Volume 4
- 414. The Beggar on the Road to Jericho.
- 415. The Conversion of Zacchaeus.
- 416. At Solomon’s Village.
- 417. In a Little Village of the Decapolis. Parable of the Sculptor.
- 418. The Demoniac of the Decapolis.
- 419. The Yeast of the Pharisees.
- 420. Consider Yourselves Unprofitable Servants.
- 421. The Repentant Sinner Is always To Be Forgiven.
- 422. Martyrdom for Love Is Absolution.
- 423. At Caesarea on the Sea. Parable of the Father Who Gives Each of His Children the Same Amount of Money.
- 424. At Caesarea on the Sea. The Roman Ladies and the Slave Galla Ciprina.
- 425. Aurea Galla.
- 426. Parable of the Vineyard and of Free Will.
- 427. Going about the Plain of Esdraelon.
- 428. The Fallen Nest and the Scribe Johanan ben Zaccai.
- 430. Near Sephoris, with Johanan’s Peasants.
- 431. Arrival at Nazareth.
- 432. Parable of Painted Wood.
- 433. The Sabbaths in the Peace of Nazareth.
- 434. Before Being a Mother, the Blessed Virgin Is a Daughter and Servant of God.
- 435. Jesus and His Mother Converse.
- 436. The Blessed Virgin at Tiberias.
- 437. Aurea Does the Will of God.
- 439. The Departure from Nazareth and the Journey towards Bethlehem in Galilee.
- 440. Judas of Kerioth with the Blessed Virgin at Nazareth.
- 441. The Death of Marjiam’s Grandfather.
- 442. Jesus Speaks of Charity to the Apostles.
- 443. Arrival at Tiberias. Parable of the Rain on the Vine.
- 445. Preaching at Capernaum.
- 446. At Magdala. Parable on Good and Bad Will.
- 447. Little Alphaeus of Meroba.
- 453. Near Gamala, Jesus Entrusts the Church to the Blessed Virgin and Speaks of Mercy on Oppressed People.
- 455. Preaching at Aphek.
- 456. At Gherghesa and Return to Capernaum.
- 457. Be as Wise as Serpents and as Simple as Doves.
- 458. The Sabbath at Capernaum.
- 459. At Johanna of Chuza’s. Letters from Antioch.
- 461. At Tarichea. Galatia, the Sinner.
- 462. In Chuza’s Country House. The Tempting Proposal Made to Jesus and Made Known by the Disciple Jesus Loved.
- 463. At Bethsaida and Capernaum. Departure on a New Journey.
- 465. Parable on the Distribution of Waters
- 468. Jesus Speaks of Matrimony to a Mother-in-law.
- 469. Jesus Speaks to Barnabas of the Law of Love.
- 470. A Judgement of Jesus.
- 471. Cure of the Boy Born Blind from Sidon.
- 473. Going towards Sephoris.
- 474. Jesus with the Leprous Sinners of Bethlehem in Galilee.
- 475. Jesus and His Mother in the Wood of Mattathias.
- 476. Jesus Converses with Joseph of Alphaeus.
- 480. Jesus and the Samaritan Shepherd.
- 481. The Ten Lepers near Ephraim.
- 482. At Ephraim. Parable of the Pomegranate.
- 483. At Bethany for the Feast of the Tabernacles.
- 484. At the Temple: “The Kingdom of God Does Not Come with Pomp”.
- 486. At the Temple: “I Shall Remain with You for Only a Short Time Now”.
- 487. At Nob. The Miracle on the Wind.
- 488. Jesus at the Camp of the Galileans with His Apostle Cousins.
- 489. On the Last Day of the Feast of the Tabernacles. The Living Water.
- 490. At Bethany. “One Can Kill in Many Ways”.
- 491. Near the Fountain of En-Rogel.
- 492. The Pharisees and the Adulterous Woman.
- 493. Instructions on the Road to Bethany.
- 494. At the Village of Solomon and in His House.
- 495. Jesus and Simon of Jonas.
- 496. Jesus to Thaddeus and to James of Zebedee.
- 497. The Man from Petra, near Heshbon.
- 498. Descending from Mount Nebo.
- 499. Parable of the Father Who Praises His Far-away Children. Cure of the Little Blind Children Fara and Tamar.
- 500. Divine and Diabolical Possessions.
- 501. The Wife of the Sadducean Necromancer.
- 502. Death of Ananias.
- 503. The Parable of the Unscrupulous Judge.
- 504. Jesus, Light of the World.
- 505. Jesus Speaks in the Temple to the Incredulous Judaeans.
- 506. In Joseph’s House at Sephoris. Little Martial Named Manasseh.
- 507. The Old Priest Matan (or Natan).
- 508. The Cure of the Man Born Blind.
- 509. At Nob. Judas of Kerioth Lies.
- 510. Among the Ruins of a Destroyed Village.
- 511. At Emmaus in the Mountains. Parable of the Rich Wise Man and of the Poor Ignorant Boy.
- 512. The Undecided Young Man. Miracles and Admonitions at Beth-Horon.
- 513. Towards Gibeon. The Reasons for Jesus’ Sorrow.
- 514. At Gibeon. The Wisdom of Love.
- 515. Returning to Jerusalem.
- 516. Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
- 517. Towards Bethany and in Lazarus’ House.
- 518. Going to Tekoah. Old Elianna.
- 519. At Tekoah.
- 520. Arrival at Jericho. Zacchaeus’ Apostolate.
441. The Death of Marjiam's Grandfather.
25th May 1946.
Jesus must have left the women because He is with the apostles, Isaac and Marjiam. They are going down the last slopes towards the Esdraelon plain while it is slowly getting darker.
Marjiam is very glad that the Lord is taking him to his dear grandfather. The apostles are not so happy, as they remember the recent incident with Ishmael. But they are gravely silent, in order not to grieve the boy, who rejoices that he has not touched the honey which Porphirea gave him, "because" he says "I was hoping that the Lord would satisfy the desire of my heart by letting me see my grandfather. I do not know why... but for some time he has always been present to my spirit, as if he were calling me. I told Porphirea and she said to me: “It happens to me as well, when Simon is away”. But I don't think it is as she says, because it never happened to me before."
"Because you were a little boy previously. Now you are a man and you ponder more over things" Peter says to him.
"I have also two small round pieces of cheese and some olives. Just what I could bring of my own to my beloved grandfather. Then I have a hemp tunic and another hemp garment. Porphirea wanted to make them for me. But I said to her: “If you love me, make them for the old man”. He is always so tattered and torn, so hot wearing clothes of coarse wool!... He will have some relief."
"And so you are left without any cool clothes, and you are sweating like a sponge wearing woollen ones" Peter says to him.
"Oh! It does not matter! My grandfather went very often without food to give it to me, when I lived in the wood... At last I also can give him something. I wish I could save enough to give him what he needs to redeem himself!"
"How much have you got so far?" asks Andrew.
"Little. I earned one hundred and ten didrachmas with the fish. But I will soon be selling the lambs and then... If I could do it before it gets very cold!..."
"Will you be keeping him?" Nathanael asks Peter.
"Yes. We shall not be ruined if the poor old man has a morsel of our food..."
"And then... He will be able to do little jobs... He can come to Bethsaida, where we are, is that right, Philip?"
"Of course... We will help you, Simon, and thus make our good Marjiam and the old man happy..."
"Let us hope that Johanan is not there..." says Judas Thaddeus. "I will go ahead and warn them" says Isaac.
They walk fast in the moonlight... At a certain point Isaac parts from them quickening his step, while the group follows him more slowly. There is dead silence in the plain. Even nightingales are quiet.
They walk on, until they see two shadows running towards them. "One is certainly Isaac... The other... may be Micah or the steward. One is as tall as the other..." says John.
They are now close... very close... It is the steward followed by Isaac who looks dismayed.
"Master... Marjiam... poor son! Come quickly... Your grandfather, Marjiam, is ill... very
"Ah! Lord!..." shouts the boy sorrowfully.
"Let us go, let us go... Be strong, Marjiam" and Jesus takes his hand and starts almost to run while He says to the apostles: "You can follow us."
"Yes... But don't make too much noise... Johanan is there" shouts the steward who is already far away.
The poor old man is in Micah's house. Even a fool can understand that he is really dying. He is lying languidly, his eyes closed, his features relaxed, as is typical of a dying person. He is waxen, with the exception of his cheek-bones, where a cyanotic red persists.
Marjiam bends over the little bed calling: "Grandpa! My grandpa! I am Marjiam! Do you understand? Marjiam! Jabez! Your Jabez!... O Lord! He no longer hears me... Come here, Lord... Come here. Will You try... Cure him... Let him see me, let him speak to me... Must I see all my relatives die thus, without a parting word to me?..."
Jesus approaches him, He bends over the dying man, He lays a hand on his head saying: "Son of My Father, listen to Me."
Like one who awakes from a deep sleep, the old man takes a deep breath, he opens his already glassy eyes looking vaguely at the two faces bent over his. He tries to speak, but his tongue is powerless. But now he must have been able to recognise, because he smiles and tries to take the hands of the two to lift them to his lips.
"Grandpa... I had come... I prayed so hard that I might come!... I wanted to tell you... that I will soon have enough money... that I will be able to give you what you need to redeem yourself... and you will come with me, to Simon and Porphirea, who are so good, so kind to your Jabez... and to everybody..."
The old man succeeds in moving his tongue and he says with difficulty: May God reward them... and reward you... But it is late... I am going to Abraham... to suffer no more..." He turns towards Jesus and eagerly asks: "It is so, is it not?"
"It is. Be in peace!" and Jesus straightens Himself imposingly saying: "With My power of Judge and Saviour, I absolve you of all faults and omissions you may have committed during your lifetime, and of any feeling of your heart against charity and against those who hated you. I forgive you everything, son. Go in peace!" Jesus has held His hands stretched out high above the little bed as if He were before an altar and He, the Priest, were consecrating a victim. Marjiam is weeping, while the old man smiles gently whispering: One falls asleep peacefully with Your help... Thank You, Lord..." and he collapses...
"Grandpa! Grandpa! Oh! he is dying! he is dying! Let us give him some honey... his tongue is dry... He is cold... honey warms one..." shouts Marjiam and he tries to search in the sack with one hand while he supports with the other his grandfather's head, which is becoming heavier.
The apostles have appeared on the threshold... and are watching in silence... "All right, Marjiam. I will hold your grandfather" says Jesus... and then, addressing Peter: "Simon, come here..."
And Simon comes forward, deeply moved.
Marjiam tries to give a little honey to the old man. He puts a finger into the little vase and takes it out covered with liquid honey, which he places on the lips of his grandfather, who opens his eyes again, looks at him, smiles and says: "It's good."
"I made it for you... And also the tunic of fresh hemp..." The old man lifts his trembling hand and endeavours to lay it on the brown haired head saying: "You are good... better than honey... And that... the fact that you are good, does me good... But your honey... does not serve any more... Neither does your cool tunic... Keep them... keep them with my blessing..."
Marjiam falls on his knees and weeps with his head resting on the edge of the little bed moaning: All alone! I am remaining all alone!"
Simon goes to the other side of the bed and in a voice made more hoarse than ever by emotion, he caresses Marjiam's hair saying:
"No... Not alone... I love you. Porphirea also loves you... The disciples... as many brothers... And then... Jesus... Jesus Who loves you... Don't weep, my son!"
"Your._ son... yes... I... happy... Lord!... Lord...." the old man whispers confusedly... he feels the end is approaching.
Jesus embraces him with one arm, lifts him up, and intones slowly: "I lift my eyes to the mountains, whence help will come to me" and He continues till the end of psalm 120. He then stops watching the man who is dying in His arms placated by those words... He intones psalm 121. But He says little of it, because as soon as He starts the fourth verse He stops, saying: "Go in peace, just soul!" and He lays him down again slowly and closes his eyelids with His hand.
Such a placid death that no one, except Jesus, noticed it. But they realise seeing the gesture of the Master and they begin to whisper.
Jesus makes a gesture requesting silence. He goes beside Marjiam, who has not noticed anything, as he is weeping with his head on the bed, He bends and embraces the boy and tries to lift him up saying: "He is in peace, Marjiam! He does not suffer any more. This is the greatest grace of God for him: death, and in the arms of the Lord! Do not weep, dear son. Look how peaceful he is... In peace... Few people in Israel had the reward which this just man had, to die on the breast of the Saviour. Come here, in My arms... You are not alone. And there is God, and that is everything, and He loves you for the whole world."
Poor Marjiam is really in a pitiful state, but he still finds the strength to say: "Thank You, Lord, for coming... and you, Simon, for bringing me here... And to you all, thanks... for what you gave me for him... But it is of no further use... But... the garment is... We are poor... We cannot have him embalmed... Oh! grandfather! I cannot even give you a sepulchre!... But if you trust me, if you can... meet the expenses and in October I will give you the money of the lambs and of the fish..."
"Hey! I say: you still have a father! I will see to it, at the cost of selling a boat. The old man will receive full honours. The important thing is to have a loan... and someone who can give a sepulchre..."
The steward says: "In Jezreel there are some disciples among the people. They will not deny anything. I will go at once and I will be back by the third hour..."
"Good, but... the Pharisee?"
"Don't worry. I will let him know that there is a dead man and in order not to be contaminated, he will not come out of the house. I am going..."
And while Marjiam, bent over his grandfather, weeps and caresses him, and Jesus speaks in a low voice to the apostles and to Isaac, Micah and the others are busy preparing the last honours to their dead companion.
And I make here a personal comment. I happened to be in similar situations several times, and I often noticed that the people present, with good intentions or with blameworthy intolerance, contradict those who grieve over the loss of a relative. I point out the kindness of Jesus, Who bears with the suffering of the orphan and does not exact an unnatural heroism from him... How much there is to be learned from each least act of Jesus!...
Valtorta Index
Valtorta Daily Meditation
Contradiction regarding a good work, persecution of an innocent soul, is the most certain probative sign, never lacking, that this work is of God and that this soul is in the service of God. […] when one is persecuted without having deserved persecution, that when a good work is opposed, it is because Satan hates them. And the hatred of Satan is always against the place where God is. Rejoice, then, because you are persecuted and contradicted, for this is the sign that you are in God and your Work is of God. […] For the world hates, persecutes, and scorns whoever is of God
Book of Azaria, July 7th, 1946Categories: