Maria Valtorta's

Il Poema Dell'Uomo Dio (The Poem of The ManGod)

VOLUME FOURTranslated from Italian by Nicandro Picozzi, M.A. D.D. Revised by Patrick McLau !lin, M.A.

"#NTR$ #DIT$RIAL# %ALT$RTIAN$

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Table of Contents414. The Beggar on the Road to Jericho.......................................1 415. The Conversion of Zacchaeus..................................................9 416. At So o!on"s #i age................................................................26 41$. %n a &itt e #i age of the 'eca(o is. )ara* e of the Scu (tor............................................................+5 41,. The 'e!oniac of the 'eca(o is...........................................46 419. The -east of the )harisees......................................................61 42.. Consider -ourse ves /n(rofita* e Servants......................$4 421. The Re(entant Sinner %s a 0a1s To Be 2orgiven..............,+ 422. 3art1rdo! for &ove %s A*so ution......................................94 42+. At Caesarea on the Sea. )ara* e of the 2ather 4ho 5ives 6ach of 7is Chi dren the Sa!e A!ount of 3one1.................................................99 424. At Caesarea on the Sea. The Ro!an &adies and the S ave 5a a Ci(rina..........................................................114 425. Aurea 5a a................................................................................ 1+5 426. )ara* e of the #ine1ard and of 2ree 4i ........................15. 42$. 5oing a*out the ) ain of 6sdrae on.................................16. 42,. The 2a en 8est and the Scri*e Johanan *en Zaccai.. 165 429. The Journe1 in the ) ain of 6sdrae on Continues........1$1 4+.. 8ear Se(horis9 0ith Johanan"s )easants.........................1$4 4+1. Arriva at 8a:areth..................................................................1,6 4+2. )ara* e of )ainted 4ood.....................................................195 +

4++. The Sa**aths in the )eace of 8a:areth..........................2.$ 4+4. Before Being a 3other9 the B essed #irgin %s a 'aughter and Servant of 5od........................................216 4+5. Jesus and 7is 3other Converse.........................................224 4+6. The B essed #irgin at Ti*erias.............................................22, 4+$. Aurea 'oes the 4i of 5od................................................241 4+,. Another Sa**ath at 8a:areth.............................................24$ 4+9. The 'e(arture fro! 8a:areth and the Journe1 to0ards Beth ehe! in 5a i ee....................256 44.. Judas of ;erioth 0ith the B essed #irgin at 8a:areth...........................................2$1 441. The 'eath of 3arne Can ;i in 3an1 4a1s B...................9.5 491. 8ear the 2ountain of 6n?Roge ..........................................91. 6

492. The )harisees and the Adu terous 4o!an....................91, 49+. %nstructions on the Road to Bethan1................................929 494. At the #i age of So o!on and in 7is 7ouse.................9+6 495. Jesus and Si!on of Jonas....................................................944 496. Jesus to Thaddeus and to Ja!es of Ze*edee...............952 49$. The 3an fro! )etra9 near 7esh*on.................................961 49,. 'escending fro! 3ount 8e*o..........................................96, 499. )ara* e of the 2ather 4ho )raises 7is 2ar?a0a1 Chi dren. Cure of the &itt e B ind Chi dren 2ara and Ta!ar.........9$5 5... 'ivine and 'ia*o ica )ossessions....................................9,, 5.1. The 4ife of the Sadducean 8ecro!ancer......................995 5.2. 'eath of Ananias..................................................................1.14 5.+. The )ara* e of the /nscru(u ous Judge.......................1.25 5.4. Jesus9 &ight of the 4or d....................................................1.+6 5.5. Jesus S(ea=s in the Te!( e to the %ncredu ous Judaeans............................................1.45 5.6. %n Jose(h"s 7ouse at Se(horis. &itt e 3artia 8a!ed 3anasseh......................................1.66 5.$. The > d )riest 3atan Dor 8atanE.....................................1.$, 5.,. The Cure of the 3an Born B ind......................................1.9. 5.9. At 8o*. Judas of ;erioth &ies...........................................1114 51.. A!ong the Ruins of a 'estro1ed #i age.....................1126 511. At 6!!aus in the 3ountains. )ara* e of the Rich 4ise 3an and of the )oor %gnorant Bo1....11+2 $

512. The /ndecided -oung 3an. 3irac es and Ad!onitions at Beth?7oron..................1144 51+. To0ards 5i*eon. The Reasons for Jesus" Sorro0.......116+ 514. At 5i*eon. The 4isdo! of &ove.....................................11$5 515. Returning to Jerusa e!.......................................................11,2 516. Jesus9 the 5ood She(herd.................................................11,9 51$. To0ards Bethan1 and in &a:arus" 7ouse......................12.6 51,. 5oing to Te=oah. > d 6 ianna...........................................1216 519. At Te=oah................................................................................. 12+2 52.. Arriva at Jericho. Zacchaeus" A(osto ate.....................124. 521. At Jericho. T0o )ara* es@ That of the Sic= and the 7ea th19 and That of the )harisee and the )u* ican.1252 522. %n Zacchaeus" 7ouse 0ith the Converts. The Sou and the 6rror of Reincarnation......................1266 52+. Sa*ea of Beth echi................................................................12,1 524. At Betha*ara9 Re!e!*ering the Ba(tist......................1+11 525. 5oing Bac= to 8o*. Jesus" >!niscience......................1+1$ 526. At 8o*. Judas of ;erioth"s Return...................................1+25 52$. At 8o* during the 2o o0ing 'a1s. 7idden )ossessions.............................................................1++4 52,. Judas of ;erioth %s &ustfu ..................................................1+46 529. Jesus S(ea=s to #a eria of 3atri!on1 and 'ivorce. The 3irac e of &itt e &evi....................................................1+5+ 5+.. Jesus and the )rostitute Sent to Te!(t 7i!...............1+,5 5+1. Jesus and Judas of ;erioth ,

5oing to0ards Jerusa e!..................................................14.$ 5+2. %n the S1nagogue of the Ro!an 2reed!en................1412 5++. Judas %scariot and Jesus" 6ne!ies...................................1426 5+4. The Seven &e(ers Cured. %nstructions to the A(ost es and Arriva at Bethan1...............................1445 5+5. At the 2east of the 'edication of the Te!( e.............1462 5+6. Jesus 5oes to the 5rotto of the 8ativit1 to *e A one...............................................14,1 5+$. Jesus and John of Ze*edee...............................................1496 5+,. Jesus 0ith John and 3anaen. 6nd of the Third -ear...........................................................15.$

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This is the Voice of the Teacher. It roars and caresses. It roars when it is addressed to those who do not want to be converted. It caresses when it speaks to those who, though imperfect, have the good will to find God and his ord and, having found Them, to sanctif! themselves. "or these it becomes the caress of a "riend and the blessing of #esus. $

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414. The Beggar on the Road to Jericho.17th May 1944.

& I see 'esus on a very dusty and sunny main road. T!ere is not t!e smallest (atc! of s!ade, t!ere is not a blade of rass. T!ere is dust on t!e road, t!ere is dust on t!e )aste country borderin on it. T!ere are certainly none of t!e (leasant !ills of *alilee nor of t!e )oody mountains of 'udaea, so ric! in )aters and (astures. T!e land !ere is not a desert by its nature, but only because man !as made it so by leavin it uncultivated. It is a flat country and I cannot see one !ill, not even in t!e distance. As I am not familiar )it! Palestine, I cannot say )!ic! re ion it is. It is certainly one )!ic! I !ave never seen in (revious visions. $n one side of t!e road t!ere are !ea(s of crus!ed stones, (er!a(s to re(air t!e road, )!ic! is in a very bad state. At (resent one sinks into t!e dust+ )!en it rains it must become a torrent of mud. I can see no !ouses, neit!er near t!e road nor far a)ay. 'esus, as usual, is )alkin a fe) metres a!ead of t!e a(ostles, )!o, !ot and tired, follo) ,im in a rou(. To (rotect t!emselves from t!e sun, t!ey !ave (ulled t!eir mantles over t!eir !eads and t!ey look like a confraternity dressed in many-coloured robes. 'esus, instead, is bare-!eaded. T!e sun does not seem to annoy ,im. ,e is )earin a )!ite linen s!ort-sleeved tunic. It is very )ide and loose. ,e is not even )earin ,is usual cord belt. ,is clot!es are most suitable for t!is torrid (lace. ,is mantle also must be of sky-blue linen because it is 1

very li !t and falls loosely over ,is body, )!ic! is t!us less envelo(ed t!an usual. ,is s!oulders are covered, but ,is arms are free. I do not kno) !o) ,e !as fastened it to kee( it t!us. . A man is sittin , nay, !e is !alf-lyin on one of t!e !ea(s of crus!ed stones. ,e must be a (oor be ar. ,is arment /so to s(eak0 is a dirty tattered s!ort tunic, )!ic! (er!a(s once )as )!ite, but no) is t!e colour of mud. ,e is )earin t)o s!abby )orn-out sandals+ t)o soles )it! !oles, !eld to et!er )it! (ieces of strin . In !is !ands !e !as a stick made from t!e branc! of a tree. ,e !as a dirty banda e on !is fore!ead and anot!er dirty ra , stained )it! blood, on !is left le , bet)een !is knee and !i(. T!e (oor fello) is emaciated, a !ea( of bones, de1ected, dirty, !airy, uncombed. 2efore !e invokes 'esus, 'esus oes to !im. ,e a((roac!es t!e (oor )retc! and asks !im+ 3 4!o are you56 3 A (oor man be in for bread.6

3 Alon t!is road56 3 I am oin to 'eric!o.6 3 T!e road is a lon one and t!e country is de(o(ulated.6 3 I kno), but t!e *entiles )!o (ass !ere are more likely to ive me a (iece of bread and a coin, t!an t!e 'e)s from )!om I !ave come.6 3 ,ave you come from 'udaea56 2

3 7es, from 'erusalem. 2ut I !ad to o a lon )ay round to see some ood (eo(le in t!e country, as t!ey al)ays ive me somet!in . To)nsfolk don8t ive anyt!in . T!ere is no mercy t!ere.6 3 7ou are ri !t. T!ere is no mercy.6 3 2ut 7ou !ave mercy. Are 7ou 'udaean56 3 No. I come from Nazaret!.6 3 $nce t!e Nazarenes !ad a (oor re(utation. 2ut no) )e must say t!at t!ey are better t!an t!e (eo(le in 'udaea. #ven in 'erusalem, only t!e follo)ers of t!at Nazarene, 4!o t!ey say is a Pro(!et, are ood. Do 7ou kno) ,im56 3 And do you kno) ,im56 3 No. I )ent t!ere because, see, my le is numb and contracted, and I dra myself alon )it! difficulty. I am not fit to )ork and I am dyin of starvation and blo)s. I )as !o(in to meet ,im, because I )as told t!at ,e cures )!oever ,e touc!es. It is true t!at I do not belon to t!e c!osen (eo(le... but t!ey say t!at ,e is ood to everybody. I )as told t!at ,e )as in 'erusalem for t!e 9east of 4eeks. 2ut I )alk slo)ly... and I )as beaten and I )as left sufferin on t!e road... 4!en I arrived in 'erusalem, ,e !ad left, because t!ey told me t!at t!e 'e)s !ad ill-treated ,im as )ell.6 3 And did t!ey maltreat you56 3 T!ey al)ays do. $nly t!e Roman soldiers ive me a (iece of bread.6 +

: 3 And )!at do t!e (eo(le in 'erusalem say of t!at Nazarene56 3 T!at ,e is t!e ;on of *od, a reat Pro(!et, a ;aint, a 'ust man.6 3 And )!at do you t!ink ,e is56 3 I... I am an idolater. 2ut I t!ink ,e is t!e ;on of *od.6 3 ,o) can you believe t!at, if you do not even kno) ,im56 3 I kno) ,is )orks. $nly *od can be as ood and s(eak )ords as ,e does.6 3 4!o told you of t!ose )ords56 3 $t!er (oor (eo(le, (eo(le )!o )ere cured, c!ildren )!o brin me some bread... "!ildren are ood and t!ey kno) not!in of believers and idolaters.6 3 2ut )!ere do you come from56 3 ...6 3 Tell Me. I am like c!ildren. 2e not afraid. 2ut be sincere.6 3 I am... a ;amaritan. Don8t beat me...6 3 I never beat anybody. I never des(ise anyone. I feel sorry for everybody.6 3 T!en... T!en 7ou are t!e Rabbi of *alileeuet, askin for some of t!e remains, after t!e do s !ad c!osen t!e best ones. ,e sa) me and set t!e do s on me. $ne of t!em tore my t!i ! to (ieces.6 3 And )!at about t!is lar e scar t!at maims your !and56 3 A scribe ave me a blo) )it! a club t!ree years a o. ,e found out t!at I )as a ;amaritan and !e struck me breakin my fin ers. T!at is )!y I cannot )ork. 4it! my ri !t !and maimed, my le numbed, !o) can I earn my livin 56 3 2ut )!y are you leavin ;amaria56 3 It8s bad to be in need, Master. 4e are very un!a((y and t!ere is not enou ! bread for everybody. If 7ou !el(ed me...6 3 4!at do you )ant Me to do for you56 3 To cure me so t!at I may )ork.6 3 Do you t!ink I can56 3 7es, I do believe it, because 7ou are t!e ;on of *od.6 3 Do you believe t!at56 3 I do.6 3 7ou, a ;amaritan, believe t!at5 4!y56 6

3 I do not kno) )!y. I kno) t!at I believe in 7ou and in ,im 4!o sent 7ou. No) t!at 7ou !ave come, t!ere is no difference in )ors!i((in . It is enou ! to )ors!i( 7ou in order to )ors!i( 7our 9at!er, t!e eternal Lord. 4!ere 7ou are, t!ere is t!e 9at!er.6 ? 3 ,ave you !eard, My friends5 /'esus addresses ,is disci(les0. T!is man is s(eakin t!rou ! t!e ;(irit 4!o enli !tens t!e trut! for !im. And I solemnly tell you t!at !e is su(erior to scribes and P!arisees, to cruel ;adducees, to all t!ose idolaters )!o falsely call t!emselves t!e c!ildren of t!e La). T!e La) (rescribes to love our nei !bour, after *od. And t!ey ive blo)s to t!e nei !bour askin for bread, t!ey drive !orses and do s on su((liants, on t!e nei !bour )!o lo)ers !imself belo) t!e do s of a ric! man, t!ey set t!e very do s on !im, to make !im even more un!a((y t!an !is diseases do. Disdainful, cruel, !y(ocrites, t!ey do not )ant *od to be kno)n and loved. If t!ey did )ant t!at, t!ey )ould make ,im kno)n t!rou ! t!eir deeds, as t!is man said. It is deeds, not (ractices, )!ic! make (eo(le see t!e livin *od in t!e !earts of men and lead men to *od. And you, 'udas, since you re(roac! Me for bein im(rudent, tell Me, s!all I not re(rimand t!em5 To be silent, to fei n t!at I a((rove of t!em, )ould mean a((rovin of t!eir be!aviour. No. 9or t!e lory of *od, 4!ose ;on I am, I cannot allo) !umble, un!a((y, ood (eo(le to believe t!at I a((rove of t!eir sins. I !ave come to make t!e *entiles sons of *od. 2ut I cannot do t!at if t!ey see t!at t!e c!ildren of t!e La) @ t!ey call t!emselves so, but t!ey are ille itimate c!ildren @ (ractise a (a anism more uilty t!an t!eirs, because t!ese 'e)s !ave been ac>uainted )it! t!e La) of *od, and no), 1ust like $

unclean animals, t!ey s(it t!e re ur itations of t!eir satisfied (assions on it. Am I to believe, 'udas, t!at you are like t!em5 7ou, )!o re(roac! Me for t!e trut! I s(eak5 $r must I t!ink t!at you are )orried about your o)n life5 ,e )!o follo)s Me must not be concerned )it! !uman )orries. I told you, 'udas, you are still in time to c!oose bet)een My )ay and t!e )ay of t!e 'udaeans, )!om you a((rove of. 2ut consider t!at My )ay oes to *odA t!e ot!er to *od8s #nemy. "onsider t!at and make u( your mind. 2ut be sincere. B And you, My friend, rise and )alk. Remove t!ose banda es. *o back !ome. 7ou are cured because of your fait!.6T!e be ar looks at ,im dumbfounded. ,e dare not stretc! out !is !and... but !e tries. It is unin1ured, eCactly as !is left one. ,e dro(s !is stick, and (us!in !is !ands on t!e !ea( of stones, !e rises. ,e can stand. T!e (aralysis contractin !is le is cured. ,e moves !is le , bends it... takes one ste(, t)o, t!ree. ,e )alks... ,e looks at 'esus )it! a cry and tears of 1oy. ,e ri(s off t!e banda e from !is fore!ead. ,e touc!es t!e back of !is !ead, )!ere t!e infected !ole )as. T!ere is not!in . It is all cured. ,e tears t!e blood-stained ra off !is le + t!e skin is intact. 3 Master, Master and my *oduestions+ 3 Is ,e really as ood as t!ey say5 And do ,is )ords corres(ond to facts5 Does ,e really make use of t!e mercy )!ic! ,e (reac!es5 $n be!alf of everybody, also of (ublicans5 Is it true t!at ,e does not re1ect anybody56 And !e listens, t!inks and si !s. T!e second time )!en someone (oints out to !im a bearded man, )!o is, (assin by )it! a little donkey laden )it! !ouse!old oods. 3 ;ee, Dacc!aeus5 T!at is Dac!arias, t!e le(er. ,e lived in a se(ulc!re for ten years. No) t!at !e is cured, !e !as bou !t t!e furnis!in s for !is !ouse, )!ic! )as em(tied accordin to t!e La), )!en !e and !is relatives )ere declared le(ers.6 3 "all !im.6 . Dac!arias comes. 3 4ere you a le(er56 1.

3 I )as and so )ere my )ife and my t)o c!ildren. My )ife )as t!e first to be infected and )e did not notice it at once. T!e c!ildren became infected slee(in )it! t!eir mot!er, and I, )!en I a((roac!ed my )ife. 4e )ere all le(ers< 4!en it )as found out, t!ey sent us a)ay from t!e villa e... T!ey could !ave left us in our !ouse, as it )as t!e last one... at t!e end of t!e street. 4e )ould not !ave caused any trouble... I !ad already ro)n a very !i ! !ed e, so t!at )e mi !t not even be seen. It )as already a se(ulc!re... but it )as our !ome... T!ey sent us a)ay. A)ay< A)ay< No to)n )anted us. And >uite ri !tly< Not even our o)n to)n !ad )anted us. 4e stayed near 'erusalem, in an em(ty se(ulc!re. Many (oor )retc!es are t!ere. 2ut t!e c!ildren died, in t!e cold of t!e cave. T!e disease, cold and starvation soon killed t!em... T!ey )ere t)o boys... t!ey )ere beautiful before t!e disease. T!ey )ere stron and beautiful, dark bro)n like t)o blackberries in Au ust, curly and lively. T!ey !ad become t)o skeletons covered )it! sores... T!ey !ad no !air left, t!eir eyes )ere sealed )it! scabs, t!eir feet and !ands )ere fallin off in )!ite scales. I )atc!ed t!e bodies of my c!ildren )aste a)ayuisites necessary to ac!ieve t!em and t!e re)ards t!at )ill be iven to t!e blessed ones. 2ut )!ile t!e cate ories mentioned are different, t!e re)ard is t!e same, if you consider t!e situation carefully+ to en1oy t!e same t!in s t!at *od en1oys. Different cate ories. I !ave already eC(lained t!at *od )it! ,is t!ou !t creates souls of different tendency, so t!at t!e #art! may en1oy a 1ust balance in all its inferior and su(erior necessities. If t!e rebellion of man u(sets t!at balance, as !e al)ays )ants. to o a ainst t!e divine 4ill, 4!ic! uides !im lovin ly alon t!e 1ust )ay, it is not *od8s fault. Men, (er(etually dissatisfied )it! t!eir situation, invade or u(set ot!er (eo(le8s estates, eit!er by means of true and (ro(er abuse of (o)er, or by attem(ts at suc! abuse. 4!at are )orld )ars, family feuds, (rofessional )arfare, but suc! active abuse5 4!at are social revolutions, )!at are t!e doctrines t!at clot!e t!emselves )it! t!e name EsocialF, but in actual fact are not!in but arro ance and t!e very o((osite of c!arity, because t!ey neit!er )ant nor (ractise t!e 1ustice t!ey 21

(reac!, on t!e contrary t!ey overflo) )it! outbreaks of violence, )!ic! do not relieve o((ressed (eo(le, but increase t!eir numbers to t!e advanta e of a fe) arro ant fello)s5 2ut )!ere I, *od, rei n, suc! alterations do not take (lace. Not!in u(sets order in My Kin dom and in t!e s(irits )!ic! are really Mine. T!us t!e several as(ects of t!e multiform !oliness of *od are lived and re)arded, because *od is 1ust, (ure, (eaceful, merciful, free from t!e reed of fleetin ric!es, 1oyful in t!e !a((iness of ,is love. ;ome souls tend to one form, some to anot!er. T!ey tend in an eminent manner, because all virtues are (resent in saints. 2ut one (redominates, and on account of it, t!at saint is (articularly celebrated amon men. 2ut I bless and re)ard !im on account of all of t!em, because t!e re)ard is Eto en1oy *odF bot! for t!e (eaceful and t!e merciful, for t!ose )!o love 1ustice and for t!ose )!o are (ersecuted by in1ustice, for t!e (ure and t!e distressed, for t!e meek and for t!e (ure in s(irit. H T!e (ure in s(irit< ,o) badly is t!is definition al)ays understood, even by t!ose )!o (erceive its ri !t meanin < Accordin to !uman su(erficiality and to foolis! !uman irony, and accordin to i norance, )!ic! considers itself )ise, (ure in s(irit means Estu(idF. T!e better class of (eo(le t!ink t!at t!e s(irit is intelli ence, t!ou !tA t!ose )!o are more material consider it artfulness and malice. No. T!e s(irit is by far su(erior to intelli ence. It is t!e kin of everyt!in in you. All (!ysical and moral >ualities are sub1ects and servants of t!at kin . T!at is t!e situation )!ere a creature devoted to *od in a filial manner kno)s !o) to 22

kee( t!in s in t!e ri !t (lace. 4!ere instead a creature is not devoted in a filial manner, idolatries take (lace, and t!e maidservants become >ueens and de(ose t!e s(irit kin . Anarc!y )!ic! causes disaster like all anarc!ies. Poverty in s(irit consists in !avin t!e soverei n freedom from everyt!in t!at is t!e deli !t of man, and for )!ic! man oes to t!e eCtent of committin material crime or t!e un(unis!ed moral crime t!at too often esca(es !uman la), but does not make fe)er victims, on t!e contrary it makes more and )it! conse>uences )!ic! are not limited to takin t!e life of t!e victim, but often de(rive bot! t!e victims and t!eir relatives of t!eir ood re(utation and liveli!ood. T!e man (oor in s(irit is no lon er enslaved by ric!es. #ven if !e does not o so far as to re(udiate t!em materially, de(rivin !imself of t!em and of every comfort by 1oinin a monastic order, !e kno)s !o) to use t!em s(arin ly for !imself, )!ic! is a double sacrifice, in order to be (rodi al of ifts to t!e (oor of t!e )orld. ,e !as understood My sentence+ EMake friends by means of un1ust ric!es.F $f !is money, )!ic! mi !t be t!e enemy of !is s(irit, leadin it to lust, reed and antic!arity, !e makes a servant t!at levels t!e )ay to ,eaven for !im @ t!e ric!+ (oor in s(irit @ a )ay com(letely s(read )it! !is mortifications and !is c!aritable deeds for t!e miseries of !is fello)-creatures. ,o) many in1ustices t!e man (oor in s(irit mends and cures< ,is o)n in1ustices of t!e time )!en, like Dacc!aeus, !e )as but a reedy !ard-!earted man. In1ustices of !is nei !bours, )!et!er alive or dead. ;ocial in1ustices. 2+

7ou erect monuments to (eo(le )!o )ere reat only because t!ey )ere overbearin . 4!y do you not erect monuments to t!e secret benefactors of destitute mankind, to t!e (oor and )orkin classes, to t!ose )!o use t!eir )ealt! not to make t!eir o)n lives a (er(etual feast, but to make life bri !ter, better and more elevated for t!ose )!o are (oor, for t!ose )!o suffer, for t!ose )!ose functional faculties are im(aired, for t!ose left in i norance by overbearin (eo(le, because i norance serves t!eir !ateful aims better5 ,o) many t!ere are, also amon t!ose )!o are not ric!, nay, )!o are little less t!an (oor, and yet t!ey can sacrifice t!e Et)o fart!in sF t!ey (ossess, in order to relieve a misery, )!ic!, bein )it!out t!e Li !t )!ic! t!ey !ave @ and t!eir be!aviour makes one understand t!at t!ey do !ave it @ is reater t!an t!eir o)n< T!ose are (oor in s(irit )!o, losin t!eir (ossessions, )!et!er lar e or small, kno) !o) to kee( t!eir (eace and !o(e, )it!out cursin or !atin anyone, eit!er *od or men. &L T!e )ide cate ory of t!e E(oor in s(iritF, )!ic! I mentioned as t!e first one @ because I could say t!at )it!out suc! freedom of t!e s(irit from all t!e deli !ts of life, it is not Possible to !ave t!e ot!er virtues )!ic! ive beatitude @ is divided and subdivided into many forms. ,umility of t!ou !t )!ic! does not s)ell )it! (ride and does not (roclaim itself su(er-t!ou !t, but makes use of t!e ift of *od ackno)led in its $ri in, for *ood. $nly for t!at. *enerosity in affections, )!ereby one can de(rive oneself also of t!em, in order to follo) *od. Also of life, 24

t!e most real )ealt! and t!e most loved instinctively by t!e animal creature. All My martyrs )ere enerous in t!at )ay, because t!eir s(irits !ad become (oor, in order to become Eric!F in t!e only eternal ric!es+ *od. 'ustice in lovin our (ersonal t!in s. It is our duty to love t!em, because t!ey are testimony of Providence in our favour. I !ave already s(oken about t!at in (revious dictations. 2ut )e must not love t!em more t!an )e love *od or ,is 4illA you must not love t!em to t!e eCtent of cursin *od, if man snatc!es t!em from you. And finally, I )ould re(eat it, freedom from t!e slavery of money. T!ose are t!e different forms of t!at s(iritual (overty t!at I said )ill (ossess ,eaven out of 1ustice. Put under your feet all t!e fleetin ric!es of !uman life to (ossess t!e eternal ric!es. "onsider t!e #art! and its deceitful fruit, )!ic! is s)eet outside and bitter inside, as t!e last t!in , and live )orkin to con>uer ,eaven. $!< t!ere is no fruit t!ere )it! a false flavour. T!ere is t!e ineffable fruit of t!e en1oyment of *od. Dacc!aeus !ad understood t!at. T!at sentence )as t!e arro) t!at o(ened !is !eart to Li !t and "!arity. It o(ened it to Me as I a((roac!ed !im to say to !im+ E"omeF. And )!en I came u( to !im to call !im, !e )as already E(oor in s(iritF. ,e )as t!erefore ca(able of (ossessin ,eaven.6

25

41!. "t #olo$on%s &illage.& 'esus says+ 3 7ou )ill (ut !ere t!e vision of 'esus and t!e be ar on t!e road to 'eric!o, )!ic! you !ad on &It! May &H==, and immediately after it, t!e vision of t!e conversion of Dacc!aeus, of &It! 'uly &H==.6 ----------------1'th "(ril 194!.

. 'esus arrives t!ere at dead of ni !t. T!e (osition of t!e moon makes me t!ink t!at it is about t)o o8clock a.m. A beautiful moon, 1ust be innin to )ane is beamin in t!e middle of t!e clear sky s(readin (eace on t!e eart!. Peace and abundant de), t!e !eavy de) of )arm countries, beneficial to (lants after t!e (arc!in !eat of t!e sun durin t!e day. T!e (il rims must !ave follo)ed t!e ravel bed of t!e river, )!ic! is dry near t!e banks, as t!e river is more restricted in its bed because of t!e summer drou !t. And from t!e cane-brake t!ey climb u( to t!e )ood limitin t!e banks and su((ortin t!em )it! t!e net)ork of t!e roots of t!e trees ro)in near t!e )ater. 3 Let us sto( !ere and a)ait mornin 6 says 'esus. 3 Master... I am ac!in all over...6 says Matt!e). 3 And I am afraid I !ave a tem(erature. A river is not a !ealt!y (lace in summer ... as 7ou kno) 6 adds P!ili(. 3 2ut it )ould !ave been )orse if from t!e river )e !ad one u( to t!e 'udaean mountains. T!at is also )ell 26

kno)n 6 says t!e Dealot, )!o feels sorry for 'esus, to 4!om t!ey all tell t!eir fears and com(laints, but 4!ose mood no one understands. 3 Never mind, ;imon. T!ey are ri !t. 2ut )e s!all !ave a rest s!ortly... Please, only anot!er s!ort distance... And a s!ort rest !ere. 7ou can see !o) t!e moon is oin do)n )est)ards. 4!y )ake t!e old man and 'ose(!, )!o is (er!a(s still ill, )!en it )ill soon be daybreak5...6 : 3 T!e trouble is t!at everyt!in is )et )it! de) !ere. $ne does not kno) )!ere to sit...6 rumbles t!e Iscariot. 3 Are you afraid of s(oilin your arment5 Never mind, after t!ese forced marc!es amon dust and de), t!ere is no struttin about in it< In any case... kind ,elkai )ould (refer it as it is. 7our *reek frets... !a< !a< t!ose at t!e !em and round t!e sleeves are !an in in ribbons on t!e t!orny bus!es of t!e 'udaean desert, and t!e one round your neck !as been ruined by your (ers(iration... 7ou are no) a (erfect 'udaean...6 says T!omas, )!o is al)ays merry. 3 I am (erfect a )retc!, dirty as I am, and dis usted )it! it 6 retorts 'udas an rily. 3 It is enou ! for you to !ave a clean !eart, 'udas 6 says 'esus calmly. 3 T!at is im(ortant...6. 3 Im(ortant< Im(ortant< 4e are eC!austed )it! fati ue, )it! starvation... 4e are ruinin our !ealt!, and t!at only is im(ortant 6 re(lies rudely 'udas. 3 I am not com(ellin you to stay... It is you )!o )ant to stay.6 2$

3 After all t!is timeuer Life for yourselves, 1ust as t!e 4ord is ivin you )!at is necessary to enter t!e Kin dom of eternal Life.G *o in (eace. In My Peace. In t!at Peace )it! *od and )!ic! *od s!eds to saturate ,is c!ildren )it! it. *o and be not afraid. I !ave not come to deceive you, but to teac! you, not to lose you, but to redeem you. 2lessed are t!ose )!o )ill believe My )ords. And you, man, )!o !ave been saved t)ice, be firm and remember My (eace, so t!at you may say to tem(ters+ EDo not try to seduce me. My fait! is t!at ,e is t!e "!rist.F *o, )oman. *o )it! !im and be in (eace. *oodbye. *o back to your !omes and leave t!e ;on of man to ,is !umble rest on t!e rass, before resumin ,is (ersecuted 1ourney in searc! of ot!er (eo(le to be saved, until t!e end. My (eace be )it! you.6 ,e blesses t!em and oes back to t!e (lace )!ere t!ey !ad t!eir meal. T!e a(ostles are )it! ,im. After t!e (eo(le dis(erse, t!ey lie do)n, restin t!eir !eads on t!eir sacks and t!ey soon o to slee(, in t!e sultry !eat of t!e afternoon and in t!e !eavy silence of t!ose torrid !ours.

$+

4-1. Consider 0o rselves 2n(rofitable #ervants.-4th "(ril 194!.

& T!e ravel bed is )!ite in t!e moonless but very clear ni !t, as t!ousands of lar e, unusually lar e stars are s!inin in t!e #astern sky. It is not an intense li !t like moonli !t, but it is already a (leasant (!os(!orescence, )!ic! enables t!ose )!ose eyes are accustomed to darkness, to see )!ere t!ey )alk and )!at is around t!em. ,ere, on t!e ri !t !and side of t!e )ayfarers, )!o are oin u( nort!)ards alon t!e river, t!e mild starli !t s!o)s t!e ve etable border made by canebrakes, )illo)s and t!en by tall trees, and as t!e li !t is faint, t!ey look like a com(act continuous )all, )it!out any interru(tion, im(ossible to (enetrate, )it! a a( )!ere a stream or torrent bed, com(letely dry, dra)s a )!ite line t!at runs east)ards and disa((ears at t!e first curve of t!e tiny tributary no) dried u(. $n t!e left !and side, instead, t!e travellers discern t!e litterin )aters t!at flo) do)n to)ards t!e Dead ;ea rumblin , si !in , rustlin , >uiet and serene. And bet)een t!e s!inin line of t!e blue indi o )aters, in t!e ni !t, and t!e dark o(a>ue mass of rass, bus!es and trees, t!e clear stri( of t!e ravel bed, in (laces )ider, in ot!ers narro)er, is no) and a ain interru(ted by tiny (onds, remainders of (revious floods, )it! still a little )ater, )!ic! is slo)ly absorbed by t!e soil and in )!ic! t!ere are still some tufts of reen rass, )!ic! else)!ere is dried u( in t!e ravel bed (arc!ed in t!e !ours of suns!ine. T!e a(ostles are com(elled by t!ose tiny (onds or by tan les of dry bulrus!es, as dan erous as blades for t!eir $4

feet !alf-naked in sandals, to (art no) and a ain and t!en 1oin a ain in a rou( round t!e Master, 4!o is (roceedin )it! vi orous strides, al)ays solemn, silent most of t!e time, )it! ,is eyes raised to t!e stars rat!er t!an bent to t!e round. 2ut t!e a(ostles are not silent. T!ey are talkin to one anot!er, summarisin t!e events of t!e day, dra)in conclusions or foreseein future develo(ments. A fe) rare )ords of 'esus, often s(oken in re(ly to a direct >uestion or to correct a )ron or unc!aritable o(inion, (unctuate t!e c!atterin of t!e T)elve. And t!e marc! (roceeds in t!e ni !t, markin t!e ni !t silence )it! ne) elements for t!ose desert banks+ !uman voices and s!ufflin of feet. Ni !tin ales are silent amon t!e branc!es, sur(rised at t!e discordant !ars! sounds miCin )it! and disturbin t!e usual murmur of )ater and )!is(erin of breezes, t!e customary accom(animents of t!eir virtuosi solos. . 2ut a direct >uestion, not concernin )!at !as !a((ened but )!at is to !a((en, breaks not only t!e (eace of t!e ni !t, but also t!e more intimate (eace of !earts, )it! t!e violence of a rebellion in addition to t!e s!ar( tone of voices u(set by scorn and an er. P!ili( asks )!et!er and in !o) many days t!ey )ill be !ome. A latent need of rest, an uneC(ressed but understood desire for family love is in t!e sim(le >uestion of t!e elderly a(ostle, )!o is a !usband and fat!er besides bein an a(ostle, and !as interests to look after... 'esus (erceives all t!at and turns round to look at P!ili(, ,e sto(s )aitin for !im, as P!ili( is a little be!ind )it! Matt!e) and Nat!anael, and )!en !e is near, ,e embraces !im )it! one arm sayin + 3 ;oon, My friend. 2ut I ask you to be kind enou ! to make anot!er small $5

sacrifice, (rovidin you do not )is! to (art from Me before...6 3 Me5 Part from 7ou5 Neveruently t!e offence iven to you by (eo(le like yourselves is less rave t!an t!at iven to *od, 4!o is not like anybody else. Do you not t!ink so5 And yet *od for ives. Do like)ise yourselves. 2e careful< 4atc! t!at your intolerance does not become detrimental to you by causin *od to be intolerant to)ards you. I !ave already told you, but I )ill re(eat it once a ain. 2e merciful in order to !ave mercy. No one is so sinless as to be ineCorable to)ards a sinner. Look at your o)n burdens before considerin t!ose )ei !in on t!e !earts of ot!er (eo(le. Remove yours from your souls and t!en turn to t!ose of ot!er (eo(le to s!o) t!em not t!e severity t!at condemns, but t!e love t!at teac!es and !el(s to be freed from evil. In order to be able to say @ and not be silenced by a sinner @ in order to be able to say+ E7ou !ave sinned a ainst *od and a ainst your nei !bourF it is necessary not to !ave sinned or at least to !ave made amends for t!e sin. In order to be able to say to t!ose )!o are de1ected because t!ey !ave sinned+ E,ave fait! t!at *od 91

for ives t!ose )!o re(entF as servants of *od 4!o for ives re(entant souls @ you must s!o) so muc! mercy in for ivin . T!en you )ill be able to say+ E;ee, re(entant sinner5 I for ive your sins seven and seven times, because I am a servant of ,im 4!o for ives countless times t!ose )!o re(ent of t!eir sins as many times. "onsider t!en !o) t!e Perfect $ne for ives, if I kno) !o) to for ive, sim(ly because I serve ,im. ,ave fait!uarters. 'esus and ,is a(ostles o to)ards t!e !arbour, alon a narro) street.

11+

4-4. "t Caesarea on the #ea. The Ro$an *adies and the #lave 6alla Ci(rina.1st May 194!.

& 'esus is a uest of t!e ro(e-maker8s !umble family. T!eir !ouse is lo), )it! a saltis! smell, close as it is to sea )ater. At t!e rear t!ere are some smelly store!ouses )!ere oods are unloaded before t!ey are collected by t!e various buyers. At t!e front t!ere is a dusty road, furro)ed by !eavy )!eels, very noisy because dockers, urc!ins, carters and seamen come and o incessantly. 2eyond t!e street t!ere is a little dockyard )it! dirty )ater soiled by t!e rubble t!ro)n into it, and by its o)n sta nation. 9rom t!e dockyard a canal flo)s into t!e actual (ort, ca(able of takin lar e s!i(s. $n t!e )estern side t!ere is a lar e sandy s>uare )!ere ro(es are made )it! s>ueaky t)istin )inc!es )orked by !and. $n t!e eastern side t!ere is anot!er little s>uare, muc! smaller but more noisy and untidy, )!ere men and )omen are (atc!in u( nets and sails. And beyond lie lo) !ovels )it! a saltis! smell, cro)ded )it! !alf-naked c!ildren. $ne certainly cannot say t!at 'esus !as c!osen a ma nificent abode. 9lies, dust, bustle, t!e smell of sta nant )ater, t!e stink of !em( stee(ed before bein used, rei n t!ere. And t!e Kin of kin s, lyin )it! ,is a(ostles on !ea(s of coarse !em(, tired as ,e is, falls aslee( in t!at (oor environment, (artly a lumber-room, (artly a storeroom, )!ic! is at t!e rear of t!e little !ouse and from )!ic!, t!rou ! a door as black as tar, one can enter t!e kitc!en, )!ic! is also black, and t!rou ! a )orm-eaten door, corroded by dust and salt, so t!at it looks )!itis!- rey like (umice-stone, one comes out into 114

t!e s>uare )!ere ro(es are bein made and from )!ic! comes t!e stenc! of stee(ed !em(. T!e sun is blazin do)n on t!e s>uare not)it!standin t!at t!ere are four !u e (lane-trees, t)o at eac! end of t!e rectan ular s>uare, under )!ic! are t!e )inc!es to t)ist t!e !em(. I do not kno) )!et!er I am ivin t!e im(lement t!e ri !t name. T!e men, )earin tunics reduced to t!e bare essential for decency, runnin )it! s)eat as if t!ey )ere under a s!o)er, kee( turnin t!eir )inc!es )it! continuous motion, as if t!ey )ere alleyslaves... T!ey s(eak only to say t!e )ords indis(ensable to t!eir )ork. T!us, )it!out t!e s>ueakin of t!e )inc! )!eels, and t!e creakin of t!e !em( stretc!ed in t)istin , t!ere is no ot!er noise in t!e s>uare, a stran e contrast )it! t!e din in t!e ot!er (laces around t!e !ouse of t!e ro(e-maker. . T!us t!e eCclamation of one of t!e )orkers is most sur(risin as it is uttered uneC(ectedly+ 3 4!at5 4omen5 At t!is a)ful time of t!e day5< Look< T!ey are comin !ere...6 3 T!ey may be in need of ro(es to tie t!eir !usbands...6 says a youn ro(e-maker 1okin ly. 3 T!ey may need some !em( for some )ork.6 3 ,8m< It8s unlikely t!at t!ey need ours, )!ic! is so coarse, )!en t!ey can et it combeduite believe it< ;!e !as no consolation on t!e #art!... and s!e seeks it in ,eaven, (oor soul< I t!ink t!at )!en 7our *os(el is announced all over t!e )orld, t!e first and t!e most numerous to receive it )ill be t!e slaves, t!ose )!o !ave no !uman comfort and )!o )ill take s!elter in 7our (romises to !ave some... And I say t!at if t!e !onour of (reac!in 7ou falls to me, I )ill love t!ose (oor )retc!es )it! a s(ecial love...6 3 And you )ill do t!e ri !t t!in , Tom 6 says 'esus. 3 7es. 2ut !o) )ill you a((roac! t!em56 3 $!< I )ill be a oldsmit! for t!e ladies and... a master of t!eir slaves. A oldsmit! calls at !ouses or t!e servants of ric! (eo(le come to !is... and I )ill )ork... T)o metals+ t!ose of t!e #art! for t!e ric!... t!ose of t!e s(irit for slaves.6 3 May *od bless you for your ood intentions, Tom. Persevere in t!em...6 3 7es, Master, I )ill.6 : 3 4ell, no) t!at 7ou !ave re(lied to T!omas, (lease come )it! me, Master... to see my )ork and to tell me )!at I must (aint no). ;im(le t!in s a ain, because I 19,

am a very inca(able a((rentice.6 3 Let us o, ;imon...6 and 'esus lays do)n ,is tools and oes out )it! t!e Dealot... T!ey come back after some time and 'esus (oints at t!e arden ladder. 3 Paint t!at. Paint makes )ood im(enetrable and (reserves it lon er, in addition to makin it more beautiful. It is like t!e defence and ornament of virtues on a !uman !eart. It may be rou !, coarse... 2ut as soon as virtues clot!e it, it becomes beautiful and (leasant. ;ee, to !ave a beautiful (aint )!ic! serves its (ur(ose, one must take care of many t!in s. 9irst of all+ you !ave to c!oose carefully )!at is necessary to make it. T!at is, a clean can free from mould and residues of old (aints, ood oils and ood colours, and t!en you !ave to miC t!em (atiently, )orkin on t!em to make a li>uid )!ic! is neit!er too t!ick nor too t!in. And you must not tire )orkin until t!e least clot is dissolved. 4!en t!at is done, you !ave to take a brus! t!e bristles of )!ic! do not come off, and t!ey must be neit!er too !ard nor too softA t!e brus! is to be cleaned of any (revious (aint, and before a((lyin t!e (aint, you !ave to remove from t!e )ood all rou !ness, t!e (eelin s of old (aints, dirt, everyt!in , and t!en neatly, )it! a steady !and and muc! (atience, you s(read t!e (aint, )orkin in t!e same direction all t!e time. 2ecause on t!e same board you meet different resistances. $n knots, for instance, t!e (aints remains smoot!er, t!at is true, but it does not cover t!em )ell, as if t!e )ood re1ected it. %iceversa, t!e (aint sticks )ell on t!e soft (arts of t!e )ood, but t!e soft (arts are enerally not very smoot! and t!us blisters or stri(es form... $ne t!en must remedy t!e 199

defect by s(readin t!e (aint )it! a steady !and. T!en in old (ieces of furniture t!ere are ne) (arts, like t!is run , for instance. And in order not to s!o) t!at t!e (oor ladder !as been botc!ed, but is very old, one must et t!e ne) run and t!e old ones to be alike... T!ere you are, like t!atuite ri !t. 2ut t!ere are men more resistant t!an ;atan, )!o at least runs a)ay from Mary8s (resence. T!ere are men )!o are close to ,er and )!o, alt!ou ! tau !t by ,er, do not im(rove...6 3 2ut not us, e!56 says T!omas. 2.6

3 No, not you... Let us o...6 T!ey o into t!e !ouse and it all ends. --------------/&0 ;oa(-)ort.

4''. The #abbaths in the ,eace of 9a;areth.1'th May 194!.

& T!e ;abbat! is a day of rest. T!at is already kno)n. And men rest as )ell as !avin tools covered u( or neatly arran ed in t!eir (laces. No) t!at t!e red sunset of a summer 9riday is almost over, Mary, 4!o is sat at ,er smaller loom in t!e s!ade of t!e !u e a((le-tree, stands u(, covers it and )it! t!e !el( of T!omas ;!e carries it back to its (lace in t!e !ouse. And ;!e asks Aurea, )!o is sittin on a little stool at ,er feet se)in )it! still unskillful !and t!e dresses iven to !er by t!e Roman ladies and fitted on !er by Mary, to fold !er )ork tidily and (ut it on t!e s!elf in !er little room. And )!ile Aurea is doin so, t!e Mot!er )it! T!omas oes into t!e )orks!o( )!ere 'esus and t!e Dealot are busy (uttin strai !t sa)s, (lanes, scre)drivers, !ammers, tins of (aint and lue and s)ee(in a)ay sa)dust and s!avin s from benc!es and t!e floor. $f all t!e )ork done so far only t)o small (lanks of )ood remain, ri((ed in a vice, at an an le, so t!at t!e lue may dry u( at t!e 1oints /it may be a future dra)er0, and a stool, !alf (ainted, besides t!e stron 2.$

smell of fres! (aint. Aurea also oes in and s!e bends over T!omas8s burin )ork, )!ic! s!e admires and asks, some)!at curious and instinctively co>uettis!, )!at it is for and )!et!er it )ould suit !er. 3 It )ould suit you fine, but it suits you better to be ood. T!ese ornaments embellis! t!e body only, but are of no use to t!e s(irit. Nay, by c!eris!in co>uetry, t!ey are !armful to t!e s(irit.6 3 4!y do you make t!em, t!en56 asks t!e lo ical irl. 3 Do you )ant to !arm a s(irit56 T!omas, )!o is al)ays kind-!earted, smiles at t!e remark and says+ 3 4!at is su(erfluous is !armful to a )eak s(irit. 2ut in t!e case of a stron s(irit, an ornament remains eCactly )!at it is+ a brooc! to !old a arment in (lace.6 3 9or )!om are you makin it5 9or your bride56 3 I !ave no bride and )ill never !ave one.6 3 9or your sister, t!en.6 3 ;!e !as more t!an s!e needs.6 3 9or your mot!er, t!en.6 3 Poor old soul< 4!at )ould s!e do )it! it56 3 2ut it is for a )oman...6 2.,

3 7es, but it is not you.6 3 $!< I )ould not even t!ink of it... And, no) t!at you !ave said t!at t!ose t!in s t!ere are !armful to t!e s(irit, I )ould not like to !ave it. And I )ill take t!e frin es off my dresses. I do not )ant to do any !arm to )!at belon s to my ;aviouruiet< 9or My sake.6 3 I8ll be >uiet. 7es. 2ut... tell me if I !ave to see a rascal like !im amon my sonsuickly follo)ed by t!e ot!ers. 3 2ut )!y )ere 7ou lau !in 5 7ou looked very !a((yuiet5 If ;!e !as s(oken, it is more difficult to (ut matters ri !t... 2ut ;!e )ill not !ave s(oken... ;!e confuses virtue )it! foolis!ness. Like Mot!er like ;on... And t!e ot!ers are busy )!ile t!ey are fast aslee(. In any case t!ey are ri !t. 4!y leave t!em aside if t!ey seem to be )antin ... 2ut )!at do t!ey )ant after all5... My notions are fo y... I must sto( drinkin and... $f course< 2ut money is a tem(tation, and I am like a colt )!ic! !as been ke(t inside too lon . T)o years, I say< #ven lon er< T)o years of all kinds of abstinence... 2ut in t!e meantime... 4!at did ,elkai say t!e day before yesterday5 #!< ,e is not a bad teac!er< "ertainly< 2$+

#veryt!in is le al (rovidin )e succeed in (uttin 'esus on t!e t!rone. 2ut if ,e does not )ant t!at5 2ut ,e must certainly consider t!at if )e do not trium(!, )e )ill all end u( like t!e follo)ers of T!eudas or of 'udas t!e *alilean... Per!a(s I ou !t to (art com(any )it! t!em because... )ell, I do not kno) )!et!er )!at t!ey )ant is ri !t. I don8t trust t!em very muc!... T!ey !ave c!an ed too muc! recently... I )ould not like to... ,o) dreadful< I to be t!e means to dama e 'esus5 No. I )ill (art com(any. 2ut it is sad to !ave dreamt of a kin dom and !ave to o back to )!at5 To not!in ... 2ut better not!in t!an... ,e al)ays says+ E,e )!o )ill commit t!e reat sin.F ,eyuite ca(able of renouncin t!e t!rone as soon as ,e is (roclaimed kin . $!< 4ell< 4!en #leazar ben Annas assures me t!at !is fat!er is ready to cro)n ,im kin uickly money oes. I )ill soon !ave none left... ,a< ,a< I )ill invent some story for ,elkai and !is (artners and t!ey )ill ive me some more...6 : 3 $ 'udas< ,ave you one mad5 I !ave been )atc!in you for some time from t!e to( of t!is olive-tree. 7ou are esticulatin , s(eakin by yourself... ,as t!e sun of t!e mont! of Tammuz !armed you56 s!outs Al(!aeus of ;ara! leanin out of t!e forked branc!es of a !u e olivetree, about t!irty metres a)ay from t!e s(ot )!ere 'udas is standin . 2$5

'udas starts, looks round, sees !im and moans+ 3 May deat! rake you< "ursed villa e of s(iesuiries amon t!ose )!o are enemies of My 'esus. 4!at do you call t!at5 I do not )ant to kno). B I tell you t!is only. Many s)ords )ill be (lun ed into My !eart, )!ic! )ill be (ierced over and over a ain, mercilessly, by t!e men )!o rieve My 'esus and !ate ,im. And one of t!e s)ords )ill be yours, and it )ill never be )it!dra)n. 2ecause t!e memory of you, 'udas, )!o do not )ant to be saved, )!o are ruinin yourself, )!o are fri !tenin Me, not because I am afraid for Myself, but for your soul, t!e memory of you )ill never be for otten by My !eart. 'ust ;imeon (ierced my soul )it! one s)ord, )!ile I )as carryin My 2aby, My !oly little Lamb, a ainst My !eart... 7ou... you are t!e ot!er s)ord. T!e (oint of your s)ord is already torturin My !eart. 2ut you are not yet satisfied )it! distressin a (oor )oman t!us... and you are )aitin to t!rust your s)ord, like an eCecutioner, ri !t t!rou ! t!e !eart )!ic! !as iven you not!in but love... 2ut it is foolis! of Me to eC(ect (ity from you, )!o !ave none for your o)n mot!eruickly... 7our randfat!er, Mar1iam, is ill... very ill...6 3 A!< Lorduickly, and )!ile t!e ot!ers are a)aitin t!eir return, 'esus sends t!em, some !ere, some t!ere, to et a little food for t!emselves and for t!e )omen, because it is not fair to be a burden to t!e family of t!e disci(le 6 says 'esus. And ,e remains alone, +.4

leanin a ainst t!e )all of a arden, from )!ic! comes t!e roar of a !urricane, so violent is t!e stru le of its tall trees a ainst t!e )ind. . 'esus is en rossed in t!ou !t, envelo(ed in ,is clot!es, )!ic! ,e !olds ti !t under ,is mantle, t!e to( (art of )!ic! ,e !as (ulled over ,is !ead like a !ood, to (rotect ,imself a ainst t!e )ind, )!ic! blo)s ,is !air in ,is eyes. And t!us, covered in dust, )it! ,is face !alf !idden by t!e ed e of ,is mantle, leanin a ainst a )all almost at t!e corner of a road, )!ic! crosses a beautiful t!orou !fare comin from t!e lake to)ards t!e to)n centre, ,e looks like a be ar )aitin for alms. ;ome (eo(le (ass by and look at ,im. 2ut since ,e does not say anyt!in and does not ask for anyt!in and is kee(in ,is !ead lo)ered, no one sto(s to ive ,im anyt!in or to s(eak to ,im. T!e storm in t!e meantime !as become more violent and t!e noise of t!e lake stron er, fillin t!e )!ole to)n )it! its roar. A tall man, )!o is )alkin stoo(ed to defend !imself from t!e )ind @ !e also is com(letely envelo(ed in !is mantle, )!ic! !e is !oldin ti !t under !is c!in )it! one !and @ is comin from t!e internal road to)ards t!e coast one, and, on lookin u( to avoid a file of donkeys of market- ardeners )!o, after leavin t!e ve etables at t!e market, are oin back to t!eir ardens, !e sees 'esus /and I see t!at t!e youn man is 'udas of Keriot!0. 3 $!< Masteruet of love 6 orders 'esus. And )!ile t!e a(ostles do so, ,e oes about under t!e trees )!ic! !ave ro)n in a disorderly )ay in t!is (lace, )!ic! everybody !as s!unned because of t!e (resence of t!e le(er. A t!ick )ild tan le of trees una)are of (runin knives or aCes since t!ey be an to come u(. Peo(le sufferin or de(ressed are in t!e (ro(itious s!ado) of t!e brus!)ood and t!ey s(eak to 'esus of t!eir distresses, and 'esus cures, advises or comforts, (atiently and (o)erfully. 9art!er a)ay, in a small meado), t!e boy from "a(ernaum is (layin )it! t!e c!ildren of t!e villa e and t!eir 1oyful cries com(ete )it! t!e sin in of many birds in t!e t!ick trees, )!ile t!eir many-coloured arments, )avin )!ile t!ey run on t!e reen rass, make t!em look like lar e butterflies flutterin from flo)er to flo)er. T!e food is ready and t!ey call 'esus. ,e kindly asks a basket of a (easant )!o !ad brou !t some fi s and ra(es, and ,e fills it )it! bread, )it! t!e nicest fis!, )it! tasty fruit, ,e adds ,is flask of )ater s)eetened )it! !oney, and ,e turns ,is ste(s to)ards t!e eC-le(er. +92

3 7ou )ill be left )it!out a flask, Master 6 says 2art!olome) )arnin ,im. ,e cannot ive it back to 7ou.6 And 'esus re(lies smilin + 3 T!ere is still so muc! )ater for t!e t!irst of t!e ;on of man< T!ere is t!e )ater )!ic! t!e 9at!er (ut into dee( )ells. And t!e ;on of man can drink from ,is cu((ed !ands, )!ile t!ey are still free... T!e day )ill come )!en I )ill !ave neit!er free !ands nor )ater... not even t!e )ater of love to ive refres!ment to t!e T!irsty $ne... No) I !ave so muc! love around Me...6 and ,e oes on carryin )it! bot! !ands t!e )ide round lo) basket and layin it on t!e rass a fe) metres from 'o!n, to )!om ,e says+ 3 Take and eat. It is t!e ban>uet of *od.6 ,e t!en returns to ,is (lace. ,e offers and blesses t!e food and !as it !anded out to t!e (eo(le (resent )!o add )!at t!ey !ad of t!eir o)n. T!ey all eat )it! relis! and in (eaceful 1oy, and Mary takes care of little Al(!aeus )it! mot!erly love. = 4!en t!e meal is over, 'esus stands bet)een t!e cro)d and t!e eC-le(er and ,e be ins to s(eak, )!ile mot!ers take in t!eir la(s t!e c!ildren satiated )it! food and tired of (layin and t!ey lull t!em to slee(, so t!at t!ey may not disturb. 3 Listen everybody. In a (salm David, t!e (salmist, asks+ E4!o )ill d)ell in t!e Tabernacle of *od5 4!o )ill rest on t!e mountain of *od5F And !e oes on to enumerate )!o )ill be t!e fortunate (eo(le and )!y t!ey )ill be so. ,e says+ ET!e man )!ose )ay of life is blameless and )!o does )!at is ri !t. ,e )!o s(eaks t!e trut! from !is +9+

!eart and does not (lot deceit )it! !is ton ue, )!o does no )ron to !is fello), )!o does not listen to )ords discreditin !is nei !bour.F And in a fe) lines, after describin t!ose )!o )ill enter t!e dominions of *od, !e says )!at ood t!ese blessed souls do after !avin done no )ron . ,ere+ EIn !is eyes t!e re(robate is not!in . ,e !onours t!ose )!o fear *od. 4!en !e s)ears to !is nei !bour !e stands by !is (led e. ,e does not ask interest on loans, !e )ill not be bribed to victimise t!e innocent.F And !e concludes+ ET!e man )!o does all t!at )ill never )aver.F I solemnly tell you t!at t!e (salmist s(oke t!e trut! and I confirm )it! My )isdom t!at !e )!o does suc! t!in s )ill never )aver.? T!e first condition to enter t!e Kin dom of ,eaven+ ETo live )it!out faultF. 2ut can man, a )eak creature, live )it!out fault5 T!e fles!, t!e )orld and ;atan, in continuous ferment of (assions, inclinations and !atred s>uirt out t!eir s(ray to stain souls, and if ,eaven )ere o(en only to t!ose )!o lived )it!out fault ever since t!e a e of reason, very fe) men )ould enter ,eaven, 1ust as very fe) are t!e men )!o arrive at deat! )it!out eC(eriencin more or less rave diseases durin t!eir lifetime. ;o5 Are t!e c!ildren of *od barred from ,eaven5 And )ill t!ey !ave to say+ EI !ave lost itF )!en an attack of ;atan or a storm of t!e fles! causes t!em to fall and t!ey see t!eir souls stained5 4ill t!ere be no more for iveness for t!e sinners5 4ill not!in delete t!e stain )!ic! disfi ures t!e s(irit5 Do not fear your *od )it! un1ust fear. ,e is a 9at!er and a fat!er al)ays stretc!es out a !and to !is )averin c!ildren, !e offers !el( so t!at t!ey may rise a ain, !e +94

comforts t!em )it! kind means so t!at t!eir de1ection may not de enerate into des(air, but it may flouris! into !umility )illin to make amends and t!us become a ain (leasin to t!e 9at!er. No). T!e re(entance of t!e sinner, t!e ood )ill to make amends, bot! brou !t about by true love for t!e Lord, cleanse t!e stain of fault and make one )ort!y of divine for iveness. And )!en ,e 4!o is s(eakin to you !as com(leted ,is mission on t!e #art!, t!e most (o)erful absolution )!ic! t!e "!rist )ill !ave ac!ieved for you at t!e cost of ,is sacrifice, )ill be added to t!e absolutions of love, of re(entance and of ood )ill. 4it! souls (urer t!an t!ose of ne)-born babies, muc! (urer, because from t!e bosoms of t!ose )!o believe in Me, rivers of livin )ater )ill s(rin deter in also t!e ori inal sin, t!e first cause of )eakness in man, you )ill be able to as(ire to ,eaven, to t!e Kin dom of *od, to ,is Tabernacles. 2ecause t!e *race )!ic! I am about to restore to you )ill !el( you to (ractise 1ustice )!ic!, t!e more it is (ractised, t!e more it increases t!e ri !t, t!at a faultless s(irit ives you to enter t!e 1oy of t!e Kin dom of ,eaven. Infants )ill enter ,eaven and t!ey )ill re1oice, because of t!e beatitude iven to t!em ratuitously, as ,eaven is 1oy. 2ut also adults and old (eo(le )ill enter it, t!ose )!o !ave lived, fou !t, )on and )!o to t!e sno))!ite cro)n of *race )ill add t!e many-coloured one of t!eir !oly deeds, of t!eir victories over ;atan, t!e )orld and t!e fles!, and reat, very reat )ill be t!eir beatitude of )inners, so reat, t!at man cannot ima ine it. B ,o) does one (ractise 1ustice5 ,o) does one ain +95

victory5 T!rou ! !onesty of )ords and deeds, t!rou ! c!arity for one8s nei !bour. Ackno)led in t!at *od is *od, not (lacin t!e idols of creatures, money, (o)er in t!e (lace of t!e Most ,oly *od. 2y ivin everybody t!e (lace to )!ic! t!ey are entitled, )it!out tryin to ive more or to ive less t!an )!at is ri !t. ,e )!o !onours one because !e is a friend or a mi !ty relative and serves !im also in evil deeds, is not 1ust. $n t!e contrary, !e )!o !arms !is nei !bour because !e !as no !o(e of receivin any kind of (rofit from !im and bears false )itness a ainst !im on oat!, or is bribed to testify a ainst t!e innocent or to 1ud e (artially, not accordin to 1ustice but accordin to t!e (rofit !e may ain )it! !is unfair 1ud ement from t!e more (o)erful of t!e com(etitors, is not 1ust and vain are !is (rayers and offers, because t!ey are stained )it! in1ustice in t!e eyes of *od. 7ou can see t!at )!at I am tellin you is t!e Decalo ue. T!e )ord of t!e Rabbi is al)ays t!e Decalo ue. 2ecause ood, 1ustice, lory consist in doin )!at t!e Decalo ue teac!es and orders us to do. T!ere is no ot!er doctrine. In days one by it )as iven amid t!e flas!es of li !tnin on Mount ;inai, no) it is iven in t!e reful ence of Mercy, but t!e Doctrine is t!e same. It does not c!an e. It cannot c!an e. Many in Israel )ill say, as an eCcuse, to 1ustify t!eir lack in !oliness, even after t!e (assa e of t!e ;aviour on t!e #art!+ EI did not !ave t!e (ossibility to follo) and listen to ,im.F 2ut t!eir eCcuse is of no value. 2ecause t!e ;aviour did not come to im(ose a ne) La), but to confirm t!e first, t!e only La), nay, to reconfirm it in its !oly (lainness, in its (erfect sim(licity. To reconfirm )it! love and t!e (romises of t!e assured love of *od )!at (reviously )as said )it! severity on one side +96

and listened to )it! fear on t!e ot!er. I To make you understand (ro(erly )!at are t!e ten "ommandments and !o) im(ortant it is to abide by t!em, I )ill no) tell you a (arable. T!e fat!er of a family !ad t)o sons. ,e loved t!em bot! e>ually and )anted to be t!eir benefactor im(artially. T!is fat!er, in addition to t!e !ouse in )!ic! !is sons lived, o)ned some (ro(erty in )!ic! reat treasures )ere !idden. T!e sons )ere a)are of suc! treasures, but did not kno) t!e )ay to o t!ere because t!e fat!er, for reasons of !is o)n, !ad not revealed t!e road )!ic! led t!ere, and t!at !ad been t!e situation for many many years. 2ut one day !e called !is sons and said+ ET!e time !as no) come )!en you ou !t to kno) )!ere t!e treasures are, )!ic! I laid aside for you, so t!at you may o t!ere )!en I tell you. 7ou !ad better kno) t!e road and t!e si nals )!ic! I (ut on it, so t!at you may not o astray. ;o listen to me. T!e treasures are not in a (lain )!ere )aters sta nate, )!ere do days scorc!, )!ere dust s(oils everyt!in , t!orns and bramble suffocate, and )!ere robbers can easily o and rob you. T!e treasures are on t!e to( of t!at !i ! ru ed mountain. I (ut t!em on t!e to( t!ere and t!ey are )aitin for you u( t!ere. T!ere is more t!an one (at! on t!e mountain, in actual fact t!ere are many. 2ut one only is t!e ri !t one. $f t!e ot!ers some end u( in (reci(ices, some in caves )it! no eCit, some in ditc!es full of muddy )ater, some in nests of vi(ers, some in craters of burnin sul(!ur, some a ainst insurmountable )alls. T!e ri !t road, instead is a difficult one, but it arrives at t!e to( )it!out any interru(tion of (reci(ices or ot!er obstacles. In order to +9$

enable you to reco nise it, I (laced alon it, at re ular intervals, ten stone monuments, on eac! of )!ic! is carved t!ese t!ree identification )ords+ 8Love, obedience, victory8. 9ollo) t!at (at! and you )ill reac! t!e (lace of t!e treasure. I )ill come alon anot!er road, )!ic! is kno)n to me alone and I )ill o(en t!e doors to you, so t!at you may be !a((y.F T!e t)o sons said oodbye to t!e fat!er )!o, as lon as t!ey could !ear !im, re(eated+ E9ollo) t!e (at! I told you. It8s for your o)n ood. Do not yield to t!e tem(tation to follo) t!e ot!ers, even if t!ey seem better to you. 7ou )ould lose bot! t!e treasure and me...F T!ey arrive at t!e foot of t!e mountain. T!e first monument )as t!ere, at t!e be innin of t!e (at!, )!ic! )as in t!e middle of several (at!s radiatin in different directions to)ards t!e mountain to(. T!e t)o brot!ers be an to climb t!e ood (at!. At first it )as very ood, alt!ou ! t!ere )as not t!e least s!ade. 9rom t!e sky t!e sun darted do)n on it, floodin it )it! li !t and !eat. T!e )!ite rock in )!ic! t!e (at! !ad been du , t!e clear sky above t!em, t!e )arm sun embracin t!eir bodies+ t!at is )!at t!e brot!ers sa) and felt. 2ut still animated by ood )ill, by t!e remembrance of t!eir fat!er and by !is advice, t!ey climbed 1oyfully to)ard t!e to(. T!en t!e second monument... and later t!e t!ird one. T!e (at! !ad become more and more difficult, solitary, )arm. T!ey could not even see t!e ot!er (at!s )it! rass, trees or clear )aters, and above all, )!ere t!e slo(e )as more entle, because it )as not so stee( and t!e tracks )ere laid on round and not on rocks. +9,

E$ur fat!er )ants us dead )!en )e et t!ereF said one of t!e sons on arrivin at t!e fourt! monument. And !e be an to slacken !is (ace. T!e ot!er encoura ed !im to o on sayin + E,e loves us as !is very o)n and even more because !e saved t!e treasure for us in suc! a )onderful )ay. ,e du t!is (at! in t!e rock and it takes one from t!e foot of t!e mountain to its to( )it!out any risk of ettin lost. And !e (ut t!ese monuments to uide us. 'ust consider t!at, my brot!er< ,e did all t!at by !imself, for our sake< To ive it to us< To ensure t!at )e arrive t!ere )it!out t!e (ossibility of mistakes and )it!out any dan er.F T!ey continued to )alk. 2ut t!e (at!s t!ey !ad left do)n in t!e valley rea((eared no) and a ain close to t!e track in t!e rock and t!ey did so more and more fre>uently as t!e cone of t!e mountain became narro)er near t!e to(. And !o) beautiful, s!ady and attractive t!ey )ereuered !im )it! caresses and dainties, bot! by natural instinct of reflection and by t!e s(irit of imitation ty(ical of c!ildren, re(eats eCactly )!at t!e )ido) !as done, t!e only difference bein t!at !e does not (rostrate !imself at 'esus8 feet, but !e clin s to ,is knees, raisin !is little face )!ic! looks bri !t in t!e moonli !t, and !e says+ 3 T!ank 7ou, Master. 7ou are ood.6 And !e does not sto( at t!atA !e )ants to make !is mind >uite clear and !e concludes+ 3 and you are bad 6 and to ensure t!at t!ere is no error of (erson, !e li !tly kicks t!e Iscariot8s foot. T!omas bursts out lau !in , )!ic! makes t!e ot!ers lau ! as )ell, )!ile !e says+ 3 Poor 'udas< It is really a fact t!at c!ildren do not like you< No) and a ain one of t!em 1ud es you, and t!ey al)ays say t!at you are baduare, t!e !i !est of t!em all, in t!e !i !est (art of t!e to)n @ one8s eyes t!erefore en1oy a vast (anorama of mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, all lyin underneat! @ are t!e sick (eo(le of *amala. And 'esus (asses curin t!em...

449

454. 4ro$ 6a$ala to "(he>.1'th J ly 194!.

& T!ey must !ave s(ent t!e ni !t at *amala, because it is no) mornin , a )indy mornin . Per!a(s t!e to)n en1oys t!e )ind, so (leasant in eastern countries, because of its location and terraced construction from t!e to( of t!e to)n do)n to t!e )alls, )!ic! are massive and e>ui((ed )it! massive irons!od ates, ty(ical of fortresses. If t!e to)n looked beautiful to me yesterday, )!en it )as eC(osed to t!e sun, no) it seems most beautiful. T!e !ouses, arran ed as t!ey are, do not obstruct t!e si !t of t!e vast vie), because t!e terrace of one !ouse is on t!e same level as t!e u((er street, so t!at eac! street looks like a lon terrace from )!ic! it is (ossible to admire t!e !orizon. T!e full circle of t!e !orizon can be seen from t!e to( of t!e mountain, )!ereas fart!er do)n it is a semicircle, but still vast and very beautiful. At t!e foot of t!e mountain t!e reenery of t!e oakroves and of t!e country form an emerald settin beyond t!e dee( barren valley surroundin t!e mountain of *amala. T!en to t!e east, as far as t!e eye can see, t!e cultivations of t!e tableland, of t!e (lateau. /I t!ink t!at is t!e name of t!e lar e lo) elevations of t!e crust of t!e eart!, but if I am )ron , (lease correct it in my name because I !ave no dictionary )it!in reac!. In fact I am alone in my room and it is im(ossible for me to take t!e dictionary )!ic! is on t!e )ritin -desk, less t!an t!ree metres a)ay from me. I am sayin t!is to remind you t!at s!e )!o is )ritin is crucified to !er bed.0 2eyond t!e lar e (lateau are t!e mountains of ,auran and 45.

fart!er back t!e !i !est (eaks of 2as!anA to t!e sout! t!e fertile stri( bet)een t!e blue 'ordan and t!e continuous com(act risin round )!ic! is on t!e eastern side of t!e river and is similar to a buttress-like (ro1ection of t!e vast (lateau, to t!e nort! t!e remote mountains of t!e Lebanese c!ain dominated by t!e im(osin ,ermon adorned )it! countless s!ades in t!is early mornin . And do)n, in t!e near )est, t!e em of t!e ;ea of *alilee. A real em fastened to a blue necklace of a different s!ade of t!e 'ordan flo)in into and out of t!e lake, narro)er )!ere it flo)s in, )ider )!ere it resumes flo)in sout!)ards, s!inin in t!e sun, (lacid bet)een its reen banks, really biblical. T!e little lake of Merom, instead, is not visible, !idden as it is be!ind t!e !ills nort! of 2et!saida, but one can ima ine )!ere it is by t!e luCuriant reenery of t!e surroundin country, )!ic! stretc!es nort!)est)ards bet)een t!e ;ea of *alilee and t!e lake of Merom, in t!e (lain )!ere Korazim rises. I t!ink t!at in t!e (ast I !ave !eard t!e a(ostles say t!at it is t!e (lain of *ennesaret. . 'esus takes leave of t!e citizens, )!o, (roud of t!eir to)n, are busy s!o)in ,im t!e beautiful si !ts of t!e !orizon and t!ose of t!e to)n (rovided )it! a>ueducts, t!ermal bat!s and beautiful buildin s. 3 It )as all done )it! our )ork and our money. 2ecause )e !ave learned from t!e Romans and )e !ave follo)ed t!eir eCam(le as far as useful t!in s are concerned, but )e are not like t!e ot!er (eo(les in t!e Deca(olis< 4e (ay t!e Romans and t!ey serve us. 2ut t!at8s all< 4e are fait!ful. Also our isolation is a si n of fait!fulness...6 3 #nsure t!at your fait!fulness is not 1ust formal, but 451

real, intimate, 1ust. $t!er)ise your defence )orks )ill be of no avail. I re(eat t!at. ;ee5 7ou !ave built t!is a>ueduct. It is solid and useful. 2ut if it )ere not fed by a remote s(rin , )ould it ive you )ater for your fountains and t!ermal bat!s563 No. It )ould not ive us anyt!in . It )ould be >uite useless.6 3 7ou !ave said it+ useless. Like)ise natural or artificial defences are useless unless t!ose )!o build t!em make t!em (o)erful by means of t!e !el( of *od, and *od does not !el( t!ose )!o are not ,is friends.6 3 Master, 7ou are s(eakin as if 7ou kne) t!at )e !ave reat need of *od...6 3 All men are in need of *od, and for everyt!in . 6 3 7es, Master. 2ut... it seems t!at )e are oin to !ave more need t!an any ot!er to)n in Palestine and...6 3 $!uences of t!at. I say, mind )!at you do. 2e careful lest you s!ould be struck by t!e ods, as )e )ere several times 6 s!outs one, certainly a *reek. 3 A!< *entiles defendin t!e kin of Israelual you in fear of *od and 1ustice. ;tand u(. Let us o to your !usband.6 3 2ut )ill 7ou really make !im die, Lord5 And )!at s!all I do56 T!e !uman creature rises once a ain from t!e fire of t!e s(irit like t!e myt!olo ical (!oeniCA and s!e suffers and is dismayed !umanly. 3 2e not afraid, )oman. 7ou, I, )e all entrust everyt!in to t!e 9at!er in ,eaven and ,e )ill act )it! ,is love. "an you believe t!at56 3 7es, my Lord...6 3 4ell, let us o, sayin t!e (rayer of all (etitions and of all consolations.6 And )!ile )alkin , surrounded by t!e cro)d and follo)ed by a train of (eo(le, ,e says t!e $ur 9at!er slo)ly. T!e a(ostolic rou( 1oins in and t!e !armonious c!orus raises t!e )ords of t!e (rayer above t!e buzz of t!e (eo(le )!o, )is!in to !ear t!e Master (ray, become silent little by little, so t!at t!e last (etitions can be !eard very clearly in t!e solemn silence. 3 T!e 9at!er )ill ive you your daily bread. I can assure you in ,is Name.6 says 'esus to t!e )oman and addressin not only !er but all t!e (eo(le, ,e oes on to say+ 3 And your sins )ill be for iven, if you for ive t!is man )!o !as offended and !armed you. ,e needs your 4$+

for iveness to be for iven also by *od. And everybody needs t!e (rotection of *od in order not to fall into sin as ;imeon did. 2ear t!at in mind.6= T!ey !ave no) arrived at t!e !ouse )!ic! 'esus enters )it! t!e )oman, Peter, 2art!olome) and t!e Dealot. T!e man, lyin on a little bed, !is face covered )it! banda es and )et (ieces of clot!, is restless and delirious. 2ut 'esus8 voice, or ,is )ill, make !im come round a ain and !e s!outs+ 3 9or ive me< 9or ive me< I )ill not fall into sin a ain. 9or ive me as 7ou did t!e last time< And cure me, as t!e last time< Arria< Arria< I s)ear it. I )ill be ood. I )ill no lon er make use of violence or fraud, I )ill not...6 t!e man is )illin to make all kinds of (romises, afraid as !e is of deat!... 3 4!y do you )ant all t!at56 asks 'esus. 3 To eC(iate or because you are afraid of *od8s 1ud ement56 3 T!at, t!at< Not to die no)< ,ellues of t!e ate, 'esus tries to make t!e bolt slide )it!out success. ,e looks for somet!in )it! )!ic! to make a noise and attract attention, but does not find anyt!in . T!en, !earin t!e voices of t!e t)o c!ildren closer, ,e calls in a loud voice+ 3 Maryuiet, no)< T!ey s!outed so muc! t!at )e could !ear t!em, and since t!en t!is fool does not!in but s(eak of it. Tell !im t!at !e must not... Mummy told !im and fat!er !as t!reatened to take !im to t!e to( of t!e *reat ,ermon, and leave !im in a rotto )it! a deaf and dumb slave, until !e learns to be silent. And !e )ould !ave to be silent t!ere, because if !e s(eaks to t!e slave, t!e latter )ill not !ear !im and )ill not re(ly to !im, and if !e s!outs, ea les and )olves )ill come to eat !im...6 3 A really terrible (unis!ment 6 says 'esus smilin and caressin t!e c!ild )!o !as lost !is boldness and (resses a ainst 'esus as if !e already sa) ea les and )olves ready to devour !im com(letely, includin !is little im(rudent ton ue. 3 A really dreadful (unis!mentuisitively but does not ask anyt!in . ,e )alks to)ards t!e !ouse listenin to 'onat!an )!o is s(eakin of "!uza 3 muc! dis usted )it! ,erod 6 and )!o says+ 3 9or my mistress8 sake I be 7ou to sto( !im, because !e )ants to do t!in s )!ic!... )ould not do any ood to 7ou or to !im, above all to 7ou.6 'o!anna !astens to)ards t!e Lord and !eedless of !er 5.9

beautiful dress s!e (rostrates !erself in t!e dust of t!e (at! and kisses 'esus8 feet. ;!e is )earin a s(lendid )!ite dress, over )!ic! from !er !ead !an s a veil t!at looks like silver fili ree so closely is it embroidered )it! silver t!reads @ and I do not kno) !o) suc! li !t clot! can su((ort t!at silver brocade embroidery @ and on !er !ead a t!in diadem (oint-s!a(ed in front, like a mitre studded )it! (earls, !eavy (earl earrin s, a (earl necklace and (earl bracelets and rin s+ an a((earance of beauty, (urity and race. 3 Peace to you, 'o!anna.6 3 4!en 7ou are )it! me t!ere is al)ays (eace in me and in my !ouse... Mot!erueen of t!e #ast. 9urt!er, after t!e delicatessen for ric! (eo(le, )it! !is astute manners of servile flattery concealin !is incurable !atred, !e !as been successful in securin t!e contract for su((lyin t!e #astern co!orts. I do not a((rove of !is met!ods. 2ut everybody !as !is o)n )ays. I )ould !ave (referred t!e bread be ed in t!e street to t!e old coffers iven to !im by t!e o((ressor. And I )ould !ave al)ays be!aved t!us, if I )ere not ur ed by anot!er reason, )!ic! brin s no (rofit to me, to imitate t!e *reek for my o)n (ur(ose. After all, !e is a ood man and !is )ife is ood as )ell as !is t!ree dau !ters and !is son. I met t!em at t!e little sc!ool at Anti onea and )it! t!e balm I cured t!e mot!er )!o !ad been taken ill at t!e be innin of s(rin and so I be an to o to t!eir !ouse. Many families )ould !ave )elcomed me )it! (leasure as a teac!er and embroiderers+ noble families and business (eo(le, but I 522

(referred t!is one for a reason )!ic! !as not!in to do )it! t!eir bein *reeks. I )ill eC(lain t!e situation to 7ou. I be 7ou to bear )it! Deno, even if 7ou cannot a((rove of !is mentality. ,e is like certain arid rounds, )!ic! are >uartziferous on t!e surface, but very ood under t!e !ard crust. I !o(e to succeed in removin t!is !ard crust brou !t about by so muc! rief and t!us lay bare t!e ood soil. It )ould be of reat assistance to 7our "!urc!, as Deno is )ell kno)n and in touc! )it! many (eo(le in Asia Minor and *reece, in addition to "y(rus and Malta and even in Iberia, )!ere !e !as relatives and friends every)!ere, *reeks (ersecuted like !imself, as )ell as Roman soldiers and ma istrates, )!o could be very useful to 7our cause one day. && Lord, )!ile )ritin , from t!e terrace of t!e !ouse I can see Antioc! )it! !er )!arves on t!e river, t!e *overnor8s buildin in t!e island, !er re al streets and )alls )it! !undreds of (o)erful to)ers, and if I turn round I can see t!e to( of ;ul(ius dominatin me )it! its barracks, and t!e ot!er buildin of t!e *overnor. I am t!us bet)een t!e t)o dis(lays of Roman (o)er, I, a (oor )oman, all alone. 2ut t!ey do not fri !ten me. $n t!e contrary I t!ink t!at )!at t!e fury of t!e elements and t!e stren t! of a rebellin nation cannot do, )ill be done by t!e )eakness )!ic! does not outs!ine anybody, by an a((arent )eakness des(ised by t!e mi !ty ones, t!e )eakness of ,im 4!o is true stren t! because ,e (ossesses *od+ 7ou. I t!ink, and I tell 7ou, t!at t!is Roman stren t! )ill be 52+

"!ristian stren t! )!en it becomes ac>uainted )it! 7ou and t!at our )ork s!ould be in from t!e citadels of !eat!en Roman s(irit, because t!ey )ill al)ays be t!e masters of t!e )orld and a "!ristian Roman s(irit )ill mean universal "!ristendom. 4!en5 I do not kno). 2ut I feel t!at it )ill !a((en. ;o I look at t!ese )itnesses of Roman (o)er smilin , t!inkin of t!e day )!en t!ey )ill (lace t!eir insi nia and t!eir (o)er at t!e service of t!e Kin of kin s. I look at t!em as one looks at !el(ful friends )!o are not yet a)are of t!eir usefulness, and )!o )ill cause sufferin s before t!ey are con>uered, but once t!ey !ave been con>uered, t!ey )ill take 7ou and t!e kno)led e of 7ou as far as t!e end of t!e )orld. I, a (oor )oman, dare say to my older brot!ers in 7ou, t!at )!en t!e time comes, t!e con>uest of t!e )orld to 7our Kin dom )ill !ave to be in not from Israel, too closed in its Mosaic ri orism eCacerbated by t!e P!arisaic one and by t!e ot!er castes to be con>uered, but from !ere, from t!e Roman )orld and from its ramifications. T!e con>uest of souls to t!e Trut! must be in from t!e tentacles by )!ic! Rome stran les every fait!, every love, every freedom )!ic! is not as s!e )ants and is not useful to !er. 7ou kno) t!at, Lord. 2ut I am s(eakin for my brot!ers )!o cannot believe t!at )e also, t!e *entiles, yearn after *ood. I say to my brot!ers t!at under t!e !eat!en cuirass t!ere are !earts disa((ointed of !eat!en em(tiness, sick of t!e life t!ey lead sim(ly because suc! is t!e custom, tired of !atred, of vice, of !ars!ness. T!ere are !onest s(irits )!o do not kno) on )!at to rely to find satisfaction to t!eir yearnin for *ood. *ive t!em a fait! 524

)!ic! may satisfy t!em. T!ey )ill die for its sake, carryin it furt!er and furt!er a!ead, like a torc! in darkness, as t!e at!letes of t!e ,ellenic ames do.F6 &. 'esus rolls u( t!e first s!eet and )!ile t!e listeners comment on t!e style, stren t! and ideas of ;yntyc!e, and t!ey )onder )!y s!e is no lon er at Anti onea, 'esus unrolls t!e second s!eet. Peter, )!o !as remained seated so far, comes closer once a ain as if !e )anted to !ear better and !e be ins to stand on t!e ti(s of !is toes to see, (ressin a ainst 'esus. 3 ;imon, it is so )arm, and you are o((ressin Me 6 says 'esus smilin . 3 *o back to your (lace. ,ave you not !eard so far56 3 ,eard5 7es, I !ave. 2ut I !ave not seen. And no) I )ant to see because it )as at t!is s!eet t!at 7our countenance c!an ed and 7ou )e(t... And not only because of 'o!n... 4e kne) t!at !e )as about to die...6 'esus smiles, but to (revent Peter from castin side lances at t!e s!eet from be!ind ,is back, ,e leans a ainst t!e nearest column, i norin t!at ,e is movin a)ay from t!e li !t of t!e c!andelier )!ic!, as com(ensation, illuminates 'esus8 face bri !tly, if it no lon er li !ts u( t!e s!eet. Peter, )!o is t!orou !ly determined to to see and understand, dra s a stool in front of 'esus and sits do)n starin at t!e Master8s face. 525

3 EI am so convinced of t!is t!at )!en I remained alone, I left Anti onea for Antioc!, as I )as sure t!at I could )ork more in t!is area, )!ere, as in Rome, all races blend and min le, t!an )!ere Israel rules... I, a )oman, cannot set out to con>uer Rome. 2ut if Rome is out of my reac!, I )ill scatter t!e seed from t!e most beautiful dau !ter of Rome, t!e city most like !er mot!er in t!e )!ole 4orld... $n !o) many !earts )ill it fall5 In !o) many )ill it erminate5 In !o) many )ill it be carried else)!ere a)aitin t!e a(ostles to erminate5 I do not kno). I do not ask to be told. I )ill )ork and I offer my )ork to t!e *od, 4!om I !ave kno)n and 4!o ratifies my s(irit and my intellect. I believe in t!is *od as t!e only almi !ty *od. I kno) t!at ,e does not disa((oint t!ose )!o are full of ood )ill. T!at suffices for me and su((orts me in my )ork. &: Master+ 'o!n died on t!e siCt! day before t!e nones of 'une accordin to t!e Romans, almost at t!e ne) moon of Tammuz accordin to t!e 'e)s. Lord... 4!y tell 7ou )!at 7ou kno)5 I am sayin so for my brot!ers. 'o!n died as a 1ust man, and considerin )!at !e really suffered, I s!ould say as a martyr. I assisted !im )it! all t!e (ity )!ic! a )oman can !ave, )it! all t!e res(ect )!ic! one !as for a !ero, )it! all t!e love )!ic! one !as for a brot!er. 2ut t!at did not (revent me from sufferin so muc!, t!at I, not out of dis ust or tiredness, but out of (ity, I (rayed t!e #ternal 9at!er to call !im to (eace. ,e used to say+ 8To freedom8. 4!at )ords !e s(oke< "an a man, )!o !ad fallen so lo) in t!e under)orld, as !e used to say, rise to so muc! li !t of 4isdom5 $!< deat! is really t!e mystery )!ic! reveals 526

our ori in, and life is t!e scenery )!ic! conceals t!e mystery. A scenery )!ic! is iven to us )it!out any dra)in and on )!ic! )e can )ork )!atever )e )is!. ,e !ad )ritten many t!in s on it, but t!ey )ere not all beautiful. T!e last ones, !o)ever, )ere sublime. 9rom t!e dull sky of t!e under)orld, on )!ic! )ere dra)in s of !uman sorro) and !uman violence, !e (assed, like a )ise craftsman, to more and more luminous si ns, adornin )it! virtue t!e end of !is "!ristian life and attainin t!e reful ent brilliancy of a soul lost in *od. I tell 7ou+ !e did not s(eak, but !e san !is last (oem. ,e did not die+ !e rose. And I )as not able to tell eCactly )!en it )as t!e man )!o s(oke or )!en it )as already t!e s(irit son of *od s(eakin . Lord, 7ou kno) t!at I !ave read all t!e )orks of (!iloso(!ers searc!in for a (asture for my soul tied )it! t!e double c!ain of slavery and !eat!enism. 2ut t!ey )ere t!e )orks of men. ,ere it )as not t!e voice of man+ t!ey )ere t!e )ords of a su(er-man, of a royal s(irit, even more+ of a semi-divine s(irit. I )atc!ed over t!e mystery, )!ic! on t!e ot!er !and, )ould not !ave been understood by t!ose )!o ave us !os(itality+ t!ey )ere kind to t!e man but t!ey )ere Israelites in t!e most )ide and com(lete sense of t!e )ord... And )!en in t!e last touc!es of love 'o!n )as not!in but an eC(ression of love, I sent everybody a)ay and I alone received )!at 7ou certainly kno)... Lord... t!at man is dead, and 8!avin come out at last from (rison, !as entered freedom8 as !e used to say beneat! !is breat! in !is last days, and )it! !is eyes enra(tured, (ressin my !and and revealin Paradise to 52$

me )it! !is )ords. T!at man died teac!in me !o) to live, to for ive, to believe, to love. ,e died (re(arin me for t!e last (eriod of 7our life. Lord, I kno) everyt!in . In t!e )inter evenin s !e instructed me in t!e (ro(!ets. I kno) t!e 2ook like a true Israelite. 2ut I kno) also )!at is not s(ecified in t!e 2ook... My Master and my Lord... I )ill imitate !im< And I )ould like to !ave t!e same favour, but I t!ink t!at it is more !eroic not to ask it, and to do 7our )ill...F 6 &= 'esus rolls u( t!e s!eet and is about to take t!e t!ird one. 3 No, Master< It cannot be... T!ere is somet!in else. It is not (ossible t!at t!e s!eet finis!ed so soonuickly as it )as (ut to et!er. ;ome 1e)els remain and 'esus !ands t!em back to t!e donors because t!ere is no one )!o can buy t!em and t!us c!an e t!em into money. And to comfort t!e )omen )!o offered t!em ,e says+ 3 7our desires are as ood as accom(lis!ed actions. T!e offerin s you made are as (recious as if t!ey !ad been distributed, because *od sees t!e t!ou !ts of men.6 ,e t!en stands u( and s!outs+ 3 9rom )!om does My (o)er come5 9rom t!e true *od. 9at!er, let 7our (o)er s!ine bri !tly in 7our ;on. In 7our name I ive t!is order to diseases+ *o a)ayuered and redeemed )it! s(iritual bravery and !eroical sacrifice, not )it! violence and old. ,e )ill be like t!at to re(ly to t!ose )!o fear ,im and also to t!ose )!o t!rou ! false love eCalt and de rade ,im )!ile )is!in ,im to be kin accordin to t!e )orld. ,e )ill be like t!at to t!ose as )ell )!o !ate ,im solely for fear of bein de(rived of )!at is dear to t!em. 9or ,is res(onse is t!at ,e is a s(iritual Kin and not!in else, sent to teac! s(irits !o) to con>uer t!e Kin dom, t!e only Kin dom t!at I !ave come to establis!. I )ill not ive you ne) la)s. I confirm t!e La) of ;inai for IsraelitesA to *entiles I say+ t!e la) to (ossess t!e Kin dom is not!in but t!e la) of virtue )!ic! every man of noble morals im(oses on !imself and )!ic!, t!rou ! fait! in t!e true *od, from moral la) and !uman virtue becomes a su(er!uman moral la). = $ *entiles< It is your custom to (roclaim ods t!e reat men of your countries, and you (lace t!em amon t!e many unreal ods )it! )!om you (eo(le $lym(us, 552

created by you to !ave somet!in in )!ic! to believe, because reli ion is a necessity for man, eCactly as fait! is a necessity, because fait! is t!e (ermanent state of man and incredulity is t!e accidental abnormality. And t!ose men raised to t!e rank of ods are not al)ays )ort!y even as men, as at times t!ey are reat because of t!eir brutal stren t!, at times t!rou ! (o)erful cunnin , at times also because of t!e (o)er )!ic! t!ey some!o) ac!ieved. ;o t!ey carry )it! t!emselves, as >ualifications of su(ermen, certain miseries )!ic! a )ise man reco nises for )!at t!ey are+ t!e rottenness of unrestrained (assions. T!at I am s(eakin t!e trut! is (roved by t!e fact t!at in your c!imerical $lym(us you !ave not (ut a sin le one of t!ose reat s(irits )!o sensed by intuition t!e su(reme 2ein and )ere t!e intermediate a ents bet)een man and Divinity, )!ic! )as instinctively (erceived by t!em t!rou ! t!eir contem(lative virtuous s(irit. 2et)een t!e reasonin s(irit of a (!iloso(!er, of a true reat (!iloso(!er, and t!e s(irit of a true believer )!o )ors!i(s t!e true *od, t!e a( is small, )!ereas bet)een t!e s(irit of t!e believer and t!e e o of a cunnin or over)!elmin man, or of a man )!o is a !ero only in a material )ay, t!ere is an abyss. And yet you !ave not (laced in your $lym(us t!ose )!o !ad been elevated by t!eir virtuous lives so muc! above t!e !uman mass t!at t!ey a((roac!ed t!e kin doms of t!e s(irit, )!ereas you !ave (ut t!ose )!om you feared as cruel masters, or )!om you adulated as servile slaves, or you admired as livin eCam(les of t!ose free animal instincts )!ic! your abnormal a((etites consider as t!e aim and (ur(ose of life. And you !ave envied t!ose )!o !ave been numbered amon t!e ods, ne lectin t!ose )!o )ere closer to divinity because of 55+

t!eir !onest (ractices and of t!e doctrine, )!ic! t!ey tau !t and accordin to )!ic! t!ey lived virtuously. I no) solemnly tell you t!at I )ill ive you t!e means to become ods. ,e )!o does )!at I say and believes in )!at I teac!, )ill climb t!e true $lym(us and )ill be od, od son of *od, in a ,eaven )!ere t!ere is no corru(tion )!atsoever and )!ere Love is t!e only la). In a ,eaven )!ere )e love one anot!er s(iritually, )it!out t!e dullness and snares of senses makin its in!abitants !ostile to one anot!er, as it !a((ens in your reli ions. I !ave not come to re>uest deeds )!ic! are noisily !eroical. I !ave come to say to you+ live as becomes creatures ifted )it! soul and reason, not as brutes. Live in suc! a )ay as to deserve to live, to really live, )it! your immortal (art, in t!e Kin dom of ,im 4!o created you. I am t!e Life. I !ave come to teac! you t!e 4ay to o to Life. I !ave come to ive Life to you all, and I ive it to you t!at you may rise from deat!, from your se(ulc!res of sin and idolatry. I am Mercy. I !ave come to call you and at!er you all to et!er. I am t!e "!rist ;aviour. My Kin dom does not belon to t!is )orld. And yet a kin dom is establis!ed in t!e !earts of t!ose )!o believe in Me and in My )ord, even from t!e (resent days, and it is t!e Kin dom of *od, t!e Kin dom of *od )it!in you. ? It is )ritten of Me t!at I am ,e 4!o )ill brin 1ustice amon nations. It is true. 2ecause if t!e citizens of eac! nation did )!at I teac!, !atred, )ars, overbearin actions )ould come to an end. It is )ritten of Me t!at I )ould not raise My voice to curse sinners or My !and to destroy t!ose )!o are like cracked canes and smoky )icks because of t!eir unbecomin )ay of livin . It is 554

true. I am t!e ;aviour and I !ave come to stren t!en t!ose )!o are )eak, to ive !umour to t!ose )!ose li !t is smoky t!rou ! lack of t!e necessary essence. It is )ritten of Me t!at I am ,e 4!o o(ens t!e eyes of blind (eo(le, and frees (risoners from 1ail and takes li !t to t!ose )!o )ere in t!e darkness of (rison. It is true. T!e blindest of blind (eo(le are t!ose )!o cannot see t!e Li !t, t!at is, t!e true *od, even )it! t!e si !t of t!eir souls. I, t!e Li !t of t!e )orld, !ave come t!at t!ey may see. T!e most im(risoned (risoners are t!ose )!ose c!ains are t!eir )icked (assions. #very ot!er c!ain vanis!es )it! t!e deat! of t!e (risoner. 2ut t!e c!ains of vice last and enc!ain even after t!e deat! of t!e body. I !ave come to loosen t!em. I !ave come to relieve from t!e darkness of t!e dun eons of i norance of *od all t!ose )!om (a anism smot!ers under t!e mass of its idolatries.

"ome to Li !t and to ;alvation. "ome to Me because My Kin dom is t!e true one and My La) is ood. All I ask of you is to love t!e $nly *od and your nei !bour, and conse>uently to re(udiate t!e idols and (assions )!ic! !arden your !earts and make you arid, sensual, t!ieves, !omicides. T!e )orld says+ ELet us o((ress t!e (oor, t!e )eak, t!e lonely. Let force be our ri !t, !ars!ness our !abit, intolerance, !atred, ferocity, our )ea(ons. Let us crus! t!e 1ust man, since !e does not react, let us o((ress t!e )ido) and t!e or(!an )!ose voices are )eak.F I say+ be kind and meek, for ive your enemies, assist t!e )eak, be !onest in sellin and (urc!asin , be enerous also )!en assertin your ri !ts, )it!out takin advanta e of your (ossibility to crus! t!ose )!o are o((ressed. Do not aven e yourselves. Leave to *od t!e care of (rotectin555

you. 2e sober in all your dis(ositions, because moderation is (roof of moral stren t!, )!ilst lust is (roof of )eakness. 2e men and not brutes, and never fear of !avin fallen so lo) t!at you cannot rise a ain. I solemnly tell you t!at as muddy )ater can become (ure a ain eva(oratin in t!e sun, )!ic! (urifies it by !eatin it, so t!at it may rise to t!e sky and fall as beneficial rain or de), free from defilement, (rovidin it is eC(osed to t!e sun, so t!e s(irits )!ic! a((roac! t!e reat Li !t )!ic! is *od and s!out to ,im+ EI !ave sinned, I am filt!, but I yearn for 7ou, o Li !tF )ill become (urified s(irits )!ic! ascend to t!eir "reator. Remove !orror from deat! convertin your lives into money to (urc!ase t!e Life. Divest yourselves of your (ast as if it )ere a dirty arment and clot!e yourselves )it! virtue. I am t!e 4ord of *od and in ,is Name I tell you t!at t!ose )!o !ave fait! in ,im and ood )ill, t!ose )!o re(ent of t!eir (ast and make ri !teous resolutions for t!e future, )!et!er t!ey are ,ebre)s or *entiles, )ill become t!e c!ildren of *od and )ill (ossess t!e Kin dom of ,eaven. At t!e be innin of My s(eec! I asked you+ E4!o is t!e Messia!5F I no) say to you+ It is I 4!o am s(eakin to you and My Kin dom is 7our !earts if you are )illin to receive it, and t!en it )ill be in ,eaven, )!ic! I )ill o(en to you, if you (ersevere in My Doctrine. T!at is t!e Messia! and not!in else. ,e is t!e Kin of a s(iritual kin dom, t!e ates of )!ic! ,e )ill o(en to all men of ood )ill t!rou ! ,is ;acrifice.6 B 'esus !as finis!ed s(eakin and is about to o to)ards a s!ort fli !t of stairs )!ic! takes one from t!e dam to 556

t!e s!ore. Per!a(s ,e )ants to o to Peter8s boat )!ic! is (itc!in near a rou ! landin -(lace. 2ut !e suddenly turns round, looks at t!e cro)ds and s!outs+ 4!o !as invoked Me for t!e s(irit and body56 Nobody re(lies. ,e re(eats t!e >uestion and casts ,is beautiful eyes round at t!e cro)ds )!o !ave cro)ded round ,is back, not only on t!e road, but also do)n on t!e s!ore. ;till no re(ly. Matt!e) remarks+ 3 Master, )!o kno)s !o) many !ave si !ed for 7ou under t!e emotion of 7our )ords...6 3 No. A soul !as cried+ EMercyF and I !eard it. And to tell you t!at it is true I re(ly+ ELet it be done to you as you !ave asked because t!e motion of your !eart is fair.F6 And tall as ,e is, ,e looks )onderful as ,e stretc!es ,is !and im(eriously to)ards t!e s!ore. ,e tries once a ain to set out to)ards t!e s!ort fli !t of ste(s, but "!uza, )!o !as obviously come off a boat, stands in front of ,im and reets ,im bo)in lo). 3 I !ave been lookin for 7ou for many days. I !ave made t!e tour of t!e lake follo)in 7ou all t!e time, Master. I must s(eak to 7ou ur ently. 2e my uest. I !ave many friends )it! me.6 3 I )as at Tiberias yesterday.6 T!ey told me. 2ut I am not alone. ;ee t!ose boats sailin to)ards t!e ot!er s!ore5 T!ere are many in t!em )!o )ant 7ou, includin some of 7our disci(les. Please, come to my !ouse, beyond t!e 'ordan.6 55$

3 It is useless, "!uza. I kno) )!at you )ant to tell Me.6 3 "ome, Lord.6 3 ;ick (eo(le and sinners are )aitin for MeA leave Me...6 3 4e also are )aitin for 7ou and )e are sick )it! anCiety for 7our )elfare. And t!ere are some (eo(le )!o are (!ysically sick, also...6 ,ave you !eard My )ords5 ;o )!y do you insist56 3 Lord, do not re1ect us, )e...6 I A )oman !as elbo)ed !er )ay t!rou ! t!e cro)d. I am by no) sufficiently familiar )it! 'e)is! arments to realise t!at s!e is not a 'e)ess, and I kno) enou ! of... decent dresses to understand t!at s!e is indecent. 2ut to cover !er features and !er c!arms, (er!a(s too immodest, s!e !as envelo(ed !erself in a veil, )!ic! is sky-blue like !er )ide dress, but still (rovokin because of its s!a(e )!ic! leaves !er beautiful arms uncovered. ;!e t!ro)s !erself on t!e round, cree(in on t!e dust until s!e reac!es 'esus8 mantle, )!ic! s!e clas(s )it! !er fin ers, kissin its !em and )ee(s, sobbin convulsively. 'esus, 4!o )as about to re(ly to "!uza sayin + 3 7ou are )ron and...6 casts do)n ,is eyes and says+ 3 4as it you )!o invoked Me56 3 7es... but I am not )ort!y of t!e race )!ic! 7ou ranted me. I s!ould not !ave called 7ou even )it! my soul. 2ut 7our )ord... Lord... I am a sinner. If I uncovered 55,

my face, many (eo(le )ould tell 7ou my name. I am... a courtesan... an infanticide... and because of my vice I became diseased... I )as at #mmaus, I ave 7ou a 1e)el... 7ou ave it back to me... and 7our lance... (ierced my !eart... I !ave follo)ed 7ou... 7ou !ave s(oken. I re(eated to myself 7our )ords+ EI am filt!, but I yearn after 7ou, t!e Li !t.F I said+ E"ure my soul, and t!en, if 7ou )is! so, my body.F Lord, my body !as been cured... and )!at about my soul5...6 3 7our soul !as been