Popular
writings of the mystics of the Church on the life of Jesus and Mary
propose many additional details on
their lives. For example, in the The Life of Jesus
Christ by Blessed
Anne Catherine Emmerich we read that on the way to Calvary, Jesus
fell or
collapsed a total of seven times, not just three. The Mystical
City of God by Venerable Maria Agreda states that Mary was taken
up to the empyrean Heaven right after her birth, and
Luisa Piccarreta reports this occurred even while Mary was in St.
Anne’s womb.
Perhaps
the most thorough life of Christ and Mary written by a mystic is
Maria Valtorta’s Poem of the Man-God, which asserts that
Jesus often bilocated. It should come as no surprise that our
Lord bilocated during His
earthly life. Quite a
number of Catholic saints, most notably Padre Pio, have received this
gift, and Jesus is the “Saint of saints.”
In
the visions she received for
the third year of Christ’s public life, Valtorta describes what she
saw and heard on the day Jesus read, to some of His apostles, a
letter He
received from a fervent disciple. This letter from
Antioch (written on a scroll) was relayed by a trusted follower to
the Lord in Judea. The writer was an aged disciple known as John of
Endor. He had been a murderer and was an escaped convict from a
Roman prison. He had been forced into exile from Israel by fear of
the Sanhedrin Pharisees, who were persecuting Jesus for consorting
with unsavory characters and non-Israelites. Joining old John in his
exile was a young Greek girl,
also converted by the Lord,
who had formerly been
pressed into slavery. Both were
doing what they could
to spread the message of Jesus, the message of love, forgiveness and
mercy, to the unbelievers in the area of Antioch.
John
was very weak and knew that
death was approaching. One of his greatest desires was to have Jesus
present to comfort him as he passed away. Jesus in fact had promised
that He would be present at the man’s death. Nevertheless, John
had been despairing, and had begun to doubt that this would be
possible since he was an exile in Syria, while the Lord was preaching
the Gospel in Israel. But in the letter, he now rejoices that his
doubt has gone. He writes that he truly knows that distance is no
obstacle to Jesus. Neither seas nor mountains can prevent Him from
giving the comfort of His “tangible presence” to those whom He
loves. He knows the Lord will be there when he breathes his last,
and asks Him to come soon to lead him to peace!
After
Jesus finishes reading John’s letter to the Apostles, they bombard
Him with questions regarding His presence to John. They wonder
whether it is possible, how is it possible, and did the woman who was
exiled with John know anything?
But
the Lord proceeds to unroll the scroll sent by the Greek woman, whose
name is Syntyche. She is still young and healthy and has been looking
after the ailing John of Endor. She writes that upon returning from
visiting a sick person, she found John transfigured and in ecstasy,
and heard the words he was speaking to someone she could not see.
Yet she prostrated herself, realizing that it was Jesus Who was
present. She writes that she does not regret that she did not see
Him, since everything He does and gives is good and sufficient. It
is right that old John has Jesus visibly, while she has Him in her
soul only.
About
a day later, when some of the Apostles were alone with Jesus, they
resumed their questioning about this mysterious event. Simon Peter
said that he had been thinking about the extraordinary
grace given to John, but not to the Apostles. He told Jesus that it
would have been a great comfort to them when they were sent out into
the world – to have even a word from Him, to clear up doubtful
points. But why does He appear to him and not to them? Peter would
like to know three things: why is it granted to John; whether it is
a grace for him only; and whether one day it can happen to the
Apostles – to see Him miraculously and be told what should be done?
In
answer to the first question, the Lord explained that John of Endor
is a willing spirit, but because of his past adventures and life he
has some weaknesses hidden in his flesh, in his interior. He had
been penetrated by the poisons of the world for years, and though his
spirit is strong, his body is debilitated. He needs help in his
purification, and for his resistance over his resurgent past. John’s
suffering is bitter, and He solaces him the best He can, because he
deserves it.
Peter
is satisfied with this answer, and proceeds to the second question,
does He appear to John only? The Lord answers no, there are others,
even far away, who are laboring to build up their holiness all alone.
As to who they are, there is no need to know that.
James
(the Lesser) asks what about the
Apostles – when they
are harassed
and tormented by the world, will they
be helped by His
presence? The Lord replies that they will be
sent the
Paraclete. Simon Peter objects that he does not know Him and will
never succeed in understanding Him, since Peter considers himself
such a blockhead. This Paraclete is too difficult for a poor
fisherman, He will be a passing whiff, and who will perceive Him?
Peter begs the Lord to promise the Apostles that He Himself
will appear to
them as He is in flesh and blood, so that they may see and hear Him.
But
Jesus warns that He might appear in order to
reproach them. The Apostles John and James, concur with Peter that it
does not matter, at least they will know what is to be done. The
Lord then promises them that
He will
appear, to tell them to be ready for this or that, or to do this or
that. Although he feels better now, Peter pleads with Jesus to come
often, otherwise he will be like a poor, lost child, and he almost
begins to weep.
Overview
from The
Poem of the Man-God,
Chapters 365 and 368.
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