 2 7ere. e ha'e arri'ed, ,esus. 7illel is )uried o'er there. =et us dismount
and lea'e our mules here. A ser'ant will ta;e them. 5
0he# dismount t#ing the two mules to a tree trun; and the# turn their steps
towards a )urial ground which protrudes "rom the mountain near a large house
completel# closed up.
2 I come here to meditate and prepare m#sel" "or the "easts o" Israel 5 sa#s
Gamaliel pointing at the house.
2 *a# isdom grant #ou all its light. 5
2 And here @and Gamaliel points at the sepulchreA to prepare m#sel" to meet
death. 7e was a Cust man. 5
2 7e was a Cust man. I will )e pleased to pra# near his ashes. .ut, Gamaliel,
7illel must not teach #ou onl# to die. 7e must teach #ou to li'e. 5
2 7ow, *asterE 5
2 GA man is great when he hum)les himsel"H was his "a'ourite sa#ing...5
2 7ow do 4ou ;now i" 4ou ha'e not met himE 5
2 I did meet him... in an# case, e'en i" I had ne'er met 7illel, the ra))i,
personall#, I ;now his thought, )ecause there is nothing I ignore o" human
thoughts. 5
Gamaliel lowers his head and whispers? 2 God onl# can sa# that. 5
2 God and 7is ord. .ecause the ord ;nows the 0hought and the 0hought
;nows the ord, and lo'es 7im, communicating with 7im and granting 7im all
7is treasures, to ma;e 7im participate in 7imsel". =o'e "astens the )onds and
ma;es one Per"ection o" them. It is the 0rinit# that lo'es Itsel", is di'inel#
"ormed, generates, proceeds and is completed. &'er# hol# thought was )orn in
the Per"ect *ind, and is re"lected in the mind o" the Cust man. 3an the ord
there"ore ignore the thoughts o" the Cust, since the# are the thoughts o" the
0houghtE 5
0he# pra# near the closed sepulchre. 0he# pra# "or a long time. 0he disciples
and then the ser'ants reach them, the "ormer on horse)ac;, the latter carr#ing
the luggage. .ut the# stop at the edge o" the meadow, )e#ond which is the
sepulchre. 0he pra#er is o'er.
2 Good)#e, Gamaliel. Ascend as 7illel did. 5
2 hat do 4ou meanE 5
2 Ascend. 7e is ahead o" #ou )ecause he ;new how to )elie'e more hum)l#
than #ou. Peace )e with #ou. 5
1-1. T"# 'r)n*s!n !4 E%/ ) P")rs## !4 C)$#rn)u+/ s Cur#*. 41
141. T! %r'n(son o0 E#i. ' P'ris!! o0 C'"!rn'u). is Cur!(.
11t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is a)out to arri'e in 3apernaum )# )oat. 0he sun is almost setting and
the la;e is spar;ling with red and #ellow hues.
hile the two )oats are manoeu'ring to draw near the coast, ,ohn sa#s? 2 I will
go to the "ountain and )ring 4ou some water "or 4our thirst. 5
2 0he water is good here 5 eDclaims Andrew.
2 4es, it is good. And #our lo'e ma;es it e'en )etter "or *e. 5
2 I will ta;e the "ish home. 0he women will prepare them "or supper. A"ter, will
4ou spea; to us and to themE 5
2 4es, Peter, I will. 5
2 It is more pleasant now to come )ac; home. 7ereto"ore we loo;ed li;e so
man# nomads. .ut now, with the women, there is more order, more lo'e. And
thenF hen I see 4our *other, I no longer "eel tired. I don6t ;now...5
,esus smiles and is Iuiet.
0he )oat grounds on the shingl# shore. ,ohn and Andrew, who are wearing short
undertunics, Cump into the water and with the help o" some #oung men the#
)each the )oat and place a )oard as a whar". ,esus is the "irst to come o"", and
7e waits until the second )oat is )eached, in order to )e together with all 7is
disciples. 0hen, wal;ing with slow steps the# go towards the "ountain. A natural
"ountain o" spring water, that wells up Cust outside the 'illage, and plenti"ul, cold
and sil'er# runs into a stone )asin. 0he water is so limpid that it induces people
to drin; it. ,ohn, who has run ahead with an amphora, is alread# )ac; and he
hands the dripping pitcher to ,esus, ho has a long drin;.
2 7ow thirst# 4ou were, m# *asterF And I, "oolishl#, did not get an# water. 5
2 It does not matter, ,ohn. It is all o'er 5 and 7e caresses him. 2 0he# are a)out
to come )ac; when the# see Simon Peter arri'e, running as "ast as he can. 7e
had gone home to ta;e his "ish. 2 *asterF *asterF 5 he shouts panting. 2 0he
'illage is in turmoil, )ecause the onl# grandchild o" &li, the Pharisee, is a)out to
die "rom a sna;e)ite. 7e had gone with the old man, and against his mother6s
wishes, to their oli'e<gro'e. &li was o'erseeing some wor;s, while the child was
pla#ing near the roots o" an old oli'e<tree. 7e put his hand into a hole, hoping to
"ind a li(ard, and he "ound a sna;e. 0he old man seems to ha'e )ecome
distraught. 0he child6s mother, who incidentall# hates her "ather<in<law, Iuite
rightl# as it happens, is accusing him o" )eing a murderer. 0he )o# is getting
colder and colder e'er# moment. Although relati'es, the# did not lo'e one
anotherF And the# could not ha'e )een more closel# relatedF 5
2 >amil# grudge is ne'er a good thingF 5
2 ell, *aster, I sa# that the sna;es did not lo'e the sna;e? &li. And the# ha'e
;illed the little sna;e. I am sorr# that he saw me and he shouted a"ter me? GIs the
*aster thereEH And I am sorr# "or the little one. 7e was a nice )o# and it is not
his "ault that he was the grandson o" a Pharisee. 5
2 9" course, it is not his "ault. 5
0he# wal; towards the 'illage and the# see a crowd o" people, shouting and
weeping, coming towards them, with the elderl# &li in "ront o" them.
2 7e has "ound usF =et us go )ac;F 5
2 h#E 0hat old man is su""ering. 5
2 0hat old man hates 4ou, remem)er that. 7e is one o" 4our "irst and "iercest
accusers at the 0emple. 5
2 I remem)er that I am *erc#. 5
9ld &li, un;empt and upset, with untid# garments, runs towards ,esus, his arms
outstretched, and drops at 7is "eet shouting? 2 *erc#F *erc#F >orgi'e me. Do
not a'enge 4oursel" on an innocent )o# "or m# harshness. 4ou are the onl# one
who can sa'e himF God, 4our >ather, has )rought 4ou here. I )elie'e in 4ouF I
'enerate 4ouF I lo'e 4ouF >orgi'e meF I ha'e )een un"airF A liarF .ut I ha'e
)een punished. 0hese hours alone ser'e as a punishment. 7elp meF It6s the )o#F
0he onl# son o" m# dead son. And she is accusing me o" ;illing him 5 and he
weeps stri;ing his head on the ground rh#thmicall#.
2 3ome onF Do not cr# li;e that. Do #ou want to die without ha'ing to loo;
a"ter #our grandson an# moreE 5
2 7e is d#ingF 7e is d#ingF Perhaps he is alread# dead. =et me die, too. Don6t let
me li'e in that empt# houseF 9hF *# sad last da#sF 5
1-1. T"# 'r)n*s!n !4 E%/ ) P")rs## !4 C)$#rn)u+/ s Cur#*. 42
2 &li, get up and let us go...5
2 4ou... are 4ou reall# comingE .ut do 4ou ;now who I amE 5
2 An unhapp# man. =et us go. 5
0he old man gets up and sa#s? 2 I will go ahead, )ut run, run, )e Iuic;F 5 And
he goes awa#, 'er# Iuic;l#, )ecause o" the desperation piercing his heart.
2 .ut, =ord, do 4ou thin; that 4ou will change himE 9hF what a wasted
miracleF =et that little sna;e dieF Also the old man will die )ro;en<hearted... and
there will )e one less on 4our wa#... God has seen to it...5
2 SimonF 0o tell #ou the truth, #ou are now the sna;e. 5 ,esus se'erel# repels
Peter, who lowers his head, and 7e goes on.
3 1ear the largest sIuare in 3apernaum there is a )eauti"ul house )e"ore which
the crowds are ma;ing a dread"ul noise... ,esus turns 7is steps towards it and is
a)out to arri'e when the old man comes out "rom the wide open door, "ollowed
)# a ru""led woman, who is holding in her arms a little agoni(ing child. 0he
poison has alread# paral#(ed his organs and death is near. 0he little wounded
hand is hanging down with the mar; o" the )ite at the root o" his thum). &li does
nothing )ut shout? 2 ,esusF ,esusF 5
And ,esus, sIuee(ed and o'erwhelmed )# the crowds who hamper 7is
mo'ements, ta;es the little hand to 7is mouth, suc;s the wound, then )reathes
on the waDen "ace and the glass# hal" closed e#es. 7e then straightens 7imsel"
up? 2 7ere 5 7e sa#s, 2 the child will now wa;e up. Do not "righten him with
#our eDpressions which are so upset. 7e will alread# )e a"raid when he
remem)ers the sna;e. 5
In "act the )o#, whose "ace colours up, opens his mouth in a )ig #awn, ru)s his
e#es, opens them and is surprised at )eing among so man# people. 7e then
remem)ers, and is a)out to run awa#, with such a sudden leap, that he would
ha'e "allen had ,esus not )een read# to recei'e him in 7is arms.
2 Good, goodF hat are #ou a"raid o"E =oo; how )eauti"ul the sun isF 9'er
there is the la;e, #our house, and #our mother and grand"ather are here. 5
2 And the sna;eE 5
2 It is no longer here. .ut I am. 5
2 4ou. 4es...5 0he child thin;s... and then, in the innocent 'oice o" truth, he
sa#s? 2 *# grand"ather used to tell me to sa# GcursedH to 4ou. .ut I will not sa#
it. I lo'e 4ou, I do. 5
2 IE I said thatE 0he little one is ra'ing. Do not )elie'e him, *aster. I ha'e
alwa#s respected 4ou. 5 As "ear passes awa#, the old nature comes to sur"ace
again.
2 ords are and are not o" 'alue. I ta;e them "or what the# are. Good)#e, little
one, good)#e, woman, good)#e, &li. =o'e one another and lo'e *e, i" #ou can.
5 ,esus turns round and goes toward the house where 7e li'es.
4 2 h#, *aster, did 4ou not wor; a stri;ing miracleE 4ou should ha'e
ordered the poison to go out o" the little one. 4ou should ha'e shown 4oursel"
as )eing God. Instead 4ou suc;ed the poison li;e an# poor man. 5 ,udas o"
Berioth is not 'er# happ#. 7e wanted something sensational.
Also others are o" the same opinion. 2 4ou should ha'e crushed that enem# o"
4ours, with 4our power. 4ou heard him, ehF 7e )ecame poisonous again at
once...5
2 7is poison is o" no importance. .ut #ou must consider that i" I had done what
#ou wanted *e to do, he would ha'e said that I was helped )# .eel(e)u). 7is
ruined soul can still ac;nowledge *# power as a doctor. .ut no more. A miracle
leads to "aith onl# those who are alread# on that wa#. .ut in those without
humilit# M "aith alwa#s pro'es that there is humilit# in a soul M it leads to
)lasphem#. It is )etter there"ore to a'oid that danger )# ha'ing recourse to
"orms o" human appearance. 0he incura)le miser# is the miser# o" the incredu<
lous. 1o means will eliminate it )ecause no miracle induces them to )elie'e or
to )e good. It does not matter. I "ul"ill *# tas;. 0he# "ollow their ill "ate. 5
2 h# did 4ou do it, thenE 5
2 .ecause I am Goodness and )ecause no one ma# sa# that I was 'indicti'e
with *# enemies and pro'ocati'e with pro'o;ers. I am heaping coal on their
heads. And the# are handing it to *e that I ma# heap it. .e good, ,udas o"
Simon. &ndea'our not to )eha'e as the# doF And that is all. =et us go to *#
*other. She will )e happ# to hear that I cured a child. 5
1-2. :#sus n t"# H!us# n C)$#rn)u+ )4t#r t"# 9r)c%# !n E%s"). ,3
14,. 9!sus in t! Hous! in C'"!rn'u) '0t!r t! 7ir'c#! on E#is'.
1-t 7'1 1*4+.
1 >rom a 'egeta)le garden, which is )eginning to "lourish in all its "urrows,
,esus enters a 'er# large ;itchen where the two elder *aries @*ar# o" 3lopas
and *ar# SalomeA are coo;ing the supper.
2 Peace to #ouF 5
2 9hF ,esusF *asterF 5 0he two women turn round and greet 7im, one holding
in her hands a lo'el# "ish, which she is gutting, the other still holding a pot "ull
o" 'egeta)les, which are )oiling, and which she has Cust remo'ed "rom the "ire to
see whether the# were coo;ed. 0heir ;ind withered "aces, "lushed )# the "ire and
wor;, smile out o" Co# and seem to )ecome #ounger and lo'elier in their
happiness.
2 It will )e read# in a moment, ,esus. Are 4ou tiredE 4ou must )e hungr# 5 sa#s
aunt *ar#, who has the "amiliarit# o" a relati'e and lo'es ,esus, I thin;, more
than her own children.
2 1ot more than usual. .ut I will certainl# eat with relish the good "ood that #ou
and *ar# ha'e prepared "or *e. And the others will do the same. 7ere the# are
coming. 5
2 4our *other is upstairs. 4ou ;nowF Simon came... 9hF I am as happ# as a
lar; this e'eningF 1o. 1ot reall# )ecause... 4ou ;now when I would )e as happ#
as a ;ing. 5
2 4es, I ;now. 5 ,esus draws 7is aunt close to 7imsel" and ;isses her "orehead
and then sa#s? 2 I ;now #our desire and #our sinless en'# o" Salome. .ut the
da# will come when #ou will )e a)le to sa# li;e her? GAll m# sons )elong to
,esus.H I am going to *# *other. 5
2 7e goes out, clim)s the little outside staircase and goes on to the terrace,
which co'ers a "ull hal" o" the house, whereas the other hal" is ta;en up )# a
'er# large room, "rom which come out the strong 'oices o" men, and at
inter'als, *ar#6s gentle 'oice, the limpid 'irginal 'oice o" a girl, which #ears
ha'e not a""ected, the same 'oice that said? 2 I am the handmaid o" the =ord 5
and which sang lulla)ies to 7er .a)#.
,esus goes near noiselessl#, smiling )ecause 7e hears 7is *other sa#? 2 *#
home is *# Son. I do not su""er )eing awa# "rom 1a(areth, eDcept when 7e is
awa#. .ut i" 7e is near *e... ohF I need nothing else. And I am not a"raid "or
*# house... 4ou are there...5
2 9hF =oo;, there is ,esusF 5 shouts Alphaeus o" Sarah, who "acing the door, is
the "irst to see ,esus.
2 4es, here I am. Peace to #ou all. *otherF 5 7e ;isses 7is *other on 7er
"orehead and is ;issed )# 7er. 7e then turns to the uneDpected guests, who are
7is cousin Simon, Alphaeus o" Sarah, Isaac the shepherd and one ,oseph who
was recei'ed )# ,esus at &mmaus a"ter the 'erdict o" the Sanhedrin.
2 e went to 1a(areth and Alphaeus told us that we had to come here. e
came. And Alphaeus wanted to come with us, and also Simon 5 eDplains Isaac.
2 I could not )elie'e I was coming 5 sa#s Alphaeus.
2 I also wanted to see 4ou, sta# a little time with 4ou and with *ar# 5
concludes Simon.
2 And I am 'er# happ# to )e with #ou. I did the right thing in not sta#ing an#
longer as the people o" Bedesh desired, where I arri'ed coming "rom Gherghesa
to *erom and going round the other side o" the la;e. 5
2 Is that where 4ou came "romE 5
2 4es, I 'isited the places where I had alread# )een and e'en "arther awa#. I
went as "ar as Giscala. 5
2 hat a long roadF 5
2 .ut what a great har'estF Do #ou ;now, Isaac. e were the guests o" ra))i
Gamaliel. 7e was 'er# ;ind to us. And then I met the s#nagogue leader o" the
3lear ater. 7e is coming, too. I entrust him to #ou. And then... and then I
gained three disciples...5 ,esus smiles "ran;l#, )liss"ull#.
2 ho are the#E 5
2 A little old man at Bora(im. I helped him some time ago, and the poor man,
who is a true Israelite without preCudice, to show *e his lo'e, has wor;ed his
area, as a per"ect ploughman wor;s the soil. 0he other is a )o#, "i'e #ears old,
perhaps a little more. Intelligent and )ra'e. I spo;e also to him the "irst time I
was at .ethsaida and he remem)ered )etter than adults. 0he third is an old leper.
1-2. :#sus n t"# H!us# n C)$#rn)u+ )4t#r t"# 9r)c%# !n E%s"). ,1
I cured him near Bora(im one e'ening a long time ago and then I le"t him. I
ha'e now "ound him again, announcing *e on the mountains in 1aphtali. And
to con"irm his words he shows what is le"t o" his hands, cured )ut partl#
impaired, and his "eet, which ha'e also )een cured )ut are de"ormed, and #et he
wal;s a long wa#. People realise how ill he was when the# see what is le"t o"
him and the# )elie'e his words which are dressed with tears o" gratitude. It was
eas# "or *e to spea; there, )ecause there was one who had alread# made *e
;nown and had led other people to )elie'e in *e. And I was a)le to wor; man#
miracles. So much can )e done )# one who reall# )elie'es...5
Alphaeus nods assent without spea;ing, continuousl# a)sent<minded, while
Simon lowers his head under the implicit reproach, and Isaac reCoices
wholeheartedl# )ecause o" the Co# o" his *aster, ho is a)out to tell o" the
miracle wor;ed shortl# )e"ore on &li6s little grandchild.
3 .ut supper is read#, and the women, with *ar#, prepare the ta)le in the large
room and ta;e the dishes there and then withdraw downstairs. 9nl# the men
remain and ,esus o""ers, )lesses and hands out the portions.
.ut onl# a "ew mouth"uls o" "ood had )een ta;en, when Susanna goes upstairs
sa#ing? 2 &li has come with ser'ants and man# gi"ts. .ut he would li;e to spea;
to 4ou. 5
2 I will come at once, or )etter still, tell him to come up. 5
Susanna goes out and comes )ac; shortl# a"terwards with old &li and two
ser'ants who are carr#ing a large )as;et. .ehind them the women, with the
eDception o" the *ost 7ol# *ar#, are casting curious glances.
2 God )e with 4ou, m# )ene"actor 5 greets the Pharisee.
2 And with #ou, &li. 3ome in. hat do #ou wantE Is #our grandson not well
againE 5
2 9hF 7e is 'er# well. 7e is Cumping in the ;itchen garden li;e a little ;id.
.e"ore I was so dum)"ounded and )ewildered that I "ailed to "ul"ill m# dut#. I
wish to show 4ou m# gratitude and I )eg 4ou not to re"use the little I am
o""ering 4ou. A little "ood "or 4ou and 4our "riends. It is the produce o" m#
"ields. And... I would li;e... I would li;e to ha'e 4ou at m# ta)le tomorrow. 0o
than; 4ou once again and honour 4ou, with m# "riends. Do not re"use, *aster. I
would understand that 4ou do not lo'e me and that i" 4ou cured &lisha, it was
onl# "or his sa;e, not mine. 5
2 0han; #ou. .ut no gi"ts were needed. 5
2 &'er# great and learned man accepts them. It6s the custom. 5
2 And I do. .ut I accept 'er# willingl# one gi"t onl#, na#, I loo; "or it. 5
2 hich isE I" I can, I will gi'e it to 4ou. 5
2 4our hearts. 4our thoughts. Gi'e *e them. >or #our own good. 5
2 .ut I consecrate mine to 4ou, )lessed ,esusF 3an 4ou dou)t itE 4es, I... I did
4ou wrong. .ut now I ha'e understood. I ha'e also heard o" the death o" Doras,
who o""ended 4ou... h# are 4ou smiling, *asterE 5
2 I was remem)ering something. 5
2 I thought 4ou did not )elie'e what I was sa#ing. 5
2 9hF no. I ;now that #ou were mo'ed )# Doras6 death. &'en more than )# this
e'ening6s miracle. .ut do not )e a"raid o" God, i" #ou ha'e reall# understood,
and i" "rom now on #ou wish to )e *# "riend. 5
2 I can see that 4ou reall# are a prophet. It is true, I was more a"raid... I was
coming to 4ou more out o" "ear o" punishment li;e Doras6, than )ecause o" the
accident. And this e'ening I said? G0here #ou are. 0he punishment has come.
And it is e'en more se'ere )ecause it did not stri;e the old oa; in its own li"e,
)ut in its lo'e, in its Co# "or li"e, )# stri;ing the little oa;, in which I reCoiced.H I
understood that it would ha'e )een Cust as it was "or Doras...5
2 4ou understood that it would ha'e )een Cust. .ut #ou did not )elie'e #et in
7im ho is good. 5
2 4ou are right. .ut it is no longer so. 1ow I ha'e understood. So, are 4ou
coming to m# house tomorrowE 5
2 &li, I had decided to lea'e at dawn. .ut I will postpone *# departure )# one
da#, that #ou ma# not thin; that I despise #ou. I will )e with #ou tomorrow. 5
2 9hF 4ou reall# are good. I will alwa#s remem)er it. 5
2 Good)#e, &li. 0han; #ou "or e'er#thing. 0his "ruit is )eauti"ul, and the cheese
must )e as tast# as )utter, and the wine certainl# 'er# good. .ut #ou could ha'e
1-2. :#sus n t"# H!us# n C)$#rn)u+ )4t#r t"# 9r)c%# !n E%s"). ,2
gi'en e'er#thing to the poor in *# name. 5
2 0here is something "or them, i" 4ou wish so, at the )ottom, under the rest. It
was an o""ering "or 4ou. 5
2 ell, we will distri)ute it tomorrow together, )e"ore or a"ter the meal, as #ou
pre"er. *a# the night )e a peace"ul one "or #ou, &li. 5
2 And "or 4ou. Good)#e 5 and he goes awa# with his ser'ants.
4 Peter, who with all the mimicr# o" which he is capa)le, has pulled out the
contents o" the )as;et, to hand it )ac; to the ser'ants, puts the purse on the ta)le
in "ront o" ,esus and sa#s, as i" he were concluding an internal speech? 2 And it
will )e the "irst time that the old owl gi'es alms. 5
2 It is true 5 con"irms *atthew. 2 I was greed#, )ut he surpassed me. 7e
dou)led his capital )# usur#. 5
2 ell... i" he mends his wa#s... It6s a good thing, is it notE 5 sa#s Isaac.
2 It certainl# is a good thing. And it appears to )e so 5 state Philip and
.artholomew.
2 9ld &li a con'ertF AhF AhF 5 Peter laughs heartil#.
5 Simon, the cousin, who has )een pensi'e all the time, sa#s? 2 ,esus, I would
li;e... I would li;e to "ollow 4ou. 1ot li;e these. .ut at least as the women do.
=et me Coin m# mother and 4ours. 0he# are all coming... I, I, a relati'e... I do
not eDpect to ha'e a place amongst the disciples. .ut at least... at least as a good
"riend...5
2 *a# God )less #ou, m# sonF 7ow long ha'e I )een waiting to hear #ou sa#
thatF 5 shouts *ar# o" Alphaeus.
2 3ome. I reCect no one, neither do I "orce an#one. I do not e'en eDact
e'er#thing "rom e'er#)od#. I ta;e what #ou can gi'e *e. It is a good thing that
the women are not alwa#s alone, when we go to places un;nown to them. 0han;
#ou, )rother. 5
2 I am going to tell *ar# 5 sa#s Simon6s mother and she adds? 2 She is down in
7er little room, pra#ing. She will )e happ#. 5
6 ...It is rapidl# growing dar;. 0he# light a lamp to go down the staircase which
is alread# dar; in twilight, and some go to the right, some to the le"t, to rest.
,esus goes out, and wal;s to the shore o" the la;e. 0he 'illage is Iuiet, the
streets are deserted, there is no one on the shore or on the la;e in the moonless
night. 0here are onl# stars to )e seen in the s;# and the murmur o" the sur" to )e
heard on the shingl# shore. ,esus goes on )oard the )eached )oat, sits down,
la#s one arm on the edge and rests 7is head on it. I do not ;now whether 7e is
thin;ing or pra#ing.
*atthew approaches 7im 'er# Iuietl#? 2 *aster, are 4ou sleepingE 5 he as;s in
a low 'oice.
2 1o, I am thin;ing. 3ome here )eside *e, since #ou are not sleeping. 5
2 I thought 4ou were upset and I "ollowed 4ou. Are 4ou not satis"ied with
4our da#6s wor;E 4ou touched &li6s heart, 4ou acIuired Simon o" Alphaeus as
a disciple...5
2 *atthew, #ou are not a simple man li;e Peter and ,ohn. 4ou are astute and
learned. .e also "ran;. ould #ou )e happ# )ecause o" those conIuestsE 5
2 .ut... *aster... 0he# are alwa#s )etter than I am and 4ou told me, on that da#,
that 4ou were 'er# happ# )ecause o" m# con'ersion...5
2 4es. .ut #ou were reall# con'erted. And #ou were genuine in #our e'olution
towards Good. 4ou came to *e without an# ela)oration o" thought, #ou came
through the will o" #our spirit. .ut &li is not li;e that... neither is Simon. 9nl#
the sur"ace o" the "ormer has )een touched? the man<&li is shoc;ed. 1ot the
spirit<&li. 0hat is alwa#s the same. hen the eDcitement caused )# the miracles
on Doras and his little grandchild is o'er, he will )e the same &li as #esterda#
and as alwa#s. SimonF... he, too, is nothing )ut a man. I" he had seen *e
insulted instead o" honoured, he would ha'e pitied *e, and as alwa#s, he would
ha'e le"t *e. 0his e'ening he heard that a little old man, a child, a leper can do
what he, although a relati'e, cannot doL he saw the pride o" a Pharisee )end
)e"ore *e and he decided? GAlso I.H .ut those con'ersions )rought a)out )# the
spur o" human e'aluations, are not the ones that ma;e *e happ#. 9n the
contrar#, the# dishearten *e. Sta# with *e, *atthew. It is not a moonlight
night, )ut at least the stars are twin;ling. In *# heart this e'ening there is
nothing )ut tears. =et #our compan# )e the star o" #our distressed *aster...5
2 *aster, i" I can... 4ou can imagineF 0he trou)le is that I am alwa#s a poor
1-2. :#sus n t"# H!us# n C)$#rn)u+ )4t#r t"# 9r)c%# !n E%s"). ,3
misera)le man, a good "or<nothing. I ha'e sinned too much to )e a)le to please
4ou. I am not good at spea;ing. I do not #et ;now how to sa# the new, pure,
hol# words, now that I ha'e le"t m# old language o" "raud and lust. And I am
a"raid I will ne'er )e a)le to spea; to 4ou and a)out 4ou. 5
2 1o, *atthew. 4ou are a man, with all the pain"ul eDperience o" a man. 4ou
are the one, who, ha'ing tasted mud and tasting now the celestial hone#, can tell
the two "la'ours, and gi'e their true anal#sis, and understand and ma;e #our
"ellow creatures understand now and later. And the# will )elie'e #ou, )ecause
#ou are the man, the poor man, who )# his own will, )ecomes the Cust man
dreamt o" )# God. =et *e, the *an<God, lean on #ou, the man;ind I ha'e lo'ed
to the eDtent o" lea'ing 7ea'en "or #ou, and d#ing "or #ou. 5
2 1o, not to die. Don6t tell me that 4ou are d#ing "or meF 5
2 1ot "or #ou, *atthew, )ut "or all the *atthews o" the world and centuries.
&m)race *e, *atthew, ;iss #our 3hrist, "or #oursel" and "or e'er#)od#. 8elie'e
*# tiredness o" an unappreciated 8edeemer. I relie'ed #ou o" #our tiredness o"
a sinner. ipe awa# *# tears, )ecause *# )itterness, *atthew, is that I ha'e
)een so little understood. 5
2 9hF =ord, =ordF 4es. 9" courseF...5 and *atthew, sitting near the *aster and
clasping 7im with one arm, com"orts 7im with his lo'e...
14-. Dinn!r in t! Hous! o0 E#i. t! P'ris!! o0 C'"!rn'u).
14t 7'1 1*4+.
1 &li6s house is 'er# )us# toda#. Ser'ants and maidser'ants go and come and
amongst them there is little &lisha, a li'el# little child. 0hen there are two statel#
personages and two more. I ;now the "ormer two, as the# are the ones who went
with &li to *atthew6s house. I do not ;now the latter two, )ut I hear them )eing
called Samuel and ,oachim. ,esus comes last with the Iscariot.
A"ter solemn reciprocal salutations, there is the Iuestion? 2 9nl# with this oneE
And the othersE 5
2 0he others are around the countr#. 0he# will come in the e'ening. 5
2 9hF I am sorr#. I thought it was... 0rue, last night I in'ited onl# 4ou, meaning
all the rest with 4ou. 1ow I was a"raid the# might )e o""ended, or... the# might
disdain to come to m# house, owing to past light disagreements... ehF ehF 5
0he old man laughs...
2 9hF noF *# disciples do not nourish proud touchiness or incura)le grudge. 5
2 9" courseF o" courseF -er# well. =et us go in then. 5
0he usual puri"ication ceremon# and then the# go into the dining room, which
opens on to a large #ard, where the "irst roses )ring a happ# note.
,esus caresses little &lisha, who is pla#ing in the #ard and who has onl# "our
little red mar;s on his hand "rom the past trou)le. 7e does not e'en remem)er
his past "ear, )ut he remem)ers ,esus and he wants to ;iss 7im and )e ;issed )#
7im, with the spontaneit# o" children. ith his little arms round ,esus6 nec;, he
spea;s to 7im through 7is hair, con"iding that when he is )ig he will go to 7im
and as;s? 2 Do 4ou want meE 5
2 I want e'er#)od#. .e good and #ou will come with *e. 5
0he little )o# goes awa# )ounding a)out.
0he# sit at the ta)le and &li wishes to )e so per"ect that he puts ,esus )eside him
and on the other side ,udas, who is thus )etween &li and Simon, as ,esus is
)etween &li and Jriah.
2 0he meal )egins. 0heir con'ersation at "irst is inconseIuential. It then
)ecomes interesting. And since wounds are sore and chains are hea'#, the tal;
turns to the eternal topic o" the ensla'ement o" Palestine )# 8ome. I do not
;now whether it was done deli)eratel# or without an# e'il purpose. I ;now that
the "i'e Pharisees complain o" the new 8oman a)uses, as o" a sacrilege, and
the# want to get ,esus interested in the discussion.
2 4ou ;nowF 0he# want to pr# into our income, down to the last coin. And as
the# ha'e realised that we meet in the s#nagogue to spea; a)out that and a)out
them, now the# are threatening to come in, without an# respect. I am a"raid the#
will enter also the houses o" priests, one o" these da#sF 5 shouts ,oachim.
1-3. Dnn#r n t"# H!us# !4 E%/ t"# P")rs## !4 C)$#rn)u+. ,4
2 hat do 4ou sa# a)out thatE Do 4ou not "eel disgustedE 5 as;s &li.
,esus replies to the direct Iuestion? 2 As an Israelite #es, as a man no. 5
2 h# that distinctionE I do not understand. Are 4ou two in oneE 5
2 1o. .ut there is in *e "lesh and )lood? that is, the animal. And there is the
spirit. 0he spirit o" an Israelite, compliant with the =aw, su""ers )ecause o" such
'iolations. 0he "lesh and )lood do not su""er, )ecause I lac; the goad that hurts
#ou. 5
2 hich oneE 5
2 Interest. 4ou said that #ou meet in the s#nagogues to spea; also o" )usiness
without "ear o" intrusi'e ears. And #ou are a"raid #ou will no longer )e a)le to
do so and conseIuentl# #ou are a"raid #ou ma# not )e a)le to conceal e'en a
small coin "rom the taD<collectors and that #ou ma# )e taDed eDactl# according
to #our assets. I possess nothing. I li'e on the charit# o" *# neigh)ours and on
*# lo'e "or them. I ha'e neither gold, nor "ields, nor 'ine#ards, nor houses,
eDcept *# *other6s house in 1a(areth, which is so small and poor as to )e
ignored )# the taD<assessors. 3onseIuentl# I am not a"raid that the# ma# "ind
out that *# statement o" income is untrue and that I ma# )e "ined and punished.
All I possess is the ord that God ga'e *e and that I gi'e. .ut it is such a
su)lime thing that man has no means whatsoe'er to a""ect it. 5
2 .ut i" 4ou were in our position what would 4ou doE 5
2 ell, do not ta;e it amiss i" I tell #ou Iuite "ran;l# *# opinion, which is in
contrast to #ours. I solemnl# tell #ou that I would )eha'e di""erentl#. 5
2 7owE 5
2 1ot o""ending against the hol# truth. It is alwa#s a su)lime 'irtue, e'en when
it is applied to such human things as taDes. 5
2 .ut... then... F 7ow the# would "leece usF .ut 4ou are not considering that we
own a lot and we would ha'e to pa# a lotF 5
2 4ou ha'e said it. God has granted #ou a lot. In proportion #ou must gi'e a lot.
h# )eha'e so )adl#, as un"ortunatel# man# do, so that poor people are taDed
out o" proportionE e are aware o" the situation. 7ow man# taDes there are in
Israel, our taDes, which are unCustF 0he great, who alread# ha'e so much, )ene"it
)# them. hereas the# are the despair o" poor people who ha'e to pa# them and
ha'e to star'e to "ind the mone#. =o'e "or our neigh)our does not recommend
that. e Israelites should )e so thought"ul as to ta;e upon us the )urden o" the
poor. 5
2 4ou are sa#ing that )ecause 4ou are poor, too. 5
2 1o, Jriah. I am sa#ing that )ecause it is Custice. h# has 8ome )een a)le to
oppress us thusE .ecause we sinned and we are di'ided )# hatred. 0he rich hate
the poor, the poor hate the rich. .ecause there is no Custice and the enem# ta;es
ad'antage o" the situation and has su)dued us. 5
2 4ou ha'e mentioned 'arious reasons... Are there an# moreE 5
2 I would not li;e to go against the truth )# twisting the nature o" a place
consecrated to religion and ma;ing it a sure shelter "or human things. 5
2 Are 4ou reproaching usE 5
2 1o. I am repl#ing to #ou. =isten to #our own consciences. 4ou are masters
and there"ore... 5
3 2 I would sa# that it is time to rise, to re)el, to punish the in'ader and restore
our ;ingdom. 5
2 0rue, trueF 4ou are right, Simon. .ut the *essiah is here. 7e must do it 5
replies &li.
2 .ut the *essiah, "or the time )eing, "orgi'e me, ,esus, is onl# Goodness. 7e
ad'ises e'er#thing, eDcept to re)el. e will... 5
2 =isten, Simon. 8emem)er the )oo; o" Bings. Saul was at Gilgal, the
Philistines were at *ichmash, the people were a"raid and dispersed, the prophet
Samuel was not coming. Saul decided to precede the ser'ant o" God and o""er
the sacri"ice himsel". 8emem)er the answer that Samuel, on his arri'al, ga'e to
the imprudent Saul? G4ou ha'e acted li;e a "ool and #ou ha'e not carried out the
order that the =ord had commanded #ou. I" #ou had not done that, now the =ord
would ha'e con"irmed #our so'ereignt# o'er Israel "ore'er. .ut now #our
so'ereignt# will not last.H An untimel# and proud action ser'ed neither the ;ing
nor the people. God ;nows the hour. *an does not. God ;nows the means, man
does not. =ea'e things to God and deser'e 7is help )# means o" hol# )eha'iour.
*# Bingdom is not a ;ingdom o" re)ellion and "erocit#. .ut it will )e
1-3. Dnn#r n t"# H!us# !4 E%/ t"# P")rs## !4 C)$#rn)u+. ,,
esta)lished. It is not a preser'e "or a "ew people. It will )e uni'ersal. .lessed are
those who will come to it, who are not led into error )# *# poor appearance,
according to the spirit o" the world, and who will see the Sa'iour in *e. .e not
a"raid. I shall )e Bing. 0he Bing who came "rom Israel. 0he Bing who will
eDtend 7is Bingdom all o'er *an;ind. .ut #ou, masters o" Israel, must not
misunderstand *# words and those o" the Prophets who announce *e. 1o
human ;ingdom, no matter how power"ul it ma# )e, is uni'ersal and eternal.
0he Prophets sa# that *ine will )e such. 0hat should enlighten #ou on the truth
and spiritualit# o" *# Bingdom. I lea'e #ou. 4 .ut I ha'e a reIuest to ma;e to
&li. 0his is #our purse. In a shelter o" Simon o" ,onas there are some poor people
who ha'e come "rom e'er#where. 3ome with *e to gi'e them the alms o" lo'e.
Peace )e with #ou all. 5
2 Sta# a little longer 5 )eg the Pharisees.
2 I cannot. 0here are people, whose )odies and hearts are diseased, and the# are
waiting to )e com"orted. 0omorrow I will )e going awa#. I want e'er#one to see
*e lea'e without )eing disappointed. 5
2 *aster, I... am old and tired. Please go in m# name. 4ou ha'e ,udas o" Simon
with 4ou, and we ;now him well. Do it 4oursel". God )e with 4ou. 5
,esus goes out with ,udas who, as soon as the# are in the sIuare, sa#s? 2 0he old
'iperF hat did he meanE 5
2 >orget a)out itF 9r )etter still? Cust thin; that he wanted to praise #ou. 5
2 Impossi)le, *asterF 0hose mouths ne'er praise who does good. I mean, ne'er
sincerel#. And with regard to his comingF... It is )ecause he loathes the poor and
is a"raid o" their curses. 7e has tortured the poor people here so o"ten. I can
swear it without an# "ear. And there"ore...5
2 .e good, ,udas. .e good. =et God Cudge. 5
144. To$'r(s t! R!tr!'t on t! 7ount'in 5!0or! t! E#!ction o0
t! A"ost#!s.
1+t 7'1 1*4+.
1 0he )oats o" Peter and ,ohn are sailing on the placid la;e, "ollowed )#, I thin;,
all the )oats that eDist on the shores o" 0i)erias, )ecause the# are so numerous,
large and small, coming and going, endea'ouring to reach and o'erta;e the )oat
in which ,esus is and then "orming a long line )ehind it. Pra#ers, entreaties,
reIuests and outcries can )e heard o'er the )lue wa'es.
,esus promises, replies and )lesses. In 7is )oat there is also *ar# and the
mother o" ,ames and ,udas, whereas in the other )oat there is *ar# Salome with
her son ,ohn and Susanna. 2 4es, I will come )ac;. I promise #ou. .e good.
8emem)er *# words, so that #ou ma# connect them with the ones I will tell
#ou later. I will not )e awa# long. Do not )e sel"ish. I ha'e come also "or other
people. .e goodF 4ou will hurt #oursel'es. 4es, I will pra# "or #ou. 4ou will
alwa#s ha'e *e with #ou. 0he =ord )e with #ou. 9" course, I will remem)er
#our tears and #ou will )e com"orted. 4ou must hope and ha'e "aith. 5
And thus, )lessing and promising while the )oat is mo'ing, the# reach the
shore. It is not 0i)erias, )ut a tin# little 'illage, a hand"ul o" poor, almost "orlorn
houses. ,esus and the disciples disem)ar; and the )oats handled )# the ser'ants
and :e)edee go )ac;. Also the other )oats imitate them, )ut man# o" the people
in them disem)ar; and want to "ollow ,esus at all costs. Among them I can see
Isaac with his two proteges? ,oseph and 0imoneus. I do not recognise an#)od#
else amongst the man# people o" all ages, "rom #oungsters to old people.
2 ,esus lea'es the 'illage, the "ew poorl# dressed inha)itants o" which remain
Iuite indi""erent. ,esus has gi'en alms to them and then reaches the main road.
7e stops. 2 And now, let us part 5 7e sa#s. 2 *other, 4ou with *ar# and
Salome will go to 1a(areth. Susanna can go to 3ana. I will soon come )ac;.
4ou ;now what is to )e done. God )e with #ouF 5
.ut "or 7is *other 7e has a special greeting, a salutation all smiles and also
when *ar# ;neels down, setting an eDample to the others, in order to )e
)lessed, ,esus smiles most ;indl#. 0he women, with Alphaeus o" Sarah and
Simon, go towards their town.
,esus addresses those who ha'e sta#ed? 2 I lea'e #ou, )ut I am not sending #ou
awa#. I lea'e #ou "or a short time, as I am retiring with *# disciples to those
1-4.T!&)r*s t"# R#tr#)t !n t"# 9!unt)n 8#4!r# t"# E%#ct!n !4 t"# A$!st%#s. ,-
mountain gorges, which #ou can see o'er there. ho wishes to wait "or *e,
should do so here on this plain. 0hose who do not wish to wait, can go home. I
am retiring to pra# )ecause I am on the e'e o" great e'ents. 0hose who lo'e the
cause o" the >ather should pra#, Coining *e in spirit. Peace )e with #ou, *#
children. Isaac, #ou ;now what #ou ha'e to do. I )less #ou, *# little shepherd. 5
,esus smiles at emaciated Isaac, who is now the shepherd o" men gathering
round him.
3 ,esus is now wal;ing awa# "rom the la;e, turning 7is steps decidedl# towards
a gorge )etween the hills, which stretch in parallel lines, I would sa#, "rom the
la;e westward. A little )ut 'er# nois# "oam# stream runs down )etween one
roc;# rugged hill and the neDt one, which is so steep that it resem)les a "Cord.
A)o'e the stream there is the wild mountain with ugl# loo;ing plants, which
ha'e grown in all directions, where'er the# could, in the cre'ices )etween
stones. A 'er# narrow steep path clim)s up the more rugged hill. And ,esus
ta;es it.
0he disciples "ollow 7im with di""icult#, in single "ile, in dead silence. 9nl#
when ,esus stops to let them reco'er their )reath, where the path, which loo;s
li;e a scratch on the imper'ious mountain side, widens out, the# loo; at one
another without uttering a word. 0heir glances sa#? 2 .ut where is 7e ta;ing usE
5, )ut the# do not spea;. 0he# onl# loo; at one another more and more
desolatel# as the# see ,esus resume wal;ing up the wild gorge, with its man#
ca'es, cre'ices and roc;s, where it is 'er# di""icult to wal;, also )ecause o" the
)ram)le and thorn# )ushes, which catch their clothes on all sides, and scratch
them and cause them to stum)le and hurt their "aces. Also the #ounger ones,
laden with hea'# sac;s, ha'e lost their good humour.
4 At last ,esus stops and sa#s? 2 e shall stop here "or a wee; in pra#er, to
prepare #ou "or a great e'ent. 0hat is wh# I wanted to )e isolated in this desert
place, awa# "rom all roads and 'illages. 0he grottoes here ha'e alread# )een
use"ul to men in the past. 0he# will )e use"ul also to #ou. 0he water here is cool
and plenti"ul, whereas the earth is dr#. e ha'e enough )read and "ood "or the
time we shall )e sta#ing. 0hose who last #ear were with *e in the desert, ;now
how I li'ed there. 0his is a ro#al palace compared with that place, and the
season, which is now mild, is not a""ected )# the ic# )itterness o" "rost or the
)urning heat o" the sun. 4ou ma#, there"ore, sta# here cheer"ull#. Perhaps we
shall ne'er again )e all together li;e this and all alone. 0his retreat must unite
#ou, ma;ing not twel'e men o" #ou, )ut one onl# institution.
Are #ou not sa#ing an#thingE Are #ou not as;ing an# IuestionsE =a# on that
roc; the loads that #ou are carr#ing and throw down the 'alle# the other load
that #ou ha'e in #our hearts? #our humanit#.
I ha'e )rought #ou here to spea; to #our spirits, to nourish #our spirits, to ma;e
#ou spiritual. I shall not spea; man# words. I ha'e told #ou so man# in
approDimatel# one #ear that I ha'e )een with #ouF &nough o" that. I" I should
ha'e to change #ou )# means o" words, I would ha'e to ;eep #ou ten #ears...
one hundred #ears, and #ou would still )e imper"ect. It is now time that I ma;e
use o" #ou. And to ma;e use o" #ou, I must "orm #ou. I will ha'e recourse to the
great medicine, to the great weapon? to pra#er. I ha'e alwa#s pra#ed "or #ou.
.ut now I want #ou to pra# )# #oursel'es. I will not #et teach #ou *# pra#er.
.ut I will tell #ou how to pra# and what pra#er is. It is the con'ersation o" sons
with the >ather, o" spirits with the Spirit, an open, warm, trust"ul, Iuiet and
"ran; con'ersation. Pra#er is e'er#thing? it is con"ession, ;nowledge o"
oursel'es, repentance, a promise to oursel'es and to God, a reIuest to God, all
done at the "eet o" the >ather. And it cannot )e done in a turmoil, among
distractions, unless one is a giant in pra#er. And e'en giants su""er "rom the
clash with the noise o" the world in their time o" pra#er. 4ou are not giants, )ut
p#gmies. 4ou are )ut in"ants in #our spirits. 4ou are de"icient in #our spirits.
4ou will reach here the age o" spiritual reason. 0he rest will come later.
In the morning, at midda# and in the e'ening, we shall gather together to pra#
with the old words o" Israel and to )rea; our )read, then each o" #ou will go
)ac; to his grotto, in "ront o" God and o" his soul, in "ront o" what I told #ou in
regard to #our mission and to #our capa)ilities. eigh #oursel'es, listen to
#oursel'es, ma;e up #our minds. I am telling #ou "or the last time. And a"ter
#ou will ha'e to )e per"ect, as much as #ou can, without tiredness and without
#our humanit#. 0hen #ou will no longer )e Simon o" ,onah and ,udas o" Simon.
1o longer Andrew or ,ohn, *atthew or 0homas. .ut #ou will )e *# ministers.
Go. &ach )# himsel". I shall )e in that ca'e. I shall alwa#s )e present. .ut do not
come without a good reason. 4ou must learn to do things )# #oursel'es and )e
all )# #oursel'es. .ecause I solemnl# tell #ou that a #ear ago we were a)out to
)ecome acIuainted with one another, and in two #ears6 time we shall )e parting.
oe )etide #ou and *e i" #ou ha'e not learned to act )# #oursel'es.
God )e with #ou.
,udas, ,ohn, ta;e the "oodstu""s into *# ca'e, that one. 0he# must last and I will
1-4.T!&)r*s t"# R#tr#)t !n t"# 9!unt)n 8#4!r# t"# E%#ct!n !4 t"# A$!st%#s. ,.
hand them out. 5
2 0he# are not enoughF... 5 o)Cects someone.
2 0he# are su""icient not to die. A too "ull stomach ma;es the spirit dull. I want
to ele'ate #ou and not ma;e #ou dead weights. 5
14+. T! E#!ction o0 t! T$!#2! A"ost#!s.
14t 7'1 1*4+.
1 It is dawning and the so"t light whitens the mountains and seems to so"ten the
wild mountain side. 9nl# the gurgling sound o" the "oam# stream at the )ottom
o" the 'alle# can )e heard, a sound which )ecomes a strange noise, when echoed
)# the mountain and its man# ca'es. here the disciples ha'e rested, there is
some gentle rustling among the lea'es and the her)s? the "irst )irds to awa;e, or
the last night<)irds returning to their hiding places. A group o" hares or wild
ra))its, gnawing at a low )ush o" )lac;)erries, run awa# "rightened )# a "alling
stone. 0hen the# go )ac; cautiousl#, mo'ing their ears in all directions to pic;
up e'er# sound and when the# see that e'er#thing is peace"ul, the# return to the
)ush. All the lea'es and stones are wet with dew and in the wood there is a
strong smell o" moss, mint and marCoram.
A red)reast "lies down to the edge o" a ca'e, the roo" o" which is "ormed )# a
huge protruding stone and standing up straight on its 'er# thin legs, read# to "l#
awa#, it mo'es its little head round, loo;s into the ca'e and at the ground,
chirping inIuisiti'el# and... gluttonousl#, )ecause o" some )read crum)s on the
ground. .ut it does not ma;e up its mind to "l# down until it sees that it has )een
preceded )# a )ig )lac;)ird, which proceeds hopping sidewa#s and is eDtremel#
comical in its urchin<li;e attitude with its pro"ile o" an old notar#, who wants
onl# a pair o" spectacles, to )e the complete dignitar#. 0he ro)in then "lies
down, hopping )ehind its daring "ellow creature, which now and again thrusts its
#ellow )ea; into the moist ground, in archaeological research... "or "ood and
then proceeds "urther, a"ter whistling, Cust li;e a real little rascal. 0he red)reast
stu""s itsel" with the little )read crum)s and is ama(ed when it sees the
)lac;)ird, which had con"identl# gone into the silent ca'e, come out o" it with a
cheese<rind, which it ;noc;s repeatedl# against a stone to )rea; it up and ma;e
a sumptuous meal o" it. It goes )ac; in again, has a loo; round, and not "inding
an#thing else, it whistles sco""ingl# and "lies awa# to complete its song on the
top o" an oa;<tree, in the )lue morning s;#. Also the ro)in "lies awa#, )ecause
o" a noise "rom the interior o" the ca'e... and it perches on a thin )ough that
dangles loosel#.
,esus goes to the entrance o" 7is ca'e and crum)les some )read, calling the
little )irds 'er# gentl#, )# means o" a modulated whistle, which is a 'er# good
imitation o" the twittering o" man# )irds. 7e then mo'es awa#, clim)ing higher
up and resting against a roc; in order not to "righten 7is little "riends, which
soon "l# down? the ro)in )eing the "irst and then man# more o" 'arious ;inds.
,esus6 stillness and also 7is loo; are such that a"ter a short time man# )irds are
hopping onl# a "ew inches "rom 7im. I li;e to )elie'e, also )ecause o" m# own
eDperience, that also the most distrust"ul animals go near people when their
instinct tells them that the# are not enemies )ut "riends. 0he red)reast, which is
now satis"ied, "lies to the top o" the roc; against which ,esus is leaning, it rests
on a 'er# thin )ranch o" clematis, swings a)o'e ,esus6 head and seems to )e
anDious to descend upon 7is "air hair or 7is shoulder. 0he meal is now o'er.
0he rising sun gilds the mountain tops and then the highest )ranches o" the
trees, whereas down )elow, the 'alle# is still in the dim dawn light. 0he little
)irds, satis"ied and "ull, "l# towards the sun and sing at the top o" their 'oices.
2 2 And now let us go and wa;e up these other children o" *ine 5 sa#s ,esus,
and 7e wal;s down, as 7is ca'e is the highest one, and 7e enters the 'arious
ca'es calling the sleeping apostles )# their names.
Simon, .artholomew, Philip, ,ames and Andrew repl# at once. *atthew, Peter
and 0homas ta;e a little longer to repl#. And while ,udas 0haddeus goes to
meet ,esus as soon as he sees 7im appear at the entrance o" his grotto, as he is
alread# read# and wide awa;e, the other cousin, the Iscariot and ,ohn are "ast
asleep, so much so that ,esus has to sha;e them on their )eds, made with tree
)ranches and lea'es, in order to wa;e them up.
,ohn, the last one to )e called, is so sound asleep, that he does not realise ho is
calling him, and in the ha(e o" his interrupted sleep, he whispers? 2 4es, mother,
I am coming at once... 5 .ut he turns round on his other side. ,esus smiles, sits
on the rustic mattress made o" "oliage pic;ed in the wood, 7e )ends and ;isses
the chee; o" ,ohn, who opens his e#es and is dum)"ounded at seeing ,esus. 7e
1-,. T"# E%#ct!n !4 t"# T&#%6# A$!st%#s. ,1
sits up and sa#s? 2 Do #ou need meE 7ere I am. 5
2 1o. I wo;e #ou up as I did the others. .ut #ou thought it was #our mother. So
I ;issed #ou, as mothers do. 5
,ohn, hal" na;ed in his undertunic, )ecause he used his tunic and mantle as )ed
co'ers, clasps ,esus6 nec; and la#s his head )etween ,esus6 shoulder and chee;
sa#ing? 2 9hF 4ou are much more than a motherF I le"t her "or 4ou, )ut I would
not lea'e 4ou "or herF She )ore me to the earth. 4ou are )earing me to 7ea'en.
9hF I ;nowF 5
3 2 hat do #ou ;now more than the othersE 5
2 hat the =ord told me in this ca'e. See, I ne'er came to 4ou and I thin; m#
companions said it was due to indi""erence and pride. .ut I am not concerned
with what the# thin;. I ;now that 4ou ;now the truth. I was not coming to ,esus
3hrist, the Incarnate Son o" God, )ut to what 4ou are in the )osom o" the >ire
that is the eternal =o'e o" the *ost 7ol# 0rinit#, its 1ature, its &ssence, its 8eal
&ssence M ohF I cannot tell, howe'er, what I ha'e understood in this dar;
gloom# ca'ern that has )ecome so "ull o" light "or me, in this cold grotto where I
ha'e )een )urnt )# a "eatureless "ire that has descended into the depth o" m#
)eing and has in"lamed me with a sweet mart#rdom, in this silent ca'e, which
has, howe'er, sung celestial truths to me M )ut to what 4ou are, the Second
Person o" the ine""a)le *#ster#, which is God and which I penetrated )ecause
God has drawn me to 7imsel" and I ha'e alwa#s had 7im with me. And I ha'e
poured all m# desires, all m# tears, all m# reIuests on 4our di'ine )osom, ord
o" God. Amongst the man# words I ha'e heard "rom 4ou, there ne'er was one
so comprehensi'e as the one 4ou told me here, 4ou, God the Son, 4ou, God
li;e the >ather, 4ou, God li;e the 7ol# Spirit, 4ou, centre o" the 0rinit#... ohF
perhaps I am )laspheming, )ut that is what I thin;, )ecause i" 4ou were not the
lo'e o" the >ather and the lo'e "or the >ather, then the =o'e, the Di'ine =o'e
would )e missing, and the Di'init# would no longer )e 0rine and it would lac;
the most )ecoming attri)ute o" God? 7is lo'eF 9hF I ha'e so much in here, )ut it
is li;e water gurgling against a dam and cannot "low out... and I seem to )e
d#ing o" it, so 'iolent and su)lime is the turmoil in m# heart, since I ha'e
understood 4ou... )ut I would not li;e to )e "reed o" it "or the whole world... =et
me die o" that lo'e, m# sweet GodF 5 ,ohn smiles and weeps, panting, in"lamed
)# his lo'e, relaDing on ,esus6 chest, as i" he were eDhausted )# his ardour. And
,esus caresses him, )urning with lo'e 7imsel".
,ohn composes himsel" and with deep humilit# he )egs? 2 Do not tell the others
what I told 4ou. I am sure that the# too ha'e li'ed with God as I did during
these past da#s. .ut lea'e the stone o" silence on m# secret. 5
2 Do not worr#, ,ohn. 1o one will )e aware o" #our wedding with the =o'e. Get
dressed, come. e must lea'e. 5
4 ,esus goes out on to the path where the others are alread# gathered. 0heir
"aces loo; more 'enera)le and serene. 0he old ones loo; li;e patriarchs, the
#ounger ones ha'e a maturit# and dignit#, which were pre'iousl# concealed )#
their #outh. 0he Iscariot loo;s at ,esus with a sh# smile on his "ace mar;ed )#
tears. ,esus caresses him passing )#. Peter... is silent. And his silence is so
strange that it is more stri;ing than an# other change. 7e loo;s at ,esus
attenti'el#, )ut with a new dignit# that ma;es his )ald "orehead loo; more
spacious and his e#es more se'ere, whereas )e"ore the# were "ull o" gentle
intelligence onl#. ,esus calls him near 7imsel" and ;eeps him there while
waiting "or ,ohn, who at last comes out. I could not sa# whether his "ace loo;s
more pale or more "lushed, it is certainl# )urning with a "lame that does not
change its colour, and #et is most o)'ious. 0he# all loo; at him.
2 3ome here, ,ohn, near *e. And #ou, too, Andrew, and #ou, ,ames o"
:e)edee. 0hen #ou, Simon, and #ou, .artholomew, Philip, and #ou, *#
cousins, and *atthew. ,udas o" Simon here, in "ront o" *e. 0homas, come here.
Sit down. I must spea; to #ou. 5
0he# all sit down Iuietl#, li;e good children, all engrossed in their internal
world and #et pa#ing attention to ,esus, as the# ne'er did )e"ore.
5 2 Do #ou ;now what I ha'e done to #ouE 4ou all ;now. 4our souls told #our
minds. .ut #our souls, which were the Iueens these past da#s, ha'e taught #our
minds two great 'irtues? humilit# and silence, the son o" humilit# and prudence,
which are the daughters o" charit#. 9nl# eight da#s ago #ou would ha'e come to
proclaim #our cle'erness and #our new ;nowledge, li;e cle'er children who are
eager to astound people and o'ercome their ri'als. 1ow #ou are silent. 4ou
ha'e grown "rom children into adolescents and #ou are alread# aware that such
a proclamation might humiliate a companion who was perhaps less helped )#
God, and there"ore #ou do not spea;.
4ou are also li;e pu)escent girls. 0he hol# reser'e, concerning the change that
re'ealed the nuptial m#ster# o" souls with God, was )orn in #ou. 0hese ca'es
1-,. T"# E%#ct!n !4 t"# T&#%6# A$!st%#s. ,2
seemed cold, hostile and repulsi'e on the "irst da#... now #ou are loo;ing at
them as i" the# were )right scented nuptial rooms. 4ou ha'e met God in them.
.e"ore #ou were aware o" 7im. .ut #ou did not ;now 7im in the intimac# that
)lends two into one. Amongst #ou there are some who ha'e )een married "or
#ears, some who ha'e had )ut a disappointing relationship with women, some
who are chaste owing to 'arious reasons. .ut the chaste ones now ;now what
per"ect lo'e is, as the married ones ;now. 1a#, I can sa# that no)od# ;nows
what per"ect lo'e is, as he who is unaware o" carnal lusts. .ecause God re'eals
7imsel" in 7is "ullness to the pure, )oth )ecause 7e ta;es delight in gi'ing
7imsel" to those who are pure, as 7e, the *ost Pure 9ne, "inds part o" 7imsel"
in the creature "ree "rom lust, and )ecause 7e wishes to compensate the creature
"or what it denies itsel" "or 7is lo'e.
6 I solemnl# tell #ou that )ecause o" the lo'e I ha'e "or #ou and o" the wisdom I
possess, i" I did not ha'e to accomplish the wor; o" the >ather, I would ;eep #ou
here and )e with #ou, isolated, as I am sure that I would soon ma;e great saints
o" #ou, and #ou would no longer )e su)Cect to con"usion, de"ections, "ailures,
slac;ening, recurrences. .ut I cannot. I must go. And #ou must go. 0he world is
waiting "or us. 0he desecrated and desecrating world, which needs teachers and
redeemers, is waiting "or us. I wanted #ou to ;now God, so that #ou ma# lo'e
7im more than #ou lo'e the world, which with all its a""ections is not worth one
single smile o" God. I wanted to ma;e it possi)le "or #ou to meditate on what
the world is and what God is, so that #ou ma# #earn "or what is )etter. At
present #ou are #earning onl# "or God. 9hF I wish I could secure #ou in #our
#earning o" the present momentF .ut the world is waiting "or us. And we shall
go to the world, which is waiting "or us, "or the sa;e o" the hol# 3harit# that )#
*# order is sending #ou to the world as it sent *e. .ut I implore #ouF =oc; in
#our hearts, li;e a pearl in a co""er, the treasure o" the past da#s in which #ou
ha'e eDamined, cured, ele'ated, reno'ated and united #oursel'es to God. And
;eep and preser'e these precious memories in #our hearts, li;e the witness
stones erected )# the Patriarchs in remem)rance o" the alliance with God.
7 As from today you are no longer My favourite disciples, but the apostles, the
chiefs of My Church. All the hierarchies of the Church, throughout centuries,
shall descend from you, and will call you masters, having as their Master your
God in His treble power, wisdom and charity. I ha'e not chosen #ou )ecause
#ou are the most worth#, )ut "or a num)er o" reasons that #ou need not ;now
now. I ha'e chosen #ou in place o" the shepherds who ha'e )een *# disciples
since I was )orn. h# did I do itE .ecause it was right to do so. Amongst #ou
there are Galileans and ,udaeans, learned and unlearned, rich and poor people.
And that is )ecause o" the world, that it ma# not sa# that I ha'e chosen one
categor# onl#. .ut #ou will not )e su""icient "or e'er#thing there is to )e done.
1either now, nor later.
1ot all o" #ou will remem)er a passage o" the .oo;. I will remind #ou. .oo; 2
o" 3hronicles, 3hapter 2/, tells how 7e(e;iah, Bing o" ,udah, had the 0emple
puri"ied, and a"ter it was puri"ied, he had sacri"ices o""ered in atonement, "or his
;ingdom, "or the 0emple and "or the whole o" ,udah, and then the o""erings o"
the single indi'iduals )egan. .ut as the priests were not su""icient "or the
sacri"ices, the le'ites, who are consecrated with a shorter rite than the priests,
were summoned.
0hat is what I will do. 4ou are the priests, who ha'e )een prepared )# *e, the
&ternal Ponti"", diligentl# and "or a long time. .ut #ou will not su""ice "or the
wor;, which is much more eDtensi'e than the sacri"ice o" the o""erings o"
indi'iduals to the =ord their God. I will there"ore associate with #ou the
disciples who will remain such, those who are waiting "or us at the "oot o" the
mountain, those who are alread# higher up, those who are spread all o'er Israel
and that later will )e spread all o'er the world. 0he# will )e entrusted with eIual
tas;s, )ecause the mission is onl# one, )ut their position will )e di""erent in the
e#es o" the world. .ut not in the e#es o" God, where there is Custice, so that the
o)scure disciple, ignored )# the apostles and )# his )rethren, who li'es a hol#
li"e ta;ing souls to God, will )e greater than a ;nown apostle, who has onl# the
name o" apostle and lowers his apostolic dignit# "or human purposes.
0he tas; o" the apostles and disciples will still )e the same as the tas; o" the
priests and le'ites o" 7e(e;iah? to per"orm the rites o" the cult, to demolish
idolatries, to puri"# hearts and places, to preach God and 7is ord. There is not
a more holy tas on the earth. !either is there a dignity higher than yours. That
is why " said to you# $%isten to yourselves and e&amine yourselves.'
8 oe )etide the apostle who "allsF 7e drags man# disciples with him, and the#
drag a greater num)er o" )elie'ers and the ruin grows larger and larger li;e a
"alling a'alanche or a ring that eDpands on the la;e when se'eral stones are
thrown in the same spot.
ill #ou all )e per"ectE 1o. ill the spirit o" the present moment lastE 1o. 0he
world will throw its tentacles to cho;e #our souls. 0hat will )e the 'ictor# o" the
world? to eDtinguish the light in the hearts o" saintsL the world, a son o" Satan "or
1-,. T"# E%#ct!n !4 t"# T&#%6# A$!st%#s. -3
"i'e tenths, a ser'ant o" Satan, "or three more tenths, indi""erent to God "or the
remaining two tenths. De"end #oursel'es "rom #oursel'es, against #oursel'es,
against the world, "lesh and the demon. A)o'e all, de"end #oursel'es "rom
#oursel'es. Stand on #our guard, *# children, against pride, sensualit#,
duplicit#, tepidit#, spiritual drowsiness and against a'ariceF hen #our in"erior
ego spea;s and moans o'er alleged cruelt# to it, hush it up )# sa#ing? G>or a
moment o" hardship, which I gi'e #ou now, I will procure "or #ou, and "ore'er,
the )anIuet o" ecstas# that #ou enCo#ed in the mountain ca'e at the end o" the
month o" She)at.H
9 =et us go. =et us go and meet the others who in large num)ers are awaiting
*# coming. And then I will go "or a "ew hours to 0i)erias and #ou, preaching
*e, will go to wait "or *e at the "oot o" the mountain that is on the road leading
"rom 0i)erias to the sea. I will come up there to preach. 0a;e #our )ags and
mantles. 0he retreat is o'er and the election has )een made. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
16t 7'1 1*4+.
10 ,esus sa#s?
2 4ou are not "eeling well and I will lea'e #ou in peace. I onl# wish to point out
to #ou how a sentence omitted or a word wrongl# copied can alter e'er#thing.
And #ou, *# writer, are ali'e and can ma;e the correction at once. So consider
and tr# to understand how twent# centuries ha'e depri'ed the Gospel, the
apostolic Gospel, o" parts that did no harm to the doctrine, )ut pre'ented it "rom
)eing easil# understood. 0his M i" we go )ac; to the origin we "ind that it is still
the wor; o" Disorder M eDplains man# things and lends itsel" to the children o"
Disorder "or so man# more things. And #ou can see how eas# it is to ma;e
errors in cop#ing... =ittle ,ohn, )e good toda#. 4ou are a )ro;en "lower. I will
come later and mend #our stal;. I need the tears o" #our wound toda#. God is
with #ou. 5
144. T! First S!r)on o0 Si)on ?!'#ot 'n( 9on.
18t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus, hal" wa# down the mountain, "inds man# disciples and man# more
people, who )# degrees ha'e Coined the disciples. 0he# ha'e come here urged
)# the need o" a miracle, )# the desire to hear ,esus6 word, and ha'e )een guided
here either )# in"ormation o" people or )# the instinct o" their souls. I thin; that
the guardian angels o" men ha'e led them to the Son o" God, as the# were
desirous o" God. And I do not thin; I am telling an idle stor#. I" we consider
with what prompt and shrewd perse'erance Satan led enemies to God and to 7is
ord, e'er# time his dia)olical spirit could eDhi)it to men the sem)lance o" a
"ault in 3hrist, it is admissa)le to thin;, rather than admissa)le it is indeed Cust
to thin; also that the angels were no wa# in"erior to demons and the# led non<
demoniacal spirits to 3hrist.
And ,esus does 7is utmost "or all those who ha'e )een waiting "or 7im
patientl# and "earlessl# and grants them miracles and the com"ort o" 7is word.
7ow man# miraclesF As man# as the "lowers decorating the mountain crags.
Some o" the miracles are great, li;e the one "or a )o# who was rescued "rom a
)la(ing straw<)arn and was dread"ull# )urnt. 0he child was )rought here on a
stretcher, cr#ing mourn"ull#, a heap o" scorched "lesh under a linen cloth, with
which he had )een co'ered, so dread"ul is the appearance o" his )urnt )od#. 7e
is a)out to )reathe his last. ,esus )reathes o'er him and heals his )urns that
disappear completel#, so much so that the )o# gets up, a)solutel# na;ed, and
runs happil# towards his mother, who, weeping "or Co#, caresses his )od# now
entirel# cured, without an# trace o" )urns. She ;isses his e#es, which were
eDpected to )e )urnt, and instead are )right and shining with Co#. 7is hair is
short, )ut not destro#ed, as i" the "lames had acted as a ra(or and not as an
instrument o" destruction. 9ther miracles are minor, li;e the one in "a'our o" a
little elderl# man, su""ering "rom asthmatic spasms, who sa#s? 2 1ot "or m# own
sa;e, )ut )ecause I ha'e to act as a "ather to m# little orphan grandchildren and I
cannot wor; the land with this disease here, in m# throat, cho;ing me...5
0here is also an in'isi)le )ut real miracle, )rought a)out )# ,esus6 words? 2
Amongst #ou, there is one whose soul is weeping, )ut dare not sa# the words?
G7a'e merc# on meFH *# repl# is? G=et it )e done as #ou wish. 4ou ha'e all
*# pit#, that #ou ma# ;now that I am *erc#.H In m# turn, howe'er, I sa# to
#ou? G.e generousH. .e generous with God. .rea; all ties with the past. 4ou
percei'e God, so come to 7im hom #ou percei'e, with a "ree heart and
1--. T"# Frst S#r+!n !4 S+!n ?#)%!t )n* :!"n. -1
complete lo'e. 5 I do not ;now to whom, among the crowd, these words are
addressed.
2 ,esus sa#s also? 2 0hese are *# apostles. 0he# are as man# 3hrists, )ecause I
ha'e elected them as such. Appl# to them trustingl#. 0he# ha'e learned "rom
*e what is needed "or #our souls...5 0he apostles, thoroughl# a"raid, loo; at
,esus. .ut 7e smiles and goes on? 2 ...and the# will gi'e #our souls the light o"
stars and the re"reshment o" dew, to pre'ent #ou "rom languishing in dar;ness.
And then I will come and gi'e #ou per"ect light and consolation and all wisdom
to ma;e #ou strong and happ# )# means o" a supernatural strength and Co#.
Peace )e with #ou, *# children. I am eDpected )# other people who are more
unhapp# and poorer than #ou are. .ut I will not lea'e #ou alone. I am lea'ing
*# apostles with #ou, which is the same as i" I le"t the children o" *# lo'e
entrusted to the most amia)le and relia)le "oster<mothers. 5
,esus wa'es 7is hand, )lesses them and departs, pushing through the crowd,
who do not want to let 7im go, and Cust then 7e wor;s the last miracle. An
elderl# partl#<paral#sed woman, )rought here )# her grandson, Co#"ull# sha;es
her right arm, which )e"ore she could not mo'e, and shouts? 2 7e touched me
lightl# with 7is mantle, when passing )#, and I am curedF I did not e'en as; "or
it, )ecause I am old... .ut 7e "elt pit# also "or m# secret desire. And with 7is
mantle, the hem o" which hardl# touched m# useless arm, 7e cured meF 9hF
hat a great Son our hol# Da'id hasF Glor# )e to his *essiahF .ut loo;F =oo;F
Also m# leg is mo'ing li;e m# arm... 9hF I "eel as i" I were onl# twent# #ears
oldF 5
hile man# people rush towards the old woman, who is shouting her happiness
at the top o" her 'oice, ,esus can snea; awa# without )eing detained "urther.
And the apostles "ollow 7im.
3 hen the# are in a lonel# place, almost down on the plain, the# stop "or a
moment in an area o" heathland, which stretches towards the la;e. ,esus sa#s? 2 I
)less #ouF Go )ac; to #our wor; and continue it until I come )ac;, as I told #ou.
5
Peter, who has )een Iuiet so "ar, )ursts out? 2 .ut, m# =ord, what ha'e 4ou
doneE h# did 4ou sa# that we ha'e e'er#thing that souls needE It is true that
4ou ha'e told us man# things. .ut we are )loc;heads, at least I am, and... and o"
all 4ou ga'e me, little is le"t, 'er# little indeed. I am li;e one, who a"ter a meal,
still has in his stomach the hea'# part o" the "ood. 0he rest is no longer there. 5
,esus smiles "ran;l#? 2 here is the rest o" the "ood, thenE 5
2 ell... I don6t ;now. I ;now that when I eat delicate "ood, a"ter an hour I "eel
m# stomach empt#. .ut i" I eat horse<radish, or lentils dressed with oil, ehF it
ta;es a long time to get rid o" themF 5
2 It does. .ut #ou can )e sure that horse<radish and lentils, which seem to "ill
#ou more, are the less nourishing? it is meal that goes through with little )ene"it.
hereas the delicate dishes that #ou "eel no longer, within an hour, are no
longer in #our stomach, )ut in #our )lood. hen "ood has )een digested it is no
longer in one6s stomach, )ut its Cuice is in the )lood and is more use"ul. 1ow
#ou and #our companions thin; that nothing, or onl# a little, is le"t in #ou o"
what I told #ou. Perhaps #ou remem)er whate'er is more pertinent to one6s own
nature? the 'iolent the 'iolent parts, the contemplati'e the contemplati'e parts,
the a""ectionate the lo'ing parts... .ut )elie'e *e? e'er#thing is within #ou.
&'en i" it seems to ha'e gone. 4ou ha'e a)sor)ed it. 4our thoughts will wind
o"" li;e a multicoloured thread showing #ou light or strong hues according to
what #ou reIuire. .e not a"raid. 3onsider that I ;now and I would ne'er send
#ou i" I ;new that #ou were una)le to do it. Good)#e, Peter. 3heer upF SmileF
7a'e "aithF A good act o" "aith in the 9mnipresent isdom. Good)#e,
e'er#)od#. 0he =ord is with #ou. 5 And 7e lea'es them Iuic;l#, while the# are
still ama(ed and worried a)out what the# ha'e heard the# must do.
4 2 And #et we must o)e# 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 4es... o" course... 9hF poor meF I "eel li;e running a"ter 7im...5 grum)les
Peter.
2 1o. Don6t. 0o o)e# is to lo'e 7im 5 sa#s ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 It is onl# reasona)le and also according to hol# prudence that we should start
while 7e is still near us and can ad'ise us i" we ma;e mista;es. e must help
him 5 suggests the :ealot.
2 0hat6s true. ,esus is rather tired. e must relie'e 7im a little, as )est we can.
It is not enough to carr# the )ags, ma;e the )eds and prepare the "ood. An#one
can do that. .ut we must help 7im in 7is mission, as 7e wants us to 5 con"irms
.artholomew.
2 It6s all right "or #ou, )ecause #ou are a learned man. .ut I... I am almost
completel# ignorant...5 moans ,ames o" :e)edee.
1--. T"# Frst S#r+!n !4 S+!n ?#)%!t )n* :!"n. -2
2 9 =ordF 0here are those who were up there. 0he# are coming hereF hat shall
we doE 5 eDclaims Andrew.
And *atthew sa#s? 2 &Dcuse me, i" I, the most misera)le one, gi'e #ou m#
ad'ice. ould it not )e )etter to pra# the =ord, instead o" standing here
complaining a)out things complaints cannot mendE 3ome on, ,udas, #ou ;now
the Scriptures so well, sa# "or us all the pra#er o" Solomon to o)tain isdom.
Nuic;F .e"ore the# arri'e here. 5
And 0haddeus in his )eauti"ul )aritone 'oice )egins? 2 God o" m# ancestors,
=ord o" merc#, ho )# 4our word ha'e made all things... etc... etc. 5 down to?
2 ...all those were sa'ed )# isdom, who pleased 4ou, o =ord, "rom the
)eginning. 5 7e "inishes in time, Cust )e"ore the people arri'e, and gather round
them as;ing thousands o" Iuestions as to where the *aster has gone, when 7e
will come )ac;, and a more di""icult one to )e answered, reIuesting? 2 7ow can
the# "ollow the *aster, not with their legs, )ut with their souls, along the a#
pointed out )# 7imE 5
0he apostles are em)arrassed )# the Iuestion. 0he# loo; at one another and the
Iscariot replies? 2 .# "ollowing per"ection 5 as i" his repl# eDplained
e'er#thingF...
,ames o" Alphaeus, who is more hum)le and Iuiet, )ecomes pensi'e, then sa#s?
2 0he per"ection to which m# companion re"ers is achie'ed )# o)e#ing the =aw.
.ecause the =aw is Custice and Custice is per"ection. 5
.ut the crowd are not #et satis"ied and one, who appears to )e a leader, as;s? 2
.ut we are li;e little children with regard to doing good. 3hildren do not ;now
#et the meaning o" Good and &'il, the# cannot tell one "rom the other. And on
this wa#, which 7e points out to us, we are so ineDperienced that neither are we
a)le to distinguish )etween them. 0here was a wa# ;nown to us, the old one,
which we were taught at school. It is so di""icult, long and "righteningF 1ow,
listening to 7is words, we "eel that it is li;e that aIueduct we can see "rom here.
.elow, there is the road "or animals and men, a)o'e, on the light arches, high up
in the sun and in the )lue s;#, near the tallest )ranches rustling in the wind and
resounding with the singing o" )irds, there is another road, as smooth, clean and
clear, as the in"erior one is rough, dirt# and dar;, there is a wa# "or the gurgling
limpid water, which is a )lessing, )ecause o" the water that comes "rom God and
is caressed )# what is o" God? ra#s o" the sun and o" the stars, new lea'es,
"lowers and wings o" swallows. e would li;e to clim) up to that higher wa#,
which is 7is wa#, )ut we do not ;now how to do so, )ecause we are )ound
down here, under the weight o" the old construction. hat shall we doE 5
0he person who has spo;en is a #oung man a)out twent#<"i'e #ears old, dar;,
strong, with an intelligent mien. 7e does not seem to )e a man o" the people li;e
the maCorit# o" the crowd present. 7e is leaning on an older man.
0he Iscariot, tall as he is, sees him and whispers to his companions? 2 Nuic;,
eDplain things properl#. 0here is 7ermas with Stephen, who is lo'ed )#
GamalielF 5 And that is enough to em)arrass the apostles completel#.
5 At last the :ealot replies? 2 0here would )e no arch, i" there was no
"oundation in the dar; road. 0he latter is the matriD o" the "ormer, which rises
"rom it and clim)s towards the )lue s;#, o" which #ou are desirous. 0he stones
"iDed in the ground and holding the weight without enCo#ing ra#s or "lights are
aware that the# are set there, )ecause now and again a swallow, sIuea;ing, "lies
down as "ar as the mud, and caresses the )ase o" the arch, and a ra# o" the sun or
o" a star "ilters through to sa# how )eauti"ul is the 'ault o" hea'en. 0hus, in past
centuries, a di'ine word o" promise, a celestial ra# o" wisdom, descended now
and again to caress the stones oppressed )# di'ine wrath. .ecause the stones
were necessar#. 0he# are not, were not and ne'er will )e useless. 0ime and the
per"ection o" human ;nowledge ha'e risen slowl# on them and ha'e reached the
"reedom o" present da#s and the wisdom o" supernatural ;nowledge.
I alread# see #our o)Cection, it is written on #our "ace. It is the one we ha'e all
had, )e"ore we were a)le to understand that this is the 1ew Doctrine, the Gospel
preached to those who, )ecause o" a retarding process, ha'e not )ecome adults
through the ele'ation o" the stones o" ;nowledge, )ut ha'e grown dar;er and
dar;er li;e a wall that sin;s into a dar; a)#ss.
In order to get out o" this a""liction o" a supernatural dar;ness, we must )ra'el#
"ree the "oundation stone "rom all the others laid on top o" it. Do not )e a"raid to
;noc; down the high wall that does not carr# the pure l#mph o" the eternal
spring. Go )ac; to the "oundation, which is not to )e changed. It comes "rom
God. It is immo'a)le. .ut )e"ore reCecting the stones, )ecause the# are not all
)ad and useless, eDamine them one )# one, at the sound o" the word o" God. I"
#ou hear that the# are sound, ;eep them and use them again to re)uild. .ut i"
#ou hear in them the dissonant sound o" human 'oice or the rending sound o" a
satanic 'oice M and #ou cannot )e mista;en )ecause i" it is God6s 'oice it is a
sound o" lo'e, i" it is a human 'oice it is a sensual sound, i" it is a satanic 'oice
1--. T"# Frst S#r+!n !4 S+!n ?#)%!t )n* :!"n. -3
it is a sound o" hatred M then )rea; the wic;ed stones into shi'ers. I sa#? )rea;
them into shi'ers, )ecause it is charit# not to lea'e )ehind germs or e'il things,
which ma# seduce the wa#"arer and induce him to use them to his own
disad'antage. 3rush literall# to smithereens all #our deeds, writings, teachings
and acts that were not good. It is )etter to )e le"t with little, to rise )# hardl# one
cu)it with good stones, rather than )# #ards with wic;ed stones. Sun)eams and
swallows descend also to low walls, which hardl# rise a)o'e the ground and the
hum)le little "lowers at the edge o" the road easil# reach the low stones to caress
them. 9n the contrar#, the proud useless rough stones that want to rise higher
recei'e nothing )ut thorn# caresses and poisonous em)races. Demolish in order
to re)uild and to ascend, testing the goodness o" #our old stones to the sound o"
the 'oice o" God. 5
6 2 4ou are a good spea;er, man. e must ascendF .ut howE e ha'e told #ou
that we are less than )a)ies. ho will ena)le us to clim) the steep columnE e
will test the stones to the sound o" the 'oice o" God. e will )rea; up the ones
that are not good. .ut how can we ascendE e "eel gidd# onl# at the thought o"
itF 5 sa#s Stephen.
,ohn, who has )een listening with his head lowered, smiling to himsel", raises
his head. 7is "ace is )right and he )egins to spea;?
2 .rothersF 0he thought o" ascending ma;es #ou "eel gidd#. It is true. .ut who
told #ou that it is necessar# to attac; the ascent directE 1ot onl# )a)ies, )ut e'en
adults cannot do it. 9nl# angels can glide in the )lue s;ies, )ecause the# are "ree
"rom all material weight. And onl# heroes in holiness can do it amongst men.
e ha'e a li'ing )eing, who in this deCected world, is still a hol# hero, li;e the
ancient people who adorned Israel, when the Patriarchs were "riends o" God and
the word o" the eternal 3ode was the onl# one and was o)e#ed )# e'er#
righteous creature. ,ohn, the Precursor teaches us how to attac; the ascent direct.
,ohn is a man. .ut the Grace, which the >ire o" God communicated to him,
puri"#ing him in his mother6s wom), as the lips o" the Prophet were cleansed )#
the Seraph, so that he might precede the *essiah without lea'ing the stench o"
original sin along the ro#al wa# o" 3hrist, that Grace has gi'en ,ohn the wings
o" an angel and Penance has made them grow, suppressing at the same time the
human weight which his nature o" a man )orn o" a woman had retained. ,ohn,
there"ore, "rom the ca'ern where he preached penance, with his spirit married to
Grace )urning in his )od#, can ascend to the top o" the arch )e#ond which is
God, the *ost 7igh =ord our God, and dominating the past centuries, the
present da# and the "uture, with the 'oice o" a prophet and the e#e o" an eagle
that can stare at the eternal sun and recognise it, he can announce? G0here is the
=am) o" God that ta;es awa# the sin o" the world.H And he can die a"ter this
su)lime song, which will )e sung not onl# in our limited time, )ut also in the
endless 0ime in the eternal )lessed ,erusalem, to applaud the Second Person, to
in'o;e 7im on human miseries, to sing hosannas in the eternal )rightness.
.ut the =am) o" God, the *ost Sweet =am) ho le"t 7is )right a)ode in
7ea'en, where 7e is the >ire o" God in an em)race o" "ire M ohF the eternal
generation, o" the >ather ho concei'es 7is ord through 7is unlimited and
most hol# thought, and a)sor)s 7im producing an e""usion o" lo'e, "rom which
the Spirit o" =o'e proceeds, the centre o" Power and isdom M )ut the =am) o"
God, ho le"t 7is most pure incorporeal "orm, to enclose 7is in"inite purit#,
holiness and di'ine nature in mortal "lesh, ;nows that we ha'e not )een cleansed
)# Grace, not #et, and ;nows that we could not ascend to the high summit,
where God, 9ne and 0rine is, li;e the eagle, which is ,ohn. e are little
sparrows li'ing on roo"s and on roads, we are swallows that "l# in the s;# )ut
"eed on insects, we are woodlar;s who want to sing imitating the angels, )ut our
singing, when compared to theirs, is a dissonant high<pitched drone o" cicadas in
summer. 0he Sweet =am) o" God, ho came to ta;e awa# the sin o" the world,
;nows that. .ecause i" 7e is no longer the In"inite Spirit o" 7ea'en, ha'ing
ta;en human "lesh, 7is in"init# is not diminished there)# and 7e ;nows
e'er#thing )ecause 7is wisdom is alwa#s in"inite.
And so 7e teaches us 7is wa#. 0he wa# o" lo'e. 7e is the =o'e, which out o"
merc# "or us, )ecame "lesh. And that *erci"ul =o'e created "or us a wa#, which
also little ones can ascend. And 7e is the "irst to ascend it, not )ecause o" 7is
own need, )ut to teach us. 1either would 7e need to spread 7is wings to return
to the >ather. 7is spirit, I swear it to #ou, is closed down here, on the misera)le
earth, )ut it is alwa#s with the >ather, )ecause God can do e'er#thing, and 7e is
God. .ut 7e goes ahead, lea'ing )ehind 7im the per"ume o" 7is holiness, the
gold and "ire o" 7is lo'e. =oo; at 7is wa#. 9hF It does reach the summit o" the
archF .ut how peace"ul and sa"e it isF It is not straight? it is spiral. It is longer
and the sacri"ice o" 7is merci"ul lo'e is re'ealed )# such length where 7e
dela#s "or the sa;e o" us, the wea; ones. It is longer, )ut )etter suited to our
miser#. 0he ascent to lo'e, to God, is as simple as =o'e. .ut it is 'ast, )ecause
God is an a)#ss, which I would sa# is immeasura)le i" 7e did not )end across to
)e reached, to )e ;issed )# the souls in lo'e with 7im @,ohn spea;s and weeps,
1--. T"# Frst S#r+!n !4 S+!n ?#)%!t )n* :!"n. -4
smiling with his lips, in the ecstas# o" re'ealing GodA. 0he simple wa# o" lo'e is
long, )ecause the A)#ss, which is God, is limitless, and one could clim) as
much as one would li;e. .ut the Admira)le A)#ss calls our misera)le a)#ss. It
calls it )# means o" its light and sa#s? G3ome to *eFH 9hF 0he in'itation o"
GodF 0he in'itation o" the >atherF
7 =istenF =istenF 0he ;indest words are coming towards us "rom the 7ea'ens
le"t open, )ecause 3hrist opened the gates wide and le"t the angels o" *erc# and
>orgi'eness to ;eep them open, so that while men are waiting "or the Grace, at
least light, scents, songs and peace should "low down to attract the hearts o" men
in a hol# manner. It is the 'oice o" God ho is spea;ing. And the -oice sa#s?
G4our childhoodE .ut it is #our most 'alua)le mone#F I would li;e #ou to
)ecome reall# little, so that #ou would ha'e the humilit#, the sincerit# and the
lo'e o" children, the con"ident lo'e o" children "or their "athers. 4our ina)ilit#E
.ut that is *# glor#F 9hF 3ome. I do not e'en as; #ou to test the sound o" the
good and )ad stones )# #oursel'es. Gi'e them to *eF I will pic; them and #ou
will do the re)uilding. 0he ascent to per"ectionE 9hF no, *# little children. ,oin
hands with *# Son, #our .rother now, and thus ascend )eside 7im....H
0o ascendF 0o come to 4ou, &ternal =o'eF 0o achie'e 4our li;eness, that is
=o'eF 0o lo'eF 0hat is the secretF... 0o lo'eF 0o gi'e onesel"... 0o lo'eF 0o
suppress onesel"... 0o lo'eF 0o melt... 0he "leshE It is nothing. SorrowE It is
nothing. 0imeE It is nothing. Sin itsel" )ecomes nothing i" I dissol'e it in 4our
"ire, o GodF 9nl# =o'e eDists. =o'e? 0he =o'e that ga'e us the Incarnate God,
will gi'e us all "orgi'eness. And no one ;nows how to lo'e )etter than children.
And no one is lo'ed more than a child.
9 #ou, whom I do not ;now, who want to ;now what Good is, to distinguish it
"rom &'il, to possess the )lue s;#, the celestial Sun, and e'er#thing that is
supernatural Co#, lo'e and #ou will achie'e it. =o'e 3hrist. 4ou will die to the
li"e o" this world, )ut #ou will rise again in #our spirit. ith #our new spirit,
without an# "urther need o" stones, #ou will )e "ore'er an ineDtinguisha)le "ire.
A "lame rises. It needs neither steps nor wings to rise. >ree #our ego "rom e'er#
construction, put lo'e into #oursel". 4ou will )la(e up. =et that happen without
an# restriction. 1a#, ;indle the "ire, throwing into it #our past passions and
;nowledge. hat is not good will )e destro#ed )# the "lames, what is alread# a
no)le metal will )ecome pure. 3ast #oursel", )rother, into the acti'e Co#"ul lo'e
o" the 0rinit#. 4ou will understand what now seems incomprehensi)le to #ou,
)ecause #ou will understand God, ho can )e, understood onl# )# those who
gi'e themsel'es, without an# limitation, to 7is sacri"icing "ire. 4ou will )e
"iDed, in the end, in God in a lo'ing em)race, pra#ing "or me, the child o"
3hrist, who dared to spea; to #ou o" =o'e. 5
8 0he# are all dum)"ounded? the apostles, the disciples, the )elie'ers... 0he man
to whom the words were addressed is pale, while ,ohn6s "ace is "lushed, not so
much )ecause o" the e""ort as )ecause o" his lo'e.
Stephen at last shouts? 2 *a# #ou )e )lessedF .ut tell me, who are #ouE 5
And ,ohn M his attitude reminds me so much o" the -irgin at the Annunciation M
replies in a low 'oice, )ending as i" he were adoring 7im hom he mentions? 2
I am ,ohn. 4ou see in me the least o" the ser'ants o" the =ord. 5
2 .ut who was #our master )e"oreE 5
2 1o one )ut God. .ecause I recei'ed m# spiritual mil; "rom ,ohn, the
presancti"ied o" God, now I eat the )read o" 3hrist, the ord o" God, and I
drin; God6s "ire that comes to me "rom 7ea'en. Glor# )e to the =ordF 5
2 AhF I am not going to lea'e #ouF 1either #ou nor him, I will part "rom none o"
#ou. 0a;e me with #ouF 5
2 hen... 9hF .ut Peter is here, he is our chie" 5 and ,ohn ta;es Peter, who is
dum)"ounded, and proclaims him 2 the "irst 5.
And Peter collects himsel" and sa#s? 2 Son, a considered re"lection is reIuired
"or a great mission. 0his man is our angel and he in"lames us. .ut it is necessar#
to ;now whether the "lame will last in us. *easure #oursel" and then come to
the =ord. e will open our hearts to #ou as to a most dear )rother. In the
meantime, i" #ou wish to )ecome )etter acIuainted with our li"e, #ou ma# sta#.
0he "loc;s o" 3hrist ma# grow eDceedingl# so that the true lam)s ma# )e
separated "rom the "alse rams, choosing among the per"ect and imper"ect ones. 5
And the "irst apostolic re'elation ends thus.
1-..In t"# H!us# !4 :!")nn) !4 C"u7). :#sus )n* t"# R!+)n L)*#s. -,
146. In t! Hous! o0 9o'nn' o0 Cu3'.
9!sus 'n( t! Ro)'n L'(i!s.
1*t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus comes o"" a )oat at the whar" at 3hu(a6s garden, helped )# a )oatman
who had ta;en 7im there. A gardener who has seen 7im runs to open the gate
which closes the entrance to the propert# on the la;e side. It is a strong tall gate,
which, howe'er, is concealed )# a 'er# thic; high hedge o" laurel and )oD on
the outer side, towards the la;e, and )# roses o" all colours on the inner side,
towards the house. 0he magni"icent rose<)ushes decorate the )ron(e laurel and
)oD lea'es, the# creep through the )ranches and peep out on the other side, or
the# pass o'er the green )arrier and let their "lower# heads "all on the other side.
9nl# the central part o" the gate, across the a'enue, is )arren and is opened there
to let through people going to or coming "rom the la;e.
2 Peace to this house and to #ou, ,oanna. here is #our mistress 5
2 9'er there, with her "riends. I will call her at once. 0he# ha'e )een waiting "or
4ou three da#s, )ecause the# were a"raid o" )eing late. 5
,esus smiles. 0he ser'ant runs awa# to call ,ohanna. In the meantime ,esus
wal;s slowl# towards the place mentioned )# the ser'ant, admiring the
wonder"ul garden, one could sa# the wonder"ul roser#, which 3hu(a had )uilt
"or his wi"e. *agni"icent earl# roses o" all t#pes, si(es and shapes are a )la(e o"
colours in this sheltered inlet o" the la;e. 0here are other "lower plants. .ut the#
are not #et in )loom and their num)er is minimal as compared to the Iuantit# o"
rose<)ushes.
,ohanna arri'es. She has not e'en laid down the )as;et hal" "ull o" roses, nor the
scissors she was using to cut them, and she runs thus, her arms stretched out,
agile and )eauti"ul in her wide dress o" 'er# thin woollen material, o" a 'er#
light pin; hue, the "olds o" which are held in place )# sil'er "iligree studs and
)uc;les, decorated with spar;ling pale garnets. 9n her dar; wa'# hair a mitre<
shaped diadem, also in sil'er and garnets, hold a 'er# light pin; )#ssus 'eil,
which hangs o'er her )ac;, lea'ing unco'ered her ears, adorned with earrings
matching the diadem, her smiling "ace and thin nec;, round which she wears a
shining nec;lace which is made li;e the rest o" her precious ornaments.
She drops her )as;et at ,esus6 "eet and ;neels down to ;iss 7is tunic, among the
roses spread on the ground.
2 Peace to #ou, ,ohanna. I ha'e come. 5
2 And I am happ#. 0he# ha'e come, too. 9hF 1ow I seem to ha'e done the
wrong thing )# organising this meetingF 7ow will #ou manage to understand
one anotherE 0he# are heathensF 5 ,ohanna is somewhat worried.
,esus smiles, and la#ing 7is hand on her head 7e sa#s? 2 .e not a"raid. e will
understand one another 'er# well. 4ou ha'e done the right thing G)# organising
this meeting.H 9ur meeting will )e "ull o" )lessings as #our garden is "ull o"
roses. 1ow, pic; up those poor roses which #ou dropped and let us go to #our
"riends. 5
2 9hF 0here is an# amount o" roses. I was pic;ing them to pass the time and
then m# "riends are so... so 'oluptuous. 0he# lo'e "lowers as i" the# were... I do
not ;now... 5
2 I lo'e them, tooF See, we ha'e alread# "ound a su)Cect on which we can
understand one another. 3ome onF =et us pic; up these wonder"ul roses... 5 and
,esus )ends to set the eDample.
2 1ot 4ouF 1ot 4ou, m# =ordF I" 4ou reall# want to... well... it6s done. 5
2 0he# wal; as "ar as a )ower made )# multicoloured interlaced rose<)ushes.
0hree 8oman ladies are casting glances at them "rom the threshold? Plautina,
-aleria and =#dia. 0he "irst and last ones are hesitant, )ut -aleria runs out and
ma;es a curts# sa#ing? 2 7ail, Sa'iour o" m# little >austaF 5
2 Peace and light to #ou and to #our "riends. 5
0he "riends curts# without spea;ing.
e alread# ;now Plautina. 0all, statel#, with )eauti"ul dar;, rather authoritati'e
e#es, under a smooth 'er# white "orehead, a per"ect straight nose, a well shaped
rather tumid mouth, a roundish well de"ined chin, she reminds me o" some
)eauti"ul statues o" 8oman empresses. 7ea'# rings shine on her )eauti"ul hands
and large golden )racelets round her statuesIue arms, on her wrists and a)o'e
her el)ows which appear pin;ish white, smooth and per"ect under her short
draped slee'es.
=#dia, on the other hand, is "air<haired, thinner and #ounger. 7er )eaut# is not
the statel# )eaut# o" Plautina, )ut she possesses all the grace o" "eminine #outh
which is still a little unripe. And since we are on a pagan su)Cect, I could sa#
1-..In t"# H!us# !4 :!")nn) !4 C"u7). :#sus )n* t"# R!+)n L)*#s. --
that i" Plautina loo;s li;e the statue o" an empress, =#dia could well )e Diana or
a gentle modest loo;ing n#mph.
-aleria, who is not in the desperate situation in which we saw her at 3aesarea,
appears in the )eaut# o" a #oung mother, rather plumpl# shaped )ut still 'er#
#oung, with the Iuiet loo; o" a mother who is happ# to )reast"eed her own child
and see it grow health#. 8os# and )rown, her smile is a Iuiet )ut 'er# ;ind one.
I am under the impression that the two ladies are o" a lower ran; than Plautina,
whom the# respect as a Iueen, as is o)'ious also "rom their attitude.
3 2 ere #ou attending to "lowersE Go on, go on. e can tal; also while #ou
pic; this )eauti"ul wor; o" the 3reator, which "lowers are, and while #ou
arrange them in these precious 'ases with the a)ilit# o" which 8ome is mistress,
to lengthen their li'es, which un"ortunatel# are too short... I" we admire this )ud,
which is Cust opening its #ellow pin; petal in a lo'el# smile, how can we not )e
sorr# to see it d#ingE 9hF 7ow ama(ed the ,ews would )e i" the# heard *e
spea; thusF .ut also in a "lower we "eel there is something which is ali'e. And
we regret to see its end. .ut plants are wiser than we are. 0he# ;now that on
e'er# wound caused )# cutting a stem a new shoot will grow and it will )ecome
a new rose. And so we must learn the lesson and ma;e o" our somewhat sensual
lo'e "or "lowers a spur to a higher thought. 5
2 hich one, *asterE 5 as;s Plautina, who is listening diligentl# and is
intrigued )# the re"ined thought o" the ,ewish *aster.
2 0his one. 0hat as a plant does not die as long as its roots are nourished )# the
soil, it does not die )ecause its stems die, so man;ind does not die )ecause one
)eing ends his earthl# li"e. .ut new "lowers are alwa#s )orn. And M a thought
which is e'en higher and will ma;e us )less the 3reator M while a "lower, once it
is dead, will not come to li"e again, which is sad, man, when he is asleep in his
last sleep, is not dead, )ut he li'es a )righter li"e, drawing, through his )etter
part, eternal li"e and splendour "rom the 3reator ho "ormed him. 0here"ore,
-aleria, i" #our little girl had died, #ou would not ha'e lost her caresses. 0he
;isses o" #our creature would ha'e alwa#s come to #our soul, )ecause, although
separated "rom #ou, she would not ha'e "orgotten #our lo'e. See how pleasant it
is to ha'e "aith in eternal li"eE here is #our little one nowE 5
2 In that co'ered cradle. I ne'er parted "rom her )e"ore, )ecause the lo'e "or m#
hus)and and "or m# daughter were the onl# interests o" m# li"e. .ut now that I
;now what it is to see her d#ing, I do not lea'e her e'en "or a moment. 5
4 ,esus goes towards a seat on which there is a ;ind o" wooden cradle, co'ered
)# an eDpensi'e co'er. 7e unco'ers it and loo;s at the sleeping child, whom the
"resher air awa;es tenderl#. 7er little e#es seem surprised when the# open and
her lips part in an angel6s smile, while her tin# hands, which hereto"ore were
closed, are now open and anDious to get hold o" ,esus6 wa'# hair. 0he twittering
o" a sparrow mar;s the progress o" speech in her little mind. At last the great
uni'ersal word trills? 2 *umm#F 5
2 Pic; her up, pic; her up 5 sa#s ,esus ho mo'es to one side to let -aleria
)end o'er the cradle.
2 She will gi'e 4ou trou)leF I will call a sla'e and ha'e her ta;en into the
garden. 5
2 0rou)leE 9hF 1oF 3hildren are ne'er an# trou)le. 0he# are alwa#s *#
"riends. 5
2 7a'e 4ou an# children or grandchildren, *asterE 5 as;s Plautina, who
watches how ,esus, smiling, teases the )a)# to ma;e her laugh.
2 1o, I ha'e neither children nor grandchildren. .ut I lo'e children as I lo'e
"lowers. .ecause the# are pure and without malice. 1a#, gi'e *e #our little one,
woman. It is such a great Co# "or *e to press a little angel to *# heart. 5 And
7e sits down holding the little )a)#, who watches 7im and ru""les 7is )eard
and then "inds something more interesting to do pla#ing with the "ringes o" 7is
mantle and with the cord o" 7is tunic, to which she de'otes a long m#sterious
speech.
5 Plautina sa#s? 2 9ur good and wise "riend, one o" the "ew who does not
disdain us and does not )ecome corrupt associating with us, will ha'e told 4ou
that we were anDious to see 4ou and hear 4ou, to Cudge 4ou "or what 4ou are,
)ecause 8ome does not )elie'e in idle stories.. h# are 4ou smiling, *asterE 5
2 I will tell #ou later. Go on. 5
2 .ecause 8ome does not )elie'e in idle stories and wants to Cudge with true
;nowledge and conscience )e"ore condemning and eDtolling. 4our people eDalt
4ou and calumniate 4ou to the same degree. 4our deeds would con'ince one to
eDalt 4ou. 0he words o" man# ,ews would induce people to consider 4ou little
1-..In t"# H!us# !4 :!")nn) !4 C"u7). :#sus )n* t"# R!+)n L)*#s. -.
less than a criminal. 4our words are solemn and wise li;e a philosopher6s. 8ome
is 'er# "ond o" philosophic doctrines and... I must admit it, our present
philosophers do not ha'e a satis"actor# doctrine, also )ecause their wa#s o"
li'ing do not correspond to their doctrines. 5
2 0he# cannot ha'e a wa# o" li'ing corresponding to their doctrine. 5
2 .ecause the# are pagans, is that rightE 5
2 1o, )ecause the# are atheists. 5
2 AtheistsE .ut the# ha'e their gods. 5
2 0he# do not e'en ha'e those an# more, woman. I remind #ou o" the ancient
philosophers, the greatest ones. 0he# were heathens, too. 7owe'er, consider
how high was the moral tone o" their li'esF It was mingled with errors, )ecause
man is inclined to err. .ut when the# were con"ronted with the greatest
m#steries? li"e and death, when the# had to "ace the dilemma o" 7onest# or
Dishonest#, o" -irtue or -ice, o" 7eroism or 3owardice and the# considered
that i" the# turned to e'il, a great mis"ortune would )e"all their "atherland and
their "ellow citi(ens, then with a super e""ort o" will the# reCected the tentacles o"
e'il pol#ps and, hol# and "ree, the# chose Good, at all costs. 0hat Good which is
no one else )ut God. 5
6 2 4ou are God, so the# sa#. Is that trueE 5
2 I am the Son o" the 0rue God, I )ecame "lesh, )ut I still remain God. 5
2 .ut what is GodE 0he greatest *aster, i" we loo; at 4ou. 5
2 God is much more than a *aster. Do not minimise the su)lime idea o"
Di'init# to a limitation o" wisdom. 5
2 isdom is a deit#. e ha'e *iner'a. She is the goddess o" ;nowledge. 5
2 4ou ha'e also -enus, the goddess o" pleasure. 3an #ou admit that a god, that
is, a )eing superior to men, possesses, raised to the highest degree, all the
horri)le 'ices o" mortalsE 3an #ou concei'e that an eternal )eing has "or all
eternit# the pett#, mean, humiliating delights o" those who ha'e onl# one hour6s
timeE And that the superior )eing ma;es them the scope o" his li"eE Do #ou not
consider what a desecrated hea'en is the one #ou call 9l#mpus, where the most
acrid Cuices o" man;ind "ermentE I" #ou loo; at #our hea'en, what can #ou seeE
=ust, crime, hatred, war, the"ts, crapulence, snares, re'enge. I" #ou wish to
cele)rate the "east o" #our gods, what do #ou doE 4ou indulge in orgies. hat
cult do #ou gi'e themE here is the true chastit# o" the 'irgins consecrated to
-estaE 9n what di'ine code o" law do #our ponti"ices )ase their CudgementE
hat words can #our augurs read in the "light o" )irds or in the peal o" thunderE
And what answers can the )leeding entrails o" sacri"iced animals gi'e to #our
haruspicesE 4ou said? G8ome does not )elie'e in idle stories.H h# does she
)elie'e, then, that twel'e poor men, )# sending a pig, a sheep and a )ull round
the "ields and sacri"icing them, can gain 3eres6 "a'our, when #ou ha'e an end<
less num)er o" deities, one hating the other, and #ou )elie'e in their re'engesE
1o. God is something Iuite di""erent. 7e is &ternal, 9ne and Spiritual. 5
2 .ut 4ou sa# that 4ou are God and #et 4ou are "lesh. 5
2 0here is an altar with no god in the "atherland o" gods. *an6s wisdom has
de'oted it to the un;nown God. .ecause wise men, the true philosophers, ha'e
realised that there is something )e#ond the illustrated scenario created "or the
eternal children, that is "or men whose souls are en'eloped in the swaddling
clothes o" error. I" those wise men M who realised that there is something )e#ond
the "alse scenario, something reall# su)lime and di'ine, which created
e'er#thing that eDists and "rom which comes all the good there is in the world M
i" those men wanted an altar to the un;nown God, hom the# percei'ed to )e
the 0rue God, how can #ou call god what is not god and how can #ou sa# that
#ou ;now what #ou do not ;nowE =earn, there"ore, what God is, that #ou ma#
;now and honour 7im. God is the .eing ho )# 7is thought made e'er#thing
"rom nothing. 3an the tale o" stones changing into men con'ince #ou and satis"#
#ouE I solemnl# tell #ou that there are men more hard and wic;ed than stones,
and stones more use"ul than men. .ut is it not more pleasant "or #ou, -aleria, to
sa#, loo;ing at #our little )a)#? GShe is the li'ing will o" God, created and
"ormed )# 7im, gi"ted )# 7im with a second li"e which does not end, so that I
will ha'e m# little >austa "ore'er and e'er, i" I )elie'e in the 0rue GodH, rather
than sa#? G0his ros# "lesh, this hair thinner than a spider6s we), these clear e#es
originate "rom a stoneHE 9r to sa#? GI am entirel# li;e a she<wol" or a mare, and
li;e an animal I mate, li;e an animal I procreate, li;e an animal I rear, and m#
daughter is the "ruit o" m# )eastl# instinct and she is an animal li;e me, and
tomorrow, when she is dead and I am dead, we shall )e two carrions which will
dissol'e with a "oul odour and will ne'er see each other againHE 0ell *eF hich
o" the two choices would #our maternal heart pre"erE 5
1-..In t"# H!us# !4 :!")nn) !4 C"u7). :#sus )n* t"# R!+)n L)*#s. -1
2 3ertainl# not the latter, m# =ordF I" I had ;nown that >austa was not a thing
that could )e dissol'ed "ore'er, m# grie", when she was in agon#, would not
ha'e )een so 'iolent. .ecause I would ha'e said? GI ha'e lost a pearl. .ut it still
eDists. And I will "ind it.H 5
7 2 4ou are right. hen I was coming towards #ou, #our "riend told me that she
was ama(ed at #our passion "or "lowers. And she was a"raid that it might upset
*e. .ut I reassured her sa#ing to her? GI lo'e "lowers, too, so we will understand
each other Iuite well.H .ut I wish to )ring #ou to lo'e "lowers, as I ha'e )rought
-aleria to lo'e her )a)#, o" whom she will now ta;e greater care, as she ;nows
that >austa has a soul, which is a particle o" God enclosed in the )od# which her
mother made "or herL a particle which will not die and which her mother will
"ind again in 7ea'en, i" she )elie'es in the 0rue God.
0he same applies to #ou. =oo; at this )eauti"ul rose. 0he purple which adorns
the imperial ro)e is not so magni"icent as this petal, which is not onl# a pleasure
to the e#e )ecause o" its hue, )ut is also a Co# to touch )ecause o" its smoothness
and to smell )ecause o" its scent. And loo; at this one, and this one, and this
one. 0he "irst one is li;e )lood gushing "rom a heart, the second is li;e "resh
"allen snow, the third one is pale gold, the last one is li;e the sweet "ace o" this
child smiling in *# lap. And "urther? the "irst one is sti"" on an almost thornless
stem, the lea'es o" which are reddish as i" the# had )een spra#ed with )lood, the
second has onl# a "ew thorns, and its lea'es are pale and dull on the stem, the
third one is as "leDi)le as a reed and its small lea'es are as shin# as green waD,
the stem o" the last one is so thic; with thorns, that it seems anDious to pre'ent
all possi)le access to its ros# corolla. It loo;s li;e a "ile with 'er# sharp teeth.
1ow consider this. ho made all thatE 7owE henE hereE hat was this
place in the mists o" timeE It was nothing. It was an amorphous stirring o"
elements. 9ne? God, said? GI wantH and the elements separated and gathered in
"amil# groups. And another GI wantH thundered and the elements arranged
themsel'es, one with the other? the water )etween the landsL or one on the other?
air and light on the "ormed planet. 9ne more GI wantH and plants were made.
And then the stars, then animals and at last man. And God, to ma;e man, 7is
"a'ourite creature, happ#, granted him, as magni"icent to#s, "lowers, stars and
"inall# the Co# o" procreating not what dies, )ut what sur'i'es death, )# the gi"t
o" God, and which is the soul. 0hese roses are as man# GwillsH o" the >ather. 7is
in"inite power ma;es it clear in an in"inite num)er o" )eauti"ul things.
*# eDplanation is rather a di""icult one )ecause it clashes with the )ra(en
resistance o" #our )elie"s. .ut I hope, as it is our "irst meeting, that we ha'e
understood one another a little. =et #our souls ponder on what I ha'e told #ou.
7a'e #ou an# Iuestions to as;E As; them. I am here to clari"# things. Ignorance
is not a disgrace. It is disgrace"ul to persist in ignorance where there is someone
willing to clari"# dou)ts. 5
And ,esus, as i" 7e were the most eDperienced "ather, goes out holding the little
child, who is ta;ing her "irst steps and wants to go towards a Cet o" water
swa#ing in the sunshine.
8 0he ladies remain where the# were, spea;ing to one another. And ,ohanna,
hesitating )etween two desires, is standing on the threshold o" the )ower.
At last =#dia ma;es up her mind and "ollowed )# the others goes towards ,esus,
ho is laughing )ecause the little one is tr#ing to catch the solar spectrum with
her hand and grasps nothing )ut light, and she insists o'er and o'er again,
)a))ling with her ros# lips.
2 *aster... I ha'e not understood wh# 4ou said that our masters cannot lead a
good li"e )ecause the# are atheists. 0he# )elie'e in 9l#mpus. .ut the#
)elie'e...5
2 0he# ha'e )ut the outward appearance o" )elie". As long as the# reall#
)elie'ed, as the trul# wise men )elie'ed in the Jn;nown God I mentioned to
#ou, in that God ho satis"ied their souls, e'en i" 7e was nameless, e'en i"
inad'ertentl# the# did not want to, as long as the# turned their thoughts to that
.eing, )# "ar superior to the poor gods "ull o" the "aults o" man;ind, o" the low
"aults o" man;ind, the gods that paganism created "or itsel", the# somehow
re"lected God, )# necessit#. A soul is a mirror that re"lects and an echo that
repeats... 5
2 hat, *asterE 5
2 God. 5
2 It6s a great wordF 5
2 It is a great truth. 5
9 -aleria, who is "ascinated )# the thought o" immortalit#, as;s? 2 *aster, tell
me where the soul o" m# child is. I will ;iss that spot li;e a shrine and I will
1-..In t"# H!us# !4 :!")nn) !4 C"u7). :#sus )n* t"# R!+)n L)*#s. -2
worship it, )ecause it is part o" God. 5
2 0he soulF it is li;e this light that little >austa wishes to grasp and cannot,
)ecause it is incorporeal. .ut it is there. 4ou, I, #our "riends can see it. =i;ewise
a soul can )e seen in e'er#thing that di""erentiates man "rom animals. hen
#our little one will tell #ou her "irst thoughts, #ou can sa# that such
understanding is her soul which is re'ealing itsel". hen she will lo'e #ou not
)# instinct, )ut with her reason, consider that that lo'e is her soul. hen she will
grow )eauti"ul )eside #ou, not so much in her )od# as in 'irtue, consider that
that )eaut# is her soul. And do not worship her soul, )ut God ho created it,
God ho wishes e'er# soul to )e a throne "or 7im. 5
2 .ut where is this incorporeal and su)lime thing? in one6s heartE In one6s
)rainsE 5
2 It is in the whole o" man. It contains #ou and is contained within #ou. hen it
lea'es #ou, #ou )ecome a corpse. hen it is ;illed )# a crime that man commits
against himsel", #ou are damned, separated "rom God "ore'er. 5
2 4ou there"ore agree that the philosopher who said that we are GimmortalH was
right, although he was a heathenE 5 as;s Plautina.
2 I do not agree. I will go "urther. I sa# that it is an article o" "aith. 0he
immortalit# o" the soul, that is the immortalit# o" the superior part o" man is the
most certain and most com"orting m#ster# to )elie'e. It is the one that assures us
o" where we come "rom, where we go, who we are, and it remo'es all the
)itterness o" e'er# separation. 5
10 Plautina is deepl# a)sor)ed in thought. ,esus watches her and is silent. At last
she as;s? 2 And ha'e 4ou a soulE 5
,esus replies? 2 3ertainl#. 5
2 .ut are 4ou or are 4ou not GodE 5
2 I am God. I told #ou. .ut now I ha'e ta;en the nature o" *an. And do #ou
;now wh#E .ecause onl# )# this sacri"ice o" *ine I was a)le to resol'e the
points which were insupera)le "or #our reason, and a"ter demolishing errors and
"reeing minds, I was a)le also to "ree souls "rom a sla'er# which I cannot
eDplain to #ou Cust now. I there"ore enclosed isdom and 7oliness in a )od#. I
spread isdom li;e seed on the ground and pollen to the winds. 7oliness will
"low, as "rom a precious )ro;en amphora, on to the world in the hour o" Grace
and will sancti"# men. 0hen the Jn;nown God will )ecome ;nown. 5
2 .ut 4ou are alread# ;nown. ho dou)ts 4our power and 4our wisdom, is
either wic;ed or a liar. 5
2 I am ;nown. .ut this is onl# da#)rea;. *idda# will )e "ull o" the ;nowledge
o" *e. 5
2 hat will 4our midda# )e li;eE A triumphE Shall I see itE 5
2 0rul#, it will )e a triumph. And #ou will )e present. .ecause #ou loathe what
#ou ;now and #ou cra'e "or what #ou ignore. 4our soul hungers. 5
2 0hat is true. I hunger "or truth. 5
2 I am the 0ruth. 5
2 0hen, gi'e 4oursel" to me who am hungr#. 5
2 All #ou ha'e to do is to come to *# ta)le. *# word is the )read o" truth. 5
2 .ut what will our gods sa# i" we a)andon themE ill the# not a'enge
themsel'es on usE 5 as;s "ear"ul =#dia.
2 oman? ha'e #ou e'er seen a "ogg# morningE 0he meadows are lost in the
'apour that conceals them. 0hen the sun shines and the 'apour is dissol'ed and
the glistening meadows are more )eauti"ul. 0he same applies to #our gods, the
"og o" a poor human thought, which, ignoring God and needing to )elie'e,
)ecause "aith is a permanent necessit# "or man, created 9l#mpus, a real non<
eDistent idle stor#. And thus #our gods, when the sun, that is, the 0rue God,
rises, will dissol'e in #our hearts without )eing a)le to do an# harm. .ecause
the# do not eDist. 5
2 e shall ha'e to listen to 4ou again... Iuite a lot... e are most de"initel#
)e"ore the un;nown. &'er#thing 4ou sa# is new to us. 5
2 .ut does it disgust #ouE 3an #ou accept itE 5
Plautina replies sure o" hersel"? 2 1o. It does not. I "eel more proud o" the little I
;now now, and which 3aesar does not ;now, than I do o" m# name. 5
2 ell, then, perse'ere. I lea'e #ou with *# peace. 5
1-..In t"# H!us# !4 :!")nn) !4 C"u7). :#sus )n* t"# R!+)n L)*#s. .3
11 2 hatE Are 4ou not sta#ing, m# =ordE 5 ,ohanna is desolate.
2 1o, I am not sta#ing. I ha'e a lot to do... 5
2 9hF I wanted to spea; to 4ou a)out m# trou)leF 5
,esus, ho had )egun to wal;, a"ter sa#ing good)#e to the 8oman ladies, turns
round and sa#s? 2 3ome as "ar as the )oat and 4ou will tell *e what #our pain
is. 5
And ,ohanna goes. And she sa#s? 2 3hu(a wants to send me to ,erusalem "or
some time and I am not happ# a)out it. 7e is doing it )ecause he does not want
me to )e con"ined an# longer now that I am health#... 5
2 4ou, too, are creating useless "ogs "or #oursel"F 5 sa#s ,esus ho is stepping
on to the )oat. 2 I" #ou considered that #ou can thus gi'e *e hospitalit# or
"ollow *e more easil#, #ou would )e happ# and would sa#? G.ount# has seen to
it.H 5
2 9hF... that is true, m# =ord. I had not thought a)out that. 5
2 So, #ou can seeF .e a good wi"e and o)e#. 9)edience will gi'e #ou the reward
o" ha'ing *e as #our guest at neDt Passo'er and the honour o" helping *e to
e'angeli(e #our "riends. *# peace )e alwa#s with #ou. 5
0he )oat sets out and it all ends.
148. A&#'! in 7'r1>s Hous! 't N'3'r!t.
,;t 7'1 1*4+. P!nt!cost.
1 *ar# is wor;ing Iuietl# at a piece o" cloth. It is e'ening, all the doors are
closed, a three "lame lamp lights up the little room in 1a(areth, particularl# the
ta)le at which the -irgin is sat. 0he cloth, perhaps a )ed sheet, hangs "rom the
chest and "rom 7er ;nees on to the "loor, so that *ar#, ho is wearing a dar;
)lue dress, seems to emerge "rom a pile o" snow. She is alone. She is sowing
"ast, 7er head )ent on 7er wor;, and the light o" the lamp causes the top part o"
7er hair to shine with pale gold tints. 0he rest o" 7er "ace is in hal"<light.
0here is dead silence in the tid# room. 1o noise can )e heard either "rom the
road, deserted at night, or "rom the ;itchen garden. 0he hea'# door o" the room
where *ar# wor;s, where She ta;es 7er meals and recei'es 7er "riends, and
which opens on to the ;itchen garden, is closed, so that not e'en the noise o" the
"ountain water running into the )asin can )e heard. It is reall# the stillness o" the
night. I wonder what *ar# is thin;ing o" while 7er hands are wor;ing swi"tl#...
0here is a light tapping at the main door. *ar# loo;s up and listens... 0he
tapping has )een so light that *ar# must )e thin;ing that it was caused )# some
night animal or )# the wind and She )ends 7er head once again to 7er wor;.
.ut the ;noc;ing is repeated and more loudl#. *ar# stands up and goes to the
door. .e"ore opening She as;s? 2 ho is ;noc;ingE 5
A thin 'oice replies? 2 A woman. In the name o" ,esus, ha'e merc# on me. 5
*ar# opens the door at once holding the lamp up to see the pilgrim. She sees a
heap o" clothes, through which no one appears. A poor heap o" clothes, stooping
'er# low and sa#ing? 2 7ailF *# =ad#F 5 and then once again? 2 In the name o"
,esus, ha'e merc# on me. 5
2 3ome in and tell *e what #ou want. I do not ;now #ou. 5
2 1o)od# and man# ;now me. -ice ;nows me. And 7oliness ;nows me. .ut
now I need Piet# to open 7er arms to me. And 4ou are Piet#...5 and she weeps.
2 3ome in, then... And tell me... 4ou ha'e said enough to ma;e *e understand
that #ou are unhapp#... .ut I do not #et ;now who #ou are. 4our name, sister...
5
2 9hF noF 1ot sisterF I cannot )e 4our sister... 4ou are the *other o" Good... I...
I am &'il... 5 and she cries louder and louder under her mantle, which co'ers her
completel#.
*ar# la#s the lamp on a chairL she ta;es the hand o" the un;nown woman
;neeling on the threshold and compels her to stand up.
2 *ar# does not ;now her... )ut I do. She is the -eiled woman o" the 3lear
ater.
She stands up, deCected, trem)ling, sha;en )# her so)s, and is still reluctant to
go in. She sa#s? 2 I am a heathen, m# =ad#. I am "ilth, "or #ou ,ews, e'en i" I
were hol#. I am twice "ilth )ecause I am a prostitute. 5
1-1. A(%)# n 9)r5>s H!us# )t N)7)r#t". .1
2 I" #ou come to *e, i" #ou loo; "or *# Son through *e, #ou can onl# )e a
repentant heart. 0his house welcomes those whose name is Sorrow 5 and She
leads her in, closing the door, la#s the lamp on the ta)le, and as;s her to sit
down and sa#s? 2 Spea;. 5
.ut the -eiled woman does not want to sit downL still stooping, she continues to
weep. *ar# is in "ront o" her, ;ind and Iueenl#. She waits, pra#ing, "or her to
calm down. 7er whole attitude tells me that She is pra#ing, although nothing
a)out 7er ta;es the "orm o" pra#er? neither 7er hands which are holding all the
time the little hand o" the -eiled woman, nor 7er lips which are closed.
At last her weeping calms down. 0he -eiled woman dries her "ace with her 'eil
and then sa#s? 2 And #et I ha'e not come "rom so "ar as to )e un;nown. It is the
hour o" m# redemption and I must re'eal m#sel"... to show with how man#
wounds m# heart is co'ered. And 4ou are a mother... and 7is *other... 4ou
will, there"ore, ha'e merc# on me. 5
2 4es, *# daughter. 5
2 9hF #esF 3all me daughterF I had a mother and I le"t her... I was later told that
she died o" a )ro;en heart I had a "ather... he cursed me and he sa#s to those in
town? GI no longer ha'e a daughterH 5 @she resumes cr#ing more )itterl#. *ar#
turns pale with anguish, )ut la#s 7er hand on her head to com"ort herA. 0he
-eiled woman goes on? 2 1o one will call me daughter an# moreF... 4es, caress
me thus, as m# mother used to do when I was pure and good... =et me ;iss 4our
hand and wipe m# tears with it. *# tears alone will not cleanse me. 7ow much
ha'e I wept when I realisedF M Also )e"ore I used to weep, )ecause it is horri)le
to )e nothing )ut "lesh, a)used and insulted )# man. .ut the# were the tears o"
an ill<treated animal that hates and re)els against him who tortures and "ouls it
more and more... )ecause I changed master, )ut I did not change )estialit#... I
ha'e )een weeping "or eight months... )ecause I ha'e understood... I understood
m# miser# and m# depra'it#, I am co'ered and saturated with it and I "eel
disgusted... .ut m# tears, although more and more conscious, do not #et cleanse
me. 0he# miD with m# depra'it# and do not wash it awa#. 9hF *otherF ipe
m# tears and I shall )e so cleansed as to )e a)le to go near m# Sa'iourF 5
2 4es, *# daughter, #es, I will. Sit down. 7ere, near *e. And spea; calml#.
=ea'e #our )urden here, on *# ;nees o" a *other 5 and *ar# sits down.
3 .ut the -eiled woman sin;s to the ground at 7er "eet, as she wishes to spea;
to 7er thus. She )egins slowl#? 2 I come "rom S#racuse... I am twent#<siD #ears
old... I was the daughter o" a steward, as #ou would call him, we sa# a
procurator, o" a wealth# 8oman gentleman. I was an onl# daughter. *# li"e was
a happ# one. e li'ed near the seaside, in a )eauti"ul 'illa, where m# "ather was
the steward. 1ow and again the owner o" the 'illa, or his wi"e or children would
come. 0he# treated us 'er# well and were 'er# good to me. 0he girls used to
pla# with me... *# mother was happ# and... proud o" me. I was )eauti"ul...
intelligent and I succeeded in e'er#thing... .ut I lo'ed "ri'olous things more
than good things. 0here is a great theatre at S#racuse. A great theatre...
.eauti"ul... huge... It is used "or games and pla#s... *imers are widel# emplo#ed
in the comedies and tragedies which are per"ormed there. 0he# emphasi(e the
meaning o" the chorus )# their silent dances. 4ou do not ;now... )ut also )#
means o" our hands or through the mo'ements o" our )odies we can eDpress the
"eelings o" a man agitated )# a passion. 4oung )o#s and girls are trained as
mimers in a special school. 0he# must )e as )eauti"ul as gods and as agile as
)utter"lies... I lo'ed to go to a ;ind o" high spot o'erloo;ing that place and see
the mimers dance. I then imitated them on the "lower# meadows, on the golden
sands o" m# land, in the garden o" the 'illa. I seemed an artistic statue, or a light
)lowing )ree(e, so cle'er I was in assuming statuesIue postures or "l#ing a)out
almost without touching the ground. *# wealth# "riends admired me... m#
mother was proud o" me... 5
0he -eiled woman spea;s, remem)ers, sees and dreams o" her past and weeps.
7er so)s are li;e commas in her speech.
2 9ne da#... it was *a#... 0he whole o" S#racuse was )looming with "lowers.
0he cele)rations were Cust o'er and I had gone into raptures o'er a dance
per"ormed in the theatre... 0he owners had ta;en me there with their daughters. I
was "ourteen #ears old... In that dance the mimers, who were to represent the
springtime n#mphs running to worship 3eres, danced crowned with roses and
clad with roses... 9nl# with roses )ecause their dresses were 'er# light 'eils, a
co)we) spread with roses... hile dancing the# loo;ed li;e winged 7e)es, so
light the# glided a)out, while their magni"icent )odies appeared through the
ru""led strips o" their "lower# 'eils, "lowing li;e wings )ehind them. I studied
the dance... and one da#... one da# 5...
0he -eiled woman cries louder... She then composes hersel".
2 I was )eauti"ul. I still am. =oo;. 5 She stands up throwing her 'eil )ehind her
1-1. A(%)# n 9)r5>s H!us# )t N)7)r#t". .2
and letting her large mantle drop. And I am dum)"ounded, )ecause I see Aglae
emerge "rom the discarded clothes. She is )eauti"ul, also in her modest dress, in
her simple plaited hair<st#le, without an# Cewels, without pompous garments.
7er )od# is li;e a real "lower, slender and per"ect, with a )eauti"ul light )rown
"ace and 'el'et e#es "ull o" ardour.
She ;neels down again in "ront o" *ar#. 2 I was )eauti"ul, un"ortunatel#. And I
was cra(#. 9n that da# I put on 'eils, the daughters o" our landlord helped me as
the# lo'ed to see me dance... I got dressed on a strip o" the golden )each, "acing
the )lue sea. 9n the deserted )each there were white and #ellow wild "lowers,
with the sharp scent o" almonds, o" 'anilla, o" clean human )odies. a'es o"
strong per"umes came also "rom the citrus gardens and the rose gardens in
S#racuse ga'e o"" a scent, as well as the sea and the sand on the )eachL the sun
drew a smell "rom all things... something panic;# that went to m# head. I "elt as
i" I were a n#mph, too, and I was worshipping... whomE 0he "ertile &arthE 0he
"ecundating SunE I do not ;now. A heathen amongst heathens, I thin; I was
worshipping Sense, m# despotic ;ing, whom I did not ;now I had, )ut who was
more power"ul than a god... I put on a wreath o" roses pic;ed in the garden... and
I danced. I was enraptured )# the light, the scents, )# the pleasure o" )eing
#oung, agile and )eauti"ul. I danced... and I was noticed. I saw I was )eing
loo;ed at. .ut I was not ashamed o" appearing nude in the presence o" two
greed# e#es o" a man. 9n the contrar#, I too; pleasure in dancing more li'el#.
0he satis"action o" )eing admired lent wings to m# "eet. And it was m# ruin.
0hree da#s later I was le"t all )# m#sel" )ecause the landlords le"t to go )ac; to
their patrician dwelling in 8ome. .ut I did not sta# at home... 0he two admiring
e#es had re'ealed something else to me, )e#ond dancing... 0he# had re'ealed
sensualit# and seD. 5
*ar# ma;es an in'oluntar# gesture o" disgust, which is noted )# Aglae. 2 9hF
)ut 4ou are pureF Perhaps I disgust 4ou... 5
2 Spea;, *# daughter. It is )etter i" #ou spea; to *ar# than to 7im. *ar# is a
sea that washes... 5
2 4es, it is )etter i" I tell 4ou. I thought that m#sel" when I heard that 7e had a
mother... .ecause )e"ore, seeing 7im so di""erent "rom e'er# other man, the
onl# thoroughl# spiritual man M now I ;now there is the spirit and what it is M
)e"ore I could not ha'e said o" what 4our Son was made, as 7e was without
sensualit# although a man, and within m#sel" I thought 7e had no mother, )ut
7e had descended upon the earth to sa'e the horri)le wretches o" whom I am
the worst.
&'er# da# I went )ac; to that place hoping to see the #oung handsome swarth#
man... And a"ter some time I saw him again...
7e spo;e to me. 7e said to me? G3ome to 8ome with me. I will ta;e #ou to the
imperial court, #ou will )e the pearl o" 8ome.H I replied? G4es. I will )e #our
"aith"ul wi"e. 3ome and see m# "ather.H 7e laughed moc;ingl# and ;issed me.
7e said? G1ot m# wi"e. .ut #ou shall )e the goddess and I #our priest and I will
re'eal the secrets o" li"e and pleasure to #ou.H I was thoroughl# in"atuated, I was
a #oung girl. .ut although a #oung girl, I ;new what li"e is... I was shrewd, I
was in"atuated, )ut not #et depra'ed... and I was disgusted )# his proposal. I
tore m#sel" awa# "rom his em)race and I ran home... .ut I did not spea; to m#
mother a)out it... and I did not resist the desire to see him again... 7is ;isses had
made me more enthralled than e'er... And I went )ac;... I had hardl# reached
the deserted )each when he em)raced me ;issing me "ren(iedl#, with a storm o"
;isses, with lo'ing words, with Iuestions? GIs there not e'er#thing in this lo'eE
Is this not sweeter than a )ondE hat else do #ou wantE 3an #ou li'e without
thisEH
9hF *other... I eloped the same e'ening with the "ilth# patrician... and I )ecame
a rag trampled on )# his )eastliness... I was not a goddess? )ut mud. 1ot a pearl?
)ut trash. =i"e was not re'ealed to me, )ut the "ilth o" li"e, the in"am#, the
disgust, the pain, the shame, the in"inite miser# o" not e'en )elonging to
m#sel"... And then... utter ruin. A"ter siD months o" orgies, he )ecame tired o"
me and passed on to "resh lo'e a""airs and I li'ed on the streets. I made the most
o" m# dancing talent... I alread# ;new that m# mother had died o" a )ro;en heart
and that I no longer had a home or a "ather... A dancing master accepted me in
his academ#. 7e per"ected me... he enCo#ed me... and he launched me into the
corrupt 8oman patriciate as a "lower "ull# s;illed in e'er# sensual art. 0he
alread# dirt# "lower "ell into a cloaca. >or ten #ears I "ell lower and lower into
the a)#ss. I was then )rought here to delight 7erod6s leisure time and I was
engaged here )# a new master. 9hF 1o chained dog is more chained than one o"
usF And there is no dog trainer more )rutal than the man who possesses a
womanF *other... 4ou are trem)lingF I am "illing 4ou with horrorF 5
*ar# has ta;en 7er hand to 7er heart, as i" it had )een wounded. .ut She
replies? 2 1o, not #ou. 0he &'il, which is such a power"ul master on the earth, is
1-1. A(%)# n 9)r5>s H!us# )t N)7)r#t". .3
horri"#ing *e. Go on, *# poor creature. 5
2 7e too; me to 7e)ron... as I "reeE as I richE 4es, I was, )ecause I was not
in Cail and I was co'ered with Cewels. 1o, I was not, )ecause I could see onl#
those whom he wanted and I had no right to m#sel".
4 9ne da# a man, the G*anH, 4our Son, came to 7e)ron. 0he house was dear to
7im. I realised it and I in'ited 7im to enter. Shammai was not there... and "rom
the window I had alread# heard words and seen a sight which had upset m#
heart. .ut I swear to 4ou, *other, that it was not the "lesh that dro'e me
towards 4our ,esus. It was something that 7e re'ealed to me that dro'e me to
the door, de"#ing the Iuips o" the populace, to sa# to 7im? G3ome in.H It was the
soul that I then learned I had. 7e said to me? G*# 1ame means? Sa'iour. I sa'e
those who are anDious to )e sa'ed. I sa'e )# teaching to )e pure, to desire and
accept sorrows with honour, to desire Good at all costs. I am the 9ne ho see;s
those who are lost and gi'es =i"e. I am Purit# and 0ruthFH 7e told me that I also
had a soul and that I had ;illed it )# m# wa# o" li'ing. .ut 7e did not curse me,
neither did 7e moc; me. And 7e ne'er loo;ed at meF 0he "irst man who did not
strip me with his greed# e#es, )ecause I lie under the terri)le curse o" attracting
men... 7e told me that who loo;s "or 7im will "ind 7im )ecause 7e is where a
doctor and a medicine are needed. And 7e went awa#. .ut 7is words were in
here. And the# ha'e ne'er come out. I used to sa# to m#sel"? G7is 1ame means
Sa'iourH, as i" I were )eginning to wish to )e cured. I was le"t with 7is words
and with 7is "riends, the shepherds. And I too; the "irst step )# gi'ing them
alms and as;ing "or their pra#ers... And then... I ran awa#...
9hF It was a hol# "lightF I ran awa# "rom sin see;ing the Sa'iour. I went a)out
loo;ing "or 7im. I was sure I would "ind 7im )ecause 7e had promised me.
0he# sent me to a man whose name is ,ohn, thin;ing it was 7e. .ut it was not.
A ,ew sent me to the 3lear ater. I li'ed selling the large Iuantit# o" gold I had.
During the months when I wandered a)out I had to ;eep m# "ace co'ered to
a'oid )eing captured and also )ecause, reall#, Aglae was )uried under that 'eil.
0he old Aglae was dead. Jnder the 'eil there was her wounded )loodless soul
see;ing its doctor. *an# a time I was compelled to "lee the sensualit# o" men
who persecuted me, although I was so disguised in m# attire. Also one o" the
"riends o" 4our Son...
At the 3lear ater I li'ed li;e an animal? poor )ut happ#. And the dew and the
ri'er did not clean me as much as 7is words. 9hF 1ot one was lostF 9nce 7e
"orga'e a murderer. I heard... and I was a)out to sa#? G>orgi'e me, too.H
Another time 7e spo;e o" lost innocence... 9hF 7ow man# tears o" regretF
Another time 7e cured a leper... and I was a)out to shout? G3leanse me too, o"
m# sin... M Another time 7e cured a madman, a 8oman... and I wept... and 7e
got someone to tell me that "atherlands pass awa#, )ut 7ea'en remains. 9ne
storm# night 7e sheltered me in 7is house... and later 7e as;ed the steward to
gi'e me hospitalit# and 7e told a child to sa# to me? GDo not weepH... 9hF 7is
;indnessF *# miser#F .oth so great that I did not dare to ta;e m# miser# to 7is
"eet... notwithstanding that one o" 7is disciples during the night instructed me in
the in"inite merc# o" 4our Son. And then, when those who considered sin"ul the
desire o" a soul to )e re)orn, laid snares "or 7im, m# Sa'iour went awa#... and I
waited "or 7im... .ut 7e was awaited also )# the 'engeance o" those who are )#
"ar less worth# o" loo;ing at 7im than I am. .ecause I, as a heathen, sinned
against m#sel", whereas the#, who alread# ;now God, sin against the Son o"
God... and the# hit me and the# ha'e hurt me more with their accusations than
with stones and the# ha'e wounded m# soul more than m# )od#, as the# led me
to despair.
9hF hat a dread"ul struggle against m#sel"F orn out, )leeding, wounded,
"e'erish, without m# Doctor, homeless, without "ood, I loo;ed )ehind me and in
"ront o" me... *# past would sa# to me? G3ome )ac;H, m# present said? GBill
#oursel"H, m# "uture used to sa#? G7ope.H I did hope... I did not commit suicide.
I would, i" 7e reCected me, )ecause I do not want to )e what I wasF... I dragged
m#sel" to a 'illage as;ing "or shelter... .ut the# recognised me.
=i;e an animal I had to run awa#, here, there, alwa#s chased, alwa#s scorned at,
alwa#s cursed, )ecause I wanted to )e honest and )ecause I had disappointed
those who, through me, wanted to stri;e 4our Son. >ollowing the ri'er I came
up to Galilee and I came here... 4ou were not here... I went to 3apernaum. 4ou
had Cust le"t. .ut an old man saw me. 9ne o" 7is enemies, who wanted me to
)ear witness against 4our Son, and as I was weeping without reacting, he said to
me? G&'er#thing could change in #our "a'our i" #ou would )ecome m# lo'er
and m# accomplice in accusing the 8a))i o" 1a(areth. It is enough "or #ou to
sa# in the presence o" m# "riends, that 7e was #our lo'er...H I ran awa# li;e a
person who sees a sna;e creep out o" a "lower# )ush.
I thus understood that I can no longer go to 7im... and I came to 4ou. 7ere I
am? tread on me, "or I am mud. 7ere I am? reCect me, "or I am a sinner. 7ere I
am? call me )# m# name? prostitute. I will accept an#thing "rom 4ou. .ut,
1-1. A(%)# n 9)r5>s H!us# )t N)7)r#t". .4
*other, ha'e merc# on me. 0a;e m# poor soiled soul and ta;e it to 7im. It is a
crime to put m# lust into 4our hands. .ut onl# there it will )e protected "rom
the world that wants it and it will )ecome penance. 0ell me how I must )eha'e.
0ell me what I ha'e to do. 0ell me which means I must use to )e no longer
Aglae. hat must I mutilate in m#sel"E hat must I tear awa# "rom m#sel" that
I ma# no longer )e sin, or an allurement, that I ma# no longer ha'e to )e a"raid
o" m#sel" and o" menE Shall I put out m# e#esE 9r )urn m# lipsE 9r cut m#
tongueE *# e#es, lips and tongue ha'e ser'ed me in e'il deeds. I no longer want
e'il and I am willing to punish m#sel" and them )# sacri"icing them. 9r shall I
tear o"" these greed# loins which ha'e dri'en me to per'erted lo'eE 9r these
unappeasa)le 'iscera which I am a"raid ma# )e aroused a"reshE 0ell me, please
tell me how can a woman "orget she is a "emale and how can she ma;e other
people "orgetF 5
5 *ar# is upset. She weeps and su""ers, )ut the onl# sign o" 7er grie" are the
tears that "all on the repentant woman.
2 I want to die onl# a"ter I ha'e )een "orgi'en. I want to die remem)ering
nothing )ut m# Sa'iour. I want to die ;nowing that 7is wisdom is "riendl# to
me... and I cannot go near 7im )ecause the world loo;s at 7im and at me
suspiciousl# to accuse us... 5 Aglae cries, prostrate with grie".
*ar# stands up whispering? 2 7ow di""icult it is to )e redeemersF 5 She is
almost )reathless.
Aglae, who hears the whisper and understands 7er gesture, moans? 2 SeeE 4ou
can see that 4ou are disgusted, too. I will now go awa#. I am done "orF 5
2 1o, *# daughter. 4ou are not done "or. 1o, #ou are )eginning now. =isten,
poor soul. I am not moaning )ecause o" #ou, )ut )ecause o" the cruel world. I
will not let #ou go, )ut I will pic; #ou up, a poor swallow tossed )# the storm
against the walls o" *# house. I will ta;e #ou to ,esus and 7e will show #ou
#our wa# to redemption... 5
2 I no longer hope... 0he world is right. I cannot )e "orgi'en. 5
2 4ou cannot )# the world. 4ou can )# God. =et me spea; to #ou in the name o"
the Supreme =o'e, ho ga'e *e a Son that I ma# gi'e 7im to the world. 7e
too; *e out o" the )lessed simplicit# o" m# consecrated 'irginit# so that the
world might recei'e >orgi'eness. 7e drew *# )lood not "rom *# child)irth )ut
"rom *# heart )# re'ealing to *e that *# 3reature is the Great -ictim. =oo; at
*e, daughter. 0here is a large wound in this heart. It has )een groaning "or o'er
thirt# #ears and it is )ecoming deeper and deeper and it consumes *e. Do #ou
;now its nameE 5
2 Sorrow. 5
2 1o. =o'e. It is lo'e that )leeds *e so that *# Son ma# not )e the onl# one to
sa'e. It is lo'e that sets *e on "ire that I ma# puri"# those who dare not go to
*# Son. It is lo'e that causes *e to weep that I ma# wash sinners. 4ou wanted
*# caresses. I am gi'ing #ou *# tears that will alread# cleanse #ou and ena)le
#ou to loo; at *# =ord. Do not weep thusF 4ou are not the onl# sinner who has
come to the =ord and has le"t redeemed. 9ther women came, man# more will
come.
4ou are not sure that 7e can "orgi'e #ouE .ut can #ou not see in e'er#thing that
happened to #ou the m#sterious will o" Di'ine GoodnessE ho )rought #ou to
,udaeaE ho too; #ou to ,ohn6s houseE ho placed #ou at the window that
morningE ho lit a light to illuminate 7is words "or #ouE ho made #ou
understand that charit#, when Coined to the pra#ers o" those who ha'e )een
helped, o)tains help "rom GodE ho ga'e #ou the strength to run awa# "rom
Shammai6s house and to perse'ere during the "irst da#s until 7is arri'alE ho
led #ou on to 7is wa#E ho ena)led #ou to li'e as a repentant sinner to cleanse
#our soul more and moreE ho ga'e #ou a mart#r6s soul, a )elie'er6s soul, a
perse'ering and pure soulE
Do not sha;e #our head. Do #ou thin; that onl# he is pure who has ne'er ;nown
sensualit#E Do #ou thin; that a soul can ne'er again )ecome 'irgin and )eau<
ti"ulE 9hF *# daughterF .etween the purit# which is entirel# a grace o" the =ord
and #our heroic ascent to clim) )ac; to the summit o" #our lost purit#, #ou must
)elie'e that #ours is the greater. 4ou are )uilding it against sensualit#, against
need and ha)it. >or *e it is a natural endowment, li;e )reathing. 4ou ha'e to
)rea; o"" #our thoughts, #our "eelings, #our "lesh, in order not to remem)er, not
to desire, not to #ield... I... 9hF 3an a little child, a "ew hours old, ha'e carnal
desiresE And does he ha'e an# merit there)#E 0he same applies to *e. I do not
;now what that tragic hunger is that made man;ind a 'ictim. I ;now )ut the
most hol# hunger "or God. .ut #ou did not ;now it and #ou learned it )#
#oursel". .ut #ou su)dued the other hunger, the tragic and horri)le one, "or the
sa;e o" God, #our onl# lo'e at present. Smile, daughter o" di'ine merc#F *#
Son is wor;ing in #ou what 7e told #ou at 7e)ron. 7e has alread# done that.
1-1. A(%)# n 9)r5>s H!us# )t N)7)r#t". .,
4ou are alread# sa'ed, )ecause o" #our good will to )e sa'ed, )ecause #ou ha'e
come to ;now o" purit#, o" sorrow, o" Good. 4our soul has re'i'ed. 4es, #ou
need 7is word sa#ing to #ou in the name o" God? G4ou are "orgi'en.H I cannot
sa# that. .ut I gi'e #ou *# ;iss as a promise, as a )eginning o" "orgi'eness...
9 &ternal Spirit, a little o" 4ou is alwa#s in 4our *ar#F Allow 7er to pour "orth
4our Sancti"#ing Spirit on this creature who is weeping and hoping. >or the
sa;e o" 9ur Son, o God o" =o'e, sa'e this woman who is eDpecting sal'ation
"rom God. *a# the Grace, with which the Angel said that God has "illed *e,
ma# that Grace )# a miracle rest upon her and support her until ,esus, the
.lessed Sa'iour, the Supreme Priest, a)sol'es her in the name o" the >ather, and
o" the Son and o" the Spirit...
6 It is late, *# daughter. 4ou are tired and worn out. 3ome, 8est. 4ou will go
awa# tomorrow... I will send #ou to an honest "amil#, )ecause too man# people
come here now. And I will gi'e #ou a dress li;e *ine and #ou will loo; li;e a
,ewess. And as I will see *# Son onl# in ,udaea, )ecause Passo'er is near and
at the new moon o" April we shall )e in .ethan#, I will spea; to 7im o" #ou.
3ome to the house o" Simon the :ealot. 4ou will "ind *e there and I will ta;e
#ou to 7im. 5
Aglae is weeping again. .ut now she is at peace.
She is sitting on the "loor. Also *ar# has sat down again. And Aglae rests her
head on 7er ;nees and ;isses 7er hand... She then moans? 2 0he# will recognise
me... 5
2 9hF 0he# will not. Do not )e a"raid. 4our dress was too well ;nown. .ut I
will prepare #ou "or #our Courne# towards >orgi'eness and #ou will )e li;e a
'irgin going to her wedding? #ou will )e di""erent and un;nown to the people
unaware o" the rite. 3ome. 0here is a little room near *ine. Saints and pilgrims
wishing to go to God ha'e rested in it. It will shelter #ou, too. 5
Aglae is a)out to pic; up her large mantle and her 'eil.
2 =ea'e them. 0he# are the clothes o" poor lost Aglae. .ut she no longer eDists...
and not e'en her dress is to remain. It eDperienced too much hatred... and hatred
hurts as much as sin. 5
0he# go out into the dar; ;itchen garden and then into ,oseph6s little room.
*ar# lights the little lamp on the shel", caresses the repentant woman once
again, closes the door and with her tre)le light she loo;s to see where She can
ta;e Aglae6s torn mantle so that no)od# ma# see it the "ollowing da#.
14*. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ountB < You Ar! t! S'#t o0 t! E'rt =.
,,n( 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is wal;ing "ast along a main road. 7e is alone. 7e is going towards a
mountain, which rises near a main road running eastwards "rom the la;e, and it
)egins to rise with a low mild ele'ation, which eDtends "or a good distance,
"orming a ta)leland "rom which one can see all the la;e and the town o" 0i)erias
towards the south, as well as other towns, not Iuite so )eauti"ul, stretching
towards the north. 0here is then a crag and the mountain rises rather steepl# up
to a pea;, and then slopes down and rises once again up to another pea;, similar
to the pre'ious one, thus "orming a ;ind o" strange saddle.
,esus )egins clim)ing towards the ta)leland along a mule<trac;, which is still
Iuite com"orta)le, and reaches a small 'illage, the inha)itants o" which wor; the
ta)leland, where the corn is )eginning to come to ear. 7e goes through the
'illage and proceeds through the "ields and meadows all strewn with "lowers
and rustling with crops.
0he clear da# displa#s all the )eaut# o" the surrounding nature. .esides the
lonel# little mountain, towards which ,esus is going, to the north lies the
imposing pea; o" *ount 7ermon, the top o" which loo;s li;e a huge pearl laid
on a )ase o" emeralds, so white is the pea; co'ered with snow, whereas the
wood# slope is green. .e#ond the la;e, which is )etween the la;e and *ount
7ermon, the plain is green. =a;e *erom is there, )ut cannot )e seen "rom here.
0here are more mountains towards the la;e o" 0i)erias on the north<west side
and )e#ond the la;e there is a lo'el# "lat countr# and other mountains, the
contours o" which are so"tened )# the distance. 0o the south, on the other side o"
the main road, I can see the hills, which I thin; conceal 1a(areth. 0he more one
clim)s, the wider the 'iew. I cannot see what lies to the west, )ecause the
mountain acts as a wall.
2 ,esus meets "irst the apostle Philip, who seems to ha'e )een posted there as
1-2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!untB < Y!u Ar# t"# S)%t !4 t"# E)rt" =. .-
sentinel. 2 hat, *asterE 4ou are hereE e were eDpecting to meet 4ou on the
main road. I am waiting here "or m# companions who ha'e gone to get some
mil; "rom the shepherds who pasture their "loc;s on these mountains. Down, on
the road, there is Simon with ,udas o" Simon and Isaac, and... 9hF here... 3omeF
3omeF 0he *aster is hereF 5
0he apostles, who are coming down with "las;s and containers, )egin to run and
the #ounger ones, o" course, arri'e "irst. 0he welcome the# gi'e the *aster is
reall# touching. At last the# are all together and while ,esus smiles, the# all want
to spea; and tell 7im...
2 .ut we were waiting "or 4ou on the roadF 5
2 e were Cust thin;ing that 4ou were not coming e'en toda#. 5
2 4ou ;now, there are man# people. 5
2 9hF e were em)arrassed, there are some scri)es and e'en some o"
GamalielPs disciples. 5
2 0hatPs right, m# =ordF 4ou le"t us Cust at the right momentF I ha'e ne'er )een
so a"raid as I was Cust then. DonPt pla# such a tric; on me againF 5
Peter complains and ,esus smiles and as;s? 2 Did an#thing wrong happen to
#ouE 5
2 9hF noF 9n the contrar#... 9hF *asterF DonPt 4ou ;now that ,ohn ga'e a
sermonE... It sounded as i" 4ou were spea;ing through him. I... we were all
dum)"ounded... 0hat )o# who onl# a #ear ago was a)le onl# to cast a net.., ohFH
Peter is still ama(ed and he sha;es ,ohn who smiles )ut is silent. 2 Do #ou
)elie'e that it is possi)le that this )o# spo;e those words with these smiling
lipsE 7e sounded li;e Solomon. 5
2 Also Simon spo;e 'er# well, m# =ord. 7e was reall# Gthe chie"H 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 1o wonderF 7e too; me and pushed me thereF ho ;nowsF... 0he# sa# that I
ga'e a good sermon. Perhaps I did. I donPt ;now... )ecause what with the
surprise at ,ohnPs words, what with the "ear o" spea;ing to so man# people and
causing 4ou to cut a poor "igure, I was )ewildered...5
2 3ausing *e to cut a poor "igureE .ut #ou were spea;ing and #ou would ha'e
cut a poor "igure, SimonH teases ,esus.
2 9hF As "ar as I am concerned... I was not worried a)out m#sel". I did not want
them to sneer at 4ou and consider 4ou a "ool "or choosing a )loc;head as #our
apostle. 5
,esus spar;les with Co# )ecause o" PeterPs humilit# and lo'e. .ut 7e onl# as;s?
2 And what a)out the othersE 5
2 Also the :ealot spo;e 'er# well. .ut he... we all ;now. .ut this )o# was the
great surpriseF 9" course, since we retired to pra#, the )o#Ps soul seems to )e in
7ea'en all the time. 5
2 0hat is true, 'er# true. 5 0he# all con"irm PeterPs words. And the# continue
telling ,esus...
2 4ou ;nowE Among the disciples now there are two, who according to ,udas o"
Simon, are 'er# important. ,udas is 'er# acti'e. 9" courseF 7e ;nows man# o"
those... high up and ;nows how to deal with them. And he li;es to spea;... 7e
spea;s 'er# well. .ut the people pre"er to hear Simon, 4our cousins and a)o'e
all this )o#.
4esterda# a man said to me? G0hat #oung man spea;s 'er# well M he was
re"erring to ,udas M )ut I pre"er #ou.H 9hF poor "ellowF 7e pre"ers me and I can
hardl# put a "ew words togetherF... .ut wh# did 4ou come hereE 0he meeting
place was the road, and we ha'e )een there. 5
2 .ecause I ;new I was going to "ind #ou here. 1ow listen. Go down and tell
the others to come up, also the ;nown disciples. 0he people are not to come
toda#. I want to spea; to #ou onl#. 5
2 In that case it is )etter to wait until e'ening. hen the sun is a)out to set, the
people spread among the near)# 'illages and the# come )ac; the "ollowing
morning waiting "or 4ou. 9therwise... who will hold them )ac;E 5
2 All right. Do that. I will wait "or #ou up there, at the top. 0he nights are mild
now and we can sleep in the open. 5
2 here'er 4ou wish, *aster. Pro'iding 4ou are with us. 5
3 0he disciples go awa# and ,esus resumes clim)ing up to the top, which is the
same one as I alread# saw last #ear in the 'ision "or the end o" the sermon o" the
*ount and the "irst meeting with *ar# *agdalene. 0he 'iew is now wider and
is )ecoming )righter in the sunset.
1-2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!untB < Y!u Ar# t"# S)%t !4 t"# E)rt" =. ..
,esus sits on a roc; and is recollected in meditation. And 7e remains thus until
the shu""ling o" "eet on the path warns 7im that the apostles are )ac;. It is
getting dar;, )ut the sun still shines on the mountain top, drawing scents "rom
e'er# her) and "lower... 0here is a strong smell o" wild lilies o" the 'alle# while
the tall stems o" narcissi sha;e their stars and )uds as i" the# were as;ing "or
dew.
,esus gets up and greets them? 2 Peace )e with #ou. 5
0here are man# disciples who come up with the apostles. Isaac leads them
smiling. 7is smiling "ace is the thin "ace o" an ascetic. 0he# all gather round
,esus ho is greeting ,udas Iscariot and Simon :ealot particularl#. 2 I wanted
#ou all here with *e, to )e "or a "ew hours with #ou alone and spea; onl# to
#ou. I ha'e something to tell #ou to prepare #ou "or #our mission. =et us ta;e
our "ood and then we shall spea;, and while #ou are sleeping #our souls will
continue to relish the doctrine. 5
0he# ha'e their "rugal meal and then "orm a circle round ,esus ho is sitting on
a large stone. 0he# are a)out one hundred, perhaps more, )etween disciples and
apostles? a circle o" attenti'e "aces, which the "lames o" two "ires light up oddl#.
,esus spea;s slowl#, gesticulating Iuietl#. 7is "ace loo;s paler, as it emerges
"rom 7is dar; )lue tunic and also )ecause it is lit up )# the ra#s o" the new
moon, which illuminates the spot where 7e is, a small comma o" a moon in the
s;#, a ra# o" light that caresses the *aster o" 7ea'en and earth.
4 2 I wanted #ou here, aside, )ecause #ou are *# "riends. I called #ou together
a"ter the "irst test o" the 0wel'e, to widen the circle o" *# acti'e disciples, and
to hear "rom #ou #our "irst reactions to )eing guided )# those whom I am gi'ing
to #ou to continue *# wor;. I ;now that e'er#thing went well. I supported with
*# pra#er the souls o" the apostles, who had came out o" a pra#ing retreat with
a new strength in their minds and in their hearts. A strength that does not come
"rom human e""ort, )ut "rom a complete reliance in God.
0hose who are most unmind"ul o" themsel'es, ha'e gi'en most. It is di""icult to
)e unmind"ul o" onesel".
*an is made o" recollections and the ones that raise their 'oice most are the
memories o" onePs ego. 4ou must distinguish )etween ego and ego. 0here is the
spiritual ego o" the soul that remem)ers God and its origins "rom God, and there
is an in"erior ego o" the "lesh that remem)ers its passions and its num)erless
eDigencies concerning its whole )eing. 0he# are so man# 'oices to "orm a choir,
and unless the spirit is Iuite strong, the# o'ercome the solitar# 'oice o" the spirit
that remem)ers its no)ilit# as child o" God. It is there"ore necessar# M with the
eDception o" this hol# memor# that should alwa#s )e stimulated and ;ept green
and )right M it is necessar# to learn how to "orget #oursel'es, in all the memo<
ries, the needs, the timid re"lections o" the human ego, in order to )e per"ect.
In the "irst test o" *# 0wel'e, those who ha'e gi'en most are the ones who
"orgot themsel'es most. 0he# "orgot not onl# their past, )ut also their limited
personalit#. 0he# are the ones who no longer remem)ered what the# were, and
were so united to God as to )e a"raid o" nothing. h# were some stando""ishE
.ecause the# remem)ered their ha)itual scruples, their usual considerations and
preCudice. h# were others laconicE .ecause the# remem)ered their doctrinal
ina)ilit# and the# were a"raid o" cutting a )ad "igure or causing *e to cut one.
h# the show# ostentation o" othersE .ecause the# remem)ered their usual
pride, their desire to show o"", to )e applauded, to rise a)o'e the others, to )e
Gsomeone.H >inall#, wh# the sudden re'elation o" a triumphal, ra))inic, persua<
si'e, "irm eloIuence in othersE .ecause the#, and the# alone did remem)er God.
=i;e those who so "ar ha'e )een hum)le and ha'e endea'oured to pass
unnoticed and at the right moment were a)le, all o" a sudden, to assume the pre<
eminent dignit# con"erred on them, and which the# ne'er wanted to eDert
)e"ore, lest the# should presume too much. 0he "irst three groups remem)ered
their in"erior ego. 0he other group, the "ourth, remem)ered their superior ego
and were not a"raid. 0he# "elt God with themsel'es and in themsel'es and were
not a"raid. 9hF hol# )oldness which comes "rom )eing with GodF
5 0here"ore now listen, )oth #ou apostles and #ou disciples. 4ou apostles ha'e
alread# heard these concepts. .ut now #ou will understand them in greater
depth. 4ou disciples ha'e ne'er heard o" them or #ou ha'e onl# heard "ragments
o" them. And #ou must engra'e them on #our hearts. .ecause I will ma;e a
wider and wider use o" #ou, as 3hristPs "loc; is )ecoming more and more
numerous. .ecause the world will attac; #ou more and more 'iolentl#, and its
wol'es will increase in num)er against *e, the Shepherd and against the "loc;
and I want to put in #our hands the weapons to de"end )oth the Doctrine and *#
"loc;. hat is su""icient "or the herd is not su""icient "or #ou, little shepherds. I"
the sheep are allowed to ma;e mista;es, )rowsing in her)s which ma;e the
)lood )itter or desires cra(#, #ou are not allowed to ma;e the same mista;es,
leading a large herd to ruin. .ecause #ou must realise that where there is an
idolatrous shepherd the sheep either die o" poison or are de'oured )# wol'es.
1-2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!untB < Y!u Ar# t"# S)%t !4 t"# E)rt" =. .1
(ou are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. .ut should #ou "ail in
#our mission #ou would )ecome a tasteless and useless salt. 1othing could gi'e
#ou "la'our again, since God could not gi'e #ou it, considering that it was gi'en
to #ou as a gi"t, and #ou ha'e desalted it, )# washing it in the insipid dirt# water
o" man;ind, )# sweetening it )# means o" the corrupt sweetness o" sensualit#,
thus miDing with the pure salt o" God the corruption o" pride, a'arice, glutton#,
lust, wrath, sloth, so that there is a grain o" salt to se'en times se'en grains o"
each 'ice. 4our salt, there"ore, is )ut a miDture o" stones in which the poor grain
o" lost salt cannot )e "ound, a miDture o" stones screeching under #our teeth and
lea'ing in #our mouths the "la'our o" earth, that ma;es "ood disagreea)le and
disgusting. It is not e'en use"ul "or in"erior use, as the "la'our o" the se'en 'ices
would harm also e'er# human emplo#ment. 0he salt then can onl# )e spread
arid trodden on )# the careless "eet o" the people. 7ow man# people will thus )e
a)le to tread hea'il# on the men o" GodF .ecause those chosen men will allow
the careless people to trample on them, as the# no longer are a su)stance
emplo#ed to gi'e the "la'our o" no)le hea'enl# things, as the# are nothing )ut
corruption.
(ou are the light of the world. 4ou are li;e this mountain top which was the last
to )e ;issed )# the sun and the "irst to )e sil'ered )# the moon. ho is in a high
place shines and can )e seen )ecause e'en the most dream# e#e loo;s now and
again at high spots. I would sa# that the ph#sical e#e, which is said to )e the
mirror o" the soul, re"lects the #earning o" the soul, a #earning o"ten unnoticed
)ut alwa#s ali'e as long as a man is not a demon, a #earning a"ter heights where
reason )# instinct places the *ost 7igh. And searching "or 7ea'en, at least
some times in li"e the e#e loo;s at heights.
I )eg #ou to remem)er what we all ha'e done, since our childhood, entering
,erusalem. here do our e#es turnE 0o *ount *oriah, triumphantl# crowned
with the mar)les and gold o" the 0emple. And where do we turn our e#es when
we are in the enclosure o" the 0empleE e loo; at the precious domes shining in
the sun. 7ow much )eaut# there is in the sacred enclosure, spread in its halls,
porches and #ardsF .ut what is up there stri;es our e#es.
I also )eg #ou to remem)er what happens when we are on the wa# to some
place. here do we turn our e#es, almost to "orget the length o" the Courne#, the
tedium, the tiredness, the heat, the dust o" the roadE 0he# turn to the mountain
tops, e'en i" the# are not 'er# high, e'en i" the# are "ar awa#. And what a relie"
it is to see them appear i" we are wal;ing in a "lat un'ar#ing plainF Is there mud
on the roadE 0here is neatness up there. Is it sultr# on the plainE It is cool up
there. Is the 'iew limited down hereE It is wide up there. And onl# )# loo;ing at
the mountain tops, we "eel less the heat o" the da#, the mud is not so slipper#,
and wal;ing is not so pain"ul. I" there is a town shining on the mountain top, no
e#e will re"rain "rom admiring it. e could sa# that e'en a modest place
)ecomes )eauti"ul i" placed, almost li;e an air# place, on a mountain top. 0hat is
wh# in the true and "alse religions, the temples were placed, when possi)le, on
high spots, and i" there was no hill or mountain, the# )uilt a stone pedestal, thus
)uilding with human la)our the ele'ation on which to la# the temple. h# is
that doneE .ecause men want the temple to )e seen so that its sight will remind
man;ind o" God. =i;ewise I said that #ou are lights. hen in the e'ening #ou
light a lamp in the house, where do #ou put itE In a hole under the o'enE In the
ca'e used as a cellarE 9r do #ou close it in a chestE 9r do #ou hide it under a
)ushelE 1o, #ou do not. 9therwise it would )e useless lighting it. 0he light
instead is placed on top o" a shel", or it is put on a lamp<stand, so that )eing high
up, it ma# )righten up the whole room and illuminate the people li'ing in it.
And precisel# )ecause what is placed on a high place is to remind men o" God
and illuminate, it must )e a)le to "ul"ill its tas;.
6 4ou must remem)er the 0rue God. 0hus #ou must ensure that #ou do ha'e
within #oursel'es the se'en"old paganism. 9therwise #ou would )ecome
pro"ane high places with thic;ets sacred to this or to that god, and #ou would
drag into #our paganism those who loo; at #ou as the temples o" God. 4ou must
)ear the light o" God. A dirt# wic;, a wic; not nourished with oil, smo;es and
gi'es no light, it has a )ad smell and does not illuminate. A lamp hidden )ehind
a dirt# Iuart(<cr#stal does not create the splendid grace"ulness or the da((ling
e""ects o" light on the )right mineral. .ut it "ades )ehind the 'eil o" )lac; smo;e
that ma;es the cr#stal co'er dull.
0he light o" God shines where wills are (ealous in remo'ing dail# the scum
produced )# wor; itsel", with its contacts, reactions and where the wic; is
immersed into plent# o" pra#er and charit#. 0he light o" God multiplies into
in"inite splendid re"lections, as man# as the per"ections o" God, each o" which
eDcites in the saint a 'irtue practised heroicall#, i" the ser'ant o" God ;eeps the
unattac;a)le Iuart( o" his soul "rom the smo;e o" e'er# soiling passion. 0he
unattac;a)le Iuart(. Jnattac;a)leF @,esus thunders out in this conclusion and
7is 'oice resounds in the natural amphitheatreA.
9nl# God has the right and the power to scratch that cr#stal, to write 7is *ost
1-2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!untB < Y!u Ar# t"# S)%t !4 t"# E)rt" =. .2
7ol# 1ame on it with the diamond o" 7is will. 0hat 1ame then )ecomes the
ornament that emphasi(es the )righter "acets o" supernatural )eaut# on the most
pure Iuart(. .ut i" the "oolish ser'ant o" the =ord, losing control o" himsel" and
the sight o" his mission, a completel# and solel# supernatural one, allows "alse
ornaments and scratches, instead o" engra'ings to )e cut on his Iuart(, that is,
m#sterious and satanic "igures made )# the hot claw o" Satan, then the
wonder"ul lamp no longer retains its intact )eaut#, )ut it crac;s and )rea;s and
the "ragments o" the splintered cr#stal su""ocate the "lame, and e'en i" it does
not )rea;, a tangle o" mar;s o" unmista;a)le nature "orms on its sur"ace and soot
penetrates into them spoiling it.
oe, three times woe, to the shepherds who lose charit#, who re"use to clim)
da# )# da# to ta;e upwards their "loc;s that eDpect their ascent in order to
ascend themsel'es. I will stri;e them down and remo'e them "rom their
positions and I will put out their smo;e altogether.
oe, three times woe, to the masters, who reCect isdom to )ecome saturated
with a science, which is o"ten opposed and alwa#s proud, sometimes satanic,
)ecause it ma;es them men, whereas M listen and remem)er M i" e'er# man is
destined to )ecome li;e God, through the sancti"ication that ma;es man a son o"
God, a master, a priest should alread# ha'e in this world the aspect o" a son o"
God, and onl# such aspect. 7e should ha'e the aspect o" a creature entirel#
de'oted to souls and to per"ection. 7e should ha'e such aspect to lead his
disciples to God. Anathema to the masters o" a supernatural doctrine, who
)ecome idols o" human ;nowledge.
oe, se'en times woe, to those among *# priests who are dead to the spirit,
who with their lac; o" sa'our and ill<li'ing "lesh li'e as misera)le sluggish
human )eings. 0heir sleep is "ull o" hallucinated apparitions o" e'er#thing,
eDcept God 9ne and 0rine, and is "ull as well o" all sorts o" calculations, eDcept
the superhuman desire to increase the wealth o" hearts and o" GodL the# li'e a
material, misera)le dull li"e, dragging into their dead water those who "ollow
them, )elie'ing that the# are G=i"e.H 0he curse o" God on those who corrupt *#
little )elo'ed "loc;. I shall not as; an account and I will not punish those who
perish through #our la(iness, o negligent ser'ants o" the =ord, )ut I will as; #ou
to account "or e'er# hour and all the time lost and all e'il conseIuences and I
will punish #ou.
7 8emem)er those words. And now go. I am clim)ing to the top. 4ou ma#
sleep. 0omorrow the Shepherd will open the pastures o" 0ruth to 7is "loc;. 5
16;. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ount. T! B!'titu(!s CP'rt On!D.
,4t 7'1 1*4+.
1 ,esus spea;s to the apostles allotting a place to each one, so that the# ma#
direct and watch o'er the crowd who are clim)ing up the mountain since the
earl# hours in the morning, with sic; people whom the# carr# in their arms or in
stretchers or who ha'e dragged themsel'es along on crutches. Among the
people there are Stephen and 7ermas.
0he air is clear and rather chill#, )ut the sun soon so"tens the "resh mountain air,
which on its turn, moderates the heat o" the sun, drawing )ene"it "rom it, as it
)ecomes pure and cool )ut not sharp.
0he people sit on the stones scattered in the little 'alle# )etween the two crests,
)ut some wait "or the sun to dr# the grass, wet with dew, so that the# ma# sit
down on the earth. 0here is a huge crowd "rom all the districts in Palestine and
the people are o" all conditions. 0he apostles disappear in the multitude, )ut li;e
)ees that come and go "rom the meadows to the )eehi'es, now and again the#
go )ac; to the *aster to in"orm 7im, to as; "or ad'ice, and "or the pleasure o"
)eing seen near 7im.
,esus clim)s a little higher up than the meadow, which is at the )ottom o" the
little 'alle#, 7e leans against the roc; and )egins spea;ing.
2 2 *an# ha'e as;ed *e, during a #ear o" preaching? G4ou sa# that 4ou are the
Son o" God, tell us what is 7ea'en, what is the Bingdom, what is God. .ecause
our notions are ha(#. e ;now that there is 7ea'en with God and the angels.
.ut no one has e'er come to tell us what it is li;e, )ecause it is closed to
righteous people.H 0he# ha'e also as;ed *e what the Bingdom is and what God
is. And I ha'e endea'oured to eDplain to #ou what the Bingdom is and what
God is. I ha'e stri'en not )ecause it was di""icult "or *e to gi'e an eDplanation,
)ut )ecause it is di""icult "or man# reasons to get #ou to accept the truth that
clashes, as "ar as the Bingdom is concerned, with a multitude o" ideas, which
ha'e risen o'er the centuries and, as "ar as God is concerned, with the su)limit#
1.3. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt On#D. 13
o" 7is 1ature.
9thers ha'e also as;ed *e? GAll right. 0hat is the Bingdom and that is God. .ut
how do we achie'e themEH 7ere again I ha'e tried to eDplain to #ou patientl#
the true spirit o" the =aw o" Sinai. ho a)ides )# that spirit conIuers 7ea'en.
.ut to eDplain the =aw o" Sinai to #ou it is necessar# to ma;e #ou hear the loud
thunder o" the =awgi'er and o" 7is Prophet, who, while promising )lessings to
o)edient )elie'ers, threaten terri)le punishments and maledictions to those who
diso)e#. 0he &piphan# o" Sinai was "right"ul and its dread"ulness is re"lected in
the entire =aw, and has )een re"lected throughout centuries and in all souls.
.ut God is not onl# a =egislator... God is a >ather. And a >ather o" immense
goodness.
Pro)a)l#, na#, certainl#, #our souls are not in a position to rise and contemplate
the in"inite per"ections o" God, and 7is goodness least o" all, )ecause goodness
and lo'e are the rarest 'irtues amongst men. 0he reason is that #our souls are
wea;ened )# original sin, )# passions, )# #our own sins, )# #our own sel"ish<
ness and the sel"ishness o" other people? the "ormer closes #our souls, the latter
irritates them. GoodnessF 7ow sweet it is to )e good, with no hatred, no en'#,
no prideF 7ow sweet it is to ha'e e#es that loo; onl# "or lo'e and hands that
stretch out onl# in gestures o" lo'e, and lips that utter onl# words o" lo'e and a
heart, a)o'e all a heart, that "ull onl# o" lo'e, urges e#es, hands and lips to acts
o" lo'eF
3 0he most learned amongst #ou ;now with which gi"ts God had enriched
Adam, )oth "or himsel" and "or his descendants. Also the most ignorant amongst
the children o" Israel ;now that there is a soul in us. 9nl# the poor heathens are
unaware o" this ro#al guest, o" this 'ital )reath and celestial light that sancti"ies
and gi'es li"e to our )od#. .ut the most learned ;now which gi"ts were gi'en to
man and to the soul o" man.
God was not less muni"icent to the soul than to the "lesh and )lood o" the
creature made )# 7im with a little mud and 7is )reath. As 7e ga'e the natural
gi"ts o" )eaut# and integrit#, o" intelligence and will power, and the capa)ilit# o"
lo'ing onesel" and other people, 7e also ga'e moral gi"ts and the su)Cection o"
senses to reason. 0here"ore the wic;ed capti'it# o" senses and passions did not
permeate the "reedom and control o" Adam and o" his will, with which God had
gi"ted him. 0hus he was "ree to lo'e, "ree to wish, "ree to enCo# in Custice,
without what ma;es #ou sla'es, causing #ou to "eel the )ite o" the poison that
Satan spread and which now o'er"lows, carr#ing #ou out o" the limpid ri'er<)ed
on to the slim# "ields and putrescent ponds, where the "e'er o" carnal and moral
senses "ermentates. .ecause #ou must realise that also the concupiscence o"
thought is sensual. And the# recei'ed supernatural gi"ts, that is, sancti"#ing
Grace, a hea'enl# destin#, the 'ision o" God.
4 )anctifying Grace# the life of the soul. 0he most spiritual thing deposited in
our spiritual soul. 0he Grace that ma;es us children o" God, )ecause it preser'es
us "rom the death o" sin, and who is not dead Gli'esH in the house o" the >ather?
ParadiseL in *# Bingdom? 7ea'en. hat is this Grace that sancti"ies and gi'es
=i"e and BingdomE 9hF 1ot man# words are reIuiredF Grace is lo'e. Grace is
there"ore God. It is God ho admiring 7imsel" in the creature whom 7e
created per"ect, lo'es 7imsel", contemplates 7imsel", desires 7imsel", gi'es
7imsel" what is 7is own to multipl# it, to delight in the multiplication, to lo'e
7imsel" in the man# others who are others 7imsel".
9hF *# childrenF Do not de"raud God o" this right o" 7isF Do not depri'e God
o" what )elongs to 7imF Do not disappoint God in 7is desireF 3onsider that 7e
acts out o" lo'e. &'en i" #ou did not eDist, 7e would still )e In"inite, and 7is
power would not diminish. .ut 7e, although 7e is complete in 7is in"inite im<
measura)le measure, does not want an#thing "or 7imsel" and in 7imsel" which
7e could not, )ecause 7e is alread# In"inite M )ut "or 3reation, 7is creature. 7e
wants to increase 7is lo'e "or all rational creatures contained in 3reation, and
there"ore gi'es #ou 7is Grace? =o'e, that #ou ma# carr# it in #oursel'es to the
per"ection o" saints, and #ou ma# pour this treasure, ta;en "rom the treasure that
God has gi'en #ou with 7is Grace and increased )# all the hol# deeds in all
#our heroic li'es o" saints, into the in"inite 9cean where God is? into 7ea'en.
4ou are di'ine reser'oirs o" =o'eF 0hat is what #ou are, and no death is gi'en to
#our )eing, )ecause #ou are eternal, as God is, )eing li;e God. 4ou shall )e, and
there will )e no end to #our )eing, )ecause #ou are immortal li;e the hol# spirits
that supernourished #ou, returning to #ou enriched )# their own merits. 4ou li'e
and nourish, #ou li'e and enrich, #ou li'e and "orm the most hol# thing which is
the 3ommunion o" the spirits, "rom God, the *ost Per"ect Spirit, down to the
last )orn )a)#, who suc;s his mother6s )reast "or the "irst time.
Do not criticise *e in #our hearts, o learned menF Do not sa#?
G7e is cra(#, 7e is a liarF .ecause 7e spea;s "oolishl# sa#ing that there is Grace
in us, when Sin has depri'ed us o" it. 7e lies stating that we are alread# one
1.3. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt On#D. 11
thing with God.H 4es, there is sin and there is separation. .ut )e"ore the power
o" the 8edeemer, Sin, the cruel separation )etween the >ather and the children,
will collapse li;e a wall sha;en )# a new Samson. I ha'e alread# got hold o" it
and I am sha;ing it and it is a)out to "all and Satan is trem)ling with wrath and
impotence, as he can a'ail nothing against *# power and he realises that so
much pre# is )eing snatched "rom him and that it is )ecoming more di""icult to
drag man to sin. .ecause when I will ha'e ta;en #ou to *# >ather, through *e,
and #ou ha'e )een cleansed and strengthened )# *# .lood and sorrow, Grace
will come )ac; to #ou, li'el# and power"ul and #ou will )e triumphant, i" #ou so
wish. God does no 'iolence to #our thoughts or #our sancti"ication. 4ou are
"ree. .ut 7e gi'es #ou )ac; #our strength. 7e gi'es #ou )ac; #our "reedom
"rom Satan6s empire. It is up to #ou to ta;e upon #oursel'es the in"ernal #o;e or
to put angelical wings on #our souls. It depends on #ou, with *e as #our )rother
to guide #ou and nourish #ou with an immortal "ood.
5 4ou ma# as;? G7ow can one conIuer God and 7is Bingdom through a milder
road than the harsh Sinai oneEH 0here is no other road )ut that one. .ut let us
loo; at it not "rom the point o" 'iew o" a threat, )ut "rom the point o" 'iew o"
lo'e. =et us not sa#? Goe to me, i" I do not do thatFH trem)ling with "ear o"
sinning, o" not )eing a)le not to sin. .ut let us sa#? G7ow glad I will )e i" I do
thatFH and with the impulse o" a supernatural Co#, "ull o" happiness, let us rush
towards these )eatitudes, )rought a)out )# compliance with the =aw, as roses
sprout "rom a thorn# )ush.
G7ow happ# I will )e i" I am poor in spirit, )ecause mine shall )e the Bingdom
o" 7ea'enF
7ow happ# I will )e i" I am gentle )ecause I shall ha'e the earth "or m#
heritageF
7ow happ# I will )e i" I mourn without re)elling, )ecause I will )e com"ortedF
7ow happ# I will )e i" I hunger and thirst "or Custice more than I do "or )read
and wine to satis"# the "lesh, )ecause ,ustice will satis"# meF
7ow happ# I will )e i" I am merci"ul, )ecause I will ha'e di'ine merc# shown
meF
7ow happ# I will )e i" I am pure in heart, )ecause God will )end o'er m# pure
heart and I will see 7imF
7ow happ# I will )e i" I am peace"ul in spirit, )ecause God will call me 7is son,
)ecause lo'e is in peace and God is =o'e ho lo'es whoe'er is li;e 7imF
7ow happ# I will )e i" I am persecuted in the cause o" right, )ecause God, m#
>ather, to reward me "or m# earthl# persecutions, will gi'e me the Bingdom o"
7ea'enF
7ow happ# I will )e i" I am a)used and accused "alsel# "or )eing 4our son, o
GodF It must not cause me desolation )ut Co#, as it will ma;e me eIual to 4our
)est ser'ants, to the Prophets, who were persecuted "or the same reason and
with whom I "irml# )elie'e I shall share the same great eternal reward in
7ea'en, which is mineF.H
=et us loo; thus at the wa# o" sal'ation? through the Co# o" saints.
6 $How happy " will be if " am poor in spirit.'
9hF Satanic thirst "or wealth, to what "ren(# #ou lead )oth rich and poorF 0he
rich who li'e "or their gold? the ill<"amed idol o" their ruined spirits. 0he poor
who li'e hating the rich )ecause o" their gold, and e'en i" the# do not murder
them ph#sicall#, the# curse the rich wishing them all sorts o" e'il. It is not
enough not to do e'il, one must not e'en wish to do it. 7e who curses wishing
calamities and death is 'er# li;e him who ;ills ph#sicall#, )ecause he wishes the
death o" the person he hates. I solemnl# tell #ou that such a wish is li;e an
action held )ac;, it is li;e a "oetus concei'ed in a wom) and "ormed, )ut not #et
eCected. A wic;ed desire corrupts and ruins man, )ecause it lasts longer than a
'iolent action and is deeper than the action itsel".
I" a rich man is poor in spirit he does not sin "or the sa;e o" his gold )ut he turns
his gold into sancti"ication, )ecause he turns it into lo'e. =o'ed and )lessed, he
is li;e spring water that sa'es tra'ellers in a desert, as he gi'es generousl#,
without a'arice, happ# to )e a)le to relie'e desperate situations. I" he is poor, he
is happ# in his po'ert# and eats his )read which is sweetened )# the Co# o" )eing
"ree "rom the thirst o" gold, he sleeps "ree "rom nightmares and gets up well
rested "or his tranIuil wor;, which is alwa#s light when done without greed or
en'#.
hat ma;es man materiall# rich is gold, what ma;es him morall# rich are his
a""ections. Gold comprises not onl# mone# )ut also houses, "ields, Cewels,
"urniture, herds, e'er#thing, in other words, that which ma;es li"e wealth#
materiall#. A""ections include? )lood or marriage ties, "riendship, intellectual
1.3. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt On#D. 12
soundness, pu)lic o""ices. As #ou can see, i" "or the "irst group a poor man can
sa#? G9hF as "ar as I am concerned, pro'iding I do not en'# those who are rich, I
am all right )ecause I am poor, and thus I am settled )# "orce o" circumstancesH,
with regard to the second group also a poor man must )e care"ul, )ecause also
the poorest man can )ecome sin"ull# rich in spirit. ho is immoderatel#
attached to a thing, commits a sin.
4ou ma# sa#? GAre we then to hate the wealth that God granted usE h# then
does 7e command us to lo'e our "athers, mothers, wi'es, children and sa#? 64ou
shall lo'e #our neigh)our as #oursel"E6 G. 4ou must distinguish. e must lo'e
our "athers, mothers, wi'es and our neigh)our, )ut in the degree indicated )#
God? GAs oursel'es.H hereas God is to )e lo'ed a)o'e e'er#thing and with our
whole sel'es. e must not lo'e God as we lo'e the dearest people among our
neigh)ours? )ecause a woman suc;led us or )ecause she sleeps on our chest and
procreates children "or us, )ut we must lo'e 7im with our whole sel'es, that is,
with all the a)ilit# to lo'e that is in man? the lo'e o" a son, o" a hus)and, o" a
"riend and M do not )e scandalised M the lo'e o" a "ather. 4es, we must ha'e "or
the interests o" God the same care that a "ather has "or his children, "or whom he
lo'ingl# protects his wealth and increases it, and he ta;es care o" and is anDious
"or their ph#sical growth and intellectual education and "or their success in the
world.
=o'e is not an e'il and must not )ecome an e'il. 0he graces, which God grants
us, are not e'il and must not )ecome so. 0he# are lo'e, granted out o" lo'e. e
must ma;e a lo'ing use o" such wealth granted to us )# God in personal
a""ections and in worldl# goods. And onl# he who does not ma;e an idol o" such
wealth )ut uses it to ser'e God in holiness, shows that he has no sin"ul
attachment to it. 9ne then practises that hol# po'ert# in spirit that depri'es itsel"
o" e'er#thing in order to )e more "ree to conIuer God, the 7ol# Supreme
ealth. 0o conIuer God? that is to ha'e the Bingdom o" 7ea'en.
7 $How happy " will be if " am gentle.'
0his ma# seem to )e in contrast with the "acts o" dail# li"e. 0hose who are not
lowl# seem to )e prominent and success"ul in their "amilies, towns and
countries. .ut is theirs a real triumphE 1o, it is not. It is "ear that ;eeps
apparentl# su)dued those who are o'erwhelmed )# the despot, )ut in actual "act
it is nothing )ut a 'eil drawn o'er the re)ellion seething against the t#rant.
Irasci)le and o'er)earing people do not win the lo'e o" their relati'es, o" their
own citi(ens or o" their su)Cects. 1either are intellects or souls con'inced to
"ollow the doctrines o" masters who impose themsel'es )# stating? GI said so,
thus it is.H Such masters onl# create sel"taught men see;ing the ;e# that can
open the closed doors o" a wisdom or o" a science which the# "eel to )e, and
actuall# is the opposite o" what is imposed on them.
0hose priests who do not endea'our to conIuer souls )# means o" a patient,
hum)le and lo'ing ;indness, do not win an# souls to God, )ut the# loo; li;e
armed warriors who start a "ierce attac;, such is their intolerant rashness in
dealing with souls... 9hF poor soulsF I" the# were hol# the# would not need #ou,
o priests, to reach the =ight. 0he# would alread# ha'e it within themsel'es. I"
the# were Cust, the# would not need #ou, o Cudges, to )e put under the restraint
o" Custice, as the# would alread# ha'e Custice within themsel'es. I" the# were
health#, the# would not need a doctor. .e there"ore gentle. Do not put souls to
"light. Attract them through lo'e. .ecause lowliness is lo'e, as po'ert# in spirit
is lo'e.
I" #ou are such #ou will ha'e the &arth "or #our heritage and #ou will ta;e this
place to God, whereas )e"ore it )elonged to Satan, )ecause #our lowliness,
which )esides lo'e is also humilit#, will ha'e o'ercome 7atred and Pride,
eDpelling "rom souls the 'ile ;ing o" hatred and pride, and the world will )elong
to #ou, that is, to God, )ecause #ou will )e the Cust souls that will ac;nowledge
God as the A)solute *aster o" creation, to hom praise and )lessing are due
and e'er#thing else which )elongs to 7im.
8 $How happy " will be if " mourn without rebelling.'
Sorrow is on the earth and sorrow wrings tears "rom men. Sorrow did not eDist
)ut man )rought it on to the earth and )ecause o" his corrupt intellect he
continuousl# stri'es to increase it in e'er# possi)le wa#. .esides diseases and
calamities ensuing "rom thunder)olts, storms, a'alanches, earthIua;es, man, in
order to su""er and a)o'e all to ma;e other people su""er M )ecause we would
li;e onl# other people to su""er, and not oursel'es, the e""ects o" means studied
to ma;e people su""er M man in'ents deadl# weapons, which are more and more
dread"ul and moral hardships, which are more and more cunning. 7ow man#
tears man wrings "rom his "ellow man through the instigation o" his secret ;ing?
SatanF And I solemnl# tell #ou that those tears are not an impairment )ut a
per"ection o" man.
*an is an a)sent<minded child, a thoughtless super"icial child, a )ac;ward )orn
1.3. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt On#D. 13
child, until tears ma;e him an adult, thought"ul, intelligent person. 9nl# those
who weep or ha'e wept, ;now how to lo'e and can understand. 0he# ;now how
to lo'e their weeping )rothers, how to understand them in their grie", how to
help them with their goodness, which is "ull# aware how )itter it is to weep
alone. And the# ;now how to lo'e God, )ecause the# ha'e realised that
e'er#thing is grie" eDcept God, )ecause the# ha'e understood that sorrow can )e
soothed i" tears are shed on God6s heart and the# ha'e also realised that resigned
tears, which do not cause "aith to )e lost or pra#er to )ecome )arren and which
loathe re)ellion, such resigned tears change nature and instead o" sorrow the#
)ecome com"ort.
4es. 0hose who weep lo'ing the =ord will )e com"orted.
9 $How happy " will be if " hunger and thirst for *ustice.'
>rom the moment he is )orn to the moment he dies, man cra'es eagerl# "or
"ood. 7e opens his mouth at his )irth to get hold o" his mother6s nipple, he opens
his lips to swallow some re"reshment in the throes o" death. 7e wor;s to "eed
himsel". 7e ma;es a huge nipple o" the world "rom which he suc;s insatia)l# "or
that which is perisha)le. .ut what is manE An animalE 1o, he is a son o" God.
7e is in eDile "or a "ew or man# #ears. .ut his li"e does not come to an end when
he changes his dwelling.
0here is a li"e in li"e as there is a ;ernel in a nut. 0he shell is not the nut, )ut it is
the ;ernel inside the shell that is the nut. I" #ou sow a shell nothing will come
up, )ut i" #ou sow the shell with the ;ernel inside it, a )ig tree will grow. 0he
same applies to man. It is not his "lesh that )ecomes immortal, )ut his soul. And
it is to )e nourished to ta;e it to immortalit#, to which the soul, out o" lo'e, will
ta;e the )od# in the )lessed resurrection.
isdom and ,ustice are the nourishment o" the soul. 0he# are ta;en as "ood and
as drin; and the# strengthen and the more one ta;es o" them, the more grows the
hol# eagerness to possess isdom and ;now ,ustice. .ut the da# will come
when the hol# insatia)le hunger o" the soul will )e satis"ied. It will come. God
will gi'e 7imsel" to 7is child, and will suc;le him and the child destined "or
Paradise will )e satis"ied with the admira)le *other ho is God 7imsel", and
man will ne'er )e hungr# again )ut will rest happil# on God6s di'ine )osom. 1o
human science is eIual to this di'ine science. 0he curiosit# o" the mind can )e
grati"ied, )ut the necessities o" the spirit cannot. 1a#, the spirit is disgusted )#
the di""erence in taste and ma;es a wr# mouth at the )itter nipple, pre"erring to
su""er the pangs o" hunger, rather than )e "illed with a "ood that does not come
"rom God.
.e not a"raid, o men thirsting or star'ing "or GodF .e "aith"ul and #ou will )e
satis"ied )# 7im ho lo'es #ou.
10 $How happy " will be if " am merciful.'
ho amongst men can sa#? GI do not need merc#HE 1o one. 1ow, i" in the 9ld
=aw it is written? G&#e "or e#e, tooth "or toothH, wh# should we not sa# in the
1ew =aw? Gho has )een merci"ul shall "ind merc#HE &'er#)od# needs
"orgi'eness.
ell, then? "orgi'eness is not achie'ed )# "ormulae or )# the "orm o" a rite,
which are eDternal s#m)ols granted to man6s dull mentalit#, it is instead
o)tained through the internal rite o" lo'e, which is still merc#. I" the sacri"ice o"
a goat or a lam) and the o""er o" a "ew coins were prescri)ed, the reason is that
e'er# e'il is "ounded on two roots? greed and pride. Greed is punished through
the eDpense "or the purchase o" the o""ering, pride )# the open con"ession o" the
rite? GI am ma;ing this sacri"ice )ecause I ha'e sinned.H It is also done to
anticipate the times and the signs o" the times, and in the )lood which is shed is
s#m)olised the .lood which will )e shed to cancel the sins o" men.
.lessed there"ore are those who are merci"ul to those who are hungr#, nude,
homeless, to those who su""er "rom the greatest miser#, which is to ha'e a )ad
disposition, as it causes grie" )oth to those who ha'e it and to those who li'e
with them. .e merci"ul. >orgi'e, )ear with people, help them, teach them,
support them.
Do not conceal #oursel'es in a cr#stal tower sa#ing? GI am pure and I will not
descend amongst sinners.H Do not sa# M GI am rich and happ# and I will not hear
o" other people6s miseries.H 8emem)er that #our richness, #our health, #our
"amil# wealth ma# 'anish Iuic;er than smo;e )lown awa# )# a strong wind.
And remem)er that cr#stal acts as a lense and conseIuentl# what ma# )e
unnoticed i" #ou were miDed among the crowds, cannot )e concealed i" #ou
place #oursel'es in a cr#stal tower where #ou are alone, isolated and illumined
on all sides.
*erc# is necessar# to o""er a continuous, secret, hol# sacri"ice o" eDpiation and
to o)tain merc#.
1.3. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt On#D. 14
11 $How happy " will be if " am pure in heart.'
God is purit#. Paradise is the Bingdom o" Purit#. 1othing impure can enter
Paradise where God is. 0here"ore, i" #ou are impure, #ou will not )e a)le to
enter the Bingdom o" God. 9hF .ut what a Co# the >ather grants to 7is children
in ad'anceF ho is pure has in this world an ad'ance o" 7ea'en )ecause God
)ends o'er a pure soul and man "rom the earth can see his God. 7e is not
"amiliar with the taste o" human lo'e, )ut relishes the "la'our o" di'ine lo'e, to
the point o" )eing enraptured, and can sa#? GI am with 4ou and 4ou are in me, I
there"ore possess 4ou and I recognise 4ou as the most lo'ing spouse o" m#
soul.H And )elie'e *e, who has God enCo#s su)stantial changes, o" which he
himsel" is unaware, and thus )ecomes hol#, wise, strongL words em)ellish his
lips and his actions acIuire a strength that is not o" the creature, )ut comes "rom
God ho li'es in it.
hat is the li"e o" those who see GodE A )eatitude. And do #ou wish to depri'e
#oursel'es o" such a gi"t "or the sa;e o" "etid impuritiesE
12 $How happy " will be if " am peaceful in spirit.'
Peace is one o" God6s characteristics. God is to )e "ound onl# in peace. .ecause
peace is lo'e, whereas war is hatred. Satan is hatred. God is peace. 1o man can
sa# that he is the son o" God, neither can God call son a man who has an
irasci)le soul alwa#s read# to stir up a storm. 1ot onl#. 1either can he )e called
the son o" God who, although not a trou)le<ma;er himsel", )# means o" his own
great peace does not help to calm the storms stirred up )# other people. ho is
peace"ul propagates peace also without uttering an# words. *aster o" himsel"
and, I dare sa#, master o" God, he di'ulges 7im as a lamp spreads its light, as a
thuri)le eDhales its per"ume, as a wines;in holds wine, and this sweet oil, which
is the spirit o" peace issuing "rom the children o" God, gi'es light in the "ogg#
gloominess o" ill<"eelings, and puri"ies the air "rom the miasmas o" malice and
calms the raging wa'es o" Iuarrels. =et God and men sa# that #ou are so.
13 $How happy " will be if " am persecuted in the cause of right.'
*an has )ecome so de'ilish that he hates good where'er it is, and he hates who
is good, as i" who is good, e'en when silent, accuses and reproaches him. In "act
the goodness o" one person ma;es the wic;edness o" a wic;ed person appear
e'en more wic;ed... In "act the "aith o" a true )elie'er ma;es the h#pocris# o" a
"alse )elie'er appear more clearl#. In "act, he who )# his wa# o" li'ing
continuousl# )ears witness to Custice can )ut )e hated )# the unCust. And then
the unCust are pitiless towards the lo'ers o" Custice.
0he same applies here as in wars. *an ma;es more progress in the satanic art o"
persecution than in the hol# art o" lo'e. .ut he can persecute onl# what has a
short li"e. hat is eternal in man eludes the snare, na#, it achie'es a more
energetic 'italit# than persecution itsel". =i"e escapes through the )leeding
wounds or )ecause o" the pri'ations that consume those who are persecuted. .ut
the )lood ma;es the purple o" the "uture ;ing and the pri'ations are as man#
steps to ascend the thrones that the >ather has prepared "or 7is mart#rs, "or
whom are reser'ed the ro#al seats in the Bingdom o" 7ea'en.
14 $How happy " will be if " am accused and abused falsely.'
Stri'e to ha'e #our names written in the celestial )oo;s, where names are not
written according to human "alsehood, which is accustomed to praise those who
less deser'e praise, where, instead, with Custice and lo'e are written the deeds o"
good people in order to gi'e them the reward promised to the )lessed ones )#
God.
In the past, the Prophets were calumniated and a)used. .ut when the gates o"
7ea'en are opened, the# will enter the 3it# o" God, li;e imposing ;ings, and the
angels will )ow singing out o" Co#. 4ou, too, who ha'e )een a)used and accused
"alsel# "or )eing the children o" God, will ha'e a hea'enl# triumph and when
the time comes to an end and Paradise is "ull, then e'er# tear will )e dear to #ou,
)ecause through it #ou will ha'e conIuered the eternal glor#, which I promise
#ou in the name o" the >ather.
Go. I will spea; to #ou again tomorrow. 9nl# the sic; people should remain that
I ma# relie'e them "rom their pains. Peace )e with #ou and ma# the meditation
on sal'ation lead #ou, through lo'e, on to the road the end o" which is 7ea'en. 5
161. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ount. T! B!'titu(!s CP'rt T$oD.
,+t 7'1 1*4+. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ount continu!s.
1 It is the same place and the same time. 0he crowd is larger. In a corner, near a
1.1. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T&!D. 1,
path, there is a 8oman, who seems anDious to hear )ut does not want to upset
the crowd. I recognise him "rom his short tunic and the di""erent st#le o" his
mantle. Stephen and 7ermas are still there.
,esus wal;s slowl# to 7is place and resumes spea;ing.
2 hat I told #ou #esterda# must not cause #ou to thin; that I ha'e come to
a)olish the =aw. 1o. .ut since I am the *an, and I understand the wea;ness o"
man, I wanted to encourage #ou to compl# with it, turning #our spiritual e#es
not to the dar; a)#ss, )ut to the )right Su)limit#. .ecause i" the "ear o"
punishment can hold #ou )ac; three times out o" ten, the certaint# o" a reward
will urge #ou se'en times out o" ten. 0rust is there"ore more e""icacious than
"ear. And I want #ou to )e "ull# and "irml# con"ident, so that #ou accomplish not
se'en parts o" good out o" ten, )ut ten out o" ten and thus gain the most hol#
pri(e o" 7ea'en.
I will not change one iota o" the =aw. And ho ga'e it amongst the peals o"
thunder on SinaiE 0he *ost 7igh. ho is the *ost 7ighE God 9ne and 0riune.
here did 7e ta;e it "romE >rom 7is 0hought. 7ow did 7e gi'e itE .# 7is
ord. h# did 7e gi'e itE 9ut o" 7is =o'e. 4ou can thus see that the 0rinit#
was present. And the ord, o)edient as e'er to the 0hought and =o'e, spo;e on
)ehal" o" the 0hought and =o'e. 3ould I gi'e *#sel" the lieE 1o, I could not.
.ut since I can do e'er#thing, I can complete the =aw, ma;e it di'inel#
complete, not what men did throughout centuries, as the# did not ma;e it
complete, )ut incomprehensi)le and impossi)le to )e "ul"illed. In "act the#
superimposed precepts and laws ta;en "rom their own thoughts, according to
their own gain, and the# thus lapidated and su""ocated, sterilised and )uried the
most hol# =aw gi'en )# God. 3an a tree sur'i'e i" it is continuousl# struc; )#
a'alanches, ru))le and "loodsE 1o, it will die. 0he =aw dies in man# hearts,
su""ocated )# the a'alanches o" too man# superstructures. I ha'e come to
remo'e them all, and a"ter unearthing and re'i'ing the =aw, I will ma;e it no
longer a law, )ut a Iueen.
2 Nueens promulgate laws. 0he laws are the wor; o" Iueens, )ut the# are not
a)o'e Iueens. I instead ma;e the =aw a Iueen? I complete it, I crown it, putting
on its top the wreath o" the e'angelic counsels. .e"ore it was order. 1ow it is
more than order. .e"ore it was the necessar# thing. 1ow it is more than the
necessar# thing? now it is per"ection. ho weds it, as I present #ou with it,
)ecomes immediatel# a ;ing, )ecause he has reached Gper"ectionH, )ecause he
has )een not onl# o)edient, )ut also heroic, that is, hol#, as holiness is the sum
o" 'irtues carried to the greatest height attaina)le )# a creature, heroicall# lo'ed
and practised through a complete detachment "rom e'er# human desire and
consideration.
I could sa# that he is a saint, whom lo'e and desire pre'ent "rom seeing
e'er#thing )ut God. As his attention is not distracted )# in"erior sights, his e#es
and heart are "iDed on the *ost 7ol# .rightness, which is God and in which,
since e'er#thing is in God, he can see his distressed )rothers stretching out their
hands suppliantl#. And without ta;ing his e#es awa# "rom God, the saint
de'otes himsel" to his suppliant )rothers. Against the "lesh, against wealth,
against com"orts, he pursues his ideal? to ser'e. Is a saint poor or disa)ledE 1o,
he is not. 7e has succeeded in achie'ing true wisdom and wealth. 7e there"ore
possesses e'er#thing. And he ne'er tires )ecause while it is true that he is
alwa#s acti'e, it is also true that he is continuousl# nourished. And while he
understands the sorrows o" the world, he "eeds on the delights o" 7ea'en. 7e is
nourished )# God and delights in God. 7e is a creature who has understood the
meaning o" li"e.
As #ou can see I neither change nor mutilate the =aw, neither do I corrupt it )#
superimposing human "omenting theories. I complete it. 0he =aw is what it is
and shall )e such until the last da#L not one word will )e changed, not one
precept will )e a)olished. It is crowned with per"ection. 0o reach sal'ation it is
su""icient to accept it as it was gi'en. 0o o)tain immediate union with God it is
necessar# to li'e it according to *# ad'ice. .ut since heroes are an eDception, I
will spea; to common souls, to the mass o" souls, so that no one ma# sa# that I
ha'e made what is necessar# un;nown, in order to reach per"ection.,
.ut o" e'er#thing I tell #ou, remem)er this? he who ta;es the li)ert# o"
in"ringing one o" the least o" these commandments, will )e considered one o"
the least in the Bingdom o" 7ea'en. And he who will induce others to in"ringe
them, will )e considered one o" the least )oth with regard to himsel" and led to
the in"ringement. 7e, instead, who through his li"e and deeds, rather than )#
words, has con'inced others to a)ide )# the =aw, will )e great in the Bingdom
o" 7ea'en and his greatness will )e increased )# each o" those whom he has led
to o)e# and thus sancti"# themsel'es.
3 I ;now that what I am a)out to sa# will taste )itter to man# tongues. .ut I
cannot tell lies, e'en i" the truth I am a)out to spea; will procure *e man#
1.1. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T&!D. 1-
enemies.
I solemnl# tell #ou that unless #ou create anew #our Custice, detaching it
completel# "rom the poor and un"airl# de"ined Custice which the Pharisees and
Scri)es ha'e taught #ouL unless #ou are reall# more Cust than the Pharisees and
Scri)es, who thin; the# are Cust )ecause the# increase the num)er o" "ormulae
without an# su)stantial change o" their spirits, #ou shall not enter the Bingdom
o" 7ea'en.
.eware o" "alse prophets and erring doctors. 0he# come to #ou clad as lam)s,
and the# are rapacious wol'esL the# come clad with holiness and the# deride
GodL the# sa# the# lo'e the truth and the# "eed on "alsehood. Stud# them )e"ore
"ollowing them. *an has a tongue and spea;s with it, he has e#es and sees with
them, he has hands and ma;es signs with them. .ut he has something else which
is a more truth"ul witness o" his real )eing? his deedsF And what are two hands
Coined in pra#er, i" a man is a thie" and "ornicatorE And what are two e#es,
which pretending to )e inspired, roll in all directions, i" a"ter the "arce, the#
greedil# stare at a woman or an enem#, out o" lust or "or murderE And what is a
tongue eDpert in whistling a "alse song o" praise and in seducing )# means o"
hone#ed words, i" )ehind #our )ac; it calumniates #ou and is capa)le o"
swearing "alsel# i" onl# it could pass #ou o"" as a mean "ellowE hat is a tongue
that sa#s long h#pocritical pra#ers and is then Iuic; in ;illing the reputation o" a
neigh)our or seducing his good "aithE It is disgustingF And disgusting are
untruth"ul hands and e#es. .ut the deeds o" men, the true deeds, that is, his
)eha'iour at home, in )usiness, towards his neigh)our and ser'ants, are the
things that testi"#? G0his man is a ser'ant o" the =ord.H .ecause hol# deeds are
the "ruit o" true religion.
A good tree does not )ear )ad "ruit and a )ad tree does not )ear good "ruit. ill
these thorn# )ushes e'er )e a)le to gi'e #ou tast# grapesE And those e'en more
stinging thistles, will the# e'er )e a)le to mature sweet "igs "or #ouE 1o, the#
will not. In actual "act #ou will )e a)le to pic; onl# a "ew sour )lac;)erries "rom
the "ormer and uneata)le "ruits will come "rom the latter, which although
"lowers, are still thorn#.
0he man who is not Cust will )e a)le to command respect )# his appearance, and
onl# )# it. Also the down# thistle loo;s li;e a tu"t o" thin sil'er# threads adorned
with diamonds )# the dew. .ut i" inad'ertentl# #ou touch it, #ou "ind out that it
is not a tu"t, )ut a )undle o" thorns, pain"ul to man, harm"ul to sheep, so that
shepherds uproot them "rom their pastures and )urn them on the "ire the# light
at night so that not e'en the seed ma# )e spread. A Cust and pro'ident step. I do
not sa# to #ou? GBill the "alse prophets and h#pocritical )elie'ers.H 1a#, I sa# to
#ou? G=ea'e the tas; to God.H .ut I sa# to #ou? G.e care"ul, ;eep awa# "rom
them that #ou ma# not )e poisoned )# their Cuices.H
4 I told #ou #esterda# how God is to )e lo'ed. I will insist on how our
neigh)our is to )e lo'ed.
9nce it was said? G4ou shall lo'e #our "riend and hate #our enem#.H 1o, not so.
0hat was all right "or the times when man did not ha'e the com"ort o" God6s
smile. .ut now new things ha'e come, when God has lo'ed man so much as to
send 7is ord to redeem him. 1ow the ord is spea;ing. And it is alread# an
e""usion o" Grace. =ater the ord will consummate the sacri"ice o" peace and
redemption and there will )e not onl# an e""usion o" Grace, )ut Grace will )e
gi'en to e'er# soul )elie'ing in 3hrist. It is there"ore necessar# to ele'ate the
lo'e "or our neigh)our to a per"ection that uni"ies "riend and enem#.
7a'e #ou )een slanderedE =o'e and "orgi'e. 7a'e #ou )een struc;E =o'e and
o""er the other chee; to him who smac;ed #ou, considering that it is )etter that
he gi'es 'ent to his wrath on #ou who can put up with it, rather than on
some)od# else who would ta;e 'engeance "or the insult. 7a'e #ou )een
ro))edE Do not thin;? G0his neigh)our o" mine is greed#H, )ut charita)le sa#?
G0his poor )rother o" mine is need#H and gi'e him also #our tunic i" he has
stolen #our mantle. 4ou will ma;e it impossi)le "or him to steal twice, )ecause
he will ha'e no need to ro) another person o" his tunic. 4ou ma# sa#? GIt ma# )e
a 'ice and not a need.H ell, gi'e Cust the same. God will reward #ou "or it and
the wic;ed man will pa# "or it. .ut man# times, and this should remind #ou o"
what I told #ou #esterda# on lowliness, when he sees how he has )een dealt
with, his 'ice will drop "rom his heart and the sinner will redeem himsel"
ma;ing amends "or the the"t )# handing )ac; what he had stolen.
.e generous towards those, who, )eing more honest, as; #ou "or what the#
need, instead o" ro))ing #ou. I" the rich were reall# poor in spirit, as I eDplained
#esterda#, there would )e no pain"ul social ineIualities, the cause o" so man#
human and superhuman calamities. Alwa#s consider? GI" I were in need, how
would I "eel i" I were denied helpEH and act according to the repl# o" #our ego.
Do to others what #ou would li;e done to #oursel" and do not do to others what
#ou would not li;e done to #oursel".
1.1. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T&!D. 1.
0he old sa#ing? G&#e "or e#e, tooth "or toothH, which is not one o" the ten
commandments, )ut was added )ecause man, de'oid o" Grace, is such a )east
that he onl# understands 'engeance, the old sa#ing has )een cancelled. It has
indeed )een cancelled )# the new word? G=o'e him who hates #ou, pra# "or him
who persecutes #ou, Custi"# him who slanders #ou, )less him who curses #ou,
help the one who harms #ou, )e paci"ic with Iuarrelsome people, )e compliant
with )othersome persons, willingl# help those who ha'e recourse to #ou without
practising usur#, do not criticise, do not Cudge.H 4ou do not ;now the particular
reason "or men6s actions. .e generous and merci"ul in all ;inds o" assistance.
0he more #ou gi'e the more #ou will )e gi'en and a "ull pressed down measure
will )e poured )# God on to the lap o" him who has )een generous. God will not
gi'e #ou onl# according to what #ou ha'e gi'en, )ut 7e will gi'e #ou much
more. &ndea'our to lo'e and )e lo'ed. Nuarrels are more costl# than "riendl#
settlements and a good grace is li;e hone#, the "la'our o" which lasts "or a long
time on one6s tongue.
5 =o'e, lo'e. =o'e "riends and enemies, to )e li;e #our >ather, ho allows the
rain to "all on the good and the wic;ed and lets the sun shine on the Cust and
unCust and will grant eternal sunshine and dew, and hellish "ire and hail, when
the good will )e chosen, li;e selected ears o" corn, amongst the shea'es o" the
har'est. It is not enough to lo'e those who lo'e #ou and "rom whom #ou eDpect
reciprocation. 0hat is no merit? it is a Co# and also naturall# honest men can do
it. Also the pu)licans and the gentiles do it. .ut #ou must lo'e according to God
and out o" respect "or God, ho is the 3reator also o" those who are #our
enemies or are not 'er# "ond o" #ou. I want the per"ection o" lo'e in #ou and I
there"ore sa#? G.e per"ect as #our >ather, ho is in 7ea'en, is per"ect.H
So great is the precept o" lo'e "or #our neigh)our, the per"ecting o" the precept
o" lo'e "or #our neigh)our, that I no longer sa#, as it was said? GDo not ;illH
)ecause he who ;ills will )e condemned )# men. .ut I sa# to #ou? GDo not get
angr#H )ecause a higher Cudgement is a)o'e #ou and ta;es into account
immaterial actions. ho insults his )rother will )e condemned )# the
Sanhedrin. .ut who treats him as a madman, and conseIuentl# has harmed him,
will )e condemned )# God. It is useless to ma;e o""ers at the altar, unless #ou,
"or the sa;e o" God, "irst sacri"ice #our ill<"eelings in #our hearts and #ou "ul"ill
the most hol# rite o" "orgi'eness. 0here"ore, when #ou are a)out to ma;e an
o""ering to God and #ou remem)er that #ou ha'e wronged #our )rother and #ou
)ear him a grudge )ecause o" a "ault o" his, lea'e #our o""er )e"ore the altar,
ma;e "irst the sacri"ice o" #our sel"<esteem, )# )ecoming reconciled to #our
)rother, then come to the altar and onl# then #our sacri"ice will )e hol#. >ull
agreement is alwa#s the )est )usiness. 0he Cudgement o" man is precarious and
who stu))ornl# challenges it, ma# lose the cause and ha'e to pa# the opponent
down to the last coin or languish in Cail.
In e'er#thing turn #our e#es to God. As; #oursel'es? GAm I entitled to do what
God does not do to meEH .ecause God is not so stu))orn and implaca)le as #ou
are. oe to #ou i" 7e wereF 1o one would )e sa'ed. =et that consideration
induce #ou to mild, hum)le, piti"ul "eeling. And then #ou will certainl# recei'e a
reward "rom God, )oth here and in the neDt world.
6 7ere in "ront o" *e, there is also one who hates *e and dare not sa# to *e?
G3ure meH )ecause he ;nows that I am aware o" his thoughts. .ut I sa#? G=et it
)e done as #ou wish. And as the scales "all "rom #our e#es, so ma# ill<"eelings
and dar;ness "all "rom #our heart.H
4ou ma# all go with *# peace. I will spea; to #ou again tomorrow. 5
0he crowds disperse slowl#, waiting perhaps "or the cr# o" a miracle, which,
howe'er, is not heard.
Also the apostles and the "irst disciples, who remain on the mountain, as;? 2
ho was itE 7as he not )een curedE 5 and the# insist with the *aster, ho is
standing, with "olded arms, watching the crowd descending the mountain. ,esus
at "irst does not repl#L 7e then sa#s? 2 7is e#es are cured, )ut his soul is not. It
cannot )e cured )ecause it is "ull o" hatred. 5
2 .ut who is itE 0hat 8oman, perhapsE 5
2 1o. A poor wretch. 5
2 h# did 4ou cure him, thenE 5 as;s Peter.
2 Should I stri;e )# lightening all the people li;e himE 5
2 =ord...I ;now that 4ou do not want to me to sa#? G#esH, and so I will not sa#
it... )ut that is what I thin;... and it is the same...5
2 It is the same, Simon o" ,onah. 4ou should ;now then... 9hF 7ow man# hearts
co'ered with scales o" hatred there are around *eF 3ome. =et us go up there, to
the top, to loo; "rom the height at our )eauti"ul sea o" Galilee. 9nl# #ou and I. 5
1.2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T"r##D. 11
16,. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ount. T! B!'titu(!s CP'rt Tr!!D.
,4t 7'1 1*4+. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ount continu!s.
1 0he same place and the same time. 0he people, with the eDception o" the
8oman, are the same. Perhaps the crowd is larger )ecause man# people are
standing at the )eginning o" the paths leading to the little 'alle#.
,esus is spea;ing?
2 9ne o" the errors easil# made )# man is to ha'e lac; o" honest# towards
himsel". And since man is rarel# sincere and honest, he has made some
pro'ision "or himsel" in order to )e compelled to go along the wa# he wants.
0his cur), which, a"ter all, as he is a "ier# horse, he soon slac;ens or gi'es a
pull, as he wishes, and thus changes his gaitL or he remo'es it completel# and
does as he li;es, without considering what reproach he ma# recei'e "rom God,
"rom men and "rom his own conscience. 0hat )it is the oath. .ut no oath is
necessar# amongst honest people and God ne'er taught #ou it. 9n the contrar#
7e commanded #ou? G4ou shall not )ear "alse witnessH, without an# "urther
addition. .ecause man ought to )e "ran; without the need o" an#thing eDcept the
lo#alt# o" his word.
hen in Deuteronom# mention is made o" 'ows, also o" the 'ows that are
something which originated "rom a heart considered to )e united to God, either
through a "eeling o" need or a sentiment o" gratitude, it is written? Ghate'er
passes #our lips, #ou must ;eep to, and the 'ow that #ou ha'e "reel# made with
#our own mouth to the =ord #our God must )e "ul"illed.H *ention is alwa#s
made o" the word gi'en, without an#thing else )ut the word. ho "eels the need
o" ta;ing an oath is neither sure o" himsel" nor o" the opinion his neigh)our has
o" him. And who ma;es other people ta;e an oath testi"ies there)# that he
distrusts the "ran;ness and honest# o" the swearer. As #ou can see, the ha)it o"
ta;ing an oath is one o" the conseIuences o" man6s moral dishonest#. And it is a
shame "or man. It is a dou)le shame )ecause man is not e'en "aith"ul to the
shame"ul thing which an oath is and )# deriding God as easil# as he derides his
neigh)our, he swears "alsel# with the greatest ease and calmness.
3an there )e a more contempti)le man than a perCurerE A perCurer in "act
con'inces his neigh)our to )elie'e him, o"ten )# using a sacred "ormula, thus
calling God to )e his accomplice and to stand suret# "or him, or )# in'o;ing his
dearest a""ections? his "ather, mother, wi"e, children, his dead relati'es, his 'er#
li"e and most essential organs, to support his "alse statements. 7e thus decei'es
his neigh)our. 7e is an impious person, a thie", a traitor, a murderer. 9" whomE
9" God, o" course, )ecause he contaminates the 0ruth with his disgrace"ul lies
and Ceers at 7im, daring 7im? GStri;e me, gi'e me the lie, i" 4ou can. 4ou are
there, I am here and I laugh at it.H 9" course, #ou ma# laugh, liars and gi)ersF
.ut the moment will come when #ou will not laugh and that will happen when
7e, to hom all power is entrusted, will appear to #ou, dread"ul in 7is maCest#,
and simpl# )# 7is aspect will ma;e #ou stand to attention and will stri;e #ou
with the lightening o" 7is e#es, )e"ore 7is 'oice hurls #ou to #our eternal
destin# )randing #ou with 7is curse. 7e is a thie" )ecause he ta;es possession
o" a reputation which he does not deser'e. 7is neigh)our, impressed )# his oath,
grants it to him, and the serpent adorns himsel" with it, pretending to )e what he
is not. 7e is a traitor )ecause )# his oath he promises something which he does
not want to ;eep. 7e is a murderer? he ;ills either the honour o" his "ellow man
depri'ing him o" his reputation through "alse witness or he ;ills his own soul
)ecause a perCurer is a 'ile sinner in the e#es o" God, ho sees the truth, also
when no one else sees it. God cannot )e decei'ed, neither )# means o" "alse
words, nor )# means o" h#pocritical deeds. 7e sees. 7e does not lose sight o"
each man "or a moment. And there is no "orti"ied stronghold or deep cellar
which 7is e#es cannot penetrate. Also within #ou, God penetrates the
stronghold which e'er# man has round his heart. And 7e Cudges #ou not
according to what #ou swear, )ut to what #ou do.
2 I will there"ore su)stitute another order "or the one gi'en to #ou, when the
oath enCo#ed great "a'our to put a restraint on lies and on the easiness o" "ailure
to ;eep a promise. I do not sa# as the ancients said? GDo not swear "alsel#, )ut
;eep #our oathH, )ut I sa# to #ou? G1e'er swear.H 1either )# 7ea'en which is
the throne o" God, nor )# the earth which is the stool o" 7is "eet, nor "or
,erusalem and her 0emple which are the 3it# o" the Great Bing and the 7ouse
o" the =ord our God.
Do not swear either )# the gra'es o" the deceased or )# their souls. Gra'es are
"ull o" the dross o" the in"erior part o" man, which is common also to animals,
and with regard to their souls, lea'e them in their dwellings. Do not cause them
to su""er or to )e struc; with horror, i" the# are the souls o" Cust people alread#
in the "ore;nowledge o" God. And although the# are in such "ore;nowledge,
which is partial ;nowledge, )ecause the# will not possess God in the "ullness o"
7is )rightness until the moment o" 8edemption, the# can )ut su""er seeing #ou
sinners. And i" the# are not Cust, do not increase their torture )# reminding them
o" their sin through #ours. =ea'e the hol# deceased in their peace and the unhol#
1.2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T"r##D. 12
ones in their pains. Do not depri'e the "ormer o" an#thing, do not add an#thing
to the latter. h# appeal to the deadE 0he# cannot spea;. 0he saints )ecause
charit# pre'ents them "rom spea;ing? the# would ha'e to gi'e #ou the lie too
man# times. 0he damned )ecause hell does not open its gates and the damned
onl# open their mouths to curse, and their 'oices are su""ocated )# the hatred o"
Satan and o" the demons, )ecause the damned are li;e demons.
Do not swear )# the head o" #our "ather or o" #our mother, or )# the head o"
#our wi"e or o" #our innocent children. 4ou ha'e no right to do so. Are the#
perhaps mone# or merchandiseE Are the# a signature on a documentE 0he# are
more and the# are less than such things. 0he# are )lood and "lesh o" #our own
)lood, man, )ut the# are also "ree creatures and #ou cannot use them as sla'es to
guarantee #our "alse statements. And the# are less than #our own signature,
)ecause #ou are intelligent, "ree and grown up, #ou are not interdicted, neither
are #ou a child who does not ;now what he is doing and must )e represented )#
his parents. 4ou are a man gi"ted with reason and conseIuentl# responsi)le "or
#our actions and #ou must act )# #oursel", emplo#ing, as a guarantee "or #our
own deeds and words, #our own honest# and #our own "ran;ness, the reputation
that #ou enCo# with #our neigh)our, not the honest#, the "ran;ness o" #our
relati'es and the reputation the# enCo#. Are "athers responsi)le "or their
childrenE 4es, the# are, )ut onl# as long as the# are under age. A"ter, e'er#)od#
is responsi)le "or himsel". 1ot alwa#s Cust children are )orn o" Cust parents, nor
is it so that a hol# woman is married to a hol# man. h# then use the Custice o" a
relati'e as a guaranteeE =i;ewise, hol# children ma# )e )orn o" a sinner, and as
long as the# are innocent, the# are hol#. h# then appeal to a pure soul "or an
impure act o" #ours, such as an oath which #ou wish to swear "alsel#E
Do not swear )# #our own head, #our e#es, #our tongue, #our hands. 4ou ha'e
no right to. &'er#thing #ou ha'e )elongs to God. 4ou are onl# the temporar#
guardians, the )an;ers o" the moral or material treasures which God granted
#ou. h# then ma;e use o" what does not )elong to #ouE 3an #ou add one hair
to #our head or change its colourE And i" #ou cannot do that, wh# do #ou use
#our sight, #our word, the "reedom o" #our lim)s to corro)orate #our oathE Do
not challenge God. 7e could ta;e #ou at #our word and dr# #our e#es as 7e can
dr# up #our orchards, or ta;e #our children awa# "rom #ou, or crush #our houses
to remind #ou that 7e is the =ord and #ou 7is su)Cects, and that who idoli(es
himsel" and thin;s he is a)o'e God, challenging 7im with his "alsehood, is
cursed.
3 =et #our speech )e simpl#? #es, it isL no, it is not. 1othing else. An# addition
is suggested )# the &'il one, who later will laugh at #ou, )ecause #ou cannot
remem)er an#thing and #ou will contradict #oursel" and #ou will )e Ceered at
and recognised as a liar.
.e sincere, *# children, )oth in #our words and in #our pra#ers. Do not )eha'e
li;e the h#pocrites, who, when pra#ing, lo'e to stand in s#nagogues or in the
corners o" sIuares where the# ma# )e seen )# people and praised as Cust and
pious men, whereas, within their "amilies, the# are guilt# towards God and
towards their neigh)our. Do #ou not consider that that is li;e a "orm o" perCur#E
h# do #ou want to maintain as true what is not true in order to win a
reputation which #ou do not deser'eE An h#pocritical pra#er aims at sa#ing? GI
am trul# a saint. I swear it in the presence o" those who see me and cannot den#
the# saw me pra#ing.H =i;e a 'eil laid on eDisting wic;edness, a pra#er said "or
such purposes )ecomes )lasphem#.
=et God proclaim #ou saints and li'e in such a wa# that #our whole li"e ma#
shout on #our )ehal"? G7ere is a ser'ant o" God.H .ut #ou must )e silent "or
#our own sa;e. Do not allow #our tongue to )e urged )# pride and thus )ecome
an o)Cect o" scandal in the angels6 e#es. It would )e )etter "or #ou to )ecome
mute at once i" #ou do not ha'e the power to control pride and tongue, and #ou
proclaim #oursel'es Cust and pleasing to God. lea'e that poor glor# to proud and
"alse people. =ea'e that "leeting reward to haught# and deceit"ul peopleF A poor
rewardF .ut that is what the# want and the# will not ha'e an# other, )ecause
#ou cannot ha'e more than one. &ither the true reward, the 7ea'enl# one, which
is eternal and Cust, or the sham one, the earthl# one, which lasts as long as the
li"e o" man, and e'en less, and which is paid "or, a"ter this li"e, with a trul#
morti"#ing punishment, )ecause it is an unCust reward.
4 =isten how #ou must pra# with #our lips and with #our wor; and with #our
whole sel'es, urged )# #our hearts which do lo'e God and "eel 7e is #our
>ather, )ut the# alwa#s remem)er who the 3reator is and what the creature is,
and in the presence o" God the# are alwa#s "ull o" re'erential lo'e, whether #ou
are pra#ing or are )us#, whether #ou are wal;ing or resting, earning or helping.
I said urged )# #our hearts. It is the "irst and essential "eature. .ecause
e'er#thing comes "rom #our hearts and #our minds? #our words, #our e#es, #our
deeds are li;e #our hearts. A Cust man draws good "rom his Cust heart and the
more he draws the more he "inds, )ecause the good done creates more good, li;e
1.2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T"r##D. 23
)lood that is renewed circulating in the 'eins and "lows )ac; to the heart
enriched with new elements ta;en "rom the oD#gen, which it had a)sor)ed or
"rom the "ood Cuices, which it had assimilated. hereas a wic;ed man can draw
)ut "raud and poison "rom his gloom# heart "ull o" "raud and poison, which grow
more and more )ecause the# are corro)orated )# accumulating sins, while the
)lessings o" God accumulate in a good man. 4ou ma# )e sure that it is the
eDu)erance o" the heart that o'er"lows "rom lips and re'eals itsel" in deeds.
*a;e #our hearts hum)le, pure, lo'ing, trust"ul and sincere and lo'e God with
the chaste lo'e o" a 'irgin "or her )ridegroom. I solemnl# tell #ou that each soul
is a 'irgin married to the &ternal =o'er, to God 9ur =ordL this world is the time
o" engagement during which the guardian angel o" e'er# man is the spiritual
paran#mph, and all the hours and contingencies o" li"e are as man# maids pre<
paring the nuptial trousseau. 0he hour o" death is the hour "or the accomplished
wedding when the introduction, em)race and union ta;e place and the soul can
raise the 'eil o" the )ridal dress and throw itsel" into the arms o" God and the
Spouse will not cause scandal )# lo'ing so.
.ut "or the time )eing, o souls still 'ictimised in the )onds o" the engagement to
God, when #ou wish to spea; to the Spouse, withdraw to the peace o" #our
a)ode, a)o'e all to the peace o" #our inner a)odes and, angels o" "lesh helped )#
#our guardian angels, spea; to the Bing o" angels. Spea; to #our >ather in the
secrec# o" #our hearts and o" #our inner rooms. =ea'e outside e'er#thing that
)elongs to the world? eagerness to )e noted and to edi"#, and the scruples o" long
pra#ers "ull o" words, o" monotonous, tepid words lac;ing lo'e.
>or God6s sa;e, get rid o" standards in #our pra#ers. 0here are reall# some
people who waste man# hours reciting a monologue onl# with their lips and
which is a real soliloIu# )ecause not e'en the guardian angels listen to itL it is
such a 'ain noise that the# )ecome a)sor)ed in "er'ent pra#er "or the sill# men
guarded )# them, in an e""ort to "ind a remed#. 0here are in "act some men who
would not spend those hours in a di""erent wa#, not e'en i" God appeared to
them sa#ing? G0he sal'ation o" the world depends on #our lea'ing such soulless
manner o" speech and going, shall we sa#, Cust to draw water "rom a well and
pour it on to the ground "or *# sa;e and the sa;e o" #our "ellow men.H 0here
are indeed man# who )elie'e that their monologue is more important that the
;indness in recei'ing a 'isitor or the charit# in helping a person in need. 0he#
are souls which ha'e "allen into the idolatr# o" pra#er.
Pra#er is an act o" lo'e. And one can lo'e pra#ing or )a;ing )read, meditating
or assisting a sic; person, ma;ing a pilgrimage to the 0emple or loo;ing a"ter
the "amil#, sacri"icing a lam) or sacri"icing one6s desires, e'en the honest desire
to concentrate on the =ord. It is su""icient "or #ou to ha'e #our whole sel'es and
all #our actions impregnated with lo'e. .e not a"raidF 0he >ather sees, under<
stands, listens, grants. 7ow man# graces are granted "or one single, true per"ect
sigh o" lo'eF 7ow much wealth "or an intimate sacri"ice made with lo'e. Do not
)e li;e the Gentiles. God does not need to )e told what 7e has to do "or #our
needs. 0he pagans ma# tell their idols, which cannot understand. .ut #ou cannot
tell God, the 0rue Spiritual God, ho is not onl# God and Bing, )ut also #our
>ather and ;nows what #ou need, e'en )e"ore #ou as; 7im.
5 As; and it will )e gi'en to #ou, loo; and #ou will "ind, ;noc; and it will )e
opened to #ou. .ecause whoe'er as;s, will recei'e, whoe'er loo;s, will "ind and
it will )e opened to whomsoe'er ;noc;s. hen #our child stretches his little
hand towards #ou sa#ing? G>ather, I am hungr#H do #ou perhaps gi'e him a
stoneE ill #ou gi'e him a sna;e i" he as;s "or a "ishE 1o, #ou will gi'e him
)read and "ish, and caresses and )lessings o'er and a)o'e, )ecause it is pleasant
"or a "ather to nourish his son and see his happ# smiles. I" there"ore #ou, whose
hearts are imper"ect, are capa)le o" gi'ing gi"ts to #our children, out o" a natural
lo'e that is common also to animals "or their o""spring, how much more will
#our >ather, ho is in 7ea'en, grant to those who as; 7im "or the good and
necessar# things "or their wel"are. Do not )e a"raid to as; and do not )e a"raid
not to recei'eF
7owe'er, I wish to warn #ou against an eas# error? do not )eha'e li;e those
who are wea; in their "aith and in their lo'e. Also amongst )elie'ers there are
pagans whose poor religion is a miDture o" superstition and "aith, a )uilding
tampered with, into which all ;inds o" parasitic her)s ha'e penetrated, so much
so that it "alls to pieces, and the#, wea; and pagans as the# are, "eel their "aith is
d#ing i" the# are not heard.
4ou as;. And #ou thin; it is "air to as;. And "or that particular moment a certain
grace ma# )e right. .ut li"e does not end at that moment. And what is good
toda# ma# not )e good tomorrow. 4ou do not ;now that, )ecause #ou ;now
onl# the present, and that is a grace o" God, too. .ut God ;nows also the "uture.
And God to sa'e #ou a greater pain does not hear #our pra#ers.
During *# #ear o" pu)lic li"e more than once I heard hearts moaning? G7ow
1.2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T"r##D. 21
much I su""ered then, when God did not hear me. .ut now I sa#? 6It was )etter
thus, )ecause that grace would ha'e pre'ented me "rom reaching this hour o"
God6.H I heard others sa# to *e? Gh#, =ord, do 4ou not hear meE 4ou grant it
to e'er#)od# )ut not to meEH And #et, although I was sorr# to see them su""er, I
had to sa#? GI cannotH, )ecause to hear them would ha'e meant hindering their
"light to a per"ect li"e.
Also the >ather sometimes sa#s? GI cannot.H 1ot )ecause 7e cannot satis"# the
reIuest immediatel#, )ut )ecause 7e does not want to satis"# it in 'iew o" "uture
conseIuences. =isten. A child is su""ering "rom intestinal trou)le. 7is mother
calls a doctor and the doctor sa#s? G7e must "ast to )e cured.H 0he mother,
alwa#s piti"ul, Coins her moaning to her son6s. She thin;s that the doctor6s order
is se'ere and hard. She "eels that such "asting and cr#ing ma# )e detrimental to
her son. .ut the doctor is in"leDi)le. At last he sa#s? Goman, I ;now, #ou don6t.
Do #ou want to lose #our son or do #ou want me to sa'e himEH 0he mother
shouts? GI want him to li'e.H GIn that caseH sa#s the doctor GI cannot let him
ha'e an# "ood. It would ;ill him.H Also the >ather sometimes sa#s so. 4ou,
piti"ul mothers o" #our own ego, do not want to hear it weep )ecause some grace
has )een denied. .ut God sa#s? GI cannot. It would do #ou harm.H 0he da# will
come, or eternit# will come, when #ou will sa#? G0han; 4ou, m# God, "or not
listening to m# "oolishnessFH
6 hat I said with regard to pra#ers, I sa# with regard to "asting. hen #ou "ast,
do not loo; sad, as h#pocrites do, who on purpose dis"igure their "aces that the
world ma# ;now and )elie'e that the# are "asting, e'en i" it is not true. 0he#
also ha'e recei'ed their reward with the praise o" the world, and will not recei'e
another one. Instead, when #ou "ast, loo; happ#, wash #our "aces thoroughl# so
that the# ma# loo; "resh and smooth, put oil on #our heads and scents on #our
hair and smile li;e one who has )een well "ed. 9hF 0rul# there is no "ood that
nourishes as much as lo'e doesF And who "asts with a lo'ing spirit, "eeds on
lo'eF I solemnl# tell #ou that e'en i" the world calls #ou G'ainH and Gpu)licansH,
the >ather will see #our heroic secret and will gi'e #ou a dou)le reward. 9ne "or
#our "asting and the other "or the sacri"ice o" not )eing praised "or it.
And now go and "eed #our )odies, since #our souls ha'e )een nourished. 0hose
two poor people ma# sta# here with us. 0he# will )e )lessed guests who will
gi'e "la'our to our )read. Peace )e with #ou. 5
7 And the two poor people sta#. 9ne is a 'er# lean woman, the other a 'er# old
man. 0he# are not together. 3hance had Coined them, as the# were standing
deCected in a corner, stretching out in 'ain their hands towards those who passed
in "ront o" them.
,esus goes straight towards them since the# dare not come "orward and ta;es
them )# the hand leading them to the middle o" the group o" the apostles, under
a ;ind o" tent that Peter has put up in a corner and under which the# perhaps
ta;e shelter at night and the# gather during the hot hours o" the da#. It is a shed
"ormed )# )ranches and... mantles. .ut it ser'es its purpose, although it is so
low that ,esus and the Iscariot, the tallest o" the lot, ha'e to )end to enter.
2 7ere a "ather and a sister. .ring what we ha'e. hile ta;ing our "ood we will
hear their stor#. 5 And ,esus personall# ser'es the two sh# old souls and listens
to their sorrow"ul stories. 0he old man is alone, a"ter his daughter went "ar awa#
with her hus)and and "orgot her "ather. 0he woman is also alone, a"ter a "e'er
;illed her hus)and and, in addition, she is ill.
2 0he world despises us )ecause we are poor 5 sa#s the old man. 2 I wander
a)out )egging "or alms to scrape together some mone# to cele)rate Passo'er. I
am eight# #ears old. I ha'e alwa#s ;ept Passo'er and this ma# )e the last time.
.ut I do not want to go to A)raham6s )osom with an# regret. As I "orgi'e m#
daughter, so I hope to )e "orgi'en. And I want to ;eep m# Passo'er. 5
2 It is a long wa#, "ather. 5
2 0he wa# to 7ea'en is e'en longer, i" one is not present at the rite. 5
2 Are #ou going )# #oursel"E And i" #ou "eel ill on the wa#E 5
2 0he angel o" God will close m# e#es. 5
,esus caresses his white trem)ling head and as;s the woman? 2 And what a)out
#ouE 5
2 I am loo;ing "or wor;. I" I were )etter "ed I would get rid o" m# "e'er. And i"
I were cured I could wor; at the corn. 5
2 Do #ou thin; that "ood alone could cure #ouE 5
2 1o, 4ou could, too. .ut I am a poor thing, too poor to as; 4ou "or merc#. 5
2 And i" I cured #ou, what would #ou li;e a"terwardsE 5
1.2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T"r##D. 22
2 1othing else. I would alread# ha'e had more than I could hope "or. 5
,esus smiles and hands her a piece o" )read dipped into some water and 'inegar,
which I thin; is their drin;. 0he woman eats it without spea;ing and ,esus
continues smiling.
8 0he meal is o'er. It was so "rugalF 0he apostles and disciples loo; "or a shad#
place along the slopes and among the thic;ets. ,esus remains under the tent. 0he
old man is l#ing on the grass and tired as he was, has "allen asleep.
A"ter a short time the woman, who had gone awa# loo;ing "or some shade
where to rest, comes towards ,esus ho smiles at her to cheer her up. She
comes "orward loo;ing sh#, )ut happ#, almost as "ar as the tent. She is then
o'ercome )# Co#, she wal;s with a 'igorous stride and "alling "lat on her "ace
with a cho;ed cr# eDclaims? 2 4ou ha'e cured meF *a# 4ou )e )lessedF At this
time I used to shi'er with "e'er, )ut I am not now... 9hF 5 and she ;isses ,esus6
"eet.
2 Are #ou sure that #ou ha'e )een curedE I did not tell #ou. It might )e )#
chance...5
2 9hF noF 1ow I understand 4our smile when 4ou handed me the )read. 4our
'irtue entered me with that morsel. I ha'e nothing to gi'e 4ou in eDchange,
eDcept m# heart. 9rder 4our maid, =ord, and she will o)e# 4ou until she dies. 5
2 4es. See that old manE 7e is all alone and he is Cust. 4ou had a hus)and and
death too; him awa#. 7e had a daughter and sel"ishness too; her awa#. And that
is worse. And #et he does not curse. .ut it is not "air that he should go a)out
alone in his last hours. .e a daughter to him. 5
2 4es, m# =ord. 5
2 *ind #ou, it means wor;ing "or two. 5
2 I am strong now, and I will do it. 5
2 Go up there, then, to that cli"" and tell the man who is resting there, the one
wearing a gre# tunic, to come to *e. 5
0he woman goes awa# Iuic;l# and comes )ac; with Simon :ealot.
2 3ome, Simon, I want to spea; to #ou. oman, wait here. 5
,esus wal;s awa# "or a "ew #ards.
2 Do #ou thin; that =a(arus would "ind it di""icult to ta;e on another wor;erE 5
2 =a(arusE I do not thin; that he e'en ;nows how man# ser'ants he hasF 9ne
more, one lessF... .ut who is itE 5
2 0hat woman. I cured her and...5
2 0hat is enough, *aster. I" 4ou cured her it means that 4ou lo'e her. hat
4ou lo'e is sacred to =a(arus. I commit m#sel" "or him. 5
2 0hat is true. hat I lo'e is sacred to =a(arus. 4ou are right. And that is wh#
=a(arus will )ecome a saint, )ecause )# lo'ing what I lo'e he will lo'e
per"ection. I want to Coin that old man to that woman and let that patriarch ;eep
his last Passo'er in great Co#. I am 'er# "ond o" old hol# people and I am happ#
i" I can gi'en them a serene sunset. 5
2 4ou lo'e also children...5
2 4es, and sic; people...5
2 And those who weep...5
2 And those who are alone...5
2 9hF *# *asterF Don6t 4ou realise that #ou are "ond o" e'er#)od#E Also o"
4our enemiesE 5
2 I do not realise it, Simon. 0o lo'e is *# nature. 0here... the patriarch is
wa;ing up. =et us go and tell him that he will )e ;eeping Passo'er with a
daughter )eside him, and without an# more need "or )read. 5
0he# do )ac; to the tent where the old woman is waiting "or them and the three
o" them go towards the old man who has sat up and is t#ing his sandals.
2 hat are #ou going to do, "atherE 5
2 I am going down to the 'alle#. I hope to "ind some shelter "or the night and
tomorrow I will )eg on the road and then down, down, in a month6s time, i" I am
not dead, I will )e in the 0emple. 5
2 1o. 5
1.2. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt T"r##D. 23
2 *ust I notE... h#F 5
2 .ecause God does not want it. 4ou will not go alone. 0his woman will come
with #ou. She will ta;e #ou where I tell her and #ou will )e made welcome "or
*# sa;e. 4ou will ;eep #our Passo'er, )ut without an# trou)le. 4ou ha'e
alread# carried #our cross, "ather. Put it down now. All #ou ha'e to do is to
concentrate in pra#er than;ing the good =ord. 5
2 .ut wh#... wh#... I... I do not deser'e so much... 4ou... a daughter... It is more
than i" 4ou ga'e me twent# #ears... And where, where are 4ou sending meE...5
0he old man is weeping into his long )eard.
2 I am sending #ou to =a(arus o" 0heophilus. I do not ;now whether #ou ;now
him. 5
2 9hF... I come "rom the )order o" S#ria and I remem)er 0heophilus. .ut... 9hF
.lessed Son o" God, allow me to )less 4ouF 5
And ,esus, sitting on the grass, in "ront o" the old man, does )end 7is head to let
him impose solemnl# his hands on it, thundering out in a 'er# deep 'oice the old
)lessing? 2 *a# the =ord )less 4ou and ;eep 4ou. *a# the =ord let 7is "ace
shine on 4ou and )e gracious to 4ou. *a# the =ord unco'er 7is "ace to 4ou
and )ring 4ou to peace. 5
,esus, Simon and the woman repl# together? 2 Amen. 5
16-. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ount. T! B!'titu(!s CP'rt FourD.
,6t 7'1 1*4+. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ount continu!s.
1 0he crowd is growing larger and larger as the da#s go )#. 0here are men,
women, old people, children, rich and poor ali;e. 0he couple, Stephen and
7ermas, is alwa#s present, although not #et associated with the old disciples led
)# Isaac. And there is also the new couple "ormed #esterda#? the old man and
the woman. 0he# are in the 'er# "ront, near their 3om"orter and the# loo; much
more cheer"ul than #esterda#. 0he old man, to ma;e up "or the man# months or
#ears during which he was neglected )# his daughter, has laid his wrin;led hand
on the ;nees o" the woman and she is caressing it out o" the in)orn instinct o" a
morall# sound woman to )e maternal. ,esus passes near them to clim) up too
7is rustic pulpitL and while passing 7e caresses the head o" the old man who
loo;s at 7im as i" he alread# saw 7im as God. Peter sa#s something to ,esus
ho ma;es a gesture as i" 7e wanted to sa#? 2 It does not matter 5. .ut I do not
understand what the apostle sa#s. Peter remains near ,esus, and ,udas 0haddeus
and *atthew Coin him. 0he other apostles are scattered among the crowd.
2 2 Peace )e with #ou allF 4esterda# I spo;e o" pra#er, o" swearing, o" "asting.
0oda# I want to instruct #ou in other per"ections. 0he# are also pra#er, trust,
sincerit#, lo'e, religion.
0he "irst thing I will spea; to #ou o" is the right use o" riches, changed into as
man# treasures in 7ea'en )# the good will o" the "aith"ul ser'ant. 0he treasures
o" the earth do not last. .ut the treasures o" 7ea'en are eternal. Are #ou "ond o"
what is #oursE Are #ou sorr# to die )ecause #ou will no longer )e a)le to loo;
a"ter #our propert# and #ou will ha'e to lea'e itE In that case trans"er them to
7ea'en. 4ou ma# sa#? Ghat is o" the earth will not enter 7ea'en and 4ou
ha'e taught us that mone# is the "ilthiest thing on earth. 7ow can we transpose
them to 7ea'enEH 1o. 4ou cannot ta;e mone#, material as it is, into the
Bingdom where e'er#thing is spiritual. .ut #ou can ta;e the "ruit o" mone#.
hen #ou gi'e a )an;er #our mone#, wh# do #ou do itE 0hat he ma# ma;e it
)ear interest. 4ou do not depri'e #oursel'es o" it, not e'en temporaril#, that he
ma# gi'e #ou )ac; ten plus one or e'en more. 0hen #ou are happ# and #ou
praise the )an;er. 9therwise #ou sa#? G7e is honest, )ut he is a "ool.H And, i"
instead o" ten plus one, he should gi'e #ou nine sa#ing? GI lost the restH, #ou
would denounce him and send him to prison. hat is the "ruit o" mone#E Does
the )an;er sow #our mone# and water it to ma;e it growE 1o. 0he "ruit is gi'en
)# a s;ill"ul handling o" )usiness, so that )# means o" mortgage deeds and loans
at interest, the mone# is increased )# the premium rightl# reIuested "or the loan
o" the gold. Is it not soE
1ow listen. God gi'es #ou earthl# riches. 0o some people he grants a great deal,
to some onl# as much as the# need to li'e, and 7e sa#s to #ou? G1ow it is up to
#ou. I ha'e gi'en them to #ou. Gain )# these means an end as *# lo'e wishes
"or #our own good. I ha'e entrusted #ou with them, )ut not that #ou ma# turn
them into e'il. *a;e #our wealth )ear interest, "or this real >atherland, )oth
)ecause o" the reputation I hold #ou in, and out o" gratitude "or *# gi"ts.H
1.3. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt F!urD. 24
3 And here is the method to gain this end.
Do not accumulate #our treasures on the earth, li'ing "or them, )eing cruel "or
them, cursed )# #our neigh)our and )# God on account o" them. It is not worth
it. 0he# are ne'er sa"e in this world. 0hie'es can alwa#s ro) #ou. >ire can
alwa#s destro# #our houses. Diseases o" plants and animals can eDterminate
herds and orchards. 7ow man# things undermine #our propert#F hether it is
real estate and unassaila)le, such as houses and goldL whether its nature is lia)le
to )e damaged, such as all li'ing things, 'egeta)les and animals, or precious
cloths, the# can )e ruined. 0hunder)olts, "ire and "loods can destro# housesL
thie'es, )light, dr# weather, rodents and insects can damage "ieldsL catching
diseases, "e'er, crippling, murrain can destro# cattleL moths and mice can ruin
'alua)le pieces o" cloth and precious pieces o" "urnitureL oDidi(ation can corrode
'ases, chandeliers and artistic gatesL e'er#thing is su)Cect to destruction.
.ut i" #ou turn earthl# wel"are into supernatural good, then it )ecomes "ree "rom
all damage )# time, men and calamities. Store up #our treasure in 7ea'en,
where thie'es cannot )rea; in, and where no calamities occur. or; with
merci"ul lo'e "or all the miseries o" the earth. 4ou ma# caress #our mone# and
;iss it i" #ou wish so, #ou ma# reCoice at the plenti"ul crops, at the 'ine#ards
laden with grapes, at the countless num)er o" oli'es which )end the )ranches o"
the oli'e<trees, and at #our pro"ile sheep with turgid udders. 4ou ma# reCoice at
all that, )ut not in a sterile or human wa#. 8eCoice with lo'e and admiration,
with supernatural delight and "oresight.
G0han; 4ou, m# God, "or this mone#, "or these crops, plants, sheep and "or this
)usinessF 0han; #ou, sheep, plants, meadows, )usiness, which ser'e me so well.
*a# #ou all )e )lessed, )ecause through 4our goodness, o &ternal >ather, and
through #ours, o things o" mine, I can do so much good to those who are hungr#,
or are na;ed, homeless, sic;, alone... =ast #ear I did it "or ten. 0his #ear M as I
ha'e more mone#, although I ga'e awa# much as alms, and the crops are more
plenti"ul and the "loc;s larger M I will gi'e twice, three times as much as last
#ear. So that e'er#)od#, also those who ha'e no wealth o" their own, ma#
parta;e o" m# Co# and )less with me the &ternal =ord.H 0hat is the pra#er o" a
Cust man. A pra#er which Coined to #our deeds, trans"ers #our wealth to 7ea'en,
and not onl# ;eeps it eternall# "or #ou, )ut #ou will "ind it increased )# the hol#
"ruit o" lo'e.
Store #our treasure in 7ea'en so that #our heart ma# also )e there, a)o'e and
)e#ond the ris; that not onl# #our gold, #our houses, "ields and herds ma# su""er
damage, )ut that #our 'er# heart ma# )e attac;ed and ro))ed, corroded, )urnt
and ;illed )# the spirit o" the world. I" #ou do that, #ou will ha'e #our treasure
in #our heart )ecause #ou will ha'e God within #ou until the )lessed da# when
#ou will )e in 7im.
4 .ut in order not to diminish the "ruit o" charit#, ta;e care to )e charita)le in a
supernatural spirit. hat I said in regard to pra#er and to "asting applies also to
charit# and to an# other good action #ou ma# do. Beep the good #ou ma# do
"ree "rom the 'iolating sensation o" the world, ;eep it immune "rom human
praise. Do not pro"ane the scented rose o" #our charit# and o" #our good deeds,
as it is a true censer o" per"umes agreea)le to the =ord. Good is pro"aned )# a
proud spirit, )# the desire to )e noted when doing good and )# the Iuest "or
praise. 0he rose o" charit# is then dri))led and eaten awa# )# the )ig slim#
snails o" satis"ied pride and the censer is "illed with the "etid straw o" the litter
on which the proud man )as;s li;e a well "ed animal.
9hF 0hose deeds o" charit# accomplished to )e pointed out )# peopleF It would
)e )etter, much )etter, i" the# had not )een per"ormed at all. ho does not do
them, commits a sin o" harshness. ho does them letting people ;now )oth the
amount gi'en and the name o" the person to whom it was gi'en, and )egging "or
praise, commits a sin o" pride )# ma;ing the o""er ;nown, as he sa#s? GSee how
much I can a""ordEH, sins against charit# )ecause he hum)les the )ene"iciar# )#
ma;ing his name ;nown, and commits a sin o" spiritual a'arice as he wants to
store up human praises... It is straw, nothing )ut straw. =et God and 7is angels
praise #ou.
hen #ou gi'e alms, do not ha'e it trumpeted )e"ore #ou, to draw the attention
o" passers<)# and win their praise, as the h#pocrites do, who want to )e praised
)# men and thus gi'e alms onl# where the# can )e seen )# man# people. 0he#,
too, ha'e recei'ed their reward and will not ha'e another one "rom God. Do not
commit the same sin and do not )e so presumptuous. .ut when #ou gi'e alms,
#our le"t hand must not ;now what #our right is doing, so secret and modest is
#our almsgi'ing and then "orget a)out it. Do not linger admiring #our deed,
swelling with it li;e the toad that contemplates itsel" with its 'eiled e#es in the
pond and sees also the clouds, trees and a chart near the )an; re"lected in the
still water and when it sees that it is so small as compared to them, which are so
large, it swells up with air until it )ursts. Also #our charit# is nothing as
compared to the In"inite, which is the 3harit# o" God, and i" #ou wanted to
1.3. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt F!urD. 2,
)ecome li;e 7im and ma;e #our small charit# so )ig as to )e eIual to 7is, #ou
would "ill #oursel'es with the wind o" pride and would end up )# perishing.
>orget a)out it. >orget a)out the action itsel". A light, a sweet 'oice will alwa#s
)e present with #ou and will ma;e #our da# )right, sweet and happ#. .ecause
that light will )e the smile o" God, the hone# will )e the spiritual peace, which
still comes "rom God, and the 'oice will )e the 'oice o" God, the >ather ho
will sa# to #ou? G0han; #ou.H 7e sees the hidden e'il and the concealed good
and will gi'e #ou a reward "or them. I can...5
5 2 *aster, 4ou gi'e the lie to 4our own wordsF 5 0he sudden resent"ul remar;s
comes "rom the centre o" the crowd. 0he# all turn round in the direction o" the
'oice. 0here is some con"usion. Peter sa#s? 2 I told 4ouF &hF hen there is one
o" those o'er there... e'er#thing goes wrongF 5 *an# people in the crowd hiss
and grum)le against the re'iler. ,esus is the onl# one who remains calm. 7e has
"olded 7is arms and is standing, tall as 7e is, on 7is roc;, with the sun in "ront
o" 7im, in 7is dar; )lue tunic.
0he re'iler, heedless o" the reaction o" the crowd, goes on? 2 4ou are a )ad
*aster )ecause 4ou teach what 4ou do not do and...5
2 .e IuietF Go awa#F ShameF 5 shout the crowd. And again? 2 Go )ac; to #our
Scri)esF 0he *aster is Iuite enough "or usF =et the h#pocrites go with the
h#pocritesF 4ou "alse mastersF JsurersF...5 and the# continue )ut ,esus thunders
out? 2 SilenceF =et him spea; 5 and the crowds no longer shout )ut the# whisper
their insults glaring at him at the same time.
2 4es. 4ou teach what 4ou do not do. 4ou told us that we should gi'e alms
without )eing seen, and #esterda# in the presence o" a whole crowd 4ou said to
two poor people? GSta# and I will appease #our hunger.H 5
2 I said? G=et the two poor people sta# here. 0he# will )e the )lessed guests who
will gi'e "la'our to our )read.H 1othing else. I did not sa# I wanted to satis"#
their hunger. hich poor man has not at least some )readE It was *# Co# to
eDtend to them our good "riendship. 5
2 9" courseF 4ou are cunning and 4ou can pla# the lam)F...5
0he old man stands up, turns round and raising his wal;ing stic; he shouts? 2
In"ernal tongue who are accusing the 7ol# 9ne, do #ou thin; that #ou ;now
e'er#thing and that #ou can accuse 7im o" what #ou ;nowE As #ou do not ;now
who God is and who 7e is hom #ou are insulting, so #ou do not ;now 7is
deeds. 9nl# the angels and m# o'erCo#ed heart ;now. =isten,men, listen
e'er#)od# and see whether ,esus is the liar and the proud man that this traitor to
the 0emple is sa#ing. 7e...5
2 .e Iuiet, IshmaelF .e Iuiet "or *# sa;eF I" I made #ou happ#, please ma;e
*e happ# )# )eing silent 5 ,esus )egs him.
2 I o)e# 4ou, 7ol# Son. .ut let me sa# onl# this? the )lessing o" an old "aith"ul
Israelite is on 7im ho assisted me in the name o" God and God put that
)lessing on m# lips "or me and "or Sarah, m# new daughter. .ut there will )e no
)lessing on #our head. I will not curse #ou. I will not "oul, with a curse, m#
mouth which must sa# to God? G8ecei'e me.H I did not do it to her who
disowned me, and I ha'e alread# recei'ed a di'ine reward "or it. .ut there is
9ne who will ta;e the place o" the Innocent #ou are accusing and o" Ishmael,
the "riend o" God, ho assists 7im. 5
A chorus o" shouts closes the speech o" the old man who sits down again, while
a man snea;s awa#, "ollowed )# insults. 0he crowds then shout to ,esus? 2 Go
on, go on, 7ol# *asterF e will listen onl# to 4ou. =isten to us, not to those
cursed )irds o" e'il omenF 0he# are Cealous, )ecause we lo'e 4ou more than we
lo'e themF .ut 4ou are hol#, the# are wic;ed. Go on, spea; to us. 4ou can see
that we ha'e no other wish )ut to hear 4ou. 9ur homes, our )usinessE 0he# are
nothing, we le"t them to hear 4ou. 5
6 2 4es, I will spea; to #ou. .ut do not )e upset )# what happened. Pra# "or
those poor people. >orgi'e them as I do. .ecause i" #ou "orgi'e men their "aults,
also #our >ather ho is in 7ea'en will "orgi'e #ou #our sins. .ut i" #ou )ear
men a grudge and do not "orgi'e them, neither will #our >ather "orgi'e #ou #our
shortcomings. And e'er#)od# needs to )e "orgi'en. I was sa#ing to #ou that
God will gi'e #ou a reward, e'en i" #ou do not as; to )e rewarded "or the good
#ou ha'e done. .ut do not do good to )e rewarded, to ha'e a securit# "or
tomorrow. Do not do good restricted within narrow limits )# "ear? GAnd a"ter,
will I ha'e enough "or m#sel"E And should I ha'e nothing, who will help meE
ill I "ind an#one who will do what I didE And when I will no longer )e a)le to
gi'e, will I still )e lo'edEH
=oo;? I ha'e might# "riends among rich people and I ha'e "riends amongst the
poor people o" the earth. And I solemnl# tell #ou that the might# ones are not
the most lo'ed. I go to them not "or *# own sa;e or pro"it. .ut )ecause the#
can gi'e *e much "or those who ha'e nothing. I am poor. I ha'e nothing. I
1.3. T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt F!urD. 2-
would li;e to ha'e all the treasures in the world and change them into )read "or
those who are hungr#, into homes "or the homeless, into clothes "or the na;ed
and into medicines "or the sic;. 4ou ma# sa#? G4ou can cure people.H 4es, I can
do that and other things. .ut I do not alwa#s "ind "aith in men, and I cannot do
what I would do and would li;e to do, i" the hearts o" men had "aith in *e. I
would li;e to help also those who ha'e no "aith. And as the# do not as; the Son
o" man "or miracles, I would li;e, as a man to man, to help them. .ut I ha'e
nothing. 0hat is wh# I stretch out *# hand to those who are rich and I as; them?
GGi'e me some alms, in the name o" God.H 0hat is wh# I ha'e high<placed
"riendships. 0omorrow, when I am no longer on the earth, there will still )e poor
people, )ut I shall not )e there to wor; miracles "or those who ha'e "aith, nor to
gi'e alms to lead to "aith. .ut then *# rich "riends, who are in touch with *e,
will ha'e learned how to help and *# apostles, a"ter their eDperience with *e,
will ha'e learned how to gi'e alms out o" lo'e "or their )rothers. And the poor
will alwa#s recei'e assistance.
4esterda#, I recei'ed "rom one who has nothing, more than all those who are
rich ha'e gi'en *e. 7e is a "riend, and as poor as I am. .ut he ga'e *e
something which no mone# can )u#, and which made *e happ#, )ringing )ac;
to *e so man# serene hours o" *# childhood and #outh, when e'er# e'ening
the hands o" a ,ust 9ne were laid on *# head and I went to rest with the
)lessing as the guardian o" *# sleep. 4esterda# this poor "riend o" *ine made
*e ;ing with his )lessing. 4ou thus see that none o" *# rich "riends has gi'en
*e what he ga'e *e. 0here"ore, )e not a"raid. &'en i" #ou no longer ha'e the
power o" mone#, pro'iding #ou ha'e lo'e and holiness, #ou can still assist who
is poor, tired and distressed.
7 And I there"ore sa# to #ou? do not worry too much because you are afraid of
having too little. (ou will always have what is necessary. +o not worry too
much about your future. 1o)od# ;nows how much "uture there is ahead o" him.
Do not worr# a)out what #ou will eat to support #oursel'es in li"e or what
clothes #ou will put on to ;eep #our )odies warm. 0he li"e o" #our souls is )#
"ar more precious than its clothes. And #our >ather ;nows. 4ou ought to ;now,
too. =oo; at the )irds in the s;#. 0he# do not sow or reap or gather into )arns,
and #et the# do not star'e to death )ecause the hea'enl# >ather "eeds them. And
#ou men, the "a'ourite creatures o" the >ather, are worth much more than the#
are.
hich o" #ou, with all his talent, can add one single cu)it to his heightE I" #ou
cannot raise #our height e'en )# a span, how can #ou possi)l# change #our
"uture conditions, increasing #our wealth, to ensure that #ou will li'e to a long
and happ# old ageE 3an #ou sa# to death? G4ou shall come "or me when I
wantHE 4ou cannot. h#, then, worr# a)out #our "utureE And wh# go to so
much trou)le lest #ou should )e le"t without clothesE 0hin; o" the lilies growing
in the "ields? the# do not wor; or spin, the# do not )u# an# cloth "rom 'endors,
#et I assure #ou that not e'en Solomon in all his regalia was ro)ed li;e one o"
them. 1ow i" that is how God clothes the grass in the "ield, which is there toda#
and will )e thrown into the "urnace tomorrow or used to "eed the cattle and will
thus end up in ash or dung, how much more 7e will see to #ou, 7is childrenE
Do not )e o" little "aith. Do not worr# a)out an uncertain "uture sa#ing? Ghat
shall I eat when I am oldE hat shall I drin;E 7ow will I clothe m#sel"EH =ea'e
such worries to the Gentiles, who do not ha'e the lo"t# certaint# o" the di'ine
paternit#. 4ou ha'e it and #ou ;now that the >ather is aware o" #our needs and
lo'es #ou. 0here"ore trust 7im. See; "irst what is reall# necessar#? "aith,
goodness, charit#, humilit#, merc#, purit#, Custice, mee;ness, the three and "our
main 'irtues, and all the others as well, in order to )e the "riends o" God, and
ha'e a right to 7is Bingdom. And I can assure #ou that all the rest will )e gi'en
to #ou as well, without ha'ing to as; "or it. 0here is no rich man richer than a
saint or an# man sa"er than he is. God is with the saint and the saint is with God.
7e does not as; an#thing "or his )od#, and God supplies what is necessar#. .ut
he wor;s "or his soul, and God gi'es 7imsel" to him in this world, and Paradise
in the neDt one.
So do not go to an# trou)le "or what is not worth #our trou)le. =et #our
imper"ections grie'e #ou, not #our scant# earthl# *eans. Do not worr# a)out
tomorrow. 0omorrow will ta;e care o" itsel", and #ou will ta;e care o" it when
#ou li'e it. h# orr# toda#E Is li"e not alread# Iuite "ull o" #esterda#6s sad
memories and o" toda#6s trou)les, that we should "eel the need to Add the
nightmares o" tomorrow6s uncertaintiesE =ea'e to each da# its own trou)leF
0here will alwa#s )e in li"e more pains 0han we would wish, without adding the
present pains to "uture onesF Alwa#s sa# the great word o" god? Gtoda#.H 4ou
are 7is children, created to his li;eness. So sa# with him? Gtoda#.H
And toda# I gi'e #ou *# )lessing. *a# it accompan# #ou until the )eginning o"
a new toda#? o" tomorrow, that is when I will gi'e #ou once again *# peace in
the name o" God. 5
1.4.T"# S#r+!n !4 t"# 9!unt. T"# B#)ttu*#s CP)rt F6#D. Enc!unt#r &t" t"# 9)(*)%#n#. 2.
164. T! S!r)on o0 t! 7ount. T! B!'titu(!s CP'rt Fi2!D.
Encount!r $it t! 7'&('#!n!.
,*t 7'1 1*4+.
1 It is a glorious morning and the air is clearer than usual. Distances seem to )e
shortened and remote things seem to )e seen through a magni"#ing lens so clear
and neat are the least details. 0he crowds are getting read# to listen to the
*aster. Da# )# da# the countr# is )ecoming more )eauti"ul in its luDurious
dress at the height o" the springtime season, which in Palestine I thin; is at end
o" *arch and )eginning o" April, )ecause later it has the loo; t#pical o"
summertime, with ripe crops and thic; "ull# de'eloped "oliage.
0he whole countr# is now in )loom. >rom the height o" the mountain, which is
adorned with its own "lowers e'en in spots which would appear least suita)le "or
)lossom growth, one can see the "leDuous corn undulating down in the plain,
)lown )# the )ree(e ma;ing it loo; li;e sea<green wa'es, with a pale golden hue
at the top o" the ears now seeding in their )ristl# awns. 0he "ruit trees,
completel# co'ered with petals stand straight a)o'e the crops undulating in the
light )ree(e, and loo; li;e as man# huge Powder<pu""s or )alls o" white, pale
pin;, dar; pin;, )right red gau(e. 0he oli'e<trees )# contrast, in their dress o"
penitent ascetics seem to )e pra#ing and their pra#ers are alread# changing into
a tentati'e snow"all o" tin# white "lowers.
0he top o" *ount 7ermon is li;e pin; ala)aster and is ;issed )# the sun. 0wo
diamond threads M the# loo; li;e threads "rom here M run down "rom the
ala)aster top twin;ling in an un)elie'a)le "ashion in the sun, and disappear into
the green woodsL the# appear once again down in the 'alle# where the# "orm
water<courses which "low towards =a;e *erom, which cannot )e seen "rom
here. 0he# then "low out with the )eauti"ul waters o" the ,ordan and later drop
into the light sapphire sea o" Galilee, which twin;les li;e chips o" precious
stones set in and lit up )# the sun. 0he sails mo'ing on the la;e, calm and
splendid in its "rame o" gardens and wonder"ul countr#side, seem dri'en )#
small light clouds sailing in the sea o" the s;#.
1ature reall# seems to )e smiling in this earl# hour o" a spring da#.
And the crowds throng incessantl#. 0he# come up "rom all directions? old,
health#, sic;, children and #oung couples who wish to start their married li"e
with the )lessing o" God6s word. 0here are )eggars and wealth# people who call
the apostles and gi'e them o""erings "or those who are poor and the# are so
anDious to "ind a concealed place in which to do it that the# seem to )e going to
con"ession. 0homas has ta;en one o" the tra'elling )ags and calml# pours all the
mone# into it as i" it were chic;en<"eed, and then ta;es it to the roc; where ,esus
is spea;ing, and he laughs happil# sa#ing? 2 8eCoice, *asterF 4ou ha'e enough
"or e'er#)od# toda#F 5
,esus smiles and sa#s? 2 And we shall start at once, so that those who are sad
ma# )e happ# immediatel#. 4ou and #our companions will select the poor and
sic; people and )ring them here. 5
0hat ta;es a comparati'el# short time, although the# ha'e to listen to the cases
o" man# people and it would ha'e ta;en much longer without the practical help
o" 0homas, who, standing on a stone to )e seen )# e'er#)od#, shouts in his
power"ul 'oice? 2 All those su""ering "rom ph#sical trou)le go to m# right hand
side, o'er there, in the shade. 5 0he Iscariot "ollows his eDample as he, too, is
gi"ted with an eDceptionall# power"ul and )eauti"ul 'oice, and he shouts? 2 And
all those who thin; the# are entitled to alms should come here near me. And
ma;e sure #ou are not telling lies )ecause the e#es o" the *aster can read #our
hearts. 5
0he crowds start mo'ing a)out to "orm three groups? those who are sic;, those
who are poor, and those who are anDious onl# to hear ,esus teaching.
2 .ut two people, and then three o" the last group seem to )e in need o"
something which is neither health nor mone#, )ut is more necessar# than )oth? a
woman and two men. 0he# loo; at the apostles )ut dare not spea;. 0he se'ere
loo;ing Simon :ealot passes )#L also Peter passes )#L he is )us# spea;ing to a
do(en little children to whom he promises some oli'es i" the# ;eep Iuiet until
the end o" the sermon, and a thrashing i" the# distur) while the *aster is
spea;ingL the elderl# gra'e .artholomew passes )#L *atthew and Philip pass
carr#ing a cripple who would ha'e to struggle too much to open his wa#
through the crowdL also the cousins o" the =ord pass )# helping an almost )lind
)eggar and a 'er# old poor woman M I wonder how old she is M who weeps
telling ,ames all her trou)lesL ,ames o" :e)edee passes )# holding in his arms a
poor girl, who is certainl# ill, and whom he has ta;en "rom her mother to ensure
that she does not get hurt )# the crowds, while the panting mother "ollows himL
the last to pass )# are Andrew and ,ohn, whom I would call the indi'isi)le ones,
)ecause while ,ohn, in his serene simplicit# o" a hol# child, is willing to go with
his companions, Andrew, on account o" his reser'edness, pre"ers going with his
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old "ishing companion and "ellow disciple o" the .aptist. 0he# had sta#ed at the
Cunction o" the two main paths, to show people to their places, )ut there )eing no
more pilgrims on the ston# path o" the mountain, the two ha'e come together to
go to the *aster with the last o""erings recei'ed.
,esus is alread# )ending o'er sic; people and the hosannas o" the crowds
punctuate each miracle.
0he woman, who appears to )e completel# distressed, dares to pull ,ohn6s tunic,
while he is spea;ing to Andrew and she smiles.
7e )ends and as;s her? 2 hat do #ou want, womanE 5
2 I would li;e to spea; to the *aster... 5
2 Are #ou not wellE 4ou are not poor... 5
2 I am well and I am not poor. .ut I need 7im... )ecause there are e'ils without
an# "e'er and there is miser# without po'ert# and mine... mine... 5 and she
weeps.
2 =isten, Andrew. 0his woman is sic; in heart and would li;e to spea; to the
*aster. hat shall we doE 5
Andrew loo;s at the woman and sa#s? 2 It is certainl# something which is
pain"ul to tell... 5 0he woman nods assent. Andrew goes on? 2 Do not weep...
,ohn, tr# and ta;e her )ehind our shed. I will ta;e the *aster there. 5
And ,ohn, smiling, )egs people to let him pass, while Andrew goes in the
opposite direction towards ,esus.
.ut the# are noticed )# two distressed men, and one o" them stops ,ohn, and the
other Andrew, and shortl# a"terwards the# are )oth with ,ohn and the woman
)ehind the shed o" )ranches which is part o" the tent.
Andrew reaches ,esus when the =atter is curing the cripple who raises his
crutches li;e two trophies, as )ris; as a s;illed dancer, shouting his )lessing.
Andrew whispers? 2 *aster, )ehind our shed there are three people weeping.
.ut it is their hearts that ache and their grie" cannot )e made ;nown... 5
2 All right. I still ha'e this girl and this woman. 0hen I will come.
Go and tell them to ha'e "aith. 5
Andrew goes awa# while ,esus is )ending o'er the little girl who is )eing held
once again )# her mother. 2 hat is #our nameE 5 ,esus as;s her.
2 *ar#. 5
2 And what is *# nameE 5
2 ,esus 5 replies the child.
2 And ho am IE 5
2 0he *essiah o" the =ord ho has come to )ring good to )odies and souls. 5
2 ho told #ouE 5
2 *# mother and "ather who hope in #ou "or m# li"e. 5
2 =i'e and )e good. 5
0he child, whose spine I thin; was a""ected )# a disease, )ecause although she
is a)out se'en #ears old, and perhaps older, she onl# mo'ed her hands and was
all en'eloped in thic; sti"" )andages "rom her armpits down to her hips M the#
can )e seen )ecause her mother has li"ted her dress to show them M remains as
she was "or a "ew minutes, then )egins to slide down "rom her mother6s lap on to
the ground and runs towards ,esus ho is curing the woman, whose case I do
not understand.
All the sic; people ha'e )een satis"ied and the# are the ones who shout most in
the crowd applauding 2 the Son o" Da'id, glor# o" God and ours. 5
3 ,esus goes towards the shed.
,udas o" Berioth shouts? 2 *asterF hat a)out theseE 5
,esus turns round and sa#s? 2 =et them wait where the# are. 0he# will )e
com"orted, too 5 and 7e wal;s "ast to the )ac; o" the shed where the three
people in anguish are with Andrew and ,ohn.
2 0he woman "irst. 3ome with *e into these hedges. Spea; without an# "ear. 5
2 *# =ord, m# hus)and wants to lea'e me "or a prostitute. I ha'e "i'e children
and the last one is two #ears old... Great is m# grie"... and I am worried a)out
m# children... I do not ;now whether he will ta;e them or lea'e them to me. 7e
will certainl# want the )o#s, at least the oldest one... And I who )ore him will
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no longer ha'e the Co# o" seeing himE And what will the# thin; o" their "ather
and o" meE 0he# must thin; e'il o" one o" us. And I would not li;e them to
Cudge their "ather... 5
2 Do not weep. I am the *aster o" =i"e and o" Death. 4our hus)and will not
marr# that woman. Go in peace and continue to )e good. 5
2 .ut... 4ou will not ;ill himE 9hF =ord, I lo'e him. 5
,esus smiles? 2 I will not ;ill an#one. .ut there is someone who will do his
wor;. 4ou must ;now that the demon is not greater than God. hen #ou go
)ac; to #our town #ou will "ind out that someone ;illed that e'il creature and in
such a wa# that #our hus)and will realise what he was doing and will lo'e #ou
again with re'i'ed lo'e. 5
0he woman ;isses the hand that ,esus had laid on her head and goes awa#.
4 9ne o" the men comes? 2 I ha'e a daughter, =ord. Jn"ortunatel# she went to
0i)erias with some girl "riends and it was as i" she had ta;en some poison.
hen she came )ac; to me she was li;e a mad woman. She wants to go awa#
with a Gree; man... and then... h# was she )ornE 7er mother is heart)ro;en
and perhaps will die o" grie"... I... onl# 4our words, which I heard last winter,
;eep me "rom ;illing her. .ut, I tell 4ou, m# heart has alread# cursed her. 5
2 1o. God, ho is a >ather, onl# curses an accomplished and o)stinate sin.
hat do #ou want "rom *eE 5
2 0hat 4ou get her to mend her wa#s. 5
2 I do not ;now her and she will certainl# not come to *e. 5
2 .ut 4ou can change her heart also "rom "ar awa#F Do 4ou ;now who sent me
to 4ouE ,ohanna o" 3hu(a. She was lea'ing "or ,erusalem when I went to her
mansion to as; her whether she ;new that wretched Gree;. I was a"raid she
might not ;now him, )ecause she is good, although she li'es at 0i)erias, )ut
since 3hu(a has contacts with the Gentiles... She does not ;now him. .ut she
said to me? GGo to ,esus. 7e called m# soul )ac; "rom 'er# "ar awa# and 7e
cured me, )# that call, o" m# phthisis. 7e will cure also #our daughter6s heart. I
will pra# and #ou must ha'e "aith.H I ha'e "aith. 4ou can see it. 7a'e merc# on
me, *aster. 5
2 4our daughter this e'ening will weep on her mother6s ;nees as;ing to )e "or<
gi'en. 4ou must )e as good as her mother and "orgi'e her. 0he past is dead. 5
2 4es, *aster. As 4ou wish and ma# 4ou )e )lessed. 5
7e turns round to go awa#... )ut retraces his steps? 2 >orgi'e me, *aster... .ut I
am so a"raid. =ust is such a demonF Gi'e me a thread o" 4our tunic. I will put it
in m# daughter6s pillow. 0he demon will not tempt her while she is asleep. 5
,esus smiles and sha;es 7is head... )ut satis"ies the man sa#ing? 2 0hat #our
mind ma# )e Iuieter. .ut #ou must )elie'e that when God sa#s? GI want itH the
demon goes awa# without an# "urther need. So ;eep this as a sou'enir o" *ine
5, and 7e gi'es him a small tu"t "rom 7is "ringe.
5 0he third man comes? 2 *aster, m# "ather died. e thought he had some
mone#. .ut we did not "ind an#. 0hat would not matter as m# )rothers and I are
not short o" )read. .ut I li'ed with m# "ather as I am the eldest. 0he other two
)rothers are now accusing me o" stealing the mone# and the# want to sue me "or
the"t. 4ou can see m# heart. I did not see one single coin. *# "ather ;ept his
*one# in a co""er in a metal case. hen he died we opened the co""er )ut the
case was no longer there. 0he# sa#? G=ast night, while we were sleeping, #ou
too; it.H It is not true. 7elp me to restore peace and esteem among us. 5
,esus stares at him and smiles.
2 h# are #ou smiling, *asterE 5
2 .ecause #our "ather is the guilt# one, the guilt o" a child who hides his to# lest
someone should ta;e it. 5
2 .ut he was not a miser. .elie'e me. 7e was charita)le. 5
2 I ;now. .ut he was 'er# old... It is the disease o" old people... 7e wanted to
preser'e things "or #ou, and out o" too much lo'e, he caused #ou to "all out with
one another. .ut the case is )uried at the "oot o" the cellar steps. I am telling #ou
so that #ou ma# )e aware that I ;now. hile I am spea;ing to #ou, )# pure
chance, #our #ounger )rother, )# stri;ing the ground angril#, caused it to 'i)rate
and so the# disco'ered it and the# are now em)arrassed and sorr# "or )laming
#ou. Go )ac; home with a Iuiet mind and )e good to them. Do not reproach
them "or their lac; o" esteem. 5
2 1o, m# =ord. I will not. .ut I am not going home, I am sta#ing here to hear
4ou. I will go tomorrow. 5
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2 And i" the# ta;e that mone#E 5
2 4ou sa# that we must not )e greed#. I do not want to )e so. It is enough "or me
i" there is peace amongst us. 9n the other hand... I did not ;now how much
mone# there was in the case and thus I will not su""er "or an# in"ormation
contrar# to the truth. And I consider that that mone# might ha'e )een lost... I
will li'e now, as I li'ed )e"ore, should the# den# me it. It is enough i" the# do
not call me a thie". 5
2 4ou are well ad'anced on the wa# o" God. Proceed and peace )e with #ou. 5
And also that man goes awa# happil#.
6 ,esus goes )ac; to the crowds, towards the poor people and gi'es them alms
according to 7is own Cudgement. &'er#)od# is now happ# and ,esus can spea;.
2 Peace )e with #ou.
I eDplain the wa#s o" the =ord to #ou, that #ou ma# "ollow them. 3ould #ou
"ollow the path that goes down on the right hand side, and at the same time
"ollow the one on the le"t hand sideE 4ou could not. .ecause i" #ou ta;e one #ou
must lea'e the other. &'en i" the two paths were close together #ou could not
wal; an# length with one "oot in one and one in the other. 4ou would end up )#
)eing tired and ma;ing a mista;e, e'en i" there was a wager. .ut )etween the
path o" God and Satan6s there is a great distance, which )ecomes greater and
greater, Cust li;e the two paths that come out up here, )ut as the# run down the
'alle# the# )ecome "arther and "arther "rom each other, as one goes towards
3apernaum and the other towards Ptolomais.
Such is li"e, it )estrides past and "uture, good and e'il. *an is in the centre with
his will power and "ree willL at the ends, on one side there is God and 7is
7ea'en, on the other side Satan and his 7ell. *an can choose. 1o)od# "orces
him. Do not sa# to *e? GSatan tempts usH as an eDcuse "or descending towards
the low path. Also God tempts with 7is lo'e, which is 'er# strong, with 7is
words, which are most hol#, with 7is promises, which are most alluringF h#
then should #ou allow #oursel'es to )e tempted )# one onl# o" the two, )# the
most undeser'ing one to )e listened toE Are God6s words, promises, lo'e not
su""icient to counteract Satan6s poisonE
3onsider that that is not to #our "a'or. hen a man is ph#sicall# 'er# health#,
he is not immune "rom contagion, )ut o'ercomes it Iuite easil#. hereas i" a
man is alread# ill and conseIuentl# wea;, he will almost certainl# die in the
e'ent o" catching a new in"ection, and i" he sur'i'es, he is more seriousl# ill
than pre'iousl# )ecause his )lood lac;s the strength to ;ill the contagious germs
completel#. 0he same applies to the superior part. "f a man is morally and
spiritually healthy and strong, you may be sure that he is not free from
temptations, but evil does not strie roots in him. hen I hear an#one sa# to
*e? GI approached this man and that one, I read this )oo; and that one, I
endea'oured to persuade this person and that one to do good, )ut in actual "act
the e'il which was in their minds and in their hearts, the e'il which was in the
)oo;, entered m# heartH, I conclude? Ghich pro'es that #ou had alread#
created within #oursel" a suita)le ground "or penetration. hich pro'es that #ou
are a wea;ling lac;ing in moral and spiritual strength. .ecause we must deri'e
some good also "rom our enemies. ,y watching their errors we must learn not
to fall into the same. An intelligent man does not )ecome the laughing stoc; o"
the "irst doctrine he hears. A man saturated with a doctrine cannot mae room
in his mind for any other. 0his eDplains the di""iculties met when one
endea'ours to con'ince those, who are persuaded o" other doctrines, to "ollow
the true Doctrine. .ut i" #ou admit that #ou change #our mind li;e a
weathercoc;, I can see that #ou are thoroughl# empt#, that #our spiritual
stronghold is "ull o" )reaches, that the dam o" #our mind is lea;ing in hundreds
o" places, through which good water runs out and "oul water runs in and #ou are
so stupid and listless that #ou are not e'en aware o" it and #ou do not see it. 4ou
are a wretch.H
9" the two paths, there"ore, choose the good one and proceed on it resisting to
the allurements o" senses, o" the world, o" science, o" the demon. =ea'e hal"
"aiths, compromises, pacts with two people, one opposed to the other, to the
men o" the world. 0he#, too, should a'oid them, i" the# are honest. At least #ou,
men o" God, must shun them. 4ou cannot ha'e them either with God or with
*ammon. 4ou must not ha'e them with #oursel'es either, )ecause the# would
)e o" no 'alue. I" #our actions are a miDture o" good and e'il, the# are o" no
'alue whatsoe'er. 0he entirel# good ones would )e cancelled )# the )ad ones.
0he e'il ones would lead #ou straight into the &nem#6s arms. 0here"ore do not
indulge in them. .e lo#al in #our ser'ice. !o one can serve two masters with
two different minds. He will either love one and hate the other or viceversa. (ou
cannot be both of God and of Mammon. 0he spirit o" God cannot )e conciliated
with the spirit o" the world. 0he "ormer ascends, the latter descends. 0he "ormer
sancti"ies, the latter corrupts. And i" #ou are corrupt, how can #ou act with
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purit#E Senses light up in corrupt people and other lusts "ollow senses.
7 4ou alread# ;now how &'e was corrupted and how Adam )ecame corrupt
through her. Satan ;issed the woman6s e#es and )ewitched them, so that e'er#
aspect, so "ar pure, )ecame impure "or her and roused strange curiosities. 0hen
Satan ;issed her ears and opened them to the words o" a new science? his own.
Also &'e6s mind wanted to ;now what was not necessar#. 0hen Satan showed
her e#es and mind, now awa;e to &'il, what pre'iousl# the# had not seen or
understood, and e'er#thing in &'e )ecame sharp and corrupt. And the oman
went to the *an, re'ealed her secret and persuaded Adam to taste o" the new
"ruit, so )eauti"ul to the e#e and so strictl# "or)idden so "ar. And she ;issed him
and loo;ed at him with mouth and e#es alread# "ouled )# Satan6s gloom#
disorder. And corruption penetrated Adam who saw, and through his e#es he
cra'ed "or what was "or)idden and he )it it with his helpmate and "ell "rom such
height into mud.
A corrupt person will draw another person to corruption, unless the latter is a
saint in the true sense o" the word.
atch #our e#es, men. .oth the e#es o" #our )odies and the e#es o" #our minds.
I" the# are corrupt, the# can )ut corrupt all the rest. 0he e#e is the light o" the
)od#. 4our thought is the light o" #our heart. .ut i" #our e#e is not pure M
)ecause since the organs are su)Cect to thought, a corrupt thought will corrupt
also senses e'er#thing in #ou will )ecome o)scure, and a seducing ha(e will
create impure phantasms in #ou. &'er#thing is pure in him who has a pure
thought which causes a pure loo;, and the light o" God descends as a master
where there is no o)struction o" senses. .ut i" out o" ill will #ou ha'e
accustomed #our e#es to disorderl# 'isions, e'er#thing will )ecome dar;ness in
#ou. In 'ain #ou will loo; at the most hol# things. In the dar;ness the# will )e
nothing )ut )lac;ness and )lac;ness will )e the deeds accomplished )# #ou.
8 0here"ore, o children o" God, de"end #oursel'es against #oursel'es. =oo; a"ter
#oursel'es diligentl# against all temptations. 0here is no e'il in )eing tempted.
An athlete prepares himsel" "or 'ictor# "ighting. .ut it is e'il to )e o'ercome
)ecause #ou are not prepared and #ou are negligent. I ;now that e'er#thing
ser'es as a temptation. I ;now that de"ence is eDhausting. I ;now that it is tiring
to ha'e to struggle. .ut thin; o" what #ou will gain through these things. And
"or one hour o" pleasure, whate'er ;ind it ma# )e, would #ou li;e to lose an
eternit# o" peaceE hat does the pleasure o" the "lesh, o" gold, o" thoughts lea'e
#ouE 1othing. hat do #ou gain )# reCecting themE &'er#thing. I am spea;ing
to sinners, )ecause man is a sinner. ell, tell me the truth? a"ter satis"#ing #our
senses, #our pride, #our greed, ha'e #ou "elt "resher, happier, sa"erE In the hour
"ollowing #our satis"action, which is alwa#s the time o" meditation, ha'e #ou
sincerel# "elt that #ou were happ#E I ha'e ne'er tasted the )read o" sensualit#.
.ut I will repl# in #our stead? G1o. =anguor, unhappiness, uncertaint#, nausea,
"ear, restlessness? that was the Cuice sIuee(ed out o" the hour spent in pleasure.H
.ut I )eg #ou? while I sa# to #ou? G1e'er do thatH, I also sa# to #ou? GDo not )e
in"leDi)le with those who ma;e mista;es.H 8emem)er that #ou are all )rothers,
made o" one "lesh and one soul. 3onsider that there are man# reasons wh# one is
led to sin. .e merci"ul towards sinners and ;indl# help them and ta;e them )ac;
to God, showing them that the path the# ha'e "ollowed is "ull o" dangers "or the
"lesh, the mind and the spirit. Do that and #ou will recei'e a great reward...
.ecause the >ather ho is in 7ea'en is merci"ul to good people and 7e ;nows
how to gi'e #ou one hundred"old to one. 1ow I sa# to #ou... 5
And here ,esus tells me that #ou must cop# the 'ision dated 12th August 1/44,
"rom line 3% to the end, that is to the departure o" *ar# *agdalene.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
1,t Au&ust 1*44.
9 ,esus sa#s? 2 =oo; and write. It is the Gospel o" *erc# that I gi'e to
e'er#)od# and in particular to those women who will recognise themsel'es in
the sinner and whom I in'ite to "ollow her in her redemption. 5
10 ,esus is standing on a roc; and is spea;ing to a large crowd. It is a
mountainous place. A lonel# hill, )etween two 'alle#s. 0he top o" the hill is
shaped li;e a #o;e, or rather, li;e a camel6s hump, so that a "ew #ards "rom the
top there is a natural amphitheatre where 'oices resound clearl# as in a well<
)uilt concert hall.
0he hill is all in "lower. It must )e summer. 0he crops down in the plain are
)eginning to ripen and are getting read# to )e cut. 0he glacier o" a high
mountain in the north is shining in the sun. Directl# )elow, to the east, the Sea
o" Galilee loo;s li;e a mirror )ro;en into num)erless "ragments, each o" which
is a sapphire lit up )# the sun. Its )lue<gold twin;ling is da((ling and it re"lects a
"ew "lu""# clouds in a 'er# clear s;# and the shadow o" some swi"t sails. .e#ond
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the la;e o" Gennesaret there is a 'ast eDtent o" plain ground, which )ecause o" a
light mist near the earth, caused perhaps )# e'aporation o" dew M in "act it must
)e earl# morning as the grass on the mountain still has a "ew dew# diamonds
glittering on its stems M loo;s li;e a continuation o" the la;e with an opal<li;e
hue 'eined with green. >urther )ac; there is a chain o" mountains, the side o"
which is so )i(arre as to gi'e the impression o" clouds s;etched on the clear s;#.
Some o" the people are sitting on the grass, some on large stones, some are
standing. 0he apostolic college is not complete. I can see Peter and Andrew,
,ohn and ,ames, and I can hear the other two )eing called 1athanael and Philip.
0hen there is one who is and is not one o" the group. Perhaps he is the last one
who arri'ed? the# call him Simon. 0he others are not there, unless the# are
among the crowds and I cannot see them.
0he sermon has alread# started. I understand that it is the Sermon o" the *ount.
.ut the .eatitudes ha'e alread# )een proclaimed. I would sa# that the sermon is
drawing towards the close )ecause ,esus sa#s? 2 Do that and #ou will recei'e a
great reward. .ecause the >ather ho is in 7ea'en is merci"ul to good people
and 7e ;nows how to gi'e #ou one hundred"old to one. So I sa# to #ou... 5
11 0here is much eDcitement amongst the people who crowd round the path
leading to the ta)leau. 0he people closest to ,esus turn their heads round.
&'er#)od#6s attention is distracted. ,esus stops spea;ing and turns 7is e#es in
the same direction as the others. 7e is serious and handsome in 7is dar; )lue
tunic, 7is arms "olded on 7is chest while the "irst ra#s o" the sun rising a)o'e
the eastern pea; o" the hill shine on 7is head.
2 *a;e room, #ou ple)eians 5 shouts the angr# 'oice o" a man. 2 *a;e room
"or the )eaut# who is passing... 5 and "our dandies, smartl# dressed, come
"orward, one o" whom is certainl# 8oman, )ecause he is wearing a 8oman togaL
the# are carr#ing *ar# o" *agdala, still a great sinner, triumphantl# on their
hands, crossed to "orm a seat.
And she smiles with her )eauti"ul mouth, throwing )ac; her head and her golden
hair, which is all plaits and curls held )# precious hair<pins and a pale gold lea"
strewn with pearls, which encircles the upper part o" her "orehead li;e a diadem,
"rom which small light curls hang down to 'eil her splendid e#es, made larger
and more seducti'e )# a re"ined ma;e<up. 0he diadem disappears )ehind her
ears, under the mass o" plaits at the )ac; o" her snowwhite completel# )are
nec;. And her na;edness eDtends much "arther than her nec;. 7er shoulders are
)are down to her shoulder)lades and her )reast is e'en more so. 7er dress is
held on her shoulders )# two little gold chains. It is completel# slee'eless. 7er
)od# is co'ered, so to sa#, )# a 'eil the onl# purpose o" which is to protect her
s;in "rom sun)urn. 0he dress is o" a 'er# light "a)ric and when she throws
hersel" )ac;, out o" a""ection, against one or the other o" her lo'ers, she seems to
)e doing so completel# nude. I am under the impression that the 8oman is the
one she pre"ers )ecause she glances and smiles at him more "reIuentl# and rests
her head on his shoulder.
2 0he desire o" the goddess has )een satis"ied 5 sa#s the 8oman. 2 8ome has
acted as a mount "or the new -enus. 9'er there, there is the Apollo #ou wanted
to see. Seduce 7im, there"ore... .ut lea'e some crum)s o" #our charm also to
us. 5
*ar# laughs and with an agile pro'o;ing mo'ement she Cumps to the ground,
showing her small "eet shod in white sandals with golden )uc;les, as well as a
good length o" her leg. 0hen her dress co'ers her whole )od#. It is in "act a 'er#
wide one o" snow<white wool as thin as a 'eil, held tight at the waist, 'er# low,
near her sides, )# a large )elt made o" supple gold )osses. And she stands on the
green ta)leland, where there is a 'ast amount o" lilies o" the 'alle# and wild
narcissi, li;e a "lower o" "lesh, an impure "lower, which has opened there )#
witchcra"t.
She is more )eauti"ul than e'er. 7er tin# purple lips seem a carnation opening
on the whiteness o" her per"ect set o" teeth. 7er "ace and )od# would satis"# the
most eDacting painter or sculptor )oth )ecause o" her compleDion and her "igure.
ith her )road )reast, her per"ectl# si(ed sides, her naturall# supple slender
waist, as compared with her sides and )reast, she does loo; li;e a goddess, as
the 8oman said, a goddess sculptured in a light pin;ish mar)le on the sides o"
which a "a)ric is draped and then hangs in the "ront in a mass o" "olds.
&'er#thing has )een de'ised to please.
,esus stares at her. And she de"iantl# resists 7is loo; while she smiles and twists
lightl# as the 8oman tic;les her, running on her )are shoulders and )reast a lil#
pic;ed among the grass. *ar# with a""ected indignation, li"ts her 'eil sa#ing? 2
7a'e respect "or m# innocence 5 which causes the "our to )urst into a gu""aw.
,esus continues staring at her. As soon as the noise o" the laughter "ades awa#,
,esus resumes spea;ing, as i" the apparition o" the woman had ;indled the "lame
o" the sermon, which was losing intensit# in its conclusion, and no longer loo;s
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at her. 7e loo;s instead at 7is audience who seem em)arrassed and scandalised
at the e'ent.
12 ,esus sa#s? 2 I told #ou to )e "aith"ul to the =aw, to )e hum)le and merci"ul,
to lo'e not onl# #our )rothers )# the "lesh )ut also those who are )rothers
)ecause the# were )orn, li;e #ou, o" man. I told #ou that "orgi'eness is )etter
than hostilit#, that compassion is )etter than stu))ornness. .ut now I tell #ou
that #ou must not condemn unless #ou are "ree "rom the "ault #ou wish to
condemn. Do not )eha'e li;e the Scri)es and Pharisees who are se'ere with
e'er#)od# eDcept themsel'es, who call impure what is eDterior and can onl#
contaminate what is eDterior and then the# recei'e impurit# in the 'er# depths o"
their hearts.
God does not sta# with the impure. .ecause impurit# corrupts what is the
propert# o" God? souls, and in particular the souls o" children who are angels
spread o'er the earth. oe to those who tear o"" their wings with the cruelt# o"
de'ilish )easts and throw those "lowers o" 7ea'en into the mire, )# letting them
taste the "la'our o" material thingsF oe... It would )e )etter i" the# died struc;
)# thunder)olts rather than commit such sinF
oe to #ou, rich and "ast li'ing peopleF .ecause it is amongst #ou that the
greatest impurit# thri'es and idleness and mone# are its )ed and pillowF 4ou are
now sated. 0he "ood o" concupiscence reaches #our throats and cho;es #ou. .ut
#ou will )e hungr#. And #our hunger will )e terri)le, insatia)le and
unappeasa)le "ore'er and e'er. 4ou are now rich. 7ow much good #ou could do
with #our wealthF Instead #ou do so much harm )oth to #oursel'es and to other
people. .ut #ou will eDperience a dread"ul po'ert# on a da# that will ha'e no
end. 4ou now laugh. 4ou thin; #ou are triumphing. .ut #our tears will "ill the
ponds o" Gehenna. And the# will ne'er cease.
here does adulter# nestleE here does the corruption o" #oung girls hideE
ho has two or three licentious )eds, in addition to his own matrimonial one, on
which he sIuanders his mone# and wastes the strength o" a health# )od# gi'en
to him )# God that he ma# wor; "or his "amil# and not to wear himsel" out
through "ilth# unions which place him )elow unclean )eastsE 4ou heard that it
was said? G4ou shall not commit adulter#.H .ut I tell #ou that he who loo;s at a
woman lust"ull#, that she who wished to go with a man, has alread# committed
adulter# in his or her heart, simpl# )# that. 0here is no reason which can Custi"#
"ornication. 1one. 1either the a)andonment nor the repudiation o" a hus)and.
1or pit# "or the repudiated woman. 4ou ha'e one soul onl#. hen it is Coined to
another soul )# a pact o" "aith"ulness, it must not lie. 9therwise the )eauti"ul
)od# "or which #ou sin will go with #ou, o impure souls, into the ineDhausted
"ire. *utilate #our )od#, rather than ;ill it "ore'er )# damning it. 3ome to #our
moral senses, o rich men, 'erminous sin;s o" 'ice, so that #ou ma# not disgust
7ea'en... 5
13 *ar#, who at the )eginning listened with a "ace which was a dream o"
allurement and iron#, sneering now and again, at the end o" the sermon )ecomes
li'id with rage. She realises that although ,esus does not loo; at her, 7e is
spea;ing to her. She )ecomes more and more li'id and re)ellious and at last can
resist no longer.
She spite"ull# en'elops hersel" in her 'eil and "ollowed )# the glances o" the
crowds Ceering at her and )# ,esus6 'oice which pursues her, she runs down the
slope o" the mountain, lea'ing strips o" her dress on the thistles and dogrose
)ushes growing on the edges o" the path, laughing out o" anger and moc;er#.
I see nothing else. .ut ,esus sa#s? 2 4ou will see more. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
,*t 7'1 1*4+.
14 ,esus resumes? 2 4ou are indignant at what happened. >or two da#s our
shelter, which is well a)o'e the mud, has )een upset )# Satan6s hiss. It is
there"ore no longer a shelter and we will lea'e it. .ut I wish to conclude this
code o" the Gmost per"ectH in this wide and )right hori(on. God reall# appears
here in the maCest# o" the 3reator and watching 7is mar'els we can "irml#
)elie'e that 7e and not Satan is the *aster. 0he &'il 9ne could not create e'en
a )lade o" grass. .ut God can do e'er#thing. 0his should com"ort us. .ut #ou
are all alread# in the sun. And that is harm"ul. Spread out on the slopes where
there is shade and it is cool. 7a'e #our meals, i" #ou wish so. I will spea; to #ou
again on the same su)Cect. *an# things ha'e dela#ed us. .ut do not )e sorr#
a)out it. 4ou are with God here. 5
0he crowds shout? 2 4es, we are. ith 4ou 5 and the# mo'e under the thic;ets
spread on the eastern side so that the slope o" the hill and the tree )ranches
shelter them "rom the sun, which is alread# too warm.
In the meantime ,esus tells Peter to ta;e the tent down.
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2 Are we reall# going awa#E 5
2 4es, we are. 5
2 .ecause she cameE... 5
2 4es, )ut do not tell an#)od#, especiall# the :ealot. 7e would )e upset )ecause
o" =a(arus. I cannot allow the word o" God to )e moc;ed at )# heathens... 5
2 I see, I see... 5
2 ell, there is another thing #ou must understand. 5
2 hich, *asterE 5
2 0hat it is necessar# to )e silent in certain cases. Please do not "orget. 4ou are
so dear, )ut #ou are also so impulsi'e as to )urst out into )iting criticism. 5
2 I understand... 4ou do not want "or =a(arus and Simon... 5
2 And "or others as well. 5
2 Do 4ou thin; there will )e an# toda#E 5
2 0oda#, tomorrow, the da# a"ter tomorrow, alwa#s. It will alwa#s )e necessar#
to watch the rashness o" *# Simon o" ,onah. Go now and do what I told #ou. 5
Peter goes awa# calling his companions to help him.
15 0he Iscariot is pensi'e in a comer. ,esus calls him three times, )ut he does
not hear. At last he turns round? 2 Do 4ou want me, *asterE 5 he as;s.
2 4es, go and ta;e #our "ood and help #our companions. 5
2 I am not hungr#. 1either are 4ou. 5
2 1either am I, )ut "or di""erent reasons. Are #ou upset, ,udasE 5
2 1o, *aster. I6m tired... 5
2 e are now going to the la;e and then to ,udaea, ,udas. 0o #our mother6s, as I
promised #ou... 5
,udas cheers up. 2 Are 4ou reall# coming onl# with meE 5
2 9" course. =o'e *e, ,udas. I would li;e *# lo'e to )e such in #ou as to
preser'e #ou "rom all e'il. 5
2 *aster... I am a man. I am not an angel. At times I "eel tired. Is it a sin to "eel
the need o" sleepE 5
2 1o, pro'iding #ou sleep on *# chest. =oo; o'er there how happ# the people
are and how )eauti"ul the scener# is "rom here. Also ,udaea must )e lo'el# in
springtime. 5
2 *ost )eauti"ul, *aster. .ut spring, there, on the mountains, which are higher
than here, is later. .ut there are )eauti"ul "lowers. 0he apple<orchards are
magni"icent. *ine, which is loo;ed a"ter )# m# mother, is one o" the most
)eauti"ul ones. And when she mo'es a)out in it, with the do'es "ollowing her to
get some corn, )elie'e me, it is a sight that soothes #our heart. 5
2 I )elie'e #ou. I" *# *other is not too tired, I would li;e to ta;e 7er to see
#ours. 0he# would lo'e each other, )ecause the# are )oth good. 5
,udas, drawn )# this idea, cheers up and "orgetting that 2 he was not hungr# and
he was tired 5 runs happil# to his companions and tall as he is, he undoes the
topmost ;nots without an# trou)le and eats his )read and oli'es, as happ# as a
child.
16 ,esus loo;s at him piti"ull# and then goes towards the apostles.
2 7ere is some )read, *aster. And an egg. I got that rich man o'er there, the
one wearing the red tunic, to gi'e me it. I said to him? G4ou listen and #ou are
hungr#. 7e spea;s and is eDhausted. Gi'e me one o" #our eggs. It will do 7im
much more good than it would do #ou.H 5
2 PeterF 5
2 1o, =ord. 4ou are as pale as a )a)# suc;ing "rom an empt# )reast, and 4ou
are )ecoming as thin as a "ish a"ter the mating season. =et me see to it. I do not
want to ha'e to reproach m#sel". I will put it under these warm ashes o" the
"aggots I )urnt, and 4ou will eat it. Don6t 4ou ;now it is... how man#E most
certainl# wee;s that we ha'e )een "eeding on )read and oli'es and a little mil;.
76mF... 9ne could sa# that we are purging oursel'es. And 4ou eat less than
e'er#)od# and spea; "or e'er#)od#. 7ere is the egg. 0a;e it while it6s warm, it
will do 4ou good. 5
,esus o)e#s and seeing that Peter is eating )read onl#, 7e as;s?
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2 And what a)out #ouE here are #our oli'esE 5
2 SssF I need them "or a"ter. I promised them. 5
2 0o whomE 5
2 0o some children. .ut i" the# are not Iuiet until the end, I will eat the oli'es
and gi'e them the stones, that is )lows. 5
2 -er# good indeedF 5
2 &hiF I will ne'er do that. .ut i" we don6t sa# so... I got so man# )lows m#sel",
and i" the# had gi'en me all the ones I deser'ed "or all m# pran;s, I should ha'e
had ten times as man#F .ut the# do #ou good. I am li;e this )ecause I got them.
5
0he# all laugh at the apostle6s sincerit#.
2 *aster, I would li;e to remind 4ou that toda# is >rida# and that these people...
I do not ;now whether the# will )e a)le to get "ood in time "or tomorrow or
reach their homes 5 sa#s .artholomew.
2 0hat6s true. It is >rida#F 5 se'eral o" them sa#.
2 It does not matter. God will pro'ide. .ut we will tell them. 5
,esus stands up and goes to 7is new place, in the middle o" the crowds spread in
the thic;ets. 2 >irst o" all I wish to remind #ou that this is >rida#. I sa# that those
who are a"raid the# cannot reach their homes in time and are not in a position to
)elie'e that God will pro'ide "ood "or 7is children tomorrow, should go awa# at
once, so that the# will not )e still on the road at sunset. 5
9" all the crowd there, a)out "i"t# people get up. All the others sta# where the#
are.
17 ,esus smiles and )egins to spea;.
2 4ou heard that in the old da#s it was said? G4ou shall not commit adulter#.H
0hose who among #ou ha'e heard *e in other places ;now that I ha'e spo;en
a)out that sin se'eral times. .ecause, loo;, as "ar as I am concerned, it is a sin
not "or one person onl#, )ut "or two or "or three. I will ma;e *#sel" clear. An
adulterer sins with regard to himsel", he sins with regard to his accomplice, and
sins causing the )etra#ed wi"e or hus)and to sin, the# ma# in "act )e led to
despair or to commit a crime. 0hat with regard to the accomplished sin. .ut I
will sa# more. I sa#? G1ot onl# the accomplished sin, )ut the desire to
accomplish it is alread# a sin.H hat is adulter#E It is to cra'e "or him, who is
not ours, or "or her, who is not ours. 9ne )egins to sin )# wishing, continues )#
seduction, completes it )# persuasion, crowns it )# the deed.
7ow does one )eginE Generall# with an impure glance. And that is connected
with what I said )e"ore. An impure e#e sees what is concealed "rom a pure e#e
and through the e#e thirst enters the throat, hunger enters the )od# and "e'er the
)lood. A carnal thirst, hunger, "e'er. Delirium )egins. I" the person loo;ed at is
honest, the delirious loo;er<on is le"t alone on tenterhoo;s, or will denigrate in
re'enge. I" also the person loo;ed at is dishonest, he 6will repl# to the loo; and
the descent into sin )egins.
I there"ore sa# to #ou? GI" a man loo;s at a woman lust"ull#, he has alread#
committed adulter# with her )ecause his thought has accomplished the deed o"
his desire.H I" #our right e#e should cause #ou to sin, tear it out and throw it
awa#. It is )etter "or #ou to )e without one e#e than to )e thrown into the
in"ernal dar;ness "ore'er. And i" #our right hand should cause #ou to sin, cut it
o"" and throw it awa#, "or it will do #ou less harm to lose one part o" #ou than to
ha'e #our whole )od# go to hell. It is true that it is written that de"ormed people
cannot ser'e God in the 0emple. .ut a"ter this li"e, the de"ormed )# )irth who
are hol# and those who are de"ormed out o" 'irtue, will )ecome more )eauti"ul
than angels and will ser'e God, lo'ing 7im in the happiness o" 7ea'en.
18 It has also )een said to #ou? GAn#one who di'orces his wi"e, must gi'e her a
writ o" dismissal.H .ut that is to )e condemned, "or it does not come "rom God.
God said to Adam? G0his is the helpmate I made "or #ou. .e "ruit"ul, multipl#,
"ill the earth and conIuer it.H And Adam, "ull o" superior intelligence, )ecause
sin had not #et dimmed his reason made per"ect )# God, eDclaimed? G0his at last
is )one "rom m# )ones, and "lesh "rom m# "lesh. 0his is to )e called woman,
that is? another I, )ecause this was ta;en "rom man. 0his is wh# a man lea'es his
"ather and mother and Coins himsel" to his wi"e and the two )ecome one )od#.H
And in an increased splendour o" light the &ternal =ight appro'ed smiling
Adam6s word, which )ecame the "irst indeli)le law. 1ow, i" owing to the e'er
increasing hardness o" man, the human lawgi'er had to gi'e a new lawL i" owing
to the e'er increasing inconstanc# o" man, the lawgi'er had to put a restraint and
sa#? GI" #ou ha'e dismissed her #ou cannot ta;e her )ac;H, that does not cancel
the "irst genuine law, passed in the &arthl# Paradise and appro'ed )# God.
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I sa# to #ou? Ghoe'er di'orces his wi"e, eDcept "or the case o" "ornication,
eDposes her to adulter#.H .ecause what will the di'orced woman do in ninet#
per cent o" the casesE She will get married again. ith what conseIuencesE 9hF
7ow much there is to )e said a)out thatF Do #ou not ;now that #ou can cause
in'oluntar# incests )# such s#stemE 7ow man# tears are shed )ecause o" lust.
4es? lust. 0here is no other name "or it. .e "ran;. &'er#thing can )e o'ercome
when the spirit is righteous. .ut e'er#thing is an eDcuse to satis"# sensualit#
when the spirit is lust"ul. oman6s "rigidit#, dullness, ineptitude "or housewor;,
shrewish tongue, lo'e "or luDur#, e'er#thing can )e o'ercome, also diseases and
irasci)ilit#, i" one lo'es holil#. .ut as a"ter some time one does not lo'e as on
the "irst da#, what is more than possi)le is considered impossi)le and a poor
woman is thrown on to the road and to perdition.
7e who reCects her commits adulter#. 7e who marries her a"ter the di'orce,
commits adulter#. Death onl# dissol'es a marriage. 8emem)er that. And i" #our
choice is an unhapp# one )ear the conseIuences as a cross, )eing )oth o" #ou
unhapp# )ut hol#, without ma;ing also the children unhapp#, as the# are
innocent and su""er more )ecause o" such un"ortunate situations. 0he lo'e "or
#our children should cause #ou to ponder one hundred times, also in the case o"
death o" #our partner. 9hF I wish #ou could )e satis"ied with what #ou alread#
ha'e had and to which God said? G&noughFH I wish #ou, widows and widowers,
realised that death is not an attenuation )ut an ele'ation to the per"ections o"
parentsF 0o )e a mother in the place o" a dead mother. 0o )e a "ather in the place
o" a deceased "ather. 0o )e two souls in one and recei'e the lo'e "or the children
"rom the cold lips o" the d#ing partner and sa#? GGo in peace, without worr#ing
"or those who were )orn o" #ou. I will continue to lo'e them, on m# own and on
#our )ehal", I will lo'e them twice and will )e their "ather and mother and the#
will not su""er the unhappiness o" orphans, neither will the# "eel the in)orn
Cealous# that the children o" a remarried consort eDperience with regard to him
or her who ta;es the sacred place o" mother or "ather called )# God to a new
a)ode.H
19 *# children, *# sermon is drawing to its end, as the da# is nearing its end
while the sun is setting in the west. I want #ou to remem)er the words o" this
meeting on the mountain. &ngra'e them in #our hearts. 8ead them o'er and o'er
again and 'er# o"ten. =et them )e #our e'erlasting guidance. And a)o'e all )e
good to those who are wea;. Do not Cudge that #ou ma# not )e Cudged.
8emem)er that the moment might come when God could remind #ou? G0hat is
how #ou Cudged. So #ou ;new that that was )ad. 4ou there"ore committed a sin,
;nowing what #ou were doing. 4ou must now pa# "or it.H
3harit# is an a)solution. .e charita)le to e'er#)od# and in e'er#thing. I" God
gi'es #ou much assistance to ;eep #ou good, do not )e proud o" it. .ut
endea'our to clim) the "ull length o" the ladder o" per"ection and gi'e a hand to
those who are tired or unaware and to those who are easil# disappointed. h#
do #ou o)ser'e so diligentl# the splinter in #our )rother6s e#e i" "irst #ou do not
go to the trou)le o" ta;ing the plan; out o" #our own e#eE 7ow dare #ou sa# to
#our )rother? G=et me ta;e the splinter out o" #our e#eH while the plan; in #our
e#e is )linding #ouE Son, do not )e a h#pocrite. 0a;e the plan; out o" #our own
e#e "irst and then #ou will )e a)le to ta;e the splinter out o" #our )rother6s e#e,
without ruining him.
As #ou a'oid )eing uncharita)le, a'oid also )eing imprudent. I said to #ou?
GGi'e a hand to those who are tired or unaware and to those who are easil#
disappointed.H .ut i" it is charit# to teach the ignorant, to encourage the tired, to
gi'e new wings to those whose old ones are )ro;en, it is imprudence to re'eal
the eternal truths to those a""ected )# satanism, who ta;e possession o" them to
pretend the# are prophets, to insinuate themsel'es among simple people, to
corrupt, lead astra# and sacrilegiousl# "oul the things o" God. A)solute respect,
to )e a)le to spea;, to )e silent, to ponder, to act, are the 'irtues o" the true
disciple in order to ma;e prosel#tes and ser'e God. 4ou are gi"ted with the
"acult# o" reason and, i" #ou are Cust, God will grant #ou all the light to ma;e a
)etter use o" #our reason. 4ou must consider that the eternal truths are li;e
pearls, and no one has e'er seen pearls thrown in "ront o" pigs, which pre"er
acorns and ran; )roth to precious pearls, which the# could crush under their "eet
and then, "urious at )eing moc;ed at, the# would turn against #ou to tear #ou to
pieces.Do not gi'e dogs what is hol#. 0hat is "or the present and the "uture.
I ha'e told #ou much, *# children. =isten to *# wordsL he who listens to them
and puts them into practice, can )e compared to a thought"ul man, who wishing
to )uild a house, chose a roc;# place. 7e certainl# wor;ed hard to la# the
"oundations. 7e had to wor; with pic; and stone chisel, he got callous hands
and )ro;e his )ac;. .ut he was a)le to put lime in the "issures o" the roc; and
la# )ric;s one close to the other, li;e the wall o" a "ortress, and the house was as
solid as a mountain. 0he house was eDposed to the inclemenc# o" the weather
and to downpours, the rain caused the ri'ers to o'er"low their )an;s, the winds
whistled, the wa'es )eat it, )ut the house resisted e'er#thing. Such is he who
has a sound "aith. Instead who listens super"iciall# and does not stri'e to
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engra'e *# words in his heart, )ecause he is aware that to do so he would ha'e
to wor; hard, su""er and eDtirpate too man# things, is li;e a man who out o"
indolence and "oolishness )uilds his house on sand. As soon as the inclement
weather comes, the house Iuic;l# )uilt, Iuic;l# collapses and the "orlorn "ool
contemplates the ru))le o" the house and the ruin o" his capital. And in that case
the ruin can )e repaired with eDpenses and wor;. .ut i" the edi"ice o" the spirit
crashes, )ecause it was )adl# )uilt, there is no wa# to re)uild it. 9ne cannot
)uild in "uture li"e. oe to those who present themsel'es there with ru))leF
20 I ha'e "inished. I am now going down towards the la;e and I )less #ou in the
name o" the 9ne and 0rine God. *a# peace )e with #ou. 5
.ut the crowds shout? 2 e are coming with 4ou. =et us come. 1o one has
words li;e 4oursF 5 And the# )egin to "ollow ,esus ho goes down on the
opposite side "rom which 7e came up and which is in the direction o"
3apernaum.
0he descent is steeper )ut "aster and the# soon reach the "oot o" the mountain on
a green "lower# plain.
@,esus sa#s? 2 &nough "or toda#. 0omorrow... 5A
16+. T! L!"!r Cur!( 't t! Foot o0 t! 7ount'in.
-;t 7'1 1*4+.
1 Amongst the man# "lowers which per"ume the earth and delight our e#es, I see
the horri)le spectre o" a re'olting, corroded leper, completel# co'ered with
sores.
0he crowds shout with "ear and rush )ac; to the lower slopes o" the mountain.
Some o" them gather stones to throw at the rash man.
.ut ,esus turns round with 7is arms "ull# stretched out and shouts? 2 PeaceF
Sta# where #ou are? )e not a"raid. Put the stones down. 7a'e merc# on a poor
)rother. 7e is a son o" God, too. 5
0he crowds o)e#, o'erwhelmed )# the power o" the *aster, ho mo'es
"orward through the tall grass in )loom to a "ew steps "rom the leper, who, on
his part, has understood that ,esus is protecting him, and has come nearer.
hen he reaches ,esus, he prostrates himsel", and the )looming grass en'elops
him li;e cool scented water. 0he "lowers undulate and gather together, "orming
a 'eil o'er the misera)le man concealed amongst them. 9nl# the mourn"ul 'oice
that can )e heard reminds people o" the wretched creature l#ing there. It sa#s? 2
=ord, i" 4ou want, 4ou can cure me. 7a'e merc# also on meF 5
,esus replies? 2 8aise #our head and loo; at *e. A man who )elie'es in 7ea'en
must )e a)le to loo; at it. And #ou do )elie'e, )ecause #ou are as;ing "or a
grace. 5
0he grass is sha;en and opens out once again. =i;e the head o" a shipwrec;ed
person emerging "rom the sea, the head o" the leper appears, stripped o" hair and
)eard. 7is head is a s;ull not #et entirel# depri'ed o" all "lesh.
And #et ,esus does not disdain touching that "orehead with the tips o" 7is
"ingers, where there are no sores on the s;in. .ut the s;in on that spot is ashen<
gre#, scal#, and lies )etween two putrid erosions, one o" which has destro#ed his
scalp, and the other has opened a hole where his right e#e was, so that I could
not sa# whether the )all o" his e#e is still in the huge soc;et, which, )etween his
temple and his nose, la#s )are his chee;<)one and his nasal cartilage, "ull o"
corruption. And ,esus, holding the "ingertips o" 7is lo'el# hand there, sa#s? 2 I
want it. .e cleansed. 5
And as i" the man were not eaten awa# and co'ered with sores, )ut onl# co'ered
with dirt on which cleansing waters were poured, the lepros# disappears at once.
>irst the wounds healL then his s;in )ecomes clear, his right e#e appears
)etween "resh e#elids, his lips close round his #ellowish teeth.
9nl# his hair and )eard are missing, that is, there are onl# scant# tu"ts o" hair
where pre'iousl# there was onl# a tin# piece o" wholesome s;in.
0he crowds shout in ama(ement. And their Co#"ul shouts tell the man that he is
cured. 7e li"ts his hands, so "ar concealed )# the grass, he touches his e#e,
where the huge hole wasL he touches his head, where the large sore showed the
s;ull and "eels his "resh s;in. 7e stands up, loo;s at his chest, his hips... 7e is all
wholesome and clean... 7e collapses once again on the "lower# meadow
weeping out o" Co#.
1.,. T"# L#$#r Cur#* )t t"# F!!t !4 t"# 9!unt)n. 131
2 Do not weep. Stand up and listen to *e. Go )ac; to li"e according to the rite
and do not tell an#)od# until #ou ha'e accomplished it. Show #oursel" to the
priest as soon as possi)le, ma;e the o""ering prescri)ed )# *oses as e'idence o"
#our miraculous cure. 5
2 It6s "or 4ou that I should witness, m# =ordF 5
2 4ou will witness "or *e )# lo'ing *# doctrineF Go. 5
0he crowd has come close once again and the# congratulate the man
miraculousl# healed, although "rom due distance. 0here are some people who
"eel the# ought to gi'e him some pro'isions "or his Courne# and throw some
coins to him. 9thers throw )read and "oodstu""s, and a man, seeing that the
leper6s clothes are nothing )ut torn rags, through which his entire )od# is 'isi)le,
ta;es his mantle o"", ties it in a ;not, as i" it were a large hand;erchie", and
throws it to the leper who can thus co'er himsel" decentl#. Another man, as
charit# is contagious when it is in common, cannot resist his desire to suppl#
him with sandals, ta;es o"" his own and throws them to the leper.
2 And what a)out #ouE 5 as;s ,esus ho saw the gesture.
2 9hF I li'e near)#. I can wal; )are"ooted. 7e has to go a long wa#. 5
2 *a# God )less #ou and all those who ha'e helped our )rother. *an? #ou will
pra# "or them. 5
2 4es, I will, I will pra# "or them and "or 4ou? that the world ma# ha'e "aith in
4ou. 5
2 Good)#e. Go in peace. 5
0he man wal;s awa# a "ew #ards, then turns round and shouts? 2 3an I tell the
priest that 4ou ha'e cured meE 5
2 It is not necessar#. ,ust sa#? G0he =ord had merc# on me.H It is the whole truth
and nothing else is reIuired. 5
2 0he people throng round the *aster, "orming a circle which does not want to
open at an# cost. .ut the sun has set and the Sa))ath rest )egins. 0he 'illages
are "ar awa#. .ut the people do not pine "or their 'illages, their "ood or an#thing
else. .ut the apostles are worried a)out it and the# tell ,esus. Also the elder
disciples are worried. 0here are women and children, and while the night is mild
and the grass o" the meadow is so"t, the stars are not )read, neither do stones
)ecome "ood.
,esus is the onl# one who does not trou)le. 0he people in the meantime eat the
remnants o" their "ood without an# worr# and ,esus points it out to 7is apostles?
2 I solemnl# tell #ou that these people are worth more than #ou areF =oo; how
thoughtlessl# the# are "inishing e'er#thing. I said to them? Gho cannot )elie'e
that God will pro'ide "ood "or 7is children tomorrow, ma# go awa#H, and the#
sta#ed. God will not )elie 7is *essiah and will not disappoint those who hope
in 7im. 5
0he apostles shrug their shoulders and do not show concern "or an#thing else.
It is night"all a"ter a placid, )eauti"ul red sunset and the silence o" the countr#
spreads o'er e'er#thing, a"ter the last choir o" )irds. 0here is a light whispering
o" the wind and then the "irst mute "light o" a night )ird, the "irst star appears
and a "rog croa;s.
0he children are alread# asleep. 0he adults are tal;ing among themsel'es and
now and again someone goes to the *aster as;ing "or clari"ication o" some
point or other. So no one is surprised when a person, imposing )# loo;,
garments and age, is seen coming along a path )etween two corn "ields. Some
men are "ollowing him. &'er#)od# turns round to loo; at him and the# point
him out to one another whispering. 0he whispering spreads "rom one group to
another, it re'i'es and "ades awa#. 0he groups that are "arther awa# come near
drawn )# curiosit#.
3 0he no)le loo;ing man reaches ,esus, ho is sat at the "oot o" a tree listening
to some men, and )ows down )e"ore 7im. ,esus stands up at once and responds
with eIual respect to the salutation. 0he people present are watching attenti'el#.
2 I was up on the mountain and perhaps 4ou thought that I did not ha'e "aith as
I went awa# "or "ear o" ha'ing to "ast. .ut I went awa# "or another reason. I
wanted to )e a )rother among )rothers, the eldest )rother. I would li;e to spea;
to 4ou aside. 3an 4ou listen to meE Although a scri)e, I am not 4our enem#. 5
2 =et us mo'e awa# a little... 5 and the# go into the corn "ield.
2 I wanted to pro'ide some "ood "or the pilgrims and I came down to tell the
)a;er to )a;e )read "or a large crowd. 4ou can see that I am at a legal distance,
)ecause these "ields )elong to me, and it is law"ul to wal; "rom here to the top
1.,. T"# L#$#r Cur#* )t t"# F!!t !4 t"# 9!unt)n. 132
on a Sa))ath. It was m# intention to come up tomorrow with m# ser'ants. .ut I
"ound out that 4ou are here with the crowd. I )eg 4ou to allow me to pro'ide
"or the Sa))ath. 9therwise I would )e 'er# sorr# that I had to "orego 4our
words "or nothing. 5
2 >or nothing, no, ne'er, )ecause the >ather would ha'e compensated #ou with
7is light. .ut I than; #ou and will not disappoint #ou. I onl# wish to point out
that the crowd is 'er# large. 5
2 I as;ed them to heat all the o'ens, also the ones used to dr# "oodstu""s and I
will succeed in ha'ing )read "or e'er#)od#. 5
2 I did not mean that. I was re"erring to the Iuantit# o" )read... 5
2 0hat does not trou)le me. =ast #ear I had a good crop o" corn. 4ou ha'e seen
what the ears o" corn are li;e this #ear. =et me do it. It will )e the greatest
protection "or m# "ields. A"ter all, *aster... 4ou ga'e me such )read toda#...
4ou reall# are the .read o" the spiritF... 5
2 =et it )e done as #ou wish. =et us go and tell the pilgrims. 5
2 1o. 4ou said so. 5
2 Are #ou a scri)eE 5
2 4es, I am. 5
2 *a# the =ord ta;e #ou where #our heart deser'es. 5
2 I understand what 4ou mean )ut do not sa#. 4ou mean? to the 0ruth. .ecause
great are our errors... and our ill<will. 5
2 ho are #ouE 5
2 A son o" God. Pra# the >ather "or me. Good)#e. 5
2 Peace )e with #ou. 5
4 ,esus goes slowl# )ac; to 7is apostles while the man goes awa# with his
ser'ants.
2 ho was heE hat did he wantE Did he sa# something unpleasant to 4ouE
7as he sic; peopleE 5 ,esus is assailed with Iuestions.
2 I do not ;now who he is. 9r rather, I ;now that he is goodhearted and that... 5
2 7e is ,ohn, the scri)e 5 sa#s one o" the crowd.
2 ell, I ;now now, )ecause #ou said so. 7e onl# wanted to )e the ser'ant o"
God with 7is children. Pra# "or him )ecause tomorrow we shall all ha'e "ood,
than;s to his goodness. 5
2 7e is reall# a Cust man 5 sa#s one.
2 4es, indeed. I do not ;now how he can )e the "riend o" others 5 remar;s
another one.
2 7e is swathed in scruples and rules li;e a )a)#, )ut he is not a )ad man 5
concludes a third one.
2 Do these "ields )elong to himE 5 as; man# who are not "rom this part o" the
countr#.
2 4es, the# do. I thin; that the leper was one o" his ser'ants or peasants. .ut he
allowed him to sta# around here and I thin; that he also "ed him. 5
5 0he comments continue )ut ,esus does not pa# attention to them. 7e calls the
0wel'e near 7im and as;s them? 2 And what should I sa# now in regard to #our
incredulit#E Did the >ather not put )read "or all o" us into the hands o" one who,
)# caste, is an enem# o" *ineE 9hF men o" little "aithF... Go into the so"t ha#
and sleep. I am going to pra# the >ather that 7e ma# open #our hearts and to
than; 7im "or 7is ;indness. Peace )e with #ou. 5
And 7e goes to the lower slopes o" the mountain. 7e sits down and collects 7is
thoughts in pra#er. hen 7e raises 7is e#es 7e sees the m#riad o" stars
crowding the s;#, when 7e lowers them, 7e sees the crowd o" people sleeping
on the meadows. 1othing else. .ut such is the Co# in 7is heart that 7is "ace
seems to )ecome trans"igured )# a )right light...
1.-. T"# S)88)t" )4t#r t"# S#r+!n. At t"# F!!t !4 t"# 9!unt)n. 113
164. T! S'55't '0t!r t! S!r)on. At t! Foot o0 t! 7ount'in.
1st 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus has dela#ed somewhat up on the mountain during the night, so that at
dawn 7e can )e seen standing on the edge o" an escarpment.
Peter, who sees 7im, points 7im out to his companions and the# go up towards
7im. 2 *aster, wh# did 4ou not come with usE 5 man# o" them as;.
2 I needed to pra#. 5
2 .ut 4ou also need to rest 'er# )adl#. 5
2 *# "riends, during the night a 'oice came "rom 7ea'en as;ing "or pra#ers "or
the good and the wic;ed and also "or *#sel". 5
2 h#E Do 4ou need itE 5
2 As much as an#)od#. *# strength is nourished with pra#er and *# Co# with
doing what *# >ather wants. *# >ather told *e the names o" two people and a
sorrow "or *#sel". 0he three things 7e mentioned need pra#er so much. 5 ,esus
is 'er# sad and 7e loo;s at 7is apostles with e#es which seem to )e )egging or
as;ing "or something. 7is e#es rest on one, then on another and at last on ,udas
Iscariot and ,esus stares at him.
0he apostle notices it and as;s? 2 h# do 4ou loo; at me li;e thatE 5
2 I was not loo;ing at #ou. *# e#es were contemplating something else...5
2 0hat isE 5
2 0he nature o" a disciple. All the good and all the e'il that a disciple can do and
gi'e to his *aster. I was thin;ing o" the disciples o" the Prophets and o" ,ohn.
And I was thin;ing o" *# own. And I was pra#ing "or ,ohn, "or the disciples
and "or *#sel"...5
2 4ou are sad and tired this morning, *aster. 0ell those who lo'e 4ou what
4our trou)le is )egs ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 4es, tell us, and i" there is an#thing we can do to relie'e 4our grie", we will
do it sa#s 7is cousin ,udas.
Peter spea;s to .artholomew and Philip, )ut I do not understand what the# sa#.
,esus replies? 2 .e good, endea'our to )e good and "aith"ul. 0hat is the onl#
relie". 0here is no other one, Peter. 7a'e #ou understoodE >orget #our
suspicion. =o'e *e and lo'e one another, do not allow those who hate *e to
seduce #ou, a)o'e all lo'e the will o" God. 5
2 &hF I" e'er#thing is within its control, also our errors are within itF 5 eDclaims
0homas in a philosophical tone.
2 Do #ou thin; soE .ut it is not so. .ut man# people ha'e wo;en up and are
loo;ing here. =et us go down and sancti"# this hol# da# with the word o" God. 5
2 0he# go down while the people who wa;e up are more and more numerous.
0he children, as merr# as little sparrows, are alread# prattling, running and
Cumping in the meadows, getting wet with dew, so that a "ew )lows )egin to "l#
with conseIuent tears. 0hen the children run towards ,esus ho caresses them
and )egins to smile once again as i" 7e re"lected their innocent cheer"ulness. A
little girl wants to put a little )unch o" "lowers on 7is )elt, "lowers she pic;ed in
the meadow 2 )ecause 7is tunic is more )eauti"ul li;e that 5 she sa#s and ,esus
lets her do it, although the apostles grum)le. .ut ,esus sa#s? 2 4ou ought to )e
happ# that the# lo'e *eF 0he dew remo'es the dust "rom "lowers. 0he lo'e o"
children remo'es all sadness "rom *# heart. 5
,esus coming "rom the mountain arri'es in the midst o" the pilgrims at the same
time as ,ohn, the scri)e, who is coming "rom his house with man# ser'ants
carr#ing )as;ets o" )read, oli'es, cheese and a little lam) or little ;id, whate'er
it ma# )e, roasted "or the *aster. &'er#thing is laid at 7is "eet and 7e sees to
the distri)ution gi'ing e'er#)od# some )read, a slice o" cheese and a hand"ul o"
oli'es. .ut 7e gi'es a piece o" the roasted lam) with )read to a mother who is
still holding at her )reast a plump )a)# who laughs showing his mil; teeth, and
7e does li;ewise with two or three more people whom 7e thin;s need special
attention.
2 .ut it6s "or 4ou, *aster 5 sa#s the scri)e.
2 I will ha'e some, do not worr#. .ut see... i" I ;now that man# parta;e o" #our
goodness, it will taste )etter to *e. 5
0he distri)ution is o'er and the people ni))le at their )read, lea'ing some "or
later. ,esus also drin;s some mil; which the scri)e wishes to pour "or 7im into a
precious cup "rom a little "las; held )# a ser'ant and which loo;s li;e a little
pitcher.
1.-. T"# S)88)t" )4t#r t"# S#r+!n. At t"# F!!t !4 t"# 9!unt)n. 111
2 .ut 4ou must satis"# me and gi'e me the Co# o" hearing 4ou 5 sa#s ,ohn, the
scri)e, who is greeted )# 7ermas with eIual respect and with greater respect )#
Stephen.
2 I will not den# #ou that satis"action. 3ome o'er here 5 and ,esus leans against
the mountain and )egins to spea;.
3 2 God6s will has held us in this place )ecause had we gone an# "urther, a"ter
the distance we had wal;ed, we would ha'e in"ringed the precepts and caused
scandal. And ma# that ne'er happen until the 1ew Pact is written. It is right to
sancti"# "east da#s and praise the =ord in places o" pra#er. .ut the whole
creation can )e a place o" pra#er i" man can ma;e it thus through his ele'ation to
the >ather. 1oah6s Ar; adri"t on the water was a place o" pra#er and li;ewise the
)ell# o" ,onah6s whale. Places o" pra#er were the house o" the Pharaoh when
,oseph li'ed in it, and the tent o" 7olo"ernes "or the chaste ,udith. And was not
the corrupt place where the prophet Daniel li'ed as a sla'e, so sacred to the
=ord, )ecause o" the holiness o" 7is ser'ant who so sancti"ied the place as to
deser'e the high prophecies o" 3hrist and o" the Antichrist, which are a ;e# to
present and "uture timesE All the more reason this place is hol# as with its hues
and scents, with its pure air and rich crops, with its dew# pearls it spea;s to us o"
God, the >ather and 3reator and sa#s? GI )elie'e. And #ou ought to )elie'e
)ecause we )ear witness to God.H =et it there"ore )e our s#nagogue "or this
Sa))ath and let us read the eternal pages on corollas and ears, with the sun as
our lamp.
I mentioned Daniel. I said to #ou? G=et this place )e our s#nagogue.H 0hat
reminds us o" the Co#"ul G)less the =ordH o" the three hol# #oung men in the
"lames o" the "urnace? 7ea'ens and waters, dew and "rost, ice and snow, "ire and
colours, light and dar;ness, lightning and clouds, mountains and hills, all
germinated things, )irds, "ish and animals, praise and )less the =ord with
hum)le hol#<hearted men. e can pra# and deser'e 7ea'en e'er#where. e
deser'e it when we do the >ather6s will.
4 At da#)rea; the# pointed out to *e that i" e'er#thing is controlled )# the will
o" God, also the errors o" men are wanted )# that will. 0hat is an error and a
widespread one. 3an a "ather e'er wish his son to )e )lameworth#E 1o, he
cannot. And #et we see that in some "amilies some sons )ecome )lameworth#,
although the# ha'e a Cust "ather who points out to them the good to )e done and
the e'il to )e a'oided. And no righteous person will accuse a "ather o" urging his
sons to do e'il things.
God is the >ather, men are the sons. God points out the good and sa#s? G.ehold,
I put #ou in this situation "or #our own good.H Also when the &'il 9ne and the
men who ser'e him )ring mis"ortunes to men, God sa#s? G.ehold, this is how
#ou must )eha'e in this pain"ul hourL )# doing so, this mis"ortune will ser'e "or
an eternal good.H 7e ad'ises #ou, )ut does not "orce #ou. So i" a man, ;nowing
what the will o" God is, pre"ers to do the 'er# opposite, can we sa# that this 'er#
opposite is the will o" GodE e cannot.
=o'e God6s will. =o'e it more than #our own and "ollow it against the
enticements and power o" the world, o" the "lesh, o" the demon. Also those
things ha'e a will. .ut I solemnl# tell #ou that he who su)mits to such wills is
most unhapp#.
4ou call *e *essiah and =ord. 4ou sa# #ou lo'e *e and #ou praise *e. 4ou
"ollow *e and that seems lo'e. .ut I solemnl# tell #ou that not e'er#one
amongst #ou will enter the Bingdom o" 7ea'en with *e. Also amongst *#
earliest and latest disciples there are some who will not enter the Bingdom,
)ecause man# will do their own will or the will o" the "lesh, o" the world, o" the
demon, )ut not *# >ather6s. 1ot those who sa# to *e? G=ordF =ordFH will enter
the Bingdom o" 7ea'en, )ut those who do the will o" *# >ather. 0he# will )e
the onl# ones to enter the Bingdom o" God.
5 0he da# will come when I, ho am now spea;ing to #ou, a"ter )eing the
Shepherd, will )e the ,udge. Do not let the present appearance decei'e #ou.
1ow *# shepherd6s sta"" gathers together all the scattered souls and ;indl#
in'ites #ou to come to the pastures o" 0ruth. =ater the sta"" will )e replaced )#
the sceptre o" the ,udge Bing and *# power will )e Iuite di""erent. It will not
)e with ;indness )ut with implaca)le Custice that I will separate the sheep "ed
with 0ruth "rom those which miDed 0ruth and &rror or "ed onl# on error. I will
do that a "irst time and then once again. And woe )etide those who )etween the
"irst and the second appearance )e"ore the ,udge will not ha'e purged them<
sel'es )ecause the# will not )e a)le to purge themsel'es o" their poisons. 0he
third categor# will not purge itsel". 1o pain could purge it. 0he# wanted nothing
)ut &rror, so let them )e in &rror.
And #et among them there will )e someone moaning? Ghat, =ordF Did we not
prophes# in 4our name, and in 4our name did we not cast out demons and wor;
man# miraclesE.H And then I will sa# 'er# clearl# to them? G4es, #ou dared to
1.-. T"# S)88)t" )4t#r t"# S#r+!n. At t"# F!!t !4 t"# 9!unt)n. 112
clothe #oursel'es with *# name that #ou might appear what #ou are not. 4ou
wanted #our satanism to )e considered as li'ing with ,esus. .ut #ou are accused
)# the "ruit o" #our deeds. here are the souls #ou sa'edE hen were #our
prophecies "ul"illedE hat was the result o" #our eDorcismsE ho was the
accomplice o" #our de'iationsE 9hF *# &nem# is reall# power"ulF .ut not more
than I am. 7e helped #ou onl# to plunder more souls, and than;s to #ou, the
circle o" those swept awa# )# heres#, has widened. 4es, #ou ha'e wor;ed
wonders, which apparentl# loo;ed e'en greater than those o" the true ser'ants o"
God, who are not histrionics who astonish crowds, )ut are so hum)le and
o)edient as to ama(e angels. *# true ser'ants, through their sacri"ices do not
create phantasms, )ut wipe them out o" heartsL the# do not impose themsel'es
on men, )ut show God to souls o" men. 0he# do nothing )ut the will o" the
>ather and lead others to do it, li;e a wa'e that pushes the wa'e preceding it and
draws the one "ollowing it, without putting themsel'es on a throne and sa#ing?
6=oo;6. *# true ser'ants do what I tell them, without thin;ing o" an#thing else,
and their deeds )ear the sign o" *# unmista;a)le peace, ;indness and order. I
can there"ore sa# to #ou? the# are *# ser'ants, )ut I do not ;now #ou. Go awa#
"rom me all o" #ou, wor;ers o" iniIuit#.H
0hat is what I will sa#. And it will )e a dread"ul word. 0a;e care #ou do not
deser'e it and proceed along the sa"e, although pain"ul wa# o" o)edience,
towards the glor# o" the Bingdom o" 7ea'en.
&nCo# #our Sa))ath rest praising God with #our whole sel'es. Peace )e with
#ou. 5
And ,esus )lesses the crowds )e"ore the# scatter see;ing shade, one group
spea;ing to another, commenting on the words the# ha'e Cust heard.
,esus is le"t with 7is apostles and ,ohn, the scri)e, who does not spea; )ut is
a)sor)ed in deep meditation, watching e'er# gesture o" ,esus.
And the c#cle o" the *ount is o'er.
166. T! S!r2'nt o0 t! C!nturion Is Cur!(.
,n( 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus enters 3apernaum coming "rom the countr#. 9nl# the 0wel'e are with
7im, na#, onl# ele'en apostles, as ,ohn is not there. 0he usual greetings o" the
crowd "orm a 'ast range o" eDpressions, "rom the entirel# simple ones o"
children, to the rather sh# ones o" women, to the enraptured ones o" people
cured miraculousl#, and those which are either curious or ironical. 0here are
enough to satis"# all tastes. And ,esus replies to e'er#)od# according to how 7e
is greeted? caressing the little ones, )lessing the women, smiling at those cured
miraculousl#, and with deep respect "or the others.
.ut this time the series is completed )# the greeting o" a centurion o" the town, I
thin;. 7e greets 7im? 2 7ail, *asterF 5 to which ,esus replies? 2 *a# God come
to #ou. 5
hile the crowd draws close to see the outcome o" the meeting, the centurion
continues? 2 I ha'e )een waiting "or 4ou "or se'eral da#s. 4ou do not recognise
me as one o" those who were listening to 4ou on the *ount. I was wearing
ci'ilian clothes. Are 4ou not as;ing me wh# I went thereE 5
2 1o, I am not, )ut what do #ou want "rom *eE 5
2 I ha'e instructions to "ollow those who hold meetings, )ecause too o"ten
8ome has had to regret ha'ing granted permission "or apparentl# honest
meetings. .ut seeing and listening to 4ou, I thought o" 4ou as a... as a... I ha'e
a ser'ant who is ill, =ord. 7e is l#ing in m# house, in his )ed, paral#(ed )# a di<
sease o" the )ones and he su""ers dread"ull#. 9ur doctors cannot cure him. 4our
doctors re"use to come. I in'ited them to come )ecause it is a disease caused )#
the corrupt air o" this area and #ou ;now how to cure it with the her)s o" the
"e'ersome soil o" the shore where the water stagnates )e"ore )eing a)sor)ed )#
the sand o" the sea. I am 'er# sorr# )ecause he is a "aith"ul ser'ant. 5
2 I will come and cure him. 5
2 1o, m# =ord. I am not as;ing 4ou to go to all that trou)le. I am a heathen,
"ilth, as "ar as #ou are concerned. I" the ,ewish doctors are a"raid o" )ecoming
contaminated )# coming to m# house, all the more reason it would contaminate
4ou, ho are di'ine. I am not worth# that 4ou should enter under m# roo", )ut
i" 4ou sa# onl# one word here, m# ser'ant will )e cured )ecause 4ou rule o'er
1... T"# S#r6)nt !4 t"# C#ntur!n Is Cur#*. 113
e'er#thing. 1ow i" I, who am su)Cect to m# authorities, the "irst )eing 3aesar,
"or whom I must act, thin; and )eha'e as I am told, can in turn order soldiers
under me, and i" I sa# to one? GGoH, to another? G3omeH and to a ser'ant? GDo
thatH, the "irst one will go where I send him, the other will come )ecause I call
him, and the third will do what I tell him, 4ou, as 4ou are ho 4ou are, will )e
immediatel# o)e#ed )# the disease, which will 'anish. 5
2 .ut the disease is not a man... 5 o)Cects ,esus.
2 1either are 4ou a man, 4ou are the *an. 4ou can there"ore gi'e orders to
elements and "e'ers, )ecause e'er#thing is su)Cect to 4our power. 5
2 Some elders o" 3apernaum ta;e ,esus aside and sa# to 7im? 2 7e is a 8oman,
)ut listen to him )ecause he is an honest man who respects and helps us. It was
he who )uilt our s#nagogue and he has gi'en strict instructions to his soldiers
not to gi)e at us on Sa))aths. Grant him, there"ore, the grace, "or the sa;e o"
4our town, so that he ma# not )e disappointed and irritated, and his "ondness "or
us ma# not turn into hatred. 5
And ,esus, a"ter listening to them, turns round smiling at the centurion and sa#s?
2 Go ahead and I will come a"ter #ou. 5
.ut the centurion sa#s once again? 2 1o, m# =ord, I ha'e told 4ou? it would )e
a great honour i" 4ou entered under m# roo", )ut I do not deser'e so muchL sa#
onl# one word and m# ser'ant will )e cured. 5
2 =et it )e so. Go and ha'e "aith. 0his 'er# moment the "e'er is lea'ing him and
li"e is "lowing )ac; into his lim)s. &ndea'our to get =i"e to come also to #our
soul. Go. 5
0he centurion salutes, then )ows and goes awa#.
3 ,esus watches him go awa#, then turns to the people present and sa#s? 2 I
solemnl# tell #ou that I did not "ind so much "aith in Israel. 9hF It is Iuite trueF
G0he people that wal;ed in dar;ness saw a great lightL on those who li'e in a
land o" deep shadow a light has shoneH, and also G0he *essiah will hoist 7is
"lag o'er the nations and gather them together.H 9hF *# BingdomF 0he# will
reall# "low to #ou in immense num)ersF *ore numerous than all the camels and
dromedaries o" *adian and &phah, than those who )ring the gold and incense o"
She)a, more numerous than all the "loc;s o" Bedar and the rams o" 1e)aioth,
will )e those who come to #ou and *# heart will eDult with Co# seeing all the
peoples o" the sea and the wealth o" the nations coming to *e. 0he islands are
waiting "or *e to adore *e, and the children o" "oreigners will )uild the walls
o" *# 3hurch, the gates o" which will lie open continuall# to recei'e the ;ings
and the wealth o" the nations and sancti"# them in *e. hat Isaiah saw, will )e
accomplishedF I tell #ou that man# will come "rom the east and the west and
will sit with A)raham, Isaac and ,aco) in the Bingdom o" 7ea'en, whereas the
children o" the Bingdom will )e thrown out into the dar;, where there will )e
weeping and grinding o" teeth. 5
2 4ou there"ore "oretell that the gentiles will )e eIual to the children o"
A)rahamE 5
2 1ot eIual, )ut greater. 4ou can onl# regret that it is due to #our "ault. 1ot I,
)ut the Prophets sa# so, and the signs alread# con"irm it. 1ow some o" #ou
should go to the house o" the centurion and ascertain that his ser'ant is cured as
the "aith o" the 8oman deser'ed. 3ome. Perhaps in the house there are some
sic; people waiting "or *e. 5
,esus with the apostles and a "ew more people turns 7is steps towards the usual
house where 7e sta#s when in 3apernaum, while most o" the people, dri'en )#
curiosit#, rush towards the centurion6s house ma;ing a great noise.
168. 9!sus 7!!ts Tr!! 7!n /o /'nt to Fo##o$ Hi).
-r( 9un! 1*4+.
1 I see ,esus turning 7is steps towards the la;e with ele'en apostles, as ,ohn is
still a)sent. *an# people press round 7im? among them there are man# who
were on the *ount, mainl# men, who ha'e reached 7im at 3apernaum to hear
7is word once again. 0he# would li;e to detain 7im. .ut 7e sa#s? 2 I )elong to
e'er#)od#. And there are man# who are entitled to ha'e *e. I will come )ac;.
4ou will Coin *e. .ut let *e go now. 5 7e has di""icult# in wal;ing through the
crowd who throng the little narrow street. 0he apostles push with their shoulders
to ma;e room "or 7im. .ut it is li;e pushing a spong# su)stance which
immediatel# springs )ac; again. 0he# get angr#, too, )ut to no a'ail.
0he# are alread# in sight o" the la;e, a"ter a "ierce struggle, when a middle<aged
1.1. :#sus 9##ts T"r## 9#n 0"! 0)nt t! F!%%!& H+. 114
re"ined loo;ing man goes near the *aster and touches 7is shoulder to attract
7is attention.
,esus turns round and stops, as;ing? 2 hat do #ou wantE 5
2 I am a scri)e. .ut our precepts can in no wa# )e compared to 4our word and I
am "ascinated )# it. *aster, I do not want to lea'e 4ou. I will "ollow 4ou
where'er 4ou go. hich wa# are 4ou goingE 5
2 0he wa# to 7ea'en. 5
2 I do not mean that. I am as;ing 4ou where are 4ou going now. In which
houses will 4ou stop a"ter the present one, so that I ma# alwa#s "ind 4ouE 5
2 >oDes ha'e holes and the )irds o" the air ha'e nests, )ut the Son o" *an has
nowhere to la# 7is head. 0he world is *# home, where'er there are spirits to )e
taught, distress to )e relie'ed, sinners to )e redeemed. 5
2 &'er#where, then. 5
2 4ou are right. 3an #ou, a doctor in Israel, do what these simple men do "or *#
sa;eE hat are reIuired here are? sacri"ice, o)edience, charit# "or e'er#)od#, a
mind adapti'e "or e'er#thing and with e'er#)od#. .ecause compliance is
alluring. .ecause he who wishes to cure must )end o'er all sores. A"terwards
there will )e the purit# o" 7ea'en. .ut here we are in mud and we ha'e to pull
out o" the mud, on which we wal;, the 'ictims alread# su)merged in it. e
cannot li"t our clothes and mo'e to one side )ecause the mud is deeper there.
Purit# must )e within us. e must )e sated with it so that nothing else can enter.
3an #ou do all thatE 5
2 At least let me tr#. 5
2 0r#. I will pra# that #ou ma# succeed. 5
2 ,esus )egins to wal; again and 7is attention is drawn )# two e#es staring at
7im, the e#es o" a tall strong #oung man who has stopped to let the train o"
"ollowers pass, as he seems to )e going in a di""erent direction. ,esus sa#s to
him? 2 >ollow *e. 5
0he #oung man starts, changes colour, )lin;s as i" he were da((led )# light, then
opens his mouth to spea; )ut cannot "ind an immediate repl#. At last he sa#s? 2 I
will "ollow 4ou. .ut m# "ather died at Bora(im and I must )ur# him. =et me do
that and then I will come. 5
2 >ollow *e. =ea'e the dead to )ur# their dead. 4ou ha'e alread# )een
attracted )# =i"e. 9n the other hand, #ou aspired to that. Do not weep o'er the
gap which =i"e opened around #ou to ma;e #ou a disciple. 0he maiming o"
a""ection is the root o" the wings which are )orn o" a man who has )ecome a
ser'ant o" the 0ruth. =ea'e corruption to its own "ate. 8ise towards the
Bingdom o" the incorrupt. 4ou will "ind there also the incorrupti)le pearl o"
#our "ather. God calls and passes )#. 0omorrow #ou would no longer "ind #our
heart o" toda# or God6s in'itation. 3ome. Go and announce the Bingdom o"
God. 5
0he man is leaning against a low wall and with his arms hanging )# his sides? he
is holding two )ags, "ull o" per"umes and )andagesL his head is lowered in
thought, wa'ering )etween two lo'es? "or God and "or his "ather.
,esus waits and loo;s at him, he then gets hold o" a little child, clasps him to 7is
heart sa#ing? 2 Sa# with *e? GI )less 4ou, o >ather, and I in'o;e 4our light "or
those who weep in the ha(e o" li"e. I )less 4ou, o >ather, and I in'o;e 4our
strength "or those who are li;e a child in need o" support. I )less 4ou, o >ather,
and I in'o;e 4our lo'e that it ma# cause men to "orget e'er#thing which is not
4oursel", as the# can "ind all good in 4ou, )oth here and in 7ea'en, although
the# cannot )elie'e it.H 5 And the child, an innocent )o# a)out "our #ears old,
repeats in his thin 'oice the hol# words with his hands held in pra#er )# the
right hand o" ,esus, ho holds them )# their plump wrists as i" the# were two
"lower stems.
0he man ma;es up his mind. 7e hands the two )undles to a companion and
comes towards ,esus, ho puts down the child a"ter )lessing him, and em)races
the #oung man, proceeding thus with him, to com"ort him and support him in
his e""ort.
3 Another man Iuestions 7im? 2 I would li;e to come with 4ou, too. .ut )e"ore
"ollowing 4ou I would li;e to ta;e lea'e o" m# relati'es. ill 4ou allow meE 5
,esus stares at him and replies? 2 0here are too man# roots in #our human )eing.
Jproot them and i" #ou cannot, cut them o"". 9ne must come to God6s ser'ice
with spiritual "reedom. 7e who gi'es himsel", must ha'e no ties. 5
2 >lesh and )lood are alwa#s "lesh and )lood. I will slowl# reach the "reedom
4ou re"er to... 5
1.1. :#sus 9##ts T"r## 9#n 0"! 0)nt t! F!%%!& H+. 11,
2 1o, #ou would ne'er reach it. God is as eDacting as 7e is in"initel# generous
in rewarding. I" #ou wish to )e a disciple #ou must em)race #our cross and
"ollow *e. 9therwise one remains a simple )elie'er. 0he wa# o" the ser'ant o"
God is not strewn with petals o" roses. And it is a)solute in its demands. 1o one
who has put his hand to the plough to "urrow the "ields o" hearts and spread
there the seed o" God6s doctrine, can loo; )ac; to see what he le"t, what he lost
and what he could ha'e had i" he had "ollowed another common wa#. ho does
that is not "it "or the Bingdom o" God. or; upon #oursel". *a;e a man o"
#oursel" and then come. 1ot now. 5
0he# reach the shore. ,esus goes on )oard Peter6s )oat and whispers a "ew words
to him. I see ,esus smile while Peter ma;es a gesture eDpressing ama(ement.
.ut 7e does not sa# an#thing. Also the man who did not go to )ur# his "ather in
order to "ollow ,esus, gets into the )oat.
16*. T! P'r'5#! o0 t! So$!r.
4t 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus sa#s to me showing me the course o" the ,ordan, or rather, the mouth o"
the ,ordan where it "lows into =a;e 0i)erias, that is where the town o" .ethsaida
lies on the right )an; o" the ri'er, with respect to those "acing north? 2 0he town
nowada#s no longer appears to )e on the shore o" the la;e, )ut a little inland.
And that pu((les scholars. 0he eDplanation is to )e "ound in the earth which
"illed this part o" the la;e, as it was deposited there throughout twent# centuries
)# the ri'er, )# allu'ia and landslides "rom the hills o" .ethsaida. 0he town was
then Cust at the mouth o" the ri'er, and in "act the smaller )oats, particularl# in
seasons rich in water, used to sail upstream, almost as "ar as Bora(imL the ri'er,
howe'er, was alwa#s used as a har)our and shelter "or the )oats o" .ethsaida
when the la;e was 'er# rough. I am not sa#ing this "or #ou, to whom it is o" no
interest, )ut "or di""icult doctors. And now go on. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
2 0he )oats o" the apostles, a"ter crossing the short stretch o" the la;e )etween
3apernaum and .ethsaida, land in the latter town. 9ther )oats ha'e "ollowed
them and man# people come o"" them to Coin the people o" .ethsaida who ha'e
come to greet the *aster. ,esus enters Peter6s house where his wi"e is sta#ing
once again. I suppose she has pre"erred to )e alone rather than li'e with her
mother who continuousl# grum)les a)out her hus)and.
9utside the crowds claim ,esus at the top o" their 'oices, which distur)s Peter
'er# much, so much so that he goes up to the roo" terrace and harangues the
citi(ens telling them that the# ought to ha'e respect and manners. 7e would li;e
to enCo# the compan# o" his *aster "or a little while, in peace, now that he has
7im in his house, whereas he has neither the time nor the pleasure to o""er 7im
some water and hone# among the man# things he as;ed his wi"e to o""er. And
he grum)les...
,esus loo;s at him smiling and sha;es 7is head sa#ing? 2 4ou would thin; that
#ou ne'er see *e and that we ha'e Cust met )# chanceF 5
2 .ut it is soF hen we are in the world are 4ou and I e'er togetherE 1e'er in
#our li"eF .etween 4ou and me there is the world with its sic; people, its
distressed people, its listeners, its curious people, its slanderers, its enemies, and
4ou and I are ne'er together. 7ere instead 4ou are with me, in m# house, and
the# ought to understand thatF 5 7e is reall# upset.
2 .ut I do not see the di""erence, Simon. *# lo'e is the same and *# word is
the same. hether I tell #ou pri'atel#, or I tell e'er#)od#, what di""erence does
it ma;eE 5
Peter then con"esses his great grie"? 2 0he trou)le is that I am a )loc;head and
m# mind wanders easil#. hen 4ou spea; in a sIuare, on a mountain, amongst
a large crowd, I understand e'er#thing, )ut I do not ;now wh#, I remem)er
nothing. I told also m# companions and the# sa# that I am right. 9ther people, I
mean the people who listen to 4ou, understand 4ou and remem)er what 4ou
sa#. 7ow o"ten ha'e we heard someone sa#? GI ha'e no longer done that
)ecause 4ou told usH, or? GI came )ecause once I heard 4ou sa# so and so and I
was impressed )# it.H e instead... humF it6s li;e a water course which passes
)# and does not stop. 0he ri'er )an; no longer has the water which has passed
)#. It is true that other water comes, a great deal o" it, )ut it passes )#, it passes
)#... And I am terri"ied at the thought that, i" what 4ou sa# will come true, the
moment will come when 4ou will no longer )e there to pla# the part o" the ri'er
and... and I... hat will I gi'e to those who are thirst# i" I cannot sa'e e'en one
drop o" the great lot 4ou gi'e meE 5
1.2. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# S!&#r. 11-
Also the others support Peter6s moaning, complaining that the# are le"t with
nothing o" what the# hear, whilst the# would li;e to remem)er e'er#thing to
repl# to those who as; them Iuestions.
,esus smiles and replies? 2 I do not thin; so. People are 'er# satis"ied also with
#ou... 5
2 3ertainl#... o" courseF >or all we doF *a;e room "or 4ou, )# el)owing our
wa# through the crowds, carr# sic; people, collect alms and sa#? G4es, that is
the *asterF.H onder"ul, isn6t itE 5
2 Do not de"ame #oursel" too much, Simon. 5
2 I am not de"aming m#sel". I ;now m#sel". 5
2 0hat is the most di""icult wisdom. .ut I wish to relie'e #ou o" #our great "ear.
hen I spea; and #ou cannot understand and remem)er e'er#thing, as; *e
without an# "ear o" )oring or discouraging *e. e alwa#s ha'e some hours o"
pri'ac#, when #ou can open #our hearts to *e. I gi'e so much to so man#. And
what would I not gi'e #ou whom I lo'e so much that God could not lo'e #ou
moreE 4ou spo;e o" wa'es that pass )# and nothing is le"t on the )an;. 0he da#
will come when #ou will realise that e'er# wa'e has deposited a seed and that a
plant has grown "rom e'er# seed. 4ou will "ind in "ront o" #ou "lowers and
plants "or all occasions and #ou will )e ama(ed at #oursel" sa#ing? Ghat has
the =ord done to meEH )ecause #ou will then )e redeemed "rom the sla'er# o"
sin and #our present 'irtues will ha'e reached a great height o" per"ection. 5
2 4ou sa# so, m# =ord, and I rest upon 4our word. 5
2 1ow let us go to those who are waiting "or us. 3ome. Peace to #ou, woman. I
will )e #our guest this e'ening. 5
3 0he# go out and ,esus directs 7is steps towards the la;e to a'oid )eing
oppressed )# the crowds. Peter is Iuic; in mo'ing the )oat a "ew #ards "rom the
shore, so that ,esus6 'oice ma# )e heard )# e'er#)od#, )ut with a space )etween
7im and those listening.
2 3orning here "rom 3apernaum I was thin;ing what I should tell #ou and I
"ound an indication in the e'ents o" this morning.
4ou saw three men come to *e. 9ne came spontaneousl#, the second )ecause I
urged him, the third came )ecause o" a sudden enthusiasm. And #ou also saw
that I too; onl# two o" them. h#E Did I perhaps see a traitor in the third, oneE
1o, in truth. .ut I saw that he was unprepared. 0o all appearance, this one here
)eside *e, the one who was going to )ur# his "ather, seemed more unprepared.
Instead the most unprepared was the third one. 0his one was so prepared, with<
out )eing aware o" it, that he was a)le to ma;e a reall# heroic sacri"ice. 7eroism
in "ollowing God is alwa#s e'idence o" strong spiritual Preparation. And that is
the eDplanation o" certain surprising e'ents that ta;e place around *e. 0hose
who are most prepared to recei'e 3hrist, whiche'er their caste and education
might )e, come to *e with a)solute promptitude and "aith. 0hose who are less
prepared eDamine *e as an eDceptional man or the# stud# *e with suspicion or
curiosit#, or the# attac; and de"ame *e accusing *e in 'arious wa#s. 0he
di""erent wa#s o" )eha'iour are proportional to the unpreparedness o" spirits.
Among the chosen people it should )e possi)le to "ind e'er#where spirits read#
to recei'e the *essiah in hose eDpectation Patriarchs and Prophets were
consumed )# anDiet#, the *essiah ho at last has come, preceded and
accompanied )# all the prophesied signs, the *essiah, hose spiritual
personalit# )ecomes clearer and clearer through the 'isi)le miracles wor;ed on
)odies and elements, and through the in'isi)le ones wor;ed on consciences
which are con'erted and on Gentiles who turn to the 0rue God. .ut it is not so.
0he promptitude in "ollowing the *essiah is strongl# hindered )# the children
o" that people and, what is sad to )e said, it is more hindered the more one
clim)s to its higher classes. I am not sa#ing this to scandalise #ou, )ut to induce
#ou to pra# and meditate. h# does that happenE h# do Gentiles and sinners
proceed "arther on *# wa#E h# do the# accept what I sa# and the others do
notE .ecause the children o" Israel are anchored, na#, the# are stuc; li;e pearl<
o#sters to the )an; where the# were )orn. .ecause the# are sated, o'erwhelmed
and o)ese with their wisdom and the# cannot ma;e room "or *ine )# throwing
awa# what is super"luous to ma;e room "or what is necessar#. 0he others do not
su""er "rom such sla'er#. 0he# are poor heathens or poor sinners, unimpeded
li;e a )oat which is adri"t, the# are poor people, who ha'e no treasures o" their
own, )ut onl# heaps o" errors or sins, o" which the# gladl# strip themsel'es as
soon as the# understand what the Gospel is and the# taste its "orti"#ing hone#,
which is Iuite di""erent "rom the nauseating miDture o" their sins.
4 =isten, and perhaps #ou will understand )etter how the same action can )ear
di""erent "ruits.
A sower went out to sow. 7e owned man# "ields o" 'arious ;inds. 7e had inhe<
1.2. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# S!&#r. 11.
rited some "rom his "ather, on which his carelessness had allowed thorn# plants
to proli"erate. 9ther "ields had )een purchased )# him? he had )ought them "rom
a neglect"ul man and he had le"t them as the# were. In other "ields there were
man# intersecting roads, as the man lo'ed com"ort and did not li;e to tra'el a
long wa# when going "rom one place to another. >inall#, there were some "ields,
the closest to his house, which he had loo;ed a"ter to ha'e a pleasant sight in
"ront o" his house. 0he# were "ree "rom stones, thorns, couch<grass and so on.
So the man too; his sac; o" seed<corn o" the )est Iualit#, and )egan to sow. 0he
seed "ell on the good so"t soil, which had )een ploughed, weeded, "ertili(ed, in
the "ields near the house. It was spread in the "ields with man# roads and paths,
which di'ided them into small portions, and caused also the "ertile soil to )e
co'ered )# ugl# arid dust. Some o" the seed "ell on the "ields where the
"oolishness o" the man had allowed the thorn# plants to proli"erate. 0he plough
had turned them upside down, it loo;ed as i" the# were not there, )ut the# were,
)ecause onl# "ire, the radical destructor o" weeds, pre'ents them "rom growing
again. 0he last seed "ell on the "ields which he had recentl# )ought and had le"t
as the# were, without ploughing them and without remo'ing all the stones,
which had sun; into the ground "orming a hard pa'ement on which no plant
could ta;e root. A"ter scattering all the seed, he went )ac; home and said? G-er#
wellF All I ha'e to do is to wait "or the har'est.H And he was delighted )ecause,
as months went )#, he saw the corn come up thic; in the "ields near the house
and grow... ohF what a )eauti"ul seaF and it turned gold and it sang hosannas to
the sun, as one ear ru))ed against another. 0he man said to himsel"? GAll the
"ields are li;e these onesF =et us prepare sic;les and granaries. 7ow much
)readF 7ow much goldFH And he was delighted...
7e cut the corn in the nearest "ields and a"ter that he went to the ones which he
had inherited "rom his "ather and which he had le"t in a wild state. And he was
ta;en a)ac;. 0he corn had come up, )ecause the "ields were good and the soil
culti'ated )# the "ather was rich and "ertile. .ut its "ertilit# had a""ected also the
thorn# plants which had )een o'erturned )ut not destro#ed. 0he# had grown
again and had "ormed a reall# thic; ceiling o" )ram)le, through which the corn
had not )een a)le to emerge, with the eDception o" a "ew ears, and it was
completel# su""ocated.
0he man said? GI neglected this place. .ut there was no )ram)le in the other
"ields, so it should )e all right.H And he went to the "ields which he had
purchased shortl# )e"ore. 7is surprise and grie" were greater. 0he thin withered
corn lea'es were strewn all o'er li;e dr# ha#. 1othing )ut dr# ha#. G7ow
comeEH moaned the man. GAnd #et there are no thorns hereF And it was the
same seedF And it had come up thic; and )eauti"ul. It can )e seen )# the well
"ormed and numerous lea'es. h# then did it all wither )e"ore coming into
earEH And with real regret he )egan to dig the ground to see whether there were
an# mole )urrows or other pests. 0here were no insects or rodents. .ut how
man# stonesF A stone<pitF 0he "ields were literall# pa'ed with chips o" stone
and the scant# earth co'ering them was decei'ing. 9hF i" he had ploughed deep
at the right timeF 9hF i" he had dug the ground )e"ore accepting the "ields and
)u#ing them as good onesF 9hF i", a"ter the mista;e he had made in )u#ing what
he had )een o""ered without ma;ing sure o" its goodness, i" at least he had
impro'ed them )# wor;ing hardF It was now too late and all regret was useless.
0he man stood up, and, downhearted as he was, he went to the "ields where he
had )uilt man# roads "or his com"ort... and mad with grie" he tore o"" his
clothes. 0here was a)solutel# nothing there... 0he dar; soil o" the "ield was
co'ered with a thin la#er o" white dust... 0he man collapsed to the ground
moaning? G.ut wh# hereE 0here are no stones, no )ram)le here, )ecause these
are our "ields. *# grand"ather, m# "ather and I ha'e alwa#s owned them and in
man# man# #ears we made them "ertile. I )uilt the roads, I ha'e ta;en some o"
the earth awa#, )ut that could not ma;e them so sterile... G 7e was still weeping
when he recei'ed the answer to his grie" "rom a swarm o" )irds which "lew
eagerl# "rom the paths to the "ield and )ac; to the paths in search o" seeds... 0he
"ield, which had )een turned into a networ; o" paths, on the edges o" which the
corn had "allen, had attracted man# )irds, which "irst had eaten the corn on the
paths and then the seeds in the "ield, down to the last grain.
So the same seed, sown in all the "ields, had #ielded one hundred to one in
some, siDt#, thirt#, nothing in others. =isten, an#one who has ears. 0he seed is
the ord? the same "or e'er#)od#. 0he places where the seed "ell? #our hearts.
*editate the para)le and understand it. Peace )e with #ou. 5
5 7e then turns towards Peter and sa#s? 2 Go up the ri'er as "ar as #ou can and
stop on the other side. 5 And while the two )oats sail a short distance up the
ri'er and then stop near the )an;, ,esus sits down and as;s the new disciple? 2
ho is le"t now at homeE 5
2 *# mother and the eldest )rother, who has )een married "or "i'e #ears. *#
sisters are in 'arious parts o" the region. *# "ather was 'er# good and m#
1.2. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# S!&#r. 111
mother mourns his death )ro;en<heartedl#. 5 0he #oung man stops all o" a
sudden, sti"ling heart"elt so)s.
,esus gra)s his hand and sa#s? 2 I eDperienced that sorrow *#sel" and I saw *#
*other weep. So I can understand... 5
0he ru))ing o" the )oat on the pe))l# ri'er<)ed causes the con'ersation to )e
interrupted to allow them to go ashore. 0he low hills o" .ethsaida which almost
reach down to the la;e, ha'e come to an end here, instead a plain rich in crops
eDtends "rom this shore, on the other side o" .ethsaida, northwards.
2 Are we going to *eromE 5 as;s Peter.
2 1o, let us ta;e this path among the "ields. 5
0he lo'el# and well ;ept "ields show ears o" corn still tender )ut well "ormed, all
o" the same heightL and while lightl# undulating in the cool northern )ree(e the#
loo; li;e another small la;e, the sails o" which are the trees growing here and
there "ull o" whistling )irds.
2 0hese "ields are not li;e the ones o" the para)le 5 remar;s ,esus6 cousin ,ames.
2 1ot reall#F 0he )irds ha'e not de'astated them, there are no stones, no
)ram)le. 0he corn is )eauti"ulF In a month6s time it will )e golden... and in two
it will )e read# "or the sic;le and the granar# 5 sa#s ,udas o" Berioth.
2 *aster... I remind 4ou o" what 4ou said in m# house. 4ou spo;e so well. .ut
I am )eginning to ha'e ideas in m# head which are as con"used as those ru""led
clouds up there... 5 sa#s Peter.
2 0his e'ening I will eDplain it to #ou. 1ow we are in sight o" Bora(im. 5 And
,esus stares at the new disciple sa#ing? 2 *uch is gi'en to those who gi'e. And
possessions do not depri'e the gi"t o" its merits. 0a;e *e to the sepulchre o"
#our "amil# and to #our mother6s house. 5
0he #oung man ;neels down, ;issing ,esus6 hand and weeping.
2 Get up. =et us go. *# spirit has percei'ed #our weeping. I want to "orti"# #ou
in #our heroism through *# lo'e. 5
2 Isaac the &lder had told me how good 4ou were. Isaac, 4ou ;nowE 4ou cured
his daughter. 7e was m# apostle. .ut I see that 4our ;indness is much greater
than I was told. 5
2 e shall call also on the &lder to than; him "or gi'ing *e a disciple. 5
6 0he# reach Bora(im and Isaac6s house is the "irst one the# "ind. 0he old man,
who is on his wa# )ac; home, when he sees ,esus with 7is apostles and the
#oung man "rom Bora(im among them, raises his arms, holding his wal;ing
stic; in his hand, and is speechless and dum)"ounded. ,esus smiles and 7is
smile gi'es speech )ac; to the old man.
2 *a# God )less 4ou, *asterF h# so much honour to meE 5
2 0o sa# to #ou? G0han;s.H 5
2 .ut what "or, m# GodE I ha'e to sa# that word to 4ou. 3ome in. 9hF I am
sorr# that m# daughter is a)sent, assisting her mother<inlaw. .ecause she got
married, 4ou ;nowE I ha'e recei'ed nothing )ut )lessings a"ter I met 4ouF
A"ter she was cured that rich relati'e o" ours came "rom "ar awa#, a widower,
with the little ones needing a mother... 9hF .ut I ha'e alread# told 4ou all thatF
*# head is oldF >orgi'e meF 5
2 4our head is wise and "orgets to )e proud o" the good it does "or its *aster.
0o "orget the good done is wisdom. It shows humilit# and trust in God. 5
2 .ut I... I would not ;now... 5
2 And this disciple... ha'e I not had him through #ouE 5
2 9hF... .ut I ha'e done nothing, 4ou ;nowE I onl# told him the truth... and I
am happ# that &lias is with 4ou. 5 7e turns towards &lias and sa#s? 2 4our
mother, a"ter the "irst moment o" astonishment, was relie'ed when she heard
that #ou were with the *aster. 0he last honours rendered to #our "ather were
reall# solemn. 7e has not )een long )uried. 5
2 And what a)out m# )rotherE 5
2 7e is Iuiet... #ou ;now... he was rather upset )# #our a)sence... )ecause o" the
'illage people... 7e still has that mentalit#... 5
0he #oung man turns to ,esus? 2 4ou said so. .ut I would not li;e him to )e
dead... =et him )ecome ali'e as I am, and at 4our ser'ice. 5
0he others do not understand and the# loo; at one another inIuisiti'el#, )ut
,esus replies? 2 Do not despair, )ut perse'ere. 5 7e )lesses Isaac and goes awa#,
notwithstanding the# entreat 7im to sta#.
1.2. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# S!&#r. 112
7 0he# stop "irst near the sepulchre and pra#. A"ter, through a still semi)are
'ine#ard, the# go to &lias6 house.
0he meeting o" the two )rothers is rather a cold one. 0he elder "eels o""ended
and wants people to notice it. 0he #ounger "eels guilt# "rom a human point o"
'iew and does not react. .ut the arri'al o" their mother, who without sa#ing
an#thing prostrates hersel" and ;isses the hem o" ,esus6 tunic )rightens the
atmosphere and their spirits. And the# want to honour the *aster. .ut ,esus
does not accept an#thing, 7e onl# sa#s? 2 =et #our hearts )e Cust, one towards
the other, as Cust was he whom #ou are mourning. Do not gi'e a human sense to
what is super<human? death and the election to a mission. 0he soul o" #our Cust
"ather was not upset seeing that this son was not present at the )urial o" his
)od#, )ut it rested Iuietl# on the certaint# o" &lias6 "uture. Do not let worldl#
thoughts distur) the grace o" the election. I" the world was surprised at not
seeing him near his "ather6s co""in, the angels eDulted seeing him )eside the
*essiah. .e Cust. And ma# that com"ort #ou, mother. 4ou )rought him up
wisel# and he has )een called )# isdom. I )less #ou all. Peace )e with #ou
now and alwa#s. 5
0he# go on the road which ta;es them )ac; to the ri'er, and "rom there to
.ethsaida. &lias did not dela# e'en "or one moment on the threshold o" his
"ather6s house. A"ter ;issing his mother good)#e, he "ollowed the *aster with
the simplicit# o" a child who "ollows his real "ather.
18;. L!sson to t! A"ost#!s in P!t!r>s Eitc!n 'n(
Announc!)!nt o0 t! B'"tist>s C'"tur!.
6t 9un! 1*4+.
1 e are in Peter6s ;itchen once again. 0he meal must ha'e )een a heart# one
)ecause dishes with lea'ings o" meat, "ish, cheese, dried "ruit and hone# ca;es
are )eing piled up on a ;ind o" cup)oard, which reminds me o" our 0uscan
;neading troughs. Pitchers and chalices are still on the ta)le.
Peter6s wi"e must ha'e wor;ed miracles to satis"# her hus)and,and she must
ha'e wor;ed all da#. 1ow, tired )ut happ#, she is in her little corner listening to
what her hus)and and the others are sa#ing. She watches her Simon, who, as "ar
as she is concerned, must )e a great man, e'en i" he is somewhat eDacting, and
when she hears him spea; new words, where )e"ore he could onl# tal; o" )oats,
nets, "ish and mone#, she )egins to )lin; as i" she were da((led )# a )right light.
Peter, )oth )ecause o" his Co# in ha'ing ,esus at his ta)le and )ecause o" the
heart# meal he has had, is in the )est o" spirits this e'ening, and the "uture Peter,
preaching to the crowds, is disclosed.
I do not ;now which remar; o" a companion originated the clear<cut repl# o"
Peter who sa#s? 2 It will happen to them what happened to the "ounders o" the
0ower o" .a)el. 0heir own pride will pro'o;e the collapse o" their theories and
the# will )e crushed. 5
Andrew o)Cects to his )rother? 2 .ut God is *erc#. 7e will pre'ent the collapse
to gi'e them time to mend their wa#s. 5
2 Do not )elie'e that. 0he# will crown their pride with "alse accusations and
persecutions. 9hF I can alread# see it. 0he# will persecute us to disperse us as
unpleasant witnesses. And since the# attac; the 0ruth )# la#ing snares "or it,
God will ta;e re'enge and the# will perish. 5
2 ill we ha'e the strength to resistE 5 as;s 0homas.
2 ell... as "or me, I would not ha'e it. .ut I put m# trust in 7im 5 and Peter
nods to the *aster ho is listening and is silent, 7is head slightl# inclined, as i"
7e wished to hide 7is understanding countenance.
2 I thin; that God will not put us to tests )e#ond our strength 5 sa#s *atthew.
9r 7e will at least increase our strength in proportion to the tests 5 concludes
,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 2 7e is alread# doing that. I was rich and power"ul. I" God had not decided to
preser'e me "or a purpose o" 7is, I would ha'e surrendered m#sel" to despair
and perished when I was persecuted and an outcast. I would ha'e acted harshl#
against m#sel"... Instead a new wealth, which I had ne'er possessed )e"ore,
descended upon m# desolation? the wealth o" a con'iction? GGod eDists.H >irst...
God... 4es, I )elie'ed, I was a "aith"ul Israelite. .ut mine was a "aith o"
"ormalism. And I thought that the reward o" m# "aith was alwa#s in"erior to m#
'irtue. I too; the li)ert# o" de)ating with God )ecause I "elt that I was still
something on the earth. Simon Peter is right. I, too, was )uilding a tower o"
113.L#ss!n t! t"# A$!st%#s n P#t#r>s Etc"#n )n* Ann!unc#+#nt !4 t"# B)$tst>s C)$tur#. 123
.a)el )# praising m#sel" and satis"#ing m# ego. hen e'er#thing collapsed
around me and I was li;e a worm crushed )# the weight o" all this human
"utilit#, then I no longer de)ated with God, )ut with m#sel", with m# stupid sel"
and I ended up )# demolishing it.
And as I did so, ma;ing room "or what I thin; is the God immanent in our
earthl# )eings, I gained a new strength and wealth? the certaint# that I was not
alone and that God was watching o'er man de"eated )# men and )# e'il. 5
2 According to #ou, what is God, Gthe God immanent in our earthl# )eingsH as
#ou saidE hat do #ou meanE I do not understand #ou and I thin; it is a heres#.
God is the 9ne we ;now through the =aw and the Prophets. 0here is no other
God 5 sa#s rather sternl# ,udas o" Berioth.
2 I" ,ohn was here he would tell #ou )etter than I can. .ut I will tell #ou as )est
I can. God is the 9ne we ;now through the =aw and the Prophets. 0hat is true.
.ut in what do we ;now 7imE And howE 5
,udas o" Alphaeus eDclaims? 2 =ittle and )adl#. 0he Prophets, who descri)ed
7im "or us, ;new 7im. 0he idea we ha'e is a muddled one, as we can Cust see
through a mound o" eDplanations piled up )# sects...5
2 SectsE hat do #ou meanE e ha'e no sects. e are the children o" the =aw.
e all are 5 the angr# aggressi'e Iscariot sa#s.
2 0he children o" the laws. 1ot o" the =aw. 0here is a slight di""erence. Plural,
not singular. In actual "act, we are the children o" what we created, no longer o"
what God ga'e us 5 retorts 0haddeus.
2 0he laws deri'e "rom the =aw 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
Also diseases originate in our )odies, )ut that does not mean that the# are good
5 replies 0haddeus.
2 .ut let me hear what this immanent God o" Simon :ealot is. 5 0he Iscariot,
who cannot argue against the remar; o" ,udas o" Alphaeus, endea'ours to ta;e
the discussion )ac; to where it started.
Simon :ealot sa#s? 2 9ur senses need a term to catch an idea. &ach o" us, I am
re"erring to us )elie'ers, )elie'es, )# the 'irtue o" "aith, in the *ost 7igh =ord
and 3reator, &ternal God, ho is in 7ea'en. .ut e'er# )eing needs more than
such )are, pure, incorporeal "aith, which is "it and su""icient "or the angels who
see and lo'e God spirituall#, as the# share with 7im a spiritual nature and can
see God. e ha'e to create a GpictureH o" God "or oursel'es, which picture is
made with the essential "eatures that we ascri)e to God, to gi'e a name to 7is
in"inite a)solute per"ection. 0he more a soul concentrates, the more it succeeds
in achie'ing an eDact ;nowledge o" God. 0hat is what I sa#? the immanent God.
I am not a philosopher. Perhaps I ha'e applied the word wrongl#. In short, I
thin; that the immanent God is to "eel, to percei'e God in our spirits, to "eel and
percei'e 7im no longer as an a)stract idea, )ut as a real presence, )estowing
strength and a new peace upon us. 5
2 All right. .ut, to sum up, how did #ou "eel 7imE hat is the di""erence
)etween "eeling )# "aith and "eeling )# immanenceE 5 as;s the Iscariot
somewhat ironicall#.
2 God is sa"et#, )o#. hen #ou percei'e 7im, as Simon sa#s, )# means o" that
word, which I do not understand literall#, )ut I understand its spirit M and
)elie'e me, the trou)le is that we understand onl# literall# and we do not
understand the spirit o" God6s words M it means that #ou are a)le to grasp the
idea o" the terri)le maCest#, )ut also o" the most sweet paternit# o" God. It
means that, should all the world Cudge and condemn #ou unCustl#, #ou would
"eel that 9ne onl#, 7e, the &ternal 9ne, ho is #our >ather, does not Cudge #ou,
)ut a)sol'es and com"orts #ou. It means that i" all the world should hate #ou,
#ou would "eel o'er #ou a lo'e greater than an# this world can o""er. It means
that i" #ou were isolated in Cail or in a desert #ou would alwa#s hear 9ne spea;
to #ou and sa#? G.e hol#, that #ou ma# )e li;e #our >ather.H It means that "or
the true lo'e "or this >ather and God, hom at last #ou percei'e as such, #ou
accept, wor;, ta;e and lea'e without an# human consideration, as #ou are
concerned onl# to return lo'e "or lo'e and to cop# God as much as possi)le in
#our actions 5 sa#s Peter.
2 4ou are proudF 0o cop# GodF 4ou are not entitled to 5 declares the Iscariot.
2 It is not pride. =o'e leads to o)edience. 0o cop# God seems to me a "orm o"
o)edience )ecause God said that 7e made us in 7is own image and li;eness 5
replies Peter.
2 7e made us. e must not go higher up. 5
2 4ou are a poor wretch, m# )o#, i" that is what #ou thin;F 4ou are "orgetting
that we "ell and that God wants to ta;e us )ac; to what we were. 5
113.L#ss!n t! t"# A$!st%#s n P#t#r>s Etc"#n )n* Ann!unc#+#nt !4 t"# B)$tst>s C)$tur#. 121
3 ,esus )egins to spea;? 2 &'en more, Peter, ,udas and #ou all. &'en more than
that. Adam6s per"ection was still suscepti)le o" impro'ement through lo'e,
which would ha'e made him a more precise image o" his 3reator. Adam without
the stain o" sin would ha'e )een a most shining mirror o" God. 0hat is wh# I
sa#? G.e per"ect as #our >ather ho is in 7ea'en is per"ect.H =i;e #our >ather.
0here"ore li;e God. Peter is Iuite right. And so is Simon. I as; #ou to remem)er
their words and appl# them to #our souls. 5
Peter6s wi"e almost "aints "rom Co# on hearing her hus)and )eing praised thus.
She weeps )ehind her 'eil? she is Iuiet )ut happ#.
4 Peter )lushes so much that he seems to )e ha'ing a stro;e o" apopleD#. 7e
remains dum) "or a "ew moments, then sa#s? 2 ell, then, gi'e me m# reward.
0he para)le o" this morning...5
Also the others Coin Peter sa#ing? 2 4es, 4ou promised. Para)les ser'e 'er# well
to ma;e people understand the comparison. .ut we ;now that the# ha'e a higher
meaning than the comparison. h# do 4ou spea; to them in para)lesE 5
2 .ecause the# are not to understand more than I eDplain. 4ou are granted much
more, )ecause as *# disciples, #ou must )e acIuainted with the m#ster#L and
#ou are there"ore gi'en to understand the m#steries o" the Bingdom o" 7ea'en.
0hat is wh# I sa# to #ou? GAs; *e i" #ou do not understand the spirit o" the
para)le.H 4ou gi'e e'er#thing and e'er#thing is gi'en to #ou, so that #ou, in
#our turn, ma# gi'e e'er#thing. 4ou are gi'ing e'er#thing to God? lo'e, time,
interests, "reedom, li'es. And God gi'es #ou e'er#thing to reward #ou and to
ena)le #ou to gi'e e'er#thing in the name o" God to those who come a"ter #ou.
0hus, to him who has gi'en will )e gi'en a)undantl#. .ut he who ga'e onl#
partl# or did not gi'e at all, will )e depri'ed also o" what he has.
I spea; to them in para)les, so that, while seeing, the# ma# see onl# what is
illuminated )# their will to adhere to God, and while listening, alwa#s through
the same will o" adherence, the# ma# hear and understand. SeeF *an# hear *#
word, "ew adhere to God. 0heir spirits lac; good will. Isaiah6s prophec# is "ul<
"illed in them? G4ou will hear with #our ears and will not understand, #ou will
loo; with #our e#es and will not see.H .ecause this people is hardheartedL their
ears are hard and their e#es are closed, so that the# ma# not see and hear, that
the# ma# not understand with their hearts and con'ert, that I ma# cure them. .ut
#ou are )lessed )ecause #our e#es see and #our ears hear, and )ecause o" #our
good willF I solemnl# tell #ou that man# Prophets and man# Cust people were
anDious to see what #ou see and the# did not see it, and to hear what #ou hear
and the# did not hear it. 0he# pined awa# with the desire to understand the m#s<
ter# o" the words, )ut as soon as the light o" the prophec# went out, the words
remained li;e )urnt out coals, also "or the hol# man who had recei'ed them.
9nl# God re'eals 7imsel". hen 7is light "ades out, as soon as the purpose o"
illuminating the m#ster# comes to its end, the ina)ilit# to understand en'elops
the regal truth o" the word recei'ed, li;e the )andages o" a mumm#. 0hat is wh#
I said to #ou this morning? G0he da# will come when #ou will "ind e'er#thing I
ha'e gi'en #ou.H 1ow #ou cannot remem)er. .ut later light will come upon
#ou, not Cust "or a moment, )ut "or an insepara)le union o" the &ternal Spirit
with #ours, where)# #our teaching concerning what pertains to the Bingdom o"
God will )e in"alli)le. And what applies to #ou, will appl# also to #our
successors, i" the# li'e o" God as o" one )read onl#.
5 1ow listen to the spirit o" the para)le.
e ha'e "our ;inds o" "ields? the "ertile ones, the thorn# ones, the ston# ones
and the ones "ull o" paths. e also ha'e "our t#pes o" spirits.
0here are the honest spirits, the spirits o" good will, prepared )# their own will
and )# the wor; o" an apostle, o" a GtrueH apostleL )ecause there are apostles
who ha'e the name )ut not the spirit o" an apostle and the# are more lethal "or
the will in "ormation, than )irds, thorns and stones. 0he# upset in such a wa#,
through their intolerance, their haste, their reproaches and their threats, as to
dri'e people awa# "rom God "ore'er. 0here are others who, on the contrar#,
through an eDcess o" )enignit#, utterl# out o" place, cause the seed to rot in too
so"t a soil. .ecause o" their lac; o" 'igour, the# ;ill the 'igour o" the souls the#
cure. .ut let us consider the true apostles, that is, the shining mirrors o" God.
0he# are paternal, merci"ul, patient, and at the same time the# are strong, as
their =ord is strong. 1ow? the souls prepared )# them and )# their own will can
)e compared to the "ertile "ields, "ree "rom stones and )ram)les, "rom couch<
grass and darnel, in which the word o" God thri'es and e'er# word, that is e'er#
seed, )ears a )undle o" ears, #ielding in some places one hundred, in others
siDt#, thirt# per cent. Are there an# li;e that among those who "ollow *eE 0here
certainl# are. And the# will )e hol#. 0he# come "rom all castes and countries.
And there are Gentiles among them and the# will #ield one hundred per cent
)ecause o" their good will, onl# )ecause o" that, or )ecause o" their good will
and that o" an apostle or disciple who prepares them "or *e.
113.L#ss!n t! t"# A$!st%#s n P#t#r>s Etc"#n )n* Ann!unc#+#nt !4 t"# B)$tst>s C)$tur#. 122
0he thorn# "ields are those in which thorn# tangles o" personal interests, which
su""ocate the good seed, ha'e )een allowed to grow )# carelessness. 4ou must
watch #oursel'es all the time. 1e'er sa#? G9hF I am well "ormed, I ha'e )een
sown, I can rest assured that I will )ear seeds o" eternal li"e.H atch #oursel'esL
the struggle )etween Good and &'il is still on. 7a'e #ou e'er watched a colon#
o" ants that install themsel'es in a houseE 0here the# are, near the "ireplace. 0he
housewi"e ta;es all "oodstu"" awa# "rom there and puts it on the ta)le. 0he# sni""
the air and attac; the ta)le. 0he housewi"e puts the "ood in a cup)oard and the#
get into the cup)oard through the ;e#hole. 0he woman hangs her "ood suppl#
"rom the ceiling, and the# go a long wa# along walls and )eams, down the rope
and reach the "ood. 0he woman )urns them, scalds them, poisons them. And
thin;ing that she has destro#ed them she is happ#. .ut i" she does not watch,
what a surprise she getsF 0he new hatched ones come out and she has to start all
o'er again. And that is what happens while #ou li'eL #ou must )e care"ul and
uproot the e'il weeds as soon as the# come up. 9therwise the# will "orm a
ceiling o" )ram)les which su""ocate the corn. orldl# cares, decei'ing wealth
"orm the tangle, su""ocate the seed o" God and pre'ent it "rom coming into ears.
And here are the "ields "ull o" stones. 7ow man# there are in IsraelF 0he# are the
ones that )elong to the Gchildren o" the lawsH as *# cousin ,udas Iuite rightl#
said. In them there is not the one Stone o" itness, nor the Stone o" the =aw.
0here is the Iuarr# o" poor pett# human laws made )# men. 0he# are so man#
that with their weight the# ha'e )ro;en also the Stone o" the =aw into chips. A
disaster which does not allow the seed to ta;e root. 0he root is no longer
nourished )ecause there is neither soil nor sap. 0he water stagnating on the stone
pa'ement causes the seed to rot, the sun ma;es the stones hot and parches the
little plants. Such are the spirits o" those who put complicated human doctrines
in place o" the simple doctrine o" God. 0he# e'en recei'e *# word with Co#. At
"irst it sha;es and allures them. .ut later... 0he# would need to )e heroes and
wor; hard to clean the "ield, their souls and minds o" all rhetorical stones. 0he
seed would then ta;e root and )ear long spi;es. As it is... it )ears nothing. 0he
"ear o" human retaliation is enough. It is enough to sa#? GAnd a"terE hat will
the might# ones do to meEH and the poor seed languishes without nourishment.
It is enough "or the whole Iuarr# to stir with the 'ain sound o" the hundreds o"
precepts, which ha'e )een put in place o" the Precept, that man perishes with the
seed recei'ed... Israel is "ull o" them. 0hat eDplains wh# the coming to God is in
in'erse ratio to human power.
0he last are the dust# )arren "ields "ull o" roads. 0hose o" worldl# sel"ish people.
0heir com"ort is their law, enCo#ment their aim. 0heir am)itions? to do no wor;,
to slum)er, to enCo# themsel'es, to "east... 0he spirit o" the world is their ;ing.
0he dust o" worldliness co'ers the soil which )ecomes mould#. .irds, that is
dissipation, rush on to the thousand paths which ha'e )een )uilt to ma;e li"e
easier. 0he spirit o" the world, that is, o" the &'il one, pic;s up and destro#s all
the seed that "alls on this soil open to all sensualit# and laDit#...
7a'e #ou understoodE 7a'e #ou an# Iuestions to as;E 1oE In that case we can
go and rest and tomorrow we will lea'e "or 3apernaum. 0here is one place to
which I must go )e"ore starting on *# Courne# to ,erusalem "or Passo'er. 5
6 2 Shall we go through Arimathea againE 5 as;s the Iscariot.
2 I am not sure. It depends on...5
0here is a loud ;noc;ing at the door.
2 ho can it )e at this timeE 5 as;s Peter getting up to open the door.
,ohn comes in. 7e is most upset, co'ered in dust, and he has o)'iousl# )een
weeping.
2 4ou are hereF 5 the# all shout. 2 hat6s the matterE 5
,esus, ho has stood up, sa#s onl#? 2 here is *# *otherE 5
And ,ohn, coming "orward and ;neeling at the "eet o" the *aster, holding his
arms as i" he were as;ing "or help, sa#s? 2 4our *other is well, )ut She is
weeping as I am, as man# others are, and She )egs 4ou not to come "ollowing
the ,ordan on our side. 0hat is wh# She sent me )ac;, )ecause 4our cousin ,ohn
has )een captured...5 And ,ohn weeps while e'er#)od# is )ewildered.
,esus turns 'er# pale )ut does not )ecome eDcited. 7e sa#s onl#? 2 Stand up and
tell us. 5
2 I was going down with 4our *other and the other women. Isaac and
0imoneus were also with us. e were three women and three men. I was
carr#ing out 4our instruction to ta;e *ar# to ,ohn... AhF 4ou ;new it was their
last "arewellF... It was to )e their last "arewell... .ecause o" the storm o" a "ew
da#s ago, we had to stop "or a little while. .ut it was enough to ma;e it
impossi)le "or ,ohn to see *ar#... e arri'ed at noon and he was captured at
da#)rea;...5
113.L#ss!n t! t"# A$!st%#s n P#t#r>s Etc"#n )n* Ann!unc#+#nt !4 t"# B)$tst>s C)$tur#. 123
2 hereE 7owE .# whomE In his ca'eE 5 the# all as;, the# all want to ;now.
2 7e was )etra#edF... 0he# used 4our name to )etra# himF 5
2 7ow horri)leF ho did thatE 5 the# all shout.
And ,ohn shuddering, whispering in a low 'oice what not e'en the air should
hear, states? 2 It was one o" his disciples...5
0he con"usion is at its highest pitch. Some curse, some weep, some are petri"ied
with astonishment.
,ohn throws his arms round ,esus6 nec; and shouts? 2 I am a"raid "or 4ouF... "or
4ouF 0he saints ha'e their traitors who sell themsel'es "or gold and "or "ear o"
the might# ones, #earning "or reward, o)e#ing Satan. >or thousands o" thingsF
9hF ,esusF ,esusF 7ow dread"ulF *# "irst masterF *# ,ohn who ga'e me to
4ouF 5
2 It is all rightF Do not worr#F 1othing will happen to *e "or the time )eing. 5
2 .ut laterE hat will happen laterE I loo; at m#sel", at these... I am a"raid o"
e'er#)od#, also o" m#sel". ill one o" us )e 4our traitorE....
2 Are #ou madE And do #ou thin; that we would not tear him to piecesE 5
shouts Peter.
And the Iscariot? 2 9hF 4ou reall# are madF It will ne'er )e IF .ut i" I should
"eel so wea; as to e'entuall# )ecome so, I would ;ill m#sel". .etter than )e the
murderer o" God. 5
,esus "rees 7imsel" "rom ,ohn6s grip, sha;es ,udas 'iolentl# sa#ing? 2 Do not
swearF 1othing can ma;e #ou wea;, unless #ou wantF And i" that should
happen, ma;e sure #ou weep "or it, and do not commit another crime in addition
to deicide. 7e )ecomes wea;, who cuts o"" his 'ital lin; with God. 5 7e then
returns to ,ohn, who is weeping with his head on the ta)le and he sa#s? 2 Spea;
calml#. It grie'es *e, too. 7e was o" *# )lood and was *# Precursor. 5
2 I onl# saw some o" the disciples, who were disma#ed and "urious with the
traitor. 0he others accompanied ,ohn towards his prison to )e near him at his
death. 5
2 .ut he is not dead #et... the last time he managed to escape. 5 sa#s the :ealot
endea'ouring to com"ort ,ohn o" whom he is 'er# "ond.
2 7e is not dead #et. .ut he will die 5 replies ,ohn.
2 4es, he will die. 7e ;nows as well as I do. 1othing and no one will sa'e him
this time. henE I do not ;now. I ;now that he will not come out o" 7erod6s
hand ali'e. 5
2 4es, 7erod. =isten. ,ohn went to the mountain gorge, )etween *ount &)al
and Geri(im, where we also passed coming )ac; to Galilee, )ecause the traitor
said to him? G0he *essiah is d#ing a"ter )eing attac;ed )# 7is enemies. 7e
wants to see #ou to entrust a secret to #ou.H And he went with the traitor and
some other people. 7erod6s armed men were in the shade o" the 'alle# and the#
captured him. 0he others ran awa# and ga'e the news to the disciples who had
remained near 7ennon. 0he# had Cust come when I arri'ed with 4our *other.
And the dread"ul thing is that he was one "rom our towns... and that the
Pharisees o" 3apernaum are the leaders o" the plot to catch him. 0he# went to
,ohn sa#ing that 4ou had )een their guest and that 4ou were lea'ing "rom there
to go to ,udaea... he would not ha'e le"t his re"uge )ut "or 4ou...5
7 Dead silence "ollows ,ohn6s report. ,esus loo;s )loodless, 7is deep )lue e#es
are dimmed. 7e is standing with his head )owed, 7is hand still on ,ohn6s
shoulder, and 7is hand is trem)ling lightl#. 1o one dare spea;. ,esus )rea;s the
silence? e shall go to ,udaea "ollowing a di""erent route. .ut I must go to
3apernaum tomorrow. As earl# as possi)le. 8est now. I am going up to the
oli'e<gro'e. I need to )e alone. 5 And 7e goes out without sa#ing an#thing else.
2 7e is certainl# going to weep 5 whispers ,ames o" Alphaeus. 2 =et us "ollow
7im, )rother 5 sa#s ,udas 0haddeus.
2 1o. =et 7im weep. .ut let us go out Iuietl# and ;eep watch. I "ear tric;s
e'er#where 5 replies the :ealot.
2 4es, let us go. e "ishermen to the shore. I" an#)od# comes "rom the la;e we
will see him. 4ou go to the oli'e<gro'e. 7e is certainl# in the usual place, near
the walnut<tree. At dawn we will ha'e the )oats read# to go awa# earl#. 0hose
sna;esF &hiF I did tell #ouF 0ell me, )o#E .ut... is 7is *other reall# sa"eE 5
2 9hF 4esF Also the shepherd disciples o" ,ohn ha'e gone with 7er. Andrew...
we will ne'er see our ,ohn againF 5
2 .e IuietF It sounds li;e the song o" the cuc;oo... 9ne precedes the other and...
and...5
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2 .# the 7ol# Ar;F .e IuietF I" #ou go on tal;ing a)out mis"ortunes to the
*aster, I will start "rom #ou, letting #our )ac;s "eel the weight o" m# oarF 5
shouts an enraged Peter. 2 4ou...5 he then sa#s to those who are to go to the
oli'e<gro'e? 2 Get some clu)s, some )ig )ranches, #ou will "ind some in the
wood<shed... and spread out, armed with them. 0he "irst one to come near ,esus
to harm 7im, ;ill him. 5
2 0he disciplesF e must )e care"ul with the new onesF 5 eDclaims Philip.
0he new disciple "eels hurt and as;s? 2 Are #ou in dou)t a)out meE 7e chose me
and wanted me. 5
2 1ot a)out #ou. I mean the scri)es and Pharisees and their worshippers. 0hat is
where the trou)le will come "rom, )elie'e me. 5
0he# go out, some towards the )oats, some towards the oli'e<trees on the hills,
and it all ends.
181. P'r'5#! o0 t! D'rn!#.
8t 9un! 1*4+.
1 A clear dawn causes the la;e to spar;le li;e pearls and en'elops the hills in a
mist as light as a muslin 'eil, through which oli'e and walnut<trees, houses and
the )ac;ground o" 'illages loo; prettier than usual. .oats are sailing smoothl#
and Iuietl# towards 3apernaum. All o" a sudden Peter turns the tiller o" the
rudder, so a)ruptl# that the )oat heels to one side.
2 hat are #ou doingE 5 as;s Andrew.
2 0here is the )oat o" an owl @1A. It is lea'ing 3apernaum now. *# e#es are
good and since #esterda# e'ening I ha'e the scent o" a hound. I do not want
them to see us. I am going )ac; to the ri'er. e will go on "oot. 5
Also the other )oat has "ollowed the manoue're, )ut ,ames, who is holding the
rudder, as;s Peter? 2 h# are #ou doing thatE 5
2 I will tell #ou later. >ollow me. 5
,esus, ho is sitting astern, rouses when the# are almost o"" the ,ordan. 2 hat
are #ou doing, SimonE 5 7e as;s.
2 e are getting o"" here. 0here is a Cac;al a)out. It is not possi)le to go to
3apernaum toda#. I want to go and "ind out what is happening "irst. I will go
with Simon and 1athanael. 0hree worth# people against three unworth# ones...
i" the unworth# ones are not more. 5
2 4ou must not see traps e'er#where, nowF Is that not the )oat o" Simon the
PhariseeE 5
2 It is Cust that one. 5
2 7e was not present at ,ohn6s arrest. 5
2 I don6t ;now. 5
2 7e has alwa#s shown respect to *e. 5
2 I don6t ;now. 5
2 4ou ma;e *e appear a coward. 5
2 I don6t ;now. 5
Although ,esus does not "eel li;e laughing, 7e cannot help smiling at Peter6s
hol# o)stinac#. 2 .ut, a"ter all, we must go to 3apernaum. I" not toda#, later...5
2 I told 4ou that I am going "irst, to see... and i" necessar#... I will also go... it
will )e a )itter pill to swallow... )ut I will do it "or 4our sa;e... I will go... to the
centurion and as; his protection...5
2 1oF It is not necessar#F 5
0he )oat grounds on the little desert shore opposite .ethsaida. 0he# all go
ashore.
2 4ou two come with me. 4ou too, Philip. 4ou #ounger ones, sta# here. e
will not )e long. 5
&lias, the new disciple, )egs ,esus? 2 3ome to m# house, *aster. I will )e so
happ# to gi'e 4ou hospitalit#...5
2 4es, I will come. Simon? #ou will meet *e at &lias6 house. Good)#e, Simon.
111. P)r)8%# !4 t"# D)rn#%. 12,
Go. .ut )e good, wise and merci"ul. 3ome here that I ma# ;iss #ou and )less
#ou. 5
Peter does not guarantee that he will )e good, patient and merci"ul. 7e is silent
and ;isses ,esus while )eing ;issed )# 7im. Also the :ealot, .artholomew and
Philip ;iss ,esus good)#e and the two parties go in opposite directions.
2 0he# enter Bora(im when it is )road da#light. All the stems twin;le with
dew# gems. .irds are singing e'er#where. 0he air is pure and cool, it seems to
sa'our o" mil;, o" a 'egeta)le mil; rather than animal mil;. 0he scent o" the
corn coming into ears, o" the almond<gro'es laden with "ruit... is the scent I
could smell in cool mornings in the rich "ields in the Po -alle#.
0he# soon reach &lias6 house. *an# people in Bora(im alread# ;now that the
*aster has arri'ed, and while ,esus is a)out to enter the house, a mother rushes
towards 7im shouting? 2 ,esus, Son o" Da'id, ha'e merc# on m# daughterF 5
She is carr#ing in her arms a little girl, a)out ten #ears old, who is 'er# thin and
waDen, or #ellowish rather than waDen.
2 hat is the matter with #our daughterE 5
2 She is "e'erish. She caught a disease at the pastures along the ,ordan. .ecause
we are the shepherds o" a rich man. 7er "ather sent "or me when she was ta;en
ill. 7e has gone )ac; to the mountains. .ut 4ou ;now that with this ;ind o"
disease one cannot sta# up in high places. .ut how can I sta# hereE 9ur master
has allowed me so "ar. .ut I loo; a"ter the wool and the litters. 0his is the )us#
season "or shepherds. I" I sta# here we will )e dismissed or separated. And i" I
go )ac; to the 7ermon I will see m# daughter die. 5
2 Do #ou )elie'e that I can cure herE 5
2 I ha'e spo;en to Daniel, &lisha6s shepherd. 7e said to me? G9ur 3hild cures all
diseases. Go to the *essiah.H I ha'e come "rom )e#ond *erom carr#ing her in
m# arms and loo;ing "or 4ou. I was going to wal; until I "ound 4ou...5
2 4ou need wal; no "arther, )ut go home, to #our peace"ul wor;. 4our daughter
is cured )ecause that is what I want. Go in peace. 5
0he woman loo;s at her daughter and at ,esus. She is perhaps hoping to see her
daughter )ecome "at and ros# all at once. Also the girl stares at ,esus with her
tired e#es wide open and smiles.
2 Do not )e a"raid, woman. I am not decei'ing #ou. 7er "e'er has gone "ore'er.
Da# )# da# she will )ecome a health# girl. =et her go. She will no longer
stagger neither will she "eel tired. 5
0he mother puts the child down and she stands upright. She )ecomes more and
more cheer"ul and at last she trills in her sil'er# 'oice? 2 .less the =ord, motherF
I am curedF I can "eel it 5 and with the nai'et# o" a little shepherd girl, she
throws her arms round ,esus6 nec; and ;isses 7im. 7er mother, reser'ed as her
age demands, prostrates hersel" and ;isses 7is tunic )lessing the =ord.
2 Go. 8emem)er the gi"t o" God and )e good. Peace )e with #ou. 5
3 0he crowds gather in &lias6 little ;itchen garden reIuesting ,esus to spea; to
them. And although 7e is not inclined to do so, sad as 7e is )ecause o" the
.aptist6s capture and the wa# it happened, 7e #ields and )egins to spea; in the
shade o" the trees.
2 As we are still in the lo'el# season when the corn )ursts into ears, I wish to
tell #ou a para)le ta;en "rom the corn. =isten.
0he Bingdom o" 7ea'en ma# )e compared to a man who sowed good seed in
his "ield. .ut while the man and his ser'ants were asleep, his enem# came and
sowed darnel seeds among the wheat and went awa#. At "irst no one noticed
an#thing. inter came with rain and "rost, the end o" the month o" 0e)eth came
and the corn sprouted. 0he tin# little green lea'es which had Cust come up,
loo;ed all ali;e in their innocent earl# da#s. 0he months o" She)at and Adar
came and the plants grew and the spi;es seeded. 0he# then saw that it was not
all wheat, and that there was also darnel, twisted with its thin strong )ear)ines
round the corn stal;s.
0he ser'ants o" the master went to his house and said? G=ord, what seed did #ou
sowE as it not selected seed, "ree "rom e'er# other seedEH
GIt was certainl# so. I pic;ed all the grains and the# were all o" the same Iualit#.
I would ha'e noticed an# other seed.H
GI" so, wh# has so much darnel grown among #our cornEH
0he landlord )ecame pensi'e and said? GSome enem# has done that to harm
me.H
0he ser'ants then as;ed? GDo #ou want us to go into the "ield and "ree the corn
111. P)r)8%# !4 t"# D)rn#%. 12-
"rom the darnel, weeding it out patientl#E 0ell us and we will do it.H
.ut the master said? G1o. .ecause #ou might weed out also the corn and almost
certainl# #ou would damage the ears which are still tender. =et them )oth grow
till the har'est. 0hen I will sa# to the reapers? 63ut e'er#thing together, )ut
)e"ore t#ing the shea'es, since the )ear)ines o" the darnel are withered and
"ria)le, whereas the closed ears are stronger and harder, pic; the darnel "rom the
wheat and tie it into separate )undles. 4ou will )urn them and the# will "ertili(e
the soil. 0a;e instead the good corn into the granaries and it will )e used to )a;e
good )read, to the great shame o" m# enem# who will ha'e gained onl# to
)ecome despica)le to God )ecause o" his en'ious malice6.H
3onsider now how o"ten and how plenti"ull# the &nem# sows in #our hearts.
And #ou must understand that it is necessar# to watch patientl# and constantl#
to ensure that little darnel is miDed with the chosen wheat. 0he "ate o" the darnel
is to )e )urnt. Do #ou wish to )e )urnt or to )ecome citi(ens o" the BingdomE
4ou sa# that #ou want to )ecome citi(ens o" the Bingdom. ell, endea'our to
)e so. 0he good God gi'es #ou the ord. 0he enem# is 'igilant to ma;e it
harm"ul, )ecause the "lour o" wheat i" miDed with the "lour o" darnel ma;es a
)itter )read, which is harm"ul to the stomach. I" there is darnel in #our souls,
pic; it with good will and throw it awa#, so that #ou ma# not )e unworth# o"
God. Go, *# children. Peace )e with #ou. 5
4 0he crowds slowl# disperse. 0he eight apostles, &lias, his )rother and mother,
old Isaac, whose soul reCoices seeing his Sa'iour, sta# in the ;itchen garden.
2 Gather round *e and listen. I will eDplain the "ull meaning o" the para)le to
#ou, as it has two more meanings, )esides what I told the crowd.
In the uni'ersal sense the purport o" the para)le is as "ollows? the "ield is the
world. 0he good seed is the children o" the Bingdom o" God sown )# God in the
world, while the# wait to reach their end and )e cut )# the *ower and )e ta;en
to the *aster o" the world ho will store them in 7is granaries. 0he su)Cects o"
the &'il one are the darnel, which has also )een spread in the "ield o" God "or
the purpose o" causing grie" to the *aster o" the world and damage to the corn
o" God. 0he enem# o" God has sown them deli)eratel#, through witchcra"t,
)ecause the demon reall# per'erts the nature o" man ma;ing him a creature o"
his own and then sows it to lead astra# other people whom he has not )een a)le
to ensla'e otherwise. 0he har'est, that is the t#ing o" the shea'es and carr#ing
them to the granaries, is the end o" the world and that is accomplished )# the
angels. 0he# are gi'en instructions to gather together the creatures which ha'e
)een cut, to separate the corn "rom the darnel, and as in the para)le the darnel is
)urnt, so the damned will )e )urnt in the eternal "ire, at the =ast ,udgement.
0he Son o" man will ha'e all scandalmongers and per"ormers o" iniIuit#
remo'ed "rom 7is Bingdom. .ecause the Bingdom then will )e on the earth and
in 7ea'en and man# sons o" the &nem# will )e miDed among the citi(ens o" the
Bingdom. And, as prophesied also )# Prophets, the# will reach the per"ection o"
scandal and a)omination in e'er# ministr# on the earth and will )e o" great
anno#ance to the children o" the spirit. 0he corrupt will ha'e alread# )een
dri'en out o" the Bingdom o" God in 7ea'en, )ecause no corruption will enter
7ea'en. And now the angels o" the =ord, )randishing their sic;les among the
group o" the last har'est, will mow down and separate the corn "rom the darnel
and will throw the latter into the )urning "urnace, where there will )e weeping
and grinding o" teeth. 0he Cust, instead, the chosen seed, will )e ta;en to the
eternal ,erusalem, where the# will shine li;e the sun in the Bingdom o" *#
>ather and #ours.
5 0hat is the uni'ersal sense. .ut there is another sense, which is the answer to
the Iuestion which #ou ha'e )een as;ing #oursel'es man# times and
particularl# since #esterda# e'ening. 4our Iuestion is? G3an there )e traitors in
the mass o" disciplesEH and #our hearts trem)le with horror and "ear. 4es, there
ma# )e some. 0here are certainl# some.
0he Sower sows the good seed. In this case, instead o" sowing, we could sa#
that 7e Gpic;s.H .ecause the master, whether it is I or the .aptist, chose his
disciples. 7ow were the#, there"ore, led astra#E 1o, I did not use the right word
sa#ing that the disciples are the Gseed.H 4ou ma# misunderstand. I will call them
G"ield.H As man# disciples as "ields, chosen )# the master to "orm the area o" the
Bingdom o" God, the wealth o" God. 0he master tires himsel" culti'ating them
so that the# ma# #ield one hundred per cent. 7e ta;es care o" e'er#thing with
patience, lo'e, wisdom, wor;ing hard and perse'eringl#. 7e also sees their
wic;ed inclinations, their )arrenness and a'idit#, their stu))ornness and
wea;ness. .ut he hopes all the time, corro)orating his hope through pra#er and
penance, )ecause he wishes to lead them to per"ection.
.ut the "ields are open. 0he# are not gardens enclosed in walls o" protection, o"
which the onl# owner is the master, who is the onl# one who can go in. 0he# are
open. Placed as the# are in the centre o" the world, among the world, an#one can
111. P)r)8%# !4 t"# D)rn#%. 12.
go near them and into them. &'er#)od# and e'er#thing. 9hF darnel is not the
onl# )ad seed sownF Darnel could )e the s#m)ol o" the )itter "ri'olit# o" the
worldl# spirit. .ut all the other seeds, scattered )# the &nem#, come up in them.
0here are nettles, couch<grass, dodder, )ear)ines, and "inall# hemloc; and
poisonous her)s. h#E hat are the#E
1ettles? stinging untamea)le spirits which hurt through their eDcess o" poison
and cause so much trou)le. 3ouch<grass? parasites who wear out the master as
the# can onl# creep and suc;, ta;ing ad'antage o" his wor; and inCuring the
willing ones, who would ma;e much more pro"it i" the master were not upset
and distracted )# the cares reIuired )# the couch<grass. 0he sluggish )ear)ines
rise "rom the ground onl# )# ma;ing use o" the e""orts o" other people. Dodders?
the# are a torture on the alread# pain"ul road o" the master and a torment to the
"aith"ul disciples who "ollow him. 0he# twist, pierce, tear to pieces, scratch,
cause mistrust and pain. 0he poisonous ones? the criminal disciples, who go as
"ar as )etra#ing and ;illing as hemloc; and other poisonous plants do. 7a'e #ou
noticed how )eauti"ul the# are with their little "lowers which later )ecome
white, red, )lue<'iolet )erriesE ho would sa# that the white or pin;ish star<
shaped corolla, with its little golden heart, or the man#<coloured corals, so much
li;e other little "ruits which are the delight o" )irds and children, can cause
death, once the# are ripeE 1o one. And the innocent ones "all into the trap. 0he#
)elie'e that e'er#)od# is as good as the# are... the# pic; and die.
0he# )elie'e that e'er#)od# is as good as the# areF 9hF 0he truth that ma;es the
master su)lime and condemns his traitorF 7owE Does goodness not disarm
wic;ednessE Does it not ma;e harmlessE 1o. It does not, )ecause the man who
has "allen a pre# to the &nem# is indi""erent to what is superior. And what is
superior changes aspect, as "ar as he is concerned. Bindness )ecomes wea;ness
on which is law"ul to tread and it stimulates his as the scent o" )lood stimulates a
)east to slaughter.
Also the master is alwa#s innocent... and he lets his traitor poison him, )ecause
he cannot possi)l# )elie'e that a human )eing can murder an innocent person.
0he enemies come into the "ields o" the *aster, that is to 7is disciples. 0he# are
man# and Satan is the "irst one. 0he others are his ser'ants, that is, men,
passions, the world and the "lesh. 0he disciple who is more easil# struc; )#
them is the one who is not entirel# close to the *aster, )ut is )etween the
*aster and the world. 7e is not capa)le and does not want to part completel#
with the world, the "lesh, passions and demons, to )elong entirel# to 7im ho
wants to ta;e him to God. And the world, "lesh, passions and the demon scatter
their seed in him? gold, power, women, pride, the "ear o" an un"a'oura)le
opinion o" the world, the spirit o" utilitarianism. G0he great ones are the
strongest. I will ser'e them so that the# will )e "riendl# to me.H And the#
)ecome criminals and damned "or such misera)le thingsF...
h# does the *aster, ho sees the imper"ection o" a disciple, not cast him
awa# at once, e'en i" 7e is not prepared to su)mit to the thought? G7e will )e
*# murdererHE 0hat is what #ou are as;ing #oursel'es. .ecause it is useless to
do so. I" 7e did so he would not a'oid ha'ing him as an enem#, a dou)le and
more dangerous enem#, )ecause o" his anger and his sorrow at )eing "ound out
or at )eing dri'en awa#. 4es, )ecause o" his sorrow. .ecause sometimes a )ad
disciple does not realise that he is such. 0he demon6s action is so su)tle that he
is not aware o" it. 7e )ecomes wic;ed without e'en suspecting that he is su)Cect
to such action. And )ecause o" his anger. 7e is enraged at )eing ;nown "or what
he is, when he is aware o" Satan6s wor; and o" his "ollowers? the men who tempt
wea; people in their wea; points, to remo'e "rom the world a saint who o""ends
them, wic;ed as the# are, when compared with his goodness. 0he saint then
pra#s and trusts in God. G=et what 4ou allow, )e doneH he sa#s. 7e adds onl#
the clause? Gpro'iding it ser'es 4our purpose.H 0he saint ;nows that the time
will come when the wic;ed darnel will )e reCected "rom the har'est. .# whomE
.# God 7imsel" ho does not allow more than what is use"ul to the triumph o"
7is lo'ing will. 5
6 2 I" 4ou maintain that Satan and his "ollowers are alwa#s to )e )lamed... it
seems to me that the responsi)ilit# o" the disciple diminishes 5 sa#s *atthew.
2 Do not )elie'e that. I" there is Good there is also &'il and man is gi"ted with
discernment and "reedom. 5
2 4ou sa# that God does not allow more than what is use"ul to the triumph o"
7is lo'ing will. 0here"ore also such error is use"ul, i" 7e allows it, and it ser'es
the triumph o" the di'ine will 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
And #ou in"er, as *atthew does, that that Custi"ies the disciple6s crime. God
created the lion without "erocit# and the sna;e without poison, now one is
"erocious and the other poisonous. 0hat is wh# God separated them "rom man.
Ponder o'er that and draw conclusions. =et us go to the house. 0he sun is
alread# too warm. It loo;s as i" there is going to )e a storm. And #ou are tired
111. P)r)8%# !4 t"# D)rn#%. 121
)ecause o" the sleepless night. 5
2 0he rooms in the house are high, large and cool. 4ou will )e a)le to rest. 5
sa#s &lias.
0he# go up the outside staircase. .ut onl# the apostles lie down on the mats to
rest. ,esus goes out on to the terrace, a corner o" which is shaded )# a 'er# tall
oa;<tree, and )ecomes engrossed in thought.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
@1A 0he owl is considered the )ird o" e'il<omen.
18,. On His /'1 to 7'&('#' 9!sus S"!'@s to So)! S!"!r(s.
*t 9un! 1*4+.
1 Peter comes )ac; onl# the "ollowing morning. And he is more calm than when
he le"t, )ecause he was made welcome at 3apernaum and the town had )een
cleared o" &li and ,oachim.
2 0he# must ha'e ta;en part in the plot. .ecause I as;ed some "riends when the#
had le"t, and I understood that the# had not come )ac; a"ter going to the .aptist
as penitents. And I do not thin; that the# will come )ac; so soon, now that I
mentioned that the# were present at the arrest... 0here is much turmoil )ecause
o" the .aptist6s capture... I will ensure that the whole world ;nows a)out it... It is
the )est weapon we ha'e. I met also Simon, the Pharisee... .ut i" he reall# is
what he appeared to me, I thin; he is "a'oura)l# disposed towards us. 7e said to
*e? G0ell the *aster not to "ollow the ,ordan along the western 'alle#. 0he
other side is sa"erH he said stressing the words. And he ended? GI ha'e not seen
#ou. I ha'e not spo;en to #ou. Don6t "orget. And mind what #ou do in mine,
#ours and e'er#)od#6s interest. 0ell the *aster that I am a "riendH and he ;ept
loo;ing up, as i" he were spea;ing to the wind. 0he# are alwa#s "alse, also when
doing good things and... and I will sa# GstrangeH, so that 4ou will not reproach
me. .ut... ehiF... )ut I went and I had a little chat with the centurion. ,ust... to
as;? GIs #our ser'ant wellEH, and when I was told that he was, I said? G0hat is
goodF *a;e sure #ou ;eep him health# )ecause the# are la#ing snares "or the
*aster. 0he .aptist has alread# )een captured...H and the 8oman grasped the
idea immediatel#. A cunning "ellow he isF 7e replied? Ghere there is a
'eDillum, there will )e a guard "or 7im, and there will )e someone reminding
the ,ews that no plot is allowed under the sign o" 8ome, death or the galle#
)eing the punishment.H 0he# are heathens, )ut I could ha'e ;issed him. I li;e
people who understand and ta;e actionF So we can go. 5
2 =et us go. .ut all that was not necessar# 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 It was... it was necessar# indeedF 5
,esus sa#s good)#e to the hospita)le "amil# and also to the new disciple, to
whom 7e must ha'e gi'en some instructions.
2 0he# are alone once again? the *aster with 7is apostles and the# wal; along
the cool countr#, along a road which ,esus has ta;en much to Peter6s surprise, as
he wanted to ta;e a di""erent one. 2 e are going awa# "rom the la;e...5
2 e will still arri'e in time "or what I ha'e to do. 5
0he apostles )ecome silent and go towards a little 'illage, a hand"ul o" houses,
spread out in the countr#. A loud ding<dong o" sheep<)ells can )e heard as the
"loc;s are dri'en towards the pastures on the mountains.
hen ,esus stops to let a large herd pass, the shepherds point 7im out and
gather together. 0he# consult with one another )ut dare no more. ,esus puts an
end to their dou)ts )# wal;ing through the herd, which has stopped to gra(e the
thic; grass. 7e goes straight to caress a little shepherd, who is standing towards
the centre o" the wooll# )leating mass o" sheep. 7e as;s the )o#?
2 Are the# #oursE 5 ,esus ;nows 'er# well that the# are not the )o#6s, )ut 7e
wants him to spea;.
2 1o, =ord. I am with those men. And the herds )elong to man# owners. e are
all together "or "ear o" the )andits. 5
2 hat is #our nameE 5
2 :acharias, the son o" Isaac. .ut m# "ather died and I wor; as a ser'ant )ecause
we are poor and m# mother has three more sons #ounger than I am. 5
2 7as #our "ather )een long deadE 5
112. On Hs 0)5 t! 9)(*)%) :#sus S$#)@s t! S!+# S"#$"#r*s. 122
2 0hree #ears, =ord... and since then I ha'e ne'er smiled )ecause m# mother
alwa#s weeps and I ha'e no one who caresses me an# more... I am the "irst )orn
and m# "ather6s death has made a man o" me, while I was still a child... .ut I
must not weep )ut earn some mone#... .ut it is so di""icultF 5 0ears stream down
his "ace which is too serious "or his age.
0he shepherds ha'e drawn near and so ha'e the apostles. A group o" men in the
midst o" mo'ing sheep.
2 4ou are not "atherless, :acharias. 4ou ha'e a hol# >ather in 7ea'en, ho
alwa#s lo'es #ou, i" #ou are good, and #our "ather has not ceased lo'ing #ou
)ecause he is in A)raham6s )osom. 4ou must )elie'e that. And )ecause o" such
"aith #ou must endea'our to )ecome )etter and )etter. 5 ,esus spea;s, ;indl# and
caresses the )o#.
A shepherd dares to as;? 2 4ou are the *essiah, are 4ou notE 5
2 4es, I am. 7ow do #ou ;nowE 5
2 I ;now that 4ou are a)out in Palestine and I ;now that 4ou spea; hol# words.
0hat is wh# I recognised 4ou. 5
2 Are #ou going "arE 5
2 Jp to the high mountains. 0he hot weather is coming... ill 4ou not spea; to
usE Jp there, where we are, onl# the winds spea;, and sometimes the wol"
spea;s and it slaughters... as it happened to :acharias6 "ather. During the whole
winter we were hoping to see 4ou, )ut we ne'er "ound 4ou. 5
2 =et us go under the shade o" that thic;et and I will spea; to #ou. 5 And ,esus
goes ahead o" them, holding the little shepherd )# the hand and caressing with
the other hand the little lam)s which raise their heads, )leating.
3 0he shepherds gather the "loc; under a coppice and while the sheep lie down
ruminating or gra(e or ru) themsel'es against tree trun;s, ,esus spea;s.
2 4ou said? GJp there, where we are, onl# the winds spea;, and sometimes the
wol" spea;s and slaughters.H hat happens up there, happens in men6s hearts
through the wor; o" God, o" men and o" Satan. 4ou ma#, there"ore, ha'e up
there what #ou would ha'e in an# other place.
Do #ou ;now the =aw well enough and its ten commandmentsE And #ou, too,
)o#E In that case #ou ;now enough. I" #ou "aith"ull# practise what God
commanded, #ou will )e hol#. Do not complain o" )eing "ar "rom the world.
0hat will preser'e #ou "rom much corruption. And God is not "ar "rom #ou, )ut
closer in that solitude, where #ou can hear 7is 'oice in the winds, which 7e
created, in the her)s and in the water, whereas #ou would not hear it among
men. 4our "loc; teaches #ou a great 'irtue, na# man# great 'irtues. It is mee;
and o)edient. It is satis"ied with little and is grate"ul "or what it has. It lo'es and
;nows those who ta;e care o" it and lo'e it. Do li;ewise sa#ing? GGod is our
Shepherd and we are 7is sheep. 7e watches us. 7e protects us and grants us not
what is the source o" 'ice, )ut what is necessar# to li'e.H And ;eep wol'es awa#
"rom #our hearts. ic;ed men are wol'es? the# seduce #ou and incite #ou to
e'il actions )# Satan6s order and it is Satan himsel" who induces #ou to sin so
that he ma# tear #ou to pieces.
.e watch"ul. 4ou shepherds ;now the ha)its o" wol'es. 0he# are as shrewd, as
sheep are simple and innocent. 0he# steal close to #ou, a"ter watching "rom
a)o'e the ha)its o" the herd, the# snea; closer through )ushes and lie as still as
stones to a'oid drawing #our attention. Do the# not loo; li;e huge stones which
ha'e rolled down on to the meadowsE 0hen, when the# are sure that no one is
watching, the# spring and )ite. 0hat is how Satan )eha'es. 7e watches #ou to
"ind out #our wea; points, he roams a)out #ou, he seems harmless and a)sent,
concerned with something else, whereas he is watching #ou, and then he
suddenl# leaps to induce #ou to sin, and sometimes he is success"ul.
.ut close to #ou there are a doctor and a compassionate spirit. God and #our
angel. I" #ou are wounded, i" #ou ha'e )een ta;en ill, do not go awa# "rom
them, as a dog which has )ecome ra)id does. 9n the contrar#, while weeping
shout to them? G7elpF.H God "orgi'es those who repent and #our angel is read#
to implore God with #ou and "or #ou.
4 =o'e one another and lo'e this )o#. &ach o" #ou must "eel as i" he were
somehow the "ather o" the orphan. 0he presence o" a child amongst #ou should
in"luence e'er# action o" #ours through the hol# restraint o" respect "or a child.
And let #our compan# ma;e up "or what death depri'ed him o". e must lo'e
our neigh)our. 0his )o# is the neigh)our entrusted to #ou )# God in a special
manner. 0each him to )e good, a "aith"ul )elie'er, honest and "ree "rom 'ices.
7e is worth much more than one o" these sheep. 1ow, i" #ou ta;e care o" the
sheep )ecause the# )elong to their owner, who would punish #ou i" #ou should
let them perish, how much more care #ou must ta;e o" this soul which God
112. On Hs 0)5 t! 9)(*)%) :#sus S$#)@s t! S!+# S"#$"#r*s. 133
entrusts to #ou "or 7imsel" and "or his dead "ather. 7is situation as an orphan is
a sad one indeed. Do not ma;e it more pain"ul )# ta;ing ad'antage o" him and
'eDing him )ecause he is onl# a #oungster. 8emem)er that God sees the deeds
and tears o" e'er# man and ta;es e'er#thing into account, in order to reward or
punish.
And #ou, *# )o#, remem)er that #ou are ne'er alone. God sees #ou and so does
the spirit o" #our "ather. hen something upsets #ou and induces #ou to do
wrong, sa#? G1o, I do not want to )e an orphan "ore'er and e'er.H 4ou would
)e, i" #ou damned #our soul )# sinning.
.e good. I )less #ou so that all goodness ma# )e with #ou. I" we were going the
same wa#, I would continue to spea; to #ou "or a long time. .ut the sun is rising
and #ou must go, and so do I. 4our tas; is to protect the sheep "rom the heat,
*ine to relie'e men o" another ardour, a more dread"ul one, the passions o" their
hearts. Pra# that the# ma# consider *e as their Shepherd. Good)#e, :acharias.
.e good. Peace )e with #ou. 5
,esus ;isses the little shepherd and )lesses him and while the "loc; mo'es
slowl# awa#, 7is e#es "ollow him. 7e then resumes 7is wa#.
2 4ou said that we are going to relie'e hearts o" another ardour... here are we
goingE 5 as;s the Iscariot.
>or the time )eing as "ar as that shad# spot, where the stream is. e will ha'e
something to eat there and then #ou will )e told where we are going. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
5 ,esus sa#s? 2 Insert here the 'ision o" the second moment o" *ar#
*agdalene6s con'ersion, which #ou had last #ear, on the 12th o" August 1/44. 5
18-. 9!sus 't 7'&('#'.
H! 7!!ts $it 7'r1 7'&('#!n! t! S!con( Ti)!.
1,t Au&ust 1*44.
1 0he entire apostolic college is round ,esus. Sitting on the grass, in the cool
shade o" a thic;et, near a stream, the# are all eating )read and cheese and
drin;ing the cool clear water o" the stream. 0heir dust# sandals gi'e to
understand that the# ha'e wal;ed a long wa# and perhaps the disciples wish )ut
to rest on the long "resh grass.
.ut the 0ireless al;er is not o" the same mind. As soon as he deems that the
hottest hour is o'er, 7e gets up, goes on to the road and loo;s... 7e then turns
round and sa#s? 2 =et us go. 5 1othing else.
hen the# reach a crossroads, where "our dust# roads meet, ,esus resolutel#
ta;es the one in a north<east direction.
2 Are we going )ac; to 3apernaumE 5 as;s Peter.
,esus replies? 2 1o. 5 ,ust? no.
2 e are going to 0i)erias, then 5 insists Peter, who is anDious to ;now.
2 1ot there either. 5
2 .ut this road ta;es one to the Sea o" Galilee... and 0i)erias and 3apernaum are
there... 5
2 And there is also *agdala 5 sa#s ,esus with a hal"<serious eDpression to
satis"# Peter6s curiosit#.
2 *agdalaE 9hF... 5 Peter is somewhat scandalised, which ma;es me thin; that
the town is ill<"amed.
2 4es, to *agdala. Do #ou consider #oursel" too honest to enter that townE
Peter, PeterF... >or *# sa;e #ou will ha'e to enter not towns o" pleasure )ut real
)rothels... 3hrist did not come to sa'e those who are alread# sa'ed, )ut those
who are lost... and #ou shall )e GPeterH, or 8oc;, not Simon, "or that purpose.
Are #ou a"raid o" )ecoming contaminatedE 1oF 1ot e'en this one, see @and 7e
points at the 'er# #oung ,ohnA will su""er an# harm. .ecause he does not want,
as #ou do not want, as #our )rother and ,ohn6s )rother do not want, as none o"
#ou, "or the time )eing, wants. As long as one does not want, no harm is done.
.ut one must not want resolutel# and perse'eringl#. 4ou will o)tain will<power
and perse'erance "rom the >ather, )# pra#ing with sincere intentions. 1ot all o"
#ou will )e a)le to pra# thus, in "uture... hat are #ou sa#ing, ,udasE Do not )e
too sel"<con"ident. I, ho am the 3hrist, constantl# pra# to ha'e strength
against Satan. Are #ou )etter than I amE Pride is the opening through which
113.:#sus )t 9)(*)%). H# 9##ts &t" 9)r5 9)(*)%#n# t"# S#c!n* T+#. 131
Satan penetrates. .e 'igilant and hum)le, ,udas. *atthew, since #ou are "amiliar
with this place, tell *e? is it )etter to go to the town this wa#, or is there another
roadE 5
2 It depends, *aster. I" 4ou want to go to the area o" *agdala where "ishermen
and poor people li'e, this is the road. .ut M I do not thin; this is the case )ut I
am telling 4ou to gi'e 4ou a complete answer M i" 4ou want to go where the
rich people are, then in a)out one hundred #ards, 4ou ha'e to lea'e this road
and ta;e another one, )ecause their houses are approDimatel# in this direction
and it is necessar# to go )ac;... 5
2 e will go )ac; )ecause I want to go to the residential area o" the wealth#
people. hat did #ou sa#, ,udasE 5
2 1othing, *aster. It is the second time that 4ou as; me in a 'er# short time.
.ut I ha'e ne'er spo;en. 5
2 1ot with #our lips, no. .ut #ou ha'e spo;en, grum)ling in #our heart. 4ou
ha'e grum)led with #our guest? #our heart. It is not necessar# to ha'e an
interlocutor, in order to spea;. e sa# man# words to oursel'es... .ut we must
not moan or calumniate, not e'en with our own ego. 5
2 0he group proceeds in silence. 0he main road )ecomes a town street, pa'ed
with one hand)reath wide sIuare stones. 0he houses are more and more
splendid and magni"icent, surrounded )# luDuriant "lourishing gardens and
orchards. I am under the impression that the elegant *agdala was "or the
Palestinians a ;ind o" place o" pleasure li;e some towns around our la;es in
=om)ard#? Stresa, Gardone, Pallan(a, .ellagio and so on. Among the rich
Palestinians there are man# 8omans, who must ha'e come "rom other places,
such as 0i)erias or 3aesarea, possi)l# o""icials o" the Go'ernor or merchants
who eDport to 8ome the most )eauti"ul products o" the Palestinian colon#.
,esus proceeds, sure o" 7imsel", as i" 7e ;new where to go. 7e "ollows the
contour o" the la;e, which re"lects the houses and gardens )uilt on its limits.
A loud noise o" cr#ing people can )e heard "rom a sumptuous house. It is the
'oices o" women and children. 0he shrill 'oice o" a woman shouts? 2 *# sonF
*# sonF 5
,esus turns round and loo;s at 7is apostles. ,udas steps "orward. 2 1o, not #ou 5
orders ,esus. 2 4ou, *atthew. Go and "ind out. 5
*atthew goes and comes )ac;? 2 A )rawl, *aster. A man is d#ing. A ,ew. 0he
man who wounded him, a 8oman, has run awa#. 7is wi"e, mother and children
ha'e rushed to help him... .ut he is d#ing. 5
2 =et us go. 5
2 *aster... *aster... It happened in the house o" a woman... who is not his wi"e.
5
2 =et us go. 5
0hrough the wide open door the# enter a large hall which opens on to a lo'el#
garden. 0he house seems to )e di'ided )# this ;ind o" co'ered perist#le, which
is "ull o" pots with green plants, statues and inlaid articles. It is a miDture o" a
hall and greenhouse. In a room, the door o" which opens on to the hall, there are
some women weeping. ,esus goes in con"identl#. .ut 7e does not pronounce
7is usual greeting.
Among the men present there is a merchant who o)'iousl# ;nows ,esus,
)ecause as soon as he sees 7im, he sa#s? 2 0he 8a))i o" 1a(arethF 5 and greets
7im respect"ull#.
2 ,oseph, what is the matterE 5
2 *aster, a sta) wound in his heart... 7e is d#ing. 5
2 h#E 5
3 A gra#<haired un;empt woman stands up M she was ;neeling near the d#ing
man holding his limp hand M and with distracted "ace and 'oice she shouts? 2
.ecause o" her, )ecause o" her... She has turned him into a de'il... *other, wi"e,
children no longer eDisted "or himF 7ell will ha'e #ou, satanF 5
,esus loo;s up and 7is e#es "ollow the trem)ling accusing hand and in a corner,
against the dar; red wall, 7e sees *ar# o" *agdala, more immodest than e'er,
wearing, I would sa#, nothing on hal" o" her )od#, )ecause she is hal" na;ed
"rom the waist upwards, draped in a ;ind o" heDagonal net decorated with little
round o)Cects which loo; li;e tin# pearls. .ut as she is in a hal" light, I cannot
see her well.
,esus lowers 7is e#es once again. *ar#, lashed )# 7is indi""erence, stands up,
whereas )e"ore she seemed somewhat depressed, and stri;es a de"iant pose.
113.:#sus )t 9)(*)%). H# 9##ts &t" 9)r5 9)(*)%#n# t"# S#c!n* T+#. 132
2 oman 5 sa#s ,esus to the mother. 2 Do not curse. 0ell *e. h# was #our
son in this houseE 5
2 I told 4ou. .ecause she in"atuated him. She did. 5
2 Silence. So, he was in sin, too, )ecause he is an adulterer and an unworth#
"ather o" these innocent children. 7e there"ore deser'es his punishment. In this
li"e and in the neDt one there is no merc# "or those who do not repent. .ut I "eel
sorr# "or #our grie" and "or these innocent children. Is #our house "arE 5
2 A)out one hundred #ards. 5
2 =i"t the man and ta;e him there. 5
2 It is not possi)le, *aster 5 sa#s ,oseph, the merchant. 2 7e is )reathing his
last. 5
2 Do as I tell #ou. 5
4 0he# place a )oard under the )od# o" the d#ing man and the procession slowl#
mo'es out. 0he# cross the street and go into a shad# garden. 0he women go on
cr#ing loudl#.
As soon as the# enter the garden, ,esus addresses the mother. 2 3an #ou
"orgi'eE I" #ou "orgi'e, God will "orgi'e. e must )e ;ind<hearted, to o)tain
grace. 7e has sinned and will sin again. It would )e )etter "or him to die,
)ecause, i" he li'es, he will "all into sin again and he will ha'e to answer also "or
his ingratitude to God ho has sa'ed him. .ut #ou and these innocent ones @and
7e points at the wi"e and childrenA would gi'e #oursel'es up to despair. I ha'e
come to sa'e, not to lose. *an, I tell #ou? stand up and )e cured. 5
0he man )egins to reco'er. 7e opens his e#es, sees his mother, wi"e and
children and lowers his head shame"ull#.
2 Son, son 5 sa#s the mother. 2 4ou were dead, i" 7e had not sa'ed #ou. 3ome
to #our senses. Don6t )e in"atuated "or a...5
,esus interrupts the old woman. 2 .e Iuiet, woman. 7a'e merc#, as merc# was
granted to #ou. 4our house has )een sancti"ied )# a miracle, which is alwa#s the
e'idence o" God6s presence. 0hat is wh# I could not wor; it where there was sin.
4ou, at least, must endea'our to ;eep it such, e'en i" he will not. 0a;e care o"
him now. It is "air that he should su""er a little. .e good, woman. And #ou. And
#ou little ones. Good)#e. 5 ,esus has laid 7is hand on the heads o" the two
women and o" the children.
7e then goes out passing in "ront o" the *agdalene who "ollowed the procession
as "ar as the entrance o" the house where she remained leaning against a tree.
,esus slac;ens 7is pace as i" 7e were waiting "or 7is disciples, )ut I thin; 7e
does so to gi'e *ar# a chance o" ma;ing a gesture. .ut she does not.
0he disciples reach ,esus and Peter cannot help muttering )etween his teeth an
epithet appropriate to *ar#, who, wishing to stri;e an attitude, )ursts into a
laugh o" a wea; triumph. .ut ,esus heard Peter6s word and addresses him
se'erel#? 2 Peter. I do not insult. Do not insult. Pra# "or sinners. 1othing else. 5
*ar# stops her trilling laughter, lowers her head and runs awa#, li;e a ga(elle,
towards her house.
184. At 7'&('#' in t! Hous! o0 B!nF')in>s 7ot!r.
1;t 9un! 1*4+.
1 0he miracle must ha'e ta;en place onl# a short while ago, )ecause the
apostles are tal;ing a)out it, and also some citi(ens are ma;ing comments,
pointing at the *aster, ho with a gra'e countenance goes straight to the
outs;irts o" the town, where the poor people li'e.
7e stops at a little house, "rom which a little )o# comes )ounding out "ollowed
)# his mother. 2 oman, will #ou let *e go into #our ;itchen garden and rest
there until it cools down a littleE 5
2 Go in, m# =ord. Also into the ;itchen, i" 4ou so wish. I will )ring 4ou some
re"reshments. 5
2 Do not trou)le. It is Iuite enough "or *e to sta# in this peace"ul garden. 5
.ut the woman o""ers 7im some water miDed with I do not ;now what and then
she wanders round the ;itchen garden, as i" she were anDious to )ut dare not
spea;. She )usies hersel" with her 'egeta)les, )ut it is onl# a pretence. In actual
"act she is pa#ing attention to the *aster, )ut the little )o# anno#s her )ecause
114. At 9)(*)%) n t"# H!us# !4 B#nF)+n>s 9!t"#r. 133
e'er# time he catches a )utter"l# or an insect, he shouts and thus pre'ents her
"rom hearing what ,esus sa#s. She gets angr# and gi'es him a little slap and... he
shouts louder.
,esus M ho was repl#ing to the :ealot who had as;ed 7im? 2 Do 4ou thin;
*ar# is upset )ecause o" itE 5 sa#ing? 2 *uch more than #ou would thin;...5 M
turns round and calls the child, who runs towards 7im and stops cr#ing on 7is
;nees.
0he woman shouts? 2 .enCamin 3ome here. Do not distur) the *aster. 5
.ut ,esus sa#s? 2 1o, lea'e him. 7e will )e good and will lea'e #ou in peace. 5
7e then sa#s to the )o#? 2 Do not cr#. 4our mumm# did not hurt #ou. She onl#
made #ou o)e#, or, she wanted to ma;e #ou o)e#. h# did #ou shout when she
wanted #ou to )e IuietE Perhaps she is not "eeling well, and #our shouting was
anno#ing her. 5
0he )o#, with the incontro'erta)le "ran;ness o" children, which is the despera<
tion o" adults, immediatel# eDclaims? 2 1o, she is "eeling all right. She wanted
to hear what 4ou were sa#ing... She told me. .ut I wanted to come to 4ou, so I
was deli)eratel# ma;ing a lot o" noise, so that 4ou would loo; at me. 5
&'er#)od# laughs and the woman )lushes.
2 2 Do not )lush, woman. 3ome here. 4ou wanted to hear *e spea;E h#E 5
2 .ecause 4ou are the *essiah. 1o one )ut 4ou can )e the *essiah,
considering the miracle 4ou ha'e wor;ed... And I was anDious to hear 4ou. I
ne'er go out o" *agdala )ecause I ha'e... a di""icult hus)and and "i'e children.
0he #oungest is "our months old... and 4ou ne'er come here. 5
2 I ha'e come, and to #our house, as #ou can see. 5
2 0hat is wh# I wanted to hear 4ou. 5
2 here is #our hus)andE 5
2 At sea, m# =ord. I" he catches no "ish, there is no "ood "or us. I ha'e )ut this
little ;itchen garden. 3an it su""ice "or se'en peopleE And #et that is what
:acchaeus would li;e... 5
2 .e patient, woman. &'er#)od# has a cross. 5
2 9hF 1oF Shameless women ha'e )ut pleasure. 4ou ha'e seen the deeds o" the
shameless onesF 0he# enCo# themsel'es and ma;e other people su""er. 0he# do
not su""er the la)our o" child)irth neither do the# )rea; their )ac;s wor;ing.
0heir hands do not )lister digging, neither do the# get spoiled washing clothes.
0he# are )eauti"ul and "resh loo;ing. &'e6s punishment does not a""ect them.
1a#, the# are our punishment, )ecause... men... 4ou ;now what I mean. 5
2 I understand. .ut, )elie'e *e, the# ha'e a terri)le cross, too. 0he most dread<
"ul one, which is not 'isi)le? their conscience which reproaches them, the world
that sneers at them, their )lood that disowns them, God that curses them. 0he#
are not happ#, )elie'e *e. 0he# do not su""er the la)our o" child)irth, the# do
not )rea; their )ac;s wor;ing, the# do not ulcerate their hands toiling. .ut the#
"eel )ro;en Cust the same, and ashamed. 0heir hearts are one )ig sore. Do not
en'# their "resh loo;, their apparent serenit#. It is a 'eil laid o'er a ruin that
)ites and gi'es no peace. Do not en'# their sleep, #ou, a mother who dreams o"
her innocent children... 0heir pillows are co'ered with nightmares. And in
"uture, in their old age, in their agon#, the# will ha'e nothing )ut remorse and
terror. 5
2 It is true... >orgi'e me... *a# I sta# hereE 5
3 2 4es, sta#. I will tell .enCamin a nice para)le and those who are no longer
children will appl# it to themsel'es and to *ar# o" *agdala. =isten.
4ou dou)t *ar#6s con'ersion to Good. 0here is no sign in her in that direction.
.ra(en and impudent, conscious o" her ran; and power, she dared to de"# the
people and come to the 'er# threshold o" the house where the# are weeping
)ecause o" her. She laughed at Peter6s reproach. She replied to *# in'iting loo;,
)# stri;ing a proud attitude. Perhaps some o" #ou, either "or =a(arus6 sa;e or "or
*ine, would ha'e li;ed *e to spea; to her directl#, at some length, su)duing
her with *# power, showing *# strength as *essiah and Sa'iour. 1o. All that
is not needed. I alread# said so man# months ago in regard to another sinner.
Souls must react )# themsel'es. I pass and sow the seed. 0he seed wor;s in
secret. A soul is to )e respected in this wor;. I" the "irst seed does not ta;e root,
another must )e sown, and a third one... and one must gi'e up onl# when there
is de"inite proo" that it is useless to sow. And one pra#s. Pra#er is li;e dew on
the clods o" earth? it ;eeps them so"t and nourishes them, so that the seed can
sprout. Is that not what #ou do, woman, with #our 'egeta)lesE
1ow listen to the para)le o" how God wor;s in the hearts o" men to esta)lish
114. At 9)(*)%) n t"# H!us# !4 B#nF)+n>s 9!t"#r. 134
7is Bingdom there. .ecause e'er# heart is a small ;ingdom o" God on the earth.
=ater, a"ter death, all these small ;ingdoms will agglomerate into one,
immeasura)le, hol# eternal Bingdom o" 7ea'en.
0he Bingdom o" God is created in men6s hearts )# the Di'ine Sower. 7e comes
to his "ield M man )elongs to God, )ecause e'er# man is initiall# 7is M and sows
7is seed. 7e then goes to other "ields, to other hearts. Da#s "ollow the nights
and nights the da#s. 0he da#s )ring sunshine and rain, in our case ra#s o" di'ine
lo'e and e""usion o" di'ine isdom spea;ing to the spirit. 0he nights )ring stars
and rest"ul silence? in our case enlightening calls o" God and silence "or the soul
so that it ma# collect its thoughts and meditate.
0he seed, in this course o" impercepti)le )ut power"ul in"luence, swells, splits,
ta;es root, sprouts, grows. And all that happens without an# help "rom man. 0he
soil spontaneousl# produces grass "rom seeds, the her) )ecomes strong and
supports the rising ear, the ear grows, swells, hardens, )ecomes golden and
per"ect when seeding. hen it is ripe, the sower comes )ac; and cuts it )ecause
the time o" per"ection has arri'ed "or that seed. It cannot de'elop an# "urther and
so it is har'ested.
*# word does the same wor; in hearts. I am re"erring to the hearts which
recei'e the seed. .ut it is a slow process. 9ne must not spoil e'er#thing )#
)eing hast#. 7ow trou)lesome it is "or the little seed to split and ta;e rootF Such
wor; is pain"ul also "or a hard wild heart. It must open itsel", allow people to
search it, accept new things and nourish them la)oriousl#, appear di""erent )eing
co'ered with hum)le use"ul things, instead o" the "ascinating, pompous, useless,
eDu)erant "lourishing that co'ered it pre'iousl#. It must )e satis"ied with
wor;ing hum)l# "or the )ene"it o" the di'ine 0hought, without drawing other
people6s admiring attention. It must eDert all its talent to grow and )urst into ear.
It must )urn with lo'e to )ecome corn. And a"ter o'ercoming all "ears o" human
opinion, which are so grie'ous, a"ter toiling, su""ering and )ecoming attached to
its new dress, it must )e depri'ed o" it )# a cruel cut. It must gi'e e'er#thing to
recei'e e'er#thing. It must )e di'ested to )e clad again in 7ea'en with the stole
o" sainthood. 0he li"e o" a sinner who )ecomes a saint is the longest, most heroic
and glorious "ight. I tell #ou.
4ou will realise "rom what I told #ou that it is "air that I should deal with *ar#
as I am doing. Did I )eha'e di""erentl# with #ou, *atthewE 5
2 1o, m# =ord, 4ou did not. 5
2 And tell *e the truth? what con'inced #ou more, *# patience or the )itter
reproaches o" the PhariseesE 5
2 4our patience, so much so that I am here. 0he Pharisees, )# despising and
anathemati(ing me, made me scorn"ul, and out o" contempt I did more harm
than I had done so "ar. 0hat is what happens. Sinners )ecome more o)stinate
when the# realise that the# are treated as sinners. .ut when we are caressed
instead o" )eing insulted, we are dum)"ounded and we weep... and when one
weeps, the whole "ramewor; o" sin collapses... 9ne is le"t nude )e"ore Goodness
and one implores it wholeheartedl# to )e reclothed )# It. 5
2 4ou are right. 4 .enCamin, did #ou li;e *# stor#E 4esE Good. here is #our
motherE 5
,ames o" Alphaeus replies? 2 She went out at the end o" the para)le and ran
along that road. 5
2 She ma# ha'e gone to the seaside to see whether her hus)and is coming 5 sa#s
0homas.
2 1o. She has gone to her old mother6s, to get the children. *umm# ta;es them
there so that she can wor; 5 sa#s the little )o#, who is leaning "amiliarl# on
,esus6 ;nees.
2 And she ;eeps #ou here, m# little manE 4ou must )e a handsome e'il<doer i"
she ;eeps #ou here all )# #oursel"F 5 remar;s .artholomew.
2 I am the eldest, and I help her... 5
2 4ou help her to gain Paradise, poor womanF 7ow old are #ouE 5 as;s Peter.
2 In three #ears6 time I will )e a son o" the =aw 5 replies the urchin proudl#.
2 3an #ou readE 5 as;s 0haddeus.
2 4es... )ut 'er# slowl#... )ecause the teacher throws me out almost e'er# da#...
5
2 hat did I sa#F 5 eDclaims .artholomew.
2 .ut I )eha'e li;e that )ecause the teacher is old and ugl# and sa#s the same
things all the time and ma;es #ou "all asleepF I" he were li;e 7im @and he points
to ,esusA I would pa# attention. Do 4ou hit those who sleep or pla#E 5
114. At 9)(*)%) n t"# H!us# !4 B#nF)+n>s 9!t"#r. 13,
2 I do not hit an#)od#. .ut I sa# to *# pupils? GPa# attention "or #our own good
and "or *# sa;eH 5 replies ,esus.
2 4es, that6s all rightF 9ut o" lo'e, not out o" "ear. 5
2 .ut i" #ou are good, the teacher will lo'e #ou. 5
2 Do 4ou lo'e onl# those who are goodE 4ou Cust said that 4ou were patient
with this man here, who was not good... 5 0he child6s logic is cogent.
2 I am good with e'er#)od#. .ut when one )ecomes good, I lo'e that one 'er#
much and I am 'er# good, too. 5
0he )o# is pensi'e... he then loo;s up and as;s *atthew? 2 And what did #ou do
to )ecome goodE 5
2 I lo'ed 7im. 5
5 0he )o# )ecomes pensi'e again and then loo;ing at the 0wel'e as;s ,esus? 2
Are these ones all goodE 5
2 9" course the# are. 5
2 Are #ou sureE I sometimes )eha'e as a good )o#, )ut that is when... I am
thin;ing o" some )ig mischie". 5
0he# all )urst into laughter. Also the little "ellow, who is in a con"essing
humour, laughs. Also ,esus laughs pressing him to 7is heart and ;issing him.
0he )o#, who is now "riendl# with e'er#)od#, wants to pla# and sa#s? 2 I will
now tell 4ou who is good 5 and he )egins his selection. 7e loo;s at them all and
goes straight to ,ohn and Andrew who are near)# and sa#s? 2 4ou and #ou.
3ome here. 5 7e then chooses the two ,ameses and places them with the other
two. 7e then ta;es 0haddeus. 7e is Iuite pensi'e in "ront o" the :ealot and
.artholomew and sa#s? 2 4ou are old, )ut good 5 and he Coins them to the
others. 7e eDamines Peter, who undergoes the eDamination, Co;ingl# "rowning
at him, and "inds him to )e good. Also *atthew and Philip pass the
eDamination. 7e sa#s to 0homas? 2 4ou laugh too much. I am in earnest. Don6t
#ou ;now that m# teacher sa#s that he who alwa#s laughs, "ails in the testE 5
A"ter all, also 0homas passes his eDamination, )ut with low mar;s. 0he )o# then
goes )ac; to ,esus.
2 7e#, #ou urchinF I am here, tooF I am not a tree. I am #oung and handsome.
h# don6t #ou eDamine meE 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
2 .ecause I don6t li;e #ou. *# mother sa#s that when #ou don6t li;e something,
#ou must not touch it. 4ou Cust lea'e it on the ta)le, so that other people, who
ma# li;e it, can ta;e it. And she also sa#s that i" #ou are o""ered something
which #ou do not li;e, 4ou must not sa#? GI do not li;e it.H
.ut #ou sa#? G0han; #ou, )ut I am not hungr#.H And I do not hunger "or #ou. 5
2 h# notE =oo;, i" #ou sa# that I am good, I will gi'e #ou this coin. 5
2 hat am I going to do with itE hat can I )u# with a lieE *umm# sa#s that
the mone# which is the "ruit o" deceit, )ecomes straw. 9nce at m#
grandmother6s, I got them to gi'e me a didrachma )# telling a lie )ecause I
wanted to )u# some hone#<ca;es, and during the night it turned into straw. I put
it in that hole o'er there, under the door, to ta;e it the "ollowing morning, )ut I
"ound a hand"ul o" straw in its place. 5
2 .ut how can #ou see that I am not goodE hat is wrong with meE Am I lameE
Am I ugl# loo;ingE 5
2 1o. .ut #ou "righten me. 5
2 h#E 5 as;s the Iscariot going near him.
2 I don6t ;now. =ea'e me alone. Don6t touch me or I will scratch #ou. 5
2 hat a hedgehogF 4ou are sill#. 5 ,udas gi'es a "orced laugh.
2 I am not sill#. 4ou are )ad 5 and the )o# ta;es shelter in the lap o" ,esus, ho
caresses him without spea;ing.
0he apostles ma;e "un o" the situation which is not 'er# pleasant to the Iscariot.
6 In the meantime the woman comes )ac; with hal" a do(en people, and )ehind
them, man# more. 0he# must )e a)out "i"t#. All poor people.
2 ould 4ou spea; to themE At least a "ew words. 0his is m# hus)and6s
mother, these are m# children. And that man o'er there is m# hus)and. A word,
=ord 5 implores the woman.
2 4es, I will spea;. 0o than; #ou "or #our hospitalit#. 5
0he woman goes )ac; into the house, where her suc;ling claims her and she sits
114. At 9)(*)%) n t"# H!us# !4 B#nF)+n>s 9!t"#r. 13-
on the threshold )reast"eeding her )a)#.
2 =isten. 7ere on *# ;nees I ha'e a little )o# who has spo;en 'er# wisel#. 7e
said? G&'er#thing that is o)tained )# deceit, )ecomes straw.H 7is mother taught
him that truth.
It is not a tale. It is an eternal truth. hat is done dishonestl#, is ne'er
success"ul. .ecause "alsehood in words, deeds, and in religion is alwa#s a sign
o" alliance with Satan, the master o" "alsehood. Do not )elie'e that the deeds
worth# o" achie'ing the Bingdom o" 7ea'en are 'er# nois# or show#. 0he# are
common, continuous deeds, )ut per"ormed with a supernatural purpose o" lo'e.
=o'e is the seed o" the plant that sprouts in #ou and grows up as "ar as 7ea'en,
and in its shade all the other 'irtues sprout. I will compare it to the tin# mustard
seed. 7ow small it isF It is one o" the smallest seeds that man sows. .ut loo;
how )ig and lea"# it )ecomes when it has grown up and how much "ruit it )ears.
1ot one hundred per cent, )ut one hundred to one. 0he smallest. .ut the most
diligent in wor;ing. 7ow much pro"it it gi'es #ou.
=o'e is the same. I" #ou enclose in #our hearts a tin# seed o" lo'e "or #our *ost
7ol# God and "or #our neigh)our, and i" #ou accomplish #our deeds guided )#
lo'e, #ou will not "ail in an# o" the precepts o" the Decalogue. 4ou will not lie
to God )# means o" a "alse religion o" practices )ut not o" the spirit. 4ou will
not lie to #our neigh)our, )eha'ing as ungrate"ul children, as adulterers, as too
eDacting hus)ands and wi'es, as thie'es in )usiness, as liars in li"e, as 'iolent
a'engers towards #our enemies. =oo; how man# )irds ha'e ta;en shelter, in this
warm hour o" the da#, among the )ranches o" the trees in the garden. .e"ore
long, that mustard plant, which now is still 'er# small, will )e a real perch "or
)irds. All the )irds will come to the sa"e shade o" those thic; and com"orta)le
trees and their little ones will learn to "l# sa"el# among those )ranches which are
li;e steps and a net, which the# can clim) without "alling. Such is lo'e, the
"oundation o" the Bingdom o" God.
=o'e and #ou will )e lo'ed. =o'e and #ou will )ear with one another. =o'e and
#ou will not )e cruel )# wanting more than what is law"ul "rom those who are
under #ou. =o'e and sincerit# to o)tain the peace and glor# o" 7ea'en.
9therwise, as .enCamin said, e'er# action o" #ours accomplished l#ing to lo'e
and to truth will turn into straw "or #our )eds in hell. I will not sa# an#thing else
to #ou. I will onl# sa#? alwa#s )ear in mind the great precept o" lo'e and )e
"aith"ul to God the 0ruth, to the truth in e'er# word, deed and sentiment,
)ecause the truth is the daughter o" God. =et the wor; o" )ringing #oursel'es to
per"ection )e continuous, as the seed continuousl# grows until it is per"ect. A
silent, hum)le, patient wor;. 4ou ma# rest assured that God sees #our struggles
and 7e will grant #ou a greater reward "or o'ercoming #our sel"ishness, "or
holding )ac; a rude word, "or satis"#ing a necessit# without )eing ordered to do
so, than i", "ighting in a )attle, #ou ;illed the enem#. 0he Bingdom o" 7ea'en,
which #ou will possess i" 4ou li'e as Cust people, is )uilt with the little things o"
e'er# da#. ith goodness, moderation, patience, with )eing satis"ied with what
one has, )earing with one another, and with lo'e, lo'e, lo'e.
.e good. =i'e in peace, one with the other. Do not grum)le. Do not Cudge. God
will then )e with #ou. I gi'e #ou *# peace as a )lessing and than;sgi'ing "or
the "aith #ou ha'e in *e. 5
7 0hen ,esus turns to the woman sa#ing? 2 *a# God )less #ou especiall#,
)ecause #ou are a hol# wi"e and a hol# mother. Perse'ere in 'irtue. Good)#e,
.enCamin. =o'e the truth and o)e# 4our mother. *# )lessing to #ou, to #our
little )rothers and to #ou, mother. 5
A man comes "orward. 7e is em)arrassed and stammers? 2 .ut, )ut... I am
mo'ed )# what 4ou sa# o" m# wi"e... I did not ;now...5
2 7a'e #ou no e#es or intelligenceE 5
2 4es, I ha'e. 5
2 h# do #ou not ma;e use o" themE Shall I clear themE 5
2 4ou ha'e alread# done that, m# =ord. .ut I lo'e her, 4ou ;now... 0he trou)le
is... that, that... one gets used... and... and...5
2 And one thin;s that it is Iuite all right to eDact too much, )ecause the other
one is more gentle than we are... Do not do that an# more. 4ou are alwa#s in
danger with #our wor;. .e not a"raid o" storms i" God is with #ou. .ut i" there
is InCustice in #ou, )e much a"raid. 7a'e #ou understoodE 5
2 *ore than 4ou ha'e said. I will do m# )est to o)e# 4ou... I did not ;now... 5
and he loo;s at his wi"e as i" he saw her "or the "irst time.
,esus )lesses and goes out on to the little road. 7e resumes wal;ing towards the
countr#.
11,. T"# C)%+n( !4 t"# St!r+. 13.
18+. T! C'#)in& o0 t! Stor).
-;t 9'nu'r1 1*44.
1 ... 1ow that e'er#)od# is asleep I am telling #ou m# Co#. I 6saw6 toda#6s
Gospel. *ind #ou, this morning when I read it, I said to m#sel"? G0his is an
episode o" the Gospel which I will ne'er see, )ecause it is not 'er# suita)le "or a
'ision.H Instead, when I was not thin;ing a)out it, it came to "ill me with Co#.
0his is what I saw.
A sailing )oat, not eDcessi'el# large, nor 'er# small, a "ishing )oat, on which
"i'e or siD people can mo'e com"orta)l#, is ploughing the water o" the )eauti"ul
deep )lue la;e o" Gennesaret.
,esus is sleeping in the stern. 7e is dressed in white as usual. 7e is resting 7is
head on 7is le"t arm and under 7is arm and head 7e has placed 7is )lue<gre#
mantle, which has )een "olded man# times. 7e is sitting, not l#ing, on the
)ottom o" the )oat and 7is head is resting on the )oard that is at the 'er# end o"
the stern. I do not ;now what sailors call it. 7e is sleeping peace"ull#. 7e is tired
and calm.
Peter is at the rudder. Andrew is )us# with the sails, ,ohn and two more people M
I do not ;now who the# are M are sorting out the ropes and nets in the )ottom o"
the )oat, as i" the# were preparing to catch during the night. I would sa# that the
da# is drawing to its end )ecause the sun is alread# setting in the west. All the
disciples ha'e pulled their tunics up, gathering them round their waists )# means
o" )elts, in order to )e "ree in their mo'ements, passing "rom one part o" the )oat
to another, stepping o'er oars, seats, )as;ets and nets, without )eing hindered )#
their clothes. 1one o" them is wearing a mantle.
2 I see that the s;# is clouding o'er and the sun is hiding )ehind huge storm
clouds, which ha'e suddenl# appeared "rom )ehind the top o" a hill. 0he wind
)lows them "ast towards the la;e. 0he wind, "or the time )eing, is high up, and
the la;e is still Iuiet, it is onl# )ecoming dar;er and its sur"ace is no longer
per"ectl# smooth. 0here are no wa'es #et, )ut the water is )eginning to ru""le.
Peter and Andrew watch the s;# and the la;e are are preparing to draw close to
the shore. .ut the wind suddenl# rages o'er the la;e that in a "ew minutes surges
"oaming. 0he swelling wa'es clash one against the other, the# stri;e the little
)oat, li"ting it up, lowering it down, tossing it in all directions, thus pre'enting
all maneu'ering the sail, which has to )e lowered.
,esus is sleeping. 1either the steps and eDcited 'oices o" the disciples, nor the
howling wind, nor the wa'es pounding on the sides o" the )oat and its prow,
awa;e 7im. 7is hair is )lowing in the wind and drops o" water reach 7im. .ut
7e is sleeping. ,ohn runs "rom stem to stern and co'ers 7im with his mantle,
which he has ta;en "rom under a )oard. 7e co'ers 7im with delicate lo'e.
0he storm rages more and more "uriousl#. 0he la;e is as )lac; as i" in; had )een
poured into it and is strea;ed )# the "oam o" the wa'es. 0he )oat lets in water
and is dri'en "ather and "arther to the open sea )# the wind. 0he disciples are
perspiring in their e""orts to maneu'er the )oat and )aling out the water which
the wa'es pour in. .ut to no a'ail. 0he# are paddling in the water which that
reaches up to their ;nees and the )oat is )ecoming hea'ier and hea'ier.
3 Peter loses his calm and patience. 7e hands the rudder o'er to his )rother,
staggers towards ,esus and sha;es 7im 'igorousl#.
,esus wa;es up and raises 7is head.
2 Sa'e us, *aster, we are going to drownF 5 Peter shouts to 7im @he must shout
to ma;e himsel" heardA.
,esus stares at 7is disciple, loo;s at the others and then at the la;e. 2 Do #ou
)elie'e that I can sa'e #ouE 5
2 Nuic;, *aster 5 shouts Peter, while a real mountain o" water mo'es "ast "rom
the center o" the la;e towards the poor little )oat. It is so high and dread"ul that
it loo;s li;e a water spout. 0he disciples who see it coming ;neel down and
hang on to whate'er the# can, certain that it is the end.
,esus gets up. 7e stands on the stern )oard? a white "igure against the li'id
storm. 7e stretches 7is arms out towards the )illow and sa#s to the wind? 2 Stop
and )e Iuiet 5 and to the water? 2 3alm down. I want it. 5 And the )illow
dissol'es into "oam, which "alls harmlessl# with a last roar, which "ades into a
whisper, while the wind dies down changing into a whistle and then a sigh. And
the s;# )ecomes clear once again o'er the appeased la;e, while hope and "aith
"ill the hearts o" the disciples.
I cannot descri)e ,esus6s maCest#. 9ne must see it to understand it. And I enCo#
it inwardl# )ecause it is still present in m# mind and I thin; o" how placid was
,esus6 sleep and how imperious was 7is command to the winds and the wa'es.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
11,. T"# C)%+n( !4 t"# St!r+. 131
4 ,esus then sa#s?
2 I will not eDpound the Gospel in the same sense as e'er#)od# else does. I will
elucidate the circumstances preceding the Gospel passage.
h# was I sleepingE Did I perhaps not ;now that there was going to )e a stormE
4es, I ;new. 9nl# I ;new. h# was I sleeping, thenE
0he apostles were men, *aria. 0he# were "ull o" good will, )ut still 'er# much
Gmen.H *an thin;s he is alwa#s capa)le o" e'er#thing. hen he is reall#
capa)le o" doing something he is "ull o" haughtiness and attachment to his
Ga)ilit#.H Peter, Andrew, ,ames and ,ohn were good "ishermen and
conseIuentl# the# thought the# were uneDcelled in handling a )oat. As "ar as
the# were concerned I was a great G8a))iH, )ut a mere nothing as a sailor. 0hus
the# thought I was una)le to help them, and when on the )oat to cross the Sea o"
Galilee, the# )egged *e to sit down )ecause I was not capa)le o" doing
an#thing else. Also their lo'e "or *e was )ehind their attitude, as the# did not
want *e to do an# material wor;. .ut their attachment to their own a)ilit# was
greater than their lo'e.
I do not impose *#sel", *aria, eDcept in eDceptional cases. I generall# lea'e
#ou "ree and wait. 9n that da#, tired as I was and )eing reIuested to rest, that is
to let them act, cle'er as the# were, I went to sleep. In *# sleep there was
mingled also the ascertainment o" how man is GmanH and wants to do things )#
himsel" without "eeling that God as;s )ut to help him. I saw in those Gspirituall#
dea" menH, in those Gspirituall# )lind menH, all the spirituall# dea" and )lind
people, who throughout centuries would ruin themsel'es, )ecause Gthe# wanted
to do )# themsel'esH, although I was )ent o'er their needs awaiting to )e as;ed
to help them.
5 hen Peter shouted? GSa'e usFH, *# )itterness dropped li;e a stone. I am not
GmanH, I am the God<*an. I do not )eha'e as #ou do. hen someone reCects
#our ad'ice or #our help, and #ou see him in trou)le, e'en i" #ou are not so )ad
as to reCoice at it, #ou are uncharita)le enough to loo; at him disdain"ull# and
indi""erentl#, without )eing mo'ed )# his shouts "or help. 4our attitude means?
Ghen I wanted to help #ou, #ou did not want meE ell, help #oursel" now.H
.ut I am ,esus, I am the Sa'ior. And I sa'e, *aria. I alwa#s sa'e as soon as I
am as;ed to.
0he poor men might o)Cect? GIn that case, wh# do 4ou allow single or collecti'e
storms to )rea; outEH I" )# *# power I should destro# &'il, #ou would consider
#oursel'es the authors o" Good, which in actual "act is a gi"t o" *ine, and #ou
would not remem)er *e an# longer. 4ou would ne'er remem)er *e. *# poor
children, #ou are in need o" sorrow to remem)er that #ou ha'e a >ather. As the
prodigal son remem)ered he had a "ather when he was hungr#.
*is"ortunes persuade #ou o" #our nothingness, o" #our ignorance, which is the
cause o" so man# errors, or #our wic;edness, the cause o" so much mourning
and grie", o" #our "aults, the cause o" the punishments which #ou in"lict upon
#oursel'es, as well as o" *# eDistence, o" *# power and o" *# goodness.
0hat is what toda#6s Gospel teaches #ou. G4ourH Gospel o" the present time, m#
poor children. 3all *e. ,esus does not need sleep eDcept when 7e is in anguish
)ecause 7e sees that 7e is not lo'ed )# #ou. 3all *e and I will come. 5
184. T! D!)oni'cs o0 %'('r'.
11t 9un! 1*4+.
1 0he 'ision 2 0he calming o" the storm 5 which #ou saw on 3$th ,anuar# 1/44,
is to )e put here. 0hen the "ollowing 'ision.
,esus, a"ter crossing the la;e "rom northwest to southeast, as;s Peter to land near
7ippos. Peter o)e#s without discussing and ta;es the )oat down to the mouth o"
a little ri'er, which is in "lood )ecause o" the springtime rains and o" the recent
storm and "lows into the la;e through one o" the wild roc;# gorges common to
this coastal area. 0he assistants M there is one in each )oat M "asten the )oats and
are ordered to wait until e'ening to go )ac; to 3apernaum.
2 And )e as dum) as an oD 5 suggests Peter. 2 I" the# as; #ou where the *aster
is, repl# without hesitation? GI don6t ;now.H And i" an#one wants to ;now where
7e is going to, gi'e the same repl#. In an# case it is the truth, "or #ou don6t
;now. 5
0he# part and ,esus )egins to ascend a steep path which clim)s the almost
upright cli"". 0he apostles "ollow 7im along a 'er# hard path up to the summit
o" the cli"" which le'els o'er to a ta)leland strewn with oa;<trees under which
11-. T"# D#+!n)cs !4 ')*)r). 132
there are man# pigs pasturing.
2 Stin;ing animalsF 5 eDclaims .artholomew. 2 0he# pre'ent us "rom passing...
5
2 1o, the# do not. 0here is room "or e'er#)od# 5 replies ,esus calml#.
In an# case the swineherds, when the# see the Israelites, endea'our to gather the
pigs under the oa;<trees, lea'ing the path "ree. And the apostles pass )#, ma;ing
endless grimaces, among the "ilth le"t )# the grouting animals, which "at as the#
are, seem anDious to )ecome e'en "atter.
,esus passes without an# "uss, sa#ing to the swineherds? 2 *a# God reward #ou
"or #our ;indness. 5
0he swineherds, poor people not much cleaner than their pigs )ut in"initel#
thinner, loo; at 7im ama(ed and then whisper to one another. 9ne o" them sa#s?
2 Is 7e perhaps not an IsraeliteE 5 And the others repl# to him? 2 Don6t #ou see
that 7is tunic is "ringedE 5
0he group o" the apostles gather together, now that the# can proceed in one
group along a "airl# wide path.
2 0he 'iew is )eauti"ul. 9nl# a "ew score o" "eet a)o'e the la;e, it commands a
'iew o'er the whole la;e with the towns spread along its shores. 0i)erias is
splendid with its )eauti"ul )uildings on the opposite shore "acing the apostles.
.elow this spot, at the "oot o" the )asaltic cli"", the short )each loo;s li;e a
green pillow, whereas on the opposite shore, "rom 0i)erias to the mouth o" the
,ordan, there is a rather widespread marsh# plain due to the ri'er ha'ing
di""icult# in resuming its course a"ter dela#ing in the placid la;e. .ut the plain
loo;s li;e a garden, )ecause it is so thic; with marsh "lora, and is densel#
populated with colour"ul 'ariegated water "owl, which seem )edec;ed with
Cewels. 0he )irds rise "rom the thic; grass and "rom the reed<thic;ets, the# "l#
o'er the la;e, the# di'e into it to steal a "ish "rom its water, and the# rise e'en
more )rilliant, )ecause the water has )rightened up their plumage, and then the#
"l# )ac; to the plain where the wind pla#s swa#ing its man#<coloured "lowers.
Jp here, instead, there are woods o" 'er# tall oa;<trees, under which the grass is
so"t and emerald<green, and )e#ond this strip o" woods, on the other side o" a
large 'alle#, the mountain clim)s again, "orming a 'er# steep roc;# summit, on
which houses rise, )uilt on terraces. I thin; that the mountain side and the walls
o" the houses are all one, "or its ca'es are used as dwellings, in a miDture o" a
troglod#te and ordinar# 'illage. It is a 'illage characteristic o" structures on
large rising terraces, so that the roo" o" the house on the terrace )elow is at the
height o" the ground entrance o" the terrace a)o'e it. 9n the sides where the
mountain is 'er# steep, so steep that no house can )e )uilt there, there are ca'es,
deep cre'ices and descents dropping down to the 'alle#. In the season o"
downpours the descents must )ecome as man# whimsical little torrents. All
;inds o" )loc;s, which the "loods ha'e rolled down to the 'alle#, "orm a chaotic
pedestal "or the little mountain which is so wild and steep, hunch)ac;ed and
o'er)earing that it loo;s li;e a sIuire who wants to )e respected at all costs.
2 Is that not GamalaE 5 as;s the :ealot.
2 4es, it is Gamala. Do #ou ;now the townE 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 I was a "ugiti'e there, one night, a long time ago. 0hen I was a""ected )#
lepros# and I did not come out o" the sepulchres an# more. 5
2 Did the# pursue #ou so "arE 5
2 I was coming "rom S#ria, where I had gone see;ing protection. .ut the#
disco'ered me and onl# m# "light to this place sa'ed me "rom )eing captured.
A"terwards slowl# and continuousl# threatened I went down as "ar as the desert
o" 0e;oa and "rom there, su""ering alread# "rom lepros#, to the -alle# o" the
Dead. =epros# sa'ed me "rom m# enemies... 5
2 0hese people are heathens, are the# notE 5 as;s the Iscariot.
2 Almost e'er#)od#. 9nl# a "ew ,ews are here on )usiness, and then there is a
miDture o" )elie"s, or no )elie"s at all. .ut the# did not treat the "ugiti'e )adl#. 5
2 0hese are places "or )andits. hat gorgesF 5 eDclaim man#.
2 4es, )ut )elie'e me, there are more )andits on the other side 5 sa#s ,ohn who
is still impressed )# the capture o" the .aptist.
2 9n the other side there are )andits also among those who enCo# the reputation
o" )eing Cust 5 concludes his )rother.
3 ,esus )egins to spea;? 2 And #et we go near them without "eeling disgusted.
hereas here #ou were ma;ing grimaces )ecause #ou had to pass near some
animals. 5
11-. T"# D#+!n)cs !4 ')*)r). 143
2 0he# are unclean... 5
2 A sinner is much more so. 0hese animals are made li;e that, and it is not their
"ault i" the# are li;e that. *an instead is responsi)le "or )eing unclean )ecause
o" his sins. 5
2 h#, then, are the# classi"ied as unclean "or usE 5 as;s Philip.
2 I ha'e mentioned that once. In this commandment there is a supernatural
reason and a natural one. 0he "ormer reason is to teach the chosen people to li'e
)earing in mind its election and the dignit# o" man, also in a common action li;e
eating. A sa'age "eeds on e'er#thing. It is enough "or him to "ill his stomach. A
pagan, e'en i" he is not a sa'age, also eats e'er#thing, without considering that
o'ereating "oments 'ices and inclinations which degrade man. 1a#, pagans
endea'or to arri'e at this "ren(# "or pleasure, which is almost a religion "or
them. 0he more learned amongst #ou are aware o" o)scene cele)rations in honor
o" their gods, which degenerate into lecherous orgies. A son o" the people o"
God must )e a)le to control himsel", per"ecting himsel" through o)edience and
prudence, )earing in mind his origin and his end? God and 7ea'en. 0he natural
reason is not to stimulate the )lood )# means o" "ood that causes a heat
un)ecoming o" man, who is not "or)idden also carnal lo'e, )ut must alwa#s
moderate it with the "reshness o" his soul tending to 7ea'en. *an must there"ore
ma;e sure that the sentiment that Coins him to his wi"e, in whom he must see a
"ellow creature li;e himsel", not a "emale, is lo'e, not sensualit#. .ut the poor
animals are neither guilt# o" )eing pigs nor o" the e""ects that the "lesh o" pigs
ma# cause in man6s )lood in the long run. And the swineherds are much less
guilt#. I" the# are honest, what di""erence will there )e, in the neDt li"e, )etween
them and the scri)e who is )ent o'er his )oo;s )ut does not learn to )e goodE I
solemnl# tell #ou that we shall see swineherds among the Cust and scri)es among
the unCust. .ut what is ruiningE 5
4 0he# all mo'e awa# "rom the side o" the mountain )ecause stones and earth
are rolling down and )ouncing on the slope and the# all loo; around ama(ed.
2 0here, thereF 9'er thereF 0wo men completel# na;ed... are coming towards us
gesticulating. *ad... 5
2 9r demoniacs 5 replies ,esus to the Iscariot, who was the "irst to see the two
demoniacs come towards ,esus.
0he# must ha'e come out o" some ca'e on the mountain side. 0he# are howling.
And one, who is running "aster, rushes towards ,esus. 7e is running so "ast and
mo'ing his arms up and down so much as i" the# were wings, that he loo;s li;e
a strange ugl# )ig )ird stripped o" its "eathers. 7e collapses at ,esus6 "eet
shouting? 2 4ou are here, *aster o" the worldE hat ha'e I got to do with 4ou,
,esus, Son o" the *ost 7igh GodE 7as the hour o" our punishment alread#
comeE h# ha'e 4ou come to torture us )e"ore the timeE 5 0he other
demoniac, )oth )ecause his tongue is tied and )ecause he is possessed )# a
demon who causes him to )e dullwitted, does nothing )ut throw himsel" on the
ground, "ace down, and weep. 7e then sits up, remains inert, pla#ing with little
stones and his )are "eet. 0he demon continues to spea; through the lips o" the
other man who writhes on the ground in a paroD#sm o" terror. I would sa# that
he wants to react, whereas he can )ut worship, attracted and reCected at the same
time )# ,esus6 power. 7e howls? 2 I entreat 4ou in the name o" God, stop
tormenting me. =et me go. 5
2 4es. .ut out o" this man. Jnclean spirit, go out o" them and tell *e #our
name. 5
2 =egion is m# name )ecause we are man#. e ha'e possessed these men "or
#ears and through them we )rea; )onds and chains, and there is no strength o"
man capa)le o" holding them. 0he# are a terror, )ecause o" us, and we ma;e use
o" them to ha'e 4ou cursed. e re'enge oursel'es on them "or 4our anathema.
e degrade man )elow a )east to moc; at 4ou and there is no wol", Cac;al,
h#aena, 'ulture or 'ampire li;e these which we possess. .ut don6t cast us out.
7ell is too horridF... 5
2 Go outF In the name o" ,esus, go outF 5 ,esus6 'oice thunders and 7is e#es "ire
splendour.
2 At least let us go into the herd o" pigs 4ou met. 5
2 Go. 5
ith a )eastl# howl the demons part "rom the two wretched men and in a sud<
den whirlwind, which causes the oa;<trees to swa# li;e reeds, the# run into the
large herd o" pigs that with real demoniac cries )egin to run, as possessed
)eings, through the oa;<trees, pushing, wounding, )iting one another and hurl
themsel'es into the la;e, when, a"ter reaching the edge o" the cli"", the# ha'e )ut
the water )elow as a shelter. 0he swineherds are o'erwhelmed and dum)<
"ounded and while the# shout sei(ed )# "ear, hundreds o" animals "all headlong
11-. T"# D#+!n)cs !4 ')*)r). 141
into the calm water in a succession o" splashes, causing the water to surge and
"oamL the# sin;, re"loat, showing in turn their round )ellies or their pointed
snouts with terri"ied e#es, and in the end get drowned. 0he swineherds run
towards the town howling.
5 0he apostles go towards the place o" the disaster and come )ac; sa#ing? 2 1ot
one o" them is sa'edF 7e has done them a )ad turn. 5
,esus replies calml#? 2 It is )etter i" two thousand pigs perish than one man.
Gi'e them some clothes. 0he# cannot sta# li;e that. 5
0he :ealot opens his )ag and gi'es one o" his tunics. 0homas gi'es another one.
0he two men are still somewhat stunned as i" the# were Cust awa;ing "rom a
sound sleep "ull o" nightmares.
2 Gi'e them some "ood. =et them go )ac; to the normal li"e o" men. 5
,esus watches them, while the# eat the )read and oli'es gi'en to them and the#
drin; out o" Peter6s "las;.
At last the# spea;? 2 ho are 4ouE 5 as;s one.
2 ,esus o" 1a(areth. 5
2 e don6t ;now 4ou 5 sa#s the other.
2 4our souls ;now *e. Get up now and go home. 5
2 e ha'e su""ered 'er# much, I thin;, )ut I cannot remem)er 'er# well. ho is
this manE 5 as;s the one who spo;e on )ehal" o" the demon, and he points at his
companion. 2 I do not ;now. 7e was with #ou. 5
2 ho are #ouE h# are #ou hereE 5 he as;s his companion.
0he one who was dum), and is still more inert, sa#s? 2 I am Demetrius. Is this
SidonE 5
2 Sidon is on the sea, man. 7ere #ou are )e#ond the la;e o" Galilee. 5
2 h# am I hereE 5
1o)od# can repl#. Some people are arri'ing "ollowed )# the swineherds. 0he#
loo; "rightened and curious. hen the# see the two men dressed and tid#, their
astonishment increases.
2 0hat is *ar; o" ,osiahF... And that is the son o" the heathen merchantF... 5
2 And 7e is the one who cured them and caused our pigs to perish, )ecause the#
)ecame mad when the demons entered them 5 sa# the swineherds.
2 =ord, 4ou are power"ul, we admit it. .ut 4ou ha'e alread# caused us too
much harmF A damage o" man# talents. Go awa#, please, lest 4our power
should )ring the mountain down and hurl it into the la;e. Go awa#... 5
2 I will go. I do not impose *#sel" on an#)od# 5 and ,esus, without "urther
discussion goes )ac; the wa# 7e came.
6 0he demoniac who spo;e "ollows 7im, )ehind the apostles. >arther )ac;, at
some distance, there are man# citi(ens watching whether 7e is reall# lea'ing.
0he# go down the steep path )ac; to the mouth o" the little torrent, near the
)oats. 0he citi(ens remain on the terrace watching. 0he demoniac who has )een
cured goes down )ehind ,esus.
In the )oats the assistants are terri"ied. 0he# saw the pigs raining into the la;e
and are still contemplating their )odies which sur"ace more and more numerous,
more and more swollen, with their round )ellies in the air and their sti"" short
legs li;e "our pegs stuc; into a huge "at )ladder. 2 hat happenedE 5 the# as;.
2 e will tell #ou later. =oosen the )oats and let us go... here, m# =ordE 5
2 0o the gul" o" 0arichea. 5
0he man who has "ollowed them, now that he sees them getting into the )oats,
implores? 2 0a;e me with 4ou, =ord. 5
2 1o. Go home? #our relati'es are entitled to ha'e #ou. Spea; to them o" the
great things the =ord has done to #ou and tell them how 7e had merc# on #ou.
0his area is in need o" "aith. =ight the "lames o" "aith out o" gratitude to the
=ord. Go. Good)#e. 5
2 3om"ort me at least with 4our )lessing, that the demon ma# not possess me
again. 5
2 .e not a"raid. I" #ou do not want, he will not come. .ut I )less #ou. Go in
peace. 5
0he )oats depart "rom the shore westwards. 9nl# then, when the )oats are
11-. T"# D#+!n)cs !4 ')*)r). 142
ploughing through the waters strewn with the swine 'ictims, the inha)itants o"
the town, which did not want the =ord, withdraw "rom the terrace and go awa#.
186. To$'r(s 9!rus'#!) 0or t! S!con( P'sso2!r.
Fro) T'ric!' to 7ount T'5or.
1,t 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus dismisses the )oats sa#ing? 2 I am not coming )ac; 5 and "ollowed )#
7is apostles, and across the area, which appeared to )e 'er# "ertile also "rom the
opposite shore, 7e turns 7is steps towards a mountain, which appears towards
the south<west.
0he apostles are wal;ing in silence, communicating with one another onl# )#
casting glances. In "act the# are not enthusiastic "or the Courne# across this
)eauti"ul )ut wild area, which is "ull o" )og grass that gets entangled with their
"eetL o" reeds that cause a dri((le o" dew to "all on their heads "rom the edges o"
the lea'esL o" ha(els that stri;e their "aces with the hard canes o" their dr# "ruitL
o" willow trees the "ragile )ranches o" which hang down e'er#where tic;ling
themL o" treacherous patches o" grass that seems to )e growing on solid ground,
whereas it conceals puddles o" water into which their "eet sin;, the# are in "act
patches o" "oDtails and tares, growing in tin# pools and so thic; as to conceal the
element in which the# ha'e come up.
,esus, instead, seems to )e eDtremel# happ# in the midst o" all that green and the
thousand hues o" all the "lowers, which creep on the ground, or stand upright, or
cling to other plants to clim) up, "orming thin "estoons strewn with light
con'ol'uli o" a 'er# delicate mallow pin;, or "orming delicate )lue carpets "or
the thousand corollas o" water m#osotises, which open the per"ect cups o" white,
pin;, )lue corollas among the large "lat lea'es o" the water lilies. ,esus admires
the tu"ts o" the water reeds, as so"t as sil; and pearled with dew, and 7e )ends
Co#"ull# to watch the delicate "eatures o" "oDtails, which la# an emerald 'eil on
the water. 7e stops ecstaticall# in "ront o" the nests which the )irds are )uilding,
"l#ing happil# to and "ro, trilling, darting "rom )ranch to )ranch, wor;ing
happil#, with their )ea;s "ull o" wisps o" ha#, o" down o" reeds, o" "loc;s o"
wool pic;ed on hedges, which had torn it "rom migrating sheep... 7e seems the
happiest person in the world. here is the world with its wic;edness, "alsehood,
sorrows, snaresE 0he world is )e#ond this green "lower# oasis, where
e'er#thing scents, shines, smiles, sings. 0his is the earth created )# the >ather
and not desecrated )# man and man can )e "orgotten here.
7e wants to share 7is happiness with the others. .ut 7e does not "ind a
"a'oura)le ground. 0he hearts o" the apostles are tired and em)ittered )# so
much and the# react against things and also against the *aster )# means o" a
stu))orn silence, which is li;e the stillness o" the air )e"ore a storm. 9nl# 7is
cousin ,ames, the :ealot and ,ohn ta;e an interest in what interests ,esus. All
the others are... a)sent, i" not hostile. Perhaps the# are ;eeping Iuiet, not to
grum)le. .ut inwardl# the# must )e spea;ing, and spea;ing too much.
It is a more li'el# eDclamation o" admiration )e"ore the li'ing Cewel o" a
;ing"isher which "lies down, ta;ing a little sil'er "ish to its mate, that ma;es
them open their mouths.
,esus sa#s? 2 3an there )e an#thing more gentleE 5
Peter replies? 2 Perhaps not more gentle... )ut I can assure 4ou that a )oat is
more com"orta)le. 7ere it is damp Cust the same, )ut we are not com"orta)le...5
2 I would pre"er the trac; "or cara'ans to this... garden, i" 4ou wish to call it so,
and I am in "ull agreement with Simon 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
2 It was #ou who did not want the cara'an route 5 replies ,esus.
2 &hiF certainl#... .ut I would not ha'e gi'en in to the Gherghesenes. I would
ha'e gone awa# "rom there, )ut I would ha'e continued )e#ond the ri'er to
Gadara, Pella and down to the south 5 grum)les .artholomew.
And his great "riend Philip concludes? 2 0he roads )elong to e'er#)od#, a"ter
all, and we could ha'e passed through them as well. 5
2 2 *# "riendsF I am so anguished and disgusted... Do not increase *# grie"
with #our pettinessF =et *e see; some com"ort in things which do not ;now
how to hate...5
0he reproach, ;ind in its sadness, mo'es the apostles.
2 4ou are right, *aster. e are not worth# o" 4ou. >orgi'e our "oolishness.
4ou can see the )eauti"ul, )ecause 4ou are hol# and 4ou loo; with the e#es o"
11..T!&)r*s :#rus)%#+ 4!r t"# S#c!n* P)ss!6#r. Fr!+ T)rc"#) t! 9!unt T)8!r. 143
4our heart. e are coarse "lesh and can onl# percei'e coarse "lesh... .ut ne'er
mind. .elie'e me, e'en i" we were in paradise, we would )e sad without 4ou.
.ut with 4ou... ohF it is alwa#s )eauti"ul "or our hearts. It is onl# our lim)s that
re"use 5 man# o" them whisper.
2 e will soon )e going out o" here and will "ind a more com"orta)le ground,
e'en i" not so cool 5 promises ,esus.
2 here are we going eDactl#E 5 as;s Peter.
2 0o gi'e Passo'er to those who su""er. I ha'e )een wanting to do it "or a long
time. .ut I could not. I would ha'e done it going )ac; to Galilee. 1ow that the#
compel us to go along roads that we ha'e not chosen, I am going to )less ,onah6s
poor "riends. 5
2 e will )e wasting a lot o" timeF Passo'er is nearF 0here are alwa#s dela#s "or
'arious reasons. 5 Another chorus o" complaints rises to the s;#. I do not ;now
how ,esus can )e so patient...
ithout reproaching an#one, 7e sa#s? 2 Please, do not hinder *eF &ndea'our to
understand *# need to lo'e and to )e lo'ed. I ha'e )ut this solace on the earth?
to lo'e and do the will o" God. 5
2 And are we going "rom hereE as it not )etter to go "rom 1a(arethE 5
2 I" I had suggested that, #ou would ha'e re)elled. 1o one will suspect that I am
here... and I am doing it "or #ou... )ecause #ou are a"raid. 5
2 A"raidE AhF 1oF e are read# to "ight "or 4ou. 5
2 Pra# the =ord not to put #ou to the test. I ;now that #ou are Iuarrelsome,
resent"ul, anDious to o""end those who o""end *e and to hum)le #our neigh)our.
I ;now all that. .ut I do not ;now #ou to )e )ra'e. As "ar as I am concerned, I
would ha'e gone also )# *#sel" and along the main road and nothing would
ha'e happened )ecause it is not #et the time. .ut I "eel sorr# "or #ou. .ut I ha'e
to o)e# *# *other, #es, also that and I do not want to upset Simon the Pharisee.
I will not disgust them. .ut the# will disgust *e. 5
2 And where do we go "rom hereE I am not "amiliar with this area 5 sa#s
0homas.
2 e will reach 0a)or, we will coast part o" it and will go to 1ain 'ia &ndorL
"rom there to the plain o" &sdraelon. .e not a"raidF... Doras, the son o" Doras,
and ,ohanan are alread# in ,erusalem. 5
3 2 9hF It will )e )eauti"ulF 0he# sa# that "rom the summit, "rom a certain spot,
one can see the Great Sea, the Sea o" 8ome. I li;e it so muchF ill 4ou ta;e us
to see itE 5 ,ohn )egs with his ;ind childish "ace raised towards ,esus.
2 h# do #ou li;e to see it so muchE 5 as;s ,esus caressing him.
2 I do not ;now... .ecause it is huge and #ou cannot see its end... It ma;es me
thin; o" God... hen we were up on =e)anon I saw the sea "or the "irst time,
)ecause I had ne'er )een an#where else, eDcept along the ,ordan or on our little
sea... and I was mo'ed so much that I wept. So much )lueF So much waterF And
it ne'er o'er"lowsF... hat a wonder"ul thingF And the stars ma;e paths o" light
on the sea... 9hF do not laugh at meF I loo;ed at the golden wa# o" the sun until
I was da((led, at the sil'er# wa# o" the moon, until I could see nothing )ut
whiteness and I saw them getting lost "ar "ar awa#. 0hose wa#s spo;e to me.
0he# said? GGod is in that in"inite distance and these are the wa#s o" "ire and
purit#, which a soul must "ollow to go to God. 3ome. Di'e into the in"inite,
tra'elling on these two wa#s, and #ou will "ind the In"inite 9ne.H 5
2 4ou are a poet, ,ohn 5 sa#s 0haddeus admiringl#.
2 I do not ;now whether this is poetr#. I ;now that it in"lames m# heart. 5
2 .ut #ou ha'e seen the sea also at 3aesarea and at Ptolomais, and Iuite close,
too. e were on the )eachF I do not see the need to go all that wa# to see some
more sea water. A"ter all... we were )orn on the water...5 remar;s ,ames o"
:e)edee.
2 And we are in it also now, un"ortunatel#F 5 eDclaims Peter, who di'erting his
mind "or a moment to listen to ,ohn, has not noticed a treacherous puddle and
has got soa;ed... 0he# all laugh, and he laughs too.
.ut ,ohn replies? 2 0hat is true. .ut "rom high a)o'e it is more )eauti"ul. 4ou
see more and "arther. 4ou thin; that it is deeper and 'aster... 4ou wish... #ou
dream...5 and ,ohn is alread# dreaming... 7e loo;s in "ront o" himsel" and
smiles at his dream... 7e loo;s li;e a "lesh<coloured rose spread with minute
dew drops, so down# )ecomes his smooth clear s;in o" a #oung "air<haired man
and as it gets sprin;led with a light perspiration it loo;s more li;e the petal o" a
rose.
11..T!&)r*s :#rus)%#+ 4!r t"# S#c!n* P)ss!6#r. Fr!+ T)rc"#) t! 9!unt T)8!r. 144
2 hat do #ou wishE hat are #ou dreamingE 5 ,esus as;s 7is "a'ourite
disciple in a low 'oice and 7e loo;s li;e a "ather who Iuestions a dear son
spea;ing in his sleep. ,esus spea;s to ,ohn6s soul, Iuestioning him so gentl# as
not to spoil the dream o" 7is lo'ing disciple.
2 I wish to go on to the in"inite sea... towards other lands )e#ond it. I wish to go
and spea; o" 4ou. I am dreaming... o" going towards 8ome, towards Greece,
towards dar; places to ta;e the =ight there... so that those li'ing in dar;ness ma#
get in touch with 4ou and ma# li'e in communion with 4ou, =ight o" the
world... I am dreaming o" a )etter world... to )e )ettered through the ;nowledge
o" 4ou, that is, through the ;nowledge o" the =o'e that ma;es people good,
pure, heroic, o" the =o'e that ma;es the world lo'e and raise 4our 1ame, 4our
>aith, 4our Doctrine a)o'e hatred, sin, "lesh, a)o'e the 'ices o" the mind, a)o'e
gold, a)o'e e'er#thing... and I dream o" going with m# )rothers on the sea o"
God, on the road o" light to ta;e 4ou... as 4our *other once )rought 4ou down
to us "rom 7ea'en... I dream that I am a child, who ;nowing nothing )ut lo'e, is
happ# also when "acing trou)le... and sings to com"ort the adults who ponder too
much, and mo'es "orward... "acing death smiling... towards glor# with the
humilit# o" one who does not ;now what he is doing, )ut ;nows onl# that he is
coming to 4ou, =o'e...5
0he apostles ha'e not )reathed during ,ohn6s ecstatic con"ession... 0he#
remained still where the# were, loo;ing at the #oungest one spea;ing with his
e#es co'ered )# his e#elids, li;e a 'eil thrown o'er the ardour rising "rom his
heart, and loo;ing at ,esus ho is enraptured "inding 7imsel" so completel# in
7is disciple...
hen ,ohn stops spea;ing, slightl# )ent "orward M he reminds me o" the
grace"ulness o" the -irgin *ar# at the Annunciation in 1a(areth M ,esus ;isses
his "orehead sa#ing? 2 e shall go and contemplate the sea, to let #ou dream
once again *# "uture Bingdom in the world. 5
4 2 =ord... 4ou said that a"terwards we shall )e going to &ndor. *a;e me happ#
too... that I ma# get o'er the )itterness o" that )o#6s Cudgement...5 sa#s the
Iscariot.
2 9hF are #ou still thin;ing a)out thatE 5 as;s ,esus.
2 4es, alwa#s. I "eel degraded in 4our e#es and in the e#es o" m# companions. I
thin; o" what 4our thoughts...5
2 h# do #ou "ret o'er tri"lesE I was not thin;ing o" that tri"le an# longer,
neither were the others. 4ou are reminding us... 4ou are a child accustomed
onl# to )eing caressed and the word o" a little )o# seems the sentence o" a Cudge
to #ou. .ut #ou must not )e a"raid o" that word, )ut o" #our actions and o" God6s
Cudgement. .ut to con'ince #ou that #ou are as dear to *e as pre'iousl#, as
alwa#s, I tell #ou that I will satis"# #ou. hat do #ou wish to see at &ndorE It is
a poor 'illage among the roc;s...5
2 0a;e me there... and I will tell 4ou. 5
2 All right. .ut mind it does not cause #ou to su""er a"terwards...5
2 I" it cannot )e pain"ul "or him to contemplate the sea, it cannot )e harm"ul to
me to see &ndor. 5
2 0o seeE... .ut it is the desire o" what one see;s to see in loo;ing that can )e
harm"ul. .ut we shall go...5
And the# resume the road towards *ount 0a)or, the huge mass o" which
appears to )e nearer and nearer, while the marsh# aspect o" the ground changes,
as the soil )ecomes solid and dr# and the 'egetation thinner, ma;ing room "or
taller plants and )ushes o" clematis and )lac;)erries, the new lea'es and earl#
"lowers o" which are a pleasant sight.
188. Fro) T'5or to En(or in t! C'2! o0 t! N!cro)'nc!r.
Encount!r $it F!#iG /o B!co)!s 9on.
1-t 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus and the apostles ha'e passed *ount 0a)or and le"t it )ehind them. 0he#
are now wal;ing on a plain l#ing )etween that mountain and another one "acing
it, tal;ing o" the clim) made )# them all, although at the )eginning the elder
ones had not )een too ;een. .ut now the# are happ# the# had gone up to the top.
0he Courne# is now eas# )ecause the# are on a main road which is Iuite
com"orta)le "or wal;ing. It is earl# in the morning )ecause I am under the
impression that the# ha'e spent the night on the slopes o" the 0a)or.
111.Fr!+ T)8!r t! En*!r n t"# C)6# !4 t"# N#cr!+)nc#r.Enc!unt#r &t" F#%G 0"! B#c!+#s :!"n. 14,
2 0hat is &ndor 5 sa#s ,esus pointing to a poor 'illage )uilt on the "irst heights
o" the other mountain. 2 Do #ou reall# want to go thereE 5
2 I" 4ou wish to ma;e me happ#...5 responds the Iscariot. 2 =et us go, then. 5
2 .ut is it a long wa#E 5 as;s .artholomew, who, )ecause o" his age, is not 'er#
;een on wal;ing tours.
2 9hF noF .ut i" #ou wish to sta#...5 sa#s ,esus.
2 4esF 4ou ma# sta#. I will go with the *aster 5 sa#s ,udas o" Berioth
immediatel#.
2 =isten, )e"ore ma;ing up m# mind, I would li;e to ;now what there is to )e
seen... >rom the top o" *ount 0a)or we saw the sea and a"ter the )o#6s speech I
must admit that I saw it properl# "or the "irst time and I saw it as 4ou see? with
m# heart. 7ere... I would li;e to ;now whether there is an#thing to learn,
)ecause in that case I will come e'en i" it is tiresome...5 sa#s Peter.
2 Do #ou hear thatE 4ou ha'e not #et said what #ou intend doing. .e ;ind to
#our companions and tell us now 5 sa#s ,esus in'itingl#.
2 Did Saul not go to &ndor to consult the necromancerE 5
2 4es, he did. SoE 5
2 ell, *aster, I would li;e to go there and hear 4ou spea; o" Saul. 5
2 In that case I will come, tooF 5 eDclaims Peter "ull o" enthusiasm. 2 =et us go
then. 5
0he# wal; "ast along the last stretch o" the main road, which the# lea'e to
"ollow a secondar# road, which ta;es straight to &ndor.
2 It is a poor 'illage, as ,esus said. 0he houses cling to the slopes which, )e#ond
the 'illage )ecome steeper. Poor people li'e in them. *ost o" them must )e
shepherds who pasture their "loc;s on the sides o" the mountain and in the
woods o" old oa;<trees. 0here are a "ew small "ields o" )arle#, or similar "odder
grains, in "a'oura)le sites and some apple and "ig<trees. 0here are onl# a "ew
'ines around the houses, decorating the walls, which are dar; )ecause the place
is o)'iousl# a damp one.
2 e will now as; where the place o" the necromancer was 5 sa#s ,esus. And
7e stops a woman who is coming )ac; "rom the "ountain with pitchers.
She loo;s at 7im curiousl#, then replies impolitel#? 2 I don6t ;now. I ha'e much
more important things to worr# a)out than such nonsenseF 5 and she goes awa#.
,esus turns to an old man who is car'ing a )it o" wood.
2 0he necromancerE... SaulE... ho )others a)out them nowE .ut, wait... 0here
is one here who has studied and perhaps he ;nows... 3ome with me. 5
And the old man clim)s la)oriousl# up a ston# lane to a 'er# poor and sha))#
loo;ing house. 2 7e li'es here. I will go in and call him. 5
Peter, pointing at some poultr# scratching a)out in a dirt# #ard, sa#s? 2 0his
"ellow is not an Israelite. 5 .ut he sa#s no more )ecause the old man comes
)ac; "ollowed )# a man )lind in one e#e who is as dirt# and untid# as
e'er#thing round his house.
0he old man sa#s? 2 SeeE 0his man sa#s that it is o'er there )e#ond that
dilapidated house. 0here is a path, a stream, a wood and some ca'es, the one at
the top, where there are still traces o" ruined walls on one side, is the one #ou
are loo;ing "or. Is that rightE 5
2 1o. 4ou ha'e muddled e'er#thing. I will go with these strangers. 5 0he man6s
'oice is harsh and guttural, which increases e'er#)od#6s "eeling o" uneasiness.
3 7e starts wal;ing. Peter, Philip and 0homas ma;e repeated signs to ,esus to
ad'ise 7im not to go. .ut ,esus does not pa# attention. 7e wal;s with ,udas
)ehind the man, and the others "ollow 7im... unwillingl#.
2 Are 4ou an IsraeliteE 5 as;s the man.
2 4es, I am. 5
2 I, too, or almost, although I do not loo; li;e one. .ut I li'ed a long time
a)road and I got into man# ha)its, o" which these "ools here disappro'e. I am
)etter than the others. .ut the# sa# that I am a demon, )ecause I read a great
deal, I )reed poultr# which I sell to the 8omans and I can cure people )# means
o" her)s. hen #oung, )ecause o" a woman, I Iuarrelled with a 8oman M I was
at 3intium then M and I sta))ed him. 7e died, I lost one e#e and all m# wealth
and I was sentenced to li"e imprisonment. .ut I ;new how to cure people, and I
cured the daughter o" one o" the guards. I thus won his "riendship and some
111.Fr!+ T)8!r t! En*!r n t"# C)6# !4 t"# N#cr!+)nc#r.Enc!unt#r &t" F#%G 0"! B#c!+#s :!"n. 14-
"reedom... I used it to escape. I acted )adl#, )ecause the man certainl# paid "or
m# "light with his li"e. .ut "reedom seems so )eauti"ul when one is a prisoner...5
2 Is it not reall# )eauti"ul a"terwardsE 5
2 1o. ,ail, where one is alone, is )etter than )eing in contact with men who do
not allow #ou to )e alone and come around us to hate us...5
2 Did #ou stud# philosoph#E 5
2 I was a teacher at 3intium... I was a prosel#te...5
2 And nowE 5
2 1ow I am nothing. I li'e according to the realit# o" "acts. And I hate, as I was
and am still hated. 5
2 ho hates #ouE 5
2 &'er#)od#. And God is the "irst. She was m# wi"e... and God allowed her to
)e un"aith"ul to me and ruin me. I was "ree and respected, and God allowed me
to )ecome a con'ict ser'ing a li"e sentence. God a)andoned me, men were un<
"air. .oth 7e and the# destro#ed me. 0here is nothing le"t here...5 and he stri;es
his "orehead and his chest. 2 8ather, here, in m# head, there are m# thoughts, m#
;nowledge. It is in here that there is nothing 5 and he spits contemptuousl#.
2 4ou are wrong. 4ou ha'e still two things there. 5
2 hichE 5
2 8emem)rance and hatred. 8emo'e them. .ecome reall# empt#... and I will
gi'e #ou something new to put in there. 5
2 hatE 5
2 =o'e. 5
2 AhF AhF 4ou ma;e me laugh. I ha'e not laughed "or thirt#<"i'e #ears, man.
Since I had the proo" that the woman was un"aith"ul to me with the 8oman wine
merchant. =o'eF =o'e to meF It is li;e me throwing Cewels to m# chic;ensF 0he#
would die o" indigestion, unless the# passed them out with their eDcrement. 0he
same would happen to me. 4our lo'e would )e a )urden to me, i" I could not
digest it...5
4 2 1o, manF Do not sa# thatF 5 ,esus la#s 7is hand on the man6s shoulder, 7e is
deepl# and openl# distressed.
0he man loo;s at 7im with his onl# e#e and what he sees on that most sweet
and )eauti"ul "ace causes him to )e struc; dum) and to change his eDpression.
>rom )eing sarcastic he )ecomes 'er# serious and then reall# sad. 7e lowers his
head and with a changed 'oice he as;s? 2 ho are 4ouE 5
2 ,esus o" 1a(areth. 0he *essiah. 5
2 4ouFFF 5
2 I. Did #ou not ;now a)out *e, since #ou read so muchE 5
2 I ;new... .ut I did not ;now that 4ou were ali'e and... a)o'e all, I did not
;now this. I did not ;now that 4ou are good to e'er#)od#... thus... also to
murderers... >orgi'e me "or what I said... a)out God and lo'e... 1ow I
understand wh# 4ou want to gi'e me lo'e... ,ecause without love the world is
hell, and (ou, the Messiah want to mae a paradise of it. 5
2 A paradise in e'er# heart. Gi'e *e the remem)rance and the hatred that ma;e
#ou ill and let *e put lo'e into #our heartF 5
2 9hF I wish I had ;nown 4ou )e"oreF... then... .ut when I ;illed, 4ou were
certainl# not )orn #et... .ut later... when I was "ree, as "ree as a sna;e in a
"orest, I li'ed to poison people with m# hatred. 5
2 .ut #ou did also some good. Did #ou not sa# that #ou cured people )# means
o" her)sE 5
2 4es. 0o )e tolerated. .ut how man# times I had to struggle against m# desire
to poison people )# means o" potionsF... SeeE I too; re"uge here )ecause... it is a
place where the world is ignored and which the world ignores. A cursed place.
In other places I hated and was hated and I was a"raid o" )eing recognised... .ut
I am wic;ed. 5
2 4ou regret ha'ing harmed the prison guard. Do #ou not see that there is still
some goodness in #ouE 4ou are not wic;ed... 4our onl# trou)le is that #ou ha'e
a large open wound, which no)od# is curing... 4our goodness runs out o" it as
)lood "rom a wound. .ut i" someone would cure #our wound and heal it, *#
dear )rother, goodness would increase in #ou, )ecause it would no longer 'anish
as it "orms...5
111.Fr!+ T)8!r t! En*!r n t"# C)6# !4 t"# N#cr!+)nc#r.Enc!unt#r &t" F#%G 0"! B#c!+#s :!"n. 14.
0he man weeps with )ent head tr#ing to conceal his tears. 9nl# ,esus ho is
wal;ing )eside him notices them. 7e notices )ut does not sa# an#thing "urther.
5 0he# arri'e at a ca'ern made o" ru))le and mountain ca'es. 0he man
endea'ours to stead# his 'oice and sa#s? 2 7ere it is. 4ou ma# go in. 5
2 0han; #ou, *# "riend. .e good. 5
0he man does not sa# an#thing and remains where he was, while ,esus with 7is
apostles, passing o'er large stones which must ha'e )een part o" 'er# strong
walls, upsetting green li(ards and other ugl# loo;ing insects, enters a large
smo;# grotto, on the walls o" which there are still gra""iti signs o" the (odiac and
similar things. In a corner )lac;ened )# smo;e there is a niche and under it a
hole which loo;s li;e a gull#<hole "or water. .ats hanging in disgusting )unches
decorate the ceiling and an owl, upset )# the light o" a )ranch which ,ames has
lit to ensure the# do not tread on scorpions or asps, complains "lapping its
wadded wings and closing its ugl# e#es which cannot )ear the light. It is
perched in the niche, and the "oul smell o" dead mice, o" weasels and )irds in
decomposition at its "eet is miDed with the stench o" dung and o" the damp soil.
2 It is reall# a lo'el# placeF 5 sa#s Peter. 2 4our 0a)or and #our sea were much
)etter, m# )o#F 5 And then addressing ,esus? 2 *aster, satis"# ,udas at once
)ecause this is not... Antipa6s ro#al hallF 5
2 3ertainl#. hat is it that #ou want to ;nowE 5 7e as;s ,udas o" Berioth.
2 ell... I would li;e to ;now whether and wh# Saul sinned coming here... I
would li;e to ;now whether it is possi)le "or a woman to e'o;e the dead. I
would li;e to ;now whether... 9hF It is )etter i" 4ou spea;. I will as; 4ou
Iuestions. 5
2 It6s a long stor#. At least let us go out there, in the sunshine, on the stones...
e will get awa# "rom the dampness and the stench 5 )egs Peter.
And ,esus agrees. 0he# sit as )est the# can on the ruins o" the walls.
2 Saul6s sin was onl# one o" his sins. It was preceded and "ollowed )# man#
more. All o" them gra'e. Dou)le ingratitude towards Samuel who had annointed
him ;ing and who su)seIuentl# disappeared so as not to share with the ;ing the
admiration o" the people. 7e was se'eral times ungrate"ul to Da'id who sa'ed
him "rom Goliath and spared him in the ca'es at &ngedi and 7achilah. 7e was
guilt# o" man# acts o" diso)edience and o" scandalising his people. 7e was
guilt# o" grie'ing his )ene"actor Samuel )# lac;ing in charit#. 7e was guilt# o"
Cealous#, o" ma;ing attempt on Da'id6s li"e, Da'id )eing another )ene"actor o"
his, and "inall#, o" the crime he committed here. 5
2 Against whomE 7e did not ;ill an#one here. 5
2 7e ;illed his soul in here, he "inished ;illing it. h# are #ou lowering #our
headE 5
2 I am thin;ing, *aster. 5
6 2 4ou are thin;ing. I can see that. hat are #ou thin;ing o"E h# did #ou
want to comeE 4ou must admit it was not out o" mere curiosit# o" a scholar. 5
2 e alwa#s hear someone tal; o" magicians, necromancers, e'o;ed spirits... I
wanted to see whether I could disco'er an#thing... I would li;e to ;now how it
is done... I thin; that since we are destined to ama(e people in order to attract
them, we should )e, somehow, necromancers, too. 4ou are 4ou and 4ou do
things )# means o" 4our power. .ut we must as; "or power, "or help in order to
per"orm eDceptional deeds, which are necessar#...5
2 Are #ou madE hat are #ou sa#ingE 5 shout man#.
2 .e Iuiet. =et him spea;. 7e is not mad. 5
2 4es, I thought that )# coming here a little o" the magic o" gone )# da#s would
assume possession o" me and ma;e me greater. In 4our interest, )elie'e me. 5
2 I ;now that #our present desire is a sincere one. .ut I will repl# to #ou with
eternal words, )ecause the# are words o" the .i)le and the .i)le will eDist as
long as man eDists. .elie'ed or moc;ed at, emplo#ed to de"end the truth or
scorned at, it will alwa#s eDist. It is written? GAnd &'e, seeing that the "ruit o"
the tree was good to eat and pleasing to the e#e, too; it and ate it and ga'e some
to her hus)and... 0hen their e#es were opened and the# realised that the# were
na;ed and the# made themsel'es loin<cloths... And God said? 67ow did #ou
realise that #ou were na;edE 9nl# )ecause #ou ate o" the "or)idden "ruit6. And
7e eDpelled them "rom the garden o" delights.H And in the )oo; o" Saul, it is
written? GSamuel appearing said? 6h# ha'e #ou distur)ed me, conCuring me
upE h# do #ou consult me when the =ord has a)andoned #ouE 0he =ord will
deal with #ou as I told #ou... )ecause #ou did not o)e# the 'oice o" the =ord.6H
111.Fr!+ T)8!r t! En*!r n t"# C)6# !4 t"# N#cr!+)nc#r.Enc!unt#r &t" F#%G 0"! B#c!+#s :!"n. 141
)on, do not stretch your hand towards the forbidden fruit. "t is imprudent even
to go near it. Do not )e curious to ;now ultramundane things, lest its satanic
poison should conIuer #ou. A'oid the occult and what cannot )e eDplained. 9ne
thing onl# is to )e accepted with hol# "aith? God. .ut a'oid what is not God and
what cannot )e eDplained )# man6s reason or cannot )e done )# man6s power, so
that the sources o" wic;edness ma# not )e opened "or #ou and #ou ma# realise
that #ou are Gna;edH. 1a;ed? repellent in #our humanit# miDed with satanism.
h# do #ou wish to ama(e people )# means o" o)scure prodigiesE Ama(e them
through #our holiness, which should )e as )right as things coming "rom God.
+o not be an&ious to rend the veils which separate the living from the dead. +o
not disturb the deceased. =isten to them, i" the# are wise, while the# are on the
earth, 'enerate them )# o)e#ing them also a"ter their death. .ut do not upset
their second li"e. ho does not o)e# the 'oice o" the =ord, loses the =ord. And
the =ord has "or)idden occultism, necromanc#, satanism in all its "orms. hat
more do #ou wish to ;now than the ord alread# tells #ouE hat more do #ou
wish to per"orm than #our goodness and *# power ena)le #ou to per"ormE Do
not cra'e "or sin, )ut "or holiness, son. Do not "eel morti"ied. I am glad that #ou
disclose #our humanit#. *an# people, too man#, li;e what #ou li;e. .ut the
purpose o" #our desire? Gto )e power"ul to attract people to *eH remo'es a
hea'# weight "rom that humanit# and puts wings on it. .ut the# are the wings o"
a night )ird. 1o, *# dear ,udas. Put wings as )right as the sun, wings o" an
angel on #our spirit. .# the simple )ree(e caused )# "lapping them #ou will
attract hearts and will lead them in #our wa;e to God. 3an we goE 5
2 4es, *asterF I was wrong...5
2 1o. 4ou ha'e )een an inIuirer... 0he world will alwa#s )e "ull o" them. 3ome.
=et us get awa# "rom the stench o" this place. =et us go towards the sunF In a
"ew da#s it will )e Passo'er, and a"terwards we will go to #our mother6s. I con<
Cure her up "or #ou? #our honest home, #our hol# mother. 7ow peace"ul it isF 5
As usual, the recollection o" his mother and the *aster6s praise "or her, cheer
,udas.
7 0he# come out o" the ruins and the# )egin to descend the path the# had
wal;ed up pre'iousl#. 0he man )lind in one e#e is still there.
2 Are #ou still hereE 5 as;s ,esus pretending that 7e does not notice that his "ace
is "lushed )ecause o" the man# tears he has shed.
2 4es, I am still here. I will "ollow 4ou i" 4ou allow me. I ha'e something to
tell #ou...5
2 3ome with *e, then. hat do #ou want to tell *eE 5
2 ,esus... I "ind that to ha'e the strength to spea; and to wor; the hol# magic o"
changing m#sel", o" conCuring up m# dead soul as the necromancer e'o;ed
Samuel "or Saul, I must pronounce 4our 1ame, which is as sweet as 4our e#es,
and as hol# as 4our 'oice. 4ou ha'e gi'en me a new li"e, )ut it lac;s "orm and
energ#, li;e the li"e o" a new<)orn )a)# a"ter a di""icult )irth. It still struggles in
the grip o" wic;ed old ha)its. 7elp me to come out o" m# death. 5
2 4es, *# "riend. 5
2 I... I ha'e realised that there is still a little humanit# in m# heart. I am not
entirel# a )east, and I can still lo'e and )e lo'ed, "orgi'e and )e "orgi'en. 4our
lo'e, which is "orgi'eness, has taught me. Is it not soE 5
2 4es, *# "riend. 5
2 0hen... ta;e me with 4ou. I was >eliDF hat an iron#F .ut gi'e me a new
name. 0hat m# past ma# )e reall# dead. I will "ollow 4ou li;e a stra# dog,
which "inall# "inds a master. I will )e 4our sla'e, i" 4ou wish so. .ut do not
lea'e me alone...5
2 4es, *# "riend. 5
2 hat name will 4ou gi'e meE 5
2 A name dear to *e? ,ohn. .ecause #ou are grace granted )# God. 5
2 ill 4ou ta;e me with 4ouE 5
2 4es, "or the time )eing. =ater #ou will "ollow *e with *# disciples. .ut what
a)out #our houseE 5
2 I ha'e no house an# longer. I will lea'e what I ha'e to the poor. ,ust gi'e me
lo'e and )read. 5
2 3ome. 5 ,esus turns round and calls 7is apostles. 2 I than; #ou, *# "riends,
and #ou in particular, ,udas. 0hrough #ou, ,udas, through #ou all, a soul is
coming to God. 7ere is a new disciple. 7e is coming with us until we can
entrust him to our )rother disciples. .e happ# )ecause #ou ha'e "ound a heart
111.Fr!+ T)8!r t! En*!r n t"# C)6# !4 t"# N#cr!+)nc#r.Enc!unt#r &t" F#%G 0"! B#c!+#s :!"n. 142
and )less God with *e. 5
.ut the 0wel'e do not reall# loo; 'er# happ#. .ut out o" o)edience and
;indness the# welcome him.
2 I" 4ou do not mind I will go ahead. 4ou will "ind me at the door o" m# house.
5
2 4es, go. 5
0he man runs awa#. 7e seems another man.
2 And now that we are )# oursel'es I order #ou, and this is an order, to )e ;ind
to him and not to mention his past to an#)od#. I will immediatel# reCect an#one
who should spea; or )e uncharita)le to our redeemed )rother. Is that clearE And
see how good the =ord isF e came here "or a human purpose and 7e allows us
to go awa# a"ter achie'ing a supernatural deed. 9hF I reCoice )ecause o" the Co#
now in 7ea'en "or the new con'ert. 5
8 0he# reach the house. 0he man is there, on the threshold, wearing a clean dar;
tunic and a mantle to match it, a pair o" new sandals and carr#ing a large
ha'ersac; o'er his shoulder. 7e closes the door and then, what is strange in a
man who might )e considered hard<hearted, he ta;es a white hen, perhaps his
pet, which sIuats tamel# in his hands, he ;isses it weeping and la#s it down.
2 =et us go... and "orgi'e me. .ut m# chic;en alwa#s lo'ed me... I used to spea;
to them and... the# understood me...5
2 I understand #ou, too... and I lo'e #ou. So much. I will gi'e #ou all the lo'e
that the world denied #ou in thirt#<"i'e #ears...5
2 9hF I ;nowF I can "eel itF 0hat is wh# I am coming. .ut )e indulgent to a man
who... lo'es an animal which has )een more "aith"ul to him than men...5
2 4es... >orget #our past. 4ou will ha'e so much to doF And, eDperienced as #ou
are, #ou will do it 'er# well. Simon, come here and #ou, too, *atthew. SeeE
0his man was more than a prisoner, he was a leper. And this one... a sinner. And
the# are 'er# dear to *e, )ecause the# ;now how to understand poor hearts... Is
that rightE 5
2 0han;s to 4our goodness, m# =ord. .ut #ou ma# rest assured, m# "riend, that
e'er#thing is cancelled )# ser'ing 7im. 9nl# peace remains 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 4es. Peace and a new #outh ta;e o'er "rom old 'ices and hatred. I was a taD
collector. 1ow I am an apostle. 0he world is in "ront o" us. And we ;now all
a)out it. e are not a)sent<minded children who pass near the harm"ul "ruit and
the )ending plant and do not see "acts. e ;now. e can a'oid e'il and teach
other people how to a'oid it. And we can straighten up those who )end. .ecause
we ;now what a relie" it is to )e supported. And we ;now ho supports? 7im 5
sa#s *atthew.
2 0hat6s trueF Nuite trueF 4ou will help me. 0han; #ou. I "eel as i" I were
passing "rom a dar; "oul smelling place to the open in a "lower# meadow... I "elt
something similar when I came out, at long last "ree, a"ter twent# #ears o"
imprisonment and )rutal wor; in the mines in Anatolia and I "ound m#sel" M I
escaped one storm# e'ening M on the top o" a wild mountain, )ut in the open, in
a place "ull o" sunshine at dawn, and co'ered with scented woods... >reedomF
.ut now it is )etterF &'er#thing is more su)limeF I had not )een in chains "or
"i"teen #ears. .ut hatred, "ear and solitude were still li;e chains to me... .ut now
the# ha'e )een sha;en o""F... 7ere we are at the house o" the old man who
)rought 4ou to me. &hiF *anF 5
9 0he old man rushes towards them and is dum)"ounded seeing the "ellow )lind
in one e#e clean, wearing new clothes and smiling.
2 7ere, ta;e this. It6s the ;e# o" m# house. I am going awa#, "or good. I am
grate"ul to #ou )ecause #ou are m# )ene"actor. 4ou ha'e gi'en me a "amil#. Do
what #ou li;e with m# propert#... and loo; a"ter m# chic;en. 0reat them well. A
8oman comes e'er# Sa))ath and )u#s eggs... 4ou will ma;e a pro"it... 0a;e
care o" m# little hens... and ma# God reward #ou "or it. 5
0he old man is astonished... 7e ta;es the ;e# and stands open<mouthed.
,esus sa#s? 2 4es, do as he told #ou and I will )e grate"ul to #ou, too. I )less #ou
in the name o" ,esus. 5
2 0he 1a(areneF 4ouF *erc#F I ha'e spo;en to the =ordF omenF *enF 0he
*essiah is hereF 5
7e screams li;e an eagle and people rush "rom e'er#where.
2 .less usF .less usF 5 the# shout. Some shout? 2 Sta# hereF 5 and others? 2
here are 4ou goingE At least tell us where 4ou are going. 5
111.Fr!+ T)8!r t! En*!r n t"# C)6# !4 t"# N#cr!+)nc#r.Enc!unt#r &t" F#%G 0"! B#c!+#s :!"n. 1,3
2 0o 1ain. I cannot sta#. 5
2 e will "ollow 4ou. Do 4ou mindE 5
2 3ome. Peace and )lessing to those who remain here. 5 0he# go towards the
main road and ta;e it.
10 0he man, who is wal;ing near ,esus and can hardl# carr# his ha'ersac;,
draws Peter6s curiosit#. 2 hat ha'e #ou got in there that is so hea'#E 5 he as;s.
2 *# clothes... and some )oo;s... *# "riends a"ter and at the same time as the
chic;en. I could not part with them. .ut the# are hea'#. 5
2 &hF Science is hea'#F 9" courseF And who li;es it, ehE 5
2 0he# pre'ented me "rom )ecoming mad. 5
2 &hF 4ou must )e "ond o" themF hat )oo;s are the#E 5
2 Philosoph#, histor#, Gree; and 8oman poetr#...5
2 =o'el#, certainl# lo'el#. .ut... do #ou thin; #ou will )e a)le to carr# them
with #ouE 5
2 Perhaps I will )e a)le to part with them. .ut #ou cannot do e'er#thing at once,
can #ou, *essiahE 5
2 3all *e *aster. 1o, #ou cannot. .ut I will let #ou ha'e a place where #ou
will )e a)le to ;eep #our "riends, #our )oo;s. 0he# ma# help #ou to discuss o"
God with the heathens. 5
2 9hF 7ow "ree 4our thought is "rom all restrictionsF 5
,esus smiles and Peter eDclaims? 2 1o wonderF 7e is isdomF 5
2 And Goodness, )elie'e me. And are #ou learnedE 5
2 *eE 9hF *ost learned. I can tell an allice "rom a carp and m# erudition ends
there. I am a "isherman, m# "riendF 5 and Peter smiles hum)l# and "ran;l#.
2 4ou are an honest man. It is a science #ou learn )# #oursel". And a 'er#
di""icult one to learn. I li;e #ou. 5
2 And I li;e #ou, too. .ecause #ou are sincere. Also when #ou accuse #oursel". I
"orgi'e e'er#thing, I help e'er#)od#. .ut I am a ruthless enem# o" "alse people.
0he# ma;e me sic;. 5
2 4ou are right. A "alse man is a delinIuent. 5
2 A delinIuent. 4ou are right. Sa#, would #ou mind gi'ing me #our sac; "or a
little whileE In an# case, #ou ma# )e sure that I will not run awa# with )oo;s... I
thin; #ou are "inding it di""icult...5
2 0went# #ears in a mine )rea;s #our )ac;... .ut wh# do #ou want to toilE 5
2 .ecause the *aster has taught us to lo'e one another li;e )rothers. Gi'e them
to me. And ta;e m# rags. *# )ag is not hea'#... 0here is no histor#, no poetr#
in it. *# histor#, m# poetr# and the other thing #ou mentioned, is 7e, m# ,esus,
our ,esus. 5
18*. T! Son o0 t! /i(o$ o0 N'in.
14t 9un! 1*4+.
1 1ain must ha'e )een a town o" some importance in the da#s o" ,esus. It is not
a large town, )ut is well )uilt, surrounded )# its walls, l#ing on a low pleasant
hill, an o""shoot o" the =ittle 7ermon, commanding a 'er# "ertile plain which
stretches towards the north<east.
9ne arri'es here coming "rom &ndor, a"ter crossing a little ri'er, which "lows
into the ,ordan. .ut neither the ,ordan nor its 'alle# can )e seen an# longer,
)ecause the# are concealed )# hills which "orm an arch shaped li;e a Iuestion
mar; in the east.
,esus "ollows a main road which lin;s the la;e region to the 7ermon and its
'illages. *an# inha)itants o" &ndor wal; )ehind 7im tal;ing to one another
animatedl#.
9nl# a short distance separates the group o" the apostles "rom the walls? a)out
two hundred #ards, at most. And as the main road runs straight to one o" the
town gates, which is wide open )ecause it is )road da#light, it is possi)le to see
what is happening in the inner side o" the walls. 0hus ,esus, ho is spea;ing to
112. T"# S!n !4 t"# 0*!& !4 N)n. 1,1
the apostles and the new con'ert, sees a "uneral coming towards them, with a
great noise o" weepers and similar eastern displa#s.
2 Shall we go and see, *asterE 5 as; man#. And man# o" the inha)itants o"
&ndor are alread# rushing to see.
2 4es, let us go 5 sa#s ,esus condescendingl#.
2 9hF It must )e a )o#. See how man# "lowers and ri))ons there are on the )ier
5 sa#s ,udas o" Berioth to ,ohn.
2 9r it is pro)a)l# a 'irgin 5 replies ,ohn.
2 1o, it is certainl# a #oung man, )ecause o" the shades the# ha'e used. And
there is no m#rtle either...5 sa#s .artholomew.
0he "uneral comes out to the other side o" the walls. It is not possi)le to see what
there is on the )ier, which is carried shoulder high )# the )earers. 9ne
understands that there is a corpse, en'eloped in )andages and co'ered )# a
sheet, onl# )ecause o" its outline and that it is the )od# o" a "ull# grown person,
)ecause it is as long as the )ier.
A 'eiled woman is wal;ing )eside it, weeping, supported )# relati'es or "riends.
0he onl# sincere tears in all that "arce o" mourners. And when a )earer trips on a
stone or rise in the ground or stum)les and causes the )ier to sha;e, the mother
moans? 2 9hF noF .e care"ulF *# )o# has su""ered so muchF 5 and she raises her
trem)ling hand to caress the edge o" the )ier. And as she is una)le to do
an#thing else, she ;isses the 'eils and the ri))ons, which )lown )# a gentle
)ree(e lightl# touch the immo)ile corpse.
Peter, s#mpathetic, his good ;een e#es welling up with tears whispers? 2 She is
the mother. 5 .ut he is not the onl# one whose e#es are shining with tears at the
sight. Also the :ealot, Andrew, ,ohn, and e'en the e'er merr# 0homas ha'e
tears in their e#es. 0he# are all deepl# mo'ed. ,udas Iscariot whispers? 2 I" it
were IF 9hF Poor mother o" mine...5
2 ,esus, the ;indness o" hose e#es is so deep as to )e un)eara)le, directs 7is
steps towards the )ier.
0he mother, who is now so))ing louder )ecause the "uneral is a)out to turn
towards the open sepulchre, pushes 7im aside resolutel#, when she sees that
,esus wants to touch the )ier. I wonder what she is a"raid o" in her grie". She
shouts? 2 7e is mineF 5 and loo;s at ,esus with staring e#es.
2 I ;now, mother. 7e is #ours. 5
2 7e is m# onl# sonF h# should he die, he was so good and dear, he was m#
Co#, and I am a widow. h#E 5 0he crowd o" the hired mourners mourn more
loudl#, "orming a chorus with the mother who continues? 2 h# he, and not IE It
is not Cust that she who has )orne a child, should see her o""spring perish. 0he
o""spring must li'e, otherwise wh# was m# wom) torn to gi'e )irth to a manE 5
and she stri;es her a)domen wildl# and desperatel#.
2 Do not do thatF Do not weep, mother. 5 ,esus ta;es her hands clenching them
"irml# in 7is le"t hand, while with 7is right one 7e touches the )ier sa#ing to
the )earers? 2 Stop and put the )ier down. 5
0he )earers o)e# and lower the little )ed which rests on its "our legs.
,esus ta;es the sheet co'ering the dead )o# and pulls it )ac; unco'ering the
corpse.
0he mother shouts her grie" and the name o" her son, I thin;? 2 DanielF 5
,esus, still clenching the mother6s hands in 7is, stands up, 7is e#es imposingl#
)right, the power o" miracle shining maCesticall# on 7is "ace, lowering 7is right
hand, orders in the "ull strength o" 7is 'oice? 2 4oung manF I tell #ou? get upF 5
3 0he dead )o#, en'eloped in )andages as he is, sits up on the little )ed and
calls? 2 *otherF 5 7e calls her with the stammering "rightened 'oice o" a
terri"ied child.
2 7e is #ours, woman. I gi'e him to #ou in the name o" God. 7elp him to get rid
o" the sudarium. And )e happ#. 5
And ,esus ma;es the gesture o" withdrawing. Impossi)leF 0he crowds ri'et 7im
to the )ier, on which the mother has thrown hersel" groping "or the )andages,
endea'ouring to )e Iuic;, while the imploring childish moaning repeats? 2
*otherF *otherF 5
0he sudarium and )andages are undone and mother and son can em)race each
other, and the# do so without )othering a)out the stic;# )alms, which the
mother remo'es "rom his dear "ace and hands, ma;ing use o" the same
)andages. As she has not clothes to put on him, she ta;es o"" her mantle and
112. T"# S!n !4 t"# 0*!& !4 N)n. 1,2
en'elops him in it, caressing him all the time...
,esus loo;s at her... he loo;s at the lo'ing group, close together on the edge o"
the little )ed, no longer a )ier, and 7e weeps.
,udas Iscariot sees 7is tears and as;s? 2 h# are 4ou weeping, m# =ordE 5
,esus turns 7is "ace towards him and sa#s? 2 I am thin;ing o" *# *other...5
0he )rie" con'ersation draws the woman6s attention to her .ene"actor. She ta;es
her son )# the hand, she supports him )ecause his lim)s are still somewhat
num), and ;neeling down she sa#s? 2 4ou, too, m# son. .less this 7ol# man
ho has restored #ou to li"e and to #our mother 5 and she )ends to ;iss ,esus6
tunic while the crowd sing hosannas to God and to 7is *essiah, ho )# now is
well ;nown "or what 7e is, )ecause the apostles and the people o" &ndor ha'e
ta;en upon themsel'es to tell ho 7e is ho wor;ed the miracle.
And the crowds eDclaim? 2 .lessed )e the God o" Israel. .lessed )e the
*essiah, 7is *essengerF .lessed )e ,esus, Son o" Da'idF A great Prophet is
risen among usF God has reall# 'isited 7is peopleF 7alleluCahF 7alleluCahF 5
At last ,esus can steal awa# and enter the town. 0he crowd "ollow and pursue
7im, eDulting in their lo'e.
4 A man rushes towards ,esus and )ows deepl# to 7im. 2 Please come and sta#
under m# roo". 5
2 I cannot. Passo'er pre'ents *e "rom ma;ing an# stop eDcept those
programmed. 5
2 In a "ew hours it will )e sunset and this is >rida#...5
2 &Dactl#, that is wh# I must reach *# halting place )e"ore sunset. I than; #ou
Cust the same. .ut do not ;eep *e )ac;. 5
2 I am the head o" the s#nagogue. 5
2 So #ou mean that #ou are entitled to ha'e *e. *an, i" I had arri'ed here onl#
one hour later, that woman would not ha'e had her son restored to her. I am
going where other unhapp# people are waiting "or *e. Do not )e so sel"ish as to
dela# their Co#. I will certainl# come again and I will )e with #ou in 1ain "or
se'eral da#s. 1ow let *e go. 5
0he man does not insist an# more. 7e onl# sa#s? 2 As 4ou said. I will wait "or
4ou. 5
2 4es. Peace to #ou and to the citi(ens o" 1ain. Also to #ou, people o" &ndor,
peace and )lessings. Go )ac; to #our homes. God has spo;en to #ou through the
miracle. &ndea'our, through the power o" lo'e, to ha'e all #our hearts restored
to Goodness. 5
A last chorus o" hosannas. 0hen the crowds let ,esus go and 7e crosses the town
diagonall# and goes out into the countr#, towards &sdraelon.
1*;. Fro) N'in to Es(r'!#on. 9!sus St'1s 't 7ic'>s.
1+t 9un! 1*4+.
1 0he sun is setting in a red s;# when ,esus comes in 'iew o" ,ohanan6s "ields.
2 =et us Iuic;en our pace, *# "riends, )e"ore the sun sets. And #ou, Peter, go
with #our )rother to in"orm our "riends, Doras6 men. 5
2 I will go indeed, also to see whether the son has reall# gone awa#. 5 Peter
stresses the word 2 son 5. And he goes awa#.
In the meantime ,esus proceeds at a slower pace, loo;ing around to see whether
an# o" ,ohanan6s men are a)out. .ut 7e can onl# see the "ertile "ields, in which
the ears o" grain are alread# well "ormed.
At last, a "ace, wet with perspiration, appears among the 'ine<lea'es and an
eDclamation is heard? 2 9hF .lessed =ordF 5 and the peasant runs out o" the
'ine#ard and prostrates himsel" at ,esus6 "eet. 2 Peace to #ou, IsaiahF 5
2 9hF 4ou remem)er also m# nameE 5
2 It is written in *# heart. Stand up. here are #our companionsE 5
2 9'er there. In the apple<orchards. .ut I will tell them at once. 4ou will )e our
guest, will 4ou notE 0he master is not here and we can welcome 4ou. In an#
case... what with the "ear, what with the Co#... it is )etter. ,ust imagine, he ga'e
us a lam) this #ear and will allow us to go to the 0empleF 7e has gi'en us onl#
123. Fr!+ N)n t! Es*r)#%!n. :#sus St)5s )t 9c)">s. 1,3
siD da#s... )ut we will run all the wa#... e will )e in ,erusalem, too...
ImagineF... And than;s to 4ou. 5 0he man is in his se'enth hea'en o" delight
)ecause he has )een treated as a man and as an Israelite.
2 I ha'e done nothing, as "ar as I ;now...5 sa#s ,esus smiling.
2 &hF noF 4ou ha'e done a great deal. Doras, and the "ields o" Doras, and these
ones here, which are instead so )eauti"ul this #ear... ,ohanan was in"ormed o"
#our 'isit, and he is not a "ool. 7e is a"raid and... and he is a"raid. 5
2 9" whatE 5
2 7e is a"raid that what happened to Doras ma# happen to him. .oth with regard
to his li"e and to his propert#. 7a'e 4ou seen Doras6 "ieldsE 5
2 I ha'e come "rom 1ain...5
2 In that case 4ou ha'e not seen them. 0he# are a complete ruin. @0he man
whispers that in a low )ut clear 'oice, li;e someone imparting a secret
concerning something dread"ul.A 0he# are all ruinedF 0here is no ha#, no "odder,
no "ruit. -ines and orchards withered... Dead... e'er#thing is dead... li;e Sodom
and Gomorrah... 3ome, I will show 4ou. 5
2 It is not necessar#. I am going to see those peasants...5
2 .ut the# are no longer hereF Did 4ou not ;nowE Doras, the son o" Doras, has
scattered them or dismissed them, and the ones he sent to the other countr#
places which )elong to him, must not spea; o" 4ou, or the# will )e lashed... 1ot
to spea; o" 4ouF 0hat will )e di""icultF Also ,ohanan said so to us. 5
2 hat did he sa#E 5
2 7e said? GI am not so "oolish as Doras and I will not sa# to #ou? QI do not want
#ou to spea; o" the 1a(arene.6 It would )e useless, )ecause #ou would do it Cust
the same and I do not want to lose #ou )# lashing #ou to death li;e untamea)le
animals. 9n the contrar# I sa# to #ou? 6.e good as the 1a(arene certainl#
teaches #ou and tell 7im that I treat #ou well.6 I do not want to )e cursed, too.H
9" course, he can see what these "ields are li;e a"ter 4ou )lessed them, and what
the ones 4ou cursed are li;e. 9hF 7ere are the ones who ploughed the "ield "or
me...5 and the man runs to meet Peter and Andrew.
2 .ut Peter greets him )rie"l# and proceeds on his wa# and )egins to shout? 2
9hF *asterF 0here is no one le"tF 0he# are all new "aces. And e'er#thing is laid
wasteF 7e could 'er# well do without an# peasants here. It is worse than the Salt
Seal...5
2 I ;now. Isaiah told *e. 5
2 .ut come and seeF hat a sight...5
,esus pleases him a"ter sa#ing to Isaiah? 2 I will sta# with #ou. 0ell #our
companions. .ut do not go to an# trou)le. I ha'e enough "ood. All we need is a
)arn to sleep in and #our lo'e. I will come )ac; soon. 5
0he sight o" Doras6 "ields is reall# distressing. >ields and meadows are dr# and
)arren, 'ine#ards are withered, the "oliage and "ruit o" trees are completel#
destro#ed )# millions o" insects o" all ;inds. Also the garden<orchard near the
house loo;s li;e a desolate d#ing wood. 0he peasants wander to and "ro
uprooting weeds, crushing caterpillars, snails, earth<worms and the li;e, sha;ing
)ranches under which the# place )asins "ull o" water to drown little )utter"lies,
aphides and other parasites which co'er the lea'es and eat awa# the plant until it
dies. 0he# endea'our to "ind a sign o" li"e in the 'ine<shoots, which )rea; li;e
dr# wood as soon as the# are touched and some times "all o"" the main )ranch,
as i" the roots had )een cut )# a saw. 0he contrast with ,ohanan6s "ields,
'ine#ards and orchards is most stri;ing and the ruin o" the cursed "ields seems
more impressi'e when compared to the "ruit"ulness o" the others.
2 0he hand o" the God o" Sinai is a hea'# one 5 whispers Simon the :ealot.
,esus ma;es a gesture as i" to sa#? 2 7ow right #ou areF 5 )ut 7e does not sa#
an#thing. 7e onl# as;s? 2 7ow did it happenE 5
A peasant replies )etween his teeth? 2 *oles, locusts, worms... )ut go awa#F
0he steward is "aith"ul to Doras... Don6t cause us trou)le...5
,esus sighs and goes awa#.
Another peasant, who is )ent under an apple<tree earthing it up, in the hope he
ma# sa'e it, sa#s? 2 e will reach 4ou tomorrow... when the steward goes to
,e(reel "or the pra#er... we will come to *icah6s house. 5
,esus ma;es the gesture o" )lessing and goes awa#.
3 hen 7e goes )ac; to the cross<road, all the peasants o" ,ohanan are there and
123. Fr!+ N)n t! Es*r)#%!n. :#sus St)5s )t 9c)">s. 1,4
Co#"ul and happ# the# surround their *essiah and ta;e 7im to their poor
dwellings.
2 Did 4ou see, o'er thereE 5
2 4es, I did. Doras6 peasants are coming tomorrow. 5
2 9" course, when the h#enas go to pra#... e do that e'er# Sa))ath... and we
spea; o" 4ou, we tell what we heard "rom ,onah, "rom Isaac, who o"ten comes
to see us, and what we learned "rom 4ou in 0ishri. e spea; as )est we can.
.ecause it is impossi)le not to spea; o" 4ou. And the more we su""er, the more
we are "or)idden, the more we spea; o" 4ou. 0hose poor people... the# drin; the
essence o" li"e e'er# Sa))ath... .ut how man# there are in this plain who are in
need o" ;nowing, o" ;nowing 4ou at least, and #et the# cannot come here...5
2 I will see to them as well. And ma# #ou )e )lessed "or what #ou do. 5
0he sun is setting while ,esus enters a ;itchen )lac;ened )# smo;e. 0he Sa))ath
rest )egins.
1*1. T! S'55't 't Es(r'!#on. Litt#! 9'5!3.
T! P'r'5#! o0 Ric Di2!s.
14t 9un! 1*4+.
1 2 Gi'e *icah enough mone# so that tomorrow he ma# pa# "or what he
)orrowed toda# "rom the peasants o" this area 5 sa#s ,esus to the Iscariot, who
usuall# handles the... common possessions. 0hen ,esus calls Andrew and ,ohn
and sends them to two spots "rom which it is possi)le to see the road or the
roads coming "rom ,e(reel. 7e calls also Peter and Simon and sends them to
meet the men o" Doras with instructions to stop them at the )oundar# )etween
the two estates. 7e then sa#s to ,ames and ,udas? 2 0a;e the "oodstu""s and
come with *e. 5
0he peasants o" ,ohanan, women, men and children "ollow them. 0he men are
carr#ing two small amphoras, which, howe'er, are not 'er# small, and which
must )e "ull o" wine. 0he# are Cars rather than amphoras and contain a)out ten
litres each. @Please do not ta;e m# estimate as an article o" "aithA. 0he# go
towards a thic; 'ine#ard, which is alread# all co'ered with new lea'es, at the
end o" ,ohanan6s propert#. .e#ond it there is a large ditch which is ;ept "ull o"
water with, I wonder, how much wor;.
2 SeeE ,ohanan Iuarrelled with Doras o'er this ditch. ,ohanan said? GIt is #our
"ather6s "ault i" e'er#thing is ruined. I" he did not want to adore 7im, he should
ha'e )een a"raid o" 7im instead o" pro'o;ing 7im.H And Doras shouted li;e a
demon? GIt was this ditch that sa'ed #ou. 0he insects did not cross it... And
,ohanan replied? Gh# is all #our propert# ruined, then, when pre'iousl# #our
"ields were the nicest ones in &sdraelonE It6s God6s punishment, )elie'e me. 4ou
went )e#ond the limit. 0his waterE... It has )een here all the time and that is not
what sa'ed me.H And Doras shouted again? Ghich pro'es that ,esus is a
demon.H G7e is a Cust manH ,ohanan shouted )ac;. And the# continued "or some
time, while the# had )reath. =ater ,ohanan spent a lot o" mone# to di'ert the
torrent, to "ind other underground water sources, and to dig more ditches on the
)oundar# line )etween him and his relati'e, and he made them deeper and told
us what we told 4ou #esterda#... A"ter all, he is happ# that it happened. 7e was
so en'ious o" Doras... 7e now hopes that he will )e a)le to )u# e'er#thing,
)ecause Doras will end up )# selling e'er#thing at a 'er# low price. 5
,esus )enignl# listens to all the con"idential in"ormation, while waiting "or
Doras6 poor peasants, who arri'e without an# dela# and prostrate themsel'es on
the ground as soon as the# see ,esus in the shade o" a tree.
2 Peace to #ou, *# "riends. 3ome here. 0he s#nagogue is here toda# and I am
#our head o" it. .ut "irst I wish to )e the "ather o" #our "amil#. Sit around *e,
that I ma# gi'e #ou some "ood. 0he Groom is with #ou toda#, and we will ha'e
a wedding )anIuet. 5
And ,esus unco'ers a )as;et, "rom which 7e ta;es some loa'es o" )read
handing them to the ama(ed peasants o" Doras. >rom another )as;et 7e ta;es
the "oodstu""s 7e has )een a)le to "ind? cheese, coo;ed 'egeta)les, and a little
;id or lam), coo;ed whole, which 7e di'ides among the unhapp# men. 7e then
pours out some wine and hands round a coarse chalice so that e'er#)od# ma#
drin;.
2 h# all thisE And what a)out themE 5 as; Doras6 men pointing to ,ohanan6s
men.
121.T"# S)88)t" )t Es*r)#%!n. Ltt%# :)8#7. T"# P)r)8%# !4 Rc" D6#s. 1,,
2 0he# ha'e alread# had their share. 5
2 All this eDpenseF 7ow could 4ou do thatE 5
2 0here are still some good people in Israel 5 replies ,esus smiling.
2 .ut this is Sa))ath...5
2 0han; this man 5 sa#s ,esus pointing at the man "rom &ndor. 2 7e got the
lam). It was eas# to get the rest. 5
0he poor men de'oured M it is the right word M the "ood, the li;e o" which the#
had not tasted "or a long time.
2 9ne o" them, a rather elderl# man, is pressing to his side a )o# a)out ten #ears
oldL he eats and weeps.
2 hat is the matter, "atherE...5 as;s ,esus.
2 It6s )ecause 4our goodness is too great...5
0he man "rom &ndor sa#s in his guttural 'oice? 2 0hat is true... and it ma;es #ou
weep. .ut the tears are not )itter ones...5
2 0he# are not )itter. 0hat6s true. And then... 0here is something I would li;e.
*# tears eDpress also a desire. 5
2 hat do #ou want, "atherE 5
2 See this child. 7e is m# grandson. 7e was le"t to me a"ter the landslide o" last
winter. Doras does not e'en ;now that he has come to me, )ecause I ha'e to let
him li'e li;e a wild animal in the wood and I see him onl# on the Sa))ath. I" he
"inds out he will either dri'e him awa# or compel him to wor;... and this tender
o""spring o" mine will )e treated worse than a pac;<animal. At Passo'er I am
sending him to ,erusalem with *icah, to )ecome a son o" the =aw... and a"terE...
7e is m# daughter6s son...5
2 ould #ou gi'e him to *e, insteadE Do not weep. I ha'e man# "riends who
are honest, hol# and without an# children. 0he# will )ring him up in a hol#
manner, in *# a#...5
2 9hF =ordF 0hat is what I ha'e )een wishing "or since I heard o" 4ou. And I
pra#ed that hol# man ,onah to sa'e m# grandchild "rom this death, )ecause he
;nows what it means to )elong to this master...5
2 3hild, would #ou come with *eE 5
2 4es, m# =ord. And I will cause 4ou no grie". 5
2 0hat is settled. 5
2 .ut... to whom do 4ou wish to gi'e himE 5 as;s Peter pulling ,esus )# the
slee'e. 2 Also this one to =a(arusE 5
2 1o, Simon. .ut there are so man# without an# children...5
2 And I am one o" them... 5 Peter6s desire seems to ma;e his "ace grow thinner.
2 Simon. I ha'e alread# told #ou. 4ou are to )e the G"atherH o" all the children I
will )eIueath to #ou. .ut #ou are not to )e )ound )# an# child o" #our own. Do
not )e upset. 4ou are too indispensa)le to #our *aster, ho cannot detach #ou
"rom 7imsel" )ecause o" an a""ection. I am eDacting, Simon. I am more eDacting
than a 'er# Cealous hus)and. I lo'e #ou most partiall# and I want #ou to )e
entirel# *ine. 5
2 All right, m# =ord... all right... =et it )e done as 4ou wish. 5 Poor Peter is
reall# heroic in adhering to ,esus6 will.
2 7e will )e the son o" *# dawning 3hurch. All rightE 7e will )elong to e'er#<
)od# and to no)od#. 7e will )e GourH child. 7e will "ollow us when distances
will allow him to, or he will come to us and the shepherds will )e his guardians,
as in e'er# child the# lo'e GtheirH 3hild ,esus. 3ome here, *# child, what is
#our nameE 5
2 ,a)e( o" ,ohn and I am "rom ,udah 5 sa#s the )o# without hesitating.
2 4es. e are ,udaeans 5 con"irms the old man. 2 I used to wor; in Doras6 lands
in ,udaea, and m# daughter got married to a man "rom that area. 7e wor;ed in
the woods near Arimathea and last winter... 5
2 I saw the disaster. 5
2 0he )o# was spared )ecause that night he was "ar awa# with a relati'e... In
actual "act the )o# was appropriatel# named ,a)e(. I said to m# daughter at
once? Gh#E Do #ou not remem)er the ancient traditionE.H .ut her hus)and
insisted in gi'ing him that name, so he is ,a)e(@1A.
121.T"# S)88)t" )t Es*r)#%!n. Ltt%# :)8#7. T"# P)r)8%# !4 Rc" D6#s. 1,-
3 2 G0he child will call on the =ord and the =ord will )less him and will eDtend
his lands, and the hand o" the =ord will )e with him and will ;eep harm awa#
"rom him.H 0hat is what the =ord will grant him to com"ort #ou, "ather, and the
souls o" the dead, and to console the orphan.
And now that we ha'e separated the needs o" the )od# "rom those o" the soul, )#
an act o" lo'e "or the )o#, listen to the para)le that I ha'e thought out "or #ou.
0here was once a 'er# rich man. 7e wore the most )eauti"ul garments, and in
his purple and )#ssus clothes he used to strut a)out in sIuares and at home,
respected )# his citi(ens as the most power"ul man in the countr#, and )# his
"riends, who grati"ied his pride to gain )ene"its there)#. 0he# "easted e'er# da#
in his halls, where the multitude o" his guests, all rich and none there"ore need#,
crowded "lattering Di'es. 7is )anIuets were "amous "or the copiousness o" "ood
and o" choice wines.
In the same town there li'ed a )eggar, a great )eggar. 7e was great in his miser#
as the other was great in his wealth. .ut under the crust o" the human miser# o"
=a(arus, the )eggar, there was hidden a treasure, which was e'en greater than
=a(arus6 miser# and Di'es6 wealth. And it was =a(arus6 true holiness. 7e had
ne'er in"ringed the =aw, not e'en when urged )# need, and a)o'e all he had
complied with the precept o" lo'e "or God and "or his neigh)our. 7e, as is wont
with poor people, used to go near the doors o" rich people to as; "or alms, so
that he would not star'e to death. And e'er# e'ening he would go to Di'es6
house, hoping to recei'e at least the crum)s o" the pompous )anIuets which
too; place in the magni"icent halls. 7e would lie in the street, near the door, and
wait patientl#.
.ut i" Di'es noticed him, he would ha'e him dri'en awa# )ecause that under"ed
)od#, co'ered with sores and ragged clothes, was too sad a sight "or his guests.
0hat is what Di'es used to sa#. In actual "act, it was )ecause the sight o" so
much miser# and goodness was a continuous reproach to him. 7is well "ed dogs,
adorned with precious collars, were more piti"ul than he was and the# used to go
near poor =a(arus and lic; his sores, showing their great Co# at )eing caressed
)# him. 0he# e'en too; the remnants o" the )ounti"ul ta)les to him, so that
=a(arus sur'i'ed malnutrition than;s to animals. I" he had relied on man he
would ha'e died, )ecause man did not e'en allow him to enter the halls, a"ter
the )anIuet, to pic; up the crum)s which had "allen "rom the ta)les.
9ne da# =a(arus died. 1o one on earth noticed it, no one mourned him. 1a#,
Di'es reCoiced not seeing on that da# or a"terwards that miser# which he called a
GdisgraceH near his door. .ut the angels noticed it in 7ea'en. And when he was
a)out to )reathe his last in his cold )arren ca'e, the celestial cohorts were
present and in a )right da((ling light the# pic;ed up his soul and singing
hosannas the# too; it to the )osom o" A)raham.
Some time went )# and Di'es died. 9hF hat a grand "uneralF 0he whole town,
alread# aware o" his agon#, crowded in the sIuare, where his a)ode was, some
to )e noticed as "riends o" the great man, some out o" curiosit#, some to gain
"a'our with the heirs, and the# all Coined in the mourning, and their cries rose to
the s;# and with their cries also the "alse praises o" the Ggreat, Cust )ene"actorH
who had died.
3an the word o" man change God6s CudgementE 3an human apolog# cancel what
is written in the )oo; o" =i"eE 1o, it cannot. hat has )een Cudged is Cudged and
what has )een written is written. And notwithstanding the grand "uneral, the
soul o" Di'es was )uried in hell.
0hen, in that horri)le Cail, eating and drin;ing "ire and dar;ness, "inding hatred
and torture e'er#where and in e'er# moment o" eternit#, he raised his e#es to
hea'en. 7e raised his e#es to hea'en which he saw in the )rightness o"
lightning, in the "raction o" a second, and the indescri)a)le )eaut# o" hea'en
remained present in his mind and tormented him in the midst o" atrocious
tortures. And he saw A)raham up there. >ar, )ut )right, happ#... and in his lap,
)right and happ# there was also =a(arus, poor =a(arus, once misera)le,
despised, re'olting... and nowE 7e was handsome in the light o" God and o" his
holiness, "ull o" God6s lo'e, admired not )# men )ut )# the angels o" God.
Di'es weeping cried? G>ather A)raham, ha'e merc# on meF Send =a(arus, as I
cannot possi)l# hope that #ou will do it #oursel", send =a(arus to dip the tip o"
his "inger in water and touch m# tongue with it, to cool it, "or I am in agon# in
these "lames which pierce me continuousl# and )urn meF.H
A)raham replied? G8emem)er, son, that #ou had all good things during #our
li"e, whereas =a(arus had all )ad things. .ut he turned e'il into good, whereas
#ou did nothing )ut e'il o" all the good things. It is there"ore Cust that now he
should )e com"orted here and that #ou should su""er. In an# case it is not
possi)le to do it. 7ol# people are spread o'er the earth so that men ma# ta;e
ad'antage o" them. .ut i" notwithstanding all the opportunities, a man remains
what he was M in #our case? a demon M it is useless to ma;e recourse to saints.
121.T"# S)88)t" )t Es*r)#%!n. Ltt%# :)8#7. T"# P)r)8%# !4 Rc" D6#s. 1,.
e are now separated. 7er)s are miDed when the# are in the "ield. .ut when
the# are cut, the good ones are separated "rom the e'il ones. 0hat is what
happens to #ou and to us. e were together on the earth and #ou reCected and
tortured us in e'er# possi)le wa#, #ou "orgot us, acting against the law o"
charit#. e are now di'ided. 0here is an a)#ss )etween #ou and us, and those
who wish to cross it and come to #ou, cannot do it, neither can #ou, where #ou
are, cross the dread"ul a)#ss and come to us.H
Di'es, cr#ing more loudl# shouted? G7ol# "ather, at least please send =a(arus to
m# "ather6s house. I ha'e "i'e )rothers. I ha'e ne'er understood what lo'e is, not
e'en among relati'es. .ut now I understand what a terri)le thing it is not to )e
lo'ed. And since where I am there is hatred, in the "raction o" a second, when
m# soul saw God, I understood what =o'e is. I do not want m# )rothers to
su""er the pains which I am su""ering. I am terri"ied )ecause the# are leading the
same li"e as I did. 9hF send =a(arus to tell them where I am, and wh# I am here,
and let them ;now that hell does eDist, and it is dread"ul, and that those who do
not lo'e God and their neigh)our come to hell. Send himF So that the# ma#
pro'ide in good time, and ma# not come here, to this place o" eternal torture.H
.ut A)raham replied? G4our )rothers ha'e *oses and the Prophets. 0he# should
listen to them.H
And with a deep groan o" a tormented soul Di'es replied? G9hF >ather A)rahamF
0he# will )e more impressed )# a dead person... =isten to meF 7a'e merc#F.H
.ut A)raham said? GI" the# ha'e not listened to *oses and the Prophets, the#
will not )elie'e either one who has risen "rom the dead "or one hour to spea;
words o" 0ruth to them. In an# case it is not "air that a )lessed soul should lea'e
m# )osom to go and )e insulted )# the sons o" the &nem#. 0he time o" insults is
o'er "or such souls. 0he# are now in peace )# the order o" God ho sees that it
is useless to endea'our to con'ert those who do not e'en )elie'e in the word o"
God and do not practice it.H
0hat is the para)le and its meaning is so clear that no clari"ication is reIuired.
4 *# ,onah li'ed here and reall# achie'ed the holiness o" =a(arus, whose
glorious position near God is made clear )# the protection 7e grants to those
who hope in 7im. ,onah can come to #ou, as a "riend and protector, and he will
come i" #ou are alwa#s good.
I would li;e, and I tell #ou now what I told him last spring, I would li;e to )e
a)le to help #ou all, also materiall#, )ut I cannot, and I am sorr# "or that. I can
)ut point 7ea'en to #ou. I can onl# teach #ou the great wisdom o" resignation
and promise the "uture Bingdom to #ou. Do not hate, ne'er, "or an# reason
whatsoe'er. 7atred is strong in the world. .ut it alwa#s has a limit. =o'e has no
limit o" power or time. =o'e there"ore, to possess lo'e, as a de"ense and com"ort
on the earth, and as a reward in 7ea'en. It is )etter to )e =a(arus than Di'es,
)elie'e *e. .elie'e it and #ou will )e )lessed.
In the desolation o" these "ields #ou cannot hear one word o" hatred, e'en i"
"acts could ha'e Custi"ied it. Do not misunderstand the miracle. I am =o'e and I
would not ha'e struc;. .ut seeing that =o'e could not )end cruel Di'es, I
a)andoned him to ,ustice which a'enged the mart#r ,onah and his )rothers. 0his
is what the miracle teaches #ou. 0hat ,ustice is alwa#s 'igilant, also when It
seems to )e a)sent and that since God is the *aster o" creation, in pursuance o"
,ustice, 7e can ma;e use also o" the least )eings, such as caterpillars and ants, to
punish the hearts o" cruel and greed# people letting them die cho;ed )# a
regurgitation o" their own poison.
5 I )less #ou, now. And I will pra# "or #ou at e'er# dawn. And #ou, "ather, do
not worr# a)out the little lam) #ou are entrusting to *e. I will )ring him )ac;
now and again, that #ou ma# reCoice seeing him grow in wisdom and goodness
in the wa# o" the =ord. 7e will )e #our lam) o" this poor Passo'er o" #ours, the
most pleasing o" all the lam)s o""ered at the altar o" ,eho'ah. ,a)e(, sa#
good)#e to the old "ather and then come to #our Sa'iour, to #our Good
Shepherd. Peace )e with #ouF 5
2 9hF *asterF Good *asterF 7ow pain"ul it is to lea'e #ouF 5
2 4es, it is pain"ul. .ut it is )etter i" the steward does not "ind #ou here. I came
here deli)eratel#, to a'oid punishments "or #ou. Please o)e# "or the sa;e o" the
=o'e ho ad'ises #ou. 5
0he unhapp# men rise with tears in their e#es, and go )ac; to their cross. ,esus
)lesses them once again and then, holding the )o# )# the hand and with the man
"rom &ndor on the other side, 7e goes )ac; to *icah6s house along the same
wa# 7e came. Andrew and ,ohn Coin 7im and the disciples a"ter their watch.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
@1A ,a)e( was not considered a luc;# name. See 3hronicles I, 4, /<1$.
122. Fr!+ Es*r)#%!n t! En()nn+ St!$$n( )t 9#(**!. 1,1
1*,. Fro) Es(r'!#on to En&'nni) Sto""in& 't 7!&i((o.
16t 9un! 1*4+.
1 2 Is that the top o" *ount 3armel, m# =ordE 5 as;s 7is cousin ,ames.
2 4es, it is, )rother. 0hat is the chain o" the 3armel and the highest pea; is the
one that gi'es the name to the chain. 5
2 0he world must )e )eauti"ul also "rom there. 7a'e 4ou e'er )een up thereE 5
2 4es, once, )# *#sel", at the )eginning o" *# mission. And at the "oot o" it I
cured the "irst leper. .ut we will go there together, to commemorate &liCah...5
2 0han; 4ou, ,esus. 4ou ha'e understood me as usual. 5
2 And as usual I per"ect #ou, ,ames. 5
2 h#E 5
2 0he reason is written in 7ea'en. 5
2 ould 4ou not tell me, )rother, since 4ou can read what is written in
7ea'enE 5
,esus and ,ames are wal;ing one )eside the other and onl# little ,a)e(, who is
held )# the hand )# ,esus, can hear the con"idential con'ersation o" the two
cousins who smile loo;ing at each other6s e#es.
,esus em)races ,ames6 shoulders with 7is arm to draw him closer to 7imsel"
and as;s? 2 Do #ou reall# want to ;nowE ell, I will tell #ou )# means o" a
riddle, and when #ou "ind the answer #ou will )e wise. =isten? GA"ter
assem)ling the "alse prophets on *ount 3armel, &liCah stepped out in "ront o"
all the people? 67ow long6 he said 6do #ou mean to ho))le "irst on one leg then
on the otherE I" the =ord is God, "ollow 7imL i" .aal, "ollow him.6 0he people
did not repl#. &liCah then said to the people? 6I, I alone, am le"t as a prophet o"
the =ord6 and the onl# strength o" the lonel# prophet was his cr#? 6Answer me,
=ord, answer me, so that this people ma# ;now that 4ou are the =ord God, and
are winning )ac; their hearts.6 0hen the "ire o" the =ord "ell and consumed the
holocaust.H Guess, *# )rother. 5
,ames is pensi'e with his head lowered and ,esus loo;s at him smiling. 0he#
wal; "or a "ew #ards thus, then ,ames as;s? 2 Is it in connection with &liCah or
with m# "utureE 5
2 ith #our "uture, o" course...5
,ames )ecomes thought"ul again and then whispers? 2 Am I perhaps destined to
in'ite Israel to "ollow a wa# with sincerit#E Am I destined to )e the onl# one le"t
in IsraelE I" so, do 4ou mean that all the others will )e persecuted and scattered
and that... I will pra# 4ou "or the con'ersion o" this people... as i" I were a
priest... as i" I were... a 'ictim... .ut i" it is so, ,esus, in"lame me as "rom now...5
2 4ou alread# are in"lamed. .ut #ou will )e carried awa# )# >ire, li;e &liCah.
0hat is wh# #ou and I will go, all alone on *ount 3armel to spea;...5
2 henE A"ter Passo'erE 5
2 4es, a"ter a Passo'er. And then I will tell #ou man# things...5
2 A lo'el# little ri'er which "lows towards the sea and is in "lood )ecause o" the
springtime rains and the thawing snow, pre'ents them "rom proceeding.
Peter runs towards them and sa#s? 2 0he )ridge is "urther up, where the road
"rom Ptolomais to &ngannim passes. 5
,esus goes )ac; su)missi'el# and crosses the little ri'er )# a strong stone
)ridge. Immediatel# a"terwards the# meet some little mountains and hills, )ut
the# are o" little importance.
2 ill we )e at &ngannim )# e'eningE 5 as;s Philip.
2 3ertainl#... .ut... we ha'e the )o# now. Are #ou tired, ,a)e(E 5 ,esus as;s
"ondl#. 2 .e as "ran; as an angel. 5
2 A little, =ord. .ut I will do m# )est to wal;. 5
2 0his )o# is 'er# wea; 5 sa#s the man "rom &ndor in his guttural 'oice.
2 1o wonderF 5 eDclaims Peter. 2 3onsidering the li"e he has )een leading "or
monthsF 3ome here, I will carr# #ou in m# arms. 5
2 9hF 1o, sir. Don6t tire #oursel". I am still a)le to wal;. 5
2 3ome, come here. 4ou are certainl# not hea'#. 4ou loo; li;e an under"ed
little )ird 5 and Peter puts him astride his sIuare shoulder6s, holding him )# the
legs.
122. Fr!+ Es*r)#%!n t! En()nn+ St!$$n( )t 9#(**!. 1,2
0he# wal; "ast )ecause the sun is now strong and urges them to reach the shad#
hills.
3 0he# stop in a 'illage, the name o" which I hear is *ageddo, to ta;e some
"ood and rest near a 'er# cool "ountain, which is also nois# )ecause o" the
a)undance o" water that gushes out into a dar; stone )asin. .ut no one in the
'illage ta;es an interest in the tra'ellers, anon#mous among man# other more or
less rich pilgrims, who on "oot or riding don;e#s or mules are going towards
,erusalem "or Passo'er. 0here is alread# a holida# atmosphere and there are
man# )o#s among the tra'ellers, eDhilarated at the idea o" the ceremon# "or their
coming o" age.
0wo )o#s, o" well<to<do "amilies, who ha'e come to pla# near the "ountain
while ,a)e( is there with Peter M who ta;es the )o# with him e'er#where
attracting him with a thousand little things M as; the )o#? 2 Are #ou going, also,
to )ecome a son o" the =awE 5
,a)e( replies sh#l#? 2 4es 5 almost hiding himsel" )ehind Peter.
2 Is this man #our "atherE Are #ou poorE 5
2 4es, I am poor. 5
0he two )o#s, pro)a)l# the sons o" Pharisees, loo; him o'er ironicall# and
curiousl# and then sa#? 2 9ne can see it. 5
It can )e seen, indeed... 7is tunic is reall# sha))#F Perhaps the )o# has grown,
and although the hem o" the tunic has )een let down, the garment, a )rown "aded
)# inclement weather, hardl# reaches hal" wa# down his thin legs. 7is little "eet
are )adl# shod in two shapeless sandals held together )# strings which must
torture his "eet.
0he )o#s, with the ruthless sel"ishness t#pical o" man# children and with the
cruelt# o" ill<mannered urchins, sa#? 2 9hF In that case #ou will not ha'e a new
suit o" clothes "or #our "eastF e insteadF... Is that right ,oachimE *ine is all red
with mantle to match. 7is, instead, is s;# )lue and we will ha'e sandals with
sil'er )uc;les, a precious )elt and a talet held )# a pale gold lea" and...5
2 ...and a heart o" stone, I would sa#F 5 )ursts out Peter, who has "inished
cooling his "eet and drawing water to "ill all the "las;s. 2 4ou are )ad )o#s. 0he
ceremon# and #our clothes are not worth a "ig i" #our hearts are not good. I
pre"er m# )o#. Go awa#, #ou proud urchinsF Go amongst the rich )ut respect
the poor and the honest. 3ome, ,a)e(F 0his water is good "or #our tired "eet.
3ome here that I ma# wash them. 4ou will wal; )etter a"terwards. =oo; how
these strings ha'e hurt #ouF 4ou must not wal; an# more. I will carr# #ou in m#
arms until we reach &ngannim. I will "ind a shoema;er there and I will )u# #ou
a new pair o" sandals. 5 And Peter washes and dries the little "eet which had not
recei'ed so man# caresses "or a long time.
0he )o# loo;s at him, hesitates, then )ends o'er the man who is t#ing his
sandals and em)races him with his emaciated arms sa#ing? 2 7ow good #ou areF
5 and ;isses his gre# hair.
Peter is mo'ed. 7e sits on the damp ground, as he is, ta;es the )o# in his lap and
sa#s to him? 2 3all me G"atherH then. 5
0he# "orm a tender group. ,esus and the others approach them.
.ut )e"ore the two parties meet, the two proud little "ellows alread# mentioned
who had remained there inIuisiti'el#, as;? 2 .ut is he not #our "atherE 5
2 7e is "ather and mother to me 5 replies ,a)e( without hesitation.
2 4es, dearF 4ou are right? "ather and mother. And, m# dear little gentlemen, I
can assure that he will )e properl# dressed "or the ceremon#. 7e, too, will ha'e
a dress "it "or a ;ing, as red as "ire and a )elt as green as grass, and his talet will
)e as white as snow. 5
And although the match is not a 'er# harmonising one, it shoc;s the two
conceited )o#s and dri'es them awa#.
2 hat are #ou doing, Simon, sitting on the wet groundE 5 as;s ,esus smiling.
2 etE AhF #es. I am Cust noticing it. hat am I doingE I am )ecoming a lam)
again ha'ing innocence on m# heart. AhF *aster. ell, let us go. .ut #ou must
lea'e this )o# in m# hands. A"terwards I will surrender him. .ut he is mine until
he )ecomes a true Israelite.
2 All rightF And #ou will )e his guardian, li;e an old "ather. Is that all rightE =et
us go, so that we shall )e at &ngannim )e"ore e'ening, without ma;ing the )o#
run too much. 5
2 I will carr# him.. *# "ishing net is hea'ier. 7e cannot wal; with these )ro;en
122. Fr!+ Es*r)#%!n t! En()nn+ St!$$n( )t 9#(**!. 1-3
soles. 3ome here. 5 And with his godson astride his shoulders Peter ta;es
happil# to the road again. 0he road is now more shad#, through woods o"
'arious ;inds o" trees, gentl# ascending hills, "rom which one6s e#es ro'e o'er
the "ertile plain o" &sdraelon.
4 0he# are alread# near &ngannim M which must )e a )eauti"ul little town
supplied with water )rought "rom the hills )# means o" an ele'ated aIueduct,
pro)a)l# a 8oman wor; M when the noise o" an oncoming militar# sIuad ma;es
them ta;e re"uge on the edge o" the road. 0he hoo'es o" the horses resound on
the road, which here, near the town, shows signs o" a pa'ing that appears
through the dust gathered on it with ru))le. 0he road has o)'iousl# ne'er )een
swept with a )esom.
2 7ail, *asterF 7ow do 4ou happen to )e hereE 5 shouts Pu)lius Nuintilianus
dismounting "rom his horse, and going towards ,esus with a )road smile,
holding the horse )# the reins. 7is soldiers slow down to ;eep pace with their
superior.
2 I am going to ,erusalem "or Passo'er. 5
2 I am going, too. e are rein"orcing the guard "or the "esti'it#, also )ecause
Pontius Pilate is coming to town, too, and 3laudia is there. e are her runners.
0he roads are so insecureF 0he eagles dri'e Cac;als awa# 5 sa#s the soldier
laughing and loo;s at ,esus. 7e then continues in a low 'oice? 2 Dou)le watch
this #ear, to protect the )ac; o" "ilth# Antipas. 0here is a lot o" ill<"eeling
)ecause o" the capture o" the Prophet. Ill<"eeling in Israel... and conseIuentl#
dissatis"action among us. .ut... we ha'e alread# ensured that the 7igh Priest and
his stooges ha'e )een... )enignl# lectured...5 and he ends in a low 'oice? 2 Go
without an# "ear. All the claws ha'e )een retracted into the paws. 9hF 0he# are
a"raid o" us. I" we onl# clear our throats, the# ta;e it "or a roar. ill #ou spea; at
,erusalemE 3ome near the Praetorium. 3laudia spea;s o" 4ou as o" a great
philosopher. 0hat is a good thing )ecause 3laudia is the proconsul. 5 7e loo;s
around and sees Peter "lushed, perspiring with his load. 2 And that )o#E 5
2 An orphan I )rought with *e. 5
2 .ut that man o" 4ours is wor;ing too hardF .o#, are #ou a"raid to come on the
horse with me "or a "ew #ardsE I will ;eep #ou under m# chlam#s and I will go
slow. I will hand #ou )ac; to him when we are at the gate. 5
0he )o# does not o)Cect, he is as mild as a lam), and Pu)lius li"ts him up on to
the saddle.
And while he is ordering his soldiers to go slow he sees also the man "rom
&ndor. 7e stares at him and sa#s? 2 hatF 4ou hereE 5
2 I am here. I ha'e stopped selling eggs to the 8omans. .ut the chic;en are still
there. I am now with the *aster...5
2 Good "or #ouF 4ou will ha'e greater com"ort. Good)#e. 7ail, *aster. I will
wait "or 4ou at that group o" trees. 5 And he spurs his horse.
2 Do #ou ;now himE And does he ;now #ouE 5 man# as; ,ohn o" &ndor.
2 4es, as his supplier o" chic;en. 7e did not ;now me )e"ore, )ut once I was
summoned to the headIuarters at 1ain to "iD the prices, and he was there. Since
then he alwa#s spo;e to me when I went to 3aesarea to )u# )oo;s or tools. 7e
calls me 3#clops or Diogenes. 7e is not a )ad "ellow, and although I cannot
)ear 8omans I ha'e ne'er o""ended him )ecause he might )e use"ul to me. 5
2 Did #ou hear that, *asterE *# speech to the centurion at 3apernaum was a
good thing. I "eel more relaDed now 5 sa#s Peter.
5 0he# reach the thic;et in the shade o" which the patrol has dismounted.
2 I am handing the )o# )ac; to 4ou. 7a'e 4ou orders, *asterE 5
2 1o, Pu)lius. *a# God show 7imsel" to #ou. 5
2 7ail 5, he mounts his horse and spurs it, "ollowed )# his men with a loud rattle
o" hoo'es and )od#<armour.
0he# enter the town and Peter with his little "riend goes to )u# sandals.
2 0hat man is d#ing "or a son 5 sa#s the :ealot, and he concludes? 2 7e is right.
5
2 I will gi'e #ou thousands. 1ow let us go and loo; "or a place to rest, so that
tomorrow we can start at dawn. 5
123. Fr!+ En()nn+ t! S"#c"#+ n T&! D)5s. 1-1
1*-. Fro) En&'nni) to S!c!) in T$o D'1s.
18t 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus goes on 7is wa# towards ,erusalem along roads which are more and
more crowded with pilgrims. A hea'# shower during the night has made the
road somewhat mudd#, )ut, on the other hand, it has remo'ed dust and made the
air clearer. 0he "ields loo; li;e gardens diligentl# tended )# s;illed men.
0he# all wal; "ast )ecause the# are well rested a"ter a night6s sleep, and )ecause
the )o#, with his new sandals, no longer su""ers when wal;ing? on the contrar#,
as he )ecomes more and more "amiliar, he chatters with this one and that one,
and con"identiall# in"orms ,ohn that his "ather6s name was also ,ohn and his
mother6s *ar#, and that he there"ore is 'er# "ond o" ,ohn also. 2 .ut 5 he
concludes, 2 I lo'e #ou all, and in the 0emple I will pra# so much "or #ou and
"or the =ord ,esus. 5
It is mo'ing to see how this group o" men, most o" whom ha'e no children, are
so paternal and "ull o" attention "or the #oungest o" ,esus6 disciples. &'en the
countenance o" the man "rom &ndor so"tens when he "orces the little one to
swallow a )eaten egg, or when he clim)s up among the woods, which ma;e the
hills as well as the higher mountains green, to pic; acidulous )ranches o" shru)s
or scented stems o" wild "ennel, which he ta;es to the )o# to Iuench his thirst,
without o'er)urdening his stomach with water. 7e also draws his attention to
the di""erent aspects and sights o" the countr#, which is split here )# large
'alle#s, at the )ottom o" which run main roads, to ta;e his mind o"" the length o"
the Courne#.
0he old teacher o" 3intium, ruined )# human wic;edness, re'i'es )ecause o"
this )o#, a wretch li;e himsel", and the wrin;les o" mis"ortune and )itterness
smooth into a gentle smile. ,a)e( is alread# less sha))# loo;ing, )ecause o" his
new sandals, and his "ace is not so sad, )ecause I do not ;now which hand o" an
apostle has erased e'er# trace o" the wild li"e the )o# led "or so man# months,
sorting his hair so "ar ru""led and dust# and now made so"t and tid# )# a good
wash. 0he man "rom &ndor also is Iuite di""erent. 7e is still somewhat pu((led
when he hears an#one call him ,ohn, )ut then he sha;es his head and smiles
pit#ing his )ad memor#. Da# )# da# his countenance loses its ha)itual hardness
and gains a gra'it#, which is Iuite serene. 9" course these two wretched people
who are re'i'ing through ,esus6 ;indness, gra'itate towards the *aster in their
lo'e. 0heir companions are dear, )ut ,esus... hen 7e loo;s at them or spea;s
Cust to them, the eDpression on their "aces is a most happ# one.
A"ter crossing the large 'alle# and then a )eauti"ul green hill, one can still diml#
see the plain o" &sdraelon. 0his causes the child to sigh? 2 hat will m# old
"ather )e doingE 5 and with a 'er# sad sigh and tears in his )rown e#es he
eDclaims? 2 9hF he is not so happ# as I am... and he is so goodF 5 and the lament
o" the child casts a sad 'eil o'er e'er#)od#. 0he# )egin to descend a 'er# "ertile
'alle#, completel# co'ered with culti'ated "ields and oli'e<gro'es. A light
)ree(e causes the tin# "lowers o" 'ines and o" the earlier oli'e<trees to "all li;e
snow. 0he plain o" &sdraelon is out o" sight "or good.
2 0he# stop "or a meal and then resume the Courne# towards ,erusalem. .ut it
must ha'e rained hea'il# or the area is rich in underground water, )ecause the
meadows loo; li;e a marsh owing to the water that glitters among the thic;
grass and rises lapping on the )an;ed road, which, howe'er, is still 'er# mudd#.
0he adults pull their tunics up to pre'ent them "rom )ecoming soiled with mud,
and ,udas 0haddeus puts the )o# on his shoulders to let him rest and to cross
more Iuic;l# the "looded and perhaps unhealth# area.
Da#light is )eginning to "ade when, a"ter wal;ing along the edge o" other hills
and crossing a dr# roc;# 'alle#, the# enter a 'illage situated on a raised roc;#
em)an;ment. 0he# push their wa# through the crowd o" pilgrims and loo; "or
accommodation in a 'er# rural t#pe hotel? a large shed under which is spread
much straw and nothing else. Small lamps lit here and there shed a glow on the
supper o" the pilgrim "amilies, poor "amilies, li;e the apostolic one, )ecause
most o" the rich people ha'e put up tents outside the 'illage, disdaining contact
with either the local people or the poor pilgrims.
1ight and silence "all... 0he "irst to "all asleep is the )o#, who, tired as he is,
reclines his head on the lap o" Peter, who la#s him on the straw and co'ers him
care"ull#.
,esus gathers the adults in pra#er and then each throws himsel" on the straw to
rest a"ter the long Courne#.
3 0he da# a"ter? the apostolic group that le"t in the morning is a)out to enter
Shechem in the e'ening, ha'ing passed through Samaria, a )eauti"ul town,
surrounded )# walls, adorned with splendid imposing )uildings, around which
are grouped some lo'el# tid# houses. I am under the impression that the town,
li;e 0i)erias, has )een recentl# re)uilt with s#stems )orrowed "rom 8ome.
123. Fr!+ En()nn+ t! S"#c"#+ n T&! D)5s. 1-2
9utside the walls, around the town, the land is 'er# "ruit"ul and well culti'ated.
0he road "rom Samaria to Shechem winds down "rom terrace to terrace, in a
series o" walls supporting the earth, which reminds me o" the >iesoli hills. 0here
is a splendid 'iew o" green mountains to the south and o" a most )eauti"ul plain
westwards.
0he road tends to descend to the 'alle#, )ut it clim)s now and again to cross
other hills "rom the top o" which one commands the land o" Samaria with its
lo'el# oli'e<gro'es, corn "ields, 'ine#ards, watched o'er "rom the hill crests )#
woods o" oa; and other "orest trees, which must )e protecti'e against the winds
that )lowing through the gorges are inclined to create whirlwinds damaging to
culti'ations. 0his area reminds me 'er# much o" certain spots in our Apennines,
around *ount Amiata, where one can contemplate at the same time the "lat
culti'ations o" cereals in the *aremma and the )right hills and maCestic
mountains that rise higher inland. I do not ;now what Samaria is li;e now. It
was 'er# )eauti"ul in those da#s.
1ow, )etween two high mountains, the highest in the area, one can see straight
through a 'alle#, in the middle o" which there is the 'er# "ertile well<watered
land o" Shechem. It is here that ,esus and 7is disciples are caught up with )# the
Co#"ul cara'an o" the 3onsul6s court, on its wa# to ,erusalem "or the "esti'it#.
0here are sla'es on "oot and sla'es on the wagons guarding the luggage... *#
God, how man# items the# carried with them in those da#sFFF And with the
sla'es there are wagons that are pac;ed with all sorts o" goods, e'en complete
litters and tra'elling coaches? the "our wheel wagons are 'er# wide, well sprung,
with tilt, under which the ladies are sheltered. And then man# other carts and
sla'es...
A curtain is drawn, )# the )eCewelled hand o" a lad# and the se'ere pro"ile o"
Plautina appears? she nods smiling )ut does not sa# an#thing. -aleria, whose
little girl on her ;nees trills and smiles, greets people in the same "ashion. 0he
other wagon, which is e'en more statel#, passes )# )ut no curtain is drawn. .ut
when it has gone )#, the pin;ish "ace o" =#dia loo;s out "rom the rear, through
the closed curtains and she nods, too. 0he cara'an goes awa#...
4 2 0he# tra'el in com"ortF 5 sa#s Peter who is tired and wet with perspiration. 2
.ut, i" God helps us, the da# a"ter tomorrow e'ening we will )e in ,erusalem. 5
2 1o, Simon. I must ma;e a detour and go towards the ,ordan. 5
2 .ut wh#, m# =ordE 5
2 .ecause o" the )o#. 7e is 'er# sad, and it would )e too sad "or him to see the
mountain o" the disaster. 5
2 .ut we will not see itF 9r rather, we will see the other side... and I ta;e it upon
m#sel" to di'ert his attention. ,ohn and I... 7is attention is easil# distracted, poor
little do'e without a nest. 0o go towards the ,ordanF ellF It is )etter this wa#.
A straight road. Shorter. Sa"er. 1o. 1o. 0his one, this one. SeeE Also the 8oman
ladies are ta;ing it. Along the sea and the ri'er there is the ris; o" "e'er during
the "irst summer rains. It is health# here. In an# case... hen are we going to
arri'e i" we lengthen the wa#E 3onsider how agitated 4our *other must )e
a"ter that unpleasant )usiness o" the .aptistF...5 Peter wins and ,esus agrees.
2 In that case we will stop earl# and ha'e a good rest and tomorrow we will
lea'e at dawn to )e at Gethsemane in the e'ening o" the da# a"ter tomorrow.
0he da# a"ter >rida# we will go to .ethan# to see *# *other and we will lea'e
,ohn6s )oo;s there, as the# ha'e )een Iuite a )urden "or #ou, and we will "ind
Isaac there and will entrust him with this poor )rother o" ours...5
2 And the )o#E Are 4ou handing him o'er at onceE 5
,esus smiles. 2 1o. I am gi'ing him to *# *other, ho will prepare him "or
GhisH "east. And then we will ;eep him with us "or Passo'er. .ut a"ter we will
ha'e to lea'e him... Do not )ecome too attached to himF 9r rather? lo'e him as
i" he were #our own son, )ut with a supernatural spirit. As #ou can see he is
wea; and gets tired. I, too, would ha'e li;ed to teach him *#sel" and )ring him
up nourished in isdom )# *e. .ut I am the Jntiring 9ne and ,a)e( is too
#oung and too wea; to do the wor; we do. e will go through ,udaea and will
come )ac; to ,erusalem "or Pentecost, and then we will go... e'angeli(ing... e
shall "ind him again in our "atherland in summer. 7ere we are at the gate o"
Shechem. Go ahead with #our )rother and with ,udas o" Simon and loo; "or
accommodation. I will go to the mar;et sIuare and wait "or #ou there. 5
0he# part and Peter goes awa# loo;ing "or a shelter, while the others wal; with
di""icult# in the streets crowded with people shouting and gesticulating, with
don;e#s, wagons, all going to ,erusalem "or the oncoming Passo'er. 0he
shouting, calling and cursing o" people, added to the )ra#ing o" don;e#s cause a
noise that resounds 'er# loudl# under the 'aults, which lin; one house to
another, a noise that resem)les the rum)le o" certain shells when placed near
123. Fr!+ En()nn+ t! S"#c"#+ n T&! D)5s. 1-3
one6s ear. 0he echo tra'els "rom 'ault to 'ault where the shades )ecome dar;er
and the crowds, li;e an impetuous torrent, rush into the streets, insinuating
themsel'es e'er#where, loo;ing "or a roo", a sIuare, a meadow wherein to pass
the night...
,esus, holding the child )# the hand, leaning against a tree, is waiting "or Peter
in the sIuare, which, "or the occasion, is alwa#s "ull o" 'endors.
2 =et us hope that no one sees us and recognises usF 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
2 7ow can #ou recognise a grain o" sand among the sandsE 5 replies 0homas. 2
Don6t #ou see the crowdsE 5
Peter comes )ac;? 2 9utside the town there is a shed with some ha#. I could not
"ind an#thing else. 5
2 1either shall we loo; "or an#thing else. It is e'en too much "or the Son o"
man. 5
1*4. Fro) S!c!) to B!!rot.
1*t 9un! 1*4+.
1 As a ri'er grows larger when new tri)utar# streams "low into it, so the road
"rom Shechem to ,erusalem is )ecoming graduall# more and more crowded, as
)elie'ers heading "or the 7ol# 3it# pour on to it along secondar# roads "rom
'illages. A situation which is o" great help to Peter in distracting the attention o"
the )o# who is now passing near the hills where he was )orn and where his
parents are )uried under a landslide. 0he child is not aware o" it.
A"ter a long march interrupted M a"ter Shiloh, on its steep hill, had )een le"t
)ehind to the le"t M )# a pause to rest and ta;e some "ood in a green 'alle#
resounding with pure cr#stal<clear waters, the pilgrims set "orth again and cross
a little calcareous mountain, which is rather )arren, and on which the sun is
)la(ing down mercilessl#. 0he# then )egin to descend through a range o" most
)eauti"ul 'ine#ards, which with their "estoons adorn the crags o" the calcareous
mountains. 0he area is most sunn#.
Peter smiles signi"icantl# and ma;es a sign to ,esus, ho in turn smiles. 0he
)o# does not notice an#thing, engrossed as he is in listening to ,ohn o" &ndor
who is spea;ing to him o" other lands he has 'isited where the most sweet
grapes grow that, howe'er, are not so much used to ma;e wine, as to ma;e
ca;es, which are more delicious than hone# ca;es.
2 0he# are now clim)ing a 'er# steep hill, )ecause the# ha'e le"t the dust#
crowded main road and ha'e ta;en this short cut through woods. And when the#
reach the summit, the# can distinctl# see in the distance a huge )right light
shining a)o'e an agglomeration, perhaps whitewashed houses.
2 ,a)e( 5 calls ,esus 2 come here. 3an #ou see that golden spotE It is the 7ouse
o" the =ord. 0here #ou will swear to o)e# the =aw. .ut do #ou ;now it wellE 5
2 *# mother used to spea; to me a)out it and m# "ather taught me the precepts.
I can read... and... and I thin; I ;now what Gthe#H told me )e"ore the# died...5
0he )o#, who had come smiling when ,esus called him, is now weeping with
his head lowered and his trem)ling hand in ,esus6 hand.
2 Do not weep. =isten. Do #ou ;now where we areE 0his is .ethel. 7ol# ,aco)
dreamt o" the angels here. Do #ou ;nowE Do #ou remem)erE 5
2 4es, =ord. 7e saw a ladder that "rom the earth reached up to 7ea'en and the
angels went up and down, and m# mother used to sa# that when one dies, i" one
has alwa#s )een good, one sees the same thing and goes up that ladder to the
7ouse o" God. *# mother used to tell me man# things... .ut now she does not
tell me an# more... I ha'e them all in here and that is all I ha'e o" hers...5 0ears
stream down his little sad "ace.
2 Do not weep li;e thatF =isten, ,a)e(. I also ha'e a *other and 7er name is
*ar# and She is hol# and good and can tell man# things. She is wiser than a
teacher and more gentle and )eauti"ul than an angel. e are going to see 7er
now. She will lo'e #ou so much. And She will tell #ou man# things. And then
,ohn6s mother is with her and she is 'er# good, too, and her name is *ar#. And
there is the mother o" m# )rother ,udas, and she is as sweet as a hone# ca;e and
her name is *ar#, too. 0he# will lo'e #ou so much. .ecause #ou are a cle'er
)o# and "or *# sa;e, )ecause I lo'e #ou so much. And #ou will grow up with
them and when #ou are )ig, #ou will )e a hol# man o" God, li;e a doctor #ou
will preach ,esus ho has gi'en #ou a new mother here and ho will open the
gates o" 7ea'en to #our dead mother and to #our "ather, and will open them also
124. Fr!+ S"#c"#+ t! B##r!t". 1-4
to #ou when #our hour comes. 4ou will not e'en need to clim) the long ladder
o" 7ea'en when #ou die. 4ou will ha'e clim)ed it during #our li"etime, )eing a
good disciple, and #ou will "ind #oursel" up there, at the gate o" Paradise, and I
will )e there and I will sa# to #ou? G3ome, *# "riend and son o" *ar#H and we
shall )e together. 5 ,esus6 )right smile, while wal;ing slightl# )ent to )e closer
to the raised "ace o" the child who is wal;ing )eside 7im with his hand held )#
,esus, and the wonder"ul stor# wipe his tears and ma;e him smile.
3 0he )o#, who is "ar "rom )eing dim o" wit )ut is onl# stunned )# grie" and the
hardships he has su""ered, is interested in the stor# and as;s? 2 4ou said that
4ou will open the gates o" 7ea'en. Are the# not closed )ecause o" the great
SinE *# mother used to sa# that no one could enter until "orgi'eness had come
and the Cust were waiting "or it in =im)o. 5
2 It is so. .ut preaching the word o" God I will go to the >ather and... ha'ing
o)tained "orgi'eness "or #ou, I will sa# to 7im? G>ather, I ha'e "ul"illed 4our
will. 1ow I want *# reward "or *# sacri"ice. =et the Cust, who are waiting,
come to 4our Bingdom.H And the >ather will sa# to *e? G=et it )e done as 4ou
wish.H I will then come down and I will call all the Cust, and at the sound o" *#
'oice =im)o will open its gates and the hol# Patriarchs, the )right Prophets, the
)lessed women o" Israel will come out reCoicing. And do #ou ;now how man#
childrenE 0here will )e children o" all ages, as man# as the "lowers in a "lower#
meadowF And the# will "ollow *e singing and will ascend to the )eauti"ul
Paradise. 5
2 And will m# mother )e thereE 5
2 *ost certainl#. 5
2 4ou did not sa# to me that she will )e with 4ou at the gate o" 7ea'en when I
am dead, too...5
2 0here is no need "or her and "or #our "ather to )e at that gate. =i;e )right
angels the# will "l# continuousl# "rom 7ea'en down to the earth, "rom ,esus to
their little ,a)e(, and when #ou are a)out to die, the# will do what those two
little )irds o'er there, in that hedge, are doing. 3an #ou see themE 5 And ,esus
ta;es the )o# in 7is arms to let him see )etter. 2 See how the# are sitting on
their little eggs. 0he# are waiting "or them to hatch, then the# will spread their
wings o'er the )rood to protect them "rom all e'ils, and then, when the# are
grown and read# to "l#, the# will support them with their strong wings and will
ta;e them up, up, up... towards the sun. 4our parents will do the same with #ou.
5
2 ill it )e Cust li;e thatE 5
2 &Dactl# li;e that. 5
2 .ut will 4ou tell them to remem)er to comeE 5
2 0hat is not necessar#, )ecause the# lo'e #ou, )ut I will tell them. 5
2 9hF 7ow I lo'e 4ouF 5 0he child, who is still in ,esus6 arms, presses against
7is nec; and ;isses 7im with such Co#"ul e""usion that is reall# mo'ing.
,esus ;isses him, too, and puts him down.
4 2 ellF =et us go on. 0owards the 7ol# 3it#. e must arri'e there tomorrow,
towards e'ening. h# such a hurr#E 3an #ou tell meE Is it not the same i" we
arri'e the da# a"ter tomorrowE 5
2 1o. It would not )e the same. .ecause tomorrow is Parasce'e and a"ter sunset
one can wal; onl# "or siD stadia. 4ou are not allowed to go "arther )ecause the
Sa))ath and its rest ha'e )egun. 5
2 So one idles a)out on the Sa))ath. 5
2 1o. 4ou pra# the *ost 7igh =ord. 5
2 hat is 7is nameE 5
2 Adonai. .ut saints can pronounce 7is name. 5
2 Also good children. 0ell *e i" #ou ;now. 5
2 ,aa'R 5 @the )o# pronounces it thus? a 'er# so"t G, which is almost a ,, and a
'er# long 6a6A.
2 And wh# does one pra# the *ost 7igh =ord on the Sa))athE 5
2 .ecause 7e told *oses, when 7e ga'e him the ta)les o" the =aw. 5
2 9hF Did 7eE And what did 7e sa#E 5
2 7e said that we must ;eep it hol#. G>or siD da#s #ou shall la)our, )ut on the
se'enth da# #ou shall rest and ma;e others rest, )ecause that is what I did, too,
124. Fr!+ S"#c"#+ t! B##r!t". 1-,
a"ter the creation.H 5
2 hatE Did the =ord restE Did 7e )ecome tired creatingE And was it 7e ho
created. 7ow do #ou ;nowE I ;now that God ne'er tires. 5
2 7e was not tired, )ecause God does not wal; and does not mo'e 7is arms. .ut
7e did it, to teach Adam and us, and to ha'e a da# on which we thin; o" 7im.
And 7e created e'er#thing, most certainl#. 0he .oo; o" the =ord tells us. 5
2 .ut was the .oo; written )# 7imE 5
2 1o. .ut it is the 0ruth. And one must )elie'e it unless one wants to go to
=uci"er. 5
2 4ou said that God does not wal; and does not mo'e 7is arms. 7ow did 7e
create thenE hat is 7e li;eE A statueE 5
2 7e is not an idol? 7e is God. And God is... God is... let me thin; and
remem)er what m# mother said, and e'en )etter than she did, that man that in
4our name goes to 'isit the poor people at &sdraelon... *# mother used to sa#,
to ma;e me understand God? GGod is li;e m# lo'e "or #ou. It has no )od#, )ut it
eDists.H And that little man, )ut with such a gentle smile, would sa#? GGod is an
&ternal Spirit, 9ne and 0rine, and the Second Person )ecame "lesh "or the sa;e
o" us, poor people, and 7is name is...H 9hF *# =ordF 1ow that I thin; o" it... it6s
4ouF 5 0he child, dum)"ounded, prostrates himsel" on the ground adoring.
0he# all run thin;ing that he has "allen, )ut ,esus with 7is "inger on 7is lips
)ec;ons them to )e silent and then sa#s? 2 Stand up, ,a)e(. 3hildren must not )e
a"raid o" *eF 5
0he )o# loo;s up re'erentl# and loo;s at ,esus with a changed eDpression,
almost o" "ear.
5 .ut ,esus smiles and stretches out 7is hand sa#ing? 2 4ou are a wise little
Israelite. =et us continue the eDamination. 1ow that #ou ha'e recognised *e, do
#ou ;now whether the .oo; mentions *eE 5
2 9hF 4es, =ord. >rom the )eginning to now. &'er#thing spea;s o" 4ou. 4ou
are the promised Sa'iour. 1ow I understand wh# 4ou will open the gates o"
=im)o. 9hF =ordF =ordF And do 4ou lo'e me so muchE 5
2 4es, ,a)e(. 5
2 1o, no longer ,a)e(. Gi'e me a new name that means that 4ou lo'ed me and
sa'ed me...5
2 I will choose a name together with *# *other. All rightE 5
2 .ut a name that means Cust that. And I will ha'e it as "rom the da# I )ecome a
son o" the =aw. 5
2 4ou will ha'e it as "rom that da#. 5
0he# pass .ethel and rest in a little cool 'alle#, rich in water, to ta;e some "ood.
,a)e( is hal" stunned )# the re'elation and eats in silence, accepting with
'eneration e'er# mouth"ul that ,esus hands to him. .ut he slowl# ta;es heart
again, and a"ter pla#ing happil# on the green grass with ,ohn while the others
are resting, he goes )ac; to ,esus together with his smiling "riend ,ohn, and the
three chat together.
2 4ou did not tell *e who spea;s o" *e in the .oo;. 5
2 0he Prophets, =ord. And e'en )e"ore, the .oo; spea;s o" 4ou when Adam
was eDpelled, and... then to ,aco), A)raham and *oses... 9hF... *# "ather told
me that he went to ,ohn M not this one, the other ,ohn, the one o" the ,ordan M
and he, the great Prophet, called 4ou the =am)... 9hF 1ow I understand the
lam) o" *oses... 4ou are Passo'erF 5
,ohn teases him? 2 .ut which Prophet spo;e )est o" 7imE 5
2 Isaiah and Daniel. .ut I... I li;e Daniel more, now that I lo'e 4ou as m#
"ather. 3an I sa# thatE 0hat I lo'e 4ou as I lo'ed m# "atherE 4esE ell, now I
pre"er Daniel. 5
2 h#E ho spea;s most o" the 3hrist is Isaiah. 5
2 4es, )ut he spea;s o" the sorrows o" the 3hrist. Daniel instead spea;s o" the
)eauti"ul angel and o" 4our coming. It is true... he also sa#s that 3hrist will )e
sacri"iced. .ut I thin; that the =am) will )e sacri"iced with one single )low. 1ot
as Isaiah and Da'id sa#. I alwa#s wept when m# mother read them and she did
not read them an# more. 5 7e is almost weeping e'en now while caressing
,esus6 hand.
2 >orget a)out it "or the time )eing. =isten. Do #ou ;now the preceptsE 5
2 4es, m# =ord. I thin; I ;now them. I used to repeat them when I was in the
124. Fr!+ S"#c"#+ t! B##r!t". 1--
wood, so that I would not "orget them, also )ecause I wanted to hear the words
o" m# mother and m# "ather. .ut now I will not weep an# more @tears, howe'er,
are shining in his e#esA )ecause I ha'e 4ou. 5
,ohn smiles and em)races ,esus sa#ing? 2 0he same words as mineF All those
who are children in their hearts spea; the same language. 5
2 4es. .ecause their words come "rom one wisdom onl#. .ut now we ought to
go, so that we can )e in .eeroth 'er# earl#. 0he num)er o" the people is
increasing and the weather loo;s threatening. 0here will )e a rush "or shelters.
And I do not want #ou to )e ta;en ill. 5
,ohn calls his companions and the# set "orth again towards .eeroth, across a
plain which is not 'er# well culti'ated, )ut is not so )arren as the little mountain
the# clim)ed a"ter Shiloh.
1*+. Fro) B!!rot to 9!rus'#!).
,;t 9un! 1*4+.
1 It is raining and Peter seems to me the opposite o" Aeneas, )ecause instead o"
carr#ing his "ather, he has little ,a)e( on his shoulders, completel# co'ered )#
Peter6s large mantle. 0he )o#6s little head emerges a)o'e the gre#<haired head o"
Peter, who, with the )o#6s arms round his nec;, da))les in the puddles, laughing
wholeheartedl#.
2 e might ha'e )een spared all this 5 grum)les the Iscariot, who is irrita)le
)ecause o" the water pouring "rom the s;# and splashing his clothes with mud.
2 &hF *an# things could )e sparedF 5 replies ,ohn o" &ndor, staring at
handsome ,udas with his one good e#e, which I thin; can see as well as two.
2 hat do #ou meanE 5
2 I mean that it is useless to eDpect the elements to ha'e consideration "or us,
when we ha'e none "or our neigh)our, and concerning matters that are )# "ar
more important than a "ew drops o" water or a splash o" mud. 5
2 0hat is true. .ut I li;e to )e tid# and clean when I go to town. I ha'e man#
"riends there, and high up. 5
2 0hen watch that #ou do not "all. 5
2 Are #ou teasing meE 5
2 1oooohF .ut I am an old teacher and... an old pupil. I ha'e )een learning since
I was )orn. >irst I learned to 'egetate, then I o)ser'ed li"e, then I )ecame
acIuainted with the )itterness o" li"e, I practised a useless Custice, the Custice o"
Gman aloneH against God and societ#. God punished me with remorse, societ#
with "etters, so, a"ter all, I was the 'ictim o" Custice. At last, now, I ha'e learned,
I am learning how Gto li'e.H 1ow, since I am a teacher and a pupil, #ou will
realise that it is natural "or me to repeat the lessons. 5
2 .ut I am an apostle...5
2 And I am a poor wretch, I ;now, and I should ne'er ta;e the li)ert# o"
teaching #ou. .ut, see, #ou ne'er ;now what one ma# )ecome. I thought I was
going to die an honest and respected teacher in 3#prus and I )ecame a murderer
and a con'ict ser'ing a li"e sentence. .ut when I raised a ;ni"e to ta;e
'engeance, and when I was dragging the "etters hating the uni'erse, i" an#one
told me that I was to )ecome a disciple o" the 7ol# 9ne, I would ha'e dou)ted
whether his mind was sound. And #et... 7ere I amF So, I ma# )e a)le to gi'e a
good lesson also to #ou, an apostle. .ecause o" m# eDperience. 1ot )ecause o"
m# holiness, I would not dream o" it. 5
2 0hat 8oman was right in calling #ou Diogenes. 5
2 9" course. .ut Diogenes was loo;ing "or a man and could not "ind one. I,
luc;ier than he, "ound a sna;e where I thought there was a woman, and an
adulterer where I thought I saw a "riendl# man, )ut a"ter wandering a)out "or
man# #ears, as I )ecame insane through such eDperience, I ha'e "ound the *an,
the 7ol# 9ne. 5
2 I ;now no other wisdom )ut Israel6s. 5
2 I" that is so, #ou alread# ha'e the means "or sal'ation. .ut now #ou ha'e also
the science, na# the wisdom o" God. 5
2 It is the same thing. 5
12,. Fr!+ B##r!t" t! :#rus)%#+. 1-.
2 9hF noF It is li;e a "ogg# da# compared to a sunn# da#. 5
2 ellF Are #ou anDious to teach meE I don6t "eel li;e it. 5
2 =et me spea;F 9nce, I used to spea; to children? the# were a)sent<minded.
0hen I spo;e to shadows, the# cursed me. 0hen to chic;en? the# were )etter, "ar
)etter than the "irst two groups. 1ow I spea; to m#sel" as I am not #et a)le to
spea; to God. h# do #ou want to stop meE I ha'e )ut one e#e, the mines
ruined m# li"e, I ha'e su""ered "rom heart trou)le "or #ears. At least let m# mind
)e "ruit"ul. 5
2 ,esus is God. 5
2 I ;now, and I )elie'e it. *ore than #ou do. .ecause I ha'e re'i'ed through
7is wor;, #ou ha'e not. 1o matter how good 7e is, 7e is still God, and I, a poor
wretch dare not treat 7im with "amiliarit# as #ou do. *# soul spea;s to 7im...
m# lips dare not. *# soul does, and I thin; that 7e percei'es it weeping out o"
gratitude and repentant lo'e. 5
2 2 0hat is true, ,ohn. I do percei'e #our soul. 5 ,esus comes into the con'er<
sation o" the two. ,udas )lushes with shame, the man o" &ndor with Co#. 2 I
percei'e #our soul, that is true. And I percei'e also the wor; o" #our mind. hat
#ou said is correct. hen #ou ha'e )een "ormed in *e, #our eDperience as a
teacher and a diligent pupil will )e o" great help to #ou. Spea;, do spea;, also to
#oursel". 5
2 9nce, *aster, not long ago, #ou told me that it is wrong to spea; to one6s ego
5 remar;s ,udas insolentl#.
2 0hat is true, I did. .ut that was )ecause #ou were grum)ling with #our ego.
0his man is not grum)ling, he is meditating, and "or a good purpose. 7e is not
doing an#thing wrong. 5
2 In )rie", I am wrongF 5 ,udas is aggressi'e.
2 1o, #our heart is impatient. .ut the weather cannot )e alwa#s good. >armers
want rain. It is charit# to pra# that it ma# rain. And also this is charit#. .ut loo;,
there is a )eauti"ul rain)ow "orming an arch "rom Ataroth to 8amah. e are
alread# )e#ond Ataroth, we ha'e passed the large sad 'alle#, and here the
countr# is culti'ated and pleasant under the sun, which is )rea;ing through the
clouds. hen we are in 8amah we shall )e thirt#<siD stadia "rom ,erusalem. e
shall see the 7ol# 3it# again a"ter that hill, )# the men o" Gi)eah. hat a
terri)le thing is the concupiscence o" the "lesh, ,udas...5
,udas does not repl#, instead he dela#s splashing angril# in the puddles.
2 hat6s the matter with him, toda#E 5 as;s .artholomew.
2 .e Iuiet, lest Simon o" ,onah should hear #ou. =et us a'oid all arguments...
and do not let us upset Simon. 7e is so happ# with his )o#F 5
2 4es, *aster. .ut it is not right. I will tell him. 5
2 7e is #oung, 1athanael. 4ou were #oung, too...5
2 4es... )ut... 7e should not )e lac;ing in respect towards 4ouF 5 7e raises his
'oice without wishing to do so.
Peter rushes towards them? 2 hat6s the matterE ho is lac;ing in respectE 0he
new discipleE 5 and he loo;s at ,ohn o" &ndor, who has discreetl# withdrawn
when he understood that ,esus was correcting the apostle and is now spea;ing to
,ames o" Alphaeus and Simon :ealot.
2 1ot in the least. 7e is as respect"ul as a #oung girl. 5
2 9hF GoodF 9therwise... his onl# e#e was in danger. ell... it must )e
,udasF...5
2 =isten, Simon, could #ou not )us# #oursel" with #our little "riendE 4ou too;
him awa# "rom *e, and now #ou want to )ecome engaged in a "riendl#
con'ersation I am ha'ing with 1athanael. Do #ou not thin; that #ou want to do
too man# thingsE 5
,esus smiles so gentl# that Peter )ecomes uncertain a)out his own thoughts. 7e
loo;s at .artholomew... who, howe'er, has raised his aIuiline "ace and is
scanning the s;#... Peter6s suspicion "ades awa#.
3 Peter6s attention is completel# di'erted )# the apparition o" the 7ol# 3it#,
which is now near, and is 'isi)le in all the )eaut# o" its hills, oli'e<gro'es,
houses, and a)o'e all o" the 0emple, a sight which must alwa#s ha'e )een a
source o" emotion and pride "or Israelites. 0he warm April sun o" ,udaea has
soon dried up the sla)stones o" the consular road. Puddles o" water ha'e
disappeared completel#. 0he apostles are tid#ing themsel'es on the side o" the
road, the# let down the tunics which the# had pulled up, the# wash their mudd#
12,. Fr!+ B##r!t" t! :#rus)%#+. 1-1
"eet in a clear stream, the# tid# their hair and drape their mantles. Also ,esus
does that. I see them all doing it.
0he entrance into ,erusalem must ha'e )een an important matter. 0o present
onesel" at the walls on these "east<da#s was li;e presenting onesel" to a
so'ereign. 0he 7ol# 3it# was the 2 real 5 Iueen o" Israelites. I realise that this
#ear, )ecause I can notice the crowds and their )eha'iour on the consular road.
0he processions o" the 'arious "amilies "orm here, the women in one group, the
men in another, the children in either, )ut all 'er# serious and serene at the same
time. Some "old up their old mantles and pull out a new one "rom their tra'elling
)ags, or change sandals. 0heir gait then )ecomes solemn, it is alread# hieratic.
In each group there is a soloist who gi'es the tone, and the h#mns, the glorious
old h#mns o" Da'id, are intoned. And people loo; at one another more lo'ingl#,
as i" the# had )een paci"ied )# the sight o" the 7ouse o" the =ord and the# loo;
at the 7ol# 7ouse, a huge cu)e o" mar)le surmounted )# golden domes, placed
li;e a pearl in the centre o" the imposing enclosure o" the 0emple.
0he apostolic procession is "ormed as "ollows? ,esus and Peter in "ront, with the
)o# )etween themL )ehind them Simon, the Iscariot and ,ohnL then Andrew,
who has "orced ,ohn o" &ndor to sta# )etween him and ,ames o" :e)edeeL in the
"ourth row the two cousins o" the =ord and *atthewL last 0homas, Philip and
.artholomew. It is ,esus ho intones in 7is )eauti"ul power"ul 'oice o" a light
)aritone, a mellow 'oice with re"ined tenor 'i)rations, and ,udas Iscariot, a pure
tenor, answers together with ,ohn, with his limpid 'oice t#pical o" #oung
people, the two )aritone 'oices o" ,esus6 cousins and the almost )ass 'oice o"
0homas, whose )aritone 'oice is so deep that it can hardl# )e classi"ed as such.
0he others, who are not gi"ted with such )eauti"ul 'oices, "ollow the chorus o"
the 'irtuosi singing in low 'oices. @0he psalms are the ;nown ones, called gra<
dual psalmsA. =ittle ,a)e(, the 'oice o" an angel among the strong 'oices o" men,
sings 'er# well, pro)a)l# )ecause he ;nows Psalm 3SSI )etter than the others?
2 7ow I reCoiced when the# said to me? Ge shall go to the house o" the =ord.H
5 7is little "ace, which onl# a "ew da#s ago was so sad, is now )right with Co#.
0he walls are now close at hand. 7ere is the Gate o" the >ish. And the
o'ercrowded streets.
0he# go straight to the 0emple to sa# the "irst pra#er. And then peace in the
peace o" Gethsemane, then supper and rest.
0he Courne# towards ,erusalem is o'er.

1*4. T! S'55't 't %!ts!)'n!.
,1St 9un! 1*4+.
1 0he group has spent most o" the Sa))ath morning resting their tired )odies
and cleaning their clothes which had )ecome dust# and creased during the
Courne#. 0here is so much in'iting water in the spacious cisterns o" Gethsemane,
"ull o" rain water, and in the "oam# Bidron, now in "lood, )ecause o" the recent
downpours, where the water resounds against the stones li;e a s#mphon#. And
the apostles, one a"ter the other, de"#ing the low temperature o" the water,
plunge into it and then, clad "rom head to "oot in "resh clothes, their hair rather
slee;ed )# the spra# o" the torrent, the# draw water "rom the cisterns pouring it
into large 'ats in which the# ha'e sorted out their clothes according to the
colours.
2 ellF 9nce the# are soa;ed in there, it will )e less trou)lesome "or *ar# to
wash them. 5 @I suppose that *ar# is the woman who sta#s at GethsemaneA. 2
9nl# #ou, m# dear little "riend, cannot change. .ut tomorrow...5 In "act the )o#
is wearing a clean ro)e, which has )een ta;en "rom his little sac;? so small that
it would )e Iuite su""icient "or the garments o" a dollF .ut the )o#6s little tunic is
e'en more discoloured and torn than the other one and Peter loo;s at it with
apprehension, whispering? 2 7ow can I possi)l# ta;e him to townE I thin; I will
cut one o" m# mantles in two, )ecause a mantle... would co'er him completel#.
5
,esus, ho has heard this paternal soliloIu# sa#s? 2 It is )etter to let him rest
now. 0his e'ening we are going to .ethan#...5
2 .ut I want to )u# him a ro)e. I promised it. 5
2 4ou certainl# will. .ut it is )etter to see; *# *other6s ad'ice. 4ou ;now...
women... ha'e more eDperience in such purchases... and She will )e happ# to
ta;e care o" the child... 4ou will go together. 5
Peter is enraptured to the se'enth hea'en o" delight at the idea o" going
shopping with *ar#. I do not ;now whether ,esus has eDpressed all 7is
thoughts or whether 7e has held )ac; some, those impl#ing that 7is *other6s
taste is more re"ined than Peter6s and would thus a'oid the clashing o" atrocious
12-. T"# S)88)t" )t '#t"s#+)n#. 1-2
hues. 0he "act is that 7e achie'es 7is aim without morti"#ing Peter.
2 0he# scatter in the oli'e<gro'e, which is so )eauti"ul on this serene April da#.
0he rain o" the past da#s seems to ha'e sil'ered the oli'e<trees and sown
"lowers, so )right are the lea'es in the sun and so numerous the little "lowers at
the "oot o" each tree. .irds are singing and "l#ing e'er#where. 0he town is l#ing
o'er there, west o" an onloo;er.
It is not possi)le to see the crowds thronging inside, )ut one can see the cara'ans
going towards the Gate o" the >ish and to others, with names un;nown to me, on
this eastern side, and the tra'ellers are swallowed )# the town as it i" were a
hungr# mouth.
,esus is wal;ing up and down watching ,a)e( who is pla#ing with ,ohn and the
#ounger ones. Also the Iscariot, who has got out o" #esterda#6s hu"" is cheer"ul
and pla#s. 0he elder ones watch and smile.
2 hat will 4our *other sa# o" this childE 5 as;s .artholomew.
2 I thin; She will sa#? G7e is 'er# thinH 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 9hF noF She will sa#? GPoor childFH 5 replies Peter.
2 Instead She will sa# to 4ou? GI am glad that 4ou lo'e himH 5 o)Cects Philip.
2 7is *other would ne'er ha'e dou)ted it. .ut I don6t thin; She will sa#
an#thing. She will press him to 7er heart 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 And 4ou, *aster, what do 4ou thin; She will sa#E 5
2 She will do what #ou said. She will thin; man# things, na#, all o" them, and
will sa# them in 7er heart, and when ;issing him She will onl# sa#? G*a# #ou
)e )lessedH and She will ta;e care o" him as i" he were a little )ird "allen "rom
its nest. 9ne da#, listen, She told *e o" when She was a little girl. She was not
#et three #ears old )ecause She was not #et in the 0emple, and 7er heart was
"ull o" lo'e, emanating, li;e "lowers and oli'es pressed and crushed in a mill, all
7er oils and per"umes. And in a rapture o" lo'e She said to 7er mother that She
wanted to )e a 'irgin to please the Sa'iour more, )ut that She would ha'e li;ed
to )e a sinner in order to )e sa'ed, and She almost wept, )ecause 7er mother
could not understand 7er and could not tell 7er how it is possi)le to )e GpureH
and a GsinnerH at the same time. 7er "ather satis"ied 7er )# )ringing her a little
sparrow, which he had sa'ed when it was a)out to )e drowned on the edge o" a
"ountain. 7e eDplained the para)le o" the little )ird, sa#ing that God had sa'ed
her in ad'ance and there"ore She was to )less 7im twice. And the little -irgin
o" God, the *ost Great -irgin *ar#, practised 7er "irst spiritual maternit# on
)ehal" o" the little )ird, which She let "ree when it was strong enough. .ut the
)ird ne'er le"t the ;itchen garden in 1a(areth, where "l#ing and twittering, it
com"orted the sad house and the )ro;en hearts o" Anne and ,oachim, when
*ar# was in the 0emple. It died shortl# )e"ore Anne )reathed her last... It had
"ul"illed its dut#... *# *other had dedicated 7ersel" to 'irginit# "or lo'e. .ut,
since She was a per"ect creature, maternit# was in 7er )lood and spirit. .ecause
woman is created to )e a mother and it is an a)erration, i" she is dea" to such
sentiment, which is lo'e o" second power...5
3 Also the others ha'e come near slowl#.
2 hat do 4ou mean, *aster, )# lo'e o" second powerE 5 as;s ,udas 0haddeus.
2 *# )rother, there are man# lo'es and 'arious powers. 0here is the lo'e o" "irst
power? the one gi'en to God. 0hen there is the lo'e o" second power? the lo'e o"
a mother or o" a "ather, )ecause i" the pre'ious one is entirel# spiritual, this one
is spiritual )# two parts and carnal )# one. It is true that human a""ection is
miDed in it, )ut the superior sentiment pre'ails, )ecause a "ather and mother,
who are such in a wholesome and hol# wa#, do not onl# "eed and caress the
)od# o" their child, )ut the# gi'e also nourishment and lo'e to the mind and the
spirit o" their creature. And what I am sa#ing is so true, that those who de'ote
themsel'es to children, e'en i" onl# to educate them, end up )# lo'ing their
pupils, as i" the# were o" their own "lesh. 5
2 In "act I was 'er# "ond o" m# pupils 5 sa#s ,ohn o" &ndor.
2 I understood that #ou must ha'e )een a good teacher )# the wa# #ou deal with
,a)e(. 5
0he man o" &ndor )ows and ;isses ,esus6 hand without spea;ing.
2 Please go on with 4our classi"ication o" lo'es 5 )egs the :ealot.
2 0here is the lo'e "or one6s wi"e? lo'e o" third power )ecause it is made M I am
alwa#s tal;ing o" wholesome and hol# lo'es M hal" o" spirit and hal" o" "lesh. A
man, )esides )eing the hus)and o" his wi"e, is a teacher and a "ather to herL and
a woman is an angel and a mother to her hus)and, )esides )eing his wi"e. 0hese
are the three highest lo'es. 5
12-. T"# S)88)t" )t '#t"s#+)n#. 1.3
4 2 And the lo'e "or our neigh)ourE Are 4ou not wrongE 9r ha'e 4ou "orgotten
itE 5 as;s the Iscariot. 0he others loo; at him dum)"ounded and... "urious
)ecause o" his remar;s.
.ut ,esus replies placidl#? 2 1o, ,udas. atch. God is to )e lo'ed )ecause 7e is
God, so no eDplanation is reIuired to con'ince one to ha'e such lo'e. 7e is 7e
ho is, that is &'er#thingL and man? 1othing, who participates o" &'er#thing,
)ecause o" the soul in"used in him )# &ternal God M without which soul man
would )e one o" the man# animals that li'e on the earth, or in water or in the air
M he must adore 7im "rom a sense o" dut# and to deser'e to sur'i'e in &'er#<
thing, that is to deser'e to )e part o" the hol# People o" God in 7ea'en, a citi(en
o" the ,erusalem which will ;now neither pro"anation nor destruction "ore'er.
0he lo'e o" man, and particularl# o" woman, "or their o""spring, is indicated as
an order in the words o" God to Adam and &'e, a"ter 7e had )lessed them,
seeing that 7e had made a Ggood thingH, on a remote siDth da#, the "irst siDth
da# o" creation. God said to them? G.e "ruit"ul and multipl# and "ill the earth...H
I can see #our tacit o)Cection, and this is *# repl# to #ou? Since )e"ore sin
e'er#thing in creation was regulated )# and )ased on lo'e, that multiplication o"
children would ha'e )een a hol#, pure, power"ul, per"ect lo'e. And God ga'e it
as 7is "irst commandment to man? G.e "ruit"ul and multipl#.H 0here"ore, lo'e
#our children a"ter *e. =o'e, as it is now, the present procreator o" children, did
not eDist then. 0here was no malice nor the detesta)le thirst "or sensualit#. *an
lo'ed woman and woman lo'ed man, naturall#, not naturall# according to nature
as we understand it, or rather, as #ou men understand it, )ut according to the
nature o" children o" God? supernaturall#. Sweet were the da#s o" lo'e o" the
0wo who were )rothers, )ecause )orn o" one >ather, and #et were hus)and and
wi"e, who lo'ed and loo;ed at each other with the innocent e#es o" twins in a
cradleL and man "elt the lo'e o" a "ather "or his wi"e G)one "rom his )ones and
"lesh "rom his "leshH, what a son is "or his "atherL and the woman eDperienced
the Co# o" )eing a daughter, protected )# a 'er# high lo'e, )ecause she "elt that
she had in hersel" something o" the wonder"ul man who lo'ed her, with
innocence and angelical ardour, in the )eauti"ul meadows in &denF
=ater, in the seIuence o" commands that God, smiling, ga'e to 7is )elo'ed
children, there comes what Adam himsel", gi"ted )# Grace with an intelligence
in"erior onl# to God6s, decreed spea;ing o" his wi"e and o" e'er# woman through
&'e, a decree o" the thought o" God, which was clearl# re"lected )# the spotless
mirror o" Adam6s spirit, a "lower in thought and in word? G*an will lea'e his
"ather and his mother and will Coin himsel" to his wi"e and the# will )ecome one
)od#.H
I" there had not )een the three pillars o" the three a)o'e mentioned lo'es, could
there ha'e )een lo'e "or one6s neigh)ourE 1o. It could not ha'e eDisted. 0he
lo'e o" God ma;es God a "riend and teaches lo'e. ho does not lo'e God, ho
is good, cannot certainl# lo'e his neigh)our who in most cases is "ault#. I" there
had )een no conCugal lo'e and paternit# in the world, there could ha'e )een no
neigh)ours, )ecause a neigh)our is the son o" man. Are #ou con'incedE 5
2 4es, *aster. I had not thought o" that. 5
2 It is di""icult indeed to go )ac; to the sources. *an has )een stuc; in mud "or
thousands o" #ears, and those sources are so high up on the summitsF 0he "irst
one, a)o'e all, is a source that comes "rom an immense height? God... .ut I will
ta;e #ou )# the hand and lead #ou to the sources. I ;now where the# are...5
2 And the other lo'esE 5 as; together Simon :ealot and the man "rom &ndor.
2 0he "irst one o" the second series is the lo'e "or our neigh)our. In actual "act it
is the "ourth in power. 0hen comes the lo'e "or science. >inall# the lo'e "or
wor;. 5
2 Is that allE 5
2 0hat is all. 5
2 .ut there are man# more lo'esF 5 eDclaims ,udas o" Berioth.
2 0here are other hungers. .ut the# are not lo'es. 0he# are the negation o" lo'e.
0he# den# God, the# den# man. 0he# cannot )e lo'e )ecause the# are negations
and 1egation is 7atred. 5
5 2 I" I den# consent to e'il, is that 7atredE 5 as;s ,udas Iscariot once again.
2 Poor meF 4ou are more captious than a scri)eF 3an #ou tell me what is the
matter with #ouE Is the rari"ied air o" ,udaea a""ecting #our ner'es li;e a crampE
5 eDclaims Peter.
2 1o. I li;e to learn and to ha'e man# clear ideas. It is Iuite possi)le we ma#
ha'e to spea; to scri)es and I do not want to )e short o" arguments...5
2 And do #ou thin; that in the moment o" need #ou will )e a)le to pull out the
12-. T"# S)88)t" )t '#t"s#+)n#. 1.1
colour reIuired "rom the sac; where #ou stoc; all the ragsE 5 as;s Peter.
2 8ags the words o" the *asterE 4ou are swearingE 5
2 Don6t pretend #ou are scandali(ed. 0he# are not rags in 7is mouthL )ut once
the# ha'e )een mishandled )# us the# )ecome rags. 0r# and gi'e a piece o"
precious )#ssus to a )o#... It will soon )ecome a dirt# torn rag. And that is what
happens to us. 1ow i" #ou eDpect to "ish at the right moment the little rag #ou
need, what with the rag, and what with its dirt... uhmF I do not ;now what #ou
will )e up to. 5
2 Don6t worr#. 0hat is m# )usiness. 5
2 9hF 4ou ma# )e sure that I will not worr#F I ha'e enough pro)lems o" m#
own. And then...F I am happ# pro'iding #ou cause no harm to the *aster.
.ecause, in that case, I would mind also #our )usiness...5
2 4ou can do that when I do an#thing wrong. .ut that will ne'er happen,
)ecause I ;now how to )eha'e... I am not ignorant...5
2 Instead I am, I ;now. And )ecause I am I do not stoc; an# )allast, to "launt it
later, at the right moment. .ut I implore God and God will help me "or the sa;e
o" 7is *essiah, o" hom I am the least and most "aith"ul ser'ant. 5
2 e are all "aith"ul 5 replies ,udas haughtil#.
2 9hF 4ou are )adF h# do #ou o""end m# "atherE 7e is old and he is good.
4ou must not do that. 4ou are )ad and #ou "righten me 5 sa#s ,a)e( with stern
countenance, a"ter )eing silent and listening care"ull#.
2 And that ma;es twoF 5 whispers ,ames o" :e)edee in a low 'oice, touching
Andrew with his el)ow.
Although he has spo;en in a low 'oice, the Iscariot hears him.
2 4ou can see, *aster, whether the words o" the sill# )o# o" *agdala ha'e le"t a
trace 5 sa#s ,udas raging with anger.
2 ould it not )e more pleasant to continue listening to the lesson o" the *aster,
instead o" )eha'ing li;e angr# ;idsE 5 as;s peace"ul 0homas.
6 2 9" course, *aster. 0ell us more a)out 4our *other. 7er childhood is so
)rightF 0he 'er# re"lection o" that )rilliance ma;es our souls pure, and I, a poor
sinner, need that light so )adl#F 5 eDclaims *atthew.
2 hat shall I tell #ouE 0here are so man# episodes, one more touching than the
other...5
2 Did She tell 4ou a)out themE 5
2 4es, some. .ut ,oseph told *e man# more, as the most )eauti"ul stories he
could tell a child, and also Alphaeus o" Sarah, who was a "ew #ears older than
*# *other, and was 7er "riend during the short period She was at 1a(areth...5
2 9hF Please, tell us...5 )egs ,ohn.
0he# are all sitting in a circle in the shade o" the oli'e<trees, with ,a)e( in the
centre staring at ,esus as i" he were listening to a hea'enl# tale.
2 I will tell #ou a)out the lesson on chastit# that *# *other ga'e 7er little
"riend and man# more people a "ew da#s )e"ore entering the 0emple. A girl in
1a(areth, a relati'e o" Sarah6s, got married on that da# and also ,oachim and
Anne had )een in'ited to the wedding. =ittle *ar# went with them, and with
other children She was to spread loose "lower petals on the )ride6s wa#. 0he#
sa# that She was most )eauti"ul, as a child, and e'er#)od# contented "or 7er
a"ter the Co#"ul arri'al o" the )ride. It was not eas# to see *ar# e'er# da#, as
She li'ed mostl# at home, where She lo'ed a little grotto more than an# other
place, and e'en nowada#s She calls it Gthe grotto o" 7er nuptials.H So when She
appeared outside, "air<haired, ros# and ;ind, She was o'erwhelmed )# caresses.
0he# used to call 7er Gthe >lower o" 1a(arethH or Gthe Pearl o" GalileeH or also
Gthe Peace o" GodH in remem)rance o" a huge rain)ow, which suddenl#
appeared as soon as She was )orn. She was in "act all that, and much more. She
is the >lower o" 7ea'en and o" creation, the Pearl o" Paradise and the Peace o"
God... 4es, the Peace o" God. I am the Peace"ul 9ne )ecause I am the Son o" the
>ather and the Son o" *ar#? the In"inite Peace and the Sweet Peace. 9n that da#
e'er#)od# wanted to ;iss 7er and ta;e 7er on their laps. And as She was a'erse
to )eing ;issed and touched, She said with ;ind gra'it#? GPlease, do not rumple
*e.H 0he# thought She was tal;ing o" 7er linen dress, held tight to 7er waist,
to 7er wrists and nec; )# a )lue )and, or o" 7er little wreath o" )lue "lowers,
with which Anne had adorned 7er head to ;eep 7er light curls in place, and
the# assured 7er that the# would not crease 7er dress or the wreath. .ut, sure o"
7ersel", a little three #ear old woman standing in the middle o" a circle o" adults,
She said seriousl#? GI am not thin;ing o" what can )e mended. I am spea;ing o"
12-. T"# S)88)t" )t '#t"s#+)n#. 1.2
*# soul. It )elongs to God. And it does not wish to )e touched )ut )# God.H
0he# o)Cected? G.ut we are ;issing 4ou, not 4our soul.H She replied? G*# )od#
is the temple o" *# soul and the Spirit is its priest. People are not allowed to
enter the enclosure o" priests. Please, do not enter the enclosure o" God.H
Alphaeus, who was then a)out eight #ears old and was 'er# "ond o" 7er, was
greatl# impressed )# that repl# and the "ollowing da#, seeing 7er near 7er little
grotto, he as;ed 7er? G*ar#, when 4ou are grown up, would 4ou marr# meE.H
7e was still under the eDcitement o" the nuptial "east at which he had )een
present. And She answered? GI am 'er# "ond o" #ou. .ut I do not see #ou as a
man. I will tell #ou a secret. I see onl# the soul o" a li'ing )eing. And I lo'e it so
much, with all *# heart. .ut I see onl# God as the 60rue =i'ing .eing6 to hom
I will )e a)le to gi'e *#sel".H 0hat is one o" the episodes. 5
7 2 G0he 0rue =i'ing .eingHFFF 0hat is a 'er# deep wordF 5 eDclaims
.artholomew.
And ,esus, hum)l# and smiling replies? 2 She was the *other o" isdom. 5
2 as SheE... .ut was She not three #ears oldE 5
2 She was. I alread# li'ed in 7er, as God was in 7er, in 7is most per"ect Jnit#
and 0rinit#, since She was concei'ed. 5
2 &Dcuse me i" I, a sinner, dare spea;, )ut did ,oachim and Anne ;now that She
was the chosen -irginE 5 as;s ,udas Iscariot.
2 1o, the# did not ;now. 5
In that case, how could ,oachim sa# that God had sa'ed 7er in ad'anceE Does
that not re"er to 7er pri'ilege o'er sinE 5
2 4es, it does. .ut ,oachim spo;e inspired )# God, li;e all the prophets. 7e
himsel" did not understand the su)lime supernatural truth that the Spirit spo;e
through his lips. .ecause ,oachim was Cust. So Cust as to deser'e that paternit#.
And he was hum)le. 0here is no Custice where there is pride. 7e was Cust and
hum)le. 7e com"orted his Daughter out o" "atherl# lo'e. 7e taught 7er through
his wisdom o" a priest, as he was such as a guardian o" the Ar; o" God. As a
Ponti"" he consecrated 7er with the sweetest title? G0he Immaculate 9ne.H And
the da# will come when another gre# haired Ponti"" will sa# to the world? GShe
is the Immaculate 3onceptionH and will gi'e this truth to the world o" )elie'ers,
as a dogma which cannot )e re"uted, so that the *ost .eauti"ul -irgin o" God,
crowned with stars, clad with the ra#s o" the moon, which are not so pure as She
is, )righter than all stars, the Nueen o" 3reation and o" God, ma# shine, "ull#
re'ealed, in the world which in those da#s will )e sin;ing deeper and deeper in
the gre# "og o" heresies and 'ices. .ecause God<Bing has as 7is Nueen, in 7is
Bingdom, *ar#. 5
2 So ,oachim was a prophetE 5
2 7e was a Cust man. 7is soul repeated li;e an echo what God said to his soul
which was lo'ed )# God. 5
8 2 hen are we going to this *other, m# =ordE 5 as;s ,a)e( with eager e#es.
2 0his e'ening. hat will #ou sa# to 7er when #ou see 7erE 5
2 GI greet 4ou, *other o" the Sa'iour.H Is that all rightE 5
2 -er# good 5 con"irms ,esus caressing him.
2 .ut are we going to the 0emple toda#E 5 as;s Philip.
2 e shall go there )e"ore lea'ing "or .ethan#. And #ou will sta# here and )e a
good )o#. ill #ou notE 5
2 4es, m# =ord. 5
0he wi"e o" ,onah, the careta;er o" the oli'e<gro'e, who has come near 'er#
Iuietl# sa#s? 2 h# don6t #ou ta;e him. 0he )o# is anDious to come...5
,esus stares at her without sa#ing an#thing.
0he woman understands and sa#s? 2 I seeF I should still ha'e a little mantle o"
*ar;. I will loo; "or it 5 and she runs awa#.
,a)e( pulls ,ohn6s slee'e? 2 ill the teachers )e se'ereE 5
2 9hF no. Don6t )e a"raid. In an# case it is not toda#. In a "ew da#s6 time, with
7is *other, #ou will )e more learned than a doctor 5 ,ohn com"orts him.
0he others hear and smile at ,a)e(6 concern.
2 .ut who will present him as i" he were his "atherE 5 as;s *atthew.
2 9" course I willF Jnless... the *aster wishes to present him 5 sa#s Peter.
12-. T"# S)88)t" )t '#t"s#+)n#. 1.3
2 1o, Simon. I will not present him. I lea'e that honour to #ou. 5
2 0han; 4ou, *aster. .ut... 4ou will )e there, tooE 5
2 3ertainl#. e shall all )e there. 7e is GourH )o#...5
*ar# o" ,onah comes )ac; with a dar; 'iolet mantle, which is still good. .ut
what a shadeF She sa#s so hersel"? 2 *ar; ne'er wanted to wear it )ecause he
did not li;e the shade. 5
1o wonderF It is 'ileF And poor ,a)e( with his oli'e compleDion loo;s ghastl#
in the 'iolent 'iolet shade. .ut he cannot see himsel"... and he is there"ore happ#
to ha'e the mantle in which he can drape himsel" li;e an adult.
2 0he meal is read#, *aster. 0he woman has ta;en the lam) o"" the spit Cust
now. 5
2 =et us go, then. 5
And going down "rom the place where the# were, the# go into the large ;itchen
"or their meal.
1*6. In t! T!)"#! 't t! Hour o0 t! O00!rin&.
,,n( 9un! 1*4+.
1 Peter is reall# statel# while entering the enclosure o" the 0emple, acting as the
"ather o" ,a)e(, whom he is holding )# the hand. 7e is wal;ing so erect, that he
loo;s e'en taller than he reall# is.
All the others are )ehind him, in a group. ,esus is last and is engaged in close
con'ersation with ,ohn o" &ndor, who seems to )e ashamed to enter the 0emple.
Peter as;s his protOgO? 2 7a'e #ou e'er )een here )e"oreE 5 and the )o# replies?
2 hen I was )orn, "ather. .ut I do not remem)er 5 which ma;es Peter laugh
heartil#. Also the others, when the# are told )# Peter, laugh and sa# gentl# and
wittil#? 2 Perhaps #ou were sleeping and so...5 or 2 e are all li;e #ou. e do
not remem)er when we came here when we were )orn. 5
Also ,esus as;s ,ohn o" &ndor the same Iuestion and gets a similar repl#. In "act
,ohn sa#s to 7im? 2 e were prosel#tes and m# mother carried me here in her
arms, Cust at Passo'er, )ecause I was )orn earl# in Adar and m# mother, who
came "rom ,udaea, set out as soon as she was a)le to, to o""er her son to the
=ord in good time. Perhaps too earl#, )ecause she was ta;en ill and ne'er
reco'ered. I was under two #ears o" age when I lost m# mother. 0he "irst
mis"ortune in m# li"e. I was her "irst<)orn, I )ecame her onl# child )ecause o"
her disease, and she was 'er# proud to die ha'ing complied with the =aw. *#
"ather used to sa# to me? GShe died a happ# death )ecause she had o""ered #ou
to the 0emple.H.. Poor motherF hat did #ou o""erE A "uture murderer...5
2 ,ohn, do not sa# that. 4ou were >eliD then, now #ou are ,ohn. .ear in mind
the great grace that God granted #ou, alwa#s remem)er that. >orget #our past
de)asement... Did #ou not come )ac; to the 0emple againE 5
2 9hF 4es. hen I was twel'e #ears old and alwa#s a"ter that, as long as... I was
a)le to... =ater, when I could ha'e come, I did not, )ecause I told 4ou that I
worshipped onl# one thing? 7atred... And that is wh# I dare not proceed "urther
here. I "eel a stranger in the 7ouse o" the >ather... I ha'e a)andoned it "or too
long...5
2 4ou are coming )ac; to it led )# the hand )# *e ho am the Son o" the
>ather. I" I am ta;ing #ou up to the altar, it means that I ;now that e'er#thing
has )een "orgi'en. 5
,ohn o" &ndor so)s deepl# and sa#s? 2 0han; 4ou, m# God. 5
2 4es, than; the *ost 7igh. 3an #ou not see that #our mother, a true Israelite,
had a prophetic spiritE 4ou are the son sacred to the =ord and ne'er ransomed.
4ou are *ine, #ou )elong to God, #ou are a disciple and thus a "uture priest o"
#our =ord in the new era and in the new religion, which will )e called a"ter *e.
I a)sol'e #ou o" e'er#thing, ,ohn. Proceed con"identl# towards the 7ol#. I
solemn# tell #ou that among those who li'e in this enclosure there are man#
more guilt# and less worth# than #ou to go near the altar...5
Peter in the meantime is )us# showing the )o# the most noteworth# things in
the 0emple, )ut he as;s the more learned ones, particularl# .artholomew and
Simon, to help him, )ecause in the "ul"illment o" his dut# as a "ather he "eels
more at ease with the elder ones.
2 0he# are near the treasur# to ma;e their o""ering when ,oseph o" Arimathea
12.. In t"# T#+$%# )t t"# H!ur !4 t"# O44#rn(. 1.4
calls them. 2 4ou are hereE hen did #ou arri'eE 5 he as;s a"ter greeting them.
2 4esterda# e'ening. 5
2 And the *asterE 5
2 7e is o'er there, with a new disciple. 7e is coming. 5
,oseph loo;s at the )o# and as;s Peter? 2 9ne o" #our grandsonsE 5
2 1o... #es... well? nothing )# )lood, a great deal )# "aith, e'er#thing )# lo'e. 5
2 I do not understand...5
2 7e is a little orphan... so nothing )# )lood. A disciple, there"ore a great deal
)# "aith. A son.., so e'er#thing )# lo'e. 0he *aster too; him... and I caress him.
7e is )ecoming o" age in the neDt "ew da#s...5
2 Alread# twel'e #ears oldE And so smallE 5
2 &hF... 0he *aster will tell #ou... ,oseph, #ou are good... one o" the "ew good
people in here... 0ell me... would #ou help me in this matterE 4ou ;now... I am
presenting him as i" he were m# son. .ut I am a Galilean and I am a nast#
leper...5
2 A leperEF 5 eDclaims ,oseph inIuisiti'el# mo'ing awa# in "right.
2 Don6t )e a"raidF I am a leper )ecause I )elong to ,esusF 0he most loathesome
"orm o" lepros# "or those o" the 0emple, with a "ew eDceptions. 5
2 1oF Don6t sa# thatF 5
2 It6s the truth and we must admit it... So I am a"raid the# will )e cruel to the )o#
)ecause o" me and )ecause o" ,esus. In an# case I do not ;now how much he
;nows o" the =aw, o" the 7alascia, the 7aggadha and o" the *idrasciots. ,esus
sa#s that he ;nows Iuite a lot...5
2 ell, i" ,esus sa#s soF Don6t )e a"raidF 5
2 9nl# to cause me trou)le the# would...5
2 4ou are 'er# "ond o" this little "ellowF Do #ou ;eep him with #ou all the timeE
5
2 I cannotF... I am alwa#s a)out... 0he )o# is too #oung and delicate...5
2 .ut I would willingl# come with #ou...5 sa#s ,a)e( who has )een reassured )#
,oseph6s caresses.
Peter is )right with Co#... .ut he sa#s? 2 0he *aster sa#s that we must not do
that and we will not do it... .ut we shall meet now and again Cust the same...
,oseph... will #ou help meE 5
2 9" course, I willF I will come with #ou. 0he# will not do him an inCustice in
"ront o" me. henE 9hF *asterF Gi'e me 4our )lessingF 5
2 Peace to #ou, ,oseph. I am happ# to see #ou and I am glad that #ou are in
good health. 5
2 I am happ#, too, *aster, and also 4our "riends will )e pleased t o see 4ou.
Are 4ou sta#ing at GethsemaneE 5
2 I was there, )ut a"ter the pra#er I am going to .ethan#. 5
2 0o =a(arus6E 5
2 1o, to Simon6s. *# *other, the mother o" *# )rothers and the mother o" ,ohn
and ,ames are also there. ill #ou come and see *eE 5
2 Are 4ou as;ing meE I will come with great Co# and it is a great honour, "or
which I than; 4ou. I will come with some "riends...5
2 .e care"ul, ,oseph, with "riendsF...5 suggests Simon :ealot.
2 9hF 4ou alread# ;now them. Prudence teaches? GDo not let the air ;now.H .ut
when #ou see them #ou will understand that the# are "riends. 5
2 ell...5
2 *aster, Simon o" ,onah was telling me a)out the ceremon# "or the little one.
4ou arri'ed when I was as;ing when #ou intend ha'ing it. I want to )e there,
too. 5
2 9n the ednesda# )e"ore Passo'er. I want him to ;eep Passo'er as a son o"
the =aw. 5
2 -er# good. 0hat is settled. I will come and Coin #ou at .ethan#. .ut I will
come with m# "riends on *onda#. 5
12.. In t"# T#+$%# )t t"# H!ur !4 t"# O44#rn(. 1.,
2 Agreed. 5
2 *aster, I must lea'e 4ou. Peace )e with 4ou. It is the hour o" incense. 5
2 Good)#e, ,oseph. Peace )e with #ou. 3 3ome, ,a)e(. 0his is the most solemn
hour o" the da#. 0here is another one in the morning. It is right that man should
)less the =ord to )e )lessed during the da#, in all his deeds. .ut in the e'ening it
is more solemn. =ight "ades, wor; ends, night "alls. 0he "ading light reminds us
o" the "all into sin and in "act sin"ul deeds are generall# accomplished during the
night. h#E .ecause man, no longer engrossed in his wor;, can )e more easil#
entrapped )# the &'il 9ne who a'ails himsel" o" his allurements and nightmares.
It is there"ore right, a"ter than;ing God "or protecting us during the da#, that we
should implore 7im to deli'er us "rom night phantasms and temptations. 1ight,
sleep... the s#m)ols o" death. .lessed )e those who a"ter li'ing with the )lessing
o" the =ord go to sleep in a )right dawn and not in dar;ness. 0he priest who
o""ers incense, does so on )ehal" o" us all. 7e pra#s "or all the people, in
communion with God, and God entrusts him with the )lessing "or the whole
people o" 7is children. See how great the ministr# o" a priest isE 5
I would li;e... I would "eel as i" I were closer to m# mumm#...5
I" #ou are alwa#s a good disciple and a good son to Peter, #ou will )ecome one.
3ome now. 0he trumpets are announcing that the time has come. =et us go and
praise 4ahweh with 'eneration. 5


1*8. 9!sus 7!!ts His 7ot!r 't B!t'n1.
,-r( 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus is wal;ing "ast with 7is disciples towards =a(arus6 town, along a shad#
road which lin;s the *ount o" 9li'es to .ethan#. 9ne could sa# that the green
rami"ications o" the mountain stretch as "ar as the countr#side o" .ethan#. ,esus
is recognised e'en )e"ore entering the town and 'oluntar# messengers run in all
directions to in"orm people o" 7is arri'al. 0hus =a(arus and *aDiminus arri'e
running "rom one side, Isaac with 0imoneus and ,oseph "rom another, and the
third group to arri'e is *artha with *arcella, who li"ts her 'eil to )end down
and ;iss ,esus6 tunic. Immediatel# a"ter *ar# o" Alphaeus and *ar# Salome
reach the spot, the# greet the *aster and then em)race their sons. =ittle ,a)e(,
still held )# the hand )# ,esus, is tossed a)out )# so much rushing and watches
e'er#thing dum)"ounded. ,ohn o" &ndor, "eeling li;e a stranger, withdraws to
the end o" the group and stands aside. Suddenl#, in the lane leading to Simon6s
house, ,esus6 *other comes "orward.
,esus drops ,a)e(6 hand and gentl# pushes 7is "riends to one side, to hasten
towards 7er. 0he well ;nown words resound in the air, li;e a solo o" lo'e a)o'e
the whispering o" the crowd? 2 SonF 5L 2 *otherF 5 0he# ;iss each other and in
*ar#6s ;iss there is the anguish o" a mother who has )een a"raid "or a long time
and now that the terror, which had sei(ed her, is dissol'ing, she "eels the
tiredness o" the e""ort she made, and e'aluates the ris;s 7e has run.
,esus, ho understands, caresses 7er sa#ing? 2 .eside *# angel I had 4ours,
*other, watching o'er *e. 1o harm could ha'e )e"allen *e. 5
2 *a# the =ord )e praised "or that. .ut I su""ered so muchF 5
2 I wanted to come sooner, )ut in order to o)e# 4ou, I had to come a di""erent
wa#. .ut it was a good thing, )ecause 4our order, *other, )ore good "ruit, as
usual. 5
2 It was 4our o)edience, SonF 5
2 It was 4our wise order, *other...5 0he# smile at each other li;e two lo'ers.
Is it possi)le that this oman is the *other o" this *anE here are the siDteen
#ears o" di""erence in ageE 0he "reshness and grace o" *ar#6s "ace and o" 7er
'irginal )od# ma;e 7er a sister o" 7er Son ho is in the "ullness o" a handsome
manliness.
2 Are 4ou not as;ing *e wh# it )ore good "ruitE 5 as;s ,esus smiling all the
time.
2 I ;now that *# ,esus conceals nothing "rom *e. 5
2 *# dear *otherF 5 7e ;isses 7er again...
People ha'e ;ept awa# a "ew #ards pretending not to )e watching the scene. .ut
I wager that there is not one o" all the e#es that seem to )e loo;ing elsewhere
that does not cast sidelong glances at the lo'ing scene.
2 0he one who is most ;een in watching is ,a)e(, whom ,esus le"t when 7e ran
121. :#sus 9##ts Hs 9!t"#r )t B#t")n5. 1.-
to em)race 7is *other, and who has )een le"t all alone, )ecause owing to the
Iuic; succession o" Iuestions and answers, e'er#)od#6s attention was di'erted
"rom the poor )o#... 7e loo;s, then )ends his head, endea'ours to restrain his
tears... )ut he cannot and )ursts out weeping, moaning? 2 *umm#F *umm#F 5
&'er#)od# turns round, ,esus and *ar# are the "irst, and e'er#)od# endea'ours
to help or "ind out who the )o# is. *ar# o" Alphaeus rushes towards him with
Peter M the# were together M and the# )oth as;? 2 h# are #ou cr#ingE 5
.ut )e"ore ,a)e( can catch his )reath and spea; while shedding so man# tears,
*ar# has run towards him and ta;en him in 7er arms sa#ing? 2 4es, m# little
child, #our *otherF Do not cr# an# more... and eDcuse *e i" I did not see #ou
)e"ore. *# "riends, here is *# little son...5 It is o)'ious that ,esus, in the "ew
seconds while approaching the )o#, must ha'e said to 7er? 2 7e is a little
orphan I )rought with *e. 5 *ar# realised the rest.
0he )o# is still weeping, )ut not so disconsolatel#, and as *ar# is holding him
in 7er arms and ;issing him, he ends up )# smiling while his "ace is still wet
with tears.
2 =et me dr# those tears o" #ours. 4ou must not cr# an# moreF Gi'e *e a
;iss...5
,a)e( was eDpecting nothing )ut that and a"ter )eing caressed )# )earded men,
he is o'erCo#ed in ;issing *ar#6s smooth chee;.
3 ,esus has )een loo;ing "or ,ohn o" &ndor and when 7e sees him, 7e goes to
get him in his remote corner. And while all the apostles are greeting *ar#, ,esus
comes towards 7er, holding ,ohn o" &ndor )# the hand and 7e sa#s? 2 0his is
the other disciple, *other. 4our command gained these two sons "or 4ou. 5
It was 4our o)edience, Son 5 repeats *ar# and She greets the man sa#ing? 2
Peace to #ou. 5
0he man, the coarse restless man o" &ndor, who has changed so much since that
morning when ,udas6 whim too; ,esus to &ndor, completel# di'ests himsel" o"
his past while )owing to *ar#. I thin; it is so, )ecause his "ace, a"ter )owing,
loo;s reall# serene and trul# 2 at peace 5.
4 0he# all set out towards Simon6s house? *ar# with ,a)e( in 7er arms, ,esus
holding ,ohn o" &ndor )# the hand, and then, around them and )ehind them,
=a(arus and *artha, the apostles with *aDiminus, Isaac, ,oseph, and 0imoneus.
0he# enter the house on the threshold o" which Simon6s old ser'ant greets ,esus
and his master with deep respect.
2 Peace to #ou, ,oseph, and to this house 5 sa#s ,esus, li"ting 7is hand to )less
a"ter la#ing it on the old ser'ant6s white head.
=a(arus and *artha, a"ter their "irst eDpression o" Co#, are somewhat sad and
,esus as;s them? 2 h#, *# "riendsE 5
2 .ecause 4ou are not sta#ing with us and )ecause e'er#)od# comes to 4ou
eDcept the soul that we would li;e to )e 4ours. 5
2 >orti"# #our patience, #our hope and #our pra#ers. A"ter all, I am with #ou.
0his houseF... 0his house is )ut the nest "rom which the Son o" man will "l#
e'er# da# to 7is dear "riends, so close in space, )ut i" we consider the situation
in a supernatural wa#, in"initel# closer in lo'e. 4ou are in *# heart and I am in
#ours. 3an we )e closer than thatE .ut we will )e together this e'ening. Please
sit at *# ta)le. 5
2 9hF Poor meF And I am idling a)outF 3ome, Salome, there is a lot to )e doneF
5 0he eDclamation o" *ar# o" Alphaeus ma;es e'er#)od# laugh while ,esus6
good relati'e gets up immediatel# to her wor;.
*artha Coins her? 2 Don6t worr# a)out the "ood, *ar#. I will go and gi'e the
necessar# instructions. ,ust la# the ta)le. I will send #ou enough chairs and what
is necessar#. 3ome, *arcella. I will )e )ac; at once, *aster. 5
5 2 I saw ,oseph o" Arimathea, =a(arus. 7e is coming here on *onda# with
some "riends. 5
2 9hF ell, 4ou are m# guest on that da#F 5
2 4es. 7e is coming to spend the da# with us, )ut also to arrange a ceremon#
concerning ,a)e(. ,ohn? ta;e the )o# up to the terrace. 7e will enCo# himsel"
there. 5
,ohn o" :e)edee, who is alwa#s o)edient, gets up at once and shortl# a"terwards
the )o# can )e heard chattering and running a)out on the terrace that surrounds
the house.
2 0he child 5 ,esus eDplains to 7is *other, 7is "riends, the women among
121. :#sus 9##ts Hs 9!t"#r )t B#t")n5. 1..
whom there is also *artha, who has rushed )ac; so that she would not miss one
moment o" Co# near the *aster, 2 is the grandson o" one o" Doras6 peasants. I
passed through &sdraelon...5
2 Is it true that the "ields are a complete ruin and that he wants to sell themE 5
2 0he# are a ruin. hether he wants to sell them, I do not ;now. 9ne o"
,ohanan6s men mentioned it to me. .ut I do not ;now whether it is certain. 5
2 I" he should sell them... I would willingl# )u# them to ha'e a re"uge "or 4ou
also in the middle o" that nest o" sna;es. 5
2 I do not thin; that #ou will )e success"ul. ,ohanan is read# to )u# them. 5
2 e shall see... .ut go on. ho are the peasantsE 7e scattered all the "ormer
ser'ants. 5
2 4es, he did. 0he present ones come "rom his land in ,udaea, at least the old
man, the )o#6s relati'e, does. 0he )o# was ;ept in a wood, li;e a wild animal, so
that Doras could not see him... and he had )een there since last winter...5
2 9hF poor )o#F .ut wh#E 5 0he women are all mo'ed.
2 .ecause his "ather and mother were )uried under the landslide near &mmaus.
0he whole "amil#? "ather, mother and his little )rothers. 7e sur'i'ed )ecause he
was not at home. 0he# too; him to the old "ather. .ut what could a peasant o"
Doras doE Isaac, also in this case, #ou spo;e o" *e as a sa'iour. 5
2 as that wrongE 5 as;s Isaac hum)l#.
2 4ou did the right thing. God wanted it. 0he old man ga'e me the )o#, who is
to )ecome o" age in the neDt "ew da#s. 5
2 9hF poor little thingF So tin# at twel'e #ears o" ageEF *# ,udas was twice his
si(e at that age... And ,esusE hat a )eauti"ul "lowerF 5 sa#s *ar# o" Alphaeus.
And Salome? 2 Also m# children were much strongerF 5
*artha whispers? 2 7e is reall# tin#F I thought he was not ten #et. 5
2 &hF 7unger is a nast# thing. And he must ha'e su""ered "rom star'ation since
he was )orn. And now... hat could the old man gi'e him, i" the# are all d#ing
o" star'ation thereE 5 sa#s Peter.
2 4es, he su""ered a great deal. .ut he is good and intelligent. I too; him to
com"ort )oth the old man and the )o#. 5
6 2 Are #ou going to adopt himE 5 as;s =a(arus.
2 1o. I cannot. 5
2 ell, I will ta;e him. 5
Peter sees his hopes 'anish and he utters a reall# deep groan? 2 =ordF &'er#thing
to himE 5
,esus smiles? 2 =a(arus, #ou ha'e alread# done so much and I am grate"ul to
#ou. .ut I cannot entrust this child to #ou. 7e is GourH )o#. 7e )elongs to all o"
us. 7e is the Co# o" the apostles and o" the *aster. .esides, he would )e )rought
up in luDur# here. I want to ma;e him a present o" *# ro#al mantle? Ghonest
po'ert#.H 0he po'ert# that the Son o" man wanted "or 7imsel", to )e a)le to go
near the greatest miseries without morti"#ing an#)od#. 4ou ha'e had a gi"t "rom
*e also recentl#...5
2 AhF 4esF 0he old patriarch and his daughter. 0he woman is 'er# acti'e, the
old man 'er# good. 5
2 here are the# nowE I mean? in which placeE 5
2 0he# are here, in .ethan#. Do 4ou thin; I was going to send awa# the
)lessing 4ou had sent meE 0he woman wea'es linen. =ight s;ill"ul hands are
reIuired "or that Co). Since the old man insists in wor;ing, I put him at the
)eehi'es. 4esterda# he had a long golden )eard, didn6t he, sisterE 0he )ees
swarmed and clung to his long )eard and he was spea;ing to them as i" the#
were his daughters. 7e is happ#. 5
2 I am sure he isF *a# #ou )e )lessedF 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 0han; 4ou, *aster. .ut that )o# will cost 4ou a lot. 4ou will allow me at
least to...5
2 I will see to his clothes "or the ceremon# 5 shouts Peter. 0he# all laugh at his
impulsi'e reaction.
2 All right. .ut he will need other clothes. Simon, )e good. I ha'e no children
either. Allow *artha and me to "ind some solace seeing to some little garments
to )e made "or him. 5
121. :#sus 9##ts Hs 9!t"#r )t B#t")n5. 1.1
Peter, who has )een thus )esought, is mo'ed at once and he sa#s? 2 7is clothes...
#es... .ut his dress "or ednesda#... I am going to get it. 0he *aster promised
me and 7e told me that I would )e going with 7is *other to )u# it tomorrow. 5
Peter eDplains e'er#thing in detail lest there should )e some uneDpected change
to his disad'antage.
,esus smiles and sa#s? 2 4es, *other. Please go with Simon tomorrow.
9therwise he will die o" heart<"ailure. 4ou will gi'e him some ad'ice as to what
he should choose. 5
2 I said? a red dress and a green sash. 7e will loo; lo'el#. *uch )etter than the
shade he has on now. 5
2 8ed will )e all right. Also ,esus was dressed in red. .ut I would sa# that a red
sash would )e )etter on a red dress, or at least it should )e em)roidered in red. 5
sa#s *ar# gentl#.
2 I was sa#ing green )ecause I see that ,udas, who is swarth#, loo;s 'er# smart
with those green stripes on his red tunic. 5
2 .ut these are not green, m# "riendF 5 laughs ,udas.
2 1oE hat shade are the# thenE 5
2 0his hue is called Gagate 'ein.H 5
2 7ow do #ou eDpect me to ;now thatEF 0he# loo; green to me. I saw that hue
also on lea'es...5
0he *ost 7ol# -irgin interrupts )enignl#? 2 Simon is right. It is the eDact shade
o" lea'es at the "irst rain in the month o" 0isri...5
2 0hat6s itF And since lea'es are green I was sa#ing that it was green 5 concludes
Peter happil#. 0he Sweet *other has settled also this small matter peace"ull#.
7 2 ill #ou call the )o#, pleaseE 5 )egs *ar#. And the child arri'es at once
with ,ohn.
2 hat is #our nameE 5 as;s *ar# caressing him.
2 It is... it was ,a)e(. .ut I am eDpecting a new one...5
2 Are #ouE 5
2 4es, ,a)e( wants a name meaning that I ha'e sa'ed him. 4ou will "ind one "or
him, *other. A name o" lo'e and o" sal'ation. 5
*ar# is pensi'e... She then sa#s? 2 *arCiam @*aarhg(iamA. 4ou are the little
star in the sea o" those sa'ed )# ,esus. Do #ou li;e itE 0hus it will remind #ou
also o" *e )esides o" Sal'ation. 5
2 It is )eauti"ul 5 sa#s the )o# Co#"ull#.
2 .ut isn6t it a woman6s nameE 5 as;s .artholomew.
2 ith GlH at the end instead o" GmH, when this tin# drop o" *an;ind is grown
up, #ou can change his name into the name o" a man. >or the time )eing he has
the name which his *other has gi'en him. Is that rightE 5
0he )o# sa#s 2 #es 5 and *ar# caresses him.
7er sister<in<law sa#s to 7er? 2 0his wool is good 5 and she "eels ,a)e(6 mantle.
2 .ut its shadeF hat do 4ou thin;E I would d#e it 'er# dar; red. It will come
out lo'el#. 5
2 e will do it tomorrow e'ening. .ecause he will ha'e his new mantle. e
cannot ta;e it o"" him now. 5
*artha sa#s? 2 ould #ou come with me, m# little )o#E I will ta;e #ou to a
place near here, to see man# things, then we will come )ac; here...5
,a)e( does not o)Cect. 7e ne'er re"uses... )ut he seems somewhat a"raid to go
with the woman who is almost un;nown to him. 7e sa#s sh#l# and gentl#? 2
3ould ,ohn come with meE 5
2 9" course...5
8 0he# go awa#. And during their a)sence the 'arious groups continue their
con'ersations. 0he# narrate, comment and sigh on human harshness. Isaac tells
what he has )een a)le to "ind out a)out the .aptist. Some sa# he is at
*achaerus, some at 0i)erias. 7is disciples ha'e not #et come )ac;...
2 .ut did the# not "ollow himE 5
2 4es. .ut near Doco those who had captured him crossed the ri'er with their
prisoner and no one ;nows whether the# went up to the la;e or down to
*achaerus. ,ohn, *atthias and Simeon are mo'ing around to "ind out and the#
121. :#sus 9##ts Hs 9!t"#r )t B#t")n5. 1.2
will certainl# not a)andon him. 5
2 And #ou, Isaac, will certainl# not a)andon this new disciple. 7e will sta# with
*e "or the time )eing. I want him to cele)rate Passo'er with *e. 5
2 I will cele)rate it in ,erusalem, in ,ohanna6s house. She saw me and o""ered a
room "or me and m# companions. 0he# are all coming this #ear. And we shall
)e there with ,onathan. 5
2 Also those "rom =e)anonE 5
2 4es. Perhaps ,ohn6s disciples will not )e a)le to come. 5
2 ,ohanan6s men are coming, did #ou ;nowE 5
2 Are the#E I will )e at the door, near the priests o""ering sacri"ices. I will see
them and ta;e them with me. 5
2 0he# will )e arri'ing at the last moment. 0heir time is 'er# limited. .ut the#
ha'e a lam). 5
2 I ha'e one, too. A mar'ellous one. =a(arus ga'e me it. e will sacri"ice this
one and the# can ;eep theirs "or their Courne# )ac; home. 5
*artha comes )ac; with ,ohn and the )o# who is wearing a little white linen
dress and a red o'erall. 9n his arm he is carr#ing a mantle which is also red.
2 Do #ou remem)er them, =a(arusE See, things are alwa#s use"ul. 5
0he# smile at each other.
,esus sa#s? 2 0han; #ou, *artha. 5
2 9hF *# =ordF I ha'e a mania "or ;eeping things. I inherited it "rom m#
mother. I still ha'e man# o" m# )rother6s ro)es. 0he# are dear to me )ecause
the# were handled )# m# mother. 1ow and again I ta;e one to gi'e it to a child.
I will now gi'e them to *arCiam. 0he# are a little long "or him, )ut the# can )e
shortened. hen =a(arus )ecame o" age, he did not want them an# more... 0he
t#pical passing "anc# o" a child... and he got his own wa# )ecause m# mother
adored her =a(arus. 5
She caresses her )rother "ondl# and =a(arus ta;es her )eauti"ul hand, ;isses it
and sa#s? 2 And do #ou notE 5 0he# smile at each other.
2 0hat is a gi"t o" Pro'idence 5 remar; man#.
2 4es, m# whim has done a good turn. Perhaps I shall )e "orgi'en )ecause o"
that. 5
Dinner is read# and e'er#one sits at his place...
9 T It is late in the night when ,esus can spea; to 7is *other in peace. 0he#
ha'e gone up to the terrace, and sitting one )eside the other, hand in hand, the#
spea; and listen to each other. ,esus is the "irst to gi'e an account o" the things
that happened. 0hen *ar# sa#s? 2 Son, a"ter 4our departure, immediatel# a"ter,
a woman came to *e... She was loo;ing "or 4ou. A great miser#. And a great
redemption. .ut the poor creature needs to )e "orgi'en )# 4ou so that she ma#
perse'ere in her decision. I entrusted her to Susanna sa#ing that she had )een
cured )# 4ou. 0hat is true. I could ha'e ;ept her with *e i" our house were not
li;e a sea<port, where all the )oats come in... and man# with e'il intentions. And
the woman is disgusted with the world )# now. Do 4ou want to ;now who she
isE 5
2 She is a soul. .ut tell *e her name that I ma# recei'e her without an#
mista;e. 5
2 She is Aglae. 0he 8oman mime and sinner whom 4ou )egan to sa'e at
7e)ron, who loo;ed "or 4ou and "ound 4ou at the 3lear ater and she has
alread# su""ered )ecause o" her re'i'ed honest#. 7ow much she has su""eredF...
She told *e e'er#thing... 7ow horri)leF...5
2 7er sinE 5
2 0hat... and I would sa# how much more? how horri)le the world is. 9hF *#
SonF Do not trust the Pharisees in 3apernaumF 0he# wanted to use the unhapp#
creature to harm 4ou. 0he# would ha'e used e'en her...5
2 I ;now, *other... here is AglaeE 5
2 She will )e coming with Susanna )e"ore Passo'er. 5
2 -er# well. I will spea; to her. I will )e here e'er# e'ening and with the
eDception o" Passo'er e'ening, which I am reser'ing "or the "amil#, I will wait
"or her. All 4ou need do is tell her to wait, i" she comes. It is a great redemption,
as 4ou said. And such a spontaneous oneF I solemnl# tell 4ou that in "ew hearts
*# seed too; root with the same strength as it did in this unhapp# soil. And
121. :#sus 9##ts Hs 9!t"#r )t B#t")n5. 113
later Andrew helped it to grow until it was "ull# "ormed. 5
2 She told *e. 5
2 *other, what did 4ou "eel when that ruin approached 4ouE 5
2 Disgust and Co#. I seemed to )e on the )rin; o" a hellish a)#ss, and at the same
time I "elt as i" I were )eing carried into the )lue s;#. 4ou are God indeed, *#
Son, when 4ou wor; such miraclesF 5
0he# remain silent, under the 'er# )right stars and the pale light o" the "irst
Iuarter o" the moon, which is tending to )ecome "ull. Silent, lo'ing each other
and resting in each other6s lo'e.


1**. 9!sus %o!s to t! L!"!rs o0 Si#o') 'n( B!n Hinno).
T! Po$!r o0 7'r1>s /or(.
,4t 9un! 1*4+.
1 0he )eauti"ul morning in'ites people to lea'e their homes and )eds and go "or
a wal; and the people li'ing in the :ealot6s house get up 'er# earl# and li;e )ees
at sunrise, the# go out to )reathe the pure air in =a(arus6 orchard round the
hospita)le house. 0he# are soon Coined )# =a(arus6 guests, that is, Philip,
.artholomew, *atthew, 0homas, Andrew and ,ames o" :e)edee. 0he sun
shines in Co#"ull# through all the windows and wide open doors and illuminates
the simple tid# rooms with a golden hue, which )rightens the shades o" clothes
and enli'ens the hues o" hair and e#es.
*ar# o" Alphaeus and Salome are )us# ser'ing the men who enCo# a heart#
appetite. *ar# instead is watching one o" =a(arus6 ser'ants who is sorting
*arCiam6s hair, cutting it with greater s;ill than his "irst )ar)er e'er did. 2 0hat
will do "or the time )eing 5 sa#s the ser'ant. 2 =ater, when #ou ha'e o""ered
God the curls o" #our childhood, I will cut it shorter. 0he warm season is
coming and #ou will "eel )etter without an# hair on #our nec;. And #our hair
will grow stronger. It is dr#, wea; and has )een neglected. See, *ar#E It needs
some attention. I will now put some oil on it to ;eep it in place. 3an #ou smell
the lo'el# scent, m# )o#E It is oil which *artha uses. It is 'er# good. Almond,
palm and medulla o" the "inest Iualit# with a rare essence. *# mistress told me
to ;eep this little Car "or the )o#. 9hF 7ere #ou areF 4ou now loo; li;e the son
o" a ;ing 5 and the ser'ant, who is pro)a)l# the )ar)er o" =a(arus6 house, pats
*arCiam on the chee;, greets *ar# and goes awa# loo;ing Iuite satis"ied.
2 3ome and let *e dress #ou 5 sa#s *ar# to the )o# who has on onl# a short
tunic with short slee'esL I thin; it is a shirt or what was used in those da#s as a
shirt. .# its "ine linen I gather that it must ha'e )elonged to =a(arus when a
)o#. *ar# ta;es o"" the towel in which *arCiam was en'eloped and puts on him
a linen 'est puc;ered round the nec; and cu""s, and a red woollen ro)e with
wide nec; and slee'es. 0he shining snow<white linen protrudes "rom the nec;<
opening and the slee'es o" the red dull cloth. *ar#6s s;ill"ul hands must ha'e
adCusted the length o" the ro)e and o" the slee'es during the night, and it now
"its the )o#, particularl# when *ar# girds his waist with a so"t sash adorned
with a woollen white and red tassel. 0he child no longer loo;s li;e the poor little
creature o" a "ew da#s earlier.
2 1ow go and pla#, )ut do not get dirt#, while I get read# 5 sa#s *ar#,
caressing him. And the )o# )ounds out happil#, loo;ing "or his )ig "riends.
2 0homas is the "irst one to see him? 2 7ow lo'el# #ou areF >it "or a weddingF
4ou ma;e me cut a poor "igure 5 sa#s plump 0homas who is alwa#s merr# and
genial. And he ta;es him )# the hand sa#ing? 2 =et us go and see the women.
0he# were loo;ing "or #ou to "eed #ou. 5
0he# go into the ;itchen and 0homas causes the two *aries, who are )ent o'er
the ;itchen<sto'e, to start, when he shouts in his loud 'oice? 2 0here is a #oung
man here loo;ing "or #ou 5 and laughing he introduces the )o# who was hiding
)ehind his ro)ust )ac;.
2 9hF dearF 3ome here that I ma# gi'e #ou a ;issF =oo;, Salome, how lo'el# he
isF 5 eDclaims *ar# o" Alphaeus.
2 7e is, indeedF All he needs now is to )ecome more ro)ust. .ut I6ll see to that.
3ome here, that I ma# ;iss #ou, too 5 replies Salome.
2 .ut ,esus is going to entrust him to the shepherds...5 o)Cects 0homas.
2 1ot on #our li"eF *# ,esus is mista;en here. hat can #ou men do or pretend
#ou can doE 4ou are onl# good at Iuarrelling M )ecause, incidentall#, #ou are
rather Iuarrelsome... li;e little goats which are "ond o" one another and gore one
122.:#sus '!#s t! t"# L#$#rs !4 S%!)+ )n* B#n Hnn!+. T"# P!&#r !4 9)r5>s 0!r*. 111
another with their horns M at eating, spea;ing and #ou ha'e a thousand needs
and #ou claim the *aster to pa# all 7is attention to #ou... otherwise #ou )ecome
sul;#... 3hildren need mothers. Is that rightE hat is #our nameE 5
2 *arCiam. 5
2 9" courseF .ut )lessed )e m# *ar#F She could ha'e gi'en #ou an easier
nameF 5
2 It6s almost li;e 7ersF 5 eDclaims Salome.
2 4es, )ut 7ers is more simple. 0here aren6t those letters in the centre o" it...
0he# are too man#...5
0he Iscariot, who has Cust come in, sa#s? 2 She ga'e a name which is precise in
its meaning, according to the genuine old language. 5
2 All right. .ut it is di""icult, and I will ta;e one letter awa# and sa# *ar(iam. It
is easier and the world will not collapse )ecause o" that. Is that right, SimonE 5
Peter, who is passing )# the window spea;ing to ,ohn o" &ndor, loo;s in and
as;s? 2 hat do #ou wantE 5
2 I was sa#ing that I shall call the )o# *ar(iam. It is easier. 5
2 4ou are right, woman. I" the *other allows me, I will call him thus, too. .ut
how wonder"ul #ou loo;F So do I, ehE =oo;F 5
In "act he is per"ectl# tid#, his chee;s ha'e )een sha'ed, his hair cut, his )eard
trimmed and scented with oil, his clothes show no creases and his sandals are so
clean that the# loo; li;e new ones. I do not ;now what he has polished them
with. 0he women admire him and he laughs happil#.
0he )o# has "inished eating and goes out to meet his great "riend, whom he
alwa#s calls? 2 >ather 5.
3 And there is ,esus coming "rom =a(arus6 house together with the latter. 0he
)o# runs towards 7im and ,esus sa#s? 2 Peace )e with us, *arCiam. =et us
eDchange the ;iss o" peace. 5
=a(arus, greeted )# the )o#, caresses him and gi'es him a sweet.
0he# all gather round ,esus. Also *ar#, wearing a turIuoise woollen dress on
top o" which a dar;er mantle is draped, comes towards 7er Son smiling.
2 e can go, then 5 sa#s ,esus. 2 4ou, Simon, with *# *other and the )o#, i"
#ou still wish to )u# his ro)e, now that =a(arus has seen to it. 5
2 9" course I doF And then... I will )e a)le to sa# that once I wal;ed )eside
4our *other. A great honour. 5
2 Go, then. Simon, #ou will ta;e *e to #our leper "riends...5
2 8eall#, *asterE 0hen, i" 4ou do not mind, I will run ahead, to gather them...
4ou will reach me. 4ou ;now where the# are...5
2 All right, go. 0he others can do what the# li;e. 4ou are all "ree until
ednesda# morning. At the third hour e'er#)od# is to )e at the Golden Gate. 5
2 I am coming with 4ou, *aster 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 Also I 5 sa#s his )rother ,ames.
2 And we, too 5 sa# the two cousins.
2 I will come, too 5 sa#s *atthew, and Andrew a"ter him.
2 And IE I would li;e to come, too... )ut i" I go to do the shopping, I cannot
come...5 sa#s Peter, pressed )# two desires.
2 It can )e done. e shall go to the lepers "irst, while *# *other with the )o#
goes to the house o" a "riend in 9phel. e will reach 7er later and #ou will go
with 7er, while the others and I go to ,ohanna6s. e will meet at Gethsemane
"or our meal and towards sunset we will come )ac; here. 5
2 I" 4ou allow me, I will go to see some "riends...5 sa#s ,udas Iscariot.
2 I ha'e alread# told #ou. Do what #ou li;e. 5
2 In that case, I will go to m# relati'es. Perhaps m# "ather has alread# come. I"
he is there, I will )ring him to see 4ou 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 hat a)out us twoE hat do #ou sa#, PhilipE e could go and see Samuel. 5
2 -er# good 5 Philip replies to .artholomew.
2 And what a)out #ou, ,ohnE 5 ,esus as;s the man o" &ndor. 2 Do #ou pre"er to
122.:#sus '!#s t! t"# L#$#rs !4 S%!)+ )n* B#n Hnn!+. T"# P!&#r !4 9)r5>s 0!r*. 112
remain here and sort out #our )oo;s, or do #ou wish to come with *eE 5
2 8eall#, I would pre"er to come with 4ou... *# )oo;s... I am alread# less "ond
o" them. I pre"er to read 4ou, the =i'ing .oo;. 5
2 3ome, then. Good)#e, =a(arus...5
2 I will come, too. *# legs are a little )etter, and a"ter we ha'e seen the lepers, I
will lea'e 4ou and go to Gethsemane and wait "or 4ou there. 5
2 =et us go. Peace to #ou, women. 5
0he# remain all together until the# are near ,erusalem. 0hen the# part, the
Iscariot goes on his own and enters the town pro)a)l# through the Gate near the
Antonia 0owerL 0homas, Philip and 1athanael wal; "or a)out ten more #ards
with ,esus and their companions and then enter the town through the su)ur) o"
9phel, together with *ar# and the )o#.
4 2 And now, let us go and see those unhapp# peopleF 5 sa#s ,esus, and turning
7is )ac; to the town 7e goes towards a desolate place on the slope o" a roc;#
hill which lies )etween the two roads "rom ,ericho to ,erusalem. A strange
place, similar to a "light o" steps a"ter the "irst slope, up which clim)s a path, so
that there is a drop o" at least three #ards "rom the "irst terrace to the path, and
the same "rom the second one. It is an arid, dead... eDtremel# sad place.
2 *aster 5 shouts Simon the :ealot I am here. Stop where 4ou are, that I ma#
show 4ou the wa#...5 and the :ealot, who was leaning against a roc; to )e in
the shade, comes "orward and leads ,esus up the steps o" a path leading towards
Gethsemane, )ut separated "rom it )# the road that "rom the *ount o" 9li'es
goes to .ethan#.
2 7ere we are. I li'ed among the tom)s o" Siloam and m# "riends are here.
Some o" them. 0he others are at .en 7innom, )ut cannot come... 0he# would
ha'e to cross the road and would )e seen. 5
2 e shall go also to them. 5
2 0han; 4ouF 9n their part and mine. 5
2 Are the# man#E 5
2 inter has ;illed most o" them. .ut here there are still "i'e o" those to whom I
had spo;en. 0he# are waiting "or 4ou. 0here the# are, on the edge o" their
prison...5
0here are pro)a)l# ten monsters. I sa# 2 pro)a)l# 5, )ecause i" "i'e, who are
standing up, are clearl# 'isi)le, the others, )ecause o" the gre#ish hue o" their
s;in, the de"ormit# o" their "aces and the "act that the# hardl# protrude "rom the
stone )arrier, cannot )e counted accuratel# and the# ma# )e more than "i'e or
less. Among those standing up there is onl# one woman. 9ne can tell onl# )#
her white dishe'elled hair hanging coarse and dirt# o'er her shoulders down to
her waist. 0here is no other sign )# which one could tell her seD, )ecause the
disease, which is in an ad'anced stage, has reduced her to a s;eleton, destro#ing
all "eminine "orms. =i;ewise among the men, onl# one still has traces o" mous<
taches and )eard. All the others ha'e )een depilated )# the destructi'e disease.
0he# shout? 2 ,esus, our Sa'iour, ha'e merc# on usF 5 and the# stretch out their
de"ormed or ulcerated hands. 2 ,esus, Son o" Da'id, ha'e merc# on usF 5
2 hat do #ou want *e to do "or #ouE 5 as;s ,esus loo;ing towards their
miser#.
2 e want 4ou to sa'e us "rom sin and "rom this disease. 5
2 4our will and repentance will sa'e #ou "rom sin...5
2 .ut i" 4ou wish, 4ou can cancel our sins. At least those, i" 4ou do not want to
cure our )odies. 5
2 I" I sa# to 4ou? G3hoose either one or the otherH, which one would #ou pre"erE
5
2 God6s "orgi'eness, =ord. 0o )e less desolate. 5
,esus has a gesture o" appro'al. 7e smiles )rightl#, raises 7is arms and shouts?
2 =et it )e granted. I want it. 5
GrantedF 0he grace might )e granted "or their sins, or "or their disease, or "or
)oth, and the "i'e unhapp# people remain uncertain. .ut the apostles ha'e no
uncertaint# and the# can )ut shout their hosannas when the# see the lepros#
disappear as "ast as a "la;e o" snow that "alls on a "ire. 0he "i'e then understand
that the "ull grace has )een granted to them. 0heir shouting resounds li;e a cr#
o" 'ictor#. 0he# em)race one another and throw ;isses at ,esus, as the# cannot
prostrate themsel'es at 7is "eet. 0he# then turn to their companions sa#ing? 2
And #ou still re"use to )elie'eE hat misera)le wretches are #ouE 5
122.:#sus '!#s t! t"# L#$#rs !4 S%!)+ )n* B#n Hnn!+. T"# P!&#r !4 9)r5>s 0!r*. 113
2 GoodF .e goodF 4our poor )rothers need time to thin;. Sa# nothing to them.
>aith is not imposed, it is preached with peace, ;indness, patience and
perse'erance. 0hat is what #ou will do a"ter #our puri"ication, eDactl# as Simon
did with #ou. A"ter all, the miracle preaches )# itsel". 4ou who ha'e )een cured,
will go to the priest as soon as possi)le. 4ou, who are still ill, wait "or us this
e'ening. e will )ring #ou some "ood. Peace )e with #ou. 5
5 ,esus descends again on to the road "ollowed )# the )lessings o" e'er#)od#.
2 And now let us go to .en 7innom 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 *aster... I would li;e to come. .ut I realise that I cannot. I will go to
Gethsemane 5 sa#s =a(arus.
2 Go, =a(arus. Peace )e with #ou. 5
hile =a(arus is slowl# wal;ing awa#, the apostle ,ohn sa#s? 2 *aster, I will go
with him. 7e wal;s with di""icult# and the road is not 'er# good. I will Coin 4ou
later at .en 7innom. 5
2 4es, #ou ma# go. =et us go. 5
0he# cross the Bidron, wal; along the southern side o" *ount 0ophet and enter
the little 'alle# completel# strewn with tom)s and "ilth. 0here is not one tree or
an# shade "rom the sun, which )la(es down on this southern side heating the
stones o" these new hellish terraces where the stin;ing smell o" )urning ru))ish
increases the heat. And inside the sepulchres, similar to crematoria, there are
poor )odies, which are wasting awa#... Siloam ma# )e unpleasant in winter,
damp as it is and "acing north, )ut this place must )e dread"ul in summer...
Simon :ealot lets out a shout calling them, and "irst three lepers, then two, then
one, and another one come, as )est the# can, to the prescri)ed limit. 0here are
two women here, and one o" them is holding )# the hand a horri)le loo;ing )o#
whose "ace is particularl# a""ected )# lepros#. 7e is alread# )lind... And there is
a no)le loo;ing man, notwithstanding his misera)le state. 7e spea;s on )ehal"
o" e'er#)od#? 2 .lessed )e the *essiah o" the =ord, ho has come down to our
Gehenna, to "ree "rom it those who hope in 7im. Sa'e us, o =ord, )ecause we
are perishingF Sa'e us, Sa'iourF Bing o" the 7ouse o" Da'id, Bing o" Israel,
ha'e merc# on 4our su)Cects. 9hF Shoot o" the stoc; o" ,esse, o" hom it is
said that in 4our time there will )e no e'il, stretch out 4our hand and pic; up
the remains o" 4our people. 3ast awa# this death "rom us, wipe our tears,
)ecause that is what is said o" 4ou. 3all us, =ord, to 4our delicious pastures, to
4our "resh waters, "or we are thirst#. =ead us to the eternal hills where there is
no sin or sorrow. 7a'e merc#, =ord...5
2 ho are #ouE 5
2 ,ohn, one o" the 0emple. I was pro)a)l# in"ected )# a leper. As 4ou can see, I
caught the disease onl# recentl#. .ut theseF... Some o" them ha'e )een awaiting
death "or #ears, and this little girl came here e'en )e"ore she could wal;. She
does not ;now what is the creation o" God. hat she ;nows or what she
remem)ers o" the wonders o" God are these tom)s, this merciless sun and the
stars at night. 7a'e merc# on the guilt# and the innocent ones, o =ord, our
Sa'iour. 5 0he# ha'e all ;nelt down stretching out their hands.
,esus weeps at so much miser#. 7e then opens 7is arms shouting? 2 >ather, I
want it? health, li"e, sight and sal'ation "or them. 5 7e remains with 7is arms
stretched out pra#ing intensel# with all 7is spirit. 7e seems to )ecome thinner
and to rise in pra#er, a "lame o" lo'e, white and power"ul in the power"ul gold o"
the sun.
2 *umm#, I can seeF 5 is the "irst cr#, which is answered )# the shout o" the
mother who clasps her cured little girl to her heartL then the shouts o" the others
and o" the apostles... 0he miracle has )een wor;ed.
2 ,ohn, as #ou are a priest, #ou will lead #our companions in the rite. Peace )e
with #ou. 0owards e'ening we shall )ring some "ood also to #ou. 5 7e )lesses
and is a)out to go awa#.
.ut ,ohn, the leper, shouts? 2 I want to "ollow 4our steps. 0ell me what I must
do, where I must go to preach 4ouF 5
2 In this desolate )arren land, which must turn to the =ord. =et the town o"
,erusalem )e #our "ield. Good)#e. 5
6 2 And now let us go to *# *other 5 7e sa#s to the apostles. 2 .ut where is
SheE 5 as; man# o" them.
2 In a house ;nown to ,ohn. In the house o" the girl who was cured last #ear. 5
0he# enter the town, co'ering a good deal o" the thic;l# populated su)ur) o"
9phel until the# reach a little white house.
122.:#sus '!#s t! t"# L#$#rs !4 S%!)+ )n* B#n Hnn!+. T"# P!&#r !4 9)r5>s 0!r*. 114
ith 7is usual ;ind salutation 7e enters the house, the door o" which is hal"
open and one can hear the sweet 'oice o" *ar#, the sil'er# 'oice o" Annaleah
and the thic; 'oice o" her mother. 0he girl prostrates hersel" adoring and her
mother ;neels down. *ar# stands up.
0he# would li;e to ;eep the *aster with 7is *other. .ut ,esus promises to go
)ac; some other da#, 7e )lesses them and sa#s good)#e. Peter goes awa# with
*ar# and is 'er# happ#. 0he# are )oth holding the )o# )# his hands and the#
loo; li;e a happ# "amil#. *an# people turn round to loo; at them. ,esus watches
them go awa# smiling.
2 Simon is happ#F 5 eDclaims the :ealot.
2 h# are 4ou smiling, *asterE 5 as;s ,ames o" :e)edee. 2 .ecause I see a
great promise in that group. 5
2 hich promise, .rotherE hat do 4ou seeE 5 as;s 0haddeus.
2 0his is what I see? that I shall )e a)le to go awa# with a peace"ul mind, when
the time comes. I need not )e a"raid "or *# 3hurch. 0hen it will )e small and
slender li;e *arCiam. .ut *# *other will )e there to hold it )# the hand and to
)e its *otherL and there will )e Peter as its "ather. In his honest rough hands I
can place the hand o" *# dawning 3hurch without an# worr#. 7e will gi'e it the
strength o" his protection. *# *other the strength o" 7er lo'e. And the 3hurch
will grow... li;e *arCiam... 7e is reall# the s#m)ol<childF *a# God )less *#
*other, *# Peter and their child and oursF 1ow let us go to ,ohanna6s. 5
7... And once again, in the e'ening, we are in the little house in .ethan#. *an#
ha'e alread# withdrawn, )ecause the# were tired. Peter is wal;ing up and down
the path, o"ten loo;ing up to the terrace where ,esus and *ar# are sitting
tal;ing. ,ohn o" &ndor, instead, is spea;ing to the :ealot sitting under a
pomegranate<tree in "ull )lossom.
*ar# has alread# spo;en a great deal )ecause I can hear ,esus sa#? 2 &'er#thing
4ou told *e is Cust and I will )ear in mind its Custice. And I sa# that also 4our
ad'ice concerning Annaleah is right. It is a good sign that the man has accepted
it so readil#. It is true that the people high up in ,erusalem are dull<minded and
en'ious, I could also sa# that the# are "ilth#. .ut in the hum)le people there are
pearls o" un;nown 'alue. I am glad that Annaleah is happ#. She )elongs more to
7ea'en than to the earth, and perhaps the man, who has now understood the
concept o" the spirit, realises that and he respects her almost religiousl#. 7is
intention to go elsewhere, so that no human sentiment ma# upset the pure 'ow
o" his girl, pro'es it. 5
2 4es, *# Son. *an percei'es the per"ume o" 'irgins... I remem)er ,oseph. I
did not ;now which words to use. 7e was not aware o" *# secret... And #et he
helped *e to disclose it with the intuition o" a saint. 7e had percei'ed the scent
o" *# soul... Also ,ohn, seeE... 7ow peace"ul he isF And e'er#)od# see;s him.
&'en ,udas o" Berioth, although... 1o, Son. ,udas has not changed. I ;now and
4ou ;now. e do not spea; )ecause we do not want to start war. .ut e'en i" we
do not spea;, we ;now... and e'en i" we do not spea;, the others realise... 9hF
*# ,esusF 0he #ounger apostles told *e toda#, at Gethsemane, the episode at
*agdala and the other one o" Sa))ath morning... Innocent children spea;...
)ecause the# see through the e#es o" their angels. .ut also old people ha'e an
idea... 0he# are not wrong. 7e is an elusi'e )eing... &'er#thing is elusi'e in
him... and I am a"raid o" him and I ha'e on *# lips the same words o" .enCamin
at *agdala and o" *arCiam at Gethsemane, )ecause I "eel the same disgust "or
,udas as children do. 5
2 1ot e'er#)od# can )e ,ohnF...5
2 I do not pretend thatF In that case, it would )e paradise on the earth. .ut, see,
4ou told *e a)out the other ,ohn... A man who ;illed... )ut I "eel onl# sorr# "or
him. ,udas "rightens *e. 5
2 =o'e him, *otherF =o'e him, "or *# sa;eF 5
2 4es, Son, I will. .ut not e'en *# lo'e will ser'e. It will onl# ma;e *e su""er
and ma;e him guilt#. 9hF h# did he come to 4ouE 7e upsets e'er#)od#, he
o""ends Peter who deser'es all respect. 5
8 2 4es. Peter is 'er# good. I would do an#thing "or him, )ecause he deser'es it.
5
2 I" he heard 4ou, he would sa# with his good "ran; smile? GAhF *# =ord, that
is not trueFH And he would )e right. 5
2 h#, *otherE 5 .ut ,esus smiles, )ecause 7e has alread# understood.
2 .ecause 4ou are not satis"#ing him )# gi'ing him a son. 7e told *e all his
hopes, his desires... and 4our re"usals. 5
2 And did he not tell 4ou the reasons Custi"#ing themE 5
122.:#sus '!#s t! t"# L#$#rs !4 S%!)+ )n* B#n Hnn!+. T"# P!&#r !4 9)r5>s 0!r*. 11,
2 4es, he did and he added? GIt is true... )ut I am a man, a poor man. ,esus
persists in seeing a great man in me. .ut I ;now that I am a poor "ellow, and
so... he could gi'e me a child. I got married to ha'e them... and I will die
without an#.H And he said M pointing at the )o# who, delighted )ecause o" the
lo'el# dress )ought )# Peter, had ;issed him, sa#ing? G.elo'ed "atherH M he
said? GSee, when this little creature, whom onl# ten da#s ago I did not ;now,
sa#s that to me, I "eel that I )ecome so"ter than )utter and sweeter than hone#
and I weep, )ecause... e'er# da# that goes )#, ta;es this child awa# "rom me.H 5
*ar# )ecomes silent, watching ,esus, stud#ing 7is "ace, waiting "or a word...
.ut ,esus has placed 7is el)ow on 7is ;nee, resting 7is head in 7is hand and is
silent, loo;ing at the green eDpanse o" the orchard.
*ar# ta;es 7is hand and caressing it She sa#s? 2 Simon has this great desire...
hen I went with him, he did nothing )ut spea; to *e a)out it, and his reasons
are so good that... I could sa# nothing to ;eep him Iuiet. 0he# are the same
reasons that all women and mothers thin; o". 0he )o# is not strong. I" he were as
strong as 4ou were... ohF he could ha'e "aced the li"e o" a disciple without an#
"ear. .ut he is so thinF... 7e is 'er# intelligent, 'er# good... )ut nothing more.
hen a little do'e is so delicate, #ou cannot throw it in the air to let it "l# 'er#
earl#, as #ou do with strong ones. 0he shepherds are good... )ut the# are still
men. 3hildren need women. h# do 4ou not lea'e him with SimonE hile
4ou re"use him a son o" his own, )orn o" him, I understand the reason. A son is
li;e an anchor. And Simon, who is destined to such a great tas;, cannot )e
hindered )# anchors. .ut 4ou must agree that he is to )e the G"atherH o" all the
sons 4ou will )e lea'ing him. 7ow can he )e a "ather i" he has had no training
with a childE A "ather must )e sweet. Simon is good, )ut not sweet. 7e is
impulsi'e and intolerant. 9nl# a little creature can teach him the "ine art o"
)eing indulgent to whoe'er is wea;... 3onsider Simon6s destin#... 7e is 4our
successor a"ter allF 9hF I must sa# that cruel wordF .ut "or all the sorrow it
causes *e sa#ing it, listen to *e. I would ne'er ad'ise 4ou an#thing unless it
were good. *arCiam... 4ou want to ma;e a per"ect disciple o" him... .ut he is
onl# a )o#. 4ou... 4ou will )e going )e"ore he is a man. 0o whom then can 4ou
gi'e him, to complete his "ormation, )etter than SimonE >inall#, poor Simon,
4ou ;now how much trou)le he has had, with his mother<in<law, also )ecause
o" 4ou. And #et he has not pic;ed up a tin# part o" his past, o" his "reedom o" a
#ear ago, to )e le"t in peace )# his mother<in<law, whom not e'en 4ou ha'e
)een a)le to change. And his poor wi"eE She is longing so much to lo'e and )e
lo'ed. 7er mother... ohF 7er hus)andE A dear domineering man... 1o a""ection
is e'er gi'en to her without eDacting too much... Poor womanF... =ea'e her the
)o#. =isten, Son. >or the time )eing we will ta;e him with us. I will come to
,udaea, too. 4ou will ta;e *e to one o" *# companions o" the 0emple, who is
almost a relati'e, )ecause she is o" the 7ouse o" Da'id. She li'es at .eth(ur. I
will )e pleased to see her, i" she is still ali'e. 0hen, when we go )ac; to Galilee,
we will gi'e him to Porphirea. hen we are near .ethsaida, Peter will ta;e him.
hen we come here, so "ar, the )o# will sta# with her. AhF 4ou are smiling
nowF So 4ou are going to please 4our *other. 0han; 4ou, *# ,esus. 5
2 4es, let it )e done, as 4ou wish. 5 9 ,esus stands up and calls out loud? 2
Simon o" ,onas? come here. 5
Peter starts and rushes down the steps. 2 hat do 4ou want, *asterE 5
2 3ome here, #ou usurper and corrupterF 5
2 *eE h#E hat ha'e I done, =ordE 5
2 4ou ha'e corrupted *# *other. 0hat is wh# #ou wanted to )e alone. hat
shall I do with #ouE 5
.ut ,esus smiles and Peter reco'ers con"idence. 2 9hF 5 he sa#s. 2 4ou reall#
"rightened meF .ut now 4ou are laughing... hat do 4ou want "rom me,
*asterE *# li"eE I ha'e )ut that, )ecause 4ou ha'e ta;en e'er#thing... .ut i"
4ou want, I will gi'e it to 4ou. 5
I do not want to ta;e an#thing "rom #ou. I want to gi'e #ou something. .ut do
not ta;e ad'antage o" #our 'ictor# and do not disclose the secret to the others,
#ou most art"ul "ellow who de"eats the *aster )# means o" the weapon o" 7is
*other6s word. 4ou will ha'e the )o#, )ut...5
,esus can sa# no more, )ecause Peter, who had ;nelt down, )ounces to his "eet
and ;isses the *aster with such delight that he ma;es the words die on 7is lips.
2 0han; 7er, not *e. .ut remem)er that this must )e o" assistance to #ou, and
not an impediment...5
2 *# =ord, 4ou will not ha'e to repent o" the gi"t... 9hF *ar#F *a# 4ou )e
alwa#s )lessed, 4ou hol# and good...5 And Peter, who has "allen on his ;nees
again, weeps, ;issing *ar#6s hand...
233. A(%)# 9##ts t"# 9)st#r. 11-
,;;. A&#'! 7!!ts t! 7'st!r.
,+t 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus goes )ac; to the :ealot6s house alone. It is getting dar; and the e'ening
is Iuiet and serene a"ter so much sunshine. ,esus loo;s in at the ;itchen door,
sa#s hallo and then goes upstairs, to meditate in the upper room, which has
alread# )een prepared "or supper. 7e does not loo; 'er# happ#. 7e o"ten sighs
and wal;s to and "ro in the large room, loo;ing now and again at the
surrounding countr#, which can )e seen through the man# doors o" this large
room, shaped li;e a cu)e a)o'e the ground "loor. 7e goes out also and wal;s on
the terrace ma;ing a tour o" the house and 7e stops at the rear side loo;ing at
,ohn o" &ndor who is ;indl# drawing water "rom a well and handing it to )us#
Salome. 7e loo;s, sha;es 7is head and sighs.
0he power o" 7is glance draws the attention o" ,ohn, who loo;s up and as;s? 2
*aster, do 4ou want meE 5
2 1o, I was onl# loo;ing at #ou. 5
2 ,ohn is good. 7e helps me 5 sa#s Salome.
2 And God will reward him also "or that help. 5
A"ter these words ,esus goes )ac; into the room and sits down. 7e is so
engrossed in thought that 7e does not notice the nois# chattering o" man# 'oices
and the shu""ling o" man# "eet in the entrance corridor and then two light
"ootsteps clim)ing the outside staircase and approaching the large room. 9nl#
when *ar# calls 7im 7e loo;s up.
2 Son, Susanna has arri'ed in ,erusalem with her "amil# and she )rought Aglae
here at once. Do 4ou wish to listen to her while we are aloneE 5
2 4es, *other. At once. And do not let an#one come up until it is all o'er. I
hope to deal with her )e"ore the others come )ac;. .ut please watch that there is
no indiscreet curiosit#... in no one... and particularl# with regard to ,udas o"
Simon. 5
2 I will watch care"ull#...5
*ar# goes out and shortl# a"terwards comes )ac; holding )# the hand Aglae,
who is no longer en'eloped in her large gre# mantle with her 'eil pulled o'er
her "ace and is not wearing high heeled sandals with complicated )uc;les and
strips, which she wore )e"ore. She is now dressed li;e a ,ewess, with low "lat
'er# plain sandals, li;e *ar#6s, a dar; )lue dress on which her mantle is draped,
and a white 'eil which she is wearing in the st#le o" common ,ewish women,
that is, simpl# co'ering her head with one edge "alling on her shoulders so that
her "ace is onl# partiall# 'eiled. 7er plain dress, identical with the one worn )#
most women and the "act that she was with other Galileans pre'ented her "rom
)eing recognised.
She enters with her head lowered, )lushing at e'er# step, and I thin; that she
would ha'e ;nelt down on the threshold, i" *ar# had not ;indl# pulled her
towards ,esus.
2 7ere, Son, is the woman who has )een loo;ing "or 4ou "or such a long time.
=isten to her 5 sa#s *ar# when She is near ,esus and then withdraws, pulling
the curtains o'er the wide open doors and closing the one which is near the
staircase.
2 Aglae puts down the little )ag she was carr#ing on her shoulder, then she
;neels down at ,esus6 "eet and )ursts into tears. She prostrates hersel" on the
"loor, her head resting on her arms crossed on the "loor.
2 Do not weep thus. 0his is not the time "or tears. 4ou should ha'e wept when
#ou were hate"ul to God. 1ot now that #ou lo'e 7im and are lo'ed )# 7im. 5
.ut Aglae continues to weep...
2 Do #ou not )elie'e that it is soE 5
She manages to spea; through her so)s? 2 I lo'e 7im, it is true, as )est I can...
.ut although I ;now and )elie'e that God is .ount# I cannot possi)l# hope to
)e lo'ed )# 7im. I ha'e sinned too much... Perhaps one da# I will )e lo'ed...
.ut I still ha'e to weep so much... >or the time )eing I am alone in m# lo'e. All
alone... It is not the desperate solitude o" past #ears. It is a solitude "ull o"
longing "or God, so it is no longer hopeless... )ut it is so sad...5
2 Aglae, how little #ou still ;now the =ordF 0his longing "or 7im is the proo"
that God is repl#ing to #our lo'e, that 7e is #our "riend, ho calls #ou, in'ites
#ou and wants #ou. God is incapa)le o" remaining insensi)le to the desire o" a
creature, )ecause 7e, the =ord and 3reator o" all creatures, eDcited that desire in
that heart. 7e eDcited it )ecause 7e lo'ed with pri'ileged lo'e the soul that is
233. A(%)# 9##ts t"# 9)st#r. 11.
now longing "or 7im. 0he desire o" God alwa#s precedes the desire o" the
creature, )ecause 7e is *ost Per"ect and there"ore 7is lo'e is )# "ar more eager
and ardent than the lo'e o" the creature. 5
2 .ut how can God lo'e m# "ilthE 5
2 Do not endea'our to understand with #our intelligence. 7e is an a)#ss o"
merc#, which human intelligence cannot understand. .ut what the intelligence
o" man cannot understand, the intelligence o" lo'e, the lo'e o" the spirit does. It
understands and con"identl# penetrates the m#ster#, which is God, and the
m#ster# o" the relationship o" the soul with God. &nter, I tell #ou. &nter, )ecause
God wants it. 5
2 9hF *# Sa'iourF So I am reall# "orgi'enE I am reall# lo'edE *ust I )elie'e itE
5
2 Did I e'er lie to #ouE 5
2 9hF no, =ordF &'er#thing 4ou told me at 7e)ron came true. 4ou sa'ed me
)ecause 4our 1ame is sal'ation. 4ou loo;ed "or me, a poor lost soul. 4ou ga'e
me the li"e o" this soul, which I was carr#ing dead within me. 4ou told me that
i" I had loo;ed "or 4ou I would "ind 4ou. And it was true. 4ou told me that 4ou
are where'er man needs a doctor and medicine. And it is true. &'er#thing,
e'er#thing 4ou told poor Aglae, "rom the words on that morning in ,une, to the
other words at the 3lear ater...5
2 So #ou must )elie'e also these. 5
2 4es, I )elie'e, I do )elie'eF .ut sa# to me? GI "orgi'e #ouFH 5
2 I "orgi'e #ou in the name o" God and o" ,esus. 5
3 2 0han; 4ou... .ut now... hat must I doE 0ell me, *# Sa'iour, what I must
do to ha'e &ternal =i"e. *an )ecomes corrupt onl# )# loo;ing at me... I cannot
li'e in perpetual "ear o" )eing disco'ered and entrapped... During this Courne# I
trem)led e'er# time a man loo;ed at me... I do not want to sin an# more neither
do I want to cause others to sin. 0ell me the road I must "ollow. I will "ollow it
whate'er it ma# )e. 4ou can see that I am strong also in pri'ations... And e'en
i" I should die )ecause o" too man# pri'ations, I am not a"raid. I will call death
Gm# "riendH, )ecause death will rid me o" the dangers o" the earth, and "ore'er.
Spea;, m# Sa'iour. 5
2 Go to a desert place. 5
2 here, m# =ordE 5
2 here'er #ou wish. here #our spirit will lead #ou. 5
2 ill m# spirit, which is Cust "ormed, )e capa)le o" so muchE 5
2 4es, )ecause God is leading #ou. 5
2 And who will spea; to me o" God againE 5
2 4our risen soul, "or the time )eing...5
2 ill I see 4ou againE 5
2 1e'er again in this world. .ut )e"ore long I will ha'e redeemed #ou com<
pletel# and then I will come to #our spirit to prepare #ou to ascend to God. 5
2 7ow will m# complete redemption ta;e place i" I do not see 4ou againE 7ow
will 4ou gi'e it to meE 5
2 .# d#ing "or all sinners. 5
2 9hF noF 4ou must not dieF 5
2 0o gi'e men the =i"e I must gi'e *#sel" to death. 0hat is wh# I came as a
human )eing. Do not weep... 4ou will soon Coin *e where I shall )e a"ter *#
sacri"ice and #ours. 5
2 *# =ordF ill I die "or 4ou, tooE 5
2 4es, )ut in a di""erent wa#. 4our "lesh will die hour )# hour and )ecause #our
will wants that. It has )een d#ing "or almost one #ear. hen it is completel#
dead, I will call #ou. 5
2 ill I ha'e the strength to destro# m# guilt# "leshE 5
2 In #our solitude where Satan will attac; #ou with li'id 'iolence the more #ou
)ecome worth# o" 7ea'en, #ou will "ind an apostle o" *ine, once a sinner and
later redeemed. 5
2 1ot the )lessed apostle who spo;e to me o" 4ouE 7e could not ha'e )een a
sinner )ecause he is too honest. 5
233. A(%)# 9##ts t"# 9)st#r. 111
2 1ot that one. Another one. 7e will reach #ou at the right moment. 7e will tell
#ou what #ou cannot ;now Cust now. Go in peace. 0he )lessing o" God )e with
#ou. 5
4 Aglae, who has )een ;neeling all the time, )ends to ;iss the "eet o" the =ord.
She dares no more. She then pic;s up her sac; and turns it upside down. Some
plain dresses, a little tin;ling purse and an amphora o" "ine pin; ala)aster "all
out o" it.
Aglae puts the dresses into the sac;, pic;s up the purse and sa#s? 2 0his is "or
the poor. It is what is le"t o" m# Cewels. I ;ept onl# some coins "or m# Courne#...
)ecause, e'en i" 4ou had not told me, I intended going to a remote place. And
this is "or 4ou. It is not so sweet as the per"ume o" 4our holiness. .ut it is the
)est the earth can gi'e. And I used it "or the worst... 7ere. *a# God grant me to
smell at least li;e this, in 4our presence, in 7ea'en 5 and she remo'es the
precious cap o" the amphora and pours its contents on to the "loor.
a'es o" a strong scent o" roses rise "rom the "loor )ric;s, which )ecome
impregnated with the precious essence. Aglae puts awa# the empt# amphora
sa#ing? 2 In remem)rance o" this hour 5 and she )ends again to ;iss ,esus6 "eet.
She then stands up, withdraws )ac;wards, goes out, closes the door...
I hear her steps receding towards the staircase, her 'oice eDchanging a "ew
words with *ar#, then the noise o" her sandals going down the steps and then
nothing else. 0here is nothing le"t o" Aglae eDcept the little purse at ,esus6 "eet
and the 'er# strong scent in all the room.
,esus gets up... he pic;s up the purse, puts it in 7is )osom, goes towards an
opening loo;ing on to the road and smiles seeing the woman going awa#, all
alone, in her ,ewish mantle, towards .ethlehem. 7e ma;es a gesture o" )lessing
and goes towards the terrace and calls? 2 *other. 5
*ar# goes upstairs Iuic;l#? 2 4ou made her happ#, *# Son. She has gone, with
strength and peace. 5
2 4es, *other. hen Andrew comes in, send him to *e )e"ore an#)od# else. 5
5 Some time goes )#, then I hear the 'oices o" the apostles, who ha'e come
)ac;... Andrew goes upstairs? 2 *aster, do 4ou want meE 5
2 4es, come here. 1o one will ;now, )ut it is onl# "air that I should tell #ou.
Andrew, than; #ou in the name o" God and o" a soul. 5
2 0han;sE >or whatE 5
2 3an #ou not smell this per"umeE It is a sou'enir o" the -eiled woman. She
came. She is sa'ed. 5
Andrew turns as red as a cherr#, he "alls on his ;nees, and cannot "ind words...
At last he sa#s? 2 1ow I am happ#. .lessed )e the =ordF 5
2 4es, get up. Do not tell the others that she came. 5
2 I will )e Iuiet, m# =ord. 5
2 4ou ma# go. =isten? has ,udas o" Simon come #etE 5
2 4es, he wanted to come with us, telling us... a lot o" lies. h# does he do that,
=ordE 5
2 .ecause he is a spoiled )o#. 0ell *e the truth? ha'e #ou IuarrelledE 5
2 1o. *# )rother is too happ# with his )o# to )e anDious to Iuarrel, and the
others, 4ou ;now... are more prudent. It is true, we are all disgusted, in our
hearts. .ut a"ter supper he is going awa#... 9ther "riends... he sa#s. 9hF and he
despises prostitutesF...5
2 .e good, Andrew. 4ou must )e happ#, too, this e'ening...5
2 4es, *aster. I also ha'e a sweet, although in'isi)le, paternit#. I am going. 5
6 A"ter some time the apostles come upstairs in a group with the )o# and ,ohn
o" &ndor. 0he women "ollow them with dishes and lamps. 0he last to come are
=a(arus and Simon. As soon as the# enter the room, the# eDclaim? 2 AhF it was
coming "rom hereFFF 5 and the# smell the air saturated with the scent o" roses,
although the doors are wide open.
2 .ut who scented this room thusE Perhaps *arthaE 5 man# o" them as;.
2 *# sister has not le"t the house, toda#, a"ter our meal 5 replies =a(arus.
2 ho thenE An Ass#rian SatrapE 5 as;s Peter "acetiousl#.
2 0he lo'e o" a redeemed woman 5 ,esus sa#s gra'el#.
233. A(%)# 9##ts t"# 9)st#r. 112
2 She might ha'e spared this useless eDhi)ition o" redemption and gi'en the
poor what she spent. 0here are so man# o" them, and the# ;now that we alwa#s
gi'e. I ha'e not e'en a small coin le"t 5 sa#s the Iscariot angril#. 2 And we ha'e
to )u# a lam), rent a room "or the Supper and...5
2 .ut I o""ered #ou e'er#thing...5 sa#s =a(arus.
2 0hat is not "air. 0he rite loses its )eaut#. 0he =aw sa#s? G4ou shall ta;e a
lam) "or #ou and #our household.H It does not sa#? G4ou shall accept a lam).H 5
.artholomew turns round all o" a sudden, he opens his mouth, )ut closes it at
once. Peter turns crimson in the e""ort to ;eep Iuiet. .ut the :ealot, who is in his
own house, "eels he can spea; and sa#s? 2 0hose are ra))inical Iui))les... *a# I
as; #ou to "orget a)out them and ha'e, instead, respect "or m# "riend =a(arus. 5
2 ell done, Simon. 5 Peter will )urst i" he does not spea;. 2 -er# goodF I thin;
also that we are "orgetting too much that onl# the *aster is entitled to teach...5
Peter has to ma;e an heroic e""ort to sa#? 2 we are "orgetting 5 instead o" sa#ing?
2 ,udas is "orgetting. 5
2 It is true... )ut... I am ner'ous... I am sorr#, *aster. 5
2 4es. And I also will repl# to #ou. Gratitude is a great 'irtue. I am grate"ul to
=a(arus. As that redeemed woman was grate"ul to *e. I pour on =a(arus the
per"ume o" *# )lessing, also on )ehal" o" those, among *# apostles, who are
not capa)le o" doing so, I, the head o" #ou all. 0he woman poured at *# "eet the
per"ume o" her Co# "or )eing sa'ed. She ac;nowledged the Bing, she came to the
Bing, )e"ore man# others upon whom the Bing )estowed much more lo'e than
upon her. =et her do as she wishes without criticising her. She will not )e a)le to
)e present at *# acclamation, or at *# unction. 7er cross is alread# upon her
shoulders. Peter, #ou as;ed whether an Ass#rian Satrap had come here. I
solemnl# tell #ou that not e'en the incense o" the *agi, so pure and precious,
was sweeter or more precious than this. Its essence was miDed with tears and
that is wh# it is so intense? humilit# supports lo'e and ma;es it per"ect. =et us sit
down to our meal, *# "riends...5
And with the o""ering o" the "ood, the 'ision ends.
,;1. 7'rFi')>s EG')in'tion.
,4t 9un! 1*4+.
1 It must )e ednesda# morning )ecause the group o" apostles and women,
preceded )# ,esus and *ar# with the )o# )etween them, is approaching the
Gate o" the >ish. ,oseph o" Arimathea, who went to meet them as he had
promised, is also there. ,esus loo;s "or AleDander, the soldier, )ut does not see
him.
2 7e is not here toda# either... I wonder wh#...5
0he crowd is so large that it is Iuite impossi)le to inIuire o" the soldiers, and in
an# case it might not )e wise to do so, as the ,ews are more intolerant than e'er
)e"ore "esti'itiesL the# are also upset )ecause o" the capture o" the .aptist and
the# accuse Pilate and his satellites o" )eing accomplices. I realise that the
situation is such )ecause o" the epithets which are eDchanged during sIua))les
)etween soldiers and citi(ens at the Gate, where picturesIue... rude insults crac;
e'er# moment li;e "irewor;s.
0he women "rom Galilee are scandalised and the# en'elop themsel'es closer in
their mantles and 'eils. *ar# )lushes, )ut proceeds without hesitation, as
straight as a palm tree, loo;ing at 7er Son, ho does not e'en attempt to ma;e
the o'ereDcited ,ews see reason or induce the soldiers to )e merci"ul towards the
Israelites. And as some rather unpleasant epithet is addressed to the Galilean
group, ,oseph o" Arimathea mo'es "orward towards ,esus and is recognised )#
the crowd who )ecome silent out o" respect "or him.
At last the Gate o" the >ish is )ehind them, and the great crowd o" people,
pouring into the town in wa'es, rushes along the streets, along with don;e#s and
herds...
2 2 *aster, we are hereF 5 shouts 0homas, who is on the other side o" the Gate
with Philip and .artholomew.
2 Is ,udas not hereE 5, 2 h# are #ou hereE 5 as; man#.
2 1o. e came here at da#)rea;, )ecause we were a"raid that 4ou might come
earlier. .ut we ha'e not seen him. I met him #esterda#, he was with Sadoc, the
scri)e, #ou ;now, ,osephE 0he old, 'er# lean man, with a wart under his e#e.
And there were other people with him... #oung people. I shouted to him? G7allo,
,udas.H .ut he did not repl#, pretending he did not ;now me. I said? G.ut what6s
231. 9)rF)+>s EG)+n)t!n. 123
the matter with himEH and I "ollowed him "or a "ew #ards. 7e le"t Sadoc, in
whose compan# he loo;ed li;e a =e'ite, and went with the other men o" his own
age... who were certainl# not =e'ites... And now he is not here... And he ;new
that we had decided to come hereF 5
Philip does not sa# an#thing. .artholomew tightens his lips so much that the#
can no longer )e seen, in an e""ort to sti"le his opinion, which is rising "rom his
heart.
2 -er# wellF =et us go Cust the sameF I will certainl# not weep )ecause o" his
a)sence 5 sa#s Peter.
2 =et us wait "or a little while. 7e ma# ha'e )een held up 5 sa#s ,esus gra'el#.
0he# lean against the wall, on its shad# side, the women in one group, the men
in another.
0he# are all wearing their )est clothes. Peter, especiall#, is reall# magni"icent.
7e is showing o"" )rand new snow<white headgear, adorned with a galloon
em)roidered in red and gold. 7e is wearing his )est tunic, a 'er# dar; garnet<
red, adorned with a new )elt identical in st#le with the decoration o" his
headgear. A ;ni"e, li;e a dagger, with an engra'ed hilt and an open<wor; )rass
sheath, through which the )lade shines, hangs "rom his )elt. 0he others are also
armed more or less in the same "ashion. 9nl# ,esus is without a weapon. 7e is
wearing a pure white linen tunic and a "leur<de<lis )lue mantle, which *ar# has
certainl# wo'en "or 7im during the winter months. *arCiam6s dress is pale red
with a "estoon in a dar;er hue round the nec;, cu""s and hem. A similar galloon
is em)roidered round the waist and the hem o" the mantle, which the )o# is
carr#ing on his arm and caresses happil#. 1ow and again he raises his head and
his little "ace loo;s hal" smiling and hal" worried... Also Peter has a little parcel
in his hand and he holds it 'er# care"ull#.
3 Some time goes )#... )ut there is no sign o" ,udas.
2 7e did not deign...5 grum)les Peter, and perhaps he would sa# something else,
)ut ,ohn, the apostle, sa#s? 2 Perhaps he is waiting "or us at the Golden Gate...5
0he# go to the 0emple. .ut ,udas is not there.
,oseph o" Arimathea loses patience. 7e sa#s? 2 =et us go. 5
2 *arCiam turns rather pale and ;isses *ar# sa#ing? 2 Pra#... pra# "or meF 5
2 4es, *# dear. Do not )e a"raid. 4ou are so cle'er...5
*arCiam then clings to Peter. 7e presses Peter6s hand ner'ousl# and as he still
does not "eel sa"e, he would li;e to ta;e ,esus6 hand.
2 I am not coming, *arCiam. I am going to pra# "or #ou. I will see #ou later. 5
2 4ou are not comingE h#, *asterE 5 as;s Peter who is greatl# surprised.
2 .ecause it is )etter thus...5 ,esus is 'er# serious, I would sa# that 7e loo;s
sad. And 7e concludes? 2 ,oseph, who is a Cust man, can )ut appro'e o" *#
decision. 5
In "act ,oseph does not utter one word and his silence, with an eloIuent sigh,
con"irms his agreement.
2 ell, then... let us go...5 Peter is somewhat distressed.
*arCiam then clings to ,ohn. And the# set out, preceded )# ,oseph to whom
people )ow deepl# showing their respect. Also Simon and 0homas go with
them. 0he others remain with ,esus.
4 0he# enter the hall which ,esus also entered once. A #oung man, who is
writing in a corner, springs to his "eet on seeing ,oseph and he )ows so
pro"oundl# as almost to touch the "loor.
2 God )e with #ou, :acharias. Please call Asrael and ,aco) at once. 5
0he #oung man goes out and comes )ac; almost at once with two men who are
ra))is, or mem)ers o" the s#nagogue, or scri)es, I do not ;now. 0wo sullen
personages whose haughtiness su)sides onl# in ,oseph6s presence. &ight other
less imposing men "ollow them. 0he# sit down lea'ing the postulants, ,oseph o"
Arimathea included, standing.
2 hat do #ou want, ,osephE 5 as;s the senior eDaminer.
I wish to present to #our wisdom this son o" A)raham who has reached the age
prescri)ed to come under the =aw and compl# with it )# himsel". 5
2 Is he a relati'e o" #oursE 5 and the# loo; at one another ama(ed.
2 e are all relati'es in God. .ut the )o# is an orphan, and this man, whose
honest# I guarantee, has adopted him as he does not wish to )e without
231. 9)rF)+>s EG)+n)t!n. 121
descendants. 5
2 ho is the manE =et him repl# himsel". 5
2 Simon o" ,onas, "rom .ethsaida in Galilee, married with no children, a
"isherman "or the world, a son o" the =aw "or the *ost 7igh. 5
2 And #ou, a Galilean, are ta;ing this paternit# upon #oursel"E h#E 5
2 It is written in the =aw that we must ta;e care o" orphans and widows. 0hat is
what I am doing. 5
2 3an he possi)l# ;now the =aw so well as to deser'e to... .ut, )o#, tell me.
ho are #ouE 5
2 ,a)e( *arCiam o" ,ohn, "rom the countr# near &mmaus, I was )orn twel'e
#ears ago. 5
2 So #ou are a ,udaean. Is it law"ul "or a Galilean to ta;e care o" himE =et us
loo; up the laws. 5
2 .ut what am IE A leper or am I cursedE 5 Peter )egins to )oil with anger.
2 .e Iuiet, Simon, I will spea; "or him. I told #ou that I am standing suret# "or
this man. I ;now him as i" he were o" m# own household. ,oseph the &lder
would ne'er propose an#thing against the =aw or the laws. Please eDamine this
child with Custice and dispatch. 0he #ard is "ull o" children waiting to )e
eDamined. Please ma;e haste, "or e'er#)od#6s sa;e. 5
2 .ut who can pro'e that the child is twel'e #ears old and was redeemed "rom
the 0empleE 5
2 4ou can pro'e it loo;ing up the documents. It is a piece o" )oring research,
)ut can )e done. .o#, did #ou tell me that #ou were the "irst<)ornE 5
2 4es, sir. 4ou will )e a)le to see that, )ecause I was consecrated to the =ord
and redeemed with the prescri)ed o""erings. 5
2 =et us loo; "or these details then...5 sa#s ,oseph.
2 It is not necessar# 5 repl# coldl# the two captious eDaminers. 5 2 3ome here,
child. Sa# the Decalogue 5 and the )o# replies without an# hesitation. 2 Gi'e me
that roll, ,aco). 8ead, i" #ou can. 5
2 here, ra))iE 5
2 here'er #ou wish. hat comes "irst under #our e#es 5 sa#s Asrael.
2 1o. 7ere. Gi'e it to me 5 sa#s ,aco). 7e then un"olds the roll and sa#s? 2
7ere. 5
2 G7e then said to them secretl#? 6.less the =ord o" 7ea'en, utter 7is praise
)e"ore all the li'ing, )ecause 7e has )een merci"ul with #ou. It is right to ;eep
the secret o" a ;ing, )ut it is also right to re'eal...6H5
2 0hat is enough, Iuite enoughF hat are theseE 5 as;s ,aco), showing the
"ringes o" his mantle.
2 0he sacred "ringes, sir? we wear them to remem)er the precepts o" the *ost
7igh =ord. 5
2 Is it law"ul "or an Israelite to eat an# meatE...5 as;s Asrael.
2 1o, sir. 9nl# the ones which are declared clean. 5
2 0ell me the precepts...5
And the docile child )egins the string o"? 2 4ou shall not...5
2 0hat is enoughF As a Galilean, he ;nows e'en too much. *an, it is "or #ou
now to swear that the )o# is o" age. 5
Peter, with the )est grace o" which he is still capa)le a"ter so much rudeness,
deli'ers his paternal speech? 2 As #ou ha'e ascertained, m# son, at the
prescri)ed age, ;nows how to conduct himsel", as he ;nows the =aw, the
precepts, ha)its, traditions, ceremonies, )lessings, pra#ers. 0here"ore, as #ou
ha'e 'eri"ied, )oth he and I can as; #ou to declare him o" age. In actual "act, I
should ha'e stated that )e"oreL )ut the custom has )een in"ringed here, and not
)# us Galileans, and the child was Iuestioned )e"ore the "ather. .ut I sa# this to
#ou? since #ou ha'e Cudged him competent, "rom this moment I am no longer
responsi)le "or his actions, neither in the e#es o" God nor o" men. 5
2 Pass into the s#nagogue. 5
0he little procession passes into the s#nagogue, "ollowed )# the sullen loo;s o"
the ra))is, whom Peter has put in their place. hile *arCiam is standing in "ront
o" the lecterns and lamps, the# cut his hair, shortening it so that it co'ers his
231. 9)rF)+>s EG)+n)t!n. 122
ears, whereas )e"ore it reached down to his shoulders. Peter then opens his little
parcel and ta;es out o" it a )eauti"ul red woollen )elt em)roidered in gold<
#ellow and ties it round the )o#6s waist, and while the priests are t#ing little
leather strips on his "orehead and arm, Peter is )us# "iDing the sacred "ringes on
to the mantle which *arCiam has handed o'er to him. And Peter is deepl#
mo'ed when he intones the h#mn praising the =ordF...
6 0he ceremon# is o'er. 0he# slip out Iuic;l# and Peter sa#s? 2 0han; good<
nessF I could not stand it an# longerF hat do #ou thin;, ,osephE 0he# did not
e'en "ul"ill the rite. It does not matter. 4ou, m# son, ha'e ho will consecrate
#ou... =et us go and get the lam) "or the sacri"ice o" praise to the =ord. A little
lam), as dear as #ou are. And I than; #ou, ,osephF Sa# Gthan;sH to this great
"riend. I" #ou had not )een there, the# would ha'e thoroughl# a)used us. 5
2 Simon, I am glad I ha'e )een use"ul to a Cust man li;e #ou, and I )eg #ou to
come to m# house in .e(etha "or dinner. 9" course, #ou will )ring all the others.
5
2 =et us go and tell the *aster. >or me... it is too great an honourF 5 sa#s Peter
hum)l#, )ut he is )eaming with Co#.
0he# go through the #ards and the halls once again to the #ard o" the women,
where *arCiam6s "riends congratulate him. 0he men then go into the hall o" the
Israelites where ,esus is present with 7is disciples. 0he# all Coin together in a
digni"ied happ# union, and while Peter goes to sacri"ice the lam), the# all
proceed through porches and #ards to the "irst enclosure.
7 7ow happ# is Peter with his )o#, who is now a per"ect IsraeliteF 7e is so
happ# that he does not notice the wrin;le that "urrows ,esus6 "orehead. So happ#
that he does not notice the rather oppressi'e silence o" his companions. It is onl#
in the hall o" ,oseph6s house M when the )o#, who is as;ed the ritual Iuestion as
to what he wants to do in "uture, replies? 2 I will )e a "isherman li;e m# "ather 5
M that Peter, weeping, remem)ers and understands...
2 .ut... ,udas has spoiled our "east with a drop o" poison... And 4ou are upset,
*aster... and that is wh# the others are sad. >orgi'e me i" I did not notice it
)e"ore... AhF ,udasF...5
I thin; that e'er#)od#6s heart is sighing li;e Peter6s. .ut ,esus, to remo'e the
poison, stri'es to smile and sa#s? 2 Do not worr#, Simon. e miss onl# #our
wi"e... I was thin;ing also o" herL she is so good and is alwa#s sacri"iced. .ut
she will soon ha'e her Co#, uneDpected )ut so welcome. =et us thin; o" the good
that is in the world. 3ome. So *arCiam answered all the Iuestions correctl#E I
;new he would...5
,oseph comes )ac; into the hall a"ter gi'ing instructions to his ser'ants. 2 I
than; #ou all 5 he sa#s 2 "or ma;ing me "eel #oung again with this ceremon#
and "or the honour o" ha'ing in m# house the *aster, 7is *other, 7is relati'es
and #ou all, m# dear "ellow disciples. 3ome into the garden. It is cool and the
"lowers...5 and it all ends.
,;,. At t! T!)"#! on t! E2! o0 P'sso2!r.
,6t 9un! 1*4+.
1 It is the e'e o" Passo'er. ,esus is alone with 7is apostles, )ecause the women
ha'e not Coined the group, and 7e is waiting "or Peter, who has ta;en the lam)
o" Passo'er to )e sacri"iced. hile the# are waiting and ,esus is spea;ing to
*arCiam o" Solomon, ,udas crosses the large #ard. 7e is with a group o" #oung
men spea;ing gesticulating ostentatiousl# and assuming an inspired attitude. 7e
sha;es his mantle continuousl#, then drapes it round himsel" posing s;ill"ull#. I
do not thin; that 3icero loo;ed so statel# when deli'ering his orations...
2 =oo;, ,udas is o'er thereF 5 sa#s 0haddeus.
2 7e is with a group o" sa"orim 5 remar;s Philip.
And 0homas sa#s? I am going to hear what he is sa#ing 5 and he runs awa#
)e"ore ,esus ma# eDpress a "oreseea)le 2 don6t 5.
9hF ,esus6 countenanceF A countenance o" su""ering and o" se'ere Cudgement.
*arCiam who was loo;ing at 7im while 7e was spea;ing ;indl# and somewhat
sadl# o" the great ;ing o" Israel, notices the sudden change, is almost "rightened
)# it and sha;es ,esus6 hand to call 7im )ac; to 7is senses eDclaiming? 2 Don6t
loo;F Don6t loo;F =oo; at me, "or I lo'e 4ou. 5...
0homas is success"ul in reaching ,udas without )eing seen )# him and "ollows
him "or a "ew steps. I do not ;now what he hears, )ut I ;now that he )ursts into
232. At t"# T#+$%# !n t"# E6# !4 P)ss!6#r. 123
a sudden thundering eDclamation which causes man# people to turn round, and
in particular ,udas, who )ecomes li'id with rage? 2 7ow man# ra))is there are
in IsraelF I congratulate #ou, new light o" wisdomF 5
2 I am not a "lint<stone. I am a sponge. And I a)sor). And when the desire o"
those star'ing "or wisdom demands it, I sIuee(e out all m# Cuices o" li"e to gi'e
them...5 ,udas is pompous and contemptuous.
2 4ou sound li;e a per"ect echo. .ut an echo can onl# eDist, i" it is near the
-oice. 9therwise it "ades awa#, m# "riend. 4ou seem to )e going awa# "rom it.
7e is o'er there. Are #ou not comingE 5
,udas changes colour, with the rancorous disgusting countenance o" his worst
moments. .ut he controls himsel". 7e sa#s? 2 Good)#e, m# "riends. 7ere I am
with #ou, 0homas, m# dear "riend. =et us go to the *aster at once. I did not
;now that 7e was here in the 0emple. I" I had ;nown, I would ha'e loo;ed "or
7im 5 and he clasps 0homas6 shoulders with his arm, as i" he were 'er# "ond o"
him.
.ut 0homas, who is placid )ut not "oolish, is not decei'ed )# such
protestations... and as;s rather astutel#? 2 hatE Don6t #ou ;now that it is
Passo'erE And do #ou thin; that the *aster is not "aith"ul to the =awE 5
2 9hF 1e'er on #our li"eF .ut last #ear 7e went a)out, and spo;e... I remem)er
this 'er# da#. 7e attracted me )# means o" 7is ro#al authoritati'eness... 1ow...
7e loo;s to me li;e one who has lost 'igour. Don6t #ou thin; soE 5
2 1o, I don6t. I thin; 7e loo;s li;e one who has lost esteem. 5
2 4es, in 7is mission, #ou are Iuite right. 5
2 1o. 4ou ha'e misunderstood. 7e has lost men6s esteem. And #ou are one o"
those responsi)le "or that. Shame on #ouF 5 0homas no longer smiles. 7e is
gra'e and his words lash ,udas li;e a whip.
2 atch how #ou spea;F 5 threatens the Iscariot.
2 atch how #ou )eha'e. e are two ,ews here, with no witnesses. And that is
wh# I am spea;ing to #ou. And I sa# once again? GShame on #ouF.H And now )e
Iuiet. Don6t "eign traged# and don6t start lamenting, otherwise I will spea; in
"ront o" e'er#)od#. 0here is the *aster and #our companions. 3ontrol #oursel".
5
2 2 Peace to 4ou, *aster...5
2 Peace to #ou, ,udas o" Simon. 5
2 It is a great pleasure "or me to "ind 4ou here... I would li;e to spea; to 4ou...5
2 Do so. 5
2 4ou ;now... I wanted to tell 4ou... 3an 4ou not listen to me asideE 5
2 4ou are among #our companions. 5
2 .ut I wanted 4ou onl#. 5
2 At .ethan# I am alone with those who want *e and loo; "or *e, )ut #ou do
not loo; "or *e. 4ou a'oid *e...5
2 1o, *aster. 4ou cannot sa# that. 5
2 h# did #ou o""end Simon and *e #esterda#, and ,oseph o" Arimathea, #our
companions and *# *other and the other women as wellE 5
2 I didE .ut I did not see #ouF 5
2 4ou did not want to see us. h# did #ou not come, as we had arranged, to
)less the =ord )ecause o" an innocent child who was )eing accepted )# the
=awE 0ell *eF 4ou did not e'en "eel the need to in"orm us that #ou were not
coming. 5
2 0here is m# "atherF 5 shouts *arCiam who sees Peter coming )ac; with his
lam), which has )een slaughtered, e'iscerated and en'eloped once again in its
s;in. 2 9hF *icah and the others are with himF I am going, can I go and meet
them and hear o" m# old "atherE 5
2 4es, son, go 5 sa#s ,esus caressing him. And touching ,ohn o" &ndor on his
shoulder, he sa#s to him? 2 Please, go with him and... ;eep them there "or a little
while. 5 And 7e addresses ,udas once again? 2 0ell *eF I am waiting "or #our
repl#. 5
2 *aster... a sudden o)ligation... an un)rea;a)le one... I was 'er# sorr#... .ut...5
2 .ut was there not one person in ,erusalem who could )ring #our Custi"ication,
supposing #ou had oneE And e'en that would ha'e )een a "ault. I remind #ou
that recentl# a man did not )ur# his "ather to "ollow *e, and that these )rothers
232. At t"# T#+$%# !n t"# E6# !4 P)ss!6#r. 124
o" *ine le"t their "ather6s house, amongst imprecations, to "ollow *e, and that
Simon and 0homas, and Andrew, ,ames, ,ohn, Philip and 1athanael with them,
le"t their "amilies and Simon 3ananean le"t his wealth to gi'e it to *e and
*atthew his sins to "ollow *e. And I could go on mentioning one hundred more
names. 0here are people who lea'e their li'es, their 'er# li'es, to "ollow *e to
the Bingdom o" 7ea'en. .ut since #ou are so sel"ish, at least )e polite. 4ou
ha'e no charit#, at least )e courtl#. Since #ou li;e them, imitate the "alse
Pharisees who )etra# *e, who )etra# us )eha'ing li;e well<)red people. It was
#our dut# to )e "ree to )e with us #esterda#, so as not to o""end Peter, "or whom
I demand respect "rom e'er#)od#. .ut i" #ou had at least sent notice...5
2 I made a mista;e. .ut now I was coming to 4ou on purpose, to tell 4ou that
"or the same reason I cannot come tomorrow. 4ou ;now... I ha'e "riends o" m#
"ather and...5
2 0hat is enough. Go with them. Good)#e. 5
2 *aster... are 4ou angr# with meE 4ou told me that 4ou would act as m#
"ather... I am a rec;less son, )ut a "ather "orgi'es...5
2 I "orgi'e #ou. .ut go awa#. Do not ;eep #our "ather6s "riends waiting, as I do
not ;eep waiting the "riends o" hol# ,onah. 5
2 hen are 4ou lea'ing .ethan#E 5
2 At the end o" the >east o" Jnlea'ened .read. Good)#e. 5
3 ,esus turns round and goes towards the peasants who are in an ecstas# o'er
*arCiam who is so changed. 7e ta;es a "ew steps and then stops )ecause o"
0homas6 remar;? 2 .# ,eho'ahF 7e wanted to see in 4ou the authoritati'eness
o" a BingF 7e got what he wantedF...5
2 I )eg #ou all to "orget the incident, as I am stri'ing to "orget it. I order #ou to
ma;e no mention o" it to Simon o" ,onah, ,ohn o" &ndor and the little one. >or
reasons which #ou can easil# understand, it is )etter not to grie'e or scandalise
those three. And no word a)out it at .ethan#, with the women. *# *other is
there, do not "orget it. 5
2 Do not )e concerned, *aster. 5
2 e will do all we can to ma;e amends. 5
2 And to com"ort 4ou 5 the# all sa#.
2 0han; #ou... 9hF Peace to #ou all. Isaac "ound #ou. I am glad. &nCo# #our
Passo'er in peace. *# shepherds will )e as man# good )rothers to #ou. Isaac,
)e"ore the# go awa#, )ring them to see *e. I want to )less them once again.
7a'e #ou seen the )o#E 5
2 9hF *asterF 7ow well he isF 7e is alread# much healthierF e will tell the old
man. 7e will )e so happ#. 0his Cust man has told us that ,a)e( is now his son...
It is a gi"t o" Pro'idenceF e will tell him e'er#thing. 5
2 Also that I am a son o" the =aw. And that I am happ#. And I alwa#s remem)er
him. And he must not weep "or me or "or m# mother. She is near me and she is
near him li;e an angel and he will alwa#s ha'e her, also in the hour o" death,
and i" ,esus has alread# opened the gates o" 7ea'en, well, then mumm# will
come to meet the old "ather and she will )e more )eauti"ul than an angel and
will ta;e him to ,esus. ,esus told me. ill #ou tell himE ill #ou )e a)le to tell
him properl#E 5
2 3ertainl#, ,a)e(. 5
2 1o. 1ow I am *arCiam. 0he =ord6s *other ga'e me that name. It is as i" #ou
said 7er name. She lo'es me so much. She puts me to )ed in the e'ening and
She ma;es me sa# the pra#ers which She made 7er 3hild sa#. And she wa;es
me up with a ;iss, She dresses me and teaches me man# things. Also ,esus does.
.ut the# teach me so gentl# that I learn without an# di""icult#. *# *asterFFF 5
0he child presses against ,esus with an attitude o" adoration and lo'e that is
reall# mo'ing.
2 4es, tell him e'er#thing, also not to gi'e up hope. 0his angel pra#s "or him
and I )less him. I )less #ou, too. Go. Peace )e with #ou. 5
0he two groups part, each going its own wa#.
233. T"# < Our F)t"#r =. 12,
,;-. T! < Our F't!r =.
,8t 9un! 1*4+.
1 ,esus comes out with 7is apostles "rom a house near the walls and I thin; that
the# are still in the .e(etha district, )ecause to go outside the walls, one must
pass again )# ,oseph6s house, near the Gate, which I hear people call 7erod6s
Gate. 0he town is semideserted in the placid moonlit e'ening. I understand that
the# ha'e cele)rated Passo'er in one o" =a(arus6 houses, which, howe'er, is not
the one o" the =ast Supper. 0he# are, in "act, poles apart. 9ne in the north, the
other in the south o" ,erusalem.
9n the doorstep ,esus ta;es lea'e, with 7is usual ;indness, o" ,ohn o" &ndor,
who is to ta;e care o" the women and whom 7e than;s "or accepting that tas;.
7e ;isses *arCiam, who has also come to the door and then sets out "or 7erod6s
Gate.
2 here are we going, =ordE 5
2 3ome with *e. I am ta;ing #ou to crown Passo'er with a rare longed "or
pearl. 0hat is wh# I wanted to )e alone with #ou. *# apostlesF 0han; #ou, *#
"riends, "or #our great lo'e "or *e. I" #ou could see how it com"orts *e, #ou
would )e ama(ed. See? I proceed among continuous "rictions and
disappointments. Disappointments "or #ou. 4ou must con'ince #oursel'es that I
am ne'er disappointed, )ecause I ha'e not )een granted the gi"t o" ignoring...
0hat is another reason wh# I ad'ise #ou to agree to )e guided )# *e. I" I allow
this or that thing, do not hinder it. I" I do not inter"ere to put an end to
something, do not endea'our to do it #oursel'es. &ach thing is to )e done at the
right moment. 0rust *e, in e'er#thing. 5
0he# are at the north<east comer o" the circuit o" the wallsL the# turn round it
and proceed along the hill o" *oriah to a point where the# can cross the Bidron
)# a little )ridge.
2 Are we going to GethsemaneE 5 as;s ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 1o. >arther up. 0o the *ount o" 9li'es. 5
2 9hF It will )e lo'el#F 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 Also the )o# would ha'e li;ed it 5 whispers Peter.
2 9hF 0here will )e man# more opportunities "or him to come hereF 7e was
tired. 7e is onl# a )o#. I want to gi'e #ou a great thing )ecause the right
moment has now come "or #ou to ha'e it. 5
0he# clim) up among the oli'e<trees, lea'ing Gethsemane on the right, until
the# reach the top o" the mountain, where the lea'es o" the oli'e<trees are
rustling in the wind.
2 ,esus stops and sa#s? 2 =et us stop... *# dear disciples who are to continue
*# wor; in "uture, come near *e. *an# a time #ou ha'e said to *e? G0each us
to pra# as 4ou pra#. 0each us, as ,ohn taught his disciples, so that we ma# pra#
with the same words as our *aster.H And I alwa#s replied to #ou? GI will do that
when I see in #ou the minimum su""icient preparation so that the pra#er ma# not
)e a 'ain "ormula o" human words, )ut a real con'ersation with the >ather.H
0hat moment has now come. 4ou now possess what is necessar# to ;now the
words worth )eing said to God. And I want to teach #ou them this e'ening, in
peace and in our mutual lo'e, in the peace and lo'e o" God and with God,
)ecause as true Israelites we ha'e "ul"illed the Passo'er precept and we ha'e
complied with God6s commandment concerning lo'e "or God and our
neigh)our. 9ne o" #ou has su""ered 'er# much during the past da#s. 7e su""ered
undeser'edl#, also )ecause o" his e""ort to repress his indignation roused )# the
undeser'ed deed. 4es, Simon o" ,onah, come here. 1ot one thro) o" #our honest
heart has )een concealed "rom *e, neither has there )een an# grie" that I ha'e
not shared with #ou. .oth I and #our companions... 5
2 .ut 4ou, m# =ord, ha'e )een o""ended more than I wasF And that was "or me
a greater pain,... no... a more sensiti'e... no, not that... a more... more. ell? that
,udas should ha'e loathed to )e present at m# "east, has hurt me as a man. .ut
to see 4ou grie'ed and o""ended has hurt me in a di""erent wa# and I su""ered
twice as much... I... I do not want to )oast and show o"" )# using 4our words...
.ut I must sa#, and i" it is due to pride in me, tell me, I must sa# that I su""ered
with m# soul... and it hurts more. 5
2 It is not pride, Simon. 4ou su""ered spirituall#, )ecause Simon o" ,onah, a
"isherman in Galilee, is changing into Peter o" ,esus, the *aster o" the spirit, so
that also 7is disciples are )ecoming acti'e and wise in the spirit. It is "or this
progress o" 4ours in the li"e o" the spirit, it is )ecause o" such progress o" #ou
all, that I want to teach #ou the pra#er this e'ening. 3 7ow much #ou ha'e
changed a"ter the solitar# retreatF 5
233. T"# < Our F)t"#r =. 12-
2 &'er#)od#, =ordE 5 as;s .artholomew who sounds rather incredulous.
2 I understand what #ou mean... .ut I am spea;ing to #ou ele'en. 1ot to an#one
else... 5
2 .ut what is the matter with ,udas o" Simon, *asterE e do not understand
him an# more... 7e seemed so changed, )ut now, since we le"t the la;e... 5 sa#s
Andrew desolatel#.
2 .e Iuiet, )rother. I ha'e the ;e# to the m#ster#F A little )it o" .eel(e)u) has
stuc; to him. 7e went to loo; "or it in the ca'e at &ndor to astonish us... and he
was ser'ed as he deser'edF 0he *aster said it on that da#... At Gamala the
demons rushed into the pigs. At &ndor the demons came out o" that poor wretch
o" ,ohn and went into him... e ;now that... we ;now... =et me tell them,
*asterF I ha'e it here, in m# throat, and i" I do not sa# it, it will not come out
and it will poison me... 5
2 .e good, SimonF 5
2 4es, *aster... and I would assure 4ou that I will not )e rude to him. .ut I sa#
and thin; that since ,udas is a 'icious "ellow M and we all ;now that M he is
somewhat similar to a pig... and o)'iousl# demons willingl# choose pigs when...
changing their dwelling places. 0here it is? I ha'e said it. 5
2 Do #ou thin; it is thusE 5 as;s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 hat else can it )eF 0here is no other reason wh# he should )e so intracta)le.
7e is worse now than he was at the 3lear aterF And there one might ha'e
thought that the place and the season made him so ner'ous. .ut now... 5
2 0here is another reason, Simon... 5
2 0ell us, *aster. I will )e happ# to change m# mind a)out m# companion. 5
2 ,udas is Cealous. 7e is agitated )ecause he is Cealous. 5
2 ,ealousE 9" whomE 7e is not married, and e'en i" he were, and went with
women, I thin; that none o" us would )e rude to a "ellow disciple... 5
2 7e is Cealous o" *e. ,ust thin;? ,udas changed a"ter &ndor and a"ter &sdraelon.
0hat is, when he saw that I was ta;ing care o" ,ohn and o" ,a)e(. .ut now that
,ohn, a)o'e all, ,ohn, will )e going awa#, as he will )e lea'ing *e and sta#ing
with Isaac, #ou will see that ,udas will )ecome merr# and good once again... 5
2 ellF... .ut 4ou are not going to tell me that he is not possessed )# a little
demon. And a)o'e all... 1o, I will sa# itF And a)o'e all 4ou will not tell me
that he has impro'ed during these last months. I was Cealous as well, last #ear... I
would not ha'e li;ed an#)od# eDcept the siD o" us, the "irst siD, do 4ou
remem)erE 1ow, now... =et me in'o;e God Cust this once as witness to what I
am going to sa#. 1ow I sa# that the more the disciples increase in num)ers
around 4ou, the happier I am. 9hF I would li;e to )ring all men to 4ou and I
would also li;e to ha'e all the necessar# means to help those who are in need, so
that miser# ma# not hinder an#one "rom coming to 4ou. God sees whether I am
telling the truth. .ut wh# am I thus nowE .ecause I let 4ou change me. 7e...
has not changed. 9n the contrar#... 4es, *aster... A little demon has possessed
him... 5
2 Do not sa# that. Do not thin; that. Pra# that he ma# )e cured. ,ealous# is a
disease... 5
2 9" which one can )e cured, )eside 4ou, i" one wants to. AhF I will put up with
him, "or 4our sa;e... .ut, how di""icult it isF... 5
2 I ga'e #ou a pri(e "or that? the )o#. And now I will teach #ou how to pra#... 5
2 9hF #es, .rother. =et us spea; o" that... and let us remem)er m# namesa;e
onl# as one who is in need o" pra#er. I thin; he has alread# had his punishment.
7e is not with us Cust nowF 5 sa#s ,udas 0haddeus.
4 2 =isten. hen #ou pra#, pra# thus? G9ur >ather, ho are in 7ea'en, ma#
4our name )e held hol#, 4our Bingdom come on earth as it is in 7ea'en, and
ma# 4our will )e done on earth as it is in 7ea'en. Gi'e us toda# our dail#
)read, "orgi'e us our de)ts as we "orgi'e those who are in de)t to us, and do not
put us to the test, )ut sa'e us "rom the &'il 9ne.H 5
,esus has stood up to sa# the pra#er and e'er#)od# has imitated 7im, attenti'el#
and mo'ed.
2 1othing else is reIuired, *# "riends. &'er#thing man needs "or his spirit and
his "lesh and )lood is contained in these words as in a golden ring. ith this
pra#er #ou as; "or what is use"ul to the "ormer and the latter two. And i" #ou do
what #ou as; "or, #ou will gain eternal li"e. It is so per"ect a pra#er that neither
the storms o" heresies nor the course o" ages will undermine it. 3hristianit# will
)e split )# Satan6s )ite and man# parts o" *# m#stic )od# will )e torn o"" and
separated, "orming independent cells in the 'ain desire to "orm a )od# as per"ect
233. T"# < Our F)t"#r =. 12.
as the m#stical .od# o" 3hrist will )e, which is the one "ormed )# all the
"aith"ul )elie'ers united in the apostolic 3hurch, the onl# true 3hurch, as long as
the earth eDists. .ut those separated little cells, de'oid o" the gi"ts, which I will
lea'e to the *other 3hurch to nourish *# children, will alwa#s )e denominated
3hristian, )ecause o" their worship o" the 3hrist, and in their error the# will
alwa#s remem)er that the# deri'e "rom the 3hrist. ell, the# will pra# with this
uni'ersal pra#er as well. 8emem)er it care"ull#. *editate on it continuousl#.
Practise it in #our actions. 4ou need nothing else to sancti"# #oursel'es. I" one
were alone, in a heathen place, without churches, without )oo;s, one would
alread# ha'e all the ;nowledge to meditate on in this pra#er and a church in his
heart "or this pra#er. 9ne would ha'e a sa"e rule o" sancti"ication.
5 $-ur .ather.'
I call 7im? G>ather.H >ather o" the ord, >ather o" the Incarnate. 0hat is how I
want #ou to call 7im )ecause #ou are all one with *e, i" #ou remain in *e.
9nce man had to prostrate himsel" with his "ace on the ground to whisper,
trem)ling with "ear? GGodFH 7e who does not )elie'e in *e and in *# word is
still in such paral#(ing "ear... atch the interior o" the 0emple. 1ot God, )ut the
'er# remem)rance o" God is concealed "rom the e#es o" the "aith"ul )# a tre)le
'eil. 7e who pra#s is separated )# remoteness and 'eils, e'er#thing has )een
de'ised to sa# to him? G4ou are mud. 7e is =ight. 4ou are contempti)le. 7e is
7ol#. 4ou are a sla'e. 7e is Bing.H
.ut nowF... Stand upF 3ome near *eF I am the &ternal Priest. I can ta;e #ou )#
the hand and sa#? G3ome.H I can grasp the 'eils and draw them, and thus throw
open the inaccessi)le place closed so "ar. 3losedE h#E 3losed )# Sin, #es. .ut
e'en more closed )# the dispirited thought o" man. h# closed i" God is =o'e,
i" God is "atherE I can, I must, I want to ta;e #ou not into the dust, )ut into the
a(ureL not "ar, )ut nearL not as sla'es, )ut as children on to the heart o" God.
Sa#? G>atherF >atherF.H And ne'er tire repeating this word. Do #ou not ;now
that e'er# time #ou sa# it, 7ea'en shines )ecause o" God6s Co#E I" #ou said with
true lo'e no other word )ut that one, #ou would )e sa#ing a pra#er pleasing to
the =ord. G>atherF >atherFH the little ones sa# to their "athers. It is the "irst word
the# sa#? G*other, "ather.H 4ou are the little children o" God. I )egot #ou "rom
the old man #ou were and whom I destro#ed )# means o" *# lo'e to gi'e )irth
to the new man, the 3hristian. 3all, there"ore, the *ost 7ol# >ather ho is in
7ea'en, with the "irst word that little children learn.
6 $May (our !ame be held holy.'
9hF 1ame, which is holier and sweeter than an# other name and which the "ear
o" the guilt# taught #ou to conceal under a di""erent one. 1o, no longer Adonai.
7e is God. 7e is the God ho in an eDcess o" lo'e created *an;ind. And
*an;ind, "rom now onwards, with lips cleansed )# the puri"ication that I am
preparing, should call 7im )# 7is 1ame, awaiting to "ull# comprehend the true
meaning o" the Incomprehensi)le 9ne, when the )est children o" *an;ind,
united to 7im, will rise to the Bingdom that I ha'e come to esta)lish.
7 $(our Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.'
Desire its coming with all #our strength. I" it came, it would )e the Co# o" the
earth. 0he Bingdom o" God in hearts, in "amilies, among citi(ens and nations.
Su""er, wor;, sacri"ice #oursel'es "or this Bingdom. =et the earth )e a mirror
re"lecting the li"e o" 7ea'en in each indi'idual. It will happen. All this will
happen one da#. 3enturies o" tears and )lood, o" errors, persecutions, o"
dar;ness relie'ed )# "lashes o" light radiating "rom the m#stical =ight o" *#
3hurch will precede the moment in which the earth will possess the Bingdom o"
God. 9hF *# 3hurch? although a )oat, it will ne'er )e sun;, as it is also a cli""
unsha;ea)le )# )rea;ers and will hold high the =ight, *# =ight, the =ight o"
God. And it will then )e li;e the intense )la(ing o" a star which, ha'ing reached
the per"ection o" its eDistence, disintegrates, an immeasura)le "lower o" the
ethereal gardens, to )reathe its eDistence and lo'e at the "eet o" its 3reator, in a
rutilant thro). .ut it will most certainl# come. And then there will )e the
per"ect, )lessed eternal Bingdom o" 7ea'en.
8 $And may (our will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.'
0he su)mission o" one6s will to the will o" another person can )e accomplished
onl# when one reaches per"ect lo'e "or that creature. 0he su)mission o" one6s
will to God6s can )e achie'ed onl# when one achie'es possession o" the theolo<
gical 'irtues in a heroic degree. In 7ea'en, where e'er#thing is "aultless, God6s
will is done. 4ou, children o" 7ea'en, must learn to do what is done in 7ea'en.
9 $Give us today our daily bread.'
hen #ou are in 7ea'en, God alone will )e #our nourishment. .eatitude will )e
#our "ood. .ut here, #ou still need )read and since #ou are the children o" God,
it is onl# "air to sa#? G>ather, gi'e us some )read.H Are #ou a"raid 7e will not
hear #ouE 9hF noF ,ust thin;? I" one o" #ou has a "riend and, i" he "inds out that
233. T"# < Our F)t"#r =. 121
he has no )read to o""er another "riend or relati'e, who has arri'ed in the middle
o" the night, goes to his "riend sa#ing? G=end me three loa'es, )ecause a guest
has arri'ed and I ha'e nothing to gi'e him to eatH, can he possi)l# hear his
"riend answer him "rom inside the house? GDo not )other me, I ha'e alread#
)olted the door and m# children are alread# sleeping )eside me. I cannot get up
and gi'e #ou what #ou wantHE 1o. I" he has applied to a true "riend and i" he
insists, he will recei'e what he as;s "or. 7e would recei'e it also i" he applied to
someone who was not a 'er# good "riend. 7e would )e satis"ied )ecause o" his
insistence, as his "riend, o" whom he as;ed the "a'our, will hasten to gi'e him
what he wants, so that he ma# no longer )e )othered.
.ut when #ou pra# the >ather, #ou do not turn to a "riend o" the earth, )ut #ou
appl# to the Per"ect >riend ho is the >ather o" 7ea'en. 0hat is wh# I sa# to
#ou? GAs;, and it will )e gi'en to #ou, search, and #ou will "ind, ;noc; and the
door will )e opened to 4ou.H >or the one who as;s will recei'e, the one who
searches alwa#s "inds, the one who ;noc;s will ha'e the door opened to him.
hat "ather among #ou would hand his son a stone when he as;ed "or )readE 9r
hand him a sna;e instead o" a roasted "ishE A "ather who did that to his own
children would )e a criminal. I ha'e alread# told #ou and I will repeat it to
con'ince #ou to )e good and trust"ul. As a sound<minded person would not gi'e
a scorpion instead o" an egg, with what greater )ount# will God gi'e #ou what
#ou as; "orF .ecause 7e is good, whereas #ou are more or less wic;ed. As;,
there"ore, the >ather "or #our )read with hum)le "ilial lo'e.
10 $.orgive us our debts as we forgive those who are in debt to us.'
0here are material de)ts and spiritual ones. 0here are also moral de)ts. 0he
mone# or the goods that one has recei'ed as a loan and must gi'e )ac;, are a
material de)t. &steem eDtorted and not gi'en )ac; and lo'e wanted and not
returned are a moral de)t. 0o o)e# God, "rom hom one would eDact much
gi'ing 7im 'er# little, and to lo'e 7im are a spiritual de)t. 7e lo'es us and is to
)e lo'ed, as a mother, a wi"e, a son, "rom whom so much is eDacted, are to )e
lo'ed. A sel"ish man wants to recei'e, )ut does not gi'e. .ut an egoist is poles
apart "rom 7ea'en. e are in de)t to e'er#)od#. >rom God to a relati'e, "rom a
relati'e to a "riend, "rom a "riend to our neigh)our, to a ser'ant, to a sla'e,
)ecause the# are all )eings li;e oursel'es. oe to him who does not "orgi'eF 7e
will not )e "orgi'en. God, out o" Custice, cannot remit the de)t o" a man who is
in de)t to 7im, the *ost 7ol# 9ne, i" man does not "orgi'e his "ellow man.
11 $+o not put us to the test, but save us from the /vil -ne.'
0he man who did not "eel the need to share the Passo'er supper with us, as;ed
*e, less than a #ear ago? GhatE 4ou as;ed not to )e tempted and to )e helped
against temptationEH. 0here were onl# the two o" us... and I replied. =ater we
were "our, in a lonel# area, and I replied once again. .ut still to no a'ail,
)ecause when dealing with an un#ielding spirit it is necessar# to open a )reach
)# demolishing the e'il "ortress o" his stu))ornness. And I will, there"ore, repeat
it once, ten times, one hundred times until e'er#thing is accomplished.
.ut since #ou are not hardened )# strange doctrines or )# e'en stranger pass<
ions, I )eg #ou to pra# thus. Pra# with humilit# that God ma# a'ert temptations
"rom #ou. 9hF humilit#F 0o ;now onesel" "or what one isF ithout losing heart,
)ut to ;now onesel"F Sa#? GI ma# gi'e in, e'en i" I do not thin; I could do it,
)ecause I am )ut an imper"ect Cudge o" m#sel". 0here"ore, >ather, i" possi)le,
deli'er me "rom temptations )# ;eeping me so close to 4ou as not to allow the
&'il 9ne to harm me.H .ecause, remem)er, it is not God ho tempts #ou to e'il
things, )ut it is the &'il 9ne who tempts #ou. Pra# the >ather that 7e ma#
support #our wea;ness so that it ma# not )e led into temptation )# the &'il 9ne.
12 I ha'e told #ou e'er#thing, *# )elo'ed ones. 0his is *# second Passo'er
among 4ou. =ast #ear we shared onl# our )read and the lam). 0his #ear I gi'e
#ou *# pra#er. I will ha'e other gi"ts "or *# "uture Passo'ers amongst #ou, so
that, when I shall ha'e gone where the >ather wants *e, #ou ma# ha'e a
remem)rance o" *e, the =am), at e'er# "east o" the *osaic lam).
Get up and let us go. e shall go )ac; to town at dawn. 1a#? tomorrow, #ou,
Simon, and #ou, *# )rother @and 7e points at ,udasA, will go to "etch the
women and the )o#. 4ou, Simon o" ,onah, and #ou all, will sta# with *e until
the# come )ac;. 0hen we shall all go to .ethan# together. 5
And the# go down to Gethsemane, where the# enter the house to rest.
234. :#sus t! t"# '#nt%#sB F)t" Is Bu%t )s Y!ur T#+$%#s. 122
,;4. 9!sus to t! %!nti#!sB F'it Is Bui#t 's Your T!)"#!s.
,*t 9un! 1*4+.
1 In the peace o" the Sa))ath ,esus rests near a "laD "ield in )loom )elonging to
=a(arus. 8ather than 2 near 5 I should sa# that 7e is immersed in the tall "laD,
and sitting on the edge o" a "urrow 7e is engrossed in thought. 9nl# an odd
silent )utter"l# "lutters near 7im or a li(ard rustles near)#, loo;ing at 7im with
its Cet<)lac; e#es, raising its little triangular head with its light thro))ing throat.
0here is nothing else. In the late a"ternoon also the least sigh o" wind has
)ecome silent among the tall stal;s.
>rom "ar awa#, perhaps "rom =a(arus6 garden, the song o" a woman can )e
heard and the Co#"ul shouting o" the )o# who is pla#ing with someone. 0hen
one, two, three 'oices call? 2 *asterF ,esusF 5
,esus rouses 7imsel" and stands up. Although the "ull# grown "laD is 'er# tall,
,esus emerges a good height a)o'e the )lue<green sea.
2 0here 7e is, ,ohnF 5 shouts the :ealot.
And ,ohn in turn calls? 2 *otherF 0he *aster is here, in the "laD "ield. 5
And while ,esus approaches the path leading to the houses, *ar# arri'es.
2 hat do 4ou want, *otherE 5
2 *# Son, some Gentiles ha'e come with some ladies. 0he# sa# that the# heard
"rom ,ohanna that 4ou were here. 0he# also said that the# ha'e )een waiting "or
4ou all these past da#s near the Antonia... 5
2 AhF I ;nowF I will come at once. here are the#E 5
2 At =a(arus6 house, in his garden. 7e is lo'ed )# the 8omans and does not "eel
the repugnance towards them that we do. 7e let them go into the large garden
with their carts, so that no one would )e scandalised... 5
2 All right, *other. 0he# are 8oman soldiers and ladies. I ;now. 5
2 And what do the# want "rom 4ouE 5
2 hat man# in Israel do not want? light. 5
2 .ut how and what do the# )elie'e 4ou areE God perhapsE 5
2 4es, in their wa# o" thin;ing. It is easier "or them to accept the idea o" the
incarnation o" a god in mortal "lesh, than it is "or us. 5
2 So the# )elie'e in 4our "aith... 5
2 1ot #et, *other. I must destro# theirs, "irst. >or the time )eing the# consider
*e a wise man, a philosopher, as the# sa#. .ut )oth their desire to )ecome
acIuainted with philosophical doctrines and their inclination to )elie'e the
incarnation o" a god as possi)le, are o" great help to *e in leading them to the
true >aith. .elie'e *e, the# are more ingenuous in their wa# o" thin;ing, than
man# Israelites. 5
2 .ut are the# sincereE It is rumoured that the .aptist... 5
2 1o. 7ad it )een "or them, ,ohn would )e "ree and sa"e. 1onre)ellious people
are le"t in peace. 9n the contrar# I can assure 4ou that "or them to )e a prophet
M the# sa# a philosopher )ecause the lo"tiness o" supernatural wisdom is still
philosoph# to them M is a guarantee o" respect. Do not worr#, *other. 1o harm
will come to *e "rom that end... 5
2 .ut the Pharisees... i" the# "ind out, what will the# sa# a)out =a(arus alsoE
4ou are 4ou... and 4ou are to )ring the ord to the world. .ut =a(arusF... 0he#
alread# o""end him so much... 5
2 .ut the# cannot touch him. 0he# ;now that he is protected )# 8ome. 5
2 I lea'e 4ou, Son. 7ere is *aDiminus, he will ta;e 4ou to the Gentiles 5 and
*ar#, ho had wal;ed )eside ,esus all the time, withdraws Iuic;l#, and goes
towards the :ealot6s house. ,esus on the other hand goes through a little iron
door in the garden wall, into a distant part o" the garden, where it actuall#
)ecomes an orchard and precisel# near the place where =a(arus will )e )uried
later.
2 =a(arus also is there, )ut no one else. 2 *aster, I too; the li)ert# o" gi'ing
them hospitalit#... 5
2 4ou did the right thing. here are the#E 5
2 9'er there, in the shade o" the )oDes and laurels. As 4ou can see the# are at
least "i'e hundred steps "rom the house. 5
2 0hat is all right... *a# =ight come to #ou all. 5
234. :#sus t! t"# '#nt%#sB F)t" Is Bu%t )s Y!ur T#+$%#s. 233
2 7ail, *asterF 5 greets Nuintilian, who is wearing ci'ilian clothes.
0he ladies stand up to greet ,esus. 0he# are Plautina, -aleria and =#diaL there is
also another elderl# woman, )ut I do not ;now who she is or whether she is o"
the same ran; as the others. 0he# are all wearing 'er# plain clothes without an#
sign o" distinction.
2 e were anDious to hear 4ou, )ut 4ou ne'er came. I was on dut# when 4ou
arri'ed. .ut I ne'er saw 4ou. 5
2 1either ha'e I seen at the Gate o" the >ish a soldier, who was a "riend o" *ine.
7is name was AleDander... 5
2 AleDanderE I am not sure whether he is the one I am thin;ing o". I ;now that
some time ago, in order to calm the ,ews, we had to remo'e a soldier who was
guilt# o"... spea;ing to 4ou. 7e is now at Antioch. .ut perhaps he will come
here again. 7ow )oring the# are... the# want to rule e'en now that the# are
su)CectF 9ne has to )e cle'er to a'oid greater trou)le... 0he# ma;e li"e di""icult
"or us, )elie'e me... .ut 4ou are good and wise. ill 4ou spea; to usE I ma# )e
lea'ing Palestine soon, and I would li;e to ha'e something to remind me o"
4ou. 5
2 4es, I will spea; to #ou. I ne'er disappoint an#one. hat do #ou wish to
;nowE 5
Nuintilian loo;s at the ladies inIuisiti'el#.
2 hate'er 4ou wish, *aster 5 sa#s -aleria.
Plautina stands up again and sa#s? 2 I ha'e )een thin;ing a lot... there is so much
I would li;e to ;now... e'er#thing, to )e a)le to Cudge. .ut i" I ma# as;, I would
li;e to ;now how can a "aith, 4ours, "or instance, )e )uilt on a ground which
4ou said is de'oid o" true "aith. 4ou said that our )elie"s are 'ain. So we ha'e
nothing. 7ow can we achie'e somethingE 5
3 2 I will ta;e as an eDample something that #ou ha'e. 4our temples. 4our
reall# )eauti"ul sacred )uildings, the onl# imper"ection o" which is that the# are
dedicated to 1othing, can teach #ou how one can achie'e "aith and where to
place it. atch. here are the# )uiltE hich place, i" at all possi)le, is chosen
"or themE 7ow are the# )uiltE 0he place is generall# spacious, open and
ele'ated. And when it is not spacious and open, it is made so )# demolishing
what encum)ers and o)structs it. I" it is not ele'ated, the# increase its height )#
means o" a stereo)ate more ele'ated than the normal three steps emplo#ed "or
temples placed on a natural ele'ation. 0he# are generall# surrounded )# a
sacred enclosure, "ormed )# colonnades and porches inside which are enclosed
the trees sacred to the gods, "ountains and altars, statues and stelae and are
usuall# preceded )# a prop#laeum )e#ond which is the altar where pra#ers to
the deit# are said. In "ront o" it there is the place "or the sacri"ice, )ecause the
sacri"ice precedes the pra#er. -er# o"ten, and particularl# in the more
magni"icent ones, a perist#le encircles them with a garland o" precious mar)les.
Inside there is the "ront 'esti)ule, outside or inside the perist#le, the cell o" the
deit# and the rear 'esti)ule. *ar)les, statues, pediments, acroteria and ga)les,
all polished, precious and decorated, ma;e the temple a most no)le )uilding also
"or the coarsest sight. Is it not soE 5
2 4es, it is, *aster. 4ou ha'e seen and studied them 'er# well 5 con"irms
Plautina praising ,esus.
2 .ut we ;now that 7e ne'er le"t PalestineFE 5 eDclaims Nuintilian.
2 I ne'er le"t Palestine to go to 8ome or Athens. .ut I am acIuainted with
Gree; and 8oman architecture and I was present when the genius o" man
decorated the Parthenon )ecause I am where'er there is li"e or a mani"estation
o" li"e. here'er a wise man meditates, a sculptor sculptures, a poet writes, a
mother sings o'er a cradle, a man toils in "ields, a doctor "ights diseases, a li'ing
)eing )reathes, an animal li'es, a tree 'egetates, I am there together with 7im
"rom hom I come. In the rum)le o" the earthIua;e or in the peal o" thunder, in
the light o" stars or in "lood<tide and e))<tide, in the "light o" eagles or in the
)u((ing o" mosIuitoes, I am there with the *ost 7igh 3reator. 5
2 So... 4ou... 4ou ;now e'er#thing. .oth thoughts and deeds o" menE 5 as;s
Nuintilian again.
2 4es, I do. 5
4 0he 8omans loo; at one another ama(ed. 0here is a long silence then -aleria
timidl# )egs? 2 &Dpand on 4our idea, *aster, so that we ma# ;now what to do.
5
2 4es. >aith is )uilt as the# )uild the temples o" which #ou are so proud. 0he#
ma;e space "or the temple, the# "ree it "rom o)structions, the# ele'ate it. 5
234. :#sus t! t"# '#nt%#sB F)t" Is Bu%t )s Y!ur T#+$%#s. 231
2 .ut where is the temple in which one should put "aith, the true deit#E 5 as;s
Plautina.
2 >aith, Plautina, is not a deit#. It is a 'irtue. 0here are no deities in true "aith.
0here is onl# 9ne and 0rue God. 5
2 So... 7e is up there, in 7is 9l#mpus, all )# 7imsel"E And what does 7e do i"
7e is aloneE 5
2 7e is Sel"<su""icient and ta;es care o" e'er#thing in creation. I ha'e Cust told
#ou that God is present also in the )u((ing o" a mosIuito. 7e does not get )ored,
do not worr#. 7e is not a poor man, the master o" an immense empire in which
he "eels he is hated and li'es trem)ling with "ear. 7e is =o'e and li'es lo'ing.
7is =i"e is continuous =o'e. 7e is Sel"<su""icient )ecause 7e is in"inite and
most power"ul, 7e is Per"ection. So numerous are the things created that li'e
)ecause o" 7is continuous will, that 7e has no time to grow wear#. 0edium is
the "ruit o" idleness and 'ice. In the 7ea'en o" the 0rue God there is neither
idleness nor 'ice. Soon, in addition to angels which now ser'e 7im, 7e will
ha'e a great crowd o" Cust people reCoicing in 7im and the crowd will grow
greater and greater with the "uture )elie'ers in the 0rue God. 5
5 2 Are the angels geniiE 5 as;s =#dia.
2 1o, the# are spiritual )eings li;e God ho created them. 5
2 hat are genii, thenE 5
2 As #ou imagine them, the# are "alsehood. 0he# do not eDist, as #ou imagine
them. .ut owing to the instincti'e need o" men to search "or the truth, #ou also
ha'e realised that man is not onl# "lesh and that there is something immortal in
his perisha)le )od#. And that is the conseIuence o" the incenti'e o" the soul,
which is ali'e and present also in heathens, and su""ers in them, as it is
disappointed in its desires, )ecause it is "amished longing "or the 0rue God
hom it remem)ers, in the )od# in which it dwells and which is guided )# a
pagan mind. And the same applies to towns and nations. And thus #ou )elie'e,
#ou "eel the need to )elie'e in Ggenii.H And thus #ou gi'e #oursel'es an
indi'idual genius, a "amil#, a town, a national genius. 4ou ha'e the Ggenius o"
8omeH, the Ggenius o" the emperor.H And #ou worship them as lesser deities.
3ome to the true "aith. 4ou will )ecome acIuainted and "riendl# with #our
angel, whom #ou will 'enerate, )ut not worship. 9nl# God is worshipped. 5
2 4ou said? GIncenti'e o" the soul which is ali'e and present also in heathens,
and su""ers in them )ecause it is disappointed.H .ut "rom whom does the soul
comeE 5 as;s Pu)lius Nuintilian.
2 >rom God. 7e is the 3reator. 5
2 .ut are we not )orn o" woman through union with manE Also our gods are
)orn thus. 5
2 4our gods do not eDist. 0he# are phantoms o" #our mind which needs to
)elie'e. .ecause such need is more peremptor# than the need to )reathe. Also
he, who sa#s he does not )elie'e, does )elie'e. 7e )elie'es in something. 0he
simple statement? GI do not )elie'e in GodH presupposes another "aith. In
onesel", perhaps, or in one6s proud mind. .ut one alwa#s )elie'es. It is li;e
thin;ing. I" #ou sa#? GI do not want to thin;H, or? GI do not )elie'e in GodH, )#
those two simple sentences #ou pro'e that #ou are thin;ing that #ou do not want
to )elie'e in 7im hom #ou ;now to eDist and that #ou do not want to thin;.
ith regard to man, to eDpress the concept correctl# #ou must sa#? G*an, li;e
all animals, is )orn through the union o" male and "emale. .ut the soul, that is
the thing which distinguishes the animal<man "rom the animal<)rute, comes
"rom God. 7e creates it as and when a man is procreated, or rather? when he is
concei'ed in a wom) and 7e in"uses it in the )od# which otherwise would )e
onl# animal.H 5
2 And ha'e we got itE e pagansE According to 4our "ellow<countr#men it
would not appear to )e so... 5 sa#s Nuintilian ironicall#.
2 &'er# man )orn o" woman has it. 5
6 2 .ut 4ou said that sin ;ills it. I" so, how can it )e ali'e in us sinnersE 5 as;s
Plautina.
2 4ou do not sin against "aith, )ecause #ou )elie'e that #ou are in the 0ruth.
hen #ou )ecome acIuainted with the 0ruth and #ou persist in #our error, then
#ou will commit sin. =i;ewise, man# things which are sin"ul "or Israelites, are
not so "or #ou. .ecause no di'ine law "or)ids #ou. -ne sins when one
consciously rebels against the order given by God and sa#s? GI ;now that what I
am doing is wrong. .ut I want to do it Cust the same.H God is Cust. 7e cannot
punish one who does the wrong thing thin;ing that he is doing the right one. 7e
punishes those, who )eing a)le to tell Good "rom &'il, choose the latter and
persist in it. 5
234. :#sus t! t"# '#nt%#sB F)t" Is Bu%t )s Y!ur T#+$%#s. 232
2 So we ha'e a soul and it is ali'e and present in usE 5
2 4es, it is so. 5
2 And it su""ersE Do 4ou reall# thin; that it remem)ers GodE e do not
remem)er the wom) that )ore us. e could not tell what its inside was li;e. I" I
ha'e understood 4ou correctl#, the soul is spirituall# )orn o" God. 3an it
possi)l# remem)er 7im i" our )od# does not remem)er the long time it was in a
wom)E 5
2 0he soul is not material, Plautina. An em)r#o is. In "act the soul is in"used
when the "oetus is alread# "ormed @1A. 0he soul is, li;e 3lod, eternal and spiri<
tual. It is eternal "rom the moment it is created, whereas God is the *ost Per"ect
&ternal .eing and thus has no )eginning in time and will ha'e no end. 0he soul,
the lucid, intelligent, spiritual wor; o" God, does remem)er. And it su""ers,
)ecause it longs "or God, the 0rue God, "rom hom it comes, and it hungers "or
God. 0hat is wh# it spurs the torpid )od# to endea'our to approach God. 5
7 2 So we ha'e a soul as those whom #ou call Gthe Cust peopleH o" #our nation
ha'eE &Dactl# the sameE 5
2 1o, Plautina. It depends on what #ou mean. I" #ou mean according to its origin
and nature, it is eDactl# the same as the souls o" our saints. .ut i" #ou re"er to its
"ormation, then I sa# that it is di""erent. And i" #ou mean according to the
per"ection reached )e"ore death, then it ma# )e completel# di""erent. .ut that
does not appl# onl# to #ou heathens. Also a son o" our people can )e completel#
di""erent "rom a saint, in "uture li"e. A soul is su)Cected to three phases. 0he "irst
is creation. 0he second a new creation. 0he third is per"ection. 0he "irst is
common to all men. 0he second is peculiar to Cust people who through their will
ele'ate their souls to a more complete re'i'al, Coining their good deeds to the
per"ection o" God6s wor;, where)# their souls are spirituall# more per"ect and
"orm a connection lin; )etween the "irst and third ones. 0he third is peculiar to
the )lessed souls, or saints, i" #ou pre"er so, who ha'e eDceeded )# a thousand
degrees the initial stage o" their souls, a stage suita)le to man, and ha'e
trans"ormed them into something suita)le to rest in God. 5
8 2 7ow can we ma;e room, clearance and ele'ation "or our soulsE 5
2 .# demolishing the useless things #ou ha'e in #our Gego.H 3lear it o" all
wrong ;nowledge, and with the de)ris ma;e the ele'ation "or the so'ereign
temple. A soul is to )e carried higher and higher, on the three steps. 9hF #ou
8omans lo'e s#m)ols. =oo; at the three steps in a s#m)olic light. 0he# can tell
#ou their names? penance, patience, perse'erance. 9r? humilit#, purit#, Custice.
9r? wisdom, generosit#, merc#. 9r, "inall#, the splendid trinomial? "aith, hope,
charit#. =oo; also at the s#m)ol o" the ornate strong enclosure which encircles
the area o" the temple. 4ou must surround #our soul, the Iueen o" the )od#, the
temple o" the &ternal Spirit, with a )arrier which ma# protect it without o)struc<
ting light or oppressing it with ugl# sights. An enclosure which must )e sa"e and
"ree "rom the lo'e and desire o" what is in"erior? "lesh and )lood, and must aim
at what is superior? the spirit. 0he chisel o" "reedom is #our will power, which
will smooth comers, and remo'e cle"ts, stains and "laws in the mar)le o" #our
ego, so that it ma# )e per"ect round #our souls. And at the same time, the enclo<
sure protecting the temple is to )e used )# #ou as a merci"ul shelter "or the more
unhapp# people who do not ;now what 3harit# is. 0he porches? the# are the
e""usion o" lo'e, o" piet#, o" #our desire that more people ma# come to God, and
are li;e the lo'ing arms stretched li;e a 'eil o'er the cradle o" an orphan. And
)e#ond the enclosure? the most )eauti"ul and most scented trees are a homage to
the 3reator. 0he trees, planted on a soil pre'iousl# )arren and su)seIuentl#
culti'ated s#m)olise all ;inds o" 'irtues and "orm the second li'ing "lower#
enclosure around the sanctuar#L and among the trees, that is among the 'irtues,
there are the "ountains, a "urther e""usion o" lo'e and another puri"ication )e"ore
approaching the prop#laeum near which one must sacri"ice one6s carnalit# and
repudiate all "orms o" lust )e"ore ascending the altar. And then #ou ma# proceed
"urther, to the altar and la# #our o""er on it and "inall#, crossing the 'esti)ule,
#ou ma# approach the cell, where God is. And what will the cell )e li;eE
A)undance o" spiritual wealth, )ecause #ou can ne'er adorn God too much.
7a'e #ou understoodE 4ou as;ed *e how >aith is )uilt. I said to 4ou?
G>ollowing the method emplo#ed to )uild temples.H 4ou can see that it is true.
9 Is there an#thing else #ou wish to as; *eE 5
2 1o, *aster. I thin; that >la'ia has written what 4ou said. 3laudia wants to
;now. 7a'e #ou written e'er#thingE 5
2 I ha'e written e'er#thing most accuratel# 5 replies the woman handing o'er
the waDed ta)lets.
2 0he waD will last and it will )e possi)le to read them. 5
2 It is waD. It is easil# cancelled. rite e'er#thing in #our hearts. It will ne'er
cancel. 5
234. :#sus t! t"# '#nt%#sB F)t" Is Bu%t )s Y!ur T#+$%#s. 233
2 *aster, the# are encum)ered with 'ain temples. e are throwing 4our words
against them to demolish them. .ut it is a long tas; 5 sa#s Plautina sighing. And
she concludes? 2 8emem)er us in 4our 7ea'en... 5
2 4ou ma# rest assured that I will. I lea'e #ou. I want #ou to ;now that #our
'isit has )een 'er# dear to *e. Good)#e, Pu)lius Nuintilian. 8emem)er ,esus o"
1a(areth. 5
0he ladies sa# good)#e and are the "irst to go awa#. 0hen Nuintilian, who is
somewhat pensi'e, lea'es. ,esus watches them go awa# with *aDiminus who
leads them )ac; to their wagons.
2 hat are 4ou thin;ing o", *asterE 5 as;s =a(arus.
2 0hat there are man# unhapp# people in the world. 5
2 And I am one o" them. 5
2 h#, *# dear "riendE 5
2 .ecause e'er#)od# comes to 4ou, eDcept *ar#. Is she the greatest ruinE 5
,esus loo;s at him and smiles.
2 4ou are smilingE Are 4ou not sorr# that *ar# cannot )e con'ertedE Are 4ou
not sorr# that I am su""eringE *artha has done nothing )ut weep since *onda#
e'ening. ho was that womanE Don6t 4ou ;now that "or the whole da# we
hoped it was sheE 5
2 I am smiling )ecause #ou are an impatient child... And I am smiling )ecause I
thin; that #ou are wasting energ# and tears. 7ad it )een she, I would ha'e
rushed to tell #ou. 5
2 So it was not sheE 5
2 9hF =a(arusF... 5
2 4ou are right. PatienceF Still patienceF... *aster, here are the Cewels that 4ou
ga'e me to sell. 0he# ha'e )ecome mone# "or the poor. 0he# were )eauti"ul.
=adies6 Cewels. 5
2 0he# )elonged to GthatH woman. 5
2 I thought so. AhF 7ad the# )een *ar#6s... .ut sheF... I am losing hope, m#
=ordF... 5
,esus em)races him without spea;ing "or a little while. 7e then sa#s? 2 Please
do not mention those Cewels to an#)od#. She must disappear, without )eing
admired or desired an# longer, li;e a cloud dri'en elsewhere )# the wind,
without lea'ing an# trace in the )lue s;#. 5
2 4ou ma# )e sure, *aster... and, in eDchange, )ring me *ar#, our unhapp#
*ar#... 5
2 Peace )e with #ou, =a(arus. I will ;eep *# promise. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
@1A ,esus6 intent in spea;ing to the 8oman ladies is not to speci"# the moment o"
the in"usion o" the soul into a )od#, )ut to pro'e the eDistence o" the soul, its
spiritual nature and di'ine origin, as opposed to the material nature and human
origin o" the )od#, and to clari"# that 7e states that the soul is in"used into the
em)r#o when the latter is su""icientl# "ormed to recei'e the soul, that lucid an
intelligent as it is, has "lashes o" remem)rance o" its origin "rom God )e"ore
)eing in"used into a )od#.
,;+. T! P'r'5#! o0 t! Pro(i&'# Son.
-;t 9un! 1*4+.
1 2 ,ohn o" &ndor, come here with *e. I must spea; to #ou 5 sa#s ,esus loo;ing
out o" the door.
0he man hastens towards ,esus lea'ing the )o# to whom he was eDplaining
something. 2 hat do 4ou want to tell me, *asterE 5 he as;s.
2 3ome upstairs with *e. 5
0he# go up to the terrace and the# sit down in the most sheltered part, )ecause
the sun is alread# strong, although it is still morning. ,esus runs 7is e#es o'er
the culti'ated countr#, where da# )# da# the corn is )ecoming golden and "ruit
is ripening on trees. 7e seems to )e wishing to deri'e some thought "rom that
23,. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# Pr!*()% S!n. 234
'egeta)le metamorphosis.
2 =isten, ,ohn. I thin; that Isaac is coming toda# to )ring *e ,ohanan6s peasants
)e"ore the# lea'e. I told =a(arus to lend Isaac a wagon to Iuic;en their return
and thus a'oid a dela# which would cause them to )e punished. And =a(arus
has agreed, )ecause he does e'er#thing I tell him. .ut I want something else
"rom #ou. I ha'e here a sum o" mone# gi'en to *e )# a person "or the poor o"
the =ord. Jsuall# one o" *# apostles is responsi)le "or ;eeping the mone# and
gi'ing alms. Generall# it is ,udas o" BeriothL sometimes one o" the others. .ut
,udas is not here. And I do not want the others to ;now what I want to do. I
would not ha'e told ,udas either. 4ou will do it, in *# name... 5
2 I, m# =ordE... IE... 9hF I am not worth#F... 5
2 4ou must accustom #oursel" to wor;ing in *# name. Is that not wh# #ou
cameE 5
2 4es, )ut I thought I had to wor; to re)uild m# poor soul. 5
2 And I will gi'e #ou the means. Against what did #ou sinE Against *erc# and
=o'e. 4ou demolished #our soul )# means o" hatred. 4ou will re)uild it through
lo'e and merc#. I will gi'e #ou the material. I will ma;e use o" #ou especiall#
"or deeds o" merc# and lo'e. 4ou are capa)le also o" curing, and o" spea;ing. So
#ou are Iuali"ied to ta;e care o" ph#sical and moral miseries and #ou are capa)le
o" doing it. 4ou will start with this action. 7ere is the purse. 4ou will gi'e it to
*icah and his "riends. Di'ide it into eIual parts. .ut di'ide it as I will tell #ou.
*a;e ten parts and gi'e "our to *icah, one "or himsel" and one each to Saul,
,oel and Isaiah. Gi'e the other siD to *icah with instructions to gi'e them to
,a)e(6 old "ather, "or himsel" and his companions. 0he# will thus )e a)le to ha'e
some com"ort. 5
2 All right. .ut what shall I tell them to Custi"# itE 5
2 Sa#? G0his is to remind #ou to pra# "or a soul that is redeeming itsel".H 5
2 .ut the# ma# thin; that it is IF It is not "airF 5
2 h#E Do #ou not want to redeem #oursel"E 5
2 It is not "air that the# should thin; that I am the donor. 5
2 1e'er mind, do as I tell #ou. 5
2 I will o)e#... )ut at least let me gi'e something as well. In an# case... now I do
not need an#thing an# more. I do not )u# )oo;s and I ha'e no poultr# to "eed. I
am satis"ied with 'er# little. 0a;e this, *aster. I am ;eeping a minimum "or m#
sandal eDpenses... 5 and "rom a purse attached to his )elt he ta;es out some
coins which he adds to ,esus6 mone#.
2 *a# God )less #ou "or #our merc#... 2 ,ohn, )e"ore long we shall )e parting,
)ecause #ou will )e going with Isaac. 5
2 I am sorr# a)out that, *aster. .ut I will o)e#. 5
2 I am sorr# as well to send #ou awa#. .ut I need itinerant disciples so )adl#. I
am no longer su""icient. I will soon )e sending the apostles and then the
disciples. And #ou will do a lot o" good. I will ;eep #ou "or special missions. In
the meantime #ou will )ecome "ormed with Isaac. 7e is so good and the Spirit
o" God has reall# instructed him during his long disease. And he is the man who
has alwa#s "orgi'en e'er#thing... 9n the other hand, the "act that we ha'e to part
does not mean that we shall ne'er meet again. e shall o"ten meet, and e'er#
time we are together, I will spea; Cust "or #ou, remem)er that... 5
,ohn )ends 'er# low, he hides his "ace in his hands, )ursts into )itter tears and
moans? 2 9hF 0hen tell me at once something to persuade me that I ha'e )een
"orgi'en... that I can ser'e God... I" 4ou ;new how I see m# soul, now that the
smo;e o" hatred has 'anished... and how I thin; o" God... 5
2 I ;now, do not weep. .e hum)le, )ut do not )e disheartened. Disheartenment
is still pride. .e hum)le, that is all. 3heer up, do not weep... 5
,ohn o" &ndor slowl# calms down...
hen ,esus sees that he has )ecome calm, 7e sa#s? 2 3ome, let us go under that
thic;et o" apple<trees and gather our companions and the women. I will spea; to
e'er#)od#, )ut I will tell #ou how God lo'es #ou. 5
3 0he# go down, assem)ling the others as the# proceed, and the# all sit down in
a circle in the shade o" the apple orchard. Also =a(arus, who was spea;ing to
the :ealot, Coins the compan#. 0he# are a)out twent# people in all.
2 =isten. It is a )eauti"ul para)le that will guide #ou with its light in man# cases.
A man had two sons. 0he elder was a serious, a""ectionate, o)edient wor;er.
0he #ounger was more intelligent than his )rother who was actuall# somewhat
23,. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# Pr!*()% S!n. 23,
dull and pre"erred to )e guided rather than tire himsel" ta;ing decisions )#
himsel", )ut he was also re)ellious, a)sent<minded, "ond o" luDur#, pleasure
lo'ing, a sIuanderer and idle. Intelligence is a great gi"t o" God. .ut it is a gi"t to
)e used wisel#. 9therwise it is li;e certain medicines that, when ta;en in the
wrong wa#, ;ill instead o" curing. 7is "ather, as it was his right and dut#, used to
recall him to a more sensi)le li"e. .ut it was all in 'ain, the onl# result was that
he answered )ac; and )ecame more o)stinate in his wic;ed ideas.
>inall# one da#, a"ter a "iercer Iuarrel, the #ounger son said? GGi'e me m# part
o" the estate. So I will no longer hear #our reproaches and m# )rother6s
complaints. =et each ha'e his own and no more a)out it.H
G.e care"ulH replied the "ather, G)ecause #ou will soon )e ruined. hat will #ou
do thenE 3onsider that I will not )e un"air to "a'our #ou and I will not ta;e a
"arthing o"" #our )rother to gi'e it to #ou.H
GI will not as; #ou "or an#thing. 4ou ma# )e sure. Gi'e me m# part.H
0he "ather had the estate and 'alua)les assessed, and since mone# and Cewels
were worth as much as the real estate, he ga'e the elder )rother the "ields and
'ine#ards, the herds and oli'etrees, and the #ounger one the mone# and Cewels,
which the #oung man changed immediatel# into mone#. And a"ter doing that in
a "ew da#s, he went to a distant countr# where he li'ed li;e a lord, sIuandering
all his mone# on a li"e o" de)aucher#, ma;ing people )elie'e that he was the son
o" a ;ing, )ecause he was ashamed to admit that he was a countr#man and thus
he disowned his "ather. .anIuets, "riends, women, ro)es, wines, games... he led
a loose li"e. 7e soon saw that his mone# was coming to an end and that po'ert#
was in sight. And to ma;e matters worse, the countr# eDperienced a se'ere
"amine, which compelled him to spend his last penn#. 7e would ha'e li;ed to go
)ac; to his "ather. .ut he was proud and decided not to. So he went to a wealth#
man o" the countr#, a "riend o" his in his happ# da#s, and he )egged him sa#ing?
G0a;e me among #our ser'ants, remem)ering the da#s when #ou enCo#ed m#
wealth.H See how "oolish man isF 7e pre"ers the lash o" a master rather than sa#
to his "ather? G>orgi'e me. I made a mista;eF.H 0he #oung man had learned
man# useless things with his )right intelligence, )ut he did not want to learn the
sa#ing o" &cclesiasticus? G7ow ill<"amed is he who deserts his "ather and how
accursed o" the =ord is whoe'er angers his mother.H 7e was intelligent, )ut not
wise.
0he man to whom he had applied, in eDchange "or the grand time he had
enCo#ed with the "oolish #oung man, sent him to loo; a"ter his pigs, )ecause it
was a pagan countr# and there were man# pigs. So he was sent to pasture the
herds o" pigs in the "arm. >ilth#, in rags, stin;ing and star'ing M "ood in "act was
scarce "or all the ser'ants and particularl# "or the lowest ones and he, a "oreign
ridiculed herdsman o" pigs was considered such he saw the pigs glut themsel'es
with acorns and sighed? GI wish I could "ill m# stomach with this "ruitF .ut the#
are too )itterF 1ot e'en star'ation can ma;e them palata)le.H And he wept
remem)ering the sumptuous )anIuets when he acted the Ggrand seigneurH onl#
a short while )e"ore, laughing, singing, dancing... and then he would thin; o" the
honest su)stantial meals at his "ar awa# home, o" the portions his "ather used to
ma;e impartiall# "or e'er#)od#, ;eeping "or himsel" the smallest one, happ# to
see the health# appetite o" his sons... and he remem)ered the helpings his Cust
"ather ga'e the ser'ants and he sighed? G*# "ather6s ser'ants, e'en the lowest,
ha'e plent# )read... and I am d#ing here o" star'ation... A long meditation, a
long struggle to su)due his pride...
At last the da# came, when his humilit# and wisdom re'i'ed and he got up and
said? GI will go )ac; to m# "atherF 0his pride o" mine is sill#, as it depri'es me
o" m# "reedom. And wh#E h# should I su""er in m# )od# and e'en more in
m# heart when I can )e "orgi'en and recei'e com"ortE I will go )ac; to m#
"ather. 0hat is settled. And what shall I sa# to himE hat has matured in m#
heart here, in this a)Cection, in this "ilth, su""ering the pangs o" hungerF I will
sa# to him? 6>ather, I ha'e sinned against 7ea'en and against #ou, I am no
longer worth# o" )eing called #our sonL treat me there"ore as the least o" #our
ser'ants, )ut )ear me to sta# under #our roo". 0hat I ma# see #ou mo'ing
a)out... 6 I cannot sa# to him? 6... )ecause I lo'e #ou6. 7e would not )elie'e me.
.ut m# )eha'iour will tell him and he will understand and )e"ore d#ing he will
)less me once again... 9hF I hope so. .ecause m# "ather lo'es me.H And when
he went )ac; to town in the e'ening he ga'e up his Co) and )egging along the
wa# he went )ac; home. And he saw his "ather6s "ields... and the house... and his
"ather superintending the wor;... he was old, emaciated )# grie" )ut alwa#s ;ind
and good... 0he guilt# son seeing that ruin caused )# him stopped "rightened...
)ut the "ather, loo;ing round, saw him and ran to meet him, )ecause he was still
"ar awa#. And when he reached him, he threw his arms round his nec; and
;issed him. 9nl# the "ather had recognised his son in the deCected )eggar and he
was the onl# one to )e mo'ed with lo'e.
0he son, clasped in his "ather6s arms, with his head resting on his "ather6s
shoulder, whispered so))ing? G>ather, let me throw m#sel" at #our "eet.H
23,. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# Pr!*()% S!n. 23-
G1o, sonF 1ot at m# "eet. 8est on m# heart, which has su""ered so much )ecause
o" #our a)sence, and now needs to re'i'e "eeling #our warmth on m# chest.H
And the son, cr#ing louder, said? G9hF "atherF I ha'e sinned against 7ea'en and
against #ou, I am no longer worth# to )e called son )# #ou. .ut allow me to li'e
among #our ser'ants, under #our roo", seeing #ou, eating #our )read, ser'ing
#ou, and #ou will )e the )reath o" m# li"e. &'er# time I ta;e a morsel o" )read,
e'er# time #ou )reathe, m# heart, which is so corrupt, will change and I will
)ecome honest...H
.ut the "ather, em)racing him all the time, led him towards the ser'ants, who
had gathered together watching in the distance and he said to them? GNuic;,
)ring here the )est ro)e, and )asins o" scented water, and wash him, spra# him
with scents, clothe him, put new sandals on his "eet and a ring on his "inger.
.ring a "attened cal" and ;ill it. And prepare a )anIuet. .ecause this son o" mine
was dead and has come )ac; to li"e, he was lost and has )een "ound. 1ow I want
him to "ind once again the innocent lo'e o" a child, and m# lo'e and the
cele)ration o" the household "or his return must gi'e it to him. 7e must realise
that he is alwa#s m# dear last<)orn child, as he was in his childhood a long time
ago, when he used to toddle )eside me ma;ing me happ# with his smile and his
prattling.H And the ser'ants did so.
0he elder son was out in the countr# and he did not ;now an#thing until his
return. 3oming towards the house in the e'ening, he saw that it was )rightl#
lighted and he heard the sound o" instruments and dancing coming "rom it. 7e
called a ser'ant who was )ustling a)out and as;ed him? Ghat is happeningEH
And the ser'ant replied? G4our )rother has come )ac;F 4our "ather had the
"attened cal" ;illed )ecause his son has come )ac; to him sa"e and cured o" his
wic;edness and he ordered a cele)ration. 0he# are onl# waiting "or #ou to start.H
.ut the "irst<)orn was angr# )ecause he thought that such a "east "or his #ounger
)rother was un"air, as he was not onl# #ounger, )ut had )een also wic;ed. And
he did not want to go in, on the contrar# he was a)out to wal; awa# "rom the
house.
.ut the "ather, in"ormed o" the situation, ran out and reached him and
endea'oured to con'ince him, )egging him not to spoil his Co#. 0he elder
)rother replied to his "ather? GAnd #ou eDpect me not to )e upsetE 4ou are un"air
to #our "irst<)orn and #ou hold him in contempt. I ha'e ser'ed #ou since I was
a)le to wor;, and I ha'e done that "or man# #ears. I ha'e ne'er diso)e#ed an
order o" #ours, not e'en a simple desire. I ha'e alwa#s )een near #ou, and I
ha'e lo'ed #ou "or two, to ma;e #ou reco'er "rom the wound in"licted on #ou
)# m# )rother. And #ou ha'e not gi'en me e'en a lam) to ha'e a "east with m#
"riends. 4ou are now honouring m# )rother and #ou ha'e ;illed the )est cal" "or
him, who o""ended and a)andoned #ou, and has )een a la(# spendthri"t, and has
now come )ac; )ecause he was dri'en )# star'ation. It is reall# worth while
)eing a hard honest wor;erF 4ou should not ha'e done that to me.H
0he "ather then, clasping him to his heart, said? GSonF 3an #ou )elie'e that I do
not lo'e #ou, )ecause I do not cele)rate #our )eha'iourE 4our deeds are hol# )#
themsel'es, and the world praises #ou )ecause o" them. 4our )rother, instead,
needs to )e reha)ilitated )oth in the e#es o" the world and in his own. And do
#ou thin; that I do not lo'e #ou )ecause I gi'e #ou no 'isi)le pri(eE .ut da# and
night, in e'er# moment o" m# li"e, #ou are present to m# heart, and I )less #ou
e'er# moment. 4ou ha'e the continuous reward o" )eing alwa#s with me, and
what is mine is #ours. .ut it was "air to ha'e a "east, a cele)ration "or #our
)rother who was dead and has come )ac; to good li"e, was lost and has come
)ac; to our lo'e.H
And the "irst<)orn #ielded to his "ather6s desire.
4 And that, *# "riends, is what happens in the 7ouse o" the >ather. And
whoe'er "eels that he is li;e the #ounger son o" the para)le, must )elie'e that i"
he imitates him in going to the >ather, the >ather will sa# to him? G1ot at *#
"eet. .ut rest on *# heart, which has su""ered )ecause o" #our a)sence and is
now happ# )ecause #ou ha'e come )ac;.H ho is in the situation o" the "irst<
)orn and without an# "ault against the >ather, must not )e Cealous o" the >ather6s
Co#, )ut must ta;e part in it and lo'e the redeemed )rother.
0hat is all. 4ou, ,ohn o" &ndor and #ou, =a(arus, please remain here. 0he others
can go and set the ta)les. e shall not )e long. 5 0he# all withdraw. hen
,esus, =a(arus and ,ohn are alone, ,esus sa#s to them? 2 0hat is what will
happen to the dear soul #ou are awaiting, =a(arus, and that is what is happening
to #ours, ,ohn. God6s )ount# has no limit... 5
5 ... 0he apostles, together with *ar# and the women, go towards the house,
preceded )# *arCiam who runs ahead "ris;ing. .ut he soon comes )ac; and
ta;es *ar# )# the hand sa#ing to 7er? 2 3ome with me. I ha'e something to tell
#ou, when we are alone. 5 And *ar# "ollows him. 0he# turn towards a well,
23,. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# Pr!*()% S!n. 23.
situated in a corner o" the little #ard, and completel# co'ered )# a thic; )ower
that "rom the ground clim)s up towards the terrace "orming an arch. .ehind it,
there is the Iscariot.
2 ,udas, what do #ou wantE Go, *arCiam... Spea;. hat do #ou wantE 5
2 I am guilt#... I dare not go to the *aster or "ace m# companions... 7elp me... 5
2 I will help #ou. .ut do #ou not consider how much grie" #ou causeE *# Son
wept )ecause o" #ou. And #our companions su""ered. .ut come. 1o one will sa#
an#thing to #ou. And, i" #ou can, do not commit the same sins again. It is
shame"ul "or a man and a sacrilege against the ord o" God. 5
2 And will 4ou "orgi'e me, *otherE 5
2 IE I count "or nothing as "ar as #ou are concerned, since #ou thin; #ou are so
great. I am the least o" the ser'ants o" the =ord. 7ow can #ou worr# a)out *e, i"
#ou "eel no pit# "or *# SonE 5
2 .ecause I ha'e a mother as well, and i" 4ou "orgi'e me, I will "eel as i" she
did, too. 5
2 She does not ;now a)out this "ault o" #ours. 5
2 .ut she made me swear I would )e good to the *aster. I am a perCurer. I can
"eel the soul o" m# mother reproaching me. 5
2 4ou "eel that, do #ouE .ut do #ou not "eel the lament and the reproach o" the
>ather and o" 7is ordE 4ou are disgrace"ul, ,udasF 4ou cause grie" to #oursel"
and to those who lo'e #ou. 5
*ar# is 'er# gra'e and sad. She spea;s without )itterness )ut with much
gra'it#. ,udas weeps.
2 Do not weep. Impro'e #oursel". 3ome 5 and She ta;es him )# the hand and
enters the ;itchen.
&'er#)od# is "illed with astonishment. .ut *ar# wards o"" an# possi)le
uncharita)le remar;. She sa#s? 2 ,udas has come )ac;. .eha'e as the "irst<)orn
did a"ter his "ather6s speech. ,ohn, go and tell ,esus. 5
,ohn o" :e)edee runs awa#. Silence hangs hea'# on the ;itchen... 0hen ,udas
sa#s? 2 >orgi'e me, all o" #ou, and #ou, Simon, "irst o" all. 4our heart is so
paternal. And I am an orphan, too. 5
2 4es, I "orgi'e #ou. Please, sa# no more a)out it. e are )rothers... and I do
not li;e these ups and downs o" "orgi'eness and relapses. 0he# humiliate )oth
the o""ender and the "orgi'er. 7ere is ,esus. Go to 7im. 0hat6s all. 5
,udas goes awa# and Peter, not )eing a)le to do an#thing else, starts chopping
wood with ;een impetuosit#...
,;4. T! P'r'5#! o0 t! T!n :ir&ins 'n(
t! P'r'5#! o0 t! Ro1'# /!((in&.
1st 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is spea;ing in the presence o" ,ohanan6s peasants, o" Isaac and man#
disciples, o" the women amongst whom there is the .lessed -irgin *ar# and
*artha, and o" man# people "rom .ethan#. All the apostles are present. 0he
)o#, sitting in "ront o" ,esus, does not miss one word. I thin; ,esus has Cust
)egun to spea; )ecause people are still arri'ing...
,esus sa#s? 2 ... it is )ecause o" this sensation o" "ear that I realise is so sharp in
#ou, that toda# I wish to tell #ou a sweet para)le. Sweet "or the men o" good
will, )itter "or the others. .ut the latter can remo'e the )itterness. =et them
)ecome men o" good will, and the reproach, pro'o;ed in their consciences )#
the para)le, will no longer eDist.
0he Bingdom o" 7ea'en is the house o" the nuptials o" God with souls. 0he
moment a soul enters it, is the da# o" the nuptials.
1ow listen. It is a custom with us that 'irgins escort the )ridegroom when he
arri'es, to ta;e him with lights and songs to the nuptial house together with his
sweet )ride. hen the procession lea'es the house o" the )ride, who wearing a
'eil and deepl# mo'ed turns her steps to the place where she will )e Iueen, that
is, to a house which is not hers, )ut will )ecome hers the moment she )ecomes
one )od# with her hus)and, the procession o" the 'irgins, who are generall#
"riends o" the )ride, runs to meet the happ# couple, "orming a circle o" lights
around them.
23-.T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# T#n ;r(ns )n* t"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# R!5)% 0#**n(. 231
1ow it happened that in a town there was a wedding. hile the )ride and
)ridegroom were ma;ing merr# with relati'es and "riends in the house o" the
)ride, ten 'irgins went to their place, that is, to the hall in the groom6s house, to
)e read# to go out and meet him when the sound o" c#m)als and songs warned
them that the #oung couple had le"t the )ride6s house to come to the groom6s.
.ut the "east in the house o" the nuptials was protracted and night "ell. As #ou
;now, the 'irgins alwa#s ;eep their lamps lit, so that the# do not waste time at
the right moment. 1ow, o" these ten 'irgins, "i'e were wise and "i'e were
"oolish, and all their lamps were lit and shining. 0he wise ones, "ull o" wisdom,
had pro'ided themsel'es with small "las;s "ull o" oil, to "ill up their lamps in the
e'ent the# should ha'e to wait longer than eDpected, whereas the "oolish ones
had onl# "illed their little lamps.
9ne hour went )# a"ter the other. 3heer"ul con'ersation, tales and Co;es made
their waiting pleasant. .ut later the# did not ;now what to sa# or what to do, and
wear# and tired, the ten girls sat down more com"orta)l# and slowl# "ell asleep
with their lamps lit and close to them. At midnight a cr# was heard? G0he
)ridegroom is coming, go and meet himFH 0he ten girls got up on hearing the
order, too; their 'eils and garlands, adorned themsel'es and ran to the shel"
where the lamps were. 0he light o" "i'e o" them was alread# "ading... 0he wic;s,
no longer sustained with oil, which was "inished, were smo;#, their light was
)ecoming "ainter and "ainter and the# would go out at the least whi"" o" air,
whereas the "lames o" the other "i'e lamps, which had )een re"illed )# the wise
'irgins )e"ore the# "ell asleep, were still )right and )ecame e'en )righter when
more oil was added to the lamps.
G9hFH )egged the "oolish girls Ggi'e us some o" #our oil, otherwise our lamps
will go out as soon as we mo'e them. 4ours are alread# so )eauti"ulF... .ut the
wise 'irgins replied? G0he wind is )lowing in the night outside and hea'# drops
o" dew are "alling. 0here is ne'er enough oil to gi'e a "lame strong enough to
withstand the wind and dampness. I" we gi'e #ou some, also our lights will
)egin to "ade awa#. And the procession o" the 'irgins would )e reall# a sad one
without the "lic;ering "lames o" lampsF Go, run to the nearest 'endor, )eg,
;noc;, ma;e him get up to gi'e #ou some oil.H And the "oolish girls, panting,
creasing their 'eils, staining their dresses, losing their garlands while pushing
one another and running, "ollowed the ad'ice o" their companions.
.ut while the# were on their wa# to )u# some oil, the )ride and the )ridegroom
appeared at the end o" the street. 0he "i'e 'irgins with their lamps lit, ran to
meet them and the #oung couple entered the house in the midst o" them "or the
"inal ceremon#, when the 'irgins at the end would escort the )ride to the nuptial
room. 0he door was closed )ehind them and those who were outside were le"t
out. And that was the case o" the "i'e "oolish )ridesmaids, who at last arri'ed
with the oil, )ut "ound the door closed and in 'ain the# ;noc;ed, hurting their
hands and moaning? G=ord, lord, open the door "or usF e were in the wedding
procession. e are the propitiator# 'irgins, chosen to )ring honour and good
luc; to #our wedding.H .ut the )ridegroom, lea'ing "or a moment the closest
guests whose lea'e he was ta;ing while the )ride was entering the nuptial room,
"rom the upper part o" the house said to them? GI tell #ou that I do not ;now #ou.
I do not ;now who #ou are. I did not see #ou reCoicing around m# )elo'ed )ride.
4ou are usurpers. 4ou are there"ore le"t out o" the nuptial house.H And the "i'e
"oolish girls, weeping, went awa# along the dar; streets, with their useless
lamps, their creased dresses and torn 'eils, while their garlands were practicall#
destro#ed or lost.
2 And now listen to the meaning o" the para)le. I told #ou at the )eginning that
the Bingdom o" 7ea'en is the house o" the nuptials o" God with souls. All the
"aith"ul are called to the celestial wedding )ecause God lo'es all 7is children.
Sooner or later e'er#)od# arri'es at the moment o" the nuptials and it is a great
"ortune to arri'e.
.ut listen "urther. 4ou ;now how girls consider an honour and "ortune to )e
in'ited as )ridesmaids o" the )ride. =et us see whom the 'arious people
represent and #ou will understand )etter. 0he .ridegroom is God. 0he )ride is
the soul o" a Cust person who, a"ter the period o" engagement in the house o" the
>ather, that is under the protection o" and in o)edience to God6s doctrine, li'ing
according to Custice, is ta;en to the house o" the .ridegroom "or the wedding.
0he 'irgin<maids are the souls o" the "aith"ul, who "ollowing the eDample set )#
the )ride M the "act that she was chosen )# the .ridegroom )ecause o" her
'irtues means that she was a li'ing eDample o" holiness M endea'our to achie'e
the same honour )# sancti"#ing themsel'es. 0he# are in a white, clean, "resh
dress, with white 'eils, crowned with "lowers. 0he# are holding lighted lamps in
their hands. 0he lamps are 'er# clean, and the wic;s are nourished with the
purest oil so that the# ma# not )e malodorous.
"n a white dress. ,ustice steadil# practised gi'es a white dress and the da# will
soon come when it will )e most white, without e'en the most remote
remem)rance o" stain, it will )e o" supernatural, angelical whiteness.
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"n a clean dress. 9ne must ;eep the dress alwa#s clean through humilit#. It is so
eas# to dim the purit# o" the heart. And those whose hearts are not pure cannot
see God. 7umilit# is li;e water that washes. A hum)le man soon notices that he
has dar;ened his ro)e, )ecause his e#es are not dimmed )# the "umes o" pride
and thus he runs to his =ord and sa#s? GI ha'e stained the purit# o" m# heart. I
weep at 4our "eet to )e cleansed. 9hF m# Sun, puri"# m# heart through 4our
)enign "orgi'eness and 4our paternal lo'eFH
"n a fresh dress. 9hF the "reshness o" a heartF 3hildren ha'e it )# gi"t o" God.
0he Cust ha'e it )# gi"t o" God and through their own will. Saints ha'e it )# gi"t
o" God and through their will ele'ated to heroism. .ut will a sinner, whose soul
is torn, )urnt, poisoned and disgraced, ne'er )e a)le to ha'e a "resh ro)eE 9hF o"
course he will. 7e )egins to ha'e it the moment he loo;s at himsel" with disgust.
7e increases its "reshness when he decides to change li"e. 7e )rings it to
per"ection when through penance he washes, detoDicates, cures and recomposes
his poor soul. And with the help o" God, ho does not re"use assistance to
an#one who as;s 7im "or a hol# help, and through his own will ele'ated to
super<heroism )ecause it is not necessar# "or him to protect what he has, )ut to
re)uild what he destro#ed and thus he must wor; twice, three times, se'en times
as much M and with untiring penance, relentless against his sin"ul ego, he will
ta;e his soul )ac; to the "reshness o" a child6s soul. A new "reshness, made
precious )# eDperience which ma;es him the master o" other people who were
once li;e him, that is, sinners.
0ith white veils. 7umilit#F I said? Ghen #ou pra# or do penance, do not let the
world see #ou.H In the isdom .oo;s it is written? GIt is right to ;eep the secret
o" the Bing.H 7umilit# is the candid 'eil worn to de"end the good we do and the
good God grants us. e must not )e proud o" the pri'ileged lo'e granted to us
)# God, nor see; "oolish human glor#. 0he gi"t would )e ta;en awa# at once.
.ut "rom the depth o" our hearts we must sing to our God? G*# soul proclaims
4our greatness, o =ord... )ecause 4ou ha'e loo;ed upon 4our lowl#
handmaid.H 5
,esus ma;es a short pause and casts a glance at 7is *other, ho )lushes under
7er 'eil and )ends "orward as i" She wanted to tid# the hair o" the )o# sitting at
7er "eet, )ut in actual "act to conceal her deep<"elt remem)rance...
3 Crowned with flowers. A soul must wea'e its dail# garland o" 'irtuous deeds,
)ecause nothing withered or slo'enl# loo;ing is to appear in the presence o" the
*ost 7igh. I said dail#. .ecause a soul does not ;now when God<.ridegroom
ma# appear and sa#? G3ome.H 0here"ore #ou must ne'er tire renewing the
garland. .e not a"raid. >lowers wither. .ut the "lowers o" 'irtuous wreaths do
not wither. God6s angel, whom e'er# man has at his side, pic;s up these dail#
wreaths and ta;es them to 7ea'en. And the# will )e there the throne "or the new
)lessed soul when it enters the nuptial house as the )ride.
They have lighted lamps. 0he# ha'e them to honour the .ridegroom and to see
the wa#. 7ow re"ulgent "aith is, and what a ;ind "riend it isF It gi'es a "lame as
)right as a star, a "lame that smiles )ecause it is sure in its certaint#, a "lame that
)rightens also the instrument supporting it. Also the "lesh o" man nourished with
"aith seems to )ecome )righter and more spiritual, e'en in this world, "ree "rom
premature withering. .ecause he who )elie'es holds on to God6s words and
commandments in order to possess God, his ultimate aim, and there"ore he
shuns corruption, is not pertur)ed or a"raid, "eels no remorse, is not compelled
to ma;e an e""ort to remem)er lies or to conceal e'il deeds and remains #oung
and handsome )# means o" the )eauti"ul incorrupti)ilit# o" saints? "lesh and
)lood, mind and heart "ree "rom lust to contain the oil o" "aith, to gi'e light
without smo;e. A constant will to "eed that light "ore'er. &'er#da# li"e, with its
disappointments, ascertainments, contacts, temptations, disagreements, tends to
diminish "aith. 1oF It must not happen. Go e'er# da# to the source o" the sweet,
sapiential oil o" God. A lamp with little oil can )e put out )# the least pu"" o"
wind or )# the hea'# dew o" the night. 0he night... 0he hour o" dar;ness, o" sin,
o" temptation comes "or e'er#)od#. It is night "or the soul. .ut i" the soul is
"illed to the )rim with "aith, its "lame cannot )e put out )# the wind o" the world
or )# the "og o" sensualit#.
And "inall# 'igilance, 'igilance, 'igilance. 7e who is unwaril# trust"ul and sa#s?
G9hF God will come on time, while m# light is still onH, and ma;es up his mind
to go to sleep instead o" ;eeping awa;e, and goes to sleep without pro'iding
what is necessar# to get up and )e read# at the "irst call, and he who waits until
the last moment to procure the oil o" "aith or the strong wic; o" good will, runs
the ris; o" )eing le"t out when the .ridegroom arri'es. .e 'igilant, there"ore
with prudence, perse'erance, purit#, con"idence, so that #ou ma# )e alwa#s
read# "or God6s call, )ecause #ou reall# do not ;now when 7e will come.
4 *# dear disciples, I do not want #ou to )e a"raid o" God, on the contrar# I
want #ou to ha'e "aith in 7is goodness. .oth #ou who will remain here, and #ou
who will )e going awa#, must consider that, i" #ou do what the wise 'irgins did,
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#ou will )e in'ited not onl# to escort the .ridegroom, )ut li;e the 'irgin &sther,
who )ecame Iueen in the place o" -ashti, #ou will )e chosen and elected to )e
)rides, as the .ridegroom G"ound more appro'al and "a'our with #ou than with
an#)od# else.H I )less #ou, who are a)out to go awa#. 0a;e *# words with #ou
"or #oursel'es and "or #our companions. *a# the peace o" the =ord )e alwa#s
with #ou. 5
,esus goes near the peasants to sa# good)#e to them once more, )ut ,ohn o"
&ndor whispers to him? 2 *aster, ,udas is here now... 5
2 It does not matter. 0a;e them to the wagon and do as I told #ou. 5
0he people at the meeting slowl# go awa#. *an# tal; to =a(arus... And =a(arus
turns towards ,esus, ho a"ter lea'ing the peasants was going towards him, and
sa#s? 2 *aster, )e"ore lea'ing us, spea; to us again... It is the desire o" the hearts
o" the people o" .ethan#. 5
2 1ight is "alling. .ut it is placid and serene. I" #ou wish to gather on the mown
ha#, I will )e spea;ing to #ou )e"ore lea'ing this "riendl# town. 9r we can meet
tomorrow, at dawn. .ecause the hour o" "arewell has come. 5
2 =aterF 0his e'eningF 5 the# all shout.
2 As #ou wish. Go now. I will spea; to #ou hal" wa# through the "irst watch 5...
5 ... and in "act, untiring, ,esus sets out towards the middle o" a recentl# mown
meadow, on which the withering ha# "orms a sweet smelling so"t rug, while the
sun sets and also its glow disappears and cric;ets )egin their earl# uncertain
solitar# chirping. 7e is "ollowed )# the apostles, the *aries, *artha and
=a(arus and their household, Isaac and his disciples, and I would sa# )# all the
people o" .ethan#. Among the ser'ants there is the old man and the woman, the
two who on the *ount o" .eatitudes "ound com"ort "or the rest o" their da#s.
,esus stops to )less the patriarch, who ;isses 7is hand weeping, and caresses the
)o# wal;ing )eside ,esus and sa#s to him? 2 4ou are happ# that #ou can "ollow
7im all the timeF .e good, )e care"ul, son. 4ou are 'er# luc;#F -er# luc;#,
indeedF A crown is suspended o'er #our head... 4ou are )lessedF 5
hen the# are all settled, ,esus )egins to spea;.
2 A"ter the departure o" our dear "riends, who needed to )e con"irmed in the
hope, na#, in the certaint# that little ;nowledge is reIuired to )e admitted to the
Bingdom, that onl# a minimum truth on which one6s good will ma# wor; is
su""icient, I will now spea; to #ou, who are much happier than the# are, )ecause
#ou enCo# much more material com"ort and #ou ha'e greater help "rom the
ord. 9nl# )# thought I can eDtend *# lo'e to them. 7ere, *# lo'e reaches
#ou also through *# word. 0here"ore, #ou are to )e treated )oth here on the
earth and in 7ea'en with greater strength, )ecause more will )e as;ed o" those
to whom more was gi'en. 0he#, the poor "riends who are going )ac; to their
prison, ha'e the least wel"are, and, on the contrar#, the greatest sorrow.
0here"ore, there are onl# promises o" )enignit# "or them, )ecause an#thing else
would )e super"luous. I solemnl# tell #ou that their li'es are penance and
holiness, and nothing else is to )e imposed upon them. And I also solemnl# tell
#ou, that li;e wise 'irgins, the# will not let their lamps go out until the hour the#
are called. =et them go outE 1o. 0he light o" their lamps is the onl# good the#
possess. 0he# cannot let it go out.
6 I solemnl# tell #ou that as I am in the >ather, so the poor are in God. 0hat is
wh# I, the ord o" the >ather, wanted to )e )orn poor and to remain poor.
.ecause amongst the poor I "eel closer to the >ather ho lo'es the least people
and is lo'ed )# them with all their strength. 0he rich ha'e man# things. 0he
poor ha'e )ut God. 0he rich ha'e "riends. 0he poor are alone. 0he rich ha'e
man# com"orts. 0he poor ha'e none. 0he rich ha'e man# distractions. 0he poor
ha'e )ut their wor;. *one# ma;es e'er#thing eas# "or the rich. 0he poor ha'e
also the cross o" ha'ing to )e a"raid o" diseases and "amine, )ecause the# mean
star'ation and death to them. .ut the poor ha'e God. 0heir >riend. 0heir
3om"orter. 7e ho distracts them "rom their pain"ul present )# means o"
hea'enl# hope. 7e, to hom man can sa# M and the# ;now how to sa# it,
)ecause the# are poor, hum)le, alone M G>ather, support us in 4our merc#.H
hat I sa# on this land o" =a(arus, a "riend o" *ine and a "riend o" God
although he is so rich, ma# seem strange. .ut =a(arus is an eDception amongst
the rich. =a(arus has )een success"ul in achie'ing that most di""icult 'irtue to )e
"ound on the earth, and e'en more di""icult to )e practised when it is
recommended )# other people. 0he 'irtue o" "reedom "rom wealth. =a(arus is
Cust. 7e does not "eel o""ended. 7e cannot )e o""ended )ecause he ;nows that he
is the rich<poor man, and thus *# concealed reproach does not a""ect him.
=a(arus is Cust. And he ;nows that the world o" great people is as I sa#. I
there"ore spea; and sa#? I solemnl# tell #ou that it is much easier "or a poor man
to )e in God than it is "or a rich oneL and in the 7ea'en o" *# >ather and #ours,
man# seats will )e occupied )# those who on the earth were despised )ecause
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the# were the least amongst men, li;e trodden dust.
0he poor ;eep in their hearts the pearls o" the words o" God. 0he# are their onl#
treasure. ho has onl# one precious thing, watches o'er it. ho has man#, is
)ored and a)sent<minded, proud and sensual. 0hat is wh# he does not admire
with hum)le lo'ing e#es the treasure gi'en )# God, and con"uses it with other
treasures, onl# apparentl# precious, treasures which are the riches o" the earth
and he thin;s? GIt is onl# out o" ;indness that I accept the words o" one who is
li;e me "leshwiseFH and )# means o" strong "la'ours o" sensualit# he )lunts his
capa)ilit# o" sa'ouring what is supernatural. Strong "la'oursF... 4es, 'er# spic#
to disguise their stench and their putrid "la'our...
7 .ut listen and #ou will understand )etter how worldl# cares, riches and orgies
pre'ent one "rom entering the Bingdom o" 7ea'en.
9nce a ;ing cele)rated the wedding o" his son. 4ou can imagine the "east at the
palace. 7e was the onl# son, and ha'ing reached the per"ect age, he was getting
married to his )elo'ed )ride. 0he "ather and ;ing wanted the Co# o" his son to )e
surrounded with Co#, as he was at last getting married to his dear "iancee.
Among the man# cele)rations he ga'e a sumptuous dinner. And he prepared it
in good time, watching e'er# detail, to ensure it was magni"icent and worth# the
wedding o" the ;ing6s son.
7e sent out his ser'ants earl# to tell "riends and allies, as well as the might#
ones o" his ;ingdom, that the wedding was to ta;e place on a certain e'ening
and that the# were in'ited, and that the# should come to "orm a worth# retinue
to the ;ing6s son. .ut "riends, allies and might# ones o" the ;ingdom did not
accept the in'itation.
0he ;ing then, dou)ting that the "irst ser'ants had not spo;en clearl#, sent out
some more, who should insist sa#ing? GPlease, do comeF &'er#thing is now
read#. 0he ta)les are laid in the hall, rare wines ha'e )een )rought "rom
e'er#where, oDen and "attened cattle are alread# in the ;itchen to )e coo;ed,
women sla'es are ;neading "lour to ma;e ca;es and crushing almonds in
mortars to ma;e the "inest delicacies "la'oured with rare spices. 0he most cle'er
dancers and musicians ha'e )een engaged "or the "east, 3ome, there"ore, or all
the preparations will )e uselessFH
.ut "riends, allies and great ones o" the ;ingdom either re"used or said? Ge
ha'e other things to doH, or pretended to accept the in'itation, )ut then the#
attended to their own matters, some to their "ields, some to their )usiness, some
to e'en less no)le a""airs. And "inall# there were some who, )ored with so much
insistence, too; the ser'ant o" the ;ing and ;illed him to ;eep him Iuiet, as he
insisted sa#ing? GDo not re"use the ;ing6s in'itation or #ou ma# "ind #oursel" in
trou)le.H 0he ser'ants went )ac; to the ;ing and reported the situations and the
;ing "lared up in a temper and sent his soldiers to punish the murderers o" his
ser'ants and chastise those who had scorned his in'itation, whilst he intended to
reward those who had promised to come.
.ut at the "iDed hour on the e'ening o" the "east, no one came. 0he ;ing was
'er# angr#, he called his ser'ants and said to them? G9n no account m# son will
)e le"t without people who will gi'e him a heart# welcome on the e'ening o" his
wedding. 0he )anIuet is read#, )ut the guests we in'ited are not worth# o" it.
And #et the nuptial )anIuet o" m# son is to ta;e place. Go there"ore to the
sIuares, along the streets, stand at the crossroads, stop the passers)#, gather
together those who are standing there, and )ring them all here. =et the hall )e
"illed with Co#"ul people.H 0he ser'ants went. 0he# went out along the streets,
the# spread out on the sIuares, the# stood at crossroads, the# gathered as man#
people as the# could "ind, )oth good and )ad, rich and poor, and too; them to
the ro#al palace, and the# ga'e each o" them the means to )e worth# to enter the
hall o" the nuptial )anIuet. >inall# the# led them into the hall, which was "ull o"
Cu)ilant people, as the ;ing desired.
.ut when the ;ing went into the hall to see whether the "east could )egin, he
saw one man who, notwithstanding the assistance gi'en to him )# the ser'ants,
was not wearing a wedding garment. 7e as;ed him? G7ow did #ou get in here,
without a wedding garmentE.H And the man did not ;now what to sa#, )ecause
he had no eDcuse. 0he ;ing then called his ser'ants and said to them? Gta;e this
man, )ind him hand and "oot and throw him out o" m# palace, into the dar; and
ic# mud. 7e shall sta# there weeping and grinding his teeth as he deser'ed
through his ingratitude and )ecause he o""ended me and m# son more than me,
)# entering the )anIuet hall with a poor dirt# garment, whereas nothing must
enter it )ut what is worth# o" it and o" m# son.H
8 As #ou can see, worldl# cares, a'arice, sensualit#, cruelt# )ring down the
;ing6s wrath on people and cause the children o" such cares ne'er to enter again
the palace o" the ;ing. And #ou can also see how among those who were
in'ited, "or the sa;e o" his son, some were punished.
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7ow man# there are nowada#s in this land, to whom God has sent 7is ordF
God has reall# in'ited the allies, the "riends, the great ones o" 7is people,
through 7is ser'ants, and 7e will in'ite them again, and more urgentl#, as the
hour o" *# edding approaches.
.ut the# will not accept the in'itation, )ecause the# are "alse allies, "alse "riends
and the# are great onl# )# name, )ecause the# are )ase. @,esus6 'oice is rising
louder and louder and 7is e#es are "lashing li;e two gems, in the light o" the "ire
lit )etween 7im and 7is audience, to gi'e light in the moonless nightL the moon
is in "act waning and will rise laterA. 4es, the# are )ase. And )ecause o" their
)aseness, the# do not understand that it is their dut# and an honour "or them to
accept the Bing6s in'itation. Pride, harshness, lust act li;e a wall in their hearts.
And M wic;ed as the# areF the# hate *e and so the# do not want to come to *#
wedding. 0he# re"use to come. 0he# pre"er to )e connected with "ilth# polic#,
with e'en "ilthier mone# and with the most "ilth# sensualit#, rather than come to
*# wedding. 0he# pre"er shrewd calculations, conspiracies, underhand
conspiracies, snares, crimes.
I condemn all that in the name o" God. 3onseIuentl# the 'oice which spea;s
and the "easts to which the# are in'ited, are hated )# them. 0hose who ;ill the
ser'ants o" God are to )e loo;ed "or among this people? the Prophets who ha'e
)een the ser'ants till nowL *# disciples who are the ser'ants "rom now onwards.
0he swindlers o" God who sa#? G4es, we will comeH, whereas inwardl# the#
thin;? G1e'er on #our li"eFH are to )e selected among this people. All that is in
Israel.
And the Bing o" 7ea'en will send to gather at the crossroads those who are not
"riends, not great ones, not allies, )ut onl# people passing )#, so that 7is Son
ma# ha'e a worth# wedding cele)ration. And through *e, through *e the Son
and the ser'ant o" God, the gathering has alread# )egun. 0he# will come,
whoe'er the# are... And the# ha'e alread# come. And I help them to )e clean
and properl# dressed "or the wedding "east. .ut there will )e someone, who "or
his own mis"ortune, will misuse also the muni"icence o" God, ho gi'es him
scents and regal garments to ma;e him appear what he is not, that is, a rich and
worth# person, and he will ta;e a)omina)le ad'antage o" such )ount# to seduce
and ma;e a pro"it... An indi'idual with a wic;ed soul, em)raced )# the re'olting
octopus o" all 'ices... and he will em)e((le scents and garments to ma;e an
unlaw"ul pro"it, as he will not use them "or the wedding o" the Son, )ut "or his
own wedding with Satan.
All that will happen. .ecause man# are called )ut "ew are those, who ;nowing
how to perse'ere in their 'ocation, are chosen. .ut it will also happen that those
h#enas, who pre"er putrid "ood to li'ing nourishment, will )e punished )# )eing
thrown out o" the .anIuet hall into the dar; and mud o" an eternal pond, in
which Satan grins horri)l# at each triumph o'er a soul and where there is an
eternal sound o" desperate weeping o" the mad people who "ollowed 3rime
instead o" "ollowing .ount# ho had called them.
9 Get up and let us go and rest. I )less #ou, citi(ens o" .ethan#. I )less #ou all
and I gi'e #ou *# peace. And I particularl# )less #ou, =a(arus, *# "riend, and
#ou, *artha. I )less *# old and new disciples, whom I will )e sending into the
world to in'ite people to the wedding o" the Bing. Bneel down, that I ma# )less
#ou all. Peter, sa# the pra#er that I taught #ou, and sa# it here, standing )eside
*e, )ecause that is how it is to )e said )# those who are destined )# God "or
that tas;. 5
0he# all ;neel down on the ha#, onl# ,esus and Peter remain standing. ,esus, tall
as he is, is most handsome in 7is linen ro)e, and Peter, in his dar; )rown tunic,
deepl# mo'ed, sa#s the pra#er, almost trem)ling, in a 'oice which although not
)eauti"ul is manl#, going 'er# slow "or "ear he might ma;e a mista;e? 2 9ur
>ather... 5 0he so)s o" men and women can )e heard...
*arCiam, ;neeling Cust in "ront o" *ar# ho is holding his hands Coined, is
loo;ing at ,esus with an angelical smile and sa#s in a low 'oice? 2 =oo;,
*other, how lo'el# 7e isF And how lo'el# also m# "ather isF I seem to )e in
7ea'en... ill m# mother )e here, watchingE 5
And *ar#, in a whisper ending in a ;iss, replies? 2 4es, *# dear. She is here.
And she is learning the pra#er. 5
2 And what a)out meE ill I learn itE 5
2 She will whisper it to #our soul while #ou sleep, and I will repeat it to #ou
during the da#. 5
0he )o# )ends )ac; his little dar;<haired head, resting it on *ar#6s )reast, and
remains thus while ,esus )lesses with the solemn *osaic )lessing.
10 0hen the# all get up and go to their homes? onl# =a(arus "ollows ,esus,
entering Simon6s house with 7im, to remain a little longer together. All the
others come in as well. 0he Iscariot places himsel" in a semidar; comer and
23-.T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# T#n ;r(ns )n* t"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# R!5)% 0#**n(. 213
loo;s morti"ied. 7e dare not go near ,esus with the others...
=a(arus congratulates ,esus. 7e sa#s? 2 9hF I am sorr# to see 4ou go awa#. .ut
I am happier than I would ha'e )een, had I seen 4ou go awa# the da# )e"ore
#esterda#F 5
2 h#, =a(arusE 5
2 .ecause 4ou loo;ed so tired and sad... 4ou did not spea;, and 4ou hardl#
e'er smiled... 4esterda# and toda# 4ou ha'e )ecome once again m# ;ind hol#
*aster, and that ma;es me so happ#... 5
2 I was so e'en i" I was Iuiet... 5
2 4ou were. .ut 4ou are serenit# and word. 0hat is what we want "rom 4ou.
e drin; our strength at those sources. And now those sources seemed to )e
dried up. 9ur thirst was pain"ul... 4ou see that also the Gentiles are ama(ed, and
the# ha'e come loo;ing "or them... 5
11 0he Iscariot, whom ,ohn o" :e)edee had approached, dares to spea;? 2 9"
course, the# inIuired also o" me... .ecause I was 'er# o"ten at the Antonia,
hoping to see 4ou. 5
2 4ou ;new where I was 5 replies ,esus )rie"l#.
2 I did. .ut I was hoping 4ou would not disappoint those who were eDpecting
4ou. Also the 8omans were disappointed. I do not ;now wh# 4ou )eha'ed li;e
that... 5
2 And #ou are as;ing *eE Are #ou not aware o" the humours o" the Sanhedrin,
o" the Pharisees, and o" others as well, with regard to *eE 5
2 hatE ere 4ou a"raidE 5
2 I was disgusted. =ast #ear, when I was alone M all )# *#sel" against the whole
world, which did not e'en ;now whether I was a prophet M I )ore e'idence that I
was not a"raid. And #ou were a conIuest o" that audacit# o" *ine. I spo;e
openl# against a whole world o" howlersL I caused the 'oice o" God to )e heard
)# a people who had "orgotten itL I cleansed the 7ouse o" God o" the material
"ilth in it, without an# hope o" puri"#ing it o" the more serious moral "ilth
nesting in it, )ecause I am not unaware o" the "uture o" men. .ut I had to do *#
dut#, )ecause o" *# (eal "or the 7ouse o" the &ternal =ord, which had )een
con'erted into a place where swindlers, usurers and thie'es )awled, and I did it
to rouse "rom their torpor those whom centuries o" priests6 carelessness had
caused to "all into spiritual letharg#. It was a cr# to gather *# people and ta;e it
to God... 0his #ear I ha'e come )ac;... And I saw that the 0emple is still the
same... it is e'en worse. It is no longer a den o" thie'es, )ut a place o"
conspirac#, it will later )ecome the centre o" 3rime, then a )rothel and "inall# it
will )e destro#ed )# a power greater than Samson6s, crushing a caste unworth#
o" )eing called hol#. It is useless to spea; in that place, where, I would remind
#ou, I was "or)idden to spea;. >aithless people, whose poisoned leaders dare to
"or)id the ord o" God to spea; in 7is 7ouseF I was "or)idden. I was silent "or
the sa;e o" the least ones. It is not #et time to ;ill *e. 0oo man# people are in
need o" *e, and *# apostles are not #et strong enough to ta;e on their arms *#
o""spring? the orld. Do not weep, *other, "orgi'e, good *other, 4our Son6s
need to tell those, who wish to or ma# decei'e themsel'es, the truth that I
;now... I will )e silent... .ut woe to those who cause God to )e silentF... *other,
*arCiam, do not weepF... Please. =et no one weep. 5
.ut in actual "act the# are all weeping more or less )itterl#.
,udas, as white as death in his striped red and #ellow ro)e, dares still to spea;,
in a moaning ridiculous 'oice? 2 .elie'e me, *aster, that I am ama(ed and
grie'ed... I do not ;now what 4ou mean... I ;now nothing... It is true that I ha'e
not seen an#one o" the 0emple. I ha'e )ro;en o"" contacts with e'er#)od#... .ut
i" 4ou sa# so it must )e true... 5
2 ,udasF... 4ou ha'e not seen Sadoc eitherE 5
,udas )ends his head grum)ling? 2 7e is a "riend. I met him as such, not as one
o" the 0emple... 5
12 ,esus does not repl# to him. 7e turns to Isaac and ,ohn o" &ndor, whom 7e
gi'es more ad'ice concerning their wor;.
*eanwhile the women com"ort *ar# ho is weeping and the )o# who is
weeping seeing *ar# weep.
Also =a(arus and the apostles are sad. .ut ,esus comes towards them. 7e is
smiling ;indl# once again, and while em)racing 7is *other and caressing the
child, 7e sa#s? 2 And now I will sa# good)#e to #ou who are sta#ing. .ecause
we are lea'ing tomorrow at dawn. Good)#e, =a(arus. Good)#e, *aDiminus.
,oseph, I than; #ou "or #our ;indness to *# *other and the women disciples,
23-.T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# T#n ;r(ns )n* t"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# R!5)% 0#**n(. 214
while waiting "or *e. 0han; #ou "or e'er#thing. =a(arus, )less once again
*artha in *# name. I will come )ac; soon. 3ome, *other, to rest. And #ou,
too, *ar# and Salome, i" #ou wish to come. 5
2 9" course we are comingF 5 sa# the two *aries.
2 ell... to )ed. Peace to e'er#)od#. God )e with #ou. 5 7e ma;es a gesture o"
)lessing and goes out holding the )o# )# the hand and em)racing 7is *other...
0he sta# in .ethan# is o'er.
,;6. Fro) B!t'n1 to t! %rotto o0 B!t#!!).
-r( 9u#1 1*4+.
1 Dawn has Cust )egun to smile when ,esus lea'es .ethan# and turns 7is steps
towards .ethlehem with 7is *other, *ar# o" Alphaeus, *ar# Salome, "ollowed
)# the apostles and preceded )# the )o#, who "inds reason to reCoice in e'er#<
thing he sees? the )utter"lies which awa;e, little )irds that sing or pec; on the
path, "lowers spar;ling with dew# diamonds, a "loc; that comes into sight and in
which there are man# little )leating lam)s. A"ter crossing the torrent, which
"oams merril# amongst stones, south o" .ethan#, the group turns towards
.ethlehem, along a road running )etween two ranges o" hills, completel#
co'ered with green oli'e<trees and 'ine#ards, and a "ew small "ields in which
the golden corn in almost read# "or reaping. 0he 'alle# is cool and the road Iuite
com"orta)le.
Simon o" ,onah comes "orward, he reaches ,esus6 group and as;s? 2 Is this the
road to .ethlehemE ,ohn sa#s that the last time 4ou too; another road. 5
2 0hat is true 5 replies ,esus. 2 .ut that was )ecause we were coming "rom
,erusalem. 0his one is shorter. At 8achel6s sepulchre, which the women wish to
see, we will part, as #ou decided some time ago. e will meet later at .eth(ur,
where *# *other wishes to stop. 5
2 4es, we said so... .ut it would )e so lo'el# i" we were all there... particularl#
4our *other... )ecause, a"ter all, She is the Nueen o" .ethlehem and o" the
Grotto, and She ;nows e'er#thing so well... I" we heard the stor# "rom 7er... it
would )e Iuite di""erent, that6s what I mean... 5
,esus smiles loo;ing at Simon, who has ;indl# eDpressed his desire.
2 hich grotto, "atherE 5 as;s *arCiam.
2 0he Grotto where ,esus was )orn. 5
2 9hF =o'el#F I will come, tooF... 5
2 It would )e lo'el# indeedF 5 sa# *ar# o" Alphaeus and Salome.
2 It would )e )eauti"ulF... It would mean going )ac; to the time... when the
world did not ;now 4ou, that is true, )ut did not hate 4ou #et... It would mean
"inding once again the lo'e o" simple people who could )ut lo'e and )elie'e,
with humilit# and "aith... And I would )e a)le to la# aside this )urden o"
)itterness which has )een l#ing hea'il# on *# heart since I learned that 4ou are
so hated, and I would la# it in 4our manger... 0he ;indness o" 4our e#es, o"
4our )reath, o" 4our childish smile must still )e there... and the# would caress
*# heart... It is so grie'edF... 5 *ar# is spea;ing slowl#, in a low 'oice
eDpressing desire and sadness.
2 0hen, we shall go there, *other. 4ou will lead us. 4ou are the 0eacher toda#
and I am the =ittle .o# ho is learning. 5
2 9hF SonF 1oF 4ou are alwa#s the *aster... 5
2 1o, *other. Simon o" ,onah is Iuite right. In the land o" .ethlehem 4ou are
the Nueen. It is 4our "irst castle. *ar#, o" the house o" Da'id, lead this little
group to 4our a)ode. 5
0he Iscariot is on the point o" spea;ing, )ut he remains silent. ,esus, ho has
noticed and understands, sa#s? 2 I" an#one does not wish to come, )ecause he is
tired or "or an# other reason, he is "ree to proceed to .eth(ur. 5 .ut no one
replies.
2 0he# proceed westwards, along the cool 'alle#. 0he road then )ends lightl# to
the north along a protruding hill and the# thus reach the road which ta;es "rom
,erusalem to .ethlehem, near a cu)e<shaped )uilding surmounted with a small
dome, which is 8achel6s tom). 0he# all go near it and pra# re'erentl#.
2 ,oseph and I stopped here... &'er#thing is eDactl# the same as then. 9nl# the
23.. Fr!+ B#t")n5 t! t"# 'r!tt! !4 B#t"%#"#+. 21,
season is di""erent. It was a cold da# in the month o" 3hisle'. It had rained and
the roads were mudd#, then an ice<cold wind )egan to )low and perhaps during
the night there was a "rost. 0he roads had hardened, )ut "urrowed )# cart<wheels
and crowded with people, the# were li;e a sea crowded with )oats and *# little
don;e# had di""icult# in proceeding... 5
2 And did 4ou not, *otherE 5
2 9hF I had 4ouF... 5 and She loo;s at 7im with a tender )liss"ul "ace. She then
resumes spea;ing? 2 It was getting dar; and ,oseph was 'er# worried... a )iting
cold wind was )lowing stronger and stronger... People were rushing towards
.ethlehem, pushing one another and man# too; to a)using *# little don;e#
)ecause it was going so slowl# in an e""ort to "ind suita)le places "or its
hoo'es... It seemed to )e aware that 4ou were there... and that 4ou were
sleeping "or the last time in the cradle o" *# )osom. It was cold... .ut I was
warm. I could "eel 4ou coming... 3omingE 4ou could sa#? G*other, I had )een
there nine months.H 4es. .ut now it was as i" 4ou were coming "rom 7ea'en.
7ea'en was )ending down o'er *e and I could see its )rightness... I could see
God in"lamed with Co# "or 4our oncoming )irth and those "lames pierced *e,
)urned *e, a)stracted *e "rom e'er#thing... 3old... wind... crowds... it was
all... nothingF I saw God... 1ow and again, with an e""ort, I would succeed in
)ringing *# spirit )ac; to the earth and I would smile at ,oseph, who was a"raid
I might )e cold and tired, and he led the little don;e# lest it should stum)le and
he en'eloped *e in a )lan;et lest I should get cold... .ut nothing could ha'e
happened to *e. I "elt no Colts. I seemed to )e mo'ing along a starr# path,
among snow<white clouds, supported )# angels... And I smiled... >irst at 4ou... I
loo;ed at 4ou, through the )arrier o" the "lesh, while 4ou were sleeping, with
4our little "ists closed, in 4our cradle o" li'ing roses, *# lil#<)ud... 0hen I
smiled at *# spouse, who was so distressed, to encourage him... And then at the
people who were not aware that the# were alread# )reathing the air o" the
Sa'iour...
e stopped near 8achel6s tom) to let the don;e# rest "or a moment and to eat a
little )read and some oli'es, the pro'isions o" poor people. .ut I was not
hungr#. I could not )e hungr#... I was nourished with *# Co#... e too; to the
road again... 3ome. I will show #ou where we met the shepherd... Do not worr#,
I cannot go wrong. I am li'ing that hour again and I can "ind e'er# place
)ecause I see e'er#thing through a )right angelical light. Perhaps the angelical
group is here once again, in'isi)le to our )odies, )ut 'isi)le to our souls with its
)rightness, and e'er#thing is re'ealed and clear. 0he# cannot )e mista;en, and
the# are leading *e... "or *# Co# and #ours. 7ere? &lias came "rom that "ield
into this one with his sheep, and ,oseph as;ed him "or some mil; "or *e. And
we stopped o'er there, in that "ield, while he was drawing the warm nourishing
mil; and gi'ing some ad'ice to ,oseph.
3 3ome, come... 7ere is the path o" the last little 'alle# )e"ore .ethlehem. e
too; it )ecause the main road was a con"usion o" people and horses, close to the
town... 0here is .ethlehemF 9hF Dear land o" *# "athers, #ou ga'e *e the "irst
;iss o" *# SonF 4ou opened #our<door, as good and "ragrant as the )read o"
which #ou )ear the name @1A, to gi'e the 0rue .read to the world d#ing o"
star'ationF =i;e a mother, in whom there is still 8achel6s maternal lo'e, #ou
em)raced *e, o hol# land o" Da'id6s .ethlehem, "irst temple o" the Sa'iour, o"
the morning Star )orn o" ,aco) to show *an;ind the route to 7ea'enF =oo;
how )eauti"ul she is now in springtimeF .ut she was )eauti"ul also then,
although "ields and 'ine#ards were )areF A thin 'eil o" "rost was spar;ling on
the )are )ranches, which loo;ed as i" the# were co'ered with diamond dust,
en'eloped in a hea'enl# impalpa)le 'eil. 0he chimne# o" e'er# house was
smo;ing while supper was )eing prepared and the smo;e, rising "rom terrace to
terrace up to this )row, made the town loo; 'eiled as well... &'er#thing was
chaste, intimate, waiting... >or 4ou, SonF 0he earth percei'ed 4our coming...
And also the people o" .ethlehem would ha'e percei'ed 4ou, )ecause the# are
not )ad, e'en i" #ou do not )elie'e so. 0he# could not gi'e us hospitalit#... 0he
good honest homes in .ethlehem were crowded with insensiti'e proud people,
who are alwa#s arrogant, and are so also nowada#s, and the# could not percei'e
4ou... 7ow man# Pharisees, Sadducees, 7erodians, scri)es, &ssenes there wereF
9hF 0heir )eing dull at present is a conseIuence o" their )eing hardhearted then.
0he# closed their hearts to lo'e "or their poor sister that night... and the#
remained and still are in dar;ness. 0he# reCected God then, )# reCecting lo'e "or
their neigh)our.
4 3ome. =et us go to the Grotto. It is useless to enter the town. 0he )est "riends
o" *# 3hild are no longer there. >riendl# 1ature is Iuite su""icient to ma;e a
"ire, with its stones, its stream, its wood. 1ature percei'ed the coming o" its
=ord... 0here... come without hesitating... e go round here... 0here, o'er there
are the ruins o" Da'id6s 0ower. 9hF it is dearer to *e than a ro#al palaceF
.lessed ruinsF .lessed streamF .lessed tree )ecause, as i" )# miracle, #ou
allowed the wind to pull down so man# o" #our )ranches so that we might "ind
"irewood and light a "ireF 5
23.. Fr!+ B#t")n5 t! t"# 'r!tt! !4 B#t"%#"#+. 21-
*ar# descends Iuic;l# towards the Grotto, She crosses the little stream on a
)oard acting as a )ridge, She runs in the open space )e"ore the ruins and "alls on
7er ;nees at the entrance o" the Grotto, She )ends and ;isses the ground. All the
others "ollow 7er. 0he# are touched... 0he )o#, who has not le"t 7er one
moment, seems to )e listening to a wonder"ul stor# and his little dar; e#es drin;
in *ar#6s words and gestures without missing a single one.
*ar# stands up and goes in sa#ing? 2 &'er#thing is eDactl# as thenF... .ut then it
was night... ,oseph lit a lamp when I entered. 9nl# then, dismounting "rom the
little don;e# I )ecame aware o" how tired and cold I was... An oD greeted us, I
went near it, to "eel its warmth and lean against the ha#... ,oseph laid the ha# out
here, where I am, to ma;e a )ed "or *e, and he dried the ha# "or *e and "or
4ou, Son, at the "ire he had lit in that comer... )ecause he was as good as a
"ather in his lo'e o" an angelical spouse... And holding each other6s hand, li;e
)rother and sister lost in the dar;ness o" night, we ate our )read and cheese, then
he went o'er there to ;indle the "ire and he too; o"" his mantle to close the
entrance... In actual "act he put a 'eil )e"ore the glor# o" God descending "rom
7ea'en. 4ou, *# ,esus... and I la# on the ha#, in the warmth o" the two
animals, en'eloped in *# mantle and co'ered with a woollen )lan;et... *# dear
spouseF... In that hour o" anDiet# when I was all alone )e"ore the m#ster# o" *#
"irst maternit#, an hour "ull o" uncertaint# "or e'er# woman, and in *# case, in
*# onl# maternit#, it was also "ull o" the m#ster# o" what it would )e to see the
Son o" God emerge "rom mortal "lesh, he, ,oseph, was li;e a mother, an angel to
*e... he was *# com"ort then and alwa#s a"terwards... 0hen silence and sleep
en'eloped the ,ust man... so that he might not see what "or *e was God6s dail#
;iss...
And with regard to *e, a"ter the inter'al o" human necessities, there came
immeasura)le wa'es o" ecstas# "rom a hea'enl# sea and the# raised *e higher
and higher on their )right crests carr#ing *e up with them into an ocean o"
light, o" Co#, o" peace, o" lo'e, until I was lost in the sea o" God, o" God6s
)osom... A 'oice "rom the earth whispered? GAre 4ou sleeping, *ar#E.H 9hF it
was so "ar awa#F... An echo, a remem)rance o" the earthF... And so "aint it was
that *# soul did not stir, and I do not ;now how I replied, while I rose, I rose
e'en higher into the depth o" "ire, o" in"inite )eatitude, o" "ore;nowledge o"
God... up to 7im... 9hF were 4ou )orn o" *e that night, or was I )orn o" the
0rine )rightnessE Did I gi'e 4ou or did 4ou a)sor) *e to generate *eE I do not
;now... And then the descent, "rom choir to choir, "rom star to star, "rom cloud
to cloud, a sweet, slow, )liss"ul, placid descent, li;e a "lower carried high in the
s;# )# an eagle and then dropped, descending slowl#, on the wings o" the air,
made more )eauti"ul )# a drop o" rain, )# a tin# piece o" rain)ow stolen in the
s;#... alights on its nati'e soil... *# diadem? 4ouF 4ou on *# heart...
Sitting here, a"ter adoring 4ou on *# ;nees, I lo'ed 4ou. At last I could lo'e
4ou without the )arrier o" the "lesh, and I mo'ed "rom here to ta;e 4ou to the
lo'e o" him, who, li;e *e, was worth# o" )eing one o" the "irst to lo'e 4ou.
And here, )etween these two rustic columns, I o""ered 4ou to the >ather. And
here 4ou rested "or the "irst time on ,oseph6s heart... 0hen I swaddled 4ou and
together we laid 4ou here... And I lulled 4ou while ,oseph was dr#ing ha# at
the "ire and when it was warm he placed it on 4our chest and then we )oth
adored 4ou, )ending o'er 4ou, as I am doing now, to inhale 4our )reath,
contemplating the humiliation to which lo'e can lead and shedding tears which
are certainl# shed also in 7ea'en "or the uneDhausted Co# o" seeing God. 5
*ar#, ho has )een pacing to and "ro while recalling the past, pointing out the
places, panting with lo'e, with )right tears shining in 7er )lue e#es and a smile
o" Co# on 7er lips, )ends o'er 7er ,esus, ho has sat on a huge stone listening
to 7er recollection, and ;isses 7is head, weeping, adoring as She did then...
2 And then the shepherds... the# were in here, adoring with their good souls and
with the deep sigh o" the earth which entered with them, with their scent o"
humanit#, o" herds and ha#L and outside there were the angels, e'er#where, who
adored with their lo'e, with their songs which no human creature can repeat,
and with the lo'e o" 7ea'en, with the air o" 7ea'en which came in with them,
which the# )rought in, in all their )rightness... 4our )irth, .lessed SonF... 5
5 *ar# has ;nelt down )eside 7er Son and weeps emotionall# with 7er head
resting on 7is ;nees. 1o one dare spea; "or some time. *ore or less mo'ed the#
all loo; around as i" the# eDpected to see the scene painted among the co)we)s
and rough stones...
*ar# collects 7ersel" and sa#s? 2 1ow, I told #ou o" the in"initel# simple and
in"initel# great )irth o" *# Son. ith *# woman6s heart, not with the wisdom
o" a master. 0here is nothing else, )ecause it was the greatest thing on the earth,
concealed under 'er# ordinar# appearances. 5
2 .ut the da# a"terE And then laterE 5 man# as;, amongst them the two *aries.
2 0he "ollowing da#E 9hF 'er# simpleF I was the mother who nurses her )a)#,
washes him and swaddles him, as e'er# mother does. I used to warm the water
23.. Fr!+ B#t")n5 t! t"# 'r!tt! !4 B#t"%#"#+. 21.
o" the stream on a "ire lit out there, so that the smo;e would not hurt 7is little
)lue e#es, and then in the most sheltered corner in an old tu) I washed *# 3hild
and put "resh swaddling clothes on 7im. I washed 7is nap;ins in the stream and
hung them out in the sun... and then M and it was *# greatest Co# M I suc;led
7im and 7e suc;ed and )ecame rosier and happier... 9n the "irst da#, at the
warmest hour o" the da#, I sat out there to see 7im properl#. 0he light glimmers
in here, it does not come in direct and the lamp and the "lame o" the "ire made
things loo; strange. I went out there, in the sun... and I loo;ed at the Incarnate
ord. 0he *other then )ecame acIuainted with 7er Son and the handmaid o"
God with 7er =ord. And I was a woman and a worshipper... 0hen Anna6s
house... the da#s near 4our cradle, 4our "irst steps, 4our "irst word... .ut that
happened later, in due course... And nothing, nothing was eIual to the hour o"
4our )irth... 9nl# when I return to God I will "ind that "ullness once again... 5
6 2 .ut... wh# set out at the last momentF 7ow unwar# o" 4ouF h# not waitE
0he decree pro'ided "or an eDtension "or special cases such as )irth or disease.
Alphaeus said so... 5 sa#s *ar# o" Alphaeus.
2 aitE 9hF noF 0hat e'ening, when ,oseph )rought the news, 4ou and I, Son,
leapt "or Co#. It was the call... )ecause 4ou were to )e )orn here, and nowhere
else, as the Prophets had "oretold, and that sudden decree was as i" merci"ul
7ea'en wanted ,oseph to erase e'en the memor# o" his suspicion. It was what I
was waiting "or, "or 4ou, "or him, "or the ,udaic world and "or the "uture world,
"ore'er and e'er. e decided. And we acted accordingl#. aitF 3an the )ride
dela# her nuptial dreamE h# waitE 5
2 ell... an#thing might ha'e happened... 5 sa#s *ar# o" Alphaeus once again.
2 I was not a"raid o" an#thing. I rested in God. 5
2 .ut did 4ou ;now that e'er#thing would happen thusE 5
2 1o)od# told *e. And I ne'er thought o" it, so much so that to encourage
,oseph, I let him and #ou dou)t that there was still time "or the )irth. .ut I ;new,
I reall# ;new that the =ight o" the orld was to )e )orn during the "east o" the
Dedication. 5
2 And #ou, mother, wh# did #ou not go with *ar#E And wh# did "ather not
thin; o" itE A"ter all #ou were )oth going to come hereF Did we not all comeE 5
as;s ,udas 0haddeus sternl#.
2 4our "ather had decided to come a"ter the Dedication and he told his )rother.
.ut ,oseph would not wait. 5
2 .ut at least #ou... 5 insists 0haddeus.
2 Do not reproach her, ,udas. .# mutual consent we decided it was Cust to la# a
'eil on the m#ster# o" this )irth. 5
2 Did ,oseph ;now that it was to ta;e place with those signsE I" 4ou did not
;now, how could he ha'e ;nownE 5
2 e ;new nothing, eDcept that 7e was to )e )orn. 5
2 SoE 5
2 So di'ine isdom guided us, as it was right that it should. ,esus6 )irth and 7is
presence in the world were to appear de'oid o" uncommon "eatures, which
might rouse Satan... And #ou are aware that the present )itter hatred o"
.ethlehem people towards the *essiah is a conseIuence o" 3hrist6s "irst
epiphan#. Demoniacal hatred made use o" the re'elation to cause )loodshed,
and there)# intensi"# hatred. 7 Are #ou satis"ied, Simon o" ,onah, who are
speechless and almost )reathlessE 5
2 4es, so much... so much that I seem to )e out o" this world, in a holier place
than i" I were )e#ond the -elarium o" the 0emple... So much... that now that I
ha'e seen 4ou in this place and in the light o" that night, I am a"raid that I did
)eha'e with respect towards 4ou, as i" 4ou were a great woman, )ut Cust a
woman. 1ow... now I will not dare to call 4ou? G*ar#H, as I did )e"ore.
7ereto"ore 4ou were the *other o" *# *aster. 1ow I ha'e seen 4ou on the
crests o" those hea'enl# wa'es, I ha'e seen 4ou as a Nueen, and I, a poor
wretch, prostrate m#sel", )ecause I am a sla'e 5 and he throws himsel" on the
ground ;issing *ar#6s "eet.
,esus spea;s now? 2 Simon, stand up. 3ome here, close to *e. 5 Peter goes to
the le"t hand side o" ,esus )ecause *ar# in on 7is right. 2 hat are we nowE 5
as;s ,esus.
2 eE ell, we are ,esus, *ar# and Simon. 5
2 -er# well. .ut how man# are weE 5
2 0hree, *aster. 5
23.. Fr!+ B#t")n5 t! t"# 'r!tt! !4 B#t"%#"#+. 211
2 So we are a trinit#. 9ne da#, in 7ea'en, the Di'ine 0rinit# had a thought? GIt
is now time that the ord should go to the world.H And in a thro) o" lo'e the
ord came upon the earth. 7e parted there"ore "rom the >ather and the 7ol#
Spirit. 7e came to wor; on the earth. 0he 0wo ho had remained in 7ea'en
contemplated the deeds o" the ord, remaining more united than e'er to )lend
0hought and =o'e to assist the ord wor;ing on the earth. 0he da# will come
when an order will )e issued "rom 7ea'en? GIt is time "or 4ou to come )ac;
)ecause e'er#thing has )een accomplishedH, and then the ord will go )ac; to
7ea'en, thus... @,esus ta;es a step )ac;wards lea'ing *ar# and Peter where the#
wereA and "rom the heights o" 7ea'en 7e will contemplate the deeds o" the two
who remained on the earth, who, )# hol# inspiration, will Coin together more
than e'er, to )lend power and lo'e to o)tain the means o" "ul"illing the desire o"
the ord? G0he redemption o" the world through the perennial teaching o" 7is
3hurch.H And the >ather, the Son and the 7ol# Spirit will "orm a chain with
0heir )eams to tie more and more closel# the two le"t on the earth? *# *other,
lo'eL #ou, power. 4ou will certainl# ha'e to treat *ar# as a Iueen, )ut not as i"
#ou were a sla'e. Do #ou not thin; soE 5
2 I thin; e'er#thing 4ou wish. I am o'erwhelmedF I... the powerE 9hF I" I am to
)e the power I must de"initel# lean on 7erF 9hF *other o" m# =ord, ne'er
a)andon me, ne'er, ne'er... 5
2 Do not )e a"raid. I will alwa#s hold #ou )# the hand, as I used to do with *#
3hild until 7e could wal; )# 7imsel". 5
2 And a"ter thatE 5
2 And a"ter I will support #ou with *# pra#ers. 3heer up, Simon. 1e'er dou)t
God6s power. I did not dou)t it, neither did ,oseph. 4ou must not dou)t it either.
God gi'es us 7is help hour )# hour, i" we remain hum)le and "aith"ul... 8 3ome
out here, now, near the stream, in the shade o" the good tree, which, i" it were
later in summer, would gi'e #ou its apples in addition to its shadeL come. e
shall eat )e"ore going... here, SonEH 5
2 0o ,ala. It is near. And tomorrow we shall go to .eth(ur. 5
0he# sit in the shade o" the apple<tree and *ar# leans against its ro)ust trun;.
.artholomew watches 7er, so #oung and still hea'enl# mo'ed )# the
recollection She made, while She accepts "rom 7er Son the "ood which 7e has
)lessed and She smiles at 7im with lo'ing e#es, and he whispers? 2 GIn 7is
shade I am seated and 7is "ood is sweet to *# taste.H 5
,udas 0haddeus replies to him? 2 It is true. She is sic; with lo'e. .ut we cannot
sa# that She was awa;ened under an apple<tree. 5
2 h# not, )rotherE hat do we ;now a)out the secrets o" the BingE 5 replies
,ames o" Alphaeus.
And ,esus smiling sa#s? 2 0he new &'e was concei'ed o" the 0hought at the
"oot o" the paradisiacal apple<tree in order to put to "light the serpent and
detoDicate the poisoned "ruit )# means o" 7er smile and 7er tears. She )ecame
the tree o" the redeeming "ruit. 3ome, "riends, and eat o" it. .ecause to )e
nourished )# its sweetness is to )e nourished )# the hone# o" God. 5
2 *aster, please satis"# an old desire o" mine "or some clari"ication. Does the
Song which we are reciting "oresee 7erE 5 as;s .artholomew in a low 'oice
while *ar# is loo;ing a"ter the )o# and spea;ing to the women.
2 0he .oo; spea;s o" 7er "rom its )eginning and "uture )oo;s will spea; o" 7er
until the word o" man changes into the e'erlasting hosanna o" God6s eternal 3it#
5 and ,esus turns towards the women.
2 4ou can hear that 7e descends "rom Da'idF hat wisdom, what poetr#F 5
sa#s the :ealot spea;ing to his companions.
9 2 =isten 5 Coins in the con'ersation the Iscariot who is still in the mood o" the
pre'ious da# and spea;s 'er# little, although he endea'ours to emulate the
"reedom he had )e"ore, 2 listen, I would li;e to understand wh# the Incarnation
had to ta;e place. 9nl# God can spea; in such a wa# as to de"eat Satan. 9nl#
God can ha'e the power o" redeeming. And I do not dou)t it. .ut I thin; that the
ord might ha'e lowered 7imsel" less than 7e did )# )eing )orn li;e e'er#
other man, su)mitting 7imsel" to the miseries o" childhood and so on. 3ould 7e
not ha'e appeared in human "orm, alread# adult, in the appearance o" an adultE
And i" 7e reall# wanted a mother, could 7e not ha'e chosen one, an adopti'e
one, as 7e did "or a "atherE I thin; I as;ed 7im once, )ut 7e did not repl# at
length, or I do not remem)er. 5
2 As; 7imF Since we are on the su)Cect... 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 I won6t. I upset 7im and I "eel as i" I ha'e not )een "orgi'en #et. As; 7im on
m# )ehal". 5
23.. Fr!+ B#t")n5 t! t"# 'r!tt! !4 B#t"%#"#+. 212
2 I )eg #our pardonF e accept e'er#thing without so man# clari"ications and
#ou eDpect us to as; IuestionsE It is not "airF 5 retorts ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 hat is not "airE 5 as;s ,esus.
0here is silence, then the :ealot spea;s on )ehal" o" e'er#)od# repeating ,udas
Iscariot6s Iuestions and the replies o" the others.
2 I do not )ear a grudge. 0hat is the "irst thing. I ma;e the comments that I must
ma;e, I su""er and I "orgi'e. 0hat applies to him who is a"raid, which is still the
conseIuence o" his pertur)ation. ith regard to *# real Incarnation I sa#? GIt is
Cust that it too; place.H In "uture man# people will ma;e mista;es concerning
*# Incarnation, ascri)ing to *e the erroneous "orms that ,udas would li;e *e
to ha'e ta;en. A man seemingl# solid in )od#, )ut in realit# "luent li;e a lighting
e""ect, so that I would and would not )e "lesh. And *ar#6s maternit# would and
would not )e a real maternit#. I am reall# "lesh and *ar# is reall# the *other o"
the ord Incarnate. I" the hour o" *# )irth was )ut an ecstas#, that is )ecause
She is the new &'e without the )urden o" sin and without the heritage o" punish<
ment. .ut I did not lower *#sel" )# resting in 7er. as the manna enclosed in
the 0a)ernacle perhaps humiliatedE 1o, on the contrar# it was honoured )#
)eing in that a)ode. 9thers will sa# that I, since I was not real "lesh, did not
su""er and did not die during *# sta# on the earth. 9" course, since the# cannot
den# that I was here, the# will den# *# real Incarnation or *# true Di'init#.
1o, I am reall# 9ne with the >ather "ore'er, and I am united to God as >lesh,
)ecause as a matter o" "act it is possi)le that =o'e reached what is unreacha)le
)ecause o" 7is Per"ection, )# )ecoming >lesh to sa'e "lesh. A repl# to all these
errors is gi'en )# *# whole li"e, which shed )lood "rom )irth to death and was
su)mitted to e'er#thing that is common to man, eDcept sin. 4es, I was )orn o"
7er. >or #our wel"are. 4ou do not ;now how much ,ustice has )een mitigated
since the oman has )ecome its colla)orator. 7a'e I satis"ied #ou, ,udasE 5
2 4es, *aster. 5
2 Do li;ewise with *e. 5
0he Iscariot )ends his head, is a)ashed and perhaps he is reall# touched )# so
much ;indness.
0he rest is protracted in the cool shade o" the apple<tree. Some "all asleep, some
do(e. .ut *ar# gets up and goes )ac; into the Grotto and ,esus "ollows 7er...
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
@1A .ethlehem according to common interpretation means? 2 house o" )read 5.
,;8. %oin& to E#i3'>s 't B!t3ur.
4t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 2 e shall almost certainl# "ind them i" we go )ac; on to the 7e)ron road "or
a little while. Please go in pairs loo;ing "or them on the mountain paths. >rom
here to Solomon6s Pools and thence to .eth(ur. e will "ollow #ou. 0his is their
pasture area 5 sa#s the =ord to the 0wel'e and I understand that 7e is spea;ing
o" the shepherds.
0he apostles are getting read# to go, each with his "a'ourite companion and onl#
the insepara)le couple o" ,ohn and Andrew do not get together )ecause the#
)oth go to the Iscariot sa#ing? 2 I will come with #ou 5 and ,udas replies? 2 4es,
come, Andrew. It is )etter thus, ,ohn. 4ou and I alread# ;now the shepherds. So
it is )etter i" #ou go with someone else. 5
2 3ome with me, then, )o# 5 sa#s Peter lea'ing ,ames o" :e)edee, who without
protesting goes with 0homas, while the :ealot Coins ,udas 0haddeus, ,ames o"
Alphaeus goes with *atthew and the two insepara)le Philip and .artholomew
remain together. 0he )o# remains with ,esus and the *aries.
0he road is cool and com"orta)le and runs among completel# green mountains
co'ered with "orests and meadows. 0he# meet herds going towards pastures in
the "aint light o" dawn.
At the sound o" e'er# cattle<)ell ,esus stops spea;ing and loo;s round, 7e then
as;s the shepherds whether &lias, the .ethlehemite shepherd, is in that area. I
understand that )# now &lias is called 2the .ethlehemite5. &'en i" other
shepherds are "rom .ethlehem, he is )# right or )# moc;er# 2the
.ethlehemite5. .ut no one ;nows where he is. 0he# answer stopping their herds
and ceasing to pla# their rustic "lutes.
Almost e'er# #oung man has one o" those prime'al cane "lutes, which cause
*arCiam to )e thrown into ecstasies, until a good old man gi'es him his
nephew6s sa#ing? 2 7e will ma;e himsel" another one 5, and *arCiam goes awa#
231. '!n( t! E%7)>s )t B#t"7ur. 223
happil# with the instrument across his )ac;, e'en i" he does not ;now how to
pla# it, at least "or the time )eing.
2 I would li;e so much to meet themF 5 eDclaims *ar#.
2 e will certainl# "ind them. In this season the# are alwa#s near 7e)ron. 5
2 0he )o# is interested in those shepherds who saw the 3hild ,esus and he as;s
*ar# man# Iuestions and She eDplains e'er#thing patientl# and ;indl#.
2 .ut wh# did the# punish themE 0he# had done nothing )ut goodF 5 as;s the
)o# a"ter hearing the stor# o" their mis"ortunes.
2 .ecause 'er# o"ten man ma;es mista;es, accusing innocent people o" e'il
deeds that in actual "act were done )# someone else. .ut as the# ha'e )een good
and ha'e "orgi'en, ,esus lo'es them so much. e must alwa#s )e a)le to
"orgi'e. 5
2 .ut all the children who were slaughtered, how could the# ha'e "orgi'en
7erodE 5
2 0he# are little *art#rs, *arCiam, and mart#rs are saints. 0he# not onl# "orgi'e
their eDecutioners, )ut the# lo'e them, )ecause the# open 7ea'en to them. 5
2 .ut are the# in 7ea'enE 5
2 1o, not Cust now. .ut the# are in =im)o where the# are the Co# o" Patriarchs
and o" the Cust. 5
2 h#E 5
2 .ecause when the# arri'ed with their souls purple with )lood, the# said? G7ere
we are, we are the heralds o" 3hrist the Sa'iour. 8eCoice, #ou who are waiting,
)ecause 7e is alread# on the earth.H And e'er#)od# lo'es them )ecause the# are
the )earers o" these good tidings. 5
2 *# "ather told me that also ,esus6 ord is good tidings. So when m# "ather
goes to =im)o a"ter repeating it on the earth, and I also go there, will we )e
lo'ed as wellE 5
2 4ou will not go to =im)o, *# dear little one. 5
2 h#E 5
2 .ecause ,esus will ha'e alread# gone )ac; to 7ea'en and will ha'e opened it
and all good people will go straight to 7ea'en when the# die. 5
2 I will )e good, I promise. And Simon o" ,onahE 7e too, ehE .ecause I do not
want to )ecome an orphan a second time. 5
2 7e will )e there as well, #ou ma# )e sure, )ut there are no orphans in 7ea'en.
e ha'e God. And God is e'er#thing. e are not orphans here either. .ecause
the >ather is alwa#s with us. 5
2 .ut ,esus in that lo'el# pra#er, which 4ou teach me )# da# and m# mother at
night, sa#s? G9ur >ather ho are in 7ea'en.H e are not in 7ea'en #et.
0here"ore, how can we )e with 7imE 5
2 .ecause God is e'er#where, son. 7e watches o'er the )a)# that is )orn and
o'er the old man who is d#ing. 0he child who is )orn this moment, in the most
remote part o" the world, has God6s lo'e and e#e with him and will ha'e them
until he dies. 5
2 &'en i" he is as )ad as DorasE 5
2 4es. 5
2 .ut can God, ho is so good, lo'e Doras who is so )ad and ma;es m# old
"ather weepE 5
2 7e loo;s at him with disdain and sorrow. .ut i" he should repent, 7e would
sa# to him what the "ather o" the para)le said to his repentant son. 3 4ou should
pra# that he ma# repent and...5
2 9hF no, *otherF I will pra# that he ma# dieFFF 5 sa#s the child impetuousl#.
Although his remar; is not 'er#... angelical, his impetuosit# is so sincere that no
one can help laughing.
*ar# then resumes the sweet gra'it# o" a 0eacher? 2 1o, *# dear. 4ou must not
do that to a sinner. God would not listen to #ou and would loo; sternl# at #ou as
well. e must wish our neigh)our the greatest wel"are, e'en i" our neigh)our is
'er# )ad. =i"e is a good thing )ecause it gi'es man the possi)ilit# o" gaining
merits in the e#es o" God. 5
2 .ut i" one is )ad, one gains sins. 5
2 e pra# that he ma# )ecome good. 5
231. '!n( t! E%7)>s )t B#t"7ur. 221
0he )o# is pensi'e... )ut he does not li;e this su)lime lesson and he concludes? 2
Doras will not )ecome good e'en i" I pra# "or him. 7e is too )ad. &'en i" all the
)a)# mart#rs o" .ethlehem should pra# with me, he would not )ecome good.
4ou do not ;now... 4ou do not ;now that one da# he struc; m# old "ather with
an iron rod, )ecause he "ound him sitting during wor;ing hoursE 7e was not
a)le to stand )ecause he was not "eeling well... and he )eat him and le"t him hal"
dead, and then ;ic;ed him on his "ace... I saw him )ecause I was hiding )ehind a
hedge... I had gone there )ecause no one had )rought me an# )read "or two da#s
and I was hungr#... I had to run awa# so that he might not hear me, )ecause I
was cr#ing seeing m# "ather li;e that, with )lood on his )eard, l#ing on the
ground, as i" he were dead... I was weeping when I went to )eg some )read... )ut
that )read is still l#ing here... and it tastes o" the )lood and tears o" m# "ather
and mine, and o" all those who are tortured and who cannot lo'e those who
torture them. I would li;e to stri;e Doras that he ma# "eel what a )low is, and I
would li;e to lea'e him without an# )read, that he ma# learn what it is to )e
hungr#, and I would ma;e him wor; in the sun, in mud, under the threats o" the
o'erseer, without "ood, that he ma# ;now what he gi'es the poor... I cannot lo'e
him )ecause... )ecause he ;ills m# hol# "ather, and I... i" I had not "ound #ou, to
whom would I ha'e )elongedE 5
0he child, in a "it o" pain, shouts and cries, trem)ling, deranged, stri;ing with
his closed "ists the air, as he cannot stri;e the sla'e<dri'er. 0he women are
ama(ed and touched and the# endea'our to calm him. .ut he is reall# in a "it o"
grie" and does not hear an#thing. 7e shouts? 2 I cannot, I cannot lo'e and
"orgi'e him. I hate him, I hate him on )ehal" o" e'er#)od#, I hate him, I hate
himF...5 7e is in a piti"ul and "right"ul state. It is the reaction o" a creature who
has su""ered too much.
4 And ,esus sa#s so? 2 0hat is Doras6 gra'est "elon#? to dri'e an innocent child
to hate...5
7e then ta;es the child in 7is arms and spea;s to him? 2 =isten, *arCiam. Do
#ou want to go one da# with #our mumm#, #our dadd#, #our little )rother and
the old "atherE 5
2 4es...5
2 0hen #ou must not hate an#)od#. 7e who hates does not go to 7ea'en. 4ou
cannot pra# "or Doras Cust nowE ell, do not pra#, )ut do not hate. Do #ou
;now what #ou must doE 4ou must ne'er loo; )ac; to thin; o" the past...5
2 .ut m# "ather who su""ers is not past...5
2 0hat is true. .ut loo;, *arCiam, tr# and pra# li;e this? G9ur >ather ho are in
7ea'en, please see to what is m# wish....H 4ou will see that the >ather will
listen to #ou in the )est possi)le wa#. &'en i" #ou ;illed Doras, what would #ou
doE 4ou would lose the lo'e o" God, 7ea'en, the compan# o" #our "ather and
mother and #ou would not relie'e o" his trou)les the old man whom #ou lo'e.
4ou are too little to )e a)le to do it. .ut God can. 0ell 7im. Sa# to 7im? G4ou
;now how much I lo'e m# old "ather and how I lo'e all those who are unhapp#.
ill 4ou please see to this matter, )ecause 4ou can do e'er#thing.H hatE Do
#ou not want to preach the GospelE .ut the Gospel teaches lo'e and "orgi'e<
nessF 7ow can #ou sa# to one? GDo not hate. >orgi'eH i" #ou cannot lo'e and
"orgi'eE =ea'e things to good God and #ou will see how well 7e can arrange
matters. ill #ou do thatE 5
2 4es, I will, )ecause I lo'e 4ou. 5
,esus ;isses the )o# and lets him down.
0he incident is o'er as well as their Courne#. 0here are three large )asins
eDca'ated in the roc;# mountain, a reall# grand wor;, and the sur"ace o" the
most limpid water spar;les as well as the water"all that "rom the "irst )asin "alls
into the second larger one and then into the third one, which is reall# a little
la;e. Pipelines con'e# the water to distant towns. 0he whole mountain, "rom the
spring to the )asins and "rom the )asins to the ground is most )eauti"ul and
"ertile, than;s to the humidit# o" the soil in this area, and "lowers more
composite than wild ones, together with rare scented her)s, ma;e the green sides
o" the mountain a most pleasant and )rilliant sight. 9ne would thin; that man
has planted garden "lowers here together with scented her)s, which, in the heat
o" the sun, di""use in the air their aromas o" cinnamon, camphor, clo'e, la'ander
and other pleasantl# pungent, "ragrant, strong, sweet smells, in a wonder"ul
)lend o" the "inest earthl# per"umes. I would sa# that it is a harmonious
conglomeration o" smells )ecause it is reall# a poem o" her)s and "lowers in
hues and "ragrance.
5 All the apostles are sat in the shade o" a tree co'ered with large white "lowers,
the name o" which I do not ;now. 0he# are huge pendulous )ell<shaped "lowers,
o" white enamel hue, which dangle at the least )reath o" wind, di""using their
"ragrance at each undulation. I do not ;now the name o" this tree. Its "lowers
remind me o" a shru) that grows in 3ala)ria, which the locals call 2 )ottaro 5,
231. '!n( t! E%7)>s )t B#t"7ur. 222
)ut the trun; is Iuite di""erent, as this is a tall tree, with a ro)ust trun;, and not a
shru). ,esus calls them and the# hasten towards 7im.
2 e "ound ,oseph almost at once, he was coming )ac; "rom a mar;et. 0he#
will all )e at .eth(ur this e'ening. e gathered together, )# shouting to one
another, and we remained here in the cool shade 5 eDplains Peter.
2 hat a lo'el# placeF It loo;s li;e a gardenF e were discussing whether it is
natural or not, and some insist it is, some that it isn6t 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 0he land o" ,udaea has such mar'els 5 states the Iscariot, who is ine'ita)l#
inclined to grow proud )# e'er#thing, also )# "lowers and her)s.
2 4es, )ut... I thin; that i" ,ohanna6s garden at 0i)erias were a)andoned and it
)ecame wild, also Galilee would ha'e the mar'el o" wonder"ul roses among
ruins 5 retorts ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 4ou are not wrong. 0his is the area where Solomon6s gardens were, and the#
were "amous, li;e his palaces, throughout the world o" those da#s. Perhaps it
was here that he dreamt o" the Song o" Songs, and he ascri)ed to the 7ol# 3it#
all the )eauti"ul "lowers that he had grown here 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 So I was rightF 5 eDclaims 0haddeus.
2 4es, #ou were. Do 4ou ;now, *asterE 7e was Iuoting &cclesiastes, Coining
the idea o" the gardens to the idea o" the )asins and he concluded )# sa#ing?
G.ut he realised that e'er#thing is 'anit# and nothing lasts under the sun, eDcept
the ord o" *# ,esusH 5 sa#s ,ames, the other )rother.
2 I than; #ou. .ut let us than; also Solomon, whether the original "lowers are
his or not. 0he )asins that nourish her)s and men are certainl# his. *a# he )e
)lessed "or them. 1ow let us go o'er to that )ig ru""led rose<)ush, which has
"ormed a "lower# tunnel "rom tree to tree. e will stop there. e are almost hal"
wa#...5
... And the# ta;e to the road again a)out the ninth hour, when e'er# tree casts a
long shadow in this area, which is 'er# well culti'ated in e'er# part. 9ne gets
the impression o" wal;ing through a )otanic garden )ecause all ;inds o" trees
are represented? "orest trees, "ruit and ornamental ones. 0here are people wor;<
ing the land e'er#where )ut the# show no interest in the group passing )#. 9n
the other hand, it is not the onl# one. 9ther groups o" Israelites are on their wa#
)ac; "rom the Passo'er cele)ration. 0he road is Iuite good although it is cut
along the mountains, and the continuousl# 'ar#ing landscape relie'es tra'ellers
o" the monoton# o" the Courne#. Streams and torrents "orm liIuid sil'er commas
and write words which the# then sing in their man# intersecting meanderings,
which "low through "orests or hide under ca'es "rom which the# come out more
)eauti"ul. 0he# seem to )e pla#ing with plants and stones li;e happ# children.
Also *arCiam, who is cheer"ul once again, pla#s and tries to ma;e music with
his instrument to imitate )irds. .ut the sounds he produces are not songs, )ut
dissonant laments, which appear to )e most unwelcome to the more di""icult
mem)ers o" the group, that is to .artholomew, )ecause o" his age, and to ,udas
o" Berioth, "or man# reasons. .ut no one complains openl# and the )o# whistles
"ris;ing a)out. 9nl# twice he points at a 'illage nestling in the "orests and as;s?
2 Is it mineE 5 and turns pale. .ut Simon, who ;eeps him close to himsel",
replies? 2 4our 'illage is 'er# "ar "rom here. 3ome, let us see i" we can pic; that
)eauti"ul "lower and ta;e it to *ar# 5 and thus ta;es his mind o"" his worries.
6 0he sun is )eginning to set when .eth(ur appears on its hill and almost at the
same time on the secondar# road the# ha'e ta;en to go there, the# see the "loc;s
o" the shepherds and the shepherds who run to meet them. hen &lias sees that
*ar# also is there, he li"ts his arms in a gesture o" surprise and remains thus, not
)elie'ing his own e#es.
2 Peace to #ou, &lias. It is I. e promised #ou, )ut it was not possi)le to meet in
,erusalem... 1e'er mind. e are meeting now 5 sa#s *ar# ;indl#.
2 9hF *other, *otherF...5 &lias does not ;now what to sa#. At last he "inds
words? 2 ell, I am cele)rating Passo'er now. It is Cust the same, or )etter still.5
2 9" course, &lias. e sold well. e can ;ill a little lam). 9hF Please )e the
guests o" our poor ta)le 5 )eg =e'i and ,oseph.
2 e are tired this e'ening. 0omorrow. =isten. Do #ou ;now a certain &li(a, the
wi"e o" A)raham o" SamuelE 5
2 4es. She li'es in her house at .eth(ur. .ut A)raham is dead and his sons died
last #ear. 0he "irst one died o" a disease in a "ew hours, and no one ;nows o"
what he died. 0he other died o" a slow death and nothing stopped his decline.
e ga'e her the mil; o" a #oung goat, )ecause the doctors said it was good "or
him. 7e dran; a lot o" it, as all the shepherds too; it to her, )ecause the poor
mother had sent people to loo; "or whoe'er had a #oung goat gi'ing mil; "or
231. '!n( t! E%7)>s )t B#t"7ur. 223
the "irst time in the herd. .ut it was o" no a'ail. hen we came )ac; to the
plane the #oung man would not ta;e an# "ood. hen we came )ac; to Adar, he
had )een dead two months. 5
2 *# poor "riendF She was so "ond o" *e in the 0emple... and she was somehow
related to *e through our ancestors... She was good... She le"t to marr#
A)raham, to whom she had )een promised since her childhood, two #ears )e"ore
*e and I remem)er when she came to o""er her "irst<)orn to the =ord. She sent
"or *e, not onl# "or *e, )ut later she wanted *e to )e alone with her "or some
time... And now she is alone... 9hF I must ma;e haste to com"ort herF 4ou sta#
here. I will go with &lias and I will enter )# *#sel". Sorrow demands respect...5
2 1ot e'en I, *otherE 5
2 9" course, alwa#s. .ut the others... 1ot e'en #ou, *# little one. It would )e
pain"ul "or #ou. 3ome, ,esusF 5
2 ait "or us on the 'illage sIuare. =oo; "or a shelter "or the night. Good)#e 5
orders ,esus.
7 And with onl# &lias "or compan#, ,esus and *ar# go as "ar as a large house,
which is completel# closed and silent. 0he shepherd ;noc;s at the door with his
stic;. A maidser'ant loo;s out o" a little window as;ing who it is. *ar# mo'es
"orward sa#ing? 2 *ar# o" ,oachim and 7er Son, "rom 1a(areth. 0ell #our
mistress. 5
2 It is useless. She does not want to see an#)od#. She is weeping her heart out. 5
2 0r#. 5
2 1o. I ;now how she dri'es me awa# i" I tr# to ta;e her mind o"" her worries.
She does not want an#one, she will not see an#one or spea; to an#one. She
spea;s onl# to the memor# o" her sons. 5
2 Go, woman. I order #ou to go. Sa# to her? G=ittle *ar# o" 1a(areth is here, the
one who was #our daughter in the 0emple...H 4ou will see that she will )e
wanting *e. 5
0he woman goes awa# sha;ing her head. *ar# eDplains to 7er Son and to the
shepherd? 2 &li(a was much older than I was. She was waiting in the 0emple "or
her "iancO to come )ac; "rom &g#pt where he had gone on inheritance matters
and so she remained there up to unusual age. She is almost ten #ears older than I
am. 0he teachers used to entrust the little girls to the guidance o" adult pupils...
and she was *# companion<teacher. She was good and... 7ere is the woman. 5
In "act the ser'ant thoroughl# ama(ed rushes to open the door wide? 2 3ome in,
come inF 5 she sa#s. And then in a low 'oice? 2 *a# 4ou )e )lessed "or getting
her out o" that room. 5
&lias ta;es his lea'e and *ar# enters with 7er Son.
2 .ut this man, reall#... >or pit#6s sa;eF 7e is the same age as =e'i...5
2 =et 7im come in. 7e is *# Son and will com"ort her )etter than I can. 5
0he woman shrugs her shoulders and precedes them through the long hall o" a
)eauti"ul )ut sad house. &'er#thing is clean, )ut e'er#thing seems dead...
8 A tall woman, wal;ing )owed in dar; clothes, comes "orward in the dim light
o" the hall.
2 &li(aF DearF I am *ar#F 5 sa#s *ar# running towards her and em)racing her.
2 *ar#E 4ou... I thought 4ou were dead, too. I was told... whenE I don6t ;now...
*# head is empt#... I was told that 4ou died with man# other mothers a"ter the
coming o" the *agi. .ut who told me that 4ou were the *other o" the Sa'iourE
5
2 0he shepherds perhaps...5
2 9hF the shepherdsF 5 0he woman )ursts into )itter tears. 2 Don6t mention that
name. It reminds me o" the last hope "or =e'i6s li"e... And #et... #es... a shepherd
spo;e to me o" the Sa'iour and I ;illed m# son ta;ing him to the place where
the# said the *essiah was, near the ,ordan. .ut there was no)od# there... and
m# son arri'ed )ac; in time to die... >atigue, cold... I ;illed him... .ut I had no
intention o" )eing a murderer. I was told that 7e, the *essiah, cured diseases...
and that is wh# I did it... 1ow m# son accuses me o" ;illing him...5
2 1o, &li(a. It is #ou that thin; so. =isten. I instead thin; that #our son has ta;en
*e )# the hand sa#ing? G3ome to m# dear mother. 0a;e the Sa'iour to her. I am
happier here than I would )e on the earth. .ut she listens onl# to her weeping,
and she cannot hear the words that I whisper to her with m# ;isses, poor mother,
she is li;e a woman possessed )# a demon who wants her to surrender to
despair, )ecause he wants us to )e di'ided. I" instead she resigns hersel" and
231. '!n( t! E%7)>s )t B#t"7ur. 224
)elie'es that God does e'er#thing "or a good purpose, we would )e united "or
good, with our "ather and )rother. ,esus can do it.H And I came... with 7im... Do
#ou not wish to see 7imE...5 *ar# has spo;en holding the poor wretch in 7er
arms all the time, ;issing her gre# hair with unparalleled ;indness.
2 9hF i" it were trueF .ut, wh# then did Daniel not come to 4ou, to tell 4ou to
come soonerE... .ut who told me some time ago that 4ou were deadE I don6t
remem)er... I don6t remem)er... 0hat is another reason wh# perhaps I waited too
long to go to the *essiah. .ut the# said that 7e, 4ou, e'er#)od# had died at
.ethlehem...5
2 1e'er mind who said so. 3ome here, loo;, *# Son is here. 3ome to 7im.
*a;e #our children and #our *ar# happ#. Do #ou ;now that we su""er seeing
#ou thusE 5 And She leads her towards ,esus ho is standing in a dar; corner
and onl# now comes "orward, under a lamp that the maidser'ant has placed on
top o" a tall co""er.
9 0he poor mother raises her head... and I now see that she is the &li(a who was
also on 3al'ar# with the pious women. ,esus stretches out 7is hands in a gesture
o" lo'ing in'itation. 0he poor wretch hesitates a moment, then she entrusts her
own hands to 7is and "inall#, all o" a sudden, she throws hersel" on to ,esus6
chest, moaning? 2 0ell me, tell me that I am not guilt# o" =e'i6s deathF 0ell me
that the# are not lost "ore'erF 0ell me that I will soon )e with themF...5
2 4es, I will. =isten. 0he# are now eDulting )ecause #ou are in *# arms. I will
soon )e going to them, and what shall I tell themE 0hat #ou are not resigning
#oursel" to the =ordE Shall I tell them thatE 0he women o" Israel, the women o"
Da'id, so strong, so wise, are to )e gi'en the lie )# #ouE 1o. 4ou are su""ering,
)ecause #ou su""ered all alone. 4our grie" and #ou. 4ou and #our grie". 9ne
cannot endure it thus. Are #ou no longer )earing in mind the words o" hope "or
those whom death has ta;en awa# "rom usE GI mean to raise #ou "rom #our
gra'es and lead #ou )ac; to the soil o" Israel. And #ou will ;now that I am the
=ord when I open #our gra'es and raise #ou "rom #our gra'es. hen I put *#
spirit in #ou, #ou will li'e.H 0he soil o" Israel, "or the Cust sleeping in the =ord,
is the Bingdom o" God. I will open it and gi'e it to those who are waiting. 5
2 Also to m# DanielE And to m# =e'iE... 7e was so horri"ied at deathF... 7e
could not stand the idea o" )eing "ar "rom his mother. 0hat is wh# I wanted to
die and )e )uried )eside him...5
2 .ut the# were not there with their li'ing parts. 9nl# dead things were there
and the# could not hear #ou. 0he# are in the place o" eDpectation...5
2 .ut does it reall# eDistE 9hF Do not )e scandalised at me. *# memor# has
turned into tearsF *# head is "ull o" the noise o" the weeping and death<rattle o"
m# sons. 0hat death<rattleF 0hat death<rattle. It has dissol'ed m# )rains. I ha'e
)ut that death<rattle in here...5
2 And I will put the words o" li"e there "or #ou. I will sow the =i"e, )ecause I am
=i"e, where there is the din o" death. 8emem)er the great ,udas *acca)ee who
wanted a sacri"ice o""ered "or the dead, rightl# thin;ing that the# are destined to
rise again and that it is necessar# to hasten their peace )# means o" suita)le
sacri"ices. I" ,udas *acca)ee had not )een certain o" their resurrection, would
he ha'e pra#ed and made people pra# "or the deadE As it is written, he thought
that a great reward is set aside "or those who die piousl#, as #our sons certainl#
did... See, #ou are sa#ing #esE So do not despair. .ut pra# de'outl# "or #our
dead ones, that their sins ma# )e eDpiated )e"ore I go to them. 0hen, without
waiting "or a moment, the# will come to 7ea'en with *e. ,ecause " am the
0ay, the Truth and the %ife and " lead, and " spea the Truth and " give %ife to
those who believe in My Truth and follow Me. 0ell *e. Did #our sons )elie'e in
the coming o" the *essiahE 5
2 9" course, m# =ord. I taught them to )elie'e that. 5
2 And did =e'i )elie'e that i" I wanted I could cure himE 5
2 4es, *# =ord. e hoped in 4ou... )ut it was o" no a'ail... and he died
disheartened a"ter hoping so much...5 0he woman resumes weeping again more
calml# )ut more desolatel# in her calm than when she was agitated.
2 Do not sa# that it was o" no a'ail. 7e who )elie'es in *e, e'en i" he is dead,
will li'e "ore'er... 10 1ight is "alling, woman. I will Coin *# apostles. I lea'e
*# *other with #ou...5
2 9hF ill #ou please sta# as wellF... I am a"raid that i" 4ou go awa#, m#
torture will )egin again... 0he storm is Cust )eginning to calm at the sound o"
4our words...5
2 Do not )e a"raidF 4ou ha'e *ar# with #ou. I will come again tomorrow. I
ha'e something to tell the shepherds. 3an I tell them to approach #our
houseE...5
231. '!n( t! E%7)>s )t B#t"7ur. 22,
2 9hF 4es. 0he# used to come also last #ear "or m# son... .ehind the house
there is an orchard and a rustic #ard. 0he# can go there as the# used to do then,
to ;eep the "loc; together...5
2 All right. I will come. .e good. 8emem)er that *ar# in the 0emple was
entrusted to 4ou. I entrust 7er to #ou as well tonight. 5
2 4es, do not worr#. I will loo; a"ter 7er... I will ha'e to see to 7er supper, to
7er rest... >or how long I ha'e ne'er thought o" these thingsF *ar#, will 4ou
sleep in m# room, as =e'i did when he was illE I in m# son6s )ed, 4ou in mine.
And I will "eel as i" I heard his light )reathing again... 7e alwa#s held me )# the
hand...5
2 4es, &li(a. .ut )e"ore we shall spea; o" man# things. 5
2 1o. 4ou are tired. 4ou must sleep. 5
2 4ou, too...5
2 9hF IF I ha'e not slept "or months... I weep... and weep... I can do nothing
else...5
2 0his e'ening, instead, we shall pra#, and then we shall go to )ed and #ou will
sleep... e shall sleep holding each other6s hand. 4ou ma# go, Son, and pra# "or
us...5
2 I )less #ou. Peace to #ou and to this houseF 5
And ,esus goes awa# with the maidser'ant who is dum)"ounded and ;eeps
repeating? 2 hat a miracle, m# =ordF hat a miracleF A"ter so man# months
she has spo;en, she has reasoned... 9hF what a wonder"ul thingF... 0he# were
sa#ing that she would die insane... And I was sorr#, )ecause she is good. 5
2 4es, she is good and that is wh# God will help her. Good)#e, woman. Peace
also to #ou. 5
,esus goes out on to the almost dar; street and it all ends.
,;*. 9!sus in E#i3'>s Hous! S"!'@s o0 Sorro$ t't B!'rs Fruit.
+t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he news that &li(a has con'inced hersel" that she should get rid o" her tragic
melanchol# must ha'e spread through the 'illage, so much so that when ,esus,
"ollowed )# 7is apostles and disciples goes towards the house, crossing the
'illage, man# people watch 7im care"ull#. 0he# also as; the 'arious shepherds
Iuestions a)out 7im, wh# 7e came, a)out those who are with 7im, a)out the
)o#, the women, the medicine 7e ga'e &li(a to relie'e her o" the dar;ness o"
insanit# so Iuic;l# as soon as 7e arri'ed, a)out what 7e is going to do or sa#...
And who wishes to as; more Iuestions, ma# do so...
0he last Iuestion is? 2 3ould we not come as wellE 5 to which the shepherds
repl#? 2 0hat we do not ;now. 4ou ought to as; the *aster. Go and as; 7im. 5
2 And i" 7e should ill<treat usE 5
2 7e does not ill<treat e'en sinners. Go. 7e will )e pleased. 5
A group o" people, mainl# elderl# men and women, o" the same age as &li(a,
consult one another and then mo'e "orward approaching ,esus ho is spea;ing
to Peter and .artholomew, and rather hesitantl# the# call 7im? 2 *aster... 5
2 hat do #ou wantE 5 as;s .artholomew.
2 0o spea; to the *aster, to as;... 5
2 *a# peace come to #ou. hat Iuestions do #ou wish to as; *eE 5
0he# ta;e heart seeing ,esus smile and sa#? 2 e are all "riends o" &li(a, and o"
her house. e heard that she has )een cured. e would li;e to see her and hear
4ou. 3an we comeE 5
2 4ou can come certainl# to hear *e. 0o see her, no, *# dear "riends. *orti"#
#our "riendship and also #our curiosit#. .ecause it is also curiosit#. 7a'e
respect "or a deep grie" which is not to )e distur)ed. 5
2 .ut has she not reco'eredE 5
2 She is turning towards the =ight. .ut when night comes to an end, is it
suddenl# midda#E And when #ou light a "ire, is the "lame )right at onceE 0he
same applies to &li(a. And i" a sudden gust o" wind )lows on the little starting
232. :#sus n E%7)>s H!us# S$#)@s !4 S!rr!& t")t B#)rs Frut. 22-
"lame, does it not put it outE Jse discretion there"ore. 0he woman is one )ig
sore. Also "riendship might irritate her )ecause she needs rest, silence, and
solitude, not tragic as #esterda#6s, )ut a resigned solitude to "ind hersel" once
again... 5
2 So, when shall we see herE 5
2 Sooner than #ou thin;. .ecause she is now on the path to health. .ut i" #ou
;new what it means to come out o" that dar;nessF It is worse than death. And
who comes out o" it, a"ter all, is ashamed o" ha'ing )een there and that the world
should ;now. 5
2 Are #ou a doctorE 5
2 I am the *aster. 5
0he# ha'e reached the house. ,esus spea;s to the shepherds?2 Go into the #ard.
ho wishes to come with #ou, ma# do so. .ut no one must ma;e an# noise or
go )e#ond the #ard. ill #ou watch as well 5 7e sa#s to the apostles, 2 that
e'er#)od# complies. And #ou @7e spea;s to Salome and *ar# o" AlphaeusA
watch that the )o# does not ma;e an# noise. Good)#e. 5 And 7e ;noc;s at the
door while the others turn the corner along a narrow street and go where the#
were told.
2 0he maidser'ant opens the door. ,esus goes in while the ser'ant repeatedl#
)ows to 7im.
2 here is #our mistressE 5
2 ith 4our *other... and, Cust imagineF she has come down into the gardenF
7ow wonder"ulF 7ow wonder"ulF And #esterda# e'ening she came into the
dining room... She was weeping, )ut she came. I would ha'e li;ed her to ta;e
some "ood, instead o" the usual drop o" mil;, )ut I was not success"ulF 5
2 She will ta;e it. Do not insist. .e patient also in #our lo'e "or #our mistress. 5
2 4es, m# Sa'iour. I will do e'er#thing 4ou tell me. 5
I thin;, in "act, that i" ,esus told the woman to do the strangest things, she would
do them without discussing, )ecause she is so con'inced that ,esus is ,esus and
that e'er#thing 7e does is right. In the meantime she ta;es 7im into a large
;itchen garden, "ull o" "ruit<trees and o" "lowers. .ut i" the "ruit<trees ha'e
)egun )# themsel'es to come into lea" and )lossom, to set the "ruit and ma;e
them grow, the poor "lower plants, neglected "or o'er a whole #ear, ha'e
)ecome a miniature "orest, which is so entangled that the wea;er and lower
plants are su""ocated )eneath the weight o" the stronger ones. >lower<)eds and
paths no longer eDist as the# ha'e )ecome one chaotic tangle. 0here is some
order onl# at the end o" the garden where the maidser'ant has sown salads and
legumes "or her own use.
*ar# is, with &li(a under a 'er# ru""led pergola, the shoots and tendrils o"
which reach down to the ground. ,esus stops and loo;s at 7is #oung *other,
ho with most re"ined art awa;es and directs &li(a6s mind to things completel#
di""erent "rom what up to #esterda# were the thoughts o" the a""licted woman.
0he ser'ant approaches her mistress and sa#s? 2 0he Sa'iour has come. 5
0he women turn round and come towards 7im, one with 7er sweet smile, the
other loo;ing tired and )ewildered.
2 Peace )e with #ou. 0his garden is )eauti"ul... 5
2 It was )eauti"ul... 5 sa#s &li(a.
2 And the soil is "ertile. =oo; how much )eauti"ul "ruit is a)out to ripenF And
how man# "lowers on the rose )ushesF And o'er thereE Are the# liliesE 5
2 4es, the# are, round a "ountain where m# children used to pla# so much. .ut
then it was tid#... 1ow e'er#thing is ruined here. And it no longer seems the
garden o" m# sons. 5
2 In a "ew da#s it will )e as it was )e"ore. I will help #ou. Is that right, ,esusE
4ou will lea'e *e here "or a "ew da#s with &li(a. e ha'e so much to do... 5
sa#s *ar#.
2 hat 4ou want, I want. 5
&li(a loo;s at 7im and whispers? 2 0han; 4ou. 5
,esus caresses her white hair and then ta;es 7is lea'e to go to the shepherds.
3 0he women remain in the garden, )ut shortl# a"terwards, when ,esus6s 'oice
greeting the people present is heard in the calm air, &li(a, as i" she were
attracted )# an irresisti)le "orce, goes slowl# up to a 'er# tall hedge )e#ond
which is the #ard.
232. :#sus n E%7)>s H!us# S$#)@s !4 S!rr!& t")t B#)rs Frut. 22.
,esus spea;s "irst to the three shepherds. 7e is close to the hedge, and in "ront o"
7im there are the apostles and the citi(ens o" .eth(ur who "ollowed 7im. 0he
*aries with the )o# are sitting in a corner. ,esus sa#s? 2 .ut are #ou )ound )#
contract or can #ou "ree #oursel'es "rom #our commitment an# timeE 5
2 ell, we are reall# "ree ser'ants. .ut we do not thin; that it is right to lea'e
him at once, now that the "loc;s demand so much attention and it is di""icult to
"ind shepherds. 5
2 1o, it is not "air. .ut it is not necessar# to do it at once. I am telling #ou in
good time, so that #ou ma# pro'ide in all "airness. I want #ou to )e "ree. 0o Coin
the disciples and help *e... 5
2 9hF *asterF... 5 0he three men are thrown into ecstasies "or Co#. 2 .ut will we
)e a)leE 5 the# as;.
2 I ha'e no dou)t a)out it. So that is settled. As soon as #ou can do it, #ou will
Coin Isaac. 5
2 4es, *aster. 5
2 4ou ma# go among the rest. I will spea; a "ew words to the people. 5
And lea'ing the shepherds 7e addresses the crowd.
4 2 Peace )e with #ou. 4esterda# I heard two un"ortunate persons spea;. 9ne at
the dawn o" li"eL the other at its decline? two souls )ewailing their distress. And I
wept in *# heart with them, seeing how much sorrow there is on the earth, and
how onl# God can relie'e it. GodF 0he eDact ;nowledge o" God, o" 7is great
in"inite )ount#, o" 7is constant presence, o" 7is promises. I saw how one man
can )e tortured )# another one and how death can dri'e him to desolation, on
which Satan wor;s to increase his grie" and cause ruin. I then said to *#sel"?
G0he children o" God must not su""er such tortures. =et us grant the ;nowledge
o" God to those who ignore it, let us gi'e it once again to those who ha'e
"orgotten it in the storm o" sorrow.H .ut I also saw that I am no longer su""icient
)# *#sel" "or the in"inite needs o" *# )rothers. And I ha'e decided to call
man#, in greater and greater num)ers, so that all those who need the com"ort o"
the ;nowledge o" God ma# ha'e it.
0hese twel'e apostles are the "irst. As *# representati'es the# can lead to *e,
and there"ore to com"ort, all those who are )ent under too hea'# a )urden o"
sorrow. I solemnl# tell #ou? 3ome to *e, all o" #ou who are a""licted, disgusted,
)ro;en<hearted, tired, and I will share #our grie" with #ou and gi'e #ou peace.
3ome, through *# apostles, disciples and women disciples, who are increasing
e'er# da# with new people "ull o" good will. 4ou will "ind com"ort in #our
grie", compan# in #our solitude, the lo'e o" #our )rothers to ma;e #ou "orget the
hatred o" the world, #ou will "ind, a)o'e all, the supreme com"orter, the per"ect
companion, the lo'e o" God. 4ou will no longer dou)t an#thing. 4ou will no
longer sa#? G&'er#thing has come to an end "or meFH .ut #ou will sa#?
G&'er#thing )egins "or me in a supernatural world, which a)olishes distances
and cancels separationsH, so that orphans will )e reunited to their parents who
ha'e risen to A)raham6s )osom, and "athers and mothers, wi'es and widows
will "ind their lost children and hus)ands.
5 In this land o" ,udaea, still near .ethlehem o" 1aomi, I remind #ou that lo'e
relie'es pain and gi'es Co#. 3onsider, #ou who are weeping, 1aomi6s desolation
when her house was le"t without men. =isten to the words o" her down<hearted
dismissal o" 9rpah and 8uth? GGo )ac;, each o" #ou, to her mother6s house. *a#
the =ord )e ;ind to #ou as #ou ha'e )een to those who ha'e died and to me...
=isten to her wear# insistence. She who once had )een the )eauti"ul 1aomi and
now was the tragic 1aomi, crushed )# grie", did not hope "or an#thing else in
li"e. She onl# wished to go and die in the place where she had )een happ# in the
da#s o" her #outh with the lo'e o" her hus)and and the ;isses o" her children.
She said? GGo, go. It is useless to come with me... I am as good as dead... *#
li"e is no longer here, )ut there, in the neDt world, where the# are. Do not sacri<
"ice #our li'es an# longer )eside a d#ing thing. .ecause I reall# am 6a thing6. I
am indi""erent to e'er#thing. God has ta;en e'er#thing awa# "rom me... I am
)itter grie". And I would grie'e #ou... and that would weigh sorel# on m# heart.
And the =ord would as; me to account "or that, 7e ho has alread# struc; me
so hard, )ecause it would )e sel"ishness to ;eep #ou, ali'e, near me, dead. Go to
#our mothers... .ut 8uth sta#ed to support the sorrow"ul old woman.
8uth had understood that there are sorrows which are alwa#s greater than one6s
own and that her grie" o" a #oung widow was lighter than the woman6s who had
lost her hus)and and two sonsL as the grie" o" an orphan )o#, who is compelled
to li'e )egging, without caresses, without good ad'ice, is )# "ar greater than the
deep sorrow o" a mother )ere"t o" her childrenL li;ewise the ;een regret o" him
who, "or a num)er o" reasons, goes as "ar as to hate man;ind and see in e'er#
man an enem# whom he must "ear and against whom he must de"end himsel", is
e'en greater than other sorrows, )ecause it in'ol'es not onl# "lesh, )lood and
232. :#sus n E%7)>s H!us# S$#)@s !4 S!rr!& t")t B#)rs Frut. 221
mentalit#, )ut the soul with its supernatural duties and rights and dri'es it to
perdition. 7ow man# childless mothers there are in the world "or motherless
childrenF 7ow man# childless widows there are who could )e compassionate to<
wards solitar# old aged peopleF 7ow man# there are, who, ha'ing )een depri'ed
o" e'er# lo'e so that the# ma# de'ote themsel'es entirel# to the unhapp#, could
"ight hatred with their need to lo'e and thus gi'e lo'e to unhapp# *an;ind,
which su""ers more and more )ecause it hates more and moreF
6 Sorrow is a cross, )ut it is also a wing. *ourning di'ests to reclothe. 8ise, #ou
who are weepingF 9pen #our e#es, get rid o" nightmares, o" dar;ness, o"
sel"ishnessF =oo;... 0he world is the )arren land where one weeps and dies. And
the world shouts? GhelpH through the mouths o" orphans, o" sic;, lonel#, dou)t"ul
people, through the mouths o" those who are made prisoners o" hatred )# treason
or cruelt#. Go among those who are shouting. >orget #oursel'es among those
who are "orgottenF 8eco'er #our health among those who are sic;F .e hope"ul
among those who are despairingF 0he world is open to those willing to ser'e
God in their neigh)our and to gain 7ea'en? to )e united to God and to those
whom we mourn. 0he g#mnasium is here. 0he triumph there. 3ome. Imitate
8uth in all #our sorrows. Sa# with her? GI will )e with #ou until I die.H And e'en
i" those mis"ortunes, which consider themsel'es incura)le, should repl# to #ou?
GDo not call me 1aomi, call me *ara, "or God has marred me )itterl#H #ou
must persist. And I solemnl# tell #ou that those mis"ortunes one da#, )ecause o"
#our persisting, will eDclaim? G.lessed )e the =ord ho relie'ed me o" m#
)itterness, desolation and solitude, )# means o" a creature who ;new how to
ma;e his sorrow )ear good "ruit. *a# God )less him )ecause he is m# sa'iour.H
8emem)er that 8uth6s ;indness to 1aomi ga'e the *essiah to the world,
)ecause the *essiah descends "rom Da'id, as Da'id descended "rom ,esse,
,esse "rom 9)ed, 9)ed "rom .oa(, .oa( "rom Salmon, Salmon "rom 1ahshon,
1ahshon "rom Amminada), Amminada) "rom 8am, 8am "rom 7e(ron, 7e(ron
"rom Pere(, and the# populated the "ields o" .ethlehem preparing the ancestors
o" the =ord. &'er# good deed is the origin o" great things, which #ou do not
e'en imagine. And the e""ort man ma;es against his own sel"ishness can cause
such a wa'e o" lo'e, capa)le o" rising higher and higher, supporting in its
limpidit# him who caused it, until it li"ts him to the "eet o" the altar, to the heart
o" God.
*a# God grant #ou peace. 5
And ,esus, without going )ac; into the garden through the little door )uilt in the
hedge, watches that no one goes near the hedge, "rom the other side o" which
comes a long weeping... 9nl# when all the people o" .eth(ur ha'e gone awa#,
7e departs with 7is apostles without distur)ing those )ene"icial tears...
,1;. To$'r(s H!5ron. T! /or#(>s R!'sons 'n( %o(>s.
4t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 2 I do not suppose #ou wish to ma;e a pilgrimage to all the ;nown places in
Israel 5 sa#s the Iscariot ironicall#. 7e is discussing in a group where there are
*ar# o" Alphaeus and Salome together with Andrew and 0homas.
2 h# notE ho "or)ids usE 5 as;s *ar# o" 3lopas.
2 I do. *# mother has )een waiting "or me "or such a long time... 5
2 ell go to #our mother. e will reach #ou later 5 sa#s Salome and she seems
to )e adding mentall#? 2 1o one will miss #ou. 5
2 3ertainl# notF I am going with the *aster. 3ontrar# to what had )een
arranged, *ar# is not coming. And that should not ha'e )een done to me,
)ecause I was promised She would come. 5
2 She stopped at .eth(ur "or a good reason. 0hat woman was reall# unhapp#. 5
2 ,esus could ha'e cured her at once, without ma;ing her reco'er )# degrees. I
do not ;now wh# 7e is no longer "ond o" wor;ing outstanding miracles. 5
2 7e must ha'e hol# reasons "or doing what 7e did 5 states Andrew calml#.
2 9" courseF And 7e thus loses prosel#tes. 9ur sta# at ,erusalem, what a
disappointment it wasF 0he more there is need "or high"lown things, the more
7e crouches in the dar;. I intended so much to see, to "ight... 5
2 &Dcuse m# Iuestion... .ut what did #ou want to see and with whom did #ou
intend to "ightE 5 as;s 0homas.
2 hatE hoE .ut I wanted to see 7is miracles and then ma;e head against
213. T!&)r*s H#8r!n. T"# 0!r%*>s R#)s!ns )n* '!*>s. 222
those who sa# that 7e is a "alse prophet or possessed. .ecause that is what the#
sa#, seeE 0he# sa# that i" .eel(e)u) does not support 7im, 7e is a poor wretch.
And since .eel(e)u)6s whimsical disposition is well ;nown and we ;now that
he delights in ta;ing and lea'ing, as a leopard does with its pre#, and that this
mentalit# is Custi"ied )# "acts, I )ecome impatient when I thin; that 7e does
nothing. e are cutting a lo'el# "igureF 0he apostles o" a *aster... ho does
nothing )ut teach... that is undenia)le, )ut nothing else. 5 ,udas6 a)rupt pause
a"ter the word 2 *aster 5 ma;es the others thin; he was a)out to sa# something
nast#.
0he women are horri"ied and *ar# o" Alphaeus, )eing a relati'e o" ,esus6, sa#s
"ran;l#? 2 I am not surprised at that, )ut I am astonished that 7e puts up with
#ou, )o#F 5
2 .ut Andrew, the e'er mee; Andrew, loses his temper and )lushing, 'er# much
li;e his )rother Cust this once, sa#s "uriousl#? 2 Go awa#F And #ou won6t cut an#
more )ad "igures )ecause o" the *asterF And who as;ed #ou to comeE 7e called
us. 1ot #ou. 4ou had to insist se'eral times to )e accepted. 4ou imposed #our<
sel". I do not ;now who ;eeps me "rom reporting e'er#thing to the others... 5
2 9ne can ne'er tal; to #ou. 0he# are right when the# sa# #ou are Iuarrelsome
and ignorant people... 5
2 ell, to tell #ou the truth, neither do I understand how #ou can sa# that the
*aster made a mista;e. 1either did I ;now o" the whimsical disposition o" the
Demon. Poor thingF 7e must certainl# )e odd. 7ad he )een intelligent he would
not ha'e re)elled against God. .ut I will ta;e note o" that 5 teases 0homas to
a'ert the approaching storm.
2 Don6t Cest, )ecause I am serious. 3an #ou perhaps sa# that 7e attracted
attention in ,erusalemE Also =a(arus said so... 5
0homas )rea;s into a heart# laugh. 0hen, still laughing, and his laughter has
alread# disconcerted ,udas, he sa#s? 2 7e has not done an#thingE Go and as; the
lepers at Siloam and 7innom. 0hat is? #ou will not "ind an#one at 7innom,
)ecause the# were all cured. I" #ou were not there, )ecause #ou were in a hurr#
to go to... #our "riends, and conseIuentl# #ou do not ;now, that does not pre'ent
the 'alle#s o" ,erusalem and man# more places "rom resounding with the
hosannas o" the lepers cured 5 concludes seriousl# 0homas. And he continues
sternl#? 2 4ou su""er "rom )ile trou)le, m# "riend. And thus #ou taste )itter and
see green e'er#where. It must )e a recurring disease with #ou. And )elie'e me,
it is not 'er# pleasant to lie with one li;e #ou. 4ou must change. I will not tell
an#)od# an#thing, and i" these good women will listen to me, the# will )e Iuiet
as well, and so will Andrew. .ut #ou must change. 4ou must not thin; that #ou
ha'e )een disappointed )ecause there is no disappointment. 1either are #ou
necessar# )ecause the *aster ;nows what to do )# 7imsel". Don6t #ou tr# to )e
the *aster6s master. And i" "or that poor woman o" &li(a 7e acted thus, it means
that that was the right thing to do. =et sna;es hiss and spit as the# li;e. Don6t go
to the trou)le o" acting as )ro;er )etween them and 7im and a)o'e all do not
thin; that #ou lower #oursel" )# )eing with 7im. &'en i" 7e did not cure e'en a
cold in "uture, 7e is alwa#s power"ul. 7is word is a continuous miracle. And set
#our mind at rest. e ha'e no archers )ehind usF Don6t worr#, we will succeed
in con'incing the world that ,esus is ,esus. And )e Iuiet, i" *ar# promised to
come to #our mother6s, She will come. In the meantime we will go round this
)eauti"ul part o" the countr#, it is our wor;F And wh# notE =et us ma;e the
women disciples happ# )# going to 'isit A)raham6s tom), his tree and ,esse6s
sepulchre and... what else did #ou sa#E 5
20he# sa# that this is the place where Adam li'ed and where A)el was ;illed...5
2 0he usual senseless talesF 5 grum)les ,udas.
2 In one hundred #ears6 time the# will sa# that also the Grotto o" .ethlehem and
man# other things were a taleF .ut eDcuse meF 4ou wanted to go to that stin;ing
ca'e at &ndor, which #ou must agree did not )elong to a hol# c#cleL don6t #ou
thin; soE And the# ha'e come here where the# sa# there is the )lood and the
ashes o" saints. &ndor )rought us ,ohn and who ;nows... 5
2 hat a handsome acIuisition ,ohn isF 5 sco""s the Iscariot.
2 7is "ace isn6t, no. .ut in his soul he ma# )e )etter than we are. 5
2 hatE ith his pastF 5
2 .e Iuiet. 0he *aster said that we are not to remem)er it. 5
2 =o'el#F I" I did an# such things, I wonder whether #ou would not remem)er
themF 5
3 2 Good)#e, ,udas. 4ou had )etter )e )# #oursel". 4ou are too cross. I wish I
;new what is the matter with #ouF 5
213. T!&)r*s H#8r!n. T"# 0!r%*>s R#)s!ns )n* '!*>s. 233
2 hat is the matter with me, 0homasE 0he trou)le is that I see that we are
)eing neglected to the ad'antage o" strange newcomers. And I see that e'er#<
)od# is pre"erred to me. And I also notice how 7e waits until I am awa# to teach
#ou how to pra#. And do #ou eDpect me to )e happ# with such a situationE 5
2 1o, I don6t. .ut ma# I point out that i" #ou had come with us "or the Passo'er
Supper #ou would ha'e )een on the *ount o" 9li'es as well with us, when the
*aster taught us the pra#er. I do not see how we are neglected )ecause o" an#
strange newcomer. Are #ou re"erring to the poor innocent )o#E 9r )ecause
unhapp# ,ohn is with usE 5
2 .ecause o" )oth o" them. ,esus hardl# e'er spea;s to us now. =oo; at 7im
e'en now... 7e is loitering o'er there, tal;ing and tal;ing to the )o#. 7e will
ha'e to wait a long time )e"ore 7e can put him among the disciplesF And the
other one will ne'er )e a disciple. 7e is too proud, too learned, too hardened,
with )ad tendencies. And #et? G,ohn here, ,ohn thereH 5
2 >ather A)raham, help me to )ear this in patienceFFF And in what do #ou thin;
the *aster pre"ers others to #ouE 5
2 Do #ou not see that e'en nowE hen it was time to lea'e .eth(ur, a"ter
stopping to teach three shepherds who could ha'e 'er# well )een taught )#
Isaac, whom does 7e lea'e with 7is motherE *eE #ouE 1o. 7e lea'es Simon.
An old man who can hardl# spea;F... 5
2 .ut the little he sa#s is alwa#s said right 5 retorts 0homas, who is now alone
)ecause the women and Andrew ha'e gone awa# and are wal;ing "ast in "ront o"
them as i" the# wished to get past a stretch o" the road where the sun is 'er#
warm.
4 0he two apostles ha'e )ecome so eDcited that the# do not hear ,esus coming,
)ecause the noise o" 7is "ootsteps is completel# mu""led )# the dust o" the road.
.ut i" 7e ma;es no noise, the two are shouting as loud as ten people and ,esus
can hear. .ehind 7im there are Peter, *atthew, the two cousins o" the =ord,
Philip and .artholomew and the two sons o" :e)edee with *arCiam )etween
them.
,esus sa#s? 2 4ou are right, 0homas. Simon spea;s little, )ut the little he sa#s is
alwa#s right. 7is mind is placid and his heart honest. And a)o'e all he has a
great good<will. 0hat is wh# I le"t him with *# *other. 7e is a true relia)le
man and at the same time he ;nows how to li'e, he has su""ered and is old.
0here"ore I am sa#ing this )ecause I suppose there is someone who thin;s *#
choice was un"air M there"ore he was the most suita)le to remain. ,udas, I could
not allow *# *other to )e le"t alone near a poor woman who is still ill. And it
was Cust that I should lea'e 7er. *# *other will complete the wor; that I
started. .ut I could not lea'e 7er with *# )rothers, or with Andrew, ,ames or
,ohn, or with #ou. I" #ou do not understand the reason, I do not ;now what to
sa#... 5
2 .ecause She is 4our *other, She is #oung, )eauti"ul, and people... 5
2 1oF People will alwa#s ha'e "ilth in their thoughts, on their lips and hands and
particularl# in their hearts, dishonest people who see their sentiments in e'er#<
)od# elseL )ut I am not concerned with their mud. It "alls o"" )# itsel", when it is
dr#. .ut I pre"erred Simon )ecause he is old and he would not remind the
desolate woman too much o" her dead sons. 4ou #oung men would ha'e
recalled them with #our #outh... Simon ;nows how to watch without )eing
noticed, he ne'er demands an#thing, he understands and can control himsel". I
could ha'e ta;en Peter. ho would )e )etter than he near *# *otherE .ut he is
still too impulsi'e. 4ou ;now that I tell him openl#, and he ta;es no o""ence.
Peter is sincere, and he lo'es sincerit# e'en to his own detriment. I could ha'e
ta;en 1athanael. .ut he has ne'er )een to ,udaea )e"ore. Simon instead ;nows
the countr# well and he will )e in'alua)le in )ringing *# *other to Berioth. 7e
;nows where #our countr# house and the town one are and he will not... 5
5 2 .ut... *asterF... .ut is 4our *other reall# coming to mineE 5
2 e said so. And when #ou sa# something, #ou do it. e shall proceed slowl#,
stopping to e'angeli(e these 'illages. Do #ou not want *e to e'angeli(e 4our
,udaeaE 5
2 9" course, *asterF... .ut I )elie'ed... I thought... 5
2 A)o'e all #ou were causing #oursel" a lot o" trou)le through #our own
imagination. .# the second phase o" the moon o" Si'an we shall all )e at #our
mother6s. e, that is also *# *other and Simon. >or the time )eing She is
e'angeli(ing .eth(ur, a ,udaean town, as ,ohanna is e'angeli(ing ,erusalem
with the assistance o" a girl and a priest who was pre'iousl# a leper, as =a(arus
with *artha and old Ishmael are e'angeli(ing .ethan#, as ,uttah is e'angeli(ed
)# Sarah and I am sure that #our mother spea;s o" the *essiah at Berioth, 4ou
cannot certainl# sa# that I ha'e le"t ,udaea without 'oices. 9n the contrar#,
213. T!&)r*s H#8r!n. T"# 0!r%*>s R#)s!ns )n* '!*>s. 231
although it is more narrow<minded and stu))orn than an# other region, I ha'e
gi'en it the sweetest 'oices, the 'oices o" women, )eside those o" Isaac, a hol#
man, and o" =a(arus, a "riend o" *ine. A woman ;nows how to use words with
the su)tle art o" a woman, a mistress in leading souls to where she wants. Are
#ou not spea;ing an# moreE h# are #ou almost weeping, #ou )ig mood# )o#E
hat is the use o" poisoning #oursel" with shadowsE 7a'e #ou still an# reason
to )e upsetE 0ell *eF Spea; up... 5
2 I am )ad... and 4ou are so good. 4our goodness alwa#s stri;es me, )ecause it
is alwa#s so "resh and so new... I... I can ne'er tell when I am going to "ind it on
m# wa#. 5
2 4ou are right. It is not possi)le "or #ou to ;now. .ecause it is neither "resh nor
new. It is eternal, ,udas. It is omnipresent, ,udas... 9hF e are near 7e)ron and
*ar#, Salome and Andrew are wa'ing their hands to us. =et us go. 0he# are
spea;ing to some men. 0he# must )e as;ing where the historical places are.
4our mother is )ecoming #oung again )# this recollection, m# dear )rotherF 5
,udas 0haddeus smiles at his 3ousin and ,esus smiles )ac;.
2 e are all )ecoming #oungF 5 sa#s Peter. 2 I seem to )e at school once again.
.ut this is a lo'el# schoolF *uch )etter than &lisha6s, the grum)ler. Do #ou
remem)er him, PhilipE hat did we not do to himF 8emem)er the stor# o" the
tri)esE GSa# the towns o" the tri)esFHL G4ou did not sa# them in chorus... 8epeat
them...HL GSimon, #ou loo; li;e a sleeping "rog. 4ou are le"t )ehind. Start all
o'er again.H 9 dearF *# head was "ull o" names o" towns and 'illages o" )#gone
da#s, and I ;new nothing else. Instead here, one reall# learnsF Do #ou ;now,
*arCiamE 9ne o" these da#s #our "ather will )e going to sit his eDams, now that
he has learned... 5
0he# all laugh while going towards Andrew and the women.
,11. /!#co)! R!c!"tion 't H!5ron.
6t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he# are all sitting in a circle in a thic;et near 7e)ron and the# are eating
while spea;ing to one another. ,udas, who is now sure that *ar# will go to his
mother6s, is in the )est o" spirits and endea'ours to erase the memor# o" his )ad
humour with his companions and the women, )# showering his attention on
them. 7e must ha'e gone to the 'illage to do the shopping and he sa#s that he
has "ound a great di""erence in it since last #ear. 2 0he news o" ,esus6 preaching
and miracles has reached this place. And the people ha'e )egun to ponder man#
things. Do 4ou ;now, *aster, that Doras has some propert# in this part o" the
countr#E Also 3hu(a6s wi"e has some land on these mountains and a castle o"
her own, as marriage settlement. 9)'iousl# the ground has )een prepared )oth
)# her and )# Doras6 peasants, )ecause some o" his men "rom &sdraelon must )e
here. 7e... Doras told them to )e Iuiet. .ut the#F... I don6t thin; the# would )e
silent e'en i" he tortured them. 0he death o" the old Pharisee greatl# surprised
e'er#)od#, 4ou ;nowE And the 'er# good health o" ,ohanna, who came here
)e"ore Passo'er. AhF Also Aglae6s lo'er has ser'ed 4ou. 4ou ;now that she ran
awa# shortl# a"ter we came here. And he pla#ed ha'oc among man# innocent
people to a'enge himsel". So that the people concluded )# thin;ing o" 4ou as an
a'enger o" the oppressed and the# are now eDpecting 4ou. I mean the )etter
ones...5
2 A'enger o" the oppressedF I reall# am. .ut in a supernatural wa#. 1one o"
those who see *e with sceptre and aDe in *# hands as ;ing and eDecutioner
according to the spirit o" the earth, is right. I certainl# came to "ree people "rom
oppression. >rom the oppression o" sin, which is the gra'est, o" illness, o"
desolationL "rom ignorance and sel"ishness. *an# will learn that it is not "air to
oppress people, simpl# )ecause one has )een placed )# "ate in a high position,
and that, on the contrar#, a high position should )e used to raise up those who
are down at the )ottom. 5
2 =a(arus does that, also ,ohanna. .ut the# are onl# two against hundreds...5
sa#s Philip disconsolatel#.
2 8i'ers are not as wide at their sources as the# are at their estuaries. A "ew
drops, a tric;le o" water, )ut later... 0here are ri'ers that loo; li;e seas at their
mouths. 5
2 0he 1ile, ehE 4our *other told me o" the time 4ou went to &g#pt. She
alwa#s said to me? GA sea, )elie'e *e, a green<)lue sea. 0o see it in "lood is a
dreamFH and She told me o" the plants that seem to spring "rom the water and o"
all the greener# that seemed to )e le"t )# the receding water...5 sa#s *ar# o"
211. 0#%c!+# R#c#$t!n )t H#8r!n. 232
Alphaeus.
2 ell, I tell #ou that, as the 1ile at its source is a tric;le o" water and then
)ecomes the giant it is, so the tin# tric;le o" great people who "or the time )eing
)end with lo'e and out o" lo'e o'er the least o" their )rothers, will )ecome a
multitude later. >or the time )eing ,ohanna, =a(arus, *artha, )ut how man#
laterF 5 ,esus seems to )e seeing those who will )e merci"ul to their )rothers and
7e smiles, enraptured in 7is 'ision.
2 ,udas con"ides that the head o" the s#nagogue wanted to come with him, )ut
he did not dare to ta;e a decision )# himsel"? 2 Do #ou remem)er, ,ohn, how he
dro'e us awa# last #earE 5
2 I remem)er... .ut let us as; the *aster. 5
And when ,esus is Iuestioned 7e sa#s that the# will go into 7e)ron. I" the
people want them, the# will call them and the# will stopL otherwise the# will
pass without pausing.
2 So we will see also the .aptist6s house. 0o whom does it )elong nowE 5
2 0o whoe'er wants it, I thin;. Shammai went awa# and ne'er came )ac;. 7e
too; awa# ser'ants and "urniture. 0he citi(ens to a'enge themsel'es o" his a)use
o" power, ;noc;ed the enclosure wall down, and the house now )elongs to
an#)od#. At least the garden does. 0he# gather there to 'enerate their .aptist.
0he# sa# that Shammai was murdered. I do not ;now wh#... apparentl# )ecause
o" women...5
2 3ertainl# some "ilth# plot at courtF...5 whispers 1athanael through his )eard.
3 0he# get up and go towards 7e)ron, towards the .aptist6s house. hen the#
are almost there, the# see a serried group o" citi(ens coming "orward rather
hesitatingl#. 0he# seem curious and em)arrassed. .ut ,esus greets them smiling.
0he# ta;e heart, the# open out and that se'ere person, the head o" the
s#nagogue, whom the# had met in the pre'ious #ear, emerges "rom the group.
2 Peace to #ouF 5 greets ,esus instantl#. 2 ill #ou allow us to stop in #our
townE I am here with all *# "a'ourite disciples and with some o" their mothers.
5
2 *aster, )ut do 4ou not )ear us, or me, a grudgeE 5
2 GrudgeE I do not ;now what it is, neither do I ;now wh# I should )ear it. 5
2 =ast #ear I o""ended 4ou...5
2 4ou o""ended an Jn;nown man, thin;ing it was #our right to do so. =ater #ou
understood and #ou were sorr# #ou had done it. .ut that is past. And as
repentance cancels sin, so the present deletes the past. 1ow I am no longer
Jn;nown to #ou. So what are #our sentiments towards *eE 5
2 9" respect. =ord. 9"... desire...5
2 DesireE hat do #ou want "rom *eE 5
2 0o ;now 4ou )etter than I do at present. 5
2 7owE In what wa#E 5
2 0hrough 4our word and 4our deeds. e ha'e recei'ed news a)out 4ou, 4our
doctrine, 4our power, and we were told that 4ou were in'ol'ed in the li)eration
o" the .aptist. So 4ou did not hate him, 4ou did not tr# to oust our ,ohnF... 7e
himsel" admitted that it was through 4ou that he saw once again the 'alle# o"
the hol# ,ordan. e went to him and spo;e to him o" 4ou and he said to us?
G4ou do not ;now what #ou ha'e reCected. I should curse #ou, )ut I "orgi'e #ou
)ecause 7e taught me to "orgi'e and to )e mee;. .ut i" #ou do not wish to )e
anathematised )# the =ord and )# me, lo'e the *essiah. And ha'e no dou)ts.
0his is 7is e'idence? spirit o" peace, per"ect lo'e, greatest wisdom, hea'enl#
doctrine, a)solute mee;ness, power o'er e'er#thing, total humilit#, angelical
chastit#. 4ou cannot )e wrong. hen #ou )reathe peace near a man ho sa#s
7e is the *essiah, when #ou drin; the lo'e emanating "rom 7im, when #ou
pass "rom #our dar;ness into =ight, when #ou see sinners )eing redeemed and
"lesh )eing cured, then sa#? 60his is trul# the =am) o" GodF6.H e ;now that
4our deeds are those mentioned )# ,ohn. 0here"ore "orgi'e us, lo'e us, gi'e us
what the world eDpects "rom 4ou. 5
4 2 0hat is wh# I am here. I ha'e come "rom "ar awa# to gi'e to the town o"
,ohn also what I gi'e e'er# place that accepts *e. 0ell *e what #ou wish "rom
*e. 5
2 e also ha'e sic; people, and we are ignorant. e are ignorant particularl#
with regard to what is lo'e and goodness. ,ohn, in his total lo'e "or God, has an
iron hand and a "ier# word and he wants to )end e'er#)od# as a giant )ends a
211. 0#%c!+# R#c#$t!n )t H#8r!n. 233
)lade o" grass. *an# gi'e wa# to deCection, )ecause man is more sin"ul than
hol#. It is di""icult to )e saintsF... 4ou... the# sa# that 4ou raise, 4ou do not
)end, 4ou do not cauterise, 4ou use )alms, 4ou do not crush, 4ou caress. e
;now that 4ou are paternal with sinners and 4ou are power"ul against diseases,
whiche'er the# ma# )e, also and a)o'e all the diseases o" hearts. 9ur ra))is can
no longer do that. 5
2 .ring *e #our sic; people and then gather in this garden, which has )een
a)andoned and was desecrated )# sin a"ter it had )een made a temple "or the
Grace that li'ed in it. 5
0he people o" 7e)ron spread out in all directions as "ast as wallows. 9nl# the
head o" the s#nagogue remains and together with ,esus and the disciples he goes
in )e#ond the enclosure o" the garden, to the shade o" a )ower where entangled
roses and 'ines ha'e grown wild. 0he population is soon )ac;. ith them there
is a paral#tic in a litter, a )lind #oung woman, a dum) )o# and two sic; people,
whose trou)le I do not ;now. 0he last two are wal;ing supported )# other
people.
,esus greets each sic; person sa#ing? 2 Peace to #ou. 5 0hen 7e as;s the ;ind
Iuestion? 2 hat do #ou want *e to do "or #ouE 5 "ollowed )# the chorus o"
lamentations, as each one wishes to tell his own stor#.
,esus, ho was sitting, stands up and goes to the dum) )o#, whose lips 7e wets
with 7is sali'a and utters the great word? 2 9pen. 5 And 7e repeats it wetting
the sealed e#elids o" the woman with 7is "inger moistened with sali'a. 7e then
stretches out 7is hand to the paral#tic and sa#s to him? 2 8iseF 5, and "inall# 7e
imposes 7is hands on the two sic; people sa#ing? 2 .e cured, in the name o" the
=ordF 5. And the )o# who pre'iousl# mum)led, sa#s distinctl#? 2 *umm#F 5,
while the #oung woman win;s at the light with her unsealed e#elids, and with
her "ingers screens her e#es "rom the un;nown sun, weeping and laughing, and
loo;s again, with hal" open e#es, not )eing accustomed to the light, at the lea'es,
the earth, the people and particularl# at ,esus. 0he paral#tic comes )oldl# o"" the
stretcher and his compassionate )earers li"t it, empt# as it is, to ma;e the people
a"ar understand that the grace has )een granted, while the two sic; people cr#
"or Co# and ;neel down to 'enerate their Sa'iour.
0he crowds are "ranticall# shouting hosanna, 0homas, who is near ,udas, loo;s
at him so intensel# and with such a clear eDpression, that ,udas declares to him?
2 I was "oolish, "orgi'e me. 5
5 hen the shouting su)sides, ,esus )egins to spea;.
2 0he =ord spo;e to ,oshua sa#ing? GSpea; to the children o" Israel and sa# to
them? 3hoose the cities o" re"uge o" which I spo;e to #ou through *oses, where
a man who has ;illed accidentall#, unwittingl#, ma# "ind sanctuar# and ma#
thus a'oid the wrath o" the neDt o" ;in, the a'enger o" )lood.H And 7e)ron was
one o" those towns. It is also written? GAnd the elders o" the town will not hand
the innocent man o'er to him who wants to ;ill him, )ut the# will recei'e him
and assign him a place where to li'e and he will remain there until he appears
"or Cudgement and until the death o" the high priest then in o""iceL onl# then he
ma# go )ac; to his town and to his house.H
0hat law alread# contemplates and prescri)es merci"ul lo'e towards our
neigh)our. God enacted that law )ecause it is not legal to condemn without
interrogating the accused, neither is it legal to ;ill in a "it o" wrath. 0he same can
)e said with regard to moral crimes and accusations. It is not legal to accuse
unless one ;nows, neither can one pass Cudgement without interrogating the
accused. .ut nowada#s a new series o" sentences and accusations has )een
added to those alread# eDisting in respect o" the usual sins or alleged o""ences?
the ones mo'ed against those who come in the name o" God. In the past the#
were mo'ed against the Prophets, now the# are repeated against the Precursor o"
3hrist and against 3hrist.
4ou are aware o" it. Drawn )# deception out o" the land o" Shechem, the .aptist
is now awaiting death in 7erod6s prison, )ecause he will ne'er su)mit to
"alsehood or compromise, and his li"e ma# )e crushed and his head cut o"", )ut
the# will not )e a)le to suppress his honest# or cut his soul o"" the 0ruth, which
he has ser'ed "aith"ull# in all its di'ine, supernatural and moral "orms. And
li;ewise 3hrist is persecuted with dou)le and decuple "ur#, )ecause 7e does not
con"ine 7imsel" to sa#ing? GIt is not law"ulH to 7erod, )ut 7e thunders the same
GIt is not law"ulH where'er 7e "inds sin or ;nows it is a sin, without eDcluding
an# class, in the name o" God and "or God6s honour.
6 7ow can that happenE Are there no more ser'ants o" God in IsraelE 4es, there
are. .ut the# are Gidols.H
In ,eremiah6s letter to the eDiles, the "ollowing is written among man# other
things. And I am drawing #our attention to it )ecause e'er# word o" the .oo; is
a lesson that, as the Spirit had it written "or a current e'ent, re"ers to an e'ent
that will ta;e place in the "uture. So it is written? G... hen #ou enter .a)#lon
211. 0#%c!+# R#c#$t!n )t H#8r!n. 234
#ou will see gods made o" gold, sil'er, stone, wood... .e on #our guard, do not
imitate the "oreigners, do not ha'e an# "ear o" their gods... Sa# in #our hearts?
6=ord, it is 4ou onl# that we must worship6.H And the letter descri)es the details
o" those idols whose tongues are made )# a cra"tsman and the# do not ma;e use
o" them to reproach their "alse priests, who strip them o" their gold to clothe
prostitutes with it and later the# remo'e the same gold, desecrated )# the
perspiration o" prostitution, to reclothe the idolL idols that rust and woodworm
can corrode and are clean and tid# onl# i" man washes their "aces and clothes
them, whereas the# can do nothing )# themsel'es, although the# ha'e sceptre
and aDe in their hands. And the Prophet concludes? G0here"ore )e not a"raid o"
them.H And he continues? G0hose gods are as useless as )ro;en pots. 0heir e#es
are "ull o" the dust raised )# the "eet o" those who enter the temple, and the#
close them tight, as in a sepulchre or li;e a man who has o""ended the ;ing,
)ecause an#one can steal their precious ro)es. 0he# cannot see the light o" the
lamps, so the# are li;e temple )eams, and the lamps ser'e onl# to )lac;en them
with smo;e, while owls, swallows and other )irds "l# o'er their heads and soil
them with eDcrement, and cats nestle among their clothes and tear them. So #ou
must not )e a"raid o" them, the# are dead things. 1either is their gold o" an# use
to them, it is onl# a displa#, and i" it is not polished, the idols do not shine, as
the# did not "eel an#thing when the# were made. >ire did not awa;e them. 0he#
were )ought at "a)ulous prices. 0he# are carried where'er man wants to ta;e
them )ecause the# are shame"ull# powerless... So wh# are the# called godsE
.ecause the# are worshipped with o""erings and a show o" "alse ceremonies,
which are not "elt )# those who per"orm them, nor )elie'ed )# those who see
them. hether the# are treated )adl# or well, the# are incapa)le o" pa#ing )ac;
either treatment, as the# are incapa)le o" electing or o'erthrowing a ;ing, the#
can gi'e neither wealth nor e'il, the# cannot sa'e a man "rom death or deli'er a
wea; man "rom an o'er)earing one. 0he# "eel no pit# "or widows and orphans.
0he# are li;e the stones o" the mountains.H.. 0he letter sa#s more or less that.
7 1ow, we also ha'e idols, no more saints, in the ran;s o" the =ord. 0hat is wh#
&'il can rise against Good. 0he e'il that soils with eDcrement the intellects and
hearts o" those who are no longer saints, and nestles among the "alse ro)es o"
goodness.
0he# can no longer spea; the words o" God. 9" courseF 0heir tongue is made )#
man and the# spea; the words o" man, when the# do not spea; Satan6s. And the#
can onl# "oolishl# reproach the innocent and the poor, )ut the# are silent where
the# see the corruption o" power"ul people. .ecause the# are all corrupt and the#
cannot accuse one another o" the same crimes. 0he# are greed#, not "or the
=ord, )ut "or *ammon, and the# wor; accepting the gold o" lust and crime,
)artering it, stealing it, sei(ed with immoderate desire eDceeding e'er# limit and
imagination. 0he# are co'ered with dust, which rots on them and i" the# show
clean "aces, God sees their "ilth# hearts. 0he# are corroded )# the rust o" hatred
and the worm o" sin and the# cannot react to sa'e themsel'es. 0he# )randish
maledictions as i" the# were sceptres and aDes, )ut the# do not ;now that the#
are cursed. Isolated in their thoughts and their hatred, li;e corpses in a sepulchre
or prisoners in Cail, the# remain there, clinging to the )ars lest some)od# might
ta;e them awa# "rom there, )ecause those dead people are still something?
mummies, nothing else )ut mummies loo;ing li;e human )eings, while their
)odies ha'e turned into dr# wood, and outside the# would )e old<"ashioned
articles in a world see;ing =i"e, in need o" =i"e as a child needs a mother6s
)reast, a world that wants who can gi'e it =i"e and not the stench o" death.
0he# do li'e in the 0emple and the smo;e o" the lamps, that is o" honours,
)lac;ens them, )ut no light descends upon themL and all passions nestle in them
li;e )irds and cats, while the "ire o" their mission does not gi'e them the
m#stical torture o" )eing )urnt )# the "ire o" God. 0he# are re"ractor# to =o'e.
0he "ire o" 3harit# does not in"lame them, as 3harit# does not clothe them with
its golden )rightness. 0he 3harit# o" dou)le "orm and dou)le source? charit# o"
God and o" neigh)our, the "ormL charit# "rom God and "rom man, the source.
.ecause God withdraws "rom a man who does not lo'e, and thus the "ormer
source ceasesL and man withdraws "rom a wic;ed man, and also the latter source
ceases. 3harit# depri'es a lo'eless man o" e'er#thing. 0he# allow themsel'es to
)e )ought at a cursed price, and to )e led where it suits pro"it and power.
8 1o. It is not rightF 1o mone# can )u# a conscience, particularl# the
conscience o" a priest or a teacher. It is not right to acIuiesce in the might#
things o" the earth when the# induce acts contrar# to God6s commandments.
0hat is spiritual ina)ilit# and it is written? GA eunuch is not to )e admitted to the
assem)l# o" the =ord.H 0hus, i" a man, impotent )# nature, cannot )elong to the
people o" God, can a spirituall# impotent man )e 7is ministerE .ecause I
solemnl# tell #ou that man# priests and masters are su""ering "rom guilt#
spiritual )arrenness, as the# lac; spiritual 'irilit#. *an#. 0oo man#F
*editate. 9)ser'e. 3ompare. 4ou will see that we ha'e man# idols, )ut "ew
ministers o" the Good which is God. 0hat is wh# the sanctuar# towns are no
longer a sanctuar#. 1othing is now respected in Israel and saints die )ecause
211. 0#%c!+# R#c#$t!n )t H#8r!n. 23,
those who are not saints hate them.
.ut I in'ite #ou? G3omeFH I call #ou in the name o" #our ,ohn who is languish<
ing )ecause he is a saint, who was struc; )ecause he precedes *e and )ecause
he endea'oured to remo'e the "ilth "rom the paths o" the =am). 3ome to ser'e
God. 0he time is near. Do not )e unprepared "or 8edemption. =et the rain "all on
the sown ground. 9therwise it will "all in 'ain. 4ou people o" 7e)ron must )e
the leadersF 4ou li'ed here with :acharias and &li(a? the hol# people who
deser'ed ,ohn "rom 7ea'enL and here ,ohn spread the scent o" Grace )# means
o" his true childish innocence and "rom the desert he sent #ou the anti<corrupting
incense o" his Grace, which has )ecome a wonder o" penance. Do not disappoint
#our ,ohn. 7e raised the lo'e "or our neigh)our to an almost di'ine le'el,
where)# he lo'es the last dweller on the desert, as he lo'es #ou, his "ellow<
citi(ens, and he certainl# implores Sal'ation "or #ou. And Sal'ation means to
"ollow the -oice o" the =ord and )elie'e in 7is ord. And "rom this sacerdotal
town come in a )od# to the ser'ice o" God. I am passing and I call #ou. Do not
)e in"erior to prostitutes, "or whom one word o" merc# is su""icient to persuade
them to a)andon their pre'ious li"e and come on to the wa# o" Good.
I was as;ed upon *# arri'al? G.ut do 4ou not )ear us a grudgeEH GrudgeE 1o, I
ha'e lo'e "or #ouF And I hope to see #ou in the multitude o" *# people, whom I
lead to God, in the new eDodus towards the true Promised =and? the Bingdom o"
God, )e#ond the 8ed Sea o" sensualit# and the deserts o" sin, "ree "rom all ;inds
o" sla'er#, to the eternal =and, which a)ounds in delight and is saturated with
peace... 3omeF 0his is =o'e passing )#. hoe'er wishes can "ollow 7im,
)ecause onl# good<will is reIuired to )e accepted )# 7im. 5
9 ,esus has "inished and there is wonder<struc; silence. It seems that man# are
weighing, testing, enCo#ing and comparing the words the# ha'e heard.
hile that is happening and ,esus, ho is tired and hot, sits down and spea;s to
,ohn and ,udas, a loud noise is heard coming "rom the other side o" the garden
enclosure. 0he shouts, at "irst con"used, )ecome clearer? 2 Is the *essiah thereE
Is 7e thereE 5 and when the# recei'e an a""irmati'e repl#, the# )ring "orward a
cripple who is so de"ormed that he loo;s li;e an S.
2 9hF it is *ashalF 5
2 .ut he is too crippledF hat does he eDpectE 5
2 0here is his mother, poor womanF 5
2 *aster, her hus)and le"t her )ecause o" that "rea; o" nature, her son, and she
li'es here o" charit#. .ut she is old and will not li'e 'er# long...5
0he "rea; o" nature, he reall# is, is now )e"ore ,esus. It is not possi)le to see his
"ace as he is so )ent and twisted. 7e loo;s li;e the caricature o" a man<
chimpan(ee, or o" a humanised camel. 7is mother, a poor old wretch, does not
e'en spea;, she onl# moans? 2 =ord, =ord... I )elie'e...5
,esus la#s 7is hands on the croo;ed shoulders o" the man, who hardl# reaches
up to 7is waist, loo;s up to 7ea'en and thunders? 2 8ise and wal; in the wa#s
o" the =ord 5, and the man gi'es a start and then springs up as straight as the
most per"ect man. 7is mo'ement is so rapid that one would thin; that the
springs holding him in that a)normal position, had suddenl# )ro;en. 7e now
reaches up to ,esus6 shoulders, he loo;s at 7im, then "alls on his ;nees, with his
mother, ;issing the "eet o" his Sa'iour.
hat happens in the crowd is indescri)a)le... And against 7is will, ,esus is
compelled to sta# in 7e)ron, )ecause the people are read# to ma;e )arriers at
the gates to pre'ent 7im "rom going out.
7e thus enters the house o" the elderl# head o" the s#nagogue, who is so
changed "rom last #ear...
,1,. At 9utt'. 9!sus S"!'@s in Is''c>s Hous!.
8t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he whole population o" ,uttah has run to meet ,esus with the wild "lowers
pic;ed on the mountain sides and the earl# "ruits the# culti'ate, )esides the
smiles o" the children and the )lessings o" the citi(ens. And )e"ore ,esus can set
"oot in the 'illage, 7e is surrounded )# the good people who, warned )# ,udas
o" Berioth and )# ,ohn, sent ahead as messengers, ha'e rushed with what the#
"ound )est to honour the Sa'iour, and a)o'e all with their lo'e.
,esus )lesses with gestures and words )oth adults and #oung people who press
against 7im ;issing 7is tunic and hands, and la# suc;lings on 7is arms so that
7e ma# )less them with a ;iss. 0he "irst to do so is Sarah, who places against
212. At :utt)"/ :#sus S$#)@s n Is))c>s H!us#. 23-
7is heart the )eauti"ul ten month old )a)#, whose name is ,esai.
0heir lo'e is so impetuous that it pre'ents progress. And #et it is li;e a rising
wa'e. I thin; that ,esus proceeds carried more )# that wa'e than )# 7is own
"eet, and 7is heart is certainl# carried 'er# high, into the clear s;#, )# the Co# o"
such lo'e. 7is "ace shines with the )rightness o" the moments o" greatest Co# o"
*an<God. It is not the power"ul magnetic loo;ing "ace o" the moments when 7e
wor;s miracles, nor the maCestic "ace as when 7e discloses 7is continuous
union with the >ather, nor the se'ere one as when 7e condemns sin. 0he# all
spar;le with di""erent lights, )ut the present one is the light o" the hours o"
relaDation o" 7is whole ego, assailed "rom so man# sides, compelled to )e
alwa#s 'igilant o" e'er# slightest gesture or word, )oth o" 7is own or o" others,
surrounded )# all the traps o" the world that, li;e a male"ic co)we), throw their
satanic threads around the Di'ine .utter"l# o" the *an<God, hoping to paralise
7is "light and imprison 7is spirit, so that 7e ma# not sa'e the worldL to gag 7is
word, so that 7e ma# not instruct the supreme guilt# ignorance o" the earthL to
tie 7is hands, the hands o" the &ternal Priest, so that the# ma# not sancti"# men,
depra'ed )# demon and "leshL to dim 7is e#es, so that the per"ection o" 7is loo;
ma# not attract hearts to 7imsel", 7is loo; in "act is a magnet, "orgi'eness, lo'e,
charm o'erwhelming e'er# resistance that is not the resistance o" a per"ect
satan.
9hF Is the wor; o" the enemies o" the 3hrist still not alwa#s the same against the
3hristE Science and 7eres#, 7atred and &n'#, the enemies o" *an;ind, who
sprang "rom *an;ind itsel" li;e poisoned )ranches "rom a good tree, do the# not
do all that, so that *an;ind ma# die, as the# hate it more than the# hate the
3hrist, )ecause the# hate it in an acti'e wa#, unchristianising it in order to
depri'e it o" its Co#, whereas the# can )erea'e ,esus o" nothing, as 7e is God,
whilst the# are dustE 4es, the# do that.
2 .ut the 3hrist ta;es shelter in "aith"ul hearts, whence 7e loo;s, spea;s and
)lesses *an;ind and then... and then 7e gi'es 7imsel" to those hearts and
the#... and the# touch 7ea'en with its )lessedness, still remaining here, )ut
)urning their senses and organs, in their "eelings and thoughts and in their souls,
to the eDtent o" )eing delight"ull# tortured in their whole )eing... 0ears and
smiles, groans and songs, eDhaustion and dire urgenc# "or li"e are our
companions, more than companions the# are our 'er# )eing, )ecause as )ones
are in the "lesh and 'eins and ner'es are under our s;in and the# all ma;e one
man, thus, li;ewise, all these )urning things originating "rom the "act that ,esus
ga'e 7imsel" to us, are within us, in our poor humanit#. And what are we in
those moments which could not last "ore'er, )ecause i" the# lasted a "ew
moments longer, we would die )urnt and )ro;enE e are no longer men. e
are no longer the animals gi"ted with reason li'ing on the earth. e are, we are,
ohF =ordF =et me sa# it once, not out o" pride, )ut to sing 4our glories )ecause
4our glance )urns me and ma;es me ra'e... e are then seraphim. And I am
surprised that we do not emit "lames and "ierce heat percepti)le )# people and
matter, as it happens in the apparitions o" damned souls. .ecause i" it is true that
the "ire o" 7ell is such that e'en the re"lection emitted )# a damned soul can set
a piece o" wood on "ire and melt metals, what is 4our "ire li;e, o God, in hom
e'er#thing is in"inite and per"ectE
9ne does not die o" "e'er, one does not )urn )ecause o" it, one is not consumed
)# the "e'er o" )odil# diseases. 4ou are our "e'er, =o'eF And )# it we are )urnt,
we die, we are consumed and the "i)res o" our hearts, which cannot resist so
much, are torn apart )# it and "or it. .ut I eDpressed m#sel" )adl#, )ecause lo'e
is delirium, lo'e is a water"all that shatters dams and descends ;noc;ing down
e'er#thing that is not lo'e, lo'e is the thronging in the mind o" sensations,
which are all true and present, )ut no hand can write them down, as the mind is
so "ast in translating the "eelings o" the heart into thoughts. It is not true that one
dies. 9ne li'es. =i"e is decupled. 9ne li'es a duplicated li"e? as a man and as a
)lessed soul? the li"e o" the earth, and that o" 7ea'en. 9hF I am sure o" it? one
achie'es and eDceeds the li"e without "aults, without restrictions and limitations,
that 4ou, >ather, Son and 7ol# Spirit, 4ou, God 3reator, 9ne and 0rine, had
gi'en to Adam a prelude to the =i"e, a"ter ascending to 4ou, to )e enCo#ed in
7ea'en, "ollowing a placid transition "rom the &arthl# Paradise to the 7ea'enl#
one, a trans"er made in the lo'ing arms o" angels, li;e the sweet sleep and
assumption o" *ar# into 7ea'en, to come to 4ouF
9ne li'es the true =i"e. 0hen one "inds onesel" here, and as I am doing now, one
is ama(ed and ashamed o" going so "ar and one sa#s? 2 =ord, I am not worth# o"
so much. >orgi'e me, =ord 5 and one )eats one6s )reast, )ecause we are terri"ied
at ha'ing )een proud and a thic;er 'eil is lowered o'er the splendour, )ecause i"
it does not continue to )la(e with o'erwhelming ardour, out o" pit# "or our
limitation, it gathers in the centre o" our hearts, read# to )la(e once again in a
might# wa# "or another moment o" )lessedness wanted )# God. 0he 'eil is
lowered on the sanctuar# where the "ire, the light and lo'e o" God are )urning...
and eDhausted and #et regenerated we resume going li;e... people ine)riated
with a strong sweet wine that does not dim reason )ut pre'ents us "rom ha'ing
212. At :utt)"/ :#sus S$#)@s n Is))c>s H!us#. 23.
e#es and thoughts "or what is not the =ord, 4ou, m# ,esus, ring lin;ing our
miser# to di'init#, means o" redemption "or our sin, creator o" )lessedness "or
our souls, 4ou, Son, ho with 4our wounded hands put our hands in the
spiritual ones o" the >ather and o" the Spirit, that we ma# )e in 4ou, now and
"ore'er. Amen.
3 .ut where ha'e I )een while ,esus in"lames me, in"laming the people o" ,uttah
with 7is lo'ing glanceE 4ou ma# ha'e noticed that I no longer spea; o" m#sel"
or I do so onl# seldom. 7ow man# things I could sa#. .ut the tiredness and
ph#sical wea;ness, which oppress me immediatel# a"ter dictations, and spiritual
modest#, which grows stronger and stronger the more I proceed, con'ince me
and compel me to )e silent. .ut toda#... I went too high and, we ;now, the air o"
the stratosphere ma;es one lose one6s control... I went much higher than the
stratosphere... and I could not control m#sel" an# more... And I thin; that i" we
alwa#s ;ept Iuiet M we who are caught in these 'ortices o" lo'e M we would end
up )# de"lagrating li;e proCectiles, or rather, li;e o'erheated or closed )oilers.
>orgi'e me, >ather. And now let us go on.
4 ,esus enters ,uttah and is led to the mar;et sIuare and then to the poor little
house where Isaac languished "or thirt# #ears. 0he# sa# to 7im? 2 e come here
to spea; o" 4ou and to pra#, as in a s#nagogue, the most true one. .ecause it is
here that we )ecame acIuainted with 4ou and here the pra#ers o" a saint ha'e
as;ed 4ou to come to us. 3ome in and see how we ha'e arranged the place... 5
0he little house, which the pre'ious #ear consisted onl# o" three tin# rooms M
the "irst one where Isaac, a sic; man, )egged, the second, a lum)er room and the
third, a ;itchenette which opened on to the #ard M is now one room onl# with
)enches in it "or those who meet there. 0he "ew household implements o" Isaac
ha'e )een placed, li;e so man# relics, in a little hut in the #ard and the respect"ul
people o" ,uttah ha'e made the #ard less drear# loo;ing, as the# ha'e planted
there some clim)ing plants, which now co'er the rustic stoc;ade with their
"lowers and "orm an incipient pergola, growing on a networ; o" rope stretched
out o'er the #ard, at the height o" the low roo".
,esus praises them and sa#s? 2 e can stop here. I onl# )eg #ou to gi'e
hospitalit# to the women and the )o#. 5
2 9hF *asterF 0hat will ne'er )e neededF e will come here with 4ou and 4ou
will spea; to us, )ut 4ou and 4our "riends are our guests. Grant us the )lessing
o" gi'ing 4ou and the ser'ants o" God hospitalit#. e onl# regret that the# are
not as man# as the houses... 5
,esus agrees and lea'es the little house going towards that o" Sarah who will not
cede to an#)od# her right to entertain ,esus and 7is "riends at a meal...
5 ... ,esus is spea;ing in Isaac6s house. 0he people crowd the room and the #ard
and throng also the sIuare, and ,esus, in order to )e heard )# e'er#)od#, stands
in the middle o" the room, so that 7is 'oice will carr# )oth in the #ard and in the
sIuare.
7e must )e dealing with a su)Cect )rought on )# a Iuestion or an e'ent. 7e
sa#s? 2 ... .ut ha'e no dou)t. As ,eremiah sa#s, the# will "ind out at the test how
sorrow"ul and )itter it is to a)andon the =ord. 1either potash nor l#e can remo'e
the stains o" certain crimes, *# "riends. 1ot e'en the "ire o" 7ell can corrode
that stain. It is indeli)le.
Also here we must ac;nowledge the Custice o" ,eremiah6s words. 9ur great ones
in Israel reall# loo; li;e the wild she<asses mentioned )# the Prophet. 0he# are
accustomed to the desert o" their hearts, )ecause, )elie'e *e, as long as one is
with God, e'en i" one is as poor as ,o), e'en i" one is alone, e'en i" one is nude,
one is ne'er alone, poor or nude, one is ne'er a desert, )ut the# ha'e reCected
God in their hearts and thus the# are an arid desert. =i;e wild she<asses the#
sni"" in the air the smell o" males, which in our case, )ecause o" their lust, are
named power, mone#, as well as true and proper lecher#, and the# "ollow that
smell, as "ar as crime. 4es. 0he# "ollow it and will "ollow it e'en more so in
"uture. 0he# do not ;now that their hearts, not their "eet, are eDposed to the darts
o" God ho will a'enge their crime. 7ow con"used ;ings, princes, priests and
scri)es will )e, )ecause the# reall# said and still sa# to what is nothing, or
worse, is sin? G4ou are m# "ather. 4ou ha'e )egotten meHF
I solemnl# tell #ou that *oses in a "it o" anger )ro;e the 0a)les o" the =aw
when he saw the people in idolatr#. =ater he clim)ed the mountain, pra#ed,
adored and o)tained grace. 0hat happened centuries ago. .ut idolatr# has not
#et died in the hearts o" men, and will ne'er rest, on the contrar# it will rise, li;e
#east in "lour. Almost e'er# man now has his own golden cal". 0he earth is a
"orest o" idols, )ecause e'er# heart is an altar, )ut hardl# e'er there is God upon
it. ho is not a sla'e o" one e'il passion, is sla'e o" another and who has not
one wic;ed desire, has another with a di""erent name. ho has no greed "or
gold, has a greed "or positions, who has no lust "or the "lesh, is an utter egoist.
7ow man# egos are worshipped in hearts li;e golden cal'esF 0he da#, there"ore,
212. At :utt)"/ :#sus S$#)@s n Is))c>s H!us#. 231
will come when the# are struc; and the# will call the =ord and will hear 7im
repl#? GGo to #our gods. I do not ;now #ou.H I do not ;now #ouF A dread"ul
word when uttered )# God to man. God created the race o" *en and 7e ;nows
each indi'idual. I" 7e there"ore sa#s? GI do not ;now #ouH it means that )# the
power o" 7is will 7e has erased that man "rom 7is memor#. I do not ;now #ouF
Is God too se'ere )ecause o" that 'erdictE 1o. *an cried to 7ea'en? GI do not
;now #ouH, as "aith"ull# as an echo...
6 3onsider? man is o)liged to ac;nowledge God out o" gratitude and out o"
respect "or his own intelligence.
9ut o" gratitude. God created man and granted him the ine""a)le gi"t o" li"e and
pro'ided him with the super<ine""a)le gi"t o" Grace. hen man lost Grace
through his own "ault, he heard a great promise )eing made to him? GI will gi'e
Grace )ac; to #ou.H It is God, the o""ended part#, ho sa#s so to the o""ender,
as i" 7e, God, were guilt# and o)liged to ma;e amends. And God ;eeps 7is
promise. .ehold, I am here to gi'e Grace to man. God has not con"ined 7imsel"
to gi'ing onl# what is supernatural, )ut 7e has lowered 7is Spiritual &ssence to
pro'ide "or the coarse necessities o" man6s "lesh and )lood, and 7e gi'es the
heat o" the sun, the relie" o" water, corn, 'ines, all ;inds o" trees and all races o"
animals. 0hus man recei'ed "rom God all the means o" li"e. 7e is the
.ene"actor. *an must )e grate"ul and show his gratitude )# endea'ouring to
;now 7im.
9ut o" respect "or one6s own reason. A madman and an idiot are not grate"ul to
those who cure them, )ecause the# do not understand the true 'alue o" the cure.
And the# hate those who wash them and "eed them, who accompan# them and
put them to )ed, who watch that the# do not get hurt, )ecause )eastl# as the# are
on account o" their illness, the# mista;e cures "or tortures. 0he man who "ails in
his duties towards God disgraces himsel", a )eing gi"ted with reason. 9nl# a "ool
or an idiot cannot tell his "ather "rom a stranger, a )ene"actor "rom an enem#.
.ut an intelligent man ;nows his "ather and his )ene"actor and ta;es pleasure in
;nowing him )etter and )etter, also with regard to things o" which he is
unaware, as the# happened )e"ore he was )orn or )e"ore he was helped )# his
"ather or )ene"actor. 0hat is what #ou must do with the =ord to show that #ou
are intelligent and not )rutes.
.ut too man# people in Israel are li;e those "ools who do not ;now their "ather
or their )ene"actor. ,eremiah as;s? G3an a girl "orget her ornaments and a )ride
her sashEH 9hF #es. Israel is made o" such "oolish girls, o" such wanton )rides
who "orget honest ornaments and sashes to put on tinsels o" prostitutesL and this
is "ound to happen more and more "reIuentl#, the more one clim)s the classes
that should )e the teachers o" the people. And God6s reproach, with 7is wrath
and regret, is addressed to them? Gh# do #ou endea'our to pro'e that #our
)eha'iour is good to o)tain lo'e, whereas #ou teach the wic;edness o" #our
wa#s o" li'ing, and the )lood o" poor and innocent people was "ound on the
hems o" #our garmentsEH.
7 *# "riends, distance is good and e'il. 0o )e 'er# "ar "rom the places where I
am li;el# to spea; is an e'il, )ecause it pre'ents #ou "rom hearing the words o"
=i"e. And #ou regret it. 0hat is true. .ut it is good inasmuch that it ;eeps #ou
awa# "rom the places where sin "erments, corruption )oils and snares hiss to act
against *e, hampering *e in *# wor;, and against the hearts o" people, )#
insinuating dou)ts and "alsehood with regard to *e. .ut I pre"er #ou to )e "ar
awa# rather than corrupted. I will see to #our "ormation. 4ou ;now that God
had pro'ided )e"ore we were acIuainted with one another, so that we might lo'e
one another. I was ;nown )e"ore we met. Isaac was #our announcer. I will send
man# Isaacs to spea; *# words to #ou. 7owe'er, #ou must ;now that God can
spea; e'er#where and pri'atel# to the spirit o" man and instruct him in 7is
doctrine.
Do not )e a"raid that )# )eing alone #ou ma# )e led into error. 1o. I" #ou do not
want, #ou will not )e un"aith"ul to the =ord and to 7is 3hrist. 9n the other
hand, he who Cust cannot sta# awa# "rom the *essiah should ;now that the
*essiah opens 7is heart and stretches out 7is arms to him and sa#s? G3omeH.
3ome, whoe'er wishes to come. Sta# here, whoe'er wishes to sta#. .ut )oth the
"ormer and the latter should preach 3hrist )# means o" an honest li"e. Preach
7im against the dishonest# which nestles in too man# hearts. Preach 7im
against the le'it# o" the num)erless people who do not ;now how to perse'ere
"aith"ull# and "orget their ornaments and sashes o" souls called to the wedding
with 3hrist. 4ou said to *e in #our happiness? GSince 4ou came here, we ha'e
had neither sic; nor dead people. 4our )lessing has protected us.H 4es, health is
a great thing. .ut ma;e sure that *# present coming ma;es #ou all wholesome
spirituall#, alwa#s and in e'er#thing. 0o that e""ect I )less #ou and I gi'e *#
peace to #ou, to #our children, to #our "ields, crops, homes, herds and orchards.
*a;e a hol# use o" them, do not li'e "or them, )ut )# them, gi'ing what is
super"luous to those in need, and #ou will thus o)tain an o'er"lowing measure
o" the >ather6s )lessings and a place in 7ea'en. 4ou ma# go. I will sta# here to
212. At :utt)"/ :#sus S$#)@s n Is))c>s H!us#. 232
pra#... 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
*t 9u#1.
8 I am reading again what I wrote #esterda#, rewriting some incomprehensi)le
words, out o" pit# "or #our e#es, >ather. It is distressing to read it... it is so
in"erior to what I "elt while descri)ing m# moodF And #et, to )e helped to sa#
what the =ord made me "eel, lest I should descri)e it )adl# and also "or m# own
relie" )ecause it is also pain"ul, #ou ;nowE M I in'o;ed m# St. ,ohn. I said to
him? 2 4ou ;now these things 'er# well. 4ou eDperienced them. 7elp me. 5
And I was com"orted )# his presence, )# his smile o" an eternal good simple<
minded man and )# his caress. .ut now I "eel that m# poor word is so in"erior to
the "eelings I eDperienced... All human things are straw, onl# the supernatural is
gold. And a human )eing cannot e'en descri)e it.
,1-. At E!riot. 9!sus S"!'@s in t! S1n'&o&u!.
*t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he inside o" the s#nagogue o" Berioth, the 'er# spot where the# laid on the
ground Saul, who died a"ter seeing the "uture glor# o" 3hrist. In this place, in a
crowd o" people "rom which ,esus and ,udas emerge M the# are the tallest and
)oth their "aces are shining, one out o" lo'e, the other "or the Co# o" seeing that
his town is alwa#s "aith"ul to the =ord and is distinguishing itsel" )# )estowing
solemn honours upon the *aster M there are the nota)les o" Berioth and a little
"arther awa# "rom ,esus the citi(ens, pac;ed li;e seeds in a sac;. 0he s#nagogue
is so "ull that it is di""icult to )reathe, although the doors are open. And in order
to pa# homage to the *aster and hear 7im, the# end up )# ma;ing such
con"usion and so much noise that it is impossi)le to hear an#thing.
,esus puts up with the situation and is silent. .ut the others )ecome impatient,
the# gesticulate and shout? 2 SilenceF 5 .ut their 'oices are lost in the hu))u),
li;e a cr# on a storm# )each.
,udas wastes no time. 7e clim)s on to a tall )ench and stri;es the lamps, which
are hanging in a cluster, one against the other. 0he hollow metal resounds and
the chains rattle against one another, li;e musical instruments. 0he people
)ecome silent and at last it is possi)le to hear ,esus spea;.
7e sa#s to the head o" the s#nagogue? 2 Gi'e *e the tenth roll "rom that shel". 5
And once 7e has it, 7e opens it and hands it )ac; to the head o" the s#nagogue
sa#ing? 2 8ead the "ourth chapter o" the stor#, the second .oo; o" *acca)ees. 5
0he head o" the s#nagogue o)e#s and )egins to read. And 9nias6 'icissitudes,
,ason6s errors and *enelaus6 )etra#als and the"ts are presented "or the
consideration o" those present. 0he chapter is o'er. 0he head o" the s#nagogue
loo;s at ,esus ho has )een listening care"ull#.
2 ,esus nods that it is enough and then turns to the people? 2 In the town o" *#
dearest disciple I will not spea; the usual words to teach #ou. e shall )e
sta#ing here "or a "ew da#s and I want him to sa# them to #ou, )ecause it is "rom
here that I want to )egin the direct contact, the continuous contact )etween
apostles and people. 0hat was decided in upper Galilee where it had a "irst
)right success. .ut the humilit# o" *# disciples caused them to withdraw into
the )ac;ground, )ecause the# are a"raid that the# are not capa)le and that the#
would )e usurping *# place. 1o. 0he# must do it, the# will do well and help
their *aster. 0he true apostolic preaching is there"ore to )egin here, Coining in
one lo'e onl# the Galilean Phoenician )orders to the lands o" ,udah, the
southern ones, )ordering on the countries o" the sun and sands. .ecause the
*aster is no longer su""icient "or the needs o" the crowds. And also )ecause it is
right that the eaglets should lea'e their nests and ma;e their "irst "lights while
the Sun is still with them and 7is strong wing can support them.
0here"ore, during these da#s, I will )e #our "riend and #our com"ort. 0he# will
)e the word and will spread the seed that I ga'e them. 0here"ore I will not teach
the pu)lic, )ut I will gi'e #ou a pri'ileged thing? a prophec#. I as; #ou to
remem)er it "or the "uture when the most dread"ul e'ent o" *an;ind will dar;en
the sun and in the dar;ness #our hearts ma# )e led to Cudge erroneousl#. I do not
want #ou to )e led into error, )ecause "rom the "irst moment #ou ha'e )een
good to *e. I do not want the world to )e in a position to sa#? GBerioth was the
enem# o" 3hrist.H I am Cust. I cannot allow criticism, whether spite"ul against
*e or "ond o" *e, to )e a)le to accuse #ou o" "aults against *e, spurred )# its
"eelings. As it is not possi)le to eDpect eIual holiness in the children o" a large
"amil#, so it is not possi)le to eDpect it in a large town. .ut it would )e strongl#
213. At E#r!t"/ :#sus S$#)@s n t"# S5n)(!(u#. 243
against charit# to sa#? G0he whole "amil# or the whole town is anathemaH
)ecause o" one wic;ed son or one )ad citi(en.
=isten there"ore, then remem)er, )e alwa#s "aith"ul, and as I lo'e #ou so much
as to wish to de"end #ou "rom an un"air accusation, so #ou must lo'e those who
are innocent. Alwa#s. hoe'er the# ma# )e. hate'er their ;indred ma# )e
with the guilt# ones.
3 1ow listen. 0he time will come when in Israel there will )e in"ormers o" the
treasur# and o" the countr#, who in the hope o" ma;ing "riends with "oreigners,
will spea; ill o" the true 7igh Priest, accusing him o" alliance with the enemies
o" Israel and o" wic;ed deeds against the sons o" God. And to reach their aim
the# are capa)le o" committing crimes, la#ing the responsi)ilit# on the Innocent
9ne. And the time will come, still in Israel, e'en more than at the times o"
9nias, when an in"amous man, intriguing to )ecome the Ponti"", will go to the
might# ones in Israel and will corrupt them with the gold o" "alse words, which
is e'en more in"amous, and will twist the truth o" "acts, and he will not spea;
against crimes, on the contrar#, pursuing his shame"ul o)Cect, he will do his )est
to corrupt customs to ha'e a "irmer grip on the souls depri'ed o" God6s "riend<
ship? e'er#thing to reach his aim. And he will succeed. 9" courseF .ecause i" in
the 'er# a)ode on *ount *oriah there are no g#mnasia o" the impious ,ason, in
actual "act the# are in the hearts o" the inha)itants o" the mountain, who "or the
sa;e o" eDemptions are willing to sell what is worth much more than a piece o"
ground, that is, their 'er# conscience. 0he "ruits o" the old error can still )e seen,
and he who has e#es to see, can see what is happening o'er there, where there
should )e charit#, purit#, Custice, goodness and deep hol# religion. .ut i" those
"ruits are alread# the cause o" tremor, the "ruits o" their seeds will cause not onl#
tremor, )ut God6s malediction.
And here is the true prophec#. I solemnl# tell #ou that he who sl#l# achie'ed
position and reliance, )# means o" long underhand tric;s, will gi'e into the
hands o" 7is enemies, in eDchange "or mone# the 7igh Priest, the 0rue 7igh
Priest. Decei'ed )# protestations o" lo'e and pointed out to 7is eDecutioners
with an act o" lo'e, 7e, the 0rue 7igh Priest, will )e ;illed without an# regard to
Custice. hat charges will )e made against 3hrist, )ecause I am spea;ing o"
*#sel", to Custi"# the right to ;ill 7imE hich "ate will )e reser'ed "or those
who do thatE A "ate o" immediate dread"ul Custice. 1ot an indi'idual "ate, )ut a
collecti'e one "or the accomplices o" the traitor. A more remote and e'en more
dread"ul "ate than the destin# o" the man whom remorse will dri'e to crown his
demoniac soul )# committing a "inal crime against himsel". .ecause that one
will end in a moment. 0his last punishment will )e a long and "right"ul one. 4ou
will "ind it in the sentence? G... and 7is indignation was roused and he ordered
Andronicus to )e stripped o" the purple and to )e ;illed on the 'er# spot where
he had laid impious hands on 9nias.H 4es, the sacerdotal race will )e struc; in
its sons as well as in the eDecutioners. And #ou can read the destin# o" the e'il
associated mass o" people in the "ollowing words? G0he 'oice o" this )lood cries
to *e "rom the earth. 0here"ore #ou shall )e accursed...H And the# will )e said
)# God to the whole people who did not guard the gi"t o" 7ea'en. .ecause i" it
is true that I ha'e come to redeem, woe to those who will )e murderers, and will
not )e redeemed, amongst this people whose "irst redemption is *# ord.
I ha'e told #ou. 8emem)er that. And when #ou hear them sa# that I am an e'il<
doer, sa#? G1o. 7e warned us. And this is the sign, which is )eing "ul"illed and
7e is the -ictim ;illed "or the sins o" the world.H 5
4 0he people lea'e the s#nagogue and gesticulating the# all spea; o" the
prophec# and o" the esteem in which ,esus holds ,udas. 0he people o" Berioth
are elated at the honour con"erred on them )# the *essiah )# choosing the town
o" an apostle, and precisel# o" the apostle o" Berioth to )egin the apostolic
teaching as well as at the gi"t o" the prophec#. Although it is a sad one, it is a
great honour to ha'e recei'ed it with the lo'ing words preceding it...
,esus and the group o" the apostles are the onl# ones to )e le"t in the s#nagogueL
the# then go into the little garden )etween the s#nagogue and the house o" the
head o" the s#nagogue. ,udas has sat down and is weeping.
2 h# are #ou weepingE I do not see an# reason...5 sa#s the other ,udas.
2 ell. I almost "eel li;e doing the same m#sel". Did #ou hear 7imE e are to
spea; now...5 sa#s Peter.
2 e ha'e alread# done a little o" that up on the mountain. And. we will
impro'e all the time. 4ou and ,ohn did it success"ull# at once 5 sa#s ,ames o"
:e)edee to encourage them.
2 I am the worst... )ut God will help me. Is that right, *asterE 5 as;s Andrew.
,esus, ho was loo;ing through some parchment rolls 7e had )rought with
7im, turns round and sa#s? 2 hat were #ou sa#ingE 5
213. At E#r!t"/ :#sus S$#)@s n t"# S5n)(!(u#. 241
2 0hat God will help me when I ha'e to spea;. I will tr# and repeat 4our words
as )est I can. *# )rother is a"raid and ,udas is weeping. 5
2 Are #ou weepingE h#E 5 as;s ,esus.
2 .ecause I ha'e reall# sinned. Andrew and 0homas can tell 4ou. I ha'e )een
running 4ou down and 4ou )ene"it me calling me Gdearest discipleH and as;ing
me to teach here... 7ow much lo'eF...5
2 .ut did #ou not ;now that I lo'ed #ouE 5
2 4es. .ut... 0han; 4ou, *aster. I will ne'er grum)le againL I am reall#
dar;ness and 4ou are the =ight. 5
0he head o" the s#nagogue comes )ac; and in'ites them to his house, and while
going there he sa#s? 2 I am thin;ing o" 4our words. I" I ha'e understood 4ou
properl#, as in Berioth 4ou "ound a "a'ourite disciple, our ,udas o" Simon, so
4ou prophes# 4ou will "ind an unworth# one. I am sorr# "or that. >ortunatel#
our ,udas will ma;e up "or the other...5
2 ith m# whole )eing 5 sa#s ,udas, who has collected himsel".
,esus does not spea;, )ut 7e loo;s at 7is interlocutors and ma;es a gesture
opening out 7is arms as i" 7e wanted to sa#? 2 It is so. 5
,14. In 9u('s> Hous! 't E!riot.
1;t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is a)out to sit down at the ta)le with all 7is "riends in ,udas6 )eauti"ul
house. And 7e sa#s to ,udas6 mother, who has come "rom her countr# house to
gi'e proper hospitalit# to the *aster? 2 1o, mother, #ou must sta# with us as
well. e are li;e a "amil# here. 0his is not the cold "ormal )anIuet "or casual
guests. I too; #our son, and I want #ou to ta;e *e as a son, as I ta;e #ou as a
mother, )ecause #ou are reall# worth it. Is that right, *# "riends, that thus we
shall )e happier and "eel at homeE 5
0he apostles and the two *aries nod wholeheartedl#. And ,udas6 mother, her
e#es )right with tears, sits )etween her son and the *aster, in "ront o" hom
there are the two *aries with *arCiam )etween them. 0he maidser'ant )rings
the "ood, which ,esus o""ers, )lesses and then hands out, )ecause ,udas6 mother
is in"leDi)le on that point. And 7e alwa#s hands out )eginning "rom her, which
mo'es the woman more and more and ma;es ,udas proud and pensi'e at the
same time.
0he# tal; a)out 'arious su)Cects in which ,esus endea'ours to get ,udas6 mother
interested and 7e stri'es as well to ma;e her )ecome "amiliar with the two
women disciples. *arCiam is help"ul in this respect as he states that he is 'er#
"ond also o" ,udas6 mother? 2 .ecause her name is *ar# li;e all good women. 5
2 2 And will #ou not lo'e the one who is waiting "or us on the la;e, #ou little
rascalE 5 as;s Peter hal"<seriousl#.
2 9hF 'er# much, i" she is good. 5
2 4ou can )e sure o" that. &'er#)od# sa#s so, and I must sa# so as well, )ecause
i" she has alwa#s )een ;ind to her mother and to me, she must )e reall# good.
.ut her name is not *ar#, son. She has a Iueer name, )ecause her "ather called
her a"ter the thing that had )rought him wealth and he called her Porphirea.
Purple is )eauti"ul and precious. *# wi"e is not )eauti"ul, )ut she is precious on
account o" her goodness. And I ha'e )een 'er# "ond o" her )ecause she is so
peace"ul, chaste and Iuiet. 0hree 'irtues... ehF not easil# "oundF I e#ed her
care"ull# since she was a girl. hen I came to 3apernaum with "ish I used to see
her mending the nets, or at the "ountain, or wor;ing silentl# in the ;itchen
garden and she wasn6t an a)sent<minded )utter"l# "luttering here and there,
neither was she a thoughtless little hen loo;ing round at e'er# crow o" a coc;.
She ne'er raised her head when she heard the 'oice o" a man, and when I, in
lo'e with her goodness and her wonder"ul plaits, her onl# )eauties, and... well,
also mo'ed to pit# )ecause she was treated li;e a sla'e at home... when I )egan
to sa# hello to her M she was then siDteen #ears old M she hardl# replied to me,
she pulled her 'eil o'er her "ace and remained more indoors. &hF It too; a 'er#
long time to "ind out whether she considered me an ogre or not and )e"ore I
could send m# )estman to herF... .ut I do not regret it. I could ha'e tra'elled all
o'er the world, )ut I would not ha'e "ound another one li;e her. Am I right,
*aster, that she is goodE 5
2 4es, she is 'er# good. And I am sure that *arCiam will lo'e her e'en i" her
name is not *ar#. ill #ou not, *arCiamE 5
214. In :u*)s> H!us# )t E#r!t". 242
2 4es. 7er name is Gmumm#H and mummies are good and are lo'ed. 5
3 ,udas then tells what he did during the da#. I understand that he went to
in"orm his mother o" their 'isit, and then he )egan to spea; in the countr# near
Berioth together with Andrew. 7e then sa#s? 2 .ut tomorrow I would li;e
e'er#)od# to come. I do not want to )e the onl# one to )e noticed. As "ar as
possi)le, we should go in twos, a ,udaean with a Galilean. >or instance, ,ohn
and I, Simon and 0homas. I wish the other Simon cameF .ut #ou two @he points
at Alphaeus6 sonsA can go together. I told e'er#)od#, also those who did not
want to ;now, that #ou are the *aster6s cousins. And #ou two @he points at
Philip and .artholomewA can also go together. I told them that 1athanael is a
ra))i who came to "ollow the *aster. 0hat impresses people 'er# "a'oura)l#.
And... #ou three will sta# here. .ut as soon as the :ealot comes, we can "orm
another couple. And then we will change round, )ecause I want the people to
meet e'er#)od#...5 ,udas is sprightl#. 2 I spo;e a)out the decalogue, *aster,
endea'ouring especiall# to clari"# those parts in which this area is more
lac;ing...5
2 Do not let #our hand )e too hea'#, ,udas, please. Alwa#s )ear in mind that
one achie'es more )# means o" ;indness than )# intolerance and that #ou are a
man as well. So eDamine #oursel" and consider how eas# it is also "or #ou to "all
and how #ou )ecome upset when #ou are reproached too "ran;l# 5 sa#s ,esus
while ,udas6 mother )ends her head )lushing.
2 Do not worr#, *aster. I am stri'ing to imitate 4ou in e'er#thing. .ut in the
'illage, which we can see also through that door @the doors are open while the#
are eating and a )eauti"ul 'iew can )e seen "rom this room which is upstairsA
there is a sic; man who would li;e to )e cured. .ut he cannot )e carried here.
3ould 4ou come with meE 5
2 0omorrow, ,udas, tomorrow morning, de"initel#. And i" there are more sic;
people tell *e or )ring them here. 5
2 4ou reall# want to )ene"it m# "atherland, *asterE 5
2 4es. So that no one ma# sa# that I ha'e )een un"air to those who did no harm
to *e. I help also wic;ed peopleF So wh# not the good ones o" BeriothE I wish
to lea'e an indeli)le remem)rance o" *e...5
2 hatE Are we not coming )ac; hereE 5
2 e will come )ac; again, )ut...5
4 2 7ere is the *other, the *other with SimonF 5 trills the )o# who sees *ar#
and Simon clim)ing the staircase leading up to the terrace where is the room.
0he# all stand up and go towards the two who ha'e Cust arri'ed. 0here is the
noise o" eDclamations, o" greetings, o" seats mo'ed a)out. .ut nothing di'erts
*ar# "rom greeting "irst ,esus and then ,udas6 mother, who has )owed down
deepl#, and whom *ar# raises again em)racing her as i" she were a dear "riend
met a"ter a long a)sence.
0he# go )ac; into the room and *ar# o" ,udas tells the maidser'ant to )ring in
"resh "ood "or the new guests.
2 7ere, Son, &li(a6s greetings 5 sa#s *ar#, handing a small parchment roll to
,esus ho un"olds it and reads it, then sa#s? 2 I ;new. I was sure. 0han; 4ou,
*other. 9n *# )ehal" and on &li(a6s. 4ou reall# are the health o" the sic;F 5
2 IE 4ou, Son. 1ot I. 5
2 4ouL and 4ou are *# greatest help. 5 7e then turns to the apostles and
women disciples and sa#s? 2 &li(a writes? G3ome )ac;, m# Peace. I want not
onl# to lo'e 4ou, )ut to ser'e 4ou.H So we ha'e relie'ed a creature o" her
anguish and melanchol#, and we ha'e gained a disciple. 4es, we will go )ac;. 5
2 She wishes to meet also the women disciples. She is reco'ering slowl#, )ut
without relapsing. Poor &li(aF She still undergoes moments o" "right"ul
)ewilderment. Does she not, SimonE 9ne da# she wanted to tr# to come out
with *e, )ut she saw a "riend o" Daniel6s... and we had great di""icult# in
calming her weeping. .ut Simon is so cle'erF And since &li(a eDpressed the
desire to return to the world, )ut the world o" .eth(ur is too "ull o" memories "or
her, Simon suggested we should call ,ohanna. And he went to call her. A"ter the
"east she went )ac; to .ether, to her magni"icent rose<garden in ,udaea. Simon
sa#s that he seemed to )e dreaming, while crossing the hills co'ered with rose<
)ushes, that he was alread# in Paradise. She came at once. She is in a position to
understand and pit# a mother mourning her sonsF &li(a has )ecome 'er# "ond o"
her and I came awa#. ,ohanna wants to persuade her to lea'e .eth(ur and go to
her castle. And she will succeed )ecause she is as sweet as a do'e )ut as "irm as
a roc; in her decisions. 5
2 e shall go to .eth(ur on our wa# )ac; and then we shall part. 4ou women
214. In :u*)s> H!us# )t E#r!t". 243
disciples will sta# with &li(a and ,ohanna "or some time. e will go through
,udaea and we shall meet in ,erusalem "or Pentecost 5...
5 0he *ost 7ol# -irgin *ar# and *ar#, ,udas6 mother, are together. 0he# are
not in the town house, )ut in the countr# one. 0he# are alone. 0he apostles are
outside with ,esus, the women disciples and the )o# are in the magni"icent
apple<orchard and their 'oices can )e heard together with the noise o" clothes
)eaten on wash)oards. 0he# are perhaps doing the washing while the )o# is
pla#ing.
,udas6 mother, sitting in a dim<lit room )eside *ar#, is spea;ing to 7er? 2 0hese
peace"ul da#s will )e li;e a dream to me. 0oo shortF 4es, too shortF I ;now that
we must not )e sel"ish and that it is "air that 4ou should go to that poor woman
and to so man# other unhapp# people. .ut I wish I couldF... I wish I could spare
the time, or come with 4ouF... .ut I cannot. I ha'e no relati'es apart "rom m#
son and I must loo; a"ter the propert# o" the "amil#...5
2 I understand... It is pain"ul to part "rom one6s son. e mothers would alwa#s
li;e to )e with our children. .ut we are gi'ing them "or a great cause, and we
will not lose them. 1ot e'en death can ta;e our sons awa# "rom us, i" the# and
we are in grace in the e#es o" God. .ut ours are still on the earth, e'en i" )# the
will o" God the# are torn "rom our )osoms to )e gi'en to the world "or its good.
e can alwa#s Coin them and e'en the echo o" their deeds is li;e a caress to our
hearts, )ecause their deeds are the scent o" their souls. 5
2 hat is 4our Son to 4ou, omanE 5 as;s *ar# o" ,udas in a low 'oice.
And the *ost 7ol# *ar# replies promptl#? 2 7e is *# Co#. 5
2 4our Co#FFF...5 and then ,udas6 mother )ursts into tears and lowers her head to
hide them. She )ows so low as to almost touch her ;nees with her "orehead.
2 h# are #ou weeping, m# poor "riendE h#E 0ell *e. I am happ# in *#
maternit#, )ut I can understand also those mothers who are not happ#...5
6 2 4es. 1ot happ#F And I am one o" them. 4our Son is 4our Co#... *ine is m#
grie". At least he has )een so. 1ow, since he has )een with 4our Son, I am not
so worried. 9hF o" all those who pra# "or 4our hol# Son, "or 7is wel"are and
triumph, there is no one, a"ter 4ou, .lessed oman, who pra#s so much as this
unhapp# mother who is spea;ing to 4ou... 0ell me the truth? what do 4ou thin;
o" m# sonE e are two mothers, one "acing the other, )etween us there is God.
And we are spea;ing o" our sons. It can )e )ut eas# "or 4ou to spea; o" 4ours.
I... I ha'e to stri'e against m#sel" to spea; o" mine. And #et, how much good, or
how much grie", can come to me "rom this con'ersationF And e'en i" it is grie",
it will alwa#s )e a relie" to spea; a)out it... 0hat woman o" .eth(ur )ecame
almost insane when her sons died, did she notE .ut I swear it to 4ou, sometimes
I ha'e thought and still thin;, loo;ing at m# ,udas who is handsome, health#,
intelligent, )ut he is not good, not 'irtuous, not righteous in his soul, not sound
in his "eelings, I o"ten thin; that I would pre"er to mourn him dead rather than
;now that he is disli;ed )# God. .ut tell me, what do 4ou thin; o" m# sonE .e
"ran;. 0his Iuestion has )een tormenting m# heart "or o'er a #ear. .ut whom
could I as;E 0he citi(ensE 0he# did not #et ;now that the *essiah eDisted and
that ,udas wanted to go with 7im. I ;new. 7e told me when he came here a"ter
Passo'er, elated, 'iolent, as usual, when he has a sudden "anc#, and as usual,
scorn"ul o" his mother6s ad'ice. 7is "riends in ,erusalemE A hol# prudence and a
pious hope pre'ented me. I did not want to sa#? G,udas is "ollowing the
*essiahH to those whom I cannot lo'e )ecause the# are e'er#thing )ut saints.
And I hoped that his "anc# notion would 'anish, li;e man# others, li;e all o"
them, e'en at the cost o" tears and desolation, as it happened in the case o" more
than one girl whom he "ascinated here and elsewhere, )ut ne'er married. Do #ou
;now that there are places where he will no longer go )ecause he ma# recei'e a
"air punishmentE Also his )eing o" the 0emple was a whim. 7e does not ;now
what he wants. 1e'er. 7is "ather, ma# God "orgi'e him, spoiled him. I ne'er
had an# authorit# with the two men in m# house. I could )ut weep and ma;e
amends with all ;inds o" humiliation... hen ,ohanna died M and although no
one told me, I ;now that she died o" a )ro;en heart when ,udas told her that he
did not want to get married, a"ter she had )een waiting "or all her #outh,
whereas e'er#)od# ;new that in ,erusalem he had sent "riends to a 'er# rich
woman who owned stores as "ar as 3#prus to enIuire a)out her daughter M I had
to shed man# )itter tears, )ecause o" the reproaches o" the dead girl6s mother, as
i" I were an accomplice o" m# son. 1o. I am not. I ha'e no authorit# o'er him.
=ast #ear, when the *aster came here, I realised that 7e had understood... and I
was a)out to spea;. .ut it is pain"ul, 'er# pain"ul "or a mother to ha'e to sa#?
G.e care"ul o" m# son. 7e is greed#, hard<hearted, 'icious, proud and
inconstant.H And that is what he is. I am pra#ing that 4our Son, ho wor;s so
man# miracles, ma# wor; one "or m# ,udas... .ut tell me, please tell me, what
do 4ou thin; o" himE 5
7 *ar#, ho has )een silent all the time, with an eDpression o" piti"ul sorrow
214. In :u*)s> H!us# )t E#r!t". 244
while listening to that maternal lament o" which 7er righteous soul cannot
disappro'e, sa#s in a low 'oice? 2 Poor motherF... hat do I thin;E 4es, #our
son is not the limpid soul o" ,ohn, nor the mee; Andrew, not the "irm *atthew
who wanted to change and did change... 7e is... inconstant, #es, he is. .ut we
shall pra# so hard "or him, )oth #ou and I. Do not weep. Perhaps #our motherl#
lo'e, which would li;e to )e proud o" #our son, ma;es #ou see him more
per'erted than he is...5
2 1oF 1oF I see right and I am so a"raid. 5 0he room is "ull o" the weeping o"
,udas6 mother and in the hal"<light *ar#6s white "ace has )ecome e'en paler
)ecause o" the maternal con"ession that sharpens all the suspicions o" the =ord6s
*other. .ut She controls 7ersel". She draws the unhapp# mother to hersel" and
caresses her while she, a)andoning all reser'edness, pain"ull# and con"usedl#
in"orms *ar# o" all the harshness, pretensions and 'iolence o" ,udas and
concludes? 2 I )lush "or him when I see I am the o)Cect o" the lo'ing attention o"
4our SonF I ha'e not as;ed 7im. .ut I am sure that )esides doing it out o" ;ind<
ness, 7e wants to sa# to ,udas )# means o" 7is lo'ing attention? G8emem)er
that this is how a mother is to )e treated.H 1ow, "or the time )eing he appears to
)e good... 9hF I" it were onl# trueF 7elp me, help me with 4our pra#ers, 4ou
ho are hol#, so that m# son ma# not )e unworth# o" the grace that God
granted himF I" he does not want to lo'e me, i" he cannot )e grate"ul to me, who
ga'e )irth to him and )rought him up, it does not matter. .ut let him reall# lo'e
,esusL let him ser'e 7im lo#all# and grate"ull#. .ut i" that cannot )e then... then
ma# God ta;e his li"e. I would rather ha'e him in a sepulchre... at last I would
ha'e him )ecause since he reached the age o" reason he was hardl# e'er mine.
.etter dead than a )ad apostle. 3an I pra# "or thatE hat do 4ou sa#E 5
2 Pra# the =ord that 7e ma# do what is )est. Do not weep an# more. I ha'e seen
prostitutes and Gentiles at the "eet o" *# Son, and pu)licans and sinners with
them. 0he# all )ecame lam)s through 7is Grace. 7ope, *ar#, hope. 0he grie"
o" mothers sa'es their sons, do #ou not ;now thatE...5
And e'er#thing ends on that piti"ul Iuestion.
,1+. T! Lun'tic %ir# o0 B!t&inn'.
11t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 I do not see the return to .eth(ur nor the rose<gardens o" .ether, which I was
so anDious to see. ,esus is alone with the apostles. *arCiam is not there either, as
he has o)'iousl# )een le"t with 9ur =ad# and the woman<disciples. It is a 'er#
mountainous area, )ut also 'er# rich in 'egetation, with "orests o" coni"ers, or
rather o" pine<trees, and the )alsamic in'igorating scent o" resin spreads
e'er#where. And ,esus is wal;ing across those green mountains, with 7is
disciples, "acing westwards.
I hear them tal;ing a)out &li(a who seems to ha'e changed considera)l# and
has )een con'inced to "ollow ,ohanna to her estate in .ether, and the# are
spea;ing also o" ,ohanna6s ;indness. 0he# are also discussing the tour the# are
a)out to ma;e, towards the "ertile plains )e"ore the sea. And the names o" past
glories come to light again, gi'ing rise to stories, Iuestions, eDplanations and
"riendl# discussions.
2 hen we reach the top o" this mountain, I will show #ou all the areas in which
#ou are interested. 0he# ma# suggest #ou thoughts "or #our sermons to the
crowds. 5
2 .ut how can we do that, m# =ordE I am not capa)le 5 moans Andrew, and
Peter and ,ames Coin him. 2 e are the most unluc;# ones. 5
2 9hF In that case I am no )etter. I" it was gold or sil'er, I could tal; a)out it,
)ut a)out these things...5 sa#s 0homas.
2 And what a)out meE hat was IE 5 as;s *atthew.
2 .ut #ou are not a"raid o" the pu)lic, #ou are capa)le o" de)ating 5 replies
Andrew.
2 4es, )ut on di""erent matters...5 retorts *atthew.
2 9" courseF... .ut... ell, #ou alread# ;now what I would li;e to sa#, so Cust
imagine that I ha'e alread# told #ou. 0he "act is that #ou are worth more than
we are 5 sa#s Peter.
2 =isten, *# dear. 0here is no need to )e su)lime. Simpl# sa# what #ou thin;,
with #our "irm )elie". .elie'e *e, when one is con'inced, one can alwa#s
21,. T"# Lun)tc 'r% !4 B#t"(nn). 24,
persuade others 5 sa#s ,esus.
.ut ,udas o" Berioth implores? 2 Gi'e us some hints. An idea put "orth properl#
ma# )e use"ul in man# wa#s. I thin; these places ha'e )een le"t without one
word a)out 4ou. .ecause no one seems to ;now 4ou. 5
2 0he reason is that there is still a strong wind )lowing "rom the *oriah... It
ma;es sterile...5 replies Peter.
2 It is )ecause it has not )een sown. .ut we will sow 5 retorts the Iscariot, who
is sure o" himsel" and happ# a"ter his "irst success.
2 0he# reach the top o" the mountain. A wide panorama stretches out "rom there
and it is )eauti"ul to loo; at it standing in the shade o" the thic; trees which
crown the top, so 'aried and sunn#? o'erlapping chains stretching in e'er#
direction li;e petri"ied )illows o" an ocean lashed )# opposite gales and then, as
i" in a calm gul", e'er#thing su)sides into an endless )rightness showing a 'ast
plain in which a little mountain rises, as solitar# as a lighthouse at the entrance
o" a har)our.
2 =oo;. 0hat 'illage spread along the crest, as i" it wanted to enCo# all the
sunshine, and where we will )e stopping, is li;e the centre o" a crown o"
historical places. 3ome here. 0here is @to the northA ,armuth. Do #ou remem)er
,oshuaE 0he de"eat o" the ;ings who wanted to attac; the camp o" Israel, which
was strengthened )# the alliance with the Gi)eonites. And near it there is .eth<
shemesh, the sacerdotal town in ,udah where the Ar; was returned )# the
Philistines with the gold 'oti'e o""erings prescri)ed )# the di'iners and priests
to the people to )e "reed "rom the calamities that had struc; the guilt#
Philistines. And o'er there is :orah, l#ing completel# in the sun, Samson6s
"atherland, and a little to the east 0imnath where he got married and where he
per"ormed man# )ra'e deeds and did so man# "oolish things. And there are
A(e;ah and Shochoh, "ormerl# Philistine camps. >arther down is :anoah, one o"
the towns in ,udah. 1ow turn round, here is the -alle# o" the 0ere)inth, where
Da'id "ought Goliath. And o'er there is *a;;edah, where ,oshua de"eated the
Amorites. 0urn round again. 3an #ou see that solitar# mountain in the middle o"
the plain, which once )elonged to the PhilistinesE Gath is there, Goliath6s "ather<
land and the place where Da'id too; re"uge with Achish to escape "rom the mad
rage o" Saul, and where the wise ;ing pretended he was mad )ecause the world
de"ends "ools "rom wise people. here the hori(on opens out, there are the
plains o" the 'er# "ertile land o" the Philistines. e will go through there, as "ar
as 8amie. And now let us enter .ethginna. 4ou, precisel# #ou, Philip, who are
loo;ing at *e so imploringl#, will go round the 'illage, with Andrew. hile
#ou are wal;ing a)out, we shall stop near the "ountain or in the 'illage sIuare. 5
2 9hF =ordF Don6t send us alone. Please, come with usF 5 the# )eg. 2 Go, I said.
9)edience will )e o" more help to #ou than *# mute presence. 5
3 ... And so Philip and Andrew go, at random, through the 'illage, until the#
"ind a small hotel, an inn, rather than a hotel, and inside there are some )ro;ers
)argaining "or lam)s with some shepherds. 0he# go in and stop disconcertedl#
in the middle o" the #ard, which is surrounded )# 'er# rustic porches.
0he hotel<;eeper rushes towards them? 2 hat do #ou wantE =odgingsE 5
0he# consult loo;ing at each other, and the# appear to )e utterl# disma#ed.
Pro)a)l# the# cannot remem)er e'en one word o" what the# had decided to sa#.
Andrew is the "irst to regain control o" himsel" and he replies? 2 4es, lodgings
"or us and "or the 8a))i o" Israel. 5
2 hich ra))iE 0here are man# o" themF .ut the# are wealth# gentlemen. 0he#
do not come to the 'illages o" poor people to )ring their wisdom to the poor.
0he poor ha'e to go to them and we are luc;# i" the# allow us to go near themF
5
2 0here is onl# one 8a))i o" Israel. And 7e has come to )ring the Gospel to the
poor, and the poorer and more sin"ul the# are, the more 7e loo;s "or them and
approaches them 5 replies Andrew ;indl#.
2 In that case 7e will not ma;e much mone#F 5
2 7e does not see; wealth. 7e is poor and good. hen 7e can sa'e a soul it is a
"ull da# "or 7im 5 replies once again Andrew.
2 9hF It is the "irst time that I hear that a ra))i is good and poor. 0he .aptist is
poor )ut se'ere. All the others are se'ere and rich, as greed# as leeches. 4ou
o'er there, ha'e #ou heardE 3ome here, #ou who tra'el round the world. 0hese
men sa# that there is a poor )ut good *aster ho comes loo;ing "or poor
people and sinners. 5
2 AhF It must )e the one who wears a white ro)e li;e an &ssene. I saw him some
time ago at ,ericho 5 sa#s one o" the )ro;ers.
21,. T"# Lun)tc 'r% !4 B#t"(nn). 24-
2 1o. 0hat one is )# himsel". It must )e the one o" whom 0homas told us,
)ecause he happened to spea; a)out him with some shepherds on the =e)anon 5
replies a tall )rawn# shepherd.
2 IndeedF And he would come as "ar as here, i" he was on the =e)anonF >or the
sa;e o" #our e#es o" a catF 5 eDclaims another one.
4 hile the inn;eeper is spea;ing and listening to his customers, the two
apostles ha'e remained standing in the middle o" the #ard li;e two poles.
At last one o" the men sa#s to them? 2 &hiF 4ouF 3ome hereF ho is 7eE here
does that man #ou spo;e o", come "romE 5
2 7e is ,esus o" ,oseph, "rom 1a(areth 5 sa#s Philip gra'el# and he loo;s as i"
he were eDpecting to )e laughed at.
.ut Andrew adds? 2 7e is the *essiah "oretold. I implore #ou, "or #our own
good, listen to 7im. 4ou ha'e mentioned the .aptist. ell, I was with him, and
he pointed to us ,esus ho was passing and said? G0here is the =am) o" God,
ho ta;es awa# the sins o" the world.H hen ,esus descended into the ,ordan to
)e )aptised, the 7ea'ens opened and a -oice cried out? G0his is *# )elo'ed
Son, *# "a'our rests on 7imH and the =o'e o" God descended li;e a do'e,
shining o'er 7is head. 5
2 SeeE It is the 1a(areneF .ut tell me, since #ou sa# #ou are 7is "riends...5
2 1o, not 7is "riends? we are 7is apostles, 7is disciples and we ha'e )een sent
to announce that 7e is coming, so that those who are in need o" sal'ation ma#
go to 7im 5 clari"ies Andrew.
2 All right. .ut tell me. Is 7e reall# as some sa#, that is, a hol# man, holier than
the .aptist, or is 7e a demon as others descri)e 7imE 4ou are alwa#s with 7im,
)ecause i" #ou are 7is disciples, #ou must )e with 7im, tell us "ran;l#. Is it true
that 7e is lewd and a gu((lerE 0hat 7e lo'es prostitutes and pu)licans. 0hat 7e
is a necromancer and 7e e'o;es spirits at night to "ind out the secrets o" heartsE
5
2 h# do #ou as; these men such IuestionsE As; them instead whether it is true
that 7e is good. 0he# will ta;e it amiss and the# will go and tell the *aster our
e'il reasoning and we will )e cursed. 9ne ne'er ;nowsF... hether 7e is God or
a demon, it is )etter to treat 7im well. 5
5 It is Philip who spea;s now? 2 e can repl# to #ou Iuite "ran;l# )ecause there
is nothing wic;ed to )e concealed. 7e, our *aster, is the Saint o" all saints. 7e
spends 7is da#s teaching. 7e goes tirelessl# "rom place to place see;ing the
hearts o" men. 7e spends the night pra#ing "or us. 7e does not disdain the
pleasures o" the ta)le and "riendship, )ut not "or 7is own ad'antage, )ut onl# to
approach those who otherwise would )e unapproacha)le. 7e does not repel
pu)licans and prostitutes )ut onl# )ecause 7e wants to redeem them. 7is wa# is
traced out with miracles o" redemption and miracles o'er diseases. inds and
seas o)e# 7im. .ut 7e does not need an#)od# to wor; 7is prodigies, neither
does 7e ha'e to e'o;e spirits to ;now hearts. 5
2 7ow can 7eE... 4ou said that winds and seas o)e# 7im... .ut the# are not
endowed with reason. 7ow can 7e gi'e them ordersE 5 as;s the inn;eeper.
2 0ell me, man? according to #ou is it more di""icult to gi'e an order to the wind
or the sea or to deathE 5
2 .# ,eho'ahF 4ou cannot gi'e orders to deathF 4ou can throw oil on the sea,
#ou can hoist sails o'er it, or, more wisel#, #ou can a'oid going to sea. 4ou can
loc; doors against the wind. .ut #ou cannot gi'e an order to death. 0here is no
oil capa)le o" calming it. 0here is no sail which, hoisted on our little )oat, can
ma;e it sail so "ast as to lea'e death )ehind. And there are no loc;s "or it. It
comes in when it wants to, e'en i" the doors ha'e )een loc;ed. 9hF 1o one
gi'es orders to that IueenF 5
2 And #et our *aster commands it. 1ot onl# when it is near. .ut also a"ter it
has come. A #oung man o" 1ain was a)out to )e put into the dread"ul mouth o"
his sepulchre, and 7e said to him? GI tell #ou? riseFH and the #oung man came
)ac; to li"e. 1ain is not in the countr# o" the h#per)oreans. 4ou can go and see.
5
2 ,ust li;e thatE In the presence o" e'er#)od#E 5
2 9n the road. In the presence o" the whole o" 1ain. 5
6 0he inn;eeper and his customers loo; at one another in silence. 0hen the
inn;eeper sa#s? 2 .ut 7e will do that onl# "or 7is "riends. 5
2 1o, man. >or all those who )elie'e in 7im and not "or them onl#. 7e is *erc#
on the earth, )elie'e me. 1o one applies to 7im in 'ain. =isten. Is there an#one
amongst #ou who su""ers "rom or weeps )ecause o" diseases in the "amil#,
21,. T"# Lun)tc 'r% !4 B#t"(nn). 24.
dou)ts, remorse, temptations, ignoranceE Go to ,esus, the *essiah o" the
Gospel. 7e is here toda#. 7e will )e elsewhere tomorrow. 0he Grace o" the
=ord ho is passing should not )e let pass in 'ain 5 sa#s Philip who has
)ecome more and more sure o" himsel".
0he inn;eeper ru""les his hair, opens and closes his mouth, tortures the "ringes
o" his )elt... at last he eDclaims? 2 I will tr#F I ha'e a daughter. Jp to last
summer she was all right. 0hen she )ecame a lunatic. She remains li;e a mute
animal in a corner, she ne'er mo'es "rom it and onl# with di""icult# her mother
can dress her and "eed her. 0he doctors sa# that her )rains ha'e )een )urnt out
)# too much sunshine, others sa# that it is due to an ill<starred lo'e. 0he people
sa# she is possessed. 7ow can that )e, as she has ne'er )een awa# "rom hereEF
here would she ha'e got that demonE hat does #our *aster sa#E 0hat a
demon can ta;e also an innocent personE 5
Philip replies without hesitation? 2 4es, to torture the relati'es and dri'e them to
despair. 5
2 And... 3an 7e cure lunaticsE Should I hopeE 5
2 4ou must )elie'e 5 sa#s Andrews promptl#. And he tells them o" the miracle
o" the Gerasenes and concludes? 2 I" those who were a legion in the hearts o"
sinners "led thus, wh# should the one who "orced his wa# into the heart o" a
#oung person not "leeE I tell #ou, man? "or those who hope in 7im also what is
impossi)le )ecomes as eas# as )reathing. I ha'e seen the wor;s o" m# =ord and
I am a witness o" 7is power. 5
2 9hF in that case which o" #ou is going to call 7imE 5
2 I will go m#sel", man. I will soon )e )ac;. 5 And Andrew runs awa# while
Philip remains spea;ing to them.
hen Andrew sees ,esus standing in a lo))# out o" the merciless sun shining in
e'er# part o" the sIuare, he runs towards 7im sa#ing? 2 3ome, *aster. 0he
daughter o" the inn;eeper is lunatic. 7er "ather implores 4ou to cure her. 5
2 Did he ;now *eE 5
2 1o, *aster. e ha'e tried to ma;e 4ou ;nown to him...5
2 And #ou ha'e succeeded. hen one reaches the point o" )elie'ing that I can
cure an incura)le disease, one is alread# well ad'anced in "aith. And #ou were
a"raid that #ou did not ;now how to do it. hat did #ou tell himE 5
2 I don6t thin; I could tell 4ou. e told him what we thought o" 4ou and o"
4our deeds. A)o'e all we told him that 4ou are =o'e and *erc#. 0he world has
such wrong ;nowledge o" 4ouFFF 5
2 .ut #ou ;now *e well. And that is enough. 5
7 0he# arri'e at the small inn. All the customers are standing at the door, "ull o"
curiosit#, and in the middle there is Philip with the inn;eeper who ;eeps tal;ing
to himsel".
hen he sees ,esus, he runs to meet 7im? 2 *aster, =ord, ,esus... I... I )elie'e
so "irml# that 4ou are 4ou, that 4ou ;now e'er#thing, 4ou see e'er#thing, 4ou
can do e'er#thing, I )elie'e it so "irml# that I sa# to 4ou? 7a'e merc# on m#
daughter although I ha'e so man# sins in m# heart. Do not punish m# daughter
)ecause I ha'e )een dishonest in m# trade. I will no longer )e grasping, I swear
it. 4ou can see m# heart with its past and with its present thought. >orgi'e and
ha'e merc# on us, *aster, and I will spea; o" 4ou to e'er#)od# who comes
here, to m# house...5 0he man is on his ;nees.
,esus sa#s to him? 2 Stand up and perse'ere in #our present sentiments. 0a;e
*e to #our daughter. 5
2 She is in a sta)le, m# =ord. 0he sultr# weather ma;es her "eel worse. And she
will not come out. 5
2 It does not matter. I will go to her. It is not the sultr# weather. It is the demon
who percei'es *# coming. 5
0he# go into the #ard and then into a dar; sta)le, "ollowed )# all the rest.
0he girl, un;empt and lean, )ecomes agitated in the dar;est corner and as soon
as she sees ,esus, she shouts? 2 .ac;, go )ac;F Do not distur) me. 4ou are the
3hrist o" the =ord, I am one struc; )# 4ou. =ea'e me alone. h# do 4ou
alwa#s "ollow meE 5
2 Go out o" this girl. Go. I want it. Gi'e #our pre# )ac; to God and )e IuietF 5
0here is a heart<rending shout, a Cer;, her )od# )ecomes "la))# and collapses on
to the straw... then she calml#, sadl# as;s Iuestions eDpressing her ama(ement?
2 here am IE h# am I hereE ho are the#E 5 and she in'o;es? 2 *umm# 5.
21,. T"# Lun)tc 'r% !4 B#t"(nn). 241
0he #oung girl )ecomes sh# when she realises that she is without 'eil and with a
torn dress in the presence o" man# strangers.
2 9hF &ternal =ordF .ut she is cured...5 and strange to )e seen the inn;eeper
weeps li;e a child and tears stream down his rudd# chee;s... 7e is happ# and he
weeps and does not ;now what to do, eDcept ;iss ,esus6 hands, while the mother
o" the girl also weeps, surrounded )# her ama(ed little ones, and ;isses her "irst<
)orn now "ree "rom the demon.
All the people present shout in ama(ement and man# more rush to see the
miracle. 0he #ard is "ull.
2 8emain with us. =ord. It is getting dar;. 8est under m# roo". 5
2 *an, we are thirteen. 5
2 &'en i" #ou were three hundred it would not matter. I ;now what 4ou mean.
.ut the greed# dishonest Samuel is dead, =ord. Also m# demon has "led. 1ow
there is a new Samuel. And he will still )e the inn;eeper. .ut a hol# one. 3ome,
come with me, that I ma# pa# #ou homage as a ;ing, a god. Such as 4ou are.
9hF )lessed )e the sun that )rought 4ou here toda#...5
,14. In t! P#'in to$'r(s As@!#on.
1,t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he sun is )la(ing down on the countr#side and is scorching the ripe corn
drawing a scent "rom it, which reminds one o" the smell o" )read. 0here is a
'ague smell in the air, the smell o" sunshine, o" laundr#, o" crops, o" summer.
.ecause e'er# season, I could sa# e'er# month, and e'en e'er# hour o" the da#
has its smell, as each place has its own, i" one has sharp senses and a ;een spirit
o" o)ser'ation. 0he smell o" a winter da# with a )iting cold wind is Iuite
di""erent "rom the mellow smell o" a "ogg# winter da#, or o" a snow# one. And
how di""erent is the smell o" springtime that comes and announces itsel" )#
means o" a scent, which is not a scent, and is 'er# di""erent "rom the smell o"
winter. 9ne gets up in the morning and the air has a di""erent smell? the "irst
)reath o" springtime. And so "orth "or the smell o" orchards in )lossom, o"
gardens, o" corn, down to the warm smell o" 'intage and then, as an interme((o,
the smell o" earth a"ter a storm...
And what a)out the hoursE It would )e "oolish to sa# that the smell o" dawn is
li;e that o" noon, or that the latter is li;e that o" the e'ening or night. 0he "irst is
"resh and 'irginal, the second is pleasant and Coll#, the third is tired and
saturated with all the smells eDhaled )# e'er#thing during the da#L the last one,
the night one, is calm and cos#, as i" the &arth were a huge cradle ta;ing in its
little ones to rest.
And what a)out placesE 9hF the smell o" a seashore is so di""erent at dawn and
in the e'ening, at noon and at night, when the sea is storm# or calm, i" the )each
is pe))l# or sand#F And the smell o" seaweed, which appears a"ter tides, and the
sea seems to ha'e opened its )owels to let us )reathe the stench o" its depths.
0hat smell is so di""erent "rom that o" inland plains, which di""ers "rom that o"
hill# places, which is di""erent "rom the smell o" high mountains.
Such is the in"init# o" the 3reator ho impressed a sign o" light, or colour, or
scent, or sound, or shape, or height on each o" the in"inite things that 7e created.
9 in"inite )eaut# o" the Jni'erse, I now onl# see #ou through the 'isions and
the remem)rance o" what I saw, lo'ing God and pra#ing 7im through 7is
wor;s and the Co# I "elt watching them, how 'ast, might#, ineDhausti)le and
e'er "resh #ou are. 4ou are ne'er tired and ne'er tire an#one. 1a#, man is
renewed watching #ou, o Jni'erse o" m# =ord, he )ecomes )etter and purer, he
is ele'ated and he "orgets... 9hF I wish I could alwa#s contemplate #ou and
"orget the in"erior part o" men, lo'ing them in and "or their souls and leading
them to GodF And so, "ollowing ,esus, ho is going with 7is apostles across
this plain "ull o" crops, I digress once again allowing m#sel" to )e carried awa#
)# the Co# o" spea;ing o" m# God through 7is magni"icent wor;s. 0hat is lo'e,
too, )ecause one praises what one lo'es in a person or simpl# praises the person
one lo'es. 0he same applies to creature and 3reator. ho lo'es 7im, praises
7im, and the more one lo'es 7im the more one praises 7im "or 7imsel" and "or
7is wor;s. .ut I will now order m# heart to )e silent and I will "ollow ,esus, not
as a worshipper, )ut as a "aith"ul chronicler.
2 ,esus is wal;ing through the "ields. It is a hot da#. 0he place is desert. 0here is
not a soul in the "ields. 0here are onl# ripe ears o" corn and a "ew trees here and
there. Sunshine, corn, )irds, li(ards, green tu"ts o" grass, which is still in the
21-. In t"# P%)n t!&)r*s As"@#%!n. 242
calm o" the air, are the onl# things to )e seen around ,esus. 9n one side o" the
main road along which ,esus is wal;ing M a dust# da((ling ri))on )etween the
"ields undulating with corn M there is a little 'illage, on the other side a "arm.
1othing else.
&'er#)od# is hot and proceeds in silence. 0he# ha'e ta;en o"" their mantles )ut
as the# are wearing woollen tunics, howe'er light the# ma# )e, the# su""er the
heat Cust the same. 9nl# ,esus, 7is two cousins and the Iscariot are wearing
linen or hempen clothes. ,esus6 and the Iscariot6s garments are o" white linen,
whereas those o" Alphaeus6 sons loo; thic;er and hea'ier than linen and the# are
also d#ed in a dar;er i'or# shade, eDactl# the shade o" un)leached hemp. 0he
others are wearing their usual ro)es and are dr#ing their perspiration with the
linen cloth which co'ers their heads.
0he# reach a thic;et o" trees at a crossroads. 0he# stop in the health# shade and
drin; a'idl# out o" their "las;s.
2 It is as warm as i" it had )een on the "ire 5 grum)les Peter.
2 I wish there was a little stream hereF .ut there is a)solutel# nothingF 5 sighs
.artholomew. 2 I will ha'e none le"t )e"ore long. 5
2 I thin; I would sa# that it is )etter to wal; on the mountains 5 moans ,ames o"
:e)edee, who is "lushed with heat.
2 A )oat is the )est o" all. It is cool, rest"ul, clean, ahF 5 Peter6s heart "lies )ac;
to his la;e and his )oat.
2 4ou are right. .ut there are sinners on the mountains as well as on the plains.
I" the# had not dri'en us awa# "rom the 3lear ater and had not persecuted us
so closel#, I would ha'e come here )etween 0e)eth and She)at. .ut we shall
soon )e on the seaside. 0he air is cooled there )# the open sea wind 5 sa#s ,esus
com"orting them.
2 &hF e need itF e are li;e d#ing pi;es here. .ut how can the corn )e so
)eauti"ul when there is no waterE 5 as;s Peter.
2 0here is underground moisture which ;eeps the soil damp 5 eDplains ,esus.
2 It would )e )etter i" it was a)o'e ground instead o" under. hat am I going to
do with it, i" it is down thereE I ha'e no rootsF 5 sa#s Peter impulsi'el# and the#
all laugh.
,udas 0haddeus )ecomes serious and sa#s? 2 0he soil is as sel"ish as some souls,
and it is eIuall# arid. I" the# had allowed us to stop in that 'illage and spend the
Sa))ath there, we would ha'e enCo#ed shade, water and rest. .ut the# dro'e us
awa#...5
2 And we would ha'e had "ood as well. 1ow we ha'e not e'en that. And I am
hungr#. I wish there was some "ruitF 0he "ruit trees are all close to the houses.
And who is going to pic; itE I" the people here are in the same mood as those
o'er there...5 sa#s 0homas, pointing at the 'illage the# le"t )ehind, to the east.
2 0a;e m# portion o" "ood. I am not 'er# hungr# 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 4ou ma# ta;e also *ine 5 sa#s ,esus. 2 0hose who "eel more hungr#, should
eat. 5
.ut when the "ood portions o" ,esus, o" the :ealot and o" 1athanael are put
together, the# loo; 'er# scant#, as one can tell "rom the disma#ed loo;s o"
0homas and the #ounger ones. .ut the# ni))le silentl# at their tin# portions.
3 0he patient :ealot goes towards a spot where a row o" green plants on the
parched soil suggests the presence o" moisture. 0here is in "act a tric;le o" water
in the )ottom o" a ditch, Cust a tric;le, which is )ound to disappear )e"ore long.
7e shouts to his distant companions to come and re"resh themsel'es, and the#
all rush there, and "ollowing the intermittent shade o" a row o" plants on the
)an; o" the hal" dr# )roo;, the# are a)le to re"resh their dust# "eet, and wash
their perspired "aces. .ut "irst o" all the# "ill their empt# "las;s and lea'e them
in the water, in the shade, to ;eep them cool. 0he# sit down at the "oot o" a tree
and )eing tired the# do(e o"".
,esus loo;s at them lo'ingl# and s#mpatheticall# and sha;es 7is head. 0he
:ealot, who has gone to drin; once again, notices 7is gesture and as;s 7im? 2
hat is the matter, *asterE 5
,esus stands up, 7e goes towards the :ealot and clasping him with one arm 7e
ta;es him towards another tree sa#ing? 2 hat is the matterE I grie'e at #our
"atigue. I" I were not sure o" what I am doing to #ou, I could ne'er set *# mind
at peace while causing #ou so much trou)le. 5
2 0rou)leE 1o, *asterF It is a Co# to us. &'er#thing 'anishes "ollowing 4ou. e
are all happ#, )elie'e me. 0here is no regret, there is no...5
21-. In t"# P%)n t!&)r*s As"@#%!n. 2,3
2 .e Iuiet, Simon. 7umanit# remonstrates also in good people. And "rom a
human point o" 'iew, #ou are not wrong in remonstrating. I ha'e ta;en #ou
awa# "rom #our homes, "rom #our "amilies, "rom #our )usiness and #ou came
thin;ing that it was going to )e Iuite di""erent to "ollow *e... .ut #our present
remonstration, #our internal protest will calm down one da#, and #ou will then
realise that it was good to go through "og and mud, through dust and dog<da#s,
persecuted, thirst#, without "ood, "ollowing a persecuted, hated, slandered
*aster... and worse still. &'er#thing will seem )eauti"ul to #ou then. .ecause
#our minds will )e di""erent, and #ou will see e'er#thing in a di""erent light.
And #ou will )less *e "or leading #ou along *# di""icult wa#...5
4 2 4ou are sad, *aster. And the world Custi"ies 4our sadness, )ut we are no
part o" it. e are all happ#...5
2 AllE Are #ou sureE 5
2 Are 4ou o" a di""erent opinionE 5
2 4es, Simon, I am. 4ou are alwa#s happ#. 4ou ha'e understood. *an# others
ha'e not. See those who are sleepingE Do #ou ;now how man# thoughts the#
are turning o'er in their minds also while sleepingE And all those among the
disciplesE Do #ou thin; the# will )e "aith"ul until e'er#thing is accomplishedE
=oo;? let us pla# this old game that #ou certainl# pla#ed when a )o# @and ,esus
pic;s a round "ull# ripe dandelion growing among the stones. 7e raises it gentl#
to 7is mouth, )lows and the dandelion dissol'es into tin# um)rellas, which
wander in the air with their little tu"ts on top o" the tin# handlesA. SeeE =oo;...
7ow man# ha'e "allen on *# lap as i" the# were in lo'e with *eE 3ount them...
0he# are twent#<three. 0he# were at least three times as man#. And the othersE
=oo;. Some are still wandering, some ha'e "allen )ecause o" their weight, some,
which are proud o" their sil'er# plume, are haughtil# rising higher, some are
"alling into the mud that we made with our "las;s. 9nl#... =oo;, loo;... 9" the
twent#<three that were on *# lap, se'en more ha'e gone. 0hat hornet "l#ing )#
was enough to )low them awa#F... hat were the# a"raid o"E 9r )# what were
the# alluredE ere the# a"raid o" its stingE 9r were the# allured )# its )eauti"ul
)lac; and gold hues, or )# its grace"ul appearance, its iridescent wingsE... 0he#
ha'e gone... >ollowing a deceit"ul )eaut#. Simon, the same will happen to *#
disciples. Some will go )ecause o" their restlessness, some )ecause o" their
inconstanc#, their pride, their dullness, their "ri'olit#, their lust "or "ilth, some
"or "ear, some )ecause o" their "oolishness. Do #ou thin; that in the crucial hour
o" *# mission I shall ha'e )eside *e all those who 79 sa# to *e? GI will
come with 4ouHE 0he tin# tu"ts o" the dandelion, which *# >ather created,
were more than se'ent#... and now there are onl# se'en le"t on *# lap, )ecause
some more ha'e )een )lown awa# )# this pu"" o" wind that has caused the
thinner stems to "lutter awa#... It will )e li;e that. And I am thin;ing o" how
much #ou ha'e to struggle to )e lo#al to *e... 3ome, Simon. =et us go and loo;
at those dragon"lies dancing o'er the water. Jnless #ou pre"er to ha'e a rest. 5
5 2 1o, *aster. 4our words ha'e grie'ed me. .ut I hope that the cured leper,
the persecuted man whom 4ou ha'e reha)ilitated, the solitar# whom 4ou ha'e
gi"ted with compan#, the nostalgic man longing "or lo'e to whom 4ou ha'e
opened 7ea'en and the world, ma# "ind and gi'e lo'e, I hope that that man will
not a)andon 4ou... *aster... what do 4ou thin; o" ,udasE =ast #ear 4ou wept
with me )ecause o" him. 0hen... I do not ;now... *aster, ne'er mind those two
dragon"lies, loo; at me, listen to me. I would not sa# this to an#)od#. I would
not tell m# companions, m# "riends. .ut I will tell 4ou. I am not success"ul in
lo'ing ,udas. I must admit it. 7e reCects m# desire to lo'e him. 7e does not hold
me in contempt, on the contrar# he is e'en too courtl# with the old :ealot who
he realises is more s;ill"ul than the others in ;nowing men. .ut it is the wa# he
)eha'es. Do #ou thin; he is sincereE 0ell me. 5
,esus is silent "or a "ew moments as i" 7e were enchanted )# the two dragon"lies
that resting on the sur"ace o" the water "orm a tin# rain)ow with their iridescent
el#tra, a precious rain)ow as it attracts a curious midge, which is swallowed )#
one o" the 'oracious insects, which, in turn, is immediatel# snatched and
de'oured together with the midge, )# a toad or "rog, l#ing in wait. ,esus stands
up, as 7e had almost lain down to see the little tragedies o" nature and sa#s? 2 It
is Cust li;e that. A dragon"l# has strong Caws to "eed on her)s and strong wings
to catch gnats, and a "rog has a large mouth to swallow dragon"lies. &ach has his
own and ma;es use o" it. =et us go, Simon. 0he others are wa;ing up. 5
2 .ut 4ou ha'e not replied to me, *aster. 4ou did not want to. 5
2 I didF *# old wise man, meditate and #ou will "ind...5 And ,esus goes "rom
the ditch towards 7is disciples who are wa;ing up and loo;ing "or 7im.
21.. :#sus Is 9)st#r )%s! !4 t"# S)88)t". 2,1
,16. 9!sus Is 7'st!r '#so o0 t! S'55't.
1-t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 e are still in the same place, )ut the setting sun is more )eara)le.
2 e must go and reach that house 5 sa#s ,esus.
0he# set out and reach it. 0he# as; "or )read and re"reshment. .ut the "armer
dri'es them awa# rudel#.
2 8ace o" PhilistinesF6 -ipersF 0he# are alwa#s the sameF 0he# were )orn o" that
stoc; and )ear poisonous "ruit 5 grum)le the tired and hungr# disciples. 2 *a#
#ou )e gi'en tit "or tat. 5
2 h# do #ou lac; charit#E 0he time o" the law o" retaliation is o'er. 3ome
"orward. It is not #et night and #ou are not d#ing o" hunger. 9""er this little
sacri"ice so that these souls ma# )ecome hungr# "or *e 5 sa#s ,esus eDhorting
them.
.ut the disciples go into a "ield and )egin to pic; the ears o" corn, the# ru) them
on the palms o" their hands and eat them. I thin; the# do it more out o" spite
than to satis"# their hunger.
2 0he# are good, *aster 5 shouts Peter. 2 Are 4ou not ha'ing an#E And the#
ha'e a dou)le "la'our... I would li;e to eat up the whole "ield. 5
2 4ou are rightF So the# would repent "or not gi'ing us an# )read 5 sa# the
others while wal;ing through the corn and eating with relish.
,esus is wal;ing alone on the dust# road. 0he :ealot and .artholomew are "i'e
or siD #ards )ehind 7im, spea;ing to each other.
2 0here is another crossroads, where a secondar# road crosses the main one, and
a group o" sul;# Pharisees is standing there. 0he# must )e coming )ac; "rom the
Sa))ath cele)ration in the 'illage that can )e seen at the end o" the secondar#
road, a large "lat town, which loo;s li;e a huge animal l#ing in its den.
,esus sees the Pharisees, loo;s at them and smiling ;indl# greets them? 2 Peace
)e with #ou. 5
Instead o" repl#ing to 7is greetings, one o" the them as;s arrogantl#? 2 ho are
4ouE 5
2 ,esus o" 1a(areth. 5
2 See, I told #ou it was 7im 5 sa#s another.
In the meantime 1athanael and Simon ha'e come close to the *aster, whereas
the other apostles are coming towards the road, wal;ing along the "urrows. 0he#
are still chewing and ha'e some corn in their hands.
0he Pharisee who had spo;en "irst, pro)a)l# )ecause he is the most important
one, resumes spea;ing to ,esus, ho has stopped waiting to hear what the#
ha'e to sa#? 2 AhF So 4ou are the "amous ,esus o" 1a(arethE h# ha'e 4ou
come so "arE 5
2 .ecause also here there are souls to )e sa'ed. 5
2 e are Iuite su""icient "or that. e ;now how to sa'e our souls and those o"
our su)Cects. 5
2 I" it is so, #ou are doing the right thing. .ut I ha'e )een sent to e'engeli(e and
sa'e. 5
2 SentF SentF ho can pro'e it to usE 1ot 4our deeds certainl#F 5
2 h# do #ou sa# thatE Are #ou not interested in #our =i"eE 5
2 9" courseF 4ou are the one who administers death to those who do not adore
4ou. So 4ou want to ;ill the whole sacerdotal and Pharisaic classes, and the
class o" scri)es and man# more, )ecause the# do not worship 4ou and the#
ne'er will. 1e'er, do 4ou understandE e, the chosen ones in Israel, will ne'er
worship 4ou. 1either shall we lo'e 4ou. 5
2 I do not compel #ou to lo'e *e and I sa# to #ou? Gorship GodH )ecause...5
2 0hat is, 4ou, )ecause 4ou are God, are 4ou notE .ut we are not the horri)le
people o" Galilee nor the "oolish people o" ,udah who "ollow 4ou "orgetting our
ra))is...5
2 Do not )e upset, man. I am not as;ing "or an#thing. I am "ul"illing *#
mission, I teach people to lo'e God and I repeat the Decalogue to them, )ecause
it has )een "orgotten, and what is worse, it is )adl# applied. I want to gi'e =i"e.
&ternal =i"e. I do not wish an#)od# a )odil# death and much less a spiritual one.
0he =i"e in which I as;ed #ou whether #ou were interested, is the li"e o" #our
soul, )ecause I lo'e #our soul, e'en i" #our soul does not lo'e *e. And it
21.. :#sus Is 9)st#r )%s! !4 t"# S)88)t". 2,2
grie'es *e to see that #ou are ;illing it )# o""ending the =ord and despising 7is
*essiah. 5
0he Pharisee )ecomes so eDcited that he seems to ha'e "allen into a "it o"
con'ulsions? he disarranges his clothes, he tears his "ringes, he ta;es o"" his
headgear, he ru""les his hair and shouts? 2 =istenF =istenF 7ear what 7e sa#s to
me, to ,onathan o" J(iel, a direct descendant o" Simon the ,ust. 0hat I o""end
the =ordF I don6t ;now who ;eeps me "rom cursing 4ou, )ut...5
2 It is "ear that ;eeps #ou. .ut #ou ma# do it. 4ou will not )e )urnt to ashes Cust
the same. .ut #ou will )e in due course, and then #ou will in'o;e *e. .ut
)etween #ou and *e, there will then )e a red stream? *# .lood. 5
3 2 All right. .ut in the meantime, since 4ou sa# that 4ou are a saint, wh# do
4ou allow certain thingsE Since 4ou sa# that 4ou are a *aster, wh# do 4ou not
teach 4our apostles )e"ore an#)od# elseE =oo; at them, )ehind 4ouF... 0he#
still ha'e in their hands the instrument o" their sinF 3an 4ou see themE 0he#
ha'e pic;ed corn and this is the Sa))ath. 0he# ha'e pic;ed ears o" corn, which
do not )elong to them. 0he# ha'e in"ringed the Sa))ath and the# ha'e stolen. 5
2 0he# were hungr#. In the 'illage where we arri'ed #esterda# e'ening, we
as;ed "or )read and lodgings. 0he# dro'e us awa#. 9nl# an old woman ga'e us
some o" her )read and a hand"ul o" oli'es. *a# God gi'e her one hundred"old,
)ecause she ga'e us e'er#thing she had, and she onl# as;ed "or a )lessing. e
wal;ed "or a mile and then we stopped, compl#ing with the law, and we dran;
the water o" a stream. 0hen, at sunset, we went to that house... 0he# reCected us.
4ou can see that we were willing to o)e# the =aw. 5
2 .ut #ou did not. It is not legal to do manual wor; on Sa))aths and it is ne'er
legal to ta;e what )elongs to other people. *# "riends and I are scandalised. 5
2 .ut I am not. 7a'e #ou not read how Da'id at 1o) too; the consecrated )read
o" the Proposition "or himsel" and his companionsE 0he sacred loa'es )elonged
to God, in 7is house, and )# a perpetual order were to )e ;ept "or the priests. It
is written? G0he# will )elong to Aaron and his sons, who shall eat them in a hol#
place, )ecause the# are a most hol# thing.H And #et Da'id too; them "or himsel"
and his companions, )ecause he was hungr#. I", there"ore, the hol# ;ing entered
the house o" God and ate the )read o" the Proposition on a Sa))ath, although it
was not legal "or him to eat it, and #et it was not imputed to him as a sin,
)ecause also a"ter that e'ent God continued to lo'e him, how can #ou sa# that
we ha'e sinned it we pic; on the soil o" God the ears o" corn that ha'e grown
and ripened through 7is will, the ears that )elong also to )irds, and #ou den#
that men, the sons o" the >ather, ma# eatE 5
2 0he# as;ed "or those loa'es, the# did not ta;e them without as;ing. And that
ma;es the di""erence. In an# case it is not true that God did not impute that sin
to Da'id. God struc; him 'er# hardF 5
2 1ot )ecause o" that. It was )ecause o" his lewdness, o" the census, not
)ecause...5
2 9hF 0hat6s enough. It is not legal, and that is all. 4ou ha'e no right to do it and
#ou shall not do it. Go awa#. e do not want #ou in our land. e do not need
#ou. e do not ;now what to do with #ou. 5
2 e shall go. 5
2 And "ore'er, remem)er that. =et ,onathan o" J(iel ne'er "ind #ou again in his
presence. GoF 5
4 2 4es, we will go. .ut we will meet again. And then it will )e ,onathan who
wants to see *e to repeat his Cudgement, and to rid the world o" *e "ore'er. .ut
then it will )e 7ea'en that will sa# to #ou? GIt is not legal "or #ou to do itH, and
that Git is not legalH will resound in #our heart li;e the sound o" a )ugle<horn
throughout #our li"e and )e#ond. As on Sa))aths the priests in the 0emple
in"ringe the Sa))ath rest )ut do not commit sin, so we, ser'ants o" the =ord, can
attain lo'e and help "rom the *ost 7ol# >ather, without thus committing sin,
since man denies us his lo'e. 0here is 9ne here ho is )# "ar greater than the
0emple and can ta;e an#thing 7e wants o" what eDists in creation, )ecause God
has made e'er#thing a "ootstool "or the ord. And I ta;e and gi'e. And that
applies )oth to the ears o" corn o" the >ather, laid on the immense ta)le o" the
&arth, and to the ord. I ta;e and gi'e. .oth to the good and to the wic;ed.
.ecause I am *erc#. .ut #ou do not ;now what is *erc#. I" #ou ;new what
*# )eing *erc# means, #ou would also ;now that I want nothing )ut merc#. I"
#ou ;new what *erc# is, #ou would not ha'e condemned innocent people. .ut
#ou do not ;now. 4ou do not e'en ;now that I do not condemn #ou, #ou do not
;now that I will "orgi'e #ou, na#, I will as; the >ather to "orgi'e #ou. .ecause I
want merc# and not punishment. .ut #ou do not ;now. 4ou do not want to
;now. And that is a greater sin than the one #ou impute to *e, it is greater than
the one #ou sa# these innocent men ha'e committed. 4ou must ;now that the
21.. :#sus Is 9)st#r )%s! !4 t"# S)88)t". 2,3
Sa))ath was made "or man and not man "or the Sa))ath and that the Son o" man
is master also o" the Sa))ath. Good)#e...5
7e turns to 7is disciples? 2 3ome. =et us go and loo; "or a place where to lie
down among the sands that are now near. 0he stars will ;eep us compan# and
dew will re"resh us. God, ho sent manna to Israel, will pro'ide nourishment
also "or us, 7is poor "aith"ul ser'ants. 5 And ,esus lea'es the rancorous group
and goes awa# with 7is disciples, while night is "alling with its "irst 'iolet
shadows...
0he# "ind at last a hedge o" Indian "igs, on the top lea'es o" which, )ristling with
thorns, are some "ruit, which are )eginning to ripen. An#thing is good when one
is hungr#. And stinging themsel'es, the# pic; the ripest ones and proceed thus,
until the "ields )ecome sand# dunes. 0he noise o" the sea can )e heard in the
distance.
2 =et us rest here. 0he sand is so"t and warm. 0omorrow we will go to Ash;elon
5 sa#s ,esus and tired as the# are, the# all lie down at the "oot o" a high dune.
,18. Arri2'# 't As@!#on.
14t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he "resh dawn )reath wa;es the sleeping apostles. 0he# rise "rom their sand
)eds, where the# slept close to a dune strewn with small tu"ts o" dr# grass, and
the# clim) to the top. A large sand# coast appears )e"ore them, whereas a little
"arther awa# and a little closer to them there are )eauti"ul well culti'ated "ields.
0he white stones o" a dr# torrent are conspicuous against the golden sand and
their whiteness M the whiteness o" dr# )ones M stretches as "ar as the sea, the
sur"ace o" which glitters in the distance, rippled )# the morning tide and a light
mistral. 0he# wal; on the edge o" the dune as "ar as the dr# torrent, which the#
cross, and the# resume wal;ing across the dunes, which crum)le under their "eet
and are so undulated that the# seem a solid continuation o" the sea.
0he# reach the shore<line, where the# can wal; "aster, and while ,ohn is
h#pnotised )# the )oundless ocean )eginning to shine in the rising sun, and he
seems to )e drin;ing in its )eaut# as his e#es )ecome )luer and )luer, Peter who
is more practical, ta;es his sandals o"", pulls up his tunic and paddles in the
shallow water loo;ing "or little cra)s or shells to suc;. A )eauti"ul sea town is
a)out two miles awa#, stretched along the coast a)o'e a semilunar roc;# )arrier
)e#ond which sands ha'e )een carried )# storms and )lown )# winds. And the
roc;s o" the )arrier, now that the water recedes at low tide, appear here as well,
compelling thus the apostles to wal; on the dr# sand in order not to cut their
)are "eet on the sharp roc;s.
2 here is the entrance to the town, m# =ordE I can onl# see a 'er# solid wall
"rom here. It is not possi)le to enter )# sea. 0he town is in the inner<most spot
o" the gul" 5 sa#s Philip.
2 3ome. I ;now where the entrance is. 5
2 7a'e 4ou alread# )een hereE 5
2 9nce when I was a child, )ut I would not remem)er. .ut I ;now where to go.
5
2 7ow strangeF I ha'e noticed that man# a time... 4ou ne'er ta;e the wrong
road. Sometimes we ma;e 4ou go wrong. 9ne would thin; that 4ou ha'e
alread# )een to the places we go to 5 remar;s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 ,esus smiles )ut does not repl#. 7e wal;s con"identl# as "ar as a little rural
su)ur) where mar;et gardeners grow 'egeta)les "or the town. 0he "ields and
mar;et gardens are tid# and well loo;ed a"ter and men and women are wor;ing
in them, pouring water in the "urrows, a"ter drawing it la)oriousl# "rom wells )#
hand, or in the old sIuea;# method )# means o" )uc;ets pulled up )# a poor
)lind"olded don;e# wal;ing round the well. .ut the# do not sa# an#thing. ,esus
greets them. 2 Peace )e with #ou. 5 .ut i" the# are not hostile, the# are certainl#
indi""erent.
2 *# =ord, we are running the ris; o" d#ing o" hunger here. 0he# do not
understand 4our greetings. I will tr# now 5 sa#s 0homas. And he opens
con'ersation with the "irst mar;et gardener he sees? 2 Are #our 'egeta)les
eDpensi'eE 5
2 1ot more than other mar;et gardeners6. Dear or not dear, according to how
thic; a purse is. 5
2 ell said. .ut, as #ou can see, I am not d#ing o" star'ation. I am "at and ros#
211. Arr6)% )t As"@#%!n. 2,4
also without #our 'egeta)les. hich means that m# purse is well stoc;ed.
=isten? we are thirteen and we ha'e mone# to spend. hat can #ou sell usE 5
2 &ggs, 'egeta)les, earl# almonds, apples "la))# )# age, oli'es... hate'er #ou
want. 5
2 Gi'e me some eggs, apples and )read "or e'er#)od#. 5
2 I ha'e no )read. 4ou will "ind it in town. 5
2 I am hungr# now, not in an hour6s time. I don6t )elie'e that #ou ha'e no )read.
5
2 I ha'e not got an#. 0he women are ma;ing it. See that old man o'er thereE 7e
alwa#s has plent#, )ecause as he is closer to the road, pilgrims o"ten as; him "or
it. Go to Ananiah and as; him. I will )ring #ou the eggs now. .ut, mind #ou,
the# cost a coin a pair. 5
2 hat a thie" #ou areF Do #our hens perhaps la# golden eggsE 5
2 1o. .ut it is not pleasant to )e in the middle o" the stench o" poultr#, and one
does not do it "or nothing. In an# case, #ou are ,ews, are #ou notE So pa#F 5
2 4ou can ;eep #our eggs. And that6s #ou paidF 5 and 0homas turns his )ac; to
him.
2 &hiF manF 3ome here. I will gi'e #ou them "or less. 0hree to a coin. 5
2 1ot e'en "our. 4ou can eat them #oursel" and ma# the# cho;e #ou. 5
2 3ome here. =isten. 7ow much are #ou prepared to gi'e meE 5 0he mar;et
gardener chases 0homas.
2 1othing. I don6t want them an# more. I wanted to ha'e a snac; )e"ore going to
town. .ut it is )etter so. I will not lose m# 'oice or m# appetite )e"ore singing
the ;ing6s stories and I will ha'e a good meal at the hotel. 5
2 I will gi'e #ou them "or a didrachma a pair. 5
2 JghF 4ou are worse than a horse<"l#. Gi'e me #our eggs. And ma;e sure the#
are new laid ones. 9therwise I will )ring them )ac; and I will ma;e #our snout
#ellower than it alread# is. 5 And 0homas comes awa# with at least two do(en
eggs in the "old o" his mantle. 2 SeeE >rom now on I will do the shopping in this
land o" thie'es. I ;now how to deal with them. 0he# are lous# with mone# when
the# come to purchase our goods "or their women and our )racelets are ne'er
hea'# enough and the# haggle o'er prices "or da#s. I will a'enge m#sel". 1ow
let us go and see that other nast# piece o" wor;. 3ome, Peter. 7ere, ,ohn, ta;e
the eggs. 5
3 0he# go to the old man whose mar;et garden is near the main road, which
"rom the north leads to the town running near the houses o" the su)ur). It is a
"ine well pa'ed road, certainl# 8oman wor;. 0he eastern town gate is now Iuite
near and )e#ond it one can see that the road proceeds straight and )ecomes
reall# artistic, with a shad# porch on each side, supported )# mar)le columns, in
the cool shade o" which people wal; lea'ing the middle o" the road to don;e#s,
camels, dogs and horses.
2 7ailF ill #ou sell us some )readE 5 as;s 0homas.
0he old man either does not hear or does not want to hear. In actual "act the
sIuea;ing o" the water<wheel is such that it can cause con"usion.
Peter loses his temper and shouts? 2 Stop #our SamsonF At least it will )e a)le to
catch its )reath and not die under m# e#es. And listen to usF 5
0he man stops the don;e# and casts a side glance at his interlocuter, )ut Peter
disarms him sa#ing? 2 &hF Is it not right to gi'e the name o" Samson to a
don;e#E I" #ou are a Philistine, #ou should li;e it )ecause it is an insult to
Samson. I" instead #ou come "rom Israel, #ou should li;e it )ecause it reminds
#ou o" a de"eat o" the Philistines. So #ou can see... 5
2 I am a Philistine and am proud o" it. 5
2 4ou are right. And I will )e proud o" #ou i" #ou gi'e us some )read. 5
2 .ut are #ou not a ,udaeanE 5
2 I am a 3hristian. 5
2 hat place is thatE 5
2 It is not a place. It is a person. I )elong to that person. 5
2 Are #ou 7is sla'eE 5
2 I am more "ree than an# other man )ecause who )elongs to that person does
211. Arr6)% )t As"@#%!n. 2,,
not depend on an#)od#, eDcept God. 5
2 Are #ou spea;ing the truthE 1ot e'en on 3aesarE 5
2 PhewF hat is 3aesar as compared to 7im hom I "ollow, and to hom I
)elong, and in hose name I as; #ou to gi'e me some )readE 5
2 .ut where is that power"ul manE 5
2 0hat man o'er there, the 9ne loo;ing here and smiling. 7e is the 3hrist, the
*essiah. 7a'e #ou ne'er heard o" 7imE 5
2 4es, the ;ing o" Israel. ill 7e de"eat 8omeE 5
2 8omeE 0he whole world, also 7ell. 5
2 And #ou are 7is generalsE Dressed li;e thatE Perhaps to e'ade the
persecutions o" the wic;ed ,ews. 5
2 ell... it is, and it isn6t. .ut gi'e me some )read and while eating I will
eDplain the situation to #ou. 5
2 .readE .ut I will gi'e #ou also water, and wine, and seats in the shade, "or
#ou and "or #our companion and "or #our *essiah. 3all 7im. 5
And Peter rushes towards ,esus. 2 3ome, come. 7e will gi'e us what we want...
that old Philistine. .ut I thin; he will assail 4ou with Iuestions... I told him
ho 4ou are... I more or less told him... .ut he is "a'oura)l# disposed. 5
4 0he# all go to the mar;et garden where the man has alread# arranged )enches
round a coarse ta)le under a thic; 'ine pergola.
2 Peace to #ou, Ananiah. *a# #our ground )e "ertile )ecause o" #our charit# and
ma# it )ear #ou rich "ruit. 5
2 0han; 4ou. Peace to 4ou. Sit down. Ani)eF 1u)iF .ring )read, wine and
water at once 5 the old man orders two women who are certainl# A"rican,
)ecause one is a)solutel# )lac; with thic; lips and "ri((l# hair and the other is
'er# dar; )ut more o" a &uropean t#pe. And the old man eDplains? 2 0he# are
the daughters o" m# wi"e6s sla'es. She is dead and the sla'es who came with her
are also dead. .ut the daughters are here. 0he# come "rom the 7igh and =ow
1ile. *# wi"e came "rom there. It6s "or)idden, ehE .ut I don6t care. I am not an
Israelite and the women o" in"erior race are mee;. 5
2 Are #ou not "rom IsraelE 5
2 I am )# "orce, )ecause Israel oppresses us li;e a #o;e. .ut... 4ou are an
Israelite and 4ou will "eel insulted at what I sa#E... 5
2 1o. I am not o""ended. I would onl# li;e #ou to listen to the 'oice o" God. 5
2 It does not spea; to us. 5
2 0hat is what #ou sa#. I am spea;ing to #ou, and that is 7is 'oice. 5
2 .ut 4ou are the Bing o" Israel. 5
0he women who are arri'ing with )read, water and wine when the# hear 2 ;ing
5 )eing mentioned, stop dum)"ounded loo;ing at the smiling digni"ied #oung
man, whom their master calls 2 ;ing 5, and the# are a)out to withdraw, almost
creeping out o" respect.
2 0han; #ou, women. Peace to #ou, too. 5 0hen, addressing the old man? 2 0he#
are #oung... 4ou ma# go on with #our wor;. 5
2 1o. 0he soil is wet and can wait. Spea; to us a little. Ani)e, unharness the
don;e# and ta;e it to the sta)le. And #ou, 1u)i, pour the last )uc;ets o" water
and then... Are #ou stopping here, =ordE 5
2 Do not go to an# "urther trou)le. I onl# want to ta;e some "ood and then I will
go to Ash;elon. 5
2 It is no trou)le. Go to town, )ut come )ac; here in the e'ening. e will share
our )read and salt. 4ou two, hurr# up. 4ou see to the )read, #ou call ,etheo, tell
him to ;ill a ;id and prepare it "or this e'ening. Go. 5 And the two women go
awa# without spea;ing.
5 2 So 4ou are a ;ing. .ut 4our arm#E 7erod is cruel in e'er# possi)le wa#. 7e
re)uilt Ash;elon. .ut "or his own glor#. And nowF... .ut 4ou ;now the
disgrace"ul things o" Israel )etter than I do. hat will 4ou doE 5
2 I ha'e )ut the weapon that comes "rom God. 5
2 Da'id6s swordE 5
2 0he sword o" *# word. 5
2 9hF 4ou ha'e some hopesF It will )ecome )lunt against )ron(e hearts. 5
211. Arr6)% )t As"@#%!n. 2,-
2 Do #ou thin; soE I am not aiming at a ;ingdom in this world. I am aiming at
the Bingdom o" 7ea'en on )ehal" o" all o" #ou. 5
2 Js allE *e, as well, a PhilistineE And m# sla'esE 5
2 >or e'er#)od#. 4ou and them. And "or the most unci'ilised man in the centre
o" A"rican "orests. 5
2 Do 4ou want to esta)lish such a wide ;ingdomE h# do 4ou call it o"
7ea'enE 4ou could call it? Bingdom o" the &arth. 5
2 1o, do not misunderstand me. *# Bingdom is the Bingdom o" the 0rue God.
God is in 7ea'en. So it is the Bingdom o" 7ea'en. &'er# man is a soul clad
with a )od# and a soul can li'e )ut in 7ea'en. I want to cure #our souls, remo'e
their errors and hatred and lead them to God through goodness and lo'e. 5
2 I li;e that 'er# much. I do not go to ,erusalem, )ut I ;now that no one in Israel
has spo;en li;e that "or ages. So 4ou do not hate usE 5
2 I do not hate an#one. 5
0he old man is pensi'e... then he as;s? 2 And ha'e the two sla'es got a soul the
same as #ou people o" IsraelE 5
2 9" course the# ha'e. 0he# are not captured wild )easts. 0he# are unhapp#
creatures. 0he# deser'e lo'e. Do #ou lo'e themE 5
2 I do not ill<treat them. I want them to o)e#, )ut I ne'er use a lash and I "eed
them well. 0he# sa# that an ill<"ed animal will not wor;. .ut also an ill<"ed man
is )ad )usiness. And the# were )orn in the house. I saw them when the# were
)a)ies. 0he# are the onl# ones who will )e le"t, )ecause I am 'er# old, 4ou
;nowE Almost eight#. 0he# and ,etheo are what is le"t o" m# old household. I
am "ond o" them as I am o" m# propert#. 0he# will close m# e#es... 5
2 And thenE 5
2 And then... ho ;nowsF I don6t ;now. 0he# will go and wor; as maidser'ants
and the house will "all to pieces. I am sorr#. I made it wealth# )# m# wor;. 0his
ground will )e co'ered with sand again and )ecome sterile... 0his 'ine#ard...
*# wi"e and I planted it. And that roser#... It6s &g#ptian, =ord. I smell the
per"ume o" m# wi"e in it... It seems m# son... the onl# son who is )uried under it
and is now dust... Sorrows... It is )etter to die #oung and not see all that and
death which is approaching... 5
2 4our son is not dead, neither is #our wi"e, their souls sur'i'e. 0heir "lesh is
dead. Death must not "righten #ou. +eath is life for those who hope in the %ord
and live righteously. 0hin; a)out it... I am going to town. I will come )ac; this
e'ening and I will as; #ou to allow *e to sleep under that porch with *#
disciples. 5
2 1o, m# =ord. I ha'e man# empt# rooms. I o""er them to 4ou. 5
,udas puts some coins on the ta)le.
2 1o. I don6t want them. 0he# are o" this countr# that is hate"ul to #ou. .ut
perhaps the# are )etter than those who rule o'er us. Good)#e, m# =ord. 5
2 Peace to #ou, Ananiah. 5
0he two sla'es together with ,etheo, a )rawn# elderl# peasant, ha'e come to see
7im lea'e. 2 Peace to #ou as well. .e good. Good)#e 5 and ,esus touches
lightl# 1u)i6s "ri((# hair and the shin# straight hair o" Ani)e, 7e smiles at the
man and departs.
6 Shortl# a"terwards the# enter Ash;elon along the road o" the dou)le porch,
which goes straight to the centre o" the town. 0he town is an imitation o" 8ome,
with "ountains and )asins, sIuares in the st#le o" the >orum, towers along the
wall and 7erod6s name e'er#where, which he o)'iousl# had placed to praise
himsel" since the population o" Ash;elon do not applaud him. 0he town is )us#
and )ecomes more so as the time passes and one approaches its centre, which is
spacious and air#, with the sea as a )right )ac;ground li;e a turIuoise enclosed
in the pin; coral tongues o" the houses spread in the deep arc o" the coast.
8ather than a gul" it is indeed a true arc, a section o" a circle made 'er# pale
pin; )# the sunshine.
2 =et us di'ide into "our groups. I will go, na# I will let #ou go. 0hen I will
ma;e *# choice. Go. A"ter the ninth hour we will meet at the gate where we
came in. .e wise and patient. 5 And ,esus loo;s at them going awa# and
remains alone with ,udas Iscariot who has stated that he will gi'e nothing to the
people here )ecause the# are worse than heathens. .ut when ,udas hears that
,esus wishes to wander a)out in silence, he changes his mind and sa#s? 2 Do
4ou mind )eing aloneE I would go with *atthew, ,ames and Andrew as the#
are the least capa)le ones... 5
211. Arr6)% )t As"@#%!n. 2,.
2 4ou ma# go. Good)#e. 5
And ,esus all alone, wanders "ar and wide in the town, a seeming nonentit#
amongst )us# people who pa# no attention to 7im. 9nl# two or three children
loo; at 7im curiousl# and a woman pro'o;ingl# dressed comes resolutel#
towards 7im smiling alluringl#. .ut ,esus loo;s at her so se'erel# that she
)ecomes purple, lowers her e#es and goes awa#. At the corner she turns round
again, and as a man who watched the scene Ceers at her )itingl#, laughing at her
de"eat, she en'elops hersel" in her mantle and runs awa#.
0he children, instead, wal; round ,esus, loo;ing at 7im and smiling in response
to 7is smiles. 9ne more daring than the others as;s? 2 ho are 4ouE 5
2 ,esus 5 7e replies caressing him.
2 hat are 4ou doingE 5
2 I am waiting "or some "riends. 5
2 >rom Ash;elonE 5
2 1o, "rom *# countr# and "rom ,udaea. 5
2 Are 4ou richE I am. *# "ather has a )eauti"ul house and he ma;es carpets in
it. 3ome and see. It is not "ar. 5
And ,esus goes with the )o# and the# enter a long archwa#, which is a ;ind o"
co'ered road. At the other end the# catch a glimpse o" the sea, which is 'er#
)right in the sunshine and loo;s e'en more li'el# in the dim light o" the
archwa#.
7 0he# meet a haggard little girl who is weeping. 2 0hat is Dinah. She is poor,
4ou ;nowE *# mother gi'es her "ood. 7er mother cannot wor; an# more. 7er
"ather died, at sea. In a storm while going "rom Ga(a to the har)our o" the Great
8i'er to ta;e goods there and to collect some. And as the goods )elonged to m#
"ather and Dinah6s "ather was one o" our sailors, m# mother now sees to them.
.ut there are so man# o" them who ha'e )een le"t "atherless thus... hat do 4ou
sa#E It must )e dread"ul to )e orphans and poor. 7ere is m# house. Don6t tell m#
mother that I was in the street. I should ha'e )een at school. .ut I was eDpelled
)ecause I was ma;ing m# companions laugh with this... 5 and he pulls out "rom
his clothes a puppet car'ed in wood, set in a thin piece o" wood, which is reall#
'er# comical, with its slipper chin and its 'er# Iueer nose.
,esus6 lips trem)le as i" 7e were on the point o" smiling, )ut 7e controls
7imsel" and sa#s? 2 0hat is not #our school teacher, is itE 9r a relati'eE It is not
right. 5
2 1o. It6s the head o" the s#nagogue o" the ,ews. 7e is old and ugl# and we
alwa#s ma;e "un o" him. 5
2 0hat is not right either. 7e is certainl# much older than #ou are and... 5
2 9hF 7e is 'er# old, he is almost hump)ac;ed and )lind, )ut he is so ugl#
loo;ingF... It6s no "ault o" mine, i" he is so ugl#F 5
2 1o. .ut #ou are wrong in ma;ing "un o" an old man. 4ou will )e ugl# too,
when #ou are old, )ecause #ou will )e )ent with ageL #ou will )e )ald, almost
)lind, #ou will need a stic; to wal;, #our "ace will )e li;e that one. SoE ill #ou
)e happ# i" an ill<mannered )o# ma;es "un o" #ouE And wh# should #ou worr#
#our master and distur) #our companionsE It is not right. I" #our "ather ;new, he
would punish #ou and #our mother would )e upset. I will not tell them an#thing.
.ut #ou will gi'e *e two things immediatel#? #our promise that #ou will no
longer commit such o""ences and that puppet. ho made itE 5
2 I did, =ord... 5 sa#s the humiliated )o#, who is now conscious o" the gra'it# o"
his... misdeeds... And he goes on? 2 I li;e to car'e wood 'er# muchF Sometimes
I car'e the "lowers or the animals which are on the carpets. 4ou ;nowE...
dragons, Sph#nDes and other animals... 5
2 4ou ma# do that. 0here are so man# )eauti"ul things on the earthF So are #ou
going to promise and will #ou gi'e me that puppetE 9therwise we are no longer
"riends. I will ;eep it as a sou'enir and I will pra# "or #ou. hat is #our nameE
5
2 AleDander. And what will 4ou gi'e meE 5
,esus is em)arrassed. 7e alwa#s has so littleF .ut 7e remem)ers that 7e has a
)eauti"ul )uc;le on the collar o" one o" his tunics. 7e loo;s "or it in 7is )ag,
"inds it, ta;es it o"" and gi'es it to the )o#. 2 And now let us go. .ut, mind #ou,
e'en i" I go awa#, I will ;now e'er#thing Cust the same. And i" I ;now that #ou
are a )ad )o#, I will come )ac; here and tell #our mother e'er#thing. 5 0he
agreement is made.
8 0he# enter the house. .e#ond the hall there is a large #ard on three sides o"
211. Arr6)% )t As"@#%!n. 2,1
which there are large rooms with the looms.
0he maidser'ant who opened the door is ama(ed seeing the )o# with a stranger
and in"orms the landlad#, a tall ;ind loo;ing woman who comes immediatel#
as;ing? 2 .ut has m# son not )een wellE 5
2 1o, woman. 7e )rought *e here to see #our looms. I am a stranger. 5
2 Do 4ou wish to ma;e some purchasesE 5
2 1o. I ha'e no mone#. .ut I ha'e "riends who lo'e )eauti"ul things and ha'e
mone#. 5
0he woman loo;s curiousl# at the man who so candidl# admits that he is poor
and she sa#s? 2 I thought 4ou were a rich man. 4our manners and aspect are
those o" a lord. 5
2 Instead I am onl# a Galilean ra))i? ,esus, the 1a(arene. 5
2 e are in )usiness and we are unpreCudiced. 3ome and see. 5
And she ta;es 7im to see her looms where #oung women are wor;ing under her
guidance. 0he rugs are reall# 'alua)le )oth with regard to design and shade?
the# are deep, so"t and loo; li;e "lower )eds in )loom or ;aleidoscopes o" gems.
9n others there are allegorical "igures, such as h#ppogr#phs, mermaids, dragons
or heraldic gr#phons li;e ours, intermingled with "lowers.
,esus admires them. 2 4ou are 'er# cle'er. I am glad I ha'e seen all this. And I
am glad that #ou are a good woman. 5
2 7ow do #ou ;nowE 5
2 It is written on #our "ace and the )o# told *e a)out Dinah. *a# God reward
#ou "or it. &'en i" #ou do not )elie'e it, #ou are 'er# close to the 0ruth, )ecause
there is charit# in #ou. 5
2 hich truthE 5
2 0he *ost 7igh =ord. 7e who lo'es his neigh)our and practises charit# )oth
towards his "amil# and his su)Cects, and eDtends it to unhapp# people, has
alread# 8eligion in himsel". 0hat is Dinah, is it notE 5
2 4es. 7er mother is d#ing. =ater, I will ta;e her, )ut not "or the looms. She is
too #oung and too delicate. Dinah, come to this gentleman. 5
0he little girl, with the sad loo; o" unhapp# children, approaches ,esus sh#l#.
,esus caresses her and sa#s? 2 ill #ou ta;e *e to #our motherE 4ou would li;e
her to )e cured, would #ou notE ell, then, ta;e *e to her. Good)#e, woman.
And good)#e, AleDander. And )e good. 5
9 7e goes out holding the girl6s hand. 2 Are #ou aloneE 5 7e as;s her.
2 I ha'e three little )rothers. 0he last one ne'er ;new his "ather. 5
2 Do not weep. 3an #ou )elie'e that God can cure #our motherE 4ou ;now, do
#ou not, that there is onl# one God ho lo'es the men that 7e created and
especiall# good childrenE And that 7e can do e'er#thingE 5
2 4es, I ;now, =ord. *# )rother 0olme used to go to school and at school he
was miDed with ,ewish )o#s. 0hat is wh# we ;now man# things. I ;now that
God eDists and 7is name is ,eho'ah and that 7e punished us )ecause the
Philistines were )ad to 7im. 0he ,ewish children alwa#s reproach us "or that.
.ut I was not there then, neither was m# mother or m# "ather. So wh#... 5 tears
cho;e her words.
2 Do not weep. God lo'es #ou, too, and 7e )rought *e here, "or #ou and "or
#our mother. Do #ou ;now that the Israelites are eDpecting the *essiah ho is
to come to esta)lish the Bingdom o" 7ea'enE 0he Bingdom o" ,esus, the
8edeemer and Sa'iour o" the worldE 5
2 I ;now, m# =ord. And the# threaten us sa#ing? G0hen there will )e trou)le "or
#ou.H 5
2 And do #ou ;now what the *essiah will doE 5
2 7e will ma;e Israel a great countr# and will treat us 'er# )adl#. 5
2 1o. 7e will redeem the world, 7e will remo'e sin, 7e will teach people not to
sin, 7e will lo'e the poor, the sic;, the a""licted, 7e will go to them, and 7e will
teach the rich, the health#, the happ# to lo'e them and 7e will tell e'er#)od# to
)e good to reach the )liss"ul eternal li"e in 7ea'en. 0hat is what 7e will do. And
7e will not oppress an#)od#. 5
2 And how will people ;now 7imE 5
211. Arr6)% )t As"@#%!n. 2,2
2 .ecause 7e will lo'e e'er#)od# and will cure the sic; people that )elie'e in
7im, 7e will redeem sinners and teach lo'e. 5
2 9hF I wish 7e came )e"ore m# mother diesF 7ow I would )elie'e in 7imF
7ow I would pra# 7imF I would go and loo; "or 7im until I "ound 7im and I
would sa# to 7im? GI am a poor girl without "ather and m# mother is d#ing, I
hope in 4ouH and I am sure that, although I am a Philistine, 7e would hear me.
5 7er 'oice thro)s with simple deep "aith.
,esus smiles loo;ing at the poor girl wal;ing )eside 7im. She cannot see 7is
)right smile as she is loo;ing ahead, towards the house which is now close at
hand...
10 0he# arri'e at a poor little house, at the end o" a )lind alle#. 2 It6s here, m#
=ord. 3ome in... 5 A small misera)le room, a straw mattress with a worn out
)od# on top o" it, three little ones )etween three and ten #ears o" age, sitting near
the mattress. *iser# and star'ation are portra#ed e'er#where.
2 Peace to #ou, woman. Do not get eDcited. Do not trou)le #oursel". I "ound
#our daughter and I ;now that #ou are not well. I ha'e come. ould #ou li;e to
)e curedE 5
In a small 'oice the woman replies? 2 9hF *# =ordF... It6s the end "or meF... 5
and she weeps.
2 4our daughter )elie'es that the *essiah could cure #ou. And what a)out #ouE
5
2 9hF I )elie'e that, too. .ut where is the *essiahE 5
2 It is I, ho am spea;ing to #ou. 5 And ,esus, ho was )ending o'er the
mattress whispering 7is word to the poor woman, stands up and shouts? 2 I want
it. .e cured. 5
0he children are almost a"raid o" 7is maCest#, and the three ama(ed "aces
remain around their mother6s pallet. Dinah presses her hands against her little
)reast. A light o" hope, o" )eatitude shines on her "ace. She is so touched, that
she is almost panting. 7er mouth is open to utter a word which her heart is
alread# whispering and when she sees that her mother, so "ar wan and
eDhausted, sits up, as i" she were supported )# a strength in"used into her, and
then stands up, with her e#es staring all the time at the Sa'iour, Dinah utters a
cr# o" Co#? 2 *umm#F 5. 0he word "illing her heart has )een spo;enF... And
then another one? 2 ,esusF 5 And em)racing her mother she compels her to ;neel
down sa#ing? 2 Adore 7im, adore 7imF It is 7e, the prophesied Sa'iour o"
hom 0olme6s teacher spo;e. 5
2 orship the 0rue God, )e good, remem)er *e. Good)#e. 5 And 7e goes out
Iuic;l# while the two happ# women are still prostrated on the "loor...
,1*. T!'cin& 't As@!#on.
1+t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he apostles arri'e at the town gate in successi'e little groups, according to
the directions o" ,esus. 0he *aster is not #et there. .ut 7e arri'es soon,
emerging "rom a little street running along the walls.
2 0he *aster must ha'e had good "ortune 5 sa#s *atthew. 2 =oo; how 7e is
smiling. 5
0he# meet and then all together go out o" the gate and ta;e to the main road
again, a road lined with su)ur) mar;et gardens.
,esus as;s them? 2 ellE 7ow did it go with #ouE 7ow did #ou doE 5
2 -er# )adl# 5 the Iscariot and .artholomew repl# together.
2 h#E hat happenedE 5
2 0he# almost stoned us. e had to run awa#. =et us go awa# "rom this place o"
)ar)arians. =et us go )ac; to where people lo'e us. I will not spea; again here.
Actuall# I had no intention o" spea;ing. 0hen I allowed m#sel" to )e con'inced
and 4ou did not stop me. And #et 4ou ;now how things are... 5 0he Iscariot is
angr#.
2 .ut what happened to #ouE 5
2 2 &hF I had Coined *atthew, ,ames and Andrew. e went to ,udgement
SIuare, )ecause it is the meeting place o" re"ined people who ha'e plent# time
to listen to those who spea;. e decided that *atthew should spea;, )eing the
212. T#)c"n( )t As"@#%!n. 2-3
most suita)le one to tal; to pu)licans and their clients. And he )egan )# spea;<
ing to two men who were Iuarrelling o'er the ownership o" a "ield in'ol'ed in
an intricate inheritance? GDo not hate each other "or what is perisha)le and "or
what #ou cannot ta;e with #ou in the neDt li"e. .ut lo'e each other so that #ou
ma# enCo# the eternal good which #ou can achie'e )# controlling #our e'il
passions, without an# other struggle, and thus win and possess Good.H 0hat is
what #ou were sa#ing, is that rightE
And when two or three people approached us, he continued? G=isten to the 0ruth
that is teaching the world, so that the world ma# ha'e peace. 4ou can see that
the world su""ers )ecause it entertains an eDcessi'e attachment "or things that
perish. 0he earth is not e'er#thing. 0here is also 7ea'en, and in 7ea'en there is
God, as on the earth there is now 7is *essiah, ho sent us to in"orm #ou that
the time o" *erc# has come and that no sinner can sa#? 6I shall not )e heard6,
)ecause he who is reall# repentant is "orgi'en, heard, lo'ed and in'ited to the
Bingdom o" God.H
*an# people had alread# gathered together and some were listening
respect"ull#, while some were as;ing Iuestions, thus distur)ing *atthew. I
ne'er repl# to an#)od#, to a'oid interrupting the speech. I spea; and then I repl#
to an# Iuestion at the end. =et them )ear in mind what we want to tell them and
)e silent. .ut *atthew wanted to repl# at onceF... And the# were as;ing us
Iuestions as well. .ut there were also some who sneered sa#ing? G0here is
another madmanF 7e certainl# comes "rom that den o" Israel. 0he# are li;e
weeds those ,ews, the# spread e'er#whereF 0he# tal; e'erlasting nonsenseF
0he# ha'e God as their companion. =isten to themF God is on their sword edge
and on their sharp tongues. =isten, listen. 1ow the# are calling in Iuestion 7is
*essiah. Some other ra'ing lunatic who will torture us as alwa#s happened in
the past. =et the plague catch 7im and 7is raceFH
0hen I lost m# temper. I pulled *atthew )ac;, as he was going on spea;ing,
smiling as i" the# were pa#ing homage to him, and I )egan to spea;, ta;ing
,eremiah as m# starting point? GSee how the waters rise "rom the 1orth and
)ecome an o'er"lowing torrent... Jpon hearing the noise o" the water, #ou will
lose #our strengthL #our pride, #our hearts, #our arms, #our "eelings, e'er#thing
will collapse. .ecause the punishment o" God "or #ou, mischie'ous race, will
ha'e the roar o" a water"all, whereas it will )e earthl# armies and hea'enl#
warriors to punish #our stu))ornness, attac;ing #ou )# order o" the 7eads o" the
People o" God. And #ou, the remains o" the island o" sin and door o" 7ell, will
)e eDterminatedF 4ou ha'e )ecome arrogant )ecause 7erod has re)uilt #our
homesE .ut #ou will )e sha'ed until #ou )ecome hopelessl# )ald and #ou will
)e struc; )# all sorts o" punishments in #our towns and 'illages, in #our 'alle#s
and plains. 0he prophec# is not #et dead...H and I wanted to continue, )ut the#
rushed upon us and onl# )ecause a hea'en<sent cara'an was passing along one
o" the streets, we managed to ta;e shelter, as stones were alread# "l#ing. 0he#
hit the camels and their dri'ersL there was an uproar and we made o"".
A"terwards we remained Iuietl# in a little su)ur) #ard. AhF I will ne'er come
)ac; here again... 5
3 2 I )eg #our pardon, )ut #ou o""ended themF It6s #our "aultF 1ow we under<
stand wh# the# were so hostile when the# came to dri'e us awa#F 5 eDclaims
1athanael. And he continues? 2 =isten, *aster. e, that is Simon o" ,onah,
Philip and I had gone towards the tower o'erloo;ing the sea. 0here were some
sailors and ship owners there, loading goods "or 3#prus, Greece and other more
distant places. And the# were cursing the sun, the dust and their hard wor;, their
Philistine destin# that implied that the# were sla'es o" o'er)earing people,
whereas the# could ha'e )een ;ings. And the# cursed the Prophets, the 0emple
and all o" us. I wanted to go awa#, )ut Simon o)Cected sa#ing? G1o, on the
contrar#, we must approach these sinners. 0he *aster would do that, and we
must do it as well.H
G0hen, #ou can spea; to themH said Philip and I. GAnd i" I do not ;now what to
sa#EH said Simon. G0hen we will help #ouH we replied.
Simon then, smiling, went towards two men who had sat down perspiring on a
huge )ale the# could not li"t on to the )oat, and he said? GIt6s hea'#, isn6t itE.H
GIt6s not so much its weight, as the "act that we are tired. And we ha'e to
complete the loading, )ecause that6s what the owner wants. 7e wants to sail
when the sea is calm, )ecause this e'ening the sea will )e rough and he must )e
)e#ond the roc;s to )e out o" danger.H
G8oc;s in the seaEH
G4es, o'er there, where the water "oams, a nast# spot.H
G3urrents, ehE 9" courseF 0he south wind )lows round the promontor# and
collides with the current there...H
GAre #ou a sailorEH
212. T#)c"n( )t As"@#%!n. 2-1
GA "isherman, a "resh water "isherman. .ut water is alwa#s water and wind al<
wa#s wind. I ha'e "inished up in the water more than once m#sel" and m# catch
went )ac; into the la;e. 9ur trade is a good one )ut can )e also unpleasant.
0here is no place entirel# )ad and no race entirel# cruel. ith a little good will
it is alwa#s possi)le to come to some agreement and one "inds out that there are
good people e'er#where. 3ome onF I want to gi'e #ou a handH and Simon called
Philip sa#ing? G3ome on, #ou will catch the load there, I will catch it here and
these good people will lead us o'er there, to the )oat, and down to the holds.H
0he Philistines were rather unwilling, )ut then the# allowed them to help. A"ter
putting the )ale in its place, and others, which were on the )ridge as well, Simon
)egan to praise the )oat, as he onl# ;nows how, and he praised the sea, the town
that was so )eauti"ul as seen "rom o"" shore and he too; an interest in na'igation
and in "oreign towns.
And the# were all round him, than;ing him and praising him... Jntil one as;ed
him? G.ut where are #ou "romE >rom the 1ile areaEH
G1o, "rom the sea o" Galilee. .ut as #ou can see I am not a tiger.H
G0hat is true. Are #ou loo;ing "or a Co)EH
G4es.H
GI will ta;e #ou on, i" #ou wish. I can see that #ou are a cle'er sailorH said the
owner.
GI instead will ta;e #ou.H
G*eE .ut did #ou not tell me that #ou want a Co)E.H
G0hat is true. *# wor; is to ta;e men to the *essiah o" God. 4ou are a man. So
#ou are wor; "or me.H
G.ut I am a PhilistineF.H
GAnd what does that meanE.H
GIt means that #ou hate us, that #ou ha'e persecuted us "rom time immemorial.
4our chie"s ha'e alwa#s said so...H
G0he Prophets, ehE .ut now the Prophets are 'oices which no longer shout.
1ow there is onl# the great hol# ,esus, 7e does not shout, )ut calls people with
a "riendl# 'oice. 7e does not curse, 7e )lesses. 7e does not cause mis"ortunes,
)ut remo'es them. 7e does not hate and does not want an#one to hate. 9n the
contrar# 7e lo'es e'er#)od# and 7e wants us to lo'e also our enemies. In 7is
Bingdom there will no longer )e winners and losers, "ree men and sla'es,
"riends and enemies. 0here will no longer )e such distinctions which hurt, which
are the conseIuence o" human wic;ednessL )ut there will )e onl# 7is "ollowers,
that is people who li'e in lo'e, in "reedom, in the 'ictor# o'er e'er#thing which
is )urdensome or sorrow"ul. I )eg #ou. Please )elie'e m# words and desire
7im. 0he prophecies were written. .ut 7e is greater than the Prophets and
prophecies are o)literated "or those who lo'e 7im. See this )eauti"ul town o"
#oursE 4ou would "ind it much more )eauti"ul in 7ea'en, i" 4ou went so "ar as
to lo'e our =ord ,esus, the 3hrist o" God.H 0hat is what Simon was sa#ing and
he was simple and inspired at the same time and e'er#)od# listened to him
diligentl# and respect"ull#. 4es, respect"ull#.
0hen some citi(ens came out o" a street shouting, and the# were armed with
clu)s and stones and the# saw us and the# ;new "rom our clothes that we were
"oreigners, and now I understand, the# realised that we were o" #our race, ,udas,
and the# thought that we were all o" #our ;ind. I" those o" the )oat had not
protected us we would ha'e )een in trou)leF 0he# lowered a li"e)oat and too;
us awa# )# sea and the# let us ashore near the garden where we were at midda#
and "rom there we came here together with the people who culti'ate "lowers "or
the rich o" the countr#. 4 .ut, ,udas, #ou ha'e ruined e'er#thingF Is that the wa#
to a)use peopleE 5
2 It is the truth. 5
2 .ut it is to )e used discreetl#. Peter did not tell lies, )ut he ;new what to sa# 5
retorts 1athanael.
2 9hF meF I tried to put m#sel" in the place o" the *aster, and I thought? G7e
would )e so ;ind. And I as well... G 5 sa#s Peter simpl#.
2 I li;e strong attitudes. 0he# are more regal. 5
2 4our usual ideaF 4ou are wrong, ,udas. 0he *aster has )een endea'ouring to
correct that idea o" #ours "or a #ear. .ut #ou will not #ield to corrections. 4ou
are as o)stinate in #our error as those Philistines upon whom #ou rushed 5 sa#s
Simon the :ealot reproach"ull#.
2 hen did 7e e'er correct me "or thatE In an# case e'er#)od# has his own
212. T#)c"n( )t As"@#%!n. 2-2
wa#s and ma;es use o" them. 5
0he :ealot starts at those words and loo;s at ,esus, ho is silent and ho
responds with a light smile o" understanding to Simon6s remind"ul glance.
2 0hat is not a good reason 5 sa#s ,ames o" Alphaeus calml# and continues? 2
e are here to correct oursel'es )e"ore correcting others. 0he *aster has )een
"irst our *aster. And 7e would not ha'e )een our *aster i" 7e had not wanted
us to change our ha)its and minds. 5
2 7e was *aster in wisdom... 5
2 7e wasE 7e is 5 sa#s 0haddeus seriousl#.
2 7ow much ca'illingF All right, 7e is. 5
2 And 7e is our *aster in e'er#thing else, not onl# in wisdom. 7is teaching
applies to e'er#thing there is in us. 7e is per"ect, we are imper"ect. =et us
endea'our there"ore to )ecome per"ect 5 ad'ises ,ames o" Alphaeus ;indl#.
2 I don6t thin; I committed a "ault. 0he "ault lies with that cursed race. 0he# are
all wic;ed. 5
5 2 1o. 4ou cannot sa# that 5 )ursts out 0homas. 2 ,ohn went among the lowest
class? the "ishermen who were ta;ing their catch to the mar;et. And loo; at this
damp sac;. It is "ull o" choice "ish. 0he# ga'e up their pro"it to gi'e it to us.
0he# were a"raid that the morning catch might not )e "resh )# e'ening, so the#
went )ac; to sea and the# wanted us to go with them. e seemed to )e on the
la;e o" Galilee and I can assure #ou that i" the place reminded us o" it, i" also the
)oats "ull o" ;een "aces reminded us, ,ohn reminded us much more. 7e seemed
another ,esus. ords "lowed "rom his smiling lips as sweet as hone# and his
"ace shone li;e another sun. 7ow he resem)led 4ou, *asterF I was mo'ed. e
were at sea "or three hours, waiting "or the nets, stretched out )etween "loats, to
)ecome "ull o" "ish and the# were three hours o" utter happiness. 0hen the#
wanted to see 4ou. .ut ,ohn said? Ge will meet at 3apernaumH as i" he was
sa#ing? Ge will meet in the sIuare o" #our 'illage.H And #et the# promised to
come and the# too; due note. And we had to argue not to )e laden with too
much "ish. 0he# ga'e us the )est ones. =et us go and coo; them. e shall ha'e
a "east this e'ening, to ma;e up "or #esterda#6s "asting. 5
2 .ut what did #ou sa# to them 5 as;s the Iscariot who is disconcerted.
2 1othing special. I spo;e o" ,esus 5 replies ,ohn.
2 .ut the wa# #ou can spea; o" 7imF Also ,ohn Iuoted the Prophets. .ut he
turned them upside down 5 eDplains 0homas.
2 Jpside downE 5 as;s the Iscariot nonplussed.
2 4es. 4ou eDtracted harshness "rom the Prophets, he eDtracted sweetness.
.ecause, a"ter all, their se'erit# is lo'e, eDclusi'e 'iolent lo'e, i" #ou wish so,
)ut it is still lo'e "or souls that the# would li;e to )e "aith"ul to the =ord. I do
not ;now whether #ou ha'e e'er considered that, as #ou were educated among
the scri)es. I ha'e, although I am a goldsmith. Also gold is hammered and
melted in a cruci)le, to ma;e it more )eauti"ul. 1ot out o" hatred? )ut "or lo'e.
0hat is how the Prophets dealt with souls. I understand it, pro)a)l# )ecause I am
a goldsmith. 7e Iuoted :echariah6s prophec# concerning 7adrach and
Damascus and when he came to the sentence? GSeeing this Ash;elon will )e
terri"ied, and Ga(a will )e sei(ed with trem)ling, so will &;ron, at the ruin o"
her prospects. 0he ;ing will 'anish "rom Ga(aH, he )egan to eDplain how all that
happened )ecause man had a)andoned God, and spea;ing o" the coming o" the
*essiah, ho is lo'ing "orgi'eness, he promised that "rom a poor ro#alt#, such
as the sons o" the earth wish "or their countries, the men who "ollow the
Doctrine o" the *essiah will succeed in attaining an eternal in"inite ro#alt# in
7ea'en. 0o sa# that, is nothing, )ut to hear itF I thought I was listening to music
and that I was )eing carried awa# )# angels. And thus the Prophets, who ga'e
#ou a cudgelling, ga'e us delicious "ish. 5
,udas is disconcerted and remains silent.
6 2 And what a)out #ouE 5 the *aster as;s 7is cousins and the :ealot.
2 e went towards the ship#ards, where the caul;ers wor;. e also pre"erred to
go amongst the poor people. .ut there were also some wealth# Philistines
watching their )oats )eing )uilt. e did not ;now which o" us should spea; so
we drew lots, as children do. ,udas held up se'en "ingers, Simon two and I "our.
So it was "or ,udas to spea;. And he did 5 eDplains ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 hat did #ou sa# 5 the# all as;.
2 I openl# made m#sel" ;nown "or what I am, sa#ing that I was as;ing them in
their hospitalit# to )e ;ind enough to listen to the word o" a pilgrim who
considered them as )rothers, ha'ing the same origin and same end, and the
212. T#)c"n( )t As"@#%!n. 2-3
hope, which although not common was "ull o" lo'e, to ta;e them to the house o"
the >ather and call them G)rothersH "ore'er, in the great Co# o" 7ea'en.
0hen I said? G:ephaniah, our Prophet said? 60he region o" the sea will )e a place
"or shepherds... the# will lead "loc;s there to pastureL among the house o"
Ash;elon the# will rest at e'ening6H and I clari"ied m# idea sa#ing? G0he
Supreme Shepherd has come amongst #ou. 7e is not armed with arrows, )ut
with lo'e. 7e stretches out 7is arms towards #ou and points out 7is hol#
pastures. 7e remem)ers the past onl# to pit# men "or the great harm the# do and
ha'e done to themsel'es through hatred, li;e "oolish children, while the# could
ha'e relie'ed so much sorrow )# lo'ing one another, since the# are )rothers.
0his landH I said Gwill )e the place o" hol# shepherds, the ser'ants o" the
Supreme Shepherd who are alread# aware that the# will ha'e their richest
pastures here and their )est "loc;sL and their hearts, in their declining #ears, will
)e a)le to rest thin;ing o" #our hearts and the hearts o" #our children, more
intimate than "riendl# homes, )ecause ,esus 9ur =ord, will )e their *aster.H
0he# understood me. 0he# as;ed me Iuestions, na#, the# as;ed us all Iuestions.
And Simon told them o" his cure, m# )rother spo;e to them o" 4our goodness
towards the poor. And here is the proo". 0his "at purse "or the poor we shall "ind
on our wa#. 0he Prophets did not harm us either... 5
,udas does not utter a single word.
7 2 ell 5 sa#s ,esus com"ortingl#, 2 ,udas will do )etter neDt time. 7e thought
he was doing the right thing )# doing what he did. And as he acted "or an honest
purpose, he committed no sin. And I am eIuall# satis"ied with him. It is not eas#
to )e an apostle. .ut one learns. I regret one thing onl#. 0hat I did not ha'e this
mone# )e"ore and that I did not meet #ou. I needed it "or a misera)le "amil#. 5
2 e can go )ac;. It is still earl#... .ut, eDcuse me. *aster. 7ow did 4ou come
across it. hat did 4ou doE ,ust nothingE Did 4ou not e'angeli(eE 5
2 IE I wal;ed. .# means o" *# silence I said to a prostitute? GA)andon #our
sin"ul li"e.H I met a )o#, somewhat o" a little rogue, and I e'angeli(ed him and
we eDchanged gi"ts. I ga'e him the )uc;le which *ar# Salome had put on m#
tunic at .ethan#, and he ga'e *e this wor; o" his 5 and ,esus ta;es out "rom 7is
tunic the caricatural puppet. 0he# all loo; at it and laugh. 2 0hen I went to see
some )eauti"ul carpets which a man ma;es in Ash;elon to sell them in &g#pt
and elsewhere... and I com"orted a little "atherless girl and I cured her mother.
And that is all. 5
2 And 4ou thin; that is littleE 5
2 4es. .ecause there was also the need o" some mone#, )ut I had none. 5
2 .ut let us go )ac;... we did not upset an#one 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 And what a)out #our "ishE 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee Co;ingl#.
2 0he "ishE ell. 4ou who are... anathematised, go to the old man who is gi'ing
us hospitalit# and start preparing. e will go to town. 5
2 4es 5 sa#s ,esus. 2 .ut I will show #ou the house "rom a distance. 0here will
)e man# people. I will not come, )ecause the# would ;eep *e. I do not wish to
o""end our host who is waiting "or us, )# declining his in'itation. 8udeness is
alwa#s against charit#. 5
0he Iscariot lowers his head e'en more and )ecomes purple, such is the change
o" his colour, remem)ering how o"ten he has committed that "ault.
,esus resumes? 2 4ou will go into the house and loo; "or the little girl, she is the
onl# girl there, so #ou cannot )e mista;en. 4ou will gi'e her this purse and sa#
to her? GGod sends #ou this )ecause #ou )elie'ed. It is "or #ou, #our mumm#
and #our little )rothers.H 1othing else. And come )ac; at once. =et us go. 5
And the group )rea;s up as ,esus goes to town with ,ohn, 0homas and 7is
cousins, whereas the others go towards the house o" the Philistine mar;et
gardener.
,,;. 9!sus 't 7'&('#&'( Incin!r't!s ' P'&'n I(o#.
14t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 Ash;elon and its mar;et gardens are alread# )ut a memor#. In the cool hours
o" a wonder"ul morning, ,esus and 7is disciples, turning their )ac;s to the sea,
direct their steps towards the low )ut )eauti"ul green hills rising "rom the "ertile
plain. 7is apostles, who are )oth well rested and satis"ied, are all in good "ettle
and spea; o" Ananiah, o" his sla'es, o" Ash;elon, o" the tumult in town when
223. :#sus )t 9)(*)%()* Incn#r)t#s ) P)()n I*!%. 2-4
the# went )ac; to ta;e the mone# to Dinah.
2 It was m# "ate that I should )e in straits )ecause o" the Philistines. A"ter all,
hatred and lo'e ha'e the same mani"estations. And I, who had ne'er su""ered at
the hands o" Philistine hatred, was almost wounded )# their lo'e. 0he# were on
the point o" capturing us to compel us to tell them the wherea)outs o" the
*aster, so elated were the# )ecause o" the miracle. And how the# shoutedF
Didn6t the#, ,ohnE 0he town was )oiling li;e a pot. 0hose who were upset
would not listen to reason and the# were loo;ing "or the ,ews to thrash them,
those who had )een )ene"ited, or their "riends, were endea'ouring to persuade
the "ormer that a god had passed )#. hat a turmoilF 0he# can tal; it o'er "or
months. 0he trou)le is that the# tal; with clu)s rather than with their tongues.
ell... it is up to them. 0he# can do as the# li;e 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 .ut... the# are not )ad... 5 remar;s ,ohn.
2 1o. 0he# are onl# )linded )# so man# things 5 replies the :ealot.
,esus does not spea; along a good stretch o" the road. 7e then sa#s? 2 7ere, I
will now go up to that 'illage on the mountain, while #ou go on to Ashdod. .e
care"ul. .e gentle, ;ind and patient. &'en i" the# laugh at #ou, )ear it in peace,
as *atthew did #esterda#, and God will help #ou. At sunset lea'e the town and
go to the pond near Ashdod. e shall meet there. 5
2 .ut, m# =ord, I will not let 4ou go all aloneF 5 eDclaims the Iscariot. 2 0hese
people are 'iolent... It is not wise. 5
2 Do not )e a"raid "or *e. Go, ,udas, and )e prudent #oursel". Good)#e. Peace
)e with #ou. 5
0he 0wel'e go awa# )ut the# are not 'er# enthusiastic. ,esus loo;s at them
depart and 7e ta;es the cool shad# path up the hill. 0he hill is co'ered with
oli'e, walnut and "ig<trees and with well culti'ated 'ine#ards that are alread#
promising good crops. 9n the plains there are little "ields o" cereals, while
white<haired goats are gra(ing on the green grass# slopes.
2 ,esus arri'es at the "irst houses o" the 'illage. 7e is a)out to enter when 7e
meets a strange procession. 0here are women shouting, men howling an
alternate lament and the# are per"orming a ;ind o" dance round a )lind"olded
)ill#goat, which the# )eat while proceeding. 0he ;nees o" the animal are alread#
)leeding a"ter stum)ling and "alling on the stones o" the path. Another group o"
people, who are also shouting and howling, are mo'ing round a car'ed
simulacrum, which is reall# 'er# ugl# and the# hold up pans "ull o" em)ers,
which the# ;eep ali'e )# spra#ing resins and salt o'er them, at least I thin; that
is what is happening, as the "ormer smell o" turpentine and the latter crac;les
li;e salt. Another group is gathered round a wi(ard, )e"ore whom the#
continuousl# )ow, shouting?
2 .# #our strengthF 5 @menA
2 4ou onl# canF 5 @womenA
2 Implore the godF 5 @menA
2 8emo'e the witchcra"tF 5 @womenA
2 9rder the matriDF 5
2 Sa'e the womanF 5
And then all together, with a hellish howl, shout?
2 Death to the sorceressF 5
And the# start all o'er again, with a 'ariant?
2 .# #our strengthF 5
2 4ou onl# canF 5
2 3ommand the godF 5
2 0o let us seeF 5
2 9rder the )ill#goatF 5
2 0o show us the sorceressF 5
And with another hellish cr#?
2 ho hates the house o" PharaF 5
,esus stops a man o" the last group, and ;indl# as;s him? 2 hat is happeningE I
am a "oreigner... 5
0he procession has stopped "or a moment to )eat the )ill#goat, spra# resins on
the em)ers and ta;e )reath, and the man eDplains? 2 0he wi"e o" Phara, the great
man o" *agdalgad is d#ing in child)irth. Someone who hates her, has cast a
spell on her. 7er wom) has )ecome strangulated and the child cannot come into
the world. e are loo;ing "or the sorceress to ;ill her. 9nl# that wa# Phara6s
wi"e can )e sa'ed, and i" we do not "ind the sorceress we will sacri"ice the
)ill#goat to implore supreme merc# "rom goddess *atriD @I now realise that the
223. :#sus )t 9)(*)%()* Incn#r)t#s ) P)()n I*!%. 2-,
monstruous puppet is a goddessA... 5
2 Stop. I can cure the woman and sa'e her son. 0ell the priest 5 sa#s ,esus to the
man and to two more who ha'e approached 7im.
2 Are 4ou a doctorE 5
2 *ore than a doctor. 5
0he three men el)ow their wa# through the crowd and go to the idolatrous
priest. 0he# spea; to him. 0he rumour spreads. 0he procession, which had set
out again, stops.
0he priest, imposing in his man# coloured rags, nods to ,esus and orders? 2
4oung man, come hereF 5 And when ,esus is near him? 2 Is what 4ou sa# trueE
*ind #ou, i" what 4ou sa# does not happen, we will in"er that the spirit o" the
sorceress is em)odied in 4ou and we will ;ill 4ou in her place. 5
2 hat I said is true. 0a;e *e to the woman at once and in the meantime gi'e
*e the )ill#goat. I need it. 8emo'e the )andage "rom its head and )ring it here.
5
0he# do so. 0he poor stunned staggering )leeding animal is )rought to ,esus
ho caresses its thic; )lac; coat.
2 1ow #ou must o)e# *e in e'er#thing. ill #ou do thatE 5
2 4esF 5 shout the crowd.
2 =et us go. Do not shout an# more and stop )urning resins. It is an order. 5
3 0he# enter the 'illage and along the main street the# go to a house situated in
the centre o" an orchard. Shouting and cr#ing can )e heard through the wide
open doors, and a)o'e all, the lugu)rious dread"ul laments o" the woman who
cannot gi'e )irth to her child. 0he# run to tell Phara, who loo;ing wan and with
ru""led hair comes "orward together with two weeping women and some useless
wi(ards who are )urning incense and lea'es on copper pans.
2 Sa'e m# wi"eF 5
2 Sa'e m# daughterF 5
2 Sa'e her, sa'e herF 5 shout in turn the hus)and, an old woman and the crowd.
2 I will sa'e her and her )o# as well, )ecause it is a )o#, a 'er# health# one,
with two sweet e#es the hue o" a ripe oli'e and dar; hair on his head li;e this
"leece. 5
2 7ow do 4ou ;nowE hatE 3an 4ou see also inside a wom)E 5
2 I see and penetrate e'er#where. I ;now e'er#thing and I can do e'er#thing. I
am God. 5
I" 7e had thrown a thunder)olt, the e""ect would not ha'e )een the same. 0he#
all throw themsel'es on the ground, as i" the# were dead.
2 Stand up. =isten. I am the power"ul God and I cannot )ear other gods )e"ore
*e. =ight a "ire and throw that statue on to it. 5
0he crowds re)el. 0he# )egin to dou)t the m#sterious 2 god 5 who orders the
goddess to )e )urned. 0he priests are most indignant. .ut Phara and his mother<
in<law, who are interested in the woman6s li"e, oppose the hostile crowd and
since Phara is the great man in the 'illage, the crowd chec;s its anger. .ut the
man as;s 7im? 2 7ow can I )elie'e that 4ou are a godE Gi'e me a sign and I
will order them to do what 4ou want. 5
2 =oo;. See the wounds o" this )ill#goatE 0he# are open, are the# notE 0he# are
)leeding, are the# notE And the animal is almost dead. ell, I do not want that...
1ow, loo;. 5
0he man )ends, loo;s... and shouts? 2 0here are no woundsF 5 and he throws
himsel" on the ground )egging? 2 *# wi"e, m# wi"eF 5
.ut the priest o" the procession threatens? 2 atch, PharaF e do not ;now who
7e isF Dread the re'enge o" the godsF 5
0he man is sei(ed with dou)le "ear? the gods, his wi"e... 7e as;s? 2 ho are
4ouE 5
2 I am 7e ho I am, in 7ea'en, on the earth. All power is su)Cect to *e, e'er#
thought is ;nown to *e. 0he dwellers o" 7ea'en adore *e, those in 7ell "ear
*e. And those who )elie'e in *e will see all wonders )eing per"ormed. 5
2 I )elie'eF I )elie'e... 4our 1ameF 5
2 ,esus 3hrist, the Incarnate =ord. .urn that idolF I cannot )ear gods in *#
presence. Put out those thuri)les. 9nl# *# >ire is power"ul and willing. 9)e#,
or I will incinerate that 'ain idol, and I will go awa# without sa'ing an#one. 5
223. :#sus )t 9)(*)%()* Incn#r)t#s ) P)()n I*!%. 2--
,esus is awesome in 7is linen ro)e, "rom the shoulders o" which hangs 7is )lue
mantle )ehind 7im, 7is arm raised in a gesture o" command, 7is "ace gleam<
ing... 0he# are a"raid o" 7im, no one spea;s... In the silence, the heart<rending
eDhausting cries o" the su""ering woman are distinctl# heard. .ut the# are still
reluctant to o)e#. ,esus6 "ace is )ecoming more and more awesome to human
e#es. It is reall# a "ire )urning )oth matter and souls. And the copper pans are
the "irst to su""er. 0he men holding them are compelled to throw them awa# as
the# can no longer stand their heat. And #et the coal seems to )e out... 0hen the
idol<)earers are "orced to la# on the ground the litter which the# were carr#ing
shoulder high as the sha"ts are )ecoming car)onised, as i" a m#sterious "lame
)urned them, and as soon as the litter is on the ground, the idol catches "ire.
0he crowds are terrorised and run awa#...
4 ,esus turns to Phara? 2 3an #ou reall# )elie'e in *# powerE 5
2 I do )elie'e. 4ou are God. 0he God ,esus. 5
2 1o. I am the ord o" the >ather, o" ,eho'ah o" Israel, and I ha'e come in
>lesh, .lood, Soul and Di'init# to redeem the world and gi'e men "aith in the
0rue God, the 9ne, 0rine God ho is in the *ost 7igh 7ea'ens. I ha'e come
to gi'e help and merc# to men, so that the# ma# a)andon &rror and come to the
0ruth, which is the 9nl# God o" *oses and o" the Prophets. 3an #ou still
)elie'eE 5
2 4es, I do. 5
2 I ha'e come to )ring the a#, 0ruth and =i"e to men, to demolish idols, to
teach wisdom. 0hrough *e the world will )e redeemed, )ecause I will die "or
lo'e o" the world and "or the eternal sal'ation o" men. 3an #ou still )elie'eE 5
2 4es, I )elie'e. 5
2 I ha'e come to tell men, that i" the# )elie'e in the 0rue God, the# will ha'e
eternal li"e in 7ea'en, near the *ost 7igh, ho is the 3reator o" e'er# man,
animal, plant and planet. 3an #ou still )elie'eE 5
2 4es, I do )elie'e. 5
5 ,esus does not e'en enter the house. 7e onl# stretches out 7is arms towards
the poor woman6s room, with 7is hands open as in the resurrection o" =a(arus,
and 7e shouts? 2 3ome out to the light to ;now the Di'ine =ight and )# order o"
the =ight which is GodF 5 A thundering order, echoed a"ter a moment, )# a cr#
o" triumph ha'ing in its sound )oth wail and Co#, and then the "ee)le weeping o"
a new<)orn )a)#, "ee)le )ut clear and growing more and more in strength.
2 4our son is cr#ing to greet the earth. Go to him and tell him, )oth now and
later, that not the earth, )ut 7ea'en is his "atherland. .ring him up "or 7ea'en,
and that applies also to #ou. 0hat is the 0ruth spea;ing to #ou. 0hose things
@and 7e points at the copper pans, crumpled up on the ground li;e dr# lea'es,
and now completel# useless, and at the ashes mar;ing the place o" the idol6s
litterA are >alsehood that neither helps nor sa'es. Good)#e. 5 And 7e is a)out to
go awa#.
.ut a woman rushes "orth with a li'el# )a)# en'eloped in linen swaddling
clothes and she shouts? 2 It6s a )o#, Phara. 7e is )eauti"ul and strong, 7is e#es
are as dar; as a ripe oli'e and his hair is dar;er and thinner than the hair o" a
little sacred goat. And #our wi"e is resting )liss"ull#. She no longer su""ers, as i"
nothing had happened. It was all so sudden, when she was alread# d#ing... and
a"ter those words... 5
,esus smiles and as the man presents the )a)# to 7im, 7e touches its head with
the tips o" 7is "ingers. 0he people M with the eDception o" the priests who go
awa# indignantl# when the# see Phara6s de"ection M gather round them to see the
)a)# and loo; at ,esus.
Phara would li;e to gi'e 7im gi"ts and mone# "or the miracle. .ut ,esus ;indl#
)ut resolutel# sa#s? 2 1othing. A miracle can onl# )e paid "or )# lo#alt# to God
ho granted it. I will retain this )ill#goat as a remem)rance o" #our town. 5
And 7e goes awa# with the )ill#goat, which trots along )eside 7im, as i" ,esus
were his owner, and now that it is cured, it loo;s happ# and )leats "or Co# o"
)eing with one who does not stri;e it...
0he# go down the slopes o" the hill and ta;e the main road which leads to
Ashdod...
6 hen in the e'ening, near the shad# pond, ,esus sees the apostles coming,
their ama(ement is reciprocal, as the# see ,esus with the ram and 7e sees them
with the disappointed "aces o" those who ha'e not done an# )usiness.
2 A disaster, *asterF 0he# did not hit us, )ut the# dro'e us out o" town. e
ha'e )een wandering a)out the countr# and we got some "ood )ut we had to pa#
highl# "or it. And #et we were ;ind... 5 the# sa# desolatel#.
223. :#sus )t 9)(*)%()* Incn#r)t#s ) P)()n I*!%. 2-.
2 It does not matter. e were dri'en awa# also at 7e)ron last #ear, )ut this time
the# honoured us. 4ou must not lose heart. 5
2 And what a)out 4ou, *asterE And that goatE 5
2 I went to *agdalgad. I incinerated an idol and its thuri)les, I made a )a)# )o#
come into the world, I preached the 0rue God )# means o" miracles and I too;
this goat, destined to an idolatrous rite, as *# reward. Poor thing, it was co'ered
with wounds. 5
2 .ut now it is all rightF It6s a wonder"ul animal. 5
2 It is a sacred animal, destined to the idol... 4es, it is now sound. 0he "irst
miracle I wor;ed to con'ince them that I am the Power"ul 9ne, and not their
piece o" wood. 5
2 And what are 4ou going to do with itE 5
2 I am ta;ing it to *arCiam. A puppet #esterda#, a goat toda#. It will ma;e him
happ#. 5
2 Are 4ou going to ta;e it with 4ou all the wa# to .etherE 5
2 9" course. I see nothing horri)le a)out it. I" I am the Shepherd, I can certainl#
ha'e a ram. e will gi'e it to the women. And the# will go to Galilee with it.
e will "ind a little she<goat. Simon, #ou will )ecome the shepherd o" little
goats. It would )e )etter i" the# were sheep... .ut there are more goats than
lam)s in the world... It is a s#m)ol, *# dear Peter. 8emem)er that... .# means
o" #our sacri"ice #ou will ma;e man# lam)s o" rams. 3ome. =et us go to that
'illage among the orchards. e shall "ind lodgings either in the houses or on the
shea'es which are alread# tied up in the "ields. And tomorrow we will go to
,a)neel. 5
0he apostles are surprised, grie'ed, disheartened. 0he# are surprised at the
miracles, grie'ed )ecause the# were not there, disheartened )ecause o" their
ina)ilit#, whereas ,esus can do e'er#thing.
7e, instead, is So happ#F... And 7e is success"ul in con'incing them? 2 1othing
is useless. 1ot e'en de"eat, )ecause it ser'es to ma;e #ou hum)le, whereas
speech ser'es to ma;e a name, *ine, resound and lea'e a remem)rance in
hearts. 5 And 7e is so persuasi'e and )right with Co# that the# also cheer up.
,,1. L!sson to t! A"ost#!s %oin& to 9'5n!!#.
16t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 2 Shall we go to &;ron "rom ,a)neelE 5 as; some o" the apostles while
wal;ing across a 'er# "ertile countr#, in which the corn is ta;ing its "inal sleep
in the )right sunshine that has ripened it. 0he mown "ields resem)le immense
sad death )eds, now that the# are )ere"t o" corn ears with loads o" corn awaiting
to )e carried elsewhere.
.ut i" the "ields are )arren, the orchards are a most pleasant sight, with the "ruit
a)out to ripen, changing colour "rom the green o" the little hard ones to the so"t
#ellowish, pin;ish, waD# shin# shades o" those that are more ripe. 0he "igs open
their 'er# sweet cas;ets o" "lower<"ruits, )ursting their elastic s;ins to re'eal,
through whitish<green or 'iolet crac;s, a transparent Cell# replete with tin#
seeds, which are dar;er in colour than the pulp itsel".
ith each tin# wa"ting )ree(e the oli'e<trees sha;e, li;ewise, the o'al<shaped
"ruits suspended on delicate stems amid the sil'er<green "oliage. 0he digni"ied
walnut trees sustain their "irm<stal;ed "ruits, which swell within the plush o" the
hus;s, while the almond<trees are ripening their "ruits as is e'idenced )# the
'el'et# teDture and changing colour o" the indi'idual nuts. Grapes in general are
swelling while a "ew )unches, "a'oura)l# placed, tr# to show the topa( or ru)#
o" maturit#. Da# )# da# the cacti on the plain or lower hill sides are )ecoming a
)righter sight with magni"icent coloration on the seed clusters contained within
and held s;#wards and ripened within the protection o" the strong thorn# lea'es.
Isolated palm<trees and thic; caro)<trees remind one o" near)# A"rica and while
the "ormer clic; the castanets o" their hard "an shaped lea'es, the latter ha'e
dressed themsel'es in dar; enamel and are standing haughtil# sti"" on their
lo'el# "oliage.
0all agile goats, )oth white and )lac;, all with long cur'ed horns and so"t ;een
e#es, "eed on cacti and attac; "lesh# aga'es, those huge )rushes with hard thic;
lea'es which, li;e open articho;es, shoot up "rom the centre o" their hearts their
gigantic se'en )ranched stal;, resem)ling a cathedral candela)rum, with its
sweet<smelling #ellow<red "lower )la(ing on top.
221. L#ss!n t! t"# A$!st%#s '!n( t! :)8n##%. 2-1
A"rica and &urope ha'e come together to co'er the ground with most )eauti"ul
'egetation, and as soon as the apostolic group lea'es the plain to ta;e a path that
clim)s up the hill literall# co'ered with 'ine#ards on this side "acing the sea M a
roc;# calcareous slope where the grapes must )e o" immense 'alue when their
Cuice changes into Culep M there appears the sea, m# sea, the sea o" ,ohn, the sea
o" God. It appears draped in its immense )lue sil; crepe and it spea;s o"
distances, o" in"init#, o" power, while it sings with the s;# and the sun the trio o"
the creating glories. And the plain stretches out in its "ull undulated )eaut# with
simulations o" hills, onl# a "ew "eet high, adCoining "lat areas, with golden dunes
stretching as "ar as towns and 'illages on the sea, white spots on the )lue sea.
2 2 7ow )eauti"ulF 7ow )eauti"ulF 5 whispers ,ohn ecstaticall#.
2 *# =ordF 0he sea is the li"e o" that )o#. 4ou must destine him "or the sea. 7e
seems to )e seeing his )ride when he sees the seaF 5 sa#s Peter who does not
discriminate much )etween sea and la;e. And he smiles ;indheartedl#.
2 7e is alread# destined, Simon. 4ou are all destined. 5
2 9hF GoodF And where are 4ou sending meE 5
2 9hF 4ouF... 5
2 0ell me, )e goodF 5
2 0o a place which is greater than #our town and *ine and *agdala and
0i)erias all put together. 5
2 I will get lost. 5
2 Do not )e a"raid. 4ou will loo; li;e an ant on a large s;eleton. .ut going to
and "ro untiringl# #ou will )ring the s;eleton )ac; to li"e. 5
2 I don6t understand that at all... 0ell me more clearl#. 5
2 4ou will understand, #ou certainl# will... 5 and ,esus smiles.
2 And what a)out meE 5
2 And meE 5 0he# all want to ;now.
2 0his is what I will do. 5 And ,esus )ends M the# are on the gra'ell# )an; o" a
torrent in the central part o" which the water is still Iuite deep M and 7e pic;s up
a hand"ul o" 'er# "ine gra'el. 7e throws it into the air and it "alls spreading in all
directions. 2 0here #ou are. 9nl# this tin# stone is le"t in *# hair. 4ou will )e
scattered li;e that. 5
2 And 4ou, )rother, represent Palestine, don6t 4ouE 5 as;s ,ames o" Alphaeus
gra'el#.
2 4es, I do. 5
2 I would li;e to ;now who will )e le"t in Palestine 5 as;s ,ames once again.
2 0a;e this little stone. As a sou'enir 5 and ,esus gi'es the little piece o" gra'el,
which had remained entangled in 7is hair, to 7is cousin ,ames and smiles.
2 3ould 4ou not lea'e me in Palestine. I am the most suita)le, )ecause I am the
coarsest, )ut I can still manage at home. hereas a)roadF... 5 sa#s Peter.
2 9n the contrar#, #ou are the least suita)le to remain here.
3 4ou are all preCudiced against the rest o" the world and #ou thin; it is easier to
e'angeli(e in a countr# o" )elie'ers rather than in a countr# o" idolaters or
Gentiles. It is instead the 'er# opposite. I" #ou considered what true Palestine
o""ers us in its higher classes and also, although to a lesser degree, in its people,
and i" #ou )ore in mind that here, in a place where the name o" Palestine is hated
and the name o" God, in its true meaning, is un;nown, we ha'e certainl# not
)een recei'ed an# worse than in ,udaea, in Galilee and in the Decapolis, #our
preCudices would 'anish and #ou would realise that I am right when I sa# that it
is easier to con'ince ignorant people o" the 0rue God, than those o" the People
o" God, who are su)tle guilt# idolaters, and proudl# )elie'e the# are per"ect and
wish to remain as the# are.
7ow man# gems, how man# pearls I see where #ou can see land and sea onl#F
0he land o" the multitudes which are not Palestine. 0he sea o" *an;ind which is
not Palestine and which, as sea, desires onl# to recei'e searchers to gi'e them
those pearls, and as land, to )e searched to allow those gems to )e ta;en. 0here
are treasures e'er#where. .ut the# are to )e loo;ed "or. &'er# clod o" earth ma#
conceal a treasure and nourish a seed, e'er# depth ma# hide a pearl. hatE
ould #ou perhaps eDpect the sea to ma;e ha'oc in its depths )# means o"
"urious storms to detach pearl<o#sters "rom their )eds and open them )# the
stri;ing power o" )illows and thus o""er them on the shore to la(# people who
do not want to wor;, to cowards who do not want to run ris;sE ould #ou
221. L#ss!n t! t"# A$!st%#s '!n( t! :)8n##%. 2-2
eDpect the earth to ma;e trees out o" grains o" sand and gi'e #ou "ruit without
an# seedE 1o, *# dear. >atigue, wor;, courage are reIuired. And a)o'e all, no
preCudices.
4ou, I ;now, disappro'e, some more some less, o" this Courne# among the
Philistines. 1ot e'en the glories, which this land reminds us o", the glories o"
Israel that spea; "rom these "ields, "ecundated )# 7e)rew )lood, shed to ma;e
Israel great, and "rom those towns torn one )# one "rom the hands o" those who
possessed them, to crown ,udah and ma;e it a power"ul nation, are capa)le o"
ma;ing #ou lo'e this pilgrimage. And I will not sa# to #ou? not e'en the idea o"
preparing the ground to recei'e the Gospel and the hope o" sa'ing souls can
con'ince #ou. I will not sa# that to #ou, among the man# reasons which I
present to #our minds so that #ou ma# consider the Custice o" this trip. 0hat
thought is still too high "or #ou. 4ou will arri'e at it one da#. And then #ou will
sa#? Ge thought it was a whim, a preteDt, we thought that the *aster lac;ed
lo'e towards us )# ma;ing us go so "ar, on a long pain"ul Courne#, ris;ing
unpleasant situations. Instead it was lo'e, it was "oreseeing, it was to smooth our
wa#, now that we no longer ha'e 7im with us, and we "eel more lost than e'er.
.ecause then we were li;e 'ine shoots which grow in all directions, )ut the#
;now that the 'ine will nourish them and that near)# there is a strong pole to
support them, now instead we are shoots which must "orm a pergola )#
themsel'es, )eing still nourished )# the stump o" the 'ine, )ut with no trun; on
which to lean.H 0hat is what #ou will sa# and #ou will than; *e.
4 And a"ter allF... Is it not lo'el# to go li;e this, dropping spar;s o" light, notes
o" hea'enl# music, celestial corollas, per"umes o" truth, ser'ing and praising
God, on lands en'eloped in dar;ness, in dum) hearts, on souls as sterile as
deserts, to o'ercome the stench o" >alsehood, and do that all together, thus, 4ou
and I, the *aster and 7is apostles, with one onl# heart, one onl# desire, one
onl# willE So that God ma# )e ;nown and lo'ed. So that God ma# gather all
peoples under 7is tent and e'er#)od# ma# )e where 7e is. 0hat is the hope, the
desire, the hunger o" GodF And that is the hope, the desire, the hunger o" souls,
who are not o" di""erent races, )ut )elong to one race onl#? the one created )#
God. And since the# all are the sons o" the 9ne God, the# ha'e the same desires,
the same hopes, the same hungers "or 7ea'en, "or 0ruth, "or real =o'e...
3enturies o" errors seem to ha'e changed the instinct o" souls. .ut it is not so.
&rrors en'elop minds. .ecause minds are mingled with "lesh and "eel the e""ects
o" the poison with which Satan inoculated the animal man. And thus errors can
en'elop hearts )ecause the# are engra"ted into the "lesh as well, and "eel the
e""ect o" the poison. 0he tre)le concupiscence )ites senses, sentiments and
thoughts. .ut the spirit is not engra"ted into the "lesh. It ma# )e stunned )# the
)lows which Satan and concupiscence deli'er it. It ma# )e almost )linded )# the
allurements o" the "lesh and )# the spra#s o" )oiling )lood o" the animal man,
into whom it is in"used. .ut it has not changed its longing "or 7ea'en, "or God.
It cannot change. See the clear water o" this torrentE It descended "rom the s;#
and it will go )ac; to the s;# through the e'aporation o" water caused )# winds
and sun. It descends and rises again. &lements are not consumed, the# go )ac;
to their origin.
0he spirit goes )ac; to its origin. I" this water here, among these stones, could
spea;, it would tell #ou that it longs to go )ac; to the s;#, to )e )lown )# the
winds along the "ields o" the "irmament, a so"t white cloud, or a pin;ish one at
dawn, or )right copper at sunset, or li;e a 'iolet "lower at twilight when stars
)egin to peep. It would tell #ou that it would li;e to act as a sie'e "or the stars
peeping through the gaps o" cirri to remind men o" 7ea'en, or as a 'eil "or the
moon, so that she might not see the nocturnal ugl# deeds on the earth, rather
than )e here, con"ined )etween )an;s, under the menace o" )ecoming mud,
compelled to see copulations o" water sna;es and toads, while it is so "ond o" the
solitar# "reedom o" the atmosphere. Also spirits, i" the# dared to spea;, would
sa# the same thing? GGi'e us GodF Gi'e us the 0ruthF.H .ut the# do not sa# that,
)ecause the# ;now that man is not aware o", does not understand or moc;s the
entreaties o" the Ggreat )eggarsH, o" the spirits who see; God to satis"# their
terri)le hunger? their hunger "or the 0ruth.
0he idolaters, the 8omans, the atheists, the unhapp# we meet on our wa#, and
#ou will alwa#s meet, those who are despised in their desire "or God, either
through politics or "amil# sel"ishness, or through heresies )orn o" "ilth# hearts
and spread throughout nations? the# are all hungr#F 0he# are hungr#F And I
ha'e merc# on them. And should I not ha'e merc# on them, )eing 7e ho I
amE I" out o" pit# I pro'ide "ood "or men and sparrows, wh# should I not ha'e
merc# on the spirits, who ha'e )een pre'ented "rom )eing o" the 0rue God, and
who stretch out the arms o" their spirits shouting? Ge are hungr#FHE Do #ou
thin; that the# are wic;ed, or sa'ages, or una)le to go as "ar as lo'e God6s
8eligion and God 7imsel"E 4ou are wrong. 0he# are spirits awaiting lo'e and
light.
0his morning we were wo;en )# the threatening )leating o" the )ill#<goat that
221. L#ss!n t! t"# A$!st%#s '!n( t! :)8n##%. 2.3
wanted to dri'e awa# the )ig dog which had come to sni"" *e. And #ou laughed
seeing how the ram pointed its horns threateningl#, a"ter tearing the little rope
)# which it was tied to the tree, under which we slept, and with one )ound it
placed itsel" )etween *e and the dog, without considering that it might ha'e
)een attac;ed and slaughtered )# the *olossian hound in the une'en struggle to
de"end *e. =i;ewise, the peoples who seem wild rams to #ou, will go as "ar as
to courageousl# de"end the >aith o" 3hrist, once the# ha'e learned that 3hrist is
=o'e in'iting them to "ollow 7im. 7e in'ites them. 7e does. And #ou must help
them to come.
5 =isten to a para)le.
A man got married and his wi"e )ore him man# sons. .ut one o" them was )orn
de"ormed in his )od# and seemed to )e o" a di""erent race. 0he man considered
him a dishonour and did not lo'e him, although the child was innocent. 0he )o#
was )rought up amongst the lowest ser'ants and was thoroughl# neglected and
thus he was considered an in"erior )eing also )# his )rothers. 7is mother had
died in gi'ing )irth to him and conseIuentl# she could not mitigate his "ather6s
harshness, or stop the moc;er# o" his )rothers, or correct the wrong ideas
concei'ed in the primiti'e mind o" the child, a little wild )east unwillingl#
tolerated in the house o" the )elo'ed sons.
And thus the )o# )ecame a man. 7is reason de'eloped late )ut "inall# reached
maturit# and he understood that it was un"air "or a son to )e )rought up in a
sta)le, to )e "ed with a piece o" )read and clothed with rags, without e'er
recei'ing a ;iss, or )eing spo;en to or )eing in'ited to his "ather6s house. And he
su""ered )itterl# and would lament in his den? G>atherF >atherF.H 7e ate his
)read, )ut there was still a great hunger in his heart. 7e co'ered himsel" with his
clothes, )ut he "elt )itter cold in his heart. Some animals and some piti"ul people
o" the 'illage were "riendl# to him. .ut his heart was "ull o" solitude. G>atherF
>atherFH... 0he ser'ants, his )rothers, his "ellow citi(ens heard him moan thus all
the time, as i" he were mad. And he was called the Gmadman.H
At last one o" the ser'ants dared to go to him, when he had )ecome almost an
animal, and said to him? Gh# do #ou not throw #oursel" at the "eet o" #our
"atherE.H GI would, )ut I dare not... Gh# do #ou not come into the houseE.H GI
am a"raid.H G.ut would #ou li;e toE.H G9" course I wouldF .ecause that is what I
hunger "or, wh# I "eel cold, and I "eel as i" I were in a desert. .ut I do not ;now
how to li'e in m# "ather6s house.H 0he good ser'ant then )egan to teach him, to
ma;e him loo; more decent, to relie'e him o" his terror o" )eing unpleasant to
his "ather, sa#ing? G4our "ather would li;e to ha'e #ou, )ut he does not ;now
whether #ou lo'e him. 4ou alwa#s a'oid him... 8elie'e #our "ather o" the
remorse o" dealing too se'erel# with #ou and o" the grie" o" ;nowing that #ou
are "orlorn. 3ome. 4our )rothers also will no longer laugh at #ou )ecause I told
them o" #our grie".H
And the poor son one e'ening was guided )# the good ser'ant to his "ather6s
house and he cried? G>ather, I lo'e #ou, let me come inF... And his "ather, who
was now old and was sadl# pondering on his past and his eternal "uture, started
at that 'oice and said? G*# sorrow is su)siding at last )ecause in the 'oice o"
m# de"ormed son I heard m# own, and his lo'e is the proo" that he is )lood o"
m# )lood and "lesh o" m# "lesh. =et him there"ore come and ta;e his place
amongst his )rothers and )lessed )e the good ser'ant who made m# "amil#
complete )# )ringing the reCected son among all the sons o" his "ather.H
6 0hat is the para)le. .ut in appl#ing it, #ou must )ear in mind that the >ather o"
the spirituall# de"ormed sons, that is, God )ecause schismatics, heretics, those
who are separated, are spirituall# de"ormed M was compelled to )e se'ere )# the
'oluntar# de"ormities wanted )# 7is sons. .ut 7is lo'e ne'er #ielded. 7e is
waiting "or them. 0a;e them to 7im. It is #our dut#.
I taught #ou to sa#? G9ur >ather, gi'e us this da# our )read.H .ut do #ou realise
what GourH meansE It does not mean #ours, o" #ou twel'e. 1ot #ours as disciples
o" the 3hrist. .ut #ours as men. >or all men. >or the present and the "uture ones.
>or those who ;now God and "or those who do not ;now 7im. >or those who
lo'e God and 7is 3hrist and "or those who do not lo'e 7im or lo'e 7im )adl#.
I put on #our lips a pra#er "or e'er#)od#. It is #our ministr#. 4ou, who ;now
God and 7is 3hrist and lo'e 0hem, must pra# "or e'er#)od#. I told #ou that *#
pra#er is a uni'ersal one, and will last as long as the world. And #ou must pra#
uni'ersall#, Coining #our 'oices and #our hearts o" apostles and disciples o"
,esus6 3hurch to those o" people )elonging to other 3hurches, which ma# )e
3hristian )ut not apostolic. And #ou must insist, )ecause #ou are )rothers, #ou
in the house o" the >ather, the# outside the house o" the common >ather, with
their hunger, their homesic;ness, until the# also, li;e #ou, are gi'en the true
G)readH which is the 3hrist o" the =ord, which is administered on apostolic
ta)les, not on an# other where it is miDed with impure aliments. 4ou are to
insist until the >ather sa#s to those de"ormed )rothers? G*# grie" is su)siding,
221. L#ss!n t! t"# A$!st%#s '!n( t! :)8n##%. 2.1
)ecause I heard the 'oice and the words o" *# 9nl#<.egotten >irst<.orn in
#our 'oices. .lessed )e those ser'ants who ha'e led #ou to the 7ouse o" #our
>ather in order to complete *# >amil#.H )ervants of an "nfinite God, you must
put infinity in every intention of yours. 7a'e #ou understoodE
7 0here is ,a)neel. 9nce the Ar; passed )# here on its wa# to &;ron, which was
not a)le to ;eep it and sent it )ac; to .ethShemesh. 0he Ar; is going to &;ron
once again. ,ohn, come with *e. All the others will remain in ,a)neel. *editate
and )e care"ul how #ou spea;. Peace )e with #ou. 5
And ,esus goes awa# with ,ohn and the ram which, )leating, "ollows 7im li;e a
dog.
,,,. To$'r(s 7o(in.
18t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he hills a"ter ,a)neel, running "rom west to east with regard to the pole<star,
rise in height and )ehind them man# more can )e seen rising higher and higher.
0he green and 'iolet summits o" the ,udaean mountains stand out in the
distance, in the twilight. 0he da# has rapidl# come to its end, as is wont in
southern regions. >rom the )right red sunset, in less than one hour it has passed
to the "irst twin;ling o" stars and it seems impossi)le that the )la(ing sun has
gone out so suddenl#, deleting the )lood<red s;# with a thic;er and thic;er 'eil
o" red ameth#st, which later )ecomes mallow and graduall# changes colour
)ecoming more and more singing? nightingales, gurgling waters, rustling lea'es,
chirping cric;ets, and toads which with the accompaniment o" o)oes sing to the
dew. Perhaps also the stars are singing up there... as the# are closer to the angels
than we are. 0he heat is a)ating in the air o" the night, damp with dew so
pleasing to her)s, men and animalsF
,esus ho had waited at the "oot o" a hill "or the apostles coming "rom ,a)neel
where ,ohn has gone to "etch them, is now spea;ing to the Iscariot, to whom 7e
hands some purses o" mone# with instructions on how to distri)ute it. .ehind
7im there is ,ohn, holding the )ill#goat. 7e is silent, )etween the :ealot and
.artholomew, who are tal;ing o" ,a)neel where Andrew and Philip )eha'ed so
well. >arther )ac;, there are all the others in a group, spea;ing loud and
summarising their ad'entures in the Philistine region and openl# eDpressing
their Co# "or their return to ,udaea "or Pentecost in the 'er# near "uture.
2 Are we reall# going there soonE 5 as;s Philip, who is 'er# tired wal;ing on
the hot sand.
2 0hat6s what the *aster said. 4ou heard 7im 5 replies ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 *# )rother certainl# ;nows. .ut 7e seems lost in re'erie. hat the# ha'e
done during these "i'e da#s is a m#ster# 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 Sure. I am d#ing to ;now. At least that as compensation "or that... purgati'e at
,a)neel. >i'e da#s during which we had to watch e'er# word, e'er# step and
where we loo;ed, to a'oid getting into trou)le 5 sa#s Peter.
2 7owe'er, we were success"ul. e are )eginning to learn 5 sa#s *atthew
happil#.
2 0o tell #ou the truth... I trem)led with "ear two or three times. 0hat )lessed
)o# o" ,udas o" SimonF... ill he ne'er learn to control himsel"E 5 sa#s Philip.
2 7e will, when he is old. And #et, we ma# sa# that he does it "or a good
purpose. 4ou heard 7imE Also the *aster said so. 7e does it out o" (eal...5
remar;s Andrew to eDcuse him.
2 3ome o"" itF 0he *aster said so )ecause 7e is Goodness and Prudence. .ut I
do not thin; 7e appro'es o" 7im 5 replies Peter. 2 7e does not tell lies 5 retorts
0haddeus.
2 It is not a Iuestion o" telling lies. .ut 7e ;nows how to repl# most prudentl#,
and we do not ;now how to do that, and 7e spea;s the truth without )rea;ing
an#)od#6s heart, without rousing an#)od#6s indignation and without
reproaching. 9" course, 7e is 7eF 5 sa#s Peter with a sigh.
2 0he# )ecome silent while wal;ing in the clearer and clearer moonlight. 0hen
Peter sa#s to ,ames o" :e)edee? 2 0r# and call ,ohn. I do not ;now wh# he is
a'oiding us. 5
2 I can tell #ou at once? )ecause he ;nows that we would torment him in order
to "ind out 5 replies 0homas.
2 9" courseF And he is sta#ing with the two most prudent and wise ones 5
222. T!&)r*s 9!*n. 2.2
con"irms Philip.
2 ell, tr# Cust the same, ,ames, )e good 5 insists Peter.
And ,ames, condescendingl#, calls ,ohn three times? the latter does not hear, or
pretends not to hear. .artholomew instead turns round and ,ames sa#s to him? 2
0ell m# )rother to come here 5 and then to Peter? 2 .ut I don6t thin; he will tell
us. 5
,ohn goes o)edientl# at once and as;s? 2 hat do #ou wantE 5
2 e want to ;now whether we are going straight to ,udaea "rom here 5 replies
his )rother.
2 0hat is what the *aster said. 7e was almost on the point o" not coming )ac;
"rom &;ron and was going to send me to "etch #ou. 0hen 7e pre"erred to come
as "ar as these last slopes... .ecause one can go to ,udaea also "rom here. 5
2 .# *odinE 5
2 .# *odin. 5
2 It is not a sa"e road. .andits wait "or cara'ans along it and ma;e sudden
attac;s on them 5 o)Cects 0homas.
2 9hF... with 7imF... 1othing can resist 7imF...5 replies ,ohn loo;ing up to the
s;# enraptured in who ;nows what memories and smiling.
0he# all watch him and Peter sa#s? 2 0ell me? are #ou perhaps reading a )liss"ul
stor# in the starr# s;#, with that loo; on #our "aceE 5
2 *eE 1o...5
2 3ome o"" itF Also stones can see that #ou are miles awa# "rom the world. 0ell
me? what happened to #ou at &;ronE 5
2 1othing, Simon. I can assure #ou. I would not )e happ# i" an#thing unpleasant
had happened. 5
2 1ot unpleasant. 9n the contrar#F... 3ome onF Spea; upF 5
2 .ut I can tell #ou nothing more than what 7e has alread# told #ou. 0he# were
;ind li;e people ama(ed at miracles. 0hat6s all. &Dactl# as 7e said. 5
2 1o 5 and Peter sha;es his head. 2 1o. 4ou are not good at telling lies. 4ou are
as clear as spring water. 1o. 4ou change colour. I ha'e ;nown #ou since #ou
were a )o#. 4ou will ne'er )e a)le to tell lies. 4ou are una)le )ecause o" #our
heart, o" #our thoughts, o" #our tongue, o" #our 'er# s;in that changes colour.
0hat is wh# I am so "ond o" #ou and I ha'e alwa#s lo'ed #ou. =isten, come
here, to #our old Simon o" ,onah, #our old "riend. 4ou remem)er when #ou
were a )o# and I was alread# a manE 7ow I used to "ondle #ou. 4ou wanted
stories and cor;<)oats Gwhich ne'er shipwrec;H, #ou used to sa# and which #ou
needed to go "ar awa#... Also now #ou are going "ar awa# and #ou are lea'ing
poor Simon ashore. And #our little )oat will ne'er )e wrec;ed. It is sailing "ull
o" "lowers li;e the ones #ou used to launch, when a child, at .ethsaida, on the
ri'er, so that the ri'er would carr# them to the la;e and the# would sail and
sail... Do #ou remem)erE I lo'e #ou, ,ohn. e all lo'e #ou. 4ou are our sail.
4ou are our )oat which does not wrec;. e sail in #our wa;e. h# don6t #ou
tell us o" the miracle at &;ronE 5
3 Peter has spo;en clasping with one arm the waist o" ,ohn, who endea'ours to
elude the Iuestion, sa#ing? 2 Since #ou are our chie", wh# do #ou not spea; to
the crowds with the same persuasi'e strength as #ou are using with meE 0he#
need to )e con'inced, not I. 5
2 .ecause I "eel more at ease with #ou. I lo'e #ou, )ut I do not ;now them 5
sa#s Peter eDcusing himsel".
2 And #ou do not lo'e them. 0hat6s #our mista;e. =o'e them, e'en i" #ou do not
;now them. Sa# to #oursel"? G0he# )elong to our >ather.H 4ou will then seem to
;now them and #ou will lo'e them. 4ou will see in them so man# ,ohns...5
2 0hat is easil# saidF As i" asps and hedgehogs could )e eDchanged "or #ou, m#
eternal )o#. 5
2 9hF noF I am li;e e'er#)od# else. 5
2 1o, )rother. 1ot li;e e'er#)od#. e, with the eDception perhaps o"
.artholomew, Andrew and the :ealot, would ha'e told e'er#)od# what
happened to us and made us happ#. 4ou are silent. .ut #ou must tell me, #our
elder )rother. I am li;e a "ather to #ou 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 God is m# >ather, ,esus m# .rother, and *ar# m# *other...5
2 So )lood counts "or nothing with #ouE 5 shouts ,ames anDiousl#.
222. T!&)r*s 9!*n. 2.3
2 Do not )e upset. I )less the )lood and the wom) that "ormed me? m# "ather
and motherL and I )less #ou, m# )rother o" the same )lood? the "ormer )ecause
the# )egot me and )rought me up ena)ling me to "ollow the *aster, and #ou
)ecause #ou are "ollowing 7im. Since m# mother )ecame a disciple, I lo'e her
in two wa#s? with m# "lesh and )lood as a sonL with m# soul as her "ellow<
disciple. 9hF what a Co# to )e united in 7is lo'eF...5
4 ,esus has come )ac; a"ter hearing ,ames6 eDcited 'oice and the last words
clari"# the situation to 7im. 2 =ea'e ,ohn alone. It is Iuite useless to torment
him. 7e is 'er# much li;e *# *other. And he will not spea;. 5
2 ell, 4ou tell us, then 5 the# all implore.
2 ell, here it is. I too; ,ohn with *e )ecause he is the most suita)le "or what I
wanted to do. I ha'e )een helped and he has )een per"ected. 0hat is all. 5
Peter, ,ohn6s )rother ,ames, 0homas, the Iscariot loo; at one another, ma;ing
wr# mouths, disappointed as the# are. And ,udas Iscariot, not satis"ied with
)eing disappointed, sa#s so? 2 h# per"ect him, who is alread# the )estE 5
,esus replies to him? 2 4ou said? G&'er#)od# has his wa# and ma;es use o" it.H I
ha'e *ine. ,ohn has his, which is 'er# li;e *ine. *ine cannot )e per"ected. 7is
can. And I want that to )e, )ecause it is right that it should )e so. And that is
wh# I too; him. .ecause I needed one who had that wa# and that soul. So let
there )e no )ad mood and no curiosit#. =et us go to *odin. 0he night is serene,
cool and clear. e shall wal; as long as it is moonlight, then we shall sleep until
dawn. I will ta;e the two ,udas to 'enerate the tom)s o" the *acca)ees, whose
glorious name the# )ear. 5
2 9nl# the two o" us with 4ouF 5 eDclaims the Iscariot happil#.
2 1o. ith e'er#)od#. .ut the 'isit to the tom) o" the *acca)ees is "or #ou.
0hat #ou ma# imitate them in a supernatural wa#, "ighting and winning in a
completel# spiritual "ield. 5
,,-. 9!sus S"!'@s to Hi&$'1)!n.
1*t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 2 I will spea; in the place where we are going 5 sa#s the =ord while the group
goes more and more into 'alle#s that assail the mountain with hard narrow ston#
roads, and go up and downhill, losing hori(ons and reconIuering them. >inall#,
going down a 'er# steep slope, where onl# the )ill#goat is at ease, as Peter
remar;s, the# reach a deep 'alle#, where the# can rest and ta;e some "ood near
a spring, which is 'er# rich in water.
0here are other people spread in the meadows and thic;ets ha'ing their meal,
li;e ,esus and 7is apostles. It must )e a well ;nown resting place pre"erred )#
tra'ellers, since it is sheltered "rom winds and there are so"t meadows and plent#
water. 0he# are pilgrims who are going towards ,erusalem, tra'ellers going
perhaps to the ,ordan, merchants o" lam)s destined to the 0emple, shepherds
with their "loc;s. Some are tra'elling on horse)ac;, most o" them on "oot.
0here is also a nuptial cara'an in "esti'e arra#, which has Cust arri'ed. Gold
Cewels shine through the 'eil co'ering the )ride, a little older than a girl, in the
compan# o" two matron<li;e women spar;ling with )racelets and nec;laces, and
o" a man, perhaps the matchma;er, )esides two ser'ants. 0he# arri'ed on
don;e#s adorned with ri))ons and harness )ells and the# withdraw to eat ill a
corner, as i" a"raid that the glances o" the people present might 'iolate the #oung
)ride. 0he matchma;er or relati'e, whate'er he 6na# )e, mounts guard in a
threatening attitude while the women oat. 0he curiosit# o" the other people is
greatl# roused and in "act, with the eDcuse o" as;ing "or some salt, or a ;ni"e, or
a drop o" 'inegar, there is alwa#s someone going here or there, to "ind out
whether an#one ;nows who the )ride is, where she is going, and man# other
nice things o" the ;ind...
0here is in "act one who ;nows where she comes "rom, where she is going and
is more than happ# to tell e'er#thing he ;nows, also )ecause he is prompted )#
another man who ma;es him more tal;ati'e )# pouring out some 'er# good
wine "or him. In a "ew moments also the most secret details o" two "amilies are
disclosed, with in"ormation on the trousseau, which the )ride is ta;ing in the
cases which are there, and on the wealth that is awaiting her in her hus)and6s
house and so on. 0he# thus learn that the )ride is the daughter o" a rich
merchant in ,oppa, and is getting married to the son o" a rich merchant in
,erusalem, and that the )ridegroom has preceded her to adorn the nuptial house
223. :#sus S$#)@s t! H("&)5+#n. 2.4
"or her impending arri'al and that the man who is accompan#ing her is a "riend
o" the groom and also the son o" a merchant, o" A)raham, who deals in
diamonds and gems, whereas the )ridegroom is a gold<)eater, and the )ride6s
"ather is a merchant dealing in woollen and cotton cloths, carpets, curtains...
As the chatter)oD is close to the apostolic group, 0homas hears him and as;s? 2
Is the )ridegroom perhaps 1athanael o" =e'iE 5
2 4es, he is. Do #ou ;now himE 5
2 I ;now the "ather well, )ecause I did )usiness with him, I am a little less
"amiliar with 1athanael. A wealth# marriageF 5
2 And a happ# )rideF She is co'ered with gold. A)raham, a relati'e o" the
)ride6s mother and "ather o" the groom6s "riend, distinguished himsel" and so did
the groom and his "ather. 0he# sa# that the contents o" those cases are worth
man# gold talents. 5
2 2 Good =ordF 5 eDclaims Peter and he whistles a tune. 7e then sa#s? 2 I am
going to ha'e a close loo; to see whether the main goods correspond to the rest
5 and he stands up, together with 0homas, and the# )oth go "or a short wal;
round the nuptial group. 0he# watch the three women care"ull#, three heaps o"
cloth and 'eils, "rom which Cewelled hands and wrists emerge and through
which the# can see ears and nec;s spar;ling with Cewels. 0he# also watch the
)oast"ul matchma;er, who swaggers so much, as i" he had to repel corsairs
attac;ing the little 'irgin. 7e loo;s daggers also at the two apostles. .ut 0homas
)egs him to greet 1athanael o" =e'i on )ehal" o" 0homas, called Did#mus. And
thus peace is made, so much so that while he is spea;ing, the )ride manages to
)e admired, as she gets up in such a wa# that her mantle and 'eil "all o"" and she
appears in all the grace"ulness o" her )od# and clothes showing her wealth
worth# o" an idol.
She must )e "i"teen #ears old, at most, and her e#es are 'er# alertF She mo'es
a)out mincingl# notwithstanding the two matrons6 disappro'al o" her a""ected
wa#s? she unpins her plaits and then "astens them again )# means o" precious
hairpins? she tightens her )elt which is studded with gems? she unlaces, ta;es o""
and puts on again her shoe<st#led sandals, "astening them with gold )uc;les, and
at the same time she displa#s her )eauti"ul dar; hair, her lo'el# hands and so"t
arms, a slender waist, well shaped )reast and hips, her per"ect "eet and all her
Cewels which tin;le and glitter in the twilight or in the light o" the "lames o" the
"irst )on"ires.
Peter and 0homas go )ac;. 0homas sa#s? 2 She is a )eauti"ul girl. 5
2 She is a per"ect coIuette. It ma# )e... )ut #our "riend 1athanael will soon "ind
out that there is someone who ;eeps his )ed warm "or him, while he warms gold
to )eat it. And his "riend is a per"ect "ool. 7e puts his )ride in the right handsF 5
concludes Peter sitting down near his companions.
2 I did not li;e that man who was encouraging that other "ool o'er there to
spea;. hen he had heard all he wanted to ;now, he went awa# up the
mountain... 0his is a )ad spot. And the weather is Cust right "or highwa#men.
*oonlight nights. &Dhausting heat. 0rees all co'ered with lea'es. 76mF I don6t
li;e this place 5 grum)les .artholomew. 2 It would ha'e )een )etter to go on. 5
2 And that im)ecile who mentioned all the richesF And that other one who pla#s
the hero and the watchman o" shadows and cannot see real )odiesF... ell, I will
;eep watch near the "ire. ho is coming with meE 5 as;s Peter.
2 I am, Simon 5 replies the :ealot. 2 I can go without sleeping. 5
*an# o" the people, particularl# single tra'ellers, ha'e got up and gone awa# a
"ew at a time. 0here are le"t the shepherds with their "loc;s, the nuptial group,
the apostolic one and three lam) merchants, who are alread# sleeping. Also the
)ride is asleep with the matrons under a tent which the ser'ants ha'e put up. 0he
apostles loo; "or a place where to rest, while ,esus withdraws to )ra#. 0he
shepherds light a )on"ire in the centre o" the clearing where are their "loc;s.
Peter and Simon light another one near the path o" the cli"" where the man
disappeared, the one who had roused .artholomew6s suspicion.
3 0ime passes and those who are not snoring, are nodding. ,esus is pra#ing.
0here is dead silence. Also the spring shining in the moonlight seems to )e
silent. 0he moon is now high in the s;# and I he clearing is )rightl# lit up,
whereas the edges are shadowed )# thic; "oliage.
A )ig sheep dog snarls. A herdsman raises his head. 0he dog stands up raising
the hair on its )ac; and pointing in an alert position. It e'en trem)les in its deep
eDcitement while its hollow snarling )ecomes louder and louder. Also Simon
raises his head and sha;es Peter who is do(ing. A slight rustle can )e heard in
the wood.
223. :#sus S$#)@s t! H("&)5+#n. 2.,
2 =et us go to the *aster. e will )ring 7im with us 5 sa# the two apostles. In
the meantime the herdsman wa;es up his companions. 0he# are all listening
noiselessl#. Also ,esus has got up, )e"ore )eing called and is going towards the
two apostles. 0he# gather near their companions, that is, near the shepherds,
whose dog is )ecoming more and more eDcited.
2 3all those who are sleeping. &'er#)od#. 0ell them to come here, without
ma;ing an# noise, particularl# the women and the ser'ants with the co""ers. 0ell
them that perhaps there are highwa#men a)out. .ut do not tell the women, onl#
the men. 5 0he apostles spread out o)e#ing the *aster ho sa#s to the
shepherds? 2 Put a lot o" wood on the "ire so that it will gi'e a good light. 5 0he
shepherds o)e#, and as the# loo; eDcited, ,esus sa#s to them? 2 Do not )e a"raid.
1ot one "loc; o" wool will )e ta;en o"" #ou. 5
0he marchants arri'e and whisper? 2 9hF 9ur pro"itsF 5 and the# add a string o"
a)use against the 8oman and ,ewish go'ernors who do not clear the world o"
ro))ers.
2 Do not )e a"raid. 4ou will not lose one single little coin 5 sa#s ,esus
com"orting them.
0he weeping women arri'e and the# are "rightened, )ecause the )ra'e
matchma;er, trem)ling with "ear, is terrorising them moaning? 2 It will )e our
deathF 0he ro))ers will ;ill usF 5
2 Do not )e a"raid. 1o one will touch #ou. 0he# will not e'en loo; at #ou 5 sa#s
,esus to com"ort them and 7e ta;es the women to the centre o" the little group o"
men and "rightened animals.
0he don;e#s are )ra#ing, the dog is )ar;ing, the sheep are )leating, the women
are so))ing and the men are cursing or swooning more than the women, a real
cacophon# caused )# "ear.
,esus is calm, as i" nothing had happened. 0he rustling in the wood can no
longer )e heard )ecause o" the uproar. .ut the presence o" approaching ro))ers
in the wood is e'idenced )# the noise o" )rea;ing )ranches and rolling stones. 2
SilenceF 5 orders ,esus. And 7e orders it in such a wa# that e'er#thing )ecomes
Iuiet.
4 ,esus lea'es 7is place and goes towards the wood, at the edge o" the clearing.
7e turns 7is )ac; to the wood and )egins to spea;.
2 0he wic;ed cra'ing "or gold dri'es men to )ase "eelings. *an ma;es himsel"
;nown )ecause o" his hunger "or gold more than an#thing else. 3onsider how
much e'il is caused )# this metal through its alluring )ut useless )rightness. I
thin; that the air in 7ell is o" the same hue, so hellish is its nature since man
)ecame a sinner. 0he 3reator had le"t it in the )owels o" that huge lapis<la(uli
which is the earth, created )# 7is will, that it might )e use"ul to man with its
salts and an ornament to temples. .ut Satan, ;issing &'e6s e#es, and )iting man6s
ego, ga'e the sa'our o" witchcra"t to the innocent metal. And since then man
;ills and sins "or the sa;e o" gold. oman "or its sa;e )ecomes a coIuette and
inclined to carnal sin. *an "or its sa;e )ecomes thie", usurper, homicide, harsh
against his neigh)our and his own soul, which he depri'es o" its true inheri<
tance, to "ollow transient things, and he depri'es it also o" the eternal treasure
"or the sa;e o" a "ew shining scales, which he will ha'e to lea'e at his death.
4ou, who "or the sa;e o" gold, sin more or less lightl#, or more or less gra'el#,
and the more #ou sin, the more #ou laugh at what #our mothers and teachers
taught #ou, namel#, that there is a reward or a punishment "or actions done
during li"e, will #ou not consider that )ecause o" that sin #ou will lose God6s
protection, eternal li"e and Co#, and #ou will ha'e in #our hearts remorse and
malediction, while "ear will )e #our companion, "ear o" human punishment,
which is nothing when compared to the "ear, which #ou should ha'e )ut #ou
ha'e not, o" di'ine punishmentE ill #ou not consider that #ou ma# ha'e a
dread"ul end )ecause o" #our misdeeds, i" #ou ha'e gone as "ar as )eing
criminalsL and an e'en more dread"ul end, )ecause it will )e an e'erlasting one,
i" "or the sa;e o" gold, #our misdeeds ha'e not gone as "ar as shedding )lood,
)ut ha'e despised the law o" lo'e and o" respect "or #our neigh)our, )# den#ing
assistance to those who are star'ing through #our a'arice, or stealing positions
or mone# or de"rauding )# means o" "alse weights, through #our greedE 1o.
4ou do not consider all that. 4ou sa#? GIt6s all an idle stor#F And I ha'e crushed
such idle stories under the weight o" m# gold. And the# no longer eDist.H
It is not an idle stor#. It is the truth. Do not sa#? Gell, when I am dead, that is
the end o" e'er#thing.H 1o. 0hat is the )eginning. 1eDt li"e is not an a)#ss
without thought and without remem)rance o" the past #ou ha'e li'ed or without
longing "or God, as #ou thin; the period o" eDpectation o" li)eration )# the
8edeemer is. 1eDt li"e is a happ# eDpectation "or the Cust, a patient eDpectation
"or the eDpiating, a dread"ul eDpectation "or the damned. >or the "irst in =im)o,
"or the second in Purgator#, "or the third in 7ell. And while the eDpectation will
end "or the "irst when the# enter 7ea'en a"ter the 8edeemer, it will )e
223. :#sus S$#)@s t! H("&)5+#n. 2.-
com"orted "or the second )# a greater hope a"ter that hour, whilst the dread"ul
certaint# o" eternal malediction will )e con"irmed "or the third.
5 0hin; a)out it, #ou sinners. It is ne'er too late to repent. 3hange the 'erdict
which is )eing written in 7ea'en against #ou, )# means o" true repentance. Do
not let Sheol )e hell "or #ou, )ut an eDpiating eDpectation, at least that, through
#our own will. Do not let it )e dar;ness, )ut twilight, not torture, )ut nostalgia,
not despair, )ut hope. Go. Do not endea'our to "ight against God. 7e is the
Strong and Good 9ne. Do not insult the names o" #our relati'es. =isten to the
wail o" that "ountain, it is li;e the wail that )rea;s the hearts o" #our mothers
;nowing that #ou are murderers. =isten to the howling o" the wind in that gorge.
It seems to )e threatening and cursing. As #our "athers curse #ou "or the li"e #ou
lead. =isten to remorse cr#ing in #our hearts. h# do #ou want to su""er whilst
#ou could )e peace"ull# satis"ied with little on the earth and e'er#thing in
7ea'enE Grant peace to #our spiritsF Gi'e peace to men who are a"raid, who
must )e a"raid o" #ou as i" #ou were as man# wild )eastsF Grant peace to
#oursel'es, poor wretchesF 8aise #our e#es to 7ea'en, detach #our mouths "rom
the poisonous "ood, puri"# #our hands dripping with the )lood o" #our )rothers,
puri"# #our hearts.
I ha'e "aith in #ou. 0hat is wh# I am spea;ing to #ou. .ecause i" the whole
world hates and "ears #ou, I do not hate #ou or "ear #ou. .ut I stretch out *#
hand to sa# to #ou? G8ise. 3ome. .ecome mee; amongst men, men amongst
men.H I am so little a"raid o" #ou that now I sa# to e'er#)od# here? GGo )ac;
and rest. .ear #our poor )rothers no ill<will, )ut pra# "or them. I will remain
here loo;ing at them with lo'ing e#es, and I swear that nothing will happen.
.ecause lo'e disarms the 'iolent and satis"ies the greed#. .lessed )e =o'e, the
true strength o" the world, the un;nown )ut power"ul strength, the strength that
is God.H 5
And addressing e'er#)od# ,esus sa#s? 2 4ou ma# go now. .e not a"raid. 0here
are no longer e'il<doers o'er there, )ut onl# disma#ed men who are weeping.
7e who weeps does no harm. I wish to God the# remained as the# are now. It
would )e their redemption. 5
,,4. Arri2'# 't B!t!r.
,;t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he train o" animals "ollowing the apostolic college has undergone a change.
0he )ill#goat is no longer there and in its place there is a sheep and two lam)s.
A "at sheep with turgid udder, two little lam)s as cheer"ul as urchins. A tin#
"loc; that loo;s less magic than the 'er# dar; )ill#goat, and ma;es e'er#)od#
happ#.
2 I told #ou that we would ha'e a little goat to ma;e *arCiam a little happ#
shepherd. Instead o" the little goat, since #ou will not hear o" goats, we got
sheep. And white ones, eDactl# as Peter wanted them. 5
2 9" courseF I thought I was pulling .eel(e)u) )ehind me 5 sa#s Peter.
2 In "act, since it was with us, how man# unpleasant things ha'e happened. It
was a spell "ollowing us 5 con"irms the Iscariot angril#
2 A good spell, then. .ecause what harm has reall# )e"allen usE 5 sa#s ,ohn
calml#.
0he# all shout at him reproaching him "or his )lindness. 2 Didn6t #ou see how
the# were moc;ed at *odinE 5, 2 And do #ou thin; m# )rother6s "all was Cust
nothingE 7e might ha'e )een ruined. I" he had )ro;en his legs or his )ac;, how
could we ha'e carried him awa# "rom thereE 5, 2 And do #ou thin; that last
night6s incident was a pleasant oneE 5
2 I saw e'er#thing, I considered e'er#thing and I )lessed the =ord )ecause
nothing wrong happened to us. &'il came towards us, )ut then it ran awa#, as
usual, and the incidents ha'e certainl# ser'ed to lea'e seeds o" goodness )oth at
*odin and with the 'ine<dressers, who came with the certaint# that the# would
"ind at least one person wounded and with the remorse o" ha'ing )een without
charit#, and in "act the# wanted to ma;e amendsL and the same happened last
night with the ro))ers. 0he# did no harm and we, that is Peter, got the sheep in
eDchange "or the goat and as a present "or their sa"et#, and there is now a good
deal o" mone# "or the poor )ecause the merchants and the women ga'e us
purses o" mone# and o""erings. And what is more important, the# all recei'ed
the word o" ,esus. 5
2 ,ohn is right 5 sa# the :ealot and ,udas 0haddeus. And the latter concludes? 2
&'er#thing seems to )e ta;ing place through a clear "ore;nowledge o" the
224. Arr6)% )t B#t"#r. 2..
"uture. It is odd that we should )e there, and we were late, )ecause o" m# "all, at
the same time as the Cewelled women, and the shepherds with large "loc;s, as
well as the merchants lous# with mone#? all o" whom were a wonder"ul pre# "or
the ro))ersF 2 .rother, tell me the truth. Did 4ou ;now that all that was going to
happenE 5 0haddeus as;s ,esus.
2 I told #ou man# a time that I can read the hearts o" men, and when the >ather
does not dispose otherwise, I do not ignore what must happen. 5
2 ell, wh# do 4ou at times ma;e mista;es, such as going towards hostile
Pharisees, or to towns that are completel# hostileE 5 as;s ,udas Iscariot.
,esus stares at him and then sa#s calml# and slowl#? 2 0he# are not mista;es.
0he# are necessities o" *# mission. 0he sic; need a doctor and the ignorant a
master. .oth the "ormer and the latter at =imes reCect doctor or master. .ut i"
the# are good doctors and good masters, the# continue to go to those who re"use
them )ecause it is their dut# to go. And I go. 4ou would li;e all resistance to
collapse where'er I go. I could do that. .ut I do not use 'iolence against an#one.
I con'ince people. 3oercion is to )e used onl# in 'er# eDceptional cases and
onl# when a spirit enlightened )# God understands that it ma# ser'e to persuade
that God eDists, and is the strongest, or when man# people are to )e sa'ed. 5
2 =i;e #esterda# e'ening. ehE 5 as;s Peter.
2 4esterda# e'ening those ro))ers were a"raid )ecause the# saw that we were
wide awa;e and waiting "or them 5 sa#s the Iscariot with e'ident scorn.
2 1o. 0he# were con'inced )# words 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 1o. 0he# would not dream o" itF 0he# are indeed tender souls that can )e
con'inced )# a couple o" words, e'en i" spo;en )# ,esusF I ;now what the# are
li;e when I was attac;ed with m# "amil# and man# people o" .ethsaida in the
gorge o" Adummim 5 replies Philip.
2 *aster, tell me. It6s since #esterda# that I wanted to as; 4ou. as it 4our
words or 4our will to pre'ent an#thing "rom happeningE 5 as;s ,ames o"
:e)edee.
,esus smiles and is silent.
*atthew replies? 2 I thin; that it was 7is will to o'ercome the hardness o" those
hearts, which 7e almost paral#sed in order to )e a)le to spea; and sa'e them. 5
2 I sa# that, too. 0hat is wh# 7e remained there )# 7imsel", loo;ing at the
wood. 7e su)dued them with 7is loo;, )# means o" 7is de"enceless calm and
)# trusting them. 7e did not e'en ha'e a stic; in 7is handsF...5 sa#s Andrew.
2 All right. 0hat6s what we sa#. 0hat6s what we thin;. .ut I want to hear it "rom
the *aster 5 sa#s Peter.
0here is a li'el# discussion, in which ,esus does not inter"ere. Some sa# that
since ,esus has declared that 7e does not "orce an#one, 7e has not used
coercion in the case o" those ro))ers either. 0hat is what .artholomew states.
0he Iscariot instead, who is mildl# supported )# 0homas, declares that he
cannot )elie'e that the loo; o" a man can do so much. *atthew retorts? 2 It can
do that and much more. I was con'erted )# 7is loo; e'en )e"ore 7e spo;e to
me. 5 0he opposite opinions cause a li'el# discussion, as each stu))ornl# insists
in his own. ,ohn, li;e ,esus, is silent and he smiles lowering his head to conceal
his smile. Peter re'i'es the discussion as none o" the arguments o" his
companions con'inces him. 7e thin;s and sa#s that the loo; o" ,esus is di""erent
"rom the loo; o" an ordinar# man, and he wants to ;now whether it is )ecause
7e is ,esus, the *essiah, or )ecause 7e is alwa#s God.
3 ,esus spea;s? 2 I solemnl# tell #ou that not onl# I, )ut an#one who is united to
God )# means o" "aultless holiness, purit# and "aith will )e a)le to do that and
much more. 0he loo; o" a child, i" his spirit is united to God, can cause 'ain
temples to collapse, without sha;ing them as Samson did, it can command wild
)easts and men<)easts to )e mee;, it can repel death and de"eat diseases o" the
spirit, and the word o" a child, united to God and an instrument o" God can also
cure diseases, ma;e the poison o" sna;es harmless, wor; all ;inds o" miracles.
.ecause it is God ho wor;s in 7im. 5
2 AhF I understandF 5 sa#s Peter. And 7e stares at ,ohn. And a"ter a long
internal con'ersation with himsel", he concludes in a loud 'oice? 2 4esF 4ou,
*aster, can do that, )ecause 4ou are God, and )ecause 4ou are *an united to
God. And the same happens to those who go so "ar, or ha'e gone so "ar as to )e
united to God. I understandF I reall# understandF 5
2 .ut are #ou not inIuiring a)out the ;e# to that union, or a)out the secret o"
that powerE 1ot all men are success"ul in going so "ar, although the# all ha'e
the same means to succeed. 5
2 Nuite rightF here is the ;e# to that strength which unites man to God and
224. Arr6)% )t B#t"#r. 2.1
dominates matterE A pra#er or secret words...5
2 A short while ago ,udas o" Simon was )laming the )ill#goat "or all the
unpleasant incidents that happened to us. 0here are no spells connected with
animals. 8eCect superstitions, which are also a "orm o" idolatr# and can cause
mis"ortunes. And as there are no "ormulas to wor; witchcra"t, so there are no
secret words to wor; miracles. 0here is onl# lo'e. As I said #esterda# e'ening,
lo'e calms the 'iolent and satis"ies the greed#. =o'e? God. ith God within
#ou, "ull# possessed through per"ect lo'e, #our e#e will )ecome a "ire capa)le o"
)urning e'er# idol and ;noc;ing down their simulacra, and #our word will
)ecome power. And #our e#e will )ecome an arm that disarms. 4ou cannot
resist God, #ou cannot resist =o'e. 9nl# the demon can resist it, )ecause he is
per"ect 7atred, and his children can resist with him. 0he others, the wea; people
sei(ed with passions, )ut who ha'e not sold themsel'es 'oluntaril# to the
demon, cannot resist. hate'er their religion ma# )e, or their indi""erence to
an# "aith, whate'er the le'el o" their spiritual )aseness, the# are struc; )# =o'e,
the great inner. &ndea'our to arri'e there soon, and #ou will do what the
children o" God and the )earers o" God do. 5
4 Peter does not ta;e his e#es o"" ,ohnL also the sons o" Alphaeus, ,ames and
Andrew are li'el# and watch"ul.
2 ell, then, m# =ord 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee, 2 what has happened to m#
)rotherE 4ou are spea;ing o" him. 7e is the )o# who wor;s miraclesF Is that itE
Is it soE 5
2 hat has he doneE 7e turned a page o" the )oo; o" =i"e, and he read and
learned new m#steries. 1othing else. 7e preceded #ou, )ecause he does not stop
to consider e'er# o)stacle, to weigh e'er# di""icult#, to wor; out e'er# pro"it.
7e no longer sees the earth. 7e sees the =ight, and goes to it. ithout stopping.
.ut lea'e him alone. 0he souls )urning with greater "lames are not to )e
distur)ed in their ardour which gladdens and )urns. 4ou must let them )urn. It is
utmost Co# and utmost toil. God grants them moments o" dar;ness )ecause 7e
;nows that "ierce heat ;ills delicate souls, when the# are eDposed to continuous
sunshine. God grants silence and m#stic dew to such delicate souls, as 7e grants
it to wild "lowers. =et the athlete o" lo'e rest, when God allows him to rest.
Imitate g#mnasiarchs who grant their pupils due rest... hen #ou arri'e where
he has alread# arri'ed, and )e#ond, )ecause )oth #ou and he will go )e#ond that
point, #ou will realise the need "or respect, silence and dim light that souls "eel
when the# )ecome the pre# o" =o'e and its instrument. Do not thin;? GI will )e
glad to )e ;nown, and ,ohn is a "ool, )ecause the souls o" our neigh)ours, li;e
the souls o" children, want to )e attracted )# wonders.H 1o, when #ou are there,
#ou will ha'e the same desire "or silence and dim light as ,ohn has now. And
when I shall no longer )e amongst #ou, remem)er that when #ou ha'e to
pronounce sentence on a con'ersion or on possi)le holiness, you must always
use humility as your measure. "f a man is still proud, do not believe that he is
converted. And if pride reigns in a man, who may even be said to be a $saint',
you may be sure that he is not a saint. He may 1uacishly and hypocritically
play the saint and pretend he wors wonders. ,ut he is no saint. His appearance
is hypocrisy, his wonders are satanism. 7a'e #ou understoodE 5
2 4es, *aster. 5... 0he# are all Iuiet and pensi'e. .ut i" their lips are closed, it
is possi)le to guess their thoughts )# their countenance. A deep desire to ;now
Iui'ers li;e ether around them, emanating "rom them...
5 0he :ealot endea'ours to di'ert their attention and thus gain time to spea; to
them separatel# and ad'ise them to )e Iuiet. I thin; that the :ealot has ta;en
that tas; upon himsel" in the apostolic group. 7e is the moderator, the ad'iser,
the peacema;er o" his companions, )esides )eing one who understands the
*aster so well. 7e sa#s? 2 e are alread# in ,ohanna6s estate. 0hat 'illage in
that little 'alle# is .ether. 0he large )uilding on that top is the castle where she
was )orn. 3an #ou smell this per"ume in the airE It comes "rom the roseries
which )egin to gi'e o"" scent in the morning sun. In the e'ening it is a power"ul
"ragrance. .ut it is so )eauti"ul to see them in the cool morning, co'ered with
dew drops, li;e millions o" diamonds thrown on to millions o" opening corollas.
hen the sun sets the# pic; all the roses that are completel# open. 3ome. I want
to show #ou "rom a ;noll the 'iew o" the roseries that o'er"low "rom the top,
li;e a water"all, down the crags on the other side. A cascade o" "lowers, which
clim)s )ac; up again, li;e a wa'e, on two other hills. It is an amphitheatre, a
la;e o" "lowers. It is reall# wonder"ul. 0he road is steeper. .ut it is worth while
clim)ing up, )ecause "rom that spot one o'erloo;s all this paradise. And we
shall soon )e at the castle. ,ohanna li'es there in per"ect "reedom, amongst her
peasants, who are the onl# guards o" so much wealth. .ut the# are so "ond o"
their mistress, who has turned these 'alle#s into a paradise o" )eaut# and o"
peace, that the# are worth much more than all 7erod6s guards. 7ere, loo;,
*aster. =oo;, m# "riends 5 and he points at a semicircle o" hills in'aded with
roses.
224. Arr6)% )t B#t"#r. 2.2
here'er one6s e#es rest, one can see roseries, under 'er# tall trees, to shield
them "rom winds, "rom eDcessi'e heat o" the sun and hailstorms. 0here is
sunshine and air also under this light roo", which is li;e a 'eil )ut is not
oppressi'e, and is dul# controlled )# the gardeners, and the most )eauti"ul
roseries in the world grow there. 0here are thousands and thousands o" all ;inds
o" rose<)ushes. 0here are miniature, low, tall, 'er# tall plants. 0he# grow in
tu"ts, li;e cushions studded with "lowers, at the "oot o" trees, on 'er# green
meadows, as hedges along paths, on the )an;s o" streams, in circles around
irrigation 'ats, spread o'er the whole par; which comprises hills, or twined
round tree trun;s, or "rom tree to tree "orming "lower# "estoons and garlands. It
is reall# a dream. All si(es and shades are present )lending )eauti"ull#, with the
i'or# hue o" tea<roses close to the )lood red o" other corollas. 0he true roses,
which li;e the chee; o" a child, shade on the contours into white tinged with
pin;, reign as Iueens, also )ecause o" their num)er.
0he# are all struc; )# so much )eaut#.
2 .ut what does she do with all thisE 5 as;s Philip.
2 She enCo#s it 5 replies 0homas.
2 1o. She eDtracts the essence and thus emplo#s hundreds o" ser'ants and
gardeners who wor; at the presses. 0he 8omans ma;e great use o" it. ,onathan
was telling me when he showed me the "igures o" the last crop. .ut there is
*ar# o" Alphaeus with the )o#. 0he# ha'e seen us and the# are calling the
others...5
6 In "act there are ,ohanna and the two *aries, who are preceded )# *arCiam,
who runs down towards ,esus and Peter, with his arms stretched out read# "or an
em)race. 0he women arri'e as well and the# prostrate themsel'es )e"ore ,esus.
2 Peace to #ou all. here is *# *otherE 5
2 Among the roseries, *aster, with &li(a. 9hF She is de"initel# curedF She can
now "ace the world and "ollow 4ou. 0han;s "or ma;ing use o" ms1e "or that
purpose. 5
2 0han;s to #ou, ,ohanna. 4ou can see that it was use"ul to come to ,udaea.
*arCiam? here are #our presents. 0his lo'el# puppet and these )eauti"ul sheep.
Do #ou li;e themE 5
0he )o# is )reathless with Co#. 7e leans towards ,esus ho has )ent to gi'e him
the puppet and has remained thus to loo; at him in the "ace, and he clasps 7is
nec;, ;issing 7im with utmost ardour.
2 And thus #ou will )ecome as mee; as the little sheep and then #ou will
)ecome a good shepherd "or those who )elie'e in ,esus. Is that rightE 5
*arCiam replies 2 4es 5 in a cho;ed 'oice, while his e#es shine with Co#.
2 1ow go and see Peter, )ecause I am going to *# *other. I can see a strip o"
7er 'eil mo'ing along a hedge o" roses. 5
And 7e runs to *ar# em)racing 7er to 7is heart at a corner o" a path. A"ter a
"irst ;iss, *ar#, still panting, eDplains? 2 &li(a is coming )ehind *e... I ran to
;iss 4ou, )ecause it was not possi)le "or *e not to ;iss 4ou... )ut I did not want
to ;iss 4ou in "ront o" her... She has changed a great deal... .ut her heart still
aches in the presence o" other people6s Co#, now denied to her "ore'er. 7ere she
is coming. 5
&li(a wal;s the last "ew #ards with a rapid step and ;neels down to ;iss ,esus6
tunic. She is no longer the tragic woman o" .eth(ur. She is an old austere lad#,
mar;ed )# sorrow that has le"t a deep trace on her countenance.
2 *a# 4ou )e )lessed, m# *aster, now and e'er, "or gi'ing )ac; to me what I
had lost. 5
2 *a# a greater peace )e with #ou, &li(a. I am happ# to see #ou here. Stand up.
5
2 I am happ#, too. I ha'e so man# things to tell 4ou and to as; 4ou, =ord. 5
2 e will ha'e plent# time )ecause I am sta#ing here "or a "ew da#s. 3ome, that
I ma# introduce *# disciples to #ou. 5
2 9hFFF 4ou ha'e alread# understood what I wanted to tell 4ouEF 0hat I want to
start a new li"e? 4oursL and ha'e a new "amil#? 4oursL and sons? 4oursL as 4ou
told me spea;ing o" 1aomi, in m# house, at .eth(ur. I am the new 1aomi
through 4our grace, m# =ord. *a# 4ou )e )lessed "or it. I am no longer
depressed and )arren. I will still )e a mother. And i" *ar# allows me, I will also
)e a mother to 4ou, )esides )eing a mother to the sons o" 4our doctrine. 5
2 4es. 4ou will )e. *ar# will not )e Cealous and I will lo'e #ou so much that
224. Arr6)% )t B#t"#r. 213
#ou will not regret coming with us. =et us go now to those who wish to tell #ou
that the# lo'e #ou as )rothers. 5 And ,esus ta;es her )# the hand and leads her
towards her new "amil#.
0he Courne# made while waiting "or Pentecost is o'er.
,,+. T! P'r'#1tic 't t! Poo# o0 B!t3't'.
,1st 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is in ,erusalem, in "act Iuite near the Antonia. All the apostles are with
7im, with the eDception o" the Iscariot. *an# people are hurr#ing towards the
0emple. 0he# are all wearing their )est clothes, )oth the apostles and the
pilgrims, and I thin; there"ore that it is Pentecost time. Among the people are
man# )eggars, piti"ull# lamenting o'er their miseries and directing their steps
towards the )est places "or see;ing alms, near the gates o" the 0emple, or at the
crossroads "rom which people come towards the 0emple. ,esus, while passing,
gi'es alms to the poor wretches, who gi'e meticulousl# e'er# detail o" their
miser#.
I am under the impression that ,esus has alread# )een to the 0emple, "or I can
hear the apostles tal;ing o" Gamaliel, who pretended not to see them, although
Stephen, one o" his pupils, had pointed out ,esus to him.
I can also hear .artholomew as;ing his companions? 2 hat did that scri)e
mean )# sa#ing? GA herd o" rams "or the slaughterhouseHE 5
2 7e might ha'e )een tal;ing o" some )usiness o" his own 5 replies 0homas.
2 1o. 7e was pointing at us. I saw him clearl#. In an# case his neDt sentence
con"irmed the earlier remar;. 7e said sarcasticall#? G.e"ore long also the =am)
will )e read# to )e shorn and slaughtered.H 5
2 4es, I heard him, too 5 con"irms Andrew.
2 9" courseF I am #earning to go )ac; and as; the scri)e6s companion what he
;nows a)out ,udas o" Simon 5 sa#s Peter.
2 7e ;nows nothingF 0his time ,udas is not here )ecause he is reall# ill. e
;now that "or certain. Perhaps he reall# su""ered too much during the trip we
made. e are hardier. 7e alwa#s li'ed here, in com"ort, and he tires easil# 5
replies ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 4es, we ;now. .ut that scri)e said? G0he chameleon is missing "rom the
group.H Does the chameleon not change colour an# time it wants toE 5 as;s
Peter.
2 4es, Simon. .ut the# were certainl# re"erring to his clothes, which are alwa#s
new. 7e is proud o" them. 7e is #oung and we must )ear with him... 5 remar;s
the :ealot to reconcile them.
2 0hat is true, too. .utF... hat a Iueer eDpressionF 5 concludes Peter.
2 0he# are eternall# threatening 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 0he trou)le is that we ;now we are threatened and #et possi)l# imagine
threats also where there are none... 5 points out ,udas 0haddeus.
2 And we see "aults where the# do not eDist 5 ends 0homas.
2 9" courseF Suspicion is unpleasant... I wonder how ,udas is toda#E In the
meantime he is enCo#ing that paradise and those angels... I would not mind
)eing ill m#sel", to enCo# those delightsF 5 sa#s Peter, to which .artholomew
adds? 2 =et us hope that he reco'ers soon. e must "inish our trip, "or the warm
weather is at our heels. 5
2 9hF 7e is well loo;ed a"ter, in an# case... the *aster will see to it, i" necessar#
5 assures Andrew.
2 7e had a 'er# high temperature when we le"t him. I don6t ;now how he got it,
so... 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee. *atthew replies to him? 2 Sure e'er#)od# gets itF
0rou)les Cust come. .ut it is nothing serious. 0he *aster is not worried a)out it.
I" 7e had en'isaged an#thing gra'e, 7e would not ha'e le"t ,ohanna6s castle. 5
2 ,esus in "act is not at all anDious. 7e is spea;ing to *arCiam and ,ohn, wal;ing
ahead o" the others and gi'ing alms. 7e is o)'iousl# showing and eDplaining
man# things to the )o# )ecause I see 7im pointing here and there. 7e is going
towards the end o" the 0emple walls, towards the north<east comer. 0here are
man# people ma;ing "or a place where there is a num)er o" porches in the
'icinit# o" a gate, which I hear )eing called 2 the Sheep Gate 5.
22,. T"# P)r)%5tc )t t"# P!!% !4 B#t"7)t"). 211
2 0his is the Pro)atica, the .eth(atha pond. 1ow loo; at the water care"ull#. See
how still it isE In a short while #ou will see that it stirs, swells, reaching up to
that damp mar;. 3an #ou see itE It is the angel o" the =ord who descends, the
water percei'es him and 'enerates him as )est it can. 7e )rings to the water the
order to cure the man who is read# to Cump into it. See the crowdE .ut the minds
o" man# wander easil# and thus the# do not see the "irst motion o" the waterL or
the stronger ones uncharita)l# push aside the wea;er ones. 9ne must ne'er
di'ert one6s attention in the presence o" the signs o" God. e must ensure that
our souls are alwa#s 'igilant, )ecause we ne'er ;now when God ma# show
7imsel" or send 7is Angel. And we must ne'er )e sel"ish, not e'en "or health
reasons. -er# o"ten these unhapp# people lose the )ene"it o" the Angel6s 'isit,
)ecause the# waste time Iuarrelling o'er whose turn it is or who is in greater
need 5 ,esus patientl# eDplains to *arCiam, who loo;s at 7im with attenti'e
ga(e, ;eeping an e#e at the same time on the water.
2 3an one see the AngelE I would li;e to. 5
2 =e'i, a shepherd, when he was a)out #our age, saw him. 4ou should loo;
care"ull# as well, and )e read# to praise him. 5
0he )o#6s mind is no longer di'erted. 7e loo;s alternati'el# at the water and
a)o'e it, he hears nothing else, and sees nothing else. ,esus in the meantime
loo;s at the small group o" in'alids, )lind people, cripples, paral#tics, who are
waiting. 0he apostles are also watching care"ull#. 0he sunshine causes pla# o"
light on the water and in'ades li;e a ;ing the "i'e porches encircling the pond.
2 0here, thereF 5 trills *arCiam. 2 0he water is rising, it is mo'ing, it shinesF
7ow )rightF 0he AngelF 5 and the )o# ;neels down.
In "act the water, in its motion in the pond, seems to )e raised )# a sudden huge
wa'e swelling up to the edge o" the pond, and it shines li;e a mirror in the sun.
A da((ling "lash "or a moment.
A lame man is read# to di'e into the water and he comes out, shortl# a"terwards,
with his leg, pre'iousl# contracted and marred )# a large scar, completel# cured.
0he others complain and Iuarrel with him, stating that a"ter all he was not
una)le to wor; whereas the# are. And the# continue arguing.
3 ,esus turns round and sees a paral#tic l#ing in his little )ed and weeping. 7e
approaches him, )ends o'er and caresses him as;ing? 2 h# are #ou weepingE 5
2 *aster, no)od# e'er thin;s o" me. I sta# here all the time, e'er#)od# is cured,
eDcept me. I ha'e )een l#ing on m# )ac; "or thirt#<eight #ears, I spent all I had,
m# relati'es are dead, I am now a )urden to a distant relation who carries me
here in the morning and ta;es me )ac; in the e'ening... .ut what a )urden I am
to himF 9hF I wish to dieF 5
2 Do not grie'e. 4ou ha'e had so much patience and "aith. God will hear #ou. 5
2 I hope so... )ut one has "its o" depression. 4ou are good. .ut the others...
0hose who are cured, in order to than; God, could remain here to assist their
poor )rothers... 5
2 0he# should do that, in "act... 7a'e no ill<"eeling. 0he# do not thin; o" it.
0he# are not male'olent. It is the Co# o" )eing cured that ma;es them sel"ish.
>orgi'e them... 5
2 4ou are ;ind. 4ou would not do that. hen the water mo'es, I tr# to drag
m#sel" o'er there with m# hands. .ut there is alwa#s someone who precedes
me, and I cannot sta# near the edge, )ecause the# would trample on me. And
e'en i" I sta#ed there, who would lower me into the waterE I" I had seen 4ou
)e"ore, I would ha'e as;ed 4ou... 5
2 Do #ou reall# want to )e curedE 0hen, stand upF 0a;e #our )ed and wal;F 5
,esus has stood up to gi'e the order, and while rising 7e seems to ha'e raised
also the paral#tic, who stands up on his "eet, ta;es one, two, three steps, almost
incredulousl#, )ehind ,esus ho is going awa#, and when he realises that he is
reall# wal;ing, he utters a cr# that ma;es e'er#)od# turn round.
2 .ut who are 4ouE In the name o" God, tell meF Are 4ou perhaps the Angel o"
the =ordE 5
2 I am more than an angel. *# name is Piet#. Go in peace. 5
People gather round them. 0he# want to see, to spea;, to )e cured. .ut the
guards o" the 0emple, who I thin; were also watching the pond, arri'e, and the#
disperse the nois# gathering, threatening punishment.
0he paral#tic pic;s up his litter? two )ars "itted with two pairs o" small wheels
and a piece o" torn cloth nailed on them, and he happil# goes awa# shouting to
,esus? 2 I will "ind 4ou. I will not "orget 4our name or 4our "ace. 5
4 ,esus, mingling with the crowd, goes awa# in the opposite direction, towards
22,. T"# P)r)%5tc )t t"# P!!% !4 B#t"7)t"). 212
the walls. .ut 7e has not #et gone through the last porch when 7e is caught up
)# an eDcited group o" ,ews, o" the worst castes, who seem to )e )lown )# a
"urious wind, and are all urged )# the same desire to insult ,esus. 0he# loo;,
the# search. 0he# scan people6s "aces. .ut the# are not success"ul in "inding out
who it reall# is, and ,esus goes awa#, while the#, disappointed as the# are,
"ollowing the in"ormation o" the guards, rush at the poor )ut happ# man who has
Cust )een cured and the# reproach him sa#ing?
2 h# are #ou ta;ing this )ed awa#E It is the Sa))ath. 4ou are not allowed. 5
0he man loo;s at them and sa#s? 2 I ;now nothing. I ;now that 7e ho cured
me said to me? G0a;e #our )ed and wal;.H 0hat6s all I ;now. 5
2 7e must certainl# )e a demon )ecause he ordered #ou to 'iolate the Sa))ath.
hat was he li;eE ho was heE A ,udaeanE A GalileanE A Prosel#teE 5
2 I don6t ;now. 7e was here. 7e saw me weeping and 7e approached me. 7e
spo;e to me and 7e cured me. 7e went awa# holding a )o# )# the hand. I thin;
it was 7is son, )ecause 7e is old enough to ha'e a son o" that age. 5
2 A )o#E ell it is not 7eF... hat did 7e sa# 7is name isE Did #ou not as;
7imE Don6t tell liesF 5
2 7e told me that 7is name is Piet#. 5
2 4ou are a "oolF 0hat6s not a nameF 5
0he man shrugs his shoulders and goes awa#.
0he others sa#? 2 It was certainl# 7e. 7ania and :accheus, the scri)es, saw 7im.
5
2 .ut 7e has no childrenF 5
2 And #et it is 7e. 7e was with 7is disciples. 5
2 ,udas was not there. 7e is the one we ;now well. 0he others... might )e
an#)od#. 5
2 1o. It was them. 5
And the# continue arguing while the porches )ecome crowded once again with
sic; people...
5 ,esus enters the 0emple again on another side, the western side, which "aces
the town. 0he apostles "ollow 7im. ,esus loo;s around and at last sees him
whom 7e is loo;ing "or? ,onathan, who, in turn, was loo;ing "or ,esus.
2 7e is )etter, *aster. 7is temperature is going down. 4our *other sa#s that
She hopes to come )# neDt Sa))ath. 5
2 0han; #ou, ,onathan. 4ou were punctual. 5
2 1ot 'er#, as *aDiminus o" =a(arus ;ept me. 7e is loo;ing "or 4ou. 7e has
gone to Solomon6s porch. 5
2 I will go and meet him. Peace )e with #ou, and ta;e *# peace to *# *other
and the women disciples, and also to ,udas. 5
And ,esus wal;s "ast towards Solomon6s porch, where in "act 7e "inds
*aDiminus.
2 =a(arus heard that 4ou are here. 7e wishes to see 4ou to tell 4ou something
important. ill 4ou comeE 5
2 9" course, I will. And soon. 4ou can tell him to wait "or *e during the wee;.
5
*aDiminus also goes awa# a"ter a "ew more words.
2 =et us go and pra# again, since we came )ac; so "ar 5 sa#s ,esus and 7e
directs 7is steps towards the hall o" the 7e)rews.
.ut when 7e is near it, 7e meets the cured paral#tic, who has gone to than; the
=ord. 0he happ# man sees ,esus among the crowd, greets 7im Co#"ull# and tells
7im what happened at the pond a"ter 7e le"t. And he concludes? 2 0hen a man,
who was surprised to see me here and completel# cured, told me who 4ou are.
4ou are the *essiah. Are 4ou notE 5
2 I am. .ut also i" #ou had )een cured )# the water or )# an# other power, #ou
would still ha'e the same dut# towards God. 0hat is, to ma;e use o" #our health
"or good wor;. 4ou are cured. Go, there"ore, and resume #our acti'it# in li"e
with good intentions. And do not sin an# more, so that God ma# not ha'e to
punish #ou more se'erel#. Good)#e. Go in peace. 5
2 I am old... I ;now nothing... .ut I would li;e to "ollow 4ou and ser'e 4ou.
Do 4ou want meE 5
22,. T"# P)r)%5tc )t t"# P!!% !4 B#t"7)t"). 213
2 I reCect no one. 0hin; a)out it )e"ore coming. And i" #ou ma;e up #our mind,
come. 5
2 hereE I do not ;now where 4ou are going... 5
2 I mo'e a)out the world. 4ou will "ind *# disciples e'er#where and the# will
send #ou to *e. *a# the =ord enlighten #ou "or the )est... 5
,esus now goes to 7is place and pra#s...
6 I do not ;now whether the cured man has gone spontaneousl# to the ,udaeans
or the latter, )eing on the loo; out, ha'e stopped him to "ind out whether the
man, who was spea;ing to him, was the one who had cured him. I ;now that the
man spea;s to the ,udaeans and then goes awa#, while the# come towards the
steps that ,esus must come down, to go through the other #ards and go out o" the
0emple. hen ,esus arri'es the# sa# to 7im a)ruptl#, without greeting 7im? 2
So 4ou continue to 'iolate the Sa))ath, notwithstanding 4ou ha'e )een
reprimanded so man# timesE And 4ou eDpect to )e respected as a messenger o"
GodE 5
2 *essenger *uch more? as Son. .ecause God is *# >ather. I" #ou do not wish
to respect *e, #ou ma# re"rain "rom doing so. .ut I will not cease
accomplishing *# mission )ecause o" that. God does not cease operating "or
one moment. &'en now *# >ather is operating, and I operate as well, )ecause a
good son does what his "ather does, and )ecause I ha'e come into the world to
operate. 5
People ha'e approached them to listen to the de)ate. Among them, there are
some who ;now ,esus, some who ha'e )een helped )# 7im, some who see 7im
"or the "irst time. Some lo'e 7im, some hate 7im, man# are uncertain. 0he
apostles "orm a group with the *aster. *arCiam is almost "rightened and loo;s
as i" he is going to weep.
0he ,udaeans, a miDture o" scri)es, Pharisees and Sadducees, shout at the top o"
their 'oices that the# are scandalised? 2 7ow dare 4ouF 9hF 7e sa#s 7e is the
Son o" GodF hat sacrilegeF God is 7e ho is, and has no childrenF 3all
GamalielF Send "or SadocF Gather the ra))is that the# ma# hear and con"ute
7im. 5
2 Do not )ecome eDcited. 3all them, and the# will tell #ou, i" it is true the#
;now, that God is 9ne and 0rine? >ather, Son and 7ol# Spirit and that the
ord, that is the Son o" 0hought, has come, as prophesied, to sa'e Israel and
the world "rom Sin. I am the ord. I am the "oretold *essiah. 0here is no
sacrilege, there"ore, i" I sa# that the >ather is *# >ather. 4ou are upset )ecause
I wor; miracles and through them I attract crowds and con'ince them. 4ou
accuse *e o" )eing a demon, )ecause I wor; prodigies. .ut .eel(e)u) has )een
in the world "or man# centuries, and he trul# does not lac; de'out worshippers...
h#, then, does he not do what I doE 5
0he people whisper? 2 It is trueF -er# trueF 1o)od# does what 7e does. 5
,esus continues? 2 I will tell #ou? it is )ecause I ;now what he does not ;now
and I can do what he cannot. I" I accomplish deeds o" God, it is )ecause I am
7is Son. 9ne can do )# onesel" onl# what one has seen )eing done )# others. I,
the Son, can onl# do what I ha'e seen done )# the >ather, as I ha'e )een 9ne
with 7im "ore'er, and I am li;e 7im in nature and power. &'er#thing the >ather
does, I do as well, as I am 7is Son. 1either .eel(e)u) nor an#)od# else can do
what I do, )ecause .eel(e)u) and the others do not ;now what I ;now. 0he
>ather lo'es *e, 7is Son, and 7e lo'es *e immensel# as I lo'e 7im. 7e has
there"ore shown *e and still shows *e e'er#thing 7e does, so that I ma# do
what 7e does, I on the earth, in this time o" Grace, 7e in 7ea'en, e'en )e"ore
0ime eDisted on the earth. And 7e will show *e greater and greater deeds so
that I ma# accomplish them and #ou ma# )e ama(ed. 7is 0hought is
ineDhausti)le in depth. I imitate 7im as I am ineDhausti)le in accomplishing
what the >ather thin;s and, )# thin;ing, wants. 4ou do not #et ;now what =o'e
creates ineDhausti)l#. e are =o'e. And there is not limit "or Js, and there is
nothing that cannot )e applied to the three grades o" man? the in"erior, the
superior, the spiritual grades. In "act as the >ather raises the dead and gi'es them
li"e, I, the Son, can li;ewise gi'e li"e to whomsoe'er I wish, na#, )ecause o" the
in"inite lo'e the >ather has "or 7is Son, I can not onl# gi'e li"e to the in"erior
part )ut also to the superior one, )# "reeing the minds and hearts o" men "rom
mental errors and e'il passions, and I can gi'e li"e to the spiritual part )# gi'ing
)ac; to the spirit its "reedom "rom sin, )ecause the >ather does not Cudge
an#)od#, ha'ing le"t all Cudgement to the Son, as the Son is 7e ho, through
7is own sacri"ice, acIuired *an;ind to redeem it? and the >ather does that
according to Custice, )ecause it is Cust that 7e, ho has purchased with 7is own
mone#, should )e gi'en what 7e purchased, so that e'er#)od# ma# honour the
Son as the# alread# honour the >ather. 4ou must ;now that i" #ou separate the
>ather "rom the Son, or the Son "rom the >ather, and #ou do not remem)er the
=o'e, #ou do not lo'e God as 7e is to )e lo'ed, that is, in truth and wisdom, and
22,. T"# P)r)%5tc )t t"# P!!% !4 B#t"7)t"). 214
#ou commit a sin o" heres#, )ecause #ou worship 9ne onl#, whilst 0he# are
three in an admira)le 0rinit#. 0hus, he who does not honour the Son, does not
honour the >ather either, )ecause the >ather, God, does not want onl# 9ne o" the
0hree Di'ine Persons to )e worshipped, )ut 7e wants 0hem all, as a hole, to
)e worshipped. 7e who does not honour the Son, does not honour the >ather
either, ho sent 7im out o" a per"ect thought o" lo'e. 7e there"ore denies that
God can accomplish Cust deeds. I solemnl# tell #ou that he who listens to *#
word and )elie'es in 7im ho sent *e, will ha'e eternal li"e and will not )e
condemned, )ut will pass "rom death to li"e, )ecause to )elie'e in God and to
accept *# word means to in"use into onesel" the =i"e that does not die. 0he hour
is a)out to come, na# it has alread# come "or man#, when the dead will hear the
'oice o" the Son o" God, and whoe'er hears its 'i'i"#ing sound in the depth o"
his heart, shall li'e. 7 Scri)e, what are #ou sa#ingE 5
2 I am sa#ing that the dead can no longer hear an#thing, and that 4ou are mad. 5
2 7ea'en will persuade #ou that it is not so, and that #our ;nowledge is nothing
as compared to God6s. 4ou ha'e humanised supernatural things to such an
eDtent, that #ou gi'e words onl# an immediate and earthl# meaning. 4ou ha'e
taught the 7aggadah according to "iDed "ormulae, #our "ormulae, without an#
e""ort to understand the allegories in their true meaning, and now, since #our
souls are tired o" )eing urged )# a human mentalit#, which crushes #our spirits,
#ou do not e'en )elie'e what #ou teach. And that is the reason wh# #ou can no
longer "ight against occult powers. 0he death o" which I am spea;ing is not the
death o" the "lesh, )ut o" the soul. People will come who will listen to *# word
with their ears, will accept it in their hearts, and will practise it. &'en i" their
spirits are dead, the# will recei'e li"e again, )ecause *# ord is =i"e that will
)e in"used into them. And I can gi'e it to whomsoe'er I wish, )ecause in *e
there is per"ect =i"e. As the >ather has in 7imsel" per"ect =i"e, so also the Son
had "rom the >ather, in 7imsel", per"ect, complete, eternal, ineDhausti)le,
trans"usa)le =i"e. And with =i"e, the >ather ga'e *e power to Cudge, )ecause
the Son o" the >ather is the Son o" *an, and 7e can and must Cudge man. And
do not )e ama(ed at this "irst resurrection, the spiritual one, which I wor; )# *#
ord. 4ou will see stronger ones, which will appear stronger to #our dull
senses, )ecause I solemnl# tell #ou that there is nothing greater than the in'isi)le
)ut real resurrection o" a spirit. 0he hour will soon come when the 'oice o" the
Son o" God will penetrate tom)s and those who are in them will hear it. And
those who did good actions will come out o" them to go to the resurrection o"
eternal =i"e, and those who did e'il deeds will to go the resurrection o" eternal
damnation. I do not sa# that I will do that )# *#sel", )# *# own will, )ut )# the
will o" the >ather Coined to *ine. I spea; and Cudge according to what I hear and
*# Cudgement is correct, )ecause I do not see; *# own will, )ut the will o"
7im ho sent *e. I am not separated "rom the >ather. I am in 7im and 7e is in
*e and I ;now 7is 0hought and I eDpress it in word and action.
8 hat I testi"# on *# own )ehal" cannot )e accepted )# #our incredulous
spirits, which re"use to see in *e an#thing )ut a man li;e #oursel'es. .ut there
is another one who testi"ies on *# )ehal", whom #ou sa# #ou 'enerate as a great
prophet. I ;now that his testimon# is true. .ut although #ou sa# that #ou
'enerate him, #ou will not accept his testimon#, )ecause it di""ers "rom #our
thought, which is hostile to *e. 4ou do not accept the testimon# o" the Cust
man, o" the last Prophet in Israel, )ecause, with regard to what #ou do not li;e,
#ou sa# that he is onl# a man and can )e mista;en. 4ou sent messengers to
interrogate ,ohn, hoping he would sa# o" *e what #ou wanted, what #ou thin;
o" *e, what #ou want to thin; o" *e. .ut ,ohn ga'e his testimon# to the truth
and #ou could not accept it. .ecause the Prophet sa#s that ,esus o" 1a(areth is
the Son o" God, #ou are sa#ing in the secret o" #our hearts, as #ou are a"raid o"
the crowds, that the Prophet is insane, as 3hrist is. I, howe'er, do not depend on
the testimon# o" man, not e'en o" the most hol# one in Israel. I tell #ou? ,ohn
was a lamp alight and shining, )ut onl# "or a short time #ou wanted to enCo# the
light that he ga'e. hen his light was cast on *e, to ma;e the 3hrist ;nown "or
what 7e is, #ou allowed the lamp to )e hidden under a )ushel, and )e"ore that,
#ou had )uilt up a wall )etween the lamp and #oursel'es, in order not to see the
3hrist o" the =ord in its light. I am grate"ul to ,ohn "or his testimon#, and the
>ather is grate"ul as well. And ,ohn will recei'e a great reward "or his testimo<
n#, shining in 7ea'en also )ecause o" it, the "irst to shine li;e a sun, o" all men
up there, and he will shine li;e all those, who ha'e )een "aith"ul to the 0ruth and
hungr# "or God, will shine. .ut I ha'e a greater testimon# than ,ohn6s. 0he
testimon# o" *# wor;s. .ecause the wor;s the >ather has gi'en *e to carr#
out, those wor;s I accomplish and the# testi"# that the >ather has sent *e gi'ing
*e all power. And thus, the >ather ho sent *e, )ears witness to *e 7imsel".
9 4ou ha'e ne'er heard 7is -oice or seen 7is >ace. .ut I ha'e seen it and I see
it, I ha'e heard it and I hear it. 7is ord "inds no home in #ou, )ecause #ou do
not )elie'e in the 9ne 7e sent. 4ou stud# the Scriptures, )elie'ing that in their
;nowledge #ou ha'e eternal =i"e. And do #ou not realise that the 'er# Scriptures
testi"# to *eE h# then do #ou continue to re"use to come to *e "or li"eE I will
tell #ou? it is )ecause #ou re"use what is opposed to #our in'eterate ideas. 4ou
22,. T"# P)r)%5tc )t t"# P!!% !4 B#t"7)t"). 21,
lac; humilit#. 4ou are incapa)le o" sa#ing? GI made a mista;e. 7e, or this )oo;
is right, and I am wrong.H 0hat is what #ou ha'e done with ,ohn, with the
Scriptures, and that is what #ou are doing with the ord ho is spea;ing to
#ou. 4ou cannot see or understand, )ecause #ou are en'eloped with pride and
dea"ened )# #our own 'oices.
10 Do #ou thin; that I am spea;ing to #ou )ecause I want to )e glori"ied )#
#ouE 1o, #ou must )ear in mind that I neither see; nor accept glor# "rom men.
hat I see; and want is #our eternal sal'ation. 0hat is the glor# I see;. *#
glor# as Sa'iour cannot eDist unless I ha'e souls that ha'e )een sa'ed, and the
greater their num)er, the greater *# glor#, which is to )e gi'en to *e )# the
souls sa'ed and )# the >ather, the *ost Pure Spirit. .ut #ou will not )e sa'ed. I
;now #ou "or what #ou are. 4ou ha'e no lo'e "or God. 4ou are without lo'e.
And that is the reason wh# #ou do not come to the =o'e spea;ing to #ou, and
thus #ou will not enter the Bingdom o" =o'e. 4ou are not ;nown there. 0he
>ather does not ;now #ou, )ecause #ou do not ;now *e, ho am in the >ather.
4ou do not want to ;now *e. I ha'e come in the name o" *# >ather and #ou
re"use to accept *e, whereas #ou are willing to accept an#one who comes in his
own name, pro'iding he sa#s what is agreea)le to #ou. 4ou sa# that #ou are
"aith"ul souls. 1o, #ou are not. 7ow can #ou )elie'e, when #ou )eg glor# o" one
another, and #ou do not see; the glor# o" 7ea'en, which proceeds onl# "rom
GodE 0he glor# o" 7ea'en is 0ruth and not a matter o" worldl# interests which
end here on the earth and attract onl# the 'icious humanit# o" Adam6s degraded
children. I will not accuse #ou )e"ore the >ather. 4ou can )e sure o" that. 0here
is alread# one who will accuse #ou? *oses in whom #ou hope. 7e will reproach
#ou "or not )elie'ing in him )ecause #ou do not )elie'e in *e, as he wrote
a)out *e, )ut #ou do not ac;nowledge *e )# what he wrote. 4ou do not
)elie'e in the words o" *oses, the great Prophet in whose name #ou swear.
0hus, how can #ou )elie'e in *# words, in the words o" the Son o" *an, in
whom #ou ha'e no "aithE >rom a human point o" 'iew that is logical. .ut here
we are in a spiritual sphere and #our souls are at sta;e. God scrutinises them in
the light o" *# wor;s and 7e compares #our actions with what I ha'e come to
teach #ou. And God Cudges #ou.
I am going awa#. 4ou will not see *e "or a long time. .ut do not consider that
as a triumph o" #ours. 9n the contrar# it is a punishment. =et us go. 5
,esus pushes 7is wa# through the crowd. Some o" the people remain silent,
some eDpress their appro'al, )ut onl# in a whisper "or "ear o" the Pharisees, and
the# go awa#.
,,4. 7'r1 H's S!nt 0or 7'rt' 't 7'&('#'.
,,n( 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus in the compan# o" the :ealot arri'es at =a(arus6 garden on a )eauti"ul
summer morning. It is still dawn and thus e'er#thing is cool and smiling.
0he gardener, who has come to recei'e the *aster, points out to 7im the hem o"
a white tunic disappearing )ehind a hedge and sa#s? 2 =a(arus is going to the
Casmin pergolas and has ta;en some rolls to read. I will call him. 5
2 1o, I will go, )# *#sel". 5
,esus wal;s "ast along a path )ordered with hedges in )loom. 0he grass close to
the hedges deadens the noise o" 7is steps and ,esus endea'ours to wal; on it, to
reach =a(arus uneDpectedl#.
7e in "act comes upon him, while standing, a"ter la#ing the rolls on a mar)le
ta)le, he is pra#ing in a loud 'oice? 2 Do not disappoint me, m# =ord.
3orro)orate the ra# o" hope which has )egun to shine in m# heart. Grant me
what I ha'e as;ed 4ou "or thousands o" times with m# tears, what I ha'e as;ed
"or )# m# actions, )# "orgi'ing, )# m# whole sel". Gi'e me it in eDchange "or
m# li"e. Grant me it in the name o" 4our ,esus, ho has promised me that
peace. 3an 7e possi)l# tell liesE *ust I thin; that 7is promise was nothing )ut
'ain wordsE 0hat 7is power is in"erior to the sin"ul a)#ss which m# sister isE
0ell me, m# =ord, that I ma# resign m#sel" "or 4our sa;e...5
2 4es, I tell #ouF 5 sa#s ,esus.
=a(arus springs round and cries? 2 9hF m# =ord. hen did 4ou arri'eE 5 and he
)ends to ;iss ,esus6 tunic.
2 9nl# a "ew minutes ago. 5
2 All aloneE 5
2 ith Simon :ealot. .ut I came here alone. I ;now that 4ou ha'e a great thing
22-. 9)r5 H)s S#nt 4!r 9)rt") )t 9)(*)%). 21-
to tell *e. So tell *e. 5
2 1o. Answer "irst the Iuestions which I as; God. According to 4our answer, I
will tell 4ou. 5
2 0ell *e, do tell *e, #our great thing. 4ou can tell *e...5 and ,esus smiles
stretching out 7is arms in'itingl#.
2 *ost 7igh GodF It is trueE So 4ou ;now that it is trueEF 5 and =a(arus goes
towards ,esus6 arms to con"ide his great thing.
2 2 *ar# as;ed *artha to go to *agdala. And *artha le"t "ull o" anDiet# as she
"eared some mis"ortune... And I was le"t here, with the same "ear. .ut )# the
ser'ant who accompanied her there, *artha has sent me a letter, which has "illed
me with hope. =oo;, I ha'e it here, on m# heart. I ;eep it here, )ecause it is
more 'alua)le to me than a treasure. It is 'er# short, onl# a "ew words, )ut I read
them now and again, to ma;e sure that the# ha'e reall# )een written. =oo;...5
and =a(arus ta;es "rom under his tunic a small roll tied with a 'iolet ri))on and
un"olds it. 2 SeeE 8ead it, read it. In a loud 'oice. I" 4ou read it, it will sound
more certain to me. 5
2 G=a(arus, m# )rother. Peace and )lessing to #ou. I arri'ed in a short time sa"e
and sound. And m# heart has no longer thro))ed with "ear o" "resh mis"ortunes,
)ecause I saw that *ar#, our *ar#, is all right and... shall I tell #ouE She loo;s
less distur)ed than pre'iousl#. She wept on m# heart. She wept )itterl#... And
then, during the night, in the room where she had ta;en me, she as;ed me man#
things a)out the *aster. 0hat is all "or the time )eing. .ut since I see *ar#6s
"ace and I hear her words, I can sa# that hope has )een raised in m# heart. Pra#,
m# dear )rother, and hope. 9hF I" it were trueF I am remaining here a little
longer )ecause I "eel that she wants me to )e close to her, as i" she wished to )e
de"ended "rom temptations. And that she wants to learn... hatE hat we
alread# ;now. ,esus6 in"inite )ount#. I told her a)out that woman who came to
.ethan#... I see that she is pensi'e, 'er# pensi'e indeed... ,esus ought to )e here.
Pra# and hope. 0he =ord )e with #ou.H 5 ,esus "olds the roll and hands it )ac;.
2 *aster...5
2 I will go. Is it possi)le "or #ou to tell *artha to come and meet *e at
3apernaum in a "ortnight6s time, at mostE 5
2 4es, I can do that. And what a)out meE 5
2 4ou will sta# here. I will send *artha here as well. 5
2 h#E 5
2 .ecause redemptions are deepl# modest. And nothing causes more shame than
the e#e o" a parent or o" a )rother. I also sa# to #ou? GPra#, pra#, pra#.H 5
3 =a(arus weeps on ,esus6 chest... 0hen, when he reco'ers, he tells o" his
anDiet#, o" his depression... 2 >or almost a #ear I ha'e )een hoping... and
despairing... 7ow long is the time ta;en )# resurrectionF...5 he eDclaims.
,esus lets him spea;... until =a(arus realises he is "ailing in his dut# o" a host
and he stands up to ta;e ,esus into the house. 0o do so the# pass near a thic;
Casmin hedge in "ull )loom, on the star<shaped corollas o" which, golden )ees
are humming.
2 AhF I was "orgetting to tell 4ou... 0he old patriarch 4ou sent me, has gone
)ac; to A)raham6s )osom. *aDiminus "ound him here, with his head leaning
against this hedge, as i" he had "allen asleep near the )eehi'es which he tended
as i" the# were houses "ull o" golden children. 0hat is what he used to call the
)ees. 7e seemed to understand them and to )e understood )# them. And on the
patriarch sleeping in the peace o" a clear conscience, when *aDiminus "ound
him, there was a precious 'eil o" little golden )odies. 0he )ees were l#ing on
their "riend. 7e was so good that he pro)a)l# tasted o" hone#... And he was so
honest that he was pro)a)l# li;e an uncontaminated corolla "or the )ees... It
grie'ed me. I would ha'e li;ed to ha'e him longer in m# house. 7e was a Cust
man...5
2 Do not mourn his death. 7e is in peace, and "rom his peace he pra#s "or #ou,
who made his last da#s happ#. here is he )uriedE 5
2 At the end o" the orchard. Still close to his )eehi'es. 3ome and I will show
4ou...5
And the# go through a laurel gro'e towards the acti'el# )u((ing )eehi'es.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
,-r( 9u#1. 't 8 o>c#oc@.
4 It is a 'er# pale ,udas who comes o"" the wagon with 9ur =ad# and the
women disciples, that is, the *aries, ,ohanna and &li(a.
22-. 9)r5 H)s S#nt 4!r 9)rt") )t 9)(*)%). 21.
... and than;s to the con"usion I had in the house this morning I was not a)le to
write while I was seeing, there"ore, as it is now 6 o6cloc; p.m., I can onl# sa#
that I understood and heard that ,udas, now con'alescent, is going )ac; to ,esus,
ho is at Gethsemane with *ar#, ho cured him and with ,ohanna, who
insists that the women and the con'alescent should go )ac; to Galilee in the
wagon. And ,esus agrees and ma;es the )o# get on it with them. ,ohanna
instead is remaining "or a "ew da#s in ,erusalem with &li(a, then &li(a will go to
.eth(ur and ,ohanna to .ether. I remem)er that &li(a said? 2 I ha'e now the
courage to go )ac; there, )ecause m# li"e is no longer aimless. I will get m#
"riends to lo'e 4ou. 5 And I remem)er that ,ohanna added? 2 And I will do that
in m# estate, while 3hu(a lea'es me here. It will )e ser'ing 4ou, although I
would pre"er to "ollow 4ou. 5 I also remem)er that ,udas said he ne'er "elt the
desire "or his mother, not e'en in the worst hours o" his disease, )ecause 2 4our
*other was a real mother to me, She was ;ind and lo'ing and I will ne'er "orget
it 5 he said. 0he rest o" the words is con"used, so I will not repeat them, )ecause
the# would )e m# words and not those spo;en )# the people o" the 'ision.
,,6. 7'rFi') Is Entrust!( to Por"ir!'.
,4t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is on the la;e o" Galilee with 7is disciples. All the disciples are with
7im, including ,udas, who has Iuite reco'ered and whose countenanace has
)ecome more gentle a"ter his illness and the attention he has recei'ed. 0here is
also *arCiam, who is rather "rightened as it is his "irst time out on the la;e. 7e
does not want to let it )e seen, )ut e'er# time the )oat pitches more 'igorousl#,
he clings with one arm to the nec; o" the sheep, which shares his "ear )leating
piti"ull#, and with the other arm he grasps whate'er he can, the mast, a )ench,
an oar, Peter6s leg, or Andrew6s, or the legs o" the ser'ants who mo'e )ac;wards
and "orwards manoeu'ring the )oat, and he closes his e#es, "earing perhaps that
his last hour has come.
Pinching the )o#6s chee;, Peter now and again sa#s to him? 2 4ou are not a"raid,
ehE A disciple must ne'er )e a"raid...5 0he )o# sha;es his head in denial, )ut as
)oth the wind and the la;e are rising while the# approach the mouth o" the ri'er,
where the ,ordan "lows into the la;e, he closes his e#es tighter and more
"reIuentl# and at last M when the )oat heels o'er, when struc; on one side )# a
wa'e M he gi'es a scream o" terror.
Some o" the apostles laugh and some tease Peter remar;ing that he has )ecome
the "ather o" a )ad sailor, and some ma;e "un o" *arCiam who alwa#s sa#s that
he wants to go )# sea and )# land preaching ,esus, and then is a"raid o" sailing a
"ew ca)les6 lengths on the la;e. .ut *arCiam de"ends himsel" sa#ing? 2 &'er#
man is a"raid o" what he does not ;now. I o" water, ,udas o" death...5
2 I thus realise that ,udas must ha'e )een a"raid o" d#ing and I am surprised that
he does not react to the )o#6s remar;. 9n the contrar# he sa#s? 2 4ou are right.
&'er#one is a"raid o" what one does not ;now. .ut we are a)out to arri'e at
.ethsaida, which is onl# a short distance awa#. And #ou are sure that #ou will
"ind lo'e there. I also would li;e to )e at a short distance "rom the 7ouse o" the
>ather and )e sure o" "inding lo'e thereF 5 7e sa#s so with a tired sad
eDpression.
2 Are #ou not trusting GodE 5 as;s Andrew who is o)'iousl# ama(ed.
2 1o, I mistrust m#sel". During the da#s o" m# illness, when I was surrounded
)# so man# pure good women, I "elt so )ac;ward spirituall#F 7ow much I
meditatedF I would sa# to m#sel"? GI" the# still wor; to impro'e themsel'es and
earn 7ea'en, what must I doEH .ecause the# "eel that the# are still sinners,
whereas I thought that the# were alread# saints. And what a)out meE... ill I
e'er succeed, *asterE 5
2 ith good will, one can do e'er#thing. 5
2 .ut m# will is 'er# unrelia)le. 5
2 0he help o" God will ma;e up "or what is missing. 4our present humilit# is a
result o" #our illness. 4ou can thus see that God, through a pain"ul incident, has
pro'ided "or #ou something that #ou did not ha'e. 5
2 0hat is true, *aster. .ut those womenF hat per"ect disciples the# areF I am
not spea;ing o" 4our *other. e all ;now a)out 7er. I mean the others. 9hF
0he# ha'e reall# surpassed usF I was one o" their "irst tests "or their "uture
ministr#. .ut, )elie'e me, *aster, 4ou ma# rel# entirel# on them. &li(a and I
were loo;ed a"ter )# them, and she has gone )ac; to .eth(ur with a completel#
changed soul and mentalit# and I... I hope to change, too, now that the# ha'e
22.. 9)rF)+ Is Entrust#* t! P!r$"r#). 211
wor;ed on me...5 ,udas, who is still ph#sicall# not too strong, )egins to weep.
,esus, ho is sitting )eside him, la#s 7is hand on his head, nodding to the
others to )e silent. Peter and Andrew are )us# in the last landing manoeu'res
and are silent? the :ealot, *atthew, Philip and *arCiam are certainl# not anDious
to spea;, either )ecause the# are anDiousl# waiting to land, or )ecause the# are
wise enough not to ma;e an# remar;.
3 0he )oat sails up the ,ordan and shortl# a"terwards grounds on the gra'el )ed.
hile the ser'ants land to "asten the )oat, anchoring it to a large stone )# means
o" a rope, and to place a )oard as a landing<whar" and Peter and Andrew put on
their long garments, the other )oat ma;es the same manoeu're and the other
apostles land. Also ,esus and ,udas step ashore while Peter puts a little tunic on
the )o# and tidies him up in order to present him in a decent state to his wi"e.
0he# ha'e all now disem)ar;ed, including the sheep.
2 And now let us go 5 sa#s Peter. 7e is reall# eDcited. 7e ta;es the )o# )# the
hand. Also *arCiam is deepl# mo'ed, and in "act he "orgets the sheep and ,ohn
ta;es care o" them. In a sudden "it o" "ear *arCiam as;s? 2 .ut will she )e
wanting meE And will she reall# lo'e meE 5
Peter reassures him, )ut perhaps he is a""ected )# the same "ear and he sa#s to
,esus? 2 *aster, will 4ou tell PorphireaE I don6t thin; I could eDplain the
situation to her properl#. 5
,esus smiles and promises that 7e will see to it.
4 0he# soon arri'e at the house "ollowing the ri'er )an;. 0hrough the open door
the# can hear Porphirea doing her housewor;.
2 Peace )e with #ouF 5 sa#s ,esus loo;ing in at the ;itchen door where the
woman is tid#ing up her ;itchenware.
2 *asterF SimonF 5 0he woman runs and prostrates hersel" at the "eet o" ,esus
and then at those o" Peter. She then stands up, and while her "ace, which, i" not
)eauti"ul, is certainl# most amia)le, )lushes, she sa#s? 2 I ha'e )een longing so
much to see #ouF Are #ou all wellE 3ome inF 4ou must )e tired...5
2 1o. e are coming "rom 1a(areth, where we sta#ed "or a "ew da#s and we
stopped also at 3ana. 0he )oats were at 0i)erias. 4ou can see that we are not
tired. e had a )o# with us and ,udas o" Simon was rather wea; a"ter )eing ill.
5
2 A )o#E Such a #oung discipleE 5
2 An orphan we pic;ed up on our wa#. 5
2 9hF dearF 3ome here, m# darling, let me ;iss #ouF 5
0he )o#, who was timidl# hal" hidden )ehind ,esus, allows the woman, who has
;nelt down to )e his height, to em)race and ;iss him, and he shows no
reluctance.
2 Are 4ou going to ta;e him with 4ou all the time, while he is so #oungE 7e
will )ecome tired...5 0he woman is so piti"ul. She clasps he )o# in her arms and
holds her chee; against his.
2 Actuall# I was thin;ing o" something else. I was planning to entrust him to
one o" the women disciples, when we go awa# "rom Galilee, "rom the la;e
area...5
2 And not to me, m# =ordE I ne'er had an# children o" m# own. .ut I ha'e had
man# nephews and I ;now how to deal with children. I am the disciple who is
not good at spea;ing, who is not so health# as to )e a)le to "ollow 4ou, as the
other women disciples do... ohF 4ou ;nowF I ma# also )e cowardl#, i" 4ou
thin; so. .ut 4ou ;now how I am tied up. Did I sa# Gtied upHE I am tied with
two ropes each pulling me in opposite directions and I ha'e not the courage to
cut o"" either one or the other... =et me )e o" some little ser'ice to 4ou, )# )eing
the mother disciple o" this )o#. I will teach him what the others teach man#
other people... 0o lo'e 4ou...5
,esus la#s 7is hand on her head and smiling sa#s? 2 0he )o# was )rought here
)ecause I ;new he would "ind a mother and a "ather here. 7ereF =et us ma;e up
the "amil#. 5 And ,esus puts *arCiam6s hands into those o" Peter, whose e#es are
shining with tears, and those o" Porphirea. 2 And )ring this innocent )o# up in a
hol# manner. 5
Peter, o" course, alread# ;new, and he onl# wipes o"" a tear with the )ac; o" his
hand. .ut his wi"e, who was not eDpecting so much, is le"t in mute ama(ement
"or a "ew moments. She then ;neels down again sa#ing? 2 9hF *# =ord. 4ou
too; awa# m# hus)and and le"t me almost a widow. 1ow 4ou are gi'ing me a
son. 4ou are gi'ing )ac; all the roses to m# li"e, not onl# the ones 4ou too;,
)ut also the ones I ne'er had. *a# 4ou )e )lessedF 0his )o# will )e dearer to
me than i" he had )een the "ruit o" m# own wom). .ecause he comes to me
22.. 9)rF)+ Is Entrust#* t! P!r$"r#). 212
"rom 4ou. 5 And she ;isses ,esus6 tunic and the )o# and ta;es him on her lap...
She is happ#...
2 =et us lea'e her to her lo'e e""usions 5 sa#s ,esus. 4ou ma# remain as well,
Simon. e are going to town to preach. e shall come )ac; late this e'ening
and as; #ou "or "ood and a place to rest. 5
And ,esus goes out with 7is disciples lea'ing the three in peace...
,ohn sa#s? 2 *# =ord, Simon is happ# toda#F 5
2 Do #ou want a child as wellE 5
2 1o. I would li;e a pair o" wings to "l# up to the gates o" 7ea'en and learn the
language o" the =ight, to repeat it to men 5 and he smiles.
0he# settle the sheep at the end o" the orchard, near the large room where the
nets are stored, the# gi'e them some lea'es, grass and water o" the well, and
then go towards the town centre.
,,8. 9!sus S"!'@s 't B!ts'i('.
,+t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is spea;ing in Philip6s house. *an# people ha'e gathered )e"ore it and
,esus is standing on the threshold, which is )uilt on two high steps.
0he news o" Peter6s adopted son, who has come with the miniature "ortune o"
three little sheep, see;ing the great wealth o" a "amil#, has spread li;e a drop o"
oil on a piece o" cloth. 0he# all spea; a)out it, whispering comments, which
correspond to their di""erent wa#s o" thin;ing.
0hose who are sincere "riends o" Simon and Porphirea, are glad to see them
happ#. 0hose who are male'olent sa#? 2 0o ma;e her accept him, he had to gi'e
the )o# a dowr#. 5 Good people sa#? 2 e shall all lo'e this little )o#, whom
,esus lo'es. 5 Ill<disposed people state? 2 Simon6s generosit#E 1e'er on #our
li"eF 7e must ha'e made a pro"it, otherwiseF...5
9ther greed# people comment? 2 I would ha'e done that, too, i" I had )een gi'en
a )o# with some sheep. 0hree sheep, do #ou realise thatE A little "loc;. And the#
are )eauti"ulF Supplies o" mil; and wool are guaranteed, and then the# will ha'e
lam)s to sell or to ;eepF It6s a wealthF And the )o# can ser'e and wor;...5
9thers contradict them all? 2 9hF hat a shameF &Dpect pa#ment "or a good
deedE Simon certainl# ne'er thought o" that. As a "isherman with a modest
income, we ha'e alwa#s ;nown him to )e generous to the poor and particularl#
to children. It is onl# "air, now that he no longer earns an#thing )# "ishing and
that his "amil# is growing, that he should ma;e a little pro"it in some other wa#.
5
hile the# are all ma;ing their comments, putting into words the good or the
e'il hidden in their hearts, ,esus is listening and spea;ing to a man o"
3apernaum, who has come to see 7im and tell 7im to go as soon as possi)le,
)ecause the daughter o" the head o" the s#nagogue is d#ing and also )ecause a
lad# has )een going there "or some da#s, in the compan# o" a handmaid, loo;ing
"or 7im. ,esus promises to go the "ollowing morning. 7is decision grie'es the
people o" .ethsaida, who would li;e to ha'e 7im in their town "or a "ew more
da#s.
2 2 0here are other people who need *e more than #ou do. So let *e go. In an#
case, I shall )e in Galilee during the summer months and I will )e in 3apernaum
'er# o"ten. So it will )e eas# "or us to meet. A "ather and mother are in anguish
and it is charit# to help them. 4ou appro'e o" Simon6s ;indness towards the
orphan. At least the good ones among #ou do. .ut onl# the opinions o" good
people are o" 'alue. 4ou should not listen to the opinions o" those who are not
good, )ecause the# are alwa#s tinged with poison and "alsehood. So, since #ou
are good, #ou must appro'e o" *# goodness in going to com"ort a "ather and a
mother. And do not allow #our appro'al to )e "ruitless, )ut let it urge #ou to
acti'e imitation.
0he pages o" the Scriptures tell us how much good can come "rom a good
action. =et us remem)er 0o)it. 7e deser'ed that an angel should protect his son
0o)ias and should teach him how to gi'e sight )ac; to his "ather. .ut how man#
charita)le deeds Cust 0o)it had per"ormed without an# thought o" personal
pro"it, notwithstanding the reproaches o" his wi"e and the dangers to his li"eF
And remem)er the words o" the archangel? GPra#er and "asting were good things
and almsgi'ing is worth more than mountains o" gold treasures, )ecause
almsgi'ing sa'es "rom death, purges e'er# ;ind o" sin, ma;es people "ind merc#
221. :#sus S$#)@s )t B#t"s)*). 223
and eternal li"e... hen #ou were pra#ing and shedding tears and )ur#ing the
dead... I o""ered #our pra#ers to the =ord.H I solemnl# tell #ou that *# Simon
will eDceed )# "ar the 'irtues o" old 0o)it. 7e will remain as the guardian o"
#our souls in *# =i"e, a"ter I ha'e gone. 7e is now )eginning his paternit# o" a
soul, so that tomorrow he will )e the hol# "ather o" all the souls "aith"ul to *e.
0here"ore do not complain. .ut i" one da# #ou should "ind on #our wa# an
orphan, li;e a )ird "allen out o" its nest, pic; him up. It is not the mouth"ul o"
"ood shared with an orphan that impo'erishes the ta)le o" the true sons. 9n the
contrar# it )rings the )lessing o" God to that house. Do that )ecause God is the
"ather o" orphans and 7e presents them to #ou 7imsel", so that #ou ma# help
them )# re)uilding "or them the nest destro#ed )# death. And do that )ecause it
is prescri)ed )# the =aw gi'en )# God to *oses, who is our =egislator, Cust
)ecause while he was a de"enceless )a)#, in a hostile land o" idols, he "ound a
merci"ul heart that ;nelt down to sa'e him "rom death, rescuing him "rom the
ri'er, "reeing him "rom persecutions, )ecause God had destined that Israel
should one da# ha'e her li)erator. An act o" piet# thus o)tained "or Israel her
leader. 0he repercussions o" a good deed are li;e the sound<wa'es, which spread
'er# "ar "rom the spot o" emission, or, i" #ou pre"er so, the# are li;e gusts o"
wind, which carr# "ar awa# the seed )lown "rom "ertile soil.
4ou ma# go now. Peace )e with #ou. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
3 ,esus then sa#s?
2 4ou will put here the 'ision o" the resurrection o" ,airus6 daughter, which #ou
had on the 11th o" *arch 1/44. 5
,,*. T! /o)'n $it ' H!)orr'&! 'n( 9'irus> D'u&t!r.
11t 7'rc 1*44.
1 0his 'ision appears when I am pra#ing, and I am tired and 'eDed, and thus in
the worst condition to thin; a)out m# things. .ut ph#sical and mental tiredness
and 'eDation 'anished as soon as m# ,esus appeared and I write.
,esus is wal;ing on a sunn# dust# road that runs along the la;e shore. 7e is
ma;ing 7is wa# towards the 'illage and is surrounded )# a large crowd, which
was certainl# waiting "or 7im. 0he people throng round 7im notwithstanding
the "act that the apostles push with their arms and shoulders to ma;e wa# "or
7im and raise their 'oices to persuade the crowd to ma;e room.
.ut ,esus is not upset )# so much con"usion. As 7e is taller )# a head than
those around 7im, 7e loo;s and smiles ;indl# at the crowds pressing round
7im, 7e replies to their greetings, 7e caresses a "ew )o#s who succeed in creep<
ing through the hedge o" adults and thus get close to 7im, 7e la#s 7is hand on
the heads o" )a)ies raised )# their mothers a)o'e those who are nearer ,esus, so
that 7e ma# touch them. And 7e continues to wal;, slowl#, patientl#, in the
midst o" the shouting and continual pressure that would anno# an# other person.
2 A man shouts? 2 *a;e wa#, ma;e wa#. 5 It is a panting 'oice and it must )e
;nown to man# as it is o)'iousl# the 'oice o" an in"luential person, )ecause the
crowd opens out, al)eit with some di""icult#, such is the crush, to let a man
a)out "i"t# #ears old pass. 7e is wearing a long loose garment and round his
head he has a ;ind o" white hand;erchie", two "laps o" which hang down along
his chee;s and nec;.
hen he arri'es )e"ore ,esus, he prostrates himsel" at 7is "eet and sa#s? 2 9hF
*aster, wh# ha'e 4ou )een awa# so longE *# little girl is so ill. 1o one can
cure her. 4ou alone are her mother6s hope and mine. 3ome, *aster. I ha'e )een
waiting "or 4ou with immense anDiet#. Please come at once. *# onl# daughter
is d#ing... 5 and he weeps.
,esus la#s 7is hand on the head o" the weeping man, who is )ent and sha;ing
with so)s, and replies to him? 2 Do not weep. 7a'e "aith. 4our daughter will
li'e. =et us go to her. Stand up. =et us goF 5 7is "inal words sound li;e a com<
mand. .e"ore 7e was the 3om"orter, now it is the Dominator who is spea;ing.
0he# set out. ,esus is wal;ing )eside the weeping "ather and is holding him )#
the hand. And when the poor man is con'ulsed with deeper so)s, I see ,esus
loo; at him and press his hand harder. 7e does not do an#thing else, )ut how
much strength must "low into a soul that is dealt with thus )# ,esusF
Pre'iousl# ,ames was where the "ather is now. .ut ,esus made him mo'e to
ma;e room "or the "ather. Peter is on the other side. ,ohn is )eside Peter and
the# are )oth endea'ouring to stem the crowds, as ,ames and the Iscariot are
222. T"# 0!+)n &t" ) H#+!rr")(# )n* :)rus> D)u("t#r. 221
doing on the other side, )eside the weeping "ather. Some o" the other apostles
are in "ront, some )ehind ,esus. .ut it is an impossi)le tas;F Particularl# the
three who are )ehind, among whom I see *atthew, cannot hold )ac; the li'ing
wall. .ut when the# grum)le too much or the# almost insult the pushing crowds,
,esus loo;s )ac; and sa#s ;indl#? 2 =ea'e *# little ones aloneF... 5
3 7owe'er, at a certain moment 7e turns round with an a)rupt mo'ement letting
go the "ather6s hand and 7e stops. 1ot onl# 7is head has turned round, )ut 7is
whole )od#. 7e loo;s taller, )ecause 7e has ta;en a ;ingl# attitude. ith a
se'ere inIuisiti'e countenance 7e scans the crowd. 7is e#es are "lashing, not
harshl#, )ut maCesticall#? 2 ho touched *eE 5 7e as;s.
1o)od# replies.
2 ho touched *e, I repeat 5 insists ,esus.
2 *aster 5 repl# the disciples 2 Do 4ou not see how the crowds are pressing
round 4ou on all sidesE 0he# are all touching 4ou, notwithstanding our e""orts.
5
,esus, while spea;ing, loo;s three or "our times at a little woman, a)out "ort#
#ears old, 'er# poorl# dressed and emaciated, who endea'ours to disappear in
the crowds and 'anish completel#. 7is e#es must )e )urning her. She realises
that she cannot escape, comes )ac; and throws hersel" at 7is "eet, almost
touching the dust o" the road with her "ace, while her arms are stretched out not
daring to touch ,esus.
2 >orgi'e meF It was I. I was ill. I ha'e )een ill "or twel'e #earsF I was shunned
)# e'er#)od#. *# hus)and deserted me. I spent e'er#thing I had so that I might
not )e considered a disgrace, and I might )e a)le to li'e li;e e'er#)od# else. .ut
no one was a)le to cure me. See, *asterE I am old )e"ore m# time. *# strength
has "lown out o" me with m# incura)le haemorrhage and m# peace went with it.
0he# told me that 4ou are good. I was told )# one whom 4ou cured o" lepros#
and who, ha'ing )een shunned himsel" "or man# #ears, did not loathe me. I did
not dare to tell 4ou )e"ore. >orgi'e meF I thought that i" I onl# touched 4ou, I
would )e cured. .ut I did not ma;e 4ou unclean. I hardl# touched the hem o"
4our tunic, the hem that trails on the ground, on the dirt o" the road... I am dirt
m#sel"... .ut now I am cured, ma# 4ou )e )lessedF 0he moment I touched 4our
tunic, m# complaint came to an end. I am li;e all other women. I will no longer
)e a'oided )# e'er#)od#. *# hus)and, m# children and relati'es will )e a)le to
sta# with me and I will )e a)le to caress them. I shall )e use"ul in m# house.
0han; 4ou, ,esus, m# good *aster. *a# 4ou )e )lessed "ore'erF 5
,esus loo;s at her with in"inite ;indness. 7e smiles and sa#s? 2 Go in peace, *#
daughter. 4our "aith has restored #ou to health. .e "ree "rom #our complaint
"ore'er. .e good and happ#. Go. 5
4 hile 7e is still spea;ing a man arri'es. I thin; he is a ser'ant, and he
addresses the "ather who has )een waiting all the time, respect"ull# )ut anDious<
l#, as i" he were on tenterhoo;s. 2 4our daughter is dead. It is Iuite useless to
)other the *aster. 7er soul departed and the women are alread# mourning her.
7er mother has sent me to tell #ou and she as;s #ou to come at once. 5
0he poor "ather utters a deep groan. 7e hides his "ace in his hands, pressing his
"orehead and e#es and )ending his head as i" he had )een struc;.
As ,esus is intent on listening and answering the woman, one would thin; that
7e has seen and heard nothing, instead 7e turns round and la#ing 7is hand on
the )ent shoulders o" the poor "ather, 7e sa#s? 2 *an, I told #ou? G7a'e "aithH. I
repeat? G7a'e "aithH. Do not )e a"raid. 4our girl will li'e. =et us go to her. 5
And 7e sets out, holding the deCected man close to 7imsel".
0he crowds, seeing so much grie" and )eing deepl# a""ected )# the recent
miracle, are "rightened and stop, the# then part, allowing ,esus and 7is disciples
to wal; "ast, and the# "ollow in the wa;e o" the passing Grace. 0he# wal; thus
"or a)out one hundred #ards, perhaps more M I am not good at estimating M
proceeding towards the centre o" the town.
5 People are crammed in "ront o" a respecta)le house, commenting in loud shrill
'oices on the e'ent and repl#ing to louder screams coming "rom the house
through the wide open door. 0he# are trilled piercing screams, apparentl#
uttered monotonousl# )# the shriller 'oice o" a soloist, to whom a group o" thin
'oices replies "irst and then is "ollowed )# another group o" "ull 'oices. 0here is
enough uproar to cause e'en health# people to die.
,esus orders 7is disciples to stop at the door, and 7e tells Peter, ,ohn and ,ames
to "ollow 7im. 7e enters the house with them, holding the weeping "ather )# the
arm all the time. .# holding him thus, 7e seems to )e wishing to instill into him
the certaint# that 7e is there to ma;e him happ#. 0he women mourners @I would
call them howlersA, when the# see the landlord and the *aster, dou)le their
screams. 0he# clap their hands, )eat tam)ourines, stri;e triangles to accompan#
222. T"# 0!+)n &t" ) H#+!rr")(# )n* :)rus> D)u("t#r. 222
their lamentations.
2 .e Iuiet 5 sa#s ,esus. 2 0here is no need to weep. 0he girl is not dead. She is
sleeping. 5
0he women shout louder, some roll on the "loor, some scratch themsel'es, and
tear their hair @or the# pretend to do soA, to pro'e that she is reall# dead. 0he
musicians and "riends o" the "amil# sha;e their heads at ,esus6 illusion. 0he#
thin; that 7e is decei'ed. .ut 7e repeats? 2 .e silentF 5 so energeticall# that the
turmoil, while not ceasing completel#, )ecomes a whisper. And 7e passes )#.
7e goes into a little room. A dead girl is l#ing on a )ed. She is thin, 'er# pale,
has alread# )een dressed and her dar; hair has alread# )een set in order. 7er
mother is weeping on the right hand side o" the )ed and ;isses the waDen little
hand o" the dead girl. ,esus... how handsome 7e is nowF I ha'e seldom seen
7im thusF 7e approaches the )ed solicitousl#. 7e seems to )e sliding or "l#ing
across the "loor, so "ast 7e approaches the little )ed. 0he three apostles stand
with their )ac;s to the door, which the# ha'e closed in the "aces o" curious
onloo;ers. 0he "ather is standing at the "oot o" the )ed.
6 ,esus goes to the le"t hand side and with 7is le"t hand 7e ta;es the li"eless le"t
hand o" the girl. 4es, I saw 7im well. It is the le"t hand, )oth o" ,esus and o" the
girl. 7e raises 7is right arm with open palm, to the height o" 7is shoulder and
then lowers it in the attitude o" one who swears or gi'es an order. 7e sa#s? 2
=ittle girl, I tell #ou? Get upF 5
0here is a moment when e'er#)od# is in suspense, eDcept ,esus and the girl.
0he apostles stretch their nec;s to see )etter. 0he "ather and mother loo; at their
child with e#es "ull o" deep sorrow. A"ter a moment a sigh raises the )reast o"
the girl. A light hue tinges her waDen "ace and its deathl# pallor "ades awa#. 0he
hint o" a smile appears on her lips )e"ore her e#es open, as i" she were ha'ing a
)eauti"ul dream. ,esus is still holding her hand. She gentl# opens her e#es and
loo;s around as i" she were awa;ing. She sees "irst the "ace o" ,esus, ho is
loo;ing at her with 7is most )eauti"ul e#es and smiling ;indl# to encourage her,
and she smiles at 7im.
2 Get up 5 repeats ,esus. And 7e pushes aside with 7is hand the "uneral
ornaments spread on the )ed and around it @"lowers, 'eils etc. etc.A and helps her
to get up and ta;e her "irst steps, holding her )# the hand.
2 Gi'e her something to eat, now 5 7e commands. 2 She is cured. God has
gi'en her )ac; to #ou. 0han; 7im "or that. And do not tell an#)od# what
happened. 4ou ;now what happened to her. 4ou )elie'ed and #our "aith
deser'ed a miracle. 0he others did not ha'e "aith. It is Iuite useless to endea'our
to con'ince them. God does not show 7imsel" to those who den# a miracle. And
#ou, *# little girl, )e good. Good)#eF Peace to this house. 5 And 7e goes out
closing the door )ehind 7im.
0he 'ision ends.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
7 I will tell #ou that the two points o" it which made me Co#"ul are those in
which ,esus loo;s among the crowd "or the person that touched 7im and a)o'e
all when standing near the little dead girl 7e ta;es her )# the hand and tells her
to get up. Peace and assurance ha'e come into me. It is impossi)le "or 9ne as
*erci"ul and Power"ul as 7e is, not to ha'e merc# on us and not de"eat the &'il
that ;ills us.
,esus "or the time )eing ma;es no comment, neither does 7e sa# an#thing a)out
the other things. 7e sees that I am almost dead )ut does not consider that it is
the case that I should "eel )etter this e'ening. =et it )e done as 7e wishes. I am
alread# happ# enough to ha'e 7is 'ision.
,-;. 9!sus 'n( 7'rt' 't C'"!rn'u).
,6t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus, hot and co'ered with dust, goes )ac; to the house in 3apernaum with
Peter and ,ohn.
7e has Cust entered the ;itchen garden and is going towards the ;itchen, when
the landlord calls 7im "amiliarl# sa#ing? 2 ,esus, that lad# o" whom I spo;e to
4ou at .ethsaida, has come again loo;ing "or 4ou. I told her to wait and I too;
her to the room upstairs. 5
2 0han; #ou, 0homas. I will go to her at once. I" the others come tell them to
wait here. 5 And ,esus goes upstairs immediatel#, without e'en ta;ing o"" 7is
mantle.
233. :#sus )n* 9)rt") )t C)$#rn)u+. 223
9n the terrace at the top o" the staircase there is *arcella, *artha6s maid. She is
standing there alone. 2 9hF *aster. *# mistress is inside. She has )een waiting
"or 4ou "or so man# da#s 5 sa#s the woman ;neeling down to worship ,esus.
2 I rather thought that. I will go to her at once. *a# God )less #ou, *arcella. 5
,esus li"ts the curtain protecting the room "rom the eDcessi'el# )right sunshine,
"or although the sun is now setting, it is still 'er# warm and the white houses in
3apernaum seem to )e a)la(e in the red glare o" a huge )ra(ier. In the room,
sitting near the window is *artha, en'eloped in a mantle and co'ered with a
'eil. She is perhaps contemplating the part o" the la;e where a wood# hill
protrudes into the water "orming a promontor#. Perhaps she is onl#
contemplating her own thoughts. She is certainl# a)sor)ed in thought and in "act
she does not hear the light shu""ling o" the "eet o" ,esus who is wal;ing towards
her. And she starts when 7e calls her.
2 9hF *asterF 5 she eDclaims. And she "alls on her ;nees, with outstretched
arms, as i" she were imploring help and then she )ends so low as to touch the
"loor with her "orehead, and she )ursts into tears.
2 hat is the matterE Stand up. h# are #ou weeping so )itterl#E 7a'e #ou
some mis"ortune to tell *eE 4ou ha'eE hat is itE Do #ou ;now that I was at
.ethan#E 4ou doE And I was told that there was good news. .ut now #ou are
weeping... hat happenedE 5 and 7e compels her to stand up and ma;es her sit
on a )ench against the wall, while 7e sits in "ront o" her.
2 1ow, ta;e o"" #our 'eil and mantle, as I am doing. 4ou must )e su""ocating
under them. And I want to see the "ace o" *# dear *artha, who is so upset, so
that I ma# disperse all the clouds pertur)ing it. 5 *artha o)e#s, still weeping,
and her "lushed "ace and swollen e#es can now )e seen.
2 ellE I will help #ou. *ar# sent "or #ou. She wept 'er# much, she wanted to
;now man# things a)out *e, and #ou thought that that was a good sign, so
much so that #ou wanted *e to come to complete the miracle. And I ha'e come.
And nowE...5
2 2 1ow, nothing, *asterF I was mista;en. 0oo ;een a desire ma;es one see
what does not eDist... I made 4ou come "or nothing... *ar# is worse than
)e"ore... 1oF hat am I sa#ingE I am calumniating her, I am telling lies. She is
not worse, )ecause she does not want an# more men around her. She is di""erent,
)ut still so )ad. She seems to )e mad... I no longer understand her... At least
)e"ore I understood her. .ut nowF ho can understand herE 5 and *artha
weeps desolatel#.
2 1ow, calm down and tell *e what she does. h# is she )adE So, she does not
want an# more men around her. So I suppose that she leads a retired li"e at
home. Is that soE It isE Good. 0hat is 'er# good. 0he "act that she wanted #ou to
sta# with her, as i" she wanted to )e de"ended against temptations M that is what
#ou wrote M and the "act that she wanted to a'oid temptations )# shunning
guilt# acIuaintances or what might lead to such relationship, are signs o" good
will. 5
2 Do 4ou thin; so, *asterE Do 4ou reall# thin; thatE 5
2 9" course I do. So wh# do #ou thin; that she is )adE 0ell *e what she does...5
2 ell. 5 *artha, who is somewhat encouraged )# ,esus6 certaint#, spea;s more
calml#. 2 ell. Since I came here, *ar# has ne'er le"t the house or the garden,
not e'en to go out on the la;e in her )oat. And her nurse told me that e'en
)e"ore I came, she hardl# e'er went out. Apparentl# this change )egan at
Passo'er. .ut )e"ore m# arri'al, some people used to come and see her and did
not alwa#s re"use to see them. Sometimes she ga'e instructions not to let
an#)od# pass. And it appeared to )e a standing order. .ut then she would go as
"ar as stri;ing the ser'ants, moti'ated )# unCust anger, i" upon hearing the 'oices
o" 'isitors, she went to the hall and "ound out that the# had alread# )een sent
awa#. 7owe'er, she has not done that again, since I came. 0he "irst night she
said to me, and that is wh# I was so hope"ul? G7old me )ac;, i" necessar# tie me.
.ut don6t let me go out, don6t let me see an#)od# )ut #ou and m# nurse. .ecause
I am not well and I want to reco'er. .ut those who come to me or want me to go
to them, are li;e "e'erish marshes. And the# ma;e me grow worse. .ut their
appearance is so handsome, so "lower# and Co#"ul, their "ruit is so pleasant
loo;ing, that I cannot resist them, )ecause I am a poor wretch. 4our sister is
wea;, *artha. And some people ta;e ad'antage o" her wea;ness to ma;e her do
"oul things, to which a part o" me does not agree. 0he onl# part which is still le"t
to me o" m# poor mother...H and she wept. And I did that. I did it ;indl# when
she was reasona)leL )ut I acted "irml# when she loo;ed li;e a wild )east in a
cage. She ne'er re)elled against me. 9n the contrar#, when the worst moments
o" temptation are o'er, she comes and weeps at m# "eet, resting her head on m#
lap and she sa#s? G>orgi'e me, "orgi'e meFH and i" I as; her? G>or what, sisterE
4ou ha'e not grie'ed meH, she replies? G.ecause a little while ago, or #esterda#
233. :#sus )n* 9)rt") )t C)$#rn)u+. 224
e'ening, when #ou said to me? 64ou are not going out "rom here6, I hated and
cursed #ou in m# heart and I wished #ou would die.H Is she not to )e pitied, m#
=ordE Is she perhaps madE 7as her 'ices made her madE I thin; that one o" her
lo'ers has gi'en her a philter to ma;e her a sla'e o" his lust and that its poison
has gone to her )rains...5
3 2 1o. It is not a Iuestion o" philters or madness. It is something Iuite di""erent.
.ut go on. 5
2 So she is respect"ul and o)edient to me. And she has not ill<treated the
ser'ants an# more. .ut a"ter the "irst e'ening, she has not as;ed an#thing else
a)out 4ou. and i" I mention 4ou, she changes the su)Cect. .ut she sits "or hours
and hours on a roc; where the )el'edere is, loo;ing at the la;e, until she
)ecomes da((led, and e'er# time a )oat sails )# she as;s me? GDo #ou thin; it is
the )oat o" the Galilean "ishermenEH She ne'er mentions 4our 1ame or the
names o" the apostles. .ut I ;now that she thin;s o" 4ou and o" them in Peter6s
)oat. And I realise that she thin;s o" 4ou )ecause sometimes in the e'ening,
when we are wal;ing in the garden or )e"ore going to )ed, and I am doing
needlewor;, while she does nothing, she sa#s to me? GIs that how one must li'e
according to the doctrine #ou "ollowEH And sometimes she weeps, sometimes
she laughs sarcasticall#, li;e a mad person or a demon.
9n other occasions she lets down her hair, which is alwa#s arranged so
artisticall#, and she ma;es two plaits, she puts on one o" m# dresses and then
she comes to me, with her plaits )ehind her )ac; or in "ront o" her, modest and
#oung loo;ing in m# high<nec;ed dress, and also )ecause o" her plaits and
countenance and she sa#s to me? GIs that what *ar# should )e li;eEH and e'en
then sometimes she weeps ;issing her wonder"ul plaits, which are as thic; as her
arms and reach down to her ;nees, the li'ing gold which was m# mother6s pride,
at times, instead, she laughs in her ghastl# wa# or she sa#s to me? G=oo;, I had
rather do this and )e done with itH and she ties her plaits round her nec; and
pulls them tight until her "ace )ecomes purple, as i" she wanted to strangle
hersel".
At times she pities or ill treats hersel", and that o)'iousl# happens when she
"eels the temptations o" her "lesh more "iercel#. I ha'e caught her stri;ing her
)reast and scratching her "ace sa'agel# or )anging her head against a wall and
when I as;ed her? Gh# are #ou doing thatEH she would loo; at me with a wild
deranged eDpression sa#ing? G0o tear m#sel", m# )owels, m# head to pieces.
3ursed harm"ul things must )e destro#ed. And I am destro#ing m#sel".H And i" I
spea; to her o" God6s merc#, o" 4ou M )ecause I still spea; to her o" 4ou, as i"
she were the most "aith"ul o" 4our women disciples, and I swear to 4ou that at
times I am horri"ied at mentioning 4our name in her presence M she replies?
G0here can )e no merc# "or me. I ha'e gone )e#ond the limit.H She is then
sei(ed )# a "it o" despair and shouts, )eating hersel" till she draws )lood? Gh#
ha'e I this monster that tears me to piecesE And it gi'es me no peace. And it
leads me to e'il deeds )# means o" sweet singing 'oices, to which it then adds
the cursing 'oices o" m# "ather and mother, o" #ou and =a(arus, )ecause #ou
and =a(arus curse me, too, and Israel curses me and it ma;es me hear them to
dri'e me mad...H
hen she sa#s that, I repl# to her? Gh# are #ou worried a)out Israel, which is
onl# a people, and #ou do not thin; o" GodE .ut since #ou trampled on e'er#<
thing without considering what #ou were doing, endea'our now to o'ercome
e'er#thing and do not worr# a)out worldl# things, )ut care onl# "or God, #our
"ather and mother. I" #ou change #our li"e, the# will not curse #ou, )ut will
stretch their arms out to #ou...H And she listens to me, pensi'e, astonished as i" I
were telling her an unreal stor#, and then she weeps... .ut does not repl#.
At times, instead she orders the ser'ants to )ring her wines and drugs and she
eats and drin;s those arti"icial nourishments and eDplains? GI do that to "orget.H
1ow, since she "ound out that 4ou are here in the la;e area, e'er# time she sees
me come to 4ou, she sa#s? GI will come sometime, tooH and laughing in that
manner which is an insult to hersel", she concludes? G0hus the e#e o" God will
"all also upon manure.H .ut I do not want her to come. And now, when I want to
come, I wait until she "alls asleep, when she is eDhausted with )eing angr#, with
drin;ing and weeping... with e'er#thing. Also toda# I ran awa# li;e that, so that
I can go )ac; at night )e"ore she awa;es. 0hat is m# li"e... I no longer hope...5
and she resumes weeping more )itterl# than pre'iousl#, as her tears are no
longer restrained )# the e""ort o" spea;ing calml#.
4 2 Do #ou remem)er, *artha, what I told #ou onceE G*ar# is ill.H 4ou did not
want to )elie'e it. 1ow #ou can see it. 4ou sa# that she is mad. She sa#s hersel"
that she is ill and su""ers "rom a sin"ul "e'er. I sa#? she is ill )ecause she is
possessed )# a demon. It is still a disease. And her incoherent )eha'iour, her
"ur#, her tears, her a""liction, her longing "or *e are stages o" her illness, which
has come to a moment o" crisis and has its most 'iolent "luctuations. 4ou are
doing the right thing in )eing good to her and patient with her. 4ou are right in
233. :#sus )n* 9)rt") )t C)$#rn)u+. 22,
spea;ing to her o" *e. Do not )e disgusted at mentioning *# 1ame in her
presence.
Poor soul o" *# *ar#F 7er soul also was created )# the >ather and it is in no
wa# di""erent "rom all other souls, "rom #ours, "rom =a(arus6, "rom the souls o"
the apostles and disciples. 7er soul also was included and "oreseen to )e
amongst the souls "or whom I )ecame "lesh in order to )e their 8edeemer. In
actual "act I ha'e come more "or her than "or #ou, =a(arus, the apostles and
disciples. Poor soul o" *# *ar#, who is su""ering so muchF 9h *# poor *ar#
who has )een poisoned with se'en poisons )esides the "irst uni'ersal poisonF 9h
*# imprisoned *ar#F .ut let her come to *eF =et her )reathe the air I )reathe,
let her hear *# 'oice and meet *# glanceF... She calls hersel"? G*anure...H 9hF
*# poor dear soul in whom the demon o" pride is the wea;est o" the se'en
possessing herF 9nl# )ecause o" that she will )e sa'edF 5
5 2 And i" she should "ind someone who ma# lead her astra# once again, when
she comes outE She is a"raid o" that hersel"...5
2 And she will alwa#s )e a"raid o" that, now that she has gone so "ar as to loathe
'ice. .ut )e not a"raid. hen a soul alread# has the desire o" coming to God,
and is held )ac; onl# )# the dia)olic &nem#, who is aware that he is going to
lose his pre#, and )# the personal enem# o" one6s ego, which reasons in a human
wa# and Cudges itsel" in a human wa#, ascri)ing to God its own Cudgement to
pre'ent the soul "rom controlling the human ego, then that soul is alread# strong
enough against the attac;s o" 'ice and o" 'icious people. It has "ound the Polar
Star and will no longer de'iate.
And do not sa# to her again? G4ou ha'e not thought o" God and 4ou are instead
thin;ing o" IsraelEH It is an implicit reproach. Do not do that. She has Cust come
out o" a "ire. She is one )ig sore. 0ouch her lightl# onl# with )alms o" ;indness,
o" "orgi'eness and hope... =ea'e her "ree to come. 4ou must tell her when #ou
are thin;ing o" coming, )ut do not sa# to her? G3ome with me.H 9n the contrar#,
i" #ou understand that she wants to come, do not come #oursel". Go )ac; and
wait "or her at home. She will come )ac; to #ou )ro;en )# *erc#. .ecause I
must remo'e the wic;ed power that is holding her and "or a "ew hours she will
loo; li;e a woman whose 'eins ha'e )een cut or whose )ones ha'e )een
remo'ed )# a doctor. .ut later she will "eel )etter. She will )e dum)"ounded.
She will )e in great need o" caresses and silence. Assist her as i" #ou were her
second guardian angel? without letting her percei'e #our presence.
And i" #ou see her weeping, let her weep. And i" #ou hear her as;ing hersel"
Iuestions, lea'e her alone. And i" #ou see her smile, and then )ecome serious,
and then smile once more in a di""erent wa#, with a di""erent loo;, with a
di""erent countenance, do not as; her Iuestions, do not ma;e her "eel uneas#.
She is su""ering more now, ascending, than she did, descending. And she must
ascend )# hersel", as she descended )# hersel". She could not )ear #ou to loo; at
her when she was descending, )ecause #our e#es were "ull o" reproach. And she
cannot )ear #ou to loo; at her now that her sense o" shame has )een aroused at
last. 0hen she was strong, )ecause Satan, her master, was with her and a wic;ed
strength supported her and she could challenge the world, and #et she could not
)ear to )e seen )# #ou in her sin.
1ow Satan is no longer her master. 7e is still a guest in her, )ut *ar#6s will is
holding him )# the throat. And she has not *e #et. 0hat is wh# she is too wea;.
She cannot e'en )ear #our caressing sisterl# e#es watching her con"ession to her
Sa'iour. All her energ# is emplo#ed and consumed in holding the septuple
demon )# the throat. >or all the rest she is de"enceless and unclothed. .ut I will
reclothe her and "orti"# her. Go in peace, *artha. And tomorrow tell her
tact"ull# that I shall )e spea;ing near the torrent o" the >ountain, here in
3apernaum, a"ter 'esper. Go in peace. I )less #ou. 5
6 *artha is still perpleDed. 2 Do not )ecome incredulous, *artha 5 sa#s ,esus
ho is watching her.
2 1o, m# =ord. .ut I was thin;ing... 9hF Gi'e me something that I ma# gi'e
*ar#, to gi'e her a little strength... She is su""ering so much... and I am so a"raid
that she ma# not )e a)le to triumph o'er the demonF 5
2 4ou are a little girlF *ar# has *e and #ou. 3an she possi)l# not succeedE
7owe'er, ta;e this. Gi'e me #our hand, which has ne'er sinned, and has alwa#s
)een ;ind, merci"ul, acti'e and pious. It has alwa#s made gestures o" lo'e and
pra#er. It has ne'er )een la(# or idle or corrupt. 1ow, I will hold it )etween *#
hands to ma;e it e'en holier. 8aise it against the demon and he will not endure
it. And ta;e this )elt o" *ine. 1e'er part with it. And e'er# time #ou see her,
sa# to #oursel"? G0he power o" ,esus is stronger than this )elt o" ,esus and )# it
e'er#thing can )e o'ercome? demons and monsters as well. I must not )e
a"raid.H Are #ou happ# nowE *# peace )e with #ou. Go in peace. 5
*artha worships 7im and goes out. ,esus smiles when he sees her clim) on to
the wagon, which *arcella has called to the gate, and depart towards *agdala.
231. T&! B%n* 9#n )n* ) Du+8 D#+!n)c Cur#*. 22-
,-1. T$o B#in( 7!n 'n( ' Du)5 D!)oni'c Cur!(.
,8t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus then goes down into the ;itchen, and when 7e sees that ,ohn is a)out to
go to the "ountain, instead o" remaining in the warm smo;# ;itchen, 7e pre"ers
to go with ,ohn. 7e thus lea'es Peter to deal with the "ish that :e)edee6s
ser'ants ha'e Cust )rought in "or the supper o" the *aster and 7is disciples.
0he# do not go to the spring well at the end o" the 'illage, )ut to the "ountain in
the sIuare, the water o" which still comes "rom the clear plenti"ul spring on the
mountain side near the la;e. In the sIuare there are man# people as is customar#
in Palestinian 'illages in the e'ening. omen with amphoras, )o#s pla#ing, men
discussing )usiness or... local gossip. Also some Pharisees pass )#, surrounded
)# ser'ants or clients, on their wa# to their rich homes. &'er#)od# mo'es aside
to let them pass, pa#ing their respect, )ut as soon as the# ha'e gone, man# curse
them wholeheartedl# mentioning their most recent a)uses and usur# dealings.
*atthew is haranguing his old "riends in a corner o" the sIuare and that causes
the Pharisee Jriah to remar; scorn"ull# in a loud 'oice? 2 0he "amous
con'ersionsF .ut attachment to sin is still there as can )e seen "rom lasting
"riendships. AhF AhF 5
*atthew turns round and replies angril#? 2 0he# last in order to con'ert them. 5
2 0here is no need "or thatF 4our *aster is Iuite su""icient. 4ou had )etter sta#
awa#, lest #ou might )e ta;en ill again, presuming that #ou ha'e reall# )een
cured. 5
*atthew )ecomes purple in the e""ort to control himsel" and not gi'e him a
piece o" his mind, and he simpl# replies? 2 Do not )e a"raid, and ha'e no hope. 5
2 hatE 5
2 Don6t )e a"raid that I ma# )ecome once again =e'i the pu)lican, and ha'e no
hope that I ma# imitate #ou in order to lose these souls. I lea'e to #ou and to
#our "riends to ;eep contemptuousl# aloo" "rom other people. I imitate m#
*aster and I approach sinners to lead them to Grace. 5
Jriah would li;e to retort, )ut another Pharisee, old &li, arri'es and sa#s to him?
2 Do not contaminate #our purit# and #our tongue, m# "riend. 3ome with me 5
and wal;ing arm<in<arm with him he ta;es him towards his house.
2 In the meantime the crowd, particularl# children, ha'e gathered round ,esus.
Among the children there are 0o)# and ,ohanna, the little )rother and sister,
who one da#, a long time ago, were Iuarrelling o'er some "igs. 0he# now sa# to
,esus, hanging on to 7is tall )od# to draw 7is attention? 2 =isten, listen. Also
toda# we ha'e )een good, 4ou ;nowE e ha'e ne'er cried and we ha'e not
teased each other, "or 4our sa;e. ill 4ou gi'e us a ;issE 5
2 So #ou ha'e )een good "or *# sa;eF hat Co# #ou gi'e *e. 7ere is *# ;iss.
And )e e'en )etter tomorrow. 5
And there is ,ames, the little "ellow who used to )ring *atthew6s purse to ,esus
e'er# Sa))ath. 7e now sa#s to ,esus? 2 *atthew does not gi'e me an#thing now
"or the poor o" the =ord, )ut I ha'e put aside all the mone# the# gi'e me when I
am good and I will gi'e it to 4ou now. ill #ou gi'e it to the poor on account
o" m# grand"atherE 5
2 9" course I will. hat is the matter with #our grand<dadE 5
2 7e cannot wal; an# more. 7e is so old and his legs will not support him. 5
2 Are #ou sorr# "or thatE 5
2 4es, I am, )ecause he was m# master when we went into the countr#. 7e told
me man# things. And he made me lo'e the =ord. Also now he tells me o" ,o)
and he shows me the stars in the s;#, )ut he does that "rom his chair... It was
much nicer )e"ore. 5
2 I will come to #our grand<dad tomorrow. Are #ou happ# nowE 5
And ,ames is replaced )# .enCamin, not the )o# "rom *agdala, )ut the one
"rom 3apernaum, the )o# I saw in a 'ision a long time ago. hen he arri'es in
the sIuare with his mother and sees ,esus, he lea'es his mother6s hand and
rushes through the crowd, shrie;ing li;e a swallow and when he arri'es in "ront
o" ,esus, he em)races 7is ;nees sa#ing? 2 I want a caress, tooF 5
3 Simon, the Pharisee, passes )# at that moment and )ows pompousl# to ,esus,
ho responds to his salutation. 0he Pharisee stops and while the crowd draw
aside as i" "rightened, Simon sa#s? 2 And would 4ou not caress me as wellE 5
and he smiles lightl#.
2 I will caress an#one who as;s *e. I congratulate #ou, Simon, on #our 'er#
good health. I was told in ,erusalem that #ou were rather ill. 5
231. T&! B%n* 9#n )n* ) Du+8 D#+!n)c Cur#*. 22.
2 4es, I was 'er# ill. I wanted 4ou, to )e cured. 5
2 Did #ou )elie'e that I could cure #ouE 5
2 I ne'er dou)ted it. .ut I had to reco'er )# m#sel", )ecause 4ou ha'e )een
awa# "or a long time. here ha'e 4ou )eenE 5
2 In the )order area o" Israel. 0hat is how I spent the da#s )etween Passo'er and
Pentecost. 5
2 A 'er# success"ul Courne#E I heard o" the lepers at 7innom and Siloam. 8eall#
wonder"ul. 9nl# thatE 3ertainl# not. .ut we hear o" 4ou, through ,ohn, the
priest. 7e who is not )iassed )elie'es in 4ou and is happ#. 5
2 And what a)out him who does not )elie'e )ecause he is )iassedE hat a)out
him, m# wise SimonE 5
0he Pharisee is somewhat upset... he cannot ma;e up his mind, as while he does
not wish to condemn his too man# "riends, who are preCudiced against ,esus, he
does wish to deser'e )eing praised )# ,esus. 7e decides on the latter alternati'e
and sa#s? 2 7e who does not want to )elie'e in 4ou, notwithstanding all the
proo"s 4ou gi'e, is condemned. 5
2 And I wish no)od# were...5
2 4es, 4ou do. .ut we do not return to 4ou the same measure o" goodness that
4ou ha'e "or us. 0oo man# do not deser'e 4ou... ,esus, I would li;e 4ou to )e
m# guest tomorrow...5
2 I cannot tomorrow. =et us ma;e it in two da#s6 time. Do #ou agreeE 5
2 I alwa#s agree with 4ou. I will ha'e... some "riends... and 4ou will ha'e to put
up with them i"...5
2 I ;now. I will come with ,ohn. 5
2 ,ohn onl#E 5
2 0he others ha'e other tas;s to attend to. 7ere the# are, the# are Cust coming
)ac; "rom the countr#. Peace to #ou, Simon. 5
2 God )e with 4ou, ,esus. 5
0he Pharisee goes awa# and ,esus Coins 7is disciples.
4 0he# go )ac; home "or supper.
.ut while the# are eating roast "ish, some )lind men arri'e, who had alread#
implored ,esus on the road. 0he# now repeat their pra#er? 2 ,esus, Son o" Da'id,
ha'e merc# on usF 5
2 Go awa#F I told #ou to come tomorrow and let it )e tomorrow. =et 7im eat 5
sa#s Peter reproachingl#.
2 1o, Simon. Do not send them awa#. So much perse'erance deser'es a reward.
4ou two, come "orward 5 7e then sa#s to the )lind men, who go in sounding
the "loor and walls with their stic;s. 2 Do #ou )elie'e that I can gi'e #our
e#esight )ac; to #ouE 5
2 9hF 4esF =ordF e came )ecause we are certain. 5
,esus gets up "rom the ta)le, approaches them, la#s 7is "ingertips on the )lind
e#es, raises 7is head and pra#s? 2 =et it )e done to #ou according to #our "aith.
5 7e remo'es 7is hands, and the e#elids, so "ar motionless, )egin to win;,
)ecause light stri;es the re'i'ed pupils o" one o" the men, and the e#elids o" the
other )ecome unsealed, whereas )e"ore the# were sealed pro)a)l# )# neglected
ulcers, and the palpe)ral edges are reshaped anew without the least "ault, so that
he can win; "reel#.
0he two men "all on their ;nees.
2 4ou ma# stand up and go. And mind #ou, do not let an#)od# ;now what I
ha'e done to #ou. 0a;e the news o" the grace to #our relati'es and "riends in
#our 'illages. It is not necessar# to do so here and it would not do #our souls
an# good. *a;e sure that the "aith o" #our souls does not su""er "rom an# inCur#
and now that #ou ;now what it is li;e to )e a)le to see, ensure that #our e#es do
not get inCured, so that #ou ma# not )ecome )lind again. 5
5 0he supper is o'er. 0he# go up on the terrace where it is cool. 0he la;e is
shining in the moonlight.
,esus sits on the edge o" the low wall and lets 7is mind wander watching the
sil'er# sur"ace o" the la;e. 0he others are tal;ing to one another in low 'oices,
so as not to distur) 7im. .ut the# loo; at 7im as i" the# were "ascinated. In "act
how handsome 7e isF 0he moon "orms a halo around 7is head and illuminates
7is "ace, which is se'ere and serene at the same time, emphasising its tiniest
231. T&! B%n* 9#n )n* ) Du+8 D#+!n)c Cur#*. 221
details. 7e is sitting with 7is head lightl# tilted )ac;wards, leaning against the
coarse 'ine )ranch, which clim)s up there and then spreads out on the terrace.
7is deep )lue e#es loo; li;e on#D in the night and seem to )e pouring peace"ul
wa'es o'er e'er#thing. At times 7e loo;s up at the clear s;#, strewn with stars,
at times 7e loo;s down at the hills, and "arther down, at the la;e or 7e stares at
a distant ha(# point and 7is e#es seem to )e smiling at something the# onl# can
see. 7is wa'# hair is gentl# )lown )# a light )ree(e. 7e is sitting slightl#
sidewa#s, touching the "loor with one "oot, while the other is a "ew inches o"" it,
with 7is hands relaDing on 7is lap. 7is white ro)e emphasises 7is splendour,
which )ecomes sil'er# in the moonlight, and 7is long white hands loo; more
li;e old i'or# emphasising the 'irile )eaut# o" 7is tapering "ingers. Also 7is
"ace, with its high "orehead, straight nose, lightl# o'al<shaped chee;s and its
pale<copper )eard, loo;s li;e old i'or# without the pin;ish nuance 'isi)le during
the da# on the upper part o" 7is chee;s.
2 Are 4ou tired, *asterE 5 as;s Peter.
2 1o, I am not. 5
2 4ou loo; pale and pensi'e...5
2 I was thin;ing. .ut I do not thin; I am paler than usual... 0he moonlight
ma;es #ou all loo; pale as well. 4ou will go to Bora(im tomorrow and #ou ma#
"ind some disciples there. Spea; to them. And remem)er to )e )ac; here at
'esper. I will )e preaching near the torrent. 5
2 7ow lo'el#F e shall tell the people o" Bora(im. 9n our wa# hac; we met
*artha and *arcella. Did the# come hereE 5 as;s Andrew.
2 4es, the# did. 5
2 0here was a lot o" tal; at *agdala a)out *ar#, who does not go out an# more
and has no more parties. e had a rest in the house o" the same woman as last
time. .enCamin told me that when he "eels inclined to )e naught#, he thin;s o"
4ou and...5
2 ... and o" me, 4ou ma# as well sa# so, ,ames 5 sa#s the Iscariot. 2 7e did not
sa# so. 5
2 .ut he meant it when he said? GI do not want to )e handsome, )ut I want to )e
naught#H and he cast me a side glance. 7e cannot stand me...5
2 A disli;e o" no importance, ,udas. >orget a)out it 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 4es, *aster. .ut it is anno#ing that...5
6 2 Is the *aster thereE 5 someone shouts "rom the street.
2 4es, 7e is. .ut what do #ou want nowE Is the da# not long enough "or #ouE Is
this a decent hour to distur) poor pilgrimsE 3ome )ac; tomorrow 5 orders Peter.
2 0he trou)le is that we ha'e a dum) demoniac with us. And he escaped three
times on the wa#. 7ad it not )een "or that, we would ha'e arri'ed earlier. .e
goodF .e"ore long, when the moon is high in the s;#, he will )egin to howl
louder and will "righten the 'illage. =oo; how he is struggling alread#EF 5
,esus goes to the other side o" the terrace and leans out o'er the low wall. 0he
apostles do li;ewise. A row o" "aces )ending o'er a crowd o" people loo;ing up
at them. In the middle, mo'ing a)out and howling li;e a chained )ear or a wol",
there is a man with his wrists tied together so that he ma# not escape. 7e howls
while mo'ing a)out restlessl#, as i" he were loo;ing "or something on the
ground. hen he loo;s up and meets ,esus6 e#es, he utters a )eastl# cr#, an
inarticulate howl, and tries to run awa#.
0he crowds, almost all the adults o" 3apernaum are there, mo'e aside
"rightened.
2 3ome, "or goodness6 sa;eF 7e is starting all o'er again.. 5
2 I am coming at once. 5 And ,esus runs downstairs and goes in "ront o" the
poor wretch who is more agitated than e'er. 2 Go out o" him. I want it. 5
0he howling "ades into one word? 2 PeaceF 5
2 4es, peace. Peace to #ou now that #ou are "reed. 5
0he crowd shout "or wonder seeing the sudden change "rom "ur# to calm, "rom
)eing possessed to "reedom, "rom dum)ness to speech.
2 7ow did #ou ;now that I was hereE 5
2 At 1a(areth the# said to us? G7e is at 3apernaum.H 0his was con"irmed at
3apernaum )# two men who said their e#es had )een cured )# 4ou in this
house. 5
2 0hat is trueF It is 'er# trueF 0he# told us as well...5 man# shout. And the#
231. T&! B%n* 9#n )n* ) Du+8 D#+!n)c Cur#*. 222
remar;? 2 Such things ha'e ne'er )een seen in Israel )e"oreF 5
2 I" 7e were not helped )# .eel(e)u) 7e would not do them 5 sneer the
Pharisees o" 3apernaum. Simon, howe'er, is not amongst them.
2 7elp or not help. I ha'e )een cured and so were the )lind men. 4ou would not
)e a)le to do it, notwithstanding #our great pra#ers 5 retorts the cured dum)
demoniac and he ;isses ,esus6 ro)e. 0he *aster does not repl# to the Pharisees,
7e simpl# dismisses the crowd sa#ing? 2 Peace )e with #ou 5 and 7e as;s the
cured man and those who accompanied him to sta#, and o""ers them hospitalit#
in the room upstairs so that the# ma# rest until the "ollowing morning.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
7 ,esus sa#s? 2 4ou will put here the Para)le o" the lost sheep, which #ou had on
the 12th o" August 1/44. 5
,-,. P'r'5#! o0 t! Lost S!!".
1,t Au&ust 1*44.
1 ,esus is spea;ing to the crowds. Standing on the wooded em)an;ment o" a
little torrent, 7e is addressing a large crowd spread in a "ield where the corn has
alread# )een cut and the )urnt stu))les are a distressing sight. It is e'ening.
1ight is "alling, )ut the moon is alread# rising. >loc;s o" sheep are going )ac;
to the "olds and the sound o" cattle<)ells mingles with the loud chirping o"
cric;ets and the high<pitched drone o" cicadas. ,esus ta;es the passing "loc;s as
a starting point.
7e sa#s? 2 4our 7ea'enl# >ather is li;e a solicitous shepherd. hat does a good
shepherd doE 7e loo;s "or good pastures "or his sheep, where there is no hem<
loc; or other poisonous her)s, )ut there is plent# sweet clo'er, aromatic mint
and )itter )ut wholesome chicor#. 7e loo;s "or places where )eside good grass
there is the cool shade o" trees and the clear water o" a stream and he ensures
that there are no asps among the green grass. 7e does not pre"er the richest
pastures, )ecause he ;nows that sna;es and harm"ul her)s are Iuite common
there and thus dangerous "or his sheep. 7e pre"ers instead mountain pastures,
where the dew ;eeps the grass clean and "resh and the strong sunshine ;eeps
sna;es awa# and the )ree(# air is light and health#, not li;e the unhealth# air in
the plains. 0he good shepherd watches his sheep one )# one. 7e cures them
when the# are sic; and i" the# get hurt he dresses their wounds. 7e reproaches
the sheep that might )e sic; )ecause the# are too greed# "or "ood and he calls to
a di""erent place the ones that might )e harmed )# sta#ing too long in a damp
spot or in the sunshine. And i" one is unwilling to eat he loo;s "or acidulous
aromatic her)s suita)le to whet its appetite and he "eeds it with his own hands,
spea;ing to it as i" it were a "riend. 0hat is what the good >ather ho is in
7ea'en does with 7is children wandering on the earth. 7is lo'e is the sta"" that
gathers them together, 7is 'oice is their guide, 7is =aw is 7is pasture, 7ea'en
7is "old.
2 .ut one o" his sheep le"t him. 7ow "ond o" it he wasF It was #oung, pure,
white, li;e a cloud in an April s;#. 0he shepherd used to loo; at it with so much
lo'e, thin;ing o" how much good he could do "or it and how much lo'e he could
recei'e "rom it. And it stra#ed. A tempter passed on the road that runs along the
pasture. 7e does not wear a plain Cac;et, )ut has on a man#<coloured ro)e. 7e
does not ha'e a leather )elt with hatchet and ;ni"e hanging "rom it, )ut he wears
a golden )elt, "rom which little )ells hang, as sweet<sounding as the singing o" a
nightingale, and phials o" ine)riating scents... 7e does not carr# a shepherd6s
sta"" as the good shepherd does, to gather the sheep together and de"end them
and should his sta"" not )e su""icient, he is read# to de"end them with his hatchet
and ;ni"e and e'en with his li"e. .ut the tempter who is passing )#, is holding in
his hands a thuri)le spar;ling with gems and "rom it smo;e rises, which is
stench and scent at the same time, and it )ewilders as the spar;ling o" the "a;e
Cewels da((les. 7e passes )# singing and drops hand"uls o" salt, which shines on
the dar; road... 1inet#<nine sheep loo; and remain where the# are. 0he one
hundredth, the #oungest and dearest one, ma;es a leap and disappears )ehind
the tempter. 0he shepherd calls it. .ut it does not come )ac;. It runs "aster than
the wind to Coin the tempter who has Cust gone )#, and to sustain itsel" while
running it tastes some o" the salt, which as soon as it is swallowed, causes a
strange )urning "ren(# so that the poor sheep cra'es "or cool water in the deep
green shades o" "orests. And "ollowing the tempter it goes into the "orests, and it
clim)s and descends and "alls... once, twice, three times. And each time it "eels
round its nec; the slim# em)race o" reptiles, and )eing thirst# it drin;s "oul
water and when it is hungr# it eats her)s shining with re'olting slo))er.
3 And in the meantime what does the good shepherd doE 7e lea'es the ninet#<
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nine "aith"ul ones in a sa"e place and he sets out and does not stop until he "inds
traces o" the lost sheep. Since it does not come )ac; to him, although he calls it
in a loud 'oice )egging the wind to carr# his call to it, he goes to the sheep. And
he sees it "rom a"ar, intoDicated in the coils o" reptiles, so intoDicated that it does
not "eel nostalgia "or the man who lo'es it, on the contrar# it moc;s him. And he
is aware that it is guilt# o" entering, li;e a thie", the a)ode o" other people, so
guilt# that it dare not loo; at him... And #et the good shepherd does not )ecome
tired... and he goes on loo;ing "or it all the time, "ollowing its traces and
weeping when he loses them? strips o" "leeceL traces o" its soulL traces o" )loodL
'arious crimesL "ilthL proo"s o" its lustL )ut he goes on and reaches it. AhF I
"ound #ou, m# )elo'ed one. I reached #ou at lastF 7ow "ar ha'e I wal;ed "or
#ou, to ta;e #ou )ac; to the "old. Do not )end #our deCected head. 4our sin is
)uried in m# heart. 1o)od# will ;now a)out it, eDcept me, and I lo'e #ou. I will
de"end #ou "rom the criticism o" other people, I will shield #ou with m# )od# to
protect #ou against the stones o" accusers. 3ome. Are #ou woundedE 9hF let me
see #our wounds. I ;now them. .ut I want #ou to show them to me with the
con"idence #ou had when #ou were pure, and #ou loo;ed at me, #our shepherd
and #our God, with innocent e#es. 0here the# are. 0he# ha'e all the same name.
7ow deep the# areF ho in"licted these 'er# deep ones in the depth o" #our
heartE It was the 0empter, I ;now. It is he who has neither sta"" nor hatchet, )ut
he stri;es more deepl# with his poisonous )ite, and a"ter him, the "alse Cewels o"
his thuri)le stri;e? the ones that seduced #ou )# spar;ling... and the# were
hellish sulphur )rought to da#light to )urn #our heart. =oo; how man# woundsF
7ow much torn "leece, how much )lood, how much )ram)le.
4 9 m# poor little disappointed soulF .ut tell me? i" I "orgi'e #ou, will #ou still
lo'e meE 0ell me? i" I stretch out m# arms to #ou, will #ou come to themE 0ell
me? do #ou thirst "or good lo'eE ell? come and )e )orn again. 3ome )ac; to
the hol# pastures. eep. 4our tears and mine will wash the traces o" #our sin
and in order to nourish #ou, )ecause #ou are worn out )# the e'il which has
)urnt #ou, I open m# chest and m# 'eins and I sa# to #ou? G>eed on them, and
li'eFH 3ome here that I ma# ta;e #ou in m# arms. e will wal; "aster to the sa"e
hol# pastures. 4ou will "orget e'er#thing o" this misera)le hour. And #our
ninet#<nine good sisters will reCoice at #our return, )ecause I tell #ou, m# little
lost sheep, which I ha'e loo;ed "or coming "rom "ar awa#, and I reached and
sa'ed, I tell #ou, there is more reCoicing among the good, "or one who was lost
and has )een "ound, than "or ninet#<nine Cust who ne'er le"t the "old. 5
5 ,esus has ne'er turned round to loo; at the road )ehind 7im and on which
*ar# o" *agdala has arri'ed in the dim light o" the e'ening. She is most
elegant, )ut at least she is dressed, and she is wearing a dar; 'eil, which
conceals her "eatures and "igure. .ut when ,esus continues 7is speech "rom the
words? 2 I "ound #ou, m# )elo'ed one 5, *ar# hides her hands under her 'eil
and weeps, so"tl# and continuousl#.
People cannot see her, )ecause she is on this side o" the em)an;ment, which
runs along the road. 9nl# the moon, now high in the s;#, and ,esus6 spirit can
see her...
And 7e sa#s to me? 2 0he comment is in the 'ision itsel". .ut I shall spea; to
#ou again a)out it. 8est now, )ecause it is time. I )less #ou, *# "aith"ul *ar#. 5
,--. Co))!nt on Tr!! E"iso(!s Conn!ct!( $it t! Con2!rsion
o0 7'r1 o0 7'&('#'.
1-t Au&ust 1*44.
,esus sa#s?
1 2 As "rom ,anuar#, when I let #ou see the supper in the house o" Simon, the
leper, #ou and he who guides #ou, ha'e wished to ;now more a)out *ar# o"
*agdala and the words I spo;e to her. 1ow, a"ter se'en months, I re'eal those
pages o" the past to #ou, to ma;e #ou happ# and to gi'e a rule to those who
must learn to )end o'er those women, who are lepers in their souls, and also to
in'ite those poor wretches, who are su""ocating in their sepulchres o" 'ice, to
come out o" them.
2 God is good. 7e is good to e'er#)od#. 7e does not measure )# means o"
human measures. 7e does not discriminate )etween mortal sins. Sin, whate'er it
ma# )e, grie'es 7im. 8epentance pleases 7im and ma;es 7im willing to
"orgi'e. 8esistance to Grace ma;es 7im in"leDi)l# se'ere )ecause ,ustice
cannot "orgi'e the unrepentant who will die as such, notwithstanding all the help
gi'en to them so that the# might )e con'erted. ,ut the main cause of forty per
cent, if not fifty per cent, of non2conversions is the negligence of those
responsible for conversions, that is, a mistaen false 3eal protecting real
233.C!++#nt !n T"r## E$s!*#s C!nn#ct#* &t" t"# C!n6#rs!n !4 9)r5 !4 9)(*)%). 331
selfishness and pride, whereby one is happy in one4s refuge, without having to
descend into dirt to save a heart from it. $" am pure, " deserve respect. " will not
go where there is filth and where they may fail to respect me.'
.ut has he who spea;s thus not read the Gospel where it is written that the Son
o" God came to call taD collectors and prostitutes )eside the honest people, the
onl# honest ones according to the old =awE Does he not thin; that pride is
impurity of the mind, and lac of charity is impurity of the heart5 ill #ou )e
despisedE I was despised )e"ore #ou and more than #ou, and I was the Son o"
God. ill #ou ha'e to wear #our clean ro)e where there is "ilthE And did I not
touch that "ilth with *# hands to ma;e it stand up and sa# to it? Gal; on this
new wa#HE Do #ou not remem)er what I said to #our "irst predecessorsE
Ghate'er town or 'illage #ou go into, as; "or someone trustworth# and sta#
with him.H So that the world ma# not grum)le.
.ecause the world is inclined to see e'il in e'er#thing. .ut I added? Ghen #ou
enter houses <6houses6 I said, not 6house6 M salute them sa#ing? 6Peace to this
house6. And i" the house deser'es it, peace will descend upon it, i" it does not,
#our peace will come )ac; to #ou.H I said that to teach #ou that until there is a
de"inite proo" o" unrepentance, #ou must ha'e the same heart "or e'er#)od#.
And I completed *# lesson )# sa#ing? GAnd i" an#one does not welcome #ou
and does not listen to #our words, as #ou wal; out o" those houses or towns
sha;e the dust "rom #our "eet.H Sin is )ut dust, and God ma;es good souls, who
ha'e constantl# lo'ed 7im, li;e smooth cr#stal cu)es? it is enough to )low or
sha;e the dust and it disappears without doing an# harm.
3 .e reall# good. ,e thoroughly united, with eternal ,ounty in the midst of you,
and no corruption will be able to foul you above the soles of your sandals which
touch the ground. Souls are so high upF I mean the souls o" those who are good
and thoroughl# united to God. Such souls are in 7ea'en. And no dust or "ilth
can reach up there, not e'en when thrown angril# at the spirit o" an apostle.
0he# ma# stri;e #our "lesh, that is, the# ma# wound #ou ph#sicall# or morall#,
persecuting #ou or o""ending #ou, )ecause &'il hates Good. And so whatE as I
not o""ended and woundedE Did the# perhaps car'e those )lows and "oul words
into *# SpiritE Did the# upset *eE 1o, the# did not. =i;e spittle on a mirror or
a stone thrown against the Cuic# pulp o" a "ruit, the# s;idded without penetrating,
or the# penetrated onl# super"iciall#, without damaging the ;ernel enclosed in
the stone? on the contrar# it "osters its germination )ecause it is easier to sprout
"rom a crac;ed core than "rom a whole one. 0hrough death corn germinates and
an apostle )ecomes acti'e. Sometimes through ph#sical death, or d#ing dail#
metaphoricall#, )# crushing one6s human ego. .ut that is not death? it is =i"e.
0he spirit triumphs o'er the death o" humanit#.
4 She@1A to came to *e to satis"# the passing "anc# o" an idle woman who did
not ;now how to while awa# the time, and although her ears were almost
dea"ened )# the "alse homage o" those who lulled her singing to her sensualit#
in order to ma;e her their sla'e, she heard the clear se'ere 'oice o" 0ruth. 9" the
0ruth that is not a"raid o" )eing despised or not understood and spea;s loo;ing
at God. And li;e "esti'e )ells ringing together, all the 'oices mingled in the
ord? 'oices want to sing in the open )lue s;#, spreading o'er 'alle#s and hills,
plains and la;es, to commemorate the glor# o" the =ord and 7is "esti'it#.
Do #ou not remem)er the solemn "esti'it# that in peace time made the da# o"
the =ord so Co#"ulE 0he )ig )ell, with its resonant clapper, ga'e the "irst peal in
the name o" di'ine =aw and seemed to )e sa#ing? GI am spea;ing in the name o"
God, ,udge and Bing.H 0he smaller )ells then harmonised? Gho is good,
merci"ul and patientH, and the smallest )ell, in a sil'er# angelical 'oice addedH
hose =o'e urges men to "orgi'e and )e indulgent, to teach men that "orgi'e<
ness is more use"ul than wrath and compassion is greater than in"leDi)ilit#.H
=i;ewise, a"ter recalling the =aw, trampled on )# the sinner, I made her hear the
song o" "orgi'eness. I shoo; the hope o" "orgi'eness in the dar;ness o" sin, li;e
a green<)lue sil; scar" among dar; shades, so that hope might put in its
com"orting words. >orgi'enessF It is li;e dew on the parching thirst o" sinners.
Dew is not li;e hail, which stri;es li;e a dart, )ounces and without penetrating
the soil ;ills "lowers. Dew descends so lightl# that e'en the most delicate "lower
does not percei'e it resting on its sil; petals. .ut it drin;s its re"reshing
moisture. Dew settles near roots, on parched clods o" earth and penetrates the
soil... It is a moisture o" tears, the tears o" stars, the lo'ing tears o" mothers on
their thirst# children, whom it nourishes together with their sweet )ounti"ul
mil;. 9hF the m#steries o" elements operating also when man rests or sinsF
>orgi'eness is li;e such dew. It )rings not onl# cleanliness, )ut also 'ital Cuices,
ta;en not "rom elements, )ut "rom di'ine hearths.
And a"ter the promise o" "orgi'eness isdom spea;s sa#ing what is legal and
what is not legal, and it reproaches and sha;es, not out o" harshness, )ut out o"
maternal anDiet# to sa'e. 7ow o"ten #our hardness )ecomes more impenetra)le
and un#ielding to 3harit# )ending o'er #ouF... 7ow o"ten #ou run awa# while
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3harit# spea;s to #ouF 7ow o"ten #ou scorn ItF 7ow o"ten #ou hate ItF... I"
3harit# dealt with #ou as #ou deal with It, woe to #our soulsF Instead, see, It is
the Jntiring al;er who comes loo;ing "or #ou. And It reaches #ou e'en i" #ou
hide in the dar;est o" dens.
5 h# did I decide to go to that houseE h# did I not wor; a miracle in itE 0o
teach the apostles how to )eha'e, de"#ing preCudices and criticism in order to
"ul"ill their dut#, which is so high as to )e "ree "rom the tri"ling things o" the
world.
h# did I sa# those words to ,udasE 0he apostles were still 'er# much men. All
3hristians are 'er# much men, also the saints on the earth, although to a lesser
degree. Some humanism sur'i'es also in per"ect souls. .ut the apostles were not
#et per"ect. 0heir minds were per'aded with human reasoning. I li"ted them up.
.ut the weight o" their humanit# pulled them down again. 0o let them descend
as little as possi)le I had to put something on their ascending wa#, which could
stop their descent, something on which the# could stop to meditate and rest and
thus )e a)le to ascend again to a higher le'el than pre'iousl#. I had to )ring
"orth something capa)le o" con'incing them that I was God, that is?
introspection o" their souls, 'ictor# o'er elements, miracles, trans"iguration,
resurrection, u)iIuit#. I was on the road to &mmaus when I was in the =ast
Supper room, and the time o" *# u)iIuit#, when discussed )# the apostles and
disciples, was one o" the reasons which a""ected them most strongl#, "reeing
them "rom their ties and urging them on to the wa# o" 3hrist. 8ather than to
,udas, who was alread# )rooding o'er death, I was spea;ing to the other ele'en.
I was compelled to ma;e it 'er# clear to them that I was God, not out o" pride,
)ut o" necessit# "or their "ormation. I was God and *aster. 0hose words de"ine
*e as such. I re'eal *#sel" )# means o" an eDtra<human "acult# and I teach a
'irtue? we must not tal; e'il things not e'en in our hearts. .ecause God sees,
and God must see a pure heart to descend into it and dwell there.
h# did I not wor; the miracle in that houseE 0o ma;e e'er#)od# understand
that the presence o" God calls "or a pure en'ironment, out o" respect "or 7is
su)lime maCest#. I did not wor; the miracle there, )ecause I wanted to spea; to
her, not uttering words with *# lips, )ut with a deeper word addressed to her
sin"ul soul and sa#? GSee, poor wretchE 4ou are so "ilth# that e'er#thing near
#ou )ecomes "oul. So "oul, that God cannot act. 4ou are "ilthier than he is.
.ecause #ou are repeating &'e6s sin and are o""ering #our "ruit to man# Adams,
)# tempting them and ta;ing them awa# "rom their Dut#. 4ou are a minister o"
Satan.H .ut wh# do I not want her to )e called GSatanH )# his deCected motherE
.ecause no reason can Custi"# insult and hatred. 0he "irst essential condition to
ha'e God with us is to )ear no ill<will and to "orgi'e. 0he second condition is to
admit that we, or those who )elong to us, are sinners as well. e must not see
onl# other people6s "aults. 0he third condition is to remain grate"ul and "aith"ul,
a"ter recei'ing grace, out o" Custice to the &ternal >ather. oe to those who a"ter
recei'ing grace are worse than dogs and do not remem)er their .ene"actor,
whereas animals doF
I did not sa# one word to *ar# *agdalene. I loo;ed at her "or a moment, as i"
she were a statue, then I le"t her. I went )ac; to the Gli'ing onesH whom I
wanted to sa'e. I treated her with seeming carelessness, as i" she were dead, li;e
or more than a li"eless sculptured piece o" mar)le. .ut I did not utter a word or
ma;e a gesture that did not aim mainl# at her poor soul, which I wanted to
redeem. And the last words? GI do not insult. Do not insult. Pra# "or sinners.
1othing elseH, li;e a garland o" "lowers the ends o" which are Coined together,
are to )e Coined to the "irst words spo;en upon the mountain? G>orgi'eness is
more use"ul than wrath and compassion than in"leDi)ilit#.H And these ha'e
enclosed the poor wretch in a cool 'el'et circle, scented with goodness, ma;ing
her "eel how the lo'ing ser'ice o" God is di""erent "rom the cruel sla'er# o"
Satan, how sweet is the hea'enl# per"ume as compared to the stench o" sin, and
how relaDing it is to )e lo'ed holil# as compared to )eing possessed satanicall#.
See how moderate is the will o" the =ord. 7e does not eDact immediate
con'ersions. 7e does not claim the a)solute "rom a heart. 7e can wait and )e
satis"ied. And while he waits "or the lost woman to "ind her wa#, "or the mad
woman to "ind reason, 7e is satis"ied with what the deCected mother can gi'e
her. I as; her onl#? G3an #ou "orgi'eEH 7ow man# more Iuestions I should ha'e
as;ed her to ma;e her worth# o" the miracle, i" I had )eha'ed according to
human standardsF .ut I measure #our strength in a di'ine wa#. It was alread# a
great success i" the poor deranged mother could reall# "orgi'e. And that is all I
as; her, at that moment. A"ter gi'ing her son )ac; to her, I sa# to her? G.e hol#
and ma;e #our house hol#.H .ut while the pangs o" grie" derange her mind, I
as; her )ut to "orgi'e the culprit. 4ou must not eDact e'er#thing "rom those who
shortl# )e"ore were in Dar;ness. 0hat mother was to come later to "ull light,
with her daughter<in<law and the children. >or the time )eing, it was necessar#
to let "irst dawning o" =ight reach her e#es )linded )# tears? that is, "orgi'eness,
the dawn o" God6s da#.
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9" the people present onl# one M I am not re"erring to ,udas, I am spea;ing o"
the people gathered there, not o" *# disciples M onl# one was not to come to the
=ight. 0here is alwa#s someone "or whom the apostle toils in 'ain. .ut #ou must
not lose heart )ecause o" such de"eats. An apostle must not pretend to achie'e
e'er#thing. Struggling against him there are ad'erse powers, with man#
di""erent names, and li;e tentacles o" an octopus the# grasp again the pre# that
he had snatched "rom them. .ut the apostle is still meritorious. oe to the
apostle who sa#s? GI am not going there )ecause I ;now that I shall not )e a)le
to con'ert an#one.H 7e is an apostle o" 'er# little 'alue. It is necessar# to go
e'en i" onl# one in a thousand will )e sa'ed. 7is apostolic da# will )e as "ruit"ul
)ecause o" that one as it would )e "or a thousand, )ecause he will ha'e done
e'er#thing in his power and that is what God rewards. 4ou must also consider
that where the apostle is not a)le to con'ert, )ecause the person to )e con'erted
is too "irml# gripped )# Satan and the power o" the apostle is inadeIuate to the
e""ort, God ma# inter'ene. And thenE ho is greater than GodE
Another thing that the apostle must a)solutel# practice is lo'e. 3lear lo'e. 1ot
onl# the secret lo'e "or the hearts o" )rethren. 0hat is enough "or good )rethren.
,ut the apostle is a worer of God and he must not limit himself to prayer# he
must act. =et him act with lo'e, with great lo'e. 8igour paral#ses the apostle6s
wor; and hinders the motion o" souls towards the =ight. So? not rigour, )ut lo'e.
=o'e is the incom)usti)le "a)ric that protects #ou against the )la(e o" wic;ed
passions. =o'e is the saturation o" preser'ing essences which pre'ent human<
satanic puri"ication "rom entering 4ou. To con1uer a soul you must learn how to
love. To con1uer a soul you must induce it to love# to love God and disown its
petty sinful love. I wanted *ar#6s soul. And as in #our case, *# little ,ohn, I did
not con"ine *#sel" to spea;ing "rom the 0eacher6s des;. I stooped loo;ing "or
her in the paths o" sin. I pursued her and persecuted her )# means o" *# lo'e. A
;ind persecutionF I<Purit# "ollowed her where she was Impurit#. I was not a"raid
o" an# scandal, neither with regard to *#sel" nor to others.
I could not )e scandalised, )ecause I was *erc#L nor to others. I could not )e
scandalised, )ecause I was *erc#L and *erc# weeps o'er sins )ut is not
scandalised )# them. oe to the shepherd who is scandalised and entrenches
himsel" )ehind the screen o" scandal to a)andon a soulF Do #ou not ;now that
souls are more inclined than )odies to rise again and that the piti"ul lo'ing word
sa#ing? G8ise, sister, "or #our own goodH o"ten wor;s a miracleE I was not a"raid
o" other people6s scandal. *# )eha'iour was Custi"ied in the e#es o" God, and
was understood )# good people. An e'il<minded man "ermenting with wic;ed<
ness, which e'aporates "rom a corrupt heart, is o" no importance. Such man
"inds "aults also in God, and considers onl# himsel" per"ect. I there"ore paid no
attention to such people.
6 0he three phases o" the sal'ation o" a soul are?
To be thoroughly and strictly honest in order to be able to spea without any
fear of being silenced. 0o )e a)le to spea; to a whole crowd so that our
apostolic word, addressed to the crowds gathering round our m#stical )oat, ma#
tra'el "arther and "arther, li;e circles o" wa'es, until it reaches the mir# shore,
where those who are not interested in ;nowing the 0ruth are l#ing in the mud.
0hat is the "irst tas; in order to )rea; the hard crust o" the soil and prepare it to
recei'e the seed. "t is the hardest tas both for him who performs it and for him
who receives it, because words, lie a sharp ploughshare, must wound the
listener in order to open his heart. And I solemnl# tell #ou that the heart o" a
good apostle is hurt and )leeds )ecause o" the grie" in ha'ing to wound in order
to open. .ut that grie" also is proli"ic. 0hrough the )lood and the tears o" an
apostle waste land )ecomes "ertile.
0he second Iualit#? It is necessar# to act also where one, less conscious o" one6s
mission, would "lee. The apostle must brea his bac in the effort to e&tirpate
darnel, cough2grass and thorns in order to clear the soil and plough it and then
let the power of God and His bounty shine on it lie the sun. And at the same
time, li;e a Cudge and a doctor, he must )e se'ere and merci"ul, and remain "irm
in the period o" waiting to gi'e the souls time to surmount their crises, to
meditate and ma;e up their minds.
0hird phase? As soon as a soul that has repented in silence, dares to come sh#l#
towards an apostle, weeping and thin;ing o" its "aults, "earing to )e dri'en awa#,
the apostle4s heart, must be greater than the sea, more gentle than a mother4s
heart, more loving than a bride4s, and he must open it completely to allow
waves of tenderness to flow from it. I" #ou ha'e God, ho is 3harit#, within
#ou, #ou will easil# "ind charita)le words to )e spo;en to souls. God will spea;
in #ou and on #our )ehal" and li;e hone# dropping "rom a hone#com), li;e
)alm "lowing "rom a phial, lo'e will reach parched sic;ened lipsL it will reach
wounded souls and will )e relie" and medicine.
4ou doctors o" souls, ma;e sinners lo'e #ou. =et them taste the "la'our o"
7ea'enl# 3harit# and let them )ecome so eager "or it, as to see; no other "ood.
=et them "eel in #our ;indness such a relie", as to see; it "or all their wounds.
233.C!++#nt !n T"r## E$s!*#s C!nn#ct#* &t" t"# C!n6#rs!n !4 9)r5 !4 9)(*)%). 334
4our charit# must "ree them "rom all "ear, )ecause, as the epistle which #ou
ha'e read toda# sa#s? GTo fear is to e&pect punishment, and anyone who is
afraid is still imperfect in love.H 1either is he per"ect who causes people to )e
a"raid. Do not sa#? Ghat ha'e #ou doneEH Do not sa#? GGo awa#.H Do not sa#?
G4ou cannot ha'e relish "or good lo'e.H
Sa# instead, in *# name? G=o'e and I will "orgi'e #ou.H Sa#? G3ome, ,esus6
arms are open.H Sa#? G&nCo# this angelical .read and this ord and "orget the
pitch o" hell and Satan6s sneers.H .ear the wea;ness o" other people. An apostle
must bear his own and other people4s weanesses, with his own crosses and
other people4s. And while coming to *e, laden with wounded sheep, encourage
the poor stra# souls sa#ing? G&'er#thing is "orgotten )# nowHL sa#? G.e not
a"raid o" the Sa'iour. 7e came "rom 7ea'en "or #ou, Cust "or #ou. I am )ut a
)ridge to carr# #ou to 7im ho is waiting "or #ou, on the other side o" the ri'er
o" penitential a)solution, to lead #ou to 7is hol# pastures, which )egin here, on
the earth, and continue in 7ea'en, in e'erlasting nutritious delight"ul .eaut#.H
7 7ere is the comment. It is o" little concern to #ou, sheep "aith"ul to the Good
Shepherd. .ut i" in #ou, little )ride, it increases con"idence, in the >ather @2A it
will )e greater light in 7is light as Cudge, and "or man# it will )e no incenti'e to
come to God. .ut it will )e penetrating and nourishing dew o" which I ha'e
spo;en and which ma;es withered "lowers stand upright again. 8aise #our
heads. 7ea'en is high a)o'e. Go in peace, *ar#. 0he =ord is with #ou.5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
@1A 2She5 is *ar# *agdalene. In order to understand the "ull meaning o" the
present 3hapter and e'ents re"erred to therein, please see 3hapter 1+3.
@2A 0hat is, the Spiritual >ather o" *aria -altorta.
,-4. 7'rt' H's H!r :ictor1 $itin H!r %r's".
,*t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is a)out to em)ar; in the )oat, at the dawn o" a clear summer da# which
is spreading roses on the wrin;led sil;# sur"ace o" the la;e, when *artha arri'es
with her maidser'ant. 2 9hF *asterF =isten to me, "or God6s sa;e 5 she sa#s.
,esus goes )ac; on to the shore and sa#s to the apostles? 2 Go and wait "or *e at
the torrent. In the meantime prepare e'er#thing "or our trip towards *agedan.
0he Decapolis also is waiting "or the word. Go. 5
And while the )oat mo'es awa# and ta;es to the open la;e, ,esus wal;s )eside
*artha. *arcella respect"ull# "ollows them.
0he# thus mo'e awa# "rom the 'illage wal;ing on the shore, which "rom a
sand# stretch, strewn at la;e le'el with sparse tu"ts o" wild her)s, )ecomes
completel# co'ered with 'egetation as it clim)s up the hill sides, which are
re"lected in the la;e.
hen the# reach a lonel# spot, ,esus as;s smiling? 2 hat do #ou want to tell
*eE 5
2 2 9hF *aster... *ar# came home last night shortl# a"ter midnight. 9hF I was
"orgetting to tell 4ou that while we were ha'ing lunch at midda#, she said to
me? Gould #ou mind lending me one o" #our dresses and a mantleE 0he# ma#
)e a little short. .ut I will lea'e the dress loose and hold the mantle down...H I
replied to her? G4ou ma# ta;e whate'er #ou wish, m# dear sister.H *# heart was
thro))ing )ecause, shortl# )e"ore, spea;ing to *arcella in the garden I had said
to her? GAt 'esper we must )e at 3apernaum, )ecause the *aster is spea;ing to
the crowds this e'eningH and I saw *ar# start and change colour. She )ecame
restless, mo'ing a)out all alone, li;e a person in pain or in a "lutter, on the point
o" ma;ing a decision... )ut does not ;now which wa# to decide. A"ter lunch she
went into m# room and too; the most dar; and modest dress I had, she tried it
on and as;ed the nurse to let the hem down, as it was too short. She tried to do it
hersel", )ut weeping she con"essed? GI am no longer good at sewing. I ha'e
"orgotten e'er#thing use"ul and good...H and she threw her arms round m# nec;
sa#ing? GPra# "or me.H She went out a)out sunset... 7ow much I pra#ed, that she
might not meet an#one who would ;eep her "rom coming here, so that she might
understand 4our word and succeed in de"initel# strangling the monster
ensla'ing her... =oo;? I put 4our )elt, which I tied under m# own, and when I
"elt m# waist )eing oppressed )# the hard sti"" leather, to which it is not used, I
would sa#? G7e is stronger than an#thing.H 0hen *arcella and I came )# wagon,
as it is Iuic;er. I do not ;now whether 4ou saw us in the crowd... .ut what an
aching pain in m# heart at not seeing *ar#F I would sa# to m#sel"? GShe must
ha'e changed her mind. She has gone )ac; home. 9r...she has run awa# as she
234. 9)rt") H)s H#r ;ct!r5 &t"n H#r 'r)s$. 33,
could no longer stand m# control, although she had as;ed "or it.H I was listening
to 4ou and weeping under m# 'eil. 4our words seemed to )e spo;en Cust "or
her... and she did not hear themF 0hat is what I was thin;ing as I did not see her.
I went )ac; home downhearted. It is the truth. I diso)e#ed 4ou )ecause #ou had
said to me? GI" she comes, #ou sta# at home and wait "or her.H .ut thin; o" m#
heart, *asterF It was m# sister coming to 4ouF 7ow could I not )e there to see
her near 4ouE And then... 4ou said to me? GShe will )e )ro;enH and I wanted to
)e near her to support her at once...
3 I was ;neeling in m# room weeping and pra#ing and it was a"ter midnight
when she came in. She came in so so"tl# that I heard her onl# when she threw
hersel" upon me em)racing me and sa#ing? G&'er#thing #ou sa#, m# )lessed
sister, is true. 1a#, it is much more so than #ou told me. 7is merc# is much
greater. 9hF *arthaF 0here is no "urther need "or #ou to watch meF 4ou will see
that I am no longer c#nical and misera)leF 4ou will no longer hear me sa# 6I do
not want to thin;F6 1ow I want to thin;. I ;now what to thin; o". 9" .ount#
hich )ecame "lesh. 4ou were certainl# pra#ing "or me sister. And 'ictor# is
alread# within #our grasp? 4our *ar#, who no longer wants to sin and who is
)orn to a new li"e. 7ere she is. =oo; at her straight in the "ace. .ecause she is a
new *ar#, whose "ace has )een washed )# tears o" hope and repentance. 4ou
can ;iss me, m# pure sister. 0here is no trace o" shame"ul lo'e a""airs on m#
"ace.
7e said that 7e lo'es m# soul. .ecause 7e was spea;ing to m# soul and a)out
m# soul. I was the lost sheep. 7e said, listen i" I am right. 4ou ;now how the
Sa'iour spea;s...H and she repeated 4our para)le per"ectl#. *ar# is so
intelligentF *uch more intelligent than I am. And she remem)ers. So I heard
4ou twiceL and i" those words were hol# and adora)le on 4our lips, on hers the#
were hol#, adora)le and lo'ing )ecause the# were spo;en to m# sister, who had
)een "ound and had come )ac; to the "amil# "old. e were sitting on a mat on
the "loor, em)racing each other, as we were wont to do when we were little girls
in m# mother6s room or near the loom where she wo'e or em)roidered her
wonder"ul cloths. And we remained thus, no longer di'ided )# sin, and m#
mother also seemed to )e present in her spirit. e wept without an# grie", on the
contrar#, with so much peaceF e ;issed each other happil#... And then *ar#,
who was tired a"ter her long wal;, and was eDhausted with emotion and so man#
"eelings, "ell asleep in m# arms and with the help o" the nurse I laid her on m#
)ed... and I le"t her there to come here...5 and *artha, thoroughl# happ#, ;isses
,esus6 hands.
4 2 I also will tell #ou what *ar# said to #ou? G-ictor# is alread# in #our
grasp.H Go and )e happ#. Go in peace. =et #our )eha'iour )e ;ind and prudent
with #our re)orn sister. Good)#e, *artha. =et =a(arus ;now, as he is worried. 5
2 4es, *aster. .ut when will *ar# come with us women disciplesE 5
,esus smiles and sa#s? 2 0he 3reator created the uni'erse in siD da#s and rested
on the se'enth. 5
2 I understand. I must )e patient...5
2 4es, patient. Do not sigh. 0hat is a 'irtue as well. Peace to #ou, women. e
shall meet soon 5 and ,esus lea'es them and goes towards the place where the
)oat is waiting near the shore.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
5 ,esus sa#s? 2 Put here the 'ision o" the supper in the house o" Simon, the
Pharisee, which #ou saw on ,anuar# 21st, 1/44. 5
,-+. 7'r1 7'&('#!n! in t! Hous! o0 Si)on. t! P'ris!!.
,1st 9'nu'r1 1*44.
1 0o com"ort me in m# compleD su""ering and ma;e me "orget the wic;edness
o" men, m# ,esus grants me this sweet contemplation.
I see a sumptuous hall. A man#<)ranched candlestic; is hanging in the centre
and is completel# lit. 0he hall is hung with )eauti"ul tapestr#L there are
magni"icent pieces o" "urniture and chairs inlaid and decorated with i'or# and
precious metal lea'es.
0here is a large sIuare ta)le in the centre, consisting o" "our ta)les assem)led
together. 0he ta)le has )een laid "or man# guests @all menA and is co'ered with
)eauti"ul ta)le<cloths and 'er# eDpensi'e ta)leware. 0here are 'alua)le
amphorae and cups and man# ser'ants are mo'ing round the ta)le carr#ing
dishes and pouring out wines. 0here is no one in the centre o" the sIuare. I can
see the magni"icent "loor which re"lects the lights o" the oil chandelier. Around
23,. 9)r5 9)(*)%#n# n t"# H!us# !4 S+!n/ t"# P")rs##. 33-
the ta)le there are man# couches, all occupied )# the guests.
I appear to )e in the hal"<dar; corner at the end o" the hall, near a door, which is
wide open, although screened )# a hea'# piece o" tapestr# hanging "rom its
architra'e.
0he landlord and the most important guests are on the opposite side, that is, the
"arthest side "rom the door. 0he landlord is elderl#, wearing a wide white tunic
tied round his waist )# an em)roidered )elt. 8ound the collar, the cu""s and the
hem o" the tunic there are strips o" em)roidered wor;, which ha'e )een attached
as i" the# were em)roidered ri))ons or strips. .ut I do not li;e his eDpression. It
is malicious, cold, proud and greed#.
9n the opposite side, "acing him, there is m# ,esus. I see 7im sidewa#s, almost
"rom )ehind 7is )ac;. 7e is wearing 7is usual white tunic, sandals, and 7is
long hair is parted on 7is "orehead.
I see that )oth 7e and all the guests are not sitting up to the ta)le, as I thought
one would on those couches, instead the# are reclined parallell#. In the 'ision o"
the wedding at 3ana I did not pa# much attention to this detail. I saw that the#
were eating leaning on their le"t el)ows, )ut the# did not appear to )e so
reclined, pro)a)l# )ecause the couches were shorter and not so sumptuous.
0hose I see now are real )eds, and loo; li;e modern 0ur;ish di'ans.
,ohn is near ,esus and since ,esus is leaning on 7is le"t el)ow, li;e e'er#)od#
else, ,ohn is )etween the ta)le and ,esus6 )od#, with his el)ow at the height o"
the *aster6s groin, so that he does not hinder 7im while eating, )ut i" he wishes,
he can lie con"identiall# on 7is chest.
0here is no woman at the ta)le. 0he# are all tal;ing and the landlord now and
again addresses ,esus with e'ident a""ected condescension. It is o)'ious that he
wants to show to 7im and to all those present as well, that he has greatl#
honoured 7im, a poor and rather hot<headed prophet, as man# people consider
7im, )# in'iting 7im to his wealth# house... I see ,esus repl# ;indl# and
Iuietl#. 7e smiles "aintl# at those who as; 7im Iuestions, )ut 7is smile
)ecomes )right when ,ohn spea;s to 7im or e'en loo;s at 7im.
2 I see the magni"icent curtain co'ering the door<space )eing raised and a #oung
woman come in. She is )eauti"ul, sumptuousl# dressed and her hair is splendidl#
arranged. 0he artisticall# interlaced loc;s o" her 'er# thic; )lond hair "orm a
)eauti"ul ornament on her head. 7er hair is so )right and a)undant that she
seems to )e wearing a golden helmet wrought in relie". I" I should ha'e to
compare the dress she has on with the ones I ha'e alwa#s seen the .lessed
-irgin *ar# wear, I would sa# that it is 'er# peculiar and complicated. 0here
are )uc;les on the shoulders, Cewels to hold together the pleats at the top o" the
)reast, little gold chains to outline the )reast, and the )elt is adorned with studs
and gems. It is a pro'o;ing dress, which emphasises the "eatures o" her )eauti"ul
)od#. 0he 'eil on her head is so light that... it 'eils nothing? it is an additional
charm and nothing else. 7er sandals are 'er# eDpensi'e ones, o" red leather with
gold )uc;les and strips interlaced round her an;les.
&'er#)od#, eDcept ,esus, turns round to loo; at her. ,ohn watches her "or a
moment, then loo;s at ,esus. 0he others stare at her with e'ident malicious
a'idit#. .ut the woman does not loo; at them, neither does she pa# attention to
the whispering that has arisen at her entrance, or to the win;ing o" the people
present, with the eDception o" ,esus and 7is disciple. ,esus pretends 7e has seen
nothing. 7e continues 7is con'ersation with the landlord.
0he woman goes towards ,esus and ;neels down at the "eet o" the *aster. She
la#s on the "loor a little 'ase, shaped li;e a pot)ellied amphora, ta;es o"" her 'eil
a"ter remo'ing a long 'alua)le pin, which "astened it to her hair, she remo'es
rings "rom her "ingers and la#s e'er#thing on the couch near ,esus6 "eet. She
then ta;es 7is "eet in her hands, "irst the right one and then the le"t one, unlaces
7is sandals and la#s them on the "loor. She then ;isses 7is "eet )ursting into
tears, she rests her "orehead on them, caresses them, while tears stream down
her "ace li;e drops o" rain, shining in the light o" the chandelier and wetting
those adora)le "eet.
3 ,esus turns 7is head round 'er# slightl# and slowl#, and 7is deep e#es rest "or
a moment on the woman6s reclined head. An a)sol'ing glance. 7e then loo;s
again at the centre o" the hall, lea'ing her "ree in her out)urst.
.ut the others do not? the# sco"", win; and sneer. 0he Pharisee sits up "or a
moment to ha'e a )etter 'iew and his e#es eDpress desire, 'eDation and iron#.
7e desires the woman, and that "eeling is e'ident. 7e is 'eDed )ecause she has
come in so "reel#, which ma# cause the others to thin; that she is a ha)itual
guest in the house. And he is ironical with regard to ,esus...
.ut the woman is not aware o" an#thing. She continues to shed torrents o" tears
noiselessl#. She weeps and now and again she so)s. She then lets her hair down,
a"ter remo'ing the gold hairpins, which held up her complicated hairdress and
23,. 9)r5 9)(*)%#n# n t"# H!us# !4 S+!n/ t"# P")rs##. 33.
she puts also the hairpins near the rings and the long 'eil<pin. 7er golden loc;s
roll down her )ac;. She ta;es them with )oth hands, )rings them in "ront o" her
and ru)s them on ,esus6 wet "eet, until she sees that the# are dr#. She dips her
"ingers into the little 'ase and ta;es out a #ellowish highl# scented ointment. A
sweet<smelling per"ume, a miDture o" lil# and tu)erose, spreads throughout the
hall. 0he woman uses it pro"usel#, she spreads it, ;issing and caressing 7is "eet
at the same time.
4 ,esus loo;s at her now and again with so much lo'ing pit#. ,ohn, who loo;ed
round in ama(ement when she )urst into tears, cannot detach his e#es "rom ,esus
and the woman and loo;s at them alternatel#.
0he "ace o" the Pharisee has )ecome more and more sullen. I now hear the well
;nown words o" the Gospel and I hear them uttered in a tone and with a loo;,
which cause the old resent"ul man to lower his head.
I hear the words a)sol'ing the woman, who goes awa# lea'ing her Cewels at
,esus6 "eet. She has tied her 'eil round her head, thus gathering together her
dishe'elled hair as )est she can. ,esus, while sa#ing to her? 2 Go in peace 5, la#s
7is hand on her reclined head "or a moment. A 'er# gentle gesture.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
5 ,esus now sa#s to me?
2 hat made the Pharisee and his companions lower their heads and is not
mentioned in the Gospel, are the words that *# spirit, in one glance darted at
him and dro'e into his arid a'id soul. I answered him much more than has )een
reported, )ecause none o" the thoughts o" those men was concealed "rom *e.
And he understood *# mute language, which was more meaning"ul and
reproach"ul than *# words were.
I said to him? G1o. Do not ma;e wic;ed insinuations to Custi"# #oursel" to
#oursel". I am not a""ected )# lewdness as #ou are. She does not come to *e
attracted )# sensualit#. I am not #ou or li;e those who are li;e #ou. She comes
to *e )ecause *# countenance and *# word, which she heard )# chance, ha'e
enlightened her soul, which lust had le"t in utter dar;ness. And she comes
)ecause she wants to o'ercome her sensualit# and she realises, poor creature,
that she will ne'er succeed )# hersel". She lo'es *# spirit, nothing )ut *#
spirit, which she percei'es is supernaturall# good. A"ter so much e'il that she
recei'ed "rom #ou all, who ha'e ta;en ad'antage o" her wea;ness "or #our own
'ices, rewarding her with #our lashing scorn, she comes to *e, )ecause she
realises that she has "ound Goodness, ,o# and Peace, which she sought in 'ain in
the pomps and 'anities o" this wic;ed world. 3ure the lepros# o" #our soul, o
h#pocritical Pharisee, that #ou ma# ha'e the right 'iew o" things. >orsa;e pride
o" mind and lust o" "lesh. 0heir lepros# is much more "etid than the lepros# o"
#our )odies. *# touch can cure #ou o" the latter, )ecause #ou )eg *e to cure
#ou, )ut I cannot cure #ou o" the lepros# o" #our souls, )ecause #ou do not wish
to )e cured, as #ou li;e it. .ut she wants to reco'er. And thus I cleanse her, and
I "ree her "rom the chains o" her sla'er#. 0he sinner is dead. She is still o'er
there, in those ornaments that she is ashamed to o""er *e that I ma# sancti"#
them, using them "or the needs o" *# disciples and *ine and "or the poor,
whom I help )# means o" the surplus o" other people, )ecause I, the *aster o"
the uni'erse, possess nothing now that I am the Sa'iour o" man. She is still here,
in the per"ume spread on *# "eet, the per"ume that has )een humiliated li;e her
hair, on that part o" *# )od# that #ou disdained to re"resh with the water o"
#our well, notwithstanding I ha'e wal;ed so "ar to )ring light to #ou also. 0he
sinner is dead. And *ar# is re)orn, as )eauti"ul as a modest girl, through her
deep sorrow and her righteous lo'e. She washed hersel" in her tears. And I
solemnl# tell #ou, o Pharisee, that )etween this #oung man who lo'es *e in the
purit# o" his #outh, and that woman who lo'es *e in the sincerit# o" repentance
o" a heart re)orn to Grace, I ma;e no di""erence. And to the Pure #oung man and
the 8epentant woman I entrust the tas; o" understanding *# thought as no one
else can, as well as the tas; o" rendering the last honours to *# .od#, and the
"irst greetings @I am not ta;ing into account *# *other6s special greetingsA
when I will rise "rom the dead.H 0hat is what I wanted to tell the Pharisee )#
means o" *# countenance.
6 .ut I will draw #our attention to something else? "or #our Co# and the Co# o"
man#. Also at .ethan# *ar# repeated the gesture that mar;ed the dawn o" her
redemption. 0here are personal gestures, which are repeated and are peculiar to
a person li;e the person6s st#le. 0he# are unmista;a)le gestures. .ut, as it was
"air, at .ethan# the gesture was not humiliated so much and it was more
con"idential in its re'erent adoration.
*ar# has gone a long wa# since that dawn o" her redemption. A 'er# long wa#.
=o'e, li;e a high wind, has )lown her high up and "ar ahead. =o'e has )urnt her
li;e a "ire, destro#ing her impure "lesh and ma;ing a puri"ied spirit her new
master. And *ar#, now di""erent in her re'i'ed womanl# dignit#, as she is
di""erent in her clothing, which is now as simple as *# *other6s, in her hair<
st#le, her loo;s, her )eha'iour, her words, this new *ar# has a new wa# to
23,. 9)r5 9)(*)%#n# n t"# H!us# !4 S+!n/ t"# P")rs##. 331
honour *e )# means o" the same gesture. She ta;es the last o" her 'ases o"
per"ume, which she ;ept "or *e, and pours it on *# "eet and *# head, without
shedding an# tears, with a happ# countenance due to lo'e and the certaint# that
she had )een "orgi'en and sa'ed. *ar# can now touch *# head and anoint *e.
8epentance and lo'e ha'e cleansed her )# means o" the "ire o" seraphim and she
is a seraph.
8epeat that to #oursel", *ar#, *# little G'oiceH and repeat it to souls. Go, tell
the souls that dare not come to *e )ecause the# "eel guilt#. 7e who lo'es much
is pardoned much. 0hat is, 7e who lo'es *e. 4ou, poor souls, do not ;now how
much the Sa'iour lo'es #ouF .e not a"raid o" *e. 3ome. 3on"identl#.
3ourageousl#. I open *# 7eart and *# arms to #ou.
Alwa#s remem)er? GI ma;e no di""erence )etween him who lo'es *e with his
spotless purit# and him who lo'es *e in the sincere contrition o" a heart re)orn
to Grace.H I am the Sa'iour. Alwa#s remem)er that.
Go in peace. I )less #ou. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
,,n( 9'nu'r1 1*44.
7 I ha'e )een thin;ing all da# o" ,esus6 dictation o" #esterda# e'ening and o"
what I saw and understood, e'en i" it was not said.
In the meantime, )# the wa#, I tell #ou that the con'ersation o" the commensals,
as "ar as I could understand, that is, the part addressed to ,esus, was a)out dail#
e'ents? the 8omans, the =aw opposed )# them, and then the mission o" ,esus as
*aster o" a new school. .ut under the seeming )ene'olence it was clear that
the# as;ed 'icious and captious Iuestions to em)arrass 7im. A di""icult tas;,
)ecause ,esus in a "ew words ga'e the right and conclusi'e answer to each
su)Cect.
>or instance, when the# as;ed 7im o" which particular school or sect 7e had
)ecome the new master, 7e replied simpl#? 2 9" God6s school. It is 7e hom I
"ollow in 7is hol# =aw and to hose interests I de'ote *#sel", ensuring that it
ma# )e renewed "or these little ones @and 7e lo'ingl# loo;ed at ,ohn and in
,ohn at all honest<hearted peopleA in all its essence, as it was on the da# that the
=ord God promulgated it on Sinai. I ta;e men )ac; to the =ight o" God. 5
0o the other Iuestion, as to what 7e thought o" the a)use o" power )# 3aesar,
who had )ecome the ruler o" Palestine, 7e replied? 2 3aesar is what he is
)ecause that is what God wants. 8emem)er the prophet Isaiah. 0hrough di'ine
inspiration, does he not call Asshur Gthe rodH o" 7is angerE 0he rod that
punishes the people o" God, )ecause it has )ecome too detached "rom God and
its outer appearance and spirit are h#pocris#E And does 7e not sa# that a"ter
using him as a punishment, 7e will destro# him )ecause he will ha'e a)used his
tas;, )# )ecoming too proud and cruelE 5
0hose are the two replies that impressed me most.
8 0hen this e'ening m# ,esus sa#s to me smiling?
2 I should call #ou as I called Daniel. 4ou are the woman o" wishes and #ou are
dear to *e )ecause #ou want #our God so much. And I could continue sa#ing to
#ou what was said to Daniel )# *# angel? G.e not a"raid, )ecause "rom the "irst
da# when #ou applied #our heart to understand and grie'e in the presence o"
God, #our pra#ers ha'e )een heard and the# are the reason wh# I ha'e come.H
.ut here it is not the angel who is spea;ing. I am spea;ing to #ou? ,esus.
*ar#, I alwa#s come when Ga heart is anDious to understand.H I am not a hard
se'ere God. I am =i'ing *erc#. And I come "aster than thought to those who
appl# to *e. And I went immediatel# to poor *ar# o" *agdala, so immersed in
sin, with *# spirit, as soon as I percei'ed that the desire to understand was
rising in her. 0he desire to understand the light o" God and her own state o"
dar;ness. And I )ecame her =ight.
9 I was spea;ing to man# that da#, )ut in actual "act I was spea;ing onl# "or her.
I saw )ut her who had approached us dri'en )# the 'ehemence o" her soul,
which re)elled against the "lesh ensla'ing it. I saw )ut her with her poor "ace in
turmoil, her "orced smile, which endea'oured to hide so much weeping o" her
heart, under the appearance o" "alse con"idence and Co#, which were a challenge
to the world and hersel". I saw )ut her, more entangled in the )ram)le than the
lost sheep o" the para)le and she was drowning in the disgust o" her own li"e, a
disgust )rought to the sur"ace li;e those deep wa'es that )ring up the water o"
the )ottom.
I did not sa# great words, neither did I touch an# speci"ic su)Cect concerning
her, a well ;nown sinner, as I did not wish to morti"# her, compelling her to run
awa#, to )e ashamed or to come to *e. I le"t her in peace... I let *# word and
23,. 9)r5 9)(*)%#n# n t"# H!us# !4 S+!n/ t"# P")rs##. 332
*# loo; descend into her, "ermenting there to turn the impulse o" a moment into
her glorious hol# "uture. I spo;e )# means o" one o" the most gentle para)les? a
)eam o" light and ;indness "lashing Cust "or her. And that e'ening, while I was
setting "oot in the house o" the proud rich Pharisee, where *# word could not
"ermentate into "uture glor# )ecause it was ;illed )# Pharisaic pride, I alread#
;new that she would come a"ter weeping )itterl# in her room o" 'ice and that
she had alread# decided on her "uture in the light o" her tears.
10 .oth the "lesh and the thoughts o" the men were in"lamed with lust when the#
saw her enter. &'er#)od# loo;ed at her lust"ull#, eDcept the two Gpure onesH
present at the )anIuet? ,ohn and I. 0he# all thought that she came )ecause o"
one o" her usual caprices, a true dia)olic possession, which dro'e her to
eDtemporaneous a""airs. .ut Satan was alread# de"eated. And when the# all
noticed that she did not loo; at them, the# en'iousl# thought that she had come
"or *e. *an alwa#s "ouls also the purest things, when he is )ut "lesh and )lood.
9nl# the pure ha'e the right 'iew )ecause there is no sin in them upsetting their
thoughts.
.ut there is no reason to )e "rightened )ecause man does not understand, *ar#.
God understands. And that is enough "or 7ea'en. 0he glor# that comes "rom
men does not add an ounce to the glor# that is the destin# o" the )lessed souls in
Paradise. Alwa#s remem)er that. Poor *ar# o" *agdala was alwa#s wrongl#
Cudged in her good deeds. .ut she was not wrongl# Cudged in her )ad deeds
)ecause the# were lust"ul mouth"uls o""ered to the insatia)le hunger o" lewd
men. She was criticised and wrongl# Cudged at 1ain, in the house o" the Pharisee
and she was criticised and reproached at .ethan#, in her own home.
.ut ,ohn, who sa#s a great word, has the ;e# to the last )it o" criticism? G,udas...
)ecause he was a thie".H I sa#? G0he Pharisee and his "riends )ecause the# were
lewd.H SeeE =ust "or sensualit#, greed "or mone# raise their 'oices to criticise
good deeds. Good people do not criticise. 1e'er. 0he# understand.
.ut, I would repeat it, the criticism o" the world is o" no importance. hat
matters is the Cudgement o" God. 5
,-4. T! H'r2!st Is Ric 5ut t! L'5our!rs Ar! F!$.
T! P'r'5#! o0 t! Tr!'sur! Hi((!n in t! Fi!#(.
,*t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 ,esus is on the road that comes "rom la;e *erom towards the la;e o" Galilee.
7e is with the :ealot and .artholomew near a modest little )roo;, which
ne'ertheless nourishes man# plants, and the trio seem to )e waiting "or the
others who are a)out to arri'e "rom two di""erent directions.
It is a 'er# warm da#, and #et man# people ha'e "ollowed the three groups that
ha'e )een preaching in the countr# addressing those who are in good health and
ta;ing the sic; to the *aster. *an# people who ha'e )een cured miraculousl#
"orm a happ# group sitting among the trees, and their Co# is such that the# do not
e'en "eel tired notwithstanding the heat, the dust, the da((ling light, which are a
great trial "or e'er#)od# else.
hen the group led )# ,udas 0haddeus "irst arri'es near ,esus, all those "orming
it or "ollowing it appear to )e 'er# tired. 0he last group to arri'e is the one led
)# Peter and it comprises man# people "rom Bora(im and .ethsaida.
2 e ha'e "inished, *aster. .ut there ought to )e man# groups... 4ou can see
4oursel". It is not possi)le to wal; "ar, )ecause o" the heat. So what can we doE
0he more we ha'e to do, the more the world seems to )e widening out,
scattering 'illages and increasing distances. I ne'er realised that Galilee was so
large. e are in a corner o" Galilee, Cust a corner, and #et we cannot e'angeli(e
it, so wide it is and so large the num)er o" those who need 4ou and want 4ou 5
sighs Peter.
2 It is not the world that is growing wider. It is the ;nowledge o" our *aster that
is spreading 5 replies 0haddeus.
2 4es, it is true. =oo; how man# people. *an# ha'e )een "ollowing us since
this morning. During the warmest hours we too; shelter in a copse. .ut e'en
now, when it is almost e'ening, it is pain"ul to wal;. And these poor people are
much "arther "rom their homes than we are. I" our wor; ;eeps growing li;e this,
I do not ;now what we shall do... 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 0he shepherds will )e coming too, in 0ishri 5 sa#s Andrew to encourage them.
2 4esF Shepherds, disciples, how lo'el#F 0he# are onl# good at sa#ing? G,esus is
the Sa'iour. 7e is o'er there.H 1othing else 5 replies Peter.
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2 At least people will ;now where to "ind 7im. Instead now... F I" we come here,
the# rush here, and while the# are coming here, we go there, and the# ha'e to
run a"ter us. hich is not 'er# pleasant when there are children and sic; people.
5
2 ,esus spea;s? 2 4ou are right, Peter. I "eel sorr# as well "or these souls and this
people. 0he "act that man# o" them ma# not "ind *e at a certain moment, ma#
)e the cause o" irrepara)le mis"ortunes. =oo; how tired and )ewildered are
those who are not #et certain o" *# 0ruth and loo; how hungr# are those who
ha'e alread# tasted *# word and can no longer go without it, and no other word
can satis"# them. 0he# loo; li;e sheep without a shepherd, wandering a)out
without "inding an#one who ma# lead them and pasture them. I will see to them,
)ut #ou must help *e, with all #our spiritual, moral and ph#sical strength. 4ou
will no longer ha'e to go around in large groups, )ut in couples. And we will
send also the )est disciples two )# two. .ecause the har'est is reall# rich. 9hF I
will prepare #ou in summer "or this great mission. .# the month o" 0ammu(
Isaac will Coin us with his )est disciples. And I will prepare #ou. .ut e'en so
#ou will not )e enough. .ecause the har'est is reall# rich )ut the la)ourers are
"ew. So pra# the =ord o" the har'est to send man# la)ourers to 7is har'est. 5
2 4es, m# =ord. .ut that will not ma;e much di""erence to the situation o" those
who see; 4ou 5 sa#s ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 h#, )rotherE 5
2 .ecause the# are loo;ing not onl# "or doctrine and words o" =i"e, )ut the#
want to )e cured and to )e assisted and helped in all their ailments and in the
impairments that either Satan or li"e ha'e )rought to their in"erior or superior
parts. And onl# 4ou can do that, )ecause 4ours is the Power. 5
2 0hose who are one with *e will )e a)le to do what I do and the poor will )e
helped in all their miseries. .ut #ou do not ha'e as #et what is reIuired to do
that. &ndea'our to o'ercome #oursel'es, to trample on #our humanit# and thus
let #our spirit triumph. A)sor) not onl# *# word, )ut the spirit o" it, that is,
sancti"# #oursel'es through it and then #ou will )e a)le to do e'er#thing.
And now let us go and spea; to them, as the# do not wish to go awa# unless I
spea; the word o" God to them. 0hen we shall go )ac; to 3apernaum. 0here
will )e someone waiting "or us there as well... 5
3 2 =ord, is it true that *ar# o" *agdala as;ed 4ou to "orgi'e her, in the
Pharisee6s houseE 5
2 It is true, 0homas. 5
2 And did 4ou "orgi'e herE 5 as;s Philip.
2 I did. 5
2 4ou did the wrong thingF 5 eDclaims .artholomew.
2 h#E She was sincerel# repentant and deser'ed to )e "orgi'en. 5
2 .ut 4ou should not ha'e "orgi'en her in that house, pu)licl#... 5 sa#s the
Iscariot reproachingl#.
2 .ut I do not understand where I was wrong. 5
2 0his is the point? 4ou ;now who the Pharisees are, how "ull their heads are o"
ca'ils, how the# watch 4ou, slander and hate 4ou. 9ne o" them in 3apernaum
was 4our "riend and that was Simon. And 4ou called a prostitute into his house
to desecrate it and cause scandal to 4our "riend Simon. 5
2 I did not call her. She came. She was not a prostitute. She repented. 0hat
throws a di""erent light on the matter. I" the# were not o'ercome with nausea
)e"orehand, when the# approached her and desired her, also in *# presence,
now that she is no longer Cust "lesh, )ut a soul, the# should not "eel disgust
seeing her enter the house to ;neel at *# "eet and accuse hersel" weeping,
humiliating hersel" in hum)le pu)lic con"ession represented )# her tears. Simon
the Pharisee had his house sancti"ied )# a great miracle? Gthe resurrection o" a
soul.H >i'e da#s ago in the sIuare in 3apernaum he as;ed *e? GIs that the onl#
miracle 4ou wor;edEH and he replied himsel"? G3ertainl# notH showing his
desire to see one. And I ga'e it to him. I chose him to )e the witness, the
middleman o" this engagement o" a soul with Grace. 7e ought to )e proud o" it.
5
2 Instead he is scandalised. Perhaps 4ou ha'e lost a "riend. 5
2 I "ound a soul. It is worth losing a man with his "riendship, the poor "riendship
o" a man, to gi'e a soul the "riendship o" God. 5
2 It is useless. e cannot get 4ou to consider matters "rom a human point o"
'iew. e are on the earth, *asterF 8emem)er that. And the laws and the ideas
o" the world are in "orce. 4ou act according to the method o" 7ea'en, 4ou li'e
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in the 7ea'en 4ou ha'e in 4our heart, 4ou see e'er#thing in the light o"
7ea'en. Poor *aster o" *ineF 7ow di'inel# unsuited 4ou are to li'e among us
wic;ed peopleF 5 eDclaims ,udas em)racing 7im. 0he apostle, who is ama(ed
and desolate at the same time, concludes? 2 And I am sorr# )ecause, through too
much per"ection, 4ou ma;e enemies o" too man# people. 5
2 Do not )e sorr#, ,udas. It is written that it must )e thus. .ut how do #ou ;now
that Simon is o""endedE 5
2 7e did not sa# that he is o""ended. .ut he made 0homas and me understand
that it should not ha'e happened. 4ou should not ha'e in'ited her to his house,
which onl# honest people enter. 5
2 ellF ith regard to the honest# o" the people going to Simon6s house, let us
drop the su)Cect 5 sa#s Peter.
And *atthew adds? 2 I could sa# that the perspiration o" prostitutes poured
se'eral times on the "loors, on the ta)le and )e#ond them in the house o" Simon,
the Pharisee. 5
2 .ut not pu)licl# 5 retorts ,udas.
2 1o. 7#pocris# concealed it. 5
2 So #ou can see that there is a di""erence. 5
2 0here is also a di""erence )etween a prostitute who goes in to sa#? GI am
gi'ing up m# disgrace"ul sin"ul li"eH and one who goes in to sa#? G7ere I am to
commit sin with #ou.H 5
2 *atthew is right 5 the# all sa#.
2 9" course, he is right. .ut the# do not reason the wa# we do. e must come to
a compromise with them, and adCust oursel'es to their wa#s to ha'e them
"riendl#. 5
2 1o, ne'er, ,udas. "n truth, honesty, in moral behaviour there are neither
ad*ustments nor compromises6 7 thunders ,esus. And 7e concludes? 2 In an#
case I ;now that I acted rightl# and "or a good purpose. And that is enough. =et
us go and dismiss those tired people. 5
4 And 7e goes towards those who are spread under the trees, loo;ing in 7is
direction, anDiousl# waiting to hear 7im.
2 Peace to #ou all who ha'e wal;ed "or miles and in dog da#s to come and hear
the Gospel. I solemnl# tell #ou that #ou are )eginning to reall# understand what
the Bingdom o" God is, how precious its possession is and how )liss"ul to
)elong to it. And la)our is no longer )urdensome "or #ou, as it is "or others,
)ecause #ou are ruled )# #our soul, which sa#s to the "lesh? G8eCoice )ecause I
am oppressing #ou. I am doing it "or #our own happiness. hen #ou are Coined
to me again, a"ter resurrection, #ou will lo'e me "or crushing #ou and #ou will
see me as #our second sa'iour.H Do #our souls not sa# thatE 9" course the# doF
4ou now )ase #our actions on the teaching o" the para)les I spo;e to #ou some
time ago. .ut I will now gi'e #ou "urther light to ma;e #ou lo'e more and more
the Bingdom which awaits #ou and the 'alue o" which cannot )e measured.
=isten? A man went )# chance into a "ield to get some mould "or his little
;itchen garden and while he was digging with some di""icult# the 'er# hard soil,
he came across a 'ein o" precious metal. hat did the man do thenE 7e co'ered
up with earth what he had disco'ered. 7e did not mind wor;ing a little more,
)ecause the disco'er# Custi"ied the wor;. 7e then went home, he gathered
together all his wealth consisting o" mone# and 'alua)les and he sold the latter
to ma;e more mone#. 7e then went to the owner o" the "ield and said to him? GI
li;e #our "ield. 7ow much do #ou want "or itEH GI am not selling itH replied the
owner. .ut the man o""ered larger and larger sums o" mone# disproportionate to
the 'alue o" the "ield, and at last he succeeded in con'incing the owner who
thought? G0his man must )e madF And supposing he is, I am going to ta;e
ad'antage o" the situation. I will accept the mone# he o""ers me. It is not a
matter o" mone#<gru))ing, )ecause he insists in o""ering me it. ith that mone#
I will )e a)le to )u# at least three more "ields, and )etter ones as well.H And he
sold the "ield and was sure he had done 'er# good )usiness. .ut it was the other
man who had done a wonder"ul deal )ecause he ga'e awa# what could )e stolen
)# thie'es, or lost or used up, and he gained a treasure, which )eing real and
natural, was ineDhausti)le. It was worth while sacri"icing what he had, to ma;e
that purchase, although "or some time he possessed nothing )ut the "ield,
)ecause in actual "act he possessed, and "ore'er, the treasure hidden in it.
4ou ha'e understood all that and #ou )eha'e li;e the man o" the para)le. Gi'e
up transient riches in order to possess the Bingdom o" 7ea'en. Sell them or gi'e
them to the "ools in the world and let them laugh at #ou )ecause the world
thin;s it is "oolish to do that. Do that, alwa#s )eha'e li;e that, and #our >ather
ho is in 7ea'en will reCoice gi'ing #ou one da# #our seat in the Bingdom.
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Go )ac; to #our homes )e"ore the Sa))ath comes, and on the da# o" the =ord
meditate on the para)le o" the treasure, which is the hea'enl# Bingdom. Peace
)e with #ou. 5
5 0he crowds slowl# spread along the road and the countr# paths, while ,esus
goes towards 3apernaum as night is "alling.
7e arri'es there at night. 0he# noiselessl# cross the silent town in the
moonlight, which is the onl# light in the dar; une'enl# pa'ed narrow streets.
0he# silentl# enter the little ;itchen garden near the house, as the# thin; that
e'er#)od# is in )ed. Instead a lamp is lit in the ;itchen and three shadows, made
mo)ile )# the "lic;ering "lame, are thrown on the white wall o" the stone<o'en.
2 0here is some)od# waiting "or 4ou, *aster. .ut it is not possi)le to go on li;e
thisF I will go and tell them that 4ou are too tired. Go up on to the terrace in the
meantime. 5
2 1o, Simon. I am going into the ;itchen. I" 0homas ;ept these people here,
there must )e a good reason "or it. 5
In the meantime those inside the house ha'e heard the whispering and 0homas,
the landlord, comes to the door.
2 *aster, the usual lad# is here. She has )een waiting "or #ou since #esterda#
e'ening, at sunset. She is with a ser'ant 5 and he adds in a low 'oice? 2 She is
'er# ner'ous. She weeps all the time... 5
2 All right. 0ell her to come upstairs. here did she sleepE 5
2 She did not want to sleep. 0hen she withdrew to m# room "or a "ew hours, at
dawn. I let the ser'ant sleep in one o" #our )eds. 5
2 -er# well. 7e can sleep there also tonight. And #ou will sleep in *ine. 5
2 1o, *aster. I shall sleep on some mats on the terrace. I shall sleep 'er# well
Cust the same. 5
6 ,esus goes up to the terrace. *artha "ollows 7im.
2 Peace to #ou, *artha. 5
A so) is her repl#.
2 Are #ou still weepingE Are #ou not happ#E 5
*artha sha;es her head.
2 .ut wh#E 5...
0here is a long pause "ull o" so)s. At last she moans? 2 *ar# has not come )ac;
"or man# nights. And we cannot "ind her. 1either I nor *arcella nor the nurse
can "ind her... She went out a"ter ordering the wagon to )e read# "or her. She
was magni"icentl# dressed... 9hF she would not put on m# dress againF... She
was not hal"<nude M she has some such dresses as well M )ut it was still a 'er#
pro'o;ing one... And she too; Cewels and per"umes... and has not come )ac;.
She dismissed the ser'ant when the# reached the "irst houses in 3apernaum
sa#ing? GI will come )ac; in the compan# o" other people.H .ut she has not
come )ac;. She decei'ed usF 9r she "elt lonel#, perhaps she was tempted... or
something has happened to her... She has not come )ac;... 5 And *artha "alls
on her ;nees, weeping, with her head reclined on her "orearm, which is resting
on a pile o" empt# sac;s.
,esus loo;s at her and li;e an o'erlord 7e sa#s slowl# and con"identl#? 2 Do not
weep. *ar# came to *e three e'enings ago. She anointed *# "eet and le"t at
*# "eet all her Cewels. She thus consecrated hersel", and "ore'er, and has
)ecome one o" *# disciples. Do not disparage her in #our heart. She has
eDcelled #ou. 5
2 .ut where is m# sister thenE 5 eDclaims *artha loo;ing up with a trou)led
"ace. 2 h# has she not come )ac; homeE 7as she )een assailedE 7as she ta;en
a )oat and drowned hersel"E 9r has a reCected lo'er carried her o""E 9hF *ar#F
*# *ar#F I had "ound her and I ha'e lost her at onceF 5 *artha is reall# )eside
hersel". She does not consider that those downstairs can hear her. 1either does
she consider that ,esus can tell her where her sister is. She is in despair and does
not ponder on an#thing.
,esus ta;es her )# the wrists and compels her to )e still and to listen to 7im,
towering a)o'e her with 7is height and dominating her with 7is magnetic loo;.
2 0hat is enoughF I want #ou to ha'e "aith in *# words. I want #ou to )e
generous. 7a'e #ou understoodE 5 7e does not let her go until *artha calms
down a little. 2 4our sister has gone to sa'our her Co#, and she has en'eloped
hersel" in hol# solitude )ecause she is "ull o" the supersensiti'e modest# o"
redeemed souls. I told #ou in ad'ance. She cannot )ear the ;ind )ut inIuisiti'e
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loo; o" relati'es on her new dress o" a )ride o" Grace. And what I sa# is alwa#s
true. 4ou must )elie'e *e. 5
7 2 4es, m# =ord, I do. .ut m# *ar# has )een too long a pre# to the demon, 7e
has recaptured her at once, he... 5
2 7e is a'enging himsel" on #ou "or the pre# he has lost "ore'er. Am I there"ore
to see that #ou, the strong woman, are )ecoming his pre# through a "oolish
disma# "or no reason whatsoe'erE Am I to see that )ecause o" her, who now
)elie'es in *e, #ou are going to lose the )eauti"ul "aith that I alwa#s saw in
#ouE *arthaF =oo; at *e care"ull#. =isten to *e. Do not listen to Satan. Do #ou
not ;now that when he is compelled to gi'e up a pre#, )ecause God has de"eated
him, he )usies himsel" at once to "ind other 'ictims, )ecause he is an untiring
torturer o" human )eings and an inde"atiga)le thie" o" God6s rightsE Do #ou not
;now that the reco'er# o" a soul is consolidated )# the torture o" another good
"aith"ul soul that resists the demon6s attac;sE Do #ou not ;now that nothing o"
what eDists and happens in creation is uncontrolled, )ut e'er#thing "ollows an
eternal law o" su)ordination and conseIuence, where)# the deed o" one person
has 'er# wide natural and supernatural repercussionsE 4ou are weeping here,
#ou are tormented here )# a horri)le dou)t, )ut #ou remain "aith"ul to #our
3hrist also in this hour o" dar;ness. 1ot "ar "rom #ou, )ut in a place un;nown to
#ou, *ar# "eels that her last dou)t on the in"init# o" "orgi'eness recei'ed is
)eing dissipated and her weeping changes into smiles and her shadow into light.
It is #our torture that guided her where there is peace, where souls are regene<
rated near the immaculate *other, ho is such =i"e that She was granted the
pri'ilege o" gi'ing )irth to the 3hrist, ho is the =i"e. 4our sister is with *#
*other. 9hF she is not the "irst to "url sail in that peace"ul har)our a"ter the
gentle ra# o" the li'ing Star o" *ar# called her to 7er lo'ing )osom, out o"
silent )ut acti'e lo'e "or 7er SonF 4our sister is at 1a(areth. 5
2 .ut how did she go there i" she does not ;now 4our *other, or 4our houseE...
.# hersel"... At night... 0hus... ithout means... earing that dress... Such a
long wa#... 7owE 5
2 7owE As a tired swallow "lies )ac; to its nati'e nest, crossing seas and moun<
tains, through storms, "og and hostile winds. As swallows "l# to hi)ernating
places. Instinct guides them, warmth in'ites them, the sun calls them. She also
went to the ra# in'iting her... to the uni'ersal *other. And we will see her come
)ac; happil# at dawn... coming out "ore'er "rom dar;ness, with a *other )eside
her, *ine, ne'er to )e an orphan again. 3an #ou )elie'e thatE 5
2 4es, m# =ord. 5
*artha loo;s as i" she were charmed. ,esus in "act has )een the dominator. 0all,
upright, and #et lightl# )ent o'er *artha who was ;neeling, 7e has spo;en
slowl#, )ut incisi'el#, as i" 7e wished to trans"use 7imsel" into the pertur)ed
disciple. I ha'e seldom seen 7im so power"ul, to persuade )# means o" 7is
word a person listening to 7im. .ut at the end, what light, what smile is on 7is
"aceF *artha6s "ace mirrors it with a smile and a milder light.
2 And now go and rest. ith *# peace. 5
*artha ;isses 7is hands and goes downstairs in )etter spirits...
,-6. T! 7'&('#!n! Is Acco)"'ni!( 51 7'r1 ')on& t! Disci"#!s.
-;t 9u#1 1*4+.
1 2 I thin; we are going to ha'e a storm toda#, *aster. 3an 4ou see those
leaden clouds ad'ancing "rom )ehind the 7ermonE And loo; how the la;e is
ru""lingF And 4ou can "eel the gusts o" the north wind alternating with wide
warm Sirocco )lasts. hirlwinds? a sure sign o" a storm. 5
2 In how long, SimonE 5
2 .e"ore the "irst hour is o'er. See how the "ishermen are hurr#ing )ac;. 0he#
can hear the la;e grum)le and growl. It will soon )e leaden as well, then it will
)ecome pitch<)lac; and "inall# it will )urst "orth in all its "ur#. 5
2 .ut it loo;s so calmF 5 remar;s 0homas incredulousl#.
2 4ou are "amiliar with gold, and I with water. It will )e as I sa#. It is not e'en a
sudden storm. It is )rewing with clear signs. 0he sur"ace o" the water is calm,
onl# tin# ripples, as i" it were nothing. .ut i" #ou were out in a )oatF 4ou would
hear thousands o" ;nuc;les stri;ing the ;eel and sha;ing the )oat in a strange
wa#. 0he water is alread# )u))ling underneath. ,ust wait "or the sign "rom the
s;# and then #ou will seeF... =et the north wind )ecome ;notted with SiroccoF
23.. T"# 9)(*)%#n# Is Acc!+$)n#* 85 9)r5 )+!n( t"# Dsc$%#s. 314
And thenF... &hiF womenF 0a;e in what #ou ha'e )een hanging out and shelter
#our domestic animals. In a short while it will )e raining in )uc;ets. 5
In "act the s;# is )ecoming more and more greenish, with slate<'eins caused )#
the continuous "lowing o" clouds that seem to )e erupted )# great 7ermon. 0he#
dri'e dawn )ac; to where it came "rom, as i" the hours were "alling )ac;
towards night instead o" proceeding towards midda#. 9nl# a sun)eam persists in
shining through the )arrier o" dar; clouds tinging the top o" a hill southwest o"
3apernaum with an unreal #ellow<green hue. 0he la;e has changed "rom s;#<
)lue to purple<)lue and the "oam o" the "irst small )ro;en wa'es loo;s oddl#
white against the dar; water. 0here are no )oats on the la;e now. >ishermen
hasten to )each their )oats, to put awa# nets, )as;ets, sails and oars, while
peasants ma;e haste to get their har'est in, the# ensure that awnings are properl#
"astened to poles and the# close the cattle in their sta)lesL women rush to the
well )e"ore the rain starts, or the# gather together the children, who got up earl#,
and push them into the houses, li;e )rooding<hens aware o" an oncoming hail<
storm.
2 2 Simon, come with *e. 3all also *artha6s ser'ant and *# )rother ,ames. Get
a large piece o" can'as. A strong large piece. 0here are two women on the road
and we must go and meet them. 5
Peter loo;s at 7im curiousl#, )ut he o)e#s without wasting an# time. 9n the
wa#, while the# are running southwards through the 'illage, Simon as;s? 2 .ut
who are the#E 5
2 *# *other and *ar# o" *agdala. 5
0he shoc; is such that Peter stops "or a moment as i" he were nailed to the
ground and he eDclaims? 2 4our *other and *ar# o" *agdalaFE 0ogetherFE 5
7e then resumes running, as neither ,esus nor ,ames nor the ser'ant ha'e
stopped. .ut he repeats? 4our *other and *ar# o" *agdalaF 0ogetherF... Since
whenE 5
2 Since she is *ar# o" ,esus. .e Iuic;, Simon, it is )eginning to rain...5
Peter stri'es to ;eep up with his companions, who are taller and "aster than he is.
3louds o" dust now rise "rom the parched road, >lown )# a wind, which is
)ecoming stronger and stronger e'er# moment, ru""ling the la;e and raising
)rea;ers, which pound roaring on the shore. hen it is possi)le to see the la;e it
loo;s li;e a huge cauldron )oiling "uriousl#. a'es three or "our "eet high rise
in all directions, clashing, merging, swelling, then parting in opposite directions,
see;ing other wa'es to plunge into? a "oaming duel o" wa'e crests, o" swelling
masses o" water, o" roaring )illows reaching the shore and lashing the houses
closest to it. hen houses conceal the 'iew o" the la;e, the latter discloses its
presence with a roar eDceding the howl o" the wind that )ends trees tearing o""
"oliage and "ruit? a dea"ening roar eDceeding the rum)le o" prolonged
threatening thunders, preceded )# "lashes o" lightning, which are )ecoming
more and more "reIuent and power"ul.
2 I wonder how "rightened those women must )e 5 mum)les Peter panting.
2 1ot *# *other. I do not ;now a)out the other. .ut i" we do not hurr# the#
will certainl# get drenched. 5
3 0he# ha'e le"t 3apernaum a)out one hundred #ards )ehind, proceeding
through clouds o" dust and 'er# hea'# rain, a real downpour, which "urrows
o)liIuel# the gloom# air so 'iolentl# that the rain is pul'erised and thus )linds
them and ta;es awa# their )reath, when the# see two women running and
see;ing shelter under a large tree.
2 0here the# are. =et us runF 5
Although Peter6s lo'e "or *ar# lends wings to his "eet, short<legged as he is and
not a 'er# good runner, he arri'es when ,esus and ,ames ha'e alread# co'ered
the two women with a large piece o" a sail.
2 e cannot stop here. 0here is the danger o" thunder)olts and in a short while
the road will )e a torrent. =et us go, *aster. At least as "ar as the nearest house
5 sa#s Peter out o" )reath.
0he# set out with the women in the middle o" them, holding the can'as o'er
their heads and )ac;s. 0he "irst word that ,esus addresses to *ar#, who is still
wearing the dress she had on the e'ening o" the )anIuet in Simon6s house, with
a mantle o" the .lessed -irgin on her shoulders, is? 2 Are #ou a"raid, *ar#E 5
*ar# *agdalene, whose head is lowered under her 'eil and whose hair has
)ecome thoroughl# dishe'elled running in the rain, lowers her head e'en
"urther, )lushes and whispers? 2 1o, m# =ord. 5
Also 9ur =ad# has lost some hairpins and She loo;s li;e a little girl with her
plaits hanging down her )ac;. She smiles at 7er Son ho is )eside 7er and
23.. T"# 9)(*)%#n# Is Acc!+$)n#* 85 9)r5 )+!n( t"# Dsc$%#s. 31,
spea;s to 7im through that smile.
2 4ou are soa;ing, *ar# 5 sa#s ,ames o" Alphaeus touching 9ur =ad#6s 'eil and
mantle.
2 It does not matter. e are not getting wet now. Is that right, *ar#E 7e has
rescued us also "rom the rain 5 sa#s *ar# ;indl# to the *agdalene, o" whose
pain"ul em)arrassment She is "ull# aware. *ar# nods assent.
2 4our sister will )e happ# to see #ou. She is at 3apernaum. She was loo;ing
"or #ou 5 sa#s ,esus.
*ar# loo;s up "or a moment and stares at ,esus with her )eauti"ul e#es, while
,esus spea;s to her with the simplicit# 7e uses with the other women disciples.
.ut she does not sa# an#thing. She is sti"led )# too man# emotions.
,esus concludes? 2 I am glad I ;ept her. I will let #ou go a"ter I ha'e )lessed #ou.
5
7is last words are lost in the sharp crash o" a near)# thunder)olt. 0he
*agdalene is "ear<struc; "or a moment. She co'ers her "ace with her hands,
)ends her head )ursting into tears.
2 Don6t )e a"raidF 5 sa#s Peter encouraging her. 2 It is o'er now. 4ou must
ne'er )e a"raid when #ou are with ,esus. 5
Also ,ames, who is )eside the *agdalene, sa#s to her? 2 Do not weep. 0he
houses are not "ar now. 5
2 I am not cr#ing "or "ear... I am weeping )ecause 7e said to me that 7e will
)less me... I... I...5 )ut she can sa# no more.
0he .lessed -irgin inter'enes in order to calm her sa#ing? 2 *ar#, #ou ha'e
alread# o'ercome #our storm. 0hin; no more a)out it. 1ow e'er#thing is serene
and peace"ul. Is that right, *# SonE 5
2 4es, *other. It is all 'er# true. .e"ore long the sun will )e shining, and
e'er#thing will loo; more )eauti"ul, cleaner and "resher than #esterda#. It will
)e the same with #ou, *ar#. 5
And 7is .lessed *other, pressing the *agdalene6s hand continues? 2 I shall
repeat #our words to *artha. I am glad that I can see her at once and tell her
how her *ar# is "ull o" good will. 5
Peter, paddling in the water# mud and )earing patientl# with the deluge, comes
out "rom under the can'as and runs towards a house to as; "or shelter.
2 1o, Simon 5 sa#s ,esus. 2 e all pre"er to go home. Is that rightE 5
&'er#)od# agrees and Peter goes )ac; under the piece o" sail.
4 3apernaum is li;e a desert. ind, rain, thunder and lightning pre'ail there,
together with hailstones, which are now stri;ing houses and terraces sounding
and )ouncing. 0he la;e is dread"ull# impressi'e. 0he wa'es lash the houses near
it, )ecause the little )each has disappeared and the )oats "astened near the
houses seem to ha'e sun; so "ull the# are o" water, which )rea;ers ;eep pouring
into them, while the water alread# in them o'er"lows.
0he# run into the ;itchen garden, which has )ecome a huge puddle with ru))ish
"loating on the mudd# water, and then enter the ;itchen where the# are all
gathered.
*artha gi'es a scream when she sees her sister held )# the hand )# *ar#. She
clasps her nec;, )ut does not realise how wet she is, she ;isses her and calls her?
2 *irU, *irU, m# darlingF 5 Perhaps that is the pet<name )# which the# called the
*agdalene when she was a little girl.
*ar# is weeping, with her head resting on her sister6s shoulder, and co'ers
*artha6s dar; dress with her thic; golden hair, the onl# shining thing in the dar;
;itchen where a little "ire o" )rushwood gi'es some light, while a little lamp
hardl# sheds an#.
0he apostles are dum)"ounded and so are the landlord and his wi"e, who loo;
into the ;itchen upon hearing *artha6s scream, and a"ter a moment o"
understanda)le curiosit# the# withdraw discreetl#.
hen her e""usions o" lo'es ha'e somewhat calmed down, *artha notices ,esus
and *ar# and realises that it is strange that the# should )e all together. She thus
as;s her sister, 9ur =ad# and ,esus M I could not sa# whom she as;s more
insistentl# M? 2 .ut... how is it that #ou are all togetherE 5
2 0he storm, *artha, was approaching. I went with Simon, ,ames and #our
ser'ant to meet the two pilgrims. 5
*artha is so shoc;ed that she does not consider the "act that ,esus was so certain
in going to meet them and does not as;? 2 .ut... did 4ou ;nowE 5. 0he Iuestion,
23.. T"# 9)(*)%#n# Is Acc!+$)n#* 85 9)r5 )+!n( t"# Dsc$%#s. 31-
howe'er, is as;ed )# 0homas, who gets no repl# )ecause *artha sa#s to her
sister? 2 .ut wh# were #ou with *ar#E 5
0he *agdalene lowers her head.
5 9ur =ad# comes to her rescue ta;ing her )# the hand and sa#ing? 2 She came
to *e as a pilgrim goes to a place where she can )e told which road to ta;e to
reach her destination. And she said to *e? G0each me what I must do to )elong
to ,esus.H And since she is animated )# thorough good will, she understood that
wisdom at onceF And I "ound that she was read# to )e ta;en )# the hand and led
to 4ou, *# Son, and to #ou, good *artha, and to #ou, )rother<disciples, and sa#
to #ou? G7ere is 4our disciple and #our sister, who will gi'e )ut supernatural
Co#s to her =ord and to her )rothers.H I as; #ou to )elie'e *e and to lo'e her as
,esus and I lo'e her. 5
0he apostles then gather round her greeting their new sister. 0here is, o" course,
a certain amount o" curiosit#... .ut how could that )e a'oidedEF A"ter all... the#
are still men...
It is Peter6s common sense that sa#s? 2 0hat6s all 'er# well. 4ou ha'e assured her
assistance and hol# "riendship. .ut we ought to consider that our *other and
sister are drenched to the s;in... e are soa;ing, as well, to tell #ou the truth...
.ut the# are in a worse situation. 0heir hair is dripping water li;e willow trees
a"ter a storm and their clothes are wet and mudd#. =et us light a "ire, and get
dresses "or them and prepare some warm "ood...5
&'er#)od# )ecomes )us#? *artha ta;es the two drenched tra'ellers into the
room, the "ire is ;indled and the wet garments, 'eils and mantles are hung in
"ront o" it. I do not ;now what arrangements the# are ma;ing in the room... I see
that *artha, who has "ound once again her energ# o" a 'er# good house;eeper,
comes and goes solicitousl#, carr#ing )asins and hot water, cups o" hot mil;,
garments lent )# the landlad#, to assist the two *aries...
,-8. T! P'r'5#! o0 t! Fis!r)!n.
-1st 9u#1 1*4+.
1 0he# are all gathered in the large room upstairs. 0he 'iolent storm has turned
into unceasing rain, which at times )ecomes a dri((le and almost stops and then
suddenl# changes to a downpour. 0he la;e is certainl# not )lue toda#, it is
#ellowish with strea;s o" "oam when the wind )lows or it rains hea'il#. 0he
hills are all 'er# wet, and tree )ranches are still )ent, thoroughl# soa;ed. A "ew
)ranches, )ro;en )# the wind, are hanging loose and man# lea'es torn o"" )#
hail stones are carried awa# )# little streams e'er#where? #ellowish water which
pours lea'es, stones, and earth "rom the hillsides into the la;e. 0he light is dim,
greenish.
In the room there are the .lessed -irgin *ar#, *artha and the *agdalene,
sitting near a window o'erloo;ing the hills, and there are also two women,
whom I do not ;now. .ut I am under the impression that the# are alread#
;nown to ,esus, *ar# and the apostles, as the# are apparentl# at ease. 0he#
certainl# are more relaDed than the *agdalene is? she is sitting still, with her
head lowered, )etween the -irgin *ar# and *artha. 0he# are now wearing their
clothes, which ha'e )een dried )# the "ireplace and ha'e )een )rushed to
remo'e mud stains. 1o, I am wrong. 0he .lessed -irgin has put on 7er dar;
)lue woolen dress. .ut the *agdalene has )orrowed a dress, which, tall and
)uDom as she is, is too short and tight "or her and she endea'ors to ma;e up "or
the de"icienc# )# en'eloping hersel" in her sister6s mantle. She has gathered her
hair into two thic; plaits, which she has somehow managed to tie in a ;not on
the nape o" her nec;, )ecause it ta;es more than a "ew hairpins pic;ed up there
and then, to support the weight o" her hair. In "act I ha'e alwa#s noticed that the
*agdalene, in addition to hairpins, uses a thin straw<colored ri))on, which
loo;s li;e a "ine diadema and )lends with her golden hair.
,esus, the apostles and the landlord are on the other side o" the room, some are
sitting on stools, some on the window<sills. *artha6s ser'ant is not there. Peter
and the other "ishermen are watching the weather and ma;ing "orecasts "or the
"ollowing da#. ,esus listens or replies to this one and that one.
2 I" I had ;nown a)out this, I would ha'e told m# mother to come. It is onl# "air
that the woman should "eel at home with her companions 5 sa#s ,ames o"
:e)edee casting sidelong glances at the women.
2 &hF I" we had ;nownF... .ut wh# didn6t mother come with *ar#E 5 0haddeus
231. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# Fs"#r+#n. 31.
as;s his )rother ,ames.
2 I don6t ;now. I would li;e to ;now m#sel". 5
2 Is she perhaps not "eeling wellE 5
2 *ar# would ha'e told us. 5
2 I will as; 7er 5 and 0haddeus goes towards the women.
I can hear *ar#6s clear 'oice repl#? 2 She is well. .ut I did not want her to
o'erwor; hersel" in this heat. e ran awa# li;e two little girls, did we not,
*ar#E *ar# came late in the e'ening, when it was dar; and we le"t at dawn. I
onl# said to Alphaeus? G7ere is the ;e#. I shall )e )ac; soon. 0ell *ar#.H And I
came awa#. 5
2 2 e shall go )ac; together, *other. As soon as the weather is settled and
*ar# has a dress, we shall all go together through Galilee and we shall
accompan# our sisters to the sa"est road. So Porphirea, Susanna, and #our wi'es
and daughters, Philip and .artholomew, will meet them. 5 7is eDpression? 2
ill meet them 5, instead o" sa#ing? 2 will meet *ar# 5 is reall# eDIuisite. And
it is also a strong one. It demolishes e'er# preCudice and mental reser'ation o"
the apostles concerning the *agdalene. 7is words impose her, o'ercoming their
reluctance, her shame, e'er#thing.
*artha6s "ace shines with Co#, *ar# *agdalene )lushes and her countenance is
imploring, grate"ul, upsetL what can I sa#E... 0he *ost 7ol# *other smiles
;indl#.
2 here shall we go "irst, *asterE 5
2 0o .ethsaida. A"terwards we shall go to 1a(areth 'ia *agdala, 0i)erias and
3ana. >rom 1a(areth we shall proceed to .ethlehem in Galilee 'ia ,aphia and
Shimron and then to Sicaminon and 3aesarea... 5 ,esus is interrupted )# an
out)urst o" weeping o" the *agdalene. 7e raises 7is head, loo;s at her and then
continues as nothing had happened? 2 At 3aesarea #ou will "ind #our wagon.
0hat is the instruction I ga'e the ser'ant and #ou will go to .ethan#. e shall
meet later, at the >east o" the 0a)ernacles. 5
*ar# *agdalene collects hersel" at once, she does not repl# to her sister6s
Iuestions, )ut she goes out o" the room and pro)a)l# withdraws to the ;itchen
"or a little while.
2 ,esus, *ar# su""ers on hearing that she has to come to certain towns. e must
understand her... I am sa#ing this more "or the disciples than "or 4ou 5 remar;s
*artha hum)l# and worriedl#.
2 0hat is true, *artha. .ut it must )e so. I" she does not "ace the world at once
and does not o'ercome pu)lic opinion, which is a dread"ul torturer, her heroic
con'ersion will )e paral#sed. She must do that at once and in our compan#. 5
2 hile she is with us no one will sa# an#thing to her. I can assure #ou, *artha,
also on )ehal" o" all m# companions 5 promises Peter.
2 9" courseF e shall treat her as a sister. 0hat is what *ar# said she is and that
is what she will )e "or us 5 con"irms 0haddeus.
2 A"ter allF... e are all sinners and the world did not spare us either. So we can
understand her struggle 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 I understand her more than an#one else. It is 'er# meritorious to li'e where we
sinned. People ;now who we areF... It is a torture. .ut it is Custice and glor# to
resist there. Precisel# )ecause the power o" God is mani"est in us, we spur others
to turn, without e'en uttering words 5 sa#s *atthew.
2 4ou can see, *artha, that #our sister is understood and lo'ed )# e'er#)od#.
And she will )e lo'ed and understood more and more. She will )e a re"erence
mar; "or so man# guilt# and "ear"ul souls. She is a great strength also "or good
people. .ecause a"ter sha;ing o"" the last "etters o" her humanit# *ar# will )e a
"ire )urning with lo'e. She has onl# gi'en a di""erent course to the eDu)erance
o" her "eelings. She has raised her power"ul "acult# to lo'e to a supernatural
le'el. And she will wor; wonders there. I can assure #ou. She is still upset now.
.ut #ou will see her )ecome calmer and stronger in her new li"e as da#s go )#.
In Simon6s house I said? GShe is pardoned much )ecause she lo'es much.H I now
solemnl# tell #ou that she will )e "orgi'en e'er#thing, )ecause she will lo'e her
God with all her strength, her soul, her thought, her )lood, her "lesh, to the
eDtent o" holocaust. 5
2 She is luc;# to deser'e such wordsF I wish I deser'ed them, too 5 sighs
Andrew.
2 4ouE .ut #ou deser'e them alread#F 3ome here, m# "isherman. I want to tell
#ou a para)le that seems to ha'e )een thought up Cust "or #ou. 5
231. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# Fs"#r+#n. 311
2 ,ust a moment, *aster. I am going to call *ar#. She is so anDious to )ecome
acIuainted with 4our doctrineF... 5
hile *artha goes out the others arrange their seats so as to "orm a semicircle
round ,esus. 0he two sisters come )ac; and sit once again near the .lessed
-irgin.
3 ,esus )egins to spea;? 2 Some "ishermen too; to the open sea and cast their net
and a"ter due time the# hauled it on )oard. 0he# were doing their wor; with
considera)le di""icult# according to the instructions o" a master, who had
entrusted them with the tas; o" suppl#ing his town with choice "ish, and had said
to them? GDo not )other to )ring ashore unwholesome or in"erior Iualit# "ish.
0hrow them )ac; into the sea. 9ther "ishermen will catch them and as the# wor;
"or another master, the# will ta;e them to his town, )ecause the# consume there
what is harm"ul and thus ma;es the town o" m# enem# more and more horri)le.
1othing unhealth# is to enter m# )eauti"ul, )right, hol# town.H
0hus, a"ter hauling the net on )oard the "ishermen )egan their selection wor;. It
was a good catch and the "ish di""ered in appearance, si(e and colour. Some
loo;ed )eauti"ul )ut their "lesh was "ull o" )ones and tasted unpleasantL their
)ellies were "ull o" mud, worms and rotten seaweed, which accentuated the )ad
taste o" the "ish. 9thers instead were ugl# loo;ing, li;e the sinister "aces o"
criminals or resem)led nightmare monsters, )ut the "ishermen ;new that their
"lesh was eDIuisite. 9thers were so insigni"icant that no one paid an# attention
to them. 0he "ishermen continued their wor; until the )as;ets were all "ull o"
choice "ish and onl# cheap "ish were le"t in the net. G0hat is enough. 0he )as;ets
are "ull. =et us throw the rest into the seaH said man# o" the "ishermen.
.ut one o" them, who had spo;en 'er# little, whilst the others had either eDalted
or derided e'er# "ish the# happened to handle, went on searching in the net and
among the cheap "ish he "ound two or three that he placed on top o" the )as;ets.
Ghat are #ou doingEH the others as;ed him. G0he )as;ets are "ull o" )eauti"ul
"ish. 4ou are now spoiling them )# placing that poor "ish on top o" them. 4ou
seem to consider them as the most )eauti"ul o" the lot.H
G=ea'e me alone. I ;now this ;ind o" "ish and I ;now how delicious it is.H
0hat is the para)le, which ends with the )lessing o" the master "or the patient,
s;ill"ul, silent "isherman who was a)le to select the )est "ish in the great mass o"
them. =isten now to its application.
0he master o" the )eauti"ul, )right hol# town is the =ord. 0he cit# is the
Bingdom o" 7ea'en. 0he "ishermen? *# disciples. 0he "ish o" the sea? man;ind,
where e'er# ;ind o" people are present. 0he good "ish? the saints.
0he master o" the dread"ul town is Satan. 0he horri)le town? 7ell. 7is
"ishermen? the world, "lesh, wic;ed passions em)odied in Satan6s ser'ants, )oth
spiritual, that is demons, and human, that is men, who corrupt their "ellow men.
0he )ad "ish? man;ind unworth# o" the Bingdom o" 7ea'en? damned souls.
Among the "ishermen o" souls "or the 3it# o" God there will alwa#s )e those
who emulate the s;ill o" the patient "isherman, who perse'eres in his search Cust
in those strata o" man;ind where his less patient companions pic; onl# what
appears to )e good at "irst sight. And un"ortunatel# there will )e also some
"ishermen, who, )eing too a)sent<minded and tal;ati'e M attention and silence
are reIuired "or the selection wor; in order to hear the 'oices o" souls and super<
natural indications M will not see the good "ish and will lose them. And there
will )e some who through eDcessi'e intolerance will reCect souls )ecause their
eDterior aspect is not per"ect, whilst the# are eDcellent with regard to the rest.
hat does it matter, i" one o" the "ish #ou catch "or *e shows signs o" past
struggles and mutilations due to man# causes, i" the# do not inCure his spiritE
hat does it matter to #ou, i" one o" them was wounded in "reeing himsel" "rom
the &nem# and presents himsel" with such wounds, i" his interior clearl# shows
his will to )elong to GodE 0ried souls are relia)le souls. *ore relia)le than
those souls that are li;e children protected )# swaddling clothes, cradles and
mothers, and sleep peace"ull# a"ter )eing "ed, or smile happil#, )ut who later on
in li"e, when the# )ecome o" age and can reason and ha'e to "ace the
'icissitudes o" li"e, ma# )e the cause o" unpleasant surprises )ecause o" their
moral de'iations.
I wish to remind #ou o" the para)le o" the prodigal son. And #ou will hear man#
more )ecause I will alwa#s endea'or to teach #ou right Cudgment in eDamining
consciences and in selecting the )est method to guide consciences, which are
indi'idual and there"ore each has its own special wa# o" "eeling and reacting to
temptations and to #our teaching. Do not thin; that it is eas# to select souls. >ar
"rom itF It ta;es a spiritual e#e shining with di'ine light and it ta;es an intellect
in"used with di'ine isdom, and possession o" 'irtues in heroic degree, "irst o"
all charit#. It is necessar# to )e a)le to concentrate on meditation )ecause each
soul is an o)scure teDt to )e read and meditated. And continuous union with
231. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# Fs"#r+#n. 312
God is reIuired, "orgetting all sel"ish interests. 9ne must li'e "or souls and "or
God, and )e a)le to o'ercome preCudices, resentments, a'ersion. It is necessar#
to )e as ;ind as a "ather and as hard as a warrior. Bind to gi'e ad'ice and to
encourage. 7ard to )e a)le to sa#? G0hat is not allowed and #ou shall not do it.H
9r? GIt is right to do that and #ou shall do it.H .ecause M and #ou must consider
this care"ull# M man# souls will )e thrown into the ponds o" hell. .ut not onl#
the souls o" sinners. 0here will )e also the souls o" e'angelical "ishermen? o"
those who will ha'e "ailed in their ministr#, contri)uting thus to the loss o"
man# souls.
0he da# will come, the last da# o" the earth, the "irst o" the completed and
eternal ,erusalem, when the angels, li;e the "ishermen o" the para)le, will
separate the Cust "rom the wic;ed and at the ineDora)le command o" the ,udge,
the good will pass into 7ea'en and the wic;ed into the eternal "ire. And then the
truth will )e made ;nown concerning the "ishermen and the "ish, h#pocris# will
collapse and the people o" God will appear as the# are, with their leaders and
those sa'ed )# the leaders. e shall then see that man#, who were outwardl#
insigni"icant and ill<treated, are the )rightest ones in 7ea'en, and that the Iuiet
patient "ishermen are the ones who ha'e done most and now shine with as man#
gems as the souls the# sa'ed.
I ha'e told #ou the para)le and eDplained it. 5
4 2 And m# )rotherEF... 9hF )ut... 5 Peter loo;s at him... and then at the
*agdalene...
2 1o, Simon. I ha'e no merit there. It was all the *aster6s wor; 5 sa#s Andrew
"ran;l#.
2 So, are the other "ishermen, Satan6s I mean, going to get the remnantsE 5 as;s
Philip.
2 0he# endea'our to ta;e the )est, the souls capa)le o" the greatest prodig# o"
Grace, and the# ma;e use o" the same men to do so, )eside their own
temptations. 0here are so man# in the world who "or a mess o" pottage sell their
)irthrightF 5
2 *aster, the other da# 4ou said that there are man# who allow themsel'es to )e
seduced )# the allurements o" the world. Are the# those who "ish "or SatanE 5
as;s ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 4es, *# )rother. In that para)le man allowed himsel" to )e seduced )# much
mone#, which could gi'e him much pleasure, losing thus e'er# right to the
0reasur# o" the Bingdom. .ut I solemnl# tell #ou that out o" one hundred men
onl# one third can resist the temptation o" gold or other enticements, and o" that
third onl# hal" can do it heroicall#. 0he world is d#ing su""ocated )ecause it
'oluntaril# o'er)urdens itsel" with the ties o" sin. It is )etter to )e de'oid o"
e'er#thing rather than possess mean and illusi'e riches. &ndea'our to imitate
wise Cewellers, who, when the# are in"ormed that a 'er# rare pearl has )een
"ound, do not )other to ;eep so man# small Cewels in their sa"es, )ut the# get rid
o" e'er#thing to )u# the wonder"ul pearl. 5
2 h# then do 4ou sa# that there is a di""erence in the missions with which 4ou
entrust those who "ollow 4ou, and 4ou sa# that we ha'e to consider those
missions as a gi"t o" GodE Should we not "orgo them as well, )ecause the# are
)ut crum)s compared to the Bingdom o" 7ea'en 5 sa#s .artholomew.
2 1ot crum)s? the# are means. 0he# would )e crum)s, or )etter still, the# would
)e dirt# straw, i" the# )ecame man6s aim in li"e. 0hose who )us# themsel'es to
o)tain a position with a human pro"it, turn that position, e'en i" it is a hol# one,
into dirt# straw. 4ou must instead accept it o)edientl#, as a Co#"ul dut# and a
complete holocaust, and #ou will turn it into a 'er# rare pearl. A mission is a
holocaust i" "ul"illed unreser'edl#, it is mart#rdom and a glor#. It drips tears,
perspiration, )lood, )ut "orms a crown o" eternal ro#alt#. 5
2 4ou can reall# answer all IuestionsF 5
2 7a'e #ou understoodE Do #ou understand what I sa# )# means o"
comparisons ta;en "rom e'er# da# li"e, )ut enlightened )# a supernatural light
that eDplains their eternal meaningE 5
2 4es, *aster, we do. 5
2 8emem)er then the method to teach crowds. .ecause that is one o" the secrets
o" scri)es and ra))is? to remem)er. I solemnl# tell #ou that each o" #ou, im)ued
with the wisdom that ensures the possession o" the Bingdom o" 7ea'en, is li;e
the "ather o" a "amil# who ta;es "rom his treasur# what is necessar# "or his
"amil#, ma;ing use o" old and new things, "or one onl# purpose, which is the
wel"are o" his children. It is no longer raining. =et us lea'e the women in peace
and go to old 0o)it who is a)out to open his spiritual e#es on the dawn o" neDt
li"e. Peace to #ou, women. 5
232. 9)rF)+ T#)c"#s 9)r5 9)(*)%#n# t"# < Our F)t"#r =. 323
,-*. 7'rFi') T!'c!s 7'r1 7'&('#!n! t! < Our F't!r =.
1st Au&ust 1*4+.
1 0he s;# is once again clear o'er the Sea o" Galilee. 1ow that the rain has
washed awa# the dust, e'er#thing seems more )eauti"ul than )e"ore the storm.
0he air is per"ectl# clear and loo;ing at the s;# #ou get the impression that it is
higher up and lighter... a transparent 'eil stretched )etween the earth and the
splendour o" Paradise. 0he la;e re"lects the deep )lue o" the s;# and its
turIuoise water is a Iuiet charming sight.
It is dawning. ,esus with 7is *other, *artha and *ar# *agdalene em)ar;s in
Peter6s )oat. In addition to Peter and Andrew, also the :ealot, Philip and
.artholomew are with 7im. *atthew, 0homas, ,esus6 cousins, the Iscariot are
instead in the other )oat with ,ames and ,ohn. 0he# are sailing towards
.ethsaida, a short 'o#age "a'oured )# a "air wind. 0he crossing lasts onl# a "ew
minutes.
hen the# are a)out to arri'e, ,esus sa#s to .artholomew and to his insepara)le
companion Philip? 2 4ou will go and in"orm #our women"ol;. I am coming to
#our houses toda#. 5 And 7e stares at them meaning"ull#.
2 e will, *aster. Are 4ou not granting me or Philip the pleasure o" ha'ing
4ou as our guestE 5
2 e are sta#ing onl# until sunset and I do not wish to depri'e Simon Peter o"
the Co# o" *arCiam6s compan#. 5
0he )oat ru)s against the shore and stops. 0he# disem)ar; and Philip and
.artholomew part "rom their companions to go to the 'illage.
2 here are those two goingE 5 Peter as;s the *aster ho was the "irst to
disem)ar; and is now )eside him.
2 0o in"orm their women. 5
2 0hen, I will go and tell Porphirea, too. 5
2 It is not necessar#. Porphirea is so ;ind that it is not necessar# to prepare her in
an# wa#. 7er heart can gi'e )ut ;indness. 5
Peter6s "ace shines with Co# on hearing the praise o" his wi"e and does not sa#
an#thing else.
In the meantime also the women ha'e disem)ar;ed, on a plan; @placed "or them
as a whar", and the# go towards Simon6s house.
2 *arCiam, who is ta;ing his sheep out to )rowse on the "resh grass on the lower
hillsides o" .ethsaida, is the "irst to see them and he announces them with a cr#
o" Co# running to em)race ,esus, ho has )ent to ;iss him. 7e then goes to
Peter. Also Porphirea, whose hands are co'ered with "lour, arri'es and )ows,
greeting them.
2 Peace to #ou, Porphirea. 4ou were not eDpecting us so soon, were #ouE .ut I
was anDious to )ring *# *other to #ou, together with two women disciples, as
well as *# )lessing. *# *other was anDious to see the )o# again. 0here he is
in 7er arms. And the women disciples wanted to meet #ou... this is Simon6s
wi"e? the good and silent disciple, more acti'e in her o)edience than man#
others. And these are *artha and *ar# "rom .ethan#. 0wo sisters. =o'e one
another. 5
2 0hose 4ou )ring to me are dearer to me than m# own )lood, *aster. 3ome.
*# house is more )eauti"ul e'er# time 4ou set "oot in it. 5
*ar# approaches Porphirea smiling and em)races her sa#ing? 2 I see that #ou
are reall# a lo'ing mother. 0he )o# is alread# much )etter and is happ#. 0han;
#ou. 5
2 9hF oman )lessed a)o'e e'er# other womanF I ;now that it was )ecause o"
4ou that I had the Co# o" )eing called mother. And 4ou must ;now that I will
ne'er grie'e 4ou )# not li'ing up to that pri'ilege. 3ome in, with the sisters...5
3 *arCiam loo;s at the *agdalene curiousl#. *an# thoughts must he crossing
his mind. At last he sa#s? 2 .ut... #ou were not at .ethan#...5
2 1o, I was not. .ut I shall alwa#s )e there "rom now on 5 sa#s the *agdalene
)lushing and smiling "aintl#. She caresses the )o# sa#ing? 2 &'en i" we ha'e Cust
met, do #ou lo'e meE 5
2 4es, )ecause #ou are good. 4ou ha'e wept, ha'e #ou notE 0hat is wh# #ou are
good. And #our name is *ar#, isn6t itE Also m# mother6s name was *ar# and
she was good. &'er# woman, whose name is *ar#, is good. .ut 5 he concludes,
not to o""end Porphirea and *artha, 2 )ut also man# o" those with other names
are good. hat was #our mother6s nameE 5
232. 9)rF)+ T#)c"#s 9)r5 9)(*)%#n# t"# < Our F)t"#r =. 321
2 &ucheria... and she was so good 5 and two large tears stream down the "ace o"
*ar# o" *agdala.
2 Are #ou weeping )ecause she is deadE 5 as;s the )o#, and he caresses her
)eauti"ul hands, which she has crossed on her dar; dress, which is o)'iousl# one
o" *artha6s adapted "or her, )ecause its hem has )een let down. And he adds? 2
4ou must not weep. 4ou ;now, we are not alone. 9ur mothers are alwa#s near
us. ,esus sa#s so. And the# are li;e guardian angels. ,esus sa#s that also. And i"
we are good, the# will come and meet us when we die and we go up to God in
our mother6s arms. It is true, #ou ;nowE 7e said soF 5
*ar# *agdala clasps her little consoler in her arms and ;isses him sa#ing? 2
0hen pra# that I ma# )ecome good. 5
2 .ut are #ou not alread#E 9nl# those who are good go with ,esus... And i" one
is not completel# good, one )ecomes good, in order to )ecome a disciple o"
,esus. .ecause #ou cannot teach what #ou do not ;now. e cannot sa#?
G>orgi'eH i" we do not "orgi'e "irst. 1either can we sa#? G4ou must lo'e #our
neigh)ourH i" we do not lo'e him "irst. Do #ou ;now ,esus6 pra#erE 5
2 1o, I don6t. 5
2 9" course, #ou ha'e )een with 7im onl# a short time. It is so )eauti"ul, #ou
;nowE It mentions all these things. =isten how )eauti"ul it is. 5 And *arCiam
slowl# sa#s the 2 9ur >ather 5 with deep sentiment and "aith.
2 7ow well #ou ;now itF 5 sa#s *ar# o" *agdala admiringl#.
2 *# mother taught me it )# night and ,esus6 *other )# da#. I" #ou wish so, I
will teach #ou it. Do #ou wish to come with meE 0he sheep are )leating. 0he#
are hungr#. I am going to ta;e them to the pasture. 3ome with me. I will teach
#ou how to pra# and #ou will )ecome thoroughl# good 5 and he ta;es her )# the
hand.
2 .ut I do not ;now whether the *aster wants...5
2 Go, )# all means, *ar#. 4ou ha'e an innocent child as a "riend and some little
lam)s... 4ou ma# go, tranIuill#...5
*ar# o" *agdala goes out with the )o# and she can )e seen going awa#
preceded )# the three sheep. ,esus is loo;ing on... and the others, too. 2 *# poor
sisterF 5 eDclaims *artha.
2 Do not pit# her. She is a "lower straightening its stem a"ter a storm. 3an #ou
hear herE... She is laughing... Innocence is alwa#s a consolation. 5
,4;. 9!sus Is t! Po$!r0u# Lo2!r. T! P'r'5#! o0 t! Lost Dr'c)'.
,n( Au&ust 1*4+.
1 0he )oat is sailing along the coast "rom 3apernaum to *agdala.
*ar# o" *agdala is "or the "irst time in her wonted posture o" a con'ert? she is
sat on the )ottom )oards at the "eet o" ,esus, ho, instead, is sitting sternl# on a
little )ench. 0he *agdalene6s "ace is toda# Iuite di""erent "rom what it loo;ed
li;e #esterda#L it is not #et the radiant countenance o" the *agdalene running to
meet her ,esus e'er# time 7e goes to .ethan#, )ut it is alread# "ree "rom "ear
and terror and her e#es, which were as downcast as the# had pre'iousl# )een
impudent, are now serious )ut con"ident, and in her digni"ied gra'it# there is
now and again a spar;le o" delight when she listens to ,esus spea;ing to the
apostles or to 7is *other and *artha.
0he# are tal;ing o" the ;indness o" Porphirea, who is so simple and lo'ing, o"
the heart# reception o" Salome and o" .artholomew6s and Philip6s women. Philip
sa#s? 2 I" m# daughters were not still so #oung, and their mother were not so
ad'erse to letting them wander a)out, the# would "ollow 4ou, too, *aster. 5
2 =et their souls "ollow *e. 0hat is also hol# lo'e. 2 Philip, listen. 4our elder
daughter is a)out to )e )etrothed, is she notE 5
2 4es, *aster. A worth# wedding and a 'er# good groom. Is that right,
.artholomewE 5
2 4es, that is true. I can guarantee that )ecause I ;now the "amil#. I could not
accept to )e the man proposing the deal, )ut I would ha'e done it willingl#,
;nowing "or certain that a hol# "amil# was )eing "ormed, had I not )een o)liged
to )e near the *aster. 5
2 .ut the girl as;ed *e to tell #ou to "orget a)out it. 5
2 Does she not li;e the groomE She is wrong. 4oung people are mad. I hope she
243. :#sus Is t"# P!&#r4u% L!6#r. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# L!st Dr)c"+). 322
will change her mind. 0here is no reason to re"use a 'er# good match. Jnless...
1o, it6s not possi)leF 5 sa#s Philip.
2 Jnless whatE Go on, Philip 5 urges ,esus.
2 Jnless she lo'es another man. .ut it is not possi)leF She is ne'er out o" the
house and at home she leads a seIuestered wa# o" li"e. It is not possi)leF 5
2 Philip, there are lo'ers who enter also the most pri'ate o" housesL who ;now
how to spea; to those the# lo'e notwithstanding all the )arriers and close watch<
ingL those who o'ercome e'er# o)Cection o" widowhood, or #outh, although
well protected, or... other ;inds o" o)stacles, and ta;e the girls or women the#
want. And there are also lo'ers who cannot )e re"used. .ecause the# are
o'er)earing in their desire, and alluring in o'ercoming e'er# resistance, e'en
the demon6s. 4our daughter lo'es one o" those. And the most power"ul one. 5
2 .ut whoE 9ne o" 7erod6s courtE 5
2 0hat is not power"ulF 5
2 9ne... one o" the Proconsul6s household, a 8oman patricianE I will ne'er allow
that. 0he pure )lood o" Israel will ha'e no contact with impure )lood. &'en i" I
should ;ill m# daughter. Don6t smile, *aster. I am in agon#F 5
2 .ecause #ou are li;e a resti'e horse. 4ou see shadows where there is nothing
)ut light. Do not )e upset. Also the Proconsul is )ut a ser'ant and his patrician
"riends are ser'ants and 3aesar is a ser'ant. 5
2 4ou must )e Co;ing, *asterF 4ou wanted to "righten me. 0here is no one
greater than 3aesar and there is no greater master than he is. 5
3 2 I am, Philip. 5
2 4ouE 4ou want to marr# m# daughterEF 5
2 1o. 7er soul. I am the lo'er who enters the most secluded houses and hearts
loc;ed with se'en ;e#s. It is I ho ;now how to spea; notwithstanding )arriers
and close watching. It is I ho demolish o)stacles and ta;e what I want to ta;e?
pure people and sinners, 'irgins and widowers, people "ree "rom 'ices and
sla'es o" 'ices. And I gi'e e'er#one a new, uniIue, regenerated, )eati"ied,
eternall# #oung soul. *# wedding. And no one can re"use to gi'e *e *# ;ind
pre#s? no "ather, no mother, no children, not e'en Satan. hether I spea; to the
soul o" a #oung girl, li;e #our daughter, or to the soul o" a sinner immersed in
sin and held )# Satan with se'en chains, that soul will come to *e. And no one
or nothing can snatch it "rom *e. 1o wealth, power or Co# o" the world can gi'e
the per"ect delight that those enCo# who get married to *# Po'ert#, to *#
*orti"ication. 0he# are )are o" all poor wealth, and clad with all celestial Good.
0he# are cheer"ul with the serenit# o" )elonging to God, to God alone... 0he#
are the masters o" the earth and o" 7ea'en. 0he# dominate the "ormer and
conIuer the latter.
2 .ut that ne'er happened in our =awF 5 eDclaims .artholomew.
2 Di'est #oursel" o" the old man, 1athanael. hen I saw #ou "or the "irst time I
greeted #ou sa#ing that #ou were a per"ect Israelite without guile. .ut )e now o"
3hrist, not o" Israel. And )e so without deception and without ties. 3lothe #our<
sel" with this new mentalit#. 9therwise #ou will not )e a)le to understand the
man# )eauti"ul aspects o" the redemption that I came to )ring to all man;ind. 5
Philip inter'enes sa#ing? 2 And 4ou sa# that m# daughter has )een called )#
4ou. And what will she do nowE I will certainl# not oppose her. .ut I wish to
;now, also to help her, in what her call consists...5
2 In )ringing the lilies o" a 'irginal lo'e into the garden o" 3hrist. 0here will )e
so man# such 'irgins in "uture centuriesF... So man#F... Scented "lower)eds to
counter)alance the sin;s o" 'ice. Pra#ing souls counter)alancing )lasphemers
and atheists. 0he# assist man;ind in all its mis"ortunes and are the Co# o" God. 5
4 *ar# o" *agdala mo'es her lips to as; a Iuestion, and in doing so she still
)lushes, )ut she loo;s "reer and easier than in past da#s? 2 And we... the ruins
that 4ou are )uilding up, what shall we )ecomeE 5
2 hat #our 'irgin sisters are...5
2 9hF It cannot )eF e ha'e trampled on too much mud and... and... it is not
possi)le. 5
2 *ar#, *ar#F ,esus ne'er "orgi'es )# hal'es. 7e told #ou that 7e had "orgi'en
#ou. And so it is. 4ou, and all those who sinned li;e #ou and whom *# lo'e
"orgi'es and weds, will smell sweet, will pra#, lo'e, and com"ort. As #ou are
aware o" e'il and capa)le o" curing it where'er it is, #our souls are mart#rs in
the e#es o" God. 4ou are there"ore as dear as 'irgins. 5
243. :#sus Is t"# P!&#r4u% L!6#r. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# L!st Dr)c"+). 323
2 *art#rsE In what, *asterE 5
2 Against #oursel'es and recollections o" #our past and through thirst "or lo'e
and eDpiation. 5
2 *ust I )elie'e thatE...5 0he *agdalene loo;s at e'er#)od# in the )oat, as;ing
them to con"irm her rising hope.
2 As; Simon. I spo;e o" #ou and o" sinners in general, in a starr# night, in #our
garden. And all #our )rothers can tell #ou whether *# 'oice has sung the
wonders o" *erc# and o" con'ersion "or all those who ha'e )een redeemed. 5
2 Also the )o# has spo;en to me a)out it, in his angelical 'oice. I came )ac;
"rom his lesson with a re"reshed soul. 7e made me understand 4ou )etter than
m# sister did, so much so that I "elt more con"ident in ha'ing to "ace *agdala.
1ow, a"ter what 4ou told me, I "eel m# strength growing. I scandalised the
world. .ut I swear to 4ou, m# =ord, that the world loo;ing at me now will
understand what 4our power is li;e. 5
,esus la#s 7is hand on her head "or a moment, while the *ost 7ol# -irgin
smiles at her as onl# She can smile? hea'enl#.
5 0here is *agdala, l#ing on the coast o" the la;e, with the rising sun in "ront o"
it, and mount Ar)ela )ehind it, protecting it "rom winds, and the narrow wild
steep roc;# 'alle# through which a little torrent "lows into the la;e. 0he steep
coast eDtends westwards? a )eauti"ul charming austere sight.
2 *aster 5 shouts ,ohn "rom the other )oat, 2 there is the 'alle# o" our retreat...5
and his "ace shines as i" the sun were )urning within him.
2 4es, our 'alle#. 4ou ha'e recognised it. 5
2 It is impossi)le to "orget the places where we )ecame acIuainted with God 5
replies ,ohn.
2 In that case I will alwa#s remem)er this la;e. .ecause it was here that I met
4ou. Do #ou ;now, *artha, that one morning I saw the *aster hereE...5
2 4es, and we nearl# all went to the )ottom, )oth #ou and we. oman, I can
assure #ou that #our oarsmen were not worth a "arthing 5 sa#s Peter, who is
manoeu'ring to get ashore.
2 1either the oarsmen nor those with them were worth an#thing... .ut it was the
"irst time we met, and that is o" great worth. 0hen I saw 4ou upon the mountain,
then at *agdala and later at 3apernaum... And e'er# time we met, so man#
chains were )ro;en... .ut 3apernaum was the )est place. 4ou "reed me there...5
6 0he# land where the others ha'e alread# come o"" the other )oat. 0he# enter
the town.
0he simple or... malicious curiosit# o" the *agdala people must )e a torture "or
the *agdalene. .ut she )ears it heroicall# "ollowing the *aster ho is wal;ing
ahead, among 7is disciples, while the women are )ehind them. 0here is much
whispering and iron#. All those who "ormerl# "eigned to respect *ar#, "or "ear
o" reprisals, while she was the o'er)earing mistress o" *agdala, now that the#
see her hum)le and chaste and realise she has parted "or good "rom her power"ul
"riends, the# ta;e the li)ert# o" insulting and re'iling her.
*artha, who is su""ering as much as she is, as;s her? 2 Do #ou wish to go
homeE 5
2 1o, I am not lea'ing the *aster. And I am not in'iting 7im to m# house, until
it is puri"ied and e'er# trace o" the past has )een remo'ed. 5
2 .ut #ou are su""ering, sisterF 5
2 I deser'ed it. 5 And she must )e reall# su""ering. 7er "lushed "ace is )eaded
with sweat not due to the warm weather.
0he# cross the whole o" *agdala going towards the poor Iuarters, as "ar as the
house where the# stopped the last time. 0he woman is dum)"ounded when
loo;ing up "rom her wash)oard to see who is greeting her, she "inds ,esus "acing
her along with the well ;nown lad# o" *agdala, who is no longer pompousl#
dressed and adorned with Cewels. 9n the contrar# she is wearing a light linen
'eil, a periwin;le 'iolet dress, which is high<nec;ed and certainl# does not
)elong to her, )ecause it is too tight and has )een adapted "or her. She is
en'eloped in a hea'# mantle, which must )e a torture in that warm weather.
2 ill #ou allow *e to remain in #our house and spea; to those who are
"ollowing *eE 5 0hat is, to the whole o" *agdala, )ecause the whole population
has "ollowed the apostolic group.
2 h# as; me, m# =ordE *# house is 4ours. 5 And she )usies hersel" )ringing
seats and )enches "or the women and the apostles. hen passing near the
243. :#sus Is t"# P!&#r4u% L!6#r. T"# P)r)8%# !4 t"# L!st Dr)c"+). 324
*agdalene she )ows li;e a sla'e.
2 Peace to #ou, sister 5 replies the *agdalene. And the poor woman is so
shoc;ed that she drops the )ench she was carr#ing. .ut she does not sa# one
word. 0he scene ma;es me thin; that *ar# o" *agdala pro)a)l# treated her
su)Cects rather haughtil#. 0he poor woman is utterl# astonished when she is
as;ed how the children are, where the# are, and whether her hus)and has had
good hauls.
2 0he# are well... 0he# are at school or with m# mother. 0he little one is
sleeping in his cradle. *# hus)and has had good catches o" "ish and will )ring
#ou the tithes due to #ou...5
2 0hat is no longer necessar#. Jse them "or the children. 3an I see the )a)#E 5
2 3ome...5
7 People ha'e crowded the street.
,esus )egins to spea;?
2 A woman had ten drachmas in her purse. .ut she made a mo'ement and the
purse "ell "rom her )reastL it opened and the coins rolled on the "loor. She pic;ed
them up with the help o" her neDt door neigh)ours who were with her, and she
counted them. 0he# were onl# nine. 0he tenth could not )e "ound. As it was
almost e'ening and it was getting dar;, the woman lit a lamp, placed it on the
"loor and she )egan to sweep the "loor with a )room to see whether it had rolled
"ar "rom the spot where it had "allen. .ut the drachma could not )e "ound. 7er
"riends le"t her, as the# were tired searching "or it. 0he woman then shi"ted a
hea'# chest, a ca)inet, and she remo'ed amphoras and pitchers "rom a niche in
the wall. .ut the drachma could not )e "ound. She then )egan to crawl on all
"ours and searched in the sweepings, piled up against the door, in case the
drachma had rolled out o" the house and @)ecome miDed with 'egeta)le re"use.
And at last she "ound the drachma, which was soiled and almost )uried under
the sweepings. 0he Cu)ilant woman pic;ed it up, washed it and dried it. It was
now more )eauti"ul than )e"orehand. And she showed it to her neigh)ours
whom she called again at the top o" her 'oice, those who had gone awa# a"ter
helping her in the earl# search, and she said to them? G7ere #ou areF SeeE 4ou
ad'ised me not to )other an# more. .ut I insisted and I "ound the lost drachma.
8eCoice there"ore with me )ecause I ha'e not su""ered the loss o" one o" m#
treasures.H
Also #our *aster, and 7is apostles as well, )eha'e li;e the woman o" the
para)le. 7e ;nows that a mo'ement ma# cause a treasure to "all. &'er# soul is a
treasure and Satan, who hates God, pro'o;es "alse mo'ements to ma;e poor
souls "all. 0here are some who in "alling stop near the purse, that is the# do not
go too "ar "rom the =aw o" God, ho gathers them and protects them )# means
o" 7is commandments. Some go "arther awa#, that is, the# go "arther awa# "rom
God and 7is =aw. Some, "inall#, roll as "ar as the sweepings, dirt and mud. And
the# would end up )# )urning in the eternal "ire, as ru))ish is )urnt in suita)le
places. 0he *aster ;nows and 7e loo;s untiringl# "or lost coins. 7e loo;s "or
them e'er#where, with lo'e. 0he# are 7is treasures. And 7e ne'er tires and 7e
loathes nothing. 7e rummages, searches, shi"ts, sweeps until 7e "inds what 7e
is loo;ing "or. And once 7e has "ound it, 7e washes the reco'ered souls with
7is "orgi'eness and calls all 7is "riends? the whole Paradise and all the good
people o" the earth and sa#s to them? G8eCoice with *e )ecause I ha'e "ound
what was lost and it is now more )eauti"ul than )e"orehand )ecause *#
"orgi'eness has made it new.H
I solemnl# tell #ou, there is much reCoicing among the angels o" God and the
good people o" the earth o'er a repentant sinner. And I solemnl# tell #ou that
there is nothing more )eauti"ul than tears o" repentance. I solemnl# tell #ou that
onl# demons cannot reCoice o'er such a con'ersion, which is a triumph o" God.
And I tell #ou that the wa# a man welcomes the con'ersion o" a sinner is the
measure o" his own goodness and his union with God.
Peace )e with #ou. 5
0he crowds understand the lesson and loo; at the *agdalene, who has come to
sit on the threshold holding the )a)# in her arms, perhaps to stri;e a posture.
0he crowds disperse slowl# and onl# the landlad# is le"t with her mother who
has Cust arri'ed with the children. .enCamin is not there, he is still at school.
,41. Eno$#!(&! Is not Corru"tion i0 it Is R!#i&ion.
-r( Au&ust 1*4+.
1 hen the )oat moors in the little har)our o" 0i)erias, man# idlers wal;ing
241. En!&%#*(# Is n!t C!rru$t!n 4 t Is R#%(!n. 32,
near the little pier come to see who has arri'ed. 0here are people o" all ran;s and
nationalities. 0hus the long man#<coloured ,ewish tunics, the dar; heads and
imposing )eards o" Israelities miD with the short, slee'eless, white woollen
garments and the clean sha'en short<haired heads o" sturd# 8omans and with the
e'en scantier garments co'ering the agile e""eminate )odies o" Gree;s. 0he
latter seem to ha'e a)sor)ed the s;ill"ul art o" their remote "atherland e'en in
posing, and loo; li;e statues o" gods descended upon the earth in mortal )odies,
en'eloped as the# are in white tunics, with classic "aces adorned with curl#
scented hair and arms laden with )racelets, which their a""ected mo'ements
cause to shine.
*an# women o" pleasure are mingled with the 8omans and Gree;s, who do not
hesitate to show their lo'e a""airs in sIuares and streets, whereas Palestinians
re"rain "rom this, although man# gail# indulge in "ree lo'e with ladies o" leisure
at home. 0his clearl# appears to )e the case )ecause courtesans call se'eral ,ews
"amiliarl# )# their names, among them )eing a Pharisee adorned with ri))ons,
notwithstanding the "act that the ,ews gi'e the women ugl# loo;s.
,esus mo'es towards that part o" the town where the more elegant people gather
together. 0hese people are mainl# 8omans and Gree;s with a "ew courtiers o"
7erod6s and some rich merchants "rom the Phoenician coast, presuma)l# "rom
Sidon and 0#re, as the# are tal;ing o" those towns and emporia and ships. 0he
eDternal porches o" the 0hermal )aths are "ull o" such elegant idle people who
;ill time discussing pett# topics, such as the "a'ourite disco)olus or the most
agile and smartest athlete in Graeco<8oman wrestling. 9r the# chatter o" "ashion
and )anIuets and ma;e appointments "or pleasure trips in'iting to them the most
)eauti"ul courtesans or the per"umed curl#<haired ladies who come out "rom the
0hermal )aths or other )uildings, pouring into this hall<li;e artistic marmoreal
centre o" 0i)erias.
2 0he passing group is )ound to rouse intense curiosit# that )ecomes reall#
mor)id when someone recognises ,esus, ha'ing seen 7im at 3aesarea and there
is also someone who recognises the *agdalene although she is completel#
en'eloped in her mantle, with her 'eil lowered o'er her "orehead and chee;s, so
that little o" her "ace can )e seen, as she is wal;ing with her head )ent.
2 It6s the 1a(arene ho cured -aleria6s daughter 5 sa#s a 8oman.
2 I would lo'e to see a miracle 5 another 8oman replies to him.
2 I would li;e to hear 7im spea;. 0he# sa# 7e is a great philosopher. Shall we
as; 7im to spea;E 5 as;s a Gree;.
2 Don6t inter"ere, 0heodate. 7is head is in the clouds and 7e tal;s accordingl#.
A tragedian would li;e 7im "or a satire 5 replies another Gree;.
2 Don6t )ecome impatient, Aristo)olus. 7e is apparentl# descending "rom the
clouds and is discussing sound arguments. See how man# lo'el# #oung women
7e has got with 7im 5 eDclaims a 8oman Co;ingl#.
2 .ut that is *ar# o" *agdalaF 5 shouts a Gree;, who then calls? 2 =uciusF
3orneliusF 0itusF =oo;? *ar# is o'er thereF 5
2 It6s not herF *ar# li;e thatE Are #ou drun;E 5
2 It is *ar#, I am telling #ou. She cannot decei'e me, e'en i" she is so
disguised. 5
8omans and Gree;s crowd round the apostolic group, which is crossing the
sIuare adorned with arcades and "ountains. Some women Coin the curious men
and it is a woman who goes almost under *ar#6s "ace to see her properl# and is
dum)"ounded when she sees that it is *ar#.
She as;s her? 2 hat are #ou doing in this guiseE 5 and laughs moc;ingl#.
*ar# stops, straightens hersel", raises one hand and unco'ers her "ace throwing
her 'eil )ac;. It is *ar# o" *agdala, the power"ul lad# against whate'er is
despica)le and mistress o" her own "eelings, who appears. 2 It is I, #es 5 she
sa#s in her )eauti"ul 'oice while her )eauti"ul e#es are "lashing. 2 It is I. And I
am re'ealing m#sel", so that #ou ma# not thin; that I am ashamed o" )eing with
these hol# people. 5
2 9hF *ar# with hol# peopleF 3ome awa#. Do not degrade #oursel"F 5 eDclaims
the woman.
2 I ha'e )een degraded up till now. .ut not now. 5
2 Are #ou madE 9r is it a whimE 5 she replies.
A 8oman win;ing and Co;ing sa#s? 2 3ome with me. I am more handsome and
merrier than that moustached hired mourner who morti"ies li"e and ma;es a
"uneral o" it. =i"e is )eauti"ulF A triumph. A Co#"ul org#F 3ome. I will eDcell
e'er#)od# in ma;ing #ou happ# 5 and the swarth# #oung man whose "oDli;e
241. En!&%#*(# Is n!t C!rru$t!n 4 t Is R#%(!n. 32-
"ace is rather handsome, endea'ours to touch her.
2 Go awa#F Don6t touch me. 4ou spo;e the truth? the li"e #ou lead is an org#.
And a most shame"ul one. I loathe it. 5
2 9hF .ut up till recentl# it was #our ;ind o" li"e 5 replies the Gree;.
2 She is pla#ing the 'irgin nowF 5 sneers a 7erodian.
2 4ou will ruin those hol# peopleF 0he 1a(arene will lose 7is halo with #ou.
3ome with us 5 insists a 8oman.
2 4ou had )etter come with me and "ollow 7im. Stop )eing animals and
)ecome at least men. 5
A chorus o" laughter and moc;er# is their repl#.
3 9nl# an elderl# 8oman sa#s? 2 8espect the woman. She is "ree to do what she
li;es. I will de"end her. 5
2 =isten to the demagogueF Did last night6s wine upset #ouE 5 as;s a #oung man.
2 1o. 7e is h#pochondriac )ecause his )ac; is aching 5 replies another.
2 Go to the 1a(arene and as; 7im to scratch it "or #ou. 5
2 I will go and as; 7im to scratch o"" the "ilth I pic;ed up )eing with #ou 5
replies the elder.
2 9hF 3rispus has )ecome corrupt at the age o" siDt# 5 sa# man# laughing, while
the# "orm a circle round him.
.ut the man named 3rispus is not worried at )eing scorned and he )egins to
wal; )ehind the *agdalene and the# reach ,esus ho has stopped in the shade
o" a )eauti"ul )uilding which occupies two sides o" the sIuare with porticoes
and )enches.
And ,esus has alread# come to grips with a scri)e who reproaches 7im "or )eing
in 0i)erias with such compan#.
2 And wh# are #ou hereE So "ar with regard to 0i)erias. And I tell #ou also that
there are souls to )e sa'ed in 0i)erias as well, na#, more here than an#where
else 5 replies ,esus.
2 0he# cannot )e sa'ed? the# are Gentiles, heathens, sinners. 5
2 I came "or sinners. 0o ma;e the 0rue God ;nown to e'er#)od#. 0o
e'er#)od#. I came also "or #ou. 5
2 I do not need masters or redeemers. I am pure and learned. 5
2 I wish #ou were learned enough to understand #our own conditionF 5
2 And 4ou to ;now how preCudicial is to 4ou the compan# o" a prostitute. 5
2 I "orgi'e #ou also on her )ehal". In her humilit# she has cancelled her sin. 4ou
ha'e dou)led #ours in #our pride. 5
2 I ha'e no sins. 5
2 4ou ha'e the capital one. 4ou are lo'eless. 5
0he scri)e sa#s? 2 8acaF 5 and goes awa#.
2 It is m# "ault, *asterF 5 sa#s the *agdalene. And seeing the pale "ace on the
.lessed -irgin she moans? 2 >orgi'e me. I am causing 4our Son to )e insulted.
I will withdraw... 5
2 1o. 4ou shall sta# where #ou are. I want it 5 sa#s ,esus in an incisi'e 'oice.
7is e#es "lash with maCest# and there is such authorit# emanating "rom 7is
whole person that it is almost impossi)le to loo; at 7imF 7e then adds more
;indl#? 2 Sta# where #ou are. I" an#one cannot )ear )eing near #ou, let him go
awa#, )# himsel". 5
And ,esus resumes wal;ing towards the western part o" the town.
4 2 *asterF 5 calls the stout elderl# 8oman who de"ended the *agdalene.
,esus turns round.
2 0he# call 4ou *aster, and I call 4ou thus as well. I was anDious to hear 4ou
spea;. I am part philosopher and part worldl# sinner. .ut perhaps 4ou could
ma;e an honest person o" me. 5
,esus stares at him sa#ing? 2 I am lea'ing the town where )ase human animalit#
reigns and moc;er# is so'ereign. 5 And 7e resumes wal;ing.
0he man "ollows 7im with di""icult# and perspiring, )ecause ,esus is striding
241. En!&%#*(# Is n!t C!rru$t!n 4 t Is R#%(!n. 32.
and he is )ul;# and rather old and weighed down )# 'ices. Peter loo;s )ac; and
tells ,esus.
2 =et him wal;. Do not )other a)out him. 5
Shortl# a"terwards the Iscariot sa#s? 2 .ut that man is "ollowing us. It is not
rightF 5
2 h#E 9ut o" pit# or is there another reasonE 5
2 Pit# himE 1o. .ecause "arther )ac; there is the scri)e and other ,ews
"ollowing us. 5
2 =ea'e them alone. It would ha'e )een )etter i" #ou had pitied him instead o"
pit#ing #oursel". 5
2 4ou, *aster. 5
2 1o? #oursel", ,udas. .e "ran; in ac;nowledging #our "eelings and con"essing
them. 5
2 I reall# pit# the elder as well. It is di""icult, 4ou ;now, to ;eep up with 4ouF 5
sa#s Peter perspiring.
2 It is alwa#s di""icult to "ollow Per"ection, Simon. 5
0he man "ollows them without tiring, endea'ouring to sta# near the women, to
whom, howe'er, he does not spea;.
5 0he *agdalene is weeping silentl# under her 'eil.
2 Do not weep, *ar# 5 sa#s 9ur =ad# com"orting her and ta;ing her )# the
hand. 2 =ater the world will respect #ou. 0he "irst da#s are the most pain"ul
ones. 5
2 9hF It is not "or m# own sa;eF It is )ecause o" 7imF I would ne'er "orgi'e
m#sel" i" I were the cause o" trou)le "or 7im. Did 4ou hear what the scri)e
saidE I am preCudicial to 7im. 5
2 Poor daughterF Do #ou not ;now that such words ha'e )een hissing around
7im li;e so man# sna;es long )e"ore #ou thought o" coming to 7imE Simon
told *e that the# accused 7im o" that e'en last #ear, )ecause 7e cured a woman
leper, once a sinner, whom 7e saw onl# when 7e wor;ed the miracle and ne'er
again, and was older than I am, and I am 7is *other. Do #ou not ;now that 7e
had to come awa# "rom the 3lear ater )ecause a poor sister o" #ours had gone
there to )e redeemedE 7ow can the# accuse 7im i" 7e is without sinE .# telling
lies. And where do the# "ind themE In 7is mission among men. 7is good deed is
used as e'idence o" 7is sin. hate'er *# Son should do, the# would alwa#s
consider it a sin. I" 7e retired to a hermitage, 7e would )e guilt# o" neglecting
the people o" God. I" 7e comes among the people, 7e is guilt# o" doing that. 7e
is alwa#s guilt#, as "ar as the# are concerned. 5
2 0hen, the# are hate"ull# wic;edF 5
2 1o. 0he# are stu))ornl# )lind to the =ight. *# ,esus is the &ternal
*isunderstood 9ne. And 7e will )e more and more so. 5
2 And does that not grie'e 4ouE 4ou seem so serene to me. 5
2 .e Iuiet. I "eel as i" *# heart were wrapped in )urning thorns. And e'er# time
I )reathe I am pierced )# them. .ut 7e must not ;nowF I stri'e to appear serene,
in order to support 7im )# *# serenit#. I" 7is *other does not console 7im,
where is *# ,esus going to "ind com"ortE 9n which )reast can 7e recline 7is
head without )eing wounded or calumniated )# doing soE It is onl# "air that I,
"orgetting the thorns that rend *# heart and the tears that I drin; in *# hours o"
solitude, should la# a so"t lo'ing mantle, a smile, at an# cost, to lea'e 7im
Iuieter... Iuieter, until... until the wa'e o" hatred will )e such that nothing will
)e o" an# a'ail. 1ot e'en the lo'e o" 7is *other... 5 0wo tears stream down
*ar#6s pale "ace.
0he two sisters, deepl# mo'ed, loo; at 7er. 2 .ut we are here and we lo'e 7im.
0hen the apostles... 5 sa#s *artha to com"ort 7er.
2 4es, #ou are here. And 7e has the apostles... 0he# are still much in"erior to
their tas;... And *# grie" is deeper )ecause I ;now that 7e is aware o"
e'er#thing... 5
2 So 7e ;nows that I am willing to o)e#, e'en to the eDtent o" immolating
m#sel", i" necessar#E 5 as;s the *agdalene.
2 7e does. 4ou are a great Co# "or 7im on 7is hard wa#. 5
2 9hF *otherF 5 and the *agdalene ta;es *ar#6s hand and ;isses it e""usi'el#.
6 0i)erias ends at the 'egeta)le gardens o" the su)ur)s. .e#ond them there is
241. En!&%#*(# Is n!t C!rru$t!n 4 t Is R#%(!n. 321
the dust# road that leads to 3anaL on one side there are orchards, on the other
meadows and "ields parched )# the summer sun.
,esus proceeds into an orchard to rest in the shade o" thic; trees. 0he women
reach 7im "irst and then the panting 8oman arri'esL he is utterl# eDhausted. 7e
remains a little aside, does not spea;, )ut watches.
2 =et us ta;e some "ood while we are resting 5 sa#s ,esus. 2 0here is a well o'er
there and a peasant near it. Go and as; him to let us ha'e some water. 5
,ohn and 0haddeus go. 0he# come )ac; with a pitcher dripping water, "ollowed
)# the peasant who o""ers some wonder"ul "igs.
2 *a# God reward #ou with good health and a rich har'est. 5
2 *a# God protect 4ou. 4ou are the *aster, are 4ou notE 5
2 I am. 5
2 ill 4ou )e spea;ing hereE 5
2 0here is no one here who wants *e to spea;. 5
2 I do, *aster. I wish it more that I wish water which is so good when one is
thirst# 5 shouts the 8oman.
2 Are #ou thirst#E 5
2 4es, 'er#. I ha'e "ollowed 4ou "rom town. 5
2 >ountains o" cool water are not lac;ing in 0i)erias. 5
2 Do not misunderstand me, *aster, or "eign to misinterpret me. I "ollowed 4ou
to hear 4ou spea;. 5
2 h#E 5
2 I do not ;now wh# or how. It happened seeing her @and he points at the
*agdaleneA. I do not ;now. Something said to me? G7e will tell #ou what #ou
do not #et ;now.H And I came. 5
2 Gi'e the man some water and "igs. 0hat he ma# re"reshen his )od#. 5
2 And what a)out m# mindE 5
2 *inds are re"reshened )# the 0ruth. 5
2 0hat is wh# I "ollowed 4ou. I loo;ed "or the truth in human ;nowledge. I
"ound corruption. &'en in the )est doctrines there is something which is not
good. I ha'e )ecome so disheartened that I am disgusted and a disgusting man
without an# other "uture )ut the hour I li'e. 5
,esus stares at him while eating the )read and "igs that the apostles ha'e )rought
7im.
7 0he meal is soon o'er.
,esus, still sitting, )egins to spea; as i" 7e were Cust gi'ing a simple lesson to
7is apostles. Also the peasant remains near)#.
2 *an# are those who loo; "or the 0ruth throughout their li'es, without
reaching it. 0he# loo; li;e "ools who are anDious to see and #et hold )ron(e
)lin;ers )e"ore their e#es and the# grope searching con'ulsi'el# so that the# go
"arther and "arther awa# "rom the 0ruth, or the# hide it )# throwing on it 'arious
things that their "oolish search shi"ts and causes to "all. 1othing )ut that can
happen to them, )ecause the# loo; "or the 0ruth where the 0ruth cannot )e. 0o
"ind the 0ruth #ou must Coin intellect to lo'e and loo; at things not onl# with
wise e#es, )ut with good e#es. .ecause )ount# is worth more than wisdom. 7e
who lo'es will alwa#s "ind a path leading to the 0ruth.
0o lo'e does not mean to ta;e delight in the "lesh or "or the "lesh. 0hat is not
lo'e. It is sensualit#. =o'e is a""ection "rom soul to soul, "rom superior part to
superior part, so that man does not see in his companion a sla'e, )ut the mother
o" his children, and nothing else, that is, the hal" that "orms with man a whole,
capa)le o" procreating li"e or more li'esL that is, the companion who is the
mother and sister and daughter o" man, who is wea;er than a new)orn )a)# or
stronger than a lion, according to circumstances, and who as mother, sister and
daughter is to )e lo'ed with con"ident protecti'e respect. hate'er is not what I
sa#, is not lo'e. It is 'ice. It does not lead upwards, )ut downwards? not to the
=ight, )ut to Dar;nessL not to the stars, )ut to "ilth. 4ou must lo'e #our woman
to )e a)le to lo'e #our neigh)our. And #ou must lo'e #our neigh)our to ;now
how to lo'e God. And the wa# to the 0ruth is "ound.
0hat is where the 0ruth is, o men who are loo;ing "or it. 0he 0ruth is God. 0hat
is where the ;e# to understand ;nowledge is to )e "ound. 0he "aultless doctrine
is God6s doctrine. 7ow can man answer all his Iuestions i" God is not with him
241. En!&%#*(# Is n!t C!rru$t!n 4 t Is R#%(!n. 322
to gi'e him the answersE ho can disclose the m#steries o" creation, onl# and
simpl# those m#steries, )ut our Supreme *a;er, ho made creationE ho can
understand the li'ing mar'el, which is man, the )eing in whom the animal
per"ection is united to the immortal per"ection, which is the soul, where)# we
are gods, i" our souls are ali'e, that is "ree "rom those actions which would a)ase
a )rute, and which, howe'er, man commits and o" which he is proudE
9 men, searching "or the 0ruth, I will repeat ,o)6s words to #ou? GI" #ou would
learn more, as; the cattle, see; in"ormation "rom the )irds o" the air. 0he
creeping things o" the earth will gi'e #ou lessons, and the "ishes o" the sea will
tell #ou all.H 4es, the earth, this 'erdant "lower# earth, the "ruit swelling on
trees, the proli"erating )irds, the winds )lowing clouds, the sun that "or centuries
and millennia has risen unerringl#, e'er#thing spea;s o" God, e'er#thing
eDplains God, e'er#thing re'eals and disco'ers God.
I" Science is not )ased on God, it )ecomes error and does not ele'ate )ut a)ases.
Bnowledge is not corruption i" it is religion. 7e whose ;nowledge is )ased on
God will not "all, )ecause he is conscious o" his dignit# and )elie'es in his
eternal "uture. .ut #ou must loo; "or the real God, not "or phantoms that are not
gods, )ut mere "ren(ies o" men still en'eloped in spiritual ignorance so that there
is not e'en the shadow o" wisdom in their religions or the shadow o" truth in
their "aith.
&'er# age is capa)le o" )ecoming wise. 1a#, once again in ,o) it is written? GAt
dus; a noonda# light will rise "or #ou and when #ou thin; #our end has come,
#ou will rise li;e the morning star. 4ou will )e "ull o" con"idence )ecause o" the
hope waiting "or #ou.H
Good will is su""icient to "ind the 0ruth, which sooner or later will )e "ound. .ut
once it has )een "ound, woe to those who do not "ollow it, )ut imitate the
o)stinate people o" Israel, who, although alread# in possession o" the thread to
"ind God, that is, e'er#thing written in the .oo; a)out *e, will not surrender to
the 0ruth, na# the# hate it, amassing in their minds and hearts the )arrenness o"
hatred and "ormulae. And the# do not ;now that )ecause o" eDcessi'e weight the
earth will open under their steps, which the# thin; are the steps o" triumphers,
whereas the# are the steps o" sla'es o" "ormalism, o" hatred, o" sel"ishness. And
the# will )e swallowed up and will )e thrown headlong into the a)#ss where
those go who are consciousl# guilt# o" a paganism that is more guilt# than the
heathenism that people ha'e adopted )# themsel'es in order to ha'e a religion
on which to )ase their )eha'iour.
As I do not reCect those who repent amongst the children o" Israel, so I do not
reCect those idolaters who )elie'e in what the# were gi'en to )elie'e and who
inwardl# implore? GGi'e us the 0ruth.H
I ha'e spo;en to #ou. =et us rest now under these green trees, i" this man will
allow us. e shall go to 3ana in the e'ening. 5
8 2 =ord, I am lea'ing 4ou. .ut as I do not wish to desecrate the wisdom that
4ou ha'e gi'en me, I will lea'e 0i)erias this e'ening, I am going awa# "rom
this countr#. I will retire to the coast o" =ucania with m# ser'ant. I ha'e a house
there. 4ou ha'e gi'en me much. I realise that 4ou cannot gi'e more to the old
&picurean. .ut what 4ou ha'e gi'en me is enough to ena)le me to )uild up m#
mind. And... pra# 4our God "or old 3rispus. 7e was 4our onl# listener in
0i)erias. Pra# that I ma# hear 4ou again, )e"ore =i)itina @1A clasps me, so that,
through the capa)ilit# which I thin; I will )e a)le to create within me, I ma#
understand 4ou and the 0ruth )etter. 7ail, *aster. 5 And he salutes in the
8oman wa#.
hen he passes near the women who are sitting a little aside, he )ows to *ar#
o" *agdala and sa#s? 2 0han; #ou, *ar#. It was a good thing that I ;new #ou.
4ou ha'e gi'en the searched "or treasure to #our old "east companion. I" I arri'e
where #ou alread# are, I will owe #ou that. Good)#e. 5 And 7e goes awa#.
0he *agdalene presses her hands against her heart and her "ace shows wonder
and radiance. 0hen, she drags hersel" on her ;nees )e"ore ,esus. 2 9hF =ordF So
it is true that I ma# lead people to GoodE 9hF *# =ord. 0hat is too ;ind o" 4ouF
5 And )ending until her "ace touches the grass, she ;isses ,esus6 "eet and wets
them once again with tears? the tears o" gratitude o" the great lo'er o" *agdala.
@1A Ancient 8oman goddess o" sepultures, whose name was used )# =atin poets
as s#non#mous with death.
242. In t"# H!us# )t C)n). 333
,4,. In t! Hous! 't C'n'.
4t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 In the house at 3ana the reCoicing "or ,esus6 arri'al is little less than it was at
the miraculous wedding. 0here are no pla#ers, no guests, the house is not
adorned with "lowers and e'ergreens, there are no ta)les laid "or man# guests,
nor an# steward near the side)oards and the stone Cars, "ull o" wine. .ut lo'e
eDcels e'er#thing and it is gi'en in the right "orm and measure, that is, not to the
guest, who is pro)a)l# also a distant relation, )ut still a man, )ut to the *aster
Guest hose true 1ature is ;nown and ac;nowledged and hose ord is
'enerated as something di'ine. 0he hearts in 3ana, there"ore, lo'e with their
whole sel'es the Great >riend, ho appeared in 7is linen tunic at the garden
entrance, in the green o" the garden and the red o" the sunset, )eauti"#ing e'er#<
thing with 7is presence, communicating 7is peace not onl# to the hearts to
whom 7e addresses 7is greeting, )ut also to things.
2 And it reall# seems that a 'eil o" solemn Co#"ul peace is laid out where'er 7e
turns 7is )lue e#es. Purit# and peace "low "rom 7is e#es, wisdom "rom 7is lips
and lo'e "rom 7is heart. hat I am a)out to sa# ma# seem impossi)le to the
reader o" these pages. And #et, the same place, which )e"ore ,esus6 coming was
an ordinar# place, or a )us# place eDcluding the possi)ilit# o" peace, which
supposedl# should )e "ree "rom wor; )ustling, is enno)led as soon as 7e
appears there, and the )ustling )ecomes orderl# and does not )ar the possi)ilit#
o" supernatural thoughts mingled with manual la)our. I do not ;now whether I
ha'e made m#sel" clear.
,esus is ne'er sullen, not e'en when 7e is more disgusted with something that
has happened, )ut is alwa#s maCesticall# digni"ied and communicates such
supernatural dignit# to the place in which 7e mo'es. ,esus is ne'er a Coll#
"ellow or a complainer laughing coarsel# or loo;ing h#pochondriac, not e'en in
the moments o" greatest delight or deepest depression. 7is smile is inimita)le.
1o painter will e'er )e a)le to reproduce it. It is li;e a light emanating "rom 7is
heart, a )right light in the hours o" greatest Co# )ecause a soul has )een
redeemed or approaches Per"ection? I would sa# a ros# smile, when 7e appro'es
o" the spontaneous deeds o" 7is "riends or disciples and enCo#s their compan#L a
)lue angelical smile, to remain in the "ield o" hues, when 7e )ends o'er children
to listen to them, teach them and then )less themL a smile mitigated )# piet#
when 7e loo;s at the miseries o" the "lesh or the spiritL "inall# a di'ine smile,
when 7e spea;s o" 7is >ather or *other, or loo;s at or listens to 7is *ost Pure
*other.
I ha'e ne'er seen 7im h#pochondriac, not e'en in the hours o" )itter torment.
During the torture o" )eing )etra#ed, during the anguish when 7e sweated
)lood, and the spasm o" 7is passion, i" melanchol# o'erwhelmed the sweet
re"ulgence o" 7is smile, it was not su""icient to cancel the peace, which is li;e a
diadem shining with hea'enl# gems on 7is smooth "orehead and enlightening
7is di'ine person. 1either ha'e I e'er seen 7im indulge in immoderate
merriment. 7e is not a'erse to a heart# laugh, when the case demands it, )ut 7e
immediatel# resumes 7is no)le serenit#. .ut when 7e laughs, 7e prodigiousl#
loo;s #ounger, to the eDtent o" loo;ing li;e a twent# #ear old man and the world
seems to )lossom through 7is lo'el#, heart#, loud, melodious laughter. 1either
can I sa# that I ha'e seen 7im do things hurriedl#. hether 7e mo'es or
spea;s, 7e does so calml#, without, howe'er, )eing sluggish or listless. It is
pro)a)l# )ecause, tall as 7e is, 7e can stride, without running, to go a long wa#
and 7e can li;ewise reach at distant things without ha'ing to stand up to do so.
&'en the wa# 7e mo'es is certainl# gentlemanl# and maCestic.
And what a)out 7is 'oiceE ell? I ha'e heard 7im spea; "or almost two #ears,
and #et at times I lose the thread o" 7is speech as I )ecome so engrossed in
stud#ing 7is 'oice. And ,esus, 'er# ;indl# and patientl#, repeats what 7e said
and 7e loo;s at me with 7is smile o" the good *aster to ensure that nothing is
missing in 7is dictation )ecause o" m# delight in enCo#ing and listening to 7is
'oice and stud#ing its tone and charm. .ut a"ter two #ears I am not in a position
to sa# precisel# what the tone is. I de"initel# eDclude the )ass tone and also the
light tenor tone. .ut I am alwa#s dou)t"ul whether it is a power"ul tenor 'oice
or a per"ect )aritone 'oice with a 'er# wide 'ocal range. I would sa# that it is
the latter )ecause 7is 'oice at times ta;es )ron(e<li;e notes, mellow and so
deep, particularl# when 7e spea;s to a sinner, to lead him )ac; to Grace or 7e
points out human de'iations to crowds. .ut when 7e anal#ses or condemns
"or)idden things or 7e shows the h#pocris# o" men, the )ron(e notes o" 7is
'oices )ecome clearerL and the# are as sharp as the peal o" thunder when 7e
imposes the 0ruth or 7is will and the# 'i)rate li;e a sheet o" gold struc; with a
cr#stal hammer when 7e sings the praises o" *erc# or eDalts the wor; o" GodL
)ut the tim)re o" 7is 'oice is a most lo'ing one when 7e spea;s to or a)out 7is
*other. ,esus6 'oice is then reall# im)ued with lo'e? the re'erent lo'e o" a son,
and the lo'e o" God ho praises 7is most per"ect wor;. And 7e uses the same
tone, although not so strongl#, when spea;ing to 7is "a'ourites, to con'erts and
to children. And 7is 'oice ne'er tires, not e'en in 'er# long speeches, )ecause it
242. In t"# H!us# )t C)n). 331
colours and completes 7is thoughts and words, emphasising their power or
;indness, according to the case.
And at times I remain still, with the pen in m# hand, listening, and I then realise
that 7e has gone too "ar ahead, and that it is impossi)le to catch up with 7im...
and I remain still, and ,esus ;indl# repeats the words. 7e does the same when I
am interrupted, to teach me to patientl# endure )othersome things or people, and
I ma;e 7im understand how 2 )othersome 5 the# are when the# depri'e me o"
the )eatitude o" listening to ,esus...
3 1ow, at 3ana, 7e is than;ing Susanna "or the hospitalit# granted to Aglae.
0he# are )# themsel'es under a pergola laden with grapes which are alread#
ripening. All the others are in the ;itchen, re"reshing themsel'es.
2 0he woman was 'er# good, *aster. She certainl# was not a )urden to us. She
helped me e'er# time I did the washing, when we cleaned the house at Passo'er,
as i" she were a ser'ant, and I can assure 4ou that she wor;ed li;e a sla'e to
help me "inish our clothes "or Passo'er. She was prudent and withdrew e'er#
time someone came to the houseL and she endea'oured not to )e alone e'en with
m# hus)and. She hardl# spo;e in the presence o" the "amil# and too; little "ood.
She got up e'er# morning to tid# hersel" )e"ore the men wo;e and I alwa#s
"ound the "ire lit and the house cleaned. .ut when we were alone she would as;
me a)out 4ou and )egged me to teach her the psalms o" our religion. She used
to sa#? G0hat I ma# pra# as the *aster pra#s.H 7as she "inished to su""er nowE
.ecause she did su""er 'er# much. She was a"raid o" e'er#thing and sighed and
wept a great deal. Is she happ# nowE 5
2 4es, supernaturall# happ# and "ree "rom "ear. She is in peace. And I than; #ou
"or the good #ou did to her. 5
2 9hF *# =ord. hat goodE I treated her with lo'e in 4our name, )ecause that
is all I can do. She was a poor sister. I realised that. And I lo'ed her, out o"
gratitude to the *ost 7igh ho has ;ept me in 7is grace. 5
2 And #ou ha'e done more than i" #ou had preached in the .el 1idrasc. 1ow
#ou ha'e another one here. Did #ou recognise herE 5
2 ho does not ;now her hereE 5
2 1o)od#, that is true. .ut #ou and the district here do not ;now the second
*ar#, the one who will alwa#s )e "aith"ul to her 'ocation. Alwa#s. I as; #ou to
)elie'e it. 5
2 4ou sa# so. 4ou ;now. I )elie'e. 5
2 Sa# also? GI lo'e.H I ;now that it is more di""icult to pit# and "orgi'e one o"
our own people, who has sinned, than one who has the eDcuse o" )eing a pagan.
.ut i" our regret in seeing "amil# apostasies was ;een, let our pit# and
"orgi'eness )e ;eener. I ha'e "orgi'en Israel e'er#thing 5 concludes ,esus,
stressing the last words.
2 And I will "orgi'e, as "ar as I am concerned. .ecause I thin; a disciple should
do what the *aster does. 5
2 4ou are in the truth and God reCoices )ecause o" that. =et us go with the
others. It is getting dar;. It will )e pleasant to rest in the peace o" the night. 5
2 ill 4ou not spea; to us, *asterE 5
2 I do not ;now #et. 5
4 0he# go into the ;itchen where "ood and drin;s ha'e )een prepared "or
supper.
Susanna mo'es "orward and )lushing slightl# she sa#s? 2 ill m# sisters come
upstairs with meE e must la# the ta)les )ecause a"terwards we must prepare
)eds "or the men. I could do it )# m#sel". .ut it would ta;e me longer. 5
2 I am coming, too, Susanna 5 sa#s the .lessed -irgin.
2 1o, we are enough and it will help us to )ecome acIuainted with one another,
wor; does help to "raternise. 5
0he# go out together while ,esus, a"ter drin;ing some water "la'oured with
some s#rup M I do not ;now what it is M goes and sits with 7is *other, the
apostles and the men o" the house, in the cool shade o" the pergola, lea'ing the
ser'ants and the elderl# landlad# "ree to "inish preparing the "ood. 0he 'oices o"
the three women disciples la#ing the ta)les can )e heard "rom the room upstairs.
Susanna tells o" the miracle which was wor;ed at her wedding and *ar# o"
*agdala replies? 2 0o change water into wine is a great thing, )ut to change a
sinner into a woman disciple is e'en greater. God grant I )ecome li;e that wine?
that I ma# )e o" the )est. 5
242. In t"# H!us# )t C)n). 332
2 7a'e no dou)t a)out it. 7e changes e'er#thing in a per"ect wa#. 0here was
one here, and a heathen in addition, whose sentiments and "aith 7e changed.
3an #ou dou)t that the same will not happen to #ou, who are alread# an
IsraeliteE 5
2 9neE 4oungE 5
2 4oung. .eauti"ul. 5
2 And where is she nowE 5 as;s *artha.
2 9nl# the *aster ;nows. 5
2 AhF ell, she is the one o" whom I spo;e to #ou. ,esus was with =a(arus that
e'ening and he heard the words which were spo;en concerning her. hat a
sweet scent there was in that roomF =a(arus6 garments were im)ued with it "or
se'eral da#s. And #et ,esus said that the heart o" the con'ert eDcelled it with the
per"ume o" her repentance. I wonder where she has gone. I thin; to some
solitar# place...5
2 She is lonel#, and she was a stranger. I am here, and I am ;nown. She eDpiates
in solitude, I... li'ing in the world, amongst those who ;now me. I do not en'#
her destin#, as I am with the *aster. .ut I hope I will )e a)le to imitate her one
da#, )# )eing without an#thing that ma# distract me "rom 7im. 5
2 ould #ou lea'e 7imE 5
2 1o. .ut 7e sa#s that 7e will go awa#. *# soul will then "ollow 7im. I can
de"# the world with 7im. ithout 7im I would )e a"raid o" the world. I shall
put a desert )etween me and the world. 5
2 And what a)out =a(arus and meE hat shall we doE 5
2 hat #ou did in #our grie". 4ou will lo'e each other and will lo'e me. And
without )lushing... .ecause #ou will then )e alone, )ut #ou will ;now that I am
with the =ord. And I will lo'e #ou in the =ord. 5
2 *ar# is strong and well determined in her decisions 5 comments Peter who
has heard. And the :ealot replies? 2 She is a straight )lade li;e her "ather. She
has her mother6s "eatures, )ut her "ather6s un#ielding spirit. 5
And the lad# with the un#ielding spirit is running down the stairs to tell her
companions that supper is read#.
5 0he countr# "ades awa# in the serene moonless night. 9nl# the "aint light o"
stars shows the dar; masses o" trees and the white ones o" houses. 1othing else.
Some night )irds are "luttering silentl# round Susanna6s house, in search o" "lies,
s;imming past the people sitting on the terrace round a lamp, which throws a
"aint #ellowish light on the "aces o" those who are gathered round ,esus. *artha,
who must )e terri"ied o" )ats, gi'es a scream e'er# time a )ig noctule s;ims past
her. ,esus instead is )us# with the moths attracted )# the lamp and with 7is long
arm 7e endea'ours to ;eep them awa# "rom the "lame.
2 0he# are )oth 'er# stupid animals 5 sa#s 0homas. 0he "ormer mista;e us "or
)lue)ottles, the latter mista;e the "lame "or the sun and get )urnt. 0he# ha'e not
e'en got a shadow o" )rains. 5
2 0he# are animals. Do #ou eDpect them to reasonE 5 as;s the Iscariot.
2 1o. .ut I would li;e them to ha'e instinct at least. 5
2 It is not possi)le "or them to ha'e it. I am tal;ing o" moths. .ecause the# die
a"ter their "irst trial. Instinct awa;es and de'elops through pain"ul surprising
eDperience 5 comments ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 And what a)out )atsE 0he# should ha'e it )ecause the# li'e "or #ears. 0he#
are stupid, that6s all 5 retorts 0homas.
2 1o, 0homas. 1ot more than men. *an# times men also loo; li;e stupid )ats.
0he# "l#, or rather the# "lutter, li;e drun; men, round things that can onl# cause
grie". 7ere #ou are? *# )rother has struc; one down with his mantle. Gi'e *e it
5 sa#s ,esus.
,ames o" :e)edee, at whose "eet the stunned )at has "allen and is now tossing
clumsil# on the "loor, pic;s it up with two "ingers )# one o" its mem)ranous
wings and holding it out, li;e a dirt# rag, la#s it on ,esus6 lap.
2 7ere is the unwar# animal. =et us lea'e it alone and #ou will see that it will
reco'er, )ut it will not change its ha)its. 5
6 2 An unusual rescue, *aster. I would ha'e ;illed it 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
2 1o. h#E It has a li"e, too, and is ;een on it 5 replies ,esus.
2 I don6t thin; so. It either does not ;now it has a li"e or is not ;een on it. It
endangers itF 5
242. In t"# H!us# )t C)n). 333
2 9hF ,udasF ,udasF 7ow se'ere #ou would )e with sinners, with men. Also men
;now that the# ha'e one li"e and another one and the# do not hesitate to
endanger )oth one and the other. 5
2 7a'e we got two li'esE 5
2 0he li"e o" the )od# and the li"e o" the soul, #ou ;now that. 5
2 AhF I thought 4ou were re"erring to reincarnation. Some people )elie'e in it. 5
2 0here is no reincarnation. .ut there are two li'es. And #et man endangers )oth
o" them. I" #ou were God how would #ou Cudge men, who are gi"ted with reason
)esides instinctE 5
2 Se'erel#. Jnless it were a person o" unsound mind. 5
2 ould #ou not ta;e into account the circumstances that ma;e people morall#
insaneE 5
2 1o, I would not. 5
2 So #ou would ha'e no merc# on an#one who ;nows God and is acIuainted
with the =aw, and #et sins. 5
2 I would ha'e no merc#. .ecause man must )e a)le to control himsel". 5
2 7e should )e a)le. 5
2 7e must, *aster. It is an unpardona)le disgrace that an adult should commit
certain sins, particularl# when nothing "orces him. 5
2 hich sins according to #ouE 5
2 0he sins o" sensualit# "irst. 9ne degrades onesel" irrepara)l#...5
*ar# o" *agdala lowers her head... ,udas goes on? 2 ...and one corrupts others
as well, )ecause a ;ind o" "erment eDhales "rom the )odies o" impure people and
it upsets e'en the pure and urges them to imitate the impure...5
7 hile the *agdalene lowers her head "urther, Peter sa#s? 2 7e#, thereF Don6t
)e so se'ereF 0he "irst to )e guilt# o" such unpardona)le disgrace was &'e, and
#ou are not going to tell me that she was corrupted )# the impure "erment
eDhaling "rom a lasci'ious person. In an# case I would li;e #ou to ;now that, as
"ar as I am concerned, I am in no wa# upset e'en i" I sit near a lust"ul person. It6s
his )usiness...5
2 9ne is alwa#s in"ected )# )eing near. I" the )od# is not, the soul is, and that is
worse. 5
2 4ou seem a PhariseeF &Dcuse me, in that case one should loc; onesel" up in a
cr#stal tower and sta# there, sealed up. 5
2 .ut do not )elie'e, Simon, that it would help #ou. 0emptations are more
dread"ul in loneliness 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 9hF ellF 0he# would )e li;e dreams. 1o harm 5 replies Peter.
2 1o harmE Don6t #ou ;now that temptations lead to cogitations, cogitations to
compromise to satis"# somehow one6s aroused instinct, and then compromise
opens the wa# to re"inement o" sin in which sensualit# is Coined to thoughtE 5
as;s the Iscariot.
2 I ;now nothing a)out all that, m# dear ,udas. Perhaps )ecause I ha'e ne'er
cogitated, as #ou sa#, on certain things. .ut I thin; that we ha'e gone 'er# "ar
"rom )ats and that it is a good Co) that #ou are not God. 9therwise #ou would )e
all alone in Paradise, with #our se'erit#. hat do 4ou sa#, *asterE 5
8 2 I sa# that it is wise not to )e too a)solute )ecause the angels o" the =ord
listen to the words o" men and record them in the eternal )oo;s and it might not
)e pleasant one da# to )e told? G=et it )e done to #ou according to #our own
Cudgement.H I sa# that i" God sent *e it means that 7e wants to "orgi'e all the
sins o" which man repents, as 7e ;nows how wea; man is, )ecause o" Satan.
,udas, tell *e? do #ou agree that Satan ma# ta;e possession o" a soul so as to
"orce coercion on it, which ma# diminish the gra'it# o" sin in the e#es o" GodE 5
2 I do not. Satan can impair )ut the in"erior part. 5
2 4ou are )laspheming, ,udas o" Simon 5 eDclaim almost together the :ealot
and .artholomew.
2 h#E In what wa#E 5
2 4ou are gi'ing the lie to God and the .oo;. e read in it that =uci"er
impaired also the superior part, and God, through 7is ord, has told us man#
times 5 .artholomew replies.
2 It is also said that man has "ree will. hich means that Satan cannot do
242. In t"# H!us# )t C)n). 334
'iolence to man6s mind and "eelings. &'en God does not do it. 5
2 1o, God does not, )ecause 7e is 9rder and =o#alt#. .ut Satan does, )ecause
he is Disorder and 7atred 5 insists the :ealot.
2 7atred is not the sentiment opposed to lo#alt#. 4ou are wrong. 5
2 I am right, )ecause i" God is =o#alt# and there"ore does not "ail to ;eep 7is
word to lea'e man "ree in his actions, the demon cannot )elie such word, as he
ne'er promised "ree will to man. .ut it is true that he is 7atred and there"ore
attac;s God and man, assailing the intellectual "reedom o" man, in addition to
his )od#, reducing such "reedom o" thought to sla'er# in possessed people,
where)# man does things, which he would not do, i" he were "ree "rom Satan 5
maintains the :ealot.
2 I do not agree. 5
2 hat a)out possessed people, thenE 4ou are den#ing the e'idence o" "acts 5
shouts ,udas 0haddeus.
2 Possessed people are dea", or dum) or insane. 0he# are not lust"ul. 5
2 Is that the onl# 'ice #ou ha'e in mindE 5 as;s 0homas ironicall#.
2 It is the most common one and the lowest. 5
2 AhF I thought it was the one #ou are )etter acIuainted with 5 sa#s 0homas
laughing. ,udas Cumps to his "eet as i" he wanted to react. .ut he controls
himsel" and goes downstairs and then wal;s awa# through the "ields.
9 0here is silence... 0hen Andrew sa#s? 2 7is idea is not completel# mista;en.
In "act one would sa# that Satan ta;es possession onl# o" senses? sight, hearing,
speech and )rains. .ut then, *aster, how can certain wic;ed actions )e
eDplainedE Are the# not possessionsE Doras, "or eDampleE...5
2 Doras, as #ou sa#, in order not to )e uncharita)le towards an#)od#, and ma#
God reward #ou "or that, or *ar#, as we all ;now, and she is the "irst to ;now,
a"ter the clear uncharita)le hints )# ,udas, are those who are more completel#
possessed )# Satan, who eDtends his power o'er the three great powers o" man.
0he# are the most oppressi'e and su)tle possessions, "rom which onl# those can
"ree themsel'es who are so little degraded in their souls as to )e still a)le to
understand the in'itation o" the =ight. Doras was not lust"ul. .ut e'en so he
would not come to the 8edeemer. And that is where the di""erence lies. 0hat is,
whilst in the case o" lunatic, dum), dea", )lind people possessed )# the demon,
their relati'es endea'our and do the necessar# to )ring them to *e, in the case
o" those whose spirits are possessed, onl# their spirits can see; "reedom. 0hat is
wh# the# are "orgi'en as well as "reed. .ecause it was their will to )egin
opposition to the demon6s possession. And now let us go and rest. *ar#, since
#ou ;now what it is to )e caught, pra# "or those who lend themsel'es
intermittentl# to the &nem#6s action, committing sin and causing grie". 5
2 4es, m# *aster. I will. And without an# ill<"eeling. 5
2 Peace to e'er#)od#. =et us drop here the cause o" so much discussing. 0here
is dar;ness with dar;ness, outside, in the night. .ut we are going inside to sleep
under the protection o" the angels. 5 And 7e la#s on a )ench the )at, which
ma;es its "irst attempts to "l# awa#, and 7e withdraws with the apostles to the
room upstairs, while the women with the landlord and landlad# go downstairs.
,4-. 9on R!"!'ts t! S"!!c 7'(! 51 9!sus on 7ount T'5or.
+t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 0he# are all clim)ing the cool short cuts leading to 1a(areth. 0he Galilean
hillsides seem to ha'e )een created that 'er# morning, )ecause the recent storm
has washed them so thoroughl# and the dew ;eeps them shin# and "resh, so that
the# are all )right in the earl# sunshine. 0he air is so clear that all the details o"
the more or less distant mountains are 'isi)le and there is a deep sensation o"
"reshness and li'eliness.
hen the# reach the top o" a hill the# delight in admiring the sight o" a la;e,
which is most )eauti"ul in the pure morning light. 0he# all admire it, as does
,esus. .ut *ar# *agdalene soon turns her e#es in a di""erent direction loo;ing
"or something. 7er e#es rest on the mountain tops l#ing northwest, )ut she does
not seem to "ind what she is loo;ing "or.
Susanna, who is )eside her, as;s? 2 hat are #ou loo;ing "orE 5
2 I would li;e to recognise the mountain where I met the *aster. 5
243. :!"n R#$#)ts t"# S$##c" 9)*# 85 :#sus !n 9!unt T)8!r. 33,
2 As; 7im. 5
2 9hF It is not worth distur)ing 7im. 7e is spea;ing to ,udas o" Berioth. 5
2 hat a man ,udas isF 5 whispers Susanna. She does not sa# an#thing else,
)ut... the rest is clearl# understood.
2 0hat mountain is certainl# not along this road. .ut I will ta;e #ou there some
time, *artha. It was dawn, Cust li;e now, and there were so man# "lowers... And
so man# people... 9hF *arthaF And I had the audacit# to appear in "ront o"
e'er#)od# in that shame"ul dress and with those "riends... 1o, #ou cannot )e
o""ended at ,udas6 words. I deser'ed them. I deser'ed e'er# one o" them. And
the present su""ering is m# eDpiation. &'er#)od# remem)ers and e'er#)od# is
right in telling me the truth. And I must )e silent. 9hF I" one onl# pondered
)e"ore sinningF ho o""ends me now is m# )est "riend, )ecause he helps me to
eDpiate. 5
2 .ut that does not mean the he has not done wrong. *other, is 4our Son reall#
pleased with that manE 5
2 e must pra# 'er# much "or him. So 7e sa#s. 5
2 ,ohn lea'es the apostles to come and help the women at a di""icult passage,
where their sandals slip as the path is strewn with smooth stones, li;e reddish
slates, and with gloss# hard grass, which is 'er# dangerous as the "oot has no
grip on it. 0he :ealot imitates ,ohn and the women pass o'er the di""icult spot
leaning on them.
2 0his is rather a di""icult road. .ut there is no dust and no tra'ellers on it. And
it is shorter 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 I ;now it, Simon 5 sa#s *ar#. 2 I came to that little 'illage hal" wa# up the
hill, with *# nephews when ,esus was dri'en out o" 1a(areth 5 sa#s the
.lessed -irgin with a sigh.
2 .ut the world is )eauti"ul "rom here. 0here is the 0a)or o'er there, and the
7ermon, and to the north the mountains o" Ar)ela, and o'er there, in the )ac;,
the great 7ermon. It is a pit# that the sea is not 'isi)le as it is "rom 0a)or 5 sa#s
,ohn.
2 7a'e #ou )een thereE 5
2 4es, with the *aster. 5
2 ,ohn, through his lo'e "or the in"inite, o)tained a great Co# "or us, )ecause on
the top o" the mountain ,esus spo;e o" God so ecstaticall# that we had ne'er
heard the li;e )e"ore. And a"ter recei'ing so much, we o)tained a great
con'ersion. 4ou will meet the man too, *ar#. And #our spirit will )e "orti"ied
more than it alread# is. e "ound a man hardened with hatred, )rutalised )#
remorse and ,esus turned him into a man who, I am sure, will )ecome a great
disciple. =i;e #ou, *ar#. .ecause, #ou can )e sure that what I tell #ou is the
truth, we sinners are more #ielding to Good, which en'elops us, )ecause we "eel
the need to )e "orgi'en e'en )# oursel'es 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 0hat is true. .ut it is 'er# ;ind o" #ou to sa# Gwe sinners.H 4ou were a poor
wretch, not a sinner. 5
2 e are all sinners, some more some less, and he who thin;s he is less a sinner,
is the most li;el# to )ecome one, i" he is not alread# so. e are all sinners. .ut
the )ig sinners who repent are the ones who ;now how to )e as a)solute in
Good as the# were in e'il. 5
2 4our com"orting words are a great relie" to me. 4ou ha'e alwa#s )een a "ather
to the children o" 0heophilus. 5
2 And li;e a "ather I reCoice )ecause the three o" #ou are ,esus6 "riends. 5
2 here did #ou "ind that disciple who was a )ig sinnerE 5
2 At &ndor, *ar#. Simon wishes to ascri)e the merit o" so man# )eauti"ul
things to m# desire to contemplate the sea. .ut i" ,ohn the elder came to ,esus it
is no merit o" the sill# #oung ,ohn. It is the merit o" ,udas o" Simon 5 sa#s
:e)edee6s son smiling.
2 Did he con'ert himE 5 as;s *artha dou)t"ull#.
2 1o. .ut he wanted to go to &ndor and... 5
2 4es, to see the ca'e o" the sorceress... ,udas o" Simon is a 'er# strange t#pe...
9ne must ta;e him as he is... 9" courseF... And ,ohn o" &ndor led us to the ca'e
and then remained with us. .ut, m# dear son, the merit is still #ours, )ecause
without #our desire "or the in"inite we would not ha'e gone that wa# and ,udas
would not ha'e desired to go on that strange research. 5
243. :!"n R#$#)ts t"# S$##c" 9)*# 85 :#sus !n 9!unt T)8!r. 33-
3 2 I would li;e to ;now what ,esus said on *ount 0a)or... as I would li;e to
recognise the mountain where I saw 7im 5 sighs *ar# *agdalene.
2 0he mountain is the one where the sun seems to )e rising, )ecause o" the
spar;ling o" a pond there, which collects the spring water and herds ma;e use o"
it. e were "arther up where the top seems to )e split li;e a huge two<pronged<
"or; attempting to pierce the clouds and ta;e them somewhere else. ith regard
to ,esus6 speech, I thin; ,ohn can repeat it "or #ou. 5
2 9hF SimonF Is it possi)le "or a )o# to repeat the words o" GodE 5
2 1o, it isn6t "or a )o#. It is "or #ou. 0r#. 0o please #our sisters and me, as I lo'e
#ou. 5
,ohn )lushes 'er# much when he )egins to repeat the speech o" ,esus.
2 7e said? G7ere is the in"inite page on which currents write the word? I
6)elie'e6. 0hin; o" the chaos o" the Jni'erse )e"ore the 3reator decided to order
the elements and arrange them into a wonder"ul association, which has gi'en
man the earth and what it contains and has adorned the "irmament with stars and
planets. 1othing eDisted? neither as amorphous chaos, nor as ordered s#stem.
God made it. >irst 7e made the elements. .ecause the# are necessar#, although
at times the# seem to )e harm"ul. .ut alwa#s remem)er this? there is no small
drop o" dew, no matter how small it )e, which does not ha'e a good reason "or
eDisting, there is no insect, howe'er small and insigni"icant it ma# )e, which
does not ha'e its good reason "or )eing. And li;ewise there is no monstruous
mountain 'omiting "rom its )owels "ire and incandescent lapilli, which does not
ha'e its good reason "or eDisting. And there is no c#clone without a reason. And
passing "rom things to people, there is no e'ent, no tear, no Co#, no )irth, death,
no sterilit# and proli"ic maternit#, no long marriage li"e or earl# widowhood, no
mis"ortune o" calamities and diseases, or prosperit# o" wealth and health, which
does not ha'e its good reason "or )eing, e'en i" it does not appear as such to the
short<sightedness and pride o" men, who see and Cudge through the cataracts and
"ogs t#pical o" imper"ect things. .ut the &#e o" God, the in"inite 0hought o"
God, sees and ;nows. 0he secret o" li'ing "ree "rom sterile dou)ts, which
irritate, eDhaust and poison the da#s on the earth, is to )elie'e that God does
e'er#thing "or a good intelligent reason, that God does what 7e does "or lo'e,
not "or the stolid intention o" tormenting "or the sa;e o" tormenting.
God had created the angels. And some o" them, who did not want to )elie'e that
the le'el o" glor# at which the# had )een placed was good, re)elled and with
their minds parched )# lac; o" "aith in their =ord, the# attempted to assail the
unreacha)le throne o" God. 0he# opposed their discordant unCust pessimistic
thoughts to the harmonious reasons o" the "aith"ul angels, and pessimism, which
is lac; o" "aith, changed them "rom spirits o" light into spirits o" dar;ness.
.lessed are those "ore'er who )oth in 7ea'en and on the earth )ase all their
thoughts on a presupposition o" "ull# enlightened optimismF 0he# will not )e
wrong, at least as "ar as their spirits are concerned, as the# will continue to
)elie'e, hope and a)o'e all lo'e God and their neigh)our, and will thus remain
in God until the end o" centuriesF Paradise had alread# )een "reed "rom those
proud pessimists who saw gloom# sides also in the )rightest words o" God, as
the pessimists on the earth loo; on dar; sides also o" the clearest deeds o" men
and )# wishing to )e separated in an i'or# tower, as the# consider themsel'es
the onl# per"ect ones, the# condemn themsel'es to a dar; dungeon, which ends
in the dar;ness o" the ;ingdom o" hell, the ;ingdom o" 1egation. .ecause
pessimism is 1egation as well.
So God created the Jni'erse. And as to understand the glorious m#ster# o" 9ur
)eing 9ne and 0rine one must )elie'e and understand that the ord eDisted
"rom the )eginning and was with God, Coined )# the most per"ect =o'e, hich
can )e e""used onl# )# two ho are Gods, )eing, howe'er, onl# 9neL so, to see
creation as it is, it is necessar# to loo; at it with e#es o" "aith )ecause in its
)eing, as a son )ears the indeli)le re"lection o" his "ather, so creation has within
itsel" the indeli)le re"lection o" its 3reator. e shall then see that in the )egin<
ning there was the s;# and the earth and then light, which can )e compared to
lo'e. .ecause light is delight, as lo'e is. And light is the atmosphere o" Paradise.
And the incorporeal .eing, ho is God, is =ight and is the >ather o" e'er#
intellectual, a""ecti'e, material, spiritual light, )oth in 7ea'en and on the earth.
In the )eginning there was the s;# and the earth and "or them light was gi'en
and through light e'er#thing else was made. And as in the most high 7ea'en the
spirits o" light were separated "rom those o" dar;ness, so in creation light was
separated "rom dar;ness and Da# and 1ight were made and that was the "irst
da# o" creation, with its morning and its e'ening, its midda# and midnight. And
when the smile o" God, that is light, came once again a"ter night, then the hand
o" God, 7is power"ul will, stretched out o'er the shapeless empt# earth, and
o'er the s;# where the waters wandered, one o" the "ree elements in chaos, and
wanted the "irmament to separate the disorderl# wandering o" the waters
243. :!"n R#$#)ts t"# S$##c" 9)*# 85 :#sus !n 9!unt T)8!r. 33.
)etween the s;# and the earth, so that it would )e a 'elarium "or paradisiac
splendour, a limit to superior waters, and thus "loods would not descend upon
)oiling metals and atoms, washing awa# and disCointing what God was uniting.
9rder was restored in the s;#. And there was order on the earth through the
command gi'en )# God to the waters spread o'er the earth. And the sea )egan
to eDist. 0here it is. 9n it, as on the "irmament it is written? 6God is6. hate'er
the intellectualit# o" man is, or his "aith or dis)elie", in "ront o" this page, in
which a particle o" in"init#, which is God, shines, and in which there is the
e'idence o" 7is power, man is o)liged to )elie'e, )ecause no human power and
no natural settlement o" elements can possi)l# repeat such a wonder, not e'en in
a 'er# small wa#. *an is o)liged to )elie'e not onl# in the =ord6s power, )ut
also in 7is goodness, as through that sea 7e gi'es "ood and wa#s o"
communication to man, 7e gi'es wholesome salts, 7e mitigates the heat o" the
sun and gi'es space to winds, and seed to lands remote "rom one another, and
causes it to roar li;e storms to call the ant M man M to the In"inite 9ne, his
>ather, and 7e gi'es man the possi)ilit# o" ele'ating himsel" to higher spheres,
contemplating higher 'isions.
0hree things spea; most o" God in creation, which is entirel# a witness o" 7is
power? the light, the "irmament and the sea. 0he astral and meteorological order,
which is a re"lection o" the di'ine 9rderL the light, which onl# a God could
createL the sea, the power which onl# God could con"ine within "irm limits, a"ter
creating it, and 7e ga'e it motion and 'oice, without, howe'er, damaging, as a
tur)ulent disorderl# element, the earth, which )ears the sea on its sur"ace.
Ponder on the m#ster# o" light, which is ineDhausti)le. 8aise #our e#es towards
the "irmament where stars and planets are resplendent. =oo; at the sea and
consider it "or what it is. It is not a separation )ut a )ridge )etween peoples who
li'e on other shores and although the# cannot )e seen and are un;nown, one
must )elie'e that the# eDist, simpl# )ecause the sea eDists. God does not ma;e
an#thing useless. 7e, there"ore, would not ha'e created the seemingl# in"inite
sea, unless it were limited )# other lands )e#ond the hori(on, which pre'ents us
"rom seeing, lands which are populated with other men, who ha'e all come "rom
one onl# God, and )# God6s will ha'e )een carried there )# storms and currents,
to people continents and regions. And the sea sends remote appeals through its
wa'es, through the 'oice o" its wa'es and its tides. It is a lin;, not a separation.
0he anDiet# which causes ,ohn a sweet anguish is the appeal o" remote )rothers.
0he more the spirit dominates the "lesh, the more capa)le it is o" hearing the
'oices o" spirits that are united e'en i" the# are di'ided, li;e )ranches that spring
up "rom the same root are united e'en i" one cannot see the other i" an o)stacle
is interposed )etween them. =oo; at the sea with e#es "ull o" light. 4ou will see
lands strewn round its shores, at its limits, and other lands inside it and a cr#
will reach #ou "rom e'er# one o" them? 63ome. .ring us the =ight that #ou
possess. .ring us the =i"e gi'en to #ou. Spea; to our hearts the word with which
we are not acIuainted, )ut we ;now is the "oundation o" the uni'erse? lo'e.
0each us to read the word that we see written on the in"inite pages o" the
"irmament and o" the sea? God. &nlighten us )ecause we "eel that there is a light,
which is more real than the one which reddens the s;# and ma;es the sea glitter
li;e gems. .ring to our dar;ness the =ight that God ga'e #ou a"ter generating It
through 7is lo'e, and 7e ga'e It to #ou on )ehal" o" all peoples, as 7e ga'e
light to the stars so that the# might gi'e it to the earth. 4ou are the stars, we are
the dust. .ut "orm us as the 3reator "ormed the earth with dust, so that man
might people it adoring 7im now and "ore'er, until the hour comes when there
is no earth, )ut the Bingdom comes. 0he Bingdom o" light, o" lo'e, o" peace, as
the li'ing God told #ou it will )e, )ecause we are children o" this God as well,
and we as; to )ecame acIuainted with our >ather.6
And learn to go along the wa#s o" in"init#. ithout "ear and without disdain,
towards those who call #ou and weep. 0owards those who will also grie'e #ou
)ecause the# "eel God )ut do not ;now how to adore God, )ut the# will also
procure #ou glor#, )ecause, the more #ou possess lo'e and )estow it, leading to
the 0ruth the people who are waiting to reach it, the greater #ou will )e.H
,esus said so, )ut much )etter than I did. .ut that was at least 7is idea. 5
4 2 ,ohn, #ou ha'e repeated eDactl# what the *aster said. 4ou ha'e onl#
omitted what 7e said a)out #our capa)ilit# to understand God through #our
generosit# in gi'ing #oursel". 4ou are good, ,ohn. 0he )est amongst usF e
ha'e come to the end o" our wa# without noticing it. 0here is 1a(areth on its
hill. 0he *aster is loo;ing at us and smiling. =et us reach 7im at once to enter
the 'illage together. 5
2 0han; #ou, ,ohn 5 sa#s 9ur =ad#. 2 4ou ha'e gi'en a great present to #our
*other. 5
2 I than; #ou, too. 4ou ha'e opened in"inite hori(ons to poor *ar#... 5
243. :!"n R#$#)ts t"# S$##c" 9)*# 85 :#sus !n 9!unt T)8!r. 331
2 hat were #ou tal;ing so much a)outE 5 ,esus as;s those who ha'e Cust
Coined 7im.
2 ,ohn has repeated the speech 4ou made on *ount 0a)or. Per"ectl#. And we
were delighted. 5
2 I am glad that *# *other has heard it, )ecause the sea is related to 7er name
and 7er charit# is as 'ast as the sea. 5
2 Son, 4ou possess such charit# as the *an, and #et it is nothing as compared to
4our in"inite charit# o" the di'ine ord. *# sweet ,esusF 5
2 *other, come near *e. As 4ou held *e )# the hand when we came )ac;
"rom 3ana or "rom ,erusalem, when I was a little )o#. 5
And the# loo; at each other with e#es "ull o" lo'e.
,44. 9!sus 't N'3'r!t.
4t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 0he "irst place where ,esus stops in 1a(areth is the house o" Alphaeus. 7e is
a)out to enter the ;itchen garden when 7e meets *ar# o" Alphaeus who is
going to the "ountain carr#ing two copper amphoras.
2 Peace )e with #ou, *ar#F 5 sa#s ,esus, em)racing 7is relati'e, who, e""usi'e
as usual, ;isses 7im shouting "or Co#.
2 0his will certainl# )e a peace"ul Co#"ul da#, m# ,esus, )ecause 4ou ha'e
comeF 9hF *# dearest sonsF 7ow happ# is #our mother to see #ouF 5 and she
;isses her )ig )o#s who were )ehind ,esus.
2 4ou are sta#ing with me toda#, are #ou notE I ha'e Cust lit the o'en "or the
)read. And I was going to the "ountain, )ecause I do not want to interrupt its
)a;ing. 5
2 *other, we will go 5 sa# her sons ta;ing the amphoras.
2 7ow ;ind the# are, aren6t the#, ,esusE 5
2 4es, the# are so ;ind 5 con"irms ,esus.
2 Also to 4ou, are the# notE .ecause i" the# should lo'e 4ou less than the# lo'e
me, the# would )e less dear to me. 5
2 .e not a"raid, *ar#. 0he# are nothing )ut Co# to *e. 5
2 Are 4ou aloneE *ar# went awa# so suddenl#... I would ha'e come too. She
was with a woman... A discipleE 5
2 4es. *artha6s sister. 5
2 9hF .lessed )e GodF I ha'e pra#ed so much "or that. here is sheE 5
2 0here she is, she is arri'ing with *# *other, *artha and Susanna. 5 0he
women in "act ha'e Cust turned the comer, "ollowed )# the apostles. *ar# o"
Alphaeus runs to meet them and she eDclaims? 2 7ow happ# I am to ha'e #ou as
m# sisterF I should sa# GdaughterH )ecause #ou are #oung and I am old. .ut I
will call #ou )# the name which is so dear to me since I call m# *ar# )# it.
3ome, m# dear, #ou must )e tired... .ut #ou are certainl# happ# 5 and she
;isses the *agdalene holding her )# the hand as i" she wanted her to "eel more
deepl# that she lo'es her. 0he "resh )eaut# o" *ar# *agdalene seems more
stri;ing when she is close to the rather run down "igure o" good *ar# o"
Alphaeus.
2 4ou are all sta#ing with me toda#. I will not let #ou go awa# 5 and with a
deep un'oluntar# sigh o" her soul, con"ession escapes her? 2 I am alwa#s so
lonel#F hen m# sister<in<law is not here, m# da#s are sad and lonel#. 5
2 Are #our sons not hereE 5 as;s *artha.
*ar# o" Alphaeus )lushes and sighs? 2 ith their souls, #es. 0he# are still here.
0o )e a disciple Coins and di'ides... .ut as #ou came, *ar#, the# will come too
5 and she wipes a tear. She loo;s at ,esus ho is watching her piti"ull# and she
stri'es to smile and as;s? 2 It ta;es a long time, doesn6t itE 5
2 4es, *ar#. .ut #ou will see it happen. 5
2 I was hoping... A"ter that Simon... .ut he heard o" other... things and he
)ecame hesitant again. =o'e him Cust the same, ,esusF 5
2 3an #ou dou)t itE 5
244. :#sus )t N)7)r#t". 332
hile *ar# is spea;ing she prepares some re"reshments "or the pilgrims,
turning a dea" ear to the words o" e'er#)od# assuring her that the# need nothing.
2 =et us lea'e the women disciples in peace 5 sa#s ,esus and 7e concludes? 2
And let us ha'e a wal; through the 'illage. 5
2 Are 4ou going awa#E 0he other sons ma# come. 5
2 I am sta#ing all da# tomorrow. So we will )e together. I am now going to see
*# "riends. Peace to #ou, women. Good)#e, *other. 5
1a(areth is alread# in a state o" eDcitement )ecause o" ,esus6 arri'al and in the
compan# o" the *agdalene. Some rush to the house o" *ar# o" Alphaeus, some
to ,esus6 and since the latter is closed the# all go )ac; towards ,esus ho is
crossing 1a(areth going towards the centre o" the 'illage. 0he town is alwa#s
ill<disposed to the *aster. Some people are ironical, some incredulous, some are
openl# wic;ed as is o)'ious "rom certain )iting remar;s? the# all "ollow the
great Son o" 1a(areth out o" curiosit#, without lo'e, and the# do not understand
7im. &'en in the Iuestions the# as; 7im there is no lo'e, )ut dis)elie" and
derision. .ut 7e "eigns not to notice and replies ;indl# and mildl# to those who
spea; to 7im.
2 4ou gi'e to e'er#)od#, )ut 4ou seem a son without an# tie to 4our
"atherland, )ecause 4ou gi'e it nothing. 5
2 I am here to gi'e what #ou as; "or. 5
2 .ut 4ou pre"er not to )e here. Are we perhaps )igger sinners than the othersE5
2 0here is no sinner, no matter how )ig he ma# )e, whom I do not wish to
con'ert. And #ou are not worse than the others. 5
2 7owe'er, 4ou do not sa# that we are )etter than the others. A good son
alwa#s sa#s that his mother is )etter than an# other mother, e'en i" she is not so.
Is perhaps 1a(areth a stepmother to 4ouE 5
2 I am not sa#ing an#thing. hen it is not possi)le to sa# that one is good, and
when one does not wish to lie, to )e silent is the charita)le rule towards others
and onesel". .ut #ou would )e readil# praised i" #ou onl# came to *# doctrine.
5
2 So 4ou wish to )e admiredE 5
2 1o, onl# listened to and )elie'ed, "or the good o" #our souls. 5
2 Spea;, thenF e will listen to 4ou. 5
2 0ell *e a)out what #ou wish *e to spea;. 5
A middle<aged man sa#s? 2 =isten. I would li;e 4ou to come with me and
eDplain something to me. 5
2 I will come at once, =e'i. 5
And the# go to the s#nagogue while people gather )ehind the *aster and the
head o" the s#nagogue. 0he s#nagogue is soon crowded.
0he head o" the s#nagogue ta;es a roll and reads? 2 Solomon )rought Pharaoh6s
daughter "rom the 3itadel o" Da'id up to the house he had )uilt "or her, )ecause
he said? G*# wi"e must not li'e in the palace o" Da'id ;ing o" Israel, )ecause it
was sancti"ied when the ar; o" the =ord entered itH 1ow I would li;e to ha'e
4our opinion on the matter, whether 4ou thin; that measure was right or not,
and wh#. 5
2 It was undou)tedl# right, )ecause respect "or Da'id6s house, which had )een
sancti"ied when the ar; o" the =ord was )rought into it, demanded it. 5
2 .ut since the Pharaoh6s daughter was Solomon6s wi"e, was she there)# not
worth# to li'e in the house o" Da'id. Does the wi"e not )ecome, according to
Adam6s word, G)one o" the )oneH o" her hus)and and G"lesh o" his "leshHE I" it is
so, how could she desecrate what the hus)and did not desecrateE 5
2 In the "irst .oo; o" &(ra it is written? G4ou ha'e committed sin )# marr#ing
"oreign womenL #ou ha'e added to the sin o" Israel.H And one o" the causes o"
Solomon6s idolatr# was his marriages with "oreign women. God had said?
G>oreign women will lead #our hearts astra# to the eDtent o" ma;ing #ou "ollow
"oreign gods.H e are aware o" the conseIuences. 5
2 .ut he was not led astra# )ecause he had married the Pharaoh6s daughter, in
"act he wisel# Cudged that she was not to li'e in the hol# house. 5
2 God6s goodness cannot )e measured )# our standards. *an, a"ter one "ault,
does not "orgi'e, although he himsel" is alwa#s guilt#. God is not ineDora)le
a"ter a "irst "ault, )ut 7e does not allow man to persist with impunit# in the same
sin. 7e there"ore does not punish man the "irst time he "allsL 7e then spea;s to
244. :#sus )t N)7)r#t". 343
his heart. .ut 7e punishes when 7is goodness does not ser'e to con'ert, )ut is
mista;en "or wea;ness )# man. 7e then in"licts punishment, )ecause God is not
to )e derided. Although )one o" his )one and "lesh o" his "lesh, the Pharaoh6s
daughter had laid the "irst germs o" corruption in the heart o" the ise Bing, and
#ou ;now that a disease )rea;s out not when there is onl# one germ in the )lood,
)ut when the )lood is corrupt with man# germs that ha'e multiplied "rom the
"irst one. *an6s "all into sin alwa#s )egins with an apparentl# innocuous laDit#.
0hen compliance with e'il increases. 0hen one )ecomes accustomed to
conscience compromises and to neglecting one6s duties and o)edience to God
and thus )# degrees man "alls into gra'e sins, e'en o" idolatr# in the case o"
Solomon, who thus pro'o;ed a schism, the conseIuences o" which are still
lasting. 5
2 So 4ou sa# that it is necessar# to )e eDtremel# care"ul and to ha'e the greatest
respect "or hol# thingsE 5
2 *ost certainl#. 5
2 1ow eDplain also this to me. 4ou sa# that 4ou are the ord o" God. Is it trueE
5
2 I am. 7e sent *e to )ring the Gospel to all men on the earth and to redeem
them "rom all their sins. 5
2 So, i" 4ou reall# are what 4ou sa#, 4ou are greater than the Ar;. .ecause
God is not in the glor# dominating the Ar;, )ut 7e is within 4ou. 5
2 4ou are right. 0hat is the truth. 5
2 h#, then, do 4ou desecrate 4oursel"E 5
2 And did #ou )ring *e here to tell *e thatE I "eel sorr# "or #ou, "or #ou and "or
those who urged #ou to spea;. I ought not to Custi"# *#sel", )ecause e'er#
Custi"ication is deli)eratel# misunderstood )# #our hatred. .ut I will gi'e a
Custi"ication to #ou who accuse *e o" not lo'ing #ou and o" desecrating *#
person. =isten. I ;now what #ou are hinting at. .ut I repl# to #ou? G4ou are
wrong.H As I open *# arms to those who are d#ing in order to )ring them )ac;
to li"e and I call the dead and gi'e their li'es )ac; to them, li;ewise I open *#
arms to those who are more trul# a)out to die and to those who are more trul#
dead? sinners, to )ring them to eternal =i"e and raise them, i" the# are alread#
putrid, so that the# ma# not die again. .ut I will tell #ou a para)le. A man
)ecame a leper )ecause o" his man# 'ices. 7uman societ# )anished him "rom its
compan# and the man, in dire solitude, )egan to ponder on his situation and his
sins, which had )rought him to that state. *an# #ears passed thus and when he
had gi'en up hope he suddenl# reco'ered his health. 0he =ord had merc# on
him )ecause o" his man# pra#ers and tears. hat did the man then doE 3ould he
go )ac; home )ecause the =ord had had merc# on himE 1o. 7e had to show
himsel" to the priest, who a"ter eDamining him "or some time, had him puri"ied
and sacri"iced two sparrows. And a"ter washing his clothes not onl# once, )ut
twice, the man went )ac; to the priest with the prescri)ed spotless lam)s, the
ewe<lam), "lour and oil. 0he priest then led him to the door o" the 0a)ernacle.
And the man was "inall# religiousl# readmitted amongst the people o" Israel.
.ut tell *e? when he went to the priest the "irst time, wh# did he goE 5
2 0o, )e puri"ied the "irst time and thus )e a)le to go through the great
puri"ication, which would readmit him amongst the hol# peopleF 5
2 4ou are right. So he was not entirel# puri"iedE 5
2 &hiF 1o. 0here is still a lot missing )e"ore he isL with regard )oth to his )od#
and his soul. 5
2 7ow did he dare then to go near the priest the "irst time when he was utterl#
unclean, and a second time to go near the 0a)ernacleE 5
2 .ecause the priest is the necessar# means to )e readmitted amongst the li'ing.
5
2 And the 0a)ernacleE 5
2 .ecause onl# God can "orgi'e sins and it is o" our "aith to hold that God rests
in 7is glor# )e#ond the 7ol# -eil, dispensing 7is pardon "rom that source. 5
2 So the cured leper is not #et clear o" sin when he approaches the priest and the
0a)ernacleE 5
2 1o. 3ertainl# notF 5
2 *en with twisted thoughts and insincere hearts, wh# do #ou accuse *e, i" I,
Priest and 0a)ernacle, allow spiritual lepers to approach *eE h# do #ou ha'e
two measures to CudgeE 4es, the woman who was lost is now here with *e, as
well as =e'i the pu)lican, who is here with his new soul and his new o""ice and
man# others as well, who came )e"ore them. 0he# ma# sta# )ecause the# ha'e
244. :#sus )t N)7)r#t". 341
)een readmitted amongst the people o" the =ord. 0he# were )rought to *e )#
the will o" God ho has gi'en *e the power to Cudge and a)sol'e, to cure and
raise people "rom the dead. 0here would )e desecration i" the# persisted in their
idolatr# as Pharaoh6s daughter did, )ut there is no desecration )ecause the# ha'e
em)raced the doctrine that I )rought to the earth and through it the# ha'e risen
to the Grace o" the =ord. *en o" 1a(areth, who la# snares "or *e as #ou do not
thin; that it is possi)le that the true isdom and ,ustice o" the ord o" the
>ather are in *e, I sa# to #ou? GImitate sinners.H 0he# trul# surpass #ou in
coming to the 0ruth. And I also sa# to #ou? GDo not ha'e recourse to mean
snares to oppose *e.H Do not do that. As;, and I will gi'e #ou the 'ital ord,
as I gi'e it to e'er#one who comes to *e. 8ecei'e *e as a son o" this land o"
ours. I )ear #ou no grudge. *# hands are "ull o" caresses and *# heart o" the
desire to teach #ou and ma;e #ou happ#. I am so anDious to please #ou, that i"
#ou wish so, I will spend the Sa))ath with #ou, teaching #ou the 1ew =aw. 5
0here is a con"lict o" opinions amongst the crowd. .ut curiosit# or lo'e pre'ails
and man# shout?
2 4es, we will )e here tomorrow and will listen to 4ou. 5
2 I will pra# that e'er# o)stacle oppressing #our hearts ma# )e remo'ed during
the night. So that e'er# preCudice ma# 'anish and with "ree minds #ou ma#
understand the -oice o" God that has come to )ring the Gospel to the whole
world, )ut it is *# desire that the "irst place capa)le o" recei'ing it ma# )e the
town where I grew up. Peace to #ou all. 5
,4+. In t! S1n'&o&u! 't N'3'r!t on t! S'55't.
6t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 e are once again in the s#nagogue at 1a(areth, )ut on a Sa))ath.
,esus has read the apologue against A)imelech and ends with the words? 2
G*a#, "ire come "rom the thorn )ush and de'our the cedars o" =e)anonH 5. 7e
then hands the roll to the head o" the s#nagogue.
2 Are 4ou not reading the restE 4ou ought to read it, so that the# ma#
understand the apologue 5 sa#s the head.
2 It is not necessar#. 0he da#s o" A)imelech are 'er# remote. I will appl# the
old apologue to the present time.
=isten, people o" 1a(areth. 4ou alread# ;now the moral o" the apologue against
A)imelech, as #ou ha'e )een instructed )# the head o" #our s#nagogue, who in
his da#s was instructed )# a ra))i, who had learned "rom another ra))i and so
on "or ages, alwa#s with the same method and the same conclusions. 4ou will
hear a di""erent moral "rom *e. And I as; #ou to ma;e use o" #our intelligence
and not to )e li;e the ropes o" a well pulle#, which, until the# are worn out, run
"rom the pulle# down to the water, and then "rom the water )ac; up to the
pulle#, without e'er changing. *an is not a rope or a mechanical de'ice. *an
has )een gi"ted with intelligence and must ma;e use o" it on his own )ehal",
according to needs and circumstances. .ecause i" the letter o" the word is
eternal, circumstances change. 0hose are poor masters who do not want the
trou)le or the satis"action o" eDtracting each time new teachings, that is the spirit
that the ancient wise words alwa#s contain. 0he# will )e li;e echoes, which can
)ut repeat, e'en do(ens o" times, the same word, without e'er adding one word
o" their own.
2 *an;ind M the "orest in "act, where all ;inds o" trees, shru)s and her)s are
gathered, represents man;ind M "eels the need to )e led )# someone who would
ta;e upon himsel" all the glor# and the e'en greater )urden o" authorit# and
responsi)ilit# "or the happiness or unhappiness o" his su)Cects? someone who
would )e responsi)le to the su)Cects, to neigh)ouring countries, and what is
more dread"ul, to God. .ecause it is true that crowns and social pre<eminence,
whiche'er the# ma# )e, are granted )# men, )ut the# are allowed )# God,
without hose condescension no human power can )e imposed. hich
eDplains the sudden unimagina)le changes o" d#nasties, which were considered
e'erlasting and o" powers which seemed untoucha)le, and which, when the#
o'erstepped the limit in punishing or tr#ing people, were o'erthrown )# the
same people, with God6s permission, and )ecame nothing )ut dust or, at times,
sewer "ilth. I said? people "eel the need to elect someone who will ta;e upon
himsel" all responsi)ilities towards his su)Cects, towards neigh)ouring nations
and towards God, which is the most dread"ul o" all. .ecause i" the Cudgement o"
histor# is dread"ul and the interests o" people endea'our in 'ain to change it,
)ecause "uture e'ents and people will restore it to its original terri)le truth,
God6s Custice is e'en more relentless, )ecause it is not a""ected )# an# pressure
24,. In t"# S5n)(!(u# )t N)7)r#t" !n t"# S)88)t". 342
whatsoe'er, neither is it su)Cect to changes o" humour or opinion, as men too
o"ten are, and a)o'e all it is not su)Cect to wrong Cudgement. 0hose, there"ore,
who are elected leaders o" peoples and ma;ers o" histor# ought to act with the
heroic Custice o" saints, in order not to )ecome ill<"amed in "uture centuries and
)e punished )# God "ore'er.
3 .ut let us go )ac; to A)imelech6s apologue. So the trees wanted to ha'e a ;ing
and went to the oli'e<tree. .ut the latter, )eing a sacred tree and consecrated to
supernatural use )ecause o" its oil that )urns in "ront o" the =ord and is a
predominant element in tithes and sacri"ices, and "orms the hol# )alm to anoint
altars, priests and ;ings, and "or its properties I would sa# it is almost
thaumaturgic and as such is used )oth on health# and sic; )odies, the oli'e<tree
replies? G7ow could I "ail m# hol# supernatural 'ocation to degrade m#sel" in
worldl# mattersEH 9hF 7ow gentle was the repl# o" the oli'e treeF h# is it not
learned and repeated )# all those whom God elects to a hol# mission, at least )#
thoseE .ecause in actual "act it should )e pronounced )# e'er# man as a repl# to
the suggestions o" the demon, )ecause e'er# man is ;ing and a son o" God,
gi"ted with a soul, which ma;es him a regal di'ine son, called to a supernatural
destin#. 7is soul is an altar and a house. 0he altar o" God, the house where the
7ea'enl# >ather descends to recei'e the lo'e and re'erence o" 7is son and
su)Cect. &'er# man has a soul, and as each soul is an altar, e'er# man is there)#
a priest, a guardian o" the altar and in =e'iticus it is written? G0he Priest shall
not pro"ane himsel".H *an, there"ore, ought to repl# to the temptations o" the
Demon, o" the world and o" the "lesh? G3an I stop )eing spiritual and )us#
m#sel" with material sin"ul mattersE G0he trees went then to the "ig<tree, in'iting
it to reign o'er them. .ut the "ig<tree replied? G7ow can I "orego m# sweetness
and m# eDcellent "ruit to )ecome #our ;ingEH
*an# appl# to a mee; and ;ind man to ha'e him as their ;ing. 1ot so much
)ecause the# admire his ;indness, )ut )ecause the# hope that )# )eing 'er# ;ind
he will end up )# )eing a ;ing the# can ma;e "un o", "rom whom the# can o)tain
an#thing the# wish and whom the# can a)use as the# li;e. .ut ;indness is not
wea;ness. It is goodness. It is Cust, intelligent, "irm. 1e'er mista;e ;indness "or
wea;ness. 0he "ormer is 'irtue, the latter a "ault. And )ecause it is a 'irtue it
gi'es those who possess it a righteous conscience, which ena)les them to resist
human solicitations and allurements, aiming at )ending them towards worldl#
interests, which are not the interests o" God, remaining "aith"ul to their destin#,
at all costs. A ;ind<minded man will ne'er repel reproaches with )itterness,
neither will he e'er harshl# reCect those who as; his help. 9n the contrar#,
smiling s#mpatheticall# he will alwa#s sa#? G=ea'e me to m# peace"ul destin#. I
am here to com"ort #ou and help #ou, )ut I cannot )ecome ;ing, according to
#our eDpectations, )ecause I am interested in one regalit# onl#, "or the wel"are
o" #our soul and mine? spiritual regalit#.H 0he trees went to the 'ine and as;ed it
to )e their ;ing. .ut the 'ine replied? G7ow can I "orego )eing mirth and
strength to come and reign o'er #ouEH
0o )e ;ing alwa#s leads to spiritual gloom, )oth )ecause o" responsi)ilities and
o" remorse, )ecause a ;ing who does not commit sin and does not cause himsel"
to "eel remorse is more rare than a )lac; diamond. Power allures while it shines
"rom a"ar li;e a lighthouse, )ut when one reaches it, one realises that it is not a
star )ut onl# the "aint light o" a "ire"l#. >urthermore, power is )ut a strength tied
with the multitude o" ropes o" thousands o" interests stirred up around a ;ing?
the interests o" courtiers, o" allies, o" relati'es and personal ones. 7ow man#
;ings swear to themsel'es while )eing anointed with oil? GI will )e impartialH
and later are una)le to )e soE =i;e a strong tree, which does not re)el against the
"irst em)race o" "leDi)le or thin i'# sa#ing? GIt is so slender that it can do me no
harmH, on the contrar# it is pleased to )e dec;ed with it and to )e its protector
supporting its clim)ing, so a ;ing, 'er# o"ten, I could sa# alwa#s, #ields to the
"irst em)race o" the interest o" a courtier, o" an all#, or a personal one or o" a
relati'e, who applies to him and he is pleased to )e their muni"icent protector.
GIt is such a tri"leFH he sa#s, e'en i" his conscience warns him? G.e care"ulFH
And he thin;s that it can harm neither his power nor his good name. Also the
tree )elie'es that. .ut the da# comes when the i'#, growing in strength and in
length, more and more 'oracious in suc;ing the lap o" the soil and more and
more anDious to clim) up and conIuer the sun and light, em)races, )ranch a"ter
)ranch, the whole )ig tree, o'erwhelms it, cho;es it and ;ills it. And it was so
slenderF And the tree was so strongF
0he same applies to ;ings. A "irst compromise with their mission, a "irst
shrugging o" shoulders at the 'oices o" their conscience, )ecause praise is
pleasant and it is delight"ul to )e a sought a"ter protector, and the moment
comes when the ;ing no longer reigns, )ut the interests o" other people ha'e
ta;en o'er and imprison the ;ing, the# gag him and su""ocate him, and i" the#
ha'e )ecome stronger than he is, the# ;ill him when the# see that he is slow in
d#ing. Also a common man, who is still a ;ing in his spirit, is lost i" he accepts a
lower regalit# out o" pride or greed. And he loses his spiritual serenit# that
comes to him "rom his union with God. .ecause the Demon, the world and the
"lesh can gi'e an illusor# power and Co#, )ut at the cost o" the spiritual
24,. In t"# S5n)(!(u# )t N)7)r#t" !n t"# S)88)t". 343
cheer"ulness that comes "rom the union with God.
9 cheer"ulness and strength o" the poor in spirit, #ou reall# deser'e that man
ma# sa#? G7ow can I accept to )ecome ;ing in the in"erior part, i" )# "orming an
alliance with #ou, I lose m# internal strength and Co#, 7ea'en and its true
ro#alt#EH And those )lessed poor in spirit, who aim at possessing onl# the
Bingdom o" 7ea'en and despise all other riches not pertaining to that Bingdom,
can also sa#? G7ow can we "ail in our mission, which is to #ield ripe "orti"#ing
Cuices and Co#"ul Cuices "or )rotherl# man;ind that li'es in the arid desert o"
animalit# and whose thirst is to )e Iuenched so that it will not die and has need
to )e nourished with 'ital Cuices li;e a child without a nurseE e are the nurses
o" man;ind that has lost the )reast o" God, and wanders )arren and sic; and
would die o" despair or tortured )# the dar;est scepticism, i" it did not "ind us
who, with the good<humoured acti'it# o" those who are "ree "rom e'er# earthl#
tie, could con'ince them that there is a =i"e, a ,o#, a >reedom, a Peace. e
cannot "orego such 3harit# "or the sa;e o" an interest that is misera)le.H
0he trees then went to the thorn )ush, which did not reCect them.
.ut it imposed se'ere terms. GI" #ou want me as #our ;ing, #ou must come
under me. .ut i" a"ter electing me, #ou will not compl#, I will ma;e e'er# thorn
o" mine a )urning torture and I will de'our #ou all, including the cedars o"
=e)anon.H
Such is the regalit# that the world accepts as trueF Arrogance and "erocit# are
mista;en )# corrupt man;ind "or true ro#alt#, whereas mee;ness and goodness
are considered "oolish wea; sentiments. *an will not su)mit to God, )ut he
su)mits to &'il. 7e is seduced )# it and conseIuentl# he is )urnt )# it.
4 0hat is A)imelech6s apologue. .ut now I will propose another one to #ou. It
does not re"er to "ar awa# and past e'ents. .ut to present things and near at
hand.
0he animals decided to elect a ;ing "or themsel'es. And since the# were shrewd
the# thought o" electing one who would not "righten them )eing strong or wild.
So the# discarded the lion and all "elids. 0he# said the# did not want rostrate
eagles or an# other ;ind o" )ird o" pre#. 0he# did not trust the horse, which with
its speed could reach them and see what the# were doingL and the# trusted e'en
less the don;e#, which the# ;new to )e 'er# patient, )ut also su)Cect to sudden
rage and eIuipped with power"ul hoo'es. 0he# were horri"ied at the idea o"
ha'ing a mon;e# as their ;ing, )ecause mon;e#s are too intelligent and
re'enge"ul. Jnder the preteDt that the sna;e had "a'oured Satan in seducing
man, the# said that the# did not want it as their ;ing, notwithstanding its grace<
"ul colours and its smart mo'ements. In actual "act the# did not want it )ecause
the# were aware o" its silent gait, its power"ul muscles and the dread"ul e""ect o"
its poison. 3ould the# possi)l# choose as their ;ing a )ull or an# other animal
gi"ted with pointed hornsE 1e'erF GAlso the de'il has themH the# said. .ut the#
were thin;ing? GShould we one da# re)el, it will wipe us out with its horns.H
A"ter so much discarding, the# saw a little "at white lam) hopping merril# on a
green meadow, )utting his mother6s round udder. 7e had no horns and his e#es
were as mee; as the April s;#. 7e was docile and simple. And he was satis"ied
with e'er#thing? with the water o" the little stream where he used to drin;
dipping his ros# little mu((le into the waterL with the man#<"la'oured little
"lowers that grati"ied )oth his e#es and palateL with the thic; grass where it was
pleasant to lie when he was "ullL with the clouds, which seemed as man# little
lam)s ro'ing a)out the )lue meadows up there, and in'iting him to pla# running
in the "ield as the# did in the s;#L and, a)o'e all, he was pleased with the
caresses o" his mother, as she still allowed him to suc;le now and again while
she lic;ed his white "leece with her pin;ish tongueL with the sa"e "old, which
was well sheltered "rom winds, and with its so"t "ragrant litter, where it was
lo'el# to sleep )eside his mother. G7e is pleased. 7e has neither weapons nor
poison. 7e is nai'e. =et us ma;e him our ;ing.H And the# did. And the# were
proud o" him )ecause he was )eauti"ul and ;ind, admired )# near)# people and
lo'ed )# his su)Cects )ecause o" his patient mee;ness.
0he da#s passed and the lam) )ecame a ram and said? G0he time has now come
when I must reall# reign. 1ow I am "ull# aware o" m# mission. 0he will o" God,
ho permitted me to )e elected ;ing, has "ormed me "or m# mission and has
gi'en me the capa)ilit# to reign. It is there"ore Cust that I should eDert it in a
per"ect manner, also )ecause I do not want to neglect the gi"ts o" God.H And
when6 he saw that his su)Cects were doing things contrar# to moralit#, or to
charit#, ;indness, lo#alt#, moderation, o)edience, respect, prudence, and so on,
he raised his 'oice to warn them. 7is su)Cects laughed at his wise and ;ind
)leating, which did not "righten them li;e the roar o" "elines, or the screech o"
'ultures when the# di'e onto a pre#, or the hiss o" a sna;e, or the )ar;ing o" a
"right"ul dog.
0he lam), which was now a ram, did not limit himsel" to )leating. 7e went to
24,. In t"# S5n)(!(u# )t N)7)r#t" !n t"# S)88)t". 344
the culprits to )ring them )ac; to their duties. .ut the serpent slipped awa#
through his legs. 0he eagle "lew awa# and thus deserted him. 0he "elines pushed
him aside with their paws threatening? G>or the time )eing our so"t paws are
onl# pushing #ou aside. .ut see what is in themE 3laws.H 7orses and similar
racers )egan to gallop round him, ma;ing "un o" him. Strong elephants and other
pach#derms pushed him a)out with their trun;s, while mon;e#s threw o)Cects at
him "rom tree<tops.
0he lam), which had )ecome a ram, at last was angr# and said? GI did not want
to use m# horns or m# strength. .ecause m# nec; is power"ul indeed, and in "act
it will )e ta;en as a model to ;noc; down war o)stacles. I did not want to ma;e
use o" it, )ecause I pre"er to use lo'e and persuasion. .ut since #ou will not
#ield to such weapons, I will use "orce, )ecause i" #ou "ail in #our duties
towards me and towards God, I do not want to "ail in m# dut# towards God and
towards #ou. I was elected to this position )# #ou and )# God, to guide #ou to
,ustice and Good. And I want ,ustice and Good, that is 9rder, to reign here.H
And he punished with his horns, )ut onl# slightl#, )ecause he was ;ind, an
o)stinate cur, which continued to molest its neigh)ours and later with his most
power"ul nec; he )ro;e down the door o" the den where a greed# sel"ish pig had
stored up 'ictuals to the detriment o" other animals, and ;noc;ed down also the
liana thic;et, which two lust"ul mon;e#s had chosen "or their illicit lo'e a""airs.
H0his ;ing has )ecome too strong. 7e reall# wants to reign. And he wants us to
li'e as wise animals. 0hat is not to our li;ing. e must dethrone himH the#
decided. .ut a shrewd mon;e# suggested? Ge must do it onl# under the preteDt
o" a Cust reason. 9therwise we shall cut a )ad "igure with near)# peoples and we
shall )e disli;ed )# God. 0here"ore let us sp# on e'er# action o" the lam), which
has )ecome a ram, so that our accusation ma# appear a Cust one.H GI will see to
thatH said the sna;e. GAnd I, tooH said the mon;e#. So the# ne'er lost sight o"
the lam), as one crawled on the grass and the other remained on tree<tops, and
e'er# e'ening, when he retired to rest a"ter the "atigue o" his mission and to
ponder on the measures to )e ta;en and the words to )e used to put down the
re)ellion and o'ercome the sin"ul ha)its o" his su)Cects, all the animals gathered,
with the rare eDception o" a "ew honest "aith"ul ones, to listen to the report o" the
two spies and traitors. .ecause that is what the# were.
0he sna;e would sa# to its ;ing? GI "ollow #ou )ecause I lo'e #ou, and should I
see #ou )eing attac;ed, I want to )e a)le to de"end #ou.H 0he mon;e# used to
sa#? G7ow much I admire #ouF I want to help #ou. =oo;? "rom here I can see
that someone is committing a sin )e#ond that meadow. 8un thereH, and then it
would sa# to its companions? G0oda# also he too; part in the )anIuet o" some
sinners. 7e pretended to go there to con'ert them, )ut in actual "act he was an
accomplice o" their org#.H And the sna;e reported? G7e e'en went outside the
limits o" his people, as he approached )utter"lies, )lue<)ottles and slim# snails.
7e is not "aith"ul. 7e deals with impure "oreigners.H
0hat is what the# were sa#ing )ehind the )ac; o" the innocent lam), and the#
thought that he did not ;now. .ut the spirit o" the =ord, ho had "ormed him
"or his mission, enlightened him also on the plots o" his su)Cects. 0he lam)
could ha'e "led indignantl#, cursing them. .ut he was ;ind and hum)le<hearted.
And he was "ull o" lo'e. 7is mista;e was to lo'e. And an e'en greater mista;e
was to perse'ere in his mission, lo'ing and "orgi'ing, at the cost o" death, to
accomplish God6s will. 9hF hat mista;es these are with men. Jn"orgi'a)leF
So much so that it was condemned )ecause o" them. G=et him )e ;illedL so that
we ma# )e "ree "rom his oppression.H And the sna;e too; upon itsel" to ;ill the
lam) )ecause the sna;e is alwa#s the traitor...
0hat is the other apologue. It is "or #ou to understand it, people o" 1a(arethF
.ecause I lo'e #ou, I wish #ou to remain at least at the le'el o" a hostile people,
without going )e#ond that. 0he lo'e "or the land where I came when a child,
and in which I grew up lo'ing #ou and )eing lo'ed, compels *e to sa# to #ou
all? GDo not )e more than hostile. Do not let histor# sa#? 67is traitor and 7is
unCust Cudges came "rom 1a(areth.6 H
Good)#e. .e righteous in Cudging and "irm in willing. 0he "ormer 'irtue applies
to #ou all, m# "ellow<citi(ens. 0he latter to those among #ou who are not upset
)# dishonest thoughts. I am going... Peace )e with #ou. 5
5 And ,esus, sorrow"ull#, with 7is head lowered, lea'es the s#nagogue o"
1a(areth, in a pain"ul silence, )ro;en )# two or three 'oices onl#, eDpressing
appro'al.
7e is "ollowed )# the apostles. Alphaeus6 sons are the last ones. And their e#es
do not certainl# loo; li;e the mee; e#es o" a lam)... 0he# glare upon the hostile
crowd and ,udas 0haddeus does not hesitate to plant himsel" in "ront o" his
)rother Simon and sa# to him? 2 I thought m# )rother was more honest and o" a
stronger character. 5
Simon lowers his head and is silent. .ut the other )rother, supported )# other
24,. In t"# S5n)(!(u# )t N)7)r#t" !n t"# S)88)t". 34,
people o" 1a(areth, eDclaims? 2 4ou ought to )e ashamed o" o""ending #our
eldest )rotherF 5
2 1o. I am ashamed o" #ou. 9" all o" #ou. 1a(areth is not a stepmother, )ut a
per'erted stepmother to the *essiah. .ut listen to m# prophec#. 4ou will shed
enough tears to "eed a "ountain, )ut the# will not ser'e to wash out the true name
o" this town and #our own "rom histor# )oo;s. Do #ou ;now what that name isE
GStupidit#.H Good)#e. 5
,ames6 salutation is gentler? he wishes them the light o" wisdom. And the# go
out with Alphaeus o" Sarah and two #oung men, who, i" I am not wrong, are the
two ass<dri'ers who escorted the don;e#s that were used to go to ,ohanna o"
3husa, when she was a)out to die.
6 0he crowds, who ha'e remained dum)"ounded, whisper? 2 .ut where did 7e
get so much wisdomE 5
2 And how can 7e wor; miraclesE .ecause 7e reall# wor;s miracles. 0he
whole o" Palestine tal;s a)out it. 5
2 Is 7e not the son o" ,oseph, the carpenterE e ha'e all seen 7im, at the )ench
o" the carpenter o" 1a(areth, ma;ing ta)les and )eds, adCusting wheels and
loc;s. 7e did not e'en go to school and 7is *other was 7is onl# teacher. 5
2 A scandal which also our "ather criticised 5 sa#s ,oseph o" Alphaeus.
2 .ut #our )rothers also "inished school with *ar# o" ,oseph. 5
2 &hF *# "ather was wea; with his wi"e... 5 replies ,oseph again.
2 In that case, also #our "ather6s )rotherE 5
2 4es. 5
2 .ut is 7e reall# the carpenter6s sonE 5
2 3an6t #ou see 7imE 5
2 9hF So man# are li;e one anotherF I thin; 7e is one who sa#s 7e is, )ut 7e is
not. 5
2 here is ,esus o" ,oseph, thenE 5
2 Do #ou thin; that 7is *other would not recognise 7imE 5
2 7is )rothers and sisters are here and the# all sa# that 7e is their relati'e. Is
that right, #ou twoE 5
0he two sons o" Alphaeus nod assent.
2 ell, then, 7e is either mad or possessed, )ecause what 7e sa#s cannot come
"rom a wor;man. 5
2 e should not listen to 7im. 7is alleged doctrine is either delirium or
possession. 5
,esus is standing in the sIuare waiting "or Alphaeus o" Sarah who is spea;ing to
a man. And while 7e is waiting, one o" the assdri'ers, who had stopped at the
door o" the s#nagogue in"orms 7im o" the slander uttered in the s#nagogue.
2 Do not let it grie'e #ou. A prophet generall# is not honoured in his "atherland
or at home. *an is so "oolish that he )elie'es that one must )e almost out o" this
world to )e a prophet. And "ellow citi(ens and relati'es all ;now and remem)er
more than an#)od# else the human nature o" their "ellow<citi(en or relati'e. .ut
the truth is alwa#s triumphant. And now I sa# good)#e to #ou. Peace )e with
#ou. 5
2 0han; #ou, *aster, "or curing m# mother. 5
2 4ou deser'ed it )ecause #ou )elie'ed. *# people here are inert, )ecause there
is no "aith here. =et us go, *# "riends. e shall )e lea'ing tomorrow at dawn. 5
,44. Our L'(1 T!'c!s t! 7'&('#!n!.
8t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 2 here shall we stop, m# =ordE 5 as;s ,ames o" :e)edee, while the# are
wal;ing through a gorge )etween two hills, the sides o" which are culti'ated and
green "rom "oot to top.
2 At .ethlehem in Galilee. .ut during the warm hours we shall stop on the
mountain o'erloo;ing *era)a. So #our )rother will )e delighted once again
seeing the sea 5 and ,esus smiles. 7e then concludes? 2 e men could ha'e
24-. Our L)*5 T#)c"#s t"# 9)(*)%#n#. 34-
gone "arther, )ut we ha'e the women disciples "ollowing us, and although the#
ne'er complain, we must not tire them eDcessi'el#. 5
2 0he# ne'er complain. 0hat is true. e are more inclined to complain 5 agrees
.artholomew.
2 And #et the# are less accustomed to this li"e...5 sa#s Peter.
2 Perhaps that is wh# the# li'e it willingl# 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 1o, 0homas. 0he# do it willingl# out o" lo'e. 4ou ma# )e sure that neither
*# *other nor the other housewi'es, such as *ar# o" Alphaeus, Salome and
Susanna lea'e their homes willingl# to come along the roads o" the world and
among people. And *artha and ,ohanna, when also the latter will come, not
)eing accustomed to such "atigue, would not do it willingl# i" the# were not
urged )# lo'e. 2 ith regard to *ar# o" *agdala onl# a might# lo'e can gi'e
her the strength to undergo this torture 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 h# did 4ou order her to come, then, i" 4ou ;now it is a tortureE 5 as;s the
Iscariot. 2 It does no good to her or to us. 5
2 1othing )ut the clear unIuestiona)le demonstration o" her change could
persuade the world. And *ar# wants to persuade the world o" that. 7er
separation "rom the past has )een complete. 5
2 0hat is still to )e seen. It is earl# to sa# so. hen one gets used to a certain
;ind o" li"e, it is di""icult to part with it. >riendships and nostalgia ta;e us )ac;
to it 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
2 Are #ou "eeling nostalgia, then, "or #our pre'ious li"eE 5 as;s *atthew.
2 I... no. I was Cust sa#ing. I am I... a man, I lo'e the *aster and... in short, I
ha'e within me the elements that help me to )e stead"ast in m# purpose. .ut she
is a woman, and what a womanF And e'en i" she were 'er# "irm, it is ne'er 'er#
pleasant to ha'e her with us. Should we meet some ra))is, priests or important
Pharisees, #ou ma# rest assured that their comments might not )e pleasing.
hen I thin; o" it, I )lush in ad'ance. 5
2 Do not contradict #oursel", ,udas. I" #ou ha'e reall# )ro;en o"" with #our past,
as #ou sa#, wh# do #ou regret so much that a poor soul should "ollow us to
complete her con'ersion to GoodE 5
2 9ut o" lo'e, *aster. I do e'er#thing out o" lo'e, too? "or 4ou. 5
2 Impro'e #our lo'e, then. =o'e, to )e reall# such, must not )e eDclusi'e. hen
one can lo'e onl# one o)Cect, and cannot lo'e an#thing else, e'en i" one is lo'ed
)# what one lo'es, it is clear that that is not true lo'e. Per"ect lo'e lo'es, with
due gradation, all man;ind and also animals and 'egeta)les, stars and water,
)ecause it sees e'er#thing in God. 9ne lo'es God, as is proper, and one lo'es
e'er#thing in God. .e care"ul? eDclusi'e lo'e is o"ten sel"ishness. &ndea'our
there"ore to lo'e e'er#)od# else out o" lo'e. 5
2 4es, *aster. 5
0he su)Cect o" the discussion is in the meantime proceeding )eside *ar# with
the other women, and she is unaware o" )eing the cause o" so much tal;.
3 0he# reach and go through the 'illage o" ,aphia, )ut none o" its citi(ens shows
an# desire to "ollow the *aster or detain 7im. So the# proceed and as the
apostles appear to )e worried a)out the apath# o" the place, ,esus endea'ours to
calm them.
0he 'alle# runs in a westward direction and another 'illage can )e seen l#ing at
the "oot o" another mountain. 0his 'illage, which I hear )eing called *era)a, is
also unconcerned. 9nl# some children approach the apostles while the# are
drawing water "rom a clear "ountain leaning against a house. ,esus caresses
them and as;s their names, and the children as; 7is, who 7e is and where 7e is
going. Also an old, )ent, almost )lind man approaches them and stretches out
his hand to recei'e alms, which is in "act gi'en to him.
0he# ta;e to the road again, clim)ing a hill, the one l#ing across the 'alle#, into
which "low its little ri'ers, now reduced to a tric;le o" water or to stones parched
)# the sun. .ut the road is good and runs through oli'e<gro'es "irst and then
through other trees, which intertwine their )ranches and "orm a green galler#
o'er the road. 0he# reach the top, which is crowned with a "orest o" rustling
ash<trees, i" I am not mista;en. And the# sit down there to ha'e a rest and some
"ood. And while eating and resting, the# enCo# a delight"ul sight, )ecause the
'iew is )eauti"ul, with the *ount 3armel chain on their le"t, to the west. It is a
'er# green mountainous chain, in which all the most )eauti"ul shades o" green
are present. And where the mountain ends, there is the sea, a shining, open,
endless sea, stretching with its sur"ace lightl# rippled )# little wa'es towards the
north, washing the shores, which "rom the promontor# "ormed )# the last
24-. Our L)*5 T#)c"#s t"# 9)(*)%#n#. 34.
rami"ications o" *ount 3armel eDtend towards Ptolemais and other towns and
then "ade awa# in the mist near the S#ro<Phoenician coast. It is not possi)le to
see the sea south o" the 3armel promontor#, )ecause it is hidden )# the chain o"
mountains, which is higher than the hill where the apostolic group is gathered.
7ours go )# in the shade o" the air# rustling wood. Some sleep, some spea; in a
low 'oice, some watch. ,ohn lea'es his companions and clim)s up as high as
possi)le to ha'e a )etter 'iew. ,esus retires to a thic;et to meditate and pra#.
0he women ha'e withdrawn )ehind a hedge o" hone#suc;le in )loom and ha'e
re"reshed themsel'es at a tin# spring, which is reduced to a tric;le and "orms a
pool on the ground, as the water is so scarce that it cannot "low awa#. 0he elder
women, )eing tired, ha'e "allen asleep, while the .lessed -irgin, *artha and
Susanna tal; o" their "ar awa# homes and *ar# sa#s that She would li;e to ha'e
the )eauti"ul shru) in )loom to adorn 7er little grotto.
4 0he *agdalene, who had let her hair down, as she could not stand its weight,
puts it up again and sa#s? 2 I am going to ,ohn, now that he is with Simon, to
loo; at the sea with them. 5
2 I am coming, too 5 replies the .lessed -irgin.
*artha and Susanna remain with their sleeping companions.
0o reach the two apostles the# ha'e to pass near the thic;et where ,esus has
retired to pra#. 2 Pra#er is *# Son6s rest 5 whispers *ar#.
0he *agdalene replies to 7er? 2 I thin; that it is also essential "or 7im to )e
alone in order to ;eep 7is wonder"ul control, which the world puts to hard tests.
Do 4ou ;now, *otherE I ha'e done what 4ou told me. &'er# night I seclude
m#sel" "or a more or less long time to restore within me the calm, which man#
things upset. And I "eel much stronger a"terwards. 5
2 At present #ou "eel strong, later #ou will "eel happ#. .elie'e *e, *ar#, )oth
in peace and in struggle, in Co# and in sorrow, our spirit needs to di'e into the
ocean o" meditation to re)uild what the world and e'ents demolish and to
achie'e "resh strength to clim) higher and higher. In Israel we use and misuse
'ocal pra#er. I do not mean that it is useless or displeasing to God. .ut I sa# that
meditation, mental ele'ation to God is alwa#s much more use"ul to the soul,
)ecause )# contemplating 7is di'ine per"ection and our miser#, or the miser# o"
so man# poor souls, not to criticise them )ut to )e indulgent to them and
understand them, and to )e grate"ul to God ho has supported us ;eeping us
awa# "rom sin, or has "orgi'en us, so that we would not )e le"t in sin, )#
meditating thus, we are reall# success"ul in pra#ing, that is in lo'ing. .ecause
pra#er, to )e reall# such, must )e lo'e. 9therwise it is mum)ling o" lips "rom
which the soul is a)sent. 5
5 2 .ut is it law"ul to spea; to God when one6s lips are still dirt# with so man#
pro"ane wordsE In m# hours o" meditation, which I do as 4ou, m# most sweet
apostle, taught me, I do 'iolence to m# heart, which would li;e to sa# to God? GI
lo'e 4ou.H.. 5
2 1oF h#E 5
2 .ecause I "eel I would )e ma;ing a sacrilegious o""er )# o""ering m# heart...5
2 Do not do that, *# dear daughter. >irst o" all, #our heart has )een reconse<
crated )# the Son6s "orgi'eness, and the >ather sees onl# that "orgi'eness. .ut
e'en i" ,esus had not #et "orgi'en #ou, and in an ignored solitude, which could
)e )oth material and moral, #ou should shout to God? GI lo'e 4ou. >ather,
"orgi'e me m# miseries. I am sorr# "or them )ecause the# grie'e 4ouH, )elie'e
*e, *ar#, God the >ather would a)sol'e #ou 7imsel" and #our cr# o" lo'e
would )e dear to 7im. Gi'e #oursel" up to lo'e. Do not do 'iolence to it. 1a#,
let it )ecome as 'iolent as a )la(e. A "ire consumes e'er#thing that is material,
)ut it does not destro# one molecule o" air. .ecause air is incorporeal. 9n the
contrar# it puri"ies it "rom the tin# de)ris )lown )# winds and ma;es it lighter.
=o'e does the same to souls. It ma# consume man6s matter Iuic;er, i" God
allows that, )ut it will not destro# his spirit. It will, instead, increase its 'italit#
and will ma;e it pure and agile to )e a)le to ascend to God. See ,ohn o'er thereE
7e is onl# a )o#. And #et he is an eagle. 7e is the strongest o" all the apostles.
.ecause he has understood the secret o" strength, o" spiritual "ormation? lo'ing
meditation. 5
2 .ut he is pure. I... 7e is a )o#. I...5
2 =oo; at the :ealot, then. 7e is not a )o#. 7e has li'ed, struggled, hated. 7e
admits it "ran;l#. .ut he has learned to meditate. And he, too, )elie'e *e, is
well high up. SeeE 0he# loo; "or each other, those two. .ecause the# "eel the#
are ali;e. 0he# ha'e reached the same per"ect age o" the spirit and )# the same
means? mental pra#er. 0hrough it the )o# has )ecome 'irile in his spirit and the
man, alread# old and tired, has reco'ered a strong 'irilit#. And do #ou ;now
another one, who without )eing an apostle will ma;e much progress, na#, has
24-. Our L)*5 T#)c"#s t"# 9)(*)%#n#. 341
alread# made much progress, )ecause o" his natural inclination to meditation,
which has )ecome a spiritual necessit# "or him, since he is a "riend o" ,esus6E
4our )rother. 5
6 2 *# =a(arusE... 9hF *otherF Since 4ou ;now so man# things )ecause God
shows them to 4ou, tell me, how will =a(arus treat me, the "irst time we meetE
.e"ore he was disdain"ull# silent. .ut he did it )ecause I would not )ear )eing
criticised. I ha'e )een 'er# cruel to m# )rother and sister... I now realise it. 1ow
that he ;nows that he can spea;, what will he sa# to meE I am a"raid o" his "ran;
reproach. 9hF he will certainl# remind me o" all the grie" o" which I was the
cause. I would li;e to "l# to =a(arus. .ut I am a"raid o" him. I used to go there,
and not e'en the memories o" m# dead mother, her tears, which were still warm
on the things she had used, tears she had shed "or me, through m# "ault, would
upset me. *# heart was c#nical, shameless, dea" to e'er# 'oice, eDcept to Ge'il.H
.ut now I no longer ha'e the wic;ed strength o" &'il and I trem)le... hat will
=a(arus do to meE 5
2 7e will open his arms to #ou and will call #ou, more with his heart than with
his lips Gm# darling sister.H 7e is so "ormed in God that he can )ut )eha'e thus.
.e not a"raid. 7e will not sa# one word a)out #our past. It is Cust as i" I could
see him, he is there at .ethan# and his da#s o" waiting are 'er# long "or him. 7e
is waiting "or #ou, to clasp #ou to his heart, to sate his )rotherl# lo'e. All #ou
ha'e to do is lo'e him as he lo'es #ou to enCo# the happiness o" )eing )orn o"
the same wom). 5
2 I would lo'e him e'en i" he reproached me, I deser'e it. 5
2 .ut he will lo'e #ou onl#. 1othing else. 5
7 0he# ha'e Coined ,ohn and Simon who are tal;ing o" their "uture trips and
stand up re'erentl# when the *other o" the =ord arri'es.
2 e ha'e come too, to praise the =ord "or the )eauti"ul wor;s o" 7is creation. 5
2 7a'e #ou e'er seen the sea, *otherE 5
2 9hF I ha'e. And although it was then storm#, it was less agitated than *#
heart, and less )itter than *# tears, when I was "leeing along the coast "rom
Ga(a towards the 8ed Sea, with *# 3hild in *# arms, and the "ear o" 7erod
)ehind *# )ac;. And I saw it on our wa# )ac;. And then it was springtime )oth
on the earth and in *# heart. 0he spring season o" our return home. And ,esus
clapped 7is little hands, happ# as 7e was seeing new things... And ,oseph and I
were also happ#, notwithstanding that the ;indness o" the =ord had made our
eDile at *atarea less hard, in a thousand wa#s. 5
And their con'ersation goes on whilst I can no longer see or hear.
,46. At B!t#!!) in %'#i#!!.
*t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 It is e'ening when the# reach .ethlehem in Galilee. It is o)'ious that it is the
destin# o" towns with this name to lie on undulating hills, co'ered with green,
woods, meadows where "loc;s gra(e, descending to the "olds at night. 0he s;# is
still red a"ter a glorious sunset, which is Cust o'er, and the air is "ull o" pastoral
music o" )ells and trem)ling )leatings, which are Coined )# the merr# shouting
o" children and )# the 'oices o" mothers calling them.
2 ,udas o" Simon, go with Simon and "ind lodgings "or us and "or the women.
0here is an inn in the centre o" the 'illage and we shall meet #ou there. 5
hile ,udas and Simon o)e#, ,esus turns to 7is *other and sa#s? 2 0his time it
will not )e li;e the other .ethlehem. 4ou will "ind where to rest, *other. >ew
people mo'e a)out at this time o" the #ear and there is no edict. 5
2 In this season it would )e pleasant to sleep also on meadows or amongst these
shepherds and the little lam)s 5 and *ar# smiles at 7er Son and at some little
shepherds who are staring at 7er curiousl#.
2 She smiles in such a wa# that one o" them touches another with his el)ow and
whispers to him? 2 It must )e 7er 5 and he comes "orward, sure o" himsel",
sa#ing? 2 7ail, *ar#, "ull o" grace. Is the =ord with 4ouE 5
*ar# replies with an e'en sweeter smile? 2 0here is the =ord 5 and She points to
,esus, ho has turned round to spea; to 7is cousins, as;ing them to gi'e alms
to the poor who are approaching them with plainti'e reIuests. And She touches
7er Son lightl# sa#ing to 7im? 2 Son, these little shepherds are loo;ing "or 4ou
and the# ha'e recognised *e. I do not ;now how...5
24.. At B#t"%#"#+ n ')%%##. 342
2 Isaac must ha'e )een here and le"t the per"ume o" re'elation. 4oung man,
come here. 5 0he little shepherd, a little swarth# "ellow, a)out twel'e<"ourteen
#ears old, strong though lean, with 'er# dar; )right e#es, and an e)on# shoc; o"
hair, clad in sheep s;in M and he seems to me a #oung cop# o" the Precursor M
approaches ,esus smiling happil#, as i" he were enchanted.
2 Peace to #ou, )o#. 7ow did #ou recognise *ar#E 5
2 .ecause onl# the *other o" the Sa'iour could ha'e such a smile and
countenance. I was told? G0he countenance o" an angel, e#es li;e stars and a
smile sweeter than the ;iss o" a mother, as sweet as 7er name, which is *ar#, so
hol# as to )e a)le to )end o'er the new<)orn God.H 0hat is what I saw in 7er
and I greeted 7er )ecause I was loo;ing "or 4ou. e were loo;ing "or 4ou,
=ord, and... I did not dare greet 4ou "irst. 5
2 ho spo;e to #ou o" JsE 5
2 Isaac, "rom the other .ethlehem, and he promised to ta;e us to 4ou in autumn.
5
2 as Isaac hereE 5
2 7e is still in this area with man# disciples. And he spo;e to us shepherds. And
we )elie'ed in his word, =ord? allow us to adore 4ou as our companions did on
that )lessed night 5 and while he ;neels down on the dust o" the road, he utters a
cr# to the other shepherds who ha'e stopped their "loc;s at the gate o" the town
@gate so to sa#, )ecause it is not a walled townA, where also ,esus had stopped,
waiting "or the women to enter the town together.
3 0he little shepherd shouts? 2 >ather, )rothers and "riends, we ha'e "ound the
=ord. 3ome and worship 7im. 5
And the shepherds come crowding with their "loc;s round ,esus and the# )eg
7im not to go elsewhere )ut to accept their poor house, which is not "ar, as a
dwelling place "or 7imsel" and 7is "riends. 2 It is a wide "old 5 the# eDplain 2
)ecause God protects us and there are rooms and porches "ull o" "ragrant ha#.
0he rooms are "or *other and 7er sisters, )ecause the# are women. .ut there is
one also "or 4ou. 0he others can sleep with us in the porches, on the ha#. 5
2 I shall sta# with #ou, too. And I shall rest more pleasantl# than i" I slept in a
;ing6s room. .ut let us go and tell ,udas and Simon "irst. 5
2 I will go, *aster 5 sa#s Peter and he goes awa# with ,ames o" :e)edee.
0he# stop on the side o" the road awaiting the return o" the "our apostles.
0he shepherds loo; at ,esus as i" 7e were alread# God in 7is glor#. 0he
#ounger ones are reall# delighted and the# seem to )e wishing to impress in
their minds e'er# detail o" ,esus and *ar#, who has )ent to caress some lam)s,
which are ru))ing their heads against 7er ;nees and )leating.
2 0here was one, in the house o" *# relati'e &li(a)eth, which used to lic; *#
plaits e'er# time it saw *e. I called it G"riendH, )ecause it was *# "riend, Cust
li;e a child, and it came to *e e'er# time it could. 0his one reminds *e o" it
with its e#es o" two di""erent shades. Do not ;ill itF Also the other was allowed
to li'e )ecause o" its lo'e "or *e. 5
2 It6s a ewe<lam) oman, and we were going to sell it, )ecause o" the di""erent
shades o" its e#es and I thin; it can see 'er# little with one o" them. .ut we will
;eep it i" 4ou wish so. 5
2 9hF #esF I would not li;e an# little lam) to )e ;illed... 0he# are so innocent
and with their child<li;e 'oices the# seem to )e calling their mothers. I would
thin; I was ;illing a )a)# i" I had to ;ill one o" these. 5
2 .ut oman, i" all the lam)s were to li'e, there would )e no room "or us on
the earth 5 sa#s the oldest shepherd.
2 I ;now. .ut I am thin;ing o" their pain, and o" the pain o" their mothers. 0he#
weep so much when their little ones are ta;en awa# "rom them. 0he# loo; li;e
real mothers, li;e us. I cannot )ear to see an#)od# su""er, )ut it tears *# heart to
see a mother tortured. It is a di""erent grie" "rom an# other, )ecause the shoc;
"or the loss o" a son tears not onl# our hearts and )rains, )ut our 'er# wom)s.
e mothers are alwa#s united to our sons. And it rends us completel#, when
the# are ta;en awa# "rom us. 5 *ar# no longer smiles, )ut tears shine in 7er
)lue e#es and She loo;s at ,esus, ho is listening to 7er and loo;s at 7er, while
She la#s a hand on 7is arm, as i" She were a"raid 7e might )e torn awa# "rom
7er side.
4 A small escort o" armed men arri'es "rom a dust# road? siD men together with
some people who are shouting. 0he shepherds loo; and whisper something to
one another. 0he# then loo; at *ar# and ,esus.
24.. At B#t"%#"#+ n ')%%##. 3,3
0he oldest one sa#s? 2 So it was a good Co) that 4ou did not go into .ethlehem
this e'ening. 5
2 h#E 5
2 .ecause those people, who passed )# going to town, ha'e gone to tear a son
"rom his mother. 5
2 9hF .ut wh#E 5
2 0o ;ill him. 5
2 9hF noF hat has he doneE 5
,esus also as;s the same Iuestion and the apostles ha'e gathered to hear.
2 8ich ,oel was "ound dead on the mountain road? he had )een ;illed. 7e was
coming )ac; "rom Sicaminon with a lot o" mone#. .ut he was not ;illed )#
highwa#men, )ecause the mone# was still there. 0he ser'ant, who was
accompan#ing him, said that his master had told him to run ahead and in"orm
relati'es o" their return, and on the wa# he saw the #oung man, whom the# are
now going to ;ill, going toward the place where the man was murdered. And
two men o" the town now swear that the# saw the #oung man attac; ,oel. ,oel6s
relati'es now, demand his death. And i" he is a murderer...5
2 Do #ou not thin; he isE 5
2 I don6t thin; it is possi)le. 0he #oung man is a little older than a )o#, he is
good, and is alwa#s with his mother, as he is her onl# son and she is a widow
and a hol# li'ing person. 7e is well o"". 7e does not )other with women. 7e is
neither Iuarrelsome nor "oolish. So wh# did he ;illE 5
2 Perhaps he has some enemies. 5
2 hoE ,oel, the dead man, or A)el, the one who is accusedE 5
2 0he latter. 5
2 AhF I would not ;now... .ut... 1o, I would not ;now. 5
2 .e "ran;, man. 5
2 =ord, it is something I am thin;ing o", and Isaac told us that we must not thin;
ill o" our neigh)our. 5
2 .ut one must ha'e courage to spea; to sa'e an innocent person. 5
2 I" I spea;, whether I am right or wrong, I shall ha'e to "lee "rom here, )ecause
Aser and ,aco) are power"ul. 5
2 Spea; without "ear. 4ou will not ha'e to "lee. 5
2 =ord, A)el6s mother is #oung, )eauti"ul and wise. Aser is not wise, neither is
,aco). 0he "ormer li;es the widow and the latter... e'er#)od# in town ;nows
that the latter sleeps in ,oel6s )ed. I thin; that...5
2 I see. =et us go, *# "riends. 4ou women sta# here with the shepherds. I shall
)e )ac; soon. 5
2 1o, Son. I am coming with 4ou. 5
5 ,esus is alread# wal;ing "ast towards the centre o" the town. 0he shepherds are
uncertain as to what to do, )ut the# lea'e the "loc;s to the #ounger ones, who
sta# with all the women, with the eDception o" the .lessed -irgin and *ar# o"
Alphaeus, who "ollow ,esus and the# go to meet the apostolic group.
At the third road crossing the main street in .ethlehem the# meet the Iscariot,
Simon, Peter and ,ames, who are coming towards them gesticulating and
shouting.
2 hat a terri)le thing, *asterF And how pain"ulF 5 eDclaims Peter who is
deepl# upset.
2 A son torn o"" his mother to )e ;illed, and she is de"ending him li;e a h#ena.
.ut she is a woman against armed men 5 adds Simon :ealot.
2 *an# parts o" her )od# are alread# )leeding 5 sa#s the Iscariot.
2 0he# )ro;e her door down )ecause she had )arricaded it 5 concludes ,ames o"
:e)edee.
2 I am going to her. 5
2 9hF #esF 4ou are the onl# one who can console her. 5
0he# turn right, then le"t, towards the town centre. It is now possi)le to see the
eDcited tumultuous crowd pressing near A)el6s house, and the heart<rending,
inhuman, wild and at the same time piti"ul shouting o" a woman can )e heard.
24.. At B#t"%#"#+ n ')%%##. 3,1
,esus Iuic;ens 7is pace and arri'es at a 'er# small sIuare, a widened cur'e o"
the street, rather than a sIuare, where the uproar is at its greatest.
0he woman is still contending "or her son with the guards, holding on with one
hand, which is li;e an iron claw, to the ruin o" the ;noc;ed down door, and to
her son6s )elt with the other one and she sa'agel# )ites an#one who tries to
loosen her grip, notwithstanding the# deal her man# )lows and pull her hair so
cruell# as to throw her head )ac;. hen she does not )ite she shouts? 2 =ea'e
himF *urderersF 7e6s innocentF 0he night ,oel was ;illed he was in )ed )eside
meF *urderersF SlanderersF >oul PerCurersF 5
And the #oung man, whom the armed men are holding )# the shoulders and
dragging )# the arms, turns round terror<stric;en and shouts? 2 *other, motherF
h# must I die i" I ha'e not done an#thingE 5
7e is a handsome tall slender #oung man, with dar; mild e#es, and dar; wa'#
hair. 7is torn garment shows the #oung agile )od# o" an adolescent.
,esus with the help o" those who accompan# 7im, pushes 7is wa# through the
crowd, as compact as a roc;, and reaches 7is piti"ul group Cust at the moment
when the eDhausted woman is torn awa# "rom the door and dragged along the
ston# road, li;e a sac;, tied to the )od# o" her son. .ut that lasts "or onl# a "ew
#ards. A more 'iolent Cer; tears the mother6s hand o"" the #oung man6s )elt and
the woman "alls prone on the ground )eating the road with her "ace, which
)leeds pro"usel#. .ut she gets up on her ;nees, stretching out her arms, while
her son, who is )eing dragged awa# swi"tl#, as "ar as the crowds allow, as the#
open out with di""icult#, "rees his le"t arm and wa'es it, twisting round and
shouting? 2 *otherF Good)#eF 8emem)er, at least #ou, that I am innocentF 5
0he woman loo;s at him with staring e#es, she then "aints and drops to the
ground.
6 ,esus stops )e"ore the group o" captors. 2 Stop "or one moment. I order #ouF 5
7is countenance allows no o)Cection.
2 ho are 4ouE 5 aggressi'el# as;s a citi(en in the group. 2 e do not ;now
4ou. *o'e aside and let us go so that he ma# )e ;illed )e"ore night. 5
2 I am a 8a))i. 0he greatest. In the name o" ,eho'ah stop, or 7e will stri;e #ou
)# lightning 5. In the meantime 7e seems to )e stri;ing )# lightning. 2 ho are
the witnesses against this manE 5
2 I, him and him 5 replies the man who had spo;en )e"ore.
2 4our testimon# is not 'alid )ecause it is "alse. 5
2 7ow can 4ou sa# thatE e are read# to swear it. 5
2 4our oath is a sin. 5
2 e are sinningE Are weE 5
2 4ou are. As #ou nurse #our lust and #our hatred, as #ou are greed# "or wealth,
as #ou are murderers, so #ou are also perCurers. 4ou ha'e sold #oursel'es to
>ilth. 4ou are capa)le o" an# "ilth# deed. 5
2 atch how 4ou spea;F I am Aser...5
2 And I am ,esus. 5
2 4ou do not )elong to here, 4ou are neither a priest nor a Cudge. 4ou are
nothing. 4ou are a "oreigner. 5
2 4es, I am the >oreigner )ecause the earth is not *# Bingdom. .ut I am ,udge
and Priest. 1ot onl# o" this small portion o" Israel, )ut o" the whole o" Israel and
o" the whole world. 5
2 =et6s go, let6s goF e are dealing with a mad man 5 sa#s the other witness and
he gi'es ,esus a 'igorous push to draw 7im aside.
2 4ou shall not ta;e another step 5 thunders ,esus, hose maCestic countenance
su)dues and paral#ses, as it can gi'e li"e and Co# when 7e wishes. 2 4ou shall
not ta;e another step. 4ou do not )elie'e what I am sa#ingE ell, loo;. 0here is
no dust o" the 0emple here, or water "rom it, neither are there words written
with in; to ma;e the water )itter, which is Cudgement on Cealous# and adulter#
@1A. .ut I am here. And I will gi'e Cudgement. 5 ,esus6 'oice is so piercing that it
sounds li;e a )lare.
People throng to see. 9nl# the .lessed -irgin and *ar# o" Alphaeus ha'e
sta#ed to help the mother who has "ainted.
2 And this is *# Cudgement. Gi'e me a pinch o" dust "rom the road and a drop
o" water in a Cug. And while the# are )eing )rought to *e, #ou who are
accusing, and #ou who are accused, repl# to *e. Are #ou innocent, sonE Sa# so
"ran;l# to 7im ho is #our Sa'iour. 5
24.. At B#t"%#"#+ n ')%%##. 3,2
2 I am, =ord. 5
2 Aser, can #ou swear that #ou ha'e spo;en )ut the truthE 5
2 I swear it. I ha'e no reason to lie. I swear it )# the altar. *a# "ire descend
"rom 7ea'en and )urn me i" I am not telling the truth. 5
2 ,aco), can #ou swear that #ou are sincere in accusing and that there is no
secret moti'e urging #ou to lieE 5
2 I swear )# ,eho'ah. 9nl# the lo'e "or m# slain "riend induces me to spea;. I
ha'e no personal grudge against him. 5
2 And #ou, ser'ant, can #ou swear that #ou ha'e told the truthE 5
2 I will swear it a thousand times, i" necessar#F *# master, m# poor masterF 5
and he co'ers his head with his mantle.
2 Good. 7ere is the water and here is the dust. And this is the word. G7ol#
>ather and *ost 7igh God, pass Cudgement on truth through *e, so that li"e and
honour ma# )e gi'en to the innocent man and to the anguished mother, and
suita)le punishment to those who are not innocent. .ut )ecause o" the grace,
which I enCo# in 4our e#es, let neither "ire nor death, )ut a long eDpiation come
to them who ha'e committed sin.H 5
7e sa#s these words stretching 7is hand o'er the pitcher, as priests do at the
altar, during *ass at o""ertor#. 7e then dips 7is right hand into the pitcher and
with 7is wet hand 7e spra#s the "our men under Cudgement and ma;es each
drin; a drop o" water? "irst the #oung "ellow and then the others. 7e then "olds
7is arms across 7is chest and loo;s at them.
Also the crowds loo;, )ut a"ter a "ew moments the# utter a cr# and throw
themsel'es down, with their "aces on the ground. 0he "our men then, who are
lined up, loo; at one another and shout in their turn? the #oung man out o"
ama(ement, the others out o" horror )ecause the# see their "aces co'ered with
sudden lepros#, whereas the #oung "ellow is immune "rom it.
0he ser'ant throws himsel" at the "eet o" ,esus, ho steps aside, li;e e'er#)od#
else, including the soldiers, and ta;ing #oung A)el )# the hand draws him awa#
as well, so that he ma# not )ecome contaminated near the three lepers. And the
ser'ant shouts? 2 1oF 1oF >orgi'e meF I am a leperF 0he# paid me to dela# m#
master until e'ening, so that the# could ;ill him on the desert road. 0he# made
me unshoe his mule on purpose. 0he# instructed me how to lie sa#ing that I had
come ahead. Instead I was with them ;illing him. And I will also tell 4ou wh#
the# did it. .ecause ,oel had "ound out that ,aco) was in lo'e with his #oung
wi"e and )ecause Aser wanted the mother o" this #oung man and she re"used
him. So the# made an agreement to get rid o" ,oel and A)el at the same time and
then ha'e a nice time with the women. I ha'e told 4ou e'er#thing. 3leanse me
o" m# lepros#F A)el, #ou are good, pra# "or meF 5
2 A)el, go to #our mother, so that when she comes round, she ma# see #our "ace
and thus come )ac; to li"e happil#. And #ou... I should sa# to #ou? G=et it )e
done to #ou what #ou ha'e done.H And it would )e human Custice. .ut I am
entrusting #ou to a superhuman eDpiation. 0he lepros#, which #ou a)hor, sa'es
#ou "rom )eing sei(ed and ;illed as #ou deser'e. People o" .ethlehem, step
aside, open out, as the water o" the sea did, and let these men go to their long
imprisonment. A dread"ul imprisonmentF *ore dread"ul than sudden death.
Di'ine pit# has granted them the possi)ilit# to ma;e amends, i" the# wish so.
GoF 5
0he crowds throng against the walls o" houses lea'ing the centre o" the road
"ree, and the three men, co'ered with lepros# as i" the# had )een a""ected )# the
disease "or #ears, go towards the mountain, wal;ing one )ehind the other. In the
silence o" approaching twilight, when all )irds and animals )ecome Iuiet, onl#
their moaning can )e heard.
2 Puri"# the street with plent# water, a"ter lighting "ires on it. And #ou, soldiers,
go and report that Custice has )een done according to the most per"ect *osaic
=aw. 5 And ,esus is a)out to go where 7is *other and *ar# o" 3lopas are still
assisting the woman who is coming to hersel" slowl#, while her son is caressing
and ;issing her cold hands.
7 .ut the people o" .ethlehem with almost terri"ied respect )eg 7im? 2 Spea; to
us, =ord. 4ou are reall# power"ul. 4ou are certainl# the 9ne mentioned )# the
man who came here announcing the *essiah. 5
2 I will spea; to #ou tonight, near the "old o" the shepherds. I am now going to
com"ort A)el6s mother. 5
And 7e goes to the woman, who is sitting on the lap o" *ar# o" Alphaeus and is
reco'ering her senses. She loo;s at the lo'ing "ace o" 9ur =ad# ho smiles at
her, )ut she is not "ull# aware o" the situation until her e#es rest on the dar;
24.. At B#t"%#"#+ n ')%%##. 3,3
haired head o" her son )ent o'er her trem)ling hands, and she as;s? 2 Am I dead,
tooE Is this =im)oE 5
2 1o, woman. 0his is the &arth. 0his is #our son sa'ed "rom death. And this is
,esus, *# Son, the Sa'iour. 5
0he "irst reaction o" the woman is simpl# human. She collects all her strength
and leans "orward to ta;e the )ent head o" her son in her hands, she sees that he
is sa"e and sound, she ;isses him "ranticall#, weeping, laughing, repeating all
possi)le pet names to eDpress her Co#.
2 4es, mother, #es. .ut now loo;, not at me, at 7im, at 7im ho sa'ed me.
.less the =ord. 5 0he woman, still too wea; to stand up or get up on her ;nees,
stretches out her trem)ling )leeding hands and ta;es ,esus6 hand ;issing and
wetting it with tears. ,esus la#s 7is le"t hand on her head sa#ing to her? 2 .e
happ#. In peace. And )e alwa#s good. And #ou, too, A)el. 5
2 1o, m# =ord. *# son6s li"e and mine are 4ours, )ecause 4ou ha'e sa'ed
them. =et him go with 4our disciples, as he has )een wishing to, since the# were
here. I o""er him to 4ou with so much Co# and I )eg 4ou to allow me to "ollow
him, to ser'e him and the ser'ants o" God. 5
2 And what a)out #our houseE 5
2 9hF =ordF 3an one risen "rom death ha'e the same a""ections one had )e"ore
d#ingE *#rtha has come )ac; "rom death and out o" hell through 4ou. In this
town I ma# go as "ar as hating those who tortured me through m# child. And
4ou preach lo'e. I ;now. So let poor *#rtha lo'e the 9nl# 9ne ho deser'es
lo'e, and let her lo'e 7is mission and 7is ser'ants. ,ust now I am still eDhausted
and I would not )e a)le to "ollow 4ou. .ut allow me, m# =ord, to do so as soon
as I am "it. I will "ollow 4ou and )e with m# A)el...5
2 4ou will "ollow #our son and *e. .e happ# and in peace now. ith *#
peace. Good)#e. 5 And while the woman goes into her house supported )# her
son and other ;ind people, ,esus lea'es the town with the shepherds, the
apostles, 7is *other and *ar# o" Alphaeus, and goes towards the "old, which is
situated at the end o" a road, in the "ields.
8 ...A )on"ire lights up the meeting. *an# people sitting in semicircles are
waiting "or ,esus to come and spea; to them. In the meantime the# are tal;ing o"
the e'ents o" the da#. A)el is there as well and man# congratulate him stating
that e'er#)od# )elie'ed in his innocence.
0he #oung man cannot help repl#ing? 2 .ut #ou were still prepared to ;ill meF
&'en #ou, who had greeted me at the doorstep o" m# house, Cust at the time ,oel
was ;illed 5. And he adds? 2 .ut I "orgi'e #ou in ,esus6 name. 5
,esus is now coming "rom the "old towards them? tall, clad in white, surrounded
)# the apostles, "ollowed )# the shepherds and women.
2 Peace to #ou all.
I" *# coming here has ser'ed to esta)lish the Bingdom o" God among #ou,
)lessed )e the =ord. I" *# coming here has ser'ed to ma;e innocence shine,
)lessed )e the =ord. I" *# coming here in time to pre'ent a crime ser'es also
the purpose o" gi'ing three culprits the possi)ilit# o" redeeming themsel'es,
)lessed )e the =ord. 9" all the man# things on which this da# induces us to
meditate, and on which we shall )e meditating while night "alls to en'elop in its
dar;ness the Co# o" two hearts and the remorse o" three others M and in its
dar;ness it hides, as in a chaste 'eil, the Co#"ul tears o" the "ormer and the )itter
ones o" the latter, which, howe'er God sees M there is one thing which points out
that there is nothing useless in what God ga'e as 7is =aw.
9 0he =aw gi'en )# God, nominall#, is strictl# o)ser'ed in Israel. .ut in actual
"act it is not. 0he =aw is anal#sed, dissected, hashed, to the eDtent o" causing it
to die through the torture o" pett# Iui))les. It is there. .ut as a mummi"ied )od#
has no li"e, no )reathing and no )lood circulation, notwithstanding it loo;s li;e a
)od# that is motionless )ecause "ast asleep, so the =aw has no li"e, no )reathing,
no )lood in "ar too man# hearts. 9ne can sit on a mumm# as on a stool. 9ne can
la# things on a mumm#, such as clothes, e'en "ilth, i" one wishes, and the
mumm# will not re)el, )ecause it has no li"e. =i;ewise too man# people ma;e a
stool o" the =aw, a place where to la# things or discharge their "ilth, sure that it
will not re)el in their consciences, which are dead. I could compare a large
portion o" Israel to the petri"ied "orests that one can see strewn in the 1ile 'alle#
and in the &g#ptian desert. 0he# were woods, woods o" li'ing trees, nourished
with sap, rustling in the sunshine, with )eauti"ul lea'es, "lowers and "ruit. 0he#
made o" the spot where the# came up a small earthl# paradise, dear to men and
to animals, who "orgot the desolate aridit# o" the desert, the parching thirst
which sand causes to man, penetrating his throat with its )urning dust. 0he#
"orgot the merciless sun that calci"ies corpses in a short time, remo'ing their
"lesh and turning it into dust, lea'ing clean s;eletons stretched on the sand, so
24.. At B#t"%#"#+ n ')%%##. 3,4
clean that the# loo; as i" the# had )een diligentl# polished )# a wor;man. 0he#
"orgot e'er#thing in the green rustling shade, rich in water and "ruit, which
re"reshened and com"orted them and ga'e them energ# "or new Courne#s. 0hen,
"or some un;nown reason, li;e cursed things, the# withered li;e trees that, a"ter
d#ing, still ser'e to light "ires "or man, or )on"ires to illuminate the night, to
;eep awa# wild animals, or disperse the dampness o" the night "or pilgrims "ar
"rom their houses. .ut those did not ser'e as "irewood. 0he# )ecame li;e stones.
0he silica o" the soil seemed to ha'e clim)ed "rom the roots up to the trun;, the
)ranches and lea'es, through witchcra"t. 0he winds then )ro;e the thinner
)ranches, which had )ecome li;e ala)aster, which is hard and so"t at the same
time. .ut the stronger )ranches are still there, on the power"ul trun;s, to decei'e
tired cara'ans. In "act in the da((ling re"lection o" the sun or the spectral
moonlight, cara'ans can see the shadows o" the straight trun;s stand out on
ta)lelands or at the )ottom o" 'alle#s, which recei'e water onl# at the time o"
the "ertile "loods, and the# rush towards the phantom "orests, )oth )ecause the#
are anDious to "ind shelter, re"reshment, water and "resh "ruit, and )ecause their
tired e#es are da((led )# the sun shining on the shadeless sand. 0rue phantomsF
Illusi'e li;eness o" li'ing )odies. 8eal presence o" dead things.
I saw them. Although I was little older than a )a)#, I remem)er them as one o"
the saddest things on the &arth. 0hat is how the# appeared to *e, until I
touched, eDperienced, and weighed the entirel# sad things o" the &arth, )ecause
the# are completel# dead things. Immaterial things, that is dead 'irtues and dead
souls. 0he "ormer are dead in souls, the latter are dead )ecause the# ;illed
themsel'es.
0here is the =aw in Israel. .ut it is there li;e the petri"ied trees in the desert that
ha'e )ecome silica, death, deceit. 0he# are things destined to wear awa# without
)eing o" an# use. 1a#, the# are harm"ul, )ecause the# cause mirages that allure
people di'erting them "rom true oases and thus cause them to die o" thirst,
hunger and desolation. 0he# are death, attracting others to death, as we read in
certain tales o" pagan m#ths.
4ou ha'e had an instance toda# o" what a =aw is when it is reduced to stone in a
soul that has also )ecome stone. It is all ;inds o" sins and the cause o"
mis"ortune. *a# this ser'e #ou to learn how to li'e and to let the =aw li'e
within #ou, in its integrit#, which I enlighten with the light o" merc#. It is the
dead o" night. 0he stars are loo;ing down at us and God is loo;ing down at us as
well. =oo; up to the starr# s;# and ele'ate #our souls to God. And without
criticising the unhapp# men alread# punished )# God, and without an# pride o"
)eing "ree "rom such sins, promise to God and to #oursel'es that #ou will not
"all into the aridit# o" the cursed trees in the &g#ptian deserts and 'alle#s.
Peace )e with #ou. 5
7e )lesses them and then withdraws into the large "old enclosure, surrounded )#
rustic porches under which the shepherds ha'e spread much ha# as )eds "or the
ser'ants o" the =ord.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
@1A >or details o" old ,ewish rite, see 1um)ers %, 11<31.
,48. %oin& to$'r(s Sic')inon.
1;t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 0he calm sunn# morning helps the apostolic group to clim) up some hills
stretching westwards, that is towards the sea.
2 e did the right thing )# arri'ing at the mountains earl# in the morning. e
could not ha'e sta#ed in the plain in this heat. It is shad# and cool here. I "eel
sorr# "or those who are "ollowing the 8oman road. It is all right in winter, o"
course 5 sa#s *atthew.
2 A"ter these hills we shall meet the wind "rom the sea. It alwa#s mitigates the
air 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 e shall eat up on the top. 0he other da# it was so )eauti"ul. And "rom here it
must )e e'en more so )ecause we are closer to *ount 3armel and to the sea 5
adds ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 9ur "atherland is )eauti"ul indeedF 5 eDclaims Andrew.
2 4es. 0here is reall# e'er#thing. *ountains co'ered with snow, pleasant hills,
la;es and ri'ers, all ;inds o" trees, and there is also the sea. It is reall# the
delicious countr# cele)rated )# our psalmists, prophets, our great warriors and
poets 5 sa#s 0haddeus.
241. '!n( t!&)r*s Sc)+n!n. 3,,
2 8epeat some o" the passages, since #ou ;now so man# things 5 as;s ,ames o"
:e)edee.
2 Gith the )eaut# o" Paradise 7e "ormed the earth o" ,udas.
ith the smiles o" 7is angels 7e adorned the land o" 1aphtali
and with ri'ers o" hea'enl# hone# 7e "la'oured the "ruit o" his land...
0he whole creation is mirrored in #ou, gem o" God,
granted )# God to 7is hol# people.
9 )liss"ul land, #our )eaut# is "or the hearts o" #our children
sweeter than the rich grapes maturing on #our hillsides,
more delicious than the mil; "illing the udders o" #our ewe<lam)s,
more ine)riating than the hone# with the "la'our o" "lowers adorning #ou.
0he s;# descended to )ecome a ri'er uniting two gems,
"orming a pendant and a girdle on #our green dress.
0he ,ordan sings, one o" #our seas smiles,
while the other reminds men that God is "ull o" awe
and in the e'ening the hills seem to )e dancing li;e merr# girls on a meadow,
and at angelical dawns #our mountains pra# or sing halleluCa
in the ardour o" the sun, or adore 4our power with the stars,
*ost 7igh =ord. 4ou did not enclose us in narrow )orders,
)ut 4ou ga'e us the open sea to tell us that the world is ours.H 5
2 =o'el# 8eall# )eauti"ulF I ha'e onl# )een on the la;e and to ,erusalemL "or
#ears and #ears I ha'e seen nothing else. So "ar I ;now onl# Palestine. .ut I am
sure there is nothing more )eauti"ul in the world 5 sa#s Peter "ull o" national
pride.
2 *ar# was telling me that also the 1ile 'alle# is )eauti"ul 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 And the man o" &ndor spea;s o" 3#prus as i" it were paradise 5 adds Simon.
2 &hF .ut our landF...5
And all the apostles with the eDception o" the Iscariot and 0homas, who are with
,esus a little ahead o" the others, go on praising the )eaut# o" Palestine.
2 0he women are last to come, as the# cannot restrain themsel'es "rom pic;ing
seeds o" "lowers to )e sown in their gardens, also )ecause the "lowers are
)eauti"ul and will )e a remem)rance o" their Courne#.
Some eagles, I thin; the# are sea<eagles or 'ultures, are "l#ing in wide circles
o'er the hill tops, swooping down now and again in search o" pre#. And two
'ultures )egin to "ight, attac;ing each other in swi"t e'olutions in the air, )oth
losing "eathers at each assault? an elegant )ut "ierce duel that ends with the "light
o" the de"eated one, which perhaps withdraws to die on a remote mountain<top.
At least that is what e'er#)od# thin;s, Cudging )# its la)orious "l#ing, as i" it
were a)out to die.
2 Greed did it no good 5 comments 0homas.
2 Greed and stu))ornness alwa#s cause trou)le. Also those three #esterda#F...
&ternal merc#F hat a dread"ul destin#F 5 sa#s *atthew.
2 ill the# ne'er reco'erE 5 as;s Andrew.
2 As; the *aster 5.
hen ,esus is as;ed, 7e replies? 2 It would )e )etter to as; whether the# will
con'ert. .ecause I solemnl# tell #ou that it is )etter to die a hol# leper than a
health# sinner. =epros# will remain on the &arth, in the gra'e. Sins last "ore'er.
5
3 2 I li;ed 4our speech o" #esterda# e'ening 'er# much 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 I, instead, didn6t. It was too se'ere "or too man# people in Israel 5 sa#s the
Iscariot.
2 Are #ou one o" themE 5
2 1o, *aster. 5
2 ell, then. h# are #ou concernedE 5
2 .ecause it could )e detrimental to 4ou. 5
2 Should I then come to terms with sinners and )e their accomplice, in order to
a'oid possi)le detrimentE 5
2 I don6t sa# that. 4ou could not do that. .ut )e Iuiet. Do not alienate the
might# ones...5
2 Silence gi'es consent. I do not consent to sin. 1either o" common people, nor
o" might# ones. 5
241. '!n( t!&)r*s Sc)+n!n. 3,-
2 See what happened to the .aptistE 5
2 7is glor#. 5
2 7is glor#E I thin; it was his ruin. 5
2 Persecution and death su""ered to )e "aith"ul to our dut# are a glor# "or man. A
martyr is always glorious. 5
2 .ut )# his death he pre'ents himsel" "rom )eing a master, and grie'es
disciples and relati'es. 7e "rees himsel" "rom e'er# pain, )ut lea'es others in
greater su""ering. 0he .aptist has no relati'es, that is true. .ut he still has duties
towards his disciples. 5
2 &'en i" he had relati'es, it would still )e the same. -ocation is more than
)lood. 5
2 And what a)out the "ourth commandmentE 5
2 It comes a"ter those concerning God. 5
2 4ou saw #esterda# how a mother can su""er "or her son...5
4 2 *otherF 3ome here. 5
*ar# hastens towards ,esus and as;s? 2 hat do 4ou want, SonE 5
2 *other, ,udas o" Berioth is pleading 4our cause, he lo'es 4ou and lo'es *e.
5
2 *# causeE In regard to whatE 5
2 7e wants to persuade *e to )e more prudent, so that I ma# not ha'e to su""er
li;e our relati'e, the .aptist. And he is telling *e that sons must ha'e merc# on
their mothers, )# sparing themsel'es on their )ehal", )ecause that is what the
"ourth commandment prescri)es. hat do 4ou sa#E 4ou ma# spea;, *other, so
that 4ou ma# ;indl# instruct our ,udas. 5
2 I sa# that I would no longer lo'e *# Son as God, that I would )egin to dou)t
whether I ha'e alwa#s )een mista;en and whether I ha'e alwa#s )een decei'ed
concerning 7is 1ature, i" I saw 7im "ail in 7is per"ection, )# lowering 7is
thought to human consideration, losing sight o" superhuman considerations that
is, the redemption, the e""ort to redeem men, "or their own sa;e and "or the glor#
o" God, at the cost o" procuring "or 7imsel" a""liction and hatred. I would still
lo'e 7im as a Son led astra# )# a wic;ed power, I would lo'e 7im out o" pit#,
)ecause 7e is *# Son, )ecause 7e would )e a poor wretch, )ut I could not lo'e
7im with the "ullness o" lo'e with which I lo'e 7im now that I see 7im "aith"ul
to the =ord. 5
2 4ou mean to 7imsel". 5
2 0o the =ord. !ow He is the Messiah of the %ord and must be loyal to the %ord
lie anybody else, more than anybody else, because His mission is greater than
any other that was, is or ever will be on the /arth, and 7e certainl# has "rom
God suita)le assistance "or such a great mission. 5
5 2 .ut i" an#thing wrong happened to 7im, would 4ou not weepE 5
2 I would shed all *# tears. .ut I would weep tears o" )lood i" I saw 7im
"aithless to God. 5
2 0hat will greatl# diminish the guiltiness o" those who will persecute 7im. 5
2 h#E 5
2 .ecause )oth 4ou and 7e almost Custi"# them. 5
2 Do not )elie'e it. 0heir sins will alwa#s )e the same in the e#es o" God,
whether we Cudge that it is ine'ita)le, or we deem that no man in Israel ought to
)e guilt# towards the *essiah. 5
2 *an in IsraelE And i" the# were Gentiles would it not )e the sameE 5
2 1o, it would not. 0he Gentiles would )e in the wrong onl# towards a "ellow<
man. Israel ;nows who ,esus is. 5
2 *an# in Israel do not ;now. 5
2 0he# do not want to ;now. 0he# are deli)eratel# incredulous. 0he# thus add
incredulit# to anti<charit# and the# den# hope. It is not a small sin, ,udas, to
tread on the three main 'irtues. It is a gra'e sin, more gra'e spirituall# than an#
material action against *# Son. 5
,udas, who is short o" arguments, )ends to lace a sandal and is le"t )ehind.
6 0he# reach the top o" the mountain, or rather a ledge almost at the top, a ledge
241. '!n( t!&)r*s Sc)+n!n. 3,.
protruding "orth as i" it wished to run towards the )eauti"ul )lue sea. A thic;
wood o" holm<oa;s "ilters a clear emerald light, pierced )# so"t sun)eams as thin
as needles. 0he charming air# mountain crest opens on to the near)# sea coast,
opposite the maCestic *ount 3armel chain. .elow, at the "oot o" the mountain
with the ledge protruding as i" it were anDious to "l# up, a"ter some little "ields
situated in the central part o" the mountain side, there is a narrow 'alle# with a
deep torrent, which must certainl# )e imposingl# impetuous in time o" "loods,
)ut is now reduced to a tin# sil'er# "oaming stream in the middle o" its )ed. 0he
torrent "lows towards the sea along the "oot o" *ount 3armel. A road runs along
the torrent, a)o'e its right hand )an; and lin;s a town situated in the middle o"
the )a# to other inland towns, perhaps in Samaria, i" I am ta;ing m# )earings
correctl#.
2 0hat town is Sicaminon 5 sa#s ,esus. 2 e shall )e there late in the e'ening.
=et us ha'e a rest now, )ecause the descent is di""icult, though cool and short. 5
And sitting in a circle, the# tal; to one another and to the women, while roasting
on a rustic spit a lam), certainl# a gi"t o" the shepherds...
,4*. 9!sus 7!!ts t! Disci"#!s 't Sic')inon.
11t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 It is on the )an; o" the deep torrent that ,esus "inds Isaac with man# ;nown
and un;nown disciples.
Among the ;nown ones there are? the head o" the s#nagogue o" the 3lear ater,
0imoneusL ,oseph o" &mmaus, the one accused o" incestL the #oung man who
did not )ur# his "ather to "ollow ,esusL StephenL A)el, the leper cured near
Bora(im with his "riend SamuelL Solomon, the "err#man o" ,ericho, and man#
more, whom I recognise, )ut I do not remem)er in the least where I saw them or
their names. *an# "aces indeed are ;nown to me, )ut onl# as "aces o" disciples.
And there are other people who ha'e )een con'erted )# Isaac or )# the a)o'e
mentioned disciples and are "ollowing the main group hoping to "ind ,esus.
0heir meeting is tender, Co#"ul and respect"ul. Isaac6s e#es are )eaming with Co#,
when he loo;s at the *aster and shows 7im his new "loc; and as a reward he
as;s ,esus to sa# a "ew words to his people.
2 Do #ou ;now an# Iuiet place where we can gather togetherE 5
2 At the end o" the )a# there is a desert )each, with some ho'els o" "ishermen,
which are empt# at this time o" the #ear )ecause the# are unhealth# and )ecause
the "ishing season o" "ish to )e salted is o'er and the "ishermen ha'e gone to
S#ro<Phoenicia to "ish "or murices. *an# o" them alread# )elie'e in 4ou
)ecause the# heard 4ou spea; in sea towns or )ecause the# "ound disciples, and
the# ha'e gi'en us the little houses to rest in. e go there a"ter a mission.
.ecause there is a lot to )e done in this area. It is deepl# corrupted )# man#
things. I would li;e to go as "ar as S#ro<Phoenicia, and I could do it )# sea,
)ecause the coast is parched )# the sun and it is impossi)le to go there on "oot.
.ut I am a shepherd, not a sailor, and among m# people there is not e'en one
who can sail. 5
,esus, ho listens care"ull#, smiling lightl#, lowering 7is head a little, as 7e is
so tall compared with the little shepherd who, li;e a soldier, is reporting
e'er#thing to his general, replies? 2 God helps #ou )ecause o" #our humilit#. I" I
am ;nown here it is due to #ou, *# disciple, and to no one else. 2 e will now
as; the men o" the la;e whether the# "eel the# can sail the sea, and i" possi)le,
we will go to S#ro<Phoenicia. 5 And 7e turns round loo;ing "or Peter, Andrew,
,ames and ,ohn, who are tal;ing animatedl# to some disciples, while ,udas is
warml# congratulating Stephen, and the :ealot, .artholomew and Philip are
near the women. 0he other "our are with ,esus.
0he "our "ishermen come at once. 2 Do #ou "eel up to sailing the seaE 5 as;s
,esus.
0he "our loo; at one another perpleDedl#. Peter ru""les his hair while pondering
on the matter. 7e then as;s? 2 .ut whereE 9"" shoreE e are "resh water "ish...5
2 1o, along the coast, as "ar as Sidon. 5
2 76mF I thin; it can )e done. hat do #ou sa#E 5
2 I thin; so, too. Sea or la;e, it is still the same thing? water 5 sa#s ,ames.
2 1a#? it will )e e'en more )eauti"ul and easier 5 eDclaims ,ohn.
2 I don6t ;now how #ou can sa# that 5 replies his )rother.
242. :#sus 9##ts t"# Dsc$%#s )t Sc)+n!n. 3,1
2 It6s his "ondness "or the sea. 7e who lo'es something, sees e'er# per"ection in
it. I" #ou lo'ed a woman li;e that, #ou would )e a per"ect hus)and 5 sa#s Peter
Co;ingl# sha;ing him a""ectionatel#.
2 1o, I am sa#ing so )ecause at Ash;elon I saw that manoeu'res are the same
and na'igation 'er# smooth 5 replies ,ohn.
2 ell, let us go, thenF 5 eDclaims Peter.
2 7owe'er, it would )e )etter to ha'e someone "rom here. e ha'e no
eDperience with this sea and its depth contour 5 remar;s ,ames.
2 9hF I would not e'en thin; o" that. e ha'e ,esus with usF .e"ore I was not
#et certain, )ut a"ter 7e calmed the la;eF =et us go with the *aster to Sidon.
Perhaps there is some good to )e done there 5 sa#s Andrew.
2 ell, we shall go. 4ou will get the )oats tomorrow. As; ,udas o" Simon to
gi'e #ou the purse. 5
3 And all miDed together, apostles and disciples M and it is needless to sa# how
happ# man# are, particularl# the ones alread# well ;nown to ,esus M the# retrace
their steps going )ac; towards the town, and wal; round the outs;irts, until the#
reach the end o" the )a#, which protrudes into the sea li;e a )ent arm. A "ew
little houses there, spread on the narrow pe))l# shore, represent the most
po'ert#<stric;en and depopulated Iuarter o" the town, which is inha)ited onl# at
inter'als. 0he walls o" the little cu)ic shaped houses are worn awa# )# saltness
and age and the# are all closed. hen the disciples open them, the# show their
smo;# miser# and )are essential "urnishings.
2 7ere the# are. 0he# are not )eauti"ul, )ut are clean and com"orta)le 5 sa#s
Isaac, who is doing the honours o" the house.
2 0he poor things are certainl# not )eauti"ul. 0he 3lear ater was a ro#al
palace in comparison. And there were some who complainedF...5 grum)les
Peter.
2 .ut the# are a real "ortune to us. 5
2 9" courseF 0he all important thing is to ha'e a roo" o'er #our head and to )e
"ond o" one another. 9hF loo;, there is our ,ohnF 7ow are #ouE here were
#ouE 5
.ut ,ohn o" &ndor, although smiling at Peter, runs to greet ,esus ho replies to
him with 'er# ;ind words.
2 I did not let him come )ecause he has not )een well... I pre"er him to sta# here.
7e is so cle'er with citi(ens and with those who as; in"ormation on the
*essiah...5 sa#s Isaac.
0he man "rom &ndor is indeed much thinner than pre'iousl#. .ut his
countenance is serene. 7is emaciation enno)les his "eatures, so that one thin;s
o" him as a man alread# a""ected )# the dou)le mart#rdom o" "lesh and soul.
,esus watches him and as;s? 2 Are #ou not well, ,ohnE 5
2 I am not an# worse than I was )e"ore seeing 4ou. And that as "ar as m# )od#
is concerned. ith regard to m# soul, I thin; I am reco'ering "rom m# peculiar
wounds. 5
,esus loo;s at his peace"ul e#es and hollow temples )ut does not sa# an#thing.
7e la#s a hand on his shoulder while entering a little house with him, into which
the# ha'e )rought )asins o" salt water to re"reshen their tired "eet and pitchers o"
cool water to Iuench their thirst, while outside the# are la#ing the ta)le on a
rustic )oard shaded )# a 'er# poor pergola o" creepers.
hile twilight is "alling and the sea is whispering its e'ening pra#ers with the
sur" rustling on the pe))l# shore, it is )eauti"ul to see ,esus ha'ing supper with
the women and the apostles, sitting at the coarse )oard, while the others, sitting
on the ground, or on seats or )as;ets turned upside down, "orm a circle round
the main ta)le.
0he meal is soon o'er and the ta)le is cleared e'en sooner, )ecause there were
onl# 'er# "ew plates, onl# "or the more important guests. 0he sea has )ecome
indigo<)lac; in the starless night. And all its maCest# appears in this sad )ut
solemn hour, t#pical o" sea shores.
4 ,esus, hose tall white "igure is outstanding in the dar;er and dar;er
shadows, rises "rom the ta)le and comes towards the middle o" the apostolic
group, while the women withdraw. Isaac and another man light little "ires on the
)each to illuminate and ;eep awa# the clouds o" mosIuitoes, which pro)a)l#
come "rom near)# marshes.
2 Peace to #ou all.
242. :#sus 9##ts t"# Dsc$%#s )t Sc)+n!n. 3,2
0he merc# o" God has Coined us )e"ore the appointed time, gi'ing reciprocal Co#
to our hearts. I ha'e searched all #our hearts, which are morall# good, as is
e'idenced )# #our )eing here, waiting "or *e, "ormed in *e, )ut still spirituall#
imper"ect as is pro'ed )# some o" #our reactions that show how the old man o"
Israel still persists in #ou with all his ideas and preCudices, and the new man, the
man o" 3hrist with 3hrist6s wide, )right merci"ul mentalit# and e'en wider
charit# has not #et come out o" him, li;e a )utter"l# "rom its lar'a. Do not "eel
morti"ied i" I ha'e scanned #ou and pried into all #our secrets. A teacher must
;now his pupils in order to correct their "aults, and )elie'e *e, i" he is a good
teacher, he is not disgusted with the more "ault# ones, on the contrar# he pa#s
greater attention to them, to impro'e them. 4ou ;now that I am a good *aster.
And now let us consider those reactions and preCudices, let us consider together
the reason wh# we are here, and )ecause o" the Co# we eDperience )# )eing
together, let us )less the =ord, ho alwa#s achie'es a collecti'e wel"are "rom
an indi'idual one.
5 I ha'e heard "rom #our own lips how much #ou admire ,ohn o" &ndor, and
#our admiration is e'en more remar;a)le )ecause he pro"esses to )e a repentant
sinner and on his past and present condition he )ases the argument o" his
preaching to those whom he wants to )ring to *e. It is true? he was a sinner.
1ow he is a disciple. *an# o" #ou ha'e now come to the *essiah through his
merit. 4ou can thus see that God creates the new people o" God Cust )# those
means that the old man o" Israel would despise.
I now as; #ou to re"rain "rom misCudging the presence o" a sister, whom old
Israel cannot understand to )e a disciple. I told the women to go and rest. I was
not so anDious to let them rest as I was to )e a)le to gi'e #ou a hol# care"ul
consideration on her con'ersion and thus pre'ent #ou "rom committing a sin
against lo'e and Custice, and that is wh# I ga'e that command, which has
certainl# disappointed them.
*ar# o" *agdala, the great sinner, who had no eDcuse "or her sin, has come
)ac; to the =ord. And "rom whom will she eDpect "aith and merc# )ut "rom God
and the ser'ants o" GodE 0he whole o" Israel, and with Israel the "oreigners who
are amongst us, who ;now her 'er# well and Cudge her 'er# se'erel#, criticise
and deride her resurrection, now that she is no longer their accomplice in 'ice.
8esurrection. 0hat is the eDact word. 0o raise the "lesh "rom death is not the
greatest miracle. It is onl# a relati'e miracle )ecause it is destined to )e
cancelled one da# )# death. I do not gi'e immortalit# to those whose "lesh I
raise "rom death, )ut I gi'e eternit# to those who resuscitate in their souls. And
while a man, whose )od# is dead, does not Coin his will to *ine in order to
come )ac; to li"e and there"ore he has not merit, there is a "irm will in the man
who re'i'es spirituall#, na# his will is there "irst. And he thus has merit.
I am not sa#ing this to Custi"# *#sel". I ha'e to gi'e account o" *# action to
God onl#. .ut #ou are *# disciples. And each o" #ou must )e another ,esus.
And none o" #ou must )e ignorant or guilt# o" an# o" those deep<rooted "aults,
where)# so man# are united to God onl# )# name.
6 &'er#thing can )ecome a good action. Also what seems less suita)le to
)ecome so. hen matter is presented to the will o" God, e'en i" it were the most
inert, cold and "ilth#, it can )ecome li'ing, )la(ing pure )eaut#.
I will gi'e #ou an instance ta;en "rom the )oo; o" the *acca)ees. hen
1ehemiah was sent )ac; to ,erusalem )# the ;ing o" Persia, the# decided to
o""er sacri"ices on the puri"ied altar in the re)uilt 0emple. 1ehemiah
remem)ered that at the time the# were captured )# the Persians, the priests
assigned to the cult o" God used to ta;e the "ire o" the altar and hide it in a secret
place, at the )ottom o" a 'alle#, in a deep dr# well, and did it so care"ull# and
secretl# that the# were the onl# ones who ;new where the sacred "ire was. As
1ehemiah remem)ered all that, he as;ed the grandchildren o" those priests to go
to the place which the priests, )e"ore d#ing, had disclosed to their sons, who in
turn had in"ormed their children, handing on the secret "rom "ather to son, and to
ta;e the sacred "ire to light the "ire "or the sacri"ice. .ut when the grandchildren
went down into the secret well, the# did not "ind the "ire, and the# "ound instead
thic; water, a putrid, stin;ing, hea'# slime, which had "iltered down there "rom
all the o)structed sewers o" the de'astated cit# o" ,erusalem. And the# told
1ehemiah, who told them to ta;e some o" that water and )ring it up to him.
A"ter la#ing "irewood on the altar and the 'ictims on top o" it, he spra#ed
e'er#thing copiousl# with the slim# water. 0he people was ama(ed and the
priests scandalised, )ut the# watched and did e'er#thing respect"ull#, onl#
)ecause it was 1ehemiah who told them. .ut how sad their hearts wereF And
how discouraged the# "eltF As the o'ercast s;# made the da# a sad one, so
uncertaint# made men melanchol#. .ut the sun )ro;e through the clouds and its
ra#s descended upon the altar and the "irewood spra#ed with the slim# water
caught "ire, which soon consumed the sacri"ice, while the priests were sa#ing
the pra#ers that 1ehemiah had written, singing the most )eauti"ul h#mns o"
242. :#sus 9##ts t"# Dsc$%#s )t Sc)+n!n. 3-3
Israel, until the whole sacri"ice was consumed. And in order to con'ince the
crowds that God can wor; miracles also with the most unsuita)le means, when
the# are used "or a righteous purpose, 1ehemiah ordered the remaining water to
)e spra#ed on to some large stones. And as soon as the stones were spra#ed,
the# caught "ire and were )urnt out in the great light coming "rom the altar.
7 &'er# soul is a sacred "ire laid )# God on the altar o" man6s heart that it ma#
)urn the sacri"ice o" li"e through lo'e "or the 3reator o" li"e. &'er# li"e is a
holocaust, i" spent properl#, and e'er# da# is a sacri"ice to )e o""ered holil#. .ut
marauders come, the oppressors o" man and o" man6s soul. 0he "ire "alls into the
deep well, not through an# hol# need, )ut through "ate"ul stupidit#. And
su)merged )# all the drainage o" the dens o" 'ice, it )ecomes hea'# putrid mud,
until a priest descends to that )ottom and )rings that mud up to da#light, la#ing
it on the holocaust o" his own sacri"ice. .ecause M and remem)er this M the
heroism o" the man to )e con'erted is not su""icient? also the heroism o" him
who con'erts is reIuired. 1a#, the latter must precede the "ormer, 6)ecause souls
are sa'ed through our sacri"ice. .ecause thus we are success"ul in getting mud
to change into "ire and God to Cudge per"ect and pleasing to 7is holiness the
sacri"ice that is )eing consumed.
0hen, as it is still not enough to con'ince the world that repentant mud )urns
more than common "ire, e'en i" it is consecrated "ire, which common "ire ser'es
onl# to )urn wood and 'ictims, that is, com)usti)le material, then the repentant
mud )ecomes so power"ul as to set on "ire and )urn e'en stones, which are
incom)usti)le material. Are #ou not wondering whence such propert# comes to
that mudE Do #ou not ;nowE I will tell #ou? )ecause in the ardour o" repentance
the# merge with God, "lame with "lameL rising "lame, descending "lameL "lame
which o""ers itsel" lo'ing, "lame which gi'es itsel" lo'ingL the em)race o" two
who lo'e and "ind each other, who Coin together "orming one thing onl#. And
since the "lame o" God is a greater one, it o'er"lows, eDcels, penetrates, a)sor)s
and the "lame o" the repentant mud is no longer a relati'e "lame o" a created
thing, )ut it is the in"inite "lame o" the Jncreated 0hing? o" the *ost 7igh, *ost
Power"ul, In"inite God.
0hat is what trul# and wholl# con'erted )ig sinners are, who ha'e generousl#
de'oted themsel'es to their con'ersion without ;eeping an#thing o" their past,
)urning themsel'es as the "irst thing, in their hea'ier part, )# means o" the "lame
rising "rom their mud, which has run towards Grace and has )een touched )#
Grace. I solemnl# tell #ou that man# stones in Israel will )e attac;ed )# the "ire
o" God )ecause o" these )urning "urnaces, which will )la(e more and more,
until the human creature is utterl# consumed. And "rom their thrones in 7ea'en
the# will continue to )urn the stones, the tepidit#, uncertaint#, timidit# o" the
&arth, and as true supernatural )urning glasses the# will collect the 9ne and
0rine lights to con'erge them on to man;ind and set it a"ire in God.
8 I would repeat that I did not ha'e to Custi"# *# actions, )ut I wanted #ou to
understand *# conception and ma;e it #our own. A wrong conception, a
Pharisaical suspicion o" contaminating God )# ta;ing a repentant sinner to 7im
must ne'er stop #ou "rom such a deed that is the per"ect coronation o" the
misson "or which I destine #ou. Alwa#s )ear in mind that " have not come to
save saints, but sinners. And do li;ewise, )ecause a disciple is not worth more
than his *aster, and i" I do not loathe ta;ing )# the hand the dregs o" the &arth
who "eel the need o" 7ea'en, who at long last "eel it, and eDulting I ta;e them to
God, )ecause that is *# mission, and e'er# conIuered soul Custi"ies *#
incarnation, which humiliated *# In"init#, neither #ou must loathe doing so, as
#ou are imper"ect men, and #ou ha'e all )ecome more or less acIuainted with
imper"ection, as #ou are o" the same nature as #our )rother sinners, and I ha'e
elected #ou to the ran; o" sa'iours so that *# wor; on the &arth ma# )e
continued "ore'er, as i" I continued to li'e on it in an endless li"e.
And such it will )e, )ecause the union o" *# priests will )e li;e the 'ital part o"
the great )od# o" *# 3hurch, o" which I will )e the animating Spirit, and the
num)erless particles o" )elie'ers will assem)le round this 'ital part to "orm one
onl# )od#, which will )e called a"ter *# 1ame. .ut i" the sacerdotal part should
lac; 'italit# would the num)erless particles )e a)le to li'eE In actual "act, as I
am in the )od#, I could eDtend *# =i"e as "ar as the most remote particles,
neglecting the o)structed and useless channels and cisterns, reluctant to "ul"ill
their mission. .ecause rain "alls where'er it wishes and the good particles, )eing
capa)le )# themsel'es o" desiring li"e, would still li'e *# =i"e. .ut what would
3hristianit# then )eE A close assem)l# o" souls, one near the other.
9ne near the other and #et separated )# channels and cisterns that no longer lin;
them, distri)uting to each particle the 'ital )lood coming "rom one onl# centre.
.ut there would )e di'iding walls and precipices across which the particles
would loo; at one another, and the# would )e humanl# hostile, supernaturall#
anguished, sa#ing in their spirits? GAnd #et we were )rothers and we still "eel as
such, notwithstanding the# ha'e di'ided usFH It would )e a closeness o" souls,
not a "usion or an organism. And *# lo'e would shine sorrow"ull# upon such
242. :#sus 9##ts t"# Dsc$%#s )t Sc)+n!n. 3-1
ruin...
>urther, do not thin; that that applies onl# to religious schisms. 1o. It applies
also to all the souls that remain all alone )ecause priests re"use to support them,
to ta;e care o" them, to lo'e them, 'iolating their mission, which is to sa# and do
what I sa# and do, that is? G3ome to *e, all o" #ou, and I will lead #ou to God.H
Go in peace, now, and God )e with #ou. 5
9 0he crowd disperse slowl#, going to their little houses. Also ,ohn o" &ndor
stands up. 7e too; notes while ,esus was spea;ing and in order to see what he
was writing, he )ecame red<hot near the "ire. .ut ,esus stops him sa#ing? 2 Sta#
"or a little while with #our *aster 5. And 7e ;eeps him close to 7imsel" until
the# ha'e all gone awa#. 2 =et us go as "ar as that roc; near the water. 0he
moon is high in the s;# and we can see our wa#. 5
,ohn agrees without demur. 0he# mo'e awa# "rom the houses a)out two
hundred metres and the# sit on a huge )oulder, which I do not ;now whether it
is the ruin o" a pier, or the eDtreme rami"ication o" a cli"" "allen into the sea, or
the wrec; o" one o" the little houses swallowed )# the water that through
centuries ad'anced on the shore. I ;now that whilst "rom the little )each it is
possi)le to clim) on to the roc;, ma;ing use o" the ca'ities and Cuts, which "orm
a sort o" steps, on the sea side the "ace is a sheer cli"" ending in the )lue sea.
.ecause o" the tide, hal" o" the roc; is surrounded )# water, which grum)les and
lightl# smac;s the o)stacle and then withdraws with the sound o" a huge sigh,
)ecomes silent "or a moment, starting all o'er again, with regular motions and
sounds o" slaps, aspirations and pauses, li;e s#ncopated music. 0he# sit on the
'er# top o" the )oulder struc; )# the sea. 0he moon "orms a sil'er# road on the
water and the sea loo;s deep )lue in the moonlight, whereas )e"ore the moon
rose, it was li;e a large )lac;ish eDpanse in the dar; night.
2 ,ohn, are #ou not telling #our *aster the reason wh# #our )od# su""ersE 5
2 4ou ;now, m# =ord. .ut do not sa#? Git su""ers.H Sa#? Git is )eing consumed.H
0hat is more eDact, and 4ou ;now, and 4ou also ;now that it is )eing consumed
with delight. 0han; 4ou, =ord. I recognised m#sel", too, in the mud that
)ecomes "lame. .ut I shall not ha'e time to set the stones a"ire. I shall soon die.
I ha'e su""ered too much through the hatred o" the world and I eDult too much
)ecause o" the lo'e o" God. .ut I do not regret li"e. I might sin again here, or "ail
in the mission to which 4ou destine us. I ha'e alread# "ailed twice in m# li"e. In
m# mission o" a master, )ecause I should ha'e )een a)le to "ind what was
necessar# to per"ect m#sel" and I did not train m#sel"? in m# mission o" a
hus)and, )ecause I was not a)le to mould m# wi"e... which was logical. As I
was not a)le to per"ect m#sel", I could not per"ect her either. I might "ail in m#
mission as a disciple. And I do not want to "ail with 4ou. .lessed there"ore )e
death i" it comes to ta;e me where one can no longer sinF .ut i" I am not
destined to )e a teaching disciple, I shall )e a 'ictim disciple, which "ate is more
li;e 4ours. 4ou said that this e'ening? G.urning oursel'es as "irst thing.H 5
2 ,ohn, is it a "ate, which #ou su""er or is it an o""er #ou are ma;ingE 5
2 An o""er, which I am ma;ing, i" God does not disdain mud that has )ecome
"ire. 5
2 ,ohn, #ou are doing much penance. 5
2 Saints do, 4ou are the "irst. It is "air that he should do it, who has so much to
pa#. .ut do 4ou thin; that mine is not pleasant to GodE Are 4ou prohi)iting me
"rom doing itE 5
2 I ne'er inter"ere with the good #earnings o" a lo'ing soul. I ha'e come to
preach )# actual "acts that su""ering is eDpiation and sorrow redemption. I
cannot contradict *#sel". 5
2 0han; 4ou, =ord. It will )e m# mission. 5
10 2 hat were #ou writing, ,ohnE 5
2 9hF *asterF Sometimes old >eliD emerges again with his ha)its o" a teacher. I
am thin;ing o" *arCiam. 7e has a whole li"e to preach 4ou, )ut )ecause o" his
age, he is not here to hear 4our sermons. I thought I should write certain
instructions 4ou ha'e gi'en us and which he has not heard, )ecause he is intent
on pla#ing, or he is "ar awa# with one o" us. 0here is so much wisdom in 4our
words, also in the least onesF 4our "amiliar con'ersations are a lesson on
matters o" e'er# da# and e'er# man, on the least things in li"e, which a"ter all
are the most important, )ecause )# piling up the# "orm a hea'# )urden, which
reIuires patience, perse'erance, resignation to )e )orne holil#.
"t is easier to accomplish one only great heroic deed than a thousand little ones
for which a constant presence of virtue is re1uired. And #et one will not attain a
great deed, )oth in good and in e'il, I ;now )# eDperience with regard to e'il,
242. :#sus 9##ts t"# Dsc$%#s )t Sc)+n!n. 3-2
unless one stores up man# little deeds, which seem insigni"icant. I )egan to ;ill
when, tired o" the "ri'olit# o" m# wi"e, I loo;ed at her scorn"ull# "or the "irst
time. I ha'e written 4our short lessons "or *arCiam. And this e'ening I wanted
to ta;e a note o" 4our great lesson. I will lea'e m# wor; to the )o#, so that he
ma# remem)er me, the old master, and he ma# ha'e what otherwise he would
ne'er ha'e had. 4our words? a wonder"ul treasure "or him. ill #ou allow meE
5
2 4es, ,ohn. .ut )e in complete peace, li;e this sea. SeeE It would )e too warm
"or #ou to go a)out in the heat o" the sun, and apostolic li"e is reall# hard. 4ou
ha'e "ought so much in li"e. 1ow God calls #ou to 7imsel" in this placid
moonlight that ma;es e'er#thing calm and pure. Proceed in the ;indness o" God.
I can tell #ou? God is pleased with #ou. 5
,ohn o" &ndor ta;es ,esus6 hand, ;isses it and whispers? 2 And #et it would ha'e
)een lo'el# to sa# to the world? G3ome to ,esusFH 5
2 4ou will sa# that "rom Paradise, where 4ou will )e a )urning glass, too. =et
us go, ,ohn. I would li;e to read what #ou ha'e written. 5
2 7ere it is, =ord. And tomorrow I will gi'e 4ou the other roll on which I wrote
the other words. 5
0he# descend "rom the )oulder, and in a most clear moonlight, which has
changed the pe))l# shore into sil'er, the# go )ac; to the houses. 0he# sa#
good)#e to each other, ,ohn ;neeling down, ,esus )lessing him with 7is hand
laid on his head and gi'ing him 7is peace.
,+;. At T1r!. 9!sus S"!'@s o0 P!rs!2!r'nc!.
1,t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 It is earl# morning when ,esus arri'es in "ront o" a sea<town. >our )oats are
"ollowing 7is. 0he town Cuts out strangel# towards the sea, as i" it were )uilt on
an isthmus. 9r rather? as i" a slender isthmus lin;ed the part protruding on the
sea to the part stretching along the shore. It loo;s li;e a huge mushroom, as seen
"rom the sea, with its crown l#ing on the wa'es, its roots under the shore, the
isthmus )eing the stem. 0here are two har)ours, one on each side? one, to the
north, is wider and "ull o" small )oatsL in the other, to the south, which is more
sheltered, there are large ships arri'ing or departing.
2 e must go o'er there 5 sa#s Isaac, pointing to the har)our o" the smaller
)oats. 2 0hat is where the "ishermen are. 5
0he# wal; round the island and I can see that the isthmus is an arti"icial one, a
;ind o" 3#clopean dam lin;ing the little island to the mainland. 0he# )uilt
la'ishl# in those da#sF I gather "rom this wor; and "rom the num)er o" )oats in
the har)ours that the town was wealth# and commerciall# 'er# acti'e. .ehind
the town, )e#ond a "lat area, there are some prett# loo;ing little hills, and the
Great 7ermon and the =e)anon chain o" mountains can )e seen 'er# "ar )ehind.
I also understand that this is one o" the towns I could see "rom =e)anon.
,esus6 )oat is now entering the northern har)our, the roadstead, )ecause it does
not doc;, )ut the men row slowl# )ac;wards and "orwards until Isaac sees those
he is loo;ing "or and calls them at the top o" his 'oice. 0wo )eauti"ul "ishing
)oats come towards them and the crew )end o'er the smaller )oats o" the
disciples.
2 0he *aster is with us, m# "riends. 3ome, i" #ou wish to hear 7is word. 0his
e'ening 7e is going )ac; to Sicaminon 5 sa#s Isaac.
2 e are coming at once. here shall we goE 5
2 0o a Iuiet place. 0he *aster is not disem)ar;ing at 0#re nor at the town on
the mainland. 7e will spea; "rom the )oat. So choose a shaded and sheltered
place. 5
2 >ollow us towards the roc;. 0here are some Iuiet shad# inlets. 4ou can also
land. 5
And the# go to an inlet in the cli"", "arther north. 0he 'er# steep cli"" protects
"rom the sun. It is a lonel# spot? onl# sea<gulls and woodpigeons li'e there? the#
"l# out "or their raids at sea and then "l# )ac; to their nests in the roc;s,
sIuea;ing loud. Some more small )oats ha'e Coined the leading one and ha'e
thus "ormed a little "leet. At the end o" the tin# )a# there is a 'er# small )each. It
is reall# a sham )each? a small sIuare strewn with stones. It can hold a)out one
hundred people.
2,3. At T5r#/ :#sus S$#)@s !4 P#rs#6#r)nc#. 3-3
0he# land ma;ing use o" a large "lat roc; emerging "rom the deep water li;e a
small natural whar" and the# gather on the little ston# )each, spar;ling with salt.
0he# are thin swarth# men, parched )# the sun and the sea. 0heir short under<
garments lea'e their thin agile lim)s unco'ered. 0he# are clearl# a di""erent race
"rom the ,ews o" the present time, )ut the di""erence is not so stri;ing with
regard to Galileans. I would sa# that those S#roPhoenicians are more li;e the old
Philistines than their neigh)ouring peoples. At least those I can see.
2 ,esus draws close to the )each and )egins to spea;.
2 e read in the .oo; o" Bings that the =ord ordered &liCah to go to :arephath
o" Sidonians during the drought and "amine which a""licted the &arth "or o'er
three #ears. 0he =ord did not lac; means to appease the prophet6s hunger in an#
place, neither did 7e send him to :arephath )ecause that town was rich in "ood.
9n the contrar#, the# were alread# d#ing o" star'ation there. h# then did God
send &liCah the 0ish)iteE
0here was in :arephath a woman with a righteous heart. She was a widow, a
hol# li'ing woman, the mother o" a )o#L she was poor and lonel#, #et she ne'er
re)elled against the dread"ul punishment, neither was she sel"ish in her hunger,
or diso)edient. God wanted to )ene"it her )# granting her three miracles. 9ne
"or the water she too; to the thirst# man, one "or the little loa" o" )read she
)a;ed under ashes, when she had onl# a hand"ul o" "lour le"t, one "or the
hospitalit# she o""ered the prophet. 7e ga'e her )read and oil, the li"e o" her son
and the ;nowledge o" the word o" God.
4ou can see that a charita)le action not onl# satis"ies the hunger o" )odies or
remo'es the grie" "or a death, )ut it teaches the soul the wisdom o" the =ord.
4ou ha'e gi'en lodgings to the ser'ants o" the =ord and 7e gi'es #ou the word
o" isdom. A good deed has )rought the word o" the =ord to this land, where
that word does not come. I can compare #ou to the onl# woman in :arephath
who welcomed the prophet. .ecause i" I had gone to town, the rich and might#
people would not ha'e welcomed *e, the )us# merchants and sailors would
ha'e neglected *e and *# coming here would ha'e )een 'alueless.
I will now lea'e and #ou will sa#? G.ut what are weE A hand"ul o" men. hat
do we possessE A drop o" wisdom.H And #et I sa# to #ou? GI entrust #ou with the
tas; o" announcing the hour o" the 8edeemer.H I lea'e #ou repeating the words
o" &liCah, the prophet? G0he Car o" "lour will not run out. 0he oil will not
diminish until one comes who will gi'e it more copiousl#.H
4ou ha'e alread# done that. .ecause there are Phoenicians here among #ou who
ha'e come "rom )e#ond *ount 3armel. hich means that #ou ha'e spo;en as
#ou were spo;en to. 4ou can thus see that the hand"ul o" "lour and the drop o"
oil ha'e not run out, )ut ha'e instead increased in Iuantit#. 3ontinue to ma;e it
grow. And i" #ou thin; that it is strange that God has chosen #ou "or this wor;,
as #ou do not "eel capa)le o" carr#ing it out, repeat the word o" great trust? GI
will do what #ou tell me, trusting #our word.H 5
3 2 *aster, how are we to deal with the heathens hereE e ;now these people
)ecause the# are "ishermen, li;e oursel'es. e "raternise )ecause we do the
same wor;. .ut what a)out the othersE 5 as;s a "isherman o" Israel.
2 4ou sa# that #ou "raternise )ecause o" the same wor;. ell, then, should the
same origin not cause #ou to "raternise as wellE God created )oth Israelites and
Phoenicians. 0he people o" the plain o" Saron or o" 7igh ,udaea are not
di""erent "rom the people o" this shore. Paradise was made "or all the sons o"
man. And the Son o" man has come to ta;e all men to Paradise. 0he purpose is
to attain 7ea'en and gi'e Co# to the >ather. *eet there"ore on the same road and
lo'e one another spirituall# as #ou lo'e one another "or reasons o" #our trade. 5
2 Isaac has told us man# things. .ut we would li;e to ;now more. Is it possi)le
"or us to ha'e a disciple, although we are so "ar out o" the wa#E 5
2 Send them ,ohn o" &ndor, *aster. 7e is so cle'er and he is accustomed to
li'ing with pagans 5 suggests ,udas o" Berioth.
2 1o. ,ohn is sta#ing with us 5 replies ,esus resolutel#. 7e then turns to the
shepherds? 2 hen will the mureD "ishing )e o'erE 5
2 At the "irst storms in autumn. 0he sea is too rough here, a"terwards. 5
2 ill #ou )e going )ac; to Sicaminon thenE 5
2 e will )e going there and to 3aesarea. e suppl# man# 8omans. 5
2 4ou will then )e a)le to meet the disciples. >or the time )eing... perse'ere. 5
4 2 9n )oard m# )oat there is one whom I did not want and he came here almost
in 4our 1ame. 5
2 ho is heE 5
2 A #oung "isherman "rom Ash;elon. 5
2,3. At T5r#/ :#sus S$#)@s !4 P#rs#6#r)nc#. 3-4
2 0ell him to disem)ar; and come here. 5
0he man goes on )oard and comes )ac; with a #oung "ellow who seems rather
em)arrassed at )eing the centre o" so much attention.
0he apostle ,ohn recognises him. 2 7e is one o" those who ga'e us the "ish,
*aster 5 and he gets up to greet him. 2 4ou ha'e come, &rmasteusE Are #ou
alone hereE 5
2 4es, I am alone. At 3apernaum I was ashamed... I sta#ed on the )each,
hoping... 5
2 hatE 5
2 0o see #our *aster. 5
2 And not #ours #etE *# dear "riend, wh# are #ou still hesitatingE 3ome to the
=ight waiting "or #ou. See how 7e is watching and smiling at #ou. 5
2 7ow will the# )ear with meE 5
2 *aster, please come here "or a moment. 5
,esus gets up and goes to ,ohn.
2 7e does not dare to come )ecause he is a "oreigner. 5
2 0here are no "oreigners, as "ar as I am concerned. And #our companionsE
ere #ou not man#E... Do not )e upset. 4ou are the onl# one who perse'ered.
.ut I am happ# also )ecause o" #ou alone. 3ome with *e. 5
,esus goes )ac; to 7is place with 7is new conIuest. 2 e shall certainl# gi'e
this #oung man to ,ohn o" &ndor 5 7e sa#s to the Iscariot. 5 7e then spea;s to
e'er#)od#.
2 A group o" diggers went down into a mine where the# ;new there were some
treasures well hidden in the )owels o" the earth... And the# )egan to dig. .ut the
ground was hard and the wor; la)orious. *an# )ecame tired, threw awa# their
pic;s and went awa#. Some made "un o" the "oreman and treated him almost as
a "ool. Some cursed their "ate, the wor;, the ground, the metal and in a "it o"
anger the# struc; the )owels o" the earth tearing the 'ein into useless tin# )its
and when the# saw that the# had onl# caused damage without ma;ing an# pro"it,
the# also went awa#.
9nl# one remained? the most perse'ering one. 7e dealt ;indl# with the hard
la#ers o" the soil to pierce it without damaging an#thing, he made 'arious tests,
he dug and went down deeper. A wonder"ul 'alua)le 'ein was at last
disco'ered. 0he perse'erance o" the miner was thus rewarded and with the most
pure metal he had "ound he was a)le to get man# wor; contracts, a great glor#
and man# customers, )ecause e'er#)od# wanted that metal, which perse'erance
onl# was a)le to "ind, whereas la(# or angr# people had achie'ed nothing.
.ut once the gold has )een "ound, it must in its turn perse'ere and )e a'aila)le
to )e wor;ed on, in order to )ecome )eauti"ul and read# to )e used )# the
goldsmith. I" the gold, a"ter )eing eDca'ated, should re"use to undergo "urther
treatment, howe'er pain"ul it might )e, it would remain a coarse metal,
unsuita)le to )e wor;ed on. 4ou can thus see that the "irst enthusiasm is not
enough to )e success"ul, either as apostles, or disciples or )elie'ers. It is
necessar# to perse'ere.
&rmasteus had man# companions, and in their "irst enthusiasm the# all promised
to come. 7e onl# has come. I ha'e man# disciples and their num)er will
increase. .ut onl# a "ew o" them will perse'ere until the end. Perse'eranceF It is
the great word. >or all good things.
hen #ou cast the drag<net to catch mureD shells, do #ou do that onl# onceE 1o.
*an# times, "or hours, "or da#s, "or months, and #ou are willing to go )ac; to
the same spot the "ollowing #ear, )ecause #our wor; )rings )read and com"ort
to #ou and to #our "amilies. And would #ou )eha'e di""erentl# "or more
important things, such as the interests o" God and o" #our souls, i" 4ou are
)elie'ersL #our interests and #our )rothers6, i" #ou are disciplesE I solemnl# tell
#ou that it is necessar# to perse'ere until the end, to eDtract purple "or eternal
garments. And now let us sta# here as good "riends until it is time "or us to go
)ac;. e shall thus )ecome )etter acIuainted and it will )e eas# to recognise
one another...5
And the# spread out in the little roc;# )a#, coo;ing mussels and cra)s caught on
the roc;s, and little "ish caught with small nets. Some sleep on dried seaweeds in
ca'es opened in the roc; )# earthIua;es or )# the sea, while s;# and sea are a
da((ling )lue ;issing each other at the hori(on. Seagulls "l# )ac;wards and
"orwards, "rom the sea to their nests in the roc;s, sIuea;ing and "lapping their
wings, the onl# noises which can )e heard, together with the washing o" the sea,
in these sultr# summer hours.
2,1. R#turn t! Sc)+n!n. :#sus S$#)@s !4 F)t". 3-,
,+1. R!turn to Sic')inon. 9!sus S"!'@s o0 F'it.
1-t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 0he people o" Sicaminon, impelled )# curiosit#, )esieged the place where the
apostles were, all da# long, awaiting the return o" the *aster. 0he women
disciples, in the meantime, ha'e not wasted an# time, )ut ha'e washed the
clothes co'ered with dust and wet with perspiration, and on the little )each there
is a )right displa# o" garments dr#ing in the wind and sunshine. As it is e'ening
and getting dar;, the dampness o" sea "og is "elt, so the# hasten to ta;e in the
clothes, although the# are still dampish. .e"ore "olding them the# stretch them
out in all directions and press them, so that the# ma# loo; tid# to the respecti'e
owners.
2 =et us ta;e *ar#6s clothes to her at once 5 sa#s *ar# o" Alphaeus. And she
concludes? 2 She has )een reall# su""ering #esterda# and toda# in that little
sti"ling roomF... 5
I thus realise that ,esus has )een a)sent "or more than one da#, during which
time *ar# o" *agdala, who had onl# one dress, had to remain indoors, until her
dress was dr#.
Susanna replies? 2 >ortunatel# she ne'er complainsF I did not thin; she was so
good. 5
2 And so hum)le, #ou should sa#, and reser'ed. Poor womanF It was the de'il
who tormented herF Since she was "reed )# m# ,esus, she has )ecome hersel"
once again, eDactl# as she was when a girl. 5
And tal;ing to each other, the# arri'e )ac; home carr#ing the laundr#.
In the meanwhile *artha is )us# preparing "ood and the .lessed -irgin is
cleaning 'egeta)les in a copper )asin and then )oils them "or supper.
2 7ere #ou are. &'er#thing is dr#, clean and "olded. And the# )adl# needed it.
Go to *ar# and gi'e her her clothes 5 sa#s Susanna handing the clothes to
*artha.
0he two sisters come )ac; shortl# a"terwards. 2 I than; )oth o" #ou. 0he
sacri"ice o" wearing the same dress "or da#s was the most pain"ul one to me 5
sa#s *ar# o" *agdala smiling. 2 I now "eel "resh and cool. 5
2 Go and sit outside, there is a lo'el# )ree(e. 4ou certainl# need it a"ter )eing
closed in 5 remar;s *artha, who, )eing smaller than her sister and not so
)uDom, was a)le to put on a dress o" Susanna6s or o" *ar# o" Alphaeus6, while
her clothes were )eing washed.
2 0his time we had to ma;e the )est o" it. .ut in "uture we will )ring little )ags,
li;e the others, and we will not ha'e all this trou)le 5 sa#s the *agdalene.
2 hatE Are #ou going to "ollow 7im as we doE 5
2 9" course. Jnless 7e tells me otherwise. I am now going to the )each to see
whether the# are coming )ac;. 2 Are the# coming )ac; this e'eningE 5
2 I hope so 5 replies the *ost 7ol# -irgin. 2 I am worried )ecause 7e has gone
to Phoenicia. .ut I ;now that 7e is with the apostles and a"ter all the
Phoenicians ma# )e )etter than man# other people. hen I went to the "ountain,
a mother stopped *e sa#ing? GAre 4ou with the Galilean *aster, the 9ne the#
call *essiahE I" so, come and see m# son. >e'er has )een tormenting him "or
o'er a #ear.H I went into the little house. Poor thingF 7e loo;s li;e a little "lower
a)out to die. I will tell ,esus. 5
2 0here are others as well who want to )e cured. 0he# are more anDious to )e
cured than to )e taught 5 sa#s *artha.
2 It is di""icult "or a man to )e entirel# spiritual. 0he 'oice and needs o" the "lesh
are more strongl# "elt 5 replies the -irgin.
2 7owe'er, man# re'i'e spirituall# a"ter a miracle. 5
2 4es, *artha. And that is one o" the reasons wh# *# Son wor;s so man#
miracles. 9ut o" lo'e "or man, )ut also to draw him )# such means on to 7is
a#, which, otherwise, man# would not "ollow. 5
3 ,ohn o" &ndor, who had not gone with ,esus, comes )ac; home with man#
disciples who are going to the little houses where the# li'e. Almost at the same
time the *agdalene comes )ac; sa#ing? 2 0he# are arri'ing. 0he# are the "i'e
)oats that le"t #esterda# at dawn. I recognised them 'er# well. 5
2 0he# must )e tired and thirst#. I will go and get some more water. 0he water
o" the "ountain is 'er# cool 5 and *ar# o" Alphaeus goes out carr#ing some
pitchers.
2,1. R#turn t! Sc)+n!n. :#sus S$#)@s !4 F)t". 3--
2 =et us go and meet ,esus. 3ome 5 sa#s the .lessed -irgin. And She goes out
with the *agdalene and ,ohn o" &ndor, )ecause *artha and Susanna, )oth
"lushed and 'er# )us# preparing supper, remain near the ;itchen range.
al;ing along a wall the# arri'e at a little pier, where other "ishing )oats ha'e
alread# come in and are moored. >rom the end o" the pier it is possi)le to ha'e a
'er# good 'iew o" the whole )a# and o" the town a"ter which it is called, and
one can also see the "i'e )oats sailing "ast, slightl# heeled to one side, as a light
northern )ree(e "ills the sails, and is thus "a'oura)le and at the same time )rings
relie" to the men who are tired and warm.
2 See how well Simon and the others are manoeu'ering. 0he# are "ollowing the
pilot6s )oat eDcellentl#. 0he# ha'e now passed the )rea;erL the# are now ta;ing
to the open sea to a'oid the current which is strong o'er there. Good... 1ow
e'er#thing is all right. 0he# will soon )e here 5 sa#s ,ohn o" &ndor. 0he )oats in
"act are coming nearer and nearer and it is possi)le to distinguish the people in
them.
,esus is on the "irst one with Isaac. 7e has stood up and 7is tall "igure appears in
all its magni"icence until the "urling sail conceals 7im "or a "ew minutes. In "act
the )oat 'eers round to approach the little pier and passes )e"ore the women
standing on the point. ,esus smiles wa'ing to them, while the# )egin to wal; "ast
to reach the landing place at the same time as the )oat.
2 *a# God )less 4ou, *# SonF 5 sa#s *ar# greeting ,esus ho is
disem)ar;ing on the Iua#.
2 *a# God )less 4ou, *other. 7a'e 4ou )een worr#ingE 0he man whom we
were loo;ing "or, was not in Sidon. e went as "ar as 0#re. And we "ound him
there. 3ome, &rmasteus... 7ere, ,ohn. 0his man wants to )e taught. I entrust him
to #ou. 5
2 I shall not disappoint 4ou in teaching him 4our word. 0han; 4ou, *asterF
0here are man# people waiting "or 4ou 5 replies ,ohn o" &ndor.
2 0here is also a poor sic; )o#, Son, and his mother wants 4ou to go there. 5
2 I will go to her at once. 5
2 I ;now who she is, *aster. I will ta;e 4ou there. &rmasteus, come with us.
4ou will )egin to ;now the in"inite goodness o" our =ord 5 sa#s the man "rom
&ndor.
Peter lands "rom the second )oat, ,ames "rom the third, Andrew "rom the "ourth,
,ohn "rom the "i"thL the "our pilots "ollowed )# the other apostles or disciples
who were with them all gather round ,esus and *ar#.
2 Go home. I shall soon )e there as well. In the meantime prepare the supper
and tell those who are waiting that I will spea; to them at the end o" 'esper. 5
2 And what i" there are some sic; peopleE 5
2 I will cure them "irst. &'en )e"ore supper, so that the# ma# go )ac; home
happil#. 5
4 0he# part. ,esus with ,ohn o" &ndor and &rmasteus goes towards the town, the
others wal; )ac; along the pe))l# )each, telling what the# ha'e seen or heard,
as happ# as children returning to their mothers.
Also ,udas o" Berioth seems happ#. 7e shows all the o""erings gi'en to him )#
the mureD "ishermen, and a)o'e all he shows a little )undle containing the
precious su)stance. 2 0his is "or the *aster. I" 7e does not wear it, who can
possi)l# do soE 0he# called me to one side sa#ing? Ge ha'e some precious
madrepores in our )oat, and we ha'e also a pearl. ImagineF A treasure. I do not
;now how we were so luc;#. .ut we will gi'e them willingl# to #ou "or the
*aster. 3ome and see them.H I went with them to please them, while the *aster
had withdrawn into a ca'e to pra#. 0he# were )eauti"ul corals and a pearl, not a
)ig one, )ut )eauti"ul. I said to them? GDon6t depri'e #oursel'es o" these things.
0he *aster does not wear Cewels. Gi'e me instead some o" that purple to ma;e
an ornament "or 7is tunic.H 0he# had this little pac;et. 0he# insisted in gi'ing it
all to me, at all costs. 0a;e it, *other, ma;e something nice with it "or our =ord,
as 4ou ;now how to do it. .ut ma;e sure 4ou do so. I" 7e )ecomes aware o" it,
7e will ha'e it sold "or the poor. And we li;e to see 7im dressed as 7e
deser'es. Is that rightE 5
2 9hF It is trueF I su""er when I see 7im dressed so plainl# amongst other
people, while 7e is a ;ing, and the# are less than sla'es and #et the# wear
gorgeous decorations and garments. And the# loo; at 7im as i" 7e were
unworth# o" )eing near themF 5 sa#s Peter.
2 &hiF Did #ou see how those gentlemen in 0#re were laughing when we too;
lea'e o" the "ishermenEF 5 replies his )rother.
2,1. R#turn t! Sc)+n!n. :#sus S$#)@s !4 F)t". 3-.
2 I said to them? G4ou ought to )e ashamed, #ou dogsF A single thread o" 7is
white tunic is worth all #our "iner#.H 5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 Since ,udas has )een a)le to get it, I would li;e 4ou to ha'e it read# "or the
0a)ernacles 5 sa#s ,udas 0haddeus.
2 I ha'e ne'er spun purple. .ut I will tr#... 5 sa#s the .lessed -irgin touching
the light )right<coloured wool, as so"t as sil;.
2 *# nurse is an eDpert at that. e shall "ind her at 3aesarea. She will let #ou
see how to do it. 4ou will learn at once, )ecause 4ou do e'er#thing so well. I
would put a )and round the nec;, the slee'es and at the hem o" 7is tunic? purple
on snow<white linen or wool, with palm or rosette decorations as we see on the
mar)le o" the 7ol#, and Da'id6s ;not in the centre. It would loo; lo'el# 5 sa#s
the *agdalene who is an eDpert in such )eauti"ul things.
*artha sa#s? 2 9ur mother made that design, )ecause it was so )eauti"ul, on the
tunic that =a(arus wore on his Courne# to S#ria when he too; possession o" our
land there. I ;ept it )ecause it was the last wor; o" our mother. I will send it to
4ou. 5
2 I will do it pra#ing "or #our mother. 5
5 0he# ha'e reached the houses. 0he apostles spread out to gather those who
want the *aster, particularl# sic; people...
And ,esus comes )ac; with ,ohn o" &ndor and &rmasteus. And 7e passes )#
greeting those who ha'e crowded in "ront o" the little houses. 7is smile is a
)lessing.
0he# )ring 7im the ine'ita)le man with e#e trou)le, who is almost )lind with
ulcerous ophthalmia, and 7e cures him. 0hen it is the turn o" a man sic; with
malaria, as emaciated and #ellow as a 3hinese, and 7e cures him. 0hen a
woman as;s "or a particular miracle? mil; "or her )reast, which has none, and
she shows her )a)#, onl# a "ew da#s old, under"ed and all red pro)a)l# )ecause
o" some in"lammation. She moans? 2 SeeE e are told to o)e# man and to pro<
create. .ut what does it ser'e i" we see our children languishE 0his is m# third
one, and I ha'e )uried two in the gra'e, )ecause o" m# un"ruit"ul )reast. And
this one is a)out to die, too, )ecause he was )orn in this hot season, the others
li'ed? one ten months, the other siD, to ma;e me weep e'en more when the#
died o" intestine trou)le. I" I could gi'e them m# mil;, that would not happen...5
,esus loo;s at her and sa#s? 2 4our child will li'e. 7a'e "aith. Go home and as
soon as #ou are there o""er #our )reast to the )a)#. 7a'e "aith. 5
0he woman goes awa# o)edientl# with the poor )a)#, who moans li;e a ;itten,
close to his mother6s heart.
2 ill she ha'e mil;E 5
2 9" course she will. 5
2 I sa# that the )a)# will li'e, )ut she will ne'er ha'e an# mil;, and it is alread#
a miracle i" he li'es. 7e is almost dead with pri'ations. 5
2 Instead I sa# that she will ha'e mil;. 5
2 9" course. 5
2 1o, she will not. 5
0he people present are o" di""erent opinions.
6 *eanwhile ,esus withdraws to eat. hen 7e comes out to preach, the crowd
is e'en larger )ecause the news o" the miracle o" the )o# sic; with "e'er, which
,esus wor;ed as soon as 7e landed, has spread throughout the town.
2 I gi'e #ou *# peace that it ma# prepare #ou to understand. "t is not possible
to hear the 8oice of the %ord in a storm. &'er# pertur)ation is detrimental to
isdom, which is peace"ul, as it comes "rom God. Pertur)ations instead do not
come "rom God, )ecause worries, anDieties, dou)ts are the wor; o" the &'il 9ne
to upset the children o" man and separate them "rom God.
I will tell #ou a para)le that #ou ma# understand *# teaching more clearl#.
A "armer had man# trees in his "ields and man# 'ines which #ielded much "ruit,
among which there was a special Iualit#, o" which he was 'er# proud. 9ne #ear
that 'ine produced man# lea'es )ut "ew grapes. A "riend said to the "armer?
G0hat is )ecause #ou did not prune it enough.H 0he "ollowing #ear the man
pruned it much more. 0he 'ine had "ew shoots and "ewer grapes. Another "riend
said to him? G0hat is )ecause #ou pruned it too much.H 0he third #ear the "armer
le"t it alone. 0he 'ine did not produce an# grapes at all, onl# a "ew crumpled
lea'es, co'ered with )light. A third "riend stated? GIt is d#ing )ecause the soil is
not good. .urn it.H Gh#E It is the same soil that the others ha'e and I tend it
eDactl# as I do with the others. .e"ore it was doing so wellF.H 7is "riend
shrugged his shoulders and went awa#.
An un;nown wa#"arer passed )# and stopped to loo; at the "armer sadl# leaning
2,1. R#turn t! Sc)+n!n. :#sus S$#)@s !4 F)t". 3-1
on the poor 'ine. Ghat is the matterEH he as;ed. GSomeone dead in the
"amil#E.H G1o. .ut this 'ine, o" which I was so "ond, is d#ing. It has no more
sap and #ields no "ruit. 9ne #ear little, the neDt one less, this #ear nothing. I
ha'e done e'er#thing the# told me, )ut to no a'ail.H
0he un;nown wa#"arer entered the "ield and approached the 'ine. 7e "elt the
lea'es, too; a lump o" earth in his hand, smelt it, crumpled it with his "ingers,
loo;ed at the trun; o" the tree supporting the 'ine. G4ou must remo'e that trun;.
0he 'ine is made )arren )# it.H
GIt has )een its support "or #earsFH
G0ell me, man? when #ou planted this 'ine, what was it li;e, and what was that
trun; li;eEH
G9hF It was a lo'el# three #ear old 'ine<shoot. I got it "rom another 'ine o"
mine, and to )ring it here, I dug a deep hole, so that its roots would not su""er
when the# were ta;en awa# "rom the nati'e soil. I dug a similar hole here as
well, na# a larger one, so that it should )e at ease at once, and I hoed the soil
around it, to ma;e it so"t, so that the roots could spread out at once, without an#
di""icult#. I settled it care"ull#, la#ing underneath it some good manure. As #ou
;now, roots grow strong immediatel# i" the# "ind suita)le nourishment. I did not
pa# so much attention to the elm<tree. It was onl# a little tree planted there to
support the 'ineshoot. In "act I planted it super"iciall# near the 'ine<shoot, I
earthed it up and went awa#. 0he# )oth too; roots, )ecause the soil is good. 0he
'ine grew e'er# #ear, it was loo;ed a"ter, hoed and pruned. 0he elm<tree instead
hardl# grew. .ut "or what it was worthF... 0hen it grew strong. See how lo'el# it
is nowE hen I come here, "rom a"ar I can see its top standing out li;e a tower
and it loo;s li;e the ensign o" m# little ;ingdom. 9nce the 'ine co'ered it up
and one could not see its )eauti"ul "oliage. .ut loo; how lo'el# it is up there, in
the sunshineF And what a trun;F Straight and strong. It could ha'e supported this
'ine "or man# #ears, e'en i" it )ecame li;e the ones that the eDplorers o" Israel
too; near the 0orrent o" Grapes. Instead...
GIt has ;illed it. It has o'erwhelmed it. &'er#thing was right "or its li"e? the soil,
its place, light, sunshine, the care #ou too; o" it. .ut the elm<tree ;illed it. It
)ecame too strong. It entangled its roots su""ocating them, it too; all the sap o"
the soil, it pre'ented it "rom )reathing and recei'ing the necessar# light. 3ut
down this useless power"ul tree at once, and #our 'ine will re'i'e. And it will
re'i'e e'en )etter i" #ou patientl# dig up the ground to eDpose the roots o" the
elm<tree and then cut them, to ensure that the# do not sprout. 0heir last
rami"ications will rot in the ground, and once dead the# will )ecome li"e,
)ecause the# will )ecome manure, a worth# punishment "or their sel"ishness.
.urn the trun;, ma;e thus good use o" it. A useless harm"ul tree is good onl# as
"irewood, and it is to )e remo'ed so that all the nourishment o" the soil ma# go
to the good and use"ul plant. 7a'e "aith in what I am telling #ou and #ou will )e
happ#.H
G.ut, who are #ouE 0ell me that I ma# ha'e "aith.H
GI am the ise 9ne. 7e who )elie'es in *e will )e sa"eH and he went awa#.
0he man was rather dou)t"ul. 0hen he made up his mind and he got a saw. And
he called his "riends to help him. GAre #ou madEH G4ou will lose )oth elm<tree
and 'ine.H GI would cut o"" onl# its top, in order to gi'e air to the 'ine. .ut no
more.H GIt must ha'e a support. 4ou are going to do a useless Co).H GI wonder
who 7e wasF Perhaps one who hates #ou, without #ou ;nowing it.H G9r a
madmanH and so on.
GI am going to do what he told me. I ha'e "aith in 7imH and he cut the elm<tree
down at its root, and not happ#, he laid )are the roots o" )oth plants in a wide
circle around them, and he patientl# cut the roots o" the elm<tree, ta;ing great
care not to damage those o" the 'ine, he then "illed in the hole, and as the 'ine
had no support, he placed a strong iron pole near it with the word G>aithH
written on a wooden )oard tied to the top o" the pole.
0he others went awa# sha;ing their heads. Autumn and winter passed and
spring came. 0he 'ine<shoots twined round the support )ecame adorned with
)uds, "irst closed li;e sil'er# 'el'et cases, then hal" open against the emerald o"
the "resh lea'es, then "ull# open, and "inall# producing new strong shoots "rom
the trun;, all co'ered with tin# "lowers that turned into grapes. 0here were more
)unches o" grapes than lea'es, and the latter were large, green, strong, the si(e
o" two, three or more clusters. And each )unch was thic; with pulp#, Cuic#,
wonder"ul grapes.
GAnd now what do #ou sa#E as the tree the cause o" the withering o" m# 'ine
or was it notE as the ise 9ne right or notE as I right or not in writing on
that )oard the word? 6>aith6EH said the "armer to his incredulous "riends.
G4ou were right. 4ou are happ# )ecause #ou had "aith and #ou were a)le to
destro# the past and neglect the wrong in"ormation gi'en to #ou.H
2,1. R#turn t! Sc)+n!n. :#sus S$#)@s !4 F)t". 3-2
0hat is the para)le. 7 ith regard to the woman with the un"ruit"ul )reast, there
is the answer. =oo; towards the town. 5
0he# all turn round and see the woman o" a little while ago running towards
them, and although she is running she does not detach the )a)# "rom her )reast
now "ull o" mil;, which the child suc;s with such 'oracit# as to almost cho;e
himsel". 0he woman stops onl# when she is at ,esus6 "eet, in "ront o" hom she
detaches the )a)# "rom her nipple "or a moment, shouting? 2 .less him that he
ma# li'e "or 4ouF 5
A"ter that moment ,esus resumes? 2 And #ou ha'e had a repl# to #our 'arious
conCectures on the miracle. .ut the para)le has a wider meaning than the little
episode o" "aith rewarded. And here it is.
God had planted 7is 'ine, 7is people, in a suita)le place, and supplied it with
e'er#thing necessar# to grow and )ear more and more "ruit, supporting it with
masters so that the people might understand the =aw more easil#, and ma;e it its
strength. .ut the masters wanted to eDcel the =awgi'er, and the# grew more and
more until the# imposed themsel'es more than the eternal word did. And Israel
)ecame sterile. 0he =ord then sent the ise 9ne so that those in Israel who with
righteous souls are sorr# "or such )arrenness and tr# this and that remed#,
according to the dictates and ad'ice o" the masters, who are humanl# learned )ut
supernaturall# unlearned, and thus "ar "rom ;nowing what is to )e done to gi'e
li"e )ac; to the spirit o" Israel, ma# ha'e true health# ad'ice.
.ut what happensE h# does Israel not reco'er its strength and )ecome
energetic as in the golden da#s o" its lo#alt# to the =ordE .ecause the ad'ice is?
remo'e all parasites that ha'e grown to the detriment o" what is 7ol#? the =aw
o" the Decalogue, as it was gi'en, without an# compromise, hesitation,
h#pocris#, remo'e them to gi'e air, space, nourishment to the -ine, to the
People o" God, and a strong, straight, in"leDi)le, uniIue support, with a name as
)right as the sun? >aith. .ut that ad'ice is not accepted. I there"ore tell #ou that
Israel will perish, whilst it could re'i'e and possess the Bingdom o" God, i" it
)elie'ed and made amends and changed itsel" su)stantiall#.
Go in peace and the =ord )e with #ou. 5
,+,. D!"'rtur! 0ro) Sic')inon.
T! B#!ss!( :ir&in 7'r1 'n( S"iritu'#is!( 7't!rnit1.
14t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 It is still night, a )eauti"ul night with waning moon, when ,esus, the apostles
and the women, ,ohn o" &ndor and &rmasteus, silentl# ta;e lea'e o" Isaac, the
onl# one to )e awa;e, and set out along the shore. 0he noise o" their steps is
onl# a slight crea;ing o" gra'el pressed )# their sandals, and no one spea;s until
the# ha'e gone a "ew metres )e#ond the last house. 0he people sleeping in it, or
in the ones )e"ore it, were certainl# not aware o" the silent departure o" the =ord
and 7is "riends. 0here is dead silence. 9nl# the sea spea;s to the moon a)out to
set in the west and it tells the sand the stories o" its depths with the long wa'e at
high tide, which )egins lea'ing a narrower and narrower dr# margin on the
)each.
0his time the women are in "ront, together with ,ohn, the :ealot, ,udas
0haddeus and ,ames o" Alphaeus, who help them to get o'er small roc;s spread
here and there, which are damp and also slipper# with the humidit# o" the night.
0he :ealot is with the *agdalene, ,ohn with *artha, while ,ames o" Alphaeus
ta;es care o" his mother and o" Susanna, and 0haddeus does not surrender to
an#)od# the honour o" ta;ing in his long strong hand M which is li;e ,esus6 M the
little hand o" *ar# to help 7er in di""icult spots. &ach spea;s in a low 'oice to
his companion. 0he# all seem to )e wishing to respect the sleep o" the &arth.
0he :ealot is con'ersing intensel# with *ar# o" *agdala and I can see that
Simon stretches out his arms more than once, meaning? 2 it is so and there is
nothing we can do a)out it 5 )ut I cannot hear what the# are sa#ing as the# are
ahead o" e'er#)od#.
,ohn spea;s to his companion onl# now and again, pointing at the sea and
*ount 3armel, the western side o" which loo;s white in the moonlight. Perhaps
he is tal;ing o" the road the# too; the last time, s;irting *ount 3armel on the
other side.
2 Also ,ames, who is )etween *ar# o" Alphaeus and Susanna, is spea;ing o"
*ount 3armel. 7e sa#s to his mother? 2 ,esus has promised me to clim) up
there with me alone and to tell me alone something. 5
2 hat does 7e want to tell #ou, sonE ill #ou tell me, a"terwardsE 5
2,2.D#$)rtur# 4r!+ Sc)+n!n. T"# B%#ss#* ;r(n 9)r5 )n* S$rtu)%s#* 9)t#rnt5. 3.3
2 *other, i" it is a secret, I cannot tell #ou 5 replies ,ames smiling with his smile
which is so tenderL his li;eness to ,oseph, the spouse o" the .lessed -irgin, is
remar;a)le )oth with regard to his "eatures and e'en more to his serene
;indness.
2 0here are no secrets "or a mother. 5
2 In "act I ha'e none. .ut i" ,esus wants me up there, all alone to spea; to me, it
means that 7e does not want an#one to ;now what 7e is going to tell me. And
#ou, mother, are m# dear mother, whom I lo'e so much, )ut ,esus is a)o'e #ou,
as 7is will is. .ut, when the time comes, I will as; 7im whether I ma# repeat
7is words to #ou. Are #ou happ#E 5
2 4ou will "orget to as; 7im...5
2 1o, mother. I ne'er "orget #ou, not e'en when #ou are "ar "rom me. &'er#
time I see or hear something )eauti"ul, I alwa#s sa#? GI wish m# mother were
hereFH 5
2 *# dearF Gi'e me a ;iss, son. 5 *ar# o" Alphaeus is mo'ed. .ut emotion
does not ;ill curiosit#. A"ter )eing Iuiet "or a "ew moments, she ma;es a "resh
assault? 2 4ou said? 7is will. So #ou ;now that 7e wants to tell what 7is ill
is. 3ome on, #ou can tell me at least that. 7e told #ou that in the presence o"
e'er#)od#. 5
2 In actual "act I was alone with 7im, ahead o" the others 5 sa#s ,ames smiling.
2 .ut the others could hear #ou. 5
2 7e did not tell me 'er# much, mother. 7e reminded me o" the words and the
pra#er o" &liCah on *ount 3armel? G9" all the prophets o" the =ord, I alone am
le"t.H G7ear me, that this people ma# ac;nowledge that 4ou are the =ord God.H
5
2 And what did 7e meanE 5
2 7ow man# things #ou want to ;now, motherF Go to ,esus, then, and 7e will
tell #ou 5 replies ,ames, to parr# her em)arrassing Iuestions.
2 7e pro)a)l# meant that, since the .aptist has )een captured, 7e is the onl#
prophet le"t in Israel and that God must preser'e 7im "or a long time, so that the
people ma# )e taught 5 sa#s Susanna.
2 76mF I don6t )elie'e that ,esus as;s to )e preser'ed "or a long time. 7e as;s
nothing "or 7imsel"... 3ome on, dear ,amesF 0ell #our mother. 5
2 3uriosit# is a "ault, motherL it is useless, dangerous, at times it is sorrow"ul.
*a;e a nice act o" morti"ication...5
3 2 AlasF Did 7e mean that #our )rother will )e put in prison, and ;illed
perhapsEF 5 as;s *ar# o" Alphaeus, who is thoroughl# upset.
2 ,udas is not Gall the prophetsH, mother, e'en i", as "ar as #our lo'e is
concerned, each son o" #ours is the whole world...5
2 I am thin;ing also o" the others... )ecause #ou will certainl# )e among the
"uture prophets. So... so i" #ou are the onl# one to )e le"t... I" #ou are the onl#
one le"t, it means that the others, that m# ,udas... ohF...5 *ar# o" Alphaeus
lea'es ,ames and Susanna, and she runs )ac; "ast, as i" she were a #oung girl,
pa#ing no attention to the Iuestion 0haddeus as;s her.
She arri'es in ,esus6 group li;e one who has )een chased. 2 *# ,esus... I was
spea;ing to m# son... a)out what 4ou told him... o" *ount 3armel... o" &liCah...
o" the prophets... 4ou said... that ,ames will )e the onl# one le"t... And what will
happen to ,udasE 7e is m# son, 4ou ;nowE 5 she sa#s panting )ecause o" her
anguish and her racing.
2 I ;now, *ar#. And I also ;now that #ou are happ# that he is *# disciple.
4ou see that #ou ha'e all the rights o" a mother, and I ha'e them as *aster and
=ord. 5
2 0hat is true... it is true... )ut ,udas is m# )o#F...5 and *ar#, "oreseeing the
"uture, )urst into tears.
2 9hF how )adl# shed #our tears areF .ut the heart o" a mother is "orgi'en
e'er#thing. 3ome here, *ar#. Do not weep. I com"orted #ou once )e"ore. Also
on that occasion I promised #ou that #our grie" would o)tain great graces "rom
God, "or #ou, "or #our Alphaeus, "or #our sons...5 ,esus has laid 7is arm on the
shoulder o" 7is aunt drawing her close to 7imsel"... 7e tells those who were
with 7im? 2 *o'e "orward...5 hen 7e is alone with *ar# 3lopas, 7e resumes
spea;ing? 2 And I did not tell a lie. Alphaeus died in'o;ing *e. 0hus e'er# de)t
he had with God was cancelled. It was #our grie", *ar#, that o)tained that
con'ersion to his misunderstood relati'e, to the *essiah hom he did not
recognise )e"ore. 4our present grie" will get #our hesitant Simon and #our
2,2.D#$)rtur# 4r!+ Sc)+n!n. T"# B%#ss#* ;r(n 9)r5 )n* S$rtu)%s#* 9)t#rnt5. 3.1
stu))orn ,oseph to imitate #our Alphaeus. 5
2 4es, )ut... hat will 4ou do to ,udas, to m# ,udasE 5
2 I will lo'e him e'en more than I lo'e him now. 5
2 1o, no. 0here is a threat in those words. 9hF ,esusF 9hF ,esusF...5
4 0he .lessed -irgin *ar# comes )ac; to com"ort 7er sister<in<law, although
She does not ;now #et the nature o" her grie", and when She ;nows, )ecause
when *ar# sees 7er )eside her, she weeps more and in"orms 7er, 9ur =ad#
)ecomes paler than the moon.
*ar# o" Alphaeus moans? 2 ill 4ou tell 7im, no, no, not death "or m#
,udas...5
9ur =ad#, ho is deadl# pale, sa#s to her? 2 And can I as; that on #our )ehal",
when I do not as; sal'ation "rom death "or *# own SonE *ar#, sa# with *e?
G4our will )e done, >ather, in 7ea'en, on the &arth and in the hearts o"
mothers.H 0o do the will o" God through the destin# o" our sons is the redeeming
mart#rdom o" us mothers... In an# case... 1o one said that ,udas is to )e ;illed,
or ;illed )e"ore #ou die. 7ow )urdensome #our present pra#er, that he ma# li'e
to the most longe'al age, would )e "or #ou, when in the Bingdom o" 0ruth and
=o'e, #ou will see e'er#thing in the light o" God and in #our spiritualised
maternit#. I am sure that #ou then, )oth as a )lessed soul and a mother, would
li;e #our ,udas to )e li;e *# ,esus in 7is destin# o" 8edeemer, and #ou would
long to ha'e him soon with #ou again, "ore'er. .ecause it is a mother6s torture to
)e separated "rom her children. So great a torture, that I thin; it will last, as
anDious lo'e, also in 7ea'en, where we shall )e recei'ed. 5
*ar#6s cr#ing, so loud in the silence o" earl# dawn, has caused e'er#)od# to
come )ac;, to learn what has happened, and the# thus hear the words o" the
.lessed -irgin and e'er#)od# is mo'ed. *ar# o" *agdala whispers weeping? 2
And I ga'e m# mother that torture e'en here on the &arth. 5
*artha weeps sa#ing? 2 0o )e separated is sorrow"ul "or )oth mothers and
children. 5
Peter6s e#es are shining with tears and the :ealot sa#s to .artholomew?
2 onder"ul words o" wisdom to eDplain what the maternit# o" a )lessed soul
will )eF 5
2 And how things will )e considered )# a )lessed mother? in the light o" God
and her spiritualised maternit#... It ta;es #our )reath awa# as i" #ou were "acing
a )right m#ster# 5 replies 1athanael.
0he Iscariot sa#s to Andrew? 2 *aternit# is di'ested o" all sensi)le weight and
ta;es wings... when descri)ed thus. e seem to )e seeing our mothers alread#
trans"ormed into inconcei'a)le )eaut#. 5
2 0hat is true. 9ur mother, ,ames, will lo'e us thus. 3an #ou imagine how
per"ect her lo'e will )eE 5 sa#s ,ohn to his )rother and he is the onl# one to
smile )rightl#, so deepl# mo'ed he is at the thought that his mother will )e a)le
to lo'e per"ectl#.
5 2 I am sorr# I caused so much sorrow 5 apologises ,ames o" Alphaeus. 2 .ut
she apprehended more than I said... .elie'e me, ,esus. 5
2 I ;now, I ;now. .ut *ar# is wor;ing on hersel" )# hersel", and that was a
particularl# hard stro;e o" the chisel. .ut it will relie'e her o" so much dead
weight 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 3ome on, mother, stop weeping. I am sorr# that #ou should su""er li;e a poor
little woman who is unaware o" the certainties o" the Bingdom o" God. 4ou are
in no wa# li;e the mother o" the *acca)ean )rothers 5 sa#s 0haddeus
reproaching her se'erel#, )ut he em)races her at the same time and ;isses her
gre#<haired head. 2 4ou are li;e a little girl who is a"raid o" shadows and o" the
tales the# tell her to "righten her. And #et #ou ;now where to "ind me in ,esus.
hat a motherF 4ou ought to weep i" #ou had )een told that, in "uture, I was to
)ecome a traitor to ,esus, or one who would a)andon 7im, or would )e a
damned soul. In that case I agree. 4ou ought to weep tears o" )lood. .ut, with
the help o" God I will ne'er gi'e #ou such deep sorrow, mother. I want to )e
with #ou "ore'er and e'er...5
0he reproach "irst, and the su)seIuent caresses stop the tears o" *ar# o"
Alphaeus, who is now rather ashamed o" her wea;ness.
6 =ight, in the transition "rom night to da#, has "aded, )ecause the moon has set,
)ut it is not #et da#light. It is twilight. .ut immediatel# a"terwards light )egins
to assert itsel"? at "irst it is leaden, then gre#ish, then greenish, a"terwards
whitish with )luish traces, and "inall# clear, li;e an incorporeal sil'er, and it
ma;es it eas# to wal; on the damp shingl# shore, "rom which the sea has
receded, while it is delight"ul to contemplate the sea )ecoming pale )lue and on
2,2.D#$)rtur# 4r!+ Sc)+n!n. T"# B%#ss#* ;r(n 9)r5 )n* S$rtu)%s#* 9)t#rnt5. 3.2
the point o" )rightening up with "acets o" gems. And then the air )lends its sil'er
with a dar;er and dar;er pin;, until the golden pin; o" dawn )ecomes a reddish
pin; shower on the sea, on "aces, on the countr#, with )righter and )righter
contrasting hues, which reach the per"ect climaD, which I consider the most
)eauti"ul o" the da#, when the sun )ouncing out "rom the eastern hori(on, darts
its "irst ra#s on mountains and hills, "orests, meadows and the large eDpanses o"
sea and s;#, emphasising each shade, whether it is the whiteness o" snow, or
remote mountains o" indigo changing into Casper green, or co)alt s;# attenuating
to miD with pin;, or sapphire 'eined with Cade and lined with sea pearls. And
toda# the sea is a real prodig# o" )eaut#. It is not dead in dull calm, it is not
ru""led )# the "ur# o" winds, )ut it is maCesticall# ali'e in smiling little thin
wa'es, Cust mar;ed with ripplings crowned with a tin# crest o" "oam.
2 e shall arri'e at Dora )e"ore the heat o" the da#. And we shall depart at
sunset. Sisters, #our toilsome Courne# will end tomorrow at 3aesarea. And we
shall ha'e a rest, too. 4our wagon will )e certainl# waiting "or #ou. e will
part... h# are #ou weeping, *ar#E Am I supposed to see all the *aries weep
toda#E 5 sa#s ,esus to the *agdalene.
2 She is sorr# to lea'e 4ou 5 sa#s her sister eDcusing her.
2 0hat does not mean that we shall not )e meeting again and soon. 5
*ar# sha;es her head. 0hat is not the reason wh# she is weeping.
0he :ealot eDplains? 2 She is a"raid she will not )e a)le to )e good without
)eing near 4ou. She is a"raid o"... o" )eing tempted too strongl#, when 4ou are
not near her to ;eep the demon awa#. She was telling me a little while ago. 5
2 Do not )e a"raid "or that. I ne'er withdraw the grace I ha'e granted. Do #ou
want to sinE 1oE 0hen do not worr#. .e watch"ul, o" course, )ut )e not a"raid. 5
2 =ord... I am weeping )ecause at 3aesarea... 3aesarea is "ull o" m# sins. I can
see them all now... *# human nature will ha'e much to su""er...5
2 I am glad o" that. 0he more #ou su""er, the )etter. .ecause a"terwards #ou will
no longer su""er such useless pains. *ar# o" 0heophilus, I remind #ou that #ou
are the daughter o" a strong man, that #ou are a strong soul and I want to ma;e
#ou most strong. I can )ear with the wea;ness o" the other women disciples,
)ecause the# ha'e alwa#s )een mee; and sh#, including #our sister. .ut I will
not put up with it in #our case. I will wor; #ou with "ire and on the an'il.
.ecause #our character is to )e dealt with thus, in order not to spoil the miracle
o" #our will and *ine. =et that )e ;nown to #ou and to all those who among the
people present or a)sent ma# thin; that, as I ha'e lo'ed #ou so much, I ma#
)ecome wea; with #ou. I allow #ou to weep "or repentance and "or lo'e. .ut
nothing else. Is that clearE 5 ,esus is imposing and se'ere.
*ar# o" *agdala endea'ours to swallow tears and so)s and she goes down on
her ;nees, ;isses ,esus6 "eet and endea'ouring to stead# her 'oice she sa#s? 2
4es, m# =ord. I will do what 4ou want. 5
2 Get up then and )e calm. 5
,+-. S1nt1c!. t! %r!!@ S#'2!.
1+t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 I do not see the town o" Dora. 0he sun is setting and the pilgrims ha'e directed
their steps towards 3aesarea. .ut I did not see the stop at Dora. Perhaps it was a
simple stop, without an#thing remar;a)le to )e noted. 0he sea seems on "ire, as
in its calm it re"lects the red o" the s;# so much, so deep a red that it loo;s
unreal. .lood seems to ha'e )een shed on the 'ault o" hea'en. It is still warm
notwithstanding the sea air ma;es the heat )eara)le. 0he# are wal;ing along the
sea all the time, to a'oid the "ierce heat o" the dr# earth, and man# o" them ha'e
ta;en o"" their sandals and pulled up their garments to paddle in the water.
Peter states? 2 I" the women disciples were not here, I would strip m#sel" and go
in up to m# nec;. 5
.ut he has to come out e'en "rom where he is, )ecause the *agdalene, who was
ahead with the other women, comes )ac; and sa#s? 2 *aster, I am "amiliar with
this area. 3an 4ou see that #ellow strip in the )lue sea o'er thereE A ri'er "lows
into the sea there, also in summer, as it is a perennial one. And one must )e
care"ul in crossing it... 5
2 e ha'e crossed so man#. It is surel# not the 1ileF e will cross this one as
well 5 sa#s Peter.
2,3. S5nt5c"#/ t"# 'r##@ S%)6#. 3.3
2 It is not the 1ile. .ut in the water and on its )an;s there are dangerous water
animals. 4ou cannot cross it carelessl# or )are"ooted, i" #ou do not want to )e
wounded. 5
2 9hF hat are the#E =e'iathansE 5
2 4ou are right, Simon. 0he# are in "act crocodiles. Small ones, that is true, )ut
capa)le o" maiming #ou "or a while. 5
2 7ow did the# come to )e hereE 5
2 I thin; the# were )rought there "or religious rites o" the Phoenician era. And
the# ha'e remained there, the# ha'e )ecome smaller, )ut not less aggressi'e,
and "rom the temples ha'e passed into the sludge o" the ri'er. 0he# are now
large li(ards, with 'icious teethF 0he 8omans come here hunting and to amuse
themsel'es in 'arious wa#s. I ha'e come with them, too. &'er#thing helps to...
occup# the time. 0heir s;in is lo'el# and is used "or man# articles. Allow me
there"ore to )e #our guide, in 'iew o" m# eDperience. 5
2 All right. I would li;e to see them... 5 sa#s Peter.
2 e ma# see some, although the# ha'e almost all )een destro#ed, the# are
hunted so much. 5
2 0he# depart "rom the shore and turn inland, until the# "ind a main road, hal"
wa# )etween the hills and the sea and the# soon reach an ogi'al )ridge, thrown
across a little ri'er, the )ed o" which is rather wide, )ut the scant# water "lows
onl# in its centre. here there is no water there are reeds and )og<grass, now
almost parched )# the summer heat, )ut in other seasons the# perhaps "orm tin#
islands in the water. 0he )an;s instead are co'ered with thic; )ushes and trees.
Although the# loo; 'er# care"ull#, the# can see no animal, and man# o" them
are disappointed. .ut when the# are near the end o" the )ridge, the onl# arch o"
which is 'er# high, so that it ma# not )e su)merged )# water in the period o"
"loods M it is a 'er# strong construction pro)a)l# )uilt )# the 8omans M *artha
gi'es a 'er# shrill scream and runs )ac; terri"ied. A 'er# )ig li(ard, that is all it
is, )ut with the t#pical head o" a crocodile, is l#ing across the road, "eigning
sleep.
2 Don6t )e a"raidF 5 shouts the *agdalene. 2 hen the# are li;e that, the# are
not dangerous. 0he trou)le is when the# are hidden and #ou put #our "oot on
them without seeing them. 5
.ut *artha remains prudentl# )ehind. Susanna also is "rightened... *ar# o"
Alphaeus is prudent )ut more )ra'e and wal;ing close to her sons she ad'ances
and loo;s. 0he apostles are not a"raid and the# loo; ma;ing comments on the
ugl# animal, which deigns to turn round its head slowl#, so that its "ace can )e
seen. It then mo'es and seems to )e wanting to come towards those who ha'e
distur)ed it. Another scream "rom *artha who runs "arther )ac;, imitated also
)# Susanna and *ar# 3lopas. .ut *ar# o" *agdala pic;s up a stone, throws it
at the li(ard which, hit on one side, runs down the gra'el )ed and sin;s into the
mud.
2 3ome "orward, #ou "ear"ul woman. It6s no longer here 5 she sa#s to her sister.
0he women come together.
2 It is reall# ugl# 5 comments Peter.
2 Is it true, *aster, that once the# "ed them with human 'ictimsE 5 as;s the
Iscariot.
2 It was considered a sacred animal, it represented a god, and as we o""er
sacri"ices to our God, so the poor idolaters did it in the "orms and with the errors
)ecoming their condition. 5
2 .ut not nowE 5 as;s Susanna.
2 I thin; that it is still possi)le that it might )e done in idolatrous countries 5
sa#s ,ohn o" &ndor.
2 *# GodF .ut the# will gi'e them dead, ehE 5
2 1o. I" the# gi'e them, the# gi'e them ali'e. Generall# girls or )o#s. 0he
choice o" the population. At least that is what I read 5 replies ,ohn once again to
the women who loo; around "rightened.
2 I would die o" "ear i" I had to go near one 5 sa#s *artha.
2 8eall#E .ut these ones are nothing compared with real crocodiles. 0he# are at
least three times as long and large. 5
2 And the# are "amished, too. 0his one was certainl# replete with water sna;es
or wild ra))its. 5
2,3. S5nt5c"#/ t"# 'r##@ S%)6#. 3.4
2 *erc#F ater sna;es, tooF *# =ord, where ha'e 4ou )rought usE 5 moans
*artha, who is so "rightened that she ma;es e'er#)od# laugh.
&rmasteus, who has alwa#s )een Iuiet, sa#s? 2 Do not )e a"raid, It is enough to
ma;e a lot o" noise to ma;e them "lee. I ;now )ecause I ha'e )een to low &g#pt
man# times. 5
0he# set out clapping their hands or )eating tree trun;s. And the dangerous spot
is le"t )ehind.
*artha has gone near ,esus and she o"ten as;s 7im? 2 ill there )e an# moreE 5
,esus loo;s at her, sha;es 7is head, )ut reassures her? 2 0he Saron plain is
nothing )ut )eaut#, and we are now there. .ut the women disciples ha'e reall#
surprised me toda#. I do not reall# ;now wh# #ou are so "ear"ul. 5
2 I do not ;now m#sel". .ut an#thing that creeps terrorises me. I seem to "eel on
me the cold o" their )odies, which are certainl# cold and slim#. And I wonder
wh# the# eDist. Are the# necessar#E 5
2 4ou should as; 7im ho made them. .ut #ou ma# )e sure that i" 7e made
them, it means that the# are use"ul. At least to ma;e *artha6s heroism shine 5
sa#s ,esus, e#es shining wittil#.
2 9hF =ord. 4ou are Co;ing and 4ou are right. .ut I am a"raid and I will ne'er
)e a)le to control m#sel". 5
2 e shall see a)out that... 3 .ut what is mo'ing in those )ushes o'er thereE 5
sa#s ,esus raising 7is head and loo;ing straight in "ront o" 7im, at a tangled
mass o" )ram)le and other plants with long )ranches clim)ing towards an
em)an;ment o" Indian "igs, growing "arther )ac; with their lea'es, which are as
rigid as the clim)ing )ranches are "leDi)le.
2 Another crocodile, =ordEF... 5 moans *artha, who is terrorised once again.
0he rustling o" the )ranches increases and the head o" a woman appears. She
loo;s. hen she sees so man# men, she is uncertain whether to "lee to the
countr# or withdraw )ac; into the wild tunnel. 0he "ormer alternati'e pre'ails
and she runs awa# screaming.
2 A leperE 5 2 A mad womanE 5 2 A woman possessedE 5 the# as; perpleDedl#.
0he woman comes )ac; )ecause a 8oman wagon is arri'ing "rom 3aesarea and
is alread# near. 0he woman loo;s li;e a mouse in a trap. She does not ;now
where to go, )ecause ,esus and 7is group o" people are near the thic;et where
she was sheltered, and thus she cannot go )ac; to it, and she does not want to go
towards the 8oman wagon... In the e'ening dus;, as night "alls "ast a"ter a
power"ul sunset, it is possi)le to see that she is #oung and prett# although her
garments are torn and she is un;empt.
2 omanF 3ome hereF 5 commands ,esus peremptoril#.
0he woman stretches out her arms imploring? 2 Do not hurt meF 5
2 3ome here. ho are #ouE I will do #ou no harm 5 and 7e sa#s so, so ;indl#
that 7e persuades her.
0he woman mo'es "orward with her head lowered and she throws hersel" on the
ground sa#ing? 2 hoe'er 4ou are, ha'e merc# on me. Bill me )ut do not hand
me )ac; to m# master. I am a "ugiti'e sla'e... 5
2 ho was #our masterE And where are #ou "romE 4ou are certainl# not
7e)rew. It is o)'ious "rom #our wa# o" spea;ing and "rom #our garments. 5
2 I am Gree;. 0he Gree; sla'e o"... 9hF merc#F 7ide meF 0he wagon is a)out to
arri'e... 5
0he# all "orm a group round the poor wretch curled up on the ground. 7er dress
torn )# thorns shows her shoulders strea;ed with lashes and co'ered with
scratches. 0he wagon passes )# without an# o" its passengers pa#ing attention to
the group standing near the hedge.
2 0he# ha'e gone )#, spea; now. e will help #ou i" we can 5 sa#s ,esus la#ing
the tips o" 7is "ingers on her ru""led hair.
4 2 I am S#nt#che, the Gree; sla'e o" a no)le 8oman o" the Proconsul6s suite. 5
2 So #ou are the sla'e o" -alerianF 5 eDclaims *ar# o" *agdala.
2 AhF 7a'e merc#F Don6t denounce me to him 5 implores the unhapp# woman.
2 Do not )e a"raid. I will ne'er spea; to -alerian again 5 replies the *agdalene.
And she in"orms ,esus? 2 7e is one o" the richest and "ilthiest 8omans we ha'e
here. And he is as cruel as he is "ilth#. 5
2 h# did #ou run awa#E 5 as;s ,esus.
2,3. S5nt5c"#/ t"# 'r##@ S%)6#. 3.,
2 .ecause I ha'e a soul. I am not merchandise... @the woman ta;es heart when
she realises she has come across compassionate peopleA. I am not merchandise.
7e )ought me. 0hat is true. .ut he ma# ha'e )ought m# person to em)ellish his
house, that I ma# )righten up his time )# reading "or him, that I ma# ser'e him.
.ut nothing else. *# soul is mineF It cannot )e )ought. .ut he wanted also that.
5
2 7ow do #ou ;now there is a soulE 5
2 I am not illiterate, =ord. I was a pre# o" war since m# #outh. .ut I was not
ple)eian. 0his was m# third master and a dirt# "aun. .ut I remem)er the words
o" our philosophers. And I ;now that we are not made onl# o" "lesh. 0here is
something immortal enclosed within us. Something which has no precise name
"or us. .ut I recentl# learned its name. 9ne da# a man came "rom 3aesarea, he
wor;ed miracles and spo;e )etter than Socrates and Plato. 0he# discussed him
'er# much, in thermal )aths, in triclinia, or in gilt perist#les, contaminating his
august 1ame )# mentioning it in the halls o" "oul orgies. And I, Cust I who
alread# "elt I had something immortal that )elongs onl# to God and cannot )e
purchased as merchandise at sla'e mar;ets, was ordered )# m# master to read
the wor;s o" philosophers to compare them and "ind out whether this un;nown
thing, that the *an "rom 3aesarea had called GsoulH, was descri)ed in them. 7e
made me read thatF *e whom he wanted to ensla'e to his sensualit#F I thus
"ound out that this immortal thing is the soul. And while -alerian and his li;e
were listening to m# 'oice, and )elching and #awning he endea'oured to under<
stand, compare and discuss, I lin;ed their con'ersation, re"erring the words o"
the Jn;nown *an, with the words o" the philosophers and I ;ept them here, in
m# heart, and m# dignit# )ecame stronger and stronger to reCect his lust"ulness...
Some e'enings ago he )eat me to death )ecause I reCected him, )iting him with
m# teeth... and I ran awa# the "ollowing da#... I ha'e li'ed in that thic;et "or "i'e
da#s, pic;ing )lac;)erries and Indian "igs at night. .ut I will end up )# )eing
caught. 7e is certainl# loo;ing "or me. I cost much mone# and his sensualit#
cra'es too much "or me to lea'e me alone... 7a'e merc# on meF 4ou are an
Israelite and #ou certainl# ;now where he is, I as; #ou to ta;e me to the
Jn;nown *an who spea;s to sla'es and spea;s o" souls. 0he# told me that he is
poor. I will star'e, )ut I want to )e near him that he ma# teach me and ele'ate
me. It is )rutalising to li'e with )rutes, e'en i" one resists them. I want to
possess m# moral dignit# once again. 5
5 2 0hat man, 0he Jn;nown 9ne, hom #ou are loo;ing "or, is in "ront o" #ou.
5
2 4ouE 9 un;nown God o" the Acropolis, 7ailF 5 and she )ows her "orehead to
the ground.
2 4ou cannot remain here. .ut I am going to 3aesarea... 5
2 Do not lea'e me, =ordF 5
2 I will not lea'e #ou... I thin;... 5
2 *aster, our wagon is certainl# at the appointed place, waiting "or us. Send "or
it. She will )e as sa"e in the wagon as she would )e in our house 5 suggests
*ar# o" *agdala.
2 9hF #es, =ordF Send her to us, in the place o" old Ishmael. e will teach her
4our doctrine. She will )e torn "rom paganism 5 )egs *artha.
2 Do #ou want to come with usE 5 as;s ,esus.
2 ith an# o" 4our "riends, pro'iding I am no longer with that man. .ut... )ut a
woman here said that she ;nows him. ill she )etra# meE ill an# 8omans go
to her houseE 1o... 5
2 .e not a"raid. 8omans do not come to .ethan#, a)o'e all 8omans o" the ;ind
5 replies the *agdalene reassuring her.
2 Simon and Simon Peter, go and loo; "or the wagon. e shall wait "or #ou
here. e shall go to town a"terwards 5 orders ,esus.
6 ... hen the noise o" the hoo'es and o" the wheels and the lamp hanging "rom
its roo" announce the arri'al o" the hea'# closed wagon, those waiting "or it
come up "rom the ri'er )an;, where the# certainl# had their e'ening meal, and
come on to the road. 0he wagon comes Colting to a stop on the edge o" the rough
road and Peter and Simon come o"" it. 0he# are immediatel# "ollowed )# an
elderl# woman who runs to em)race the *agdalene sa#ing? 2 I did not want to
dela# one moment to tell #ou that I am so happ#, to tell #ou that #our mother is
reCoicing with me, to tell #ou that #ou are once again the "air rose o" our house,
as when #ou used to sleep in the cradle a"ter I had suc;led #ou 5 and she ;isses
her man# times.
*ar# weeps in her arms.
2,3. S5nt5c"#/ t"# 'r##@ S%)6#. 3.-
2 oman, I entrust this #oung woman to #ou and I as; #ou to ma;e the sacri"ice
o" waiting here all night. 0omorrow #ou will )e a)le to go to the "irst 'illage on
the consular road and wait there. e shall come )# the third hour 5 ,esus sa#s to
the nurse.
2 &'er#thing as 4ou wish, ma# 4ou )e )lessedF ,ust let me gi'e *ar# the
clothes I )rought her. 5 And she clim)s on to the wagon with the *ost 7ol#
-irgin, *artha and *ar#. hen the# come out the *agdalene is dressed as we
shall alwa#s see her in "uture? a plain dress, a wide thin linen cloth as a 'eil and
a mantle without an# ornament.
2 4ou ma# go peace"ull#, S#nt#che. e shall )e coming tomorrow as well.
Good)#e 5 sa#s ,esus greeting her. And 7e ta;es to the road again towards
3aesarea...
7 0he sea<"ront is crowded with people wal;ing in the light o" torches or
lanterns carried )# sla'es, )reathing the air coming "rom the sea, which is a
relie" to their lungs tired o" the summer sultriness. 0he ones wal;ing are mainl#
rich 8omans. 0he ,ews are closed in their houses and enCo# the "resh air on their
terraces. 0he sea<"ront loo;s li;e a 'er# long parlour during 'isits. 0o pass there
means to )e eDamined closel# in e'er# detail. And ,esus passes Cust there... "or
the whole length o" the promenade, ignoring those who watch 7im, ma;e
comments or deride 7im.
2 *aster, 4ou are hereE At this timeE 5 as;s =#dia, who is sitting on a ;ind o"
armchair, or little )ed, which sla'es ha'e )rought "or her to the edge o" the road.
And she stands up.
2 I am coming "rom Dora and I am late. I am loo;ing "or lodgings. 5
2 I would sa# to 4ou? here is m# house 5 and she points at a )eauti"ul )uilding
)ehind her. 2 .ut I do not ;now whether... 5
2 1o. 0han; #ou. I cannot accept. I ha'e man# people with *e and two ha'e
alread# gone ahead o" us to in"orm some people I ;now. I thin; the# will gi'e us
hospitalit#. 5
=#dia6s e#es rest also on the women and the disciples at whom ,esus pointed,
and she immediatel# recognises the *agdalene.
2 *ar#E It6s #ouE So it6s trueE 5
*ar#6s e#es are li;e those o" a surrounded ga(elle? she is tortured. And she is
Custi"ied )ecause =#dia is not the onl# one she has to "ace, as man# more loo; at
her... .ut she loo;s also at ,esus and pluc;s up courage again.
2 It is true. 5
2 So we ha'e lost #ouF 5
2 1o. 4ou ha'e "ound me. At least I hope to "ind #ou again one da#, and in a
)etter "riendship, on the road that at long last I ha'e "ound. Please tell all those
who ;now me. Good)#e, =#dia. >orget all the e'il #ou saw me do, I as; #ou to
"orgi'e me...5
2 *ar#F h# are #ou lowering #oursel"E e ha'e led the same li"e, the li"e o"
rich idle people, and there is no...5
2 1o. 1o, m# li"e was worse. .ut I ha'e come out o" it. And "ore'er. 5
2 Good)#e, =#dia 5 the =ord cuts short and 7e directs 7is steps towards 7is
cousin ,udas who is coming towards 7im with 0homas.
=#dia ;eeps the *agdalene )ac; "or another moment. 2 0ell me the truth, now
that we are alone? are #ou reall# con'incedE 5
2 1ot con'inced? happ# to )e a disciple. I regret one thing onl#? that I did not
meet the =ight )e"ore and that I ha'e )een "eeding on "ilth instead o" )eing
nourished )# It. Good)#e, =#dia. 5
7er repl# sounds clear in the silence en'eloping the two women. 1one o" the
man# people present spea; an# more... *ar# turns round and ma;es haste to
reach the *aster.
A #oung man stands on her wa#? 2 Is that #our last "oolish actionE 5 he sa#s,
and tries to em)race her. .ut hal" drun; as he is, he is not success"ul, and *ar#
e'ades him shouting? 2 1o, it is m# onl# wise one. 5 She reaches her
companions who are completel# co'ered with their 'eils, such is their disgust to
)e seen )# those 'icious people.
2 *ar# 5 sa#s *artha anDiousl# 2 did #ou su""er muchE 5
2 1o, and 7e is right, I will ne'er su""er again )ecause o" that. 7e is right... 5
0he# all turn into a narrow dar; street and enter a large house, certainl# a hotel,
2,3. S5nt5c"#/ t"# 'r##@ S%)6#. 3..
"or the night.
,+4. %oo(51! to 7'r1 o0 7'&('#'. to 7'rt' 'n( to S1nt1c!.
16t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 And the# are once again on their wa#, going eastwards, towards the countr#.
0he apostles and the two disciples are now with *ar# 3lopas and Susanna, a
"ew #ards )ehind ,esus, ho is with 7is *other and the two sisters o" =a(arus.
,esus is engrossed in tal;ing. 0he apostles instead are silent. 0he# loo; tired or
disheartened. 0heir attention is not e'en attracted )# the )eaut# o" the countr#,
which is reall# wonder"ul, with gentle undulations across the plain li;e man#
green pillows under the "eet o" a giant ;ing and its tin# hills spread here and
there, preluding the mountain chains o" *ount 3armel and Samaria. .oth the
plain, which is the dominating part o" the countr#, and the small decorated hills
and undulated ground, are completel# co'ered with )looming "lowers and "ull o"
ripening "ruit. It must )e a well<watered place, notwithstanding its position and
the season, )ecause it is too "lourishing to )e lac;ing in water. I now understand
wh# the plain o" Saron is so o"ten mentioned enthusiasticall# in the 7ol# Scrip<
tures. .ut that enthusiasm is not shared )# the apostles, who loo; somewhat
sul;#, the onl# ones to loo; so, in this splendid da# and in this charming
countr#.
0he consular road, which is well ;ept, cuts across the most "ertile land li;e a
white ri))on and in the earl# morning one "reIuentl# meets "armers laden with
'ictuals and tra'ellers going to 3aesarea. 9ne o" the "armers, leading a line o"
don;e#s laden with sac;s, who catches up with the apostles and compels them to
step aside to ma;e room "or the asinine cara'an, as;s arrogantl#? 2 Is the Bishon
hereE 5
2 >arther )ac; 5 replies 0homas dr#l#, and mutters )etween his teeth? 2 4ou
loutF 5
2 7e is a Samaritan and that6s enoughF 5 replies Philip.
2 0he# )ecome silent again. A"ter a "ew #ards, as i" he were concluding an
internal speech, Peter sa#s? 2 >or what it was worthF as it worth going all that
roadE 5
2 9" courseF h# did we go to 3aesarea i" 7e did not sa# e'en one wordE I
thought 7e intended wor;ing some wonder"ul miracle to con'ince the 8omans.
Instead...5 sa#s ,ames o" :e)edee.
2 7e eDposed us to ridicule, that6s all 5 comments 0homas.
0he Iscariot aggra'ates the situation sa#ing? 2 And 7e made us su""er. .ut 7e
li;es to )e insulted and 7e thin;s we li;e that as well. 5
2 In actual "act it was *ar# o" 0heophilus who su""ered in this case 5 remar;s
the :ealot calml#.
2 *ar#F *ar#F 7as *ar# )ecome the centre o" the uni'erseE She is the onl# one
who su""ers, the onl# heroine, the onl# one to )e per"ected. I" I had ;nown, I
would ha'e )ecome a ro))er and a ;iller in order to )e the o)Cect o" so much
care 5 )ursts out the Iscariot.
2 Actuall# the last time we came to 3aesarea and 7e wor;ed a miracle and
e'angeli(ed, we 'eDed 7im )# eDpressing our discontent )ecause 7e had done
so 5 remar;s the cousin o" the =ord.
2 0he trou)le is that we do not ;now what we want... I" 7e does one thing, we
grum)le, i" 7e does the opposite thing, we still grum)le. e are "ull o" "aults 5
sa#s ,ohn seriousl#.
2 9hF 0here is the other wise man spea;ingF 9ne thing is certain? no good has
)een done "or some time. 5
2 1o good, ,udasE hat a)out the Gree; woman, and &rmasteus, and A)el, and
*ar#, )ut...5
2 It is not with such nonentities that 7e will esta)lish the Bingdom 5 retorts the
Iscariot, who is haunted )# the idea o" an earthl# triumph.
2 ,udas, please do not Cudge the actions o" m# .rother. It is a ridiculous
pretence. A )o# who wants to Cudge his master, or I should sa#? a nonentit#
wishing to )e placed in high Iuarters 5 sa#s 0haddeus, who has the same name
and an in'inci)le a'ersion "or his namesa;e.
2 0han; #ou "or Cust calling me a )o#. Actuall#, a"ter li'ing so long in the
0emple I thought I could )e considered at least o" age 5 replies the Iscariot
sarcasticall#.
2,4. '!!*85# t! 9)r5 !4 9)(*)%)/ t! 9)rt") )n* t! S5nt5c"#. 3.1
3 2 7ow dull these discussions areF 5 sa#s Andrew with a sigh.
2 0rue Instead o" )eing united, the more we li'e together, we are )eing di'ided.
And #et at Sicaminon 7e told us that we must )e united to the "loc;... 7ow shall
we e'er )e so, i" we are not united as shepherdsE 5 remar;s *atthew.
2 So we must not spea;E e must ne'er eDpress our ideasE I don6t thin; that we
are sla'es. 5
2 1o, ,udas, we are not sla'es. .ut we are not worth# o" "ollowing 7im,
)ecause we do not understand 7im 5 sa#s the :ealot peace"ull#.
2 I understand 7im 'er# well. 5
2 1o. 4ou do not understand 7im, and li;e #ou, those who criticise 7im, do not
understand 7im either... 0o understand means to o)e# without discussing,
)ecause one is con'inced o" the holiness o" the guide 5 sa#s the :ealot.
2 AhF 4ou are tal;ing o" understanding 7is holinessF I was re"erring to 7is
words. 7is holiness is undisputed and indisputa)le 5 the Iscariot hastens to sa#.
2 3an #ou separate one "rom the othersE A saint will alwa#s possess isdom,
and his words will )e wise. 5
2 0hat is true. .ut 7e does harm"ul things. .ecause o" 7is eDcessi'e holiness. I
agree. .ut the world is not hol#, and 7e causes trou)le "or 7imsel". 1ow, "or
instance, do #ou thin; that this Philistine and that Gree; woman will do us an#
goodE 5
2 I" I am going to )e harm"ul, I will withdraw 5 sa#s &rmasteus, who "eels
morti"ied. 2 I came with the idea o" honouring 7im and doing the right thing. 5
2 4ou would grie'e 7im )# going awa# "or this reason 5 ,ames o" Alphaeus
replies to him.
2 I will pretend that I ha'e changed m# mind. I will sa# good)#e to 7im... and I
will go. 5
2 Surel# notF 4ou will not go awa#. It is not "air that the *aster should lose a
good disciple )ecause o" the short temper o" other people 5 replies Peter
promptl#.
2 I" he wants to go awa# "or so little, it means that he is not sure o" his own will.
So let him go 5 insists the Iscariot.
Peter loses his temper? 2 I promised 7im, when 7e ga'e me *arCiam, that I
would )ecome paternal to e'er#)od#, and I am sorr# to )rea; m# promise. .ut
#ou "orce me to. &rmasteus is here and is sta#ing here. Do #ou ;now what I
must tell #ouE 0hat #ou are the one who upsets the will o" other people and
ma;es them "eel uncertain. 4ou are one who causes separations and disorder.
0hat is what #ou are. Shame on #ou. 5
2 hat are #ouE 0he protector o"...5
2 4es. 4ou are Iuite right. I ;now what #ou mean. I am the protector o" the
-eiled woman, o" ,ohn o" &ndor, o" &rmasteus, o" the sla'e, o" an#one else who
has )een "ound )# ,esus and is not one o" those splendid ostentatious eDamples
o" the 0emple, who are "ormed with the sacred mortar and co)we)s o" the
0emple, the wic;s scented with the dregs o" the lamps o" the 0emple, those li;e
#ou, in other words, to ma;e the para)le clearer, )ecause i" the 0emple is much,
unless I ha'e )ecome a "ool, the *aster is much more than the 0emple and #ou
are lac;ing ...5 he shouts so loud that the *aster stops and turns round and is
a)out to wal; )ac;, lea'ing the women.
2 7e has heardF 7e will )e sorrow"ulF 5 sa#s the apostle ,ohn.
2 1o, *aster. Don6t come. e were discussing... to ;ill the )oredom o" the
Courne# 5 sa#s 0homas promptl#. .ut ,esus remains still so that the# can reach
7im.
2 hat were #ou discussingE *ust I tell #ou once again that the women
disciples surpass #ouE 5 7is ;ind reproach touches their hearts. 0he# )ecome
silent and lower their heads. 2 *# "riends. Do not )e the cause o" scandal to
those who are )eing )orn to the =ight Cust nowF Do #ou not ;now that an
imper"ection o" #ours is more harm"ul to the redemption o" a heathen or a
sinner, than all the errors o" paganismE 5
1o one replies )ecause the# do not ;now what to sa# to Custi"# themsel'es or to
a'oid accusing the others.
4 0he wagon o" =a(arus6 sisters is near a )ridge o'er a dr# torrent. 0he two
horses are gra(ing the thic; grass on the )an;s o" the torrent, which has perhaps
run dr# onl# recentl# and thus the )an;s are thic; with grass. *artha6s ser'ant
and another man, perhaps the dri'er, are also on the ri'er<)ed, whilst the women
2,4. '!!*85# t! 9)r5 !4 9)(*)%)/ t! 9)rt") )n* t! S5nt5c"#. 3.2
are in the closed wagon, which is completel# en'eloped with a hea'# co'er with
tanned hides, which hang li;e hea'# curtains down to the "loor o" the wagon.
0he women disciples mo'e towards it, and the ser'ant who is the "irst to see
them, in"orms the nurse, while the other man ta;es the horses to the sha"t.
In the meantime the ser'ant rushes towards his mistresses )owing to the ground.
0he elderl# nurse, a "ine woman with an oli'e compleDion, )ut pleasant, comes
down "rom the wagon Iuic;l# and goes towards her mistresses. .ut *ar# o"
*agdala sa#s something to her and she directs her steps towards the .lessed
-irgin sa#ing? 2 >orgi'e me... .ut m# Co# in seeing her is so great that I see
no)od# else. 3ome, )lessed *other. 0he sun is scorching. It is cool in the
wagon. 5
All the women get on to it waiting "or the men who are "ar )ehind. And while
the# are waiting and S#nt#che, who is wearing the dress which the *agdalene
had on #esterda#, ;isses the "eet o" her mistresses, as she insists in calling them,
although the# tell her that she is neither their sla'e nor their ser'ant, )ut their
guest in the name o" ,esus, the -irgin *ar# shows the precious little parcel o"
purple as;ing how the 'er# short threads can )e spun as the# re"use to )e
moistened or twisted.
2 0hat is not how to do it, Donna. 0he# are to )e reduced to powder and used as
an# other d#e. It6s the "ilament o" the shell, not a hair. See how crum)l# it is,
now that it is dr#E 8educe it to thin powder, si"t it, to remo'e all long )its, which
would stain the #arn or the cloth. It is )etter to d#e the #arn in s;eins. hen 4ou
are sure that it is all "ine powder, 4ou dissol'e it li;e cochineal, or sa""ron, or
indigo powder or the powder o" an# other )ar;, root or "ruit and 4ou use it.
>asten the d#e with strong 'inegar the last time 4ou rinse it. 5
2 0han; #ou, 1aomi. I will do as #ou told *e. I ha'e em)roidered with purple
threads, )ut the# were gi'en to *e read# to )e used... 5 7ere is ,esus. It is time
to sa# good)#e, *# daughters. I )less #ou all in the name o" the =ord. Go in
peace and ta;e peace and Co# to =a(arus. Good)#e, *ar#. 8emem)er that #ou
wept on *# )reast #our "irst happ# tears. I am there"ore #our *other )ecause a
)a)# weeps its "irst tears on its mother6s )reast. I am #our *other and will
alwa#s )e such. hat ma# )e )urdensome "or #ou to tell also the most ;ind
sister, the most lo'ing nurse, come and tell *e. I will alwa#s understand #ou.
hat #ou would not dare sa# to *# ,esus, )ecause it is still stained with
humanit#, which 7e does not want in #ou, come and tell *e. I will alwa#s )e
indulgent to #ou. And i" #ou should li;e to in"orm *e also o" #our triumphs M
)ut I would pre"er #ou told 7im, li;e sweet<smelling "lowers, )ecause 7e is
#our Sa'iour, not I M I will reCoice with #ou. Good)#e, *artha. 4ou are now
going awa# happil#, and #our supernatural happiness will last.
So #ou need nothing else )ut to ma;e progress in Custice, in the peace which
now nothing pertur)s in #ou. Do it "or the sa;e o" ,esus, ho has lo'ed #ou so
much as to lo'e #our sister whom #ou lo'e with complete lo'e. Good)#e,
1aomi. Go with the treasure #ou ha'e "ound. As #ou used to satis"# her hunger
with #our mil;, satis"# now #our own, with the words that she and *artha will
tell #ou, so that #ou ma# see in *# Son much more than the eDorciser who "rees
hearts "rom &'il. Good)#e, S#nt#che, "lower o" Greece, #ou percei'ed )#
#oursel" that there is something more than "lesh. .loom now in God and )e the
"irst o" the new Grecian "lowers in 3hrist. I am 'er# happ# to lea'e #ou united
thus. I )less #ou with *# lo'e. 5
0he shu""ling o" "eet is now close at hand. 0he# li"t the hea'# curtain and see
,esus ho is a "ew "eet "rom the wagon. 0he# come o"" in the parching sun,
which is )la(ing down on the road.
*ar# o" *agdala ;neels at ,esus6 "eet sa#ing? 2 I than; 4ou, "or e'er#thing.
And I than; 4ou also 'er# much "or ma;ing me do this pilgrimage. 4ou onl#
possess isdom. I am now lea'ing di'ested o" the remains o" the *ar# o" time
ago. .less me, *# =ord, to "orti"# me more and more. 5
2 4es. I )less #ou. &nCo# the compan# o" #our )rother and sister and with them
"orm #oursel" more and more in *e. Good)#e, *ar#. Good)#e, *artha. 0ell
=a(arus that I )less him. I entrust this woman to #ou. I am not gi'ing her to #ou.
She is *# disciple. .ut I want #ou to gi'e her the opportunit#, howe'er small,
o" understanding *# doctrine. I will come later. 1aomi, I )less #ou, and #ou
two, as well. 5
*artha and *ar# ha'e tears in their e#es. 0he :ealot greets them in particular
handing them a letter "or his ser'ant. 0he others greet them all together. 0he
wagon then sets out.
6 2 And now let us go and loo; "or some shad# spot. *a# God guide them...
Are #ou so sorr#, *ar#, that the# ha'e goneE 5 7e as;s *ar# o" Alphaeus, who
is weeping silentl#.
2 4es. 0he# were 'er# good...5
2,4. '!!*85# t! 9)r5 !4 9)(*)%)/ t! 9)rt") )n* t! S5nt5c"#. 313
2 e shall )e meeting them again soon. And the# will ha'e grown in num)ers.
4ou will ha'e man# sisters... or daughters, i" #ou pre"er so. It is all lo'e,
whether it is maternal or )rotherl# 5 sa#s ,esus com"orting her.
2 Pro'iding that does not cause trou)le...5 grum)les the Iscariot.
2 0rou)le to lo'e one anotherE 5
2 1o. 0rou)le ha'ing people o" di""erent races or origin. 5
2 4ou mean S#nt#cheE 5
2 4es, *aster. A"ter all she was the propert# o" the 8oman and it was wrong to
ta;e possession o" her. 7e will )e angr# with us and we will draw upon
oursel'es the rigour o" Pontius Pilate. 5
2 hat do #ou thin; Pontius Pilate cares i" one o" his su)ordinates loses a sla'eE
7e will ;now what a sla'e is worth. And i" he is generall# honest, as the# sa# he
is, at least at home, he will sa# that the woman did the right thing to run awa#. I"
he is dishonest, he will sa#? GSer'es him right. I ma# "ind her.H Dishonest people
are not sensiti'e to other people6s su""erings. In an# case, poor PontiusF ith all
the trou)le we ma;e "or him, he has enough to worr# a)out instead o" wasting
his time with the complaint o" a man who let his sla'e run awa#F 5 sa#s Peter.
And man# sa# that he is right and laugh at the anger o" the lewd 8oman.
7 .ut ,esus discusses the matter at a higher le'el. 2 ,udas, are #ou "amiliar with
Deuteronom#E 5
2 3ertainl#, *aster. And, I do not hesitate to sa#, as 'er# "ew people are. 5
2 And what do #ou consider it isE 5
2 0he spo;esman o" God. 5
2 Spo;esman. So it repeats the word o" God. 5
2 &Dactl#. 5
2 4ou Cudge it correctl#. .ut, then, wh# do #ou not thin; that it is right to do
what it commandsE 5
2 I ne'er said that. 9n the contrar#F I "ind that we neglect it too much )#
"ollowing the new =aw. 5
2 0he 1ew =aw is the "ruit o" the old one, that is, it is the per"ection achie'ed )#
the tree o" >aith. .ut none o" us neglect it, as "ar as I ;now, )ecause I am the
"irst to respect it and to pre'ent others "rom neglecting it. 5 ,esus is 'er# incisi'e
in sa#ing these words. 7e resumes? 2 0he Deuteronom# is untoucha)le. Also
when *# Bingdom will triumph, and with *# Bingdom the 1ew =aw and its
new codes and clauses, the Deuteronom# will alwa#s )e applied to the new
dictates, as the sIuared stones o" ancient )uildings are used "or new ones,
)ecause the# are per"ect and ma;e 'er# strong walls. .ut *# Bingdom does not
#et eDist, and I, a "aith"ul Israelite, do not o""end or neglect the *osaic .oo;. It
is the )ase o" *# )eha'iour and *# teaching. Jpon the )ase o" the *an and o"
the *aster, the Son o" the >ather places the hea'enl# construction o" 7is 1ature
and isdom. In Deuteronom# it is written? G4ou shall not hand o'er to his
master the sla'e who has come to #ou. 7e shall li'e with #ou, where'er he
pleases, he shall sta# peace"ull# in one o" #our towns and #ou shall not molest
him.H 0his decree applies in an# case where a sla'e has )een compelled to run
awa# "rom a cruel master. In *# case, in the case o" S#nt#che, the "light is not
towards a limited "reedom, )ut towards the unlimited "reedom o" the Son o"
God. And now that this s;#lar; has escaped "rom the hunters6 trap, do #ou
eDpect *e to put her into a net once again and hand her o'er to her prison to
depri'e her also o" hope, a"ter ta;ing awa# her "reedomE 1o, ne'erF I )less the
=ord )ecause, as our trip to &ndor )rought this son )ac; to the >ather, so our
'isit to 3aesarea has )rought this woman to *e, that I ma# lead her to the
>ather. At Sicaminon I spo;e to #ou o" the power o" "aith. 0oda# I will spea; to
#ou o" the light o" 7ope. .ut now let us eat and rest in this orchard. .ecause the
sun is scorching as i" hell were open. 5
,++. 9!sus S"!'@s o0 Ho"!.
18t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 Some 'ine<dressers, who are passing through the orchard, laden with )as;ets
o" golden grapes, which seem to )e made o" am)er, see the apostles and as;
them? 2 Are #ou pilgrims or strangersE 5
2 e are Galilean pilgrims going towards *ount 3armel 5 replies on )ehal" o"
2,,. :#sus S$#)@s !4 H!$#. 311
e'er#)od# ,ames o" :e)edee, who with his "ishermen companions is stretching
his legs to o'ercome a residual somnolence. 0he Iscariot and *atthew are Cust
wa;ing up on the grass on which the# had lain down, while the elder ones, )eing
'er# tired, are still sleeping. ,esus is spea;ing to ,ohn o" &ndor and &rmasteus,
while the .lessed -irgin and *ar# 3lopas are near)#, )ut the# do not spea;.
0he 'ine<dressers as;? 2 7a'e #ou come "rom a"arE 5
2 3aesarea was our last stop. .e"ore that we were at Sicaminon and "arther
awa#. e come "rom 3apernaum. 5
2 9hF It6s a long wa# in this seasonF .ut wh# did #ou not come to our houseE It6s
o'er there, seeE e could ha'e gi'en #ou cool water to re"reshen #oursel'es,
and some "ood, rustic "ood, )ut good. 3ome now. 5
2 e are a)out to depart. *a# God reward #ou Cust the same. 5
2 *ount 3armel will not "lee on a chariot o" "ire as its prophet did 5 sa#s a
peasant hal"<seriousl#. 2 1o more chariots come "rom 7ea'en to ta;e prophets
awa#. 0here are no more prophets in Israel, 0he# sa# that ,ohn is alread# dead 5
sa#s another peasant.
2 DeadE Since whenE 5
2 0hat6s what we were told )# some people who came "rom )e#ond the ,ordan.
Did #ou 'enerate himE 5
2 e were his disciples. 5
2 h# did #ou lea'e himE 5
2 0o "ollow the =am) o" God, the *essiah hom he announced. *en, 7e is
still in Israel. And much more than a chariot o" "ire would )e reIuired to trans"er
7im worthil# to 7ea'en. Do #ou not )elie'e in the *essiahE 5
2 9" course we doF e decided to go and loo; "or 7im when the har'est is o'er.
0he# sa# that 7e is 'er# (ealous in o)e#ing the =aw and that 7e goes to the
0emple on prescri)ed "esti'ities. e shall soon )e going "or the 0a)ernacles
and will sta# in the 0emple e'er# da# to see 7im. And i" we do not "ind 7im,
we will go loo;ing "or 7im until we "ind 7im. Since #ou ;now 7im, tell us? is it
true that 7e is at 3apernaum almost all the timeE Is it true that 7e is tall, #oung,
pale, "air<haired and that 7is 'oice is di""erent "rom e'er# other man6s, as it
touches the hearts o" men and e'en animals and trees listen to itE 5
2 It touches e'er# heart, eDcept the hearts o" Pharisees, Gamala. 0he# ha'e
)ecome harsher. 5
2 0he# are not e'en animals. 0he# are demons, including the one whose name I
)ear. .ut tell us? is it true that 7e is so ;ind as to spea; to e'er#)od#, to com"ort
e'er#)od#, to cure diseases and con'ert sinnersE 5
2 Do #ou )elie'e thatE 5
2 4es, we do. .ut we would li;e to )e told )# #ou who "ollow 7im. 9hF I wish
#ou would ta;e us to 7imF 5
2 .ut #ou ha'e #our 'ine#ards to loo; a"ter. 5
2 .ut we ha'e also a soul to ta;e care o", and it is worth more than our
'ine#ards. Is 7e at 3apernaumE .# "orced marches we could go and come )ac;
in ten da#s...5
2 2 0he 9ne #ou are loo;ing "or is o'er there. 7e has rested in #our orchard and
is now spea;ing to that old man and the #oung one, and 7is *other and the
sister o" 7is *other are )eside 7im. 5
2 0hat 9ne... 9hF... hat shall we doE 5
0he# )ecome sti"" with ama(ement. 0he# are all e#es loo;ing at 7im. All their
'italit# is concentrated in their e#es.
2 ellE 4ou were so anDious to see 7im, and now #ou are not mo'ingE 7a'e
#ou )ecome o" saltE 5 sa#s Peter prodding them.
2 1o... it6s... .ut is the *essiah so simpleE 5
2 hat did #ou eDpect 7im to )eE Sitting on a "lashing throne wearing a ro#al
mantleE Did #ou thin; that 7e was a new AhasuerusE 5
2 1o. .ut... so simple, and 7e is so hol#F 5
2 *an, 7e is simple Cust )ecause 7e is hol#. ell, let us do this... *asterF .e
patient, come here and wor; a miracle. 0here are some men here who are
loo;ing "or 4ou, )ut the# ha'e )ecome petri"ied seeing 4ou. 3ome and gi'e
them )ac; motion and speech. 5
,esus, ho turned round when 7e was called, gets up smiling and comes
2,,. :#sus S$#)@s !4 H!$#. 312
towards the 'ine<dressers, whose countenance is so stupe"ied that the# seem to
)e "rightened.
2 Peace )e with #ou. Did #ou want *eE 7ere I am 5 and 7e ma;es the usual
gesture with 7is arms, which 7e stretches out as i" 7e o""ered 7imsel".
0he 'ine<dressers "all on their ;nees and remain silent.
2 .e not a"raid. 0ell *e what #ou want. 5
0he# o""er their )as;ets "ull o" grapes, without spea;ing.
,esus admires the )eauti"ul grapes, and sa#ing? 2 0han;s 5 7e stretches a hand
and ta;es a )unch and )egins to eat them.
2 9 *ost 7igh GodF 7e eats li;e usF 5 sa#s with a sigh the one whose name is
Gamala.
It is not possi)le not to laugh at such a remar;. ,esus also smiles more
noticea)l# and almost to eDcuse 7imsel", 7e sa#s? 2 I am the Son o" manF 5
7is gesture has o'ercome their ecstatic torpor, and Gamala sa#s? 2 ould 4ou
not enter our house, at least until 'esperE e are man#, )ecause we are se'en
)rothers with wi'es and children, and then there are the old ones who are
waiting "or death in peace. 5
2 =et us go. 3all #our companions and Coin us. *other, come with *ar#. 5
And ,esus sets out )ehind the peasants who ha'e got up and are wal;ing a little
sidewa#s in order to see 7im wal;. 0he path is a narrow one and runs )etween
trees tied to one another )# 'ines.
3 0he# soon reach the house, or rather the houses, )ecause there are se'eral
houses "orming a sIuare with a large common #ard in the centre, where there is
a well. 0he entrance is through a long corridor, which ser'es as a lo))# and is
closed at night with a hea'# door.
2 Peace to this house and to those who li'e in it 5 sa#s ,esus entering and raising
7is hand to )less, and then lowers it to caress a little hal"<na;ed )a)#, who loo;s
at 7im ecstaticall#? he is lo'el# in his little slee'eless shirt, which has "allen o""
his plump shoulderL he is )are<"ooted, with one "inger in his mouth and a crust
o" )read, dressed with oil, in the other hand.
2 0hat6s Da'id, the son o" m# #oungest )rother 5 eDplains Gamala, while one o"
the other 'ine<dressers enters the house neDt door to in"orm the people in it, he
then comes out and enters another one and so on, so that "aces o" e'er# age loo;
out and withdraw, and "inall# come out a"ter a short toilet.
0here is an old man sitting in the shade o" a shed, shielded )# a huge "ig<tree,
and he is holding a stic; in his hands. 7e does not e'en raise his head, as i"
nothing were o" interest to him.
2 7e is our "ather 5 eDplains Gamala. 2 7e is one o" the old people o" the
household, )ecause ,aco)6s wi"e also )rought her "ather here, when he was le"t
all alone, then there is the old mother o" =eah, who is the #oungest wi"e. 9ur
"ather is )lind. 7is e#es are co'ered )# a 'eil. So much sunshine in the "ieldsF
So much heat "rom the soilF Poor "atherF 7e is 'er# sad. .ut he is 'er# good. 7e
is now waiting "or his grandchildren, who are his onl# Co#. 5
,esus goes towards the old man. 2 *a# God )less #ou, "ather. 5
2 *a# God gi'e 4our )lessing )ac; to 4ou, whoe'er 4ou are 5 replies the old
man raising his head towards the 'oice.
2 4our "ate is unpleasant, is it notE 5 as;s ,esus ;indl#, )ec;oning to the others
not to sa# who is spea;ing.
2 It comes "rom God, a"ter so much good 7e has gi'en me during m# long li"e.
As I accepted good "rom God I must accept also the mis"ortune o" m# sight.
A"ter all, it is not eternal. It will end on the )osom o" A)raham. 5
2 4ou are right. It would )e worse i" #our soul were )lind. 5
2 I ha'e alwa#s endea'oured to ;eep its sight per"ect. 5
2 7ow did #ou do thatE 5
2 4ou who are spea;ing, are #oung, 4our 'oice tells me. Are 4ou perhaps li;e
the present<da# #oung people who are all )lind, )ecause the# are without
religion, ehE .e care"ul, it is a great mis"ortune not to )elie'e and not to do what
God, told us. An old man tells 4ou, m# )o#. I" 4ou a)andon the =aw, 4ou will
)e )lind )oth on the earth and in neDt li"e. 4ou will ne'er see God. .ecause the
da# will come when the 8edemptor *essiah will open the gates o" God "or us. I
am too old to see that da# here on the earth. .ut I will see it "rom the )osom o"
A)raham. 0hat is wh# I do not complain o" an#thing. .ecause I hope that
2,,. :#sus S$#)@s !4 H!$#. 313
through m# dar;ness I will eDpiate an#thing I ma# ha'e done disagreea)le to
God, and that I ma# deser'e 7im in eternal li"e. .ut 4ou are #oung. .e "aith"ul,
son, so that 4ou ma# see the *essiah. .ecause the time is near. 0he .aptist said
so. 4ou will see 7im. .ut i" 4our soul is )lind 4ou will )e one o" those o"
whom Isaiah spea;s. 4ou will ha'e e#es, )ut 4ou will not see. 5
2 ould #ou li;e to see 7im, "atherE 5 as;s ,esus la#ing one hand on his white
head.
2 I would li;e to see 7im. 9" course. .ut I pre"er to go without seeing 7im,
rather than I should see 7im and m# sons should not recognise 7im. I still ha'e
the ancient "aith and it is enough "or me. 0he#... 9hF the world nowada#s...5
2 >ather, see there"ore the *essiah, and ma# the e'ening o" #our li"e )e
crowned with delight 5 and ,esus6 hand slides "rom the white head down across
his "orehead as "ar as the )earded chin o" the old man, as i" 7e were caressing
him, and in the meantime 7e )ends to )e at the height o" his senile "ace.
2 9hF *ost 7igh =ordF .ut I can seeF I see... ho are 4ou, with this un;nown
"ace, which, howe'er, is "amiliar to me, as i" I had alread# seen 4ouE... .ut...
9hF 7ow "oolish I amF 4ou ho ha'e gi'en me )ac; m# e#esight are the
)lessed *essiahF 9hF 5 0he old man weeps o'er ,esus6 hands, which he has
grasped, co'ering them with tears and ;isses.
All the relati'es are in a turmoil.
4 ,esus "rees 7is hand and 7e caresses the old man again sa#ing? 2 4es, it is I.
3ome, so that #ou ma# )ecome acIuainted with *# words as well as with *#
"ace. 5 And 7e goes towards a little staircase, which leads up to a shad# terrace
entirel# shielded )# a thic; pergola. &'er#)od# "ollows 7im.
2 I had promised *# disciples to spea; to them a)out hope and I was going to
tell them a para)le to eDplain it. 0his is the para)le? this old Israelite. 0he >ather
o" 7ea'en gi'es *e the su)Cect to teach #ou all the great 'irtue that supports
>aith and 3harit#, li;e the arms o" a #o;e.
A sweet #o;e. 0he sca""old o" man;ind li;e the arm o" the cross, the throne o"
sal'ation li;e the support o" the wholesome sna;e raised in the desert. Sca""old
o" man;ind. .ridge o" the soul to "l# up to the =ight. And it is placed in the
middle, )etween essential >aith and most per"ect 3harit#, )ecause without 7ope
there can )e no >aith and without 7ope, 3harit# dies. >aith presupposes
un"ailing hope. 7ow can one )elie'e that one will reach God i" one does not
hope in 7is .ount#E hat can support #ou during #our li"etime i" #ou do not
hope in eternal li"eE 7ow can we persist in Custice i" we do not entertain the
hope that e'er# good deed o" ours is seen )# God ho will reward us "or itE
=i;ewise how can 3harit# )e ali'e in us i" we ha'e no hopeE 7ope precedes
3harit# and prepares it. .ecause a man needs to hope in order to lo'e. 0hose
who ha'e lost all hope, cannot lo'e. 0his is the staircase, made o" steps and
)anisters? >aith the steps, 7ope the )anistersL at the top there is 3harit# to which
one clim)s )# means o" the other two. *an hopes in order to )elie'e, and
)elie'es in order to lo'e.
0his man ;new how to hope. 7e was )orn. A )a)# o" Israel li;e e'er#)od# else.
7e grew up with the same teaching as e'er#)od# else. 7e )ecame a son o" the
=aw li;e all the others. 7e )ecame a man, a hus)and, a "ather, old, alwa#s
hoping in the promises made to the patriarchs and repeated )# the prophets. In
his old age shadows came o'er his e#es, )ut not o'er his heart. 7ope has alwa#s
)een lit in it. 7ope to see God. 0o see God in neDt li"e. And, in the hope o" that
eternal 'ision, there was a more intimate and dearer hope? Gto see the *essiah.H
And he said to *e, not ;nowing who was the #oung man spea;ing to him? GI"
#ou a)andon the =aw #ou will )e )lind )oth on the earth and in 7ea'en. 4ou
will not see God and #ou will not ;now the *essiah.H 7e spo;e as a wise man.
0here are too man# people in Israel now who are )lind. 0he# ha'e no hope
)ecause it was ;illed )# their re)ellion to the =aw, which is alwa#s a re)ellion,
e'en when 'eiled )# sacred 'estments, i" it is not complete acceptance o" the
word o" God, I sa# o" God, not o" the superstructures put there )# man, which
)eing too man# and completel# human, are neglected )# the 'er# ones who put
them there, and are "ul"illed mechanicall#, compulsoril#, wearil#, un"ruit"ull#
)# others. 0he# ha'e no more hope. .ut the# deride the eternal truth. 0here"ore
the# no longer ha'e >aith or 3harit#. 0he di'ine #o;e gi'en )# God to man that
he might ma;e it his o)edience and merit, the hea'enl# cross that God ga'e to
man to conCure the serpents o" &'il, that he might ma;e it his health, has lost its
cross arm, the one supporting the white "lame and the red one? >aith and
3harit#, and dar;ness descended into the hearts o" men.
0he old man said to *e? GIt is a great mis"ortune not to )elie'e and not to do
what God told us.H It is true. I con"irm it. It is worse than )odil# )lindness,
which can )e cured to gi'e a Cust man the Co# to see again the sun, meadows, the
"ruit o" the earth, the "aces o" his sons and grandchildren, and a)o'e all, what
was the hope o" his hope? G0o see the *essiah o" the =ord.H I wish such 'irtue
2,,. :#sus S$#)@s !4 H!$#. 314
were ali'e in the soul o" e'er# man in Israel and a)o'e all in the souls o" those
who are more learned in the law. It is not su""icient to ha'e )een to the 0emple
or to )e o" the 0emple, it is not su""icient to ;now the words o" the .oo; )#
heart. It is necessar# to ma;e them the li"e o" our li'es )# means o" the three
di'ine 'irtues. 4ou ha'e an eDample? e'er#thing is eas# to deal with where the#
are ali'e, e'en mis"ortune. .ecause the #o;e o" God is alwa#s a light one, which
weighs onl# on the )od# )ut does not deCect the spirit.
Go in peace, #ou who li'e in this house o" good Israelites. Go in peace, old
"ather. 4ou ha'e the certaint# that God lo'es #ou. &nd #our Cust da# )# la#ing
#our wisdom in the hearts o" the children o" #our own )lood. I cannot sta#, )ut
*# )lessing remains here, among these walls rich in grace li;e the grapes o" this
'ine#ard. 5
And ,esus would li;e to go awa#. .ut 7e has to sta# at least long enough to
meet this tri)e o" all ages, and recei'e what the# wish to gi'e 7im, until their
tra'elling sac;s are li;e )ulging goat<s;ins... 7e can then ta;e to the road again,
along a short cut through the 'ine#ard, shown to 7im )# the 'ine<dressers, who
lea'e 7im onl# when the# reach the main road, in sight o" a little 'illage where
,esus and 7is "riends can sta# "or the night.
,+4. 9!sus %o!s u" 7ount C'r)!# $it His Cousin 9')!s.
1*t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 2 &'angeli(e in the plain o" &sdraelon until I come )ac; 5 ,esus orders 7is
apostles on a clear morning, while the# are ta;ing a little "ood, some )read and
"ruit, on the )an;s o" the Bishon. 0he apostles do not appear to )e 'er#
enthusiastic, )ut ,esus com"orts them, telling them how to )eha'e, and 7e
concludes? 2 In an# case #ou ha'e *# *other with #ou. She will gi'e #ou good
ad'ice. Go to ,ohanan6s peasants, and on the Sa))ath endea'our to spea; to
Doras6 peasants. Gi'e them some assistance and console the old relati'e o"
*arCiam, gi'ing him news o" the )o# and tell him that we will ta;e him his
grandson "or the "east o" the 0a)ernacles. Gi'e those poor people 'er# much,
e'er#thing #ou ha'e. 0ell them e'er#thing #ou ;now, gi'e them all the lo'e #ou
can, all the mone# we ha'e. .e not a"raid. As it goes, so it comes. e shall
ne'er die o" star'ation, e'en i" we ha'e to li'e on )read and "ruit onl#. And i"
#ou see people needing clothes, gi'e them some, also *ine. 1a#, *ine "irst. e
shall ne'er )e le"t nude. And a)o'e all i" #ou come across poor wretches
loo;ing "or *e, do not disdain them. 4ou ha'e no right to do that. Good)#e,
*other. *a# God )less #ou all through *# lips. Go without an# "ear. 3ome,
,ames. 5
2 Are 4ou not ta;ing 4our )agE 5 as;s 0homas seeing that the =ord is going
awa# without pic;ing it up.
2 I do not need it. I shall wal; more "reel#. 5
,ames also lea'es his, notwithstanding his mother had ta;en care to "ill it with
)read, cheese and "ruit.
0he# set out "ollowing "or a little while the )an; o" the Bishon, then the# start
clim)ing the "irst slopes leading up to *ount 3armel and can no longer )e seen
)# those le"t )ehind.
2 *other, we are now in 4our hands. Guide us )ecause... we are not capa)le o"
doing an#thing 5 con"esses Peter hum)l#.
*ar# smiles reassuringl# and sa#s? 2 It is 'er# simple. All #ou need do is o)e#
7is orders and #ou will do e'er#thing 'er# well. =et us go. 5
2 ,esus is clim)ing with 7is cousin and does not spea;. 1either does ,ames.
,esus is engrossed in thoughtL ,ames, who "eels he is on the threshold o" a
re'elation, is "ull o" re'erential lo'e, o" spiritual tremor and loo;s now and
again at ,esus, hose pensi'e solemn "ace )rightens up now and again with a
smile. ,ames loo;s at 7im as he would loo; at God not #et incarnate and shining
in 7is immense maCest#. 0he apostle6s "ace, which resem)les the countenance o"
Saint ,oseph, a )rownish 'isage, with, howe'er, some red on the top points o"
chee;s, )ecomes pale with emotion. .ut he respects the silence o" ,esus.
0he# clim) up steep short cuts, pa#ing no attention to the shepherds pasturing
their "loc;s on the green meadows under holm<oa;s, oa;s, ash<trees and other
"orestr#, and as the# clim) up, the# )rush with their mantles glaucous Cuniper
)ushes, or golden )room ones, or emerald tu"ts strewn with m#rtle pearls, or
trem)ling curtains o" hone#suc;le and "lower# climatis.
0he# ascend lea'ing )ehind woodsmen and shepherds until the# reach, a"ter an
2,-. :#sus '!#s u$ 9!unt C)r+#% &t" Hs C!usn :)+#s. 31,
eDhausting clim), the crest o" the mountain, or rather a small ta)leland close to
the crest crowned with gigantic oa;s, and surrounded )# a 'erita)le )alustrade
o" "orestr#, whose )ase is "ormed )# the tops o" the other trees on the mountain
side, so that the little meadow seems to )e resting on a rustling support, isolated
"rom the rest o" the mountain, and is rather concealed )# the )ranches )eneath.
.ehind it there is the pea;, with its trees rising towards the s;#, with the
"irmament a)o'e and in "ront the un)ro;en hori(on reddening in the sunset and
stretching endlessl# )e#ond the )right sea. A "issure on the earth, which does
not collapse onl# )ecause the roots o" gigantic oa;s hold it "irml# in position,
opens in the cli"" and is )arel# wide enough "or one man o" normal )uild. 0he
path is "urther narrowed and lengthened )# some "ringe undergrowth.
,esus sa#s? 2 ,ames, *# dear )rother, we shall stop here tonight, and although
our )odies are so tired, I as; #ou to pass the night in pra#er. 0onight and all da#
tomorrow until this time. A whole da# is not too much to recei'e what I want to
gi'e #ou. 5
2 ,esus, *# =ord and *aster, I will alwa#s do what 4ou want 5 replies ,ames,
who )ecame e'en paler when ,esus )egan to spea;.
2 I ;now. 3 =et us go now and pic; some )lac;)erries and )il)erries to eat and
re"resh oursel'es at a spring that I heard )elow here. 4ou ma# lea'e #our mantle
in the ca'e. 1o one will ta;e it. 5
And together with 7is cousin 7e goes round the cli"" and pic;s wild "ruit o"" the
)ushes in the undergrowth, and then, a "ew #ards "urther down, on the opposite
side to the one the# came up, the# "ill their "las;s, the onl# things the# )rought
with them, at a )a))ling spring, which runs out "rom a mass o" intertwined
roots, and the# re"resh themsel'es )ecause it is still 'er# warm notwithstanding
the height. 0he# then clim) )ac; to the ta)leland, and while the sun setting in
the west reddens the mountain top, the# eat what the# ha'e pic;ed and drin;
some water, smiling at each other li;e two happ# children or two angels. 0he#
spea; onl# a "ew words? a remem)rance o" those le"t down in the plain, an
eDclamation admiring the in"inite )eaut# o" the da#, the names o" two mothers...
1othing else.
0hen ,esus draws 7is cousin towards 7imsel" and ,ames ta;es ,ohn6s ha)itual
posture? his head resting on the upper part o" ,esus6 chest, one arm hanging
loose, the other hand in that o" his 3ousin. 0he# remain thus, while in the dus;,
)irds twitter loudl# in the thic;et, the tin;le o" cattle<)ells recedes and "ades in
the distance, and a light )ree(e rustles caressingl# in the tree tops, cool and
re'i'ing a"ter the heat o" the da#, and promising dew in the night.
0he# remain thus "or a long time, and I thin; that onl# their lips are silent,
whilst their souls, more acti'e than e'er, are engaged in supernatural
con'ersation.
,+6. 9!sus R!2!'#s to 9')!s o0 A#"'!us His Futur! A"osto#ic
7ission.
,;t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 It is the same time on the "ollowing da#.
,ames is still in the "issure o" the mountain and is sitting all curled up, with his
head almost resting on his ;nees, which are drawn up and em)raced )# his arms.
7e is either engrossed in meditation or sleeping. I do not ;now which. 7e is
certainl# unaware o" what is happening around him, that is, o" the "ight o" two
large )irds, which "or some pri'ate reason are duelling "iercel# on the little
meadow. I would sa# that the# are mountain<coc;s, or wood<grouse or
pheasants, )ecause the# are the si(e o" a coc;erel, with 'ariegated "eathers )ut
the# ha'e no com)s, )ut onl# a helmet o" "lesh, as red as coral, on the top o"
their heads and on their chee;s, and I can assure #ou @1A that i" their heads are
small, their )ea;s must )e li;e steel spi;es. >eathers "l# in the air and )lood "alls
on to the ground in a dread"ul noise, which has caused all whistling, trilling and
war)ling to come to an end among )ranches. Perhaps the little )irds are
watching the wild "ight. ,ames does not hear an#thing. ,esus does hear and
comes down "rom the hill top to which 7e had clim)ed and clapping 7is hands
7e separates the two opponents, which "l# awa# )leeding, one towards the
mountain side, the other to an oa;<tree on the top, where it tidies its shagg#
ru""led "eathers.
,ames does not raise his head e'en at the noise made )# ,esus, ho ta;es a "ew
more steps smiling and stops in the middle o" the little meadow. 7is white tunic
seems to )ecome tinged with red on the right hand side, so deep is the crimson
o" sunset. 0he s;# seems to )e catching "ire. And #et ,ames cannot )e asleep,
2,..:#sus R#6#)%s t! :)+#s !4 A%$")#us Hs Futur# A$!st!%c 9ss!n. 31-
)ecause as soon as ,esus whispers, 7e Cust whispers? 2 ,ames, come here 5, he
li"ts his head "rom his ;nees, "rees his legs "rom the em)race o" his arms, stands
up and comes towards ,esus. 7e stops a couple o" paces )e"ore him and loo;s at
7im.
,esus returns the glance, gra'el# )ut encouraging him at the same time )# means
o" a smile, which is not "ormed )# 7is lips or 7is e#es, and #et is 'isi)le. 7e
stares at ,ames, as i" 7e wanted to read the slightest reaction and emotion o" 7is
cousin and apostle, who, "eeling as on the pre'ious da#, that he is a)out to
recei'e a re'elation, turns pale and )ecomes e'en paler until he is as white as his
linen tunic when ,esus raises 7is arms and la#s 7is hands on his shoulders, and
remains thus with arms stretched "orth. ,ames then loo;s Cust li;e a sacred host.
9nl# his mild dar; )rown e#es and his )rown )eard gi'e some colour to his
eDpectant "ace.
2 2 ,ames, *# )rother, do #ou ;now wh# I wanted #ou here, all )# oursel'es, to
spea; to #ou a"ter hours o" pra#er and meditationE 5
,ames seems to "ind it di""icult to repl#, as he is so deepl# mo'ed. .ut at last he
replies in a low 'oice? 2 0o gi'e me a special lessonL or with regard to the "uture
or )ecause I am the least capa)le o" all. I than; 4ou "rom this moment, e'en i" it
is "or a reproach. .ut, )elie'e me, *# *aster and =ord, i" I am slow and
incapa)le, it is due to in)orn de"icienc#, not to poor will. 5
2 It is not a reproach )ut a lesson "or the time when I shall no longer )e with
#ou. During the last months #ou ha'e pondered in #our heart o'er what I told
#ou one da#, at the "oot o" this mountain, when I promised to come here with
#ou, not onl# to spea; o" the prophet &liCah and to watch the in"inite sea shining
o'er there, )ut to spea; to #ou o" another sea, greater, more changea)le and
untrustworth# than this one, which toda# loo;s li;e the most placid o" all seas,
and #et in a "ew hours it ma# swallow )oats and men in its 'oracious hunger.
And #ou ha'e alwa#s lin;ed what I told #ou then to the idea that #our coming
here had some connection with #our "uture destin#... In "act #ou are now
)ecoming paler and paler, as #ou realise that it is a gra'e destin#, a heritage "ull
o" such responsi)ilit# as to cause e'en a hero to trem)le. A responsi)ilit# and a
mission to )e "ul"illed with all the holiness that is possi)le in man in order not to
disappoint the will o" God.
.e not a"raid, ,ames. I do not want #our ruin. 0here"ore i" I destine #ou to it, it
means that I ;now that #ou will not recei'e an# harm "rom it, )ut onl#
supernatural Co#. =isten, ,ames. Set #our heart at rest, through a "ine act o"
a)andonment to *e, so that #ou ma# )e a)le to hear and remem)er *# words.
1e'er again shall we )e all alone as we are now and with our souls so prepared
to understand each other.
I will go one da#, li;e e'er# man who has a limited period o" time to sta# on the
earth. *# sta# will come to an end in a wa# that is di""erent "rom that o" men,
)ut it will still come to an end, and #ou will no longer ha'e *e with #ou, eDcept
through *# Spirit which, I can assure #ou, will ne'er desert #ou. I will go a"ter
gi'ing #ou what is necessar# to ena)le *# Doctrine to ma;e progress in the
world, a"ter completing the Sacri"ice and o)taining Grace "or #ou. .# means o"
that Grace and o" the sapiential septi"orm >ire #ou will )e a)le to do what #ou
would now consider madness and presumption e'en to imagine. I will go and
#ou will remain. And the world that did not understand 3hrist will not under<
stand the apostles o" 3hrist. 4ou will there"ore )e persecuted and dispersed as
the greatest danger to the wel"are o" Israel. .ut since #ou are *# disciples #ou
must )e happ# to su""er the same a""lictions as #our *aster su""ered.
9ne da# in the month o" 1isan I said to #ou? G4ou will )e the one who is le"t o"
the prophets o" the =ord.H 4our mother, )# spiritual ministr#, almost understood
the meaning o" those words. .ut )e"ore the# come true "or *# apostles, the#
will )e realised with regard to #ou. ,ames, e'er#)od# will )e dispersed, eDcept
#ou, and that until #ou are called )# God to 7is 7ea'en. 4ou will remain in the
place to which God will ha'e elected #ou through the word o" #our )rothers,
#ou, the descendant o" the ro#al race, in the ro#al cit#, to raise *# sceptre and
spea; o" the true Bing. 9" the Bing o" Israel and o" the world, according to a
su)lime regalit# that no one understands eDcept those to whom it is re'ealed.
0he# will )e da#s when #ou will need strength, perse'erance, patience and
unlimited sagacit#. 4ou will ha'e to )e Cust with charit# and with the pure
simple "aith o" a child, )ut at the same time erudite as )ecoming a true master in
order to support "aith attac;ed in man# hearts )# so man# enemies, and to
con"ute the errors o" "alse 3hristians and the doctrinaire Iui))les o" old Israel,
which is )lind now and will )ecome e'en more )lind a"ter ;illing the =ight and
will twist the words o" the prophets and e'en the instructions o" the >ather "rom
hom I come, to con'ince the world and itsel", in order to gi'e itsel" peace, that
I was not the 9ne o" hom patriarchs and prophets spo;e. 0he# will instead
state that I was a poor man, a madman, a dreamer, according to the )etter ones, a
possessed heretic according to the worse ones o" old Israel.
2,..:#sus R#6#)%s t! :)+#s !4 A%$")#us Hs Futur# A$!st!%c 9ss!n. 31.
I )eg #ou then to )e another *#sel". 1o, it is not impossi)leF It is possi)le. 4ou
will ha'e to )ear in mind #our ,esus, 7is actions, 7is words, 7is deeds. 4ou
will ha'e to )ecome molten in *e, as i" #ou la# in the cla# mould used )# those
who melt metals to shape them. I will alwa#s )e present, so present and ali'e
with #ou, *# "aith"ul ones, that #ou will )e a)le to unite #oursel'es to *e and
"orm another *e, i" #ou onl# wish so. .ut #ou, who ha'e )een with *e since
our earliest #outh and ha'e recei'ed the "ood o" isdom "rom the hands o"
*ar#, e'en )e"ore #ou recei'ed it "rom *ine, #ou who are the nephew o" the
most Cust man that Israel had, #ou must )e a per"ect 3hrist...5
3 2 I cannot, I cannot, =ordF Gi'e that tas; to m# )rother. Gi'e it to ,ohn, to
Peter Simon, to the other Simon. .ut not to me, m# =ordF h# to meE hat
ha'e I done to deser'e itE 3an6t 4ou see that I am a poor man capa)le o" one
thing onl#? that is, to lo'e 4ou and "irml# )elie'e what 4ou sa#E 5
2 ,udas6 character is too strong. 7e will do well where paganism is to )e
demolished. 1ot here, where those who are to )e con'inced o" the 3hristian
"aith )elie'e that the# are a)solutel# right, as the# alread# are the people o" God.
1ot here, where those are to )e persuaded, who although the# )elie'e in *e,
will )e disappointed at the course o" e'ents. 0he# are to )e con'inced that *#
Bingdom is not o" this world, )ut it is the entirel# spiritual Bingdom o" 7ea'en,
the prelude to which is a 3hristian li"e, that is, a li"e in which spiritual 'alues are
the pre'ailing ones.
Persuasion is achie'ed )# means o" "irm ;indness. oe to those who catch
people )# their throats to persuade them. 0he# will sa#? G#esH at the moment, to
)e "reed "rom the grip. .ut the# will run awa# without loo;ing )ac; and the#
will re"use an# "urther discussion, i" the# are not wic;ed, )ut onl# misguided.
.ut i" the# are wic;ed or simpl# "anatics, the# will run awa# to get armed and
;ill the o'er)earing assertor o" doctrines di""erent "rom theirs. And #ou will )e
surrounded )# "anatics. 0here will )e "anatics among 3hristians and among
Israelites. 0he "ormer will eDpect #ou to ta;e strong action or will claim
authorit# "rom #ou to ta;e strong action themsel'es. .ecause old Israel, with its
intolerance and restrictions, will still )e wriggling its poisonous tail amongst
them. 0he latter will march against #ou and the others, as i" the# were "ighting a
hol# war to de"end the old >aith, its s#m)ols and ceremonies. And #ou will )e in
the middle o" the storm# sea.
Such is the "ate o" leaders. And #ou will )e the leader o" all those )elonging to
the ,erusalem con'erted to 3hristianit# )# #our ,esus. 4ou will ha'e to ;now
how to lo'e per"ectl# in order to lead them holil#. 4ou will ha'e to oppose #our
heart to the weapons and anathemas o" the ,ews, and not o""er resistance with
other weapons and anathemas. 1e'er ta;e the li)ert# o" imitating the Pharisees
in Cudging the Gentiles as "ilth. I ha'e come "or them as well, )ecause the
humiliation o" God in ta;ing "lesh lia)le to death would ha'e )een out o"
proportion i" done "or Israel alone. .ecause while it is true that *# =o'e would
ha'e made *e )ecome incarnate with Co# "or the sal'ation o" one onl# soul,
,ustice, which is also a di'ine per"ection, demands that In"inite )e humiliated "or
an in"init#? "or *an;ind. 4ou will ha'e to )e ;ind to them as well, in order not
to repel them, con"ining #oursel" to )eing "irm with regard to *# doctrine, )ut
indulging as "ar as other "orms o" li"e di""erent "rom ours, and material matters
are concerned, without an# detriment to souls. .ut #ou will ha'e to "ight hard
with #our )rothers o'er that, )ecause Israel is en'eloped in practices that are
eDternal onl# and useless, as the# do not change souls. 4ou instead must )e
concerned onl# with the spirit, and #ou must teach others to do the same. Do not
eDpect Gentiles to change their ha)its all o" a sudden. 4ou will not change #ours
with one )low either. Do not remain anchored at #our roc;. .ecause to pic; up
wrec;age at sea and ta;e it to the doc;#ard and reshape it "or a new li"e, it is
necessar# to sail and not remain still. And #ou must go and loo; "or wrec;age.
0here is some in paganism and also in Israel. .e#ond the )oundless sea there is
God, ho opens 7is arms to all 7is creatures, whether the# are rich )ecause o"
their hol# origin, li;e Israelites, or poor, )ecause pagans. I said? G4ou shall lo'e
#our neigh)our.H 4our neigh)our is not onl# #our relati'e or countr#man. Also
the 7#per)orean, whose "ace is un;nown to #ou, is #our neigh)our, as well as
the man who is now admiring dawn in regions o" which #ou are unaware, or the
man who tra'els on the "a)ulous mountain chains co'ered with snow in Asia, or
drin;s at a ri'er "lowing in the un;nown "orests in central A"rica. And i" a
worshipper o" the sun should come to #ou, or one whose god is the 'oracious
crocodile, or one who )elie'es that he is isdom reincarnate, who understood
the 0ruth, )ut did not grasp its Per"ection, neither did he gi'e it as 7ealth to his
"aith"ul ones, or should a nauseated citi(en o" 8ome or Athens come to #ou
as;ing? GGi'e me ;nowledge o" GodH, #ou cannot and must not sa# to them? GI
reCect #ou )ecause it would )e a pro"anation to ta;e #ou to God.H .ear in mind
that the# do not ;now, whereas Israel does. And #et man# people in Israel are
and will )e reall# more idolatrous and cruel than the most )ar)arian idolater in
the world, and the# will not sacri"ice human 'ictims to this or to that idol, )ut to
themsel'es, to their pride, a'id "or )lood a"ter the# ha'e )ecome parched with
2,..:#sus R#6#)%s t! :)+#s !4 A%$")#us Hs Futur# A$!st!%c 9ss!n. 311
an unIuencha)le thirst, which will last until the end o" centuries. 0hat terri)le
thirst ma#)e Iuenched onl# )# drin;ing once again and with "aith what caused
it. .ut it will then )e the end o" the world, )ecause Israel will )e the last to sa#?
Ge )elie'e that 4ou are God and the *essiahH, notwithstanding all the proo"s
that I ha'e gi'en and will gi'e o" *# Di'init#.
4 4ou will watch and ensure that the "aith o" 3hristians is not 'ain. It would )e
'ain i" it consisted onl# o" words or h#pocritical practices. It is the spirit that
'i'i"ies. 0here is no spirit in mechanical or Pharisaic practices, which are )ut
sham "aith and not true "aith. hat would it a'ail man to sing praises to God in
the congregation o" )elie'ers, i" e'er# action o" his is an imprecation to God,
ho does not )ecome the laughing<stoc; o" such )elie'er, )ut in 7is paternit#,
alwa#s maintains 7is prerogati'es o" God and BingE
atch and ensure that no)od# ta;es a place not )elonging to him. 0he =ight
will )e gi'en )# God according to #our situation. God will ne'er let #ou )e
without =ight, unless Grace is eDtinguished in #ou )# sin. *an# will lo'e to )e
called? Gmaster.H 9ne onl# is #our *aster? 7e ho is spea;ing to #ouL and one
onl# is #our *istress? the 3hurch, which perpetuates 7im. In the 3hurch those
will )e masters who ha'e )een consecrated with the special appointment to
teach. .ut among the )elie'ers there will )e some who )# the will o" God and
their own holiness, that is )ecause o" their good will, will )e o'erwhelmed )#
the 'orteD o" isdom and will spea;. 0here will )e others, who are not wise
themsel'es )ut are docile instruments in the hands o" artisans, and the# will
spea; in the name o" the Artisan, repeating, li;e good children, what the >ather
tells them to sa#, although the# do not understand the "ull meaning o" the words
the# spea;. And "inall# there will )e those who spea; as i" the# were masters,
and their magniloIuence will decei'e simple people, )ut the# will )e proud,
hard<hearted, Cealous, irasci)le, liars and lust"ul. hile I tell #ou to recei'e the
words o" the wise in the =ord and o" the su)lime children o" the 7ol# Spirit,
helping them to understand the depth o" di'ine words, )ecause i" the# are the
)earers o" the Di'ine -oice, #ou, *# apostles, will alwa#s )e the teachers o"
*# 3hurch, and #ou must assist those who are supernaturall# tired o" the
enrapturing and gra'e richness that God has granted them that the# ma# ta;e it
to their )rothers, so I sa# to #ou? reCect the "alse words o" "alse prophets, whose
li'es are not in accordance with *# doctrine. A hol# li"e, mildness, purit#,
charit# and humilit# will ne'er )e lac;ing in the wise and little 'oices o" God.
0he# will alwa#s )e lac;ing in the others.
atch and ensure that there are no Cealous# and slander, or resentment or desire
"or re'enge in the congregation o" )elie'ers. atch and ensure that the "lesh
does not o'erwhelm the spirit. 7e, whose spirit does not control his )od#, could
not withstand persecutions.
5 ,ames, I ;now that #ou will do it, )ut promise #our .rother that #ou will not
disappoint *e. 5
2 .ut m# =ordF I am a"raid o" one thing onl#? that I am not capa)le o" doing it.
*# =ord, I )eg 4ou, gi'e that tas; to someone else. 5
2 1o. I cannot...5
2 Simon o" ,onah lo'es 4ou, and 4ou lo'e him...5
2 Simon o" ,onah is not ,ames o" Da'id. 5
2 ,ohnF ,ohn, the learned angel, ma;e him 4our ser'ant here. 5
2 1o. I cannot. 1either Simon nor ,ohn possess that nothingness, which is,
howe'er, so important with men? ;inship. 4ou are a relati'e o" *ine. A"ter
re"using to ac;nowledge *e, the )etter part o" Israel will endea'our to )e
"orgi'en )# God and )# themsel'es and will ma;e an e""ort to ;now the =ord
hom the# cursed in the hour o" Satan, and the# will "eel the# ha'e )een
"orgi'en, and will thus "eel strong to come on to *# a#, i" one o" *# )lood is
in *# place. ,ames, great things ha'e )een accomplished upon this mountain.
7ere the "ire o" God consumed not onl# the holocaust, the wood and stones, )ut
e'en the dust and the 'er# water that was in the ditch. ,ames, do #ou )elie'e that
God can do again such a thing, )urning and consuming all the materialit# o" the
man<,ames to ma;e a ,ames<"ire o" GodE e ha'e )een spea;ing while the
setting sun has in"lamed our tunics. Do #ou thin; that the )rightness o" the
chariot that too; &liCah awa#, was li;e this or more or less re"ulgentE 5
2 *uch more re"ulgent )ecause it was made o" hea'enl# "ire. 5
2 3onsider there"ore what a heart will )e, when it has )een turned into "ire to
ha'e in itsel" God, )ecause God wants it to perpetuate 7is ord preaching the
Gospel o" Sal'ation. 5
6 2 .ut 4ou, ord o" God, eternal ord, wh# do 4ou not remainE 5
2 .ecause I am ord and >lesh. .# the ord I must teach, and )# the >lesh,
2,..:#sus R#6#)%s t! :)+#s !4 A%$")#us Hs Futur# A$!st!%c 9ss!n. 312
redeem. 5
2 9hF *# ,esus, how will 4ou redeemE hat ha'e 4ou to "aceE 5
2 ,ames, remem)er the prophets. 5
2 .ut are their words not allegoricE 3an 4ou, the ord o" God, )e manhandled
)# menE Do the# perhaps not mean that 4our di'init#, 4our per"ection will )e
tormented )ut nothing more than thatE *# mother is worried a)out ,udas and
me, )ut I am worried a)out 4ou and *ar#, and also a)out oursel'es, )ecause we
are so wea;. ,esus, i" men should o'erwhelm 4ou, do 4ou not thin; that man#
o" us would )elie'e 4ou to )e guilt#, and )eing disappointed, would a)andon
4ouE 5
2 I am sure o" it. 0here will )e con"usion among all *# disciples. .ut then
peace will reign, and there will )e a cohesion o" all the )etter parts, upon which
the "orti"#ing wise Spirit? the Di'ine Spirit will come, a"ter *# sacri"ice and *#
triumph. 5
2 ,esus, in order that I ma# not de'iate and ma# not )e scandalised in the
dread"ul hour, tell me? what will the# do to 4ouE 5
2 4ou are as;ing *e a great thing. 5
2 0ell me, m# =ord. 5
2 It will )e a torture "or #ou to ;now it eDactl#. 5
2 It does not matter. >or the lo'e that has united us...5
2 It is not to )e ;nown. 5
2 0ell me and then cancel it "rom m# memor# until the hour it is to )e
accomplished. 0hen )ring it )ac; to m# memor#, together with the
remem)rance o" this hour. I will thus not )e scandalised and I will not )ecome
4our enem# in the depth o" m# heart. 5
2 It will )e o" no a'ail, )ecause #ou, too, will #ield to the storm. 5
2 0ell me, m# =ordF 5
2 I shall )e accused, )etra#ed, captured, tortured, cruci"ied. 5
2 1oF 5 shouts ,ames writhing as i" he had )een struc; to death. 2 1oF 5 he
repeats. 2 I" the# do that to 4ou, what will the# do to usE 7ow shall we )e a)le
to continue 4our wor;E I cannot accept the position 4ou ha'e destined to me... I
cannot... hen 4ou die, I will die too, ha'ing no more strength. ,esus, listen to
meF Don6t lea'e me without 4ou. Promise me at least thatF 5
2 I promise that I will come and guide #ou with *# Spirit, a"ter *# glorious
8esurrection has "reed *e "rom the restrictions o" matter. 4ou and I will )e
again one thing onl#, as we are now that #ou are )etween *# arms 5 ,ames in
"act has )egun to weep on ,esus6 chest. 7 2 Do not weep an# more. =et us come
out o" this )right and pain"ul hour o" ecstas#, as one comes out "rom the shadow
o" death, remem)ering e'er#thing eDcept the act o" d#ing, a "right that "ree(es
one6s )lood and lasts )ut one minute, and as an accomplished "act it lasts
"ore'er. 3ome I will ;iss #ou thus, to help #ou "orget the )urden o" *# "ate as
*an. 4ou will remem)er all this at the right moment, as #ou as;ed. 7ere, I ;iss
#our lips that will ha'e to repeat *# words to the people o" Israel, and #our
heart that will ha'e to lo'e as I told #ou, and there, on #our temple, where li"e
will cease together with the last word o" lo'ing "aith in *e. *# )elo'ed )rother,
I will come to #ou and )e with #ou in the meetings o" )elie'ers, in the hour o"
meditation, in those o" danger and in the hour o" #our deathF 1o one, not e'en
#our angel, will recei'e #our spirit, )ecause I will, with a ;iss, thus...5
0he# remain em)raced "or a long time and ,ames seems to do(e o"" in the Co# o"
God6s ;isses that ma;e him "orget his su""ering. hen he li"ts his head, he has
)ecome once again ,ames o" Alphaeus, peace"ul and ;ind, so much li;e ,oseph,
the spouse o" *ar#. 7e smiles at ,esus, his smile is more mature, somewhat sad,
)ut alwa#s so sweet.
2 =et us ta;e our "ood, ,ames, and then we shall sleep under the stars. At
da#)rea; we shall go down to the 'alle#... )ac; to men...5 and ,esus sighs... .ut
7e ends with a smile? 2 ...and to *ar#. 5
2 And what shall I tell m# mother, ,esusE And m# companionsE 0he# will as;
me man# Iuestions...5
2 4ou can tell them e'er#thing I told #ou, ma;ing #ou consider &liCah in his
answers to Aha), to the people on the mountain, and meditating on the power o"
a man lo'ed )# God to achie'e what is wanted o" people and all the elements,
his (eal, which de'ours him, "or the =ord, and how I made #ou consider that
with peace and in peace one understands and ser'es God. 4ou will sa# to them
as I said to #ou? G3omeH, and as &liCah put his mantle on &lisha, so #ou )# the
2,..:#sus R#6#)%s t! :)+#s !4 A%$")#us Hs Futur# A$!st!%c 9ss!n. 323
mantle o" charit# will )e a)le to gain "or the =ord new ser'ants o" God. And to
those who are alwa#s worried, sa# that I drew to #our attention the Co#"ul
"reedom "rom past things, which &lisha shows, when he got rid o" the oDen and
plough. 0ell them how I reminded #ou that e'il and no good )e"alls those who
want miracles through .eel(e)u), as it happened to Aha(iah, according to the
word o" &liCah. And "inall# tell them, how I promised #ou that "or those who are
"aith"ul until death, the puri"#ing "ire o" =o'e will come to )urn their
imper"ections and ta;e them straight to 7ea'en. 0he rest is "or #ou onl#. 5
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
@1A *aria -altorta is addressing her con"essor.
,+8. 9!sus 'n( His Cousin 9')!s on T!ir /'1 B'c@ 0ro)
7ount C'r)!#.
,1st Au&ust 1*4+.
1 ,esus lea'es the ta)leland on *ount 3armel and descends along dew# paths
through woods that )ecome li'elier with trills and 'oices in the earl# sunshine
gilding the eastern side o" the mountain. hen the sun dissol'es the heat ha(e,
the )eaut# o" the whole plain o" &sdraelon is displa#ed with its orchards and
'ine#ards all gathered around houses. It loo;s li;e a carpet, mostl# green, with a
"ew #ellowish oases strewn with red areas, which are the "ields where the corn
has )een cut and poppies now spar;le, a carpet enclosed )# the triangular )e(el
o" *ount 3armel, *ount 0a)or and *ount 7ermon @=ittle 7ermonA and )#
more remote mountains, the names o" which I do not ;now, which conceal the
,ordan and are lin;ed to the south<east to the mountains o" Samaria. ,esus stops
and loo;s pensi'el# at all that area o" Palestine.
,ames loo;s at 7im and sa#s? 2 Are 4ou loo;ing at the )eaut# o" this regionE 5
2 4es, also at that. .ut more than an#thing else I was thin;ing o" "uture
pilgrimages and o" the necessit# o" sending disciples without an# dela# to do
real missionar# wor;, and not Cust limited wor; as we ha'e done now. 0here are
man# areas where I am not #et ;nown and I do not want to lea'e an# place
without the ;nowledge o" *e. It is a worr# constantl# present in *# mind? to go
and do e'er#thing, while I can... 5
2 1ow and again something happens that dela#s 4ou. 5
2 8ather than dela# *e the# cause changes to *# itinerar#L )ecause the trips we
ma;e are ne'er useless. .ut there is still so much to )e done... Also )ecause
a"ter )eing a)sent "rom one place I "ind that man# hearts ha'e gone )ac; to
where the# started "rom, and I ha'e to start all o'er again. 5
2 4es, the apath# o" souls, their inconstanc# and a""ection "or e'il are
depressing and disgusting. 5
2 Depressing, #es, )ut do not sa# disgusting. 0he wor; o" God is ne'er
disgusting. e must "eel pit# not disgust "or poor souls. e must alwa#s ha'e
the heart o" a "ather, o" a good "ather. A good "ather is ne'er disgusted at the
diseases o" his children. e must ne'er ha'e a disli;e "or an#one. 5
2 2 ,esus, ma# I as; 4ou a "ew IuestionsE I did not sleep last night. .ut I
pondered 'er# much while watching 4ou sleep. 4ou loo; so #oung when 4ou
are asleep. *# )rotherF 4ou were smiling, with 4our head resting on 4our
"olded arm, Cust li;e the posture o" a little )o#. I could see 4ou 'er# well in the
clear moonlight o" last night. And I pondered. And man# Iuestions came up
"rom m# heart... 5
2 0ell *e. 5
2 I was sa#ing? I must as; ,esus how we shall )e a)le to set up that organised
)od#, which 4ou called 3hurch, and in which there will )e hierarchies, i" I
understood properl#, considering how incapa)le we are. ill 4ou tell us what
we must do, or shall we ha'e to do it )# oursel'esE 5
2 hen the time comes, I will tell #ou who is its head. 1othing else. hile I am
with #ou, I will in"orm #ou o" its 'arious classes with the di""erences )etween
apostles, disciples and women disciples. .ecause the# cannot )e a'oided. .ut as
I want the disciples to respect and o)e# the apostles, so the apostles must lo'e
and )e patient with the disciples. 5
2 And what shall we ha'e to doE Preach 4ou all the time and nothing elseE 5
2 0hat is essential. 0hen #ou will ha'e to a)sol'e in *# name and )less,
readmit to Grace, administer the Sacraments that I will institute... 5
2,1.:#sus )n* Hs C!usn :)+#s !n T"#r 0)5 B)c@ 4r!+ 9!unt C)r+#%. 321
2 hat are the#E 5
2 0he# are supernatural and spiritual means, applied also through material
means, which are used to con'ince men that the priest is reall# doing something.
4ou ;now that man does not )elie'e unless he sees. 7e alwa#s needs something
to tell him that there is something. 0hat is wh#, when I wor; miracles, I impose
*# hands, or I wet with sali'a, or I gi'e a morsel o" soa;ed )read. I could wor;
a miracle )# means o" a simple thought. .ut do #ou thin; that in that case
people would sa#? GGod has wor;ed the miracleEH 0he# would sa#? G0he in'alid
is cured )ecause it was time "or him to )e cured.H And the# would ascri)e the
merit to the doctor, or to medicines or to the ph#sical strength o" the in'alid. 0he
same will appl# to sacraments? religious "ormalities to administer Grace, or gi'e
it again, or "orti"# it in )elie'ers. 3 ,ohn, "or instance, used to immerse sinners
into water to s#m)olise cleanness "rom sin. In actual "act the morti"ication o"
con"essing onesel" unclean )ecause o" sins committed, was more use"ul than the
water that washed onl# the )od#. I will ha'e a )aptism as well, *# )aptism,
which will not )e onl# a s#m)ol, )ut will reall# cleanse a soul o" the original sin
and gi'e )ac; to it the spiritual state that Adam and &'e possessed )e"ore the#
sinned, a state, which is now impro'ed, )ecause it will )e granted through the
merits o" the *an<God. 5
2 .ut... water does not descend upon the soulF A soul is spiritual. ho can touch
it in a new<)orn )a)#, in an adult or in an old personE 1o)od#. 5
2 See, #ou admit that water is a material means, with no e""ect on a spiritual
thingE So it will not )e the water, )ut the word o" the priest, a mem)er o" the
3hurch o" 3hrist, consecrated in his ser'ice, or the word o" another true
)elie'er, who ma# replace him in eDceptional cases, that will wor; the miracle
o" redeeming the )aptised person "rom original sin. 5
4 2 All right. .ut man commits sins o" his own... ho will remo'e the other
sinsE 5
2 It will alwa#s )e the priest, ,ames. I" an adult is )aptised, also the other sins
will )e remo'ed with the original one. I" a man has )een )aptised and he
commits sins, the priest will a)sol'e him in the name o" God 9ne and 0rine and
through the merits o" the Incarnate ord, as I do with sinners. 5
2 .ut 4ou are hol#F e... 5
2 4ou must )e hol# )ecause #ou touch hol# things and #ou administer what
)elongs to God. 5
2 So shall we )aptise the same man se'eral times, as ,ohn does, in "act he grants
immersion into water as man# times as one goes to himE 5
2 ,ohn6s )aptism puri"ies onl# through the humilit# o" the person who is
immersed into water. I alread# told #ou. 4ou shall not )aptise again those who
ha'e alread# )een )aptised, unless a person has )een )aptised with a schismatic
"ormula and not with the apostolic one, in which case a second )aptism is to )e
administered, su)Cect to a precise reIuest o" the person to )e christened, i" adult,
and su)Cect to a clear statement that the person in Iuestion wishes to )ecome a
mem)er o" the true 3hurch. In all other cases, to gi'e a soul its "riendship and
peace with God, #ou will use the words o" "orgi'eness Coined to the merits o"
3hrist, and the soul that has come to #ou with true repentance and a hum)le
con"ession, will )e a)sol'ed. 5
5 2 And i" a man cannot come )ecause he is so ill that he cannot )e mo'edE ill
he die in sinE ill the "ear "or the Cudgement o" God )e added to the miser# o"
his agon#E 5
2 1o. 0he priest will go to the d#ing person and gi'e a)solution. In actual "act
he will gi'e the person a more ample "orm o" a)solution, not a comprehensi'e
one, )ut an a)solution "or each and e'er# sense<organ, )# means o" which man
generall# sins. e ha'e in Israel the Sacred 9il, compound according to the
prescriptions gi'en )# the *ost 7igh, with which the altar, the Ponti"", priests
and ;ings are consecrated. *an is reall# an altar. And he )ecomes ;ing through
his election to a throne in 7ea'enL he can there"ore )e consecrated with the oil
o" Jnction. 0he 7ol# 9il will )e ta;en with other rites o" the Israelite cult and
included in *# 3hurch, )ut with di""erent uses. .ecause not e'er#thing in Israel
is e'il and to )e reCected. 1a#, man# recollections o" the old stoc; will )e in *#
3hurch. And one will )e the 9il o" Jnction, which will )e used also in the
3hurch to consecrate altars, Ponti""s, all ecclesiastic hierarchies, ;ings and
)elie'ers, when the# )ecome princes and heirs o" the Bingdom, or when the#
need the greatest help to appear )e"ore God with their )odies and senses
cleansed o" all sins. 0he grace o" God will assist )oth the soul and the )od#, i"
God so wishes "or the )ene"it o" the sic; person. A )od# does not alwa#s react
against diseases also )ecause its peace is upset )# remorse and )ecause o" the
wor; o" Satan, who through the death o" the sic; person hopes to gain a soul to
his ;ingdom and cause despair to those who are le"t )ehind. 0he sic; person
2,1.:#sus )n* Hs C!usn :)+#s !n T"#r 0)5 B)c@ 4r!+ 9!unt C)r+#%. 322
passes "rom the satanic grip and internal emotion to a peace"ul state, through the
certaint# o" God6s "orgi'eness, which also )rings a)out Satan6s departure. And
since the gi"t o" Grace was coupled in our "irst progenitors with the gi"t o"
immunit# "rom diseases and "rom all "orms o" sorrow, the sic; person who has
)een restored to Grace as great as the Grace o" a new<)orn )a)# christened with
*# )aptism, ma# get o'er the illness. 0he sic; man is assisted also )# the
pra#ers o" his )rethren, who are o)liged to ha'e not onl# ph#sical )ut a)o'e all
spiritual pit# on in'alids, in order to o)tain )oth ph#sical and spiritual sal'ation
"or their )rother. 6 Pra#er is in "act a "orm o" miracle, ,ames. 0he pra#er o" a
Cust man, as #ou ha'e seen in &liCah, can )e 'er# power"ul. 5
2 I understand onl# a little o" what 4ou sa#, )ut what I do understand "ills me
with deep respect "or the sacerdotal character o" 4our priests. I" I ha'e
understood 4ou correctl#, we shall ha'e man# points in common with 4ou?
preaching, a)solution, miracles. 0hree sacraments, there"ore. 5
2 1o, ,ames. Preaching and miracles are not sacraments. 0he Sacraments will )e
more? se'en, li;e the sacred candela)rum o" the 0emple and the gi"ts o" the
Spirit o" =o'e. And in "act the Sacraments are gi"ts and "lames and are granted
to man so that he ma# )urn "ore'er )e"ore the =ord. 0here will )e a Sacrament
also "or the marriage o" man. And it is alread# s#m)olised in the hol# marriage
o" Sarah, the daughter o" 8aguel, a"ter she was "reed "rom the demon. 0he
Sacrament will gi'e the married couple all the assistance needed to li'e together
according to the law and the wishes o" God. 7us)and and wi"e also )ecome the
ministers o" a rite? the rite o" procreation. 7us)and and wi"e )ecome also the
priests o" a small church? their "amil#. 0he# must there"ore )e consecrated in
order to procreate with the )lessing o" God and to )ring up a progen# that will
)less the *ost 7ol# 1ame o" God. 5
2 And )# whom will priests )e consecratedE 5
2 .# *e, )e"ore I lea'e #ou. 4ou will, a"terwards, consecrate #our successors
and those whom #ou will aggregate to #oursel'es to propagate the 3hristian
"aith. 5
2 4ou will teach us, will 4ou notE 5
2 I and 7e hom I will send to #ou. Also 7is coming will )e a Sacrament. It
will )e granted 'oluntaril# )# the *ost 7ol# God in 7is "irst &piphan#, and it
will then )e gi'en )# those who ha'e recei'ed the "ullness o" Priesthood. It will
)e strength and intelligence, con"irmation in >aith, it will )e hol# piet# and "ear,
it will )e assistance in ad'ice and supernatural wisdom, and it will )e possession
o" a Custice that )# its nature and power will turn the child who recei'es it, into
an adult. .ut #ou cannot "or the time )eing understand that. .ut 7e will ma;e
#ou understand? the Di'ine Paraclete, the &ternal =o'e, when the moment
comes "or #ou to recei'e 7im. And li;ewise, #ou cannot "or the time )eing
understand another Sacrament. It is so su)lime that it is almost incomprehen<
si)le to angels. And #et #ou, simple men, will understand it )# 'irtue o" "aith
and lo'e. I solemnl# tell #ou that those who will lo'e it and nourish their souls
)# it, will )e a)le to trample on the demon with impunit#. .ecause I will then )e
with them. 7 0r# to remem)er these things, )rother. 4ou will ha'e to repeat
them man# times to #our companions and to )elie'ers. 4ou will all alread#
;now through #our di'ine ministr#, )ut #ou will )e a)le to sa#? G7e told me one
da#, coming down "rom *ount 3armel. 7e told me e'er#thing )ecause since
then I was destined to )e the head o" the 3hurch o" Israel.H 5
2 7ere is another Iuestion I wanted to as; 4ou. I was thin;ing a)out it last
night. Shall I ha'e to sa# to m# companions? GI will )e the head hereEH I don6t
li;e it. I will do it i" 4ou tell me. .ut I do not li;e it. 5
2 .e not a"raid. 0he Paraclete Spirit will descend upon #ou all and will instill
hol# thoughts into #ou. 4ou will all ha'e the same thoughts "or the glor# o" God
in 7is 3hurch. 5
2 And will there )e no more o" those... so unpleasant discussions that we ha'e
nowE &'en ,udas o" Simon will no longer )e the cause o" disagreementE 5
2 7e will no longer )e, do not worr#. .ut there will still )e di""erences o"
opinion. 0hat is wh# I said to #ou? )e care"ul and watch, without e'er tiring,
doing #our dut# to the end. 5
2 Another Iuestion, m# =ord. 7ow am I to )eha'e during persecutionsE .#
what 4ou sa#, it loo;s as i" I am the onl# one o" the 0wel'e to )e le"t. So the
others will go awa# to a'oid persecutions. And what a)out meE 5
2 4ou will sta# in #our place. .ecause i" it is necessar# that #ou are not all eD<
terminated until the 3hurch is well consolidated, which Custi"ies the dispersion
o" man# disciples and o" almost all the apostles, nothing would Custi"# #our
desertion and #our a)andoning the 3hurch o" ,erusalem. 1a#, the greater its
danger is, the more #ou will ha'e to watch o'er it, as i" it were #our dearest
2,1.:#sus )n* Hs C!usn :)+#s !n T"#r 0)5 B)c@ 4r!+ 9!unt C)r+#%. 323
child a)out to die. 4our eDample will strengthen the souls o" )elie'ers. And the#
will need it to pass the test. 0he wea;er #ou see them, the more #ou will ha'e to
support them with pit# and wisdom. I" #ou are strong, do not )e pitiless with
wea; people. Support them sa#ing? GI ha'e recei'ed e'er#thing "rom God to
)ecome so strong. I must admit it hum)l# and act charita)l# on )ehal" o" those
who ha'e not )een )lessed with so man# gi"ts o" GodH, and #ou must share #our
strength through #our word, #our assistance, #our calm and eDample. 5
2 And i" among the )elie'ers there should )e some wic;ed ones, who are the
cause o" danger and o" scandal to the others, what shall I doE 5
2 .e wise when #ou accept them, )ecause it is )etter to )e "ew and good, than
man# and not good. 4ou ;now the old apologue o" the good apples and the )ad
ones. *a;e sure it does not happen also in #our church. .ut should #ou "ind
people who )etra# #ou as well, endea'our in e'er# wa# to get them to repent,
using se'ere measures as a last resource. .ut i" it is a matter o" small indi'idual
"aults, do not )e so se'ere as to disma# people. >orgi'e, alwa#s... A heart is
more easil# redeemed )# "orgi'eness Coined to tears and lo'ing words than )#
anathema. I" the "ault is a gra'e one, )ut is the result o" a sudden attac; )#
Satan, and is so gra'e that the culprit "eels the need to run awa# "rom #our
presence, go and loo; "or the o""ender. .ecause he is a lam) led astra#, and #ou
are the shepherd. Do not )e a"raid o" degrading #oursel" )# going along mudd#
paths, searching pools and precipices. 4our "orehead will then )e crowned with
the crown o" the mart#r o" lo'e, and it will )e the "irst o" the three crowns... And
i" #ou are )etra#ed #oursel", as the .aptist was, and li;e man# others, )ecause
e'er# hol# man has his traitor, "orgi'e. >orgi'e the traitor more than #ou would
"orgi'e an#)od# else. >orgi'e as God "orga'e men and as 7e will "orgi'e. 3all
him GsonH again, who will grie'e #ou, )ecause that is how the >ather calls #ou
through *# lips, and, trul#, there is no man who has not caused deep sorrow to
the >ather in 7ea'en... 5
8 0here is a long period o" silence while the# cross pastures strewn with gra(ing
sheep.
At last ,esus as;s? 2 7a'e #ou no more Iuestions to as; *eE 5
2 1o, ,esus. And this morning I understood m# tremendous mission more
clearl#... 5
2 .ecause #ou are less upset than #ou were #esterda#. hen #our time comes,
#ou will )e e'en more calm and #ou will understand e'en )etter. 5
2 I will remem)er all these things... e'er#thing... eDcept... 5
2 hat, ,amesE 5
2 =ess what did not let me loo; at 4ou last night without weeping. hat I do
not reall# ;now whether 4ou told me, and whether I should )elie'e it i" reall#
told )# 4ouL or whether it was a "right )# the demon. 7ow can 4ou )e so calm
i"... i" that should reall# happen to 4ouE 5
2 And would #ou )e calm i" I said to #ou? G0hat shepherd is dragging himsel"
along with great di""icult# )ecause o" his maimed leg. 0r# to cure him in the
name o" GodHE 5
2 1o, m# =ord. I would )e )eside m#sel" thin;ing that I was tempted to usurp
4our place. 5
2 And i" I ordered #ouE 5
2 I would do it out o" o)edience and I would no longer )e upset )ecause I would
;now that 4ou want it, and I would not )e a"raid o" not ;nowing how to do it.
.ecause, i" 4ou sent me, 4ou would certainl# gi'e me the strength to do what
4ou want... 5
2 4ou sa# so, and #ou are right. 4ou can thus see that I, )# o)e#ing the >ather,
am alwa#s in peace. 5
,ames lowers his head weeping.
2 Do #ou reall# want to "orgetE 5
2 As 4ou wish, m# =ord... 5
2 4ou ha'e two options? to "orget or to remem)er. .# "orgetting #ou will )e
relie'ed "rom sorrow and "rom the necessit# o" )eing a)solutel# silent with #our
companions, )ut #ou will )e le"t unprepared. .# remem)ering #ou will )ecome
prepared "or #our mission, )ecause in order ne'er to complain and to )e
strengthened spirituall# seeing the whole o" 3hrist in the )rightest light, one
thing onl# is necessar#? to remem)er what the Son o" man su""ers in 7is earthl#
li"e. *a;e #our choice. 5
2 0o )elie'e, to remem)er, to lo'e. 0hat is what I would li;e. And to die, as
2,1.:#sus )n* Hs C!usn :)+#s !n T"#r 0)5 B)c@ 4r!+ 9!unt C)r+#%. 324
soon as possi)le, =ord... 5 And ,ames continues to weep silentl#. I" it was not
"or the tears shining on his )rown )eard, one would not realise that he is
weeping.
,esus lets him weep... 0hen ,ames as;s? 2 And i" in "uture 4ou should allude
again to... to 4our mart#rdom, shall I sa# that I ;nowE 5
2 1o. .e Iuiet. ,oseph was a)le to )e silent on his sorrow o" a )ridegroom when
he thought his )ride was un"aith"ul to him and on the m#steries o" 7er 'irginal
conception and o" *# 1ature. Imitate him. 0hat was a tremendous secret as
well. And it was to )e ;ept, )ecause i" it had )een disclosed, out o" pride or
carelessness, the whole 8edemption would ha'e )een endangered. Satan is
constant in watching and acting. 8emem)er that. I" #ou spo;e now, #ou would
damage too man# people and too man# things. .e silent. 5
2 I will... and it will )e a dou)le )urden... 5
,esus does not repl#. 7e lets ,ames weep "reel#, sheltered )# his linen hood.
9 0he# meet a man carr#ing an unhapp# child tied to his )ac;.
2 Is he #our sonE 5 as;s ,esus.
2 4es. 7e was )orn thus, and was the cause o" his mother6s death. 1ow, m#
mother is also dead, and when I go to m# wor;, I ta;e him with me to watch
him. I am a woodcutter. I la# him on the grass, on m# mantle, and while I cut
trees down, he pla#s with "lowers, the poor wretchF 5
2 It is a great mis"ortune. 5
2 4es, it is. .ut we must accept peace"ull# what God wants. 5
2 Good)#e, man. Peace )e with #ou. 5
2 Good)#e. Peace to 4ou. 5
0he man clim)s the mountain, ,esus and ,ames continue to descend.
2 7ow man# mis"ortunesF I was hoping that 4ou would cure him 5 sa#s ,ames
with a sigh.
,esus does not appear to hear.
2 *aster, i" that man had ;nown that 4ou are the *essiah, perhaps he would
ha'e as;ed 4ou to wor; a miracle... 5
,esus does not repl#.
2 ,esus, will 4ou let me go )ac; and tell himE I "eel sorr# "or that )o#. *# heart
is alread# so grie'ed. Gi'e me at least the Co# o" seeing the little "ellow cured. 5
2 4ou ma# go. I will wait "or #ou here. 5
,ames runs )ac;. 7e comes up with the man and calls him.2 *an, stop, listenF
0he man who was with me is the *essiah. Gi'e me #our )o# that I ma# ta;e
him to 7im. 4ou ma# come as well, i" #ou wish so, to see whether the *aster
will cure him. 5
2 Go, man. I ha'e all this wood to cut. I am alread# late )ecause o" the child.
And i" I do not wor;, I get no "ood. I am poor, and he costs me so much. I do
)elie'e in the *essiah, )ut it is )etter i" #ou spea; to 7im on m# )ehal". 5
,ames )ends to pic; up the )o# l#ing on the grass.
2 .e care"ul 5 warns the woodcutter. 2 7e is pain"ul all o'er. 5
In "act, as soon as ,ames attempts to li"t him, the )o# weeps moan"ull#.
2 9hF 7ow pain"ulF 5 eDclaims ,ames with a sigh.
2 A dread"ul pain 5 sa#s the woodcutter wor;ing with a saw on a hard trun;,
and he adds? 2 3ould #ou not cure himE 5
2 I am not the *essiah. I am onl# a disciple... 5
2 ellE Doctors learn "rom other doctors. Disciples learn "rom their *aster.
3ome on, )e good. Don6t ma;e him su""er. 0r#. I" the *aster wanted to come,
7e would ha'e come. 7e sent #ou either )ecause 7e does not want to cure him
or )ecause 7e wants #ou to cure him. 5
,ames is undecided. 7e then ma;es up his mind. 7e stands up and he pra#s as
he has seen ,esus pra#. >inall# he enCoins? 2 In the name o" ,esus 3hrist, the
*essiah o" Israel and Son o" God, )e cured 5 and immediatel# a"terwards he
;neels down sa#ing? 2 9hF *# =ord, "orgi'e meF I acted without 4our
permissionF .ut I did it out o" pit# "or this child o" Israel. 7a'e merc#, m# GodF
9n him and on me, a sinnerF 5 and he sheds )itter tears )ent o'er the )o#
outstretched on the grass. 7is tears "all on to the twisted inert legs.
2,1.:#sus )n* Hs C!usn :)+#s !n T"#r 0)5 B)c@ 4r!+ 9!unt C)r+#%. 32,
,esus suddenl# appears on the path. .ut no one sees 7im, )ecause the wood<
cutter is wor;ing, ,ames is weeping and the )o# is loo;ing at him curiousl#, and
then caressing him, he as;s? 2 h# are #ou weepingE 5 and he stretches out his
little hand to caress him again, and without realising it, he sits up )# himsel", he
stands up and em)races ,ames to com"ort him. It is ,ames6 cr# that ma;es the
woodcutter turn round and he then sees his )o# standing straight on his legs,
which are no longer inert or twisted. And turning round he sees ,esus.
2 0here 7e isF 5 he shouts pointing to the )ac; o" ,ames who turns round and
sees ,esus loo;ing at him )eaming with Co#.
2 *asterF I do not ;now how it happened... pit#... that man... this child...
>orgi'e meF 5
2 Stand up. Disciples are not a)o'e their *aster )ut the# can do what the *aster
does, when the# do it "or a hol# reason. Stand up and come with *e. *a# #ou
two )e )lessed and remem)er that also the ser'ants o" God accomplish the deeds
o" the Son o" God 5 and 7e goes awa#, dragging ,ames who continues to sa#? 2
7ow could I do thatE I do not understand #et. 7ow did I wor; a miracle in 4our
nameE 5
2 .# )eing piti"ul, ,ames. 0hrough #our desire to ma;e *e lo'ed )# that
innocent child and )# that man who )elie'ed and dou)ted at the same time. ,ohn
wor;ed a miracle near ,a)neel out o" lo'e, curing a d#ing man whom he
anointed while pra#ing. 4ou cured here )# means o" #our tears and #our pit#.
And with #our "aith in *# 1ame. See how peace"ul it is to ser'e the =ord when
a disciple has good intentionsE 1ow let us wal; "ast, )ecause that man is
"ollowing us. It is not right that #our companions should )e aware o" this, "or the
time )eing. I will soon )e sending #ou in *# name... @a deep sigh o" ,esusA, as
,udas o" Simon is anDious to wor; @another hea'# sighA. And #ou will wor;...
.ut it will not do e'er#)od# good. Nuic;, ,amesF 4our )rother, Simon Peter and
the others would su""er i" the# ;new a)out this, as i" it were "a'ouritism. .ut it is
not. It is to prepare someone among #ou twel'e who ma# )e capa)le o" guiding
the others. =et us go onto the gra'el )ed o" the torrent that is co'ered with
lea'es. All trace o" us will )e lost... Are #ou sorr# "or the )o#E 9hF we shall
meet him again... 5
,+*. P!t!r S"!'@s to Dor's> P!'s'nts '5out t! Lo2!
/ic Is S'#2'tion.
,,n( Au&ust 1*4+.
1 2 *# dear "riends, what are #ou doing near this "ireE 5 as;s ,esus when 7e
"inds 7is disciples round a well "ed "ire, which )la(es in the earl# e'ening
shadows at a crossroads in the plain at &sdraelon.
0he apostles start, as the# did not see 7im come, and the# "orget the "ire to greet
the *aster. 0he# loo; as i" the# had not seen 7im "or ages. 0he# then eDplain? 2
=istenF e settled an issue )etween two )rothers "rom ,e(reel and the# were so
pleased that the# ga'e us a lam) each. e decided to coo; them and gi'e them
to Doras6 men. *icah o" ,ohanan slaughtered and prepared them and we are
now going to roast them. 4our *other has gone with *ar# and Susanna to tell
Doras6 men to come here a"ter 'esper, when the steward goes home to tipple.
omen do not attract attention so much... e endea'oured to see them
pretending we were wa#"arers passing )# their "ields, )ut we did not do much.
e decided to gather here this e'ening and sa#... a little more, "or their souls,
and satis"# also their )odies, as 4ou ha'e done in the past. And now that 4ou
are here it will )e e'en more pleasant. 5
2 ho was going to spea;E 5
2 ell... A little each... in"ormall#. e are not capa)le o" doing an# more, also
)ecause ,ohn, the :ealot and 4our )rother do not want to spea;. ,udas o" Simon
and .artholomew are not anDious to spea; either... e e'en Iuarrelled o'er
that...5 sa#s Peter.
2 h# do those "i'e not want to spea;E 5
2 ,ohn and Simon )ecause the# sa# that it is not right that the# should )e the
ones who alwa#s spea;. 4our )rother )ecause he wants me to spea; and sa#s
that i" I ne'er start... .artholomew )ecause... )ecause he is a"raid that he ma#
spea; too masterl# and that he ma# not succeed in con'incing people. 4ou can
see that the# are eDcuses...5
2 And #ou, ,udas o" Simon, wh# do #ou not want to spea;E 5
2 >or the same reasons as the othersF >or all those reasonsL )ecause the# are all
"air...5
2,2.P#t#r S$#)@s t! D!r)s> P#)s)nts )8!ut t"# L!6# 0"c" Is S)%6)t!n. 32-
2 *an# reasons. .ut not one is speci"ied. 2 I will now decide, and *# 'erdict
will )e inappella)le. 4ou, Simon o" ,onah, shall spea;, as 0haddeus wisel#
sa#s.. And #ou, ,udas o" Simon, shall also spea;. 0hus, one o" the man# reasons,
the one ;nown to God and to #ou, will no longer eDist. 5
2 *aster, )elie'e me, there is nothing else...5 ,udas endea'ours to retort.
.ut Peter cuts him short sa#ing? 2 9hF *# =ordF 7ow can I spea; in 4our
presenceE I shall ne'er )e a)leF I am a"raid 4ou ma# laugh at me...5
2 4ou do not want to )e aloneL #ou do not want to )e with *e... hat do #ou
wantE 5
2 4ou are right. .ut... what shall I sa#E 5
2 0here is #our )rother coming with the lam)s. 7elp him, and while #ou are
coo;ing them, thin; it o'er. &'er#thing helps to "ind a su)Cect. 5
2 Also a lam) on the spitE 5 as;s Peter incredulousl#.
2 4es. So o)e#. 5 Peter hea'es a deep sigh, a reall# piti"ul one, )ut does not
repl#. 7e goes towards Andrew and helps him to "iD the lam)s on to a sharpened
stic; which is used as a spit, and he watches them coo;ing with such a gra'e
countenance, that he loo;s li;e a Cudge on the point o" passing sentence.
2 ,udas o" Simon, let us go and meet the women 5 orders ,esus. And 7e goes
awa# through the )arren "ields o" Doras. 2 ,udas, a good disciple does not
despise what his *aster does not despise 5 7e sa#s a"ter a little while without
wasting words.
2 *aster, I do not despise. .ut li;e .artholomew, I "eel that I would not )e
understood, and I pre"er not to spea;. 5
2 1athanael is a"raid that he ma# not "ul"ill *# desire, which is to enlighten and
relie'e hearts. 7e is at "ault, too, )ecause he lac;s con"idence in the =ord. .ut
#ou are much more at "ault, )ecause #ou are not a"raid o" not )eing understood,
)ut #ou disdain )eing understood )# poor peasants, who are ignorant o"
e'er#thing, eDcept 'irtue. 0he# surpass man# o" #ou, in "act, as "ar as 'irtue is
concerned. 4ou ha'e not #et understood an#thing, ,udas. 0he Gospel is reall#
the Good 1ews )rought to the poor, the sic;, the a""licted and the sla'es. =ater it
will )e gi'en also to others. .ut it is gi'en Cust to assist and relie'e those who
su""er "rom all ;inds o" mis"ortunes. 5
,udas lowers his head )ut does not repl#.
3 0he .lessed -irgin, *ar# o" 3lopas and Susanna appear coming out "rom a
thic;et.
2 I greet 4ou, *otherF Peace to #ou, womenF 5
2 SonF I went to those... poor wretches. .ut I was gi'en news that did not ma;e
*e su""er too much. Doras has got rid o" this land and ,ohanan has ta;en it. It is
not paradise... .ut it is no longer hell. 0he steward told the peasants toda#. 7e
has alread# gone ta;ing awa# on his carts all the corn to the last grain, and thus
lea'ing e'er#)od# without an#thing to eat. And as ,ohanan6s steward toda# has
"ood onl# "or his own men, Doras6 peasants were to )e le"t with nothing to eat.
0hose lam)s are reall# pro'identialF 5
2 It is also pro'idential that the men no longer )elong to Doras. e saw their
houses... Pigsties 5 sa#s Susanna who is o)'iousl# scandalised.
2 0he poor people are so happ#F 5 concludes *ar# o" 3lopas.
2 I am happ#, too. 0he# will )e )etter o"" than pre'iousl# 5 replies ,esus going
towards the apostles. ,ohn o" &ndor Coins 7im carr#ing some pitchers o" water,
which he is ta;ing along with &rmasteus.
2 ,ohanan6s men ga'e them to us 5 he eDplains, a"ter greeting ,esus respect"ull#.
0he# all go towards the spot where the# are roasting the two lam)s in a thic;
cloud o" greas# smo;e. Peter ;eeps turning his spit and in the meantime he
)roods o'er his thoughts. ,udas 0haddeus, instead, is wal;ing )ac;wards and
"orwards, engrossed in con'ersation holding one arm round his )rother6s waist.
9" the other apostles some )ring "irewood, some... la# the ta)le, carr#ing large
stones to )e used as seats or as a ta)le. I do not ;now.
4 Doras6 peasants arri'e. 0he# are thinner and more ragged than e'er. .ut the#
are so happ#F 0he# are a)out twent# in num)er and there is not e'en a child or a
woman with them. Poor men all alone...
2 Peace to #ou all and let us )less the =ord "or gi'ing #ou a )etter master. =et us
)less 7im )# pra#ing "or the con'ersion o" the man who has caused #ou to
su""er so much. Is that rightE Are #ou happ#, old "atherE I am glad, too. I shall
)e a)le to come more "reIuentl# with the )o#. 7a'e the# told #ouE 4ou are
weeping "or Co#, are #ou notE 3ome here, )e not a"raid...5 7e sa#s spea;ing to
2,2.P#t#r S$#)@s t! D!r)s> P#)s)nts )8!ut t"# L!6# 0"c" Is S)%6)t!n. 32.
*arCiam6s grand"ather, who stoops ;issing 7is hand and weeping whispers? 2 I
)eg nothing else o" the *ost 7igh. 7e has granted me more than I as;ed. I
would now li;e to die lest I should li'e so long that su""ering ma# o'erwhelm
me again. 5
0he peasants, who were somewhat em)arrassed )eing with the *aster, soon
ta;e heart again, and when the two lam)s are laid on large lea'es arranged on
the stones )rought pre'iousl#, and the portions are made, each o" which is
placed on a large )read<ca;e that ser'es also as a dish, the# relaD in their
simplicit# and the# eat with relish, satis"#ing their hunger, a"ter star'ing so long?
the# tal; o" the recent e'ents.
9ne o" them sa#s? 2 I ha'e alwa#s cursed locusts, moles and ants. .ut "rom now
on the# will loo; li;e messengers o" the =ord to me, )ecause it is through them
that we are lea'ing hell. 5 And although the comparison o" ants and locusts with
angelical cohorts is somewhat Iueer, no)od# laughs )ecause the# all percei'e
the tragic circumstances concealed in those words.
0he "ire lights up the assem)l#, )ut their "aces do not loo; at the "lame, neither
do the# pa# much attention to what is in "ront o" them. All e#es are turned
towards ,esus6 "ace, and are di'erted onl# "or a "ew moments when *ar# o"
Alphaeus, who is )us# ma;ing portions, la#s more meat on the "lat )read<ca;es
o" the hungr# peasants, and she "inishes her wor; )# wrapping two roasted legs
in some large lea'es and sa#s to *arCiam6s grand"ather? 2 0a;e this. 4ou will
ha'e a morsel each also tomorrow, And ,ohanan6s steward in the meantime will
pro'ide something. 5
2 .ut what a)out #ou...5
2 e will ha'e less to carr#. 0a;e it, man. 5
9" the two lam)s there is nothing le"t )ut the pic;ed )ones and the persistent
smell o" dripped "at still )urning on the "ire, which is d#ing out and its light is
)eing replaced )# moonlight.
5 ,ohanan6s men also Coin the others. It is the moment to spea; to them.
,esus6 )lue e#es loo; up in search o" ,udas who is sitting near a tree, hal" hidden
in the shade. And when ,esus sees that ,udas pretends he does not understand,
7e calls in a loud 'oice? 2 ,udasF 5 ,udas is thus compelled to stand up and
come "orward. 2 Do not seclude #oursel". Please e'angeli(e in *# place. I am
'er# tired. In an# case, i" I had not come this e'ening, one o" #ou would ha'e
had to spea;F 5
2 *aster... I do not ;now what to sa#... At least as; me some Iuestions. 5
2 It is not "or *e to as; #ou them. *en, what do #ou wish to hear or to ha'e
eDplained to #ouE 5 7e then as;s the peasants.
0he men loo; at one another... the# are uncertain... At last a peasant as;s? 2 e
ha'e )ecome aware o" the power o" the =ord and o" 7is )ount#. .ut we ;now
little a)out 7is doctrine. Perhaps we will now )e a)le to learn a little more,
)eing with ,ohanan. .ut we are reall# anDious to ;now which are the essential
things we must do in order to gain the Bingdom that the *essiah promises. As
we can practicall# do nothing, will we )e a)le to gain itE 5
,udas replies? 2 4ou are certainl# in a 'er# pain"ul situation. &'er#thing in #ou
and around #ou conspires to dri'e #ou awa# "rom the Bingdom. 0he lac; o"
"reedom to come to the *aster whene'er #ou wish, #our condition o" ser'ants
o" a master, who, i" not a h#ena li;e Doras, is, as "ar as we ;now, a *olossian
hound who ;eeps his ser'ants prisoners, #our su""erings and deCection, are
un"a'ora)le conditions to #our election to the Bingdom. .ecause it is di""icult
"or #ou not to cherish resentment and "eelings o" grudge, criticism and re'enge
"or the man who treats #ou so hard. And the )are essential is to lo'e God and
one6s neigh)our. 9therwise there is no sal'ation. 4ou must )e watch"ul to
maintain #our hearts passi'el# su)mitted to God6s will, which is re'ealed to #ou
in #our destin#, and )ear #our master patientl# without e'er ta;ing the li)ert# o"
eDpressing a Cudgement that certainl# could not )e ;ind to #our master, or
eDpress gratitude "or #our... #our... In short, #ou must not ponder on #our
situation, to a'oid "eelings o" re)ellion that would ;ill lo'e. And he who does
not lo'e will not reach sal'ation, )ecause he in"ringes the "irst precept. .ut I am
almost certain that #ou will )e sa'ed )ecause I see that #ou ha'e good will
Coined to ;ind souls, which gi'e rise to hope that #ou will )e a)le to re"rain "rom
hatred and desire "or re'enge. In an# case God6s merc# is so great that 7e will
remit what is still lac;ing "or #our per"ection. 5
0here is silence. ,esus has lowered 7is head so much that 7is countenance
cannot )e seenL )ut the "aces o" the rest can )e seen and their eDpression is
certainl# not happ#. 0he peasants loo; more deCected than pre'iousl#, the
apostles and the women seem surprised and almost "rightened.
2,2.P#t#r S$#)@s t! D!r)s> P#)s)nts )8!ut t"# L!6# 0"c" Is S)%6)t!n. 321
2 e shall endea'our to repress e'er# thought against patience and "orgi'eness
5 the old man replies hum)l#.
Another peasant sa#s with a sigh? 2 It will certainl# )e di""icult "or us to reach
the per"ection o" lo'e, )ecause it is alread# a great thing that we ha'e not
)ecome the murderers o" those who tortured usF A soul su""ers a great deal, and
e'en when it does not hate, it "inds it di""icult to lo'e, li;e emaciated children
who grow with di""icult#...5
6 2 1o, man. I, instead, thin; that Cust )ecause #ou ha'e su""ered so much
without )ecoming murderers and re'enge"ul, #our souls lo'e more strongl# than
ours. 4ou lo'e without e'en realising it 5 sa#s Peter to com"ort them.
And he )ecomes aware that lie has spo;en and he stops to sa#? 2 9hF *asterF...
.ut... 4ou told me that I had to spea;... and to "ind the su)Cect e'en in the lam)s
that I was roasting. And I continued to watch them to "ind some good words "or
our )rothers here, and "or their situation. .ut, as I am stupid, I did not "ind
an#thing suita)le, and I do not ;now how, I "ound that I was wandering awa# in
thoughts, which I do not ;now whether the# are strange, in which case the# are
certainl# mine, or hol#, and i" so, the# ha'e certainl# come "rom 7ea'en. I will
eDpress them, eDactl# as the# came to me, and 4ou, *aster, will eDplain them to
me or reproach me, and #ou, m# "riends, will )ear with me. I was loo;ing "irst at
the "ire, and I thought? G1ow? what is a "ire made o"E 9" wood. .ut wood does
not )urn )# itsel". And i" it is not dr#, it will not )urn at all, )ecause water
ma;es it hea'# and pre'ents the tinder "rom lighting it. And when wood is dead,
it rots and woodworms pul'erise it, )ut it will not catch "ire )# itsel". And #et i"
one arranges it in a suita)le manner and holding tinder and "lint close to it
produces a spar; and helps it to light )# )lowing on thin )ranches to increase the
"lame, )ecause one alwa#s starts "rom the smallest things, then the "lame rises
and )ecomes )eauti"ul and use"ul and sets e'er#thing on "ire, also thic; pieces
o" wood.H And I said to m#sel"? Ge are li;e wood. e do not light up )#
oursel'es. .ut we must ta;e care not to )e too impregnated with the hea'#
moisture o" "lesh and )lood, to allow the tinder to )e lit up )# a spar;. And we
must desire to )e )urnt )ecause i" we remain inacti'e we ma# )e destro#ed )#
inclement weather and )# woodworms, that is, )# man;ind and )# the demon.
hereas i" we gi'e oursel'es to the "ire o" lo'e, it will )egin to )urn the thinner
)ranches and will destro# them, and I considered the little )ranches to )e
imper"ections, then it will grow and set on "ire the )igger pieces o" wood, that is
the stronger passions. And we, )eing li;e wood, something material, hard, dull,
e'en ugl#, will )ecome the )eauti"ul, incorporeal, agile, )right thing that a "lame
is. And that )ecause we ha'e gi'en oursel'es to lo'e, which is the "lint and
tinder that turn us poor sinners into "uture angels and citi(ens o" the Bingdom o"
7ea'en.H And that was one thought. 5
7 ,esus has raised 7is head a little and is listening with 7is e#es closed and the
shadow o" a smile on 7is lips. 0he others are loo;ing, the# are still surprised )ut
no longer "rightened.
Peter continues to spea; peace"ull#. 2 Another thought came to m# mind
loo;ing at the lam)s that were roasting. Do not sa# that m# thoughts are
childish. 0he *aster told me to loo; "or them in what I was watching... And I
o)e#ed. So I was loo;ing at the lam)s and I said? G0here #ou are. 0he# are two
innocent mee; animals. 9ur 7ol# Scriptures are "ull o" gentle allusions to
lam)s, )oth to remem)er 7im ho is the promised *essiah and Sa'iour as was
s#m)olised in the *osaic lam), and to remind us that God will ha'e merc# on
us. 0he prophets sa# so. 7e comes to gather 7is "loc; together, to assist
wounded sheep and carr# those whose lim)s are "ractured. 7ow much
goodnessFH I was sa#ing to m#sel". Ge must not )e a"raid o" a God ho
promises us, poor wretches, so much merc#F .utH, I still said to m#sel", Gwe
must )e mee;, at least mee;, since we are no longer innocent. e must )e mee;
and anDious to )e consumed )# lo'e. .ecause what would the most )eauti"ul
and pure little lam) also )ecome, a"ter it has )een slaughtered, i" it is not coo;ed
on a "ireE A putrid carrion. >ire instead turns it into wholesome )lessed "ood.H
And I concluded? GIn short, all good things are achie'ed through lo'e. =o'e
relie'es us o" the )urden o" humanit#, it ma;es us )right and use"ul, it ena)les
us to )e good to our )rothers and grate"ul to God. It ele'ates our good natural
Iualities raising them to a height that )ears the name o" supernatural 'irtues.
And he who is 'irtuous is hol#, and who is hol# possesses 7ea'en. So it is not
science or "ear that open the wa# to per"ection "or us, it is lo'e. It detaches us
"rom e'il, much more than the "ear o" punishment, as through it we do not wish
to grie'e the =ord. It ma;es us pit# our )rothers and lo'e them )ecause the#
come "rom God. 0here"ore lo'e is the sal'ation and the sancti"ication o" man.H
0hat is what I was thin;ing while watching m# roast and o)e#ing m# ,esus.
>orgi'e me i" that is all. .ut those thoughts did me good. I o""er them to #ou
hoping the# ma# do #ou good as well. 5
,esus opens 7is e#es, which are radiant with Co#. 7e stretches out one arm and
la#s 7is hand on Peter6s shoulder? 2 I solemnl# tell #ou that #ou ha'e "ound the
2,2.P#t#r S$#)@s t! D!r)s> P#)s)nts )8!ut t"# L!6# 0"c" Is S)%6)t!n. 322
words that #ou had to "ind. 9)edience and lo'e made #ou "ind them and
humilit# and the desire to gi'e solace to #our )rothers will ma;e o" them as
man# stars in their dar; s;#. *a# God )less #ou, Simon o" ,onah. 5
2 *a# God )less 4ou, *asterF And are 4ou not spea;ingE 5
2 0he# will )e commencing their new ser'ice tomorrow. I will )less their
commencement with *# word. Go now in peace and ma# God )e with #ou. 5
,4;. 9!sus to 9o'n'n>s P!'s'ntsB < Lo2! Is O5!(i!nc! =.
,-r( Au&ust 1*4+.
1 It is not #et da#)rea;. ,esus is standing in the middle o" Doras6 ruined orchard?
rows o" withered or withering trees, man# o" which ha'e alread# )een "elled or
uprooted. Around 7im there are Doras6 and ,ohanan6s peasants and the apostles,
some standing, some sitting on the "elled trun;s.
,esus )egins to spea;? 2 Another da# and another departure. And I am not the
onl# one who is lea'ing. 4ou are departing as well, i" not materiall#, morall#, as
#ou are going to another master. 4ou will thus )e Coined to other good and pious
peasants, and #ou will "orm one "amil#, in which #ou will )e a)le to spea; o"
God and o" 7is ord, without ha'ing to resort to su)ter"uges to do so. Sustain
one another in #our "aith, help one another, )ear one another6s "aults and edi"#
one another.
0hat is lo'e. And #ou heard "rom *# apostles last night, although in di""erent
wa#s, that lo'e is sal'ation. Simon Peter with his simple ;ind word made #ou
ponder how lo'e changes #our hea'# nature into a supernatural nature, how a
man without lo'e ma# )ecome corrupt and corrupting, li;e a slaughtered animal
that is not coo;ed, or he ma# )ecome useless li;e wood rotten with water that
will not )urn in a "ire, and how lo'e ma;es a man li'e in the atmosphere o" God
and thus he comes out o" corruption and )ecomes use"ul to his neigh)our.
.ecause, )elie'e *e, *# dear children, love is the great strength of the
9niverse. " will never tire telling you. All the misfortunes on the earth come
from lac of love, )eginning "rom the death and diseases caused )# the lac; o"
lo'e o" Adam and &'e "or the *ost 7igh =ord.
,ecause love is obedience. He who does not obey is a rebel. He who is a rebel
does not love him against whom he rebels. here do other general or particular
mis"ortunes come "rom, such as wars or the down"all o" contending "amiliesE
>rom sel"ishness, which is estrangement. And the ruin o" wel"are through God6s
punishment "ollows the down"all o" "amilies. .ecause God sooner or later will
stri;e him who li'es without lo'ing.
2 I ;now that it is rumoured here M and )ecause o" such rumour I am hated )#
some, loo;ed at with "ear"ul hearts )# others, or in'o;ed as a "resh punishment
or tolerated "or "ear o" a punishment M I ;now that it is rumoured here that it was
*# loo; that made these "ields cursed. It was not *# loo;? )ut the punished
sel"ishness o" an unCust and cruel man. I" *# e#es were to scorch the land o" all
those who hate *e, 'er# little green would )e le"t in PalestineF I ne'er a'enge
*#sel" "or ill will mani"ested towards *e, )ut I hand o'er to the >ather those
who stu))ornl# persist in their sin o" sel"ishness towards their neigh)our and
sacrilegiousl# deride the precept o" lo'e, and the more one endea'ours to
persuade them to lo'e, )# means o" words and suita)le deeds, the more cruel
the# )ecome. I am alwa#s willing to raise *# hand and sa# to a repentant soul?
GI a)sol'e #ou. Go in peace.H .ut I will not o""end =o'e )# agreeing to
incon'erti)le harshness. Alwa#s )ear that in mind, to see things in the right light
and dispro'e tales, which are alwa#s di""erent "rom the truth, whether the# are
told out o" 'eneration or angr# "ear.
3 4ou are changing master, )ut #ou will not )e lea'ing this land, to ta;e care o"
which in its present state seems madness. And #et I sa# to #ou? do #our dut# on
it. 4ou ha'e done it so "ar "or "ear o" cruel punishment. Do it also now, although
#ou are aware that #ou will not )e dealt with as in the past. 1a#, I sa# to #ou?
the more humanel# #ou are treated, the more diligentl# and cheer"ull# #ou are to
wor;, to return humanit# through #our wor; to those who grant #ou humanit#.
.ecause while it is true that masters are o)liged to )e humane to their
su)ordinates M remem)ering that we are all o" one race and that e'er# man is
)orn nude in the same manner and dies putri"#ing in the same manner, whether
he is rich or poor, and that wealth is not the wor; o" those who possess it, )ut o"
those who either honestl# or dishonestl# ha'e amassed it "or them, and that one
is not to )e proud o" it or ma;e use o" it to oppress other people, instead one
should use it with lo'e, discretion and Custice in order not to )e loo;ed at with
se'erit# )# the true *aster, ho is God, ho cannot )e )ought or seduced )#
Cewels or gold talents, )ut can )e made our "riend onl# through our good deeds M
)ecause while all that is true, it is also true that ser'ants are o)liged to )e good
2-3. :#sus t! :!")n)n>s P#)s)ntsB < L!6# Is O8#*#nc# =. 433
to their masters.
4 Do the will o" God, ho wants #ou in #our hum)le condition, with simplicit#
and good will. 4ou ;now the para)le o" Di'es. 4ou ;now that not gold, )ut
'irtue is rewarded in 7ea'en. -irtue and su)mission to the will o" God, ma;e
God the "riend o" man. I ;now that it is 'er# di""icult to )e a)le to alwa#s see
God through the deeds o" men. It is eas# in good people. It is di""icult in )ad
people, )ecause #our souls ma# )e induced to thin; that God is not good. .ut
#ou must o'ercome the e'il done to #ou )# men tempted )# Satan, and )e#ond
that )arrier that costs so man# tears, #ou must see the truth o" sorrow and its
)eaut#. Sorrow comes "rom &'il. .ut as God cannot a)olish it, as the power o"
&'il eDists and it is the assay of the spiritual gold of the children of God, 7e
compels it to eDtract "rom its poison the Cuice o" a medicine which gi'es eternal
li"e. .ecause the pungenc# o" sorrow inoculates good people with such reactions
that spiritualise them more and more ma;ing them hol#.
.e there"ore good, respect"ul, su)missi'e. Do not Cudge #our masters. 0here is
9ne ho Cudges them. I would li;e the man who commands #ou to )ecome Cust,
to ma;e #our li"e easier, and gain eternal li"e himsel". ,ut remember that the
more burdensome the tas to be accomplished is, the greater is the merit in the
eyes of God. Do not tr# to de"raud #our master. *one# or 'ictuals o)tained )#
"raud do not enrich or satis"# an#)od#6s hunger. =et #our hands, lips and hearts
)e pure. 4ou will then ;eep the Sa))aths and hol# da#s o" o)ligation with grace
in the e#es o" God, e'en i" #ou are compelled to wor; in the "ields. I solemnl#
tell #ou that #our la)our will )e worth more than the h#pocritical pra#er o" those
who go to "ul"ill their dut# to )e praised )# the world, )ecause in actual "act the#
in"ringe the precept )# diso)e#ing the =aw that prescri)es that each man and all
the mem)ers o" his "amil# are to ;eep the Sa))ath and "esti'als o" Israel "or
their own sa;e. ,ecause prayer does not consist in actions, but in sentiments.
And i" #our hearts lo'e God in a hol# manner the# will cele)rate the rites o" the
Sa))ath and "esti'als, which other people pre'ent #ou "rom ;eeping, )etter than
the# do and under e'er# circumstance.
5 I )less #ou and I will now lea'e #ou )ecause the sun is rising and I want to )e
on the hills )e"ore the heat o" the da#. e shall meet again soon )ecause autumn
is not "ar. Peace )e with #ou all, )oth the new and the old ser'ants o" ,ohanan
and ma# #our hearts )e serene. 5
And ,esus sets out passing through the peasants and )lessing them one )# one.
.ehind a large withered apple<tree there is a man hal"<hidden. .ut when ,esus is
a)out to pass )# pretending 7e has not seen him, the man Cumps out and sa#s? 2
I am ,ohanan6s steward. 7e said to me? GI" the 8a))i o" Israel should come, let
7im stop in m# "ields and let 7im spea; to m# ser'ants. 0he# will do more
wor; "or us, )ecause 7e teaches onl# good things.H And #esterda# he wrote to
me in"orming me that as "rom toda# the# @and he points to Doras6 menA are with
me, and these "ields )elong to ,ohanan and he sa#s? GI" the 8a))i should come
listen to what 7e sa#s and act accordingl#. =et no calamit# )e"all us. =oad 7im
with honours )ut see i" #ou can get 7im to re'o;e the curse on the land.H
.ecause 4ou must ;now that ,ohanan )ought it out o" spite. .ut I thin; he
alread# regrets it. It will )e a great achie'ement i" we can turn into gra(ing
ground...5
2 Did #ou hear *e spea;E 5
2 4es, *aster. 5
2 4ou ;now, then, how to )eha'e, )oth #ou and #our master, to ha'e God6s
)lessing. 0ell #our master. And as "ar as #ou are concerned, moderate his
orders, )ecause #ou ;now how )urdensome in actual "act is the wor; o" a man
in the "ields and #ou are well<li;ed )# #our master. .ut it is )etter "or #ou to
lose his "a'our and #our position, rather than lose #our soul. Good)#e. 5
2 .ut I ha'e to honour 4ou. 5
2 I am not an idol. I do not need interested honours to grant graces. 7onour *e
with #our soul, )# practising what #ou ha'e heard and #ou will ser'e God and
#our master at the same time. 5
And ,esus, "ollowed )# the apostles and the women, and then )# all the
peasants, goes across the "ields and directs 7is steps towards the hills, greeting
e'er#)od# once again.
2-1. In t"# H!us# !4 D!r) )n* P"%$. 431
,41. In t! Hous! o0 Dor' 'n( Pi#i".
,4t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 ,esus is going )ac; towards 1a(areth along a road which winds through hills,
)ene"itting "rom the shade o" oli'e<gro'es and orchards spread in this "ertile and
well culti'ated region.
.ut when 7e arri'es at a cross<road, intersecting the road to Ptolemais, 7e stops
and sa#s? 2 =et us stop at that house, where I ha'e rested )e"ore, we shall ha'e
our meal, and while the sun "ollows its course, let us sta# together )e"ore we
part again. e shall go towards 0i)erias, *# *other and *ar# will go to
1a(areth, ,ohn and &rmasteus to Sicaminon. 5
0hrough an oli'e<gro'e the# turn their steps towards a low large house o"
peasants, adorned with the usual "ig<tree, and dec;ed with the "estoons o" a 'ine
which clim)s up an outside staircase and eDpands its )ranches o'er the terrace.
2 Peace )e with #ou. I am here once again. 5
2 3ome *aster. 4ou are alwa#s welcome. *a# God grant peace to 4ou and to
4our "riends 5 replies an elderl# man who was crossing the #ard carr#ing an
arm"ul o" "aggots. 7e then shouts? 2 SarahF SarahF 0he *aster is here with 7is
disciples. Add more "lour to #our )readF 5
A woman co'ered with "lour comes out o" one o" the rooms? she has o)'iousl#
)een sie'ing, )ecause she is still holding in her hands a sie'e with some )ran in
itL she ;neels in "ront o" ,esus smiling.
2 Peace to #ou, woman. I )rought #ou *# *other, as I promised #ou. 7ere She
is. And this is 7er sister<in<law, the mother o" ,ames and ,udas. here are
Dinah and PhilipE 5
0he woman, a"ter greeting the two *aries, replies? 2 Dinah had her third )a)#<
girl #esterda#. e are a little sad, )ecause we ha'e not #et )een gi'en a nephew.
.ut we are happ#, too, is that right, *attathiasE 5
2 4es, )ecause she is a )eauti"ul )a)# and she is alwa#s our )lood. e will
show her to 4ou. Philip has gone to )ring )ac; Anna and 1aomi "rom his old
parents, )ut he will soon )e )ac;. 5
2 0he woman goes )ac; to her )a;ing while the man, a"ter putting the "aggots
into the o'en, ta;es care o" the guests, o""ering them seats and new mil;, i" the#
want it, or "ruit and oli'es, i" the# pre"er them.
0he room on the ground "loor is cool and shad#, large as it is and with two
doors, one in the "ront, the other at the )ac;, the "ormeF )eing shaded )# the
large "ig<tree, the latter )# a tall hedge o" star<shaped "lowers, which resem)le
sun"lowers in shape, )ut with smaller corollas. 0hus an emerald green light
enters the largo room, and it is o" great relie" to e#es tired )# the strong
sunshine. 0here are )enches and ta)les in the room, which is perhaps the one
where the women spin and wea'e and the men repair their agricultural tools or
store their supplies o" "lour and "ruit, as would appear )# some small )eams
with man# hoo;s and )oards placed on consoles, )esides long chests along the
walls. >lu""# hurds o" linen or hemp loo; li;e loose plaits hanging on the white<
washed wall, and a piece o" )right red cloth stretched on an unco'ered loom
seems to cheer up the whole room with its pompous Co#"ul colour.
0he landlad#, who has "inished her )a;ing, comes )ac; and as;s the guests
whether the# wish to see the new<)orn )a)#.
,esus replies? 2 I will certainl# )less her. 5
*ar# instead stands up sa#ing? 2 I will come and greet the mother. 5
All the women go out.
2 It is 'er# com"orta)le here 5 sa#s .artholomew who is clearl# 'er# tired.
2 4es. It is Iuiet and shad#. e shall end up )# "alling asleep. con"irms Peter,
who is alread# drows#.
2 In three da#s6 time we shall )e at home "or a long time. 4ou will )e a)le to
rest )ecause #ou will )e going e'angeli(ing in the neigh)ourhood 5 sa#s ,esus.
2 And what a)out 4ouE 5
2 I will sta# at 3apernaum most o" the time, going to .ethsaida now and again.
And I will e'angeli(e those who Coin *e there, 0hen at the moon o" 0ishri we
shall )egin to go a)out again. In the meantime, I will instruct #ou in the
e'ening...5
,esus )ecomes silent )ecause 7e sees that sleep ma;es 7is words useless. 7e
sha;es 7is head smiling, while watching the group o'erwhelmed )# "atigue and
2-1. In t"# H!us# !4 D!r) )n* P"%$. 432
sleeping in more or less com"orta)le postures. 0here is dead silence in the house
and in the sunn# countr#. It loo;s li;e an enchanted place. ,esus goes to the door
near the hedge o" "lowers and through the )ranches 7e contemplates the gentle
Galilean hills, co'ered with gre# still oli'e<trees.
3 A light shu""ling is heard a)o'e 7is head together with the uncertain cr#ing o"
a new<)orn )a)#. ,esus loo;s up and smiles at 7is *other ho is coming down
holding in 7er arms a white little )undle "rom which three tin# red things
emerge? a little head and two li'el# little "ists.
2 =oo;, ,esus, what a )eauti"ul )a)#F She is somewhat li;e 4ou when 4ou were
one da# old. 4our hair was so "air, that 4ou did not seem to ha'e an#, i" it had
not )een e'en then raised in light curls li;e a wooll# cloud, and 4ou were as red
as a rose as well. And, loo;, loo;, now that she has opened her little e#es here in
the shade and she is loo;ing "or her mother6s )reast, her e#es are dar; )lue, li;e
4ours... 9hF darlingF .ut I ha'e no mil;, *# dear little one, *# little rose, *#
little do'eF 5 and 9ur =ad# lulls the )a)# who stops cr#ing and "alls asleep,
gurgling li;e a little do'e.
2 *other, did 4ou do that to *e alsoE 5 as;s ,esus watching 7is *other lull the
)a)#, with 7er chee; pressed against the little "air<haired head.
2 4es, Son. .ut I called 4ou G*# little lam).H She is )eauti"ul, is she notE 5
2 8eall# )eauti"ul and strong. 7er mother can )e proud o" her 5 con"irms ,esus,
ho is also stooped watching the sleep o" the innocent child.
2 Instead she is not... 7er hus)and is angr# )ecause all the children are girls. It is
true that men are )etter "or the "ields we ha'e. .ut it is no "ault o" our
daughter...5 sa#s with a sigh the landlad# who has Cust arri'ed.
2 0he# are #oung. =et them lo'e each other and the# will ha'e )o#s also 5 sa#s
the =ord con"identl#.
2 7ere is Philip... 7e will )ecome gloom# now...5 moans the upset woman. And
in a louder 'oice she sa#s? 2 Philip, the 8a))i o" 1a(areth is here. 5
2 I am glad to see 7im. Peace to 4ou, *aster. 5
2 And to #ou, Philip. I saw #our lo'el# )a)#. I am still loo;ing at her, )ecause
she is reall# praiseworth#. God )lesses #ou with )eauti"ul, health# and good
children. 4ou must )e 'er# grate"ul to 7im... Are #ou not repl#ing to *eE 4ou
seem to )e anno#ed...5
2 I was hoping it was a )o#F 5
2 4ou are not going to tell *e that #ou are un"air )# accusing the innocent child
o" )eing a "emale or that #ou are going to )e hard on #our wi"eE 5 as;s ,esus
se'erel#.
2 I wanted a )o#F >or the =ord and "or m#sel"F 5 eDclaims Philip resent"ull#.
2 And do #ou thin; #ou are going to get one through inCustice and re)ellionE
7a'e #ou perhaps read God6s thoughtE Are #ou a)o'e 7im that #ou ma# sa# to
7im? GDo that )ecause that is CustEH 0his woman disciple o" *ine has no
children, "or instance. And #et she said to *e? GI )less m# sterilit# which gi'es
me wings to "ollow 4ou.H And this disciple, the mother o" "our sons, is anDious
that all "our o" them ma# no longer )elong to her. Is it true, *ar# and SusannaE
Do #ou hear themE And #ou, although #ou ha'e )een married onl# a "ew #ears
to a "ertile woman, and ha'e )een )lessed with three rose<)uds who see; #our
lo'e, #ou are angr#E ith whomE h#E 4ou do not want to tell *eE ell, I
will tell #ou )ecause #ou are sel"ish. Poc;et #our ill<"eeling. 9pen #our arms to
this child )orn o" #our seed and lo'e her. 3ome onF 0a;e herF 5 and ,esus ta;es
the little )undle o" linens and la#s it in the arms o" the #oung "ather. 7e then
resumes spea;ing? 2 Go to #our wi"e, who is weeping, and tell her that #ou lo'e
her. 9r God reall# will ne'er gi'e #ou a son. I am telling #ou. GoF...5
0he man goes up to his wi"e6s room.
2 0han; 4ou, *asterF 5 whispers his mother<in<law. 2 7e has )een 'er# rude
since #esterda#...5
0he man comes down a"ter a "ew minutes and sa#s? 2 I did it, m# =ord. She
than;s 4ou. And she told me to as; 4ou to name the )a)# )ecause... in m#
unCust hatred I had decided on a name that was too ugl#...5
2 3all her *ar#. She has suc;ed )itter tears with the "irst drop o" mil;, which
was also )itter )ecause o" #our harshness, so she ma# )e called *ar# and *ar#
will lo'e her. Is that right, *otherE 5
2 9" course, poor little darling. And she is so prett#. And she will certainl# )e
good and )ecome a little star o" 7ea'en. 5
4 0he# go )ac; into the large room where the apostles are "ast asleep, with the
2-1. In t"# H!us# !4 D!r) )n* P"%$. 433
eDception o" ,udas, who seems to )e on tenter hoo;s.
2 Did #ou want *e, ,udasE 5 as;s ,esus.
2 1o, *aster, )ut I cannot get to sleep and I would li;e to go out "or a little
while. 5
2 ho stops #ouE I am going out as well. I am going up to that hilloc;. It is all
in the shade... I will rest pra#ing. Do #ou want to come with *eE 5
2 1o, *aster. I would distur) 4ou )ecause I am not in condition to pra#.
Perhaps... perhaps I am not "eeling 'er# well and that is upsetting me...5
2 Sta# here, then. I do not "orce an#)od#. Good)#e. Good)#e, women. *other,
when ,ohn o" &ndor wa;es, send him to *e, )# himsel". 5
2 4es, Son. Peace )e with 4ou. 5
,esus goes out, *ar# and Susanna )end to watch the cloth on the loom. *ar#
sits down with 7er hands in 7er lap, slightl# )ent. Perhaps She is pra#ing, too.
*ar# o" Alphaeus soon tires o" watching the wor;. She sits in the dar;est corner
and soon "alls asleep.
Susanna thin;s it is a good idea and imitates her.
9nl# *ar# and ,udas are awa;e? the "ormer deepl# a)sor)ed in 7er thoughts,
the latter loo;ing at 7er with wide open ga(e, which ne'er lea'es 7er. In the
end he gets up and approaches 7er slowl# and noiselessl#. Although he is most
de"initel# a handsome man, he gi'es me the impression o" a "eline or sna;e
approaching its pre#, I do not ;now wh#. Pro)a)l# )ecause I disli;e him, I "eel I
that his 'er# steps are deceit"ul and dangerous... 7e calls 7er in a low 'oice? 2
*ar#F 5
2 hat do #ou want "rom *e, ,udasE 5 *ar# as;s ;indl# loo;ing in him with
7er most lo'ing e#es.
2 I would li;e to spea; to 4ou...5
2 Do so. I am listening. 5
2 1ot here... I do not want an#)od# to hear me... ould 4ou mind
going out there "or a momentE It is shad# out there as well...5
2 =et us go... .ut see. 0he# are all sleeping... #ou could ha'e spo;en here as
well 5 sa#s the .lessed -irgin. .ut she gets up and goes out )e"ore him leaning
against the tall "lower# hedge.
2 hat do #ou want "rom *e, ,udasE 5 She as;s again, staring at the apostle
who appears to )e somewhat upset and to "ind di""icult# in spea;ing. 2 Are #ou
not "eeling wellE 9r ha'e #ou done something wrong and #ou do not ;now how
to tellE 9r do #ou "eel t hat, #ou are on the point o" doing something wrong and
it is a )urden "or #ou to admit that #ou are temptedE Spea;, son. As I cured #our
)od#, I will cure #our soul. 0ell *e what is upsetting #ou, and i" I can I will
help #ou. I" I cannot do so )# *#sel", I will telI ,esus. &'en i" #ou had
committed a gra'e sin, 7e will "orgi'e #ou i" I as; 7im. 8eall#, ,esus would
"orgi'e #ou at once, as well... .ut perhaps #ou are ashamed o" 7im, the *aster.
I am a mother... I do not ma;e an#one "eel ashamed...5
2 1o, 4ou do not, )ecause 4ou are a mother and 4ou are so good. 4ou are
peace to all o" us. 5 I "eel... 'er# upset. I ha'e a 'er# )ad character, *ar#. I do
not ;now what I ha'e in m# )lood and in m# heart... 1ow and again I am no
longer a)le to control them... and then I would do the strangest... and worst
things. 5
2 &'en with ,esus near #ou, can #ou not resist temptationE 5
2 4es. And I su""er )ecause o" that, )elie'e me. It is so. I am a poor wretch. 5
2 I will pra# "or #ou, ,udas. 5
2 It is not enough. 5
2 I will get Cust people to pra# "or #ou without telling them "or whom it is. 5
2 It is not enough. 5
2 I will ma;e children pra#. So man# o" them come to *e, to *# ;itchen
garden, li;e little )irds loo;ing "or corn. And *# caresses and the words I spea;
to them are corn to them. I spea; to them o" God... And the#, little innocent
souls, pre"er that to games and tales. 0he pra#er o" children is pleasing to the
=ord. 5
2 1e'er as much as 4ours. .ut it is still not enough. 5
2 I will tell ,esus to pra# the >ather "or #ou. 5
2-1. In t"# H!us# !4 D!r) )n* P"%$. 434
2 It is still not su""icient. 5
2 *ore than that is impossi)leF ,esus6 pra#er de"eats also demons...5
2 4es, )ut ,esus would not alwa#s pra#. And I would go )ac; to )eing m#sel"...
,esus alwa#s sa#s so, 7e will go awa# one da#. must thin; o" the time when I
shall )e without 7im. ,esus now wants to send us e'angeli(ing. I am a"raid to go
with this enem# o" mine, which is m#sel", to spread the word o" God. I would
li;e to )e alread# per"ected. 5
2 .ut, son, i" not e'en ,esus is success"ul, who can e'er )e soE.
2 4ou, *otherF =et me sta# a little while with 4ou. Pagans and prostitutes ha'e
sta#ed with 4ou. So I can sta# as well. I" 4ou do not want me to )e where 4ou
li'e, at night I will go and sleep at Alphaeus and *ar# o" 3lopas6, )ut I will
spend the da# with 4ou and the children. In the past I tried to do things )#
m#sel", and made the situation worse. I" I go to ,erusalem, I ha'e too man#
wic;ed "riends and in the situation I am in now, when I "eel l li;e this, I )ecome
their laughing<stoc;... It is the same i" I go to an# other town. 0he temptation o"
the road )urns me with this one which I alread# ha'e. I" I go to Berioth, to m#
mother6s, I )ecome the sla'e o" pride. I" I withdraw to a solitar# place, silence
rends me with Satan6s 'oices. .ut i" I am sta#ing with 4ou, ohF I "eel that it will
)e di""erentF... =et me comeF 0ell ,esus to grant me thisF Do 4ou want me to )e
lostE Are 4ou a"raid o" meE 4ou are loo;ing at me with the countenance o" a
wounded ga(elle which has no strength le"t to escape its assailants. .ut I will
not o""end 4ou. I ha'e a mother, too... and I lo'e 4ou more than her. 7a'e
merc# on a sinner, *ar#F =oo;? I am weeping at 4our "eet... I" 4ou reCect me, it
ma# )e m# spiritual death...5 and ,udas is reall# weeping at *ar#6s "eetL She
loo;s at him and 7er e#es are "ull o" pit# and anguish miDed with "ear. She is
'er# pale.
.ut She ta;es a step "orward, )ecause She had almost sun; into the hedge to
;eep awa# "rom ,udas who was going too close to 7er, and She la#s a hand on
,udas6 dar; hair. 2 .e Iuiet, lest the# should hear #ouF I will spea; to ,esus. And
i" 7e agrees... #ou will come to *# house. I disregard the opinion o" the world.
It does not inCure *# soul. I would )e horror<struc; onl# at )eing guilt #
towards God. 3alumn# lea'es *e cold. 1o one will spea; ill o" *e )ecause
1a(areth ;nows that its daughter does not cause scandal to 7er town. In an#
case, let come what ma#, I am anDious that #ou ma# sa'e #our soul. I am now
going to ,esus. Peace to #ou. 5 And She co'ers 7ersel" with 7er 'eil, which is
white li;e 7er dress and She wal;s "ast along the path which leads up to a
hilloc; co'ered with oli'e<trees.
6 She loo;s "or 7er ,esus and "inds 7im engrossed in meditation. 2 Son, it is I...
=isten to *eF.
2 9hF *otherF 7a'e 4ou come to pra# with *eE hat Co# and relie" 4ou )ring
to *eF 5
2 hat is it, SonE Is 4our soul anguishedE Are 4ou sadE 0ell 4our *otherF 5
2 4ou ha'e said it, anguished and tired. 1ot so much )ecause o" wor; or o" the
miseries I see in hearts, as "or the immuta)ilit# o" *# "riends. .ut I do not wish
to )e un"air to them. 9ne onl# worries *e? ,udas o" Simon...5
2 Son, I ha'e come to spea; to 4ou o" him...5
2 7as he wronged 4ouE 7as he grie'ed 4ouE 5
2 1o. .ut I "eel sorr# "or him Cust as I would "eel sorr# i" I saw a 'er# in"ected
person... Poor sonF 7ow ill his soul isF 5
2 And 4ou "eel sorr# "or himE Are 4ou no longer a"raid o" 7imE 4ou were
once...5
2 Son, *# pit# is e'en greater than *# "ear. And I would li;e to help 4ou and
him to sa'e his soul. 4ou can do e'er#thing, and 4ou do not need *e. .ut 4ou
sa# that e'er#)od# must cooperate with 3hrist in redeeming... and that son
needs to )e redeemed so )adl#F 5
2 hat else can I do "or him in addition to what I alread# doE 5
2 4ou cannot do an# more. .ut 4ou could let *e do. 7e as;ed *e to let him
sta# in our house )ecause he thin;s that he will )e a)le to get rid o" his monster
there... 4ou are sha;ing 4our headE 4ou do not wantE I will tell him...5
2 1o, *other. It is not that I do not want. I am sha;ing *# head )ecause I ;now
that it is useless. ,udas is li;e one who is drowning and although he realises that
he is drowning, he reCects out o" pride the rope that has )een thrown to him to
draw him to the shore. 7e has no will to come to the shore. 1ow and again, he is
in terror o" drowning and he see;s and in'o;es help, he clings to the rope... and
then, sei(ed once again )# pride, he re"uses help, reCects it, he wants to )e
independent... and he )ecomes hea'ier and hea'ier )ecause o" the mudd# water
2-1. In t"# H!us# !4 D!r) )n* P"%$. 43,
that swallows him down. .ut as I wish to lea'e no stone unturned, let that )e
done as well, poor *other... 4es, poor *other, as 4ou are su)Cecting 4oursel",
"or the lo'e o" a soul, to the pain o" ha'ing near 4ou... one who "rightens 4ou. 5
2 1o, ,esus. Do not sa# that. I am a poor woman )ecause I am still su)Cect to
antipathies. 8eproach *e. I deser'e it. I should not )e disgusted at an#)od#, "or
4our sa;e. 0hat is wh# I am a poor woman. 9hF I wish I could gi'e 4ou )ac;
,udas spirituall# curedF 0o gi'e 4ou a soul is to gi'e 4ou a treasure. And the
person who gi'es a treasure is not poor. SonF... Shall I go and tell ,udas that it is
all right, that 4ou agreeE 4ou said once? G0he da# will come when 4ou will
sa#? Q7ow di""icult it is to )e the *other o" the 8edemptor6 G I ha'e alread# said
it once... "or Aglae... .ut what is once onl#E *an;ind is so numerousF And 4ou
are the 8edeemer o" all men. SonF... SonF... As I held the little )a)# in *# arms
to )ring her to 4ou to )e )lessed, let *e hold ,udas in *# arms, that I ma#
)ring him to 4our )lessing...5
2 *other... *other... 7e does not deser'e 4ou...5
2 ,esus, when 4ou hesitated to gi'e *arCiam to Peter, I told 4ou that it would
)e )ene"icial to him. 4ou cannot den# that Peter has )ecome a new man since
that moment... =et *e tr# with ,udas. 5
2 =et it )e done as 4ou wishF And ma# 4ou )e )lessed "or 4our lo'ing
intention towards *e and ,udasF 1ow let us pra# together, *other. It is so
pleasant to pra# with 4ouF...5...
7 ... 0he sun is Cust )eginning to set when I see them depart "ront the house that
ga'e them hospitalit#.
,ohn o" &ndor and &rmasteus ta;e lea'e o" ,esus as soon as the# reach the road.
*ar# with the women instead proceeds with 7er Son along a road through the
oli'e<gro'es on the hills. 0he# are tal;ing o" the e'ents o" the da#.
Peter sa#s? 2 Philip must )e reall# cra(#F 7e was almost going to disown his
wi"e and daughter, i" 4ou had not )een there to ma;e him listen to reason. 5
2 =et us hope that he will perse'ere in his repentance and he does not ha'e
another "it o" )ad temper against "emales. A"ter all... it is due to women that the
world goes on 5 sa#s 0homas and man# laugh at his witt# remar;.
2 It is certainl# true. .ut the# are more unclean than we are and...5 replies
.artholomew.
2 1e'erF ith regard to uncleanliness... we are not angels eitherF 1ow, I would
li;e to ;now whether a"ter 8edemption it will alwa#s )e the same "or women.
0he# teach us to honour mothers, and hold in great respect sisters, daughters,
aunts, daughters< and sisters<in<law and then... Anathema here, anathema thereF
0he 0emple is out o" Iuestion. *an# times we are not allowed to approach
them... &'e sinnedE Agreed. .ut also Adam sinned. God punished &'e... and
'er# se'erel#. Is that not enoughE 5
2 0homasF *oses also considers women unclean. 5
2 And *oses, without women, would ha'e )een drowned... .ut, mind #ou,
.artholomew, although I am not so learned as #ou are, as I am onl# a gold<
)eater, I would remind #ou that *oses mentions the )odil# uncleanliness o"
women so that we ma# respect them, not to anathematise them. 5
8 0he de)ate is )ecoming li'elier. ,esus, ho was ahead o" them with the
women and ,ohn and ,udas Iscariot, stops and turning around 7e comes in to
the discussion? 2 God had in "ront o" 7im a people which was morall# and
spirituall# amorphous and contaminated )# connections with idolaters. 7e
wanted to ma;e the people ph#sicall# and spirituall# strong. 0hus the precepts
7e ga'e were instructions )ene"icial to )oth ph#sical strength and moral
honest#. 7e could not do otherwise to chec; the lust o" men and thus pre'ent
repetition o" the sins which caused the earth to )e su)merged and Sodom and
Gomorrah to )e )urned down. .ut in "uture the redeemed woman will not )e
oppressed as she is now. Prohi)itions concerning ph#sical prudence will remain,
)ut o)stacles to her coming to the =ord will )e remo'ed. I am alread# remo'ing
them to prepare the "irst priestesses o" the "uture era. 5
2 9hF ill there )e priestessesEF 5 as;s Philip who is almost dum)"ounded.
2 Do not misunderstand *e. 0he# will not )e priestesses li;e men, the# will not
consecrate and will not administer the gi"ts o" God, which #ou are not #et
capa)le o" understanding. .ut the# will )elong to the sacerdotal class,
cooperating in man# wa#s with priests to the )ene"it o" souls. 5
2 ill the# preachE 5 as;s .artholomew incredulousl#.
2 As *# *other alread# preaches. 5
2-1. In t"# H!us# !4 D!r) )n* P"%$. 43-
2 ill the# ma;e apostolic pilgrimagesE 5 as;s *atthew.
2 4es, the# will. 0he# will ta;e "aith 'er# "ar, and I must admit it, with greater
heroism than men. 5
2 ill the# wor; miraclesE 5 as;s the Iscariot laughing.
2 Some will wor; also miracles. .ut do not consider miracles the essential thing.
0he#, )eing hol# women, will wor; man# miracles o" con'ersions through their
pra#ers. 5
2 .ahF ill women pra# to the eDtent o" wor;ing miraclesF 5 grum)les
1athanael.
2 Do not )e narrow<minded li;e a scri)e, .artholomew. hat is pra#er,
according to #ouE 5
2 0o address God )# means o" the "ormulae ;nown to us. 5
2 0hat and much more. Pra#er is the con'ersation o" the heart with God and it
ought to )e the ha)itual state o" man. omen, )ecause o" their more retired li'es
than ours and )ecause o" their a""ecti'e "aculties that are stronger than ours, are
inclined to such con'ersation with God more than we are. 0he# "ind com"ort to
their sorrows in it, relie" in their wor;, which is not onl# the wor; in the house
and in procreating, )ut also in tolerating us men, the# "ind what wipes their tears
and )rings peace and Co# to their hearts. .ecause the# ;now how to spea; to
God and the# will ;now e'en )etter in "uture. *en will )e giants in doctrine,
women will )e those who support men and the world with their pra#ers, )ecause
man# mis"ortunes will )e a'oided through their pra#ers and man# punishments
will )e withheld. 0he# will thus wor; miracles, in'isi)le in most cases and
;nown to God onl#, )ut not less real. 5
2 4ou also wor;ed an in'isi)le )ut real miracle toda#. Is that right, *asterE 5
as;s 0haddeus.
2 4es, )rother. 5
2 It would ha'e )een )etter to wor; a 'isi)le one 5 remar;s Philip.
2 Did #ou want *e to change the little girl into a )o#E A miracle reall# is the
alteration o" what has )een destined, a )ene"icial disorder, thus, which God
grants to hear the pra#er o" man and thus pro'e to him that 7e lo'es him, or that
7e is 7e ho is. .ut. since God is order 7e ne'er 'iolates order immoderatel#.
0he child was )orn a "emale, and a "emale she will sta#. 5
9 2 I was so distressed this morningF 5 sa#s the .lessed -irgin with a sigh.
2 h#E 0he lo'eless )a)# was not 4ours 5 sa#s Susanna. And she adds? 2
hen I see an un"ortunate child I sa#? G=uc;il# "or me I ha'e noneFH 5
2 Do not sa# so, SusannaF It is not charita)le. I also could sa# so )ecause *#
onl# *aternit# is )e#ond natural laws. .ut I do not sa# that, )ecause I alwa#s
thin;? GI" God had not wanted *e to )e a 'irgin, that seed might ha'e "allen on
*e, and I would )e the mother o" the unhapp# childH, and thus I pit# them all...
.ecause I sa#? G7e might ha'e )een *# sonH and as a mother I would li;e all
children to )e good, health#, lo'ed and lo'ing, )ecause e'er# mother wishes
that "or her own children 5 replies *ar# ;indl#. And ,esus seems to en'elop 7er
in light, so radiantl# 7e loo;s at 7er.
2 0hat is wh# 4ou pit# me...5 sa#s the Iscariot in a low 'oice.
2 I pit# e'er#)od#. &'en i" one were the murderer o" *# Son. .ecause I thin;
that he would )e the most in need o" help... and lo'e. .ecause the whole world
would certainl# hate him. 5
2 Donna, 4ou would ha'e to wor; hard de"ending him to gi'e him time to
repent... I would get rid o" him immediatel#...5 sa#s Peter.
2 0his is where we part, *other, God )e with 4ou. And with #ou, *ar#. And
with #ou, too, ,udas. 5 0he# ;iss one another and ,esus adds? 2 8emem)er that I
ha'e granted #ou a great thing, ,udaas. *a;e it )ene"icial and not detrimental to
#ou. Good)#e. 5
And ,esus with the ele'en apostles le"t and Susanna goes eastwards at a Iuic;
pace, while *ar#, 7er sister<in<law and the Iscariot go straight ahead.
2-2. T"# 9)n &t" t"# 0t"#r#* H)n*. 43.
,4,. T! 7'n $it t! /it!r!( H'n(.
,4t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 ,esus enters the s#nagogue in 3apernaum, which slowl# )ecomes crowded
with )elie'ers, )ecause it is Sa))ath. &'er#)od# is greatl# surprised seeing 7im.
0he# all point to 7im whispering and some pull the tunic o" this or that apostle
as;ing when the# came )ac; to town, )ecause no)od# ;new that the# were
)ac;.
2 e landed at the G"ig wellH coming "rom .ethsaida, to a'oid ta;ing one step
more than is prescri)ed, m# "riend 5 replies Peter to Jriah, the Pharisee, who,
"eeling o""ended at )eing called 2 "riend 5 )# a "isherman, goes awa#
disdain"ull# and Coins his peers in the "irst row.
2 Don6t tease them, SimonF 5 warns Andrew.
2 0ease themE 7e as;ed me a Iuestion and I replied sa#ing also that we a'oided
wal;ing to respect the Sa))ath. 5
2 0he# will sa# that we wor;ed in the )oat...5
2 0he# will end up )# sa#ing that we wor;ed )# )reathingF >oolF It6s the )oat,
the wind and the wa'es that wor;, not us who sail in the )oat. 5
Andrew accepts the reprimand and )ecomes silent.
A"ter the preliminar# pra#ers it is time to read a passage and eDplain it. 0he head
o" the s#nagogue as;s ,esus to do so, )ut ,esus points to the Pharisees sa#ing? 2
=et them do it. 5 .ut as the# do not wish to compl#, 7e is compelled to spea;.
2 ,esus reads a passage "rom the "irst .oo; o" the Bings, which tells how Da'id
was )etra#ed )# the men o" :iph, who in"ormed Saul that he was at Gi)eah.
,esus hands the roll )ac; and )egins to spea;.
2 It is alwa#s e'il to in"ringe the precepts o" charit#, hospitalit# and honest#. .ut
man does not hesitate to do so with utmost indi""erence. e ha'e here a dou)le
episode o" such in"ringement and the conseIuent punishment o" God. 0he
)eha'iour o" the men o" :iph was deceit"ul. Saul6s was eIuall# so. 0he "ormer
were mean in their intention o" getting into the graces o" the stronger o" the two.
0he latter was 'ile in the intention o" getting rid o" the =ord6s anointed. 0he#
were thus united )# their sel"ishness. And the "alse sin"ul ;ing o" Israel dares to
gi'e a repl# to the )ase proposal mentioning the =ord? G*a# #ou )e )lessed )#
the =ord.H
Derision o" God6s ,usticeF 7a)itual derisionF 0oo o"ten the 1ame o" the =ord
and 7is )lessing are in'o;ed as a reward or guarantee "or man6s wic;edness. It
is written? G4ou shall not utter the 1ame o" God in 'ain.H And can there )e
an#thing more 'ain, or rather, more wic;ed than uttering it to commit a crime
against one6s neigh)ourE And #et it is a sin that is more "reIuent than an# other,
committed with indi""erence also )# those who are alwa#s the "irst in the
meetings o" the =ord, in ceremonies and teaching. 8emem)er that it is a sin to
in'estigate, ta;e notice and prepare e'er#thing to damage one6s neigh)our. It is
also a sin to ma;e other people in'estigate, ta;e notice and prepare e'er#thing
so that other people ma# inCure one6s neigh)our. It implies inducing others to sin
)# tempting them with rewards or threatening them with retaliation.
I warn #ou that it is a sin. I warn #ou that such )eha'iour is sel"ishness and
hatred. And #ou are aware that hatred and sel"ishness are enemies o" lo'e. I am
warning #ou )ecause I am anDious a)out #our souls. .ecause I lo'e #ou.
.ecause I do not want #ou to )e in sin. .ecause I do not want #ou to )e
punished )# God as happened to Saul, whose countr# was destro#ed )# the
Philistines, while he was chasing Da'id to capture him and ;ill him. I solemnl#
tell #ou that that will alwa#s happen to those who harm their neigh)ours. 0heir
'ictor# will last as long as the grass o" a meadow. It will come up Iuic;l#, )ut it
will soon )e dr# and trodden on )# the "oot o" indi""erent passers<)#. hereas
good )eha'iour and honest li"e seem to "ind it hard to grow and assert
themsel'es. .ut once the# are per"ected as ha)its o" li"e the# )ecome strong
lea"# trees, which no hurricane can uproot or dog<da#s parch. 8eall#, he who is
"aith"ul to the =aw, trul# "aith"ul, )ecomes a strong tree, which is not )ent )#
passions nor )urnt )# Satan6s "ire.
I ha'e "inished. I" there is an#one who wishes to sa# something, let him do so. 5
3 2 e as; 4ou whether 4ou ha'e spo;en re"erring to us Pharisees. 5
2 Is the s#nagogue perhaps "ull o" PhariseesE 4ou are "our, and there are
hundreds o" people. *# word was "or e'er#)od#. 5
2 .ut the allusion was clear. 5
2 8eall#, it has ne'er )een ;nown that a man accuses himsel" onl# )ecause
suspicion is thrown on him )# a parallelF .ut that is what #ou are doing. h#
2-2. T"# 9)n &t" t"# 0t"#r#* H)n*. 431
do #ou accuse #oursel'es i" I do not accuse #ouE Are #ou aware o" )eha'ing as I
saidE I am not. .ut i" #ou are, mend #our wa#s. .ecause man is wea; and ma#
sin. And God "orgi'es him i" he sincerel# repents and wants to sin no more. .ut
to persist in e'il is dou)le sin "or which there is no "orgi'eness. 5
2 e ha'e not committed such sin. 5
2 ell, do not grie'e o'er *# words. 5
0he argument is o'er. And the singing o" h#mns "ills the s#nagogue. 4 0he
meeting seems to )e on the point o" winding up without an# "urther incident,
when ,oachim, the Pharisee, sees a man in the crowd and )ec;ons to him to go
to the "irst row. 0he man is a)out "i"t# #ears old and has an atrophic arm and as
atroph# has destro#ed his muscles, also his hand is a""ected and is smaller than
the other one.
,esus sees him. And 7e notices the )ustle to draw 7is attention to him. 0here is
a "lashing )ut 'er# clear sign o" disgust and pit# on 7is "ace. .ut 7e does not
ward o"" the )low. 9n the contrar# 7e "aces the situation resolutel#.
2 3ome here, in the middle 5 7e orders the man. And when the man is )e"ore
7im, ,esus turns to the Pharisees and sa#s? 2 h# do #ou tempt *eE 7a'e I not
Cust "inished spea;ing o" snares and hatredE And ha'e #ou not Cust now said?
Ge ha'e not such sinHE Are #ou not repl#ing to *eE Answer at least this? Is it
law"ul to do good on the Sa))athE Is it law"ul to sa'e li"e or to ;illE Are #ou not
repl#ingE I will repl# in #our place and in the presence o" all the people, who
will )e a)le to Cudge )etter than #ou do, )ecause the# are simple and "ree "rom
hatred and pride. It is not law"ul to do an# wor; on the Sa))ath. .ut as it is
law"ul to pra#, so it is law"ul to do good, )ecause good is e'en a greater pra#er
than the h#mns and psalms which we ha'e sung. .ut neither on the Sa))ath nor
on an# other da#s is it law"ul to do e'il. And #ou ha'e done Cust that )#
intriguing to ha'e here this man who is not e'en "rom 3apernaum and was
)rought here two da#s ago, as #ou ;new that I was at .ethsaida and #ou guessed
that I would )e coming to *# town. And #ou ha'e done that to see i" #ou can
"ind something to use against *e. And thus #ou commit also the sin o" ;illing
#our souls instead o" sa'ing them. .ut, as "ar as I am concerned, I "orgi'e #ou
and I will not disappoint the "aith o" this man, whom #ou told to come sa#ing
that I would cure him, whereas #ou wanted to la# a snare "or *e. 7e is innocent
)ecause 7e came here with no other intention )ut to )e cured. And )e it so.
*an? stretch out #our hand and go in peace. 5
0he man o)e#s and his hand is cured and is li;e the other one. 7e ma;es use o"
it at once )# ta;ing the hem o" ,esus6 mantle to ;iss it sa#ing? 2 4ou ;now that I
was not aware o" their true intentions. 7ad I ;nown, I would not ha'e come, as I
would ha'e pre"erred to ;eep m# withered hand, rather than ser'e against 4ou.
So ha'e no grudge against me. 5
2 Go in peace, man. I ;now the truth and with regard to #ou I assure #ou o" *#
good will. 5
0he crowd go out ma;ing comments, and ,esus comes out last with 7is ele'en
apostles.
,4-. A D'1 o0 9u('s Isc'riot 't N'3'r!t.
,6t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 0he house in 1a(areth would )e the most suita)le "or spiritual ele'ation.
0here is peace, silence, order. 7oliness seems to eDude "rom its stones, "rom the
trees o" the ;itchen garden, or to pour "rom the serene thatch which "orms a
hea'enl# dome o'er it. In actual "act it eDhales "rom 7er ho li'es in it, and
mo'es a)out Iuic;l# and silentl#, with 7er unchanged #outh"ul gait and light
step, as when She entered the house as a )ride, and with the same smile which
soothes and caresses.
0he sun, in this earl# morning hour, is shining on the right hand side o" the
house, the one close to the "irst undulation o" the hill, and onl# the tops o" trees
)ene"it "rom it, "irst o" all the oli'e<trees planted near the terrace to retain the
earth )# means o" their roots? the# are the sur'i'ing oli'e<trees o" ,oachim6s
oli'e<gro'e, huge contorted trees with their thic;er )ranches rising towards the
s;# as i" the# were in'o;ing its )lessing or were pra#ing also "rom that peace"ul
place. 9nce the gro'e consisted o" man# trees, which li;e pra#ing pilgrims
"ormed a long procession eDtending as "ar as the "ields where oli'e<gro'e and
"ields )ecame gra(ing ground, whereas there are onl# a "ew trees le"t now within
,oachim6s mutilated propert#. 0he neDt to )ene"it "rom the sunshine are the tall
strong almond and apple<trees, "orming sunshades o'er the garden with their
)ranches, then there is a pomegranate enCo#ing the ra#s o" sunlight, and last the
2-3. A D)5 !4 :u*)s Isc)r!t )t N)7)r#t". 432
"ig<tree near the house, when the sun alread# caresses the well culti'ated "lowers
and 'egeta)les in rectangular "lower<)eds and along the hedges planted under
pergolas laden with grapes.
.u((ing )ees, li;e "l#ing golden drops alight on e'er#thing that ma# gi'e them
sweet scented Cuices. A small hone#suc;le shoot is attac;ed )# them as well as a
hedge o" )ell<shaped "lower )unches, the name o" which I do not ;now, )ut
must )e night "lowers, as the# are a)out to close, and their scent is 'er# strong.
0he )ees hasten to suc; them )e"ore the# "old their petals to sleep in the corolla.
*ar# goes Iuic;l# "rom the nest o" the do'es to the little "ountain, and "rom
there to the house, doing 7er wor;, and #et, while doing so, She manages to
admire 7er "lowers or the do'es cooing along the paths or "l#ing around the
house and the ;itchen garden.
2 ,udas Iscariot comes )ac; laden with plants and scions. 2 7ail, *other. 0he#
ga'e me e'er#thing I wanted. I ran )ac; so that the# ma# not get inCured. .ut I
hope that the# will ta;e root as the hone#suc;le did. 1eDt #ear 4our garden will
)e li;e a "lower# )as;et. And 4ou will thus remem)er poor ,udas and his sta#
here 5 he sa#s, care"ull# ta;ing out "rom a )ag some plants, the roots o" which
are en'eloped in earth and damp lea'es, and some scions "rom another )ag.
2 0han; #ou, ,udas. 0han; #ou 'er# much, indeed. 4ou ha'e no idea how
happ# I am to ha'e that hone#suc;le near the little grotto. hen I was a little
girl, o'er there, at the end o" those "ields, which )elonged to us in those da#s,
there was a lo'elier grotto, and i'# and hone#suc;les adorned it with their
)ranches and "lowers, "orming a ;ind o" curtain and shelter "or tin# lilies
growing inside the grotto, which the delicate em)roider# o" maidenhair made
completel# green. .ecause there was a spring there... In the 0emple I o"ten
thought o" that grotto and I tell #ou that when I pra#ed )e"ore the -eil o" the
7ol#, as a 'irgin o" the 0emple, I did not percei'e God more strongl#. 1a#, I
must sa# that I dreamed there o" the sweet con'ersations o" *# soul with *#
=ord... *# ,oseph prepared this one "or *e, with this "ine stream o" water, not
so much )ecause o" its utilit#, as to gi'e *e the Co# o" a grotto li;e the other
one... ,oseph was good, and considerate o" the least details... And he planted a
hone#suc;le and i'#, the latter is still ali'e, the "ormer died during the #ears o"
our eDile... 7e replanted it later. .ut it died three #ears ago. 4ou ha'e planted it
once again. It has ta;en root, seeE 4ou are a 'er# cle'er gardener. 5
2 4es. hen a child I lo'ed plants so much and m# mother taught me how to
ta;e care o" them... .eing with 4ou, *other, I "eel as i" I were a )o# again and I
disco'er m# old s;ill. I do it to please 4ou. 4ou are so good to meF...5 replies
,udas, wor;ing s;ill"ull# in setting the plants in the most suita)le places. 1ear
the hedge o" the night "lowers he places a tangle o" roots, which I do not ;now
whether the# are lilies o" the 'alle# or some other "lower. 2 0he# will do well
here 5 he sa#s pressing with a little hoe the earth on to the )uried roots. 2 0oo
much sunshine is not good "or them. &lea(ar6s ser'ant did not want to gi'e me
them. .ut I insisted so much that he ga'e them to me. 5
2 0he# did not want to gi'e ,oseph those Indian Casmines. .ut he did some wor;
"or them without as;ing "or pa#ment in order to get them "or *e. 0he# ha'e
"lourished more and more. 5
2 0here 4ou are, *other. I will now water them and the# will )e all right. 5 7e
waters them and then washes his hands in the "ountain.
3 *ar# loo;s at him? he is so di""erent "rom 7er ,esus, and so di""erent as well
"rom the ,udas o" certain storm# hoursL She scans him, approaches him and
la#ing a hand on his arm She ;indl# as;s him? 2 Are #ou "eeling )etter, ,udasE
In #our soul, I mean. 5
2 9hF *otherF So much )etterF I am in peace. And 4ou can see it. I "ind
pleasure and sal'ation in hum)le things and in )eing with 4ou. I should ne'er
lea'e this peace, this Iuietude. 7ere... 7ow "ar is the world "rom this houseF...5
And ,udas loo;s at the garden, the plants, the little house... 7e concludes? 2 .ut
i" I sta#ed here I would ne'er )e an apostle. And I want to )e one...5
2 7owe'er, )elie'e *e, it would )e )etter "or #ou to )e a Cust soul rather than
an inCust apostle. I" #ou "eel that contact with the world upsets #ou, i" #ou
realise that the praises and honours o" an apostle hurt #ou, gi'e it up, ,udas. It is
)etter "or #ou to )e a simple )elie'er in *# ,esus, )ut a hol# )elie'er, rather
than )e a sin"ul apostle. 5
,udas lowers his head pensi'el#. *ar# lea'es him to his meditation and goes
into the house, to 7er housewor;.
,udas remains still "or some time, he then wal;s up and down under the pergola.
7is arms are "olded, his head is lowered. 7e is engrossed in thought, then he
)egins to spea; and gesticulate to himsel". 7is monologue is incomprehensi)le.
7is gestures are t#pical o" a person anguished with clashing ideas. 7e seems to
)e in'o;ing and reCecting, or pit#ing, or cursing something, his inIuisiti'e
2-3. A D)5 !4 :u*)s Isc)r!t )t N)7)r#t". 413
countenance )ecomes "rightened, anguished, until his "ace has the eDpression o"
his worse moments... and he stops a)ruptl# in the middle o" the path, remaining
still "or some time, with a real dia)olic countenance... 7e co'ers his "ace with
his hands and runs up the hilloc; o" the oli'e<trees, awa# "rom *ar#6s sight, and
he weeps hiding his "ace in his hands, until he calms down and remains sat,
leaning with his )ac; against on oli'e<tree, as i" he were )ewildered...
4 ... It is no longer morning, )ut the end o" a glorious sunset. 1a(areth opens the
doors o" its houses, which ha'e )een closed all da# against the "ierce summer
heat o" an eastern da#. omen, men, children come out into the ;itchen gardens
or on to the roads still warm )ut no longer sunn#, see;ing cool air at the
"ountain, or pla#ing or tal;ing... waiting "or supper. *en, women, children greet
one another in loud 'oices, the# chatter, laugh, shout...
,udas also goes out and turns his steps to the "ountain carr#ing copper pitchers.
7e is noticed and indicated )# the people o" 1a(areth with the nic;name 2the
disciple o" the 0emple5, which sounds to him li;e sweet music. 7e passes )#
greeting people ;indl#, )ut also with a little reser'e, which i" it is not #et proud
haughtiness, it is 'er# close to it.
2 4ou are 'er# good to *ar# 5 a citi(en with a long )eard sa#s to him.
2 She deser'es that and more. She reall# is a great woman o" Israel. 4ou are
luc;# to ha'e such a citi(en. 5
0he praise o" the woman o" 1a(areth delights the people who repeat to one
another what ,udas said.
0he apostle has in the meantime reached the "ountain where he waits "or his turn
and he is so ;ind as to carr# the pitchers o" an elderl# woman, who cannot )less
him enough, and he "ills the Cars o" two women, who are hampered )# the
suc;ling each carries in her arms. Sorting their 'eils the# whisper? 2 *a# God
reward #ou. 5
2 =o'e "or our neigh)our is the "irst dut# o" a "riend o" ,esus 5 replies the
Iscariot )owing. 7e then "ills his own pitchers and goes )ac; home.
5 0he head o" the s#nagogue o" 1a(areth and other people stop him on his wa#
home, and in'ite him to spea; on the "ollowing Sa))ath. 2 4ou ha'e )een here
with us o'er two wee;s and #ou ha'e not taught us an# lesson apart "rom #our
;indness to us all 5 complains the head, who is with other elders o" the 'illage.
2 .ut i" the speeches o" #our greatest son are not pleasant to #ou, how can #ou
)e satis"ied with the sermon o" one o" 7is disciples, who is a ,udaean o'er and
a)o'eE 5 replies ,udas.
2 4our suspicion is an un"air one and it grie'es us. 9ur in'itation is sincere.
4ou are a disciple and a ,udaean. 0hat is true. .ut #ou are o" the 0emple. So
#ou ma# spea;. .ecause there is doctrine in the 0emple. ,oseph6s son is onl# a
carpenter...5
2 .ut 7e is the *essiahF 5
2 7e sa#s so... .ut is it trueE 9r is it deliriumE 5
2 .ut, people o" 1a(areth, what a)out 7is holinessF 7is holiness 5 ,udas is
scandalised at the incredulit# o" the 1a(arenes.
2 It is great. 0hat is true. .ut )etween that and )eing the *essiahF... And then...
h# does 7e spea; so harshl#E 5
2 7arshE 1o. 7e does not seem harsh to me. ell, 7e is too sincere and too
intolerant, that is true. 7e lea'es no "ault untouched, 7e does not hesitate to
denounce a)uses... and people do not li;e that. 7e alwa#s )rings up a sore point.
And that hurts. .ut 7e does it )ecause o" 7is holiness. Surel#F 0hat is the onl#
reason. I ha'e said to 7im se'eral times? G,esus, 4ou are damaging 4our
reputation.H .ut 7e will not listen to meF...5
2 4ou are 'er# "ond o" 7im, and learned as #ou are #ou could guide 7im. 5
2 9hF not learned... .ut practical, #es. I am o" the 0emple, #ou ;nowFE I am
"amiliar with customs. I ha'e "riends. Annas6 son is li;e a )rother to me. I" #ou
want something "rom the Sanhedrin, Cust tell me... .ut let me ta;e the water to
*ar# now, as She is waiting "or me "or supper. 5
2 3ome )ac; later. It is cool on m# terrace. 4ou will )e among "riends and we
shall )e a)le to tal;...5
6 2 4es, good)#e 5 and ,udas goes home where he apologises to *ar# "or )eing
late as he was held up )# the head o" the s#nagogue and )# the elders o" the
'illage. And he concludes? 2 0he# would li;e me to spea; on Sa))ath... 0he
*aster did not tell me to spea;. hat do 4ou sa#, *other. Guide me. 5
2 Spea; to the head o" the s#nagogue... or to the s#nagogueE 5
2-3. A D)5 !4 :u*)s Isc)r!t )t N)7)r#t". 411
2 0o )oth. I would not li;e to spea; to an# o" them )ecause the# are against
,esus and also )ecause it seems a sacrilege to me to spea; where 7e is )# right
the onl# *aster there. .ut the# insisted so muchF 0he# want me a"ter supper... I
ha'e almost promised them to go. And i" 4ou thin; that )# spea;ing I ma# )e
a)le to mitigate their spirit o" resistance to the *aster, which is so unpleasant, I
will go and spea; to them although it is so )urdensome to me. I will spea; as
)est I can, 'er# simpl#, endea'ouring to )e 'er# patient in 'iew o" their stu)<
)ornness. .ecause I ha'e realised that it is worse to )e hard. &hF I will not ma;e
again the mista;e I made at &sdraelonF 0he *aster was so upset a)out itF 7e did
not sa# an#thing to me, )ut I understood. I will not do it again. .ut I would li;e
to lea'e 1a(areth a"ter persuading the people that, ,esus is the *essiah and is to
)e )elie'ed and lo'ed. 5 ,udas is spea;ing while sitting at the ta)le, at ,esus6
place and eating what *ar# has prepared "or him. And it hurts me to see ,udas
sitting in that place, in "ront o" *ar# ho ser'es him li;e a mother.
She now replies? 2 It would )e a good thing i" 1a(areth understood the truth and
accepted it. I will not hold #ou )ac;, #ou ma# go. 1o one can sa# )etter than
#ou whether ,esus deser'es lo'e. 3onsider how much 7e lo'es #ou and 7e
shows it )# alwa#s eDcusing #ou and satis"#ing #ou whene'er possi)le... =et
that consideration inspire #ou with hol# words and deeds. 5
0he supper is soon o'er. ,udas goes to water the "lowers in the garden )e"ore it
gets too dar; and he then goes out, lea'ing *ar# on the terrace intent on "olding
the clothes She had hung out to dr#. 7 And ,udas, a"ter greeting Alphaeus o"
Sarah and *ar# o" 3lopas who are tal;ing standing at the door o" the latter, goes
straight to the house o" the head o" the s#nagogue.
Also the =ord6s two cousins are present with other siD elders. A"ter pompous
greetings the# all sit gra'el# on seats adorned with cushions and the# re"resh
themsel'es drin;ing anise or mint water, which must )e 'er# cool )ecause the
metal pitcher is moist outside owing to the di""erence in temperature )etween
the ice cold water and the still warm air, notwithstanding the )ree(e )lowing
"rom the hills to the north o" 1a(areth stirs the tree<tops.
2 I am glad #ou agreed to come. 4ou are #oung. A little relaDation is good "or
#ou 5 sa#s the head o" the s#nagogue who is "ull o" attention towards ,udas.
2 I was a"raid o" )othering #ou i" I had come earlier. I ;now that #ou are rather
disdain"ul towards ,esus and 7is "ollowers...5
2 Disdain"ulE 1o. S;eptical... and we are hurt )# 7is... let us admit it... )# 7is
too crude truth. e were under the impression that #ou disdained us and that is
wh# we did not in'ite #ou. 5
2 I disdain #ouE 9n the contrar#F I understand #ou 'er# well... 9" courseF .ut I
am sure that at the end peace will )e made )etween #ou and 7im. It suits )oth
#ou and 7im. It suits 7im )ecause 7e is in need o" e'er#)od#, and it suits #ou
)ecause it does not pa# to )e considered enemies o" the *essiah. 5
2 And do #ou thin; that 7e reall# is the *essiahE 5 as;s ,oseph o" Alphaeus. 2
0here is no trace in 7im o" the ro#al "igure predicted )# the prophets. Perhaps it
is )ecause we remem)er 7im as a carpenter... .ut... here is the li)erating ;ing
in 7imE 5
2 Da'id also appeared to )e onl# a little shepherd. .ut #ou ;now that there has
)een no greater ;ing than Da'id. 1ot e'en Solomon in all his glor# was so
great. .ecause, a"ter all, Solomon onl# continued Da'id6s wor;, )ut was ne'er
inspired li;e him. hereas Da'idF ,ust consider the "igure o" Da'idF It is
giganticF 7is regalit# almost reaches up to 7ea'en. Do not dou)t the ro#alt# o"
the 3hrist, )asing #our Cudgement on 7is genealog#. Da'id was ;ing and
shepherd. *ore trul#? shepherd and then ;ing. ,esus is ;ing and carpenter. 9r
)etter still? carpenter and later ;ing. 5
8 2 4ou spea; as a ra))i. 9ne can see that #ou ha'e )een )rought up in the
0emple 5 sa#s the head o" the s#nagogue. 2 And could #ou let the Sanhedrin
;now, that I, the head, am in need o" the help o" the 0emple "or a pri'ate
reasonE 5
2 9" courseF 3ertainl#F ith &lea(arF ,ust imagineF And then ,oseph the &lder,
#ou ;nowE 0he wealth# man "rom Arimathea. And then Sadoc, the scri)e... and
then... All #ou ha'e to do is to tell meF 5
2 ell, )e m# guest tomorrow. e will tal; a)out it. 5
2 4our guestE 1o. I cannot lea'e *ar#, that hol# and sorrow"ul woman. I came
here speciall# to ;eep 7er compan#...5
2 hat is the matter with our relati'eE e ;now that She is health# and,
although poor, She is happ# 5 sa#s Simon o" Alphaeus.
2 4es. And we ne'er lea'e 7er. *# mother is alwa#s with 7er. And m# wi"e
2-3. A D)5 !4 :u*)s Isc)r!t )t N)7)r#t". 412
and I, too. Although... Although I cannot "orgi'e 7er "or )eing so wea; with
7er Son. And also "or grie'ing m# "ather, who )ecause o" ,esus died with onl#
two o" his sons at his )edside. And then... .ut "amil# trou)les are not to )e
proclaimed pu)licl# 5 sa#s ,oseph o" Alphaeus with a sigh.
2 4ou are right. 0he# should )e whispered in a low 'oice and con"ided to a
"riendl# heart. 0he same applies to man# trou)les. I ha'e mine as well, as a
disciple... .ut it6s )etter not to spea; o" themF 5
2 9n the contrar#, let us spea; o" them. hat is the matterE 0rou)le "or ,esusE
e do not appro'e o" 7is )eha'iour. .ut we are 7is relati'es. And we are read#
to side with 7im against 7is enemies. Spea; upF 5 sa#s ,oseph again.
2 0rou)leE 1oF I was Cust sa#ing... 0he sorrows o" a disciple are mani"oldF 1ot
onl# )ecause o" the )eha'iour o" his *aster with "riends and enemies, harming
7imsel", )ut also )ecause it is grie'ous to see that 7e is not lo'ed. I wish #ou all
lo'ed 7im...5
2 .ut what can we doE 4ou said that #oursel"F 7is )eha'iour is such... 7e was
not li;e that )e"ore lea'ing 7is *other 5 sa#s the head o" the s#nagogue
apologeticall#. 2 Is that true, what do #ou all sa#E 5
0he# all agree solemnl#, spea;ing highl# o" the silent, mee;, retired ,esus o" the
past.
2 ho could ha'e imagined that 7e was to )ecome what 7e is nowE 7e was
completel# de'oted to house and relati'es. 1ow insteadE 5 remar;s an elderl#
1a(arene.
,udas eDclaims with a sigh? 2 Poor womanF 5
2 ell, what do #ou ;nowE 0ell us, spea; upF 5 shouts ,oseph.
2 1othing more than #ou ;now. Do #ou thin; that it is pleasant "or 7er to )e le"t
aloneE 5
2 I" ,oseph had li'ed as #our "ather did, that would not ha'e happened 5 states
another elderl# 1a(arene sententiousl#.
2 Don6t )elie'e that, man. It would ha'e )een the same. hen one ta;es an idea
into one6s headF...5 sa#s ,udas.
A ser'ant )rings some lamps and la#s them on the ta)le, )ecause it is a
moonless night although the s;# is spar;ling with stars. *ore drin;s are )rought
at the same time and the head o" the s#nagogue o""ers them to ,udas at once.
2 0han; #ou. I cannot sta# an# longer. I must go )ac; to *ar# 5 he sa#s getting
up.
Also Alphaeus6 two sons stand up sa#ing? 2 e will come with #ou. e are
going the same wa#...5 and the# part greeting one another ceremoniousl# while
the siD elders remain with the head o" the s#nagogue.
9 0he streets are now deserted and silent. People can )e heard tal;ing in low
gra'e 'oices on the terraced roo"s. 3hildren are alread# sleeping in their little
)eds and thus their shrill 'oices resem)ling the twittering o" Co#"ul )irds are not
heard. >rom the terraces o" the wealthier houses the "aint glow o" oil lamps
descends with the low 'oices o" people.
Alphaeus6 sons and ,udas wal; "or a little while without spea;ing, then ,oseph
stops and ta;ing ,udas6 arm he sa#s? 2 =isten. I realise that #ou ;now something
that #ou did not wish to mention in the presence o" strangers. .ut now #ou must
tell me. I am the oldest in the "amil# and it is m# right and m# dut# to ;now
e'er#thing. 5
2 And I came here "or the purpose o" telling #ou and thus protect the *aster,
*ar#, #our )rothers and #our reputation. It is something pain"ul to tell and to
hear. -er# pain"ul to )e done. .ecause it loo;s li;e pla#ing the sp#. .ut please
understand me properl#. It is not so. It is onl# lo'e and prudence. I ;now man#
things, which #ou ;now as well. *# "riends o" the 0emple told me. And I ;now
that the# are dangerous "or ,esus and "or the good name o" the "amil#. I ha'e
tried to ma;e the *aster understand. .ut I was not success"ul. 9n the contrar#,
the more I ad'ise 7im, the worse 7e )eha'es, thus causing people to criticise
and hate 7im more and more. 0he reason is that 7e is so hol# that 7e cannot
understand what the world is li;e. In short, it is sad to see a hol# thing perish
through the heedlessness o" its "ounder. 5
2 .ut what is itE 0ell us e'er#thing. And we will ta;e action. Is that right,
SimonE 5
2 9" course. .ut it seems impossi)le to me that 7e is imprudent and acts against
7is mission...5
2 .ut i" this ;ind #oung man, who lo'es ,esus, sa#s soFE See what #ou are li;e.
2-3. A D)5 !4 :u*)s Isc)r!t )t N)7)r#t". 413
4ou are alwa#s li;e that? uncertain, hesitating. 4ou alwa#s lea'e me alone at the
crucial moment. 0he whole "amil# is against me. 4ou ha'e no pit# "or our
reputation and "or our poor )rother who is ruining 7imsel"F 5
2 1oF 7e is not ruining 7imsel"F .ut 7e is inCuring 7imsel", that6s what 7e is
doing. 5
2 Spea; upF 5 insists ,oseph while Simon is perpleDedl# silent. 2 I would
spea;... .ut I would li;e to )e certain that #ou will not ma;e an# mention to
,esus... Swear it. 5
2 e swear it on the hol# -eil. Spea; up. 5
2 And #ou must not relate to #our mother, and least o" all to #our )rothers what I
am going to tell #ou. 5
2 4ou can )e certain o" our silence. 5
2 And will #ou sa# nothing to *ar#E In order not to grie'e 7er. It6s #our dut# to
see to the peace o" that poor *other, in silence, as I do. 5
2 e will not sa# an#thing to an#)od#. e swear it. 5
10 2 ell listen... ,esus no longer con"ines 7imsel" to approaching Gentiles,
pu)licans and prostitutes, to o""ending Pharisees and other important people. .ut
7e does things that are a)solutel# a)surd... ,ust imagine that when in Philistia,
7e made us go a)out ta;ing with us a )lac; )ill#<goat. 1ow 7e has a Philistine
among 7is disciples. And )e"ore that, the )o# 7e pic;ed upE 4ou ha'e no idea
what comments were made. And a "ew da#s ago 7e too; a Gree; girl, a sla'e,
who had run awa# "rom her 8oman master. And 7is speeches are contradictor#
to our well ;nown wisdom. In short 7e seems to )e mad. And 7e damages
7imsel". In Philistia 7e intruded also into a ceremon# o" wi(ards, competing
"ace to "ace with them. 7e de"eated them, )ut... scri)es and Pharisees hate 7im.
.ut what will happen i" the# happen to hear a)out such thingsE 4ou must
inter'ene and stop...5
2 0hat6s serious, 'er# serious. .ut how could we ;nowE e are here... And e'en
now, how will we )e a)le to "ind outE 5
2 And #et it is #our dut# to inter'ene and stop 7im. 7is *other is a mother, and
She is too good. 4ou must not a)andon 7im thus. >or 7is own sa;e and "or the
sa;e o" the world. Also 7is continuous dri'ing awa# demons... It is rumoured
that 7e is assisted )# .eel(e)u). 4ou can imagine whether that can do 7im an#
good. In an# case, what ;ind o" a ;ing will 7e e'er )ecome i" the crowds laugh
at 7im Cust now or are scandalisedE 5
2 .ut... does 7e reall# do such thingsE 5 as;s Simon incredulousl#.
2 As; 7im #oursel". 7e will tell 4ou that 7e does. .ecause 7e e'en )oasts
a)out it. 5
2 4ou should let us ;now...5
2 I certainl# willF hen I see something new I will send #ou word. .ut... please,
ne'er sa# a word to an#)od#F 5
2 e swore it. hen are #ou lea'ingE 5
2 A"ter the Sa))ath. 0here is no reason wh# I should sta# here an# longer. I
ha'e done m# dut#. 5
2 And we than; #ou "or it. &hF I said that 7e had changed. And #ou, )rother...
#ou would not )elie'e me... 3an #ou now see whether I was rightE 5 sa#s
,oseph o" Alphaeus.
2 I can hardl# )elie'e, it. ,udas and ,ames, a"ter all, are not "ools. h# ha'e
the# not told usE I" such things are reall# happening, wh# ha'e the# not ta;en
actionE 5 sa#s Simon o" Alphaeus.
2 *an, #ou will not disgrace me )# re"using to )elie'e m# wordsF 5, answers
)ac; ,udas resent"ull#.
2 1oF... )ut... 0hat6s enough. >orgi'e me i" I sa#? I will )elie'e when I see things
m#sel". 5
2 All right. 4ou will soon see and then #ou will ha'e to sa# to me? G4ou were
right.H ell. 0here is #our house. I lea'e #ou. God )e with #ou. 5
2 God )e with #ou, ,udas. And... listen. Don6t spea; to an#one a)out that. >or
our reputation...5
2 I will )e as silent as the gra'e. Good)#e. 5
11 And he goes awa# at a good pace. 7e enters the house serenel# and goes up
to the terrace where *ar#, with 7er hands in her lap, is contemplating the s;#
2-3. A D)5 !4 :u*)s Isc)r!t )t N)7)r#t". 414
crowded with stars. In the light o" the little lamp that ,udas has lit to clim) the
steps, tears can )e seen shining on *ar#6s chee;s.
2 h# are 4ou weeping, *otherE 5 as;s ,udas anDiousl#.
2 .ecause I thin; that there are more snares in the world than stars in the s;#.
Snares "or *# ,esus...5 ,udas loo;s at 7er attenti'el# and he seems upset. .ut
She concludes ;indl#? 2 .ut I am com"orted )# the lo'e o" 7is disciples... =o'e
*# ,esus... lo'e 7im... Do #ou wish to sta# here, ,udasE I am going down to *#
room. *ar# o" 3lopas has alread# gone to )ed a"ter preparing the lea'en "or
tomorrow. 5
2 4es. I will remain up here. It is lo'el# here. 5
2 Peace )e with #ou, ,udas. 5
2 Peace )e with 4ou, *ar#. 5
,44. Instructions to t! A"ost#!s 't t! B!&innin&
o0 T!ir A"osto#'t!.
,8t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 ,esus is sitting at the ta)le in the house in 3apernaum with all 7is disciples,
which means that ,udas has Coined his companions a"ter "ul"illing his tas;. It is
e'ening. 0he light o" the "ading da# enters "rom the door and the wide open
windows through which it is possi)le to see the purple o" sunset change into
unreal 'iolet<red, the )orders o" which "ra# crumpling up into a 'iolet<slate that
pales into gre#. It puts me in mind o" a sheet o" paper thrown on to a "ire? it
lights up and as soon as it stops )urning, its edges crumple up and )ecome a
leaden )luish shade, which "ades into an almost white pearl# gre#.
2 It6s warm 5 states Peter, pointing at a huge cloud which tinges the west with
those shades. 2 arm. .ut no rain. 0hat6s not a cloud, it6s "og. 0onight I am
going to sleep in the )oat, where it is cooler. 5
2 1o. 0onight we are going to the oli'e<gro'es. I must spea; to #ou. ,udas is
now )ac;. It is time "or *e to spea; to #ou. I ;now an air# spot, where we shall
)e com"orta)le. Get up and let us go. 5
2 Is it "arE 5 the# as; pic;ing up their mantles.
2 1o. It is 'er# near. ithin a stone6s throw )# sling "rom the last house. 4ou
ma# lea'e #our mantles. .ut ta;e tinder and "lint so that we can see our wa#
when coming )ac;. 5
0he# come out o" the upstairs room and go downstairs )idding good night to the
landlord and his wi"e who are enCo#ing the cool air on the terrace. ,esus wal;s
resolutel# in the opposite direction "rom the la;e and, a"ter crossing the 'illage,
7e proceeds "or a)out two or three hundred #ards into an oli'e<gro'e on the "irst
hilloc; )ehind the 'illage. 7e stops on a proCection o" earth that )ecause o" its
position "ree "rom o)stacles enCo#s all the air possi)le in that sultr# night.
2 2 =et us sit down, and pa# attention to *e. 0he hour o" e'angeli(ation has
come. I am a)out hal" wa# through *# pu)lic li"e preparing hearts "or *#
Bingdom. It is now time that *# apostles also ta;e part in the preparation o"
this Bingdom. 0hat is what ;ings do when the# decide to conIuer a ;ingdom.
>irst the# ma;e in'estigations and approach people to "ind out their reaction and
win them to the plan the# are pursuing. =ater the# enlarge their preparator#
wor; )# means o" relia)le messengers sent to the countr# to )e conIuered. And
the# send more and more o" them until all the geographical and moral details o"
the whole countr# are ;nown. A"ter that the ;ing completes his wor; )#
proclaiming himsel" ;ing o" that countr# and )eing crowned as such. And much
)lood is shed to achie'e that. .ecause 'ictories alwa#s cost )lood... 5
2 e are read# to "ight "or 4ou and shed our )lood 5 promise the apostles )#
one consent.
2 I will shed no )lood )ut that o" the 7ol# 9ne and o" saints. 5
2 Do 4ou wish to )egin 4our conIuest starting "rom the 0emple, storming it at
the hour o" the sacri"iceE... 5
2 =et us not stra#, *# "riends. 4ou will )e in"ormed o" the "uture in due course.
.ut do not shudder with horror. I assure #ou that I will not upset the ceremonies
)# means o" a 'iolent irruption. And #et the# will )e upset and there will )e one
e'ening when terror will pre'ent the ritual pra#er. 0he terror o" sinners. .ut I
shall )e in peace that e'ening. In peace with )oth *# spirit and *# )od#. A
total )liss"ul peace... 5
2-4.Instruct!ns t! t"# A$!st%#s )t t"# B#(nnn( !4 T"#r A$!st!%)t#. 41,
,esus loo;s at 7is twel'e apostles one )# one and it is the same as i" 7e loo;ed
at the same page twel'e times and read "or twel'e times the one word written on
it? incomprehension. 7e smiles and continues.
2 So I ha'e decided to send #ou so that #ou ma# penetrate "urther ahead and
more widel# than I can do )# *#sel". .ut "or prudential reasons I will ensure
that there is a di""erence )etween #our wa# o" e'angeli(ing and *ine, )ecause I
do not want to put #ou in too di""icult situations, which could )e too seriousl#
dangerous "or #our souls and )odies, and also )ecause I do not wish to
Ceopardise *# own wor;. 4ou are not as #et per"ected to the point o" )eing a)le
to approach an#one without )eing damaged or without damaging, and least o"
all are #ou heroic to the eDtent o" de"#ing the world on )ehal" o" the Idea, "acing
the re'enge o" the world. So, when #ou go a)out preaching *e, do not go
among Gentiles and do not enter the towns o" Samaritans, )ut go to the lost
sheep o" the house o" Israel. 0here is so much to )e done amongst them, )ecause
I solemnl# tell #ou that the crowds that #ou thin; are so numerous around *e,
are the hundredth part o" those who are still waiting "or the *essiah in Israel and
the# do not ;now 7im, neither do the# ;now that 7e is li'ing amongst them.
0a;e them "aith in *e and the ;nowledge o" *e. 9n #our wa# preach sa#ing,
G0he Bingdom o" 7ea'en is near.H =et that )e #our )asic announcement
supporting all #our preaching... 4ou ha'e heard *e spea; so much o" the
BingdomF All #ou need do is repeat what I told #ou. .ut man, to )e attracted )#
and con'inced o" spiritual truth, needs material ;indness, as i" he were an eternal
)o# who will not stud# a lesson or learn a trade unless he is attracted )# a sweet
"rom his mother, or a reward "rom his school master, or his trade tutor. In order
to let #ou ha'e the means to )e )elie'ed and sought a"ter, I will grant #ou the
gi"t o" wor;ing miracles... 5
3 0he apostles Cump to their "eet, with the eDception o" ,ames o" Alphaeus and
,ohn, shouting, protesting, )ecoming eDcited, each reacting according to his
temperament. 8eall#, the onl# one strutting a)out at the idea o" wor;ing
miracles is the Iscariot, who with the "oolhardiness o" "alse and sel"ishl#
moti'ated interest eDclaims? 2 It was time that we should do that to ha'e the
least authorit# o'er the crowdsF 5
,esus loo;s at him )ut does not sa# an#thing. Peter and the :ealot who were
sa#ing? 2 1o, =ordF e are not worth# o" so muchF 0hat is due to saints 5,
contradict ,udas, as the :ealot sa#s? 2 h# do #ou ta;e the li)ert# o"
reproaching the *aster, #ou sill# proud manE 5 and Peter adds? 2 0he least
authorit#E And what do #ou want to do more than wor; miraclesE Do #ou want
to )ecome God as wellE 7a'e #ou got the same itch =uci"er hadE 5
2 SilenceF 5 orders ,esus. And 7e continues? 2 0here is one thing that is e'en
greater than miracles and eIuall# con'inces the crowds, )ut more deepl# and
dura)l#? a hol# li"e. .ut #ou are "ar "rom that, and #ou, ,udas, are "arther than
the rest. .ut let *e spea; )ecause *# instruction is a long one.
4 Go there"ore, curing sic; people, cleansing lepers, raising )odies and spirits
"rom the dead, )ecause )odies and spirits can )e sic;, leprous, dead as well. And
#ou are alread# aware how a miracle is wor;ed? through a li"e o" penance,
"er'ent pra#er, sincere desire to glori"# the power o" God, deep humilit#, li'ing
charit#, )urning "aith, and through hope that no ;ind o" di""icult# can upset. I
solemnl# tell #ou that e'er#thing is possi)le to those who ha'e such 'irtues.
Demons also will "lee )e"ore the 1ame o" the =ord pronounced )# #ou, i" #ou
ha'e within #ou what I said. 0hat power is gi'en to #ou )# *e and )# our
>ather. 1o mone# can )u# it. 9nl# our ill grants it, onl# a Cust li"e ;eeps it. As
it is gi'en to #ou gratuitousl#, so gratuitousl# gi'e it to others, to the need#.
oe )etide #ou i" #ou depreciate the gi"t o" God )# using it to "atten #our purse.
It is not #our power, it is the power o" God. *a;e use o" it, )ut do not ta;e
possession o" it, sa#ing? GIt is mine.H As it is gi'en to #ou, so it can )e ta;en
awa# "rom #ou. Simon o" ,onah a little while ago said to ,udas o" Simon? G7a'e
#ou got the same itch as =uci"er hadEH 7e ga'e a correct de"inition. 0o sa#? GI
do what God does )ecause I am li;e GodH is to imitate =uci"er. And his
punishment is well ;nown. &Iuall# ;nown is what happened to the two
progenitors who in the earthl# paradise ate the "or)idden "ruit, through
instigation o" the &n'ious 9ne, who wanted to imprison more unhapp# souls in
his 7ell, )esides the re)ellious angels alread# there, )ut also through their own
itch o" per"ect pride. 0he onl# "ruit #ou are allowed to ta;e "rom what #ou do,
are the souls whom #ou will conIuer "or the =ord )# means o" the miracle and
who are to )e gi'en to the =ord. 0hat is #our mone#. 1othing else. 4ou will
enCo# #our treasure in the neDt li"e.
5 Go without riches. Do not ta;e with #ou gold, or sil'er, or mone# in #our
purses, or tra'elling<)ag with two or more tunics or spare shoes, or pilgrim6s
sta"", or weapons. .ecause "or the time )eing #our apostolic 'isits will )e short
ones and e'er# Sa))ath e'e we shall meet and #ou will )e a)le to change #our
sweated garments without ha'ing to ta;e spare ones with #ou. 1o sta"" is
reIuired )ecause it is more pleasant to wal; without, and what is use"ul on hills
2-4.Instruct!ns t! t"# A$!st%#s )t t"# B#(nnn( !4 T"#r A$!st!%)t#. 41-
and plains is di""erent "rom what is use"ul in deserts and on high mountains. 1o
weapon is needed. eapons are use"ul to men who do not ;now what is hol#
po'ert# or di'ine "orgi'eness. 4ou ha'e no treasures to protect and de"end "rom
ro))ers.
0he onl# ro))er #ou must "ear is Satan. And he is de"eated )# perse'erance and
pra#er, not )# swords and daggers. >orgi'e those who o""end #ou. I" an#one
should ro) #ou o" #our mantle, gi'e him also #our tunic. I" #ou should remain
completel# nude )ecause o" #our mildness and detachment "rom riches, #ou will
not scandalise the angels o" the =ord or the in"inite chastit# o" God, )ecause
#our charit# would clothe #our nude )od# with gold and #our mildness would
adorn #ou li;e a sash, while #our "orgi'eness towards the ro))er would gi'e #ou
a ro#al mantle and crown. 4ou would there"ore )e )etter dressed than a ;ing?
not with corrupti)le clothes, )ut with imperisha)le material.
Do not worr# a)out #our "ood. 4ou will alwa#s ha'e what is appropriate "or
#our condition and #our ministr#, )ecause a wor;er is alwa#s worth# o" the "ood
that is o""ered to him. And i" men should not pro'ide "or the wor;er, God will. I
ha'e alread# pro'ed to #ou that to li'e and preach it is not necessar# to ha'e
#our stomachs "ull o" "ood. 0hat is use"ul to unclean animals whose purpose in
li"e is to grow "at and then )e slaughtered to "atten men. .ut #ou must "atten
#our own souls and the souls o" other people with the "ood o" wisdom. And
isdom is re'ealed to minds not made dull )# gu((ling and to hearts nourished
with supernatural "ood. 4ou ha'e ne'er )een so eloIuent as a"ter the retreat on
the mountain. And then #ou ate onl# what was necessar# to sur'i'e. And #et at
the end o" the retreat #ou were as strong and cheer"ul as #ou ha'e ne'er )een
)e"ore. Is that not trueE
6 hate'er town or place #ou enter, "ind out who is deser'ing o" recei'ing #ou.
1ot )ecause #ou are Simon, or ,udas, or .artholomew, or ,ames, or ,ohn, and
so on. .ut )ecause #ou are the messengers o" the =ord. &'en i" #ou had )een the
dregs o" societ#, or murderers, thie'es, pu)licans, )ut now #ou were repentant
and at *# ser'ice, #ou would deser'e respect )ecause #ou are *# messengers. I
will sa# e'en more. I sa#? oe )etide #ou i" outwardl# #ou loo; li;e *#
messengers, whilst inwardl# #ou are a)Cect ser'ants o" Satan. oe )etide #ouF
7ell would )e too little compared to what #our deceit deser'es. .ut e'en i" #ou
were messengers o" the =ord pu)licl#, and at the same time the dregs o" societ#,
or pu)licans, thie'es, murderers occultl# and people in their hearts suspected or
were almost certain o" that, #ou would still )e entitled to honour and respect,
)ecause #ou are *# messengers. 0he e#e o" man must see )e#ond the means,
and see the messenger and the "inal purpose, that is God and 7is wor; )e#ond
the too o"ten "ault# means. 9nl# in the case o" gra'e sin, inCuring the "aith in
hearts, I "or the time )eing, *# successors in "uture, will see that the )ad lim) is
cut o"". .ecause it is not law"ul that the souls o" )elie'ers should )e lost through
a demon priest. It will ne'er )e law"ul, in order to hide the wounds a""ecting the
apostolic )od#, to allow gangrenous lim)s to sur'i'e in it, as their repugnant
aspect dri'es people awa# and their demoniac stench is poisonous.
So #ou will "ind out which is the most righteousl# li'ing "amil#, where women
;now how to li'e in seclusion and morals are chaste. And #ou will enter that
house and li'e there until #ou lea'e the place. Do not imitate drones, which a"ter
suc;ing a "lower pass on to a more nourishing one. hether #ou arri'e among
people with a splendid house and rich ta)le, or #ou happen to go to a hum)le
"amil#, rich onl# in 'irtue, sta# where #ou are. 1e'er see; what is G)etterH "or
the perisha)le )od#. 9n the contrar#, alwa#s gi'e it what is worse, ;eeping all
the rights "or the spirit. And whene'er possi)le, gi'e #our pre"erence to the
hospitalit# o" the poor? I tell #ou )ecause it is )etter to do so. Do so in order not
to morti"# them and in memor# o" *e, as I am and will remain poor and I )oast
o" )eing poor, and also )ecause 'er# o"ten the poor are )etter than the rich. 4ou
will alwa#s "ind poor people who are Cust, )ut onl# rarel# #ou will "ind a rich
man without an# "ault. 4ou ha'e no eDcuse in sa#ing? GI "ound goodness onl#
amongst the richH in order to Custi"# #our ;een desire "or wel"are.
hen entering a house greet its inha)itants with *# salutation, which is the
;indest there is. Sa#? GPeace )e with #ou. =et peace )e in this house, or =et
peace come to this house.H In "act, as messengers o" ,esus and o" the Gospel,
#ou ta;e peace with #ou and #our going to one place is to ma;e peace come to
it. I" the house is worth# o" it, peace will come and remain in itL i" it is not
worth# o" it, #our peace will come )ac; to #ou. So mind to )e peace"ul
#oursel'es, in order to ha'e God as #our >ather. A "ather alwa#s helps. And
with the help o" God #ou will do e'er#thing and e'er#thing well.
It ma# )e, na# it will certainl# happen, that a town or house will not recei'e #ou
or will not listen to #our words, )ut will dri'e #ou awa# or ridicule #ou or will
chase #ou throwing stones at #ou as )oring prophets. In such cases #ou must )e
more than e'er peace"ul, hum)le and mild, ha'ing acIuired such 'irtues as a
ha)it o" li"e. 9therwise #ou will )e o'erwhelmed )# anger and #ou will commit
sin, scandalising and increasing the incredulit# o" those #ou wish to con'ert. I"
2-4.Instruct!ns t! t"# A$!st%#s )t t"# B#(nnn( !4 T"#r A$!st!%)t#. 41.
instead #ou peace"ull# accept the insult o" )eing dri'en awa#, derided, chased,
#ou will con'ert people )# means o" the most )eauti"ul sermon? the silent
sermon o" true 'irtue. 9ne da# #ou will "ind on #our wa# the enemies o" toda#
and the# will sa# to #ou? Ge ha'e )een loo;ing "or #ou )ecause #our
)eha'iour has con'inced us o" the 0ruth that #ou announce. Please "orgi'e us
and accept us as #our disciples. .ecause we did not ;now who #ou were, )ut
now we ;now that #ou are saints. And i" #ou are saints, #ou must )e the
messengers o" a saint, and we now )elie'e in 7im.H .ut when lea'ing the town
or the house where #ou were not recei'ed, sha;e the dust o"" #our sandals, so
that the pride and harshness o" that place ma# not stic; e'en to #our soles. I
solemnl# tell #ou? G9n Doomsda# Sodom and Gomorrah will )e dealt with less
se'erel#.H
7 1ow? I am sending #ou li;e sheep among wol'es. .e, there"ore, as cunning as
serpents and #et as harmless as do'es. .ecause #ou are aware how the world, in
which reall# there are more wol'es than sheep, treats *e also, and I am the
3hrist. I can de"end *#sel" )# *# power and I will do so until the hour o" the
temporar# triumph o" the world comes. .ut #ou do not possess that power and
#ou need greater prudence and simplicit#. 0hus greater sagacit# as well, to a'oid
)eing scourged and imprisoned "or the time )eing.
In actual "act, notwithstanding #our statement that #ou are willing to shed #our
)lood on *# )ehal", #ou are not capa)le at present o" putting up with an ironic
or angr# glance. .ut the time will come when #ou will )e as strong as heroes
against persecutions, e'en stronger than heroes and #our heroism, which the
world cannot concei'e or eDplain, will )e called? Gmadness.H 1o, it will not )e
madnessF It will )e the identi"ication, through lo'e, o" man with the *an<God,
and #ou will )e a)le to do what I ha'e alread# done. 0o understand this heroism
it will )e necessar# to see it, stud# it and Cudge it "rom a hea'enl# le'el. .ecause
it is something supernatural that is )e#ond all the limitations o" human nature.
Bings, the ;ings o" the spirit will )e *# heroes, "ore'er ;ings and heroes...
In those da#s the# will arrest #ou la#ing hands on #ou, the# will drag #ou )e"ore
lawcourts, garrison commanders and ;ings, to Cudge and condemn #ou "or the
great sin, in the e#es o" the world, o" )eing the ser'ants o" God, the ministers
and guardians o" Good, the masters o" 'irtue. And "or that same reason #ou will
)e scourged and punished in man# wa#s and e'en ;illed. And #ou will gi'e
testimon# o" *e to ;ings, garrison commanders, nations, con"essing with #our
)lood that #ou lo'e 3hrist, the 0rue Son o" the 0rue God.
hen #ou are in their hands do not worr# a)out what #ou ha'e to repl# and
what #ou ha'e to sa#. Do not grie'e then "or an#)od#, )ut "or the Cudge and
accusers led astra# )# Satan to the eDtent o" )ecoming )lind to the 0ruth. 4ou
will )e gi'en the words to )e spo;en at the time. 4our >ather will put them on
#our lips )ecause it is not #ou who will )e spea;ing to con'ert people to #our
>aith and pro"ess the 0ruth, )ut it will )e the Spirit o" the >ather ho will spea;
in #ou.
8 .rother will then )etra# )rother to death, and the "ather his child, and children
will rise against their parents and ha'e them put to death. Do not )e shoc;ed or
scandalisedF 0ell *e? according to #ou is it a greater crime to ;ill a "ather, a son,
a )rother, or God 7imsel"E 5
2 God cannot )e ;illed 5 replies sharpl# ,udas Iscariot.
2 0hat is true. 7e is an in'inci)le Spirit 5 con"irms .artholomew. And the
others, although the# do not spea;, are all o" the same opinion.
2 I am God and I am >lesh 5 sa#s ,esus calml#.
2 1o one is thin;ing o" ;illing 4ou 5 retorts the Iscariot.
2 Please, repl# to *# Iuestion. 5
2 9" course, it is a gra'er crime to ;ill GodF 5
2 ell? God will )e ;illed )# man, in the >lesh o" the *an<God and in the soul
o" the murderers o" the *an<God. So, as the# will go so "ar as committing that
crime, without the murderers )eing horri"ied at it, so the crimes o" "athers,
)rothers and children, against children, )rothers and "athers will )e committed.
4ou will )e hated )# all men on account o" *# 1ame. .ut he who stands "irm
until the end will )e sa'ed. And when the# persecute #ou in one town, ta;e
re"uge in the neDt one. 1ot out o" cowardice, )ut to gi'e time to the new<)orn
3hurch o" 3hrist to reach the age, not o" a wea; incapa)le unweaned child, )ut
an older age in which it will )e a)le to "ace li"e and death without )eing a"raid
o" Death. =et those "lee who are ad'ised )# the Spirit to "lee. As I "led when a
child. 0rul#, all the 'icissitudes o" *# earthl# li"e will )e repeated in *#
3hurch. All o" them. >rom the m#ster# o" its "ormation to the hum)leness o" the
earl# times, to the pertur)ation and snares )rought a)out )# cruel people, to the
necessit# o" "leeing to continue to li'e, "rom po'ert# and unremitting wor;, to
2-4.Instruct!ns t! t"# A$!st%#s )t t"# B#(nnn( !4 T"#r A$!st!%)t#. 411
man# more e'ents that I am li'ing now, that I will su""er later, )e"ore reaching
*# eternal triumph. 9n the other hand let those remain who are ad'ised )# the
Spirit to remain. .ecause e'en i" the# are ;illed the# will li'e and )e use"ul to
the 3hurch. .ecause what the Spirit o" God ad'ises, is alwa#s good.
9 I solemnl# tell #ou that #ou and #our successors will not ha'e co'ered all the
roads and all the towns in Israel )e"ore the Son o" *an comes. .ecause on
account o" its dread"ul sin Israel will )e scattered li;e cha"" )# a whirlwind, and
will )e spread all o'er the earth and centuries and millennia will go )# )e"ore it
is gathered again on the threshing<"loor o" Araunah the ,e)usite. &'er# time
Israel will tr# to gather together, )e"ore the predetermined hour, it will )e caught
once again in the whirlwind and scattered, )ecause Israel will ha'e to weep "or
its sin "or as man# centuries as the drops o" )lood that will "low "rom the 'eins
o" the =am) o" God sacri"iced "or the sins o" the world. And *# 3hurch, which
will )e struc; )# Israel in *e and in *# apostles and disciples, will ha'e to
open its motherl# arms and endea'our to gather Israel under its mantle, as a
)rooding hen does with its stra# chic;ens.
hen the whole o" Israel will )e under the mantle o" the 3hurch o" 3hrist, then
I will come. .ut that applies to the "uture. =et us tal; o" the present.
10 8emem)er that the disciple is not superior to his 0eacher, nor the sla'e to his
*aster. It is enough "or the disciple to )e li;e his 0eacher, which is alread# an
undeser'ed honourL and "or a sla'e to )e li;e his *aster, and it is supernatural
)ount# to grant #ou that. I" the# ha'e called the =andlord .eel(e)u), what will
the# not sa# o" the householdE And will the sla'es )e a)le to re)el, i" the
=andlord does not re)el, does not hate or curse, )ut calm in his Custice he
continues to wor;, postponing Cudgement to another moment, when he sees
them o)stinate in &'il, a"ter he has tried e'er#thing to persuade themE 1o. 0he
sla'es will not )e a)le to do what the *aster does not do, )ut the# can imitate
7im, considering that the# are sinners, whereas 7e is without sin. So, )e not
a"raid o" those who will call #ou Gdemons.H 0he truth will )e ;nown one da#
and then it will )e clear who was the GdemonH, whether it was #ou or the#.
0here is nothing hidden that is not to )e re'ealed, and nothing secret that is not
to )e ;nown. hat I now sa# to #ou in the dar; and secretl#, )ecause the world
is not worth# o" ;nowing all the words o" the ord, it is not #et worth# o" that
and it is not #et time to tell also those who are unworth#, when the time comes
when e'er#thing is to )e ;nown, tell in da#light, proclaim "rom housetops what
I now whisper more to #our souls than to #our ears. .ecause the world then will
ha'e )een )aptised in .lood and there will )e such a )anner against Satan that
the world, i" it wishes so, will )e a)le to understand the secrets o" God, while
Satan will not )e a)le to inCure an#one )ut those who wish to )e )itten )# him
and pre"er his )ite to *# ;iss. .ut most o" the world will not wish to
understand. 9nl# a minorit# will )e willing to ;now e'er#thing in order to
"ollow all *# Doctrine. It does not matter. As it is not possi)le to separate that
minorit# "rom the unCust mass, preach *# Doctrine as well "rom housetops,
preach it "rom mountain tops, on the )oundless seas, in the )owels o" the earth.
&'en i" men will not listen to it, )irds and winds, "ish and wa'es will pic; up the
di'ine words and the )owels o" the earth will ;eep their echo to repeat it to
underground springs, minerals and metals, and the# will all reCoice o'er them,
)ecause the# ha'e )een created )# God as well to )e a stool "or *# "eet and Co#
to *# heart.
11 Do not )e a"raid o" those who ;ill the )od# )ut cannot ;ill the soul, "ear him
rather who can lose #our soul and unite it on Doomsda# to #our )od# raised
"rom death, to throw )oth into the "ire o" 7ell. .e not a"raid. Are two sparrows
not sold "or a penn#E And #et, i" #our >ather does not allow it, not one o" them
will "all to the ground notwithstanding all the snares o" man. So )e not a"raid.
0he >ather ;nows #ou. &'er# hair on #our heads is ;nown to 7im. And #ou are
worth more than man# sparrowsF And I tell #ou that i" an#one ac;nowledges
*e in the presence o" men, I will ac;nowledge him in the presence o" *#
>ather ho is in 7ea'en. .ut the one who disowns *e in the presence o" men, I
will disown in the presence o" *# >ather. 0o ac;nowledge means to "ollow and
practiceL to disown means to a)andon *# wa# out o" cowardice, or tre)le
concupiscence, or pett# calculation, or attachment to a relati'e who opposes *e.
.ecause that will happen.
12 Do not suppose that I ha'e come to )ring peace to the earth and "or the earth.
*# Peace is a)o'e the sel"ish peace treaties "or e'er# da#6s wangle. It is not
peace I ha'e come to )ring, )ut a sword. A sharp sword to cut the lianas
detaining people in mud and open the wa# to supernatural "lights. I ha'e come
to set a man against his "ather, a daughter against her mother, a daughter<in<law
against her mother<in<law. .ecause I am 7e ho reigns and has e'er# right on
7is su)Cects. .ecause no one is greater than I am with regard to rights on
a""ections. .ecause all lo'e is centralised in *e and )ecomes thus su)lime? I am
>ather, *other, 7us)and, .rother, >riend, and I lo'e #ou as such and as such I
am to )e lo'ed. And when I sa#? GI wantH, no tie can resist and that soul is *ine.
2-4.Instruct!ns t! t"# A$!st%#s )t t"# B#(nnn( !4 T"#r A$!st!%)t#. 412
I created it with the >ather, I sa'e it )# *#sel", so I am entitled to ha'e it.
0he real enemies o" man are men, )esides demonsL and the enemies o" the new
man, o" the 3hristian, will )e his relati'es at home, with their complaints, their
threats or their entreaties. .ut "rom now on he who pre"ers his "ather and mother
to *e, is not worth# o" *eL he who pre"ers his son or daughter to *e, is not
worth# o" *e. 7e who does not ta;e his cross dail#, compleD as it is, made o"
resignation, renunciation, o)edience, heroism, sorrow, illness, mourning, made
o" an#thing that re'eals the will o" God or a test "or man, and does not "ollow
with it in *# "ootsteps, is not worth# o" *e. An#one who appraises earthl# li"e
more than the spiritual one, will lose true =i"e. An#one who loses his earthl# li"e
"or *# sa;e, will "ind an eternal )liss"ul one.
13 An#one who recei'es #ou, recei'es *e. 7e who recei'es *e recei'es 7im
ho sent *e. An#one who recei'es a prophet as a prophet, will recei'e a
reward proportionate to the charit# o""ered to the prophet, he who recei'es a Cust
man )ecause he is Cust, will recei'e a pri(e proportionate to the Cust man. 0he
reason is that he who ac;nowledges a prophet as such, must )e a prophet
himsel", that is, 'er# hol# )ecause he is held in the arms o" the Spirit o" GodL
and who will ac;nowledge a Cust man as such pro'es that he is Cust as well,
)ecause li;e souls ;now one another. 0hus, each will )e gi'en a reward
according to Custice.
And he who has gi'en a glass o" pure water to one o" *# ser'ants, e'en i" he
were the least one M and are ser'ants o" ,esus all those who preach 7im through
their hol# li'es, and ma# )e ;ings or )eggars, wise men or people who ;now
nothing, old people and )a)ies, )ecause all ages and all classes can )e *#
disciples M he who has gi'en a disciple o" *ine e'en a glass o" water in *#
name and )ecause he is *# disciple, I solemnl# tell #ou that he will not go
without a reward.
14 I ha'e "inished. 1ow let us pra# and go home. 4ou will lea'e at dawn as
"ollows? Simon o" ,onah with ,ohn, Simon :ealot with ,udas Iscariot, Andrew
with *atthew, ,ames o" Alphaeus with 0homas, Philip with ,ames o" :e)edee,
*# )rother ,udas with .artholomew. 0hat is "or this wee;. I will let #ou ha'e
new instructions later. =et us pra#. 5
And the# pra# in loud 'oices...
,4+. 9on t! B'"tist S!n(s His Disci"#!s to As@ 9!sus $!t!r
H! Is t! 7!ssi'.
,*t Au&ust 1*4+.
1 ,esus is alone with *atthew, who, ha'ing hurt his "oot, has not )een a)le to go
and preach with the others. In'alids and people anDious to hear the doctrine o"
the Gospel ha'e crowded the terrace and the "ree area o" the ;itchen garden, to
hear ,esus and recei'e assistance.
,esus ends spea;ing sa#ing? 2 e ha'e meditated together on Solomon6s great
sentence? G0he greatest strength lies in the a)undance o" CusticeH and I now
eDhort #ou to ha'e such a)undance, )ecause it is mone# to enter the Bingdom o"
7ea'en. .e with *# peace and ma# God )e with #ou. 5 7e then turns to the
poor and the sic; M in man# cases the same person is )oth M and 7e ;indl#
listens to what the# tell 7im, 7e assists with mone#, ad'ises with words, cures
them )# imposing 7is hands and )# 7is words. *atthew, who is )eside 7im,
sees to the alms in mone#.
2 ,esus is attenti'el# listening to a poor widow who weeping in"orms 7im o" the
sudden death o" her hus)and, a carpenter, at his wor; )ench, onl# a "ew da#s
pre'iousl#? 2 I ran here loo;ing "or 4ou, and all the relati'es o" m# dead
hus)and accused me o" )eing un)ecoming and hard<hearted and the# now curse
me. .ut I came )ecause I ;now that 4ou can raise people "rom death and I also
;now that i" I had "ound 4ou, m# hus)and would ha'e risen again. .ut 4ou
were not here... 7e has now )een )uried two wee;s... and I am here with "i'e
children... 9ur relati'es hate me and do not help me. I ha'e some oli'e<tree and
'ines. 0he# are onl# a "ew, )ut the# would gi'e me )read "or the winter months,
i" I could onl# ;eep them until har'est time. .ut I ha'e no mone#, )ecause m#
hus)and was ill "or some time and wor;ed 'er# little and he ate and dran; e'en
too much to support himsel". 7e used to sa# that wine did him good... )ut it
)rought a)out dou)le trou)le as it ;illed him and used up all our sa'ings, which
were alread# scant# )ecause o" his wor;. 7e was Cust "inishing a cart and a chest
and he had orders "or two )eds, some ta)les and shel'es. .ut now... 0he# are
not "inished and m# )o# is not #et eight #ears old. I shall lose the mone#... I
shall ha'e to sell the tools and the wood. I cannot sell the cart and the chest as
such, although the# are almost "inished, and I shall ha'e to gi'e them as
2-,.:!"n t"# B)$tst S#n*s Hs Dsc$%#s t! As@ :#sus &"#t"#r H# Is t"# 9#ss)". 423
"irewood. And the mone# will not )e enough, )ecause I, m# old mother, who is
also ill, and "i'e children are se'en all together... I will sell the 'ine#ard and the
oli'e<trees... .ut 4ou ;now what the world is li;e... 0he# "leece #ou when the#
;now that #ou are in need. 0ell me, what shall I doE I wanted to ;eep the )ench
and tools "or m# son, who is alread# capa)le o" doing some wor; with wood...
and I wanted to ;eep the land to li'e on and as a dowr# "or m# daughters... 5
,esus is listening to all that when the con"usion o" the crowd warns 7im that
something is happening. 7e turns round and sees three men who are el)owing
their wa# through the crowd. 7e turns round to the widow again to as; her? 2
here do #ou li'eE 5
2 At Bora(im, near the road to the arm "ountain. A low house )etween two "ig
trees. 5
2 -er# well. I will come and "inish the cart and the chest and #ou will sell them
to those who ordered them. ait "or *e tomorrow at dawn. 5
2 hatE 4ou are going to wor; "or meF 5 the woman is cho;ing with
ama(ement.
2 I will resume *# wor; and )ring #ou peace. And in the meantime I will gi'e a
lesson on charit# to the heartless people o" Bora(im. 5
2 4esF 0he# ha'e no heartsF I" onl# old Isaac were thereF 7e would not ha'e let
me die o" star'ation. .ut he has gone )ac; to A)raham... 5
2 Do not weep. Do not worr#. 7ere is what #ou need "or toda#, I will come
tomorrow. Go in peace. 5
0he woman stoops to ;iss 7is tunic and she is somewhat relie'ed when she goes
awa#.
3 2 0hree times hol# *aster, ma# I greet 4ouE 5 as;s one o" the three men who
ha'e Cust arri'ed and ha'e stopped respect"ull# )ehind ,esus, waiting "or 7im to
dismiss the woman, and ha'e thus heard ,esus6 promise. 0he man who has
greeted ,esus is *anaen.
,esus turns around and smiling sa#s? 2 Peace to #ou, *anaenF So #ou ha'e
remem)ered *eE 5
2 Alwa#s, *aster. And I had planned to come to see 4ou in =a(arus6 house or at
the Garden o" Gethsemane and sta# with 4ou. .ut the .aptist was captured
)e"ore Passo'er. 7e was recaptured )# treacher# and I was a"raid that 7erodias
might order the hol# man to )e ;illed during the a)sence o" 7erod, who had
come to ,erusalem "or Passo'er. She re"used to go to :ion "or the >esti'it#
sa#ing that she was not well. It is true, she was ill... o" hatred and lust... I was at
*achaerus to control the situation and chec; the wic;ed woman who is capa)le
o" ;illing with her own hand... And she does not do so )ecause she is a"raid o"
losing 7erod6s "a'our who... either )ecause he is a"raid or he is con'inced,
de"ends ,ohn, con"ining his action to ;eeping him in prison. 7erodias has now
escaped "rom the oppressing heat at *achaerus and she has gone to a castle o"
her own propert#. So I came with these "riends o" mine and disciples o" ,ohn.
7e sent them that the# ma# as; 4ou some Iuestions. And I Coined them. 5
hen the crowd hear the man spea; o" 7erod and the# understand who is
spea;ing, the# press curiousl# round the little group o" ,esus and the three men.
2 hat did #ou want to as; *eE 5 as;s ,esus a"ter eDchanging greetings with
the two austere personages.
2 4ou had )etter spea;, *anaen, since #ou ;now e'er#thing and #ou are more
"riendl# 5 sa#s one o" the two.
2 ell, *aster. 4ou must )e indulgent i" out o" eDcess o" lo'e these disciples
loo; suspiciousl# at 7im hom the# )elie'e to )e the antagonist or the
supplanter o" their master. 4our disciples do so as well as ,ohn6s. It is an
understanda)le Cealous# that pro'es all the lo'e o" the disciples "or their
masters... I am... impartial, and these who are with me can con"irm it, )ecause I
;now 4ou and ,ohn and I lo'e #ou )oth with Custice, so much so that, although I
lo'e 4ou "or what 4ou are, I pre"erred to sacri"ice m#sel" and sta# with ,ohn,
)ecause I respect him as well "or what he is, and at the present moment, )ecause
he is in greater danger than 4ou are. 1ow, )ecause o" their lo'e, which the
Pharisees are instigating with their hatred, the# ha'e come to dou)t that 4ou are
the *essiah. And the# told ,ohn thin;ing that the# would "ill him with Co# )#
sa#ing? GAs "ar as we are concerned #ou are the *essiah. 0here cannot )e
an#one holier than #ou are.H .ut ,ohn reproached them calling them "irst o" all
)lasphemers, and then, a"ter re)u;ing them, he more ;indl# eDplained the
'arious "acts that pro'e that 4ou are the true *essiah. >inall#, when he realised
that the# were still not con'inced, he too; two o" them, these ones here, and
said? GGo to 7im and sa# to 7im in m# name? 6Are 4ou the 9ne ho is to
2-,.:!"n t"# B)$tst S#n*s Hs Dsc$%#s t! As@ :#sus &"#t"#r H# Is t"# 9#ss)". 421
come, or shall we wait "or another oneE 6H 7e did not send the shepherd
disciples, )ecause the# )elie'e and it would ha'e )een o" no a'ail to send them.
.ut he chose amongst those who are dou)t"ul to let them approach 4ou, so that
their word ma# dispel the dou)ts o" their companions. I )rought them here so
that I could see 4ou as well. 0hat is all. I )eg 4ou to dispel their dou)t. 5
4 2 .ut do not thin; that we are hostile to 4ou, *asterF *anaen6s words might
ma;e 4ou thin; so. e... e ha'e ;nown the .aptist "or #ears and we ha'e
alwa#s seen him to )e hol#, penitent, inspired. 4ou... we ;now 4ou onl#
through the words o" other people. And 4ou ;now what the words o" man are
worth... 0he# )uild up and destro# "ame and praises in the contrast )etween
those who eDalt and those who demolish, as a cloud is "ormed and dissol'ed )#
contrasting winds. 5
2 I ;now. I read in #our souls and #our e#es can read the truth in what surrounds
#ou, Cust as #our ears heard *# con'ersation with the widow. 0hat should )e
enough to con'ince #ou. .ut I sa# to #ou? loo; at those who are around *e.
0here are no rich, or Coll# or scandalous people hereL )ut onl# poor, sic;, honest
Israelites who are anDious to ;now the ord o" God. 1othing else. 0his man,
that one, this woman, and that little girl, that old man, were ill when the# came
here, and now the# are sound and health#. As; them and the# will tell #ou what
was wrong with them, how I cured them and how the# are "eeling now. Do so.
And in the meantime I will spea; to *anaen 5 and ,esus is a)out to withdraw.
2 1o, *aster. e do not dou)t 4our words. ,ust gi'e us a repl# to ta;e )ac; to
,ohn, that he ma# ;now that we came here, and on the strength o" it he ma#
con'ince our companions. 5
2 Go and report this to ,ohn? G0he dea" hearL this girl was dea" and dum). 0he
dum) spea;L and that man was dum) since his )irth. 0he )lind see.H *an, come
here. 0ell these men what was wrong with #ou 5 sa#s ,esus ta;ing a
miraculousl# cured man )# the arm.
0he man sa#s? 2 I am a mason and a pail "ull o" Iuic;lime "ell on m# "ace. It
)urnt m# e#es. I was "our #ears in the dar;. 0he *essiah wetted m# dr# e#es
with 7is sali'a and the# ha'e )ecome "resher than when I was twent# #ears old.
*a# 7e )e )lessed "or it. 5
,esus resumes? 2 And with the )lind, the dea", the dum) who ha'e )een cured,
the lame wal; straight, the cripple run. 9'er there is that old man, a short while
ago he was contracted, now he is as straight as a palm tree in the desert, and as
agile as a ga(elle. 0he most serious diseases are cured. oman, what was the
matter with #ouE 5
2 I had trou)le with m# )reast "or gi'ing too much mil; to 'oracious mouths.
And m# illness ate not onl# into m# )reast )ut also into m# li"e. =oo; now 5
and opening her dress she shows her wholesome )reasts and adds? 2 0he# were
one )ig sore, as #ou can see "rom m# tunic which is still soa;ed with pus. I am
now going home to put on a clean dress and I "eel strong and am happ#. hilst
onl# #esterda# I was d#ing and I was )rought here )# compassionate "riends,
and I was so unhapp#... )ecause o" m# children who were a)out to )e le"t
motherless. &ternal praise to the Sa'iourF 5
2 Do #ou hearE And #ou can as; the head o" the s#nagogue o" this town with
regard to the resurrection o" his daughter, and on #our wa# )ac; to ,ericho, go
to 1ain, and as; "or the #oung man who rose again in the presence o" the whole
town when the# were going to put him into his gra'e. 4ou will thus )e a)le to
report that dead people rise again "rom the dead. 4ou will )e a)le to "ind out in
man# places in Israel that a large num)er o" lepers ha'e )een cured, )ut i" #ou
wish to go to Sicaminon #ou will "ind man# among the disciples, i" #ou loo; "or
them. 0ell ,ohn, there"ore, that lepers are cleansed. And tell him, as #ou can see,
that the Gospel is announced to the poor. And )lessed are those who will not )e
scandalised in *e. 0ell ,ohn that. And tell him that I )less him with all *# lo'e.
5
2 0han; 4ou, *aster. .less us as well, )e"ore our departure. 5
2 4ou cannot lea'e in this warm hour. Sta# here, there"ore, as *# guests, until
e'ening. 4ou will li'e "or one da# the li"e o" this *aster ho is not ,ohn, )ut
lo'es ,ohn )ecause 7e ;nows who he is. 3ome into the house. It is cool and it
will restore #ou. Good)#e, *# listeners. Peace )e with #ou 5 and a"ter
dismissing the crowd 7e enters the house with the three guests...
5 ... hat the# ha'e said to one another during those sweltering hours I do not
;now. hat I now see is the preparation "or the departure to ,ericho o" the two
disciples. *anaen is apparentl# sta#ing, )ecause the# ha'e not )rought his horse
with the two strong don;e#s to the opening in the wall o" the #ard. 0he two
messengers o" ,ohn, a"ter )owing se'eral times to the *aster and *anaen,
mount their don;e#s and loo; )ac; saluting until the# disappear round a comer.
*an# people o" 3apernaum ha'e gathered together to see the departure )ecause
2-,.:!"n t"# B)$tst S#n*s Hs Dsc$%#s t! As@ :#sus &"#t"#r H# Is t"# 9#ss)". 422
the news o" the 'isit o" ,ohn6s disciples and o" ,esus6 repl# to them had spread
through the 'illage and I thin; it reached near)# towns as well. I see people
"rom .ethsaida and Bora(im, who introduced themsel'es to ,ohn6s messengers,
as;ing a"ter him and to )e remem)ered to him M the# are perhaps eD<disciples o"
the .aptist M who are now chatting together with the people o" 3apernaum,
ma;ing their comments. ,esus is a)out to enter the house while spea;ing to
*anaen who is )eside 7im. .ut people press round 7im, anDious to see 7erod6s
"oster<)rother and his respect"ul manners to ,esus, and to spea; to ,esus at the
same time.
0here is also ,airus, the head o" the s#nagogue. .ut, than;s )e to God, there are
no Pharisees. And it is ,airus who remar;s? 2 ,ohn will )e gladF 4ou ha'e sent
him not onl# an eDhausti'e answer, )ut, )# ;eeping them here, 4ou ha'e also
)een a)le to teach them and show them a miracle. 5
2 And it was not a little one, eitherF 5 eDclaims a man.
2 I deli)eratel# )rought m# little daughter here toda#, that the# might see her.
She has ne'er )een so well and it is a great Co# "or her to come to the *aster.
And did #ou hear her repl#E GI do not remem)er what death is. .ut I remem)er
that an angel called me and he too; me through a )righter and )righter light at
the end o" which there was ,esus. And I do not see him now as I saw 7im then
with m# soul that was coming )ac; to me. 4ou and I now see the *an. .ut m#
soul saw the God ho is closed in the *an.H And how good she has )ecome
since thenF She was good. .ut now she is a real angel. AhF the# can sa# what
the# li;e, )ut as "ar as I am concerned, no one is hol# )ut 4ouF 5
2 .ut ,ohn is hol#, too 5 sa#s a man o" .ethsaida.
2 4es. .ut he is too se'ere. 5
2 1ot more with others than he is with himsel". 5
2 .ut he does not wor; miracles and the# sa# that he "asts to )e li;e a magician.
5
2 And #et he is a saint 5 and the pett# Iuarrel spreads among the crowd.
,esus raises 7is hand stretching it out in 7is usual gesture as;ing "or silence and
attention when 7e wants to spea;. 0he crowd )ecome silent at once.
6 ,esus sa#s? 2 ,ohn is hol# and great. Do not consider his wa# o" )eha'ing or
the lac; o" miracles. I solemnl# tell #ou? G7e is a great one in the Bingdom o"
God.H 7e will appear there in all his grandeur.
*an# complain that he was and still is so se'ere as to appear rude. I tell #ou
solemnl# that he has wor;ed li;e a giant to prepare the wa#s o" the =ord. And
he who wor;s li;e that has no time "or so"tness. Did he not repeat, when he was
along the ,ordan, the words o" Isaiah, )# which he and the *essiah are
prophesied? G=et e'er# 'alle# )e "illed in, e'er# mountain and hill )e laid low,
let e'er# cli"" )ecome a plain, and the ridges a 'alle#H in order to prepare the
wa#s to the =ord and BingE 7e reall# did more than the whole o" Israel to
prepare *# wa#F And he who has to la# mountains low and "ill in 'alle#s and
straighten roads and ma;e ridges )ecome plains can )ut wor; rudel#, )ecause he
was the Precursor and he preceded *e )# onl# a "ew months and e'er#thing
was to )e done )e"ore the Sun was high on the da# o" 8edemption. And this is
the time, the Sun is rising to shine on :ion and thence on the whole world. ,ohn
has prepared the wa# as he had to do.
hat did #ou go to see in the wildernessE A reed swa#ing in e'er# direction in
the )ree(eE .ut what did go to seeE A man clad in "ine so"t clothesE .ut those
li'e in the palaces o" ;ings, wearing "ine clothes and respected )# man# ser'ants
and courtiers, and the# are courtiers themsel'es o" a poor man. 0here is one
here. As; him whether he is not disgusted with the li"e at 3ourt and whether he
admires the solitar# rugged roc; that is struc; in 'ain )# thunder)olts and
scourged )# hailstones, and against which sill# winds struggle endea'ouring to
demolish it, while it stands "irm, thrusting its whole )eing towards the s;#, with
its top proclaiming the Co# o" altitude, straight as it is and sharp li;e a rising
"lame. 0hat is ,ohn. 0hat is how *anaen sees him, )ecause he has understood
the truth o" li"e and death and he can see grandeur where it reall# is, e'en i" it )e
hidden under a wild appearance.
And what did #ou see in ,ohn when #ou went to see himE A prophetE A saintE I
will tell #ou? 7e is more than a prophet. 7e is more than man# saints, )ecause
he is the one o" whom it is written? G=oo;, I am going to send m# angel to
prepare 4our wa# )e"ore 4ou.H Angel. 3onsider this. 4ou ;now that the angels
are pure spirits created )# God to 7is spiritual li;eness and placed as a lin;
)etween man, the per"ection o" the 'isi)le and material creation, and God, the
Per"ection o" 7ea'en and &arth, 3reator o" the spiritual Bingdom and o" the
animal ;ingdom. &'en in the holiest man there is alwa#s "lesh and )lood
"orming an a)#ss )etween him and God. And the a)#ss su)sides under the
2-,.:!"n t"# B)$tst S#n*s Hs Dsc$%#s t! As@ :#sus &"#t"#r H# Is t"# 9#ss)". 423
weight o" sin that weighs down also what is spiritual in man. So God created the
angels, creatures reaching the summit o" the creation scale, Cust as minerals lie at
its )ase, minerals )eing the dust "orming the earth and inorganic materials in
general. 0he# are clear mirrors o" the 0hought o" God, willing "lames operating
out o" lo'e, read# to understand, Iuic; in acting, "ree in willing as we are, )ut
their entirel# hol# will ignores the re)ellion and incenti'e o" sin. 0hat is what
the angels adoring God are, 7is messengers to men, our protectors, who grant us
the =ight that shines on them and the >ire that the# gather worshipping.
,ohn is called GangelH )# the prophetic word. And I sa# to #ou? G9" all the
children )orn o" women, a greater one than ,ohn the .aptist has ne'er )een
seen.H 4et the least in the Bingdom o" 7ea'en will )e greater than ,ohn<man.
.ecause one o" the Bingdom o" 7ea'en is a son o" God and not o" woman.
&ndea'our there"ore to )ecome citi(ens o" the Bingdom.
7 hat are #ou as;ing one anotherE 5
2 e were sa#ing? G.ut will ,ohn )e in the BingdomE And how will he )e
thereEH 5
2 7e is alread# in the Bingdom in his spirit and he will )e there a"ter his death
as one o" the most splendid suns o" the eternal ,erusalem. And that )ecause o"
the Grace that is in him without an# "law and through his own will. .ecause he
was and is 'iolent also against himsel" "or a hol# purpose. >rom the .aptist on<
wards the Bingdom o" 7ea'en )elongs to those who are capa)le o" conIuering
it through strength opposed to &'il, and the 'iolent will conIuer it. .ecause now
it is ;nown what is to )e done and e'er#thing has )een gi'en "or such conIuest.
It is no longer the time when the =aw and the Prophets onl# spo;e. 0he# spo;e
down to the time o" ,ohn. 1ow the ord o" God spea;s and 7e does not hide an
iota o" what is to )e ;nown "or this conIuest. 0hus, i" #ou )elie'e in *e #ou
must see him as the &liCah who is to come. I" an#one has ears to hear, let him
listen. hat description can I "ind "or this generationE It is li;e children shouting
to their companions as the# sit in the mar;et place? Ge ha'e pla#ed the pipes
"or #ou and #ou would not dance, we sang dirges and #ou would not weep.H >or
,ohn came and he neither ate nor dran; and this generation sa#s? G7e can do that
)ecause the demon assists him.H 0he Son o" man came, eating and drin;ing and
the# sa#? G7ere is a glutton and a drun;ard, a "riend o" pu)licans and sinners.H
0hus her children do Custice to isdomF I tell #ou solemnl# that onl# children
are capa)le o" discerning the truth, )ecause there is no malice in them. 5
8 2 4ou are right, *aster 5 sa#s the head o" the s#nagogue. 2 0hat is wh# m#
daughter, who is still without malice, can see 4ou as we are not a)le to see 4ou.
And #et this town and the neigh)ouring ones are o'er"lowing with 4our power,
wisdom and ;indness, and, I must admit it, the# are ma;ing progress onl# in
wic;edness towards 4ou. 0he# will not mend their wa#s. And the good 4ou do
them "erments into hatred against 4ou. 5
2 hat are #ou sa#ing, ,airusE 4ou are calumniating us. e are here )ecause
we are "aith"ul to the 3hrist 5 sa#s one "rom .ethsaida.
2 4es. e are. .ut how man# are weE =ess than one hundred out o" three towns
that ought to )e at ,esus6 "eet. 9" those who are a)sent, I am tal;ing o" the men,
hal" are hostile, a Iuarter are indi""erent, I will grant that the rest cannot come. Is
that not a sin in the e#es o" GodE And will such hatred and o)stinac# in e'il not
)e punishedE Spea;, *aster, )ecause 4ou ;now, and i" 4ou are silent it is out o"
;indness, not )ecause 4ou do not ;now. 4ou are patient, and that is mista;en
"or ignorance and wea;ness. Spea;, there"ore and ma# 4our words stir at least
those who are indi""erent, as the wic;ed will not repent, )ut the# )ecome more
and more wic;ed. 5
2 4es, it is a sin. And it will )e punished. .ecause the gi"t o" God must ne'er )e
despised or used to do wrong. oe )etide #ou, Bora(im, woe )etide #ou,
.ethsaida, who misuse the gi"ts o" God. I" the miracles wor;ed in #ou had ta;en
place in 0#re and Sidon, their inha)itants would ha'e done penance and come to
*e a long time ago wearing sac;cloths and sprin;led with ashes. I there"ore sa#
that 0#re and Sidon will )e dealt with more merci"ull# than #ou will on
Doomsda#. And #ou, 3apernaum, do #ou thin; that 4ou will )e eDalted to
7ea'en onl# )ecause #ou ga'e *e hospitalit#E 4ou will descend to hell.
.ecause i" the miracles I ga'e #ou had )een wor;ed in Sodom, it would still )e
"lourishing, as it would ha'e )elie'ed in *e and turned. 0here"ore greater
merci"ulness will )e shown to Sodom on the Da# o" ,udgement, )ecause the#
did not ;now the Sa'iour and 7is word, and thus their sin is not so gra'e, than
will )e shown to #ou as #ou ;new the *essiah and heard 7is word )ut #ou did
not mend #our wa#s. .ut, since God is Cust, those o" 3apernaum, .ethsaida and
Bora(im who )elie'ed and are )ecoming hol# o)e#ing *# word, will )e treated
with great merci"ulness. .ecause it is not "air "or the Cust to )e in'ol'ed in the
ruin o" sinners. ith regard to #our daughter, ,airus, and #ours, Simon, and
#our )o# :acharias, and #our grandchildren, .enCamin, I tell #ou that the#
alread# see God, )ecause the# are without malice. And #ou can see how their
2-,.:!"n t"# B)$tst S#n*s Hs Dsc$%#s t! As@ :#sus &"#t"#r H# Is t"# 9#ss)". 424
"aith is pure and acti'e, Coined to celestial wisdom and charita)le #earning,
which adults do not possess. 5
9 And ,esus, loo;ing at the s;#, which is )ecoming dar; at dus;, eDclaims? 2 I
than; 4ou, >ather o" 7ea'en and &arth, )ecause 4ou ha'e concealed these
things "rom wise and learned people and 4ou ha'e disclosed them to the
hum)le. .ecause that is what pleases 4ou. &'er#thing has )een trusted to *e )#
*# >ather, and no)od# ;nows 7im )ut the Son and those to whom the Son has
re'ealed it. And I ha'e re'ealed it to the little ones, to the hum)le, the pure,
)ecause God gi'es 7imsel" to them, and the truth descends li;e seed on "ree soil
and the >ather pours 7is light on it that it ma# ta;e root and grow. 0rul#, the
>ather prepares these souls o" children )# age or children )# will, that the# ma#
;now the truth and I ma# reCoice in their "aith. 5
,44. 9!sus /or@s 's ' C'r"!nt!r 't Eor'3i).
-1st Au&ust 1*4+.
1 ,esus is wor;ing diligentl# in a carpenter6s wor;shop. 7e is "inishing a wheel.
A delicate sad child helps 7im handing this or that tool to 7im. *anaen,
although an idle witness, admires 7im sitting on a )ench near a wall.
,esus has ta;en o"" 7is )eauti"ul linen tunic and has put on a dar; one, which is
o)'iousl# not 7is own as it reaches onl# hal" wa# down 7is shins. It is an
o'erall, clean although patched, which pro)a)l# )elonged to the deceased
carpenter.
,esus encourages the )o# with smiles and ;ind words, teaching him what he
must do to prepare the glue properl# and polish the sides o" the chest.
2 It did not ta;e 4ou long to "inish it, *aster 5 sa#s *anaen standing up and
running a "inger on the mouldings o" the "inished chest that the )o# is polishing
with a "luid.
2 It was almost "inishedF... 5
2 I wish I had this wor; o" 4ours. .ut the )u#er has alread# come and he seems
to ha'e acIuired some rights... 4ou ha'e disappointed him. 7e was hoping to )e
a)le to ta;e e'er#thing to ma;e up "or the little mone# he had lent. 1ow he has
to ta;e his articles and nothing else. I" he were one who )elie'ed in 4ou... the#
would )e o" in"inite 'alue to him. .ut did 4ou hearE... 5
2 =ea'e him. 9n the other hand there is some wood here, and the woman will )e
happ# to ma;e use o" it and ha'e some pro"it. 2 Gi'e an order "or a chest and I
will ma;e it "or #ou... 5
2 8eall#, *asterE Do #ou intend to go on wor;ingE 5
2 Jntil there is no more wood le"t. I am a conscientious wor;er 5 7e sa#s
smiling more "ran;l#.
2 A chest made )# 4ouF 9hF hat a relicF .ut what shall I put in itE 5
2 An#thing #ou li;e, *anaen. It will onl# )e a chest. 5
2 .ut made )# 4ouF 5
2 SoE 0he >ather also made man, 7e made all men. And what did man put in
himsel", what do men put in themsel'esE 5 ,esus spea;s while wor;ing, mo'ing
a)out loo;ing "or the necessar# tools, tightening 'ices, drilling, planing, turning,
according to what is needed.
2 e ha'e put sins in oursel'es. 0hat6s true. 5
2 SeeF And #ou ma# rest assured that man created )# God is worth much more
than a chest made )# *e. 1e'er miD up o)Cects and actions. 9" *# chest Cust
ma;e a relic "or #our soul. 5
2 0hat isE 5
2 Gi'e #our spirit the teaching #ou get "rom what I do. 5
2 4our charit#, humilit#, acti'it#, then... 0hese 'irtues, is that rightE 5
2 4es. And do li;ewise #oursel" in "uture. 5
2 4es, *aster. .ut will 4ou ma;e me a chestE 5
2 4es, I will. .ut since #ou still consider it a relic, I will ma;e #ou pa# "or it as
such. 0hus the# will )e a)le to sa# that at least once I ha'e )een greed# "or
mone#... .ut #ou ;now "or whom the mone# is... >or these little orphans... 5
2--. :#sus 0!r@s )s ) C)r$#nt#r )t E!r)7+. 42,
2 As; me whate'er 4ou want. I will gi'e it to 4ou. At least it will Custi"# m#
idling while 4ou, the Son o" God, are wor;ing. 5
3 2 Agreed? Gith sweat on #our )row, #ou shall eat #our )read.H 5
2 .ut that was said "or the guilt# man. 1ot "or 4ouF 5
2 9hF 9ne da# I shall )e the Guilt# 9ne and I shall ha'e on *e all the sins o"
the world. I will ta;e them awa# with *e, on *# "irst departure. 5
2 And do 4ou thin; that the world will not sin an# moreE 5
2 It should not. .ut it will alwa#s sin. 0hat is wh# the )urden I shall ha'e on *e
will )e such as to )rea; *# heart. .ecause I will ha'e to )ear the sins
committed "rom the time o" Adam down to that hour, and those "rom that hour
until the end o" the world. I will eDpiate e'er#thing on )ehal" o" man. 5
2 And #et man will not understand 4ou and will not lo'e 4ou... Do 4ou thin;
that Bora(im will turn to 4ou )ecause o" this hol# silent lesson 4ou are gi'ing
)# this wor; 4ou are doing to help a "amil#E 5
2 1o, the# will not. 0he# will sa#? G7e pre"erred to wor; to ;ill the time and
;eep the mone# "or 7imsel".H I had no more mone#. I had gi'en it all. I alwa#s
gi'e e'er#thing I ha'e, to the last little coin, and I ha'e wor;ed to gi'e the
mone# awa#. 5
2 And what a)out "ood "or 4oursel" and *atthewE 5
2 God would ha'e pro'ided it. 5
2 .ut 4ou ga'e us to eat. 5
2 9" course. 5
2 7ow did 4ou do thatE 5
2 As; the landlord. 5
2 I will, as soon as we go )ac; to 3apernaum. 5
,esus smiles mildl# into 7is "air )eard.
4 In the silence that "ollows one can hear onl# the sIuea;ing o" the 'ice
tightened on two pieces o" a wheel.
0hen *anaen as;s? 2 hat are 4ou thin;ing o" doing )e"ore the Sa))athE 5
2 I will go to 3apernaum and wait "or the apostles. e decided to meet e'er#
Sa))ath e'e and spend the Sa))ath all together. 0hen I will gi'e them
instructions, and i" *atthew is well there will )e siD couples going out to
e'angeli(e. I" not... Do #ou wish to go with themE 5
2 I would rather sta# with 4ou, *aster... .ut ma# I gi'e 4ou a piece o" ad'iceE
5
2 0ell *e. I will accept it i" it is Cust. 5
2 1e'er )e all )# 4oursel". 4ou ha'e man# enemies, *aster. 5
2 I ;now. .ut do #ou thin; that the apostles would )e o" much help, in case o"
dangerE 5
2 0he# lo'e 4ou, I thin;. 5
2 9" course. .ut that would not help. I" *# enemies are thin;ing o" capturing
*e, the# would come with greater "orces than the apostles6. 5
2 It does not matter. Do not )e alone. 5
2 In two wee;s6 time man# disciples will Coin *e. I am going to prepare them to
send them to e'angeli(e as well. I will no longer )e alone. Do not worr#. 5
5 hile the# are tal;ing thus, man# curious people o" Bora(im come to e#e
them and then go awa# without spea;ing.
2 0he# are astonished seeing 4ou wor;. 5
2 4es. .ut the# are not so hum)le as to sa#? G0hat is how 7e teaches us.H 0he
)est ones I had here are with the disciples, with the eDception o" an old man who
died. It does not matter. A lesson is alwa#s a lesson. 5
2 hat will the apostles sa# when the# ;now #ou ha'e )een wor;ingE 5
2 0he# are ele'en, )ecause *atthew has alread# said what he thin;s. 0here will
)e ele'en di""erent opinions. And most o" them will oppose *e. .ut it will help
*e to teach them. 5
2 ill 4ou let me attend the lessonE 5
2--. :#sus 0!r@s )s ) C)r$#nt#r )t E!r)7+. 42-
2 I" #ou wish to sta#... 5
2 .ut I am a disciple, the# are apostles. 5
2 hat is good "or apostles will )e good also "or a disciple. 5
2 0he# ma# resent )eing reminded what Custice is, in m# presence. 5
2 It will do their humilit# good. Sta#, *anaen. I ;eep #ou willingl# with *e. 5
2 And I remain willing with 4ou. 5
0he woman shows hersel" and sa#s? 2 4our meal is read#, *aster. .ut 4ou are
wor;ing too much... 5
2 I am earning *# )read, woman. And... 7ere is another customer. 7e wants a
chest as well. And he will pa# a good price "or it. 0he place where #ou ;eep the
wood will )e empt# 5 sa#s ,esus ta;ing o"" the worn out apron 7e had on, and
going out o" the room to wash 7imsel" in a )asin the woman )rought 7im into
the ;itchen garden.
And with one o" the uncertain smiles that reappear a"ter a long period o" deep
sorrow, she sa#s? 2 0he place "or the wood empt#, the house "ull o" 4our
presence and m# heart in peace. I am no longer a"raid o" tomorrow, *aster. And
4ou... )e not a"raid that we ma# e'er "orget 4ou. 5
0he# enter the ;itchen and it all ends.
,46. 9!sus S"!'@s o0 Lo2!.
1st S!"t!)5!r 1*4+.
1 ,esus with *anaen )eside 7im comes out o" the widow6s house sa#ing? 2
Peace to #ou and to #our "amil#. e will meet again a"ter the Sa))ath.
Good)#e, little ,oseph. 4ou can pla# and rest tomorrow, and then #ou will help
*e again. h# are #ou weepingE 5
2 I am a"raid that 4ou will not come )ac; again... 5
2 I alwa#s spea; the truth. .ut are #ou so sorr# that I am going awa#E 5
0he )o# nods assent.
,esus caresses him sa#ing? 2 A da# will soon pass. 4ou will )e with #our
mother and )rothers tomorrow. And I will )e with *# apostles and I will )e
spea;ing to them. During the past da#s I spo;e to #ou to teach #ou how to wor;,
I am now going to them to teach them how to preach and to )e good. 4ou would
not enCo# #oursel" with *e, the onl# )o# among so man# men. 5
2 9hF I would enCo# m#sel" )ecause I would )e with 4ou. 5
2 I see, womanF 4our son is li;e man#, and the# are the )est. 7e does not want
to lea'e *e. 3an #ou trust him with *e until the da# a"ter tomorrowE 5
2 9hF =ordF I would gi'e 4ou them allF 0he# are as sa"e with 4ou as the#
would )e in 7ea'en... And this )o#, who used to sta# with his "ather more than
the rest o" them, has su""ered too much. 7e was with his "ather at the moment...
SeeE... 7e does nothing )ut weep and pine. Don6t weep, son. As; the =ord i"
what I sa# is true. *aster, to com"ort him I alwa#s sa# to him that his "ather is
not lost, )ut has onl# gone "ar awa# "rom us temporaril#. 5
2 hich is the truth. It is eDactl# as #our mother sa#s, little ,oseph. 5
2 .ut I6ll not )e a)le to "ind him again until I die. And I am onl# a )o#. I" I am
to )ecome as old as Isaac, how long will I ha'e to waitE 5
2 Poor )o#F .ut time "lies. 5
2 1o, =ord. *# "ather has )een dead three wee;s, and it seems such a long time
to me... I cannot go on without him... 5 and he weeps silentl# )ut most piti"ull#.
2 SeeE 7e is alwa#s li;e that. Particularl# when he is not )us# with something
that interests him. 0he Sa))ath is a torture. I am a"raid he will die... 5
2 1o. I ha'e another )o# who is orphan o" "ather and mother. 7e was emaciated
and sad. 1ow, sta#ing with a good woman at .ethsaida and )eing sure that he is
not separated "rom his parents, he has "lourished again )oth in his )od# and
soul. 0he same will happen to #our son, )oth )ecause o" what I will tell him,
and )ecause time is a great healer, and also )ecause he will calm down, too,
when he sees that #ou are no longer worried a)out #our dail# )read. Good)#e,
woman. 0he sun is setting and I must go. 3ome, ,oseph. Sa# good)#e to #our
2-.. :#sus S$#)@s !4 L!6#. 42.
mother, #our little )rothers and then run to pic; up with *e. 5
And ,esus goes awa#.
2 And what will 4ou tell the apostles nowE 5
2 0hat I ha'e an old disciple and a new one. 5
2 0he# wal; through Bora(im that is )ecoming animated with people.
A group o" men stops ,esus? 2 Are 4ou going awa#E Are 4ou not sta#ing "or the
Sa))athE 5
2 1o. I am going to 3apernaum. 5
2 4ou ha'e not spo;en one word during the whole wee;. Are we not worth# o"
4our wordE 5
2 7a'e I not gi'en #ou "or siD da#s the )est wordE 5
2 henE 0o whomE 5
2 0o e'er#)od#. >rom the carpenter6s )ench. >or da#s I ha'e )een preaching
that our neigh)our is to )e lo'ed and helped in e'er# possi)le wa#, particularl#
when our neigh)our is wea;, as in the case o" widows and orphans. Good)#e,
people o" Bora(im. Ponder on this lesson o" *ine on the Sa))ath. 5 And ,esus
sets out again, lea'ing the citi(ens perpleDed. .ut the )o#, who has reached
,esus running, rouses the curiosit# o" the people who stop the *aster again
as;ing? 2 Are 4ou ta;ing awa# the widow6s sonE h#E 5
2 0o teach him to )elie'e that God is a >ather and that in God he will "ind his
lost "ather. And also that there might )e one here who )elie'es, in the place o"
old Isaac. 5
2 0here are three men "rom Bora(im with 4our disciples. 5
2 ith *# disciples. 1ot here. 0his one will )e here. Good)#e. 5 And with the
child )etween 7im and *anaen 7e wal;s "ast through the countr# towards
3apernaum, tal;ing to *anaen.
3 0he# reach 3apernaum a"ter the apostles had arri'ed. 0he# are sitting on the
terrace in the shade o" the pergola, round *atthew, whose wound is not #et
healed, in"orming him o" their "eats. 0he# turn round at the light shu""ling o"
sandals on the little staircase and the# see ,esus6 "air head emerge more and
more "rom the little wall o" the terrace. 0he# rush towards 7im, ho is
smiling... and the# are dum)"ounded seeing a poor )o# )ehind ,esus. *anaen
clim)s the steps in his pompous pure white linen tunic, which is made e'en
more )eauti"ul )# a precious )elt, )# the )right<red d#ed linen tunic, which is so
shin# as to seem sil;, hanging "rom his shoulders li;e a train, and )# his )#ssus
head<dress "astened )# a thin gold diadem, an engra'ed thin plate, which di'ides
his wide "orehead in two hal'es and gi'es him almost the air o" an &g#ptian
;ing. 7is presence pre'ents an a'alanche o" Iuestions which, howe'er, are
clearl# eDpressed )# the apostles6 e#es. A"ter greeting one another, while sitting
near ,esus, the apostles as;? 2 And who is this oneE 5 pointing at the )o#. 2 0his
is *# last conIuest. =ittle ,oseph, a carpenter li;e the great ,oseph, who was
*# "ather. And thus most dear to *e, as I am to him. Is that right, little )o#E
3ome here that I ma# introduce #ou to these "riends o" *ine o" whom #ou ha'e
heard *e spea; so much. 0his is Simon Peter? the ;indest man to 3hildren there
is. And this is ,ohn? a )ig )o# who will spea; to #ou o" God also when pla#ing.
And this is ,ames his )rother, serious and good li;e an elder )rother. And this is
Andrew, Simon6s )rother? #ou will get along well at once with him, )ecause he
is as mee; as a lam). And this is Simon the :ealot? he lo'es "atherless children
so much that I thin; he would go round the whole world loo;ing "or them, i" he
were not with *e. 0hen here is ,udas o" Simon and with him there is Philip o"
.ethsaida and 1athanael. See how the# loo; at #ouE 0he# ha'e children as well
and the# lo'e children. And there are *# )rothers ,ames and ,udas. 0he# lo'e
e'er#thing I lo'e and so the# will lo'e #ou. 1ow let us go to *atthew, who is
su""ering agonies with his "oot, and #et he is not angr# with the )o# who pla#ing
rec;lessl# hit him with a sharp "lint<stone. Is that right, *atthewE 5
2 9hF no, *aster. Is he the widow6s sonE 5
2 4es, he is. 7e is 'er# cle'er, )ut he has )ecome 'er# sad. 5
2 9hF poor )o#F I will get #ou to call little ,ames and #ou will pla# with him 5
and *atthew caresses him drawing him close to himsel" with one hand.
,esus ends the introductions with 0homas, who, practical as he is, completes it
)# o""ering the )o# a )unch o" grapes he has pic;ed o"" the pergola.
2 1ow #ou are "riends 5 concludes ,esus, sitting down again while the child eats
his grapes repl#ing to *atthew who ;eeps him close to himsel".
2-.. :#sus S$#)@s !4 L!6#. 421
4 2 .ut where ha'e 4ou )een all alone "or a whole wee;E 5
2 At Bora(im, Simon o" ,onah. 5
2 I ;now. .ut what did 4ou doE Did 4ou go to IsaacE 5
2 Isaac the &lder is dead. 5
2 SoE 5
2 Did *atthew not tell #ouE 5
2 1o. 7e onl# said that 4ou were at Bora(im since the da# a"ter our departure. 5
2 *atthew is more cle'er than #ou are. 7e can ;eep Iuiet, )ut #ou cannot chec;
#our curiosit#. 5
2 1ot onl# mine. &'er#)od#6s. 5
2 ell? I went to Bora(im to preach "actual charit#. 5
2 >actual charit#E hat do 4ou meanE 5 as; man#.
2 0here is a widow at Bora(im with "i'e children and an old sic; woman. 7er
hus)and died suddenl# at his wor; )ench, lea'ing )ehind him miser# and
un"inished Co)s. Bora(im did not "ind a tin# )it o" pit# "or this unhapp# "amil#. I
went to "inish the wor; and... 5
0here is pandemonium. Some as; Iuestions, some protest, some reproach
*atthew "or allowing it, some admire and some criticise. Jn"ortunatel# the
maCorit# protest or criticise.
,esus lets the storm calm down Cust as it started and as a repl# 7e sa#s? 2 I am
going )ac; the da# a"ter tomorrow. And I will do so until I "inish. And I hope
that #ou at least will understand. Bora(im is a closed "ruit<stone without its
germ. 4ou at least ought to )e stones with germs.
5 .o#, gi'e *e the walnut that Simon ga'e #ou and listen to *e as well.
See this nutE I am ta;ing this one )ecause I ha'e no other "ruitshells a'aila)le,
)ut to understand the para)le, thin;, "or instance, o" the seeds o" pines or palms,
the hardest ones, or the stones o" oli'es... 0he# are 'er# hard containers,
completel# closed, without crac;s, o" solid wood. 0he# loo; li;e magic co""ers,
which can )e opened onl# )# means o" 'iolence. And #et i" one o" them is
thrown on to the ground )# chance and a passer<)# )uries it in the earth treading
on it, what happensE 0he co""er opens and ta;es root and comes into lea". 7ow
does that happen )# itsel"E e ha'e to stri;e it hard with a hammer to open it,
instead without an# )low it opens )# itsel". Is the seed a magic oneE 1o. It
contains a pulp. 9hF a "ee)le thing compared to the hard shell. And #et it
nourishes an e'en smaller thing? the germ. And that is the le'er that "orces,
opens it and produces a plant with roots and lea'es. As an eDperiment, )ur#
some "ruit<stones and wait. 4ou will see that some stri;e root, others do not.
Pull out the ones that did not sprout. 9pen them with a hammer and #ou will see
that the# are empt# seeds. So it is not the dampness o" the ground or its heat that
ma;es the stone open. .ut it is its pulp, or rather, the soul o" the pulp? the germ,
which swelling, acts as a le'er and opens it.
0hat is the para)le. 1ow let us appl# it to oursel'es.
hat did I do that should not ha'e )een doneE 7a'e we understood one another
so little that we ha'e not understood that hypocrisy is a sin and that words are
*ust lie wind if they are not corroborated by actionE hat ha'e I alwa#s told
#ouE G=o'e one another. =o'e is the precept and the secret o" glor#.H And I,
ho preach, should I )e without charit#E Should I thus set the eDample o" an
untruth"ul masterE 1o, ne'erF
*# dear "riendsF 9ur )od# is li;e a hard stone, in which pulp is enclosed? our
soul, and in it there is the germ that I laid. It is made o" man# elements, the main
one )eing charit#. It acts as a le'er to open the stone and "ree the spirit "rom the
constrictions o" matter and reunite it to God, ho is 3harit#.
6 3harit# does not consist onl# in gi'ing alms or com"orting )# means o" words.
Charity is accomplished through charity alone. Do not thin; that this is a pun. I
had no mone# and words were not su""icient "or this case. 0here were se'en
people on the threshold o" star'ation and anguish. Despair was alread# putting
"orth its )lac; claws to grasp and strangle. 0he world was withdrawing harshl#
and sel"ishl# )e"ore this mis"ortune. 0he world was pro'ing that it had not
understood the words o" the *aster. 0he *aster e'angeli(ed through deeds. I
was capa)le and "ree to do it. And it was *# dut#, on )ehal" o" the whole world,
to lo'e those poor wretches whom the world did not lo'e. 0hat is what I did.
3an #ou still criticise *eE 9r should I criticise #ou, in the presence o" a disciple
who did not hesitate to come among sawdust and sha'ings in order not to lea'e
the *aster and who, I am sure, )ecame more con'inced o" *e seeing *e )ent
2-.. :#sus S$#)@s !4 L!6#. 422
o'er a piece o" wood, than he would ha'e )een persuaded i" he had seen *e on
a throne, and in the presence o" a )o#, who percei'ed *e to )e what I am,
notwithstanding his ignorance, the mis"ortune that )lunts his mind and the "act
that he was in no wa# acIuainted with the *essiah as 7e reall# is. Are #ou not
sa#ing an#thingE Do not "eel humiliated onl# while I raise *# 'oice to correct
wrong ideas. I do it out o" lo'e. .ut stri'e to ha'e within #ou the germ that
sancti"ies and opens the stone. 9r #ou will alwa#s )e useless )eings. 4ou must
)e prepared to do what I ha'e done.
!o wor must be burdensome to you for the sae of your neighbour, or to tae a
soul to God. 0or, whatever it may be, is never humiliating. hereas )ase
action, "alseness, untrue denunciations, harshness, a)use o" power, usur#,
slander, lust are humiliating. 0he# do humiliate *an. And #et the# are done
unashamedl# )# those also who sa# the# are per"ect and who were certainl#
scandalised seeing *e wor; with saw and hammer. 9hF A hammerF 0he
worthless hammer, i" used to dri'e nails into wood to ma;e a piece o" "urniture
that will earn "ood "or orphans, how no)le it )ecomesF 0he hammer, although
igno)le, i" it is in *# hands "or a hol# purpose will not longer appear as such
and how it will )e cra'ed "or )# all those who gladl# shout that the# are
scandalised )ecause o" itF
9hF man? #ou ought to )e light and truth, how dar; and "alse #ou areF .ut #ou,
at least, endea'our to understand what Goodness isF hat 3harit# is. hat
9)edience is. I solemnl# tell #ou that great is the num)er o" Pharisees. And the#
are e'en present among those who surround *e. 5
2 1o, *aster. Don6t sa# thatF e... it is )ecause we lo'e 4ou that we do not
want certain thingsF... 5
2 It is )ecause #ou ha'e not #et understood an#thing. 7 I ha'e spo;en to #ou o"
>aith and 7ope and I did not thin; that an# new word was reIuired to spea; to
#ou o" 3harit#, )ecause so much emanates "rom *e that #ou should )e saturated
with it. .ut I see that #ou ;now it onl# )# name, without )eing aware o" its
nature and "orm. ,ust as #ou ;now the moon.
Do #ou remem)er when I told #ou that 7ope is li;e the cross<)ar o" the ;ind
#o;e supporting >aith and 3harit#, and it is the sca""old o" man;ind and the
throne o" sal'ationE 4ou doE .ut #ou ha'e not understood *# words in their
true meaning. And wh# did #ou not as; "or a clari"icationE I will gi'e it to #ou.
"t is a yoe because it compels man to lower his silly pride under the weight of
eternal truths. And it is the scaffold of such pride. 0he man who hopes in God
his =ord una'oida)l# morti"ies his pride that would li;e him to )e proclaimed
his GgodH and ac;nowledges that he is nothing and God is e'er#thing, that he
can do nothing and God can do e'er#thing, that he<man is transient dust and
God is eternit# ele'ating to a higher degree and rewarding man with eternit#.
*an nails himsel" to his hol# cross to reach =i"e. 0he "lames o" >aith and
3harit# nail him to his cross, )ut 7ope, which is )etween the "ormer and the
latter, ele'ate towards 7ea'en. .ut, remem)er the lesson? i" charit# is lac;ing,
the throne is without light and the )od#, unnailed on one side, hangs towards
mud and no longer sees 7ea'en. It thus cancels the wholesome e""ects o" 7ope
and ends up )# ma;ing sterile also >aith, )ecause when one is detached "rom
two o" the three theological 'irtues, one "alls into languor and deadl# chill.
Do not reCect God e'en in the least things. And to re"use to assist one6s
neigh)our through heathen pride is to reCect God.
8 *# Doctrine is a #o;e that )ends guilt# man;indL it is a mallet that )rea;s the
hard )ar; to "ree its spirit. It is a #o;e and a hammer indeed. And #et he who
accepts it does not "eel the tiredness that all other doctrines and all other human
things gi'e. And he who allows himsel" to )e struc; )# it does not "eel the pain
o" )eing crushed in his human ego, )ut "eels a sensation o" li)eration.
h# do #ou endea'our to get rid o" it to replace it with what is lead and painE
4ou all ha'e #our sorrows and #our di""iculties. All man;ind has sorrows and
di""iculties, which at times are )e#ond human strength. >rom children li;e this
one, who is alread# carr#ing on his little shoulders a hea'# weight, which )ends
him and pre'ents his lips "rom smiling childishl# and remo'es all thoughtless<
ness "rom his mind, which, "rom a human point o" 'iew, has ne'er )een
childish, to the old man who is declining towards his sepulchre with all the
disappointments, trou)les, )urdens and wounds o" his long li"e. .ut in *#
Doctrine and in *# >aith there is the relie" "rom all such o'erwhelming
)urdens. 0hat is wh# it is called the GGospel.H And he who accepts it and o)e#s
will )e )lessed on the earth also )ecause he will ha'e God to com"ort him and
-irtues to ma;e his wa# eas# and )right, as i" the# were good sisters who,
holding him )# the hand with lit lamps, illuminate his wa# and his li"e and sing
the eternal promises o" God to him, until, #ielding in peace his tired )od# to the
earth, he awa;es in Paradise.
h#, men, do #ou wish to )e "atigued, desolate, tired, disgusted, desperate,
2-.. :#sus S$#)@s !4 L!6#. 433
when #ou can )e relie'ed and consoledE h# do #ou wish, too, *# apostles, to
"eel the "atigue, the di""icult#, the se'erit# o" #our mission, whereas with the
reliance o" a child #ou could ha'e cheer"ul (eal, )right aptitude to accomplish it
and realise and percei'e that it is se'ere onl# "or the unrepentant who do not
;now God, whilst "or its )elie'ers it is li;e a mother who supports her child on
his wa#, pointing out to his uncertain steps stones and thorns, nests o" sna;es
and ditches, that he ma# identi"# them and thus a'oid dangerE
9 4ou are now desolate. 4our desolation had a reall# misera)le )eginningF 4ou
are desolate "irst o" all )ecause o" *# humilit#, as i" it were a crime against
*#sel". And #ou are now distressed )ecause #ou ha'e understood that #ou ha'e
grie'ed *e and that #ou are still so "ar "rom per"ection. .ut onl# in a "ew this
latter desolation is de'oid o" pride? o" the pride hurt )# the ascertainment that
#ou are still nothing, whilst out o" pride #ou would li;e to )e per"ect. .e onl#
hum)l# willing to accept a reproach and to con"ess that #ou are wrong,
promising in #our hearts that #ou want per"ection "or a superhuman purpose.
And then come to *e. I correct #ou, )ut I understand and I am indulgent.
3ome to *e, #ou apostles, and come to *e, #ou all men, who su""er through
material, moral, spiritual sorrows. 0hese last one are caused )# the "act that #ou
cannot sancti"# #oursel'es as #ou would li;e "or the lo'e o" God, with
promptitude and without returning to &'il. 0he wa# o" sancti"ication is long and
m#sterious, and sometimes it is co'ered un;nown to the wal;er, who proceeds
through dar;ness, with the taste o" poison in his mouth and thin;s that he is not
proceeding and is not drin;ing a celestial liIuid, and does not realise that such
spiritual )lindness is an element o" per"ection.
.lessed, three times )lessed are those who continue to proceed without
enCo#ment o" light and ;indness and that do not surrender )ecause the# see or
hear nothing, and the# do not stop sa#ing? GI will not proceed until God grants
me some delight.H I tell #ou? the dar;est road will suddenl# )ecome the )est<
lighted one, opening on to celestial landscapes. And the poison a"ter remo'ing
all relish "or human things will change into hea'enl# sweetness "or those )ra'e
)elie'ers, who Iuite astonished will eDclaim? Gh# all thisE h# so much
;indness and Co# to meE.H .ecause the# ha'e perse'ered and God will let them
enCo# on the earth what 7ea'en is.
10 .ut, in the meantime, come to *e #ou all who are "atigued and tired, #ou,
apostles, and with #ou all the men who see; God, who weep )ecause o" the
sorrows o" the world, who ha'e )ecome eDhausted in their loneliness, and I will
restore #ou. Tae My yoe upon you. "t is not heavy. "t is a support. &m)race
*# Doctrine as #ou would em)race a )elo'ed )ride. Imitate #our *aster ho
does not con"ine 7imsel" to )less it, )ut does what it teaches. =earn "rom *e
ho am mee; and hum)le<hearted... 4ou will "ind rest "or #our souls, )ecause
mee;ness and humilit# grant the ;ingdom )oth on the earth and in 7ea'en. I
ha'e alread# told #ou that the true triumphers among men are those who
con1uer them by love, and love is always mee and humble. I would ne'er as;
#ou to do things that are )e#ond #our strength, )ecause I lo'e #ou and I want
#ou with *e in *# Bingdom. 0a;e there"ore *# insignia and *# uni"orm and
stri'e to )e li;e *e and as *# Doctrine teaches. Do not )e a"raid )ecause *#
#o;e is sweet and its weight is light, whereas the glor# that #ou will enCo# i" #ou
are "aith"ul to *e is in"initel# power"ul. In"inite and eternal...
I will lea'e #ou "or some time. I am going to the la;e with the )o#. 7e will "ind
some "riends... =ater we shall eat our )read together. 3ome, ,oseph. I will
introduce #ou to the little ones who lo'e *e. 5
,48. T! Dis"ut! $it t! P'ris!!s 'n(
t! Arri2'# o0 9!sus> 7ot!r 'n( Brot!rs.
,n( S!"t!)5!r 1*4+.
1 0he scene is the same as in the last 'ision. ,esus is ta;ing lea'e o" the widow,
holding little ,oseph )# the hand and 7e sa#s to the woman? 2 1o)od# will
come )e"ore I come )ac;, unless the# are Gentiles. .ut ;eep here until the da#
a"ter tomorrow whoe'er should come, sa#ing that I shall de"initel# )e here. 5
2 I will, *aster. And i" there are an# sic; people, I will gi'e them hospitalit# as
4ou taught me. 5
2 Good)#e, then, and peace )e with #ou. 3ome, *anaen. 5
>rom this )rie" con'ersation I understand that sic; and unhapp# people in
general ha'e come to the *aster at Bora(im and that ,esus has )een
e'angeli(ing not onl# wor;ing )ut also through miracles. And i" Bora(im is still
indi""erent, it reall# means that it is a wild untilla)le soil. And #et ,esus wal;s
2-1.T"# Ds$ut# &t" t"# P")rs##s )n* t"# Arr6)% !4 :#sus> 9!t"#r )n* Br!t"#rs. 431
through it, eDchanging greetings with those who greet 7im, as i" nothing were
the matter and then resuming 7is con'ersation with *anaen, who is uncertain
whether he should lea'e again "or *achaerus or remain another wee;...
2 ... In the meantime in the house at 3apernaum the# are preparing "or the
Sa))ath. *atthew still limping a little welcomes his companions, o""ers them
water and "resh "ruit, inIuiring a)out their mission.
Peter turns up his nose seeing that some Pharisees are alread# sauntering near
the house? 2 0he# want to poison our Sa))ath. I almost "eel li;e going to meet
the *aster to tell 7im to go to .ethsaida and thus "rustrate their plans. 5
2 And do #ou thin; that the *aster would do itE 5 as;s his )rother.
2 0hen, there is that poor wretch waiting "or 7im in the room on the ground
"loor 5 remar;s *atthew.
2 e could ta;e him to .ethsaida )# )oat, and I, or someone else, could go and
meet the *aster 5 sa#s Peter.
2 It6s not a )ad idea...5 sa#s Philip, who would willingl# go to .ethsaida where
his "amil# is.
2 All the more that, ta;e note, their guardianship has )een rein"orced with
scri)es. =et us go immediatel#. 4ou will ta;e the sic; man, go through the
;itchen garden and awa# through the )ac; o" the house. I will ta;e the )oat to
the G"ig wellH and ,ames will do li;ewise. Simon :ealot and ,esus6 )rothers will
go to meet the *aster. 5
2 I am not going awa# with the possessed man 5 proclaims the Iscariot.
2 h# notE Are #ou a"raid the demon might cling to #ouE 5
2 Don6t )other me, Simon o" ,onah. I said that I am not going and I will not go.
5
2 Go with the cousins to meet ,esus. 5
2 1o. 5
2 JghF 3ome )# )oat. 5
2 1o. 5
2 ell, what is it #ou wantE 4ou are alwa#s a hindrance...5
2 I want to sta# here, where I am. I am not a"raid o" an#)od# and I am not
running awa#. In an# case the *aster would not )e happ# with the tric;. And
there would )e another sermon reproaching us, and I ha'e no intention o"
getting it through #our "ault. 4ou ma# go. I will sta# here to report...5
2 De"initel# noF &ither e'er#)od# or no)od# 5 shouts Peter.
2 0hen no)od#, )ecause the *aster is here. 7ere 7e is coming 5 sa#s the :ealot
seriousl#, loo;ing down the road.
3 Peter, who is o)'iousl# dissatis"ied, grum)les into his )eard. .ut he goes to
meet ,esus with the others. A"ter greeting 7im, the# in"orm 7im o" a )lind and
dum) man possessed, who has )een waiting "or se'eral hours with his relati'es
"or 7im.
*atthew eDplains? 2 7e is li;e an inert )od#. 7e threw himsel" on some empt#
sac;s and has not mo'ed since. 7is relati'es hope in 4ou. 3ome and re"resh
4oursel" and 4ou will assist him later. 5
2 1o. I am going to him at once. here is heE 5
2 In the room on the ground "loor, near the o'en. I put him in there with his
relati'es, )ecause there are man# Pharisees and scri)es, who seem to )e l#ing in
wait...5
2 4es, and it would )e )etter not to ma;e them happ# 5 grum)les Peter.
2 Is ,udas o" Simon not hereE 5 as;s ,esus.
2 7e sta#ed in the house. 7e must do the opposite o" what others do 5 grum)les
Peter again.
,esus loo;s at him )ut does not reproach him. 7e goes Iuic;l# towards the
house, entrusting the )o# Cust to Peter, who caresses him ta;ing out at once "rom
his wide sash a whistle sa#ing? 2 9ne "or #ou and one "or m# son. I will ta;e
#ou to see him tomorrow e'ening. I got a shepherd to ma;e them "or me a"ter I
had spo;en to him o" ,esus. 5
,esus enters the house, 7e greets ,udas who seems to )e )us# sorting out the
;itchenware, and 7e then goes straight to a ;ind o" low dar; store<room )eside
the o'en.
2-1.T"# Ds$ut# &t" t"# P")rs##s )n* t"# Arr6)% !4 :#sus> 9!t"#r )n* Br!t"#rs. 432
2 Get the sic; man to come out 5 orders ,esus.
A Pharisee who is not "rom 3apernaum, )ut whose stand<o""ishness is e'en
worse than that o" the local Pharisees, sa#s? 2 7e is not sic;, he is possessed. 5
2 0hat is still a disease o" the spirit...5
2 .ut his e#es and tongue are )ound...5
2 It is alwa#s a disease o" the spirit that eDpands to lim)s and organs. I" #ou had
allowed *e to "inish #ou would ha'e reali(ed that is what I wanted to sa#. >e'er
is in the )lood when one is ill, )ut a"ter the )lood it attac;s this or that part o" the
)od#. 5
0he Pharisee does not ;now what to retort and )ecomes silent.
4 0he possessed man has )een led )e"ore ,esus. 7e is motionless. *atthew was
Iuite right. 7e is greatl# impeded )# the demon.
People are gathering in the meantime. It is incredi)le how, particularl# during
the hours that I would call o" relaDation, people were so Iuic; in gathering
where there was something to )e seen. 0he nota)les o" 3apernaum are now
there, and among them there are "our Pharisees. ,airus is also there, and, in a
corner, with the eDcuse o" super'ising order, there is the 8oman 3enturion, and
citi(ens "rom other towns are with him.
2 In the name o" God, depart "rom the e#es and the tongue o" this manF I want itF
Set him "reeF 4ou are no longer permitted to ha'e him. Go awa#F 5 shouts ,esus
stretching out 7is hands while gi'ing the order.
0he miracle )egins with a howl o" rage "rom the demon and ends with a cr# o"
Co# o" the cured man who shouts? 2 Son o" Da'idF Son o" Da'idF 7ol# and
BingF 5
5 2 7ow can this man ;now that it was 7e ho cured himE 5 as;s a scri)e.
2 It6s all a "arceF 0hese people are paid to do thatF 5 sa#s a Pharisee shrugging
his shoulders.
2 .# whomE I" #ou do not mind me as;ing #ou 5 as;s ,airus.
2 .# #ou, too. 5
2 And "or what purposeE 5
2 0o ma;e 3apernaum "amous. 5
2 Do not morti"# #our intelligence )# tal;ing nonsense and #our tongue )#
ma;ing it "oul with lies. 4ou ;now that it is not true, and #ou ought to reali(e
that #ou are tal;ing nonsense. hat has happened here has happened in man#
parts o" Israel. So there must )e someone pa#ing e'er#whereE I did not reall#
;now that the common people in Israel were 'er# richF .ecause #ou, and with
#ou all the might# ones, do not certainl# pa# "or that. So it is the common
people who pa#, )eing the onl# ones who lo'e the *aster. 5
2 4ou are the head o" the s#nagogue and #ou lo'e 7im. 0here is *anaen. At
.ethan# there is =a(arus o" 0heophilus. 0he# are not common people. 5
2 .ut the# are honest, and I am honest, too. And we do not cheat an#)od#, in no
wa#. *uch less in matters o" "aith. e do not ta;e the li)ert# o" doing that,
)ecause we "ear God and we ha'e understood what is pleasant to God? honest#.
5
0he Pharisees turn their )ac; to ,airus and the# attac; the relati'es o" the cured
man? 2 ho told #ou to come hereE 5
2 hoE *an# people, who had alread# )een cured, or their relati'es. 5
2 .ut what did the# gi'e #ouE 5
2 Gi'eE 0he assurance that 7e would cure him. 5
2 as he reall# illE 5
2 9hF Sl# mindsF Do #ou thin; that all this is "eignedE I" #ou do not )elie'e it,
go to Gadara and inIuire a)out the mis"ortune o" the "amil# o" Anna o" Ismael.
5
0he irritated people o" 3apernaum are in tumult, while some Galileans, who
ha'e come "rom near 1a(areth sa#? 2 And #et 7e is the son o" ,oseph, the
carpenterF 5
0he citi(ens o" 3apernaum, )eing "aith"ul to ,esus, shout? 2 1o. 7e is what 7e
said and what the cured man has Cust said? GSon o" God and Son o" Da'id.H 5
2 Do not increase the eDcitement o" the population with #our statementsF 5 sa#s
2-1.T"# Ds$ut# &t" t"# P")rs##s )n* t"# Arr6)% !4 :#sus> 9!t"#r )n* Br!t"#rs. 433
a scri)e contemptuousl#. 2 And what is 7e, then, according to #ouE 5
2 A .eel(e)u)F 5
2 JghF 0ongues o" 'ipers. .lasphemersF 4ou are possessedF 7eartless menF
4ou are our ruin. Do #ou want to depri'e us also o" the Co# o" the *essiahE
JsurersF Arid stonesF 5 A real uproarF
,esus, ho had gone into the ;itchen to drin; some water, appears on the
threshold in time to hear once again the stale stupid accusation o" the Pharisees?
2 7e is a .eel(e)u) )ecause demons o)e# 7im. 0he great .eel(e)u), who is
7is "ather, helps 7im and 7e dri'es out demons onl# through the assistance o"
.eel(e)u), the prince o" demons. 5
6 ,esus descends the two little steps o" the threshold and comes "orward. 7e
stops erect, se'ere and calm in "ront o" the group o" scri)es and Pharisees and
staring at them with ;een e#es 7e sa#s to them?
2 Also on the earth we see that a ;ingdom di'ided into opposed parties )ecomes
wea; internall# and can )e easil# attac;ed and laid waste )# near)# countries
that ma;e it their sla'e. Also on the earth we see that a town di'ided into
con"licting parts does not "lourish and the same applies to a "amil#, the mem)ers
o" which are di'ided )# mutual hatred. It "alls to pieces and )ecomes a useless
ni))le, which is o" no use to an#)od#, and the laughing stoc; o" "ellow citi(ens.
7armon# is shrewdness )esides )eing necessar#. .ecause it ;eeps people
independent, strong and lo'ing. Patriots, citi(ens, relati'es ought to ponder on
that when "or the caprice o" an indi'idual ad'antage the# are tempted to ha'e
separations or commit a)uses, which are alwa#s dangerous )ecause the# are
alternati'e in parties and the# destro# lo'e. And such shrewdness is practised )#
those who are the masters o" the world. 3onsider 8ome in its undenia)le power,
so pain"ul to us. 8ome rules the world. .ut the# are united )# one mind and one
will? Gto rule.H &'en amongst them there must )e di""erences, a'ersions,
re)ellions. .ut the# lie at the )ottom. 9n the sur"ace the# are one )loc;, without
crac;s or pertur)ations. 0he# all want the same thing and the# are success"ul
)ecause o" that. And the# will )e success"ul as long as the# want the same thing.
3onsider that eDample o" human cohesi'e shrewdness and sa#? i" the children o"
this world are li;e that, what will Satan )e li;eE 0he 8omans are demons, as "ar
as we are concerned. .ut their heathen satanism is nothing compared to the
per"ect satanism o" Satan and his demons. In their eternal ;ingdom, without
time, without end, with no limits to cunning and wic;edness, where the# reCoice
in )eing detrimental to God and men, and to )e harm"ul is their 'er# li"e and
their onl# cruel pain"ul enCo#ment, the# ha'e attained with cursed per"ection the
"usion o" their spirits in one will? Gto )e harm"ul.H 1ow i", as #ou state, to
insinuate dou)t a)out *# power, Satan is the one who helps *e )ecause I am a
minor .eel(e)u), does it not "ollow that Satan is di'ided against himsel" and his
demons, i" he dri'es them out o" the people possessed )# himE And i" he is at
'ariance with his "ollowers, can his ;ingdom lastE 1o, it is not so. Satan is 'er#
shrewd and does not damage himsel" in the hearts o" men. 0he aim o" his li"e is
Gto steal M to damage M to lie M to o""end M to upset.H 0o steal the souls o" God
and the peace o" men. 0o damage the children o" the >ather grie'ing 7im. 0o lie
in order to mislead. 0o o""end in order to reCoice. 0o upset )ecause he is
disorder and cannot change. 7e is eternal in his )eing and in his methods.
7 .ut answer this Iuestion? i" I dri'e out demons in the name o" .eel(e)u), in
whose name do #our sons dri'e them outE Are #ou willing to admit that the# are
.eel(e)u) as wellE I" #ou sa# that, the# will consider #ou slanderers. And i"
their holiness is such that the# will not react to #our accusation, #ou will
condemn #oursel'es con"essing that #ou thin; that #ou ha'e man# demons in
Israel, and God will Cudge #ou in the name o" the children o" Israel accused )#
#ou o" )eing demons. 0here"ore whoe'er ma# pass Cudgement, in actual "act
the# will )e #our Cudges, where Cudgement is not su)orned )# human pressure.
I", instead, as it is true, I eDpel demons through the Spirit o" God, that would )e
e'idence that the Bingdom o" God and the Bing o" that Bingdom ha'e come to
#ou. hich Bing has such power that no ad'erse "orce can resist 7im. 0hus I
)ind and compel the usurpers o" the children o" *# Bingdom to depart "rom the
place the# ha'e occupied and gi'e *e )ac; the pre# so that I ma# ta;e
possession o" it. Is that not what is done )# one who wants to enter a house
inha)ited )# a power"ul man, to ta;e his propert#, rightl# or wrongl# acIuiredE
It is. 7e enters and ties him, and then he can plunder the house. I tie the dar;
angel who has ta;en what is *ine, and I ta;e awa# "rom him the good propert#
he has stolen o" *e. And I am the onl# one who can do it, )ecause I alone am
the Strong 9ne, the >ather o" the "uture centur#, the Prince o" Peace. 5
8 2 3lari"# "or us what 4ou mean )# sa#ing? G>ather o" the "uture centur#.H Do
4ou thin; that 4ou will li'e until the new centur# and, still more "oolishl#, do
4ou thin; that 4ou, a poor man will create timeE 0ime )elongs to God 5 as;s a
scri)e.
2-1.T"# Ds$ut# &t" t"# P")rs##s )n* t"# Arr6)% !4 :#sus> 9!t"#r )n* Br!t"#rs. 434
2 And are #ou, a scri)e, as;ing *eE Do #ou not ;now that there will )e a
centur# that will ha'e a )eginning )ut no end and that it will )e *ineE I shall
triumph in it gathering round *e its children and the# will li'e "ore'er li;e the
centur# that I shall ha'e created and I am alread# creating it, gi'ing the spirit its
true 'alue a)o'e the "lesh, the world, and a)o'e the in"ernal angels whom I
eDpel )ecause I can do e'er#thing. 0hat is wh# I sa# that those who are not with
*e are against *e, and those who do not gather with *e, scatter. .ecause I am
7e ho I am. And he who does not )elie'e that, which was alread# prophesied,
sins against the 7ol# Spirit, hose word was announced )# the prophets, and it
is neither "alse nor wrong, and must )e )elie'ed without resistance.
And I tell #ou? men will )e "orgi'en e'er#thing, all their sins and their
)lasphem#. .ecause God ;nows that man is not onl# spirit, )ut also "lesh and
his "lesh, when tempted, is su)Cect to sudden wea;ness. .ut )lasphem# against
the Spirit will not )e "orgi'en. 7e who has spo;en against the Son o" man will
still )e "orgi'en, )ecause the weight o" the "lesh en'eloping *# Person and the
man who spea;s against *e, can still mislead. .ut he who has spo;en against
the 7ol# Spirit will not )e "orgi'en, either in this or in "uture li"e, )ecause the
0ruth is what it is? clear, hol#, undenia)le and mani"ested to the spirit in such a
wa# that it cannot mislead. 9nl# those who err deli)eratel# want to err. 0o den#
the 0ruth spo;en )# the 7ol# Spirit is to den# the ord o" God and the =o'e
gi'en )# that word "or the sa;e o" men. And the sin against =o'e is not "orgi'en.
9 &'er# tree )ears its "ruit. 4ou )ear #ours, )ut #our "ruit is not good. I" #ou
gi'e a good tree to ha'e it planted in the orchard, it will gi'e good "ruitL )ut i"
#ou gi'e a )ad tree, the "ruit it will #ield will )e )ad and e'er#)od# will sa#?
G0his is not a good tree.H .ecause a tree is ;nown )# its "ruit. And how can #ou
thin; that #ou are a)le to spea; well, since #ou are )adE .ecause a mouth spea;s
o" what "ills its heart. .ecause it is out o" the supera)undance o" what is within
us, that we act and spea;. A good man ta;es good things out o" his good
treasureL a wic;ed man ta;es wic;ed things out o" his e'il one and he spea;s and
)eha'es according to what is within him.
I tell #ou solemnl# that idleness is sin"ul. .ut it is )etter to )e idle than
accomplish wic;ed deeds. And I also tell #ou that it is )etter to )e silent than
spea; idl# and wic;edl#. &'en i" to )e silent is to )e idle, do that rather than sin
with #our tongues. I assure #ou that on Doomsda# Custi"ication will )e reIuested
"or e'er# word spo;en idl# to men, and that men will )e Custi"ied )# the words
the# ha'e spo;en, and )# their words the# will )e condemned. .e care"ul,
there"ore, )ecause #ou spea; man# words that are more than idle, as the# are not
onl# idle )ut also harm"ul, and are spo;en to dri'e hearts awa# "rom the 0ruth
spea;ing to #ou. 5
10 0he Pharisees and scri)es consult one another and a"terwards, pretending to
)e ;ind, the# as;? 2 *aster, it is easier to )elie'e what one sees. Gi'e us,
there"ore, a sign so that we ma# )elie'e that 4ou are what 4ou sa# 4ou are. 5
2 4ou can see that there is in #ou the sin against the 7ol# Spirit, ho se'eral
times has pointed *e out to #ou as the ord Incarnate. ord and Sa'iour, ho
has come in the predicted time, preceded and "ollowed )# the signs prophesied,
and operating what the Spirit sa#s. 5
0he# repl#? 2 e )elie'e in the Spirit, )ut how can we )elie'e in 4ou unless we
see a sign with our own e#esE 5
2 7ow can #ou )elie'e in the Spirit whose actions are spiritual, i" #ou do not
)elie'e in *ine that are percepti)le )# #our e#esE *# li"e is "ull o" them. Are
the# not enoughE 1o, the# are not. I sa# so *#sel". 0he# are not enough. 9ne
sign onl# will )e gi'en to this adulterous wic;ed generation that see;s a sign?
that o" the prophet ,onah. In "act as ,onah was in the )ell# o" the whale "or three
da#s, so the Son o" man will )e "or three da#s in the )owels o" the earth. I tell
#ou solemnl# that the 1ine'ites will rise on the Da# o" ,udgement li;e all men,
and the# will re)el against this generation and condemn it. .ecause the# did
penance upon ,onah6s preaching, )ut #ou do not. And there is 9ne here who is
greater than ,onah. And so the Nueen o" the South will rise and stand up against
#ou and will condemn #ou, )ecause she came "rom the ends o" the earth to hear
the wisdom o" Solomon. And there is 9ne greater than Solomon here. 5
11 2 h# do #ou sa# that this generation is adulterous and wic;edE It is not an#
worse than the others. 0here are the same saints in it as in the others. 0he
structure o" Israel has not changed. 4ou o""end us. 5
2 4ou o""end #oursel'es )# inCuring #our souls, )ecause #ou remo'e them "rom
the 0ruth, and there"ore "rom Sal'ation. .ut I will repl# to #ou Cust the same.
0his generation is hol# onl# in garments and outward appearance. It is not hol#
inwardl#. 0here are in Israel the same names meaning the same things. .ut there
is no realit# o" things. 0here are the same ha)its, garments and rites. .ut their
spirit is missing. 4ou are adulterers )ecause #ou reCected the supernatural
marriage with the Di'ine =aw and #ou ha'e married, in a second adulterous
2-1.T"# Ds$ut# &t" t"# P")rs##s )n* t"# Arr6)% !4 :#sus> 9!t"#r )n* Br!t"#rs. 43,
union, the law o" Satan. 4ou are circumcised onl# in a "rail mem)er. 4our
hearts are no longer circumcised. And #ou are wic;ed )ecause #ou ha'e sold
#oursel'es to the &'il one. I ha'e spo;en. 5
2 4ou o""end us too grie'ousl#. .ut, i" it is so, wh# do 4ou not "ree Israel "rom
its demon so that it ma# )ecome hol#E 5
2 Is Israel willing to do thatE 1o. 0hose poor people who come here to )e "reed
"rom the demon are willing, )ecause the# "eel it li;e a )urden and a shame. .ut
#ou do not "eel that. And #ou would )e "reed Iuite uselessl#, )ecause as #ou are
not anDious to )e relie'ed, #ou would )e caught again at once and in a stronger
wa#. .ecause when an unclean spirit goes out o" a man it wanders through arid
countr# loo;ing "or a place to rest and cannot "ind one. 0he countr# is not
materiall# arid, mind #ou. It is arid )ecause it is hostile to him as it will not
recei'e him, Cust as arid soil is hostile to seed. 7e then sa#s? GI will go )ac; to
the house "rom which I was eDpelled )# "orce and against his will. And I am
sure that he will welcome me and let me rest.H In "act he goes )ac; to the one he
possessed, and man# times "inds him willing to welcome him, )ecause I
solemnl# tell #ou that man "eels nostalgia more "or Satan than "or God and i"
Satan does not oppress his )od#, he does not complain o" )eing possessed. 7e
thus goes )ac; and "inds the house empt#, swept, tidied, smelling o" purit#. 7e
then goes o"" and collects se'en other spirits, )ecause he does not want to lose it
again, and with these se'en spirits more e'il than himsel" he enters the house
and the# all settle in there. And the present state o" a man who was con'erted
once and is per'erted a second time is worse than it was )e"ore. .ecause the
demon now ;nows eDactl# how much that man lo'es Satan and is ungrate"ul to
God and also )ecause God will not go )ac; where the# tread on 7is graces, and
where people, a"ter the "irst eDperience o" possession, open their arms to a
greater one. A relapse into satanism is worse than a relapse into lethal phthisis
alread# cured once. It cannot impro'e or reco'er. 0he same will appl# to this
generation, which although con'erted )# the .aptist wanted to return to sin
)ecause it lo'es the &'il one and does not lo'e *e. 5
12 A whispering, which is neither o" appro'al nor o" protest, runs through the
crowd which has )ecome so large that not onl# the ;itchen garden and terrace
are "ull, )ut also the street. People are sitting astride the low wall, man# ha'e
clim)ed up the "ig<tree and the trees o" the neigh)ouring orchards, )ecause
e'er#)od# wants to listen to the dispute )etween ,esus and 7is enemies. 0he
whispering, li;e a wa'e that "rom the open sea arri'es at the shore "rom mouth
to mouth reaches the apostles who are closer to ,esus? that is Peter, ,ohn, the
:ealot and Alphaeus6 sons. Some o" the other apostles are on the terrace, some
in the ;itchen, eDcept ,udas who is in the street, among the crowds.
Peter, ,ohn, the :ealot, Alphaeus6 sons pic; up the whispering and sa# to ,esus?
2 *aster, 4our *other is here with 4our )rothers. 0he# are out there, in the
street, and the# are loo;ing "or 4ou )ecause the# want to spea; to 4ou. 0ell the
crowds to mo'e awa#, so that the# ma# come to 4ou, )ecause a gra'e reason
has certainl# )rought them here loo;ing "or 4ou. 5
,esus raises 7is head and at the end o" the crowd 7e sees the anguished "ace o"
7is *other, ho stri'es not to weep, while ,oseph o" Alphaeus is spea;ing to
7er eDcitedl#, and 7e sees, 7er repeated emphatic gestures o" denial
notwithstanding ,oseph6s insistenc#. 7e sees also the em)arrassed "ace o"
Simon, who is openl# grie'ed and disgusted... .ut 7e does not smile, neither
does 7e gi'e an# order. 7e lea'es the Sorrow"ul 9ne in 7er grie" and 7is
cousins where the# are.
7e lowers 7is head and loo;s at the crowd, and repl#ing to the apostles near
7im, 7e replies also to those who are "ar awa# and are endea'ouring to ma;e
)lood ha'e more weight than one6s dut#. 2 ho is *# *otherE ho are *#
)rothersE 5 7e loo;s round with se'ere countenance, as 7is "ace )ecomes pale
as a result o" the 'iolent e""ort 7e has to ma;e against 7imsel" to set dut# a)o'e
"amil# ties and )lood, and to disa'ow 7is tie to 7is *other in order to ser'e 7is
>ather, and pointing with a large gesture to the crowd pressing round 7im in the
red light o" torches and in the sil'er# light o" the almost "ull moon, 7e sa#s? 2
0his is *# *other and these are *# )rothers. 0hose who do the will o" God are
*# )rothers and sisters, the# are *# *other. I ha'e no)od# else. And *#
relati'es will )e such i" the# are the "irst to do the will o" God with greater
per"ection than an#)od# else to the eDtent o" completel# sacri"icing e'er# other
will or the call o" )lood or o" a""ection. 5
0he crowds whisper in louder 'oices, li;e a sea made rough )# sudden gusts o"
wind.
0he scri)es )egin to withdraw sa#ing? 2 7e is a demonF 7e repudiates 7is own
)loodF 5
7is relati'es come "orward sa#ing? 2 7e is cra(#F 7e tortures 7is 'er# *otherF
5
2-1.T"# Ds$ut# &t" t"# P")rs##s )n* t"# Arr6)% !4 :#sus> 9!t"#r )n* Br!t"#rs. 43-
0he apostles sa#? 2 7is word is reall# "ull o" heroismF 5
0he crowds comment? 2 7ow much 7e lo'es usF 5
13 *ar#, ,oseph and Simon el)ow their wa# through the crowd with di""icult#.
hile *ar# is thoroughl# ;ind, ,oseph is 'er# angr# and Simon is utterl#
em)arrassed. 0he# arri'e near ,esus.
,oseph attac;s 7im at once? 2 4ou are cra(#F 4ou are o""ending e'er#)od#. 4ou
do not respect e'en 4our *other. .ut I am here now and I will stop 4ou. Is it
true that 4ou are wandering a)out as a wor;manE I" it is true, wh# do 4ou not
wor; in 4our own shop, and thus pro'ide "or 4our *otherE h# do 4ou lie
sa#ing that 4our tas; is to preach, 4ou idle and ungrate"ul man when 4ou wor;
"or mone# with other peopleE I thin; that 4ou are reall# possessed )# a demon
misleading 4ou. 8epl# to meF 5
,esus turns round and ta;es little ,oseph )# the hand, 7e draws him close to
7imsel" and holding him up )# his armpits 7e sa#s? 2 I wor;ed to pro'ide "ood
"or this innocent child and his relati'es and persuade them that God is good. It
was a sermon on humilit# and charit# "or Bora(im. And not onl# "or Bora(im.
.ut also "or #ou, ,oseph, *# un"air )rother. .ut I "orgi'e #ou )ecause I ;now
that #ou ha'e )een )itten )# sna;es. And I "orgi'e #ou, too, Simon, who are so
changea)le. I ha'e nothing to "orgi'e *# *other or )e "orgi'en )# 7er, )ecause
7er Cudgement is Cust. =et the world do what it wants. I do what God wants. And
with the )lessing o" *# >ather and *other I am happier than I would )e i" the
whole world hailed *e ;ing according to the world. 3ome, *other. Do not
weep. 0he# do not ;now what the# are doing. >orgi'e them. 5
2 9hF SonF I ;now. 4ou ;now. 0here is nothing else to )e said...5
2 0here is nothing else to )e said eDcept sa# to the people? GGo in peace.H 5
And ,esus )lesses the crowd, and holding *ar# with 7is right hand and ,oseph
with 7is le"t one, 7e goes towards the staircase and is the "irst to clim) it.
,4*. T! N!$s o0 t! 7ur(!r o0 9on t! B'"tist.
4t S!"t!)5!r 1*4+.
1 ,esus is curing some sic; peopleL *anaen onl# is present. 0he# are in the
house in 3apernaum, in the shad# ;itchen garden, earl# in the morning. *anaen
is no longer wearing his precious )elt or the thin plate on his "orehead. 7is tunic
is held tight )# a woollen cord and his headgear )# a thin strip o" cloth. ,esus is
)areheaded, as 7e alwa#s is, when at home.
A"ter curing and com"orting the sic; people, ,esus goes upstairs with *anaen
and the# )oth sit on the window<sill o" the window "acing the mountain,
)ecause the sun is shining on the other side o" the house and it is 'er# warm,
although it is no longer the height o" summer.
2 -intage will )e starting soon 5 sa#s *anaen.
2 4es. 0hen it will )e the "east o" the 0a)ernacles... and it will soon )e winter.
hen are #ou thin;ing o" going awa#E 5
2 76m... I would ne'er lea'e... .ut I am thin;ing o" the .aptist. 7erod is wea;.
I" one ;nows how to in"luence him to do good, i" he does not )ecome good, he
remains at least... not )lood<thirst#. .ut onl# "ew people ad'ise him wisel#. And
that womanF... 0hat womanF... .ut I would li;e to sta# here until 4our apostles
come )ac;. 1ot that I rel# much on m#sel"... )ut I still ha'e some weight...
although the "a'our I enCo#ed pre'iousl# has diminished much since the# ha'e
reali(ed that I now "ollow the wa# o" Good. .ut it does not matter. I would li;e
to ha'e enough courage to )e a)le to a)andon e'er#thing and "ollow 4ou
completel#, li;e the disciples whom 4ou are eDpecting. .ut shall I e'er
succeedE e who are not o" the common people "ind it more di""icult to "ollow
4ou. h#E 5
2 .ecause the tentacles o" #our poor wealth hold #ou )ac;. 5
2 7owe'er, I ;now some people who are not eDactl# rich, )ut are learned or
a)out to )e so, and the# do not come either. 5
2 0he# also ha'e the tentacles o" poor riches holding them )ac;. 9ne is not rich
onl# in mone#. 0here is the wealth o" ;nowledge. >ew can con"ess with
Solomon? G-anit# o" 'anities. All is 'anit#H, which con"ession is resumed and
enlarged not so much materiall# )ut deepl# in Noheleth. Do #ou remem)er itE
7uman science is 'anit# )ecause to increase human ;nowledge onl# Gis anguish
2-2. T"# N#&s !4 t"# 9ur*#r !4 :!"n t"# B)$tst. 43.
and a""liction o" the spirit and he who multiplies science multiplies such
anguish.H I solemnl# tell #ou that it is so. And I also tell #ou that it would not )e
so i" human science were supported and )ridled )# supernatural wisdom and the
hol# lo'e o" God. Pleasure is 'anit#, )ecause it does not last, )ut Iuic;l# "ades
awa# a"ter )urning, lea'ing ashes and emptiness. ealth stored up )# means o"
'arious industries is 'anit# "or the man who dies, as he lea'es it to other people
and cannot repel death )# means o" it. oman is 'anit#, when she is considered
a "emale and desired as such. So we conclude that the onl# thing which is not
'anit# is the hol# "ear o" God and o)edience to 7is commandments, that is the
wisdom o" man, who is not onl# "lesh, )ut has a second nature? the spiritual one.
ho can reason thus and is willing, is a)le to )rea; o"" "rom e'er# tentacle o"
poor wealth and mo'e "reel# towards the Sun. 5
2 I want to remem)er those words. 7ow much 4ou ha'e gi'en me during the
past da#sF I can now go )ac; to that ugl# 3ourt which seems )right onl# to
"ools, and seems power"ul and "ree, whereas it is miser#, prison and dar;ness,
and I will )e a)le to go )ac; with a treasure that will ena)le me to li'e )etter
waiting "or the )est. .ut will I e'er reach that )est, which is to )e entirel#
4oursE 5
2 4es, #ou will. 5
2 henE 1eDt #earE =aterE 9r when old age will ma;e me wiseE 5
2 4ou will reach it in a "ew hours )# )ecoming spirituall# mature and per"ect in
willing. 5
*anaen loo;s at 7im thought"ull#, inIuisiti'el#... .ut he does not as; an# other
Iuestion.
0here is silence. 0hen ,esus sa#s? 2 7a'e #ou e'er approached =a(arus o"
.ethan#E 5
2 1o, *aster. I can sa# no. I" we met on "ew occasions I cannot sa# it was out o"
"riendship. 4ou ;now... I was with 7erod and 7erod was against him... So...5
2 =a(arus would now see #ou in God, )e#ond such things. 4ou must endea'our
to approach him, as a "ellow<disciple. 5
2 I will do it, i" 4ou wish so...5
2 &Dcited 'oices are heard in the garden. 0he# are anDiousl# as;ing? 2 0he
*asterF 0he *asterF Is 7e hereE 5
0he harmonious 'oice o" the landlad# replies? 2 7e is upstairs. ho are #ouE
Sic; peopleE 5
2 1o. Disciples o" ,ohn and we want ,esus o" 1a(areth. 5
,esus loo;s out o" the window sa#ing? 2 Peace )e with #ou... 9hF It is #ou.
3ome inF 5
0he# are the three shepherds ,ohn, *atthias and Simeon. 2 9hF *asterF 5 the#
sa# loo;ing up and showing their sorrow"ul "aces. 1ot e'en the sight o" ,esus
cheers them up.
,esus lea'es the room and goes out to meet them on the terrace. *anaen "ollows
7im. 0he# meet where the staircase leads on to the sunn# terrace.
0he three men ;neel down ;issing the "loor. 0hen ,ohn sa#s on )ehal" o" them
all? 2 8ecei'e us now, =ord, )ecause we are 4our inheritance 5 and tears stream
down the "aces o" the disciple and his companions.
,esus and *anaen utter one onl# cr#? 2 ,ohnFE 5
2 7e has )een ;illed...5
0he word drops li;e a loud dull noise, which drowns e'er# other noise in the
world. And #et it was uttered in a low 'oice. .ut it petri"ies )oth him who
spea;s and those who listen. And the earth, upon hearing it and )eing horri"ied,
seems to interrupt e'er# noise, such is the period o" deep silence and complete
immo)ilit# in animals, in lea"# )ranches, in the air. Do'es stop cooing,
)lac;)irds interrupt their musical songs, the choir o" sparrows is struc; dum),
and a chirping cicada suddenl# )ecomes silent, as i" its contri'ance had )ro;en
down uneDpectedl#, while the wind, which was caressing the lea'es o" 'ines and
trees, ma;ing them rustle li;e sil; and causing poles to sIuea;, drops
completel#.
,esus )ecomes as pale as i'or# while 7is e#es dilate gla(ing o'er. 7e opens 7is
arms sa#ing, and 7is 'oice is deep in the e""ort to ma;e it stead#? 2 Peace to the
mart#r o" Custice and to *# Precursor. 5 7e "olds 7is arms, collects 7is
thoughts in pra#er, communicating with the Spirit o" God and o" the .aptist.
*anaen does not dare to ma;e a gesture. 3ontrar# to ,esus, he )lushes
2-2. T"# N#&s !4 t"# 9ur*#r !4 :!"n t"# B)$tst. 431
'ehementl# and has an impulsion o" anger. 0hen he )ecomes sti"" and his
eDcitement is re'ealed )# the mechanical mo'ement o" his right hand rumpling
the cord o" his tunic, and o" the le"t one which unintentionall# searches "or his
dagger... and *anaen sha;es his head pit#ing his wea; mind that does not
remem)er that he had renounced weapons in order to )e 2 the disciple o" the
*ee; *aster, near the *ee; *essiah. 5
,esus opens 7is mouth and e#es again. 7is countenance, 7is e#es, 7is 'oice
ha'e resumed the di'ine maCest# ha)itual to 7im. 9nl# a deep melanchol#
tempered with peace ho'ers a)out 7im. 2 3ome and tell *e. As "rom toda# #ou
will )e *ine. 5 And 7e ta;es them into the room, closing the door and hal"<
drawing the curtains, to ha'e a su)dued light and an atmosphere o"
concentration around the sorrow and the )eaut# o" the .aptist6s death, and to
"orm a partition )etween such per"ection o" li"e and the corrupt world. 2 Spea; 5
7e tells them.
*anaen is still petri"ied. 7e is near the group )ut does not utter one word.
3 2 It was the e'ening o" the "east... 0he e'ent was un"oreseea)le... 9nl# two
hours )e"ore 7erod had consulted with ,ohn and had dismissed him 'er#
;indl#... And shortl# )e"ore the... murder, the mart#rdom, the crime, the
glori"ication, 7erod had sent a ser'ant with ic# "ruit and rare wines "or the
prisoner. ,ohn had distri)uted e'er#thing to us... he ne'er changed his
austerit#... e were the onl# ones to )e there, than;s to *anaen, we were in the
palace as ;itchen ser'ants and sta)le<grooms. And that was a grace )ecause we
could alwa#s see our ,ohn... ,ohn and I were in the ;itchen, while Simeon
super'ised in the sta)les ensuring that the grooms loo;ed a"ter the mounts o"
guests properl#... 0he palace was "ull o" important people, militar# commanders
and gentlemen "rom Galilee. 7erodias had loc;ed hersel" in her rooms a"ter a
'iolent Iuarrel in the morning with 7erod...5
*anaen inter"eres? 2 .ut when did the h#ena comeE 5
2 0wo da#s pre'iousl#. JneDpectedl#... sa#ing to the monarch that she could not
li'e awa# "rom him and )e a)sent on the da# o" his "east. -iper and sorceress as
she had alwa#s )een, she had made a laughing<stoc; o" him... .ut that morning,
although he was alread# "ull o" wine and lust, 7erod re"used to gi'e the woman
what she as;ed "or with loud cries... .ut no)od# thought it was ,ohn6s li"eF...
She remained disdain"ull# in her rooms. She sent )ac; the ro#al dishes that
7erod sent to her on precious tra#s. She ;ept onl# a precious one "ull o" "ruit,
eDchanging the gi"t with an amphora o" drugged wine "or 7erod... Drugged...
AhF 7er 'icious intoDicated nature was su""icient to drug him "or the crimeF
>rom the ser'ants waiting at the ta)le we learned that a"ter the dance o" the
mimers, na# hal" wa# through it, Salome had rushed dancing into the )anIuet
hall. And the mimers, in the presence o" the ro#al girl, had withdrawn against
the walls. e were told that her dance was per"ect. =ewd and per"ect. orth# o"
the guests... 7erod.... 9hF perhaps a new desire o" incest was "ermenting in his
heartF... 7erod, at the end o" the dance, said enthusiasticall# to Salome? G4ou
ha'e danced 'er# wellF I swear that #ou deser'e a pri(e. I swear that I will gi'e
it to #ou. I swear that I will gi'e an#thing #ou ma# as; me "or. I swear it in the
presence o" e'er#)od#. And the word o" a ;ing is lo#al also without swearing.
As; what #ou want.H And Salome, simulating perpleDit#, innocence and
modest#, en'eloping hersel" in her 'eils with )ash"ul gesture a"ter so much
impudicit#, said? GAllow me, great ;ing, to ponder "or a moment. I will
withdraw and I will come )ac; later )ecause #our grace has mo'ed me.H.. and
she le"t going to her mother. Selma told me that she went in laughing, sa#ing?
G*other, #ou ha'e wonF Gi'e me the tra#.H And 7erodias with a cr# o" triumph
ordered the sla'e to gi'e the girl the tra# that she had ;ept pre'iousl#, sa#ing?
GGo, and come )ac; with the hated head and I will clothe #ou with pearls and
gold.H And Selma was struc; with horror and o)e#ed... Salome re<entered the
hall dancing and went to prostrate hersel" at the ;ing6s "eet sa#ing? G7ere. 9n
this tra# that #ou sent to m# mother as a to;en that #ou lo'e her and #ou lo'e
me, I want the head o" ,ohn. And I will dance again, i" it pleases #ou so much. I
will dance the dance o" 'ictor#. .ecause I ha'e wonF I ha'e )eaten #ou, ;ingF I
ha'e de"eated li"e and I am happ#FH 0hat is what she said, and her words were
repeated to us )# a "riendl# cup<)earer. And 7erod was em)arrassed, )eing
caught )# two desires? to a)ide )# his promise, to )e Cust. .ut he could not )e
Cust, )ecause he is unCust. 7e nodded to the headsman who was standing )ehind
the ro#al seat, and he too; "rom Salome6s raised hands the tra# and "rom the
)anIuet hall went down to the lower rooms. ,ohn and I saw him cross the #ard...
and shortl# a"terwards we heard Simeon6s cr#? G*urderersFH and then we saw
the headsman pass again with the head on the tra#... ,ohn, 4our Precursor, was
dead...5
4 2 Simeon, can #ou tell *e how he diedE 5 as;s ,esus a"ter some time.
2 4es, he was pra#ing... 7e had pre'iousl# said to me? G0he two messengers
will )e )ac; )e"ore long, and those who do not )elie'e, will )elie'e. .ut
remem)er, should I )e no longer ali'e when the# come )ac;, I, on the point o"
2-2. T"# N#&s !4 t"# 9ur*#r !4 :!"n t"# B)$tst. 432
d#ing, sa# to #ou? 6,esus o" 1a(areth is the true *essiah6 so that #ou ma# repeat
it to the others.H 7e was alwa#s thin;ing o" 4ou... 0he headsman entered. I
uttered a cr#. ,ohn loo;ed up and saw him. 7e stood up and said? G4ou can ta;e
onl# m# li"e. .ut the lasting truth is that it is not legal to do wrong.H And he was
a)out to sa# something to me when the headsman swung his hea'# sword, while
,ohn was standing and the head "ell "rom the )ust in a stream o" )lood that
reddened the goats;in while his thin "ace )lanched, )ut his open e#es were still
ali'e and accusing. 0he head rolled at m# "eet... I "ell at the same time as his
)od#, as I "ainted with grie"... A"ter... A"ter 7erodias had dis"igured it, the head
was thrown to the dogs. .ut we pic;ed it up at once and we tied it in a precious
'eil together with the trun; and during the night we recomposed the )od# and
carried it out o" *achaerus. e em)almed it at da#)rea; in a near)# acacia<
thic;et with the help o" other disciples... .ut it was ta;en "rom us again to )e
slashed... .ecause she cannot destro# it and cannot "orgi'e him... And her
sla'es, "earing death, were more "erocious than Cac;als in ta;ing the head "rom
us. I" #ou had )een there, *anaenF...5
2 7ad I )een there... .ut that head is her malediction... 1othing is ta;en "rom
the glor# o" the Precursor, e'en i" the )od# is mutilated. Is that right, *asterE 5
2 0hat is true. &'en i" the dogs had destro#ed it, his glor# would not change. 5
2 1either has his word changed, *aster. 7is e#es, although dis"igured, under a
large wound, still sa#? G4ou are not allowed.H .ut we ha'e lost himF 5 sa#s
*atthias.
5 2 And we are now 4our disciples, )ecause that is what he said, and he told us
that 4ou alread# ;now. 5
2 4es #ou ha'e )een *ine "or months. 7ow did #ou comeE 5
2 9n "ootL )# stages. It was a long pain"ul Courne#, in the heat o" sands and o"
the sun, made e'en more pain"ul )# grie". e ha'e )een wal;ing "or almost
twent# da#s...5
2 4ou will rest now. 5
*anaen as;s? 2 as 7erod not surprised at m# a)senceE 5
2 4es, at "irst he was anno#ed, then he )ecame "urious. .ut when his rage
calmed down, he said? G9ne Cudge less.H 0hat is what our "riend, the cup<)earer,
told us. 5
,esus sa#s? 2 9ne Cudge lessF 7e has God as a Cudge and that is enough. =et us
go to where we sleep. 4ou are tired and co'ered with dust. 4ou will "ind the
garments and sandals o" #our companions. 0a;e them, re"resh #oursel'es. hat
)elongs to one, )elongs to e'er#)od#. *atthias, since #ou are tall, #ou can ta;e
one o" *# tunics. e will pro'ide later. *# apostles will )e coming )e"ore
night, )ecause this is the Sa))ath e'e. Isaac will )e coming neDt wee; with the
disciples, and later .enCamin and Daniel will comeL &lias, ,oseph and =e'i will
)e here a"ter the 0a)ernacles. It is time "or others to Coin the 0wel'e. Go and
rest now. 5
6 *anaen ta;es them in and then comes )ac;. ,esus remains with *anaen. 7e
sits down pensi'el#, and is clearl# sad, with 7is head reclined on a hand, 7is
el)ow resting on 7is ;nee as a support. *anaen is sitting near the ta)le and does
not mo'e. 7e is sullen. 7is "ace is a storm.
A"ter a long time, ,esus raises 7is head, loo;s at him and as;s? 2 And what are
#ou going to do nowE 5
2 I do not ;now #et... 0here is no purpose in sta#ing an# longer at *achaerus.
.ut I would li;e to remain at the court to "ind out... to protect 4ou according to
what I learn. 5
2 4ou had )etter "ollow *e without an# dela#. .ut I will not "orce #ou. 4ou
will come, when the old *anaen has )een destro#ed )it )# )it. 5
2 I would also li;e to ta;e that head awa# "rom that woman. She is not worth#
to ha'e it...5
,esus has a pale hint o" a smile and sa#s "ran;l#? 2 And #ou are not #et dead to
human wealth. .ut #ou are dear to *e Cust the same. I ;now that I shall not lose
#ou e'en i" I ha'e to wait. I ;now how to wait...5
2 *aster, I would li;e to gi'e 4ou m# generosit# to com"ort 4ou... .ecause
4ou are su""ering. I can see it. 5
2 It is true. I am su""ering. -er# muchF 5
2 9nl# )ecause o" ,ohnE I do not thin; so. 4ou ;now that he is in peace. 5
2 I ;now that he is in peace and I percei'e him close to *e. 5
2-2. T"# N#&s !4 t"# 9ur*#r !4 :!"n t"# B)$tst. 443
2 ell, thenE 5
2 0henF... *anaen, what does dawn precedeE 5
2 0he da#, *aster. h# do 4ou as; meE 5
2 .ecause the death o" ,ohn precedes the da# when I will )e the 8edeemer. And
the human part in *e trem)les at the idea... *anaen, I am going up the
mountain. 4ou sta# here to recei'e whoe'er should come and to assist those
who ha'e alread# come. Sta# until I come )ac;. 0hen... #ou will do whate'er
#ou wish. Good)#e. 5
And ,esus lea'es the room. 7e goes slowl# down the steps, crosses the ;itchen
garden and at the )ac; o" it 7e ta;es a little path along ru""led gardens, oli'e<
gro'es, orchards o" apple and "ig<trees and 'ine#ards and 7e clim)s the slope o"
a little hill where 7e disappears "rom m# sight.
,6;. D!"'rtur! in t! Dir!ction o0 T'ric!'.
+t S!"t!)5!r 1*4+.
1 ,esus goes )ac; to the house at dead o" night. 7e enters the ;itchen garden
silentl#. 7e loo;s "or a moment into the dar; ;itchen. 7e loo;s into the two
rooms where are the mats and )eds. 0he# are empt# also. 9nl# the changed
clothes, piled on the "loor, tell that the apostles ha'e come )ac;. 0he house is so
silent that it seems unha)ited.
,esus, ma;ing less noise than a shadow, goes up the little steps, immaculate
white in the whiteness o" the "ull moon, and arri'es on the terrace. 7e wal;s
along it. 7e seems a ghost mo'ing a)out silentl#, a )right ghost. In the white
incandescence o" the moon, 7e loo;s thinner and taller. 7e li"ts with one hand
the curtain at the door o" the upper room. It had )een le"t down since ,ohn6s
disciples had entered with ,esus. Inside there are the apostles, sitting here and
there, in groups or alone, with ,ohn6s disciples and *anaenL there is also
*arCiam sleeping with his head on Peter6s ;nees. 0he moon illuminates the room
entering with its phosphorescent ra#s through the wide open windows. 1o one is
spea;ing. And no one is sleeping, with the eDception o" the )o#, who is sitting
on a mat on the "loor.
,esus enters Iuietl# and 0homas is the "irst to see 7im. 2 9hF *asterF 5 he
eDclaims starting.
All the others rouse themsel'es. Peter in his eDcitement, is on the point o"
Cumping to his "eet, )ut he remem)ers the child and he stands up gentl#, la#ing
*arCiam6s dar;<haired head on his seat, and thus is the last to arri'e at ,esus,
while the *aster, with the tired 'oice o" one who has su""ered 'er# much, is
repl#ing to ,ohn, ,ames and Andrew, who are eDpressing their sorrow to 7im? 2
I understand. .ut onl# he who does not )elie'e can "eel desolate )ecause o"
death. 1ot we, who ;now and )elie'e. ,ohn is no longer separated "rom us. 7e
was )e"ore. 1a#, he separated us. &ither with *e, or with him. 1o longer so.
here he is, I am. 7e is near *e. 5
Peter pushes his gre#<haired head among the #ounger ones and ,esus sees him? 2
4ou ha'e )een weeping, too, Simon o" ,onahE 5 And Peter with a 'oice hoarser
than usual? 2 4es, =ord. .ecause I was a disciple o" ,ohn, as well. And then...
=ast Sa))ath e'e I was complaining that the presence o" Pharisees was going to
em)itter our Sa))athF 0his is reall# a )itter Sa))athF I )rought the )o#, to ha'e
a more enCo#a)le Sa))ath... Instead...5
2 Do not lose heart, Simon o" ,onah. ,ohn is not lost. I am repeating that to #ou,
too. And in eDchange we ha'e three per"ected disciples. here is the )o#E 5
2 9'er there, *aster. 7e is sleeping...5
2 =et him sleep 5 sa#s ,esus stopping o'er the dar; little head which is sleeping
peace"ull#. And 7e as;s again? 2 7a'e #ou had #our supperE 5
2 1o, *aster. e were waiting "or 4ou and we were worried, )ecause o" 4our
dela#, as we did not ;now where to loo; "or 4ou... and we seemed to ha'e lost
4ou as well. 5
2 e ha'e still plent# time to )e together. ell, prepare the supper, )ecause
a"terwards we shall go to another place. I need to )e alone among "riends, and i"
we are here tomorrow, we shall alwa#s )e surrounded )# people. 5
2 And I swear to 4ou that I would not put up with them, particularl# with those
sna;es o" Pharisaic souls. And it would )e most un"ortunate i" a smile escaped
them concerning us in the s#nagogueF 5
2.3. D#$)rtur# n t"# Dr#ct!n !4 T)rc"#). 441
2 .e good, SimonF... I ha'e thought o" that as well. 0hat is wh# I came )ac; to
ta;e #ou with *e. 5
0he eDcitement on their "aces can )e )etter seen in the light o" the little lamps
that ha'e )een lit at the two ends o" the ta)le. 9nl# ,esus is maCesticall# solemn
and *arCiam smiles in his sleep.
2 0he )o# has alread# had his meal 5 eDplains Peter.
2 It is )etter to let him sleep, them 5 sa#s ,esus.
And in the middle o" 7is disciples 7e o""ers and hands out the "rugal "ood,
which is ta;en without appetite. And the supper is soon o'er.
2 2 0ell *e now what #ou ha'e done...5 sa#s ,esus encouragingl#.
2 I went with Philip into the countr# at .ethsaida and we e'angeli(ed and cured
a sic; )o# 5 sa#s Peter.
2 In actual "act it was Simon who cured him 5 sa#s Philip, who does not wish to
ascri)e to himsel" a glor# not )elonging to him.
2 9hF =ordF I do not ;now how I did it. I pra#ed hard, with all m# heart, )ecause
I "elt sorr# "or the little sic; )o#. I then anointed him with oil, I ru))ed him with
m# coarse hands... and he was cured. hen I saw him colour up and open his
e#es, that is, when I saw him re'i'e, I was almost a"raid. 5
,esus la#s a hand on his head without spea;ing.
2 ,ohn ama(ed people )# eDpelling a demon. .ut I had to spea; 5 sa#s 0homas.
2 4our )rother ,udas also did it 5 states *atthew.
2 Andrew, too 5 sa#s ,ames o" Alphaeus.
2 Simon the :ealot, instead, cured a leper. 9hF he was not a"raid o" touching
himF And he said to me? G.e not a"raid. .# the will o" God, no ph#sical disease
will a""ect usH 5 sa#s .artholomew.
2 4ou are right, Simon. And what a)out #ou twoE 5 ,esus as;s ,ames o"
:e)edee and the Iscariot, who are a little "arther awa#, the "ormer tal;ing to the
three disciples o" ,ohn, the latter )eing all alone and sul;#.
2 9hF I did nothing 5 sa#s ,ames. .ut ,udas wor;ed three wonder"ul miracles? a
)lind man, a paral#tic, a possessed man. 7e loo;ed li;e a lunatic to me. .ut that
is what people said...5
2 And #ou are pulling a long "ace, when God has assisted #ou so muchE 5
eDclaims Peter.
2 I can )e hum)le as well 5 replies the Iscariot.
2 And we were the guests o" a Pharisee. I was rather em)arrassed. .ut ,udas
;nows how to deal with them and he reall# appeased the Pharisee. 9n the "irst
da# he was stand<o""ish, )ut later... Is that right, ,udasE 5
,udas nods without spea;ing.
2 -er# well. And #ou will do )etter and )etter. e shall )e all together neDt
wee;. In the meantime... Simon, go and prepare the )oats. 4ou, too, ,ames. 5
2 >or e'er#)od#, *asterE 0he# will not contain us. 5
2 3an #ou not get another oneE 5
2 4es, i" I as; m# )rother<in<law. I will go. 5
2 Go. And come )ac; as soon as #ou are read#. And do not tell them too much.
5
0he "our "ishermen lea'e. 0he others go downstairs to get their sac;s and
mantles. 3 *anaen sta#s with ,esus. 0he )o# continues to sleep.
2 *aster, are 4ou going "arE 5
2 I do not ;now #et... 0he# are tired and depressed. I am, too. I am thin;ing o"
going to 0arichea, into the countr#, to )e alone in peace...5
2 I ha'e m# horse, *aster. .ut, i" 4ou will allow me, I will come "ollowing the
la;e. ill 4ou )e there "or longE 5
2 Perhaps the whole wee;, )ut not longer. 5
2 In that case, I will come. *aster, )less me in this "irst departure. And relie'e
m# heart o" a )urden. 5
2 hich, *anaenE 5
2.3. D#$)rtur# n t"# Dr#ct!n !4 T)rc"#). 442
2 I "eel remorse "or lea'ing ,ohn. Perhaps i" I had )een there...5
2 1o. It was his hour. And he was certainl# pleased to see #ou come to *e. Do
not let that upset #ou. 1a#, endea'our to get rid Iuic;l# and properl# o" the onl#
)urden #ou ha'e? the gusto o" )eing man. .ecome spiritual, *anaen. 4ou can.
4ou are capa)le o" )eing so. Good)#e, *anaen. *# peace )e with #ou. e
shall soon meet in ,udaea. 5
*anaen ;neels down and ,esus )lesses him. 7e then raises him and ;isses him.
0he others come )ac; in and eDchange greetings, )oth the apostles and ,ohn6s
disciples. 0he "ishermen are the last to come. 2 e are read#, *aster. e can
go. 5
2 Good. Sa# good)#e to *anaen ho is sta#ing here until tomorrow e'ening.
Assem)le the "oodstu""s, ta;e some water and let us go. *a;e as little noise as
possi)le. 5
Peter stoops to awa;e *arCiam.
2 1o, lea'e him. 7e might cr#. I will pic; him up 5 sa#s ,esus and 7e gentl#
li"ts the )o# who whimpers a little, )ut instincti'el# ma;es himsel" com"orta)le
in ,esus6 arms.
4 0he# put the lamps out. 0he# go out closing the door. 0he# go downstairs and
on the threshold the# sa# good)#e once again to *anaen, and then, in single
"ile, along the moonlit street the# go to the la;e? a huge sil'er# mirror under the
moon at its (enith. 0he three little lamps on the prows, which are alread# in the
water, loo; li;e three red drops on the Iuiet mirror. 0he# go on )oard, settling
themsel'es in the )oats, the "ishermen )eing the last to em)ar;. Peter and a
ser'ant are in the )oat where ,esus is, ,ohn and Andrew in the second, ,ames
and a ser'ant in the third one.
2 here are we going, *asterE 5 as;s Peter.
2 0o 0arichea. here we landed a"ter the miracle o" the Gadarenes. It will not
)e )ogg# now. And it will )e Iuiet. 5
Peter sets sail and the other two )oats sail in his wa;e. 1o)od# spea;s. 9nl#
when the# are in the open la;e and 3apernaum disappears in the moonlight and
things present a uni"orm appearance in its sil'er# dust, Peter sa#s, as i" he were
spea;ing to the tiller? 2 And I am glad. 0he# will )e loo;ing "or us, m# dear, and
than;s to #ou the# will not "ind us. 5
2 0o whom are #ou spea;ing, SimonE 5 as;s .artholomew.
2 0o m# )oat. Don6t #ou ;now that she is li;e a )ride "or a "isher manE 7ow
much I ha'e tal;ed to herF *ore than to Porphirea. *asterF... Is the )o# well
co'eredE It6s damp on the la;e at night...5
2 4es, he is. =isten. Simon. 3ome here. I want to spea; to #ou. 5
Peter entrusts the tiller to the ship<)o# and comes to ,esus.
2 I said 0arichea. .ut it will )e Iuite all right to )e there a"ter the Sa))ath to sa#
good)#e once again to *anaen. 3ould #ou not "ind a place near)# where we
ma# sta# in peaceE 5
2 9hF *asterF In peace "or us or also "or the )oatsE >or the )oats we must go to
0arichea or to some har)our on the other shore. .ut i" 4ou are re"erring to us, it
is enough to go into the woods )e#ond the ,ordan, where onl# wild animals will
"ind 4ou... and perhaps an odd "isherman who is watching nets. e can lea'e
the )oats at 0arichea. e shall )e there at dawn and we will go awa# Iuic;l#
)e#ond the "ord. It is eas# to wade it at this time o" the #ear. 5
2 -er# well. e will do that...5
2 0he world is disgusting 4ou as well, ehE 4ou pre"er "ish and mosIuitoes, ehE
4ou are right. 5
2 It does not disgust *e. 9ne must not )e disgusted. .ut I do not want #ou to
stir up a scandal and I wish to "ind com"ort in #ou on the Sa))ath. 5
2 *# *asterF...5 Peter ;isses ,esus6 "orehead and goes awa# wiping a large tear
that insisted in dropping out and streaming down to his )eard. 7e goes )ac; to
his rudder heading south resolutel#, while the moonlight "ades as the planet sets
)ehind a hill, concealing its huge "ace "rom the sight o" men, )ut still ma;ing the
s;# white with its light and the la;e sil'er# on the eastern coast. 0he rest is
dar;<indigo hardl# distinguisha)le in the light o" the prow lamp.
2.1. S$#)@n( t! ) Scr8# !n t"# B)n@s !4 t"# :!r*)n. 443
,61. S"!'@in& to ' Scri5! on t! B'n@s o0 t! 9or('n.
4t S!"t!)5!r 1*4+.
1 hen ,esus sets "oot on the right )an; o" the ,ordan, a good mile, pro)a)l#
more, "rom the little peninsula o" 0arichea, where there is nothing )ut )eauti"ul
green countr#, )ecause the ground, which is now dr#, )ut moist in its depths,
;eeps also the wea;est plants ali'e, 7e "inds a large crowd waiting "or 7im.
7is cousins come to meet 7im with Simon :ealot? 2 *aster, the )oats ha'e
gi'en us awa#... Perhaps *anaen also was a hint...5
2 *aster 5 sa#s *anaen apologeticall# 2 I le"t at night so that no one could see
me and I ha'e not spo;en to an#one. .elie'e me. *an# o" them as;ed me where
4ou were. And m# repl# to e'er#)od# was? G7e le"t.H .ut I thin; the trou)le
was )rought a)out )# a "isherman who said that he had gi'en 4ou his )oat...5
2 0hat "ool o" m# )rother<in<lawF 5 thunders Peter. 2 And I told him to ;eep his
mouth shutF And I also said to him that we were going to .ethsaidaF And I told
him that i" he said one word I would tear his )eard o""F And I will do itF I will,
indeed. And what are we going to do nowE 0hat6s the end o" our peace, solitude
and restF 5
2 .e good, Simon, )e good. e ha'e alread# had our peace"ul da#s. In an# case
I ha'e attained part o" what I intended? teach #ou, com"ort and calm #ou to
pre'ent o""ences and contrasts )etween #ou and the Pharisees o" 3apernaum.
1ow let us go to these people who are waiting "or us, and reward their "aith and
lo'e. Is their lo'e not a relie", tooE 7atred grie'es us. .ut there is lo'e here, so it
is Co#. 5
Peter calms down li;e a wind that drops suddenl#. And ,esus goes towards the
crowd o" sic; people, who are waiting "or 7im so anDiousl#, that their desire
seems engra'ed on their "aces, and 7e heals them, one a"ter the other, ;indl#,
patientl#. 7e goes also to a scri)e who shows his little sic; son to 7im.
2 And it is the scri)e who sa#s to 7im? 2 SeeE 4ou are running awa#. .ut it is
useless. 7atred and lo'e are shrewd in "inding. In this case, lo'e has "ound 4ou,
as it is written in the Song o" Songs. 4ou are li;e the .elo'ed o" the Songs. And
the# come to 4ou as the maid o" Shulam goes to her )ridegroom, "acing patrol
guards and Amminadi)6s Iuadrigae. 5
2 h# do #ou sa# thatE 5
2 .ecause it is true. It is dangerous to come )ecause 4ou are hated. Do 4ou not
;now that 8ome is watching "or 4ou and the 0emple hates 4ouE 5
2 h# are #ou tempting *e, manE 4our words are insidious, to ta;e *#
answers )ac; to 8ome and to the 0emple. I did not cure #our son )# deceit...5
0he scri)e, who has )een reproached so gentl#, lowers his head con"usedl# and
con"esses? 2 I see that 4ou can reall# read the hearts o" men. >orgi'e me. I now
see that 4ou are trul# hol#. >orgi'e me, 4es, it is true, I came and the #east that
others put into m# heart was "ermenting within me...5
2 And it had "ound in #ou the necessar# heat to "erment. 5
2 4es, it is true... .ut now I am going awa# without an# such #east. 0hat is,
with a new lea'en. 5
2 I ;now. I )ear no grudge. *an# are at "ault through their own will, man#
through the will o" other people. God, ho is Cust will Cudge them with di""erent
measures. Scri)e, )e Cust and do not corrupt in "uture as #ou were corrupted.
hen the pressure o" the world will )e urging #ou, loo; at the li'ing grace,
which is #our son, who was rescued "rom death, and )e grate"ul to God. 5
2 0o 4ou. 5
2 0o God. All glor# and praise to 7im. I am 7is *essiah and I am the "irst to
praise and glori"# 7im. And the "irst to o)e# 7im. .ecause man does not
degrade himsel" )# honouring and ser'ing God in truth, )ut he lowers himsel"
)# ser'ing sin. 5
2 4ou are right. Do 4ou alwa#s spea; thusE 0o e'er#)od#E 5
2 4es, to e'er#)od#. I" I spo;e to Annas, or to Gamaliel, or to a )egging leper
on a countr# path, the words would )e the same )ecause one is the 0ruth. 5
2 Spea;, then, )ecause e'er#)od# here is )egging "or a word or a grace o"
4ours. 5
2 I will. So that no)od# ma# sa# that I am )iased against those who are honest
in their con'ictions. 5
2 0hose I had are now dead. .ut it is true. I was honest in mine. I )elie'ed that I
was ser'ing God )# "ighting 4ou. 5
2.1. S$#)@n( t! ) Scr8# !n t"# B)n@s !4 t"# :!r*)n. 444
2 4ou are sincere. And that is wh# #ou deser'e to understand God, ho is
ne'er "alsehood. .ut #our con'ictions are not #et dead. I am telling #ou. 0he#
are li;e )urned couch<grass. 0he# seem to )e dead super"iciall# and ha'e in "act
recei'ed a hard )low that has eDhausted them. .ut the roots are ali'e and the soil
nourishes them. And the dew in'ites them to stri;e new rhi(omes, which will
emit "resh shoots. 4ou must watch that that does not happen, otherwise #ou will
)e in'aded once again )# couch<grass. Israel is a die<hardF 5
3 2 So Israel must dieE Is it a wic;ed plantE 5
2 It must die to rise again. 5
2 A spiritual reincarnationE 5
2 A spiritual e'olution. 0here is no reincarnation o" an# ;ind. 5
2 Some )elie'e in it. 5
2 0he# are wrong. 5
2 7ellenism has spread such )elie"s also among us. And learned people "eed on
them and are proud o" them as i" the# were a most no)le nourishment. 5
2 An a)surd contradiction in those who cr# anathema when one o" the minor siD
hundred and thirteen precepts is neglected. 5
2 It is true. .ut that is how things are. People li;e to imitate e'en what the# hate.
5
2 ell, imitate *e, seeing that #ou hate *e. And it would )e )etter "or #ou. 5
0he scri)e cannot help laughing at ,esus6 witt# remar;. 0he people are listening
open<mouthed and those who are "arther awa# as; those who are near ,esus and
the scri)e to repeat their words. 2 .ut, in con"idence, what do 4ou thin; o"
reincarnationE 5
2 0hat it is an error. I told #ou. 5
2 0here are some who maintain that the li'ing originate "rom the dead and the
dead "rom the li'ing, )ecause what eDists cannot )e destro#ed. 5
2 In "act, what is eternal cannot )e destro#ed. .ut tell *e. According to #ou, has
the 3reator limitations to 7imsel"E 5
2 1o, *aster. 0o thin; that would )e an a)atement. 5
2 4ou are right. 3an, then, one thin; that 7e allows a spirit to reincarnate
)ecause no more than so man# spirits can eDistE 5
2 9ne should not thin; so. 4et there are some who )elie'e it. 5
2 And what is worse, Israel )elie'es it. 0he thought o" the immortalit# o" the
spirit, which is alread# a great one, e'en i" it is Coined to the error o" a wrong
e'aluation )# a pagan as to how such immortalit# ta;es place, ought to )e
per"ect in an Israelite. Instead it )ecomes a small, low, guilt# thought in those
who )elie'e in it in the terms o" the heathen thesis. It is not the glor# o" a
thought, which pro'es itsel" worth# o" admiration )# coming close to the 0ruth
)# itsel" and which there"ore testi"ies to the composite nature o" man, as it is in
heathens, )ecause o" their intuition o" an eternal li"e o" the m#sterious thing that
is called soul and distinguishes us "rom )rutes. .ut it is a degradation o" the
thought, which )eing acIuainted with Di'ine isdom and the 0rue God,
)ecomes materialistic e'en in so highl# a spiritual thing. A spirit transmigrates
onl# "rom the 3reator to the )eing and "rom the )eing to the 3reator, to hom it
presents itsel" a"ter this li"e to recei'e a sentence o" li"e or o" death. 0hat is the
truth. And it remains "ore'er where it is sent. 5
4 2 Do 4ou not admit Purgator#E 5
2 4es, I do. h# do #ou as; *eE 5
2 .ecause 4ou sa#? GIt remains where it is sent.H Purgator# is temporar#. 5
2 0hat is wh# in *# thought I assimilate it to eternal =i"e. Purgator# is alread#
Gli"e.H Stunned, tied, )ut alwa#s 'ital. A"ter the temporar# sta# in Purgator#, the
spirit reaches per"ect =i"e, without an# limitation or ties. 0wo things will
remain? 7ea'en M the A)#ss. Paradise M 7ell. 0wo categories? the )lessed M the
damned. .ut "rom those three ;ingdoms that now eDist, no spirit will e'er come
to clothe itsel" with "lesh. And that until the "inal resurrection, which will end
"ore'er the incarnation o" spirits in "lesh, o" the immortal in the mortal. 5
2 1ot o" the eternalE 5
2 God is &ternal. &ternit# is to ha'e no )eginning and no end. And that is God.
Immortalit# is to continue to li'e since when li"e )egan. And that is the spirit o"
man. 0hat is the di""erence. 5
2.1. S$#)@n( t! ) Scr8# !n t"# B)n@s !4 t"# :!r*)n. 44,
2 4ou sa#? G&ternal =i"e.H 5
2 4es. >rom the moment man is created to li'e, )ecause o" his spirit, through
Grace and his own will, he can reach eternal =i"e. 1ot eternit#. =i"e implies a
)eginning. e do not sa# Gthe =i"e o" GodH, )ecause God had no )eginning. 5
2 And what a)out 4oursel"E 5
2 I will li'e )ecause I am also "lesh and to *# di'ine spirit I Coined the soul o"
the 3hrist in the "lesh o" man. 5
2 God is called the G=i'ing God.H 5
2 In "act 7e does not ;now death. 7e is =i"e. 0he endless =i"e. 1ot =i"e o" God.
,ust =i"e. 9nl# that. 0he# are nuances, o scri)e. .ut isdom and 0ruth clothe
themsel'es in nuances. 5
5 2 Do 4ou spea; thus to GentilesE 5
2 1o. 0he# would not understand. I show them the Sun. .ut as I would show it
to a )o#, so "ar )lind and sill#, who had miraculousl# reco'ered sight and
intelligence. 0hus? li;e a star. ithout going into the details o" its composition.
.ut #ou people o" Israel are neither )lind nor "ools. >or ages the "inger o" God
has opened #our e#es and cleared #our minds...5
2 0hat is true, *aster. And #et we are )lind and "oolish. 5
2 4ou ha'e made #oursel'es such. And #ou do not want the miracle o" 7im
ho lo'es #ou. 5
2 *aster...5
2 It is the truth, scri)e. 5
0he man lowers his head and is silent. ,esus lea'es him and passes )# and while
doing so 7e caresses *arCiam and the scri)e6s little )o#, who are pla#ing with
man#<coloured pe))les. 8ather than preach 7e tal;s to this or that group. .ut
7e is continuousl# preaching as 7e resol'es dou)ts, clari"ies ideas, 7e sums up
or eDpands on things alread# said or concepts onl# partl# remem)ered )#
someone. And the hours go )# thus...
,6,. First 7ir'c#! o0 t! Lo'2!s.
6t S!"t!)5!r 1*4+.
1 0he place is still the same. .ut the sun no longer shines "rom the east "iltering
through the undergrowth along the ,ordan in this wild place where the water o"
the la;e "lows into the ri'er )ed. It shines, eIuall# o)liIuel#, "rom the west,
while setting in a glorious red s;#, strea;ed )# its last ra#s. Jnder the thic;
"oliage the light is Iuite moderate, tending to the peace"ul e'ening hues. 0he
)irds, eDhilarated )# the sunshine the# enCo#ed all da# and )# the plenti"ul "ood
the# pic;ed in the neigh)ouring countr#, are ma;ing an uproar o" trills and
songs on tree<tops. &'ening is approaching with the "inal pomp o" the da#.
0he apostles point it out to ,esus, ho alwa#s teaches according to the su)Cects
presented to 7im. 2 *aster, e'ening is approaching. 0his is a desert place, "ar
"rom houses and 'illages, it is shad# and damp. In a short while it will not )e
possi)le to see or wal; here. 0he moon rises late. Dismiss the people so that
the# ma# go to 0arichea or other 'illages along the ,ordan to )u# "ood and "ind
lodgings. 5
2 0he# need not go. Gi'e them something to eat. 0he# can sleep here as the# did
when waiting "or *e. 5
2 *aster, 4ou ;now that there are onl# "i'e loa'es le"t and two "ish. 5
2 .ring them to *e. 5
2 2 Andrew, go and loo; "or the )o#. 7e is loo;ing a"ter the )ag. A little while
ago he was with the scri)e6s son and two more )o#s, intent on ma;ing garlands
o" "lowers and pla#ing at ;ings. 5
Andrew goes awa# at once. ,ohn and Philip also loo; "or *arCiam among the
crowds, who continuousl# change place. 0he# "ind him almost simultaneousl#,
with the )ag o" 'ictuals across his )ac;, a large shoot o" clematis around his
head and a )elt o" clematis, "rom which an o""shoot hangs, as a sword, the top
)eing the hilt, the long stem its )lade. 0here are se'en )o#s with him, all
wearing the same decorations, pa#ing court to the scri)e6s son, a 'er# thin child,
with the gra'e countenance o" one who has su""ered 'er# much, who is adorned
with "lowers more than the others and pla#s the ;ing.
2.2. Frst 9r)c%# !4 t"# L!)6#s. 44-
2 3ome, *arCiam. 0he *aster wants #ouF 5
*arCiam lea'es his "riends and runs awa# without ta;ing o"" his... "loral insignia.
.ut the other )o#s "ollow him and ,esus is soon surrounded )# a circle o"
children wreathed with "lowers. 7e caresses them while Philip ta;es a parcel out
o" the )ag containing some loa'es, which are wrapped together with two )ig
"ish? two ;ilograms o" "ish, or little more. 0he# would not su""ice "or the
se'enteen people, na# eighteen, including *anaen, o" ,esus6 group. 0he# ta;e
the "ood to the *aster.
2 -er# well. 1ow )ring *e some )as;ets. Se'enteen, as man# as #ou are.
*arCiam will hand the "ood to the children... 5 ,esus stares at the scri)e who has
alwa#s )een near 7im and as;s? 2 ill #ou gi'e "ood to the hungr# people, tooE
5
2 I would li;e to. .ut I ha'e none m#sel". 5
2 Gi'e *ine. I will let #ou ha'e it. 5
2 .ut... are 4ou going to satis"# "i'e thousand men, )esides women and
children, with those two "ish and the "i'e loa'esE 5
2 Jndou)tedl#. Do not )e incredulous. 0hose who )elie'e will see the miracle
)eing accomplished. 5
2 9hF In that case I want to hand out the "ood, tooF 5
2 0hen, get someone to gi'e #ou a )as;et as well. 5
3 0he apostles come )ac; with )as;ets and hand<)as;ets, some o" which are low
and wide, others are deep and narrow. 0he scri)e comes )ac; with a rather small
one. 9)'iousl# his "aith or his incredulit# made him pic; that one as the largest
reIuired.
2 Good. =ea'e e'er#thing here. 1ow get the crowds to sit in an orderl# wa#, in
rows, as "ar as possi)le. 5
And while the# do that ,esus raises the loa'es with the "ish on top o" them,
o""ers them, pra#s and )lesses them. 0he scri)e does not ta;e his e#es o"" 7im
"or a moment. ,esus )rea;s the "i'e loa'es into eighteen partsL 7e ma;es also
eighteen parts o" the two "ish, and puts a )it o" "ish? a tin# )it indeed, into each
)as;et. 7e then )rea;s each o" the eighteen )its o" )read into morsels? each )it
into man# morsels. 8elati'el# man#L a)out twent#, not more. 7e then puts each
)it which 7e has )ro;en into morsels, into a )as;et, with the )it o" "ish.
2 1ow ta;e them and hand the "ood out to satiet#. 4 Go. *arCiam, hand the "ood
out to #our companions. 5
2 AhF 7ow hea'# it isF 5 sa#s *arCiam li"ting his )as;et. 7e goes at once
towards his little "riends, wal;ing li;e one who carries a hea'# weight.
0he apostles, disciples, *anaen, the scri)e watch him go incredulousl#... 0he#
then pic; up their )as;ets and sha;ing their heads the# sa# to one another? 2 0he
)o# is Co;ingF 0he# are the same weight as )e"ore. 5 And the scri)e loo;s inside
his )as;et, puts his hand into it searching "or the )ottom, )ecause it is getting
dar; in the thic;et where ,esus is, whereas "arther awa#, in the glade, it is clear.
7owe'er, notwithstanding their remar;s, the# go towards the people and )egin
to hand the "ood out. And the# distri)ute... 1ow and again the# loo; )ac; at
,esus thoroughl# astonished, as the# mo'e "arther and "arther awa#, and the
*aster leaning against a tree with "olded arms, smiles su)tl# at their
astonishment.
0he distri)ution ta;es a long time and is plenti"ul... the onl# one who show no
surprise is *arCiam, who smiles and is happ# to )e a)le to "ill the laps o" so
man# poor children with )read and "ish. 7e is also the "irst to go )ac; to ,esus
sa#ing? 2 I ha'e dealt out so much, so muchF... )ecause I ;now what it is to )e
hungr#... 5 and he raises his little "ace, which is no longer emaciated, )ut,
remem)ering, it )lanches with wide open e#es... .ut ,esus caresses him and a
)right smile appears on his "ace, while he leans trust"ull# against ,esus, 7is
*aster and Protector.
0he apostles and disciples come )ac; slowl#, dum)"ounded with ama(ement.
=ast is the scri)e who sa#s nothing. .ut he ma;es a gesture that is more than a
sermon. 7e ;neels down and ;isses the hem o" ,esus6 tunic.
2 0a;e #our share and gi'e *e some. =et us eat the "ood o" God. 5
0he# eat, in "act, )read and "ish, each according to his need...
5 In the meantime the people, who are now sated, eDchange their impressions.
Also those around ,esus ma;e their comments watching *arCiam who "inishes
his "ood and pla#s with other children.
2.2. Frst 9r)c%# !4 t"# L!)6#s. 44.
2 *aster 5 as;s the scri)e, 2 wh# did the )o# "eel the weight at once, and we did
notE I searched also inside. 0here were still the "ew morsels o" )read and the
onl# )it o" "ish. I )egan to "eel the weight when I mo'ed towards the crowd. .ut
i" it had weighed "or what I ga'e out, it would ha'e ta;en a pair o" mules to
carr# it, not a )as;et, )ut a wagon pac;ed with "ood. At the )eginning I was
dealing it out sparingl#... )ut later I ga'e and ga'e... and as I did not want to )e
un"air, I went )ac; to the "irst ones and ga'e them more, )ecause I had gi'en
them little at "irst. And #et it was enough. 5
2 I also "elt the )as;et was getting hea'# when I set out, and I ga'e plent# at
once )ecause I realised that 4ou had wor;ed a miracle 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 I, instead, stopped, I sat down and poured e'er#thing on m# lap to see... And I
saw loa'es and loa'es. I then went on 5 sa#s *anaen.
2 I e'en counted them, )ecause I did not want to cut a )ad "igure. 0here were
"i"t# small loa'es. So I said? I will gi'e them to "i"t# people and then I will go
)ac; 5. And I counted. .ut when I got to "i"t#, the weight was still the same. I
loo;ed inside. 0he# were so man#. I went on and I handed out hundreds o"
them. 0he# ne'er diminished sa#s .artholomew.
2 I, I must admit it, I did not )elie'e, and I too; the morsels o" )read and the )it
o" "ish in m# hand and I loo;ed at them sa#ing? Ghat6s the use o" themE ,esus
must ha'e )een Co;ingF...H and I loo;ed at them o'er and o'er again, hiding
)ehind a tree, hoping and despairing to see them grow. .ut the# were alwa#s the
same. I was a)out to come )ac;, when *atthew passed )# sa#ing? G7a'e #ou
noticed how )eauti"ul the# areEH GhatEH I as;ed him. G0he loa'es and "ishF...H
GAre #ou madE I can onl# see morsels o" )read.H GGo and hand them out with
"aith, and #ou will see.H I threw )ac; into the )as;et the "ew morsels and I went
reluctantl#... And then... >orgi'e me, ,esus, )ecause I am a sinnerF 5 sa#s
0homas.
2 1o. 4ou are a worldl# spirit. 4ou reason according to the world. 5
2 I as well, =ord. So much so that I was thin;ing o" gi'ing a coin with the )read
and I said to m#sel"? G0he# will eat somewhere elseH 5 sa#s the Iscariot. 2 I was
hoping to help 4ou cut a "iner "igure. So what am IE =i;e 0homas or moreE 5
2 4ou are much more Gworldl#H than 0homas. 5
2 And #et I was thin;ing o" gi'ing alms to )e Ghea'enl#HF It was m# own
personal mone#... 5
2 Alms to #oursel", to #our pride. And alms to God. .ut the =atter does not need
them and it is a sin to gi'e alms to #our pride, not a merit. 5
,udas lowers his head and )ecomes silent.
2 I, instead, thought that I had to crum)le the morsel o" "ish and the morsel o"
)read, so that the# would su""ice. I did not dou)t the# would )e su""icient, )oth
with regard to num)ers and nourishment. A drop o" water gi'en )# 4ou can )e
more nourishing than a )anIuet 5 sa#s Simon :ealot.
2 And what did #ou thin;E 5 Peter as;s ,esus6 cousins.
2 e remem)ered 3ana... and did not dou)t 5 replies ,udas gra'el#.
2 And #ou, ,ames, *# dear )rother, were #ou onl# thin;ing o" thatE 5
2 1o, I thought it was a sacrament, as 4ou told me... Is it so or am I wrongE 5
,esus smiles? 2 It is and it is not. 4our thought o" a remote "igure is to )e added
to the truth concerning the power o" nourishment in a drop o" water, mentioned
)# Simon. .ut it is not #et a sacrament. 5
0he scri)e is holding a crum) in his hand.
2 hat are #ou going to do with itE 5
2 A... sou'enir. 5
2 I will ;eep one too. I will put it round *arCiam6s nec; in a little )ag 5 sa#s
Peter.
2 And I will ta;e it to our mother 5 sa#s ,ohn.
2 And what a)out usE e ha'e eaten it all... 5 sa# the others sorrow"ull#.
6 2 Stand up. Go round again with the )as;ets and collect the scraps remaining,
select the poorest people and )ring them here with the )as;ets. And then, #ou,
*# disciples, will go to the )oats and set sail going to the plain o" Gennesaret. I
will dismiss the crowds a"ter assisting the poorer people and I will Coin #ou
later. 5
0he apostles o)e#... and the# come )ac; with twel'e )as;ets "ull o" remnants o"
2.2. Frst 9r)c%# !4 t"# L!)6#s. 441
"ood and "ollowed )# a)out thirt# )eggars or 'er# poor people.
2 -er# well. 4ou ma# go now. 5
0he apostles and ,ohn6s disciples sa# good)#e to *anaen and go awa# lea'ing
,esus rather reluctantl#. .ut the# o)e#. *anaen sta#s with ,esus until the crowd,
in the last light o" the da#, set out towards 'illages or loo; "or a place where to
sleep among the tall dr# )og grass. 7e then ta;es lea'e o" the *aster. 0he scri)e
has gone )e"ore him, in "act he was one o" the "irst, as he le"t with his son
"ollowing the apostles.
hen the# ha'e all gone or "allen asleep, ,esus stands up, )lesses the sleepers,
and wal;ing with slow steps 7e goes towards the la;e, to the little peninsula o"
0arichea, a "ew #ards a)o'e the la;e, li;e an indented hill protruding on it. And
when 7e reaches the "oot o" it, without entering the town, )ut going round it, 7e
clim)s the hill, and stops on a crest, pra#ing in "ront o" the )lue la;e and in the
peace o" the serene moonlit night.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
7 ,esus sa#s? 2 4ou will put here the 'ision dated *arch 4th 1/44? ,esus wal;s
on the water. 5
,6-. 9!sus /'#@s on t! /'t!r.
4t 7'rc 1*44.
1 It is late in the e'ening, almost night, )ecause I can hardl# see on the path that
clim)s up a hilloc; studded with trees, which I thin; are oli'es. .ut the light is
so "aint that I am not sure. 0he trees are not tall, )ut the# are lea"# and twisted,
characteristicall# oli'e.
,esus is alone. 7e is wearing a white tunic and a dar; )lue mantle. 7e clim)s
and enters the gro'e. 7e is striding resolutel#. 7e is not wal;ing "ast, )ut as 7e
strides, 7e goes a long wa# without rushing. 7e wal;s until 7e reaches a ;ind o"
natural )alcon# o'erloo;ing the la;e, which is peace"ul and Iuiet in the light o"
the stars alread# crowding the s;# li;e )right e#es. Silence surrounds ,esus with
its rest"ul em)race. It detaches 7im "rom the crowds and "rom the earth, ma;ing
7im "orget them and uniting 7im to the s;#, which seems to descend to worship
the ord o" God and caress 7im with the light o" its stars.
7e is pra#ing in 7is ha)itual posture? standing with 7is arms stretched out
crosswise. 0here is an oli'e<tree )ehind 7im and 7e seems to )e alread#
cruci"ied to its dar; trun;. 0all as 7e is, the lea"# )ranches are onl# a little
a)o'e 7im and the# replace the inscription on the 3ross with a word consonant
to the 3hrist. 0here? 2 Bing o" the ,ews 5. 7ere? 2 Prince o" Peace 5. 0he
peace"ul oli'e<tree spea;s the truth to those who can understand it. 7e pra#s "or
a long time. 7e then sits at the "oot o" the tree, on a thic; protruding root, and
assumes 7is ha)itual attitude with 7is hands interloc;ed and 7is el)ows resting
on 7is ;nees. 7e meditates. I wonder into which con'ersation 7e "alls with 7is
>ather and the Spirit, now that 7e is alone and can )e entirel# o" God. God with
GodF
I thin; that man# hours go )# thus )ecause I see that stars ha'e changed their
position and man# ha'e alread# set in the west.
2 ,ust when the appearance o" light, or rather o" luminosit#, )ecause it cannot )e
called light as #et, )ecomes 'isi)le on the remote eastern hori(on, a pu"" o" wind
sha;es the oli'e<tree. It calms down. It resumes )lowing and is stronger and
)ecomes more and more 'iolent at short inter'als. 0he light o" dawn, which has
Cust )egun, "inds it di""icult to ma;e its wa# )ecause o" a mass o" dar; clouds,
which ha'e in'aded the s;#, dri'en )# stronger and stronger gusts o" wind. 0he
la;e is no longer calm either. I thin; it is preparing a storm li;e that I alread#
saw in the 'ision o" the tempest. 0he noise o" the lea"# )ranches and the roar o"
the water now "ill the air, which a little while ago was so calm.
,esus is roused "rom 7is meditation. 7e stands up and loo;s at the la;e. 7e
scans it in the light o" the remaining stars and o" the poor sic;l# dawn and sees
the )oat o" Peter, which is stri'ing hard to reach the opposite shore, )ut cannot
ma;e it. ,esus pulls 7is mantle tight around 7imsel", li"ting o'er 7is head, as i"
it were a hood, the hanging hem, which would hinder 7is descent, and runs
down, not the road 7e came up, )ut a 'er# steep path, which ta;es one straight
to the la;e. 7e runs so "ast that 7e seems to )e "l#ing.
hen 7e reaches the shore lashed )# the wa'es, which lea'e on the shingle an
edge o" "lu""# rustling "oam, 7e continues to wal; "ast, as i" 7e were treading
not on a restlessl# tossing liIuid element, )ut on the smoothest most solid
pa'ement on the earth. 7e now )ecomes light. All the "aint light that still comes
2.3. :#sus 0)%@s !n t"# 0)t#r. 442
"rom the "ew d#ing stars and the storm# dawn seems to con'erge on 7im,
gathering li;e phosphorescence round 7is slender )od#. 7e "lies o'er the wa'es,
the "oam# crests and the dar; "olds )etween the wa'es, with 7is arms stretched
"orward, while 7is mantle swells around 7is chee;s and "laps as much as
possi)le, tight as it is around 7is )od#, li;e a wing.
3 0he apostles see 7im and utter a cr# o" "ear, which the wind carries towards
,esus.
2 .e not a"raid. It is I. 5 ,esus6 'oice, although the wind is against 7im, carries
clearl# o'er the la;e.
2 Is it reall# 4ou, *asterE 5 as;s Peter. 2 I" it is 4ou, tell me to come and meet
4ou, wal;ing on the water li;e 4ou. 5
,esus smiles? 2 3ome 5 7e sa#s simpl#, as i" to indicate that to wal; on the
water were the most natural thing in the world.
And Peter, hal" na;ed as he is, that is wearing onl# a short slee'eless tunic,
Cumps o'er)oard and wal;s towards ,esus.
.ut when he is a)out "i"t# #ards "rom the )oat and as man# "rom ,esus, he is
sei(ed with "ear. So "ar his lo'e impetus supported him. 1ow his human nature
o'erwhelms him and... he "ears "or his own s;in. =i;e one who is on a slipper#
ground, or )etter still, on Iuic;sands, he )egins to stagger, to grope, to sin;. And
the more he gropes and "ears, the more he sin;s.
,esus has stopped and loo;s at him. 7e is serious and waits. .ut 7e does not
stretch e'en one handL 7is arms are "olded and 7e does not ta;e one step or
utter one word.
Peter is sin;ing. 7is malleoli, shins, ;nees disappear. 0he water reaches up to
his inguen, rises a)o'e it, up to his waist. 0error is on his "ace. 0error paral#ses
also his thoughts. 7e is nothing )ut "lesh a"raid o" sin;ing. 7e does not e'en
thin; o" swimming. 1othing. 7e is he)etated )# "ear.
4 At last he decides to loo; at ,esus. And as soon as he loo;s at 7im, his mind
)egins to reason and see where sal'ation is. 2 *aster, m# =ord, sa'e me. 5
,esus opens 7is arms and as i" 7e were carried )# the wind or )# the wa'es, 7e
rushes towards the apostle and holds out 7is hand sa#ing? 2 9hF what a man o"
little "aith. h# did #ou dou)t *eE h# did #ou want to do it )# #oursel"E 5
Peter who had clutched con'ulsi'el# at ,esus6 hand, does not repl#. 7e loo;s at
7im onl# to ascertain whether 7e is angr#, with a miDture o" remaining "ear and
rising repentance.
.ut ,esus smiles at him and holds him "irml# )# the wrist, until the# reach the
)oat and step o'er)oard into it. 0hen ,esus orders? 2 Go to the shore. 7e is
soa;ed through. 5 And 7e smiles loo;ing at the morti"ied disciple.
0he wa'es smooth down ma;ing it eas# to land and the town seen in the past
"rom the height o" a hill now looms )e#ond the shore.
0he 'ision ends here.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
5 ,esus sa#s?
2 *an# times I do not e'en wait to )e called, when I see *# children in danger.
And man# times I rush to help a son who is ungrate"ul to *e.
4ou are asleep or #ou are sei(ed )# the worries and anDieties o" li"e. I watch and
pra# "or #ou. I am the Angel o" all men and I loo; a"ter #ou and nothing grie'es
*e more than the impossi)ilit# o" inter"erence )ecause #ou re"use *#
inter'ention, )ecause #ou pre"er to act on #our own, or, worse still, #ou as; the
&'il one to help #ou. =i;e a "ather who hears his son sa# to him? GI do not lo'e
#ou. I do not want #ou. Go out o" m# houseH, I am morti"ied and I su""er more
than I did )ecause o" *# wounds. .ut i" #ou do not sa# to *e? GGo awa#H, and
#ou are a)sent<minded onl# )ecause o" the worries o" li"e, then I am the &ternal
atchman read# to come e'en )e"ore he is called. And i" I wait "or #ou to sa# a
word, as I sometimes do, it is onl# to hear #ou call *e.
7ow pleasant, how sweet it is to hear men call *e. 0o hear that the# remem)er
that I am the GSa'iour.H I will not mention the in"inite Co# that per'ades and
eDalts *e when there is someone who lo'es *e and calls *e without )eing in
need. 7e calls *e )ecause he lo'es *e more than he lo'es an#)od# else in the
world and is "illed with Co#, as I am, onl# )# calling? G,esus, ,esusH, as children
call? G*umm#, mumm#H and the# taste the sweetness o" hone# on their lips,
)ecause the simple word Gmumm#H has in itsel" the taste o" motherl# ;isses.
6 0he apostles were rowing o)e#ing *# order to go and wait "or *e at
3apernaum. And I, a"ter the miracle o" the loa'es, went awa# "rom the crowds,
all alone, not )ecause I disdained them or )ecause I was tired. I ne'er disdained
2.3. :#sus 0)%@s !n t"# 0)t#r. 4,3
men, not e'en when the# were )ad to *e. I )ecame indignant onl# when I saw
the =aw trampled or the house o" God desecrated. .ut then the interests o" the
>ather were in'ol'ed, not I. And I was on the earth as the "irst o" the ser'ants o"
God, to ser'e the >ather o" 7ea'en. I was ne'er tired in de'oting *#sel" to the
crowds, e'en when I saw them so dull, sluggish and human as to dishearten e'en
those who had most con"idence in their mission. 1a#, Cust )ecause the# were so
de"icient I multiplied *# lesson in"initel#, I treated them eDactl# as )ac;ward
pupils and I guided their spirits in the most elementar# disco'eries and initia<
tions, Cust as a patient master guides the ineDpert hands o" pupils to "orm the "irst
letters and thus ena)le them to understand and write. 7ow much lo'e ha'e I
gi'en to crowdsF I too; them )# the "lesh to lead them to the spirit. I )egan "rom
the "lesh as well. .ut while Satan through it leads to 7ell, I led to 7ea'en.
I wanted to )e all alone to than; the >ather "or the miracle o" the loa'es.
0housands o" people had )een "ed. And I eDhorted them to sa#? G0han;sH to the
=ord. .ut once a man has )een helped, he "orgets to sa# Gthan;s.H I said it on
their )ehal". And a"terwards... And a"terwards I had merged with *# >ather, "or
hose lo'e I was in"initel# sic;. I was on the earth, )ut li;e a li"eless hide. *#
soul was thrust towards *# >ather, hom I "elt leaning on 7is ord, and I said
to 7im? GI lo'e 4ou, 7ol# >atherF.H It was a Co# to *e to sa# to 7im? GI lo'e
4ou.H 0o sa# so as a *an )esides as God. I humiliated *# "eelings as *an, as I
o""ered 7im *# palpitation as God. I seemed to )e the magnet that attracted all
the lo'e o" men, o" men capa)le o" lo'ing God a little and that I gathered all
such lo'e and o""ered it "rom the )ottom o" *# 7eart. I seemed to )e the onl#
one to eDist? I, the *an, that is the human race, con'ersing once again with God,
in the cool o" the e'ening, as on the innocent da#s.
7 .ut although *# )lessedness was complete, )ecause it was a )lessedness o"
lo'e, it did not a)stract *e "rom the needs o" men. And I )ecame aware o" the
danger o" *# children on the la;e. And I le"t =o'e "or the sa;e o" lo'e. 3harit#
must )e speed#.
0he# too; *e "or a ghost. 9hF how o"ten, *# poor children, #ou ta;e *e "or a
ghost, "or a "rightening o)CectF I" #ou alwa#s thought o" *e, #ou would ;now
*e at once. .ut #ou ha'e other ghosts in #our hearts, and that ma;es #ou di((#.
.ut I ma;e *#sel" ;nown. 9hF i" #ou onl# listened to *eF
8 h# was Peter sin;ing a"ter wal;ing so "arE 4ou said it? )ecause his human
nature o'erwhelmed his spirit.
Peter was 'er# much a Gman.H 7ad it )een ,ohn, he would not ha'e dared
immoderatel#, neither would he ha'e changed his mind. Purit# grants prudence
and strength. .ut Peter was GmanH in the "ull meaning o" the word. 7e was
anDious to eDcel, to show that Gno)od#H lo'es the *aster as he does, he wanted
to impose himsel", and onl# )ecause he was one o" *ine, he thought he was
a)o'e the wea;ness o" the "lesh. Instead, poor Simon, his results, when he was
tested, were "ar "rom )eing su)lime. .ut it was necessar#, that he might )e later
the one who was to perpetuate the merc# o" the *aster in the dawning 3hurch.
Peter is not onl# o'erwhelmed )# "ear "or his endangered li"e, )ut, as #ou said,
he )ecomes nothing )ut Gtrem)ling "lesh.H 7e no longer thin;s, he no longer
loo;s at *e. 4ou all do the same. 0he more impending is the danger, the more
#ou want to do things )# #oursel'es. As i" #ou were a)le to do thingsF 4ou
ne'er go awa# "rom *e, or close #our hearts to *e or e'en curse *e, as in the
hours when #ou ought to hope in *e and call *e. Peter does not curse *e. .ut
he "orgets *e and I ha'e to impose *# will to call his spirit to *e, so that he
ma# loo; at his *aster and Sa'iour.
I a)sol'e him )e"orehand o" his sin o" dou)t, )ecause I lo'e him, as this
impulsi'e man, once he is con"irmed in grace, will )e a)le to proceed without
an# "urther pertur)ation or tiredness as "ar as mart#rdom, and will )e
inde"atiga)le in casting his m#stical net to ta;e souls to his *aster. And when
he in'o;es *e, I do not wal;, I "l# to help him and I hold him tight to lead him
to sal'ation. *# reproach is a mild one )ecause I understand the eDtenuating
circumstances o" Peter. I am the )est ad'ocate and Cudge there is and there has
e'er )een. 9n )ehal" o" e'er#)od#.
9 I understand #ou, *# poor childrenF And e'en when I sa# a word o" reproach,
*# smile mitigates it. I lo'e #ou. 0hat is all. I want #ou to ha'e "aith. And i"
#ou do ha'e it, I will come and ta;e #ou out o" danger. 9hF i" the &arth could
sa#? G*aster, =ord, sa'e meF.H 9ne cr#, o" the whole &arth, would )e enough,
and Satan and his sectarians would )e immediatel# de"eated. .ut #ou do not
;now how to ha'e "aith. I am multipl#ing the means to lead #ou to "aith. .ut
the# "all into #our slime as a stone "alls into the slime o" a marsh and are )uried
there.
4ou do not want to puri"# the water o" #our souls, #ou pre"er to )e putrid "ilth.
It does not matter. I do *# dut# as the &ternal Sa'iour. And e'en i" I cannot
sa'e the world )ecause the world does not want to )e sa'ed, I will sa'e "rom the
2.3. :#sus 0)%@s !n t"# 0)t#r. 4,1
world those who in order to lo'e *e, as I am to )e lo'ed, are no longer o" the
world. 5
,64. T! D!!(s o0 Cor"or'# 'n( S"iritu'# 7!rc1.
8t S!"t!)5!r 1*4+.
1 ,esus is in the Bora(im plain, along the upper ,ordan 'alle#, )etween the la;es
o" Gennesaret and *erom. 0he countr# is co'ered with 'ine#ards and it is
alread# 'intage time.
7e must ha'e )een there "or some da#s, )ecause the disciples who were at
Sicaminon ha'e Coined 7im this morning, and among them there is Stephen with
7ermas. Isaac apologises "or not coming earlier, )ecause, he sa#s, the new
disciples and his uncertaint# whether he should )ring them or not caused the
dela#. 2 .ut 5 he sa#s 2 I thought that the wa# to 7ea'en is open to all those o"
good will and these two, although the# are pupils o" Gamaliel, seem to )e so. 5
2 4ou are right and #ou ha'e done the right thing. .ring them here. 5
Isaac goes awa# and comes )ac; with the two disciples.
2 Peace to #ou. 7as the apostolic word seemed so true to #ou that #ou ha'e
decided to Coin itE 5
2 4es, and 4ours a)o'e all. Do not send us awa#, *aster. 5
2 h# should IE 5
2 .ecause we are disciples o" Gamaliel. 5
2 So whatE I honour the great Gamaliel and I would li;e him to )e with *e,
)ecause he is worth# o" it. 0hat is all he lac;s to ma;e his wisdom per"ect. hat
did he sa# to #ou when #ou le"t himE .ecause #ou certainl# said good)#e to
him. 5
2 4es, he said to us? G4ou are luc;# that #ou can )elie'e. Pra# that I ma# "orget
in order to remem)er. 5
0he apostles who ha'e gathered round ,esus inIuisiti'el#, loo; at one another
and as; whispering? 2 hat does he meanE hat does he wantE 0o "orget in
order to remem)erE 5
,esus hears their whispering and eDplains? 2 7e wants to "orget his wisdom to
ta;e on *ine. 7e wants to "orget that he is ra))i Gamaliel to remem)er that he
is a son o" Israel awaiting the 3hrist. 7e wants to "orget himsel", to remem)er
the 0ruth. 5
2 Gamaliel is not untruth"ul, *aster 5 replies 7ermas apologeticall#.
2 1o, he is not. .ut it is the medle# o" poor human words which is untruth"ul.
ords ta;ing the place o" the ord. 4ou must "orget them, di'esting #oursel'es
o" them and come to the 0ruth as pure as 'irgins in order to )e reclothed and
"ecundated. 7umilit# is reIuired "or that. 0he di""icult#... 5
2 0hen, we must "orget as wellE 5
2 Jndou)tedl#. 4ou must "orget e'er#thing pertaining to man. And remem)er
what pertains to God. 3ome. 4ou can do it. 5
2 e want to do it 5 con"irms 7ermas.
2 7a'e #ou alread# li'ed as disciplesE 5
2 4es, we ha'e. Since the da# we heard the .aptist had )een ;illed. 0he news
spread 'er# rapidl# in ,erusalem, where it was )rought )# 7erod6s courtiers and
commanders. 7is death roused us "rom our torpidit# 5 replies Stephen.
2 0he )lood o" mart#rs is alwa#s a new li"e "or torpid people, Stephen.
8emem)er that. 5
2 4es, *aster. ill 4ou spea; toda#E I hunger "or 4our word. 5
2 I ha'e alread# spo;en. .ut I will spea; again, and 'er# much, to #ou disciples.
4our companions, the apostles, ha'e alread# )egun their mission, a"ter due
preparation. .ut the# are not su""icient "or the needs o" the world. And e'er#<
thing is to )e done in good time. I am li;e one who has an eDpir# date and must
do e'er#thing within that date. I as; #ou all to help *e, and in the name o" God
I promise #ou help and a glorious "uture. 5
2 ,esus6 ;een e#es disco'ers a man completel# en'eloped in a linen mantle? 2
Are #ou not ,ohn, the priestE 5
2.4. T"# D##*s !4 C!r$!r)% )n* S$rtu)% 9#rc5. 4,2
2 4es, *aster. 0he hearts o" the ,ews are more arid than the cursed large 'alle#.
I ran awa# loo;ing "or 4ou. 5
2 And #our priesthoodE 5
2 =epros# eDpelled me "rom it the "irst time. *en, the second time, )ecause I
lo'e 4ou. 4our Grace draws me to itsel"? to 4ou. It eDpels me as well, "rom a
desecrated place to a pure one. 4ou ha'e puri"ied me, *aster, )oth in m# )od#
and in m# soul. And what is pure cannot and must not approach what is impure.
It would )e an o""ence to 7im, ho puri"ied. 5
2 4our Cudgement is se'ere, )ut not un"air. 5
2 *aster, unpleasant "amil# matters are ;nown to those who li'e in the "amil#
and should )e mentioned onl# to righteous<minded people. 4ou are so, and in
an# case 4ou ;now. I would not tell an#)od# else. 7ere we are? 4ou, the
apostles, I and two who ;now as well as 4ou and I do. So... 5
2 All right. .ut... 9hF 4ou are here, tooE Peace )e with #ou. 7a'e #ou come to
hand out more "oodE 5
2 1o, I came to ha'e some o" 4our "ood. 5
2 7a'e #our crops )een spoiledE 5
2 9hF no. 0he# ha'e ne'er )een so plenti"ul. .ut, m# *aster, I am loo;ing "or
another )read and a di""erent crop? 4ours. And I )rought with me the leper
whom 4ou cured in m# "ields. 7e came )ac; to his master. .ut )oth he and I
ha'e a master to "ollow and ser'e? 4ou. 5
2 3ome? one, two, three, "our... A good har'estF .ut ha'e #ou ta;en into
consideration #our position at the 0empleE 4ou ;now, and I ;now... and I will
sa# no more. 5
2 I am a "ree man and I go with whome'er I wish 5 sa#s ,ohn, the priest.
2 So am I 5 sa#s the last arri'al? ,ohn, the scri)e, who dealt out the "ood at the
"oot o" the *ount o" .eatitudes on the Sa))ath.
2 And we are "ree, too 5 state 7ermas and Stephen.
And Stephen adds? 2 Spea; to us, =ord. e do not ;now what our mission
eDactl# consists in. Gi'e us the least necessar# to ena)le us to ser'e 4ou at once.
0he rest will come as we "ollow 4ou. 5
2 4es. 9n the mountain 4ou spo;e o" the )eatitudes. And that was a lesson "or
us. .ut what are we to do with regard to other people, in our second lo'e, the
lo'e "or our neigh)ourE 5 as;s ,ohn, the scri)e.
2 here is ,ohn o" &ndorE 5 is ,esus6 onl# answer.
2 7e is o'er there, *aster, with the people who ha'e )een cured. 5
2 =et him come here. 5
,ohn o" &ndor goes at once. ,esus la#s 7is hand on ,ohn6s shoulder as a special
greeting and sa#s? 2 7ere #ou are. I will now spea;. .ut I want #ou, who )ear a
hol# name, to )e in "ront o" *e. 4ou, *# apostleL #ou, a priestL #ou, a scri)eL
4ou, ,ohn o" the .aptistL and "inall#, #ou, to complete the seIuence o" graces
granted )# God. And i" #ou are the last one to )e mentioned )# *e, #ou ;now
that #ou are not the last one in *# heart. 9ne da# I promised #ou this speech.
4ou will now ha'e it. 5
And ,esus, as 7e is wont, clim)s a little mound, so that e'er#)od# ma# see
7im, and the "i'e ,ohns are in the "irst row, in "ront o" 7im. .ehind them there
is a group o" disciples mingled with the crowds who ha'e come "rom e'er# part
o" Palestine see;ing health or doctrine.
3 2 *a# peace )e with #ou all and wisdom upon #ou.
=isten. 9ne da#, a long time ago, a man as;ed *e whether and to what eDtent is
God merci"ul towards sinners. It was a sinner who as;ed that Iuestion, and
although he had )een "orgi'en he could not )elie'e that God had "orgi'en him
completel#. And I soothed his anDiet# )# means o" para)les, I assured and pro<
mised him that "or his sa;e I would alwa#s spea; o" merc#, so that his repentant
heart, which wept within him li;e a lost child, should "eel sure o" )eing alread#
in the possessions o" his >ather in 7ea'en. God is *erc# )ecause God is =o'e.
A ser'ant o" God must )e merci"ul to imitate God. God ma;es use o" merc# to
attract to 7imsel" 7is children led astra#. A ser'ant o" God must ma;e use o"
merc# as a means o" ta;ing misguided men )ac; to God. 0he precept o" lo'e is
compulsor# "or e'er#)od#. .ut it must )e three times so in the ser'ants o" God.
!o one will con1uer Heaven if one does not love. 0hat is all that is necessar# to
sa# to )elie'ers. ,ut to the servants of God " say# $(ou cannot mae believers
con1uer Heaven if you do not love them with perfect love.' And who are #ou,
2.4. T"# D##*s !4 C!r$!r)% )n* S$rtu)% 9#rc5. 4,3
who are crowding here around *eE *ost o" #ou are children o" God aiming at
per"ect li"e, at the )lessed, hard, )right li"e o" the ser'ant o" God and minister o"
the 3hrist. And which are #our duties in such li'es o" ser'ants and ministersE
Complete love for God and complete love for your neighbour. 4our aim is to
ser'e. 7owE 0a;ing )ac; to God those whom the world, "lesh, the demon ha'e
stolen "rom God. .# which meansE ,y love. =o'e, which can )e acti'e in a
thousand wa#s, and has )ut one purpose? to mae people love. =et us consider
our )eauti"ul ,ordan. 7ow imposing it is at ,erichoF .ut was it li;e that at its
sourcesE 1o. It was Cust a tric;le o" water and would ha'e remained such i" it
had alwa#s )een alone. Instead "rom the mountains and hills on )oth sides o" its
'alle#, thousands o" tri)utaries, either alone or made up )# man# ri'ulets, "low
into its )ed, and it grows more and more "rom the little sil'er# )lue stream so
pleasant and Co#"ul in its in"anc# until it )ecomes the large solemn placid ri'er,
"lowing li;e a s;#<)lue ri))on )etween its "ertile emerald )an;s.
Such is lo'e. It is initiall# a tin# stream among the in"ants on the a# o" =i"e,
who can Cust a'oid gra'e sins "or "ear o" punishment, )ut su)seIuentl#, as the#
proceed on the wa# to per"ection, man# )roo;s o" this main 'irtue, )# will o"
lo'e, appear "rom the rugged, arid, proud, harsh mountains o" man;ind and
e'er#thing helps to ma;e it rise and gush out? sorrows and Co#, Cust as upon the
mountains the "ro(en snow and the sun melting it, "orm ri'ers. &'er#thing helps
to open the wa# "or them? humilit# as well as repentance. &'er#thing ser'es to
con'e# them to the initial ri'er. .ecause a soul, thrust onto that a#, lo'es to
ha'e its ego destro#ed, and aspires to rise again drawn )# the Sun<God, a"ter
)ecoming a )eauti"ul, might#, )ene"icial ri'er.
0he )roo;s that nourish the em)r#onic stream o" awesome lo'e, are, )esides
'irtues, the deeds that 'irtues teach men to accomplish? deeds, which )eing
streams o" lo'e, are deeds o" merc#. =et us consider them together. Some were
alread# ;nown to Israel, some will )e made ;nown to #ou )# *e, )ecause *#
law is the per"ection o" lo'e.
4 To feed the hungry.
It is a dut# o" gratitude and lo'e. And a dut# o" imitation. 3hildren are grate"ul
to their "ather "or the )read he procures "or them. And when the# are grown into
men, the# imitate him )# procuring with their wor; )read "or their own sons and
"or their "ather, )# now una)le to wor;, )ecause o" his age, an a""ectionate "air
return o" the good recei'ed. 0he "ourth commandment states? G7onour #our
"ather and mother.H 9ne honours their old age )# ensuring the# do not ha'e to
)eg "or )read o" others. .ut the "irst commandment comes )e"ore the "ourth?
G=o'e God with #our whole )eingH and the second? G=o'e #our neigh)ours as
#ou lo'e #oursel".H 0o lo'e God in 7imsel" and to lo'e 7im in one6s neigh)our
is to )e per"ect. 9ne lo'es 7im )# gi'ing )read to those who are hungr#,
remem)ering how man# times 7e appeased man6s hunger through miracles.
.ut without ta;ing into account the gi"ts o" manna and Iuails, let us consider the
continuous miracle o" corn, which germinates through the )ount# o" God ho
ga'e men lands suita)le to )e culti'ated and 7e adCusts and control winds, rain,
heat, seasons, so that the seed ma# )ecome an ear o" wheat and the wheat )read.
And was it not a miracle o" 7is merc# the "act that )# supernatural light 7e
taught 7is guilt# child that the tall slender grass, ending in golden ears o" seed
smelling o" the warm sun, enclosed in a hard co'er o" thorn# scales, was "ood,
which man had to pic;, hull, pul'erise, ;nead and )a;eE God taught man all
that. And 7e taught him how to pic; it, hus; it, pound it, ;nead and )a;e it. 7e
placed stones near the ears and water near the stone and )# means o" the
re"lection o" water and sun 7e lit the "irst "ire on the earth and the wind )lew
onto the "ire some grains o" wheat which were roasted smelling pleasantl#, so
that man might understand that wheat is )etter when toasted )# "ire, than as it is
in the ear, as )irds eat it, or soa;ed in water, a"ter )eing pul'erised, as a stic;#
mash. 1ow that #ou eat the good )read )a;ed in the "amil# o'en, do #ou not
consider how much merc# is shown )# the achie'ement o" so much per"ection
in )a;ing, and how much progress human ;nowledge has made "rom the "irst
ear chewed as horses do, to the )read o" toda#E And )# whomE .# the Gi'er o"
)read. And the same applies to all ;inds o" "ood, which man, through )ene"icent
enlightenment, has )een a)le to single out among the plants and animals, which
the 3reator spread o'er the earth, a place o" "atherl# punishment "or 7is guilt#
child.
0hus, to gi'e something to eat to the hungr# is a pra#er o" gratitude to the =ord
and >ather, ho satis"ies our hunger, and it is imitating the >ather, hose
li;eness was gratuitousl# granted to us, and which we must continuousl#
increase )# imitating 7is action.
5 To give drin to the thirsty.
7a'e #ou e'er thought what would happen i" the >ather did not let rain "all on
the earthE And i" 7e said? G.ecause o" #our harsh un;indness towards the
2.4. T"# D##*s !4 C!r$!r)% )n* S$rtu)% 9#rc5. 4,4
thirst# I will stop clouds "rom descending upon the earthH could we protest and
curseE ater, more than wheat, )elongs to God. .ecause wheat is culti'ated )#
man, )ut onl# God culti'ates the "ields o" clouds, which descend as rain or dew,
"og or snow, nourishing "ields and cisterns, "illing ri'ers and la;es, gi'ing
shelter to "ish, which appease man6s hunger with other animals. I" someone as;s
#ou? GGi'e me a drin;H can #ou sa# to him? G1o. 0his water is mine and I will
not let #ou ha'e itHE =iarsF hich o" #ou made a snow"la;e or one single drop
o" rainE hich o" #ou e'aporated a dew<diamond with his astral heatE 1o one.
It is God ho does that. And i" water descends "rom the s;# and re<ascends
there, it is onl# )ecause God controls that part o" creation as 7e controls the rest.
Gi'e, there"ore, the good cool water o" the springs o" the earth, or the pure water
o" #our well, or the water that "illed #our cisterns, to those who are thirst#. It is
the water o" God. And it is "or e'er#)od#. Gi'e it to the thirst#. >or such a small
deed, which costs #ou no mone# and in'ol'es no wor; eDcept the handing o" a
cup or a Cug, I tell #ou that #ou will recei'e a reward in 7ea'en. .ecause, not
the water, )ut the charita)le action is great in the e#es and Cudgement o" God.
6 To clothe the poor.
1ude, shame"ul, piti"ul miseries pass along the roads o" the earth? "orlorn old
people, people disa)led )# disease or mis"ortune, lepers coming )ac; to li"e
through the =ord6s )ount#, widows laden with children, people depri'ed o"
e'er# com"ort )# mishaps, innocent little orphans. I" *# e#es scan the 'ast
earth, I can see e'er#where people who are na;ed or co'ered with rags, which
hardl# protect their decenc# )ut do not shelter them "rom the cold. And all those
poor people loo; with downcast e#es at the wealth# people who pass )# wearing
so"t garments and com"orta)le shoes. Downcast e#es and ;indness in good
people, downcast e#es and hatred in those who are not so good. h# do #ou not
assist their deCection, ma;ing the good ones )etter, )# means o" #our lo'e, and
destro#ing hatred in those who are less goodE
Do not sa#? GI ha'e onl# enough "or m#sel".H As in the case o" )read, there is
alwa#s something more than what is necessar# on the ta)les and in the
wardro)es o" people who are not entirel# "orsa;en. Among those who are now
listening to *e, there is more than one who "rom a cast<o"" garment made
clothes "or an orphan or a poor )o# and out o" an old )ed<sheet made swaddling<
)ands "or an innocent )a)# who had none and there is one, a )eggar, who "or
#ears shared the )read )egged "or with so much di""icult#, with a leper who
could not go and )eg "or it at the doorstep o" rich people. And I solemnl# tell
#ou that such merci"ul people are not "ound among the wealth#, )ut among the
poor hum)le classes who ;now )# their own eDperience how pain"ul is po'ert#.
7ere again, as "or water and )read, consider that wool and linen with which #ou
dress #oursel'es, come "rom animals and plants, which the >ather created not
onl# "or the rich, )ut "or all men. .ecause God ga'e man onl# one wealth? 7is
Grace, health and intelligence. 1ot the "ilth# wealth, which is gold, ele'ated )#
#ou to a useless no)ilit#, whilst as a metal it is not more )eauti"ul than an# other
and it is much more useless than iron, with which #ou ma;e spades and ploughs,
harrows and sic;les, chisels, hammers, saws and planes, the hol# tools "or hol#
wor;. And #ou ele'ated it to "alse no)ilit# through the instigation o" Satan, who
has made #ou, the children o" God, as wild as )easts. God had gi'en #ou the
riches o" what is hol# to ma;e #ou more and more hol#F 1ot this murderous
wealth, which sheds so much )lood and so man# tears.
And gi'e as it was gi'en to #ou. Gi'e in the name o" the =ord, without )eing
a"raid o" remaining na;ed. It would )e )etter to die o" cold, a"ter stripping
#oursel'es in "a'our o" a )eggar, than chill #our hearts, e'en i" clad in so"t
garments, through lac; o" charit#. 0he warmth o" a good action accomplished is
more pleasant than the com"ort o" a mantle o" pure wool and the clad )odies o"
poor people spea; to God sa#ing? G.less those who ha'e clothed us.H
7 I" to satis"# people6s hunger and Iuench their thirst and clothe the poor Coins
hol# temperance and )lessed Custice to most hol# charit#, so that the destin# o"
our unhapp# )rothers is modi"ied through our holiness, when we gi'e what we
a)ound in, with God6s lea'e, on )ehal" o" those who are depri'ed o" it through
the wic;edness o" man or through diseases, to gi'e hospitalit# to pilgrims Coins
charit# to con"idence and to the esteem o" our neigh)our. And that is a 'irtue,
too, #ou ;now. A 'irtue that denotes honest#, )esides charit#, in those who
possess it. .ecause he who is honest acts righteousl#, and as we generall# thin;
that other people act as we do, so the con"idence and simplicit# )elie'ing that
the words o" other people are true, show that he who listens to them is one who
spea;s the truth in important and small matters and does not distrust what other
people tell him.
h# should one thin; o" the pilgrim who is as;ing "or shelter? GAnd what a)out
i" he is a thie" or a murdererE.H Are #ou so attached to #our wealth, as to )e
a"raid, )ecause o" it, o" e'er# stranger who arri'es at #our houseE Are #ou so
2.4. T"# D##*s !4 C!r$!r)% )n* S$rtu)% 9#rc5. 4,,
attached to #our li'es as to shudder with horror at the thought o" )eing depri'ed
o" themE hatE Do #ou thin; that God cannot de"end #ou "rom ro))ersE hatE
Are #ou a"raid that a passer<)# ma# )e a ro))er, and #ou are not a"raid o" the
e'il guest who ro)s #ou o" what cannot )e replacedE 7ow man# gi'e hospitalit#
to the demon in their heartsF I could sa#? e'er#)od# shelters capital sin, #et
no)od# "ears that. Are wealth and li"e the onl# 'alua)le thingsE Is perhaps
eternit# not more 'alua)le since #ou allow sin to ro) #ou o" it and ;ill itE 9 poor
souls, ro))ed o" their treasure and handed o'er to ;illers, as i" the# were tri"les,
whilst houses are loc;ed and )olted, protecting with dogs and sa"es things that
we cannot ta;e with us when we dieF
h# should we see a ro))er in e'er# pilgrimE e are all )rothers. 7ouses
should )e open to )rothers passing )#. Is a pilgrim not o" our same )loodE 9"
course he isF 7e is o" the )lood o" Adam and &'e. Is he not our )rotherE h#
notE 0he >ather is one onl#? God, ho has gi'en each o" us an identical soul, as
the "ather onl# gi'es the children o" the same marriage the same )lood. Is he
poorE &nsure that #our spirit, depri'ed o" the =ord6s "riendship, ma# not )e
poorer than he is. Are his clothes tornE &nsure that #our soul ma# not )e more
torn )# sin. Are his "eet co'ered with mud or dustE &nsure that #our ego ma#
not )e more worn )# 'ices, than his dirt# sandal has )een worn )# so much
wal;ing. Is his appearance unpleasantE *a;e sure that #ours is not more
unpleasant in the e#es o" God. Does he spea; a "oreign languageE *a;e sure
that the language o" #our hearts is not incomprehensi)le in the cit# o" God.
4ou must see a )rother in each pilgrim. e are all pilgrims going towards
7ea'en and we all ;noc; at the doors along the wa# to 7ea'en. And the doors
are the patriarchs, the Cust, the angels and archangels, whom we implore to help
and protect us, so that we ma# reach our goal, without )ecoming eDhausted and
dropping into the dar;ness o" night, into the rigours o" ice<cold weather, the
pre#s o" insidious wol'es and Cac;als, o" wic;ed passions and demons. As we
want angels and saints to show us their lo'e )# gi'ing us shelter and strength to
proceed on our wa#, so let us do li;ewise to the pilgrims o" the earth. And each
time we open our homes and our arms, greeting a stranger with the sweet word
o" )rother, and thin;ing o" God, ho ;nows him, I tell #ou that we will ha'e
gone man# miles along the wa# leading to 7ea'en.
8 To visit the sic.
0rul#, as men are pilgrims, so the# are sic;. And the sic;ness o" the soul is the
gra'est, it is in'isi)le and lethal. And #et people are not disgusted )# it. A moral
sore is not disgusting. 0he stench o" 'ice is not nauseating. Demoniac "ren(# is
not "rightening. 0he gangrene o" a spiritual leper does not ma;e an#one sic;.
0he sepulchre "ull o" rottenness o" a man whose soul is dead and putri"ied does
not ma;e an#)od# run awa#. 7e who approaches such impurities is not
anathematised. 7ow poor and narrow is the thought o" manF .ut tell *e? which
is worth more, the spirit, or )lood and "leshE 3an matter corrupt what is
immaterial simpl# )# )eing close to itE 1o, I tell #ou it cannot. 0he 'alue o" the
spirit is in"inite as compared to "lesh and )lood, that is trueL )ut the "lesh is not
more power"ul than the spirit. And the spirit can )e corrupted )# spiritual things,
not )# material ones. I" a man ta;es care o" a leper, his spirit does not )ecome
leprousL on the contrar#, )ecause o" his charit# practised heroicall#, to the eDtent
o" segregating himsel" in the 'alle# o" death out o" pit# "or his )rother, e'er#
stain o" sin will )e remo'ed "rom him. ,ecause charity is absolution from sin
and the first purification.
Alwa#s )ear in mind the "ollowing principle? Ghat would I li;e done to me, i"
I were li;e himE.H And act as #ou would li;e other people to act on #our )ehal".
Israel still has its ancient laws. .ut the da# will come, and its dawn is no longer
'er# "ar, when men will worship, as the s#m)ol o" a)solute )eaut#, the image o"
9ne, ho will )e the material repetition o" the *an o" sorrows o" Isaiah and the
0ortured -ictim o" Da'id6s psalm, ho will )ecome the 8edeemer o" man;ind,
)ecause 7e made 7imsel" similar to a leper, and all those who are parched with
thirst, ill, eDhausted, weeping on the earth will hasten towards 7is wounds as
deer rush to springs o" water, and 7e will Iuench their thirst, will cure them,
restore them, will com"ort their souls and )odies, and the )est )elie'ers will
#earn to )e li;e 7im, co'ered with wounds, shedding their )lood, )eaten,
crowned with thorns, cruci"ied, "or the sa;e o" men to )e redeemed, continuing
thus the wor; o" the Bing o" ;ings and 8edeemer o" the world.
4ou, who are still Israel, )ut are alread# putting on wings to "l# to the Bingdom
o" 7ea'en, )egin to consider, as "rom this moment, this new conception and
e'aluation o" sic;ness, and while )lessing God "or ;eeping #ou in good health,
)end o'er those who are su""ering and d#ing. 9ne o" *# apostles said one da#
to one o" his )rothers? GDo not )e a"raid to touch lepers. 1o disease will attac;
us )# God6s will.H 7e was right. God protects 7is ser'ants. .ut e'en i" #ou were
in"ected when curing sic; people, #ou would )e placed, in the neDt li"e, among
the mart#rs o" lo'e.
2.4. T"# D##*s !4 C!r$!r)% )n* S$rtu)% 9#rc5. 4,-
9 To visit prisoners.
Do #ou thin; that there are onl# criminals on galle#sE 9ne e#e o" human Custice
is )lind and the other su""ers "rom sight trou)le, so that it mista;es camels "or
clouds and a sna;e "or a "lower# )ranch. It Cudges erroneousl#. &'en more so
)ecause those who preside o'er it o"ten deli)eratel# stir up clouds o" smo;e, so
that it ma# see more erroneousl#. .ut e'en i" prisoners were all ro))ers or
;illers, it would )e wrong "or us to )ecome ro))ers and murderers )# depri'ing
them o" the hope o" "orgi'eness through our scorn.
Poor prisonersF 0he# dare not raise their e#es to God, laden as the# are with
their crimes. 0heir "etters reall# hurt their souls more than their "eet. oe to
them i" the# despair o" GodF 0o the crime against their neigh)our the# would
add the sin o" despairing o" "orgi'eness. 0he galle# is eDpiation, Cust as d#ing on
the sca""old. .ut it is not su""icient to pa# what is due to human societ# "or the
crime committed. It is necessar# to pa# also and a)o'e all what is due to God, in
order to eDpiate and ha'e eternal li"e. .ut he who re)els and despairs, eDpiates
onl# with regard to societ#. =et the con'ict or prisoner ha'e the lo'e o" his
)rothers. It will )e light in the dar;. It will )e a 'oice. A hand pointing upwards
while the 'oice sa#s? G*a# m# lo'e tell #ou that God also lo'es #ou, as 7e put
in m# heart this lo'e "or #ou, m# un"ortunate )rotherH and light ena)les men to
see God, their merci"ul >ather.
=et #our charit# go with greater reason to com"ort the mart#rs o" human
inCustice? )oth those who are utterl# innocent and those who ha'e )een led to
;ill )# a cruel "orce. Do not Cudge what has alread# )een Cudged. 4ou do not
;now wh# man was dri'en to ;ill. 4ou do not realise that man# times the man
who ;ills is nothing )ut a dead person, and automaton de'oid o" reason, )ecause
a )loodless murder has depri'ed him o" reason with cruel cowardl# )etra#al.
God ;nows. 0hat is enough. In the neDt li"e man# galle#<sla'es, murderers and
ro))ers will )e seen in 7ea'en, whereas man#, who seemed to ha'e )een
ro))ed and ;illed, will )e seen in 7ell, )ecause in actual "act the pseudo<'ictims
were the true ro))ers o" the peace, honest# and trust o" other people and the true
murderers o" hearts. 0he# were 'ictims onl# )ecause the# were the last to )e
struc;, a"ter the# had )een stri;ing co'ertl# "or #ears. *urder and the"t are sins.
.ut )etween one who ;ills and ro)s )ecause he is led to such crimes )# others
and later repents, and one who induces others to sin and does not repent, the
latter will )e punished more se'erel#, )ecause he persuades others to commit sin
and does not "eel remorse.
0hus, )# not passing Cudgement on them, )e compassionate to prisoners.
Alwa#s )ear in mind that i" all the murders and the"ts o" men were to )e
punished, "ew men and women would not die in galle#s and on the sca""old.
hat shall we call those mothers who concei'e )ut do not wish to gi'e )irth to
the "ruit o" their wom)sE 9hF Do not let us punF =et us call them "ran;l# )#
their name? G*urderers.H hat shall we sa# a)out those men who steal other
people6s reputation and positionsE Simpl# what the# are? G0hie'es.H hat is the
name "or those men and women, who are adulterous or torture their relati'es to
the eDtent o" dri'ing them to homicide or suicide, and "or the might# ones o" the
earth who dri'e their su)Cects to desperation and through desperation to
'iolenceE 7ere it is? G*urderers.H ellE Is no one running awa#E So #ou can
see that we li'e without an# worr# among criminals, who ha'e e'aded Custice,
who crowd houses and towns, ru) against us in streets, sleep in the same hotels
as we do, and share "ood with us. And #et, who is without sinE I" God6s "inger
should write on the wall o" the room wherein the thoughts o" man germinate,
that is on man6s "orehead, words descri)ing one as one was, is, or will )e, 'er#
"ew would )ear the word? GInnocentH written in )right letters. 0he other
"oreheads would )ear the words? GAdulterersH G*urderersH G0hie'esH GBillersH
in letters as green as en'#, or as )lac; as treason, or as red as crime.
So, without )eing proud, )e merci"ul to #our )rothers, who "rom a human point
o" 'iew ha'e )een less "ortunate than #ou are, and are now on galle#s eDpiating
what #ou do not eDpiate, although guilt# o" the same crime. 4our humilit# will
impro'e )# doing so.
10 To bury the dead.
0he contemplation o" death is a lesson "or li"e. I would li;e to ta;e #ou all
)e"ore death and sa# to #ou? G&ndea'our to li'e as saints in order to ha'e )ut
this death? a temporar# separation o" the )od# "rom the soul, to rise therea"ter
triumphantl# "ore'er, all gathered together in utter happiness.H
e were all )orn nude. e all die and our mortal remains are destined to
putre"action. hether ;ings or )eggars, as we were )orn so we die. And i" the
pomp o" ;ings allows their corpses to )e preser'ed "or a longer period o" time,
decomposition is still the "ate o" dead "lesh. hat are mummiesE >leshE 1o.
0he# are matter "ossili(ed )# resins, ligni"ied matter. It is not a pre# to worms,
as it has )een altered and )urned )# essences, )ut it is a pre# to woodworms,
Cust li;e old wood.
2.4. T"# D##*s !4 C!r$!r)% )n* S$rtu)% 9#rc5. 4,.
.ut dust )ecomes dust once again, )ecause God said so. And #et onl# )ecause
that dust en'eloped the spirit and was 'i'i"ied )# it, li;e something that touched
the glor# o" God M such is the soul o" man M we must conclude that it is
sancti"ied dust, not unli;e the o)Cects that ha'e )een in contact with the
0a)ernacle. 0here was at least one moment when a soul was per"ect? while God
was creating it. And i" Sin dis"igured it, depri'ing it o" its per"ection, )ecause o"
its 9rigin it still con"ers )eaut# to matter and )ecause o" the )eaut# that comes
"rom God, a )od# is em)ellished and deser'es respect. e are temples and as
such we deser'e to )e honoured, as the places where the 0a)ernacle stopped
were alwa#s honoured.
Grant, there"ore, the dead the charit# o" an honoura)le rest while awaiting
resurrection, and in the wonder"ul harmon# o" the human )od# contemplate the
di'ine mind and hand that concei'ed and modelled it so per"ectl# and 'enerate
the wor; o" the =ord also in its remains.
11 .ut man is not onl# "lesh and )lood. 7e is also soul and mind. 0he latter
su""er as well, and are to )e assisted merci"ull#.
0here are ignorant people who do wrong onl# )ecause the# do not ;now good.
7ow man# do not ;now or ;now wrongl# the things o" God and e'en moral
lawsF 0he# languish li;e "amishing people )ecause no one satis"ies their hunger
and "all into marasmus through lac; o" nourishing truth. Go and teach them
)ecause that is wh# I ha'e gathered #ou and I am sending #ou. Gi'e the )read o"
the spirit to the hunger o" spirits. 0o teach the ignorant corresponds, in the spiri<
tual "ield, to appeasing the hunger o" those who are star'ing. And i" a reward is
granted "or a piece o" )read o""ered to a languishing )od#, so that it ma# not die,
what reward will )e gi'en to him who satis"ies a spirit with eternal truth and
gi'es it eternal li"eE Do not )e a'aricious o" what #ou ;now. It was gi'en to #ou
without an# eDpense or limit. Gi'e it without a'arice, )ecause it )elongs to God,
li;e the water o" the s;# and it is to )e gi'en as it was gi'en to us.
12 .e not a'aricious or proud o" what #ou ;now. .ut gi'e with hum)le
generosit#. And give the limpid charitable relief of prayer to the living and to
the dead who thirst for graces. ater is not to )e re"used to parched throats.
hat is there"ore to )e gi'en to the hearts o" anguished li'ing people, and what
to the eDpiating souls o" the deadE Pra#ers, pra#ers that are proli"ic )ecause the#
are "ull o" lo'e and spirit o" morti"ication.
Pra#er must )e true, not mechanical li;e the noise o" a wheel on the road. Is it
the noise or the wheel that ma;es a cart proceedE It is the wheel that wears itsel"
out to mo'e the cart "orward. 0he same applies to 'ocal mechanical pra#er and
to acti'e pra#er. 0he "ormer is sound and nothing else. 0he latter is wor;, in
which strength wears out and su""ering increases, )ut it attains its goal. Pra#
more )# means o" morti"ication than with #our lips and #ou will gi'e relie" to
the li'ing and the dead, "ul"illing the second wor; o" spiritual merc#. 0he world
will )e sa'ed more )# the pra#ers o" those who ;now how to pra#, than )#
useless rum)ling deadl# )attles.
13 *an# people in the world )elie'e. .ut the# do not )elie'e "irml#. 0he#
wa'er as i" the# were drawn in opposite directions, and without proceeding )#
one step onl#, the# wear their strength out unsuccess"ull#. 0he# are the dou)t"ul
ones. 0hose who hesitate sa#ing? G)utH, Gi"H, Gand then.H 0hose who as;? Gill
it reall# )e thusEH, GAnd i" it were not soEH, GShall I )e a)leEH, GAnd i" I am not
success"ulEH and so on. 0he# are li;e )ear)ines, which do not clim) up unless
the# "ind something to cling to, and e'en when the# do "ind it, the# dangle to
and "ro, and it is not onl# necessar# to "ind a support "or them, )ut one must
guide them onto it at each turn e'er# da#.
9hF 0he# reall# tr# one6s patience and charit# more than a )ac;ward childF .ut
in the name o" the =ord, do not a)andon themF Gi'e )right "aith, ardent strength
to those prisoners o" themsel'es and o" their ha(# disease. Guide them towards
the sun and the s;#. ,e masters and fathers to those dubious minds without
tiring or losing your patience. 0he# discourage #ouE -er# well. 7ow o"ten #ou
discourage *e and e'en more the >ather ho is in 7ea'en and ho must o"ten
thin; that the ord seems to ha'e )ecome >lesh in 'ain, since men still hesitate
e'en now that the# hear the ord o" God spea;.
4ou will not presume that #ou are o" greater worth than God is or I amF So open
the prisons o" these prisoners o" G)utH and Gi".H 8elie'e them "rom their chains
o"? GShall I )e a)leEH, GI" I am not success"ulE.H 3on'ince them that it is enough
to do one6s )est and God is satis"ied. And i" #ou see them "all o"" their support,
do not pass )# ignoring them, )ut li"t them up once again. =i;e mothers, who do
not pass )# i" their child "alls, )ut the# stop, pic; him up, clean him, com"ort
him and hold him until he is no longer a"raid o" "alling again. And the# do so "or
months and #ears i" the )o#6s legs are wea;.
14 3lothe those who are na;ed spirituall# )# forgiving those who offend you#
9""ences are against charit#. =ac; o" charit# di'ests one o" God. So he who
2.4. T"# D##*s !4 C!r$!r)% )n* S$rtu)% 9#rc5. 4,1
o""ends )ecomes na;ed and onl# the "orgi'eness o" the o""ended person can put
clothes )ac; on such nudit#. .ecause he )rings God )ac; to it. God waits "or the
o""ended person to "orgi'e )e"ore 7e "orgi'es )oth the person o""ended )# man,
and the o""ender o" man and o" God. .ecause M let us admit it M there is no one
who has not gi'en o""ence to his =ord. .ut God "orgi'es us i" we "orgi'e our
neigh)our, and "orgi'es our neigh)our i" the person o""ended "orgi'es. It will )e
done to #ou as #ou do to others. >orgi'e, there"ore, i" #ou wish to )e "orgi'en
and #ou will reCoice in 7ea'en "or #our charita)le )eha'iour, as i" a mantle
studded with stars were placed on #our hol# shoulders.
15 ,e merciful to those who are weeping. 0he# ha'e )een wounded )# li"e and
their hearts are grie'ed in their a""ections.
Do not loc; #oursel'es up in #our serenit# as in a stronghold. eep with those
who are weeping, com"ort who is distressed, console the loneliness o" those who
ha'e )een depri'ed o" a relati'e )# death. .e "athers to orphans, sons to parents,
)rothers to one another.
=o'e. h# lo'e onl# those who are happ#E 0he# alread# ha'e their share o"
sunshine. =o'e the weeping. 0he# are the least amia)le "or the world. .ut the
world is not aware o" the 'alue o" tears. 4ou are. =o'e, there"ore, those who are
weeping. =o'e them i" the# are resigned in their grie". =o'e them e'en more i"
the# re)el against their sorrow. Do not reproach them )ut ;indl# con'ince them
o" the truth o" grie" and the utilit# o" sorrow. 0hrough the 'eil o" tears the# ma#
see the "ace o" God de"ormed, and 7is countenance "ull o" re'enge"ul arrogance.
1o. Do not )e scandalisedF It is onl# a hallucination )rought a)out )# the "e'er
o" grie". Assist them so that their temperature ma# a)ate.
=et #our "resh "aith )e li;e ice applied to a delirious patient. And when the
raging "e'er drops and is "ollowed )# the seediness and torpid he)etude t#pical
o" those who come out o" a trauma, then spea; to them once again o" God, as o"
something new, ;indl# and patientl#, as #ou would deal with children who ha'e
)ecome )ac;ward through disease... 9hF a lo'el# tale, told to amuse man, the
eternal childF And then )e Iuiet. Do not impose... A soul wor;s )# itsel". Assist
it with caresses and pra#er. And when it as;s? GSo it was not GodEH, repl#? G1o.
7e did not want to hurt #ou, )ecause 7e lo'es #ou, also on )ehal" o" those who
no longer lo'e #ou )ecause o" death or other reasons.H And when the soul sa#s?
G.ut I accused himH, sa#? G7e has "orgotten it, )ecause it was #our "e'er.H And
when it sa#s? GI would li;e to ha'e 7imH, sa#? G7ere 7e isF At the door o" #our
heart, waiting "or #ou to open it to 7im.H
16 ,ear bothersome persons. 0he# come in to upset the little house o" our ego,
Cust as pilgrims come in to upset the house in which we li'e. .ut as I told #ou to
welcome pilgrims, so I tell #ou to welcome these persons.
Are the# )othersomeE .ut i" #ou do not lo'e them, )ecause o" the trou)le the#
cause #ou, the# lo'e #ou, more or less righteousl#. elcome them "or such
lo'e. And e'en i" the# came inIuiring, hating, insulting #ou, )e patient and
charita)le. 4ou can impro'e them through #our patience. .ut #ou ma#
scandalise them through #our lac; o" charit#. .e sorr# )ecause the# sinL )ut )e
more sorr# to ma;e them sin and to sin #oursel'es. 8ecei'e them in *# name, i"
#ou cannot recei'e them with #our own lo'e. And God will reward #ou, )#
coming 7imsel", later, to return the 'isit and cancel the unpleasant memor# )#
7is supernatural caresses.
17 >inall# endeavour to bury sinners in order to prepare the return to the %ife
of Grace. Do #ou ;now when #ou do thatE hen #ou admonish them with
paternal, patient, lo'ing insistence. It is as i" #ou were )ur#ing little )# little the
ugl# part o" the )od# )e"ore deli'ering it to its sepulchre awaiting the command
o" God?
G8ise and come to *e.H
Do the ,ews not puri"# the dead out o" respect "or the )od#, which is to rise
againE 0o admonish sinners is li;e puri"#ing their lim)s, the "irst operation "or
)urial. 0he Grace o" the =ord will do the rest. Puri"# them through charit#, tears
and sacri"ices. .e heroes to snatch a soul "rom corruption. .e heroes.
4ou will not )e le"t without reward. .ecause i" a reward is gi'en "or a cup o"
water gi'en to a thirst# )od#, what will )e gi'en to him who relie'es a soul
"rom in"ernal thirstE
18 I ha'e "inished. 0hose are the deeds o" corporal and spiritual merc# that
increase lo'e. Go and practise them. And ma# the peace o" God and *ine )e
with #ou now and e'er. 5
2.4. T"# D##*s !4 C!r$!r)% )n* S$rtu)% 9#rc5. 4,2