January 11, 2010 (Monday)

Mark 1:14-20

Maria Valtorta Poem of the Man God

Volume 1, pp 341-343

65. The Miraculous Draught of Fishes.

10^th November 1944.

The vision begins once again when Jesus starts speaking.

«When all the trees bloom in spring, the happy farmer says: "I will have a good crop" and that hope causes his heart to rejoice. But from springtime to autumn, from the month of flowers to the month of fruit, how many days, winds, rains, sunshine and storms must pass, and sometimes wars or the cruelty of the mighty ones and diseases of plants, and at times diseases of the men of the fields, so that the plants, no longer hoed up, no longer watered, pruned, supported or cleaned, although they promised copious fruit, wilt and die or bear no fruit!

You follow Me. You love Me. Like plants in springtime you adorn yourselves with purposes and love. Israel, indeed, at the dawn of My mission is like our sweet countryside in the bright month of Nisan. But listen. Like the excessive heat in dry weather, Satan, who is envious of Me, will come to scorch you with his wrath. The world will come with its icy winds to freeze your blooms. And passions will come like storms. And tedium will come like a persistant rain. All My enemies and yours will come to sterilise what should be the fruit of your inclination to bloom in God.

I am warning you, because I know. Will everything then be lost, when I, like a sick farmer, even more than sick: dead, will no longer be able to speak to you and work miracles for you? No. I will sow and cultivate as long as I have time. Then everything will grow and ripen for you, if you keep a good watch.

Look at the fig-tree near the house of Simon of Jonas. Who planted it did not find the right and most favourable spot. Planted as it was near the damp northern wall, it would have withered, if by itself it had not found protection to survive. And it sought sunshine and light. There it is: all bent, but strong and proud, drawing the rays of the sun from early dawn and converting them into nutrition for its hundreds and hundreds of sweet fruits. It defended itself by itself. It said: "The Creator wanted me, that I may give joy and food to man. And I want to join my will to His". A fig-tree! A speechless tree! A soulless tree! And will you, children of God, the children of man, will you be inferior to a wooden plant?

Keep a good watch to bear fruits of eternal life. I will cultivate you, and at the end I will give you such a potent juice, that you will never find a more powerful one. Do not allow Satan to laugh at the destruction of My work, of My sacrifice and of your souls. Seek light. Seek sunshine. Seek strength. Seek life. I am the Life, Strength, Sunshine and Light of those who love Me. I have come to take you whence I came. I am speaking to you here, to call you all and point out to you the ten commandments that give eternal life. And with loving advice I say to you: "Love God and your neighbour". It is the first condition to fulfil everything else well. It is the most holy of the holy commandments. Love. Those who love God, in God and for the Lord God, will have peace both on the earth and in Heaven, for their abode and their crown.»

People go away with difficulty after Jesus' blessing. There are neither sick nor poor people.

Jesus says to Simon: «Call the other two. Let us go on to the lake and cast the net.»

«Master, my arms ache with fatigue: all night I cast and hauled the net, and all in vain. The fish are down at the bottom. I wonder where.»

«Do as I tell you, Peter. Always listen to those who love you.»

«I will do as You say, out of respect for Your word.» And he shouts to the assistants and also to James and John: «Let us go out fishing. The Master wants to go.» And while they are moving away, he says to Jesus: «However, Master, I assure You that it is not the right time. Goodness knows where the fish will be resting just now!...»

Jesus, sitting at the prow, smiles and is silent.

They form a semicircle on the lake and then cast the net. After a few minutes' waiting, the boat is shaken in a strange way, because the lake is as smooth as a glass pane under the midday sun.

«But that is fish, Master!» says Peter, with his eyes wide open.

Jesus smiles and is silent.

«Heave ho! Heave ho!» Peter orders his assistants. But the boat lists to one side, where the net is: «Hey there! James! John! Quick! Come Quick! With the oars! Quick!»

They rush and the joint efforts of the two crews succeed in hauling in the net without damaging the catch.

The two boats draw closer. They are now united. One, two, five, ten baskets. They are all full of wonderful fish, and there are still so many wriggling in the net: live silver and bronze, struggling to escape death. There is only one thing to be done: to empty the net into the bottom of the boats. They do that and the bottoms become a turmoil of agonizing lives. And the crew are up to their ankles in such abundance that the boats sink below the water-line because of the excessive weight.

«To the shore! Steer! Quick! The sails! Watch the depth line! Have the poles ready to prevent a clash. We have too much weight!»

As long as the manoeuvre lasts, Peter thinks of nothing else. But when he gets ashore, he begins to realise. He understands. He is frightened. «Master! My Lord! Go away from me! I am a sinner! I am not worthy of being near You!» He is on his knees on the damp shore.

Jesus looks at him and smiles: «Get up! Follow Me! I will not leave you any more! From now on, you will be a fisher of men, and your companions with you. Be afraid of nothing. I am calling you. Come!»

«At once, Lord. You look after the boats. Take everything to Zebedee and to my brother-in-law. Let us go. We are all for You, Jesus! Blessed be the Eternal Father for this choice.»

And the vision ends.

January 12, 2010 (Tuesday)

Mark 1:21-28

Maria Valtorta Poem of the Man God

Volume 1, pp 314-319

59. The Demoniac of Capernaum Cured in the Synagogue.

2nd November 1944.

           I see the synagogue of Capernaum. It is already crowded with people waiting. People near the door cast glances at the square, which is still sunny, though it is almost evening. At last there is a shout: «The Rabbi is coming.» They all turn towards the door, the smaller people stand on their toes or endeavour to push their way to the front. Some start discussing and shoving, notwithstanding the reproaches of those employed in the synagogue and of the elders of the town.

            «May peace be with all those seeking the Truth.» Jesus is at the entrance and He greets them, blessing with His arms stretched forward. His tall figure stands out against the very bright light in the sunny square. He has taken off His white mantle and is wearing the usual deep blue one. He makes His way through the crowd, which opens out and then throngs around Him, like the waves round a ship.

            «I am ill, cure me!» moans a young man who appears to be consumptive, and pulls Jesus by His mantle.

            Jesus lays His hands on his head and says: «Have faith. God will listen to you. Let Me speak to the people now, then I will come to you.»

            The young man lets Him go and calms down.

            «What did He say to you?» asks a woman holding a child in her arms.

            «He said that after He has spoken to the people, He will come to me.»

            «Is He going to cure you then?»

            «I don't know. He said to me: "Have faith". I can only hope.»

            «What did He say? What did He say?»

            The people want to know. Jesus' answer is repeated through the crowd.

            «In that case, I am going to get my child.»

            «And I am bringing my old father here.»

            «Oh! If Aggaeus would only come! I'll try... but he will not come.»

            Jesus has reached His place. He greets the head of the synagogue who reciprocates the greeting. He is a small, stout, rather elderly man. When speaking to him, Jesus bends down. It is like a palm bending over a shrub which is wider than it is taller.

            «What shall I give You?» asks the little man.

            «Whatever you wish, or anything at random. The Spirit will be our guide.»

            «But... will You be prepared?»

            «I am. Give me a roll at random. I tell you: the Spirit of the Lord will guide the choice for the sake of this people.»

            The head of the synagogue stretches his hand out to the pile of rolls, he picks one and unrolls it, he stops at a certain point. «Here» he says.

            Jesus takes the roll and starts reading at the shown point: «Joshua: "Rise and sanctify the people and say to them: 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because the Lord of Israel declares: the ban is now among you, Israel; you can never stand up to your enemies until you take from among you him who is contaminated by such crime' ".» He stops, He rolls the parchment and hands it back.

            The crowd is most heedful. Only one whispers: «We shall hear some very nice words against our enemies!». «It is the King of Israel, the Promised One, Who gathers His people together!»

            Jesus stretches out His arms in His usual oratorial attitude. Silence is now perfect.

            «Who came to sanctify you, has risen. He has come out from the secrecy of His house, where He prepared Himself for this mission. He purified Himself to give you an example of purification. He established His position with the mighty ones in the Temple and with the people of God, and is now amongst you. It is I. Not as some of you think and hope, with clouded minds and unrest in their hearts. The Kingdom of which I am the future King and to which I call you, is more notable and greater.

            I am calling you, Israel, before any other people, because in the fathers of your fathers you received the promise of this hour and of the alliance with the Most High Lord. But His Kingdom will not be established with armed multitudes or wild blood shedding and neither the violent, nor the overbearing, the proud, the wrathful, the envious, the lustful, the avaricious will enter it but only the good, the meek, the continent, the merciful, the humble, the patient and those who love God and their neighbours will be admitted.

            Israel! You are not asked to fight against external enemies, but against internal ones. Against those who are in all your hearts. In the hearts of thousands and thousands of your children. Remove the barrier of sin from all your hearts, if you want God to gather you together tomorrow and say to you: "My people, yours is the Kingdom that will never be defeated, or invaded, or undermined by enemies".

            Tomorrow. Which tomorrow? In a year's or a month's time? Oh! Do not be inquisitive! Do not allow an unhealthy thirst to inquire into the future by means which taste of guilty witchcraft. Leave the Python spirit to the heathens. Leave to Eternal God the secrecy of time. As from tomorrow, the morrow that will rise after this evening, and the morrow that will come after tonight and will rise at cock-crow, come and be purified by sincere penance.

            Repent of your sins to be forgiven and to be ready for the Kingdom. Remove from yourselves the barrier of sin. Each of you has his own. Each has the one against the ten commandments of eternal salvation. Examine your consciences with sincerity and you will find your errors. Repent with sincere humility. You must repent. Not just with your mouths. You cannot laugh at or deceive God. But repent with a firm will, that will make you change your ways of living and return to the Law of the Lord. The Kingdom of Heaven is waiting for you. Tomorrow.

            Tomorrow? you may ask. Oh! the hour of God is always an early morrow, even when it comes at the end of a life as long as the Patriarchs'. Eternity does not use as a measure of time the slow flowing of a sand glass. And the measures of time which you call days, months, years, centuries are but heartbeats of the Eternal Spirit that keeps you alive. But your souls are eternal and you must adopt for your souls the same measure of time as your Creator does. You must, therefore, say: "Tomorrow will be the day of my death". No, not death for the faithful. But rest of expectation, waiting for the Messiah to open the gates of Heaven.

            And I solemnly tell you that only twenty-seven of you here present will die and have to wait. The rest will be judged before their death, and their death will be a transition to God or Mammon without any delay because the Messiah has come, He is amongst you and calls you to give you the Gospel, to teach you the Truth and save you in Heaven.

            Do penance! The "morrow" of the Kingdom of Heaven is impending. May it find you pure so that you may possess the eternal day.

            Peace be with you.»

            A bearded sumptuously dressed Israelite stands up to contradict Him. He says: «Master, what You have stated appears to be in contrast with what is said in the sacred book of Maccabees, glory of Israel. It is said there: "Indeed when evil-doers are not left for long to their own devices but incur swift retribution, it is a sign of great benevolence. In the case of the other nations, the Lord waits patiently for them to obtain the full measure of their sins, before He punishes them". According to what You said, instead, the Most High would appear to be very slow in punishing us, waiting, as for the other nations, the time of Judgement, when the measure of sins is full. Events, indeed, give You the lie. Israel is punished as stated by the historian of the Maccabees. But if what You say is correct, is there no conflict between Your doctrine and the sentence I have quoted?»

            «I do not know who you are, but I will give you My answer, whoever you are. There is no conflict in the doctrine, but only in the interpretation of the words. You interpret them in a human sense, I, instead, in a spiritual one. You see everything as referred to the present time and transient things, and you represent the majority of people who think likewise. I represent God and I explain and apply everything to eternal and supernatural matters. It is true, Yahweh did strike you at present because of your pride and because you considered yourselves a "nation" according to the world. But how much He loved you and how patient He is with you, more than with anyone else, granting you the Saviour, His Messiah, that you may listen to Him and be saved before the hour of the wrath of God! He does not want you to be sinners any longer. But if He struck you in the fleeting worldly things, seeing that the injury does not cure your souls, nay it makes them duller and duller, He does not inflict a further punishment, but He grants you salvation. He sends you Him Who cures and saves you! I, Who am speaking to you.»

            «Do You not consider Yourself bold in avowing Yourself a representative of God? None of the Prophets dared so much and You... Who are You, Who are speaking? And by whose order do You speak?»

            «The Prophets could not say of themselves what I state of Myself. Who am I? The Expected One, The Promised One, the Saviour. You have already heard His Precursor say: "Prepare the way for the Lord... Here the Lord God is coming... Like a shepherd He will feed His flock, although He is the Lamb of the true Passover". Many amongst you heard these words from the Precursor and they saw the heavens brighten with a light that descended in the shape of a dove and they heard a voice speak and say who I am. By whose order do I speak? By the order of Him Who is and Who sends Me.»

            «You say that, but You may be a liar or a dreamer. Your words are holy, but Satan sometimes uses deceitful words painted with holiness, to deceive people. We do not know You.»

            «I am Jesus of Joseph of the House of David, I was born at Bethlehem Ephrathah, as was promised, named Nazarene, because I live at Nazareth. And that according to the world. According to God I am His Messenger. My disciples know.»

            «Oh! They! They can say what they like or what You tell them to say.»

            «Another will speak, who does not love Me, and will say Who I am. Wait till I call one of the people present here.»

            Jesus looks at the crowd, who are astonished and annoyed at the dispute, and divided between the two opposite doctrines. He looks for someone with His sapphire eyes, and then in a loud voice He calls: «Aggaeus! Come here. It is an order.»

            There is great excitement in the crowd. They open out to let a man pass, who is violently shaking all over his body and is supported by a woman.

            «Do you know this man?»

            «Yes, he is Aggaeus, of Malachi, of Capernaum. He is possessed by an evil spirit which tortures him with sudden fury-fits.»

             «Does everybody know him?»

             The crowd shout: «Yes, we do.»

             «Can any of you say that he has spoken to Me, even for a few minutes?»

             The crowd shout: «No, no, he is half-witted, he never leaves his house, and nobody has seen You in it.»

             «Woman, bring him here in front of Me.»

             The woman pushes and drags him, while the poor man trembles more than ever.

             The head of the synagogue warns Jesus: «Be careful! The devil is about to torture him... and then he rushes at people, scratches and bites them.»

             The crowd moves away thronging against the walls.

             Jesus and the man are now facing each other. There is a moment's struggle. The man, usually mute, seems to have difficulty in speaking, he moans, then his voice turns into words: «What is there between us and You, Jesus of Nazareth? Why have You come to torture us? Why do You want to destroy us, You, the Lord of Heaven and Earth? I know who You are: the Holy of God. No one, in human flesh, was ever greater than You, because in Your flesh of man is enclosed the Spirit of the Eternal Winner. You have already beaten me in...»

             «Be quiet! I order you to come out of this man.»

             The man has a fit of strange convulsions. He is tossed about by jerks and thrusts, as if someone pulled and pushed him, violently ill-treating him, he shouts in a wild voice, foams at his mouth, and is then thrown down onto the ground. He gets up, astonished and cured.

             «Have you heard? What do you say now?» Jesus asks His opponent.

             The bearded sumptuous man shrugs his shoulders and, obviously beaten, goes out without replying. The crowd scoff at him and applaud Jesus.

             «Silence! This place is sacred!» says Jesus and He orders: «Bring Me the man to whom I promised help from God.»

             The sick man comes forward. Jesus caresses him: «You believed Me! Be cured. Go in peace and be just.»

             The young man lets out a yell. I wonder what he feels. He kneels down before Jesus, kisses His feet thanking Him: «Thanks from me and from my mother!»

             Other sick people come: a little boy with paralysed legs. Jesus takes him in His arms, caresses him and puts him down... and leaves him. The child does not fall, but runs to his mother, who clasps him to her heart, weeping, and in a loud voice blesses «the Holy One of Israel». A little old blind man comes, led by his daughter. He also is cured with a caress on his diseased eyes.

             There is a roar of blessing from the crowd.

             Jesus makes His way through the crowd smiling, and although He is tall, He would not succeed in pushing through, if Peter, James, Andrew and John did not work generously with their elbows, to make their way and reach Jesus, and then escort Him to the exit onto the square, which is now dark.

             The vision ends thus.

January 13, 2010 (Wednesday)

Mark 1:29-39

Maria Valtorta Poem of the Man God

Volume 1, pp 319-331

60. Cure of Simon Peter's Mother-in-law.

3rd November 1944.

            Peter is speaking to Jesus. He says: «Master, I would like to ask You to come to my house. I did not dare to ask You last Sabbath. But... I would like You to come.»

            «To Bethsaida?»

            «No, here... to my wife's house. I mean her home.»

           «Why do you want that, Peter?»

            «Well, for many reasons... also because today I was told that my mother-in-law is ill. If You would cure her, perhaps she... »

            «Tell Me, Simon.»

            «What I wanted to say is... if You go to her, she would stop... yes, well, You know, it is not the same thing to hear people speak of someone and to see and listen to someone, and if the person in question cures... well...»

            «You mean also the ill-feeling would come to an end?»

            «No, not exactly ill-feeling. But, You know... there are many opinions in the village, and she... does not know whom she should listen to. Come, Jesus.»

            «I will come. Let us go. You will tell those who are waiting for Me that I will speak to them from your house.»

            They go as far as a low house, even lower than Peter's house at Bethsaida, and it is also closer to the lake. It is separated from the lake by the pebbly shore and I think that when there is a storm, the waves break against the walls of the house, which, while being low, are very wide, as if several people lived in it.

            In the kitchen garden in front of the house, facing the lake, there is only an old gnarled vine, supported by a rustic pergola, and an old fig-tree which the winds, blowing from the lake, have bent towards the house. The ruffled foliage of the tree brushes the walls of the house and beats against the shutters of the little windows, which are now closed as a protection against the bright sunshine. There is nothing but the vine and the fig-tree and a greenish little wall of a low well.

            «Come in, Master.»

            There are some women in the kitchen, some are busy mending the nets, some are preparing the food. They greet Peter and they bow embarrassed to Jesus, peering up at Him curiously.

            «Peace be to this house. How is the patient?»

            «Tell Him, you who are the oldest daughter-in-law» three of the women say to another one, who is drying her hands on the edge of her dress.

            «Her temperature is very high. The doctor has seen her and he said she is too old to get better and that when the disease goes from the bones to the heart, and gives a temperature, one dies, particularly at an old age. She will not eat any more... I try and prepare something good, even now, see, Simon, I was preparing the soup she used to like so much. I chose the best fish that I got from my brothers-in-law. But I do not think she will be able to eat it. And... she is so restless! She complains, and shouts, and cries, and curses... »

            «Be patient, as if she were your mother and God will grant you merit for it. Take Me to her.»

            «Rabbi... Rabbi... I don't know if she will be pleased to see You. She does not want to see anybody. I dare not say to her: "I am now bringing the Rabbi in to see you".»

            Jesus smiles calmly. He addresses Peter: «It is your turn, Simon. You are a man and the oldest son-in-law, you told Me. Go.»

            Peter makes a significant grimace and obeys. He walks across the kitchen, and goes into another room and through the door which he closes, I can hear him talking to a woman. He looks out and says: «Come, Master, quick.» And he whispers in a very low, just audible voice: «Before she changes her mind.»

            Jesus walks across the kitchen and opens the door wide. Standing on the threshold, He pronounces His sweet, solemn greeting: «Peace be with you.» He goes in, although He gets no reply. He goes near a low bed on which there is lying a little old woman, grey-haired, thin, panting because of the high temperature which causes her wasted face to flush.

            Jesus bends over the little bed, smiles at the old woman: «Are you in pain?»

            «I am dying!»

            «No. You will not die. Do you believe that I can cure you?»

           «Why would You want to do that? You do not know me.»

            «For Simon, who asked Me... and for you, to give your soul time to see and love the Light.»

            «Simon? It would be better if he... How come Simon thought of me?»

            «Because he is better than you think. I know him and I am sure. I know him, and I am happy to satisfy him.»

            «Would You cure me, then? I will not die, then?»

            «No, woman. You will not die as yet. Can you believe in Me?»

            «I believe, I believe. It is enough for me not to die!»

            Jesus smiles once again. He takes her hand. Her hand, wrinkled and with swollen veins, disappears in the younger hand of Jesus, Who stands straight up, and takes the attitude He normally assumes when working a miracle. He shouts: «Be cured! I want it! Get up!» and He lets her hand go. And her hand falls down without any complaint, whereas before, notwithstanding Jesus had taken it very gently, she groaned when it was moved.

            There is silence for a few moments. Then the old woman cries out: «Oh! God of our fathers! But there is nothing wrong with me! I am cured! Come! Come!» Her daughters-in-law rush in. «Look!» says the old woman: «I can move and I feel no pain! And I am no longer feverish! Feel how cool I am. And my heart no longer feels like the blacksmith's hammer. Ah! I am not dying any longer!» Not one word for the Lord!

            But Jesus does not mind. He says to the oldest daughter-in-law: «Dress her that she may get up. She is fit to be up.» And He makes for the door.

            Simon, mortified, says to his mother-in-law: «The Master has cured you. Have you nothing to say to Him?»

            «Certainly. I wasn't thinking of that. Thank You. What can I do to thank You?»

            «Be good, very good. Because the Eternal Father has been good to you. And if it is not too much trouble for you, allow Me to rest in your home today. I have been to all the nearby villages the past week, and I arrived here at dawn this morning. I am tired.»

            «Certainly! Certainly! You may stay if You wish.» But there is not much enthusiasm in her words.

            Jesus, Peter, Andrew, James and John go and sit down in the kitchen garden.

            «Master! ... »

            «Yes, Peter?»

            «I feel humiliated.»

            Jesus makes a gesture, which meant: «Never mind.» He then goes on: «She is not the first, and will not be the last who do not feel immediate gratitude. But I do not seek  gratitude. All I want is to give souls the chance to save themselves. I do My duty. Let them do theirs.»

            «Ah! There have been other cases like this one? Where?»

            «Curious Simon! But I will please you, although I do not like useless curiosity. At Nazareth. Do you remember Sarah's mother? She was very ill when we arrived in Nazareth and we were told that the little girl cried. Since she is good and gentle, and I did not want her to become an orphan and a stepdaughter in future, I went to see the woman... I wanted to cure her... But I had not yet set foot in the house, when her husband and a brother drove Me away, saying: "Away! Go away! We do not want to get into trouble with the synagogue". For them, for too many, I am already a rebel... I cured her just the same... for the sake of her children. And I said to Sarah in the kitchen garden, caressing her: "I will cure your mother. Go home. Do not cry any more". And the woman was cured the same moment and the little girl told her, and she told also her father and her uncle... and she was punished for speaking to Me. I know, because the child ran after Me when I was leaving the village... But it does not matter.»

            «I would have made her become ill again.»

            «Peter!» Jesus is severe. «Is that what I teach you and the others? What have you heard Me say from the very first time you heard Me? Of what have I always spoken as being the first condition to be My true disciples?»

            «It is true, Master. I am a real beast. Forgive me. But... I cannot bear the fact that they do not love You!»

           «Oh! Peter! You will see much greater indifference! You will have many surprises, Peter! People that the so called "holy" world scorns as being money-changers, who instead will set an example in the world, an example which will not be followed by those who despise them. Heathens who will be My most faithful ones. Prostitutes who will become pure by strong will power and penance. Sinners who amend their way of living...»

            «Listen: that a sinner amends his way... it may well be. But a prostitute and a money-changer!... »

            «You do not believe it?»

             «I do not.»

             «You are mistaken, Simon. But here is your mother-in-law coming towards us.»

             «Master, I beg You to come and sit at my table.»

             «Thank you, woman. May God reward you.»

             They go into the kitchen and sit at the table. The old woman serves them with plenty fish, both as soup and roasted. «I have nothing else but this» she apologises. And, to keep up the habit, she says to Peter: «Your brothers-in-law are doing even too much, all alone as they are, since you went to Bethsaida! If it had only helped to make my daughter richer... But I hear that you are very often absent and you do not go fishing.»

             «I follow the Master. I have been to Jerusalem with Him and I am with Him on Sabbaths. I do not spend my time in revelries.»

             «But you don't earn any money. Since you want to be the Prophet's servant, you had better come back here again. At least that poor daughter of mine will be fed by her relatives while you are acting the saint.»

            «But are you not ashamed of speaking like that in front of Him Who cured you?»

            «I am not criticising Him. He is doing His job. I am criticising you, you are a  sluggard. In any case, you will never be a prophet or a priest. You are an ignorant sinner, a good for nothing.»

            «You are lucky that He is here, otherwise... »

            «Simon, your mother-in-law gave you very good advice. You can go fishing even here. I am told that you used to go fishing also at Capernaum. You can come back again.»

            «And live here again? But Master, You do not...»

            «Be good, Peter. If you are here, you will be either on the lake or with Me. So what difference is it for you if you are or you are not in this house?» Jesus has laid His hand on Peter's shoulder and His calmness seems to pass into the fiery apostle.

            «You are right. You are always right. I will do that. But... what about these?» and he points to his partners John and James.

            «Can they not come, too?»

            «Oh! Our father and above all our mother will be happier if they know we are with You, rather than with them. They will not object.»

            «Perhaps Zebedee will come, too» says Peter.

            «Quite likely. And others with him. We will come, Master. We will certainly come.»

            «Is Jesus of Nazareth here?» asks a little boy appearing at the door.

            «He is here, come in.»

            A boy comes in, whom I recognise as one of the boys I saw in the first visions of Capernaum, and exactly the one who tumbled down near Jesus' feet, and promised he would be good, so he would get the honey of Paradise.

            «My little friend, come here» says Jesus.

            The little fellow, somewhat embarrassed because so many are looking at him, takes heart and runs to Jesus, Who embraces him and sits him on His knees, and gives him a bit of His fish on a slice of bread.

            «Here, Jesus. This is for You. Also today that person said: «It is the Sabbath. Take this to the Rabbi of Nazareth and tell your friend to pray for me.» He knows that You are my friend!... » The child smiles happily, and eats his bread and fish.

            «Well done, little James! You will tell that person that My prayers rise to the Father for him.»

            «Is it for the poor?» asks Peter.

            «Yes, it is.»

            «Is it always the same offering? Let us look.»

            Jesus hands over the purse. Peter empties it and counts the coins. «Still the same large sum! But who is this person? Say, boy, who is it?»

            «I have not to say, and I will not say!»

            «You little rascal! Be good, and I will give you some fruit.»

            «I will not speak, whether you insult me or caress me.»

            «What a tongue he has! Just listen!»

            «Little James is right, Peter. He is keeping his word: leave him alone.»

            «Master, do You know who the person is?»

            Jesus does not reply. He is busy with the child, to whom He gives another bit of roasted fish, after removing all the bones. But Peter insists, and Jesus is obliged to answer.

            «I know everything, Simon.»

            «And we are not to know?»

            «And will you never be cured of your fault?» Jesus reproaches him, but smiles at the same time. And He adds: «You will soon know. Because if evil wants to be hidden, and cannot always be such, good, even if it wants to be hidden, to be meritorious, will be made known one day, for the glory of God, Whose nature shines in one of His sons. The nature of God: love. And this person understands all that, because he loves his neighbours. Go, James. Take My blessing to that person.»

            The vision ends thus.

60. Jesus Preaches and Works Miracles in Peter's House.

4th November 1944.

            Jesus has climbed on top of a pile of baskets and ropes at the entrance to the kitchen garden of the house of Peter's mother-in-law. The kitchen garden is crowded with people, and other people are on the lake shore, some sitting on the shore, some on the beached boats. It looks as if He has been speaking for some time, because the sermon has started.

            I hear: «... Certainly many times you have thought so in your hearts. But it is not so. The Lord has not lacked in kindness of heart towards His people. Notwithstanding His people lacked in loyalty to Him thousands of times.

            Listen to this parable. It will help you to understand.

            A king had many wonderful horses in his stables. But he was particularly fond of one of them. He gazed fondly at it, even before he had it. Afterwards, when he got it, he put it in a delightful place and he often went to admire his favourite horse, both with his eyes and with his heart, dreaming it would become the wonder of his kingdom. And when the horse rebelled against commands, disobeyed and ran away under another master, the king, in his sorrow and his severity, promised he would forgive the rebel after it had been punished. And loyal as he was, although far away, he watched over his favourite and sent gifts and guardians to it, hoping they would keep his remembrance in the horse's heart.

            But the horse, although suffering from the exile from the kingdom, was not steady, as the king was, in loving and wishing complete forgiveness. At times it was good, at times bad; neither was its goodness greater than its badness. Nay, it was the other way round. And yet the king was patient and with reproaches and caresses, he endeavoured to turn his horse into a dearer and more docile friend. As time went by, the horse became more and more loath. It invoked its king, it cried under the whip of other masters, but it did not really want to belong to the king. It simply did not want to. Oppressed, exhausted, moaning, it did not say: "I am such through my own fault". Instead; it accused its king for it.

            The king, after trying everything, decided to make one last effort. "So far" he said, "I have sent messengers and friends. Now I will send my own son. His heart is like my own and will speak the same love as I would, and will make use of the same caresses and gifts as I used, nay, he will be even kinder, because my son is like myself, but made more sublime by love". And he sent his son.

            That is the parable. Now tell Me: do you think that king loved his favourite horse?»

            The crowd together reply: «He loved it with infinite love.»

            «Could the animal complain of its king about all the ill it had suffered after leaving him?»

            «No, it could not» reply the people.

            «Answer also this question: how do you think that horse will have received the king's son who went to rescue and cure it and take it back once again to the delightful land?»

            «With great joy, of course, with gratitude and love.»

            «Now, if the king's son said to the horse: "I have come for this reason, to do such and such a thing for you, but now you must be good, obedient, willing and loyal to me", what do you think the horse replied?»

            «Oh! There is no need to ask! Now that it was aware of how much it cost to be expelled from the kingdom, it will have said that it wanted to be as the king's son suggested.»

            «Well, then, what was the duty of that horse, according to you?»

            «To be even better than it was requested, more affectionate, more docile, to be forgiven for past faults, and out of gratitude for all the good received.»

            «And if it did not do that?»

            «It would deserve death, because it was worse than a wild beast.»

            «My friends, you have judged correctly. But do exactly yourselves as you would have liked that horse to do. I beseech you, men, the favourite creatures of the King of Heaven, of God, My Father and yours, to be at least as you judge that horse to be. Because after the Prophets, God sends you His own Son and I implore you, for your good, and because I love you as only God can love, the God Who is in Me to work the miracle of Redemption. Woe to those men who lower themselves to a lower degree than animals! But if it was possible to excuse those who committed sin up to the present time - because too long a time has elapsed since the Law was given and too much worldly dust has settled on the Law - now it is no longer so. I have come to bring once again the word of God. The Son of man is amongst men to lead them back to God. Follow Me. I am the Way, the Truth, the Life.»

            The usual whispering of the crowd.

            Jesus tells His disciples: «Let the poor come forward. There is a rich offer for them made by one who begs to obtain forgiveness from God.»

            Three tattered old men come forward, two blind men and a cripple; they are followed by a widow with seven emaciated children.

            Jesus stares at them, one by one, He smiles at the widow and particularly at the children. Nay, He says to John: «Put those over there in the kitchen garden. I want to speak to them.» But He becomes stern, with blazing eyes, when a little old man appears. But He says nothing, for the time being.

            He calls Peter, whom He asks for the purse received shortly before and for another one containing smaller coins, which are offerings collected from good-hearted people. He empties the coins onto the bench near the well, He counts them, and divides them. He makes six parts. A very big one, all silver coins, and five smaller ones in size, with many bronze coins and a few big ones. He calls the poor, sick people and asks them: «Have you nothing to tell Me?»

            The blind men are silent; the cripple says: «May He Who sent You, protect You.» Nothing else.

            Jesus puts the offering into his good hand.

            The man says: «May God reward You. But more than this offering, I would like to be cured by You.»

            «You did not ask for that.»

            «I am poor, a worm trodden on by the mighty ones, I dared not hope You would have mercy on a beggar.»

            «I am Mercy that bends over all miseries calling Me. I refuse no one. All I ask for is faith and love, that I may say: I am listening to you.»

            «Oh! My Lord! I believe You and I love You. Save me, then! Heal Your servant!»

            Jesus lays His hand on the crook-back, He moves it gently, as if He were caressing the man and says: «I want you to be healed.» The man straightens up, agile and wholesome, uttering endless blessings.

            Jesus hands the offering to the blind men and waits an instant before dismissing them ... then He lets them go. He calls the old people. He gives the alms to the first one, and helps him to put the coins into his belt pouch. He listens pitifully to the mishaps of the second one, who informs Jesus of the disease of one of his daughters.

            «I have but her! And she is dying. What will happen to me? Oh! if only You came! She cannot come, she cannot stand up. She would love to... but cannot. Master, Lord, Jesus, have mercy on us!»

            «Where do you live, father?»

            «At Korazim. Ask for Isaac of Jonah, named the Adult. Will You really come? Will You not forget our misfortunes? And will You cure my daughter?»

            «Do you believe I can cure her?»

            «Oh! I do believe it. That is why I am speaking to You about it.»

            «Go home, father. Your daughter will be greeting you on the doorstep.»

            «But she is in bed and she has not been able to get up for the last three... Ah! I now understand! Oh! Thank You, Rabboni! Blessed are You and He Who sent You! Praise be to God and His Messiah!» The old man goes away, plodding along as fast as he can. But when he is almost outside the kitchen garden he says: «Master, will You come just the same to my poor house? Isaac will be waiting for You to kiss Your feet and wash them with His tears, and offer You the bread of love. Come, Jesus: I will speak to the townsfolk about You.»

            «I will come. Go in peace and be happy.»

            The third old man comes forward, He seems to be the most ragged. But Jesus has only the big pile of money left. He calls in a loud voice: «Woman, come here with your little ones.»

            The young emaciated woman comes forward with her head lowered down. She seems a sad hen with her sad brood of chickens.

            «How long have you been a widow, woman?»

            «Three years at the moon of Tishry.»

            «What age are you?»

            «Twenty-seven.»

            «Are they all your children?»

            «Yes, Master... and I have nothing else. I finished everything... How can I work if no one wants me with all these little ones?»

            «God does not abandon even the worm He created. He will not abandon you, woman. Where do you live?»

            «On the lake. Three stadia outside Bethsaida. He told me to come here... My husband died on the lake; he was a fisherman.» She points to Andrew, who blushes and would like to disappear.

            «You did well, Andrew, telling the woman to come to Me.»

            Andrew takes heart and whispers: «The man was a friend of mine, he was good, he died in a storm and lost also his boat.»

            «Take this, woman. It will help you for a long time, then another sun will rise on your days. Be good, bring your children up in the Law and you will not be without God's help. I bless you: you and your little ones.» And He pats them, one by one, with great pitiful love.

            The woman goes away pressing her treasure to her heart.

            «And what about me?» asks the old man who is left last.

            Jesus looks at him, but is silent.

            «Nothing for me? You are not fair! You gave her six times as much as the others, and nothing to me. Of course... she was a woman!»

            Jesus looks at him, but is silent.

            «Look everybody; and tell me if there is justice! I have come from far away, because I was told that money was given here, and now I see that some get too much and I get nothing. A poor, old, sick man! And He wants us to believe in Him!... »

            «My old man, are you not ashamed of telling such lies? Death is behind your back and you lie and endeavour to rob also who is hungry. Why do you want to rob your brothers of the offering that I received to give it with justice?»

            «But I...»

            «Be quiet! You should have understood by My silence and My action that I had recognised you and you should have followed My example and been silent. Why do you want Me to shame you?»

            «I am poor.»

            «No, you are a miser and a thief. You live for money and usury.»

            «I have never lent on usury. God is my witness.»

            «And is this not the most fierce usury, to rob those who are in dire need? Go. Repent. That God may forgive you.»

            «I swear... »

            «Be quiet! I tell you! It is said: "You shall not swear falsehood". If I did not respect your old age, I would search you and in your breast I would find a purse full of gold: your real heart. Go away!»

            The impudent old man, seeing that his secret has been discovered, goes away without any need for Jesus' thundering voice.

            The crowd threaten and scorn him, and they insult him as a thief.

            «Be quiet! If he did wrong, do not do the same. He lacks sincerity: he is dishonest. If you insult him, you lack charity. A brother who makes a mistake is not to be insulted. Everybody has his sins. No one is perfect but God. I was compelled to shame him, because nobody must ever be a thief, and much less steal from poor people. But only the Father knows how much I suffered having to do it. You must also be sorry, seeing that a man in Israel infringes the Law endeavouring to defraud the poor and a widow. Do not be greedy. May your souls, not money, be your treasure. Do not be perjurers. Let your language be as sincere and honest as your actions. Life is not eternal and the hour of death will come. Live in such a way that at the hour of your death peace may be in your souls. The peace of those who lived an honest life. Go home...»

            «Have mercy, Lord! This son of mine is deaf because a demon vexes him.»

            «And this brother of mine is like an unclean animal, he wallows in the mud and eats excrement. A malignant spirit forces him to do that, and although against his will, he does foul things.»

            Jesus goes towards the imploring group. He lifts His arms and orders: «Come out of them. Leave to God His creatures.»

            Amidst shouts and uproars the two unhappy men are cured. The women leading them kneel down, blessing.

            «Go home and be thankful to God. Peace to you all. Go.»

            The crowd leave, commenting on the events. The four disciples gather round the Master.

            «My friends, I solemnly tell you that all sins can be found in Israel and the demons have taken up their abode there. Neither are the possessed the only ones whose lips are mute, or are driven to live like animals and eat filth. But the most real and numerous possessions are those that make hearts mute to honesty and love, and turn hearts into a sink of filthy vices. Oh! Father!» Jesus sits down depressed.

            «Are You tired, Master?»

            «Not tired, My dear John, but afflicted because of the state of hearts and the lack of will to grow better. I have come... but man... man... Oh! Father!... »

            «Master, I love You. We all love You... »

            «I know. But you are so few... and My eagerness to save is so great!»

            Jesus has embraced John, and is resting His head on His disciple's. He is sad. Peter, Andrew and James are near Him, and they look at Him with love and sadness.

            And the vision ends thus.

61. Jesus Prays at Night.

5th November 1944.

            I see Jesus coming out of Peter's house at Capernaum, making as little noise as possible. He obviously spent the night there to make Peter happy.

            It is the dead of night. The sky is a starry canopy. The lake faintly reflects the glitter of the sky and, rather than see it, one guesses the peaceful lake is there sleeping under the stars, because of the gentle lapping of the water on the gravel shore.

            Jesus sets the door ajar, looks at the sky, the lake and the road. He is thinking. Then He starts walking, not along the lake, but towards the village. He passes through part of it towards the country. He goes into the country, along a little path that leads to the first undulations of an olive-grove. He enters the green, silent peace and prostrates Himself in prayer.

            A fervent prayer! He prays kneeling down, and then, as if He were fortified, He stands straight up, His face raised to Heaven, a face made more spiritual by the rising light of a clear, summer dawn. He prays smiling now, whereas before, He was sighing, probably because of some moral grief. His arms are fully outstretched. He seems a living, tall, angelical cross, so gentle is His attitude. He seems to be blessing the whole country, the rising day, the fading stars and the lake, now becoming visible.

            «Master! We have been looking for You all over! We saw the door ajar, when we came back with the fish, and we thought You had gone out. But we could not find You. And at last, a peasant, who was loading his baskets to take them to town, told us. We were calling: "Jesus, Jesus!", and he said: "Are you looking for the Rabbi Who speaks to the crowds? He went up that path, up towards the mountain. He must be in Micah's olive-grove, because He often goes there. I have seen Him there before". He was right. Why did You come out so early, Master? Why did You not rest? Was the bed not comfortable?...»

            «No, Peter. The bed was comfortable and the room was lovely. But I often do that. To raise My spirit and be united to the Father. Prayer is a strength for oneself and for others. We achieve everything by praying. If we do not receive a grace, which the Father does not always grant - and we must not think it is due to lack of love, instead we must believe that it is the will of an Order which governs the destiny of every man for a good purpose - prayer certainly gives us peace and contentment, to enable us to bear so many vexing things, without going off the holy path. It is easy, you know, Peter, to have a clouded mind and an agitated heart because of what is around us! And how can a clouded mind or an agitated heart perceive God?»

            «It's true. But we do not know how to pray! We are not capable of saying the lovely words You say.»

            «Say the words you know, as best as you can. It is not the words, but the sentiments with which they are uttered that make your prayers pleasant to the Father.»

            «We would like to pray as You do.»

            «I will teach you also to pray. I will teach you the most holy prayer. But to prevent it from being only a void formula on your lips, I want your hearts to have at least a minimum of holiness, light and wisdom... That is why I instruct you. Later, I will teach you the holy prayer. Why were you looking for Me, is there anything you want of Me?»

            «No, Master. But there are many who want so much from You. There were already people coming from Capernaum, and they were poor, sick, depressed people, people of good will and anxious to be taught. When they inquired about You, we said: "The Master is tired and is sleeping. Go away and come back next Sabbath".»

            «No, Simon. You must not say that. There is not one day only for mercy. I am Love, Light and Health every day of the week.»

            «But... so far You have spoken only on Sabbaths.»

            «Because I was still unknown. But as I become known, every day there will be effusions of Grace and graces. I tell you solemnly that the time will come when even the moment of time which is granted to a sparrow to rest on a branch and eat some little grains will not be granted to the Son of man for His rest and meals.»

            «But You will be taken ill! We will not allow that. Your kindness must not make You unhappy.»

            «And do you think that could make Me unhappy? Oh! If all the world came to Me to listen to Me, to bewail its sins and sorrow on My heart, to be healed in its bodies and souls, and I were worn out speaking, and forgiving and pouring forth My power, I would be so happy, Peter, that I would not even regret Heaven, where I was in the Father!... Where were they from, those who were coming to Me?»

            «From Korazim, Bethsaida, Capernaum, and there were some even from Tiberias and Gherghesa, as well as from the hundreds of villages around those towns.»

            «Go and tell them that I will be at Korazim, Bethsaida and nearby villages.»

            «Why not at Capernaum?»

            «Because I came for everybody and everybody must have Me, and then... there is old Isaac waiting for Me. We must not disappoint his hopes.»

            «Will You wait for us here, then?»

            «No, I am going and you will stay at Capernaum to send the crowds to Me; I will come back later.»

            «We will be here alone...» Peter is sad.

            «Do not be sad. Obedience should make you happy as well as the conviction that you are a useful disciple. And the same applies to the others.»

            Peter, Andrew, James and John cheer up. Jesus blesses them, and they part.

            The vision ends thus.

January 14, 2010 (Thursday)

Mark 1:40-45

Maria Valtorta Poem of the Man God

Volume 1, pp 332-336

63. The Leper Cured near Korazim.

            6th November 1944.

            Since before dawn, as in the detail of a perfect photograph, I see in my spirit a poor leper.

            He is really a wreck of a man. He is so ravaged by his disease, that I could not tell his age. Reduced to a skeleton, half naked, his body is in the state of a corroded mummy, with contorted hands and feet, parts of which are missing, so that the miserable limbs no longer seem to belong to a human being. His hands, twisted and clawed, resemble the talons of a winged monster, his feet, are so fragmented and disfigured, that they are almost like the hooves of an ox.

            And his head!... I think that the head of anyone left unburied which becomes mummified by sun and wind, must be like the head of this man. A few surviving forelocks, spread here and there, sticking to the yellowish, crusty skin, like dust dried on a skull, very deep set eyes, half open, lips and nose half eaten by the disease and showing cartilage and gums, two embryonic wrecks of outer ears, all his visible body covered by a wrinkled skin, as yellow as some types of kaolin, with bones showing here and there: his skin seems to have the task of keeping all the poor bones together, in its filthy sack, all covered with ugly scars and putrid sores. A real wreck!              

            I cannot help thinking of the personification of Death wandering on the earth, covered by a wrinkled skin on its skeleton, enveloped in a filthy mantle falling to bits and pieces, holding in its hand not a scythe, but a knotty stick torn from a tree.

            He is at the entrance of a remote cave, a real cave, in such a state of ruin that I cannot say whether it was originally a sepulchre, or a hut for wood cutters or the remains of a demolished house. He is looking at the road, over one hundred metres away from his cave, a main road, dusty and still sunny. There is nobody on the road. As far as the eye can see, on the road there are sunshine, dust and solitude. Much higher up, to the northwest, there must be a village or a town. I can see the first houses. It must be at least a kilometre away.

            The leper looks and sighs. He takes a chipped bowl and fills it at a brook. He drinks. He goes into a tangle of bushes, behind his cave, bends down and pulls some wild roots out of the ground. He goes back to the brook, he washes them, removing the coarser dirt with the little water of the rivulet and he eats them slowly, taking them painfully to his mouth with his ruined hands. They must be as hard as sticks. He finds difficulty in chewing them and he has to spit many out as he is unable to swallow them, notwithstanding the water he drinks to help himself.        

            «Where are you, Abel?» shouts someone.

            The leper rouses, he has something on his lips that might be a smile. But his lips are in such a bad state that even that outward sign of a smile is vague and shapeless. He replies with a strange, squeaky voice: it reminds me of the cry of certain birds, the exact name of which I do not know: «I am here! I did not believe you were coming any more. I thought something had happened to you. I was sad... If I lose you too, what will happen to poor Abel?» While speaking, he walks towards the road, as far as he can according to the Law, apparently, because at half the way, he stops.

            A man comes foreward on the road, he is moving so fast that he seems to be running.

            «Is that really you, Samuel? Oh! If it is not you I am waiting for, whoever you may be, don't hurt me!»

            «It's me, Abel, it's me! And I am cured. Look how I can run. I am late, I know. And I was worried about you. But when you hear... oh! you will be happy. And I have with me not only the usual crusts of bread, but a whole loaf of good, fresh bread, and it is all for you, and I have some good fish, and some cheese, and it is all for you. I want you to rejoice, my poor friend, and thus get ready for a greater joy.»

            «But how have you become so rich? I do not understand...»

            «I will tell you.»

            «And cured. You do not seem the same man!»

            «Listen, then. I heard that there was at Capernaum that Rabbi who is a holy man, and I went...»

            «Stop, stop! I am infected.»

            «Oh! It does not matter! I am no longer afraid of anything.» The man, who is indeed the cripple cured and helped by Jesus, with his fast step has almost reached the leper and is only a few steps from him. He spoke while walking and smiling happily.

            But the leper says once again: «In the name of God, stop. If anyone should see you...»

            «I will stop. Look: I am putting the provisions here. Eat, while I speak to you.» He puts a bundle on a large stone, and opens it up. He then withdraws a few steps, while the leper moves forward and throws himself on the rare food.

            «Oh! How long it is since I had food like this! How good it is! And I was just thinking that I was going to rest with an empty stomach. Not one merciful soul today... and not even you... I had chewed some roots...»

            «Poor Abel! I was afraid of that. But I said: "Well, he may be sad now, but he will be happy after!"»

            «Happy, yes, because of this good food. But after...»

            «No! You will be happy for ever.»

            The leper shakes his head.

            «Listen, Abel. If you can have faith, you will be happy.»

            «But faith in whom?»

            «In the Rabbi. In the Rabbi Who cured me.»

            «But I am a leper. And at the last stage! How can He cure me?»

            «Oh! He can. He is holy.»

            «Yes, also Elisha cured Naaman the leper... I know... But I... I cannot go to the Jordan.»

            «You will be cured without the need of any water. Listen: this Rabbi is the Messiah, do you understand? The Messiah! He is the Son of God. And He cures everyone who has faith. He says: "I want" and the demons flee, limbs are straightened, and blind eyes see.»

            «Oh! I would have faith, I would indeed! But how can I see the Messiah?»

            «Exactly... I have come just for that. He is often over there, in that village. I know where He will be this evening. If you want... I said: "I will tell Abel, and if Abel feels he can have faith, I will take him to the Master".»

            «Are you mad, Samuel? If I go near houses, I will be stoned.»

            «Not near the houses. It will be soon getting dark. I will take you to that thicket, and then I will go and call the Master. I will bring Him to you...»

            «Go, go at once! I will go by myself to that place. I will walk in the ditch, behind the hedge, but go, go... Oh! go, my good friend! If you only knew what it is to suffer from this disease. And what it means to hope to be cured!...» The leper no longer is interested in the food. He cries and gesticulates imploring his friend.

            «I am going, and you will come.» The cured cripple runs away. Abel with difficulty climbs down into the ditch coasting the road, as it is full of bushes which have grown on the dry earth. Only in the centre there is a fine stream of water. It is getting dark, and the poor man slides among the bushes, always on the look-out in case he should hear any steps. Twice he has to hide on the bottom: the first time when a man on horseback passes along the road, the second time when three men, laden with hay, pass by going to the village. And he goes on.

            But Jesus and Samuel reach the thicket before him. «He will be here before long. He moves very slowly because of his wounds Please be patient.»

            «I am not in a hurry.»

            «Will You cure him?»

            «Has he faith?»

            «Oh!... he was dying of starvation. He saw that food after years of abstinence, and yet, after a few mouthfuls, he left it all to come here.»

            «How did you meet him?»

            «You know... I lived on charity after my misfortune and I went along the roads from one place to another. I used to pass here every seven days and I met the poor man... one day, when driven by hunger, he had come on the main road looking for something, under a most violent storm. He was searching amongst the garbage, like a dog. I had a chunk of dry bread in my knapsack, the gift of some good people, and I shared it with him. We have been friends ever since, and I bring him some food every week. With what I have... If I have a lot, I can give a lot; if I have little, I give little. I do what I can as if he were my brother. Since You cured me, may You be blessed, I have been thinking of him... and of You.»

            «You are good, Samuel; that is why you have been visited by grace. He who loves deserves everything from God. But there is something moving among the branches...»

            «Is that you, Abel?»

            «Yes, it is me.»

            «Come, the Master is waiting for you here, under the walnut tree.»

            The leper rises from the ditch and climbs on to the bank, which he crosses and goes into the meadow. Jesus, leaning with His back against a very tall walnut tree, is waiting for him.

            «Master, Messiah, Holy One, have mercy on me!» and he throws himself on to the grass at Jesus' feet. With his face still bent down on the ground he says: «My Lord! If You want, You can cleanse me!» He then dares to rise on to his knees, he stretches out his skeleton-like arms, with contorted hands, he lifts his emaciated ruined face... Tears run down from his diseased eye sockets to his corroded lips.

            Jesus looks at him so pitifully. He looks at that shadow of a man, devoured by the terrible disease, who is so horrible and ill-smelling that only true charity can endure to be near him. And yet, Jesus stretches out His hand, His beautiful wholesome right hand to caress the poor fellow.

            The leper, without getting up, throws himself back on his heels, and shouts: «Don't touch me! Have mercy on me!»

            But Jesus takes a step forward. Stately, good, kind He lays His fingers on the head devoured by leprosy, and in a low voice, which is full of love and yet most authoritative, He says: «I want it! Be cleansed!» His hand remains on the poor head for a few minutes.«Get up. Go to the priest. Fulfil the prescriptions of the Law. And do not tell anyone what I did for you. But be good. Do not sin any more. I bless you.»

            «Oh! Lord! Abel! You are completely cured!» Samuel, seeing the complete change of his friend, shouts out of joy.

            «Yes, he is cured. He deserved it because of his faith. Goodbye. Peace be with you.»

            «Master! Master! Master! I will not leave You. I cannot leave You.»

            «Do what the Law prescribes. We will meet again. Once again I bless you.»

            Jesus goes away, nodding to Samuel to stay. And the two friends shed tears of joy, while in the light of a quarter of the moon they go back to the cave for the last rest in that den of misfortune.

            And the vision ends thus.

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