Jesus appears to a group of rabbis


X. To the people gathered in the synagogue of Quedes.

 
The people of Quedes are gathered in the synagogue and comment with old Matthias, the arch-synagogue, on the latest events. The synagogue appears rather semi-dark, for the doors are closed and the curtains of the windows are drawn, thick curtains barely moved by the April wind.
A flash of lightning illuminates the interior of the synagogue. It looks like lightning, but it is the light that precedes Jesus. And Jesus, before the astonishment of the many people present, manifests himself. He opens his arms and, well visible, the wounds of his hands appear; and also of his feet, because he has appeared on the last of the three steps that lead to a closed door. He says:
-I am risen. I remind you of the dispute between me and the scribes. To this wicked generation I have given the sign which I promised. The sign of Jonah. To the one who loves me and is faithful to me I give my blessing.
Nothing more. He has disappeared.
-It was Him! From where? And He was alive! He had said so! Now I understand! The sign of Jonah: three days in the bowels of the earth and then the resurrection...
Murmur of comments...


XI. To a group of rabbis in Yiscala.

 
A poisonous group of rabbis trying to persuade some hesitating men of their demands. What they want is to get these to go to Gamaliel, who has shut himself up in his house and does not want to see anyone.
These men say:

-We tell you he is not here. We don't know where he is. He has come. He consulted some scrolls. He left. He has not said a word.And others add:
 -He looked so altered, and was so aged, that he was frightening.
 With a gesture of discourtesy, the rabbis turn their backs on those who are speaking, and go away saying:
 -Gamaliel is also mad, like Simon! It is not true that the Galilean has risen! It is not true, it is not true! No
it is not true that he is God. It is not true. Nothing is true. Only we are in the truth.
 The very eagerness with which they say it is not true shows their fear that it is true and their need to get a foothold.
 They have skirted the wall of the house, now they are going in the direction of Hil.lel's grave. As they continue to bark their denials
their denials, they raise their faces... and flee with a shout. Jesus, most kind to the good, is there, full of terrible power, with open arms as on the cross.... The wounds on his hands gnaw as if they were still dripping blood. He does not say a word. But his glances are withering.
The rabbis flee, fall, rise again, hurt themselves against plants and stones, maddened, deranged by fear. They resemble murderers who would be driven into the presence of the victim.


XII. To Joachim and Mary, in Bozrah.


-Mary! Mary! Joachim and Mary! Come outside!
The two, who are in a quiet room lit by a lamp, she sewing, he doing beads, raise their heads, look at each other.... Joachim, paling with fear, whispers:
-The voice of the Rabbi! It comes from the afterlife...
The woman, terrified, embraces the man.
But the call is repeated, and the two of them, holding each other tightly, in order to give each other courage, dare to go out, to go to the other life, to go to the other life, to go to the other life.
dare to go out, to go in the direction of the voice.
In the garden, illuminated by a new moon, shines, enveloped by a light stronger than many moons, Jesus.
moons, Jesus. The light surrounds him and makes him God; the sweetest smile and the loving look make him Man:
-Go tell those of Bosra that you have seen me alive and real. And say it on Tabor, you, Joachim, to those who are gathered there.
there.
Bless them. He disappears.
-It was Him! It was not a dream! I... Tomorrow I'm going to Galilee. You said Tabor, right?...

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)