There are many things to do today in Eli's house. Servants and servants come and go, and among them - happy little rascal - little Elisha. Two pompous characters appear, and then two more; I recognize the first two: they are the ones who had gone with Eli to Matthew's house. The other two I do not know, but I hear their names: Samuel and Jehoiachin. The last to arrive is Jesus, who comes with Judas Iscariot.
Great reciprocal greetings and then the question:
-Only with this one? And the others?
-They are in the countryside. They return in the evening.
-I'm sorry. I thought it was... Yesterday evening I invited only you, but you included all your people.
Now I'm afraid that they might have been offended, or... or that they are reluctant to come to my house... because of past animosities, of course". (The old man laughs).
-No, no! My disciples know no susceptibilities of pride or incurable grudges.
-Of course, of course! Very well. Let's go in then.
The usual ceremonial of purifications to then go to the banquet room, which overlooks the vast courtyard where the first roses already put a cheerful note.
Jesus caresses little Eliseo, who is playing in the courtyard and who has only four red marks on his little hand from the past danger. He does remember Jesus, and he wants to kiss him and Jesus to kiss him, with the spontaneity of children, he speaks to him through her hair, wrapping her little arms around Jesus' neck, confiding to him that when she is older she will go with Him; and she asks:
-Do you accept me?
-I accept everyone. Be good and you will come with me.
The child hops away.
They sit at the table. Eli wants to be so perfect that he puts Jesus next to him and Judas on the other side, who is thus between Eli and Simon, as Jesus is between Eli and Uriah.
The meal begins. At first, somewhat vague topics of conversation; then, more interesting; and, since the wounds hurt and the chains are heavy, the eternal question of the slavery of Palestine to Rome comes up. I do not know if it is a pretense, I do not know if there is bad intention or not, what I do know is that the five Pharisees complain about new outrages - which they catalog as sacrilegious - on the part of the Romans, and that they want to interest Jesus in the discussion.
-They want to know our earnings in detail! And, since they have seen that we meet in the synagogues to talk about this and about them, they threaten to enter them without respect. I fear that one day they will even enter the houses of the priests! - cries Joachim.
-And what do you say? does it not displease you?" asks Eli.
Jesus, questioned directly, answers:
- "As an Israelite, yes; as a man, no.
-Why this distinction? I don't understand. Are you two in one?
-No. But in me there is flesh and blood, the animal in short, and the spirit. The spirit of an Israelite deferent to the Law suffers because of these profanations, but not the flesh and blood, because I do not have the sting that pierces you.
-What sting?
-Interest. You say that you meet in the synagogues to talk business without fear of prying ears, and you fear that you will no longer be able to do so - and, therefore, that you will not be able to hide even a pittance from the treasury, so that the taxation would be in exact proportion to the assets -. I do not own anything. I live by the kindness of my neighbor and by loving my neighbor. I have no gold objects, no fields or vineyards or houses, apart from my mother's little house in Nazareth, which is so small and poor that the tax authorities do not even consider it. That is why I do not fear to be discovered in a mendacious declaration, nor to have my goods appraised and punished. I possess only the Word which God has given me and which I give, and this is so high a thing, that it can in no way be affected by man.
-But if you were in our place, how would you behave?
-Look, do not take it badly if I tell you clearly what I think, which is very different from what you think. Truly I tell you that I would act differently.
-How?
-Without harming the holy truth, which is always a sublime virtue, even if it applies to such human things as taxes.
-And then? And then? We would be skinned! Don't you realize that we have a lot and that we should give a lot?
-You have said: God has granted you much; in proportion, you should give much. Why should you act badly - as unfortunately happens - so much that in the end it is the poor who receive disproportionate taxation? The truth is that we know that in Israel there are many unjust taxes, taxes that are ours and that are for the benefit of the great, who already have much, and to the despair of the poor who must pay them, squeezing themselves to the point of starvation. Charity towards our neighbor does not advise this. We Israelites should be concerned that our backs should bear the weight of the poor.
-You speak thus because you are poor!
-No, Uriah, I speak this way because it is right. Why has Rome been able - and continues to be able - to fleece us in this way? Because we have sinned and because grudges divide us (the rich hate the poor and the poor the rich), and because there is no justice and the enemy takes advantage of this to subjugate us.
-You have alluded to more than one reason? What others?
-I would not go against the truth by altering the character of the place consecrated to worship, making it a safe haven for human things.
-You are censuring us.
-No. I am answering. Listen rather to your conscience. You are teachers, therefore...
I think it would be time to revolt, to rebel, to punish the invader and re-establish our reign. -Right! Right! You are right, Simon. But here is the Messiah; He must do it," answered Eli.
-But the Messiah, for now - forgive me, Jesus - is only Goodness; He encourages everything except insurrection. We will act and...
-Simon, listen. Think of the book of Kings. Saul was in Gilgal; the Philistines were in Michmash; the people were afraid, they were disbanding; the prophet Samuel was not coming. Saul wanted to go ahead of God's servant and offered the sacrifice on his own. Think of the answer that Samuel, who appeared unexpectedly, gave to the imprudent king Saul: "You have behaved foolishly, you have not observed the orders that the Lord had given you. If you had not done this, now the Lord would have established your kingship in Israel forever. Now, however, your kingdom will not endure." An intemperate and haughty action benefited neither the king nor the people. God knows the hour, not man; God knows the means, man does not. Let God act, meriting his help by holy conduct. My Kingdom is neither of rebellion nor of brutality, but it will be established; it will not be for a few, it will be universal. Blessed are those who join it - not misled by my humble appearance according to the earthly spirit - and feel me the Savior. Fear not. I will be King, the King born of Israel, the one who will extend his Kingdom over all Humanity.
You, teachers of Israel, do not misinterpret my words, nor those of the Prophets who proclaimed me. No human kingdom, however powerful it may be, is either universal or eternal. The Prophets say that mine will have these characteristics. May this give you light on the truth and spirituality of my Kingdom. I leave you now. However, I would like to ask one thing of Eli. Here is your bag. Simon of Jonah has lodged some poor people coming from the most different places. Come with me to give them the gift of love. Peace be with you all.
-Do not go away yet," the Pharisees beg him.
-I must; there are sick in the flesh and in the heart who are waiting for consolation. Tomorrow I will go far away. I do not want anyone to see me go and be disappointed.
-Master, I am old and tired. You go on my behalf. You take with you Judas of Simon. We know him well... Do as you think best. May God be with you.
Jesus goes out with Judas, who, as soon as they set foot in the square, says: "You old snake!
-"You old viper, what did he mean?
-But, man, don't worry! Or, better yet, he thinks he meant to praise you.
-Impossible, Master! Those mouths never praise those who do good; I mean, they never praise with sincerity. And what about not coming?.... It is because he is repulsed by the poor and is afraid of being cursed. Indeed, he has tormented the poor of this area a lot; I can swear it without fear. That is why...
-Quiet, Judas, quiet. Let God be the judge.