Six months from the passion
Six months from the passion
Jesus’s group went south to Tequa and from there to Jericho and revisited the place of his Baptism. The apostles were becoming increasingly concerned about Judas who was continuously absenting himself from the group.
Later at Nob for the feast of light, the celebration was ruined when Jesus abruptly left the house after the visit of a temptress.
Judas and Jesus exchange words on the way to Jerusalem. Jesus is warned of plots by one of his Roman friends.
Judas is summoned by the Temple and Jesus is saved by the Roman legions and flees Jerusalem.
Friday, November 2, 29 AD. Valtorta 4.520. After a hard journey through desolate countryside, they arrived tired at Jericho where his passage was almost prevented by the crowds thronging to hear him.
Eventually, Jesus sees Zacchaeus and calls him to his side. Jesus thanks the crowd for their reception and reminds them how they gave Zacchaeus a hard time since his conversion.
He then talks about forgiven sins. People are judged on their new and unrepentant sins. God does not go back on forgiven sins.
Our spirits suffer many defeats but God wants us to admit defeats and seek a doctor to amputate sensuality hidden under spiritual health.
He goes to stay with Zacchaeus whose house has been transformed by the removal of ostentatious wealth. Zacheus has helped other tax collectors and those who stole legally to get less profitable jobs.
Zacchhaeus says as a sinner he wants sinners to enjoy the peace and joy he has had since converting to Jesus’ doctrines.
He says that Jesus’ enemies in the Temple were recruiting people to rebel against Jesus and even bribing highwaymen for the purpose.
Later Jesus talks to the people. He asks why people are more intolerant than God who rejoices when a sinner converts but people who are delighted when a leper is healed, refuse to rejoice or even accept a sinner when he is converted.
He then tells an extended version of the parable of the Pharisee and the publican in the Temple.
Sunday, November 4, 29 AD. Valtorta 4.522. Jesus went to see land Zacchaeus had bought near the Jordan. There he meets men who had joined Zachaeus in reforming their lives. Some recount their most dreadful sins and they are dreadful. Jesus says he will place them on his heart at his sacrifice and says their love will caress his sores on that day.
He is asked about the soul and explains it is the very image of God and is to make man a king and a god (small g) in the eternal kingdom. It is the soul/spirit that gives authority, truthfulness, and power to thought.
When asked how such a beautiful soul can be corrupted, Jesus reminds the group of God’s enemies. He adds that though man cannot go back in time he can be purified both in this and the next life. Jesus says that only one in a hundred enters the eternal kingdom without needing to be purified first.
He is asked about reincarnation which Jesus says is impossible as the soul will have only one body, not many, in heaven.
Valtorta 4.523. Shortly after leaving Zacheus’s friends, some scribes experiment to see if a mystic, called Sabea, who has never seen Jesus, would recognise him. Jesus allows them to take some of his companions that bear some resemblance to him to the ‘middle-aged’ 30-year-old who refuses to recognise them as Jesus.
When Jesus comes, she immediately recognised him calling him King, leader of the new people of God, and declares him to be the holy of holies concealed in the man.
Sabea then gives a powerful proclamation of who Jesus is, and foretells details of his passion and a curse on Jerusalem.
The scribes, who set up the scene, demand that Jesus stop her prophetic eloquence. Jesus confirms she is speaking as the Spirit of God tells her.
Jesus responds by forcing them to admit he is the Messiah and reminds their leader, Sadoc, of their previous confrontations and promises that he will see prophecies confirmed.
That night Jesus and the men slept in the open while Sabea and her parents were given the house.
Monday, November 5, 29 AD. Valtorta 4.524. Jesus and companions join the shepherd disciples at the Ford where they have set up a camp of about twenty tents in which the sick they have gathered wait for Jesus who promptly cures them before addressing the rejoicing throng.
Jesus tells of the Baptist’s message and how it was received by some and rejected by others. He talks of the gifts of God none of which are of any use if they are not responded to with a spiritual gift of oneself to God.
He talks of the upcoming Feast of Lights and refers to the soul as an altar on which God descends, adding that God cannot descend on an altar desecrated by sins, and wicked thoughts.
Be satisfied with what one has, it is by doing the will of God that opens the gates of the eternal Jerusalem.
Thursday, November 8, 29 AD. Valtorta 4. 525. Jesus arrived at Novah/ Nob. He stayed with Eliza and old John.
Judas of Kerioth’s absence from the group was a constant topic of conversation among the apostles who deemed it a cause of much Jesus’ sadness, if not depression.
But when Judas rejoined the group, Jesus says nothing but tells everyone dinner is ready, thus changing the conversation.
Neither the apostles nor Jesus seemed overjoyed but Judas explained that he evangelised without Jesus’ permission because Jesus would not have given it.
He felt he had won round the Chief Priest and other leaders. He claimed to have worked miracles which, he said, made him happy. The apostles are dismayed and Bartholomew whispered to Peter that he hoped it was not with the help of a demon.
Friday, November 9, 29AD. Jesus made Eliza’s house his base and with the apostles set about repairing things, tending vines, and pruning trees.
The apostles commented that they were being left in peace and suggested that hostility to them was calming. Eliza expressed contrary views with which Jesus concurred.
Later on, there was a lively discussion about whether miracles were always a sign of holiness. Jesus said yes but he pointed out that more people than one would sell themselves to the Devil for some temporary gain.
These are not confined to those who are obviously possessed. The hidden possessed are the more dangerous
Tuesday, November 13, 20 AD. Valtorta 4.528. Some days later Jesus stayed awake praying for Judas who had gone out for a night. Jesus surprised him. There followed a discussion in which Judas declared it too late and declined Jesus’ saving power.
Tuesday, November 20, 29 AD. Valtorta 4.529. In Jerusalem, Jesus went to the Temple and healed a great number of people from all over the Middle East. He declares himself the Universal Shepherd sent to gather all who want to join his flock.
He adds that it is God who rouses good wishes and when he does, it means he wants those wishes to become real. He says good wishes are the very spirit of God asking all men to be absorbed by Love.
He said that we should seek to have the yoke of sin and heathenism removed from our spirits and possession of the Kingdom is within us.
Valtorta comments on Jesus’s physical condition as thinner, his ivory-white skin has become completely white like a withered magnolia. During these sorrowful months, his eyes were more deeply set, darker, and his hands so thin that they showed the tendons and veins. His body and voice are infinitely tired.
The apostles urge Jesus to rest but immediately he is called to hear a woman of rank who turns out to be the Roman Valeria whose daughter Jesus healed in Caesarea on January 19, 28.
Valeria was best friends with Claudia, wife of Pontius Pilates’. Pilate always consults Claudia before making decisions. She tells Jesus that his, Jesus,’ enemies are trying to make Jesus a symbol of a national insurrection against Rome and the cause of civil hatred.
Jesus talks to Valeria about her situation and the breaking down of her marriage. He talks about saving the marriage she wants to reject.
Jesus tells her a legal separation does not remove the duty of fidelity to marriage vows.
In my religion marriage is no longer a civil contract or a moral promise ratified by witnesses but an indissoluble bond confirmed and sanctified by the sanctifying power.
Marriage is a sacrament and a powerful help to practice marital duties in a holy way. But it is also a sentence of indissolubility.
He later cures a boy who is in the last stages of death.
Valtorta 4.530 AT Nob/Noveh. The apostles prepare for the delightful Feast of Light with great anticipation. In the evening a woman comes looking for Jesus.
The apostles must be living in fear as they are very reluctant to open the door at night. Judas is petrified, particularly, when Jesus says that she is a prostitute sent to tempt him.
But he goes out to her. She is a prostitute sent by his enemies but Jesus convinces her of who he is and she asks forgiveness. When she dramatically casts aside her ornaments and finery Jesus entrusts her to his hostess, Eliza, after telling her to go to her mother, confess everything to her, and seek her forgiveness.
Jesus then leaves Nob immediately with Judas. But Judas declines to spend the night in prayer with him on the mountain. Jesus does not force him.
Wednesday, November 21, 29 AD. Valtorta 4.531. Judas comes down the mountain alone. Judas catches up with Jesus and in an infinitely sad exchange, Judas accuses Jesus of being unfair to him in his reproaches.
Judas says that he loves him and is close to him. Jesus says he wished he could say that and points out he wants spiritual closeness of thoughts and hearts.
Judas asks what do you want of me? Jesus says I would like not to have become incarnate in vain for you.
He then turns to His Father in prayer ‘What shall I do to cleanse your profaned Temple of this son of yours and my brother.’
He meets the other apostles at Herod’s Gate. He is asked to go to the synagogue of Freedmen to meet a Roman lady, Valarea. He went to the Temple first and was not interfered with.
At the synagogue, he is asked to address a crowd of mostly foreign people from all over. He is asked if the gates of heaven are closed. Jesus says yes but they are about to be opened, He said he is at the gates, and his sacrifice is imminent. He leaves no doubt that he will open them very soon.
He also explained that the virtuous man will be saved irrespective of his religion. Do not do what you would not like done to yourself; God will find you and you will find God.
A Greek is surprised to hear Jesus quote Greek philosophers. Jesus says it is I who inspired those thoughts of wise men. I am wherever Good is active.
He goes on to thank the Roman lady, Valeria, for inviting him to the synagogue.
Valtorta 4.533. Editor: Judas is summoned by his true Masters
Judas is ordered to meet the authorities, including the chief priest. He detaches himself from Jesus’ group and runs to the meeting place where at least fifteen of Jesus’ enemies are gathered.
They treat Judas like dirt. Caiaphas says they have gathered to judge Judas. They accuse him of taking their money but not delivering Jesus.
Judas fights back and accuses them of not being able to catch Jesus either in sin or in any other way. The meeting blames Judas for the failure of the prostitute to have Jesus.
Judas blames them for not arresting Jesus or accusing him of wanting to be king. Judas is asked if does he not understand that Jesus is their ruin, not only theirs, but the whole population
Judas is furious and tells his accusers that they are afraid Jesus will throw them out of the Temple and out of the Kingdom of Israel.
Caiaphus decides their approach to Jesus is too little but that they have to catch him. Helkai says Judas wants Jesus to triumph so he can triumph as well. Judas has done what he could.
Judas says if he were not a coward, he would kill himself rather than hurt Jesus
Judas is described as a puppet pulled by both Jesus and by them.
Eventually, Judas swears by the Temple, by Jehovah, and he is asked to repeat his oath that he has not betrayed the group. Judas leaves them but they are frighted and want to silence Judas with money.
But they are told Judas can be turned because Judas cannot live the life of poverty offered by the Rabbi,
Caiaphas says they must turn those who can be turned against Jesus and then create an excuse.
Valtorta 4.534. Jesus went to the lepers of Ben-Hinnom Valley. Later, on the way to Bethany, Jesus talks about the Church he is forming and how his enemies will distort and use anything good or bad to bring it into disrepute.
Jesus says he enjoys associating people with his work His church will be one thing with him and be as holy as its founder. He says the apostles are to love those who hate it.
At Bethany. Jesus visits Lazarus who is now little more than a skeleton. Afterwards, he tells the sisters to love and hope beyond all realities. As a man he would love to stay but as Son of the Father he has to go. Sorrowful for him, cruel to them. He tells them to organise a huge funeral. He leaves them in haste
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