MaryofJesus

PRESENTATION
Thisscriptishebasisofher5,000pagecontroversialbookthePoemoftheManGodinparticularof
Magdalene'lifeintheGospel. Theauthor,MariaValtorta,wasaRomanCatholicItalianwriterand
poet,consideredbymanytobeamystic.
SomuchhasbeenwrittenaboutofMaryMagdaleneespeciallywithJesus.Sincetheearlyyearsof
Christianity tothepresentday. JustmentionDaVinciCodeofDanBrownforintereston this
subject.
However,thereisadifferentstoryexpressedinthemiddleofthelastcentury,duringtheWorldWar,
whereclarifiestheroleofMagdalenetookplacewithJesus.Thisbook,PoemoftheManGod,isfor
theCatholicchurchnotofsupernaturalorigin,buttheItalianBishops'Conferenceseesnothinginthe
workthatcontradictsthedoctrinesoftheChurch,yetsomedetractorsclaimthattheletterintendedto
classifytheworkasfiction.
ThewritingonMaryMagdaleneislong,fromhislifeasasinneruntilhislastdaysasapenitent;there
isaspecialdedicationofPassoverwhereshewaspresent.Bythesame,ismoreappropriateasTVserie
thatasfilm.
Meritistheauthorandtheonlyinterventionformewastotheproperformatasscript.ItisinEnglish
becausethebestreferencebooksisinthefollowingreferences:
https://archive.org/details/Volume1OfThePoemOfTheManGod#page/n0/mode/2up

SCENE1
sINT.CAVERNDAY
Inarockycaverninwhichthereisabedmade
of leaves piled upon a crude framework of
branches intertwined and tied with reeds. It
mustbefittingasaninstrumentoftorture.The
cave has also a large rock which serves as a
tableandasmalleronewhichservesasaseat.
Furtherbackagainsttheside,thereisanother:
alargefragmentprotrudingfromtherockwhich
hasbeentreatedbycleaningitIdonotknow
if by nature or by patient and toilsome human
labor and thus it presents a fairly smooth
surface. Upon this protrusion, which seems to
serveasacrudealtar,thereisplacedacross
made from two branches held together by twigs.
Inafissureoftheclayground,theinhabitant
ofthecavehasalsoplantedanivyplant,and
led its branches up to frame and embrace the
cross, while in two crude vases which seem to
have been molded in clay by an inexperienced
hand, stand two wild flowers gathered in the
vicinity.Andjustatthefootofthecross,in
agiantconch, isalittlewildcyclamen plant
withitscleanlittleleavesandtwobudsclose
to blooming. At the foot of this altar is a
bundle of thorny branches and a scourge of
knottedcords.Inthecavethereisalsoacrude
littlejarofwater.Nothingelse.
An OLD LADY thin, clothed in a crude dark
garment over which is placed a goatskin as a
mantle, enters the cave, moving the hanging
branchesaside.Sheseemsexhausted.Herageis
indefinable.Tojudgebyherwitheredface,one
would have to give her many years: more than
sixty. But if she must be judged by her hair,
still beautiful, thick, golden: she is no more
than forty. She wears her hair in two tresses
along her bent and gaunt shoulders, and it is
theonethingthatshinesin thatsqualor.The
woman would certainly have been beautiful,
because her forehead is still high and smooth,
her nose well made and her oval face, however
muchthinnedbyexhaustion,isregular.Buther
eyes have no more sparkle. They are deeply
sunkenintheirsockets,andbotharemarkedby

bluish,darkbrownshadows.
Two eyes which tell of many tears shed. Two
wrinkles, almost two scars, are cut from the
corner of her eyes along the nose and lose
themselves in that other wrinkle characteristic
of someone who has suffered much, and which
descends from the nostril to the corner of the
mouth.Hertemplesalsoaresunkeninandtheir
blueveinsareoutlinedinhergreatpallor.Her
mouth bends in a weary curve and is of a very
pale rose color. It must once have been a
splendidmouth.Nowitisfaded.Thecurveofher
lipsislikethatoftwowingsthathangbroken.
Asorrowfulmouth.
The woman drags herself to the boulder that
serves as a table, and places upon it some
blackberries and wild strawberries. Then she
goestothealtarandkneelsdown.Butsheisso
wornoutthatindoingsoshealmostfalls,and
mustsupportherselfontheboulder.Sheprays,
looking at the cross and with tears descending
in the furrow to her mouth which drinks them.
Thensheletshergoatskinfallandremainswith
onlyherroughtunic,andshetakesthescourge
andthethorns.Shesqueezesthethornybranches
around herheadandon herloins,andscourges
herselfwiththecord.Butsheistooweaktodo
it. She lets the scourge fall and, supporting
herselfonthealtarwithbothherhandsandher
forehead,
OLDLADY:
Icannotanymore,Rabboni!Nomoresufferingin
memoryofYoursorrow!
SCENE1
SCENE2
EXT.ALAKEOFTIBERIASDAY
Afewsmallleisureboats,almostthesizeofa
shallop, but fitted with purple canopies and
soft cushions, cut across the course of the
fishermen's boats. Shouts, bursts of laughter
andthesmellofperfumesgobywiththem.
They are full of beautiful women, many merry
Romans,somePalestiniansandaewGreeks.This
I gather so from the words of a thin slender

young man, as brown as an almost ripe olive,

smartly dressed in a short red tunic, bordered
by a heavy GREEK fret and held tight at his
waistbyabelt,whichisthemasterpieceofa
goldsmith.
GREEK
Hellas is beautiful! But not even my Olympic
fatherland has this blue and these flowers. It
isreallynotsurprisingthatthegoddessesleft
it to come here. Let us spread flowers, roses
andourcomplimentstothegoddesses,nolonger
Greek but Judaean... And he spreads on the
women in his boat the petals of magnificent
rosesandhethrowssomeintoanearbyboat.
AROMANreplies
Spreadthem,spreadthem,Greek!ButVenusis
withme.Idonotspreadroses,Ipickthemfrom
thisbeautifulmouth.Itissweeter!
There are two big boats with seven people in
each.JESUSis inPeter's, thefirstone,with
PETER, ANDREW, SIMON, JOSEPH and His two
cousins. In the other boat there are the two
sons of Zebedee (JOHN and JACOB) with JUDAS
ISCARIOT,PHILIP,THOMAS,NATHANAELandMATTHEW.
JESUS is sitting on the prow and is evidently
enjoyingthebeautiesofnaturearoundHim,the
quietness, the blue sky and lake, the latter
encircled by green shores, where many white
villages stand out against the green of the
countryside.
Bynowthelittleboatsareinfrontofthetwo
big ones and both because of the
tenyears.Shebegantobelightheadedassoon
as she reached the age of inexperience of the
rowersandbecauseofasuddengustofwind,the
boatsalmostcollide.PETER,whoiswildwhenhe
veers,shiftingthehelm,toavertacollision.
PETERshout
Becareful,ifyourlivesaredeartoyou
TheROMANSinsulttheGalileans
ROMANS
Getoutoftheway,youdirtyJewishdogs

Andhebendsdowntokisstheopensmilinglips
of MARYOF MAGDALA,whoisleaning oncushions
withherblondheadinthelapoftheRoman.
PETER and the other Galileans do not let the
insults pass and Peter in particular, flushing
like a cockerel, standing on the edge of the
boat,whichispitchingheavily,withhishands
on his hips, gives tit for tat and does not
spareRomansorGreeksorJewsorJewesses.Nay,
heassailsthewomenwithsuchcurteoustitles.
Thesquabblelastsuntilthetangleofkeelsand
oarsisloosedandtheyallgotheirownways.
JESUS has not moved from His place. He has
remained sitting, His mind far away, without a
glanceorawordtotheboatsorthepassengers.
Leaningononeelbow,Hehascontinuedtolook
at the far away shore, as if nothing was
happening.AlsoafloweristhrownatHim,Ido
not

know

by

whom,

certainly
by a woman, because I can hear a woman laugh
when it is being thrown. But
He...doesnotstir.ThefloweralmosthitsHis
face,thenfallsontoboardsandendsupunder
thefeetofthefuriousPeter.
Whenthelittleboatsareabouttomoveaway,I
see the MAGDALENE stand up and follow the
indicationofoneofherpartnersinvice,that
is, she turns her beautiful eyes towards the
serenefaceofJESUS,Whosemindissofaraway.
Howfarfromthisworldthatfaceis!..
JUDASISCARIOT
Say, SIMON! Since you are a Judaean like me,
tell me. That beautiful blonde in the Roman's
lap, the one who stood up a few minutes ago,
isn'tshethesisterofLAZARUSofBethany?
SIMONOFCANANEAN
I don't know. I came back amongst the living
only a short while ago, and she is a young
woman...
JUDASISCARIOT
You are not going to tell me that you do not
know Lazarus of Bethany, I hope! I know very

wellthatyouarehisfriend
SIMONOFCANANEAN
Andifitwereso?
JUDASISCARIOT
Andsinceitisso,Isaythatyoumustknow
also the sinner who is Lazarus'
sister.Eventhedeadknowher!Peoplehavebeen
talking about her for the last
tenyears.Shebegantobelightheadedassoon
as she reached the age of
puberty. But for over four years! You must be
aware of the scandal, even if you were in the
valley of the dead. The whole of Jerusalem
talkedabouther.AndLazarusshuthimselfupat
Bethany...Hedidtherightthing,afterall.No
onewouldhavesetfootinhismagnificenthouse
inZion,whereshealsocameandwent.Imean:
no holy living person. In the country...
well!...Inanycasesheissaying:Getoutof
theway,youdirtyJewishdogs.alwaysaround,
butneverathome...SheiscertainlyatMagdala
now... With a new lover... Are you not
answeringme?Canyougivemethelie?
SIMONOFCANANEAN
Iamnotgivingyouthelie.Iamsilent.
JUDASISCARIOT
Soitisshe!Youhaverecognizedher,too!
SIMONOFCANANEAN
Isawherwhenshewasachildandshewaspure
then. I have seen her again now... But I
recognizeher.Althoughlewd,sheistheliving
imageofhermother,aholywoman.
JUDASISCARIOT
Well,then,whywereyouonthepointofdenying
thatsheisyourfriend'ssister?

SIMONOFCANANEAN
We always endeavor to conceal our sores and
those of the people we love. Particularly when
oneishonest.
JUDASISCARIOTgivesaforcedlaugh.

PETER
Youarequiteright,Simon.Andyouarehonest
JUDASISCARIOT
Anddidyourecognizeher? Youcertainlygoto
Magdalatosellyourfish,andIwonderhowmany
timesyouhaveseenher!...
PETER
My boy, you must know that when your back is
broken after anhonestday'swork,you arenot
interested in women. You only love the honest
bedofyourwife.
JUDASISCARIOT
Eh!Everybodylikesbeautifulthings!Atleast,
iffornootherreasonthantowouldnowtouch.
PETER
Why?Tosay:Itisnofoodformytable?No,
certainly not. I have learned many things from
the lake and from my job, and this is one of
them:afishoffreshandcalmwaterisnotfit
forsaltwateroravorticosewatercourse.
JUDASISCARIOT
Whatdoyoumean?
PETER
Imeanthateverybodyshouldkeephisplace,to
avoiddyinganevildeath
JUDASISCARIOT
DidtheMagdalenemakeyoufeelasifyouwere
dying?
PETER
No,Iamtough.Buttellme:areyounotfeeling
well,perhaps?
JUDASISCARIOT
Me?Oh!Ididn'tevenlookather!...
PETER
Youliar!Iamsurethatyouwereconsumedwith
envy because you were not on this boat, to be
closertoher...youwouldhaveputupevenwith

me, to be nearer... So much so, that you are

honoring me with your conversation, because of
her,aftersomanydaysofsilence.
JUDASISCARIOT
Me? She would not have even seen me! She was
alwayslookingattheMaster!
PETER
Ah!Ah!Ah!Andhesaysthathewasnotlooking
ather!Howcouldyouseewhereshewaslooking,
ifyoudidnotlookather?
They all laugh at PETER's remark, except JUDAS
ISCARIOT,JESUSandSIMONCANANEAN.
JESUS puts an end to the discussion which He
feignsHehasnotheardbyaskingPETER
JESUS
IsthatTiberias?
PETER
Yes,Master,itis.Iwillnowhaul
SCENE3
EXT.NEARTOBETHANYDAY
JESUS and SIMON CANANEAN are walking along a
littleroadwhichdepartsfromthemainoneata
sharp angle like a V. They are going towards
magnificentorchardsandfieldsofflaxastall
asaman,almostreadytobecut.Otherfields,
fartheraway, show onlylarge bright red spots
ofpoppiesamongsttheyellowstubble.
SIMONCANANEAN
Wearealreadyinthepropertyofmyfriend.You
can see, Master, that the distance was within
theprescriptionoftheLaw.Iwouldnevertake
thelibertyofdeceivingYou.Behindthatapple
orchardthereisthegardenwallandthehouse.
I made You come along this short cut to be
withintheprescribedmile.
JESUS
Yourfriendisverywealthy!

SIMONCANANEAN
Yes,very.Butheisnothappy.Heownsproperty
alsoelsewhere.
They walk a little farther. There is a high
wall,andbeyondit, trees andtrees,withthe
house just emerging through them. There is a
rise in the ground here, which, however, does
not allow one to see the garden, so beautiful
thatwewouldcallitapark.
They go round the corner. The wall runs level
andfromitstopentwinedbranchesofrosesand
sweet smelling jasmins hang down, splendid in
theirdewycorollas.Thereistheheavywrought
iron gate. Simon knocks with the heavy bronze
knocker.
JESUS
Itistooearlytogoin,SimonremarksJesus.
SIMONCANANEAN
Oh! My friend gets up at sunrise, as he finds
comfortonlyinhisgardenorinbooks.Nightis
atortureforhim.Pleasedo notdelayfurther
togivehimYourjoy.
ASERVANTopensthegate.
SIMONCANANEAN
Goodmorning,Aseus.TellyourmasterthatSimon
ZealothascomewithhisFriend
TheSERVANTrunsawayafterlettingthemin,
SERVANT
Yourservantgreetsyou.Comein,Lazarus'house
isopentohisfriends.
SIMONCANANEAN,whoisfamiliarwiththeplace,
doesnotgotothecentralavenue,butheturns
along a path running in the direction of a
jasminbowerbetweenrosehedges.
Shortly afterwards LAZARUS comes forward from
thebower.Heisthinandpale,asIhavealways
seen him, and tall; his short hair is neither
thick nor curly, while his little sparse beard
isconfinedtothelowerpartofhischin.Heis

wearing a snow white linen garment, and walks

with difficulty like one suffering from leg
trouble.
When he sees Simon he waves His hand
affectionately and then, as best as he
can,herunstowardsJesusandthrowshimselfon
his knees, bending down to the ground to kiss
the hem of Jesus' tunic, saying: I am not
worthyofsomuchthegroundtokissthehemof
Jesus'tunic.
LAZARUS
Iamnotworthyofsomuchhonor.ButsinceYour
holiness stoops to my misery, come, my Lord,
comeinandbetheMasterinmypoorhouse.
JESUS
Rise,Myfriend.AndreceiveMypeace.
LAZARUS gets up and kisses Jesus' hands and
looks at Him with veneration not devoid of
curiosity.Theywalktowardsthehouse.
LAZARUS
How anxiously have I waited for You, Master!
Every morning, at dawn, I would say: He will
cometoday, andeveryevening I said: Ihave
notseenHimtoday,either
JESUS
WhywereyouexpectingMesoanxiously?
LAZARUS
Because...whomareweinIsraelexpecting,but
You?
JESUS
AnddoyoubelievethatIamtheExpectedOne?
LAZARUS
Simonhasneverlied,neitherisheaboythat
gets excited over nothing. Age and sorrow have
madehimasmatureasawiseman.Inanycase...
evenifhehadnotrecognizedYourtruenature,
Yourdeedswouldhavespokenand saidthatYou
areaSaintWhoaccomplishesthedeedsofGod,
mustbeamanofGod.AndYouaccomplishthem.
AndYoudothingsinawaythatsayshowtruly

You are the Man of God. My friend came to You

because of the fame of Your miracles and he
receivedamiracle.AndIknowthatYourwayis
strewn with miracles. Why, then, not believe
thatYouaretheExpectedOne?
Suddenly, under the beautiful porch there is a
woman.SheisMARTHA.
LAZARUS
I have a sister, Master. Here she is, Martha,
she is good and pious. She is the consolation
andthehonorofthefamilyandthejoyofpoor
Lazarus.Beforeshewasmy first andonlyjoy.
Now she is the second, because You are the
first.
MARTHA prostrates herself on the floor and
kissesthehemofJesus'tunic.
JESUS
Peace to the good sister and to the chaste
woman.Standup.
MATHArisestoherfeetandthenaskstoleave
toattendtothehouse
LAZARUS
Sheismypeace,butIhaveanothersister...
LAZARUSlooksatJesus.Aninquisitivelook.But
JesuspretendsHedoesnotseeit.
JESUS
Iamthesolaceofthosewhoaretormentedand
thecompanionofthosewho areforlorn.Ihave
cometoyoualsoforthat..
LAZARUS
Ah!ThenYouknow?...Oh!shameonme!
JESUS

Youareright:youmustforgivetobeforgiven
andheard.Ialreadyprayfor

her.ButgiveMeyourforgivenessandLazarus'.
You,agoodsister,canspeak

No. Why on you? I know. So what? Shall I

anathematiseyou,whoaresuffering?IamMercy,
Peace,Forgiveness,Loveforeverybody;andwhat
shallIbeforthosewhoareinnocent?Thesin
for which you suffer is not yours. Shall I be
pitiless towards you if I feel pity also for
her?...
LAZARUS
HaveYouseenher?
JESUS
Ihave.Donotcry.
ButLAZARUS,hisheadrestingonhisfoldedarms
on a table, is weeping, sobbing painfully.
MARTHA appearsatthedoor andlooksin. Jesus
nodstohertobesilent.AndMARTHAgoesaway
withbigtearsrunningsilentlydownhercheeks.
LAZARUS calms down little by little and
apologisesforhisweakness.JESUScomfortshim
and since His friend wishes to withdraw for a
moment, He goes out into the garden and walks
among the flowerbeds, where some purple roses
are still in bloom. MARTHA joins Him shortly
afterwards.
MARTHA
Master,hasLazarusspokentoYou?
JESUS
Yes,MARTHA
MARTHA
LAZARUScannotsethismindatrestsinceheis
aware that You know and that You have seen
her...
JESUS
Howdoyouknow?
MARTHA
That man who was with You and says he is Your
disciple: the young one, JUDAS ISCARIOT, I
know..
JESUS
Do not cry for that! Do you think that I am

unacquaintedwithyourwound?Iwasawareofit
since I was with the Father... Do not lose
heart,MARTHA.Raiseyourheartandyourhead.
MARTHA
Pray for her, Master. I pray... but I cannot
forgive completely and perhaps the Eternal
Fatherrejectsmyprayer.
JESUS
Youareright: youmustforgiveto beforgiven
andheard.Ialreadyprayforher.ButgiveMe
your forgiveness and Lazarus'. You, a good
sister,canspeakandachieveevenmorethan I
can.HiswoundistoofreshandsoreforMyhand
totouchitevenlightly,Youcandoit.GiveMe
yourfullholyforgiveness,andIwill.
MARTHA
Forgive...Wewillnotbeable.Ourmotherdied
ofgriefthroughherilldeedsand...theywere
still slight compared with the present ones. I
seemymother'storture...itisalwayspresent
tome.AndIseewhatLazarusissuffering.
JESUS
Sheisill,Martha,andinsane.Forgiveher
MARTHA
Sheispossessed,Master.
JESUS
Andwhatisdiabolicpossessionbutadiseaseof
the spirit infected by Satan to the extent of
degenerating into a spiritual diabolic being?
How can certain perversions in human beings be
explained otherwise? Perversions that make man
much worse than beasts in ferocity, more lewd
than monkeys in lust, and so on, and make a
hybrid, in which man, animal and demon are
mingled.Thatistheexplanationofwhatamazes
us as an inexplicable monstrosity in so many
creatures.Donotweep.Forgive.Isee.Because
sheisill.
MARTHA
Cureher,then!

JESUS
I will cure her. Have faith. I will make you
happy.ButforgiveandtellLazarustoforgive.
Forgiveher.Loveher.Beonfamiliartermswith
her.Speaktoherasifshewerelikeyou.Speak
toherofMe...
SCENE4
EXT.SERMONOFTHEMOUNTDAY
TheSermonoftheMounthasalreadystarted.Now
when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a
mountainsideandsatdown.Hisdisciplescameto
him,andhebegantoteachthem.Jesussays:
JESUS
Peace be with you. Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be
comforted.Blessed are the meek, for they will
inherittheearth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness,for they will be filled. Blessed
arethemerciful,fortheywillbeshownmercy.
Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheywillsee
God.Blessedarethepeacemakers,fortheywill
becalledchildrenofGod.Blessedarethosewho
are persecuted because of righteousness, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are
you when people insult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you
because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because
greatisyourrewardinheaven,forinthesame
waytheypersecutedtheprophetswhowerebefore
you.
Youarethesaltoftheearth.Butifthesalt
loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty
again?Itisnolongergoodforanything,except
to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You
are the light of the world. A town built on a
hillcannotbehidden.Neitherdopeoplelighta
lampandputitunderabowl.Insteadtheyput
itonitsstand,anditgiveslighttoeveryone
inthehouse.16Inthesameway,letyourlight
shinebeforeothers,thattheymayseeyourgood
deedsandglorifyyourFatherinheaven.
Do that and you will receive a great reward.

BecausetheFatherWhoisinHeavenismerciful
togoodpeopleandHeknowshowtogiveyouone
hundredfoldtoone.SoIsaytoyou...
Thereismuchexcitementamongstthepeoplewho
crowdroundthepathleadingtothetableau.The
peopleclosesttoJesusturntheirheadsround.
Everybody'sattentionisdistracted.Jesusstops
speaking and turns His eyes in the same
direction as the others. He is serious and
handsomeinHisdarkbluetunic,Hisarmsfolded
on His chest while the first rays of the sun
risingabovetheeasternpeakofthehillshine
onHishead.AShoutstheangryvoiceofman
RomanMan
Make room, you plebeians! Make room for the
beautywhoispassing...
And four dandies, smartly dressed, come the
Roman said, a goddess sculptured in a light
pinkishmarbleonthesidesofforward,oneof
whomiscertainlyRoman,becauseheiswearinga
Romantoga;whichafabricisdrapedandthen
hangsinthefrontinamassoffolds.theyare
carryingMaryofMagdala,stillagreatsinner,
triumphantly on their Everything has been
devised to please. hands, crossed to form a
seat.
And she smiles with her beautiful mouth,
throwing back her head and her golden hair,
whichis allplaitsandcurlsheld byprecious
hairpins and a pale gold leaf strewn with
pearls, which encircles the upper part of her
forehead like a diadem, from which small light
curlshangdowntoveilhersplendideyes,made
largerandmoreseductivebyarefinedmakeup.
Thediademdisappearsbehindherears,underthe
mass of plaits at the back of her snowwhite
completelybareneck.Andhernakednessextends
much farther than her neck. Her shoulders are
bare down to her shoulderblades and her breast
is even more so. Her dress is held on her
shoulders by two little gold chains. It is
completely sleeveless. Her body is covered, so
tosay,byaveiltheonlypurposeofwhichis
to protecther skinfromsunburn.Thedressis
of a very light fabric and when she throws

herself back, out of affection, against one or

theotherofherlovers,sheseemstobedoing
so completely nude. I am under the impression
that the Roman is the one she prefers because
she glances and smiles at him more frequently
andrestsherheadonhisshoulder.Aromanman
says
RomanMan
The desire of the goddess has been satisfied
Rome has acted as a mount for the new Venus.
Over there, there is the Apollo you wanted to
see. Seduce Him, therefore... But leave some
crumbsofyourcharmalsotous.
Marylaughsandwithanagileprovokingmovement
shejumpstotheground,showinghersmallfeet
shod in white sandals with golden buckles, as
wellasagoodlengthofherleg.Thenherdress
coversherwholebody.Itisinfactaverywide
oneofsnowwhitewoolasthinasaveil,held
tightatthewaist,verylow,nearhersides,by
alargebeltmadeofsupplegoldbosses.Andshe
standsonthegreentableland,wherethereisa
vast amount of lilies of the valley and wild
narcissi, like a flower of flesh, an impure
flower,whichhasopenedtherebywitchcraft.
Sheismorebeautifulthanever.Hertinypurple
lips seem a carnation opening on the whiteness
ofherperfectsetofteeth.Herfaceandbody
would satisfy the most exacting painter or
sculptorbothbecauseofhercomplexionandher
figure. With her broad breast, her perfectly
sizedsides,hernaturallysuppleslenderwaist,
ascomparedwithhersidesandbreast,shedoes
look like a goddess, as the Roman said, a
goddesssculpturedinalightpinkishmarbleon
thesidesofwhichafabricisdrapedandthen
hangs in the front in a mass of folds.
Everythinghasbeendevisedtoplease.
Jesus stares at her. And she defiantly resists
Hislookwhileshesmilesandtwistslightlyas
the Roman tickles her, running on her bare
shoulders and breast a lily picked among the
grass.Marywithaffectedindignation,liftsher
veilsaying:

MaryofMagdala
Haverespectformyinnocence
Whichcausesthefourtoburstintoaguffaw.
Jesuscontinuesstaringather.Assoonasthe
noiseofthelaughterfadesaway,Jesusresumes
speaking,asiftheapparitionofthewomanhad
kindled the flame of the sermon, which was
losing intensity in its conclusion, and no
longer looks at her. He looks instead at His
audiencewhoseemembarrassedandscandalisedat
theevent.Jesussays:
Jesus

I told you to be faithful to the Law, to be

humble and merciful, to love not only your
brothers by the flesh but also those who are
brothers because they were born, like you, of
man.Itoldyouthatforgivenessisbetterthan
hostility, that compassion is better than
stubbornness.ButnowItellyou thatyoumust
notcondemnunless youare freefromthe fault
you wish to condemn. Do not behave like the
Scribes and Pharisees who are severe with
everybody except themselves, who call impure
what is exterior and can only contaminate what
is exterior and then they receive impurity in
theverydepthsoftheirhearts.
God does not stay with the impure. Because
impurity corrupts what is the property of God:
souls, and in particular the souls of children
who are angels spread over the earth. Woe to
thosewhotearofftheirwingswiththecruelty
of devilish beasts and throw those flowers of
Heavenintothemire,bylettingthemtastethe
flavour of material things! Woe... It would be
better if they died struck by thunderbolts
ratherthancommitsuchsin!
Where does adultery nestle? Where does the
corruption ofyounggirlshide?Whohastwoor
three licentious beds, in addition to his own
matrimonialone,onwhichhesquandershismoney
andwastesthestrengthofahealthybodygiven
to him by God that he may work for his family
and not to wear himself out through filthy
unionswhichplacehimbelowuncleanbeasts?You
heard that it was said: You shall not commit

adultery.ButItellyouthathewholooksata
womanlustfully,thatshewhowishedtogowith
aman,hasalreadycommittedadulteryinhisor
her heart, simply by that. There is no reason
whichcanjustifyfornication.None.Neitherthe
abandonmentnortherepudiationofahusband.
Mary,whoatthebeginninglistenedwithaface
which was a dream of allurement and irony,
sneeringnowandagain,attheendofthesermon
becomes livid with rage. She realises that
although Jesus does not look at her, He is
speakingtoher.Shebecomesmoreandmorelivid
andrebelliousandatlastcanresistnolonger.
Shespitefullyenvelopsherselfinherveiland
followedbytheglancesofthecrowdsjeeringat
herandby Jesus'voicewhichpursuesher,she
runs down the slope of the mountain, leaving
stripsofherdressonthethistlesanddogrose
bushes growing on the edges of the path,
laughingoutofangerandmockery.
SCENE5
EXT.JESUSATMAGDALA.HEMEETSWITHMARYMAGDALENE
THESECONDTIMEEVENNING

The entire apostolic college is round Jesus.

Sitting on the grass, in the coolshade of a
thicket, near a stream, they are all eating
bread and cheese and drinking the cool clear
waterofthestream.Theirdustysandalsgiveto
understandthattheyhavewalkedalongwayand
perhaps the disciples wish but to rest on the
longfreshgrass.
ButtheTirelessWalkerisnotofthesamemind.
As soon as he deems that the hottest hour is
over, He gets up, goes on to the road and
looks...Hethenturnsroundandsays:
JESUS
Letusgo.
Nothingelse.
When they reach a crossroads, where four dusty
takestheoneinanortheastdirection.
PETER
ArewegoingbacktoCapernaum?

JESUS
No.
Just:no
Peterinsists,whoisanxioustoknow
PETER
WearegoingtoTiberias,then
JESUS
Notthereeither.
PETER
ButthisroadtakesonetotheSeaofGalilee...
arethere...
JESUSSaywithahalfseriousexpression.
JESUS
AndthereisalsoMagdala

PETER is somewhat scandalised, which makes me

thinkthetownisillfamed.that
PETER
Magdala?Oh!...
JESUS

Yes, to Magdala. Do you consider yourself too

honesttoenterthattown?Peter,Peter!...For
My sake you will have to enter not towns of
pleasure but real brothels... Christ did not
come to save those who are already saved, but
thosewhoarelost...andyoushallbePeter,
or Rock, not Simon, for that purpose. Are you
afraid of becoming contaminated? No! Not even
thisone,see...
AndHepointsattheveryyoungJohn
JESUS
... will suffer any harm. Because he does not
want, as you do not want, as your brother and
John'sbrotherdonotwant,asnoneofyou,for
thetimebeing,wants.Aslongasonedoesnot
want, no harm is done. But one must not want
resolutely and perseveringly. You will obtain

willpowerandperseverancefromtheFather,by
prayingwithsincereintentions.
The group proceeds in silence. The main road
becomesatownstreet,pavedwithonehandbreath
widesquarestones.Thehousesaremoreandmore
splendid and magnificent, surrounded by
luxuriant flourishing gardens and orchards.
JESUSproceeds,sureofHimself,asif Heknew
wheretogo.Hefollowsthecontourofthelake,
which reflects the houses and gardens built on
itslimits.
Aloudnoiseofcryingpeoplecanbeheardfrom
asumptuoushouse.Itisthevoicesofwomenand
children.TheshrillvoiceofaWOMANshouts:
MOTHER
Myson!Myson!
Jesus turns round and looks at His apostles.
JudasstepsforwardandHeorders
JESUS
No,notyou.You,Matthew.Goandfindout.

MATTHEWgoesandcomesback:

MATTHEW
Abrawl,Master.Amanisdying.AJew.Theman
who wounded him, a Roman, has run away. His
wife, mother and children have rushed to help
him...Butheisdying.
JESUS
Letusgo.
MATTHEW
Master...Master...Ithappenedinthehouseof
awoman...whoisnothiswife.
JESUS
Letusgo.
Through the wide open door they enter a large
hall which opens on to a lovely garden. The
house seems to be divided by this kind of
covered peristyle, which is full of pots with

greenplants,statuesandinlaidarticles.Itis
amixtureofahallandgreenhouse.Inaroom,
the door of which opens on to the hall, there
are some women weeping. Jesus goes in
confidently.ButHedoesnotpronounceHisusual
greeting. Among the men present there is a
MERCHANTwhoobviouslyknowsJesus,
because as soon as he sees Him, he says and
greetsHimrespectfully.:
MERCHANT
TheRabbiofNazareth!
JESUS
Joseph,whatisthematter?
MERCHANT
Master,astabwoundinhisheart...Heis
dying.
JESUS
Why?
AgrayhairedunkemptWOMANstandsupshewas
kneeling near the dying man holding his limp
hand and with distracted face and voice she
shouts:
MOTHER
Becauseofher,becauseofher...Shehasturned
him into a devil... Mother, wife, children no
longer existed for him! Hell will have you,
satan!
JesuslooksupandHiseyesfollowthetrembling
accusinghandandinacorner,againstthedark
redwall,HeseesMaryofMagdala,moreimmodest
thanever,wearing,Iwouldsay,nothingonhalf
ofherbody,becausesheishalfnakedfromthe
waistupwards,drapedinakindofhexagonalnet
decorated with little round objects which look
liketinypearls.Butassheisinahalflight.
Jesus lowers His eyes once again. Mary, lashed
by His indifference, stands up, whereas before
she seemed somewhat depressed, and strikes a
defiantpose.
JESUS

Woman,donotcurse.TellMe.Whywasyourson
inthishouse?
MOTHER
ItoldYou.Becausesheinfatuatedhim.Shedid.
JESUS
Silence.So,hewasinsin,too,becauseheis
an adulterer and an unworthy father of these
innocent children. He therefore deserves his
punishment. In this life and in the next one
thereisnomercyforthosewhodonotrepent.
But I feel sorry for your grief and for these
innocentchildren.Isyourhousefar?
MOTHER
Aboutonehundredyards.
JESUS
Liftthemanandtakehimthere
MERCHANT
itisnotpossible,Master.Heisbreathinghis
last.
JESUS
DoasItellyou.
Theyplaceaboardunderthebodyofthedying
man and the procession slowly moves out. They
crossthestreetandgointoashadygarden.The
womengooncryingloudly.Assoonastheyenter
thegarden,Jesusaddressesthemother
JESUS
Can you forgive? If you forgive, God will
forgive. We must be kindhearted, to obtain
grace. He has sinned and will sin again. It
wouldbebetterforhimtodie,because,ifhe
lives,hewillfallintosinagainandhewill
havetoanswer alsoforhisingratitudetoGod
Who has saved him. But you and these innocent
ones (and He points at the wife and children)
wouldgiveyourselvesuptodespair.Ihavecome
tosave,nottolose.Man,Itellyou:standup
andbecured.
The man begins to recover. He opens his eyes,

sees his mother, wife and children and lowers

hisheadshamefully.
MOTHER
Son,sonYouweredead,ifHehadnotsavedyou.
Come to your senses. Don't be infatuated for
a...
Jesusinterruptstheoldwoman
JESUS
Be quiet, woman. Have mercy, as mercy was
granted to you. Your house has been sanctified
by a miracle, which is always the evidence of
God'spresence.ThatiswhyIcouldnotworkit
where there was sin. You, at least, must
endeavourtokeepitsuch,evenifhewillnot.
Takecareofhimnow.Itisfairthatheshould
suffer a little. Be good, woman. And you. And
youlittleones.Goodbye.
JesushaslaidHishandontheheadsofthetwo
women and of the children. He then goes out
passing in front of the Magdalene who followed
the procession as far as the entrance of the
housewheresheremainedleaningagainstatree.
Jesus slackens His pace as if He were waiting
forHisdisciples,butHedoessotogiveMarya
chanceofmakingagesture.Butshedoesnot.
ThedisciplesreachJesusandPetercannothelp
muttering between his teeth an epithet
appropriate to Mary, who, wishing to strike an
attitude,burstsintoalaughofaweaktriumph.
But Jesus heard Peter's word and addresses him
severely:
JESUS
Peter.Idonotinsult.Donotinsult.Prayfor
sinners.Nothingelse.
Mary stops her trilling laughter, lowers her
headandrunsaway,likeagazelle,
SCENE6
EXT.ATBETHANYINTHEHOUSEOFSIMONZELOT
DAY

When Jesus, having climbed the last hill,

reachesthetableland,HeseesBethanybrightin
the December sunshine which makes the barren
countrylessdepressing.Thesunshinealsomakes
less gloomy the green spots of cypress trees,
youngoaksandcarobtrees,whichgrowhereand
there,andlooklikecourtiersintentonbowing
to some very tall regal palms which stand
uprightandsolitaryinmostbeautifulgardens.
In the meantime peasants and townsfolk rush to
greet the Rabbi, and a young woman, Mary of
Magdala peeps out over a laurel hedge, which
encloses a beautiful house with its green
scented foliage. Her peplum or
her stole is pretty. She looks around herself
inquisitively attracted by the trilling shouts
of the women and the hosannas of the men. She
thensmilesscornfully,whensheseesthatthey
aregoingtowardsapoormanwhohasnotevena
little donkey to ride and is walking amongst
fellowslikehimself,whoareevenlesscharming
thanheis.Sheshrugshershouldersandwitha
bored gesture goes away, followed, as if by
dogs, by a group of multicolored stiltbirds,
amongst which there are two white ibises and
manycoloredflamingoes,aswellastwoherons,
asredasfire,withsmalltremblingsilverlike
crowns on their heads, the only white part of
theirsplendidgoldenflamedplumage.
Maximinusarrives,afewyardsaheadofLazarus.
MAXIMINUS
Master...Simontoldme...thatYouaregoingto
his house... Sorrow for Lazarus... but it is
understood...
JESUS
Weshalltalkaboutitlater.Oh!Myfriend!
Jesus hastens towards Lazarus, who seems
embarrassed, and kisses him on his cheek. They
haveinthemeantime reachedalanethat leads
to a little house situated between the orchard
ofLazarusandthoseofotherpeople.
LAZARUS
So,YoureallywanttogotoSimon'shouse?
JESUS

Yes,Myfriend.IhaveallmydiscipleswithMe
andIpreferso...
Lazarusacceptsthedecisionbutdoesnotreply.
Heonlyturnsroundtothelittle
JesusalsoseesatonceoneofLazarus'servants
whoisonsentryduty.Hebows
LAZARUS
Go.TheMasterneedsarest.
Lazarus now that they are alone, ahead of the
disciples who are talking to Maximinus a few
yardsbehind.
LAZARUS
Master,Marthaisweepingbittertears.Thatis
whyshedidnotcome.Butshewillcomelater.I
weeponlyinmyheart.Butwesay:itisjust.
Ifwehadknownthatshewascoming...Butshe
never comes for the feast days... True... when
does she ever come?... I say: the devil has
drivenherherejusttoday.
JESUS
Thedevil?AndwhynotherangelbyGod'sorder?
But you must believe Me, even if she were not
here,IwouldhavegonetoSimon'shouse.
LAZARUS
Why,myLord?HadYounopeaceinmyhouse?
JESUS
So much peace that after Nazareth it is the
dearestplacetoMe
Comes Martha and is on her knees weeping. She
hasletdowntheveilwhichwaslaidonherhair
dressed in the shape of a diadem, so that
strangers may not see her tears. But she does
notthinktoconcealthemfromJesus.
MARTHA
Oh!Lord!
JESUS
Why these tears? Truly, you are wasting them!
Therearesomanyreasonstoweep,andtomake
something valuable with tears. But to weep for

thatreason!Oh!Martha!Youdonotseemtoknow
anylongerWhoIam!YouknowthatIhaveonly
the exterior appearance of a man. My heart is
divineanditbeatsasadivinething.Comeon.
Get up and come into the house... and with
regard to her... leave her alone. Even if she
came to laugh at Me, I tell you to leave her
alone. She is not herself. It is he who keeps
hold of her that makes her an instrument of
perturbation. But here is One Who is stronger
than her master. The struggle is now directly
betweenMeandhim.Youmustpray,forgive,have
patienceandbelieve.Nothingelse.
Theygointothelittlehouse,whichisasquare
one surrounded by a porch which makes it look
longer.Therearefourroomsinside,dividedby
a crossshaped corridor. The usual external
staircase leads to the top of the porch which
thereforebecomesaterraceandgivesaccessto
averylargeroom,aswideasthehouse.Onceit
wascertainlyusedasastoreroombutnowitis
cleanandcompletelyempty.Simon,whoisbeside
hisoldservant,whosenameIhearis
Joseph,receivestheguestsandsays:
SIMON
Youcouldspeaktothepeoplehere,ortakeYour
meals...asYouwish.
JESUS
Wewillthinkaboutthat.Inthemeantimegoand
tellthe othersthat thepeoplecancome after
their meal. I will not disappoint the good
peoplehere.
SIMON
WhereshallItellthemtogo?
JESUS
Here. The day is a mild one. The place is
shelteredfromthewinds.Thebareorchardwill
not be damaged if people come into it. I will
speaktothemhere,fromtheterrace.Youmaygo
Jesusgoesontheterracetospeaktomeansand
even more by illegal ones they have opulent
granaries, vats full to the the people of

Bethany and nearby villages, who have gathered

tohearHim.
JESUS
The world belongs to bad people. Paradise to
goodpeople.Thatisthetruthandthepromise.
May your certain strength rest upon such
promise.Theworldpasses,Paradisedoesnot.If
by being good you gain it, you will enjoy it
forever.So?Sowhygetupsetatwhatbadpeople
do?DoyourememberJob'slamentations?Theyare
the eternal lamentations of those who are good
and oppressed; because the flesh moans, but it
shouldnotmoan,andthemoreitistrampledon,
themoreitshouldraisethewingsofitssoul
inthejubilationoftheLord.
Doyouthinkthatthosearehappywhoappearto
be happy,becauseby legal means andevenmore
by illegal ones they have opulent granaries,
vatsfulltothebrimandjarsoverflowingwith
oil?No.Theytastethebloodandtearsofother
people inalltheirmeals, andtheirbedsseem
to bebristlingwith thorns,somuchtheyfeel
remorse.Theyrobthepooranddespoilorphans,
they rob their neighbors to hoard goods, they
oppresswhoeverisinferiortotheminpowerand
in wickedness. It does not matter. Never mind.
Theirkingdomisofthisworld.Butwhatwillbe
leftattheirdeath?Nothing.Unlessyouwishto
callatreasurethepileofsinsthattheywill
takewiththemselvesandwithwhichtheypresent
themselves to God. Never mind. They are the
children of darkness, rebels to the Light and
they are unable to follow the bright paths of
the Light. When God makes the morning Star
shine,theycallittheshadowofdeathandas
such they think it is contaminated and they
prefer to walk in the glitter of their filthy
gold and hatred, which blazes only because the
thingsofhellshinewiththephosphorousofthe
lakesofeternalperdition...
LazarusseesMarystealingbehindahedgeofhis
orchardtocomeascloseaspossible.Shestoops
asshewalksbutherfairhairshineslikegold
againstthedarkbox.
LAZARUS

Mysister,Jesus...Oh!
Marthaisabouttogetup.ButJesuspressesHis
hand on her head and she is compelled to stay
wheresheis.Jesusspeakslouder.
JESUS
Whatshallwesayofthoseunhappy people?God
gavethemtimetodopenancebuttheymisuseit
inordertosin.ButGoddoesnotlosesightof
them,evenifHeseemsto.Andthemomentcomes
when, either because the love of God pierces
theirhardhearts,asathunderboltpenetratesa
rockorbecausethetotalmassofcrimescarries
thewaveoftheirfilthrightintotheirthroats
andnostrils andtheyaredisgusted, atlast
they are disgusted with that taste and that
stenchwhicharenauseatingalsotootherpeople
and fill their own hearts the moment comes
whentheyloatheitandafeelingdesiringgood
roots in their hearts. Each soul then cries:
Whowillallowmetogobacktoformertimes,
whenIwasafriendofGod?WhenHislightshone
inmyheartandIwalkedinitsrays?Whenthe
amazed world was silent before my justice and
whosawmesaidIwasblessed?Theworldcraved
for my smiles and my words were received like
the words of an angel and the hearts of my
relativesleaptwithprideintheirchests.And
what am I now? I am an object of derision to
youngpeople,ofhorrortoelderlypeople,Iam
the subject of their songs and they spit
scornfullyinmyface
Truly,thatishowincertainmomentsthesouls
of sinners speak, the souls of the true Jobs,
becausethereisnogreatermiseryformanthan
to lose God's friendship and His Kingdom
forever. And they must arouse pity. Only pity.
They are poor souls, who out of idleness or
rashness, have lost the eternal Spouse. On my
bed,atnight,Isoughthimwhommyheartloves.
Isoughtbutdidnotfindhim.Infactinthe
darknessonecannotdistinguishthespouse,and
the soul, spurred by love, being thoughtless
because enveloped by a spiritual night, seeks
andwantstofindrelieffromitstorture.And
thesoulthinksitcanbefoundwithanylove.
No.Onlyoneistheloveofthesoul:God.Those

souls, spurred on by the love of God, wander

seekinglove.Itwouldbesufficientforthemto
wishtohavelightandtheywouldhaveLoveas
their consort. They wander like sick people,
groping for love and they find all the loves,
allthefoulthingsthatmanhassocalled,but
theydonotfindtheLove,becausetheLoveis
notgold,pleasure,power,butGod.
Poorsouls!Hadtheybeenlesslazyandhadthey
risen at the first invitation of eternal
Spouse,ofGodWhosays:FollowMe,ofGodWho
says:Opento Me,theywouldnot haveopened
the door, in the outburst of their awakened
love, when the disappointed Bridegroom was
already far and had disappeared... And they
would not have desecrated the holy impulse of
theneedofloveinamirewhichdisgustseven
uncleananimals,asitissouselessandstrewn
withtritetroubles,whichwerenotflowersbut
thorns which torture but do not crown. Neither
wouldtheyhaveknownthesneeringwordsofthe
patrol guards, of the whole world, which, like
God, but for opposite reasons, does not lose
sightofthesinner,butwaylayshimtomockat
himandcriticisehim.
Poorsoulsbeaten,despoiledandwoundedbythe
whole world! Only God does not join in such
pitiless scornful stone throwing. But He lets
His tears drop to cure the wounds and put an
adamantine dress on His creature. Always His
creature...OnlyGod...andthechildrenofGod
with the Father. Let us bless the Lord. He
wanted Me to come back here for the sake of
sinnerstosaytoyou:Forgive.Alwaysforgive.
Makeeverybadthingbecomeagoodoneandevery
offence a grace. I do not only say to you
make.Isay: imitateMyattitude.Iloveand
bless My enemies because through them I have
beenabletocomebacktoyou,Myfriends.Peace
bewithyouall.
The women in the crowd wave veils, the men
branches:thenallslowlydepartaftergreeting
Jesus.
LAZARUS
Willtheyhaveseenmyshamelesssister?

JESUS
No,Lazarus.Shewaswellconcealedbehindthe
hedge.Wewereabletoseeherbecausewewere
uphere,theotherscouldnotseeher.
LAZARUS
Shehadpromisedus...
JESUS
Whywasshenottocome?Isshenotadaughter
ofAbraham?Iwantyou,Mybrothers,andyou,My
disciples, to swear that you will not let her
understand anything. Leave her alone. Will she
laugh at Me? Never mind. Will she weep? Leave
heralone.Willshebestaying?Leaveheralone.
Will she be wanting to run away? Leave her
alone. The secret of the Redeemer and of
redeemers is to be patient, good, persevering
andtopray.Nothingelse.Everygestureistoo
muchinthecaseofcertaindiseases...Goodbye,
Myfriends.Iamstayingheretopray.Eachof
youmaygotohisowntaskandmayGodbewith
you.
SCENE7
EXT.MARYHASSENTFORMARTHAATMAGDALADAY
Jesus in the company of the Zealot arrives at
Lazarus' garden on a beautiful summer morning.
Itisstilldawnandthuseverythingiscooland
smiling. The gardener, who has come to receive
theMaster,pointsouttoHimthehemofawhite
tunicdisappearingbehindahedgeandsays:
GARDENER
Lazarusisgoingtothejasminpergolasandhas
takensomerollstoread.Iwillcallhim.
JESUS
No,Iwillgo,byMyself.
Jesus walks fast along a path bordered with
hedges inbloom.The grass close tothehedges
deadens the noise of His steps and Jesus
endeavours to walk on it, to reach Lazarus
unexpectedly. He in fact comes upon him, while
standing, after laying the rolls on a marble

table,heisprayinginaloudvoice:
LAZARUS
Do not disappoint me, my Lord. Corroborate the
ray of hope which has begun to shine in my
heart. Grant me what I have asked You for
thousands of times with my tears, what I have
asked for by my actions, by forgiving, by my
wholeself.Givemeitinexchangeformylife.
GrantmeitinthenameofYourJesus,Whohas
promised me that peace. Can He possibly tell
lies?MustIthinkthatHispromisewasnothing
but vain words? That His power is inferior to
thesinfulabysswhichmysisteris?Tellme,my
Lord,thatImayresignmyselfforYoursake...
JESUS
Yes,Itellyou!
Lazarusspringsroundandcries
LAZARUS
Oh!myLord.WhendidYouarrive?
andhebendstokissJesus'tunic.
JESUS
Onlyafewminutesago
LAZARUS
Allalone?
JESUS
WithSimonZealot.ButIcameherealone.Iknow
thatYouhaveagreatthingtotellMe.Sotell
Me.
LAZARUS
No.AnswerfirstthequestionswhichIaskGod.
AccordingtoYouranswer,IwilltellYou.
JESUS
TellMe,dotellMe,yourgreatthing.Youcan
tellMe...
And Jesus smiles stretching out His arms
invitingly.

LAZARUS
MostHighGod!Itistrue?SoYouknowthatit
istrue?!
AndLazarusgoestowardsJesus'armstoconfide
hisgreatthing.
LAZARUS
MaryaskedMarthato gotoMagdala.AndMartha
left full of anxiety as she feared some
misfortune...AndIwaslefthere,withthesame
fear. But by the servant who accompanied her
there, Martha has sent me a letter, which has
filledmewithhope.Look,Ihaveithere,onmy
heart. I keep it here, because it is more
valuable to me than a treasure. It is very
short,onlyafewwords,butIreadthemnowand
again, tomake surethattheyhave reallybeen
written.Look...
AndLazarustakesfromunderhis tunic a small
rolltiedwithavioletribbonandunfoldsit.
LAZARUS
See?Readit,readit.Inaloudvoice.IfYou
readit,itwillsoundmorecertaintome.
MARTHA
Lazarus,mybrother.Peaceandblessingtoyou.
I arrived in a short time safe patriarch
sleeping in the peace of a clear conscience,
whenMaximinusfoundandsound.Andmyhearthas
no longer throbbed with fear of fresh
misfortunes,becauseIsawthatMary,ourMary,
isallrightand...shallItellyou?Shelooks
less disturbed than previously. She wept on my
heart.Sheweptbitterly...Andthen,duringthe
night,intheroomwhereshehadtakenme,she
askedme manythings about theMaster. Thatis
allforthetimebeing.ButsinceIseeMary's
faceandIhearherwords,Icansaythathope
has been raised in my heart. Pray, my dear
brother, and hope. Oh! If it were true! I am
remaining here a little longer because I feel
thatshewantsmetobeclosetoher,asifshe
wishedtobedefendedfromtemptations.Andthat
she wants to learn... What? What we already

know. Jesus' infinite bounty. I told her about

thatwomanwhocametoBethany...Iseethatshe
is pensive, very pensive indeed... Jesus ought
to be here. Pray and hope. The Lord be with
you.
Jesusfoldstherollandhandsitback.
LAZARUS
Master...
JESUS
Iwillgo.IsitpossibleforyoutotellMartha
to come and meet Me at Capernaum in a
fortnight'stime,atmost?
LAZARUS
Yes,Icandothat.Andwhataboutme?
JESUS
Youwillstayhere.IwillsendMarthahereas
well.
LAZARUS
Why?
JESUS
Because redemptions are deeply modest. And
nothing causes more shame than the eye of a
parent or of a brother. I also say to you:
Pray,pray,pray.
Lazarus weeps on Jesus' chest... Then, when he
recovers, he tells of his anxiety, of his
depression...heexclaims:
LAZARUS
For almost a year I have been hoping... and
despairing... How long is the time taken by
resurrection!...
Jesus lets him speak... until Lazarus realises
he is failing in his duty of a host and he
standsuptotakeJesusintothehouse.

SCENE8
INT.JESUSANDMARTHAATCAPERNAUMDAY
Jesus, hotand coveredwithdust,goes backto
thehouseinCapernaumwithPeterandJohn.He
hasjustenteredthekitchengardenandisgoing
towardsthekitchen,whenthelandlordcallsHim
familiarlysaying:
LANDLORD
Jesus, that lady of whom I spoke to You at
Bethsaida, has come again looking for You. I
told her to wait and I took her to the room
upstairs.
JESUS
Thankyou,Thomas.Iwillgotoheratonce.If
theotherscometellthemtowaithere.
And Jesus goes upstairs immediately, without
even taking off His mantle. On the terrace at
the top of the staircase there is Marcella,
Martha's maid. She is standing there alone.
MarcellasayskneelingdowntoworshipJesus.
MARCELLA
Oh!Master.Mymistressisinside.Shehasbeen
waitingforYouforsomanydays.
JESUS
Iratherthoughtthat.Iwillgotoheratonce.
MayGodblessyou,Marcella.
Jesusliftsthecurtainprotectingtheroomfrom
theexcessivelybrightsunshineforalthoughthe
sun is now setting, it is still very warm and
thewhitehousesinCapernaumseemtobeablaze
intheredglareofahugebrazier.Intheroom,
sittingnearthewindowisMartha,envelopedin
amantleandcoveredwithaveil.Sheisperhaps
contemplatingthepartofthelakewhereawoody
hill protrudes into the water forming a
promontory. Perhaps she is only contemplating
her own thoughts. She is certainly absorbed in
thoughtandinfactshedoesnothearthelight
shuffling of the feet of Jesus who is walking
towardsher. Andshe startswhen Hecallsher.
Sheexclaims:

MARTHA
Oh!Master!
And she falls on her knees, with outstretched
arms,asifshewereimploringhelpandthenshe
bends so low as to touch the floor with her
forehead,andsheburstsintotears.
JESUS
What is the matter? Stand up. Why are you
weepingsobitterly?Haveyousomemisfortuneto
tellMe?Youhave?Whatisit?Doyouknowthat
I was at Bethany? You do? And I was told that
therewasgoodnews.Butnowyouareweeping...
Whathappened?
And He compels her to stand up and makes her
sitonabenchagainstthewall,whileHesitsin
frontofher.
JESUS
Now, take off your veil and mantle, as I am
doing.Youmustbesuffocatingunderthem.AndI
wanttoseethefaceofMydearMartha,whois
soupset,sothatImaydispersealltheclouds
perturbingit.
Marthaobeys,stillweepingandherflushedface
andswolleneyescannowbeseen.
JESUS
Well?Iwillhelpyou.Marysentforyou.She
weptverymuch,shewanted toknow manythings
aboutMe,andyouthoughtthatthatwasagood
sign,somuchsothatyouwantedMetocometo
completethemiracle.AndIhavecome.Andnow?.
MARTHA
Now,nothing,Master!Iwasmistaken.Tookeena
desire makes one see what does not exist... I
madeYoucomefornothing...Maryisworsethan
before... No! What am I saying? I am
calumniatingher,Iamtellinglies.Sheisnot
worse, because she does not want any more men
aroundher.Sheisdifferent,butstillsobad.
She seems to be mad... I no longer understand
her... At leas t before I understood her. But
now!Whocanunderstandher?

AndMarthaweepsdesolately.
JESUS
Now,calmdownandtellMewhatshedoes.Whyis
she bad? So, she does not want any more men
around her. So I suppose that she leads a
retiredlifeathome.Isthatso?Itis?Good.
Thatisverygood.Thefactthatshewantedyou
to stay with her, as if she wanted you to be
defendedagainsttemptationsthatiswhatyou
wrote and the fact that she wanted to avoid
temptationsbyshunningguiltyacquaintancesor
whatmightleadtosuchrelationship,aresigns
ofgoodwill.
MARTHA
Do You think so, Master? Do You really think
that?
JESUS
OfcourseIdo.Sowhydoyouthinkthatsheis
bad?TellMewhatshedoes...
Martha, who is somewhat encouraged by Jesus'
certainty,speaksmorecalmly.
Well.SinceIcamehere,Maryhasneverleftthe
houseorthegarden,noteventogooutonthe
lake in her boat. And her nurse told me that
even before I came, she hardly ever went out.
Apparently this change began at Passover. But
beforemyarrival,somepeopleusedtocomeand
seeheranddidnotalwaysrefusetoseethem.
Sometimes she gave instructions not to let
anybodypass.Andit appearedto beastanding
order.Butthenshewouldgoasfarasstriking
theservants,motivatedbyunjustanger,ifupon
hearingthevoicesofvisitors,shewenttothe
hall and found out that they had already been
sentaway.However,shehasnotdonethatagain,
since I came. The first night she said to me,
andthatiswhyIwassohopeful:Holdmeback,
if necessary tie me. But don't let me go out,
don'tletmeseeanybodybutyouandmynurse.
BecauseIamnotwellandIwanttorecover.But
thosewhocometomeorwantmetogotothem,
arelikefeverishmarshes.Andtheymakemegrow
worse. But their appearance is so handsome, so

flowery and joyful, their fruit is so pleasant

looking,thatIcannotresistthem,becauseIam
apoorwretch.Yoursisterisweak,Martha.And
some people take advantage of her weakness to
makeherdofoulthings,towhichapartofme
does not agree. The only part which is still
lefttomeofmypoormother...andshewept.
And I did that. I did it kindly when she was
reasonable; but I acted firmly when she looked
likeawildbeastinacage.Sheneverrebelled
against me. On the contrary, when the worst
momentstemptationareover,shecomesandweeps
atmyfeet,restingherheadonmylapandshe
says: Forgive me, forgive me! and if I ask
her: For what, sister? You have not grieved
me, she replies: Because a little while ago,
oryesterdayevening,whenyousaidtome:'You
arenotgoingoutfromhere',Ihatedandcursed
youinmyheartandIwishedyouwoulddie.Is
she not to be pitied, my Lord? Is she perhaps
mad? Has her vices made her mad? I think that
one of her lovers has given her a philter to
makeheraslaveofhislustandthatitspoison
hasgonetoherbrains...
JESUS
No.Itisnotaquestionofphiltersormadness.
Itissomethingquitedifferent.Butgoon.
MARTHA
Sosheisrespectfulandobedienttome.Andshe
has not illtreated the servants any more. But
after the first evening, she has not asked
anythingelseaboutYou. andifImentionYou,
shechangesthesubject.Butshesitsforhours
and hours on a rock where the belvedere is,
lookingatthelake,untilshebecomesdazzled,
andeverytimeaboatsailsbysheasksme:Do
you think it is the boat of the Galilean
fishermen?ShenevermentionsYourNameorthe
names of the apostles. But I know that she
thinksofYouandoftheminPeter'sboat.AndI
realisethatshethinksofYoubecausesometimes
in the evening, when we are walking in the
garden or before going to bed, and I am doing
needlework,whileshedoesnothing,shesaysto
me:Isthathowonemustliveaccordingtothe
doctrine you follow? And sometimes she weeps,

sometimes she laughs sarcastically, like a mad

personorademon.
Onotheroccasionssheletsdownherhair,which
is always arranged so artistically, and she
makestwoplaits,sheputsononeofmydresses
andthenshecomestome,withherplaitsbehind
her back or in front of her, modest and young
looking in my highnecked dress, and also
because of her plaits and countenance and she
saystome:IsthatwhatMaryshouldbelike?
and even then sometimes she weeps kissing her
wonderfulplaits,whichareasthickasherarms
and reach down to her knees, the living gold
whichwasmymother'spride,attimes,instead,
shelaughsinherghastlywayorshesaystome:
Look,Ihadratherdothisandbedonewithit
and pulls them tight until her face becomes
purple,asifshewantedtostrangleherself.
At times shepitiesor illtreatsherself,and
that obviously happens when she feels the
temptations of her flesh more fiercely. I have
caught her striking her breast and scratching
herfacesavagelyorbangingherheadagainsta
wall and when I asked her: Why are you doing
that?shewouldlookatmewithawildderanged
expression saying: To tear myself, my bowels,
myheadtopieces.
Cursed harmful things must be destroyed. And I
amdestroyingmyself.AndifIspeaktoherof
God'smercy,ofYoubecauseIstillspeakto
herofYou,asifshewerethemostfaithfulof
Yourwomendisciples,andIsweartoYouthatat
timesIamhorrifiedatmentioningYournamein
her presence she replies: There can be no
mercyforme.Ihavegonebeyondthelimit.She
isthenseizedbyafitofdespairandshouts,
beatingherselftillshedrawsblood:Whyhave
Ithismonsterthattearsmetopieces?Andit
givesmenopeace.Anditleadsmetoevildeeds
by means of sweet singing voices, to which it
then adds the cursing voices of my father and
mother, of you and Lazarus, because you and
Lazaruscurseme,too,andIsraelcursesmeand
itmakesmehearthemtodrivememad..
Whenshesaysthat,Ireplytoher:Whyareyou
worried about Israel, which is only a people,
and you do not think of God? But since you
trampledoneverything withoutconsidering what

you were doing, endeavour now to overcome

everything and do not worry about worldly
things,butcareonlyforGod,yourfatherand
mother.Ifyou changeyour life, theywillnot
curse you, but will stretch their arms out to
you... And she listens to me, pensive,
astonished as if I were telling her an unreal
story,andthensheweeps...Butdoesnotreply.
At times, instead she orders the servants to
bring her wines and drugs and she eats and
drinks those artificial nourishments and
explains:Idothattoforget.Now,sinceshe
found out that You are here in the lake area,
everytimesheseesmecometoYou,shesays:I
will come sometime, too and laughing in that
manner which is an insult to herself, she
concludes: Thus theeye ofGodwillfallalso
uponmanure.ButIdonotwanthertocome.And
now,whenIwanttocome,Iwaituntilshefalls
asleep,whensheisexhaustedwithbeingangry,
with drinking and weeping... with everything.
AlsotodayIranawaylikethat,sothatIcan
gobackatnightbeforesheawakes.Thatismy
life... I no longer hope... and she resumes
weeping more bitterly than previously, as her
tearsarenolongerrestrainedbytheeffortof
speakingcalmly.
JESUS
Do youremember,Martha, whatItoldyou once?
Maryisill.Youdidnotwanttobelieveit.
Nowyoucanseeit.Yousaythatsheismad.She
saysherselfthatsheisillandsuffersfroma
sinfulfever.Isay:sheisillbecausesheis
possessedbyademon.Itisstilladisease.And
her incoherent behaviour, her fury, her tears,
heraffliction,herlongingforMearestagesof
her illness, which has come to a moment of
crisis and has its most violent fluctuations.
Youaredoingtherightthinginbeinggoodto
her and patient with her. You are right in
speaking to her of Me. Do not be disgusted at
mentioningMyNameinherpresence.
PoorsoulofMyMary!Hersoulalsowascreated
bytheFatheranditisinnowaydifferentfrom
allothersouls,fromyours,fromLazarus',from
the souls of the apostles and disciples. Her
soul also was included and foreseen to be

amongst the souls for whom I became flesh in

order to be their Redeemer. In actual fact I
have come more for her than for you, Lazarus,
the apostles and disciples. Poor soul of My
Mary,whoissufferingsomuch!OhMypoorMary
whohasbeenpoisonedwithsevenpoisonsbesides
the first universal poison! Oh My imprisoned
Mary! But let her come to Me! Let her breathe
the air I breathe, let her hear My voice and
meet My glance!... She calls herself:
Manure... Oh! My poor dear soul in whom the
demon of pride is the weakest of the
sevenpossessing her! Only because of that she
willbesaved!
MARTHA
Andifsheshouldfindsomeonewhomayleadher
astray once again, when she comes out? She is
afraidofthatherself...
JESUS
Andshewillalwaysbeafraidofthat,nowthat
she has gone so far as to loathe vice. But be
notafraid.Whenasoulalreadyhasthedesire
ofcomingtoGod,andisheldbackonlybythe
diabolicEnemy,whoisawarethatheisgoingto
lose his prey, and by the personal enemy of
one's ego, which reasons in a human way and
judges itselfinahumanway,ascribingtoGod
its own judgement to prevent the soul from
controlling the human ego, then that soul is
already strong enough against the attacks of
vice and of vicious people. It has found the
PolarStarandwillnolongerdeviate.
And do not say to her again: You have not
thoughtofGod andYou areinstead thinkingof
Israel?Itis animplicit reproach. Donotdo
that. She has just come out of a fire. She is
onebigsore.Touchherlightlyonlywithbalms
of kindness, of forgiveness and hope... Leave
herfreetocome.Youmusttellherwhenyouare
thinkingofcoming,butdonotsaytoher:Come
with me. On the contrary, if you understand
thatshewantstocome,donotcomeyourself.Go
back and wait for her at home. She will come
back to you broken by Mercy. Because I must
removethewickedpowerthatisholdingherand
forafewhoursshewilllooklikeawomanwhose

veins have been cut or whose bones have been

removed by a doctor. But later she will feel
better.Shewillbedumbfounded.Shewillbein
great need of caresses and silence. Assist her
as if you were her second guardian angel:
withoutlettingherperceiveyourpresence.
Andifyouseeherweeping,letherweep.Andif
youhearheraskingherselfquestions,leaveher
alone.Andifyouseehersmile,andthenbecome
serious,andthensmileoncemoreinadifferent
way, with a different look, with a different
countenance, do not ask her questions, do not
makeherfeeluneasy.Sheissufferingmorenow,
ascending, than she did, descending. And she
must ascend by herself, as she descended by
herself.Shecouldnotbearyoutolookather
whenshewasdescending,becauseyoureyeswere
full of reproach. And she cannot bear you to
lookathernowthathersenseofshamehasbeen
aroused at last. Then she was strong, because
Satan, her master, was with her and a wicked
strength supported her and she could challenge
theworld,andyetshecouldnotbeartobeseen
byyouinhersin.
NowSatanisnolongerhermaster.Heisstilla
guestinher,butMary'swillisholdinghimby
thethroat.AndshehasnotMeyet.Thatiswhy
she is too weak. She cannot even bear your
caressingsisterlyeyeswatching herconfession
to herSaviour.Allherenergyisemployedand
consumed in holding the septuple demon by the
throat.Foralltherestsheisdefencelessand
unclothed. But I will reclothe her and fortify
her.Goinpeace,Martha.Andtomorrowtellher
tactfully that I shall be speaking near the
torrent of the Fountain, here in Capernaum,
aftervesper.Goinpeace.Iblessyou.
Marthaisstillperplexed.
JESUS
Donotbecomeincredulous,Martha.
MARTHA
No,myLord.ButIwasthinking...Oh!Giveme
something that I may give Mary, to give her a
little strength... She is suffering so much...
andIamsoafraidthatshemaynotbeableto

triumphoverthedemon!
JESUS
Youarealittlegirl!MaryhasMeandyou.Can
she possibly not succeed? However, take this.
Givemeyourhand,whichhas never sinned,and
has always been kind, merciful, active and
pious. Ithasalways madegesturesofloveand
prayer. It has never been lazy or idle or
corrupt.Now,IwillholditbetweenMyhandsto
makeitevenholier.Raiseitagainstthedemon
andhewillnotendureit.Andtakethisbeltof
Mine.Neverpartwithit.Andeverytimeyousee
her, say to yourself: The power of Jesus is
stronger than this belt of Jesus and by it
everythingcanbeovercome:demonsandmonsters
as well. I must not be afraid. Are you happy
now?Mypeacebewithyou.Goinpeace.

Martha worships Him and goes out. Jesus smiles

when he sees her climb on to the wagon, which
Marcella has called to the gate, and depart
towardsMagdala.
SCENE9
INT. PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP AND MARY
MAGDALENENIGHT.
Jesusisspeakingtothecrowds.Standingonthe
wooded embankment of a little torrent, He is
addressingalargecrowdspreadinafieldwhere
the corn has already been cut and the burnt
stubblesareadistressingsight.Itisevening.
Night is falling, but the moon is already
rising. Flocks of sheep are going back to the
foldsandthesoundofcattlebellsmingleswith
the loud chirping of crickets and the high
pitched drone of cicadas. Jesus takes the
passingflocksasastartingpoint.
JESUS
Your Heavenly Father is like a solicitous
shepherd.Whatdoesagoodshepherddo?Helooks
forgoodpasturesforhissheep,wherethereis
no hemlock or other poisonous herbs, but there
isplentysweetclover,aromaticmintandbitter
butwholesomechicory.Helooksforplaceswhere
besidegoodthereisthecoolshadeoftreesand

theclearwaterofastreamandheensuresthat
therearenoaspsamongthegreengrass.Hedoes
not prefer the richest pastures, because he
knows that snakes and harmful herbs are quite
common there and thus dangerous for his sheep.
He prefers instead mountain pastures,
where the dew keeps the grass clean and fresh
and the strong sunshine keeps snakes away and
the breezy air is light and healthy, not like
the unhealthy air in the plains. The good
shepherdwatcheshissheeponebyone.Hecures
themwhentheyaresickandiftheygethurthe
dresses their wounds. He reproaches the sheep
thatmightbesickbecause theyaretoogreedy
forfoodandhecallstoadifferentplacethe
onesthatmightbeharmedbystayingtoolongin
a damp spot or in the sunshine. And if one is
unwillingtoeathelooksforacidulousaromatic
herbssuitabletowhetitsappetiteandhefeeds
itwithhisownhands,speakingtoitasifit
wereafriend.ThatiswhatthegoodFatherWho
isinHeavendoeswithHischildrenwanderingon
the earth. His love is the staff that gathers
themtogether,Hisvoiceistheirguide,HisLaw
isHispasture,HeavenHisfold.
Butoneofhissheeplefthim.Howfondofithe
was!Itwasyoung,pure,white,likeacloudin
an April sky. The shepherd used to look at it
withsomuchlove,thinkingofhowmuchgoodhe
could do for it and how much love he could
receive from it. And it strayed. A tempter
passedontheroadthatrunsalongthepasture.
He does not wear a plain jacket, but has on a
manycoloured robe. He does not have a leather
beltwithhatchetandknifehangingfromit,but
hewearsagoldenbelt,fromwhichlittlebells
hang, as sweetsounding as the singing of a
nightingale,andphialsofinebriatingscents...
Hedoesnotcarryashepherd'sstaffasthegood
shepherddoes,togatherthesheeptogetherand
defend them and should his staff not be
sufficient,heisreadytodefendthemwithhis
hatchet and knife and even with his life. But
thetempterwhoispassingby,isholdinginhis
handsathuriblesparklingwithgemsandfromit
smoke rises, which is stench and scent at the
sametime,anditbewildersasthesparklingof
the fake jewels dazzles. He passes by singing

anddropshandfulsofsalt,whichshinesonthe
dark road... Ninetynine sheep look and remain
wheretheyare.Theonehundredth,theyoungest
and dearest one, makes a leap and disappears
behind the tempter. The shepherd calls it. But
itdoesnotcomeback.Itrunsfasterthanthe
windtojointhetempterwhohasjustgoneby,
and to sustain itself while running it tastes
some of the salt, which as soon as it is
swallowed, causes a strange burning frenzy so
thatthepoorsheepcravesforcoolwaterinthe
deepgreenshadesofforests.Andfollowingthe
tempteritgoesintotheforests,anditclimbs
and descends and falls... once, twice, three
times.Andeachtimeitfeelsrounditsneckthe
slimyembraceofreptiles,andbeingthirstyit
drinksfoulwaterandwhenitishungryiteats
herbsshiningwithrevoltingslobber.
Andinthemeantimewhatdoesthegoodshepherd
do?Heleavestheninetyninefaithfulonesina
safe place and he sets out and does not stop
untilhe finds tracesofthe lostsheep. Since
itdoesnotcomebacktohim,althoughhecalls
itinaloudvoicebeggingthewindtocarryhis
calltoit,hegoestothesheep.Andheseesit
fromafar,intoxicatedinthecoilsofreptiles,
so intoxicated that it does not feel nostalgia
for the man who loves it, on the contrary it
mockshim.Andheisawarethatitisguiltyof
entering, like a thief, the abode of other
people, so guilty that it dare not look at
him...Andyetthegoodshepherddoesnotbecome
tired...andhegoesonlookingforitallthe
time, following its traces and weeping when he
loses them: strips of fleece; traces of its
soul; traces of blood; various crimes; filth;
proofsofitslust;buthegoesonandreaches
it.Ah!Ifoundyou,mybelovedone.Ireached
youatlast!HowfarhaveIwalkedforyou,to
take you back to the fold. Do not bend your
dejectedhead.Yoursinis buriedinmyheart.
Nobodywillknowaboutit,exceptme,andIlove
you. I will defend you from the criticism of
otherpeople,Iwillshieldyouwithmybodyto
protect you against the stones of accusers.
Come. Are you wounded? Oh! let me see your
wounds.Iknowthem.ButIwantyoutoshowthem
tomewiththeconfidenceyouhadwhenyouwere

pure, and you looked at me, your shepherd and

your God, with innocent eyes. There they are.
Theyhaveallthesamename.
Howdeeptheyare!Whoinflictedtheseverydeep
ones in the depth of your heart? It was the
Tempter,Iknow.Itishewhohasneitherstaff
norhatchet,buthestrikesmoredeeplywithhis
poisonousbite,andafterhim,thefalsejewels
of his thurible strike: the ones that seduced
you by sparkling... and they were hellish
sulphurbroughttodaylighttoburnyourheart.
Lookhowmanywounds!Howmuchtornfleece,how
muchblood,howmuchbramble.
Omypoorlittledisappointedsoul!Buttellme:
ifIforgiveyou,willyoustillloveme?Tell
me: if I stretch out my arms to you, will you
come to them? Tell me: do you thirst for good
love?Well:comeandbebornagain.Comebackto
the holy pastures. Weep. Your tears and mine
willwashthetracesofyoursinandinorderto
nourish you, because you are worn out by the
evilwhichhasburntyou,Iopenmychestandmy
veins and I say to you: Feed on them, and
live!ComeherethatImaytakeyouinmyarms.
We willwalkfasterto thesafeholy pastures.
You will forget everything of this miserable
hour. And your ninetynine good sisters will
rejoiceatyourreturn,becauseItell you,my
little lost sheep, which I have looked for
comingfromfaraway,andIreachedandsaved,I
tell you, there is more rejoicing among the
good,foronewhowaslostandhasbeenfound,
than for ninetynine just who never left the
fold.
Jesushasneverturnedroundtolookattheroad
behind Him and on which Mary of Magdala has
arrivedinthedimlightoftheevening.Sheis
mostelegant,butat least sheisdressed,and
sheiswearing a darkveil,whichconcealsher
features and figure. But when Jesus continues
His speech from the words: I found you, my
beloved one , Mary hides her hands under her
veilandweeps,softlyandcontinuously.
People cannot see her, because she is on this
side of the embankment, which runs along the
road. Only the moon, now high in the sky, and
Jesus'spiritcanseeher...

SCENE10
INT. MARTHA HAS HER VICTORY WITHIN HER GRASP.
EVENING.

Jesus is about to embark in the boat, at the

dawn of a clear summer day which is spreading
rosesonthewrinkledsilkysurfaceofthelake,
whenMarthaarriveswithhermaidservant.
MARTHA
Oh!Master!Listentome,forGod'ssake.
Jesusgoesbackontotheshoreandsaystothe
apostles:
JESUS
Go and wait for Me at the torrent. In the
meantimeprepareeverythingforourtriptowards
Magedan. The Decapolis also is waiting for the
word.Go.
Andwhiletheboatmovesawayandtakestothe
open lake, Jesus walks beside Martha. Marcella
respectfullyfollowsthem.
Theythusmoveawayfromthevillagewalkingon
theshore,whichfromasandystretch,strewnat
lake level with sparse tufts of wild herbs,
becomescompletelycoveredwithvegetationasit
climbsupthehillsides,whicharereflectedin
thelake.When theyreachalonely spot, Jesus
askssmiling:
JESUS
WhatdoyouwanttotellMe?
MARTHA
Oh!Master...Marycamehomelastnightshortly
aftermidnight.Oh!IwasforgettingtotellYou
thatwhilewewerehavinglunchat midday,she
said to me: Would you mind lending me one of
yourdressesandamantle?Theymaybealittle
short.ButIwillleavethedresslooseandhold
themantledown...Irepliedto her:Youmay
take whatever you wish, my dear sister. My
heart was throbbing because, shortly before,
speakingtoMarcellainthegardenIhadsaidto
her:AtvesperwemustbeatCapernaum,because
the Master is speaking to the crowds this

eveningandIsawMarystartandchangecolour.
She became restless, moving about all alone,
like a person in pain or in a flutter, on the
pointofmakingadecision...butdoesnotknow
whichwaytodecide. After lunch shewentinto
myroomandtookthemostdarkandmodestdress
I had, she tried it on and asked the nurse to
letthehemdown,asitwastooshort.Shetried
todoitherself,butweepingsheconfessed:I
am no longer good at sewing. I have forgotten
everythingusefulandgood...andshethrewher
arms round my neck saying: Pray for me. She
wentoutaboutsunset...HowmuchIprayed,that
she might not meet anyone who would keep her
from coming here, so that she might understand
Your word and succeed in definitely strangling
the monster enslaving her... Look: I put Your
belt,whichItiedundermyown,andwhenIfelt
my waist being oppressed by the hard stiff
leather,towhichitisnotused,Iwouldsay:
He is stronger than anything. Then Marcella
andIcamebywagon,asitisquicker.Idonot
knowwhetherYousawusinthecrowd...Butwhat
anachingpaininmyheartatnotseeingMary!I
wouldsaytomyself:Shemusthavechangedher
mind.Shehasgonebackhome.Or...she hasrun
away as she could no longer stand my control,
althoughshehadaskedforit.Iwaslistening
to You and weeping under my veil. Your words
seemedtobespokenjustforher...andshedid
nothearthem!ThatiswhatIwasthinkingasI
didnotseeher. I wentbackhomedownhearted.
Itisthetruth.IdisobeyedYoubecauseyouhad
saidtome:Ifshecomes,youstayathomeand
waitforher.Butthinkofmyheart,Master!It
wasmysistercomingtoYou!HowcouldInotbe
theretoseehernearYou?Andthen...Yousaid
tome:ShewillbebrokenandIwantedtobe
nearhertosupportheratonce...
I was kneeling in my room weeping and praying
anditwasaftermidnightwhenshecamein.She
cameinsosoftlythatIheardheronlywhenshe
threw herself upon me embracing me and saying:
Everythingyousay,myblessedsister,istrue.
Nay, it is much more so than you told me. His
mercyis muchgreater.Oh! Martha!Thereisno
furtherneedforyoutowatchme!Youwillsee
thatIamno longercynicalandmiserable!You

will no longer hear me say 'I do not want to

think!' Now I want to think. I know what to
thinkof.OfBountyWhichbecameflesh.Youwere
certainlyprayingformesister.Andvictoryis
already within your grasp: Your Mary, who no
longer wants to sin and who is born to a new
life.Heresheis.Lookatherstraightinthe
face.BecausesheisanewMary,whosefacehas
beenwashedbytearsofhopeandrepentance.You
cankissme,mypuresister.Thereisnotrace
ofshamefulloveaffairsonmyface.
He said that He loves my soul. Because He was
speakingtomysoulandaboutmysoul.Iwasthe
lostsheep.Hesaid,listenifIamright.You
knowhowtheSaviourspeaks...andsherepeated
Yourparableperfectly.Maryissointelligent!
Much more intelligent than I am. And she
remembers. So I heard You twice; and if those
words were holy and adorable on Your lips, on
herstheywereholy,adorableandlovingbecause
theywerespokentomysister,whohad
beenfoundandhadcomebacktothefamilyfold.
Weweresittingonamatonthefloor,embracing
eachother,aswewerewonttodowhenwewere
little girls in my mother's room or near the
loomwhereshewoveorembroideredherwonderful
cloths.Andweremainedthus,nolongerdivided
bysin,andmymotheralsoseemedtobepresent
inherspirit.Weweptwithoutanygrief,onthe
contrary, with so much peace! We kissed each
other happily... And then Mary, who was tired
after her long walk, and was exhausted with
emotionandsomanyfeelings,fellasleepinmy
armsandwiththehelpofthenurseIlaidher
on my bed... and I left her there to come
here... and Martha, thoroughly happy, kisses
Jesus'hands.
JESUS
I also will tell you what Mary said to you:
Victory is already in your grasp. Go and be
happy. Goinpeace.Letyour behaviour bekind
and prudent with your reborn sister. Goodbye,
Martha.LetLazarusknow,asheisworried.
MARTHA
Yes, Master. But when will Mary come with us
womendisciples?

Jesussmilesandsays:
JESUS
TheCreatorcreatedtheuniverseinsixdaysand
restedontheseventh.
MARTHA
Iunderstand.Imustbepatient...
JESUS
Yes,patient.Donotsigh.Thatisavirtueas
well.Peacetoyou,women.Weshallmeetsoon
andJesusleavesthemandgoestowardstheplace
wheretheboatiswaitingneartheshore.
SCENE11
INT.MARYMAGDALENEINTHEHOUSEOFSIMON,THE
PHARISEENIGHT.
It's a sumptuous hall. A manybranched
candlestick is hanging in the centre and is
completelylit.Thehallishungwithbeautiful
tapestry; there are magnificent pieces of
furniture and chairs inlaid and decorated with
ivoryandpreciousmetalleaves.
There is a large square table in the centre,
consisting of four tables assembled together.
The table has been laid for many guests (all
men)andiscoveredwithbeautifultablecloths
andveryexpensivetableware.Therearevaluable
amphorae and cups and many servants are moving
roundthetablecarryingdishesandpouringout
wines. There is no one in the centre of the
square. There is he magnificent floor which
reflects the lights of the oil chandelier.
Around the table there are many couches, all
occupiedbytheguests.
The halfdark corner at the end of the hall,
near a door, which is wide open, although
screened by a heavy piece of tapestry hanging
fromitsarchitrave.
The landlord and the most important guests are
ontheoppositeside,thatis,thefarthestside
fromthedoor.Thelandlordiselderly,wearing
a wide white tunic tied round his waist by an
embroidered belt. Round the collar, the cuffs
and the hem of the tunic there are strips of

embroideredwork,whichhavebeenattachedasif
they were embroidered ribbons or strips. His
expression is malicious, cold, proud and
greedy.
On the opposite side, facing him, there is
Jesus. He is wearing His usual white tunic,
sandals, and His long hair is parted on His
forehead.
JohnisnearJesusandsinceJesusisleaningon
His left elbow, like everybody else, John is
between the table and Jesus' body, with his
elbow at the height of the Master's groin, so
thathedoesnothinderHimwhileeating,butif
he wishes he can lie confidentially on His
chest.
There is no woman at the table. They are all
talkingandthelandlordnowandagainaddresses
Jesuswithevidentaffectedcondescension.Itis
obviousthathewantstoshowtoHimandtoall
those present as well, that he has greatly
honoured Him, a poor and rather hotheaded
prophet, as many people consider Him, by
invitingHimtohiswealthyhouse...Jesusreply
kindly and quietly. He smiles faintly at those
who ask Him questions, but His smile becomes
brightwhenJohnspeakstoHimorevenlooksat
Him.
There is a magnificent curtain covering the
doorspace being raised and a young woman come
in. She is beautiful, sumptuously dressed and
her hair is splendidly arranged. The
artisticallyinterlacedlocksofherverythick
blond hair form a beautiful ornament on her
head. Her hair is so bright and abundant that
sheseemstobewearingagoldenhelmetwrought
in relief. There are buckles on the shoulders,
jewelstoholdtogetherthepleatsatthetopof
the breast, little gold chains to outline the
breast,andthebelt isadornedwithstudsand
gems.Itisaprovokingdress,whichemphasises
thefeaturesofherbeautifulbody.Theveilon
herhead issolightthat... itveilsnothing:
itisanadditionalcharmandnothingelse.Her
sandalsareveryexpensiveones,ofredleather
with gold buckles and strips interlaced round
herankles.
Everybody,exceptJesus,turnsroundtolookat
her.Johnwatchesherforamoment,then looks

at Jesus.Theothers stare atherwithevident

malicious avidity. But the woman does not look
at them, neitherdoesshepayattentiontothe
whispering that has arisen at her entrance, or
to thewinking ofthepeople present,withthe
exception of Jesus and His disciple. Jesus
pretends He has seen nothing. He continues His
conversationwiththelandlord.
ThewomangoestowardsJesusandkneelsdownat
thefeetoftheMaster.Shelaysonthefloora
little vase, shaped like a potbellied amphora,
takes off her veil after removing a long
valuablepin,whichfastenedittoherhair,she
removes rings from her fingers and lays
everything on the couch near Jesus' feet. She
then takes His feet in her hands, first the
right one and then the left one, unlaces His
sandals and lays them on the floor. She then
kisses His feet bursting into tears, she rests
herforeheadonthem,caressesthem,whiletears
streamdownherfacelikedropsofrain,shining
inthelightofthechandelierandwettingthose
adorablefeet.
Jesus turns His head round very slightly and
slowly,andHisdeepeyesrestforamomenton
the woman's reclined head. He then looks again
atthecentreofthehall,leavingherfreein
heroutburst.
But the others do not: they scoff, wink and
sneer.ThePhariseesitsupforamomenttohave
a better view and his eyes express desire,
vexation and irony. He desires the woman, and
thatfeelingisevident.Heisvexedbecauseshe
has come in so freely, which may cause the
otherstothinkthatsheisahabitualguestin
the house. And he is ironical with regard to
Jesus...
But the woman is not aware of anything. She
continuestoshedtorrentsoftearsnoiselessly.
Sheweepsandnowandagainshesobs.Shethen
lets her hair down, after removing the gold
hairpins, which held up her complicated
hairdress and she puts also the hairpins near
the rings and the long veilpin. Her golden
locks roll down her back. She takes them with
bothhands,bringstheminfrontofherandrubs
them on Jesus' wet feet, until she sees that
they are dry. She dips her fingers into the

little vase and takes out a yellowish highly

scentedointment.A sweetsmellingperfume,a
mixtureoflilyandtuberose,spreadsthroughout
the hall. The woman uses it profusely, she
spreads it, kissing and caressing His feet at
thesametime.
Jesus looks at her now and again with so much
lovingpity.John,wholookedroundinamazement
when she burst into tears, cannot detach his
eyesfromJesusandthewomanandlooksatthem
alternately.
The face of the Pharisee has become more and
moresullen.Inowhearthewellknownwordsof
theGospelandIhearthemutteredinatoneand
withalook,whichcausethe oldresentfulman
tolowerhishead.Jesussays
JESUS
No. Do not make wicked insinuations to justify
yourself to yourself. I am not affected by
lewdness as you are. She does not come to Me
attracted by sensuality. I am not you or like
thosewhoarelikeyou.ShecomestoMebecause
My countenanceand Myword,whichsheheardby
chance, have enlightened her soul, which lust
had left in utter darkness. And she comes
becauseshewantstoovercomehersensualityand
sherealises,poorcreature,thatshewillnever
succeedbyherself.ShelovesMyspirit,nothing
but My spirit, which she perceives is
supernaturallygood.Aftersomuchevilthatshe
receivedfromyouall,whohavetakenadvantage
of her weakness for your own vices, rewarding
her with your lashing scorn, she comes to Me,
because she realises that she has found
Goodness, Joy and Peace, which she sought in
vain in the pomps and vanities of this wicked
world. Cure the leprosy of your soul, o
hypocritical Pharisee, that you may have the
rightviewofthings.Forsakeprideofmindand
lustofflesh.Theirleprosyismuchmorefetid
than the leprosy of your bodies. My touch can
cure you of the latter, because you beg Me to
cureyou,butIcannotcureyouoftheleprosy
of your souls, because you do not wish to be
cured,asyoulikeit.Butshewantstorecover.
AndthusIcleanseher,andIfreeherfromthe
chains ofherslavery.The sinnerisdead.She

isstilloverthere,inthoseornamentsthatshe
isashamedtoofferMethatImaysanctifythem,
using them for the needs of My disciples and
Mineandforthepoor,whomIhelpbymeansof
the surplus of other people, because I, the
Masteroftheuniverse,possessnothingnowthat
IamtheSaviourofman.Sheisstillhere,in
theperfumespreadonMyfeet,theperfumethat
hasbeenhumiliatedlikeherhair,onthatpart
of My body that you disdained to refresh with
the water of your well, notwithstanding I have
walked so far to bring light to you also. The
sinnerisdead.AndMaryisreborn,asbeautiful
as a modest girl, through her deep sorrow and
her righteous love. She washed herself in her
tears.AndItellyou,oPharisee,thatbetween
thisyoungmanwholovesMeinthepurityofhis
youth, and that woman who loves Me in the
sincerity of repentance of a heart reborn to
Grace, I make no difference. And to the Pure
youngmanandtheRepentantwomanIentrustthe
taskofunderstandingMythoughtasnooneelse
can,aswellasthetaskofrenderingthelast
honourstoMyBody,andthefirstgreetings(I
am not taking into account My Mother's special
greetings)whenIwillrisefromthedead.
I say to Mary Magdalene who loves much is
pardoned much. That is, He who loves Me. You,
poor souls, do not know how much the Saviour
loves you! Be not afraid of Me. Come.
Confidently. Courageously. I open My Heart and
My armsto you.Mary,always remember: Imake
nodifferencebetweenhimwholovesMewithhis
spotless purity and him who loves Me in the
sincerecontritionofaheartreborntoGrace.
IamtheSaviour.Alwaysrememberthat.
SCENE12
INT.MARYMAGDALENEHAS NOTCOME BACKFORMANY
NIGHTSEVENINGANDNIGHT.
JesusisontheroadthatcomesfromlakeMerom
towards the lake of Galilee. He is with the
Zealot and Bartholomew near a modest little
brook,whichneverthelessnourishesmanyplants,
andthetrioseemtobewaitingfortheothers
who are about to arrive from two different
directions.

PETER
Wehavefinished,Master.Butthereoughttobe
manygroups...You cansee Yourself. Itisnot
possible to walk far, because of the heat. So
whatcanwedo?Themorewehavetodo,themore
the world seems to be widening out, scattering
villages and increasing distances. I never
realisedthatGalileewassolarge.Weareina
corner of Galilee, just a corner, and yet we
cannotevangelizeit,sowideitisandsolarge
thenumberofthosewhoneedYouandwantYou.
JESUS
Youareright,Peter.Ifeelsorryaswellfor
thesesoulsandthispeople.Thefactthatmany
ofthemmaynotfindMeatacertainmoment,may
be the cause of irreparable misfortunes. Look
howtiredandbewildered arethosewho arenot
yetcertainofMyTruthandlookhowhungryare
thosewhohavealreadytastedMywordandcanno
longer go without it, and no other word can
satisfy them. They look like sheep without a
shepherd,wanderingaboutwithoutfindinganyone
whomayleadthemandpasturethem.Iwillsee
to them, but you must help Me, with all your
spiritual,moralandphysicalstrength.Youwill
nolongerhavetogoaroundinlargegroups,but
in couples. And we will send also the best
disciples two by two. Because the harvest is
really rich. Oh! I will prepare you in summer
forthisgreatmission.BythemonthofTammuz
Isaacwilljoinuswithhisbestdisciples.And
Iwillprepareyou.Butevensoyouwillnotbe
enough. Because the harvest is really rich but
thelabourersarefew.SopraytheLordofthe
harvesttosendmanylabourerstoHisharvest.
JAMESOFALPHAEUS
Yes, my Lord. But that will not make much
difference to the situation of those who seek
You.
JESUS
Why,brother?
JAMESOFALPHAEUS
Because they are looking not only for doctrine

andwordsofLife,buttheywanttobecuredand
tobeassistedandhelpedinalltheirailments
andintheimpairmentsthateitherSatanorlife
have brought to their inferior or superior
parts. AndonlyYoucandothat,because Yours
isthePower.
JESUS
Those who are one with Me will be able to do
what I do and the poor will be helped in all
theirmiseries.Butyoudonothaveasyetwhat
is required to do that. Endeavour to overcome
yourselves,totrampleonyourhumanityandthus
let your spirit triumph. Absorb not only My
word, but the spirit of it, that is, sanctify
yourselvesthroughitandthenyouwillbeable
todoeverything.
Andnowletusgoandspeaktothem,astheydo
notwishtogoawayunlessIspeakthewordof
Godtothem.ThenweshallgobacktoCapernaum.
There will be someone waiting for us there as
well...
THOMAS
Lord,isittruethatMaryofMagdalaaskedYou
toforgiveher,inthePharisee'shouse?
JESUS
Itistrue,Thomas
PHILIP
AnddidYouforgiveher?
JESUS
Idid
ExclaimsBartholomew:
BARTHOLOMEW
Youdidthewrongthing!
JESUS
Why?Shewassincerelyrepentantanddeservedto
beforgiven.
JUDASISCARIOT
But You should not have forgiven her in that
house,publicly...

JESUS
ButIdonotunderstandwhereIwaswrong.
JUDASISCARIOT
This is the point: You know who the Pharisees
are, how full their heads are of cavils, how
they watch You, slander and hate You. One of
theminCapernaumwasYour friendandthatwas
Simon. And You called a prostitute into his
housetodesecrateitandcausescandaltoYour
friendSimon.
JESUS
I did not call her. She came. She was not a
prostitute. She repented. That throws a
differentlightonthematter.Iftheywerenot
overcome with nausea beforehand, when they
approached her and desired her, also in My
presence,nowthatsheisnolongerjustflesh,
butasoul,theyshouldnotfeeldisgustseeing
her enter the house to kneel at My feet and
accuse herself weeping, humiliating herself in
humble public confession represented by her
tears. Simon the Pharisee had his house
sanctifiedbyagreatmiracle:theresurrection
of a soul. Five days ago in the square in
CapernaumheaskedMe:Isthattheonlymiracle
Youworked?andherepliedhimself:Certainly
notshowinghisdesiretoseeone.AndIgave
it to him. I chose him to be the witness, the
middleman of this engagement of a soul with
Grace.Heoughttobeproudofit.
JUDASISCARIOT
Insteadheisscandalised.PerhapsYouhavelost
afriend.
JESUS
Ifoundasoul.Itisworthlosingamanwith
hisfriendship,thepoorfriendshipofaman,to
giveasoulthefriendshipofGod.
ExclaimJudasandembracinghim
JUDASISCARIOT
It is useless. We cannot get You to consider
matters from a human point of view. We are on
the earth, Master! Remember that. And the laws

andtheideasoftheworldareinforce.Youact
accordingto themethodof Heaven,You livein
the Heaven You have in Your heart, You see
everything in the light of Heaven. Poor Master
of Mine! Howdivinelyunsuited Youare tolive
amonguswickedpeople!Anddesolateatthesame
time,
Andconcludes:
JUDASISCARIOT
And I am sorry because, through too much
perfection,Youmakeenemiesoftoomanypeople.
JESUS
Do not be sorry, Judas. It is written that it
must be thus. But how do you know Simon is
offended?
JUDASISCARIOT
Hedidnotsaythatheisoffended.Buthemade
Thomasandmeunderstandthatitshouldnothave
happened.Youshouldnothaveinvitedhertohis
house,whichonlyhonestpeopleenter.
PETER
Well!Withregardto thehonesty ofthepeople
goingtoSimon'shouse,letusdropthesubject.

AndMatthewadds:

MATTHEW
Icouldsaythattheperspirationofprostitutes
pouredseveraltimesonthefloors,onthetable
and beyond them in the house of Simon, the
Pharisee.
JUDASISCARIOT
Butnotpublicly
MATTHEW
No.Hypocrisyconcealedit.
JUDASISCARIOT
Soyoucanseethatthereisadifference.
MATTHEW

Thereisalsoadifferencebetweenaprostitute
who goes in to say: I am giving up my
disgracefulsinfullifeandonewhogoesinto
say:HereIamtocommitsinwithyou.
THEAPOSTOLES
Matthewisright.
JUDASISCARIOT
Ofcourse,heisright.Buttheydonotreason
thewaywedo.Wemustcometoacompromisewith
them,andadjustourselvestotheirwaystohave
themfriendly.
Jesusthunders
JESUS
No, never, Judas. In truth, honesty, in moral
behaviour there are neither adjustments nor
compromises!
AndHeconcludes:
JESUS
In any case I know that I acted rightly and
foragoodpurpose.Andthatisenough.Letus
goanddismissthosetiredpeople.
Jesus after to speak to people and he arrives
there at night. They noiselessly cross the
silenttowninthemoonlight,whichistheonly
lightinthedarkunevenlypavednarrowstreets.
They silently enter the little kitchen garden
nearthehouse,astheythinkthateverybodyis
inbed.Insteadalampislitinthekitchenand
three shadows, made mobile by the flickering
flame, are thrown on the white wall of the
stoneoven.
SIMONOFCANANEAN
There is somebody waiting for You, Master. But
itisnotpossibletogoonlikethis!Iwillgo
andtellthemthatYouaretootired.Goupon
totheterraceinthemeantime.
JESUS
No, Simon. I am going into the kitchen. If
Thomas keptthesepeople here, there mustbe a

goodreasonforit.
In the meantime those inside the house have
heard the whispering and Thomas, the landlord,
comestothedoor.
LANDLORD
Master, the usual lady is here. She has been
waiting for you since yesterday evening, at
sunset.Sheiswithaservantandheaddsina
lowvoice:Sheweepsallthetime...
JESUS
Allright.Tellhertocomeupstairs.Wheredid
shesleep?
LANDLORD
Shedidnotwanttosleep.Thenshewithdrewto
my room for a few hours, at dawn. I let the
servantsleepinoneofyourbeds.
JESUS
Verywell.Hecansleeptherealsotonight.And
youwillsleepinMine.
LANDLORD
No, Master. I shall sleep on some mats on the
terrace.Ishallsleepverywelljustthesame.

Jesus goes up to the terrace. Martha follows

Him.
JESUS
Peacetoyou,Martha.
Asobisherreply.

JESUS
Areyoustillweeping?Areyounothappy?
Marthashakesherhead.
JESUS
Butwhy?
Thereisalongpausefullofsobs.Atlastshe
moans:

MARTHA

Maryhasnotcomebackformanynights.Andwe
cannotfindher.NeitherInorMarcellanorthe
nurse can find her... She went out after
orderingthewagontobereadyforher.Shewas
magnificently dressed... Oh! she would not put
on my dress again!... She was not halfnude
shehassomesuchdressesaswellbutitwas
still a very provoking one... And she took
jewels and perfumes... and has not come back.
Shedismissedtheservantwhentheyreachedthe
first houses in Capernaum saying: I will come
back in the company of other people. But she
hasnotcomeback.Shedeceivedus!Orshefelt
lonely,perhapsshewastempted...orsomething
hashappenedtoher...Shehasnotcomeback...
And Martha falls on her knees, weeping, with
her head reclined on her forearm, which is
restingonapileofemptysacks.esuslooksat
her and like an overlord He says slowly and
confidently:
JESUS
Donotweep.MarycametoMethreeeveningsago.
SheanointedMyfeetandleftatMyfeetallher
jewels. She thus consecrated herself, and
forever,andhasbecomeoneofMydisciples.Do
not disparage her in your heart. She has
excelledyou.
Marthaexclaimslookingupwithatroubledface.
MARTHA
But where is my sister then? Why has she not
comebackhome?Hasshebeen assailed? Hasshe
taken a boat and drowned herself? Or has a
rejected lover carried her off? Oh! Mary! My
Mary! I had found her and I have lost her at
once!
Martha is really beside herself. She does not
consider that those downstairs can hear her.
Neither does she consider that Jesus can tell
herwherehersisteris.Sheisindespairand
doesnotponderonanything.Jesustakesherby
the wrists and compels her to be still and to

listen to Him, towering above her with His

height and dominating her with His magnetic
look.
JESUS
Thatisenough!IwantyoutohavefaithinMy
words. I want you to be generous. Have you
understood?
HedoesnotlethergountilMarthacalmsdowna
little.
JESUS
Your sister has gone to savour her joy, and
she has enveloped herself in holy solitude
because she is full of the supersensitive
modesty of redeemed souls. I told you in
advance. She cannot bear the kind but
inquisitive look of relatives on her new dress
of a bride of Grace. And what I say is always
true.YoumustbelieveMe.
MARTHA
Yes, my Lord, I do. But my Mary has been too
longapreytothedemon,Hehasrecapturedher
atonce,he...
JESUS
He is avenging himself on you for the prey he
has lost forever. Am I therefore to see that
you, the strong woman, are becoming his prey
through a foolish dismay for no reason
whatsoever?AmItoseethatbecauseofher,who
now believes in Me, you are going to lose the
beautiful faith that I always saw in you?
Martha!Look atMecarefully.Listen toMe.Do
notlistentoSatan.Doyounotknowthatwhen
heiscompelledtogiveupaprey,becauseGod
hasdefeated him,he busieshimselfat onceto
find other victims, because he is an untiring
torturer of human beings and an indefatigable
thiefofGod'srights?Doyounotknowthatthe
recovery of a soul is consolidated by the
torture of another good faithful soul that
resists the demon's attacks? Do you not know
that nothing of what exists and happens in
creationisuncontrolled,buteverythingfollows
aneternallawofsubordinationandconsequence,

whereby the deed of one person has very wide

naturalandsupernaturalrepercussions?Youare
weeping here, you are tormented here by a
horribledoubt,butyouremainfaithfultoyour
Christ also in this hour of darkness. Not far
from you, but in a place unknown to you, Mary
feels that her last doubt on the infinity of
forgivenessreceivedisbeingdissipatedandher
weepingchangesintosmilesandhershadowinto
light.Itisyourtorturethatguidedherwhere
thereispeace,wheresoulsareregeneratednear
theimmaculateMother,WhoissuchLifethatShe
wasgrantedtheprivilegeofgivingbirthtothe
Christ,WhoistheLife.YoursisteriswithMy
Mother.Oh!sheisnotthefirsttofurlsailin
that peaceful harbour after the gentle ray of
thelivingStarofMarycalledhertoHerloving
bosom, out of silent but active love for Her
Son!YoursisterisatNazareth.
MARTHA
But how did she go there if she does not know
YourMother,orYourhouse?...Byherself...At
night... Thus... Without means... Wearing that
dress...Suchalongway...How
JESUS

How?Asatiredswallowfliesbacktoitsnative
nest, crossing seas and mountains, through
storms, fog and hostile winds. As swallows fly
to hibernating places. Instinct guides them,
warmth invites them, the sun calls them. She
also went to the ray inviting her... to the
universalMother.Andwewillseehercomeback
happily at dawn... coming out forever from
darkness,withaMotherbesideher,Mine,never
tobeanorphanagain.Canyoubelievethat?
MARTHA
Yes,myLord.
Martha looks as if she were charmed. Jesus in
facthasbeenthedominator.Tall,upright,and
yet lightly bent over Martha who was kneeling,
He hasspokenslowly,butincisively,asifHe
wishedtotransfuseHimselfintotheperturbed
disciple.IhaveseldomseenHimsopowerful,to

persuadebymeansofHiswordapersonlistening
toHim.Butattheend,whatlight,whatsmile
isonHisface!Martha'sfacemirrorsitwitha
smileandamilderlight.
JESUS
Andnowgoandrest.WithMypeace.
Martha kisses His hands and goes downstairs in
betterspirits...
SCENE13
INT. THEMAGDALENEIsACCOMPANIEDBYMARYAMONG
THEDISCIPLESNIGHT.
PETER
I think we are going to have a storm today,
Master. Can You see those leaden clouds
advancing from behind the Hermon? And look how
thelakeisruffling!AndYoucanfeelthegusts
of the north wind alternating with wide warm
Sirocco blasts. Whirlwinds: a sure sign of a
storm.
JESUS
Inhowlong,Simon?
SIMONOFCANANEAN
Before the first hour is over. See how the
fishermen are hurrying back. They can hear the
lakegrumble andgrowl.It willsoonbeleaden
as well, then it will become pitchblack and
finallyitwillburstforthinallitsfury.
THOMAS
Butitlookssocalm!
PETER

Youarefamiliarwithgold,andIwithwater.It
willbeasIsay.Itisnotevenasuddenstorm.
It isbrewingwithclearsigns.Thesurfaceof
thewateriscalm,onlytinyripples,asifit
werenothing.Butifyouwereoutinaboat!You
would hear thousands of knuckles striking the
keelandshakingtheboatinastrangeway.The
waterisalreadybubblingunderneath.Justwait
for the sign from the sky and then you will

see!... Let the north wind become knotted with

Sirocco! And then!... Ehi! women! Take in what
you have been hanging out and shelteryour
domestic animals. In a short while it will be
raininginbuckets.
In fact the sky is becoming more and more
greenish, with slateveins caused by the
continuous flowing of clouds that seem to be
eruptedbygreatHermon.Theydrivedawnbackto
whereitcamefrom,asifthehourswerefalling
backtowardsnightinsteadofproceedingtowards
midday. Only a sunbeam persists in shining
through the barrier of dark clouds tinging the
top of a hill southwest of Capernaum with an
unreal yellowgreen hue. The lake has changed
fromskybluetopurpleblueandthefoamofthe
first small broken waves looks oddly white
against the dark water. There are no boats on
the lake now. Fishermen hasten to beach their
boats, to put away nets, baskets, sails and
oars, while peasants make haste to get their
harvest in, they ensure that awnings are
properly fastened to poles and they close the
cattle in their stables; women rush to well
beforetherainstarts,ortheygathertogether
the children, who got up early, and push them
intothehouses,likebroodinghensawareofan
oncominghailstorm.
JESUS
Simon,comewithMe.CallalsoMartha'sservant
and My brother James. Get a large piece of
canvas. A strong large piece. There are two
womenontheroadandwemustgoandmeetthem.
Peter looks at Him curiously, but he obeys
withoutwastinganytime.Ontheway,whilethey
arerunningsouthwardsthroughthevillage,
PETER
Butwhoarethey?
JESUS
MyMotherandMaryofMagdala.
TheshockissuchthatPeterstopsforamoment
as if he were nailed to the ground and he

exclaims:
PETER
YourMotherandMaryofMagdala!?Together!?
He then resumes running, as neither Jesus nor
James nor the servant have stopped. But he
repeats:
PETER
Your Mother and Mary of Magdala! Together!...
Sincewhen?
JESUS
SincesheisMARYOFJESUS.Bequick,Simon,it
isbeginningtorain...
Peter strives to keep up with his companions,
whoaretallerandfasterthanheis.Cloudsof
dustnowrisefromtheparchedroad,Flownbya
wind, which is becoming stronger and stronger
every moment, ruffling the lake and raising
breakers,whichpoundroaringontheshore.When
itispossibletoseethelakeitlookslikea
hugecauldronboilingfuriously.Wavesthreeor
fourfeethighriseinalldirections,clashing,
merging, swelling, then parting in opposite
directions,seekingotherwavestoplungeinto:
a foaming duel of wave crests, of swelling
massesofwater,ofroaringbillowsreachingthe
shoreandlashingthehousesclosesttoit.When
housesconcealtheviewofthelake,thelatter
disclosesitspresencewitharoarexcedingthe
howl of the wind that bends trees tearing off
foliage and fruit: a deafening roar exceeding
the rumble of prolonged threatening thunders,
preceded by flashes of lightning, which are
becomingmorefrequentandpowerful.
Petermumblespanting:
PETER
Iwonderhowfrightenedthosewomenmustbe.
JESUS
Not My Mother. I do not know about the other.
Butifwedonothurrytheywillcertainlyget
drenched.

TheyhaveleftCapernaumaboutonehundredyards
behind, proceeding through clouds of dust and
veryheavyrain,arealdownpour,whichfurrows
obliquely the gloomy air so violently that the
rain is pulverised and thus blinds them and
takesawaytheirbreath,whentheyseetwowomen
runningandseekingshelterunderalargetree.
PETER
Theretheyare.Letusrun!
Although Peter's love for Mary lends wings to
hisfeet,shortleggedasheisandnotavery
good runner, he arrives when Jesus and James
havealreadycoveredthetwowomenwithalarge
pieceofasail.
Petersaysoutofbreath.
PETER
We cannot stop here. There is the danger of
thunderboltsandinashortwhiletheroadwill
beatorrent.Letusgo,Master.Atleastasfar
asthenearesthouse
They set out with the women in the middle of
them, holding the canvas over their heads and
backs. The first word that Jesus addresses to
Mary,whoisstillwearingthedressshehadon
the evening of the banquet in Simon's house,
with a mantle of the Blessed Virgin on her
shoulders,is:
JESUS
Areyouafraid,Mary?
MaryMagdalene,whoseheadisloweredunderher
veil and whose hair has become thoroughly
dishevelledrunningintherain,lowersherhead
evenfurther,blushesandwhispers:
MARYOFMAGDALA
No,myLord.

Also Our Lady has lost some hairpins and She

lookslikealittlegirlwithherplaitshanging

down her back. She smiles at Her Son Who is

besideHerandspeakstoHimthroughthatsmile.
James of Alphaeus touching Our Lady's veil and
mantleandsays.
JAMESOFALPHAEUS
Youaresoaking
MARYVIRGIN
Itdoesnotmatter.Wearenotgettingwetnow.
Isthatright,Mary?Hehasrescuedusalsofrom
therain.
Mary kindly to the Magdalene, of whose painful
embarrassment She is fully aware. Mary nods
assent.
JESUS
Yoursisterwillbehappytoseeyou.Sheisat
Capernaum.Shewaslookingforyou.
MarylooksupforamomentandstaresatJesus
with her beautiful eyes, while Jesus speaks to
herwith thesimplicityHe useswiththe other
womendisciples.Butshedoesnotsayanything.
Sheisstifledbytoomanyemotions.
Jesusconcludes:
JESUS
IamgladIkepther.IwillletyougoafterI
haveblessedyou.
Hislastwordsarelostinthesharpcrashofa
nearbythunderbolt.TheMagdaleneisfearstruck
for a moment. She covers her face with her
hands,bendsherheadburstingintotears.
Peterencouraginghersays
PETER
Don'tbeafraid!Itisovernow.Youmustnever
beafraidwhenyouarewithJesus.
AlsoJames,whoisbesidetheMagdalene,saysto
her:

JAMES
Donotweep.Thehousesarenotfarnow.
MAGDALENE
Iamnotcryingforfear...Iamweepingbecause
HesaidtomethatHewillblessme...I...I...
Butshecansaynomore.
The Blessed Virgin intervenes in order to calm
hersaying:
MARYVIRGIN
Mary, you have already overcome your storm.
Thinknomoreaboutit.Noweverythingisserene
andpeaceful.Isthatright,MySon?
JESUS
Yes, Mother. It is all very true. Before long
the sun will be shining, and everything will
look more beautiful, cleaner and fresher than
yesterday.Itwillbethesamewithyou,Mary.
AndHisBlessedMother,pressingtheMagdalene's
handcontinues:
MARYVIRGIN
IshallrepeatyourwordstoMartha.Iamglad
thatIcanseeheratonceandtellherhowher
Maryisfullofgoodwill.
Peter, paddling in the watery mud and bearing
patientlywiththedeluge,comesoutfromunder
thecanvasandrunstowardsahousetoaskfor
shelter.
JESUS
No, Simon. We all prefer to go home. Is that
right?
Everybody agrees and Peter goes back under the
pieceofsail.
Capernaumislikeadesert.Wind,rain,thunder
and lightning prevail there, together with
hailstones, which are now striking houses and
terraces sounding and bouncing. The lake is
dreadfullyimpressive.Thewaveslashthehouses

near it, because the little beach has

disappeared and the boats fastened near the
houses seem to have sunk so full they are of
water, which breakers keep pouring into them,
whilethewateralreadyinthemoverflows.
They run into the kitchen garden, which has
become a huge puddle with rubbish floating on
the muddy water, and then enter the kitchen
wheretheyareallgathered.
Martha gives a screamwhen sheseeshersister
heldbythehandbyMary.Sheclaspsherneck,
butdoesnotrealisehowwetsheis,shekisses
herandcallsher:
MARTHA
Mir,Mir,mydarling!
Mary is weeping, with her head resting on her
sister's shoulder, and covers Martha's dark
dress with her thick golden hair, the only
shiningthinginthedarkkitchenwherealittle
fire of brushwood gives some light, while a
littlelamphardlyshedsany.
Whenhereffusionsofloveshavesomewhatcalmed
down,MarthanoticesJesusandMaryandrealises
that it is strange that they should be all
together.Shethusaskshersister,OurLadyand
Jesus I could not say whom she asks more
insistently:
MARTHA
But...howisitthatyouarealltogether?
PETER
Thestorm,Martha,wasapproaching.Iwentwith
Simon, James and your servant to meet the two
pilgrims.
Marthaissoshockedthatshedoesnotconsider
thefactthatJesuswassocertainingoingto
meet them and does not ask: But... did You
know?.
The question, however, is asked by Thomas, who
getsnoreplybecauseMarthasaystohersister:

MARTHA
ButwhywereyouwithMary?
TheMagdalenelowersherhead.OurLadycomesto
herrescuetakingherbythehandandsaying:
MARYVIRGIN
She came to Me as a pilgrim goes to a place
where she can be told which road to take to
reach her destination. And she said to Me:
Teach me what I must do to belong to Jesus.
Andsincesheisanimatedbythoroughgoodwill,
sheunderstoodthatwisdomatonce!AndIfound
thatshewasreadytobetakenbythehandand
ledtoYou,MySon,andtoyou,goodMartha,and
toyou,brotherdisciples,andsaytoyou:Here
isYourdiscipleandyoursister,whowillgive
but supernatural joys to her Lord and to her
brothers.IaskyoutobelieveMeandtolove
herasJesusandIloveher.
The apostles then gather round her greeting
theirnewsister.Thereis,ofcourse,acertain
amount of curiosity... But how could that be
avoided?!Afterall...theyarestillmen...
ItisPeter'scommonsensethatsays:
PETER
That's all very well. You have assured her
assistanceandholyfriendship.Butweoughtto
considerthatourMotherandsisteraredrenched
totheskin...Wearesoaking,aswell,totell
you the truth... But they are in a worse
situation. Their hair is dripping water like
willowtreesafterastormandtheirclothesare
wet and muddy. Let us light a fire, and get
dressesforthemandpreparesomewarmfood...
Everybody becomes busy: Martha takes the two
drenched travellers into the room, the fire is
kindledandthewetgarments,veilsandmantles
are hung in front of it. I do not know what
arrangements they are making in the room...
Martha,whohasfoundonceagainherenergyofa
very good housekeeper, comes and goes
solicitously, carrying basins and hot water,
cupsofhotmilk,garmentslentbythelandlady,

toassistthetwoMaries...
SCENE14
INT.EPISODESOFMAGDALENEWITHAPOSTLES.
I
Magdaleneasasister.
MARTHA
Whereshallwegofirst,Master?
ToBethsaida.AfterwardsweshallgotoNazareth
viaMagdala,TiberiasandCana.FromNazarethwe
shallproceedtoBethleheminGalileeviaJaphia
and Shimron and then to Sicaminon and
Caesarea...
Jesus is interrupted by an outburst of weeping
oftheMagdalene.Shecollectsherselfatonce,
she does not reply to her sister's questions,
but she goes out of the room and probably
withdrawstothekitchenforalittlewhile.
Martharemarkdhumblyandworriedly.
MARTHA
Jesus, Marysuffersonhearing thatshehasto
cometocertaintowns.Wemustunderstandher...
Iamsayingthismoreforthedisciplesthanfor
You
JESUS
Thatistrue,Martha.Butitmustbeso.Ifshe
does not face the world at once and does not
overcome public opinion, which is a dreadful
torturer, her heroic conversion will be
paralysed.Shemustdothatatonceandinour
company.
Peterpromises
PETER
Whilesheiswithusnoonewillsayanythingto
her.Icanassureyou,Martha,alsoonbehalfof
allmycompanions
THADDEUS
Ofcourse!Weshalltreatherasasister.That
is what Mary said she is and that is what she
willbeforus

SIMONOFCANNAN
Afterall!...Weare allsinners andthe world
did not spare us either. So we can
understandherstruggle
MATTHEW
I understand her more than anyone else. It is
verymeritorioustolivewherewesinned.People
knowwhoweare!...Itisatorture.Butitis
justice and glory to resist there. Precisely
becausethepowerofGodismanifestinus,we
spur others to turn, without even uttering
words.
JESUS
You can see, Martha, that your sister is
understoodandlovedbyeverybody.Andshewill
belovedandunderstoodmoreandmore.Shewill
be a reference mark for so many guilty and
fearfulsouls.Sheisagreatstrengthalsofor
goodpeople.Becauseaftershakingoffthelast
fetters of her humanity Mary will be a fire
burning with love. She has only given a
different course to the exuberance of her
feelings.Shehasraisedherpowerfulfacultyto
lovetoasupernaturallevel.Andshewillwork
wonders there. I can assure you. She is still
upset now. But you will see her become calmer
andstrongerinhernewlifeasdaysgoby.In
Simon's house I said: She is pardoned much
becauseshelovesmuch.Inowsolemnlytellyou
that she will be forgiven everything, because
shewillloveherGodwithallherstrength,her
soul,herthought,herblood,herflesh,tothe
extentofholocaust.
ANDREW
She is lucky to deserve such words! I wish I
deservedthem,too
JESUS
You?Butyoudeservethemalready!Comehere,my
fisherman. Andthe othersandtheend, theday
willcome,thelastdayoftheearth,thefirst
ofthecompletedandeternalJerusalem,whenthe
angels,likethefishermenoftheparable,will

separate the just from the wicked and at the

inexorable command of the Judge, the good will
passintoHeavenandthewickedintotheeternal
fire. And then the truth will be made known
concerningthefishermenandthefish,hypocrisy
willcollapseandthepeopleofGodwillappear
astheyare,withtheirleadersandthosesaved
bytheleaders.Weshallthenseethatmany,who
were outwardly insignificant and illtreated,
arethebrightestonesinHeaven,andthatthe
quiet patient fishermen are the ones who have
donemostandnowshinewithasmanygemsasthe
soulstheysaved.
II
MagdalenelearnsOurFhater
Itisdawning.JesuswithHisMother,Marthaand
Mary Magdalene embarks in Peter's boat. In
addition to Peter and Andrew, also the Zealot,
Philip and Bartholomew are with Him. Matthew,
Thomas,Jesus'cousins,theIscariotareinstead
intheotherboatwithJamesandJohn.Theyare
sailing towards Bethsaida, a short voyage
favouredbyafairwind.Thecrossinglastsonly
afewminutes.
When they are about to arrive, Jesus says to
Bartholomew and to his inseparable companion
Philip:
JESUS
You will go and inform your womenfolk. I am
comingtoyourhousestoday.
AndHestaresatthemmeaningfully.
BATHOLOMEW
We will, Master. Are You not granting me or
PhilipthepleasureofhavingYouasourguest?

JESUS
We are staying only until sunset and I do not
wish to deprive Simon Peter of the joy of
Marjiam'scompany.
Theboatrubsagainsttheshoreandstops.They

disembark and Philip and Bartholomew part from

theircompanionstogotothevillage.
Marjiam, orphanted of parents and adopted for
Peterandwife,whoistakinghissheepoutto
browseonthefreshgrassonthelowerhillsides
of Bethsaida, is the first to see them and he
announces them with a cry of joy running to
embraceJesus,Whohasbenttokisshim.Hethen
goes to Peter. Also Porphirea, whose hands are
covered with flour, arrives and bows, greeting
them.
JESUS
Peacetoyou,Porphirea.Youwerenotexpecting
ussosoon,wereyou?ButIwasanxioustobring
My Mother to you, together with two women
disciples,aswellasMyblessing.MyMotherwas
anxioustoseetheboyagain.ThereheisinHer
arms. And the women disciples wanted to meet
you...thisisSimon'swife:thegoodandsilent
disciple,moreactiveinherobediencethanmany
others. And these are Martha and Mary from
Bethany.Twosisters.Loveoneanother.
PORPHIREA
ThoseYoubringtomearedearertomethanmy
own blood, Master. Come. My house is more
beautifuleverytimeYousetfootinit.
Mary approaches Porphirea smiling and embraces
hersaying:
MARYVIRGIN
Iseethatyouarereallyalovingmother.The
boyisalready muchbetter andishappy. Thank
you.
PORPHIREA
Oh! Woman blessed above every other woman! I
knowthatitwasbecauseofYouthatIhadthe
joy of being called mother. And You must know
thatIwillnevergrieveYoubynotlivingupto
thatprivilege.Comein,withthesisters...
Marjiam looks at the Magdalene curiously. Many
thoughtsmusthecrossinghismind.At lasthe
says:

MARJIAM
But...youwerenotatBethany...
Magdaleneblusingandsmilingfaintlysays
MAGDALENE
No,Iwasnot.ButIshallalwaysbetherefrom
nowonsaystheMagdalene
Shecaressestheboysaying:
MAGDALENE
Evenifwehavejustdoyouloveme?
MARJIAM
Yes,because youare good. Youhavewept,have
younot?Thatiswhyyouaregood.Andyourname
is Mary, isn't it? Also my mother's name was
Maryand shewas good. Every woman,whosename
isMary,isgood.But...
He concludes, not to offend Porphirea and
Martha,
MARJIAM
but also many of those with other names are
good.Whatwasyourmother'sname?
MAGDALENE
Eucheria...Andshewassogood
AndtwolargetearsstreamdownthefaceofMary
ofMagdala.
The boy asks the boy, and he caresses her
beautiful hands, which she has crossed on her
dark dress, which is obviously one of Martha's
adapted for her, because its hem has been let
down.
MARJIAM
Areyouweepingbecausesheisdead?
Andheadds:
MARJIAM
Youmustnotweep.Youknow,wearenotalone.
Ourmothersarealwaysnearus.Jesussaysso.

And they are like guardian angels. Jesus says

that also. And if we are good, they will come
andmeetuswhenwedieandwegouptoGodin
ourmother'sarms.Itistrue,youknow?Hesaid
so!
Mary Magdala clasps her little consoler in her
armsandkisseshimsaying:
MAGDALENE
ThenpraythatImaybecomegood.
MARJIAM
Butareyounotalready?Onlythosewhoaregood
go with Jesus... And if one is not completely
good, one becomes good, in order to become a
discipleofJesus.Becauseyoucannotteachwhat
youdonotknow.Wecannotsay:Forgiveifwe
do notforgive first.Neithercanwesay:You
mustloveyourneighbourifwedonotlovehim
first.DoyouknowJesus'prayer?
MAGDALENE
No,Idon't.
MARJIAM
Ofcourse,youhavebeenwithHimonlyashort
time.Itissobeautiful,youknow?Itmentions
allthesethings.Listenhowbeautifulitis.

AndMarjiamslowlysaystheOurFatherwith
deepsentimentandfaith.
MaryofMagdalasaysadmiringly

MAGDALENE
Howwellyouknowit!.
MARJIAM
My mother taught me it by night and Jesus'
Motherbyday.Ifyouwishso,Iwillteachyou
it.Doyouwishtocomewithme?Thesheepare
bleating. They are hungry. I am going to take
themtothepasture.Comewithme.Iwillteach
youhowto prayandyouwillbecomethoroughly
good.
Andhetakesherbythehand.

MAGDALENE
ButIdonotknowwhethertheMasterwants...
JESUS
Go, by all means, Mary. You have an innocent
childas a friendandsomelittlelambs...You
maygo,tranquilly...

Mary of Magdala goes out with the boy and she

can be seen going away preceded by the three
sheep. Jesus is looking on... and the others,
too.Mypoorsister!exclaimsMartha.
JESUS
Do notpityher. Sheisaflower straightening
itsstemafterastorm.Canyouhearher?...She
is laughing... Innocence is always a
consolation.
III
MagdaleneinMagdala
There is Magdala, lying on the coast of the
lake, with the rising sun in front of it, and
mount Arbela behind it, protecting it from
winds, and the narrow wild steep rocky valley
through which a little torrent flows into the
lake. The steep coast extends westwards: a
beautifulcharmingausteresight.
ShoutsJohn
JOHN
Master.Thereisthevalleyofourretreat...
Andhisfaceshinesasifthesunwereburning
withinhim.
JESUS
Yes,ourvalley.Youhaverecognisedit.
JOHN
It isimpossibletoforget theplaceswherewe
becameacquaintedwithGod
The simple or... malicious curiosity of the
Magdala people must be a torture for the
Magdalene.Butshebearsitheroicallyfollowing

the Master Who is walking ahead, among His

disciples, while the women are behind them.
There is much whispering and irony. All those
who formerly feigned to respect Mary, for fear
of reprisals, while she was the overbearing
mistress of Magdala, now that they see her
humbleandchasteandrealiseshehaspartedfor
good from her powerful friends, they take the
libertyofinsultingandrevilingher.

They cross the whole of Magdala going towards

the poor quarters, as far as the house where
they stopped the last time. The woman is
dumbfounded when looking up from her washboard
to see who is greeting her, she finds Jesus
facing her along with the well known lady of
Magdala,whoisnolongerpompouslydressedand
adorned with jewels. On the contrary she is
wearingalightlinenveil,aperiwinkleviolet
dress, which is highnecked and certainly does
notbelongtoher,becauseitistootightand
hasbeenadaptedforher.Sheisenvelopedina
heavy mantle, which must be a torture in that
warmweather.
WhenpassingneartheMagdaleneshebowslikea
slave.
MAGDALENE
Peacetoyou,sister
Andthepoorwomanissoshockedthatshedrops
thebenchshewascarrying.Butshedoesnotsay
oneword.ThescenemakesmethinkthatMaryof
Magdala probably treated her subjects rather
haughtily.Thepoorwomanisutterlyastonished
when she is asked how the children are, where
theyare,andwhetherherhusbandhashadgood
hauls.
WOMAN
Theyarewell...Theyareatschoolorwithmy
mother. The little one is sleeping in his
cradle.Myhusbandhashadgoodcatchesoffish
andwillbringyouthetithesduetoyou...
MAGDALENE
That is no longer necessary. Use them for the
children.CanIseethebaby?

WOMAN
Come
Whole Jesus says a the twon of Magdala of
Magdalene
JESUS
I solemnly tell you, there is much rejoicing
amongtheangelsofGodandthegoodpeopleof
the earth over a repentant sinner. And I
solemnly tell you that there is nothing more
beautiful than tears of repentance. I solemnly
tell you that only demons cannot rejoice over
such a conversion, which is a triumph of God.
AndItellyouthatthewayamanwelcomesthe
conversionofasinneristhemeasureofhisown
goodnessand hisunionwithGod. Peace bewith
you.
IV
MagdaleneinTiberias
Jesusmovestowardsthatpartofthetownwhere
the more elegant people gather together. These
people aremainlyRomans andGreekswithafew
courtiers of Herod's and some rich merchants
fromthePhoeniciancoast,presumablyfromSidon
andTyre,astheyaretalkingofthosetownsand
emporia and ships. The external porches of the
Thermal baths are full of such elegant idle
people who kill time discussing petty topics,
such as the favourite discobolus or the most
agile and smartest athlete in GraecoRoman
wrestling. Or they chatter of fashion and
banquets and make appointments for pleasure
trips inviting to them the most beautiful
courtesans or the perfumed curlyhaired ladies
who come out from the Thermal baths or other
buildings, pouringintothis halllike artistic
marmorealcentreofTiberias.
The passing group is bound to rouse intense
curiosity that becomes really morbid when
someone recognises Jesus, having seen Him at
Caesarea and there is also someone who
recognises the Magdalene although she is
completely enveloped in her mantle, with her
veil lowered over her forehead and cheeks, so

thatlittleofherfacecanbeseen,assheis
walkingwithherheadbent.
ARomansays
ONEROMAN
It'stheNazareneWhocuredValeria'sdaughter
OtherRomanRepliestohim

OTHERROMAN
Iwouldlovetoseeamiracle
AGreekask.
GREEK
IwouldliketohearHimspeak.TheysayHeisa
greatphilosopher.ShallweaskHimtospeak?
Repliesanothergreek:
ANOTHERGREEK
Don't interfere, Theodate. His head is in the
clouds and He talks accordingly. A tragedian
wouldlikeHimforasatire.
ARomanexclaimsjokingly
GREEK
Don't become impatient, Aristobolus. He is
apparently descending from the clouds and is
discussingsoundarguments.Seehowmanylovely
youngwomenHehasgotwithHim.
AGreekshouts,whothencalls:
GREEK
ButthatisMaryofMagdala!Lucius!Cornelius!
Titus!Look:Maryisoverthere!
REPLIES
It'snother!Marylikethat?Areyoudrunk?
GREEK
ItisMary,Iamtellingyou.Shecannotdeceive
me,evenifsheissodisguised.
Romans and Greeks crowd round the apostolic
group,whichiscrossingthesquareadornedwith

arcades and fountains. Some women join the

curious men and it is a woman who goes almost
under Mary's face to see her properly and is
dumbfoundedwhen sheseesthat itisMary.She
asksher:
WOMAN
Whatareyoudoinginthisguise?
Marystops,straightensherself,raisesonehand
anduncoversherfacethrowingherveilback.It
is Mary of Magdala, the powerful lady against
whatever is despicable and mistress of her own
feelings,whoappears.Shesays
MAGDALENE
ItisI,yes
Inherbeautifulvoicewhileherbeautifuleyes
areflashing.
MAGDALENE
ItisI.AndIamrevealingmyself,sothatyou
may not think that I am ashamed of being with
theseholypeople.
Thewomanexclaims
WOMAN
Oh! Mary with holy people! Come away. Do not
degradeyourself!
MAGDALENE
Ihavebeendegradeduptillnow.Butnotnow.
Thewomanreplies.
WOMAN
Areyoumad?Orisitawhim?
ARomanwinkingandjokingsays:
ROMAN
Come with me. I am more handsome and merrier
thanthatmoustachedhiredmournerwhomortifies
life and makes a funeral of it. Life is
beautiful! A triumph. A joyful orgy! Come. I
willexcelleverybodyinmakingyouhappy.

Andtheswarthyyoungmanwhosefoxlikefaceis
ratherhandsome,endeavourstotouchher.
MAGDALENE
Go away! Don't touch me. You spoke the truth:
the life you lead is an orgy. And a most
shamefulone.Iloatheit.
GREEK
Oh! But up till recently it was your kind of
life
ARomaninsists
ROMAN
You will ruin those holy people! The Nazarene
willloseHishalowithyou.Comewithus
AHerodiansneers
HERODIAN
Sheisplayingthevirginnow!
TheRomaninsist
ROMAN
You will ruin those holy people! The Nazarene
willloseHishalowithyou.Comewithus.
MAGDALENE
YouhadbettercomewithmeandfollowHim.Stop
beinganimalsandbecomeatleastmen.
Achorusoflaughterandmockeryistheirreply.

OnlyanelderlyRomansays:

ELDERLYROMAN
Respect the woman. She is free to do what she
likes.Iwilldefendher.
Letaskyoungmansays
YOUNGMAN
Listen to the demagogue! Did last night's wine
upsetyou?

Anotherreplies:
ANOTHERMAN
No. He is hypochondriac because his back is
aching. Go to the Nazarene and ask Him to
scratchitforyou.
ELDERLYROMAN
IwillgoandaskHimtoscratchoffthefilthI
pickedupbeingwithyou.
Manysaylaughing,Whileaway,byhimself.
Oh! Crispus has become corrupt at the age of
sixty.
But the man named Crispus is not worried at
beingscornedandhe beginstowalkbehindthe
Magdalene and they reach Jesus Who has stopped
in the shade of a beautiful building which
occupiestwosidesofthesquarewithporticoes
Jesus turns round and benches. And Jesus has
already come to grips with a scribe who
reproaches Him for being in Tiberias with such
company.
And Jesus has already come to grips with a
scribewhoreproachesHimforbeinginTiberias
withsuchcompany.
Jesusreplies:
JESUS
And why are you here? So far with regard to
Tiberias. And I tell you also that there are
soulstobesavedinTiberiasaswell,nay,more
herethananywhereelse.
SCRIBE
They cannot be saved: they are Gentiles,
heathens,sinners.
JESUS
Icameforsinners.TomaketheTrueGodknown
toeverybody.Toeverybody.Icamealsoforyou.
SCRIBE
I do not need masters or redeemers. I am pure
andlearned.

JESUS
I wish you were learned enough to understand
yourowncondition!
SCRIBE
And You to know how prejudicial is to You the
companyofaprostitute.
JESUS
I forgive you also on her behalf. In her
humility she has cancelled her sin. You have
doubledyoursinyourpride.
SCRIBE
Ihavenosins.
JESUS
Youhavethecapitalone.Youareloveless.
Thescribesays:
SCRIBE
Raca!
Andgoesaway.
Magdalenesays

MAGDALENE
Itismyfault,Master!
Andseeingthe palefaceontheBlessedVirgin
shemoans:
MAGDALENE
Forgive me. I am causing Your Son to be
insulted.
Jesussaysinanincivevoice:
JESUS
No.Youshallstaywhereyouare.Iwantit.

His eyes flash with majesty and there is such

authority emanating from His whole person that
itisalmostimpossibletolookatHim!Hethen
addsmorekindly:
JESUS

Staywhereyouare.Ifanyonecannotbearbeing
nearyou,lethimgoaway,byhimself.
And Jesus resumes walking towards the western
part of the town. The Magdalene is weeping
silentlyunderherveil.
Maryvirgincomfortingherandtakingherbythe
hand
MARYVIRGIN
Donotweep,Mary.Latertheworldwillrespect
you.Thefirstdaysarethemostpainfulones.
MAGDALENE
Oh!Itisnotformyownsake!Itisbecauseof
Him!IwouldneverforgivemyselfifIwerethe
causeoftroubleforHim.DidYouhearwhatthe
scribesaid?IamprejudicialtoHim.
VIRGINMARY
Poordaughter!Doyounotknowthatsuch words
havebeenhissingaroundHimlikesomanysnakes
longbeforeyouthoughtofcomingtoHim?Simon
toldMethattheyaccusedHimofthatevenlast
year, because He cured a woman leper, once a
sinner, whom He saw only when He worked the
miracle and never again, and was older than I
am,andIamHisMother.DoyounotknowthatHe
hadtocomeawayfromtheClearWaterbecausea
poor sister of yours had gone there to be
redeemed? How can they accuse Him if He is
withoutsin?Bytellinglies.Andwheredothey
find them? In His mission among men. His good
deedisusedasevidenceofHissin.WhateverMy
Sonshoulddo, theywouldalways considerit a
sin.IfHeretiredtoahermitage,Hewouldbe
guilty of neglecting the people of God. If He
comes among the people, He is guilty of doing
that. He is always guilty, as far as they are
concerned.
MAGDALENE
Then,theyarehatefullywicked!
MARYVIRGIN
No.They arestubbornlyblindto theLight.My
Jesus is the Eternal Misunderstood One. And He
willbemoreandmoreso.

MAGDALENE
AnddoesthatnotgrieveYou?Youseemsoserene
tome.
MARYVIRGIN
Bequiet.IfeelasifMyheartwerewrappedin
burning thorns. And every time I breathe I am
piercedbythem.ButHemustnotknow!Istrive
toappearserene,inordertosupportHimbyMy
serenity. If His Mother does not console Him,
where is My Jesus going to find comfort? On
which breast can He recline His head without
beingwoundedorcalumniatedbydoingso?Itis
only fair that I, forgetting the thorns that
rendMyheartandthetearsthatIdrinkinMy
hours of solitude, should lay a soft loving
mantle, a smile, at any cost, to leave Him
quieter... quieter, until... until the wave of
hatredwillbesuchthatnothingwillbeofany
avail.NoteventheloveofHisMother...
TwotearsstreamdownMary'spaleface.
Jesussaystoederlyroman:
JESUS
Everyageiscapableofbecomingwise.Nay,once
againinJobitiswritten:Atduskanoonday
lightwillriseforyouandwhenyouthinkyour
end has come, you will rise like the morning
star.Youwillbefullofconfidencebecauseof
hopewaitingforyou.
GoodwillissufficienttofindtheTruth,which
soonerorlaterwillbefound.Butonceithas
beenfound,woetothosewhodonotfollowit,
butimitatetheobstinatepeopleofIsrael,who,
althoughalreadyinpossessionofthethreadto
theTruth,nay theyhateit, amassingin their
minds and hearts the barrenness of hatred and
formulae.Andthey donotknowthatbecauseof
excessiveweighttheearthwillopenundertheir
steps, which they think are the steps of
triumphers,whereastheyarethestepsofslaves
of formalism, of hatred, of selfishness. And
they will be swallowed up and will be thrown
headlongintotheabysswherethosego whoare
consciously guilty of a paganism that is more

guilty than the heathenism that people have

adopted by themselves in order to have a
religiononwhichtobasetheirbehaviour.
AsIdonotrejectthosewhorepentamongstthe
children of Israel, so I do not reject those
idolaterswhobelieveinwhattheyweregivento
believe and who inwardly implore: Give us the
Truth.
ELDERLYROMAN
Lord,IamleavingYou.ButasIdonotwishto
desecratethewisdomthatYouhavegivenme, I
will leave Tiberias this evening, I am going
away from this country. I will retire to the
coastofLucaniawithmyservant.Ihaveahouse
there. You have given me much. I realise that
Youcannotgivemore totheoldEpicurean.But
whatYouhavegivenmeisenoughtoenablemeto
buildupmymind.And...prayYourGodforold
Crispus.HewasYouronlylistenerinTiberias.
PraythatImayhearYouagain,beforeLibitina
claspsme,sothat,throughthecapabilitywhich
I think I will be able to create within me, I
may understand You and the Truth better. Hail,
Master.AndhesalutesintheRomanway.
Whenhepassesnearthewomenwhoaresittinga
little aside, he bows to Mary of Magdala and
says:
ELEDERROMAN
Thankyou,Mary.ItwasagoodthingthatIknew
you.Youhavegiventhesearchedfortreasureto
youroldfeastcompanion.IfIarrivewhereyou
alreadyare,Iwilloweyouthat.Goodbye.
AndHegoesaway.
The Magdalene presses her hands against her
heart and her face shows wonder and radiance.
Then, she drags herself on her knees before
Jesus.
MAGDALENE
Oh!Lord!SoitistruethatImayleadpeople
toGood?Oh!MyLord.ThatistookindofYou!
And bending until her face touches the grass,

shekissesJesus'feetandwetsthemonceagain
withtears:thetearsofgratitudeofthegreat
loverofMagdala.
V
MAGDALENEANDMARYVIGIN
They take to the road again, climbing a hill,
theonelyingacrossthevalley,intowhichflow
itslittlerivers, nowreduced toatrickleof
waterortostonesparchedbythesun.Butthe
roadisgoodandrunsthrougholivegrovesfirst
and then through other trees, which intertwine
theirbranchesandformagreengalleryoverthe
road.Theyreachthetop,whichiscrownedwith
a forest of rustling ashtrees, if I am not
mistaken.Andtheysitdowntheretohavearest
and some food. And while eating and resting,
theyenjoyadelightfulsight,becausetheview
is beautiful, with the Mount Carmel chain on
their left, to the west. It is a very green
mountainous chain, in which all the most
beautifulshadesofgreenarepresent.Andwhere
themountainends,thereisthesea,ashining,
open, endless sea, stretching with its surface
lightly rippled by little waves towards the
north, washing the shores, which from the
promontory formed by the last ramifications of
MountCarmelextendtowardsPtolemaisandother
towns and then fade away in the mist near the
SyroPhoeniciancoast.Itisnotpossibletosee
theseasouthoftheCarmelpromontory,because
itishiddenbythechainofmountains,whichis
higher than the hill where the apostolic group
isgathered.
Hours go by in the shade of the airy rustling
wood. Some sleep, some speak in a low voice,
some watch. John leaves his companions and
climbsupashighaspossibletohaveabetter
view.Jesusretirestoathickettomeditateand
pray.Thewomenhavewithdrawnbehindahedgeof
honeysuckle in bloom and have refreshed
themselvesatatinyspring,whichisreducedto
atrickleandformsapoolontheground,asthe
waterissoscarcethatitcannotflowaway.The
elder women, being tired, have fallen asleep,
while the Blessed Virgin, Martha and Susanna
talkoftheirfarawayhomesandMarysaysthat

She would like to have the beautiful shrub in

bloomtoadornHerlittlegrotto.
TheMagdalene,whohadletherhairdown,asshe
couldnotstanditsweight,putsitupagainand
says:
MAGDALENE
IamgoingtoJohn,nowthatheiswithSimon,
tolookattheseawiththem.
MARYVIRGIN
Iamcoming,too
Martha and Susanna remain with their sleeping
companions.Toreachthetwoapostlestheyhave
topassnearthethicketwhereJesushasretired
topray.MaryVirginwhispers:
MARYVIRGIN
PrayerisMySon'srest
TheMagdalenerepliestoHer:
MAGDALENE
IthinkthatitisalsoessentialforHimtobe
alone in order to keep His wonderful control,
whichtheworldputstohardtests.DoYouknow,
Mother? I have done what You told me. Every
nightIsecludemyselfforamoreorlesslong
timetorestorewithinmethecalm,whichmany
things upset. And I feel much stronger
afterwards.
MARYVIRGIN
Atpresentyoufeelstrong,lateryouwillfeel
happy. Believe Me, Mary, both in peace and in
struggle,injoyandinsorrow,ourspiritneeds
todiveintotheoceanofmeditationtorebuild
what the world and events demolish and to
achieve fresh strength to climb higher and
higher. In Israel we use and misuse vocal
prayer. I do not mean that it is useless or
displeasing to God. But I say that meditation,
mental elevation to God is always much more
usefultothesoul,becausebycontemplatingHis
divineperfectionandourmisery,orthemisery
ofsomanypoorsouls,nottocriticisethembut
tobeindulgenttothemandunderstandthem,and

to be grateful to God Who has supported us

keepingusawayfromsin,orhasforgivenus,so
thatwewouldnotbeleftinsin,bymeditating
thus,wearereallysuccessfulinpraying,that
isinloving.Becauseprayer,tobereallysuch,
mustbelove.Otherwiseit ismumbling oflips
fromwhichthesoulisabsent.
MAGDALENE
ButisitlawfultospeaktoGodwhenone'slips
arestilldirtywith somany profanewords?In
my hours of meditation, which I do as You, my
mostsweetapostle,taughtme,Idoviolenceto
my heart, which would like to say to God: I
loveYou...
MARYVIRGIN
No!Why?
MAGDALENE
BecauseIfeelIwouldbemakingasacrilegious
offerbyofferingmyheart...
MARYVIRGIN

Donotdothat,Mydeardaughter.Firstofall,
your heart has been reconsecrated by the Son's
forgiveness, and the Father sees only that
forgiveness. But even if Jesus had not yet
forgivenyou,andinanignoredsolitude,which
could be both material and moral, you should
shouttoGod:IloveYou.Father,forgivememy
miseries. I am sorry for them because they
grieve You, believe Me, Mary, God the Father
wouldabsolveyouHimselfandyourcry oflove
wouldbedeartoHim.Giveyourselfuptolove.
Donotdoviolencetoit.Nay,letitbecomeas
violent as a blaze. A fire consumes everything
that is material, but it does not destroy one
moleculeofair.Becauseairisincorporeal.On
thecontraryitpurifiesitfromthetinydebris
blownby winds andmakesitlighter.Lovedoes
thesame tosouls.Itmayconsumeman'smatter
quicker, if God allows that, but it will not
destroy his spirit. It will, instead, increase
itsvitalityandwillmakeitpureandagileto
beabletoascendtoGod.SeeJohnoverthere?
Heisonlyaboy.Andyetheisaneagle.Heis

the strongest of all the apostles. Because he

has understood the secret of strength, of
spiritualformation:lovingmeditation.
MAGDALENE
Butheispure.I...Heisaboy.I...
MARYVIRGIN
Look at the Zealot, then. He is not a boy. He
has lived, struggled, hated. He admits it
frankly.Buthehaslearnedtomeditate.Andhe,
too,believeMe,iswellhighup.See?Theylook
for each other, those two. Because they feel
they are alike. They have reached the same
perfectageofthespiritandbythesamemeans:
mental prayer. Through it the boy has become
virile in his spirit and the man, already old
andtired,hasrecoveredastrongvirility.And
do you know another one, who without being an
apostle will make much progress, nay, has
already made much progress, because of his
natural inclination to meditation, which has
become a spiritual necessity for him, since he
isafriendofJesus'?Yourbrother.
MAGDALENE
My Lazarus?... Oh! Mother! Since You know so
manythingsbecauseGodshowsthemtoYou,tell
me,howwillLazarustreatme,thefirsttimewe
meet?Beforehewasdisdainfullysilent.Buthe
did it because I would not bear being
criticised.Ihavebeenverycrueltomybrother
and sister... I now realise it. Now that he
knowsthathecanspeak,whatwillhesaytome?
Iamafraidofhisfrankreproach.Oh!hewill
certainlyremindmeofallthegriefofwhichI
wasthecause.IwouldliketoflytoLazarus.
ButIamafraidofhim.Iusedtogothere,and
not even the memories of my dead mother, her
tears, which werestillwarmonthethingsshe
hadused,tearsshehadshedforme,throughmy
fault, would upset me. My heart was cynical,
shameless, deaf to every voice, except to
evil. But now I no longer have the wicked
strength of Evil and I tremble... What will
Lazarusdotome?

MARYVIRGIN
Hewillopenhisarmstoyouandwillcallyou,
more with his heart than with his lips my
darlingsister.HeissoformedinGodthathe
canbutbehavethus.Benotafraid.Hewillnot
sayonewordaboutyourpast.ItisjustasifI
could see him, he is there at Bethany and his
days of waiting are very long for him. He is
waitingforyou,toclaspyoutohisheart,to
satehisbrotherlylove.Allyouhavetodois
lovehimashelovesyoutoenjoythehappiness
ofbeingbornofthesamewomb.
MAGDALENE
I would love him even if he reproached me, I
deserveit.
MARYVIRGIN
Buthewillloveyouonly.Nothingelse.
SCENE15
INT. JESUS AND LAZARUS IN FIELD OF THE GALILEANS
DAY

Jesuspointsouttheplacewheretheyshouldput
uptheirtents,ontheeasternedgeoftheField
of the Galileans. And the apostles, together
with some disciples, among whom there is John
the priest and John the scribe, Timoneus, the
head of the synagogue, Stephen, Ermasteus,
JosephofEmmaus,AbelofBethleheminGalilee,
begintomaketheirtentswithbranches.
Whiletheydoso,Jesusspeakstosomechildren
from Capernaum, who have pressed round Him
askingHimdozensofquestionsandconfidingto
Himasmanypiecesofinformation,whenLazarus
arrives from the Bethany road with Maximinus,
his inseparable companion. Jesus is facing the
oppositedirectionandcannotseehim.
ButtheIscariotdoesandheinformstheMaster,
Who leaves the children and goes towards His
friend smiling. Maximinus stops a few steps
behind, to leave the two completely free in
their first approach. And Lazarus covers the
lastfewyards,asfastashecan,walkingmore
painfullythanever,withasmilewhichtrembles
withpainonhislipsandshineswithtearsin

hiseyes.JesusopensHisarmsandLazarusfalls
ontoHisheart,burstingintotears.Jesusasks
JESUS
What,Mydearfriend?Areyoustillweeping?...
And kissing his temple. He is so much taller
than Lazarus, from His shoulders upwards, and
looks even taller, as Lazarus is bent in his
embrace of love and respect. At last Lazarus
looksupandsays:
LAZARUS
Yes, I am weeping. Last year I gave You the
pearls of my sad tears, it is therefore fair
thatIgiveYouthepearlsofmytearsofjoy.
Oh! Master, my Master! I think that there is
nothingmorehumbleandholythangoodtears...
AndIgivethemtoYou,tosay:ThankYoufor
myMarywhoisnowakind,happy,serene,pure
goodgirl...Oh,muchbetterthanwhenshewasa
littlegirl.AndI,IwhofeltthatIwasmuch
aboveher,inmyprideofanIsraelitefaithful
to the Law, now I feel I am so tiny, so...
nothing,ascomparedtoher,whoisnolongera
woman,butaflame.Asanctifyingflame.I...I
cannot understand where she finds the wisdom,
the words, the actions, which edify the whole
household. I look at her as one looks at a
mystery. But how could so much fire, such a
jewelbehiddenundersomuchrottennessandbe
there comfortably? Neither I nor Martha can
ascend where she ascends. But how can she, if
her wings were broken by vice? I do not
understand...
JESUS
Andthereisnoneedforyoutounderstand.It
isenoughthatIunderstand.ButItellyouthat
Maryhasturnedthepowerfulenergyofherbeing
towardsGood.Shehasbenthercharactertowards
Perfection. And since her character is of
powerful absolutism, she thrusts herself
unreservedlyonthatway.Shemakesuseofher
experienceineviltobeaspowerfulingoodas
she was in evil and using the same method of
givingherselfentirely,asshedidinevil,she
has given herself entirely to God. She has

understoodthelawofloveGodwithyourwhole
being, with your body, your soul and with all
your strength. If Israel were made of Maries,
iftheworldweremadeofMaries,wewouldhave
theKingdomonGodontheearth,asitwillbe
inthemosthighHeaven.
LAZARUS
Oh! Master! And it is Mary of Magdala who
deservessuchwords!...
JESUS
It is Mary of Lazarus. The great friend, the
sisterofMygreatfriend.Howdidyouknowthat
I was here, if My Mother has not yet come to
Bethany?
LAZARUS
ThestewardoftheClearWaterhascometome,
by forced marches, and told me that You were
coming. Every day I sent a servant here. A
littlewhileagohecamesaying:Hehasarrived
and is at the Field of the Galileans. I left
immediately...
JESUS
Butyouaresuffering...
LAZARUS
Somuch,Master!Mylegs...
JESUS
Andyoucame.Iwouldhavecome,soon...
LAZARUS
MyanxietytotellYoumyjoywastormentingme.
Ihavehaditinmyheartformonths.Aletter!
How can a letter say such things? I could not
waitanylonger...WillYoucometoBethany?
JESUS
Ofcourse.ImmediatelyaftertheFeast.
LAZARUS
Youareanxiouslyawaited...

JESUS
AndIwillcome.NowletusgotoMaximinus,and
thenIbegYoutobeMyguest.MyMotherwillbe
happytoseeyouandyouwillbeabletorest.
Shewillsoonbeherewiththeboy.

And they go to Maximinus who kneels down

greetingHim...
SCENE16
INT.MARYOFMAGDALAALERTSDANGERJESUS ONTHE
FLOODOFJORDANEVENNIGANDNIGHT
InverystormyweatherJesusiswalkingalonga
very muddy country road. The road is a little
riverofyellowishstickymud,whichsplashesat
eachstep,isas slipperyas softsoap,sticks
tosandals,itsucksthemlikeasuckerandat
the same time it slips under them, making it
thusmostpainfultowalk.
It must have rained continuously during those
days.Andtheskypromisesmorerain,coveredas
itiswithdarklowcloudsblownbysiroccoor
northeast winds, which make the air so heavy
that it tastes, in one's mouth, sickly sweet,
likeasweetishcoating.Noreliefisbroughtby
thewindthatblowsbendinggrassandbranches,
then stops and everything becomes heavily
immobileinthestormysultriness.Nowandagain
ahugecloudburstsandlargewarmdrops,which
seemtobecomingfromahotshower,reachthe
groundformingbubblesinthemudthatsplashes
garmentsandlegsevenmore.
Although Jesus and His apostles have pulled up
theirtunics,baggingthemattheirwaistswith
thecordsusedasbelts,thelowerpartoftheir
tunicsiscompletelysplashedwithmud,whichis
damp at the bottom but almost dry higher up.
Theirmantlesalso,whichtheycarryashighas
possible,andhave foldedintwo,both tokeep
themcleanandtohavedoubleprotectionagainst
the short but heavy showers, are completely
soiled.Ontheirfeetandtheirlegs,uptohalf
their shins, they seem to be wearing thick
coarse woollen stockings, it is instead mud
encrustedonthem.Theyaresilent
onlytheshufflingoftheirfeetinthemirecan

beheard.Theythenhearanothernoise.Itisa
rustling gurgling noise, I would say the deep
snoringofapersonaffectedbycatarrh.Itisa
monotonous grumbling interrupted now and again
bylightcrashes.
JESUS
Canyouhearthat?Theriveriscloseathand.
PETER
Butwewillnotarriveatthefordbeforenight.
Itwillsoonbedark.
JESUS
We will sleep in a hut somewhere. And we will
crosstherivertomorrow.Iwouldhavelikedto
arrive there earlier, because the flood is
increasing hourly. Listen! The reeds on the
banks are breaking under the pressure of the
swollenwater.
Theybecomesilentonceagain.Itgetsdarkvery
quickly, as is usual on wet days. It becomes
moreandmoredifficulttowalkinthedeepening
twilight.Thetreesalongtheroadalsoincrease
thedarknesswiththeirfoliage.
JESUS
Letuscrosstotheothersideoftheroad.We
arenowveryclosetotheford.Wewilllookfor
ahut.
Theycrossoverandarefollowedbytheothers.
Theycrossalittlemuddyditch, withmoremud
than water, which flows gurgling towards the
river. They almost grope their way among the
trees,makingfortheriver,thenoiseofwhich
isbecominglouderandlouder.Afirstmoonbeam
pierces the clouds, it penetrates between two
cloudsanddescendsmakingthemirywaterofthe
Jordan shine, in a spot where the river is
swollenandverywide.
PETER
Itisnotpossibletowadehere.
ANDREW
Nothere.Butitispossibleoverthere.See?

They are still wading. Let us go down, right

downtotheford.Melkiahandhissonsmustbe
there.Thisishisbestseason.Hewilltakeus
across.
Theywalkasfastastheycanonthelittlepath
alongtheriver,whichalmostlapsonit.
Jesuslookingatthetwopeoplewhohavealready
crossed the river on horseback and are now
standingonthepathandHesays
JESUS
Butisthatnotawoman?

PETER
Awoman?
Peterandtheotherscannotseeortellwhether
the person in dark clothes, who has dismounted
andisnowwaiting,isamanorawoman.
JESUS
Yes.Itisawoman.It's...Mary.Looknowthat
sheinthemoonbeam.
PETER
Youareluckythatyoucansee.Blessedbeyour
eyes!
JESUS
ItisMary.Whatwillshebewanting?
AndJesusshouts:
JESUS
Mary!
MAGDALENE
Rabboni!IsitYou?PraisedbeGodthatIhave
foundYou!andMaryrunsasfastasagazelle
towards Jesus. I do not know how she does not
stumbleontheunevenroad.Shedropsherheavy
mantle andisnowcomingforward withherveil
and light mantle held tight against her dark
dress.
When she reaches Jesus she drops at His feet

withoutworryingaboutthemud.Sheispanting,
buthappy.Sherepeats:
MAGDALENE
GlorybetoGodWhomademefindYou!
JESUS
Why, Mary? What is happening? Were you not at
Bethany?
MAGDALENE
IwasatBethanywithYourMotherandthewomen,
as You told us... But I came to meet You...
Lazarus was not able to come, because he is
suffering too much... So I came with a
servant...
JESUS
You are about, all alone, with a boy and in
thisweather?
MAGDALENE
Oh!Rabboni!Youarenotgoingtotellmethat
YouthinkthatIwasafraid.Iwasnotafraidto
do so much evil... I am not afraid now to do
somethinggood.
JESUS
Youareabout,allalone,withaboyandinthis
weather?
MAGDALENE
Oh!Rabboni!Youarenotgoingtotellmethat
YouthinkthatIwasafraid.Iwasnotafraidto
do so much evil... I am not afraid now to do
somethinggood.
JESUS
So?Whydidyoucome?
MAGDALENE
To tell You not to cross over... They are
waiting for You on the other side to injure
You...Ifoundout...Iwastoldbyoneofthe
Herodians who once... who once loved me...
Whetherhetoldmeoutoflove,still,oroutof
hatred,Idonotknow...Iknowthattheother
day he saw me through the gate and he said to

me: You silly Mary, are you waiting for your

Master? You are doing the right thing, because
itwillbethelasttime,infactassoonasHe
crossestheriverandcomesintoJudaea,Hewill
becaptured.LookatHimcarefullyandthenrun
away because it is not wise to be near Him,
now...Then...Youcanimaginehowanxiously...
Iinquired...Youknow...Iknowmanypeople...
and even if they say that I am mad or
possessed... they still speak to me... And I
found out that it is true. Then I took two
horses and I came, without saying anything to
Your Mother, not to worry Her... Go back at
once, Master. If they find out that You are
here, beyond the Jordan, they will come here.
HerodalsoislookingforYou...andYouaretoo
close to Machaerus now. Go away, for pity's
sake,Master!...
JESUS
Donotweep,Mary...
MAGDALENE
Iamafraid,Master!
JESUS
What!Youafraid?No,youhavebeensobraveas
tocrosstheriverinfloodbynight!..
MAGDALENE
Butthatisariver,whereasthosearemenand
theyareYourenemiesandtheyhateYou...Iam
afraidoftheirhatredforYou...BecauseIlove
You,Master.
JESUS
Donotbeafraid.TheywillnotgetMeasyet.
It is not My hour. Even if they placed many
formationsofsoldiersalongalltheroads,they
wouldnotcaptureMe.ItisnotMyhour.ButI
willdoasyouwish.Iwillgoback...
Judas grumbles something between his teeth and
Jesusreplies:
JESUS
Yes,Judas.Exactlyasyousay.Butjustinthe
firstpartofyoursentence.Iamlisteningto

her, of course I am. But not because she is a

woman, as you are insinuating, but because she
istheonewhohasmademostprogressinlove.
Mary,gohome,whileyoucan.Iwillgobackand
crossover...whereverIcan,andIwillgoto
Galilee.ComewithMyMotherandtheotherwomen
to Cana, to Susanna's house. I will tell you
therewhatthereistobedone.Goinpeaceand
mayyoubeblessed.Godiswithyou.
JesuslaysHis handon herhead,blessingher.
MarytakesJesus'hands,kissesthem,standsup
andthen goesback.Jesuswatcheshergo away.
Heseesherpickherheavymantleandputiton;
shethen reachesher horse,mountsitandgoes
tothefordandcrossesover.
JESUS
Andnowletusgo.Iwantedtoletyourest,but
Icannot.Ihaveyoursafetyatheart,although
Judas thinks otherwise. And believe Me, if you
should fallintothe hands ofMyenemies,that
would do your health more harm than water and
mud...
They all lower their heads as they understand
theimpliedreproach.
SCENE17
INT.DISEASEOFLAZARUS.EVENNING
I
Jesus'sFriendMeeting

Jesus goes to Bethany at a good pace. Simon

ZealotandMarjiamarebesideHim.Theyareboth
veryhappytohavebeenchosenforthatvisit.
Bethany appears on its tableland. They pass in
front of the house where once there were
peacocks,flamingoes andstiltbirds.Thehouse
isnowclosedandforsaken.Simonnoticesit.
But his remark is interrupted by the cheerful
greetingofMaximinus,whoappearsatthegate.
MAXIMINUS
Oh!HolyMaster!Howmuchhappinessinsomuch
grief!

JESUS
Peacetoyou.Whygrief?
MAXIMINUS
Because Lazarus is suffering terribly with his
ulceratedlegs.Andwedonotknowwhattodoto
relieve his pain. But he will feel better, at
leastspiritually,whenheseesYou.
TheygointothegardenandwhileMaximinusruns
ahead,theywalkslowlytowardsthehouse.
MaryofMagdalarunsoutshoutingadoringly:
MAGDALENE
Rabboni!
AndsheisfollowedmorecalmlybyMartha.They
both look very pale like people who have
sufferedandlostsleep.
JESUS
Standup.LetusgotoLazarusatonce.
Marthaimplores
MARTHA
Oh!Master!Master,Youcandoeverything,cure
mybrother!
Magdaleneurges
MAGDALENE
Yes,goodMaster! Hesuffersmorethanhecan
bear!Heiswornoutandhegroanswithpain.He
will certainly die, if he continues so. Have
mercyonhim,Lord!
JESUS
Iamfullofmercy.Butthetimeofmiraclehas
notyetcomeforhim.Lethimbestrongandbe
strongwithhim.HelphimtodothewillofGod.
Marthaasksmoaningandweeping.
MARTHA
Ah!DoYoumeanthathemustdie?!

AndMary,whoseeyesareshiningwithtearsand
love,adoublelove,forJesusandherbrother,
exclaims:
MAGDALENE
Oh!Master,butinthiswayYoupreventmefrom
following and serving You, and You prevent my
brother from enjoying my resurrection. Do You
notwantLazarus'housetorejoicebecauseofa
resurrection?
Jesus looks at her smiling kindly and wittily
andHesays:
JESUS
Just for one? One only? Come on! You do not
thinkmuchofMeifyouthinkthatIcandoone
thingonly!Begoodandstrong.Letusgo.And
do not weep like that. You would dispirit him
withgrievoussuspicion.
And He sets outs ahead of them. In order to
nurseLazarusmorecomfortably,theyhaveplaced
him in a room near the library, opposite the
dining hall. Maximinus shows Him the door, but
letsJesusgoinalone.
JESUS
Peacetoyou,Lazarus,Mydearfriend!
LAZARUS
Oh!HolyMaster!PeacetoYou.Thereisnomore
peace for me, for my body. And my soul is
depressed.Iamsufferingsomuch,Lord!Giveme
thedear order:Lazarus,come outandIwill
risecompletelycuredtoserveYou...
Jesusrepliesembracinghim.
JESUS
Iwillgiveittoyou,Lazarus.Butnotnow
Lazarus is very thin and yellowish, with deep
set eyes. He is clearly very ill and
weak.He weeps likeachildshowinghisbluish
swollen legs, with sores, which I think are
varicose and are bleeding in several parts. He

perhapshopesthatbyshowingJesusthedreadful
situation,Hemaybemovedandworkthemiracle.
But Jesus covers the sores delicately with the
linenbandagessprayedwithbalm.
Lazarusasksdisappointedly.

LAZARUS
Haveyoucometostayhere?
JESUS
No,butIwillcomeherefrequently.
LAZARUS
What?AreYounotspendingPassoverwithmethis
year either? I made them bring me here on
purpose. At the Feast of the Tabernacles You
promised me that You would stay with me for a
longtimeaftertheDedication...
JESUS
AndIwill.Butnotnow.ShallIannoyyouifI
sithere,ontheedgeofyourbed?
LAZARUS
Oh! no. On the contrary the coolness of Your
handseemstomitigatetheheatofmyfever.Why
areYounotstaying,Lord?
JESUS
Because as you are tormented by sores, I am
tormented by enemies. Although Bethany is
considered to be within the limits for the
Supper for everybody, in My case it would be
consideredasin,ifIcelebratedPassoverhere.
Everything I do is considered sinful by the
SanhedrinandthePharisees...
LAZARUS
Ah! the Pharisees! That is true! But in my
house,then...Atleastthat!
JESUS
Of course! But I will mention it at the last
moment,asaprecaution.
And he calls those who had wisely remained
outside.

Mary informs them that a servant of Nicodemus

hassaidthathehascomeaheadofhismaster,
whoiscomingwithJosephofArimathea.Theyare
informedofthearrivalofNicodemusandJoseph.
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
May God protect You, Master! Always, as this
morning!
JESUS
Thankyou,Joseph.Andyou,Nicodemus,wereyou
notthere?
NICODEMUS
No,Iwasnot.ButIheardthatYouhadarrived
andIthoughtIshouldcometoLazarus'shouse,
as I was almost certain that I would find You
here.AndJosephjoinedme.
They speak of the events of the morning,
standing around the bed of Lazarus, who is
greatlyinterestedinthemandseemsrelievedof
hissuffering.Nicodemussays:
NICODEMUS
Iinsteadsay:ButJudasofKerioth,Lord!After
You left I found him shouting like a demon in
the middle of a group of disciples of the
rabbis.HewasaccusinganddefendingYouatthe
sametime.AndIamsurethathewasconvinced
thathewasdoingtherightthing. Theywanted
to find fault with You, and were certainly
instigated to do so by their teachers. He
refuted their accusations heatedly saying: My
Master hasone fault only! Hedoes notenhance
Hispowerenough.Hemissesgoodopportunities.
He wearies good people with His excessive
meekness.HeisKing!AndHemustactasaKing.
You treat Him as a servant because He is so
meek. He ruins Himself by being nothing but
meek.Theonlythingthatcountswithyou,vile
cruel people, is the lash of absolute violent
power.Oh!whycanInotmakeaviolentSaulof
Him!
Jesus shakes His head without saying anything.
Nicodemusremarks:

Andyet,helovesYouinhisownway
Lazarusexclaims:
LAZARUS
Whatadisconcertingman!
SimonofCananeanconfirms.
SIMONOFCANANEAN
Yes. You are right. Although I have been with
himfortwoyears,Idonotunderstandhimyet
Magdalenestandsupwiththemajestyofaqueen
andinherbeautifulvoicesheproclaims:
MAGDALENE
Ihaveunderstoodhimmorethananybodyelse:he
is abomination placed close to Perfection. And
thereisnothingelsetobesaid
Andshegoesouttoperformatask.
Lazarussays:
LAZARUS
PerhapsMaryisright
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
Ithinkso,too.AndwhatdoYouthink,Master?
JESUS
IsaythatJudasisaman.Saturatedasheis
with the Messianic idea, as most people in
Israel entertain it, and in which he was
confirmed by the first manifestation he had of
Me,heseesandwantstoseeChristasking.An
earthly powerful king... and he is faithful to
suchopinion.Oh!Howmany,eveninfuture,will
ruinthemselvesbecauseofanerroneousconcept
of faith, stubborn against reason! But what do
youthink?Thatitiseasytofollowtruthand
justiceineverything?ThegoodIgivewillbear
much good if it falls on humble ground, which
will remain humble. But if it falls on proud
ground or which becomes proud because of the

giftreceived,thenthegoodturnsintoevil.My
friends, man is the eternal Adam... Adam had
everything. Everything except one thing. He
wanted that one. And if man would only remain
Adam! Very often he becomes Lucifer. He has
everything except divinity. He wants that. He
wants the supernatural to astonish, to be
applauded, feared, known, celebrated... And in
ordertohavesomethingwhichGodonlycangive
gratuitously, he embraces Satan, who is the
Monkey of God and gives simulated supernatural
gifts. Oh! How horrible is the fate of those
demons!Ileaveyou,Myfriends.Iwillwithdraw
for a little while. I need to concentrate on
God...
Jesus,Whoisquiteupset,goesout...Thosewho
are left: Lazarus, Joseph, Nicodemus and the
Zealot,lookatoneanother.
JosephasksLazarusinalowvoice.
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
DidyounoticehowupsetHewas?
LAZARUS
Idid.Heseemedtobeseeingadreadfulsight.
NICODEMUS
WhatcanbeworryingHim?
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
HeonlyandtheEternalFatherknow.Doyouknow
whatitis,Simon?
SIMONOFCANANEAN
No.Hehascertainlybeendepressedformonths.
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
May God save Him! But hatred is certainly
growing.
SIMONOFCANANEAN
Yes, Joseph. Hatred is growing... I am afraid
thatHatredwillsoonovercomeLove.
LAZARUS
Don'tsayso,Simon!IfthatmusthappenIwill

nolongerasktobecured!Itisbettertodie
thanwatchthemostdreadfulerror.
SIMONOFCANANEAN
The most dreadful sacrilege, you should say,
Lazarus...
Nicodemussayswithasigh.
NICODEMUS
Andyet...Israelis quite capableofthat.It
is ready to repeat the gesture of Lucifer by
goingtowarwiththeBlessedLord.
Sad silence follows, as if each of them had a
lumpinhisthroat...Itisgettingdarkinthe
roomwherefourhonestpeoplearemeditatingon
futurecriminals.
II
InBethany
WhenJesusentersthepalace,Heseesthatitis
crowdedwithservantsfromBethany,whoarebusy
makingpreparations.Lazarus,whoislyingona
little bed and is suffering very much, greets
the Master with a faint smile. He hastens
towardshim,bendingkindlyoverthelittlebed
andasking:
JESUS
Youhavesufferedagreatdeal,Mydearfriend,
because of the jolting of the wagon, have you
not?
Lazarus replies, so exhausted that the very
memory of what he felt makes tears well up in
hiseyes.
LAZARUS
Verymuch,Master
JESUS
ThroughMyfault!ForgiveMe!

Lazarus takes one of Jesus' hands up to his

face,rubshisskinnycheekagainstit,


kissesitandwhispers:

LAZARUS
Oh! It was no fault of Yours, Lord! I am so
happy that You are celebrating Passover with
me...mylastPassover!...
JESUS
WithGod'swill,notwithstandingeverything,you
will celebrate many more, Lazarus. And your
heartwillalwaysbewithMe.
Lazarusweeps.
LAZARUS
Oh!Iamafinishedman!Youareconsolingme...
butitisallover.AndIamsorry...
Marthasayscompassionately.
MARTHA
See, Lord? Lazarus does nothing but weep. Tell
himnottocry.Hewearshimselfout!
JESUS
Thebodystillhasitsrights.Itispainfulto
suffer, Martha, and the flesh weeps. And it
needs relief. But the soul is resigned, is it
not,Myfriend?Yourjustsouliswillingtodo
thewilloftheLord...
LAZARUS
Yes... But I weep because, since You are so
persecuted,Youwillnotbeabletoassistmeat
thehourofmydeath...Ishudderatthethought
ofdeath,Iamafraidtodie...ButifYouwere
here, I would not feel thus. I would take
shelterinYourarms...andIwouldfallasleep
like that... What shall I do? How shall I be
abletodiewithoutfeelingthatIdonotwant
toobeythedreadfulWill?
JESUS
Cheer up! Do not let that worry you! See? You
are making your sisters weep... The Lord will
help you so paternally that you will not be
afraid.Sinnersmustbeafraid...

LAZARUS
ButYou,ifYoucan,willYoucometomewhenI
aminagony?Promiseme!
JESUS
Ipromisethatandevenmore.
LAZARUS
Whiletheyarepreparing,tellmewhatYouhave
donethismorning...
And Jesus, sitting on the edge of the little
bed,holdingoneofLazarus'skinnyhandsinHis
own, tells him in detail what happened, until
Lazarus, who is exhausted, falls asleep. Jesus
doesnot leave himeventhen.Heremains still
in order not to disturb his refreshing slumber
and makes signs to make the least possible
noise,somuchsothatMartha,afterbringinga
refreshment to Jesus, withdraws on tiptoe,
drawingtheheavycurtainandclosingthesolid
door. The noise of the busy house is thus
deadened to a barely perceptible low sound.
Lazarus is sleeping. Jesus is engrossed in
prayer and meditation. Some hours pass thus,
until Mary of Magdala brings a small lamp,
becauseitisgettingdark andthe windowsare
closed.Shewhispers:
MAGDALENE
Ishestillsleeping?
JESUS
Yes.Heisverycalm.Itwilldohimgood.
MAGDALENE
He has never slept so long for months... I
thinkthatthefearofdeathmadehimrestless.
With You close to him he is not afraid of
anything...Heisfortunate!
JESUS
Why,Mary?

MAGDALENE
BecausehewillbeabletohaveYoubesidehim
whenhedies.ButI...

JESUS
Whynot?

MAGDALENE
BecauseYouwanttodie... soon. Andwho knows
whenIwilldie.LetmediebeforeYou,Master!
JESUS
No, you will have to serve Me for a long time
yet.
MAGDALENE
So I am right in saying that Lazarus is
fortunate!
JESUS
Allthebelovedoneswillbeasfortunateashe
is,evenmoreso...
MAGDALENE
Whoarethey?Thepure,aretheynot?
JESUS
Those who know how to love totally. You, for
instance,Mary.
MAGDALENE
Oh!MyMaster!
Marythrowsherselfdown,onthemulticoloured
matthatcoversthefloorofthisroom,andshe
remainsthere,adoringherJesus.
Martha,whois lookingfor her,looksintothe
room.
MARTHA
Comeon,then!Wemustpreparetheredhallfor
thesupperoftheLord.
JESUS
No, Martha. Give that room to the most humble
guests,toJohanan'speasants,forinstance.
MARTHA
Why,Master?
JESUS
BecauseeachpoormanisJesusandIaminall

ofthem.Alwayslovethepoorwhomnooneloves,
ifyouwanttobeperfect.PrepareforMeinthe
entrance hall. If you leave open the doors of
themanyroomsopeningontoit,everybodywill
beabletoseeMeandIshallseeeverybody.
Martha,whoisnotveryhappy,objects:
MARTHA
What? You in the entrancehall?... It is not
worthyofYou!...
JESUS
Go,doasIsay.Itis mostworthy todowhat
theMasteradvises.
Martha and Mary go out noiselessly and Jesus
remains patiently to watch His friend who is
restingwithadistributionoftheguests
III
Intheanotherday
Many disciples, both men and women, have taken
leave and have gone back to the houses where
theyareguests,orhavesetoutforhomeagain.
On this wonderful afternoon in late April only
thetrueandproperdisciples,andparticularly
those more devoted to preaching, have remained
inLazarus'house.
Theyarewalkingslowlyinthecourtyards,oron
theterraceof thehouse,whilealmost allthe
womenandalltheoldwomendisciplesarearound
Jesus,WhoissittingnearLazarus'littlebed.
Theyare listening toJesusWhois speakingto
Lazarus,describingthevillagestheyhavebeen
through during the last weeks before their
Passovertrip.
LazarusremarksafterhearingthatJesussavesa
babywhoissleepingpeacefullyinhismother's
armsandhecaressingJesus'hand.
LAZARUS
Youarrivedjustintimetosavethelittleone.
SoYouwillcomeintimealsoforme,willYou
not?Togivemepeace...

Marthaasks
MARTHA
But are you not feeling a little better,
brother? As from yesterday you look somewhat
relieved..
LAZARUS
Yes, I do. And I am surprised myself. Perhaps
Jesus...
JESUS
No,Mydearfriend.ThefactisthatIinstill
My peace into you. Your soul is sated with it
and that dulls the pain of your body. It is
God'sdecreethatyoumustsuffer.
LAZARUS
Anddie.Youmayaswellsayso.Well...mayHis
will be done, as You teach us. From now on I
will not ask to be cured or relieved. I have
received so much from God (and he
unintentionallylooksatMary,hissister)that
it is just that I should repay for what I had
withmysubmission...
JESUS
Domorethanthat,Mydearfriend.Itisagreat
thing to be resigned and bear sorrow. But you
cangiveitgreatervalue.
LAZARUS
Which,myLord?
JESUS
Offeritfortheredemptionofmen.
LAZARUS
Iamapoormanmyself,Master.Icannotaspire
tobearedeemer.
JESUS
Yousayso,butyouarewrong.GodbecameMan
tohelpmen.ButmencanhelpGod.Thedeedsof
thejustwillbeunitedtoMineinthehourof
Redemption.Ofthe justwhodied agesago,who
are still alive, or will live in future. Add

yours,asfromnow.Itissobeautifultomerge
withtheinfiniteBountybyaddingtoitwhatwe
can give of our limited bounty and say: I am
cooperating too, Father, to the welfare of my
brothers.Therecanbenogreaterloveforthe
Lordandforourneighbour,thanthisabilityto
suffer and die to give glory to the Lord and
eternal salvation to our brothers. To save
ourselvesforourownsake?Itisverylittle.
It is the least degree of holiness. It is
beautiful to save other people, by sacrificing
ourselves, to love to such an extent as to
becomeasacrificingfiretosaveourneighbour.
Love is then perfect. And great will be the
holinessofsuchgeneroussouls.
Lazarus exclaims with a dreamy smile on his
thinface.
LAZARUS
Howbeautifulthatis,isn'tit,sisters?
Martha,deeplymoved,nodsassent.Mary,whois
sat on a cushion at Jesus' feet, in her usual
postureofhumbleardentworshipper,says:
MAGDALENE
Am. I perhaps costing my brother such
suffering?Tellme,Lord,thatmyanguishmaybe
complete!...
Lazarusexclaims:
LAZARUS
No, Mary, no... I was to die of this. Do not
pierceyourheart.
ButJesus,Whoissinceretotheutmost,says:
JESUS
Yes,Mary,you mostcertainlyare!Iheardthe
prayers and the heartthrobs of your good
brother.Butthismustnotcauseadullanguish
toyou,onthecontraryitmusturgeyourwill
to become perfect, for what you cost. And
rejoice!Rejoice becauseLazarus,forsnatching
youfromthedemon...

LAZARUS
NotI!Youdid,Master.
JESUS
... for snatching you from the demon, has
deserved from God a future reward, whereby
peoplesandangelswillspeakofhim.Andasfor
Lazarus, they will speak of other people, and
particularly of other women, who through their
heroismhavesnatchedthepreyfromSatan.
SCENE18
INT.MARYHASCHOSENTHEBETTERPART.DAY
Magdalenewearingaplainpinklilacdresslike
the mallow flower. She is not wearing any
precious ornament, her hair is plaited and
collected at the back of her neck. She looks
younger than when she wore sumptuous dresses.
Her eyes are no longer shameless, as when she
wasasinner,neitheraretheydiscouragedas
when she was listening to the parable of the
lost sheep, or shameful and shining with tears
aswhenshewasinthehallofthePharisee...
Hereyes arenow peacefulandthey havebecome
asclearasthoseofaboyandtheyshinewitha
calmlook.
Sheisleaningagainstatreeneartheborderof
theBethanyproperty,lookingtowardstheroad.
She is waiting. She then utters a cry of joy.
Sheturnstowardsthehouseandshoutsloudly
to be heard by everybody in her earnest
unmistakablevoice:
MAGDALENE
He is arriving!... Martha, they told us the
truth.TheRabbiishere!
And she runs to open the heavy creaking gate.
Shedoesnotgivetheservantstimetoopenit
and she runs out onto the road, with her arms
stretchedout,asdoesaboytowardshismother,
andwithacryoflovingjoy:
MAGDALENE
ORabboni!

She prostrates herself at Jesus' feet, kissing

theminthedustoftheroad.
JESUS
Peacetoyou.
Mary repeats, looking up with an expression of
respect and love, which is so meaningful... it
isthanksgiving,joy,aninvitationtocomein,
MAGDALENE
OmyMaster!
JesushaslaidHishandonherheadandseemsto
beabsolvingheronceagain.
MarystandsupandwalkingbesideJesusshegoes
into the enclosure of the property. In the
meantime servants and Martha have arrived, the
servants with amphoras and cups. Martha with
justherlove,whichissogreat.
The apostles, who are warm, take the fresh
drinks poured by the servants. They would like
to give some to Jesus first, but Martha has
forestalled them. She has taken a cup full of
milk and has offered it to Jesus. She must be
awarethatHelikesitverymuch.
After the disciples have taken some
refreshments,Jesussaystothem:
JESUS
Go and inform the believers. I will speak to
themthisevening.
The apostles scatter in various directions as
soon as they are out of the garden. Jesus
proceedsbetweenMarthaandMary.
MARTHA
Come, Master. While waiting for Lazarus have a
restandtakesomerefreshment.
Whiletheyareenteringacoolroomwhichopens
onto the shady porch, Mary, who had gone away
quickly, comes back. She is carrying a pitcher
of water and is followed by a servant with a
washhandbasin.ButitisMarywhowantstowash
Jesus' feet. She unlaces His dusty sandals and

hands them to the servant to be cleaned,

togetherwithHismantle,whichneedsbrushing.
ShethendipsHisfeetinthewater,whichsome
spices havemadepalepink,shedriesthemand
kisses them. She then changes the water, and
offers it to Jesus for His hands. And while
waiting for the servant with the sandals,
crouching on the carpet at Jesus' feet, she
caresses them, and before putting His sandals
on,shekissesthemonceagainsaying:
MAGDALENE
O holy feet, which have walked so far looking
forme!
Martha, who is more practical in her love,
considersthehumansideandasks:
MARTHA
Master, is anybody else coming, besides Your
disciples?
AndJesusreplies:
JESUS
Iamnotsure,asyet.Butyoucanpreparefor
fivemorepeopleinadditiontotheapostles.
Marthagoesaway.
Jesusgoesoutintothecoolshadygarden.Heis
wearing His darkblue tunic only. His mantle,
whichMaryhas carefully folded,islyingon a
chestintheroom.MarygoesoutwithJesus.
Theywalkalongwellkeptpaths,amongblooming
flowerbeds,asfarasthefishpond,whichlooks
like a mirror lying in the greenery. The very
clear water is rippled here and there by the
silverywrigglingoffishandbythedrizzleof
a very tall slender jet in the centre of the
pond. There are seats around the wide basin,
which looks like a little lake with irrigation
canalsdepartingfromit.ActuallyIthinkthat
one of the canals feeds the pond, while the
other smaller ones discharge the water for
irrigationpurposes.
Jesussitsonaseatplacedagainsttheborder
ofthepond.MarysitsatHisfeet,onthegreen

wellkept grass. At first they do not speak.

Jesus is clearly enjoying the silent restful
coolgarden.MarydelightsinlookingatHim.
Jesusplayswiththeclearwaterofthepond.He
dipsHis fingersintoit,He combs itssurface
forming little wakes and then He immerses His
wholehandinthepurecoolwater.
Jesussays
JESUS
Howlovelythisclearwateris!
AndMary:
MAGDALENE
DoYoulikeitsomuch,Master?
JESUS
Yes,Mary.Becauseitissolimpid.Look.There
isnottheleasttraceofmud.Thebasinisfull
of water, but it is so clear that it does not
seemtocontainanything,asifthewaterwere
notamaterial butaspiritualelement.Onthe
bottom we can read the words which the little
fishwhispertooneanother...
MAGDALENE
Asonecanreadinthedepthofpuresouls.Is
thatright,Master?
AndMarysighswithsecretregret.
Jesus perceives the stifled sigh and reads her
regret disguised by a smile and He at once
relievesMary'sgrief.
JESUS
Mary,wheredowefindpuresouls?Itiseasier
for a mountain to walk than it is for a human
being to be pure with the three purities. Too
manythingsstirandfermentaroundadults.And
it isnotalways possibleto preventthemfrom
penetratinginside.Onlychildrenhaveangelical
souls, which their innocence preserves from
knowledgeliabletochangeintomud.Thatiswhy
I love them so much. I can see in them a
reflectionoftheInfinitePurity.Theyarethe

only ones who have within themselves this

remembrance of Heaven. My Mother is the Woman
withachild'ssoul.Evenmore.SheistheWoman
withanangel'ssoul.AsEvewaswhentheFather
madeher.Canyouimagine,Mary,whatthefirst
lily in bloom in the earthly garden was like?
Also these ones, which lead to this water are
beautiful.Butthefirstone,whichcameoutof
thehandsoftheCreator!Wasitaflowerora
diamond?Weretheypetalsorplatesofthemost
pure silver? And yet My Mother is purer than
thatfirstlilythatscentedthewinds.AndHer
scent of inviolate Virgin fills Heaven and
Earth,andgoodpeoplewillfollowitinfuture
centuries. Paradiseis light,perfume, harmony.
But if in it the Father did not delight in
contemplating the Most Beautiful Lady Who
changes the Earth into a paradise, if Paradise
in future should not have the living Lily in
Whosebosomarethethreepistilsoffireofthe
DivineTrinity,thelight,perfumeandharmony,
which are the delight of Paradise, would be
halved.ThepurityofMyMotherwillbethegem
of Paradise. But Paradise is boundless! What
wouldyouthinkofakingwhohadbutonegemin
his Treasure? Even if it were the preeminent
Gem? When I open the gates of the Kingdom of
Heaven...donotsigh,Mary,Ihavecomefor
that many souls of just people and children
willcomein,likeabrilliantimmaculatewake,
behindthepurpleoftheRedeemer.Buttheywill
betoofewtopopulateHeavenwithgemsandform
the citizens of the eternal Jerusalem. And
later...afterMyDoctrineoftruthandholiness
has become known to men, after My Death has
restored Grace to men, how could men conquer
Heaven,ifthepoorlifeofmeniscontinuously
soiled with mud, which makes them impure? So,
willMyParadisebepopulatedonlybychildren?
Oh! no! One must learn how to become like a
child.TheKingdomisopenalsotoadults.Like
children... That is purity. See this water? It
lookssolimpid.Butwatch:ifIonlystirits
bottom with this rush, it becomes muddy. Waste
and mud come to the surface. From clear it
becomesyellowishandnoonewoulddrinkitany
more.ButifIremovetherush,itsettlesand
little by little it becomes once again limpid

and beautiful. The rush: sin. The same applies

to souls. It is repentance, believe Me, that
cleanses...
Marthaarrivespanting:
MARTHA
Areyoustillhere,Mary?AndIamsobusy!...
Timeisflying.Theguestswillsoonbehereand
thereissomuchtobedone.Themaidsarebusy
bakingbread,theservantsflayingandcooking.
I am preparing drinks, dishes and I am laying
thetables.Butthefruitisstilltobepicked
and the honey and mint water is to be
prepared...
Marydoesnotpaymuchattentiontohersister's
complaints.Smilingblissfully shecontinuesto
lookatJesus,withoutmovingfromherposition.
MarthabegsJesus'help:
MARTHA
Master,lookhowhotIam.DoYouthinkthatI
shouldbetheonlyonetobesobusy?Tellher
tohelpme.
Marthaisreallyannoyed.
Jesuslooksathersmilinghalfkindlyandhalf
ironically,orratherjokingly.
Marthabecomesratherimpatient:
MARTHA
Ireallymeanit.LookhowidlesheiswhileI
amsobusy.Andshesees...
Jesusbecomesserious:
JESUS
Itisnotidleness,Martha.Itislove.Itwas
idleness previously. And you wept so bitterly
because of that worthless idleness. Your tears
lentwingstoMyeffortstosaveherandbring
her back to your honest love. Do you want to
forbidhertoloveherSaviour?Wouldyouprefer
hertobefarfromhere,sothatshewouldnot
see you work, but would be far also from Me?

Martha, Martha! Have I to say that she (and

Jesus lays His hand on her head) who has come
fromsofar,hasexcelledyouinlove?HaveIto
saythatshe,whodidnotknowonewordoflove,
isnowlearnedinthescienceoflove?Leaveher
to her peace! She was so ill! She is now
convalescent and she is recovering by drinking
what fortifies her. She was tormented so
violently... Now that she has come out of her
nightmare, she looks around and within herself
new and discovers a new world. Let her become
certain. With her new ego she has to forget
herpastandconquerwhatiseternal...Andthe
latterwillnotbeconqueredonlythroughwork,
butalsothroughadoration.Hewhogivesapiece
of bread to an apostle and a prophet will
receive his reward. But double reward will be
giventohimwhowillforgettofeedhimselfin
order to love Me, because his soul will be
greaterthanhisbody,asoulthatwillcryeven
louder than human needs, also when the latter
arelawfuland right.Youworryandfret about
too many things, Martha. She is concerned with
oneonly.Thatwhichissufficientforhersoul
and above all for her and your Lord. Forget
useless things. Imitate your sister. Mary has
chosen the better part, which will never be
taken from her. When all virtues become
superfluous, because they are no longer
necessary to the citizens of the Kingdom,
Charityalonewillremain.Itwilllastforever.
Aloneandsupreme.ThatiswhatMaryhaschosen
andhastakenashershieldandpilgrim'sstaff.
Throughit,asifshewereflyingwithangelical
wings,shewillcometoMyHeaven.
Martha,whofeelsmortified,lowersherheadand
goesaway.
Marysaystoexcuseher.

MAGDALENE
MysisterlovesYouverymuchandisanxiousto
honourYou...

JESUS
Iknow,andshewillberewardedforthat.But

she needs to be purified of her human way of

thinking, as this water was purified. Look how
limpid it has become again, while we were
speaking.MarthawillbepurifiedbythewordsI
spoke to her. You... through the sincerity of
yourrepentance.
MAGDALENE
No, through Your forgiveness, Master. My
repenting was not sufficient to wash my great
sin...
JESUS
It was and will be sufficient for the sisters
whowillimitateyou.Itwillbesufficientfor
all the poor whose souls are diseased. Sincere
repentance is a purifying filter; love, then,
preserves from further defilement. Thus, those
whothroughlifebecomeadultsandsinners,will
beabletobecomeasinnocentaschildrenagain
andenterMyKingdomlikethem.Letusgohome
now.SothatMarthamaynotbelefttoolongin
hergrief.LetusgoandsmileatherasFriend
andsister.
Magdalene go out for her sister. Then, Simon
Cananean,PeterandJohncomeandJesussays:
JESUS

Magdalene is, Of all the resurrected people of

my sermon she is the greatest. She was raised
fromsevendeaths.Shewasreborn.Youhaveseen
herraisethestalkofhernewflowerhigherand
higher above the mud of the earth, like a
floweryplant,andthenbloomandsmellsweetly
forMe,anddieforMe.Youhaveseenherwhen
she was a sinner, then when, thirsty, she
approachedtheFountain,thenwhensherepented,
thenwhenshewasforgiven,thenyousawheras
a lover, then as a servant of My Mother, Whom
shelovesbecauseSheisMyMother;andfinally
you have seen her as a repentant soul at the
thresholdofherParadise.
Osoulswhoareafraid,learnnottobeafraid
of Me by reading the life of Mary Magdala. O
soulswholove,learnfromherhowtolovewith
seraphic ardour. O souls who have erred, learn

fromher theScience thatwillprepare youfor

Heaven.
SCENE19
INT.LAZARUSDYING.DAY
I
ThesiblingwithJesus
Sunset reddens the sky when Jesus arrives at
Bethany.HishotdustyapostlesfollowHim.And
Jesus and the apostles are the only ones to
bravetheburningroadashotasafurnace
which receives little shade from the trees
extendingfromtheMountofOlivestotheslopes
ofBethany.Summerburns,buthatredrageseven
more.Thefieldsarebareandscorchedtheyare
likefurnacesreverberatingblastsofheat.But
thesoulsofJesus'enemiesareevenmoredevoid
I do not mean of love but of honesty, of
humanmorals,ragingwithhatred...Andthereis
but one home, one shelter for Jesus: Bethany.
There is love, relief, protection and loyalty
there... The persecuted Pilgrim directs His
steps there, in His white garment, sad of
countenance, with the tired step of one who
cannot stop, being urged on by enemies close
behind, with the resigned look of one who
already contemplates death approaching every
hour,ateverystep,andwhichoneaccepts,out
ofobediencetoGod...
Thehouse,inthemiddleofitslargegarden,is
closed and silent, awaiting cooler hours. The
garden isemptyanddeserted,andthesunonly
reigns despotically there. Thomas calls in his
loudbaritonevoice.
Acurtainisdrawn,afacelooksout...Thena
cry: The Master! and the servants rush out,
followed by the surprised mistresses, who were
certainly not expecting Jesus at that hot hour
oftheday.
MAGDALENE
Rabboni!
MARTHA
MyLord!

Martha and Mary greet from afar, already

stooping,readytoprostratethemselves,asthey
do,assoonasthegateisopenedandJesusis
nolongerseparatedfromthem.
JESUS
Martha,Mary:peacetoyouandtoyourhouse.
The sisters dismissing the servants so that
Jesusmayspeakfreelyandask.
THESISTERS
PeacetoYou,MasterandLord...Butwhyatthis
hour?
Jesussadlysays,stretchingoutHishandsand,
asiftosay:DoyouwantMe?andHestrives
to smile, but His very sad smile is belied by
Hissorrowfuleyes.
JESUS
TorestMybodyandsoulwhereIamnothated...
Maryasksflushing.
MAGDALENE
HavetheyhurtYou?
Marthaasks
MARTHA
WhathappenedtoYou?

Andsheaddsmaternally:

MARTHA
Come,IwillgiveYousomerefreshment.Howlong
haveYoubeenwalking,sinceYouaresotired?
JESUS
Since dawn... and I can say without stopping,
becausetheshortrestinthehouseofHelkai,
the member of the Sanhedrin, was worse than a
longjourney...
MARTHA
WasittherethattheygrievedYou?

JESUS
Yes...andpreviouslyattheTemple...
Maryasks
MAGDALENE
ButwhydidYougotothatsnake?
JESUS
Because if I had refused to go, it would have
served to justify his hatred, which would have
accused Me of despising the members of the
Sanhedrin. Butnow...whetherIgoornot,the
measureofPharisaichatredisfull...andthere
willbenotruce...
MAGDALENE
Havewegottothat?Staywithus,Master.They
willnothurtYouhere...
JESUS
I would fail in My mission... Many souls are
waitingfortheirSaviour.Imustgo...
MARTHA
ButtheywillpreventYoufromgoing!
JESUS
No.TheywillpersecuteMebylettingMego,so
thattheymaywatcheverystepofMine,allowing
Me tospeaktostudyeveryword,watchingover
Me asbloodhoundstrackaquarry,sothatthey
may have... something, which may look like a
fault...andeverythingwillserve...
Martha,whoisalwayssorespectful,issomoved
topity,thatsheliftsherhandtocaressHis
emaciated cheek, but she stops blushing and
says:
MARTHA
Forgiveme!IfeltsorryforYouasIdoforour
Lazarus!Forgive me,Lord,for lovingYouas a
sufferingbrother!
JESUS
Iamthesufferingbrother...LoveMewithpure
sisterlylove...ButwhatisLazarusdoing?

Maryreplies
MAGDALENE
Heislanguishing,Lord...
And this avowal together with the grief of
seeing her Master so distressed makes her shed
thetearsalreadywellinginhereyes.
JESUS
Donotweep,Mary,neitherforhimnorforMe.
We are doing the divine will. One should weep
over those who do not know how to do that
will...
Mary bends to take Jesus' hand and kisses the
tipsofHisfingers.
Theyhavemeanwhilearrivedatthehouseandas
theyentertheygotoLazarusatonce,whilethe
apostles rest refreshing themselves with what
theservantsofferthem.
Jesus bends over Lazarus, who is becoming more
and more emaciated, and kisses him to relieve
thesadnessofHisdearfriend.
LAZARUS
Master,howmuchYouloveme!Youdidnoteven
wait until evening to come to me. In this
heat...
JESUS
My dear friend, I enjoy your company and you
enjoyMine.Therestdoesnotmatter.
LAZARUS
Thatistrue.It isnothing. Evenmy suffering
no longer matters to me... Now I know why I
sufferandwhatIcanachievebysuffering
AndLazarussmilesanintimatespiritualsmile.
MARTHA
Yes,itisso,Master.Onecouldalmostsaythat
ourLazarusrejoicesatbeingilland...
A sob breaks Martha's voice and she becomes

silent.
LAZARUS
Come on, you may as well say it: at death.
Master,tellthemthattheymusthelpme,asthe
Leviteshelpthepriests.
JESUS
Todowhat,Myfriend?
LAZARUS
Toconsumethesacrifice...
Maryasks,whoisstrongerbutpalewithgrief,
and she caresses the yellowish hand of her
brother.
MAGDALENE
Andyet, uptill recently, youtrembledatthe
ideaofdeath!Soyounolongerloveus?Youno
longerlovetheMaster?Doyounotwanttoserve
Him?...
LAZARUS
And you are asking me, just you, ardent and
generoussoul?AmInotyourbrother?HaveInot
the same blood as you have, and the same holy
loves: Jesus, souls, and you, my beloved
sisters?... But since Passover my soul has
received a great word. And I love death. My
Lord, I offer it to You, for Your own
intentions.
JESUS
SoyouarenotgoingtoaskMetocureyouany
longer?
MAGDALENE
No,Rabboni.IaskYoutoblessmethatImaybe
able to suffer... and die... and if I am not
asking for too much... to redeem... You said
so...
JESUS
I did. And I bless you to give you all the
necessarystrength.
And Jesus imposes His hands on him and then

kisseshim.
LAZARUS
WewillbetogetherandYouwillteachme...
JESUS
Notjustnow,Lazarus.Iamnotstaying.Ihave
comeonlyforafewhours.Iamleavingtonight.
Thethreeaskdisappointedrelatives.
SIBLING
Butwhy?
JESUS
Because I cannot stay... I will come back in
autumn. And then I will stay here for a long
time and I will do much here... and in the
surroundings...
Thereissadsilence.ThenMarthabegsHim:
MARTHA
Atleasttakesomerest,somerefreshment...
JESUS
NothingwillrefreshMemorethanyourlove.Let
MyapostlesrestandletMestayhere,withyou,
thus,inpeace...
Martha goes out weeping, she then comes back
with some cups of cold milk and some early
fruit...
LAZARUS
The apostles have had something to eat, and
tired as they were, they are now sleeping. My
Master,doYoureallynotwanttorest?
JESUS
Donotinsist,Martha.Beforedawntheywillbe
looking for Me here, at Gethsemane, at
Johanna's, in every hospitable house. But at
dawnIwillbefaraway.
Lazarusasks

LAZARUS
WhereareYougoing,Master?
JESUS
Towards Jericho, but not along the usual
road...IamgoingtowardsTekoaandthenIwill
comebacktowardsJericho.
Marthawhispers
MARTHA
Ahardjourneyinthisseason!...
JESUS
Thatiswhytheroadissolitary.Wewillwalk
at night.Thenights areclearevenbeforethe
moonrises.Anditissoondawn...
MAGDALENE
Andthen?
JESUS
Andlaterbeyondthe Jordan.And attheheight
ofnorthernSamaria,Iwillcrosstheriverand
cometothisarea.
Lazarussays
LAZARUS
GotoNazarethsoon.Youaretired...
JESUS
Imustgotothecoastareafirst...Then...I
willgoto Galilee.Butthey willpersecuteMe
eventhere...
Marthasays
MARTHA
You will always have Your Mother to comfort
You...
JESUS
Yes,poorMother!
MaryremindsHim.

MAGDALENE
Master,MagdalaisYours.Youknow
JESUS
Iknow,Mary.Iamawareofallthegoodandof
alltheevil...
LAZARUS
Separatedthus!...forsuchalongtime!ShallI
stillbealive,whenYoucomeback,Master?
JESUS
Do not doubt it. Do not weep... We must get
accustomedalsotoparting.Separationsserveto
test the strength of affections. The hearts we
lovearebetterunderstoodwhenweseethemwith
spiritual eyes, from afar. When we are not
enticed by the human pleasure of being
physically close totheperson welove,wecan
meditate on the spirit and love of that
person...andhaveabetterunderstandingofthe
egoofourfarawaybeloved...Iamsurethat,
thinkingofyourMaster,youwillunderstandHim
better, when you see and contemplate My deeds
andlovepeacefully.
MAGDALENE
Oh!Master!ButwearenotdubiousofYou!
JESUS
NeitherIamofyou.Iknow.Butyouwillknow
Mebetter.AndIamnottellingyoutoloveMe,
becauseIknowyourhearts.Isayonly:prayfor
Me.
Lazarus and his sisters weep... Jesus is so
sad!...Howcanonenotweep?
JESUS
Whatdoyouwant?Godhadputloveamongstmen.
But men have substituted hatred... And hatred
notonlyseparatesenemiesfromoneanother,but
itinsinuatesitselftoseparatefriends.
Thereisalongsilence.
ThenLazarussays:

LAZARUS
Master,goawayfromPalestineforsometime...
JESUS
No.Myplaceishere:tolive,toevangelize,to
die. I must save. And that is the difference
that clarifies everything. The altar is here,
andthechairishere.Icannotgoelsewhere.In
anycase...doyouthinkthatwouldchangewhat
hasbeen decided?No.Neitheron theEarthnor
in Heaven. It would only blemish the spiritual
purityoftheMessianicfigure.Iwouldbethe
cowardwhosaveshimselffleeing.Imustsetan
example for the present and future generations
that in the matters concerning God, in holy
things,onemustnotbeacoward...
Lazarussayswithasigh...
LAZARUS
Youareright,Master
AndMartha,pushingthecurtainaside,says:
MARTHA
Youareright...Itis gettingdark... Thesun
hasset...
Mary weeps distressingly, as if that word had
thepowertocrushhermoralcourage,whichhad
so farconfinedhergriefto silenttears.She
is weeping more heartbrokenly than she did in
thehouseofthePharisee,whensheimploredthe
Saviourwithhertearstoforgiveher...
MarthaasksMary.
MARTHA
Whyareyouweepingthus?
MAGDALENE
Becauseyouhavespokenthetruth,sister!There
is no more sunshine... The Master is going
away...Thereisnomoresunshineforme...for
us...

JESUS
Begood.IblessyouandmayMyblessingremain
withyou.AndnowleaveMewithLazaruswhois
tired and needs calmness. Watching My friend I
will rest. Provide for the apostles and ensure
thattheyarereadyforthehourofshadows...
The women disciples withdraw and Jesus remains
silent, engrossed in thought, sitting near His
languishing friend, who happy for such
closeness, falls asleep with a light smile on
hisface.
II
TowardsBethanyandinLazarus'House
AfterlongjourneyJesusandapostlesreturnto
Bethany. Jesus dismisses the disciples Levi,
Joseph, Matthias and John. He entrusts the new
discipleSidonia named Bartholmai.Thishappens
atthefirsthousesinBethany.Andtheshepherd
disciples go away with the newcomer and with
sevenothermenwhowerewiththem.Jesuslooks
atthemgoaway,Hethenturnsroundtolookat
HisapostlesandHesays:
JESUS
AndnowletuswaithereforJudasofSimon...
Theotherapostleswhoaresurprisedsay:
APOSTLES
Ah! You noticed that he has gone? We thought
thatYouwerenotawareofit.Therewassucha
largecrowd.AndYouwerespeakingallthetime,
first with the young man and then with the
shepherds...
JESUS
Inoticedthathehadgonefromtheveryfirst
moment.NothingescapesMynotice.ThatiswhyI
went to some friendly houses, telling them to
send Judas to Bethany, if he should look for
Me...
TheotherJudasgrumblesbetweenhisteeth.

THADDEUS
Godforbid!
Jesuslooksathim,butpretendsthatHehasnot
heard,andHegoeson,speakingtoeverybody,as
Heseesthattheyareallofthesameopinionas
(faces,attimes,speakbetterthanwords):
JESUS
Thiswillbeagoodrestwhilewaitingforhis
return.Itwillbeofcomforttoeverybody.Then
we willgo towardsTekoah. Theweather iscold
but it is clearing up. I will evangelize that
town,thenwewillcomebackuppassingthrough
Jericho and we will go to the other bank. The
shepherds told Me that many sick people are
looking for Me and I sent word that they need
notsetoutonthejourney,andthattheyshould
waitforMethere.
Petersayswithasigh:

PETER
Well,letusgo
Thomasaskshim.
THOMAS
AreyounotgladtogotoLazarus'house?
PETER
Iamglad.
THOMAS
Youdon'tseemtobe,thewayyousayit.
PETER
It is not because of Lazarus. It's because of
Judas...
Jesussaysadmonishinghim:

JESUS
Youareasinner,Peter
Peterburstsoutangrily,ashecannotstandthe
situationanylonger.

PETER
Iam.But...he,JudasofKerioth,ishenota
sinner since he goes away, is insolent and a
torture?
JESUS
Heis.Butifheis,youmustnotbe.Noneofus
mustbe.RememberthatGodwillaskus,Isay:
will ask us, because God Father entrusted that
man to Me before entrusting him to you to
accountforwhatwedidtoredeemhim.
PETER
And do You hope to succeed, Brother? I cannot
believe it. You, I believe this, You know the
past,thepresentandthefuture.SoYoucannot
be mistaken about that man. And... But it is
betterifIdon'ttellYoutherest.
JESUS
It isinfactagreatvirtuetobe ableto be
silent.Butyouhadbetterknowthattoforesee
moreorlessexactlythefutureofaheartdoes
notexemptanyonefromperseveringuntiltheend
tosaveaheartfrombeingruined.Donotfall
intothefatalismofPhariseeswhomaintainthat
whatisdestinedmusttakeplaceandnothingcan
prevent what is destined from being
accomplished, and with such reasoning they
justifytheirsinsandwilljustifytheirfinal
actofhatredagainstMe.ManyatimeGodawaits
the sacrifice of a heart, that overcomes its
nausea and indignation, its antipathy, even if
justified,torescueaspiritfromthequagmire
intowhichitissinking.Yes,Itellyou.Many
times God, the Almighty, the Everything, waits
foracreature,amerenothing,tomakeornot
tomakeasacrifice,tosayaprayer,inorder
tocondemnornotcondemnaspirit.Itisnever
late,nevertoolate,totryandhopetosavea
soul.AndIwillgiveyouproofofthat.Evenon
thethresholdofdeath,whenboththesinnerand
thejustmanwhoisanxiousabouthim,areabout
to leave the Earth to appear at the first
judgement of God, one can always save or be
saved. Between the cup and the lips, says the
proverb, there is always room for death. I

insteadsay:betweentheextremityofagonyand
death there is always time to obtain
forgiveness, for oneself or for those whom we
wanttobeforgiven.
Notonewordisutteredbyanybody.
Jesus,whobynowhasarrivedattheheavygate,
callsaservanttohaveitopened.AndHegoes
inandasksafterLazarus.
MAXIMINUS
Oh! Lord! See? I have just come back from
gathering bayleaves and the leaves of the
camphor tree, and cypressberries and other
leavesandscentedfruittoboilthemwithwine
and resins, and prepare baths for our master
withthem.Hisfleshiscomingoffinbitsand
it is impossible to withstand the stench. You
havecome,butIdonotknowwhethertheywill
letYoupass...
Lest the very air should hear, he lowers his
voicetoawhispersaying:
MAXIMINUS
Nowthatitisnolongerpossibletoconcealthe
sores,themistressesdonotreceiveanybody...
lest...Youknow...Lazarusisnotreallyloved
by many people... But many, and for many
reasons, would be glad if... Oh! don't let me
thinkofthisasitistheterrorofthewhole
household.

JESUS
Andtheyareright.Butdonotbeafraid.That
misfortunewillnottakeplace.
MAXIMINUS
But...willhebeabletorecover?Amiracleof
Yours...
JESUS
He will not recover. But that will serve to
glorifytheLord.
The servant is disappointed... Jesus cures
everybody but does nothing here!... But only a

sighexpresseshisthought.Hethensays:
MAXIMINUS
IamgoingtothemistressestoannounceYou.
Jesus is surrounded by the apostles who are
interestedinLazarus'conditionsandarefilled
withdismaywhenJesusinformsthem.Butthetwo
sisters are about to arrive. Their flourishing
although different beauty seems dulled with
grief and with the fatigue of protracted
watching at Lazarus' bedside. Pale, humble,
emaciated, their eyes, once so bright, tired,
without rings or bracelets, wearing two dark
grey dresses, they look more like maidservants
than mistresses. They kneel down at a distance
from Jesus, offering Him nothing but tears.
Resigned,silenttearsflowingfromaninternal
source and unable to stop. Jesus approaches
them.Marthastretchesoutherhandswhispering:
MARTHA
Move away, Lord. We are really afraid by now
thatwehaveinfringedthe lawonleprosy.But
we cannot, o God, we cannot have such an
ordinanceagainstourLazarus!Butpleasedonot
come near us, as we are unclean as we touch
nothing but sores. We alone. Because we have
kept everybody else away, and everything is
placedonthethresholdforus,andwetakeit
andwashandburnthingsintheroomnexttoour
brothers. See our hands? They are corroded by
thecausticlimewhichweuseforthevaseswe
havetohandbacktotheservants.Wethinkthat
bydoingsowearelessguilty
Andsheweeps.
Mary of Magdala, who has been silent so far,
moansinherturn:
MAGDALENE
We should call the priest. But... I, I am the
moreguiltyonebecauseIopposethatandIsay
that it is not the dreadful cursed disease in
Israel.Itisnot,itisnot!Butsomanyhate
usandsomuch,thattheywouldsayitis.Your
apostle Simon was declared a leper for much

less!
Marthasayssobbing:
MARTHA
Youareneitherpriestnordoctor,Mary

MAGDALENE
Iam not.ButyouknowwhatIhave doneto be
certain of what I am saying. Lord, I went and
coveredthewholevalleyofHinnom,allSiloam,
allthesepulchresnearEnRogel.Iwentdressed
asamaidservant,veiled,inthefirstlightof
dawn,loaded withfoodstuffs,medicatedwaters,
bandages and clothes. And I gave, I gave
everything.IsaidthatitwasavowIhadmade
for him whom I loved. And it was true. I only
askedtoseethesoresofthelepers.Theymust
havethought thatIwasmad...Who everwishes
to see those horrors?! But after laying my
offeringattheedgesofthecrags,Iaskedto
see.Andtheywereaboveme,Iwasfartherdown;
they were amazed, I was disgusted; they wept,
andIwept;andIlookedandlooked!Ilookedat
bodies covered with scales, with crusts, with
sores,Ilookedatcorrodedfaces,atwhitehair
stiffer than bristles, at eyes exuding pus, at
cheeks through which I could see teeth, at
skulls on living bodies, at hands which had
become claws of monsters, at feet resembling
knobby branches... stench, horror, rottenness.
Oh! if I sinned worshipping flesh, if I took
delight in my senses of sight, smell, hearing,
touch, in what was beautiful, scented,
harmonious, soft and smooth, oh! I can assure
you that my senses have been purified in the
mortificationofsuchsights!Myeyesforgotthe
enticing handsomeness of man on contemplating
those monsters, my ears expiated the past
enjoymentofmanlyvoicesonhearingthoseharsh
ones, no longer sounding like human voices, my
body shuddered, my smell revolted... and all
remaindersofthecultofmyselfdied,becauseI
saw what we shall be after death... But I
brought back with me this certitude: that
Lazarus is not a leper. His voice is not
injured, his hair and the hairy parts of his

body are intact, and his sores are different.

No,heisnotaleper!AndMarthadistressesme
because she will not believe, because she does
not comfort Lazarus by dissuading him from
believingthatheis unclean.See?Hedoesnot
wanttoseeYou,nowthatheknowsthatYouare
here, lest he should infect You. The foolish
fears of my sister are depriving him also of
Yourcomfort!...
Herpassionatenaturemakesherangry.Butwhen
she sees that her sister bursts into tears
weeping desolately, her impetuosity abates at
onceandsheembracesandkissesMartha,saying:
MAGDALENE
Oh! Martha! Forgive me! Grief is making me
unfair! It's my love for you and Lazarus that
wantstoconvinceyou!Mypoorsister!Whatpoor
womenweare!
JESUS
Now, now, do not weep so! You are in need of
peace and reciprocal compassion, for your own
sakeandforhis.Lazarus,inanycase,isnot
leprous,Itellyou.
Marthasaysimploringly.
MARTHA
Oh!cometohim,Lord.Whocanjudgebetterthan
Youwhetherheisleprous?
JESUS
HaveInotalreadytoldyouthatheisnot?
MARTHA
Yes.But howcan Yousay soifYou donotsee
him?
JESUS
Oh!Martha!Martha!Godforgivesyoubecauseyou
areinpainandyouarelikeonewhosemindis
raving! I feel sorry for you and I will go to
Lazarusanduncoverhissoresand...

Marthashoutsstandingup.
MARTHA
AndYouwillcurethem!!!
JESUS
IhavealreadytoldthatIcannotdoit...ButI
will put your minds at rest, as you will know
that you have not infringed the law concerning
lepers.Letusgo...
AndHeisthefirsttosetouttowardsthehouse
beckoningtoHisapostlesnottofollowHim.
Maryrunsahead,sheopensadoor,runsalonga
corridor,opensanotherdoorwhichleadsintoa
smallinternalyard,and after a fewstepsshe
enters a semidark room encumbered with basins,
smallvases,amphorae,bandages...Amixedodour
of spices and putrefaction is perceived. There
isadooroppositethefirstoneandMaryopens
it shouting in a voice that endeavours to be
brightandjoyful:
MAGDALENE
HereistheMaster.Hehascometotellyouthat
Iamright,mydearbrother.Cheerupandsmile
because our love and peace is coming in! and
she bends over her brother, lifts him on the
pillows,kisseshim,heedlessofthesmellthat
in spite of palliatives exhales from the
ulcerated body, and she is still bent tidying
him, when Jesus' kind greeting resounds in the
room, which, enveloped in a faint light, seems
tobrightenupbecauseofthedivinepresence.
LAZARUS
Master,Youarenotafraid...Iam...
JESUS
You are ill! Nothing else. Lazarus, the rules
have been laid down, so comprehensive and
severe, out of an understandable sense of
prudence.Itisbettertobeexceedinglyprudent
than imprudent in certain cases, such as
catching diseases. But you are not infectious,
Mypoordearfriend,youarenotunclean.Andin
factIdonotthinkthatIlackprudencetowards

MybrothersifIembraceyouandkissyouthus.
AndHekisseshimtakinghis emaciated bodyin
Hisarms.
LAZARUS
YoureallyarePeace!ButYouhavenotyetseen
me. Mary will now uncover the horror. I am
alreadyadeadbody,Lord.Idonotknowhowmy
sisterscanstand...
Sofrighteninganddisgustingarethesoresnear
thevaricoseveinsofhislegs.Mary'sbeautiful
hands massage them lightly while in her
wonderfulvoiceshereplies:
MAGDALENE
Your ills are roses for your sisters. Only
because you suffer they are thorny roses. Here
itis,Master.See?Leprosyisnotlikethat!
LAZARUS
No, it is not. It is a bad disease and it
consumes you, but it is not dangerous. Believe
your Master! You may cover him, Mary. I have
seen.
Marthaaskswithasigh,perseveringinhope.
MARTHA
AreYoureallynotgoingtotouchhim?
JESUS
Itisnotnecessary.Notbecauseofdisgust,but
toavoidirritatingthesores.
Martha,withoutinsistinganymore,bendsovera
basincontainingspicywineorvinegaranddips
somelinensintoitandthenhandsthemtoher
sister. Silent tears drop into the reddish
liquid... Mary bandages the poor legs and lays
theblanketsonceagainonLazarus'feet,which
are as motionless and yellowish as those of a
deadman.
LAZARUS
AreYoualone?

JESUS
No. They are all with Me, except Judas of
Kerioth who stayed in Jerusalem, and will
come...Nay,ifIhavealreadyleft,sendhimto
Bethabara. I shall be there. And tell him to
waitforMethere.
LAZARUS
Youaregoingawaysoon...

JESUS
And I shall be back soon. It will soon be the
Feast of the Dedication. I shall be with you
thosedays.
LAZARUS
IshallnotbeabletohonourYouattheFeast
oftheLights...
JESUS
IshallbeinBethlehemonthatday.Imustsee
Mycradleonceagain...
LAZARUS
You are sad... I know... Oh! and I can do
nothing!

JESUS
Iamnotsad.IamtheRedeemer...Butyouare
tired. Do not strive to keep awake, My dear
friend.
LAZARUS
ItwastohonourYou...
JESUS
Sleep.Weshallmeetlater...
And Jesus withdraws noiselessly. Martha asks,
outside,intheyard.
MARTHA
HaveYouseen,Master?
JESUS
Yes, I have. My poor disciples... I weep with
you...ButItrulyconfidetoyouthatMyheart

ismuchmoreulceratedthanyourbrother.Grief
gnawsatMyheart...
AndHelooksatthemwithsuchdeepsadnessthat
theyforgettheirsorrowbecauseofHis,andas
their being women prevents them from embracing
Him, they confine themselves to kissing His
hands and tunic and to serving Him as loving
sisters. And they serve Him in a little room,
andoverwhelmHimwiththeirlove.
The loud voices of the apostles can be heard
frombeyondtheyard...Allofthem,exceptthe
voiceofthebaddisciple.AndJesuslistensand
sighs... He sighs awaiting the fugitive
patiently.
SCENE20
INT;EXT.DEATHOFLAZARUS.DAY
I
THEPEOPLEARECOMMENTING
AlargeimposinggroupofJudaeansenterBethany
on magnificent mounts. They are scribes and
Pharisees, some Sadducees and Herodians. They
arefollowedbyservantsonfoot.
The ridingparty go slowly through the little
town, and the hoofs resounding on the hard
ground, the jingling of the trappings and the
voicesofthemendrawoutoftheirhousesthe
inhabitants, who look and with evident
astonishment bow humbly, then they rise again
andgatheringroupswhispering.
Thepeoplesay:
PEOPLE
Haveyouseenthat?
All the members of the Sanhedrin from
Jerusalem.
No. Joseph the Elder, Nicodemus and others
werenotthere.
NorthemostfamousPharisees.
Northescribes.
Andwhowastheoneonhorseback?
TheyarecertainlygoingtoLazarus'house.
Hemustbeonthepointofdying.
Idon'tunderstandwhytheRabbiisnothere.
HowcanyouexpectHimtobehere,ifthosein

JerusalemwanttokillHim?
You are right. Nay, I am sure that those
snakeswhohavejustgoneby,havecometosee
whethertheRabbiishere.
PraisedbetheLordthatHeisn't!
Doyouknowwhattheysaidtomyhusband,at
themarketinJerusalem?Tobeready,because
He will soon proclaim Himself king, and we
shall all have to help Him . What did they
say?Well!Awordthatmeantsomethinglike...
ifIsaidthatIwillsendeverybodyawayfrom
thehouse,andmakemyselfthelandlady.
Aplot?...Aconspiracy?...Arebellion?...
Yes.Theytoldmeaswell.ButIdon'tbelieve
it.
Butthosewhosaythat,aredisciplesofthe
Rabbi!...
H'm! I am not prepared to believe that the
Rabbiwillmakeuseofviolenceandremovethe
Tetrarchs,usurpingathronethat,rightlyor
wrongly, belongs to the Herodians. You ought
to tell Joachim not to believe all the
rumours...
ButdoyouknowthatthosewhohelpHimwill
be rewarded on the Earth and in Heaven? I
wouldbeveryhappyifmyhusbandwereoneof
them. I have a large family and life is
difficult. If he could have a job among the
servantsoftheKingofIsrael!
Listen,Rachel,Ithinkitisbetterformeto
lookaftermykitchengardenandmydates.Oh!
if He should tell me, then I would leave
everythingtofollowHim.Butifotherpeople
tellme!...
ButtheyareHisdisciples.
I have never seen them with Him and then...
No. They pretend to be lambs, but their
scoundrellyfacesdonotconvinceme.
Thatistrue.Strangethingshavehappenedfor
sometimeandtheyalwayssaythattheRabbi's
disciples are the cause of them. The day
beforetheSabbath,someofthemmanhandleda
womanwhowastakingeggstothemarket,and
they said: We want them in the name of the
GalileanRabbi.
Do you think it can be Him Who wants such
things, as He always gives and never takes?
AndjustHimWhocouldliveamongrichpeople

andpreferstobewiththepoor,andHegave
away His mantle, as that leprous woman, who
wascuredandwhomJacobmet,toldeverybody?
Youareright.Andwhatabouttheotherthing
they say? That the Rabbi will bring about
greattrouble,becausetheRomanswillpunish
usallowingtoHisurgingthecrowds?Doyou
believe it? I say and I don't think I am
wrongbecauseIamoldandwiseIsaythat
thosewhotelluspoorpeoplethattheRabbi
wantstousurpthethroneanddriveawaythe
RomansIwishHedid!ifitwerepossibleto
do so! and those who do violence in His
name, and those who incite us to rebel
promising future profit, and those who would
like us to hate the Rabbi as a dangerous
personwhowillleadusintotrouble,areall
enemiesoftheRabbiandtheyareanxiousto
ruin Him so that they may triumph. Don't
believethem!Don'tbelievethefalsefriends
of the poor people! Did you notice how
arrogantlytheypassedby?Theyalmostgaveme
ablowwithacudgel,becauseIhaddifficulty
inmovingthesheepasideandIwaspreventing
themfromproceeding...Andyousaytheyare
our friends? Never. They are our vampires,
and, God forbid it, they are also His
vampires.
AsyoulivenearLazarus'fields,doyouknow
whetherheisdead?
No. He is not dead. He is between life and
death... I asked Sarah who was picking
aromaticleavestowashhim.
Well,whydidtheycome?
Who knows! They went right round the house,
thenroundtheleper'shouse,thentheywent
awaytowardsBethlehem.
Itoldyou!TheycametoseewhethertheRabbi
ishere!TodoHimwrong.Doyourealisewhat
itmeanttothemtobeabletoharmHim?And
justinLazarus'house?Tellme,Nathan.That
Herodian... was he not the lover of Mary of
Theophilussometimeago?
He was. Perhaps that is how he wanted to
revengehimselfonMary...

Alittleboyrunstowardsthem.Heshouts:

LITTLEBOY
Howmany peopletherearein Lazarus'house! I
wascomingfromthestreamwithLevi,Marcusand
Isaiah,andwesawthem.Theservantsopenedthe
gateand tookthemounts.AndMaximinusranto
meettheJudaeansandotherservantscamemaking
low bows. And Martha and Mary came out of the
housetogreetthemwiththeirmaidservants.We
wanted to go on watching, but they closed the
gateandtheyallwentintothehouse.
Theboyisveryexcitedbecauseofthenewshe
hasbroughtandofwhathehasseen...
Theadultsarecommenting.
II
THEJUDAEANSWITHMARTHAANDMARY
Martha, although brokenhearted and exhausted,
is always a lady who knows how to welcome
guests,honouringthemwiththeperfecturbanity
of a trueborn lady. Thus, after leading the
group into one of the halls, she gives
instructionstobringtherefreshmentsthatare
customary,sothattheguestsmayhavewhatcan
restorethem.
The servants move around pouring hot drinks or
vintage wines and offering beautiful fruit,
dates as fair as topazes, raisins, something
likeoursweetgrapes,inbunchesfantastically
perfect,liquidhoney,allservedfromprecious
amphorae, cups, plates and trays. And Martha
watchescarefullythatnooneisneglected,nay,
sheinstructsherdomesticstoservetheguests
accordingtotheiragesandtoeachindividual,
whosetempersarewellknowntoher.Shestopsa
servant, who is going towards Helkai with an
amphorafullofwineandachaliceandshesays
tohim:
MARTHA
Tobias, don't offer him wine, but honied water
andthejuiceofdates.
Andshesaystoanotherone:

MARTHA
IamsureJohnwillpreferwine.Offerhimsome
ofourwhiteraisinwine.
And she personally offers old Hananiah, the
scribe, warm milk, which she sweetens with
plentygoldenhoney,saying:
MARTHA
It will do your cough good. You sacrificed
yourselfbycominghere,particularlyasyouare
poorly,anditisacoldday.Itaffectsmeto
seeyouallsothoughtful.
HANANIAH
Itisourduty,Martha.Eucheriabelongedtoour
race.AtrueJewesswhohonouredusall.
MARTHA
The homage paid to the venerated memory of my
mother touches my heart. I will repeat your
wordstoLazarus.
Helkai says with his habitual falseness,
approachingher:
HELKAI
But we want to greet him. He is such a good
friend!
MARTHA
Greet him? It is not possible. He is too
exhausted.
Felixsays:
FELIX
Oh! We shall not disturb him. Shall we, my
friends?Itisenoughforustosaygoodbyeto
him,fromthethresholdofhisroom.
MARTHA
I cannot, I really cannot. Nicomedes has
forbiddenfatigueandemotions.
Callascebonasays:

CALLASCEBONA
Aglanceatourdyingfriendwillnotkillhim,
Martha.Itwouldgrieveus toomuchnothaving
greetedhim!
Marthaisupsetandhesitant.Shelookstowards
thedoor,perhapstoseewhetherMaryiscoming
to help her. But Mary is absent. The Judaeans
notice her excitement, and Sadoc, the scribe,
pointsitouttoMartha:
SADOC
It looks as if our visit is upsetting you,
woman.
MARTHA
No. Not at all. Have sympathy for my grief. I
have been living for months near my dying
brotherand...Iamnolongerable...andIno
longerknowhowtobehaveatparties,asIdid
inthepast...
Helkaisays:
HELKAI
Oh! it is not a party! We did not even expect
you to honour us thus! Perhaps... Perhaps you
wanttohidesomethingfromusandthatiswhy
you are not letting us see Lazarus and you
forbidustogotohisroom.Eh!Itisobvious!
Butbenotafraid!Theroomofasickpersonis
asanctuaryforeverybody,believeme...
Mary says in her beautiful harmonious voice,
appearingatthedoorandholdingthecurtainto
onesidewithherhand.
MAGDALENE
There is nothing to be concealed in our
brother's room. There is nothing hidden in it.
Thereisonlyadyingman,whoforpity'ssake
ought to be spared all painful memories. And
you, Helkai, and you all, are painful memories
forLazarus.
Marthasaysmoaningimploringly,tocheckher.

MARTHA
Mary!
MAGDALENE
Nothing,sister.Letmespeak...
Shethenaddressestheothers:
MAGDALENE
Andtoremoveeverypossibledoubtofyours,one
ofyouitwillthusbeonlyonememoryofthe
pastrenewinggriefmaycomewithme,ifthe
sight of a dying man does not disgust him and
the stench of a dying body does not make him
sick.
The Herodian asks ironically that coming away
fromhiscornerandstandinginfrontofMary.
THEHERODIAN
Andareyounotagrievingmemory?
Marthauttersagroan,Marylookslikeanangry
eagle.Hereyesareflashing.Shedrawsherself
up proudly, forgetting the fatigue and grief
thatbentherbody,andwiththecountenanceof
anoffendedqueenshesays:
MAGDALENE
Yes.Iamamemoryaswell.Butnotofsorrow,
asyousay.IamthememoryofGod'sMercy.And
Lazarusisdyinginpeaceseeingme,becausehe
knowsthatheisgivinguphisspiritintothe
handsofInfiniteMercy.
THEHERODIAN
Ha!Ha!Thosearenotthewordsofdaysgoneby!
Yourvirtue!Youmaydisplayittothosewhodo
notknowyou...
MAGDALENE
Butnottoyou,isthatright?ButIamgoing
toplaceitrightunderyoureyes,totellyou
that birds of a feather, flock together. In
thosedays,unfortunately,Iwasnearyou,andI
waslikeyou,andIwaslikeyou.NowIamnear
theHolyOne,andIambecominghonest.

THEHERODIAN
Whathasbeendestroyedcannotberebuilt,Mary.
MAGDALENE
Infact,you,allofyou,cannolongerrebuild
your past. You cannot rebuild what you have
destroyed. You cannot, personally, as you
horrify me. And none of the rest can, who
offended my brother, when he was grieved, and
nowyoupretendtobehisfriends,forawicked
purpose.
Onewhoisaboutfortyyearsoldsays:
THEHERODIAN
Oh! You are bold, woman. The Rabbi may have
driven many demons out of you, but He did not
makeyoubecomemild!
MAGDALENE
No,JonathanbenAnnas.Hedidnotmakemeweak.
Hemademestrongerwiththeboldnessofonewho
is honest, of one who wants to become honest
onceagainandhasbrokenalltieswiththepast
tostartanewlife.Comeon!Whoiscomingto
seeLazarus?
She is as authoritative as a queen. She
dominates them all with her frankness, with no
mercyeventowardsherself.Martha,instead,is
dejected, with tears in her eyes looking
imploringlyatMarythatshemaykeepquiet.
Helkaisighinglikeavictim,andheisasfalse
asaserpentsays:
HELKAI
Iwillcome!
Theygoouttogether
Uriel, the rabbi seen at Giscala, the one who
struckJesuswithstonessays:
URIEL
Your sister!... Still the same character. But
sheshouldnotbehavelikethat.Shehassomuch
tobeforgivenfor

Under the lash of such words, Martha recovers

herstrengthandshesays:
MARTHA
God has forgiven her. No other forgiveness is
thus required. And her present life is an
examplefortheworld.
Butherdaringsoonabatesandturnsintotears.
Shemoansweeping:
MARTHA
Youarecruel!Towardsher...andtowardsme...
You have no pity for our past or our present
sorrow.Whydidyoucome?To offendandgrieve
us?
URIEL
No,woman.No. Onlyto greet thegreatJudaean
whoisdying.Fornootherreason!Youmustnot
take our good intentions amiss. We heard from
JosephandNicodemusthathewasgrowingworse,
and we came... as they did, the two great
friendsoftheRabbiandofLazarus.Whydoyou
wanttotreatusdifferently,sincewelovethe
RabbiandLazarus,astheydo?Youarenotfair.
Can you deny that they have come with John,
Eleazar,Philip,JoshuaandJoachim,tohearhow
Lazaruswas,andthatalsoManaenhascome?...
MARTHA
I amnotdenyinganything.ButIam surprised
thatyouaresowellinformed.Ididnotthink
thatalsotheinteriorofhouses ispriedinto
by you. I did not know that there is a new
precept in addition to the six hundred and
thirteen:thatis,toinquireintoandspyupon
the intimate affairs of families... Oh! Excuse
me! I am offending you! Sorrow is upon the
intimateaffairsoffamilies...Oh!Excuseme!I
am offending you! Sorrow is upon the intimate
affairs of families... Oh! Excuse me! I am
offending you! Sorrow is depriving me of my
sensesandyouareaggravatingit.

URIEL
Oh! we understand you, woman! And because we
thought you would be both deprived
of your senses, we have come to give you some
goodadvice.SendfortheMaster.Alsoyesterday
seven lepers have come to praise the Lord
becausetheRabbihadcuredthem.Send forHim
alsoonbehalfofLazarus.
Marthashoutsconvulsively:
MARTHA
My brother is not a leper. Is that why you
wanted to see him? Is that why you have come?
No,heisnotaleper!Lookatmyhands.Ihave
curedhimforyearsandthereisnoleprosyon
me. My hands are reddened by spices, but I am
notaleper.Ihaveno...
JONATHANOFUZIEL
Peace!Peace,woman.AndwhosaidthatLazarus
is a leper? And who suspects such a dreadful
sin in you, as that of hiding a leper? And do
youthinkthat,forallyourpower,wewouldnot
havestruckyou,ifyouhadsinned?Inorderto
have the precepts obeyed we are quite prepared
topassoverourfathersandmothers,ourwives
andchildren.I,,amtellingyou.
Archelaussays:
ARCHELAUS
Certainly! That's right! And now we tell you,
outofthelovewehaveforyouandwehadfor
yourmotherandforLazarus'sake,sendforthe
Master.Areyoushakingyourhead?Doyoumean
thatitistoolatebynow?What?You,Martha,
the faithful disciple, have no faith in Him?
That'sbad!Areyoubeginningtodoubtaswell?
MARTHA
You are blaspheming, scribe. I believe in the
MasterasIbelieveinthetrueGod.
Felixsaysinaninsinuatingway.
FELIX
Whydoyounotwanttotry,then?Hehasraised

thedead...Atleastsotheysay...Perhapsyou
do not know where He is? If you wish, we will
lookforHim,wewillhelpyou.
Sadocsaystemptingher:
SADOC
No!InLazarus'housetheycertainlyknowwhere
the Rabbi is. Tell us frankly, woman, and we
willdepartandlookforHimandwewillbring
Him to you, and we shall be present at the
miracletorejoicewithyou,withallofyou
Martha is hesitant, she is almost tempted to
yield.Theothersinsistwhileshesays:
MARTHA
I do not know where He is... I really do not
know...HewentawaysomedaysagoandHesaid
goodbyetouslikeonewhogoesawayforalong
time...IwouldberelievedifIknewwhereHe
is...IfatleastIknew...ButIdonotknow,
thatisthetruth...
Corneliussays:
CORNELIUS
Poor woman! But we will help you... We will
bringHimtoyou
Mary says in a thundering voice, as she comes
backwithHelkai,whodepartsfromher atonce
andgoestowardsthreePhariseesbendingdownto
speaktothem.
MAGDALENE
No!Itisnotnecessary.The Master... Youare
speaking of Him, are you not? The Master said
thatwemusthopebeyondhope,andinGodonly.
Andwewilldothat
Dorassays,whoisoneofthethree.
DORAS
Butheisdying,accordingtowhatIhear!
MAGDALENE
Sowhat?Lethimdie!IwillnotobstructGod's
decreeandIwillnotdisobeytheRabbi.

TheHerodiansaysmockingly
THEHERODIAN
Andwhatdoyouexpectafterhisdeath,foolish
woman?
HervoiceofMaryisacryofabsolutefaith.
MAGDALENE
What?Life!
THEHERODIAN
Life?Ha!Ha!Besincere.YouknowthatHehas
nopoweragainstrealdeath,andinyourfoolish
love for Him you do not want that to become
known.
MAGDALENE
Go out, all of you! It would be for Martha to
tell you. But she is afraid of you. I am only
afraid of offending God, Who has forgiven me.
AndIamtellingyouinMartha'sstead.Goout,
allofyou.Thereisnoroominthishousefor
those who hate Jesus Christ. Out! Go to your
gloomydens!Allout!OrIwillgettheservants
todriveyououtlikeaherdofuncleanbeggars.
As theyleavethehall andcrossthe threshold
passing in front of Mary, she glares at them,
creating for each an immaterial Caudine Fork
under which the pride of the defeated Judaeans
is compelled to stoop. The hall is at last
clearedout.
Martha collapses on the carpet bursting into
tears.
MAGDALENE
Why are you weeping, sister? I do not see why
youshould...
MARTHA
Oh!youoffendedthem...andtheyoffendedyou,
they offended us... and now they will avenge
themselves...and...
MAGDALENE
Be silent, silly woman! On whom do you expect
themtoavengethemselves?OnLazarus?Theymust

decidefirst,andbeforetheydothat...Noone
revenges oneself on a man who is done for! On
us?Areweinneedoftheirbreadtolive?They
willnottouchourproperty.TheshadowofRome
iscastoverit.Onwhatthen?Andevenifthey
wereabletodothat,arewenotbothyoungand
strong?Shallwenotbeabletowork?IsJesus
notpoor?WasourJesusnotaworkman?Shallwe
not be more like Him, if we are poor and
workers?You ought tobeproudinbecomingso!
Hopeforit!AskGodtograntit!
MARTHA
Butwhattheysaidtoyou...
MAGDALENE
Ah!Whattheysaidtome!It'sthetruth.AndI
repeatittomyself.Iwasunclean.Iamnowthe
ewelamboftheShepherd!Andthepastisdead.
Comeon,cometoseeLazarus.
III
MARTHASENDSASERVANTTOINFORMTHEMASTER
In Lazarus' house Martha and Mary go out into
the garden in the company of a rather elderly
man, who looks very dignified and I would say
that he is not a Hebrew because his face is
cleanshaven, as is customary with Romans. As
soonastheyareatalittledistancefromthe
house,Maryaskshim:
MAGDALENE
Well, Nicomedes? What do you think of our
brother? We see that he is seriously... ill...
Tellus.
The man opens his arms in a gesture of
commiseration and acknowledgement of the
ineluctablesituation,andhestopsandsays:
NICOMEDES
He is very ill... I have never deceived you
since I began to attend him. I have tried
everything, as you know. But to no avail. I
also... hoped, yes, I hoped that he might at
least live reacting against the exhaustion of

the disease with the good nourishment and the

cordialsIpreparedforhim.Itriedalsowith
poisonsthatpreservethebloodfromcorruption
andsupportone'sstrength,accordingtotheold
schools of the great masters in medicine. But
thediseaseisstrongerthanthemeansweuseto
cureit.Suchdiseasesarelikecorrosions,they
destroy one. And when they appear exteriorly,
the inside of the bones has already been
affected, and like the lymph that in a tree
ascendsfromtherootstoitstop,alsointhis
case, the disease has spread from his feet to
hiswholebody...
Marthasaysplaintively:
MARTHA
Butonlyhislegsarediseased...
NICOMEDES
Yes, but a high temperature causes damage to
parts of the body that instead you think are
healthy. Look at this little branch that has
fallenoffthattree.Itseemstobewormeaten
onlyhere,whereitisbroken.But,look...(he
crumbles it with his fingers). See? Under the
bark,whichisstillsmooth,itisrottenright
tothetop,wheretherestillseemstobelife,
because there are still some little leaves.
Lazarus is now... dying, poor sisters! The God
of your fathers, and the gods and demigods of
our medicine have not been able to do
anything...ortheydidnotwanttodoit.Iam
speakingofyourGod.Therefore...Idoforesee
that his death is close at hand, also because
his temperature has risen, a symptom of the
deteriorationofhisbloodbroughtaboutbyhis
disorderly heart beats, and by the lack of
stimuliandreactionsintheinvalidandinall
his organs. As you can see, he gets no
nourishmentanymore,hecannotholdthelittle
food he takes and he does not assimilate the
little he can hold. It's the end... And
believeadoctorwhoisgratefultoyoubecause
he remembers Theophilusthethingto bemost
desired now is death... Such diseases are
dreadful. For thousands of years they have

destroyedmanandmancannotdestroythem.Only
thegodscouldif...
He stops, he looks at them rubbing his clean
shavenchin.Heispensive.Hethensays:
NICOMEDES
WhydoyounotcalltheGalilean?Heisafriend
of yours. He can cure him because He can do
everything. I have examined people who were
doomedandwhohavebeencured.Astrangepower
emanatesfromHim.Itisamysteriousfluidthat
revives and gathers together the scattered
reactions and makes them wish to recover... I
don't know. I know that I have followed Him,
being also mingled with the crowd, and I have
seen wonderful things... Send for Him. I am a
Gentile. But I pay homage to the mysterious
Thaumaturgeofyourpeople.AndIwouldbehappy
ifHecoulddowhatIcouldnotdo.
Marysays:
MAGDALENE
He is God, Nicomedes. That is why He can. The
powerthatyoucallfluidisHiswillofGod
NICOMEDES
Idonotridiculeyourfaith.OnthecontraryI
spur it to reach impossible limits. In any
case... We read that at times the gods have
descended upon the Earth. I... had never
believed it... But, with the science and
conscienceofamanandadoctor,Imustadmit
thatitis so,because theGalileanworkssuch
curesthatonlyagodcanwork.
Maryinsists:
MAGDALENE
Notagod,Nicomedes.ThetrueGod
NICOMEDES
All right. As you wish. And I will believe in
Him and become one of His followers if I see
Lazarus... rise from the dead. Because we must
speakofresurrectionnow,ratherthanrecovery.
So sendforHimurgently...because, ifIhave

notbecomeafool,hewilldiewithinthenext
three days, at most. I said at most. But it
couldbesooner,now.
Marthasays:
MARTHA
Oh!Iwishwecould!ButwedonotknowwhereHe
is...
NICOMEDES
I know where He is. I was told by one of His
discipleswhowasgoingtomeetHimtakingsome
sickpeople,twoofwhomweremypatients.Heis
beyond the Jordan, near the ford. So he said.
PerhapsyouknowtheplacebetterthanIdo.
Marysays:
MAGDALENE
Ah!HeiscertainlyinSolomon'shouse!
NICOMEDES
Isitveryfar?
MARTHA
No,Nicomedes.
NICOMODES
ThensendaservantatoncetotellHimtocome.
IwillcomebacklaterandIwillstayhereto
seeHisactiononLazarus.Hail,ladies.And...
givecouragetoeachother.
Hebowstothemandgoesawaytowardstheexit,
whereaservantiswaitingforhimtoholdhis
horseandopenthegatetohim.
Marthaasksaftersheseesthedoctordepart.
MARTHA
Whatshallwedo,Mary?
MAGDALENE
WewillobeytheMaster.Hetoldustosendfor
HimafterLazarus'death.Andwewilldothat.

MARTHA
Butwhenheisdead...whatistheuseofhaving
theMasterhere?Itwillonlyhelpourhearts,I
agree.ButwithregardtoLazarus!...Iamgoing
tosendaservanttocallHim.
MAGDALENE
No.Youwoulddestroythemiracle.Hesaidthat
we must be able to hope and believe against
everyadversereality.Andifwedoso,weshall
havethemiracle,Iamsureofit.Ifwedonot
do so, God will leave us with the presumption
thatwecanactbetterthanHecan,andHewill
grantusnothing.
MARTHA
Butdon'tyouseehowmuchLazarusissuffering?
Have you not heard, when he recovers
consciousness, how he longs to see the Master?
You are hardhearted if you want to deny our
poorbrotherthislastjoy!...Ourpoorbrother!
We shall soon have no brother! No father, no
mother,nobrother!Thefamilyisdestroyed,and
we are all alone, like two palmtrees in a
desert.
SheisoverwhelmedbygriefandIwouldsaythat
she falls into hysterics, in typically eastern
style,andshetossesherself,strikingherface
andrufflingherhair.
Marygraspsher.She commandshertobesilent
saying:
MAGDALENE
Bequiet!Bequiet,Itellyou!Hemayhearyou.
I love him more and better than you do, and I
can control myself. You look like a sickly
woman. Be silent, I tell you! It is not with
suchfrenziesthatonecanchangesituationsor
move hearts. If you behave thus to move mine,
you are making a mistake. Think about it. My
heart breaks, but it obeys: it persists in
obedience.
Martha, overwhelmed by the strength of her
sisterandbyherwords,calmsdownalittlebut
inhergrief,whichismorecomposed,shemoans

invokinghermother:
MARTHA
Mother! oh! mother, console me. I have had no
peacesinceyoudied.Ifyouwerehere,mother!
Ifsorrowshadnotkilledyou!Ifyouwerehere,
you would guide us and we would obey you, for
thewelfareofusall...Oh!
Mary changes colour and she weeps noiselessly,
shelooksdejectedandwringsherhandswithout
speaking.Marthalooksatherandsays:
MARTHA
When our mother was about to die, she made me
promisethat I would lookafterLazaruslike a
mother.Ifshewerehere...
MAGDALENE
She would obey the Master, because she was a
justwoman.Youaretryingtomovemeinvain.
You can say to me that I murdered my mother
throughthepainsIgaveher.Iwillsaytoyou.
Youareright.Butifyouwanttomakemesay
thatyouarerightinwantingtheMaster,Isay
toyou:No.AndIwillalwayssay:No.AndI
am sure that from Abraham's bosom she approves
ofmeandblessesme.Letusgointothehouse.
MARTHA
Wehavenothingleft!Nothingleft!
MAGDALENE
Everything! You must say everything! You do
listen to the Master and you seem to pay
attentionwhileHespeaks,butlateryoudonot
remember what He says. Has He not always said
thattoloveandobeymakesusthechildrenof
GodandtheheirstoHisKingdom?Sohowcanyou
saythatwewillbeleftwithoutanything,ifwe
haveGodandwepossesstheKingdomthroughour
loyalty?Oh!itistruethatonemustbefirmly
determinedinevil,asIwas,inordertobe,to
know how to be, and to want to be firmly
determined in good, in obedience, in hope, in
faith,inlove!...

MARTHA
YouallowtheJudaeanstolaughatandthrowout
innuendoes against the Master. You heard them
thedaybeforeyesterday...
MAGDALENE
Are you still thinking of the chattering of
thosecrows,ofthecheepingofthosevultures?
Let them spit out what they have inside! What
doestheworldmattertoyou?Whatistheworld
ascomparedwithGod?Look:itislessthanthis
filthybluebottle,whichisbenumbedorpoisoned
withthefilthithassuckedandwhichItrample
on thus and with a vigorous blow of her heel
shecrushesahorseflythatiscreepingslowly
onthegraveloftheavenue.
ShethentakesMarthabythearmsaying:
MAGDALENE
Comeintothehouseand...
MARTHA
AtleastletusinformtheMaster.Letussend
someone to tell Him that Lazarus is dying,
withoutsayinganythingelse...
MAGDALENE
As if He needed to be told by us! No! It is
useless.Hesaid:LetMeknowwhenheisdead.
Andthatiswhatwewilldo.Butnotbeforehis
death.
MARTHA
No one takes pity on my grief! Least of all
you...
MAGDALENE
Stopweepinglikethat.Icannotbearit...
Inherownsorrowshebitesherliptoencourage
hersisterandrestrainhertears.Marcellaruns
outofthehousefollowedbyMaximinus:
MARCELLA
Martha! Mary! Quick! Lazarus is not well. He
doesnotreplyanymore...

Thetwosistersrushbackintothehouse...and
shortly afterwards one can hear Mary's loud
voice giving orders for the circumstance, and
see servants run with cordials and basins
steaming with boiling water, whispering and
makinggesturesofsorrow...
Calmslowlytakesoveraftersomuchexcitement.
Iseetheservantstalkingtooneanotherinlow
voices, less excitedly, but with gestures of
deepdepressiontogiveemphasistotheirwords.
Someshaketheirheads,someraisethemlooking
attheskyandstretchingouttheirarmsasif
to say: It is so, some weep, and some still
hopeforamiracle.
Marthaappearsagain.Sheisaswhiteasdeath.
She turns round to see whether she is being
followed. She looks at the servants who press
roundheranxiously.She turns roundagainto
seewhetheranyonehascomeoutofthehouseto
followher.Shethensaystoaservant:
MARTHA
Comewithme.
The servant leaves the group and follows her
towards the jasmine pergola and goes into it.
Martha speaks, still keeping an eye on the
house, which can be seen through the thickly
entangledbranches,andshesays:
MARTHA
Listen to me carefully. When all the servants
havegonebackintothehouse,andIhavegiven
themorderstokeepthembusyinside,youshall
go to the stables, you shall take one of the
fastesthorsesandsaddleit...Ifanyoneshould
by chance see you, say that you are going to
callthedoctor...Youwillnotbetellingalie
andIamnotteachingyoutolie,becauseIam
reallysendingyoutotheblessedDoctor...Take
some fodder for the horse and some food for
yourselfand thispurseforwhat youmay need.
Go out through the small gate and through the
ploughedfields,wherethehoofsmakenonoise,
whenyougoawayfromthehouse.Thentakethe
Jericho road and gallop without ever stopping,
notevenatnight.Haveyouunderstood?Youmust

never stop. The new moon will illuminate the

roadforyouifitgetsdarkwhileyouarestill
galloping. Bear in mind that the life of your
master is in your hands and depends on your
speed.Irelyonyou.
SERVANT
Mistress,Iwillserveyouasafaithfulslave.
MARTHA
GototheBethabaraford.Crosstheriverandgo
tothevillageafterBethanybeyondtheJordan.
You know... where John used to baptise at the
beginning.
SERVANT
Iknow.Iwentthereaswelltobepurified.
MARTHA
TheMasterisinthatvillage.Anybodywilltell
you the house where He is a guest. But it is
better if you follow the banks of the river,
insteadoftakingthemainroad.Youwillnotbe
noticedsomuchandyouwillfindthehouseby
yourself.Itisthefirstoneontheonlyroad
ofthevillageandittakesonefromthecountry
to the river. You cannot go wrong. It's a low
house, with no terrace or upper room, with a
kitchen garden, when coming from the river,
before the house, and the kitchen garden is
enclosedbyasmallwooden gateandahawthorn
hedge, I think, a hedge, in any case. Is that
clear?Repeatthosedetails.
Theservantrepeatsthempatiently.
MARTHA
All right. Ask to speak to Him, to Him alone,
andtellHimthatyourmistresseshavesentyou
toinformHimthatLazarusisveryill,thathe
isdying,thatwecannotresistanylonger,that
LazaruswantsHimandaskHimtocomeatonce,
atonce,forpity'ssake.Haveyouunderstood?
SERVANT
Yes,Ihave,mistress.

MARTHA
Thencomebackhereimmediately,sothatnoone
maynoticeyourabsence. Takealampwithyou,
you will need it when it gets dark. Go, be
quick, gallop,run thehorseoff itslegs,but
comebackquicklywiththeMaster'sreply.
SERVANT
Iwilldoso,mistress.
MARTHA
Go now! See? They have all gone back into the
house. Go at once. No one will see you making
preparations.Iwillbringyousomefoodmyself.
Go! I will leave it on the threshold of the
smallgate.Go!AndmayGodbewithyou.Go!...
Shepusheshimanxiouslyandthensherunsinto
thehousecautiously,andshortlyafterwardsshe
stealsoutfromabackdooronthesouthernside
of the house, with a little bag in her hands,
she walks along a hedge as far as the first
opening,sheturnsanddisappears...
IV
LAZARUS'DEATH.

They have opened all the doors and windows in

Lazarus' room, to make it easier for him to
breathe.Andaroundhim,whoisunconscious,in
acomaadeepcomalikedeath,fromwhichit
differsonlybecauseofhisbreathingmovement
there are his two sisters, Maximinus, Marcella
andNaomi,intentontheleastactofthedying
man.
Everytimethepangsofdeathcontracthismouth
and it seems to assume the expression of one
abouttospeak,orhiseyescanbepartlyseen
whenhehalfopenshiseyelids,thetwosisters
bendoverhimtocatchaword,aglance...But
invain.Theyarenothingbutmovementslacking
coordination, independent of his will and
intelligence, which are by now both inert and
lost. They are acts brought about by the
suffering flesh, just like the perspiration
thatmakesthefaceofthedyingmanshiny,and
thetremorthatatintervalsshakeshisskeletal
fingers,makingthemlooklikecontractedclaws.
The two sisters also call him, with all their

love in their voices. But his name and their

love collide with the barrier of intellective
insensibility, and the silence of death is the
replytotheircalling.
Naomi,weeping,continuestoplacewarmbricks,
enveloped in strips of woollen cloth, near his
feet, which must be very cold. Marcella is
holdinginherhandsacupintowhichshedipsa
piece of thin linen, which Martha uses to
moisten her brother's dry lips. Mary with
another piece of linen wipes the plentiful
perspiration which streams down the skeletal
face and wets the hands of the dying man.
Maximinus, leaning against a tall dark cabinet
nearLazarus'bed,watchesstandingbehindMary,
whoisbentoverherbrother.
Thereisnooneelse.Thereisdeadsilence,as
if they were in an empty house, in a desert
place. The maidservants who bring the warm
bricksarebarefootedandmakenonoisewalking
onthemarblefloor.Theylooklikeapparitions.
AtacertainmomentMarysays:
MAGDALENE
Hishandsseemtobecomewarm.Look,Martha,his
lipsarenotsopale.
Maximinusremarks:
MAXIMINUS
Yes. And he is breathing more freely. I have
noticedthatforsometime.
Martha bends over him and calls him in a low
voice,inaverywarmtone:
MARTHA
Lazarus! Lazarus! Oh! Look, Mary! He seemed to
smileandtobat hiseyelids.Heisimproving,
Mary!Heisgettingbetter!Whattimeisit?
MAGDALENE
It'sonehourpastsunset.
MARTHA
Ah!
AndMarthastandsup,pressingherhandsagainst

her breast, raising her eyes in a visible

gesture of mute but confident prayer. A smile
brightensherface.
The others look at her in amazement and Mary
saystoher:
MAGDALENE
I fail to see why the fact that it is evening
shouldmakeyouhappy...
And she scans her face suspiciously and
anxiously. Martha does not reply, but she
resumesthesamepostureshehadpreviously.
A maid comes in with some bricks, which she
handstoNaomi.Marysaystoher:
MAGDALENE
Bringtwolamps.ItisgettingdarkandIwant
toseehim.
The maid goes out noiselessly and soon comes
back with two lighted oillamps, and she lays
oneonthecabinetnearMaximinus,andtheother
on a table encumbered with bandages and tiny
amphorae,ontheothersideofthebed.
MAGDALENE
Oh!Mary!Mary!Heisreallylesspale.
Marcellasays:
MARCELLA
Andnotsoexhaustedlooking.Heisreviving!
Maximinussuggests:
MAXIMINUS
Give him a few more drops of that spicy wine
thatSarahprepared.Itdidhimgood
From the top of the cabinet Mary takes a tiny
slenderneckedamphora,shapedlikethebeakof
abird,andshecarefullypoursafewdropsof
winebetweenLazarus'halfclosedlips.
Naomiadvises:

MARTHA
Slowly,Mary.Thathemaynotchoke!
MAGDALENE
Oh!heswallowsit!He wants it!Look,Martha!
Look! He is sticking his tongue out, seeking
it...
Theyallbendtolook,andNaomicallshim:
NAOMI
Darling!Lookatyourwetnurse,oblessedsoul!
Andshemovesforwardtokisshim.
MARTHA
Look! Look, Naomi, he is drinking your tears!
Onefellnearhislips,hefeltit,hesoughtit
andheabsorbedit.
NAOMI
Oh!mydarling!IfIhadthemilkofdaysgone
by,Iwouldsqueezeitoutforyoudropbydrop,
my little lamb, even if I had to squeeze my
heartandthendie!
I gather that Naomi, Mary's wet nurse, nursed
alsoLazarus.
Aservantsaysappearingatthedoor:
ASERVANT
Mistresses,Nicomedeshascomeback
saysMaximinus:
MAXIMINUS
Let him come in! He will help us to make him
recover.Look!Look!Heisopeninghiseyesand
movinghislips
Maryshouts:
MAGDALENE
Heispressingmyfingerswithhisown!
Andshebendssaying:

MAGDALENE
Lazarus!Canyouhearme?WhoamI?
Lazarus really opens his eyes and looks, an
uncertain veiled look, but still a look. He
moveshislipswithdifficultyandsays:
LAZARUS
Mother!
MAGDALENE
IamMary.Mary!Yoursister!
LAZARUS
Mother!
Naomisays,whosefaceiswetwithtears:
NAOMI
Hedoesnotrecogniseyouandheiscallinghis
mother.Dyingpeoplealwaysdothat
Martha says once again with the gesture of
ferventconfidentprayer:
MARTHA
Buthespeaks.Aftersuchalongtimehespeaks.
Itisalreadyagooddeal...Hewillfeelbetter
later.Oh!myLord,rewardyourmaidservant!
Marysays:
MAGDALENE
But what happened to you? Have you seen the
Master?DidHe appeartoyou?Tell me,Martha.
Relievemyanguish!

Nicomedes'cominginpreventsareply.Theyall
addresshimtellinghimhowafterhisdeparture
Lazarushadgrownworse,somuchsothathewas
onthepointofdying,andinfacttheybelieved
thathewasdead,then,withsomeaidstheyhad
madehimcometohimself,butonlyasfarasto
make him breathe. And how, a short time ago,
withaspicywinepreparedbyoneofthewomen,
hehadbeguntowarmupagain,hehadswallowed
someandtriedtodrink,andhehadalsoopened
hiseyesandhadspoken...Theyareallspeaking

together, with revived hope, contrasting with

the somewhat skeptical calmness of the doctor
wholetsthemspeakwithoututteringoneword.
Atlast,whentheyhavefinished,hesays:
NICOMEDES
Allright.Letmesee.
He pushes them aside as he approaches the bed
andasksthemtobringsomelightsandtoclose
thewindow,ashewantstouncoverthepatient.
He bends over him, he calls him, he questions
him,hemovesanoillamptoandfroinfrontof
thefaceofLazarus,whohasnowopenedhiseyes
andseemsamazedateverything;hethenuncovers
him,studieshisbreathing,hisheartbeats,the
temperature and stiffness of his limbs... They
are all anxiously awaiting his word. Nicomedes
covers the patient again, looks at him and is
pensive. He then turns round looking at the
peoplepresentandsays:
NICOMEDES
Itisundeniablethathehasrecoveredstrength.
HehasimprovedsincethelasttimeIsawhim.
Butdonotdeludeyourselves.Itisnothingbut
the fictitious improvement of death. I am so
certain, as I was certain that it is the end,
that, as you can see, I have come back, after
freeing myself of my commitments, to make his
deathlesspainful,asfarasIcandoso...or
toseethemiracleif...Haveyoutakenaction?
Marthasaysinterruptinghim:
MARTHA
Yes,Nicomedes,wehave.
And to prevent him from asking further
questions,
Shesays:
MARTHA
Butdidyounotsaythat...withinthreedays...
I...
Sheweeps.

NICOMEDES
Isaid.Iamadoctor.Iliveamidstagoniesand
tears. Butthe habitualsightof grief hasnot
yetturnedmeintoaheartlessman.Andtoday...
I prepared you... with a rather long... and
vaguedate...Butmymedicalknowledgewarnedme
that the end would come sooner, and my heart
misrepresented the truth as a pitiful
deception...Now!Bebrave...Goout...Wenever
knowhowmuchdyingpeopleunderstand...
Hepushesthemout,whiletheyweep,repeating:
NICOMEDES
Bebrave!Bebrave!
Maximinus remains with the dying man... The
doctoralsogoesawaytopreparesomemedicines
capableofmakingtheagonylessdistressing,as
hesays:
NICOMEDES
Iforeseethatitwillbeverypainful.
MAGDALENE
Makehim live! Makehimlive tilltomorrow.It
is almostnight,asyoucansee,Nicomedes.It
is no problem for your science to keep a man
aliveforlessthanoneday!Makehimlive!
Thedoctorreplies:
NICOMEDES
Madam,IdowhatIcan.Butwhenthewickends,
nothingcankeeptheflamealive!
Andhegoesaway.
The two sisters embrace each other, weeping
disconsolately, and Mary is the one who is
weepingmore.Hersisterhasahopefulheart...
TheyhearLazarus'voicecomingfromhisroom.A
loud authoritative voice that startles them
because it is unexpected from such a weak
person.Hecallsthem:

LAZARUS
Martha!Mary!Whereareyou?Iwanttogetup.I
wanttogetdressed!IwanttotelltheMaster
that I am cured! I must go to the Master. A
wagon! At once. And a fast horse. It was
certainlyHeWhocuredme...
He speaks fast, syllabising the words, sitting
on his bed, flushed with a high temperature,
trying to get out of the bed, prevented from
doing so by Maximinus, who says to the women
rushingintotheroom:
MAXIMINUS
Heisraving!
Martha,whohasdroppedonherknees,isbeside
herselfwithjoy.
MARTHA
No!Lethimgo.Themiracle!Themiracle!Oh!I
amsohappythatIprovokedit!AssoonasJesus
wastold!Godofourfathers,mayYoubeblessed
andpraisedforYour power andbecause ofYour
Messiah...
Martha,whohasdroppedonherknees,isbeside
herselfwithjoy.
In the meantime Lazarus continues to speak,
excitedmoreandmorebyhistemperature,which
Martha does not understand is the cause of
everything,andhesays:
LAZARUS
Hecamesooftentoseeme,whenIwasill.It
isfairthatIshouldgotoHimandsay:Iam
cured.Iamcured!Ifeelnomorepains!Iam
strong. I want to get up. I want to go. God
wantedtotestmyresignation.Ishallbecalled
thenewJob...
He assumes a hieratic attitude and making wide
gestureshesays:
LAZARUS
TheLordwasmovedbyJob'spenance...andgave
him double what he had before. And the Lord

blessed the last years of Job more than the

first ones... and he lived until.... No, I am
notJob!IwasamongtheflamesandHepulledme
out, I was in the belly of the monster and I
havecomebacktolight.SoIamJonah,andIam
thethreechildrenofDaniel...
The doctor, called by someone, comes in. He
looksathim:
NICOMEDES
It's delirium. I was expecting it. The
corruptionofthebloodaffectsthebrains.
He strives to lay him down and exhorts the
others to hold him carefully, and he goes out
againtoattendtohisdecoctions.
Lazarus at times becomes rather impatient of
beingheld,attimesheweepslikeachild.
Marymoans.
MAGDALENE
Heisreallydelirious
MARTHA
No.Noneofyouunderstandanything.Youcannot
believe. Of course! You do not know... By now
theMasterisawarethatLazarusisdying.Yes,
I informed Him, Mary! I did it without saying
anythingtoyou...
Maryshouts:
MAGDALENE
Ah!wretch!Youhavedestroyedthemiracle!
MARTHA
No!Asyoucansee,hebegantofeelbetterwhen
Jonah reached the Master. He is raving...
Certainly...Heisweak,andhisbrainisstill
dulled with death that had already grasped at
him.Butheisnotravingasthedoctorthinks.
Listen to him! Are those the words of a
deliriousperson?
Lazarusinfactissaying:

LAZARUS
I bent my head to the decree of death and I
tastedhowbitteritistodie,andGodhasnow
said that He is satisfied with my resignation
and He is restoring me to life and giving me
back to my sisters. I shall still be able to
serve the Lord and sanctify myself with Martha
and Mary... With Mary! What is Mary? Mary is
Jesus' giftto poorLazarus.Hehadtold me...
What a long time since then! Your forgiveness
will do more than anything else. It will help
Me.Hepromisedme:Shewillbeyourjoy.And
on that day that I was upset because she had
broughthershamehere,neartheHolyOne,what
wordsHespokeinvitinghertocomeback!Wisdom
and Charity had joined together to touch her
heart... And the other day, when He found me
offeringmyselfforherredemption?...Iwantto
livetorejoicewithmyredeemedsister!Iwant
to praisetheLordwithher! Streamsoftears,
insults, shame, bitterness... everything has
piercedmeandkilledmylifebecauseofher...
Hereisthefire,thefireofthefurnace!Itis
coming back, with its memory... Mary of
Theophilus and Eucheria, my sister, the
prostitute.Shecouldhavebeenaqueenandshe
became the filth that even a pig tramples on.
Andmymotherwhodies.Andnotbeingabletogo
amongpeopleanylongerwithouthavingtoputup
with their mockery. Because of her! Where are
you, you wretch? Were you lacking bread,
perhaps,thatyoushouldsellyourself?Whatdid
yousuckfromthenippleofyourwetnurse?What
didyourmotherteachyou?Lusttheformer?Sin
thelatter?Goaway!Disgraceofourfamily!
His voice is a shout. He seems to be mad.
MarcellaandNaomihastentoclosethedoorsand
todrawtheheavycurtainstodeadenthesound,
whilst thedoctor, whohas comeintothe room,
strives in vain to calm the delirium that is
becomingmoreandmoreviolent.
Mary, prostrated dejectedly on the floor, is
sobbingundertheimplacablechargeofthedying
manwhogoeson:

LAZARUS
One,two,tenlovers.TheshameofIsraelpassed
from one embrace to another one... Her mother
wasdying,shewasrejoicinginherobscenelove
affairs. Beast! Vampire! You sucked your
mother'slife.Youdestroyedourjoy.Marthawas
sacrificed because of you. No one marries the
sister ofaprostitute.I...Ah! I!Lazarus, a
knight,thesonofTheophilus...Theurchinsin
Ophel used to spit at me!! Here is the
accompliceofanadulteressandofaprostitute
the scribes and Pharisees used to say shaking
their garments meaning that they rejected the
sin of which I was foul through her contact!
Here is the sinner! He who is not capable of
striking the culprit is guilty himself the
rabbis used to shout when I went up to the
Temple, and I was bathed in perspiration under
thefieryeyesofthepriests...Thefire.You!
You vomited the fire that was within you.
Becauseyouareademon,Mary.You arefilthy.
Youareanathema.Yourfireclungtoeverybody,
because your fire comprised many fires, and
there was some for lustful people who looked
like fish caught in a dragnet whenever you
passed by... Why did I not kill you? I shall
burninGehennaforallowingyoutoliveruining
so many families, scandalising thousands of
people... Who said: Alas for the man who
providesscandal?Whosaidso?Ah!theMaster!
I want the Master! I want Him! That He may
forgiveme.IwanttotellHimthatIcouldnot
kill her because I loved her... Mary was
sunshineinourhouse...IwanttheMaster!Why
isHenothere?Idon'twanttolive!ButIwant
tobeforgivenforthescandalthatIstirredup
byallowingthecauseofscandaltolive.Iam
already enveloped in flames. It's the fire of
Mary.It isburningme.Itburnteverybody.To
givelusttoher,tobringhatredagainstus,to
burn my flesh. Take these blankets away, take
everythingaway!Iamonfire.Itisburningmy
fleshandmyspirit.Iamlostbecauseofher.
Master!Master!Forgiveme!Heisnotcoming.He
cannot come to Lazarus' house. It's a dunghill
because of her. So... I want to forget.
Everything.IamnolongerLazarus.Givemesome
wine.Solomonsays:Givewinetothosewhoare

brokenhearted,letthemdrinkandforgettheir
misery,sothattheymayremembertheirgriefno
more. I don't want to remember any more.
Everybody says: Lazarus is rich, the richest
maninJudaea.It'snottrue!Itisallstraw.
Itisnotgold.Andthehouses?Theyareclouds.
His vineyards, oases, gardens, olivegroves?
Nothing.Deceit.IamJob.Ihavenothing.Ihad
a pearl. Beautiful! Of infinite value. She was
my pride. Her name was Mary. I no longer have
her. I am poor. The poorest of them all. The
mostdeceived...Jesusalsodeceivedme.Because
He told me that He would give her back to me,
insteadshe...Whereisshe?Thereshe is.The
womanofIsrael,thedaughterofaholymother,
lookslikeaheathenhetaera!Halfnaked,drunk,
mad...Andaroundher,withtheireyesfixedon
the naked body of my sister, the pack of her
lovers... And she enjoys being admired and
craved for thus. I want to make amends for my
crime. I want to go through Israel saying:
Don'tgonearthehouseofmysister.Herhouse
is the path to hell and it descends into the
abyss of death. Then I want to go to her and
tread on her, because it is written: Every
unchastewomanwillbetrampledonlikedungon
the road. Oh! Have you the nerve to show
yourselftome whoamdyinglikeadishonoured
man,destroyedbyyou?AfterIoffered mylife
to redeem your soul, and to no avail? Are you
askingmehowIwantedyou?HowIwantedyouin
ordernottodiethus?ThisishowIwantedyou:
like the chaste Susanna. Are you saying that
theytemptedyou?Anddidyounothaveabrother
to defend you? Susanna, who was all alone,
replied: I prefer to fall innocent into your
power,thantosinintheeyesoftheLord,and
God made her innocence shine. I would have
spokenthenecessarywordstothosewhotempted
youandIwouldhavedefendedyou.Instead,you
wentaway.Judithwasawidowandshelivedin
seclusion, wearing sackcloth and fasting and
she was held in high esteem by everybody,
becauseshefeared theLordandpeople singof
her:YouarethegloryofJerusalem,thejoyof
Israel, the honour of our race, because you
actedinamanlymannerandbravely,becauseyou
lovedchastityandafteryourmarriageyouhave

knownnootherman.Thatiswhythehandofthe
Lord made you strong and you will be blessed
forever.IfMaryhadbeenlikeJudith,theLord
would have cured me. But He could not cure me
becauseofher.ThatiswhyIdidnotasktobe
cured.Therecanbenomiraclewheresheis.But
itisnothingtodie,tosuffer.Iwouldsuffer
ten times as much and die several times,
providedshe weresaved. Oh!MostHigh Lord! I
am prepared to suffer all deaths and all
sorrows, but let Mary be saved! To enjoy her
company for one hour, for one hour only, when
she has become holy and as pure as she was in
herchildhood!Onehourofthatjoy!Tobeproud
ofher,thegoldenflowerofmyhouse,thekind
gazellewithmeekeyes,theeveningnightingale,
thelovingdove...IwanttheMastertotellHim
thatthatiswhatIwant:
Mary! Mary! Come! Mary! How grieved is your
brother, Mary! But if you come, if you redeem
yourself,mysorrowwillturnintodelight.Look
for Mary! I am at the end! I am dying! Mary!
Light!Air...I...I'msuffocating...Oh!whatI
feel!...
Thedoctormakesagestureandsays:
NICOMEDES
Itistheend.Afterdelirium,soporthendeath.
Buthemayhavearevivalofintelligence.Come
close to him. You in particular. It will make
himhappy
And after laying Lazarus down with care,
exhaustedas heiswithsomuchexcitement,he
goestowardsMary,whohasbeenweepingallthe
timemoaningonthefloor:
MAGDALENE
Makehimkeepquiet!
He lifts her up and takes her to the bed.
Lazarus has closed his eyes. But he must be
suffering dreadfully. His whole body trembles
spasmodically.Thedoctortriestohelphimwith
potions...Sometimegoesbythus.
Lazarus opens his eyes. He does not seem to
remember what happened before, but he is

conscious.Hesmilesathissistersandtriesto
taketheirhandsand toreplytotheirkisses.
Heturnsdeadlypale.
Hemoans:
LAZARUS
Iamcold...
Andhisteethchatterashetriestocoverhis
facewiththebedclothes.Hegroans:
LAZARUS
Nicomedes,Icannotresistthepainanylonger.
Wolves are eating the flesh of my legs and
devouring my heart. How painful it is! And if
this is agony, what will death be like? What
shall I do? Oh! if I had the Master here! Why
didyounotbringHimtome?Iwouldhavedieda
happydeathonHislap...hesaysweeping.
Martha casts a severe glance at Mary. Mary
understands the meaning of that glance, and
still crushed by her brother's frenzy, she is
consciencestricken and kneeling against the
bed, she bends to kiss Lazarus' hand saying
plaintively:
MAGDALENE
Iamtheguiltyone.Marthawantedtodosotwo
daysago.Ididnotlether.BecauseHetoldus
thatwehadtoinformHimonlyafteryourdeath.
Forgive me! I have been the cause of all the
grief of your lifetime... And yet I loved you
and I love you, brother. After the Master, I
loveyoumorethananybodyandGodknowsthatI
amnotlying.Tellmethatyouabsolvemeofmy
past,thatImayhavepeace...
Thedoctorsaysreproachingly:
NICOMEDES
Madam!Thepatientisinnoneedofemotions.
MAGDALENE
Thatistrue...Tellmethatyouforgivemefor
notcallingJesus...

LAZARUS
Mary! Jesus came here for you... and He comes
because of you... because you know how to
love...morethanalltherest...Youhaveloved
me morethanthe rest...Alife... ofdelights
wouldnothavegivenme...nothavegivenme...
thejoythatIexperienced becauseofyou... I
bless you... I say to you... that you did the
rightthing...inobeying
Jesus...Ididnotknow...Iknow...Isay...it
isright...Helpmetodie!...Naomi...youknew
once... how to... make me fall asleep...
Martha...blessed...mypeace...
Maximinus... with Jesus. Also... for me... My
share... to the poor... to Jesus... for the
poor... And forgive... everybody... Ah! what
atrociouspangs!...Air!...Light!...
Everythingistrembling...Thereakindoflight
around you and it dazzles me if... I look at
you...Speak...loud...
HehaslaidhislefthandonMary'sheadandhas
abandonedhisrightoneintoMartha'shands.He
ispanting...
They lift him carefully adding pillows, and
Nicomedes makes him sip some more drops of
potions. His poor head hangs and dangles in
deadly languor. The only sign of life is his
breathing. Andyet heopenshiseyesand looks
atMarywhoisholdinghisheadandhesmilesat
hersaying:
LAZARUS
Mother!Shehascomeback...Mother!Speak!Your
voice... You know... the secret... of God...
HaveIserved...theLord?...
Mary in a low voice, which grief has made as
thinasagirl's,whispers:
MAGDALENE
TheLordissayingtoyou:ComewithMe,Mygood
andfaithfulservant,becauseyouhavelistened
to every word of Mine and you have loved the
WordWhomIsent.
LAZARUS
Ican'thear.Speaklouder!

Maryrepeatsinaloudervoice...
Lazarus says contentedly relaxing his head on
hissister'sshoulder...
LAZARUS
Itisreallymother!...
He does not speak any more. Only wails and
spasmodic tremor, only perspiration and heavy
breathing. Insensible by now to the Earth, to
affections, he sinks into the more and more
absolutedarknessofdeath.Hiseyelidscloseon
hisglassyeyesinwhichhislasttearsshine.
Marysays:
MAGDALENE
Nicomedes!Heisgettingheavier!Heisbecoming
cold!...
NICOMEDES
Madam,deathisareliefforhim.
Marthasays:
MARTHA
Keep him alive! Jesus will be certainly here
tomorrow.Hewillhaveleftatonce.PerhapsHe
hastakentheservant'shorseoranothermount.
Andaddressinghersistershesays:
MARTHA
Oh!Ifyouhadletmesendhimearlier!
Shethenordersthedoctorconvulsively:
MARTHA
Makehimlive!
Thedoctorstretchesouthisarms.Hetrieswith
somecordials.ButLazarusdoesnotswallowany
more.
His deathrattle increases... It is heart
rending...

Naomisaysmoaning:
NAOMI
Oh!wecannotbearthisanymore!
Thedoctorsaysassenting:
NICOMEDES
Yes.It'salongagony...
Buthehashardlyfinishedspeakingwhenwitha
convulsion of his whole body, that arches and
thencollapses,Lazarusbreatheshislast. His
sisters shout... seeing his spasm, they shout
seeing him collapse. Mary calls her brother,
kissinghim. Marthaclingstothedoctorashe
bendsoverthedeadbodyandsays:
NICOMEDES
Heisdead.Itisnowtoolatetowaitforthe
miracle. There is nothing to wait for. Too
late!...Iamgoing,dominae.Thereisnoreason
whyIshouldremain.Makehasteforthefuneral,
becausethebodyisalreadydecomposed.
He closes the eyelids of the dead man and
lookingathimhesays:
NICOMODES
What a misfortune! He was a virtuous and
intelligentman.Heshouldn'thavedied!
Heturnstowardsthesisters,hebowsandgreets
them:
NICOMODES
Ave!Dominae!
Andhegoesaway.
Mournfullamentsfilltheroom.Maryhasnomore
selfcontrol and she throws herself on her
brother'sbodyshoutingherremorseandinvoking
his forgiveness. Martha is weeping in Naomi's
arms.ThenMaryshouts:
MAGDALENE
You did not have faith or obedience! I killed

himfirst,youhavekilledhimnow;I,withmy
sins,you,withyourdisobedience.
Sheseemstohavegonemad.Marthaliftsherup,
embraces her and apologises. Maximinus, Naomi,
Marcella try to bring both to reason and to
resignation. And they succeed by remembering
Jesus... Their grief quietens down, and while
theroombecomescrowdedwithweepingservants,
and those responsible for the preparation of
thecorpsecomein,thetwosistersareledinto
another room to give vent to their grief.
Maximinuswhoisleadingthemsays:
LAZARUS
Hepassedawayattheendofthesecondwatchof
thenight.

AndNaomisays:
NAOMI
Hewillhavetobeburiedearlytomorrow,before
sunset, when the Sabbath begins. You said that
theMasterwantssolemnfuneralceremonies...
Marthasays:
MARTHA
Yes.Ileavethattoyou,Maximinus.Iamnotin
therightframeofmind.
Maximinussays:
MAXIMINUS
IamgoingandIwillsendservantstoallthe
people concerned, both close at hand and far
away, and I will give all the necessary
instructions
Andhewithdraws.
The two sisters are weeping in each other's
arms. They no longer reproach each other. They
weepandtrytoconsoleeachother...
Somehoursgoby.Thedeadbodyispreparedin
the room: a long figure enveloped in bandages
underthesudarium.

Marthaexclaimsreproachingly:
MARTHA
Whyishealreadycoveredlikethat!
Aservantsaysapologising:
SIRVANT
Mistress...Abadsmellcamefromhisnoseand
hethrewuptaintedbloodwhenwemovedhim

Thesistersweepmoreloudly.Lazarusisalready
more remote under those bandages... A further
steptowardstheremotenessofdeath.
They keep vigil by his bedside weeping, until
dawn, when the servant comes back from beyond
the Jordan. The servant is dismayed, but he
informsthem ofhisfastjourney tobringthem
thenewsthatJesusiscoming.
Marthaasks:
MARTHA
Did He say that He is coming? Did He not
reproachus?
SERVANT
No, mistress. I will come. Tell them that I
willcomeandtohavefaith.AndbeforethatHe
said: Tell them not to worry. It is not a
deadlydisease.ButitisforthegloryofGod,
thatHispowermaybeglorifiedinHisSon.
Maryasks:
MAGDALENE
DidHesayexactlythat?Areyousure?
SERVANT
Mistress, I have been repeating His words all
thewayback!
Martha says with a sigh. And she bursts into
tearsassoonassheisleftwithhersister.
MARTHA
Go, then. You are tired. You have done

everythingwell.Butitistoolate,now!...
MAGDALENE
Martha,why?...
MARTHA
Oh! in addition to his death, there is
disappointment! Mary! Mary! Are you not
consideringthattheMasteriswrongthistime?
Look at Lazarus. He is really dead! We have
hopedagainsthope,buttonoavail.WhenIsent
forHim,Icertainlymadeamistake,forhewas
more dead than alive. And our faith had no
result orreward.AndtheMaster hassentword
that it is not a deadly disease! So is the
Master nolongerthe Truth?Heisno longer...
Oh!That'stheendofeverything!
Mary is wringing her hands. She does not know
whattosay.Factsarefacts...Butshedoesnot
speak. She does not say one word against her
Jesus.Sheweeps.Sheisreallyexhausted.
Marthahasafixedideainherheart:thatshe
delayedtoolong.
shesaysreproachingly:
MARTHA
It's your fault. He wanted to test our faith
thus. By obeying, I agree, but also by
disobeyingoutoffaith,toshowtoHimthatwe
believedthatHealonecouldandhadtoworkthe
miracle.Mypoorbrother!AndhelongedforHim
so much! At least that: to see Him! Poor
Lazarus!Poorbrother!Andherweepingchanges
into howling, which is echoed in the adjoining
rooms by the howls of the maids and servants,
accordingtotheeasterncustom...
V

TheServantofBethanyInformsJesusofMartha's
Message.
Itisalreadynightfallwhentheservant,whois
proceedingthroughthebrushwoodneartheriver,
spurshishorse,steamingwithperspiration,to
overcome the difference in level between the
riverandtheroadleading tothevillage.The

poor animal's sides are heaving because of the

longfastrun.Itsdarkcoatisallveinedwith
perspiration and its breast is spread with the
whitefoamofthebit.Itpuffsarchingitsneck
andshakingitsheard.
They are now on the narrow road and they soon
reach the house. The servant jumps to the
ground, ties the horse to a hedge and gives a
shout.
From the rear of the house the head of Peter
appearsandinhisharshvoiceheasks:
PETER
Whoiscalling?TheMasteristired.Hehasnot
hadanypeaceformanyhours.Itisalmostdark.
Comebacktomorrow.
SERVANT
I do not want anything of the Master. I am
healthyandIhaveonlytospeakafewwordsto
Him.
Petercomesforwardsaying:
PETER
Fromwhom,ifyoudonotmindmeaskingyou?I
will not let anybody pass without safe
identification,particularly those whostinkof
Jerusalem,asyoudo.
Hehascomeslowlyforwardashissuspicionhas
been aroused more by the beauty of the richly
harnesseddarkhorsethanbythe man.Butwhen
heisinfrontofhim,heisamazed:
PETER
You?AreyounotoneofLazarus'servant?
The servant does not know what to say. His
mistress told him to speak only to Jesus. But
theapostleseemstobequitedeterminednotto
lethimpass.AsheknowsthatLazarus'namehas
great influence over the apostles, he makes up
hismindandsays:
SERVANT
Yes,IamJonah,Lazarus'servant.Imustspeak
totheMaster.

PETER
IsLazarusnotwell?Hashesentyou?
SERVANT
No, he is not well. But don't make me waste
time.Imustgobackassoonaspossible.
AndtoconvincePeterhesays:
SERVANT
ThemembersoftheSanhedrincametoBethany...
PETER
The members of the Sanhedrin!!! Come in! Come
in!
Andheopensthegatesaying:
PETER
Bringthehorsein.Wewillwateritandgiveit
somegrass,ifyouwishso.
SERVANT
Ihavesomefodder,butsomegrasswillnotdo
itanyharm.Wewillgiveitsomewaterlater,
itmaybeharmfulnow.
Theygointothelargeroomwherethebedsare
andtheytiethehorseinacornertoprotectit
from draughts; the servant covers it with a
blanketthatwastiedtothesaddle,hegivesit
somefodderandthegrassthatPeterhasbrought
fromIdonotknowwhere.Theygooutagainand
Peter takes the servant into the kitchen and
giveshimacupofwarmmilkthathetakesfrom
apotnearthefire,insteadofthewaterthat
the servant had asked for. While the servant
drinks it and warms himself near the fire,
Peter, who is heroic in not asking curious
questions,says:
PETER
Milk is better than the water you wanted. And
since we have it! Did you come all the way
withoutastop?

SERVANT
Withoutastop.AndI'lldothesamegoingback.
PETER
Youmustbetired.Andcanthehorsestandit?
SERVANT
Ihopeso.Inanycase,onmywayback,Ishall
notgallopasIdidcoming.
PETER
It will soon be dark. The moon is already
rising...Howwillyoumanageattheriver?
SERVANT
I hope to arrive there before the moon sets.
OtherwiseIshallstopinthewood until dawn.
ButIshallgettherebefore.
PETER
And then? It's a long way from the river to
Bethany.Andthemoonsetsearly.Sheisinher
firstdays.
SERVANT
Ihaveagoodlamp.Iwilllightitandgoslow.
No matter how slow I may go, I shall be
approachinghome.
PETER
Would you like some bread and cheese? We have
some. We have also some fish, I caught it.
BecauseIremainedherewithThomas.ButThomas
hasnowgonetogetsomebreadfromawomanwho
helpsus.
SERVANT
No, don't deprive yourself of anything. I had
some food on the way, but I was thirsty and I
needed something warm. I amallrightnow.But
willyougototheMaster?IsHein?
PETER
Yes, He is. If He had not been here, I would
have told you at once. He is in that room,
resting. Because so many people come here... I
amevenafraidthatthenewsmayspreadandthat
the Pharisees may come and disturb. Take some

moremilk.Youhavetoletthehorseeat...and
rest. Its sides were beating like a badly
securedsail...
SERVANT
No,youneedthemilk.Youaresomany.
PETER
Yes.But withtheexceptionofthe Master,Who
speakssomuchthatHischestaches,andofthe
olderones,we,whoaresturdy,preferfoodthat
keepsourteethbusy.Take some. It'sthemilk
of the sheep left by the old man. When we are
here,thewomanbringsittous.But,ifwewant
more, everybody is willing to give it to us.
They like us, here, and they help us. And...
tell me: were there many members of the
Sanhedrin?
SERVANT
Oh!theywerealmostallthereandotherpeople
with them: Sadducees, scribes, Pharisees,
wealthyJudaeans,someHerodians....
PETER
And why did all those people come to Bethany?
WasJosephwiththem?AndNicodemus?
SERVANT
No. They had come previously, Manahen also had
come.TheotherswerenotfriendsoftheLord.
PETER
Eh!Ibelievethat!Theyaresofewthemembers
oftheSanhedrinwholoveHim!Butwhatdidthey
wantexactly?
SERVANT
TogreetLazarus,sotheysaidcomingin...
PETER
H'm!Howstrangetheirloveis!Theyhavealways
shunnedHimforsomanyreasons!...Well!...Let
usbelieveit...Didtheystaylong?
SERVANT
Quitealongtime.Andtheywereupsetwhenthey
left.Idonotworkinthehouse,soIwasnot

serving at the tables. But the other servants

who were serving in the house say that they
spokewiththemistressesandtheywantedtosee
Lazarus.HelkaiwentintoLazarus'roomand...
Peterwhispersbetweenhisteeth:
PETER
Afinecrook!...
SERVANT
Whatdidyousay?
PETER
Oh!nothing!Goon.AnddidhespeaktoLazarus?
SERVANT
Ithinkso.HewentwithMary.Butlater,Ido
not know why... Mary became irritated and the
servants, who rushed there from the nearby
rooms, say that she turned them out
ruthlessly...
PETER
Well done! Just what is needed! And have they
sentyoutotellus?
SERVANT
Don'tmakemewastemoretime,SimonofJonah.
PETER
Youareright.Come.
Hetakeshimtowardsadoorandknockssaying:
PETER
Master, there is one of Lazarus' servants who
wantstospeaktoYou.
Jesussays:
JESUS
Lethimcomein.
Peter opens the door, lets the servant enter,
closesthedoorandwithdraws,meritoriously,to
thefireplace,tomortifyhiscuriosity.
Jesus,sittingontheedgeofHislittlebedin

thesmallroom where there ishardlyspacefor

the bed and the person who lives in it, and
whichpreviouslywascertainlyastoreroomas
therearestillhooksonthewallsandshelves,
lookssmilingattheservantwhohaskneltdown
andHegreetshim:
JESUS
Peacebewithyou.
AndHethenadds:
JESUS
WhatnewsdoyoubringMe?Standupandspeak.
SERVANT
MymistresseshavesentmetotellYoutogoto
them at once, because Lazarus is very ill and
the doctor says that he will die. Martha and
MaryimploreYouandtheyhavesentmetosayto
You:Come,becauseYoualonecancurehim.
JESUS
Tell them not to worry. This is not a disease
that will cause his death, but it is for the
gloryofGod,thatHispowermaybeglorifiedin
HisSon.
SERVANT
But his condition is very serious, Master! His
bodyisaffectedwithgangreneandhenolonger
takes any food. I have worn out my horse to
arrivehereintheshortestpossibletime...
JESUS
Itdoesnotmatter.ItisasIsay.
SERVANT
ButwillYoucome?
JESUS
Iwillcome.TellthemthatIwillcomeandto
have faith. Tell them to have faith. Absolute
faith.Haveyouunderstood?Go.Peacetoyouand
to those who sent you. I tell you once again:
Theymusthavefaith.Absolutefaith.Go

The servant greets Him and withdraws. Peter

rushestowardshimsaying:
PETER
YouwerequickintellingHim.Ithoughtthatit
wasalongspeech...
He looks at him intently... His face is shot
throughwiththeanxietytobeinformed.Buthe
checkshimself...
SERVANT
Iamgoing.Willyougivemesomewaterforthe
horse?ThenIwillleave.
PETER
Come. Some water!... We have a whole river to
giveyousome,inadditiontoourwell
AndPeter,holdingalamp,walksbeforehimand
giveshimthewaterheaskedfor.Theywaterthe
horse. The servant removes the blanket, he
checksitsshoes,thebellyband,thereins,the
stirrups.Heexplains:
SERVANT
Ithasrunsomuchandsofast!Buteverything
isinorder.Goodbye,SimonPeter,andprayfor
us.
Heleadsthehorseout.Holdingitbythebridle
hegoesoutontotheroad,putsonefootinthe
stirrupandis about tomount.Peterholdshim
backputtingonehandonhisarmssaying:
PETER
Thereisonlyonethingwishtoknow:isthere
anydangerforHimtostayhere?Havetheymade
threats?Didtheywanttolearnfromthesisters
wherewewere?Tellme,inthenameofGod!
SERVANT
No,Simon.No.Theyneversaidthat.Theycame
forLazarus...Wesuspectthattheycametosee
whethertheMasterwasthereandwhetherLazarus
was leprous, because Martha was shouting out
loud that he is not leprous and she was
weeping...Goodbye,Simon.Peacebewithyou.

PETER
And with you and your mistresses. May God
accompanyyoubackhome...
He watches him depart... and soon disappear at
the end of the street, because the servant
prefers to take the main road, clear in the
moonlight,ratherthanthedarkpathinthewood
alongtheriver.Heremainsthoughtful.Thenhe
closes the gate and goes back into the house.
He goes to Jesus, Who is still sitting on the
little bed, leaning His hands on its edge,
engrossedinthought.ButHerousesHimselfwhen
HehearsPetercomeclosetoHimandlookatHim
inquisitively.Hesmilesattheapostle.
PETER
AreYousmiling,Master?
JESUS
I am smiling at you, Simon of Jonah. Sit down
here,nearMe.Havetheotherscomeback?
PETER
No,Master.NotevenThomas.Hemusthavefound
someonetospeakto.
JESUS
Thatisallright.
PETER
Allrightthat heshouldspeak?Allrightthat
the others should be late? He speaks even too
much.He isalwayscheerful!And theothers? I
am always worried until they come back. I am
alwaysafraid.
JESUS
Ofwhat,MydearSimon?Noharmwillbefallus
forthetimebeing,believeMe.Setyourmindat
restandimitateThomaswhoisalwayscheerful.
You, on the contrary, have been very sad for
sometime.
PETER
IdefyanyonewholovesYounottobeso!Iam
oldnowandIpondermorethantheyoungerones.

Becausethey alsoloveyou,buttheyare young

andless thoughtful... ButifYoulike memore
whenIamhappy,Iwillbeso,Iwillstriveto
beso.Butinordertobeabletobeso,giveme
areasonforit.Tellmethetruth,myLord.I
am asking You on my knees (he in fact kneels
down).WhatdidLazarus'servanttellYou?That
theyarelookingforYou?Thattheywanttoharm
You?That...
JesuslaysHishandonPeter'sheadsaying:
JESUS
No,Simon!Nothingofthekind.Hecametotell
MethatLazarushasgotworse,andwespokeonly
ofLazarus.
PETER
Really?
JESUS
Really,Simon.AndItoldthemtohavefaith.
PETER
ButdoYouknowthatthoseoftheSanhedrinhave
beentoBethany?
JESUS
Whichisnatural!Lazarus'householdisagreat
one. And according to our custom such honours
aretobegiventoapowerfulmanwhoisdying.
Donotdistressyourself,Simon.
PETER
But do You really think that they did not use
thatasanexcuseto...
JESUS
ToseewhetherIwasthere.Well,theydidnot
findMe.Cheerup,donotbesofrightenedasif
theyhadalreadycapturedMe.Comehere,beside
Me, poor Simon, who on no account will be
convincedthatnoharmcan befallMeuntilthe
momentdecreedbyGod,andthatthen...nothing
willbeabletodefendMefromEvil...
Peter throws his arms round Jesus' neck and

keepsHimquietbykissingHishandandsaying:
PETER
Bequiet!Bequiet!Don'ttellmesuchthings!I
don'twanttohearthem!
Jesus succeeds in releasing Himself so that He
canspeakandHewhispers:
JESUS
Youdonotwanttohearthem!Thatistheerror!
ButIpityyou...Listen,Simon.Sinceyouwere
theonlyonetobehere,onlyyouandIareto
knowwhathappened.DoyouunderstandMe?
PETER
Yes,Master.Iwillnotmentionittoanyofmy
companions.
JESUS
Howmanysacrifices,isthatright,Simon?
PETER
Sacrifices?Which?Itispleasanttobehere.We
havewhatisnecessary.
JESUS
The sacrifice of not asking questions, of not
speaking, of putting up with Judas... of being
awayfromyour lake...But Godwillrewardyou
foreverything.
PETER
Oh!ifthatiswhatYoumean!...Inplaceofthe
lakeIhavetheriverand...Imakeitsuffice.
WithregardtoJudas...IhaveYouWhomakeup
for him fully... And with regard to the other
things!... Trifles! And they help me to become
lesscoarseandmorelikeYou.HowhappyIamto
beherewithYou!InYourarms!Caesar'spalace
would not seem more beautiful than this house,
ifIcouldalwaysbeinitthus,inYourarms.
JESUS
What do you know of Caesar's palace? Have you
seenit?

PETER
No,andIshallneverseeit.AndIdonotcare.
But I imagine it large, beautiful, full of
lovelythings...andoffilth.Likethewholeof
Rome,Isuppose.Iwouldnotstaythereevenif
theycoveredmewithgold!
JESUS
Where?InCaesar'spalaceorinRome?
PETER
Inneither.Anathema!
JESUS
Butbecausetheyarelikethat,theyaretobe
evangelized.
PETER
AndwhatdoYouexpecttodoinRome?!Itisa
brothel! There is nothing to be done there,
unlessYoucome.Then!...
JESUS
Iwillcome.Romeisthecapitaloftheworld.
OnceRomeisconquered,theworldisconquered.
PETER
Are we going to Rome? You are proclaiming
Yourself king, there! Mercy and power of God!
Thatisamiracle!
Peter has stood up and with raised arms he is
standingbeforeJesusWhosmilesandrepliesto
him:
JESUS
IwillgothereinMyapostles.Youwillconquer
itforMe.AndIshallbewithyou.Butthereis
someoneoutthere.Letusgo,Peter.
VI

AtLazarus'Funeral.
The news of Lazarus' death must have had the
sameeffectasastickstirredinsideabeehive.
EverybodyinJerusalemtalksaboutit.Notables,
merchants, common people, poor people, the
townspeople, people from the nearby country,

foreignerspassingthroughbutfamiliarwiththe
place, strangers who are there for the first
timeandaskwhoisthemanwhosedeathisthe
causeofsomuchcommotion,Romans,legionaries,
members of the staff, and Levites and priests
who continually gather together and then part,
runninghereandthere...Smallknotsofpeople
discussing the event with different words and
expressions. Some utter words of praise, some
weep,somefeeltheyaremorepauperthanusual
nowthattheirbenefactorisdead,somemoan:I
shall never have such a master again, some
mentionhismerits,somedescribehiswealthand
kindred, his father's services and offices and
his mother's beauty and riches and her regal
birth; some, on the contrary, recall family
events over which one should draw a veil of
kindness, particularly when a dead man is
involvedwhohassufferedthroughthem...
Thesmallgroupsofpeoplecomeupwiththemost
desparatenewsonthecauseof Lazarus'death,
on the place of his burial, on the absence of
Christ from the house of His great friend and
protector just in that circumstance. The
prevailing opinions are two: one is that all
thishappened,nay,wasbroughtaboutbythebad
behaviourofJudaeans,membersoftheSanhedrin,
Pharisees and the like towards the Master; the
other,thattheMaster,beingfacedwithareal
deadlydisease,sneakedawaybecauseHisdeceit
would not be successful in this case. Also
without being astute one can understand the
source of the latter opinion, which embitters
manywhoretort:AreyouaPhariseeaswell?If
youare,takecareofyourselfbecausetheHoly
One is not to be cursed in our presence! You
abominable vipers born of hyenas coupled with
Leviathan! Who pays you to curse the Messiah?
Squabbles, insults, also some blows, pungent
rude remarks addressed to the richly dressed
Pharisees and scribes, who pass by giving
themselves the airs of gods, without
condescending to look at the common people
shoutinginfavouroragainstthem,infavouror
againsttheMessiah,resoundinthestreets.And
howmanyaccusations!

PEOPLES
This man is saying that Jesus is a false
Master! He is certainly one who has put on
weight with the money he received from those
snakeswhohavejustgoneby!
With their money? With ours, you should say!
They fleece us for such noble purposes! But
whereishe?Iwanttoseewhetherheisoneof
thosewhocameyesterdaytotellme...
Hehasrunaway.But,blessedbetheLord,we
mustjointogetherandtakeaction.Theyaretoo
insolent.
Anotherconversation:
PEOPLE
I have heard you and I know you. I will tell
the people concerned what you said of the
SupremeCourt!
IbelongtoChrist,andtheslaverofademon
doesmenoharm.Ifyouwish,youcantellAnnas
and Caiaphas, and may it help them to become
morehonest.
Andfartheraway:
PEOPLE
Me? You say that I am a perjurer and a
blasphemerbecauseIfollowthelivingGod?You
areaperjurerandablasphemersinceyouoffend
and persecute Him. I know who you are. I have
seen you and heard you. You corrupt informer!
Come!Takethis!...
Andinthemeantimehebeginstocufftheears
ofaJudaeanwhosebonygreenishfacereddens.
Another says one farther away, addressing a
groupofmembersoftheSanhedrin.
JUDAEAN
Comelius,Simon,look!Theyarebullyingme
Replies one of the men, who had been called,
without even turning to look at the unlucky
person to whom a group of common people are
dispensingroughjustice:

ONEOFTHEM
Endureitwithfaithanddonotsoilyourhands
andlipsonaSabbath'seve.
Women are shouting calling their husbands whom
theyentreatnottocompromisethemselves.
Legionaries on patrol go around dispersing the
crowdswiththeirlancesandthreateningarrests
andpunishments.
Lazarus' death, the main fact, is the starting
pointtogoontosecondaryfacts,togivevent
tothelonglastingtensioninhearts...
The members of the Sanhedrin, the elders,
scribes, Sadducees, the mighty Judaeans go by
slyly, with indifference, as if all the
outburstsofpettyanger,ofpersonalrevengeof
nervousnesswerenotrootedinthem.Andasthe
time goes by the agitation and the excitement
increasemoreandmore.
Peoplesay:
PEOPLE
Listentothis,thesepeopleheresaythatthe
Christ cannot cure sick people. I was a leper
andnowIamhealthy.Doyouknowwhotheyare?
IdonotcomefromJerusalem,butIhavenever
seen them among the disciples of the Christ
theselasttwoyears.
Those men? Let me see the one in the middle!
Ah! you rascal and thief! You are the one who
lastmonthcametometooffermemoneyinthe
nameoftheChrist,sayingthatHehiresmento
seizePalestine.Andyounowsay...Butwhydid
youlethimescape?
Have you seen that? How mischievous they are!
Andtheyalmostcaughtme!Myfatherinlawwas
right! There isJosephthe Elder withJohnand
Joshua. Let us go and ask them whether it is
truethattheMasterwantstoassembleanarmy.
Theyarejustandtheyknow.
Theyall rushtowardsthethreemembersofthe
Sanhedrinandasktheirquestion.
JosephofArimatheasays,whomustbelovedand
listenedtobythepeoplewhoknowhimtobea

justman:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
Go home, men.Onesins anddoesharmfulthings
inthestreets.Donotargue.Don'ttakefright.
Mind your own business and take care of your
families.Don'tlistentoagitatorsordreamers
and don't allow yourselves to be beguiled. The
Masterisamaster,notawarrior.YouknowHim.
AndHespeaksHismind.Hewouldnothavesent
other people to ask you to follow Him as
warriors,ifHewantedyoutobesuch.Don'tdo
any harm to Him, to yourselves and to our
Fatherland. Home, men! Home! Do not allow what
is already a misfortune the death of a just
man to become a series of misfortunes. Go
back to your houses and pray for Lazarus, who
wascharitabletoeverybody
AlsoJohn(themanwhowasjealous)says:
JOHNOFSANHEDRIN
Heisapeacefulnotawarlikeman.Don'tlisten
to false disciples. Remember how different the
others were, who said they were the Messiah.
Rememberandponder,andyourjusticewilltell
you that those instigations to violence could
not come from Him! Go home! Go back to your
womenwhoareweepingandto yourchildrenwho
are frightened. It is said: Woe to those who
areviolentandtothosewhoencouragebrawls.
A group of weeping women approach the three
membersoftheSanhedrinandoneofthemsays:
WEPINGWOMEN
Thescribeshavethreatenedmyman.Iamafraid!
Joseph,pleasespeaktothem.
Josephreplies:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
Yes,Iwill.Butletyourhusbandbequiet.Do
youthinkthat youare assisting theMasterby
means of these agitations and that you are
honouringthedead man?Youarewrong. Youare
harmfultobothofthem.

AndheleavesthemtogotowardsNicodemus,who
is comingfrom oneofthestreets, followedby
servantsandhesaystohim:

JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
I was not hoping to meet you, Nicodemus. I do
notknowmyselfhowImanaged.Lazarus'servant
came to me at the end of the fourth watch to
informmeofthesadevent.
NICODEMUS
Andhecametomelater.Ileftatonce.Doyou
knowwhethertheMasterisatBethany?
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
No,Heisnotthere.MystewardinBezethawas
thereatthethirdhourandhetoldmethatthe
Masterisnotthere.
Johnexclaims:
JOHNOFSANHEDRIN
Idonotknowhow...miraclesforeverybodybut
notforhim!
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
ProbablybecauseHegavethehouseholdmorethan
amiraculouscure:HeredeemedMaryandgranted
peaceandhonour...
Joshuasays:
JOSHUA
Peaceandhonour!Ofgoodpeopletogoodpeople.
Because many... have not paid and do not pay
honourevennowthatMary...Youdonotknow...
Three days ago Helkai and many others were
there...and theydidnotpayhonour.AndMary
drove them away. They were furious when they
told me, and I just let them say what they
liked,asIdidnotwanttodisclosemyheartto
them...
Nicodemusasks:
NICODEMUS
Andaretheygoingtothefuneralnow?

JOSHUA
Theyhavebeeninformedandtheyhavemetatthe
Temple to decide. Oh! Their servants have been
verybusyrunningaboutatdawnthismorning!
NICODEMUS
Why such hurry for the funeral? Immediately
afterthesixthhour!...
JOSHUA
BecauseLazaruswasalreadyrottenwhenhedied.
My steward told me that although resins are
burning in the rooms and perfumes have been
spreadprofuselyonthedeadbody,thestenchof
the corpse is smelt even at the porch of the
house.InanycasetheSabbathbeginsatsunset.
Itwasnotpossibletodootherwise.
NICODEMUS
And you say that they held a meeting at the
Temple?Why?
JOSHUA
Well...inactualfactthemeetinghadalready
been called to discuss Lazarus' case. They
wantedtostatethathewasleprous...
Josephsaysdefendinghim:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
Surelynot.Hewouldhavebeenthefirsttolive
inisolationaccordingtotheLaw.
Andheadds:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
Ispoketotheirdoctor.Heexcludeditwithout
any possibility of doubt. He was affected by
putridconsumption.
Nicodemusasks:
NICODEMUS
So what did they discuss, since Lazarus was
alreadydead?

Joshuaexplainsonceagain:
JOSHUA
Whether they should go to the funeral, after
Mary has driven them away. Some wanted to go,
some were against it. Those who wanted to go
werethe majorityandforhreereasons.Tosee
whether the Master was there, the first reason
agreed tobyeverybody.To seewhether Hewill
work a miracle, the second reason. The third
reason:theremembranceofwordsspokenrecently
bytheMastertosomescribesattheJordannear
Jericho.
Johnasksshrugginghisshoulders:
JOHNOFSANHEDRIN
Themiracle!Which,ifheisalreadydead?
Andheconcludes:
JOHNOFSANHEDRIN
Theusual...seekersofwhatisimpossible!
Josephremarks:
JOSEPH
TheMasterhasraisedotherpeoplefromthedead
JOHNOFSANHEDRIN
That is true. But if He had wanted him to be
alive,Hewouldnothavelethimdie.Thereason
mentioned by you previously is correct. They
havealreadybeengrantedmuch.
JOSEPH
Yes. But Uziel and Sadoc have recalled a
challenge of many months ago. The Christ said
that He will give proof that He can recompose
alsoadecomposedbody.Andazarusissuch.And
Sadoc, the scribe, also says that, near the
Jordan,theRabbispontaneouslytoldhimthatat
thenewmoonhewouldseehalfofthechallenge
beingaccomplished.Thatis:adecomposedperson
that revives, without further decomposition or
disease. And their opinion prevailed. If that

happens,itisbecausetheMasteristhere.And
if that happens, there will be no more doubts
aboutHim.
Josephwhispers:
JOSEPH
Providingthatisnotdetrimental...
JOHNOFSANHEDRIN
Detrimental?Why?ThescribesandPhariseeswill
beconvinced...
JOSEPH
Oh!John!Areyouastrangerthatyoushouldsay
that? Do you not know your fellow citizens?
Whenhasthetruthevermadethemholy?Doesit
mean nothing to you that no invitation to the
meetingwasbroughttomyhouse?
Nicodemussays:
NICODEMUS
Itwasnotbroughttomineeither.Theysuspect
usandtheyoftenleaveusout.
Thenheasks:
NICODEMUS
WasGamalielthere?
JOSEPH
His son was there. And he will come also in
placeofhisfather,whoisunwellatGamalain
Judaea.
NICODEMUS
AndwhatdidSimeonsay?
JOSEPH
Nothing. Nothing at all. He listened. Then he
wentaway.Notlongagohepassedwithsomeof
hisfather'sdisciples,goingtowardsBethany.
They are almost at the gate leading onto the
roadtoBethany.AndJohnexclaims:

JOHNOFSANHEDRIN
Look! It is garrisoned. Why? And they are
stoppingthosecomingout.
NICODEMUS
Thereisagitationintown...
JOHNOFSANHEDRIN
Oh!Butitisnotaveryfierceone...
They arrive at the gate and they are stopped
likeeverybodyelse.
JosephofArimatheasays:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
Whatisthereasonforthis,soldier?Iamwell
known to everybody in the Antonia, and you
cannotspeakillofme.Irespectyouandyour
laws
SOLDIER
ItistheorderoftheCenturion.TheCommander
isabouttoenterthetownandwewanttoknow
whocomesoutofthegates,particularlyofthis
one that opens onto the Jericho road. We know
you. But we also know the feelings of the
Judaeanstowardsus.Youandthosewhoarewith
youmaygoon.Andifyouhaveinfluenceonthe
peopletellthemthatitisbetterforthemto
be calm. Pontius does not like to change his
habits because of subjects who cause him
trouble... andhemightbe toosevere. A piece
ofsincereadvicetoyouwhoaresincere.
Theygoon.Josephsays:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHEA
Didyouhearthat?Iforeseetroublesomedays...
It will be necessary to advise the others,
ratherthanthepeople...
The Bethany road is crowded with people all
going in the same direction: to Bethany. They
are all going to the funeral. One can see
members of the Sanhedrin and Pharisees mingled
with Sadducees and scribes, with peasants,

servants, with the stewards of the various

houses and estates that Lazarus owned in town
andinthecountry,andthemoreoneapproaches
Bethany,themorepeoplepourintothemainroad
frompathsandothersideroads.
There is Bethany. Bethany mourning for its
greatest citizen. All the inhabitants, wearing
their best clothes, have already left their
houses,whicharelockedasifnoonelivedin
them.Buttheyarenotyetinthehouseofthe
dead man. Curiosity holds them back near the
gateand along theroad.Theywatchthepeople
who have been invited, as they pass by, they
mentiontheirnamesandexchangeimpressions.
PEOPLE
There is Nathanael ben Faba. Oh! Old
Mattathias,Jacob'srelative!Annas'son!Heis
over there with Doras, Callascebona and
Archelaus. Oh! How did those of Galilee manage
tocome?Theyareallthere.Look:Eli,Johanan,
Ishmael, Uriah, Joachim, Elias, Joseph... Old
HananiahwithSadoc,ZachariasandJohanan,the
Sadducees.ThereisalsoSimeonofGamaliel.He
isallalone.Therabbiisnotthere.Thereis
Helkai with Nahum, Felix, Annas the scribe,
Zacharias, Jonathan ben Uriel! Saul with
Eleazar,TriphonandJoazar.Finerascalsthese
last ones! Another son of Annas. The youngest.
He istalkingto Simon Camit.PhilipwithJohn
Antipatrides. Alexander, Isaac and Jonah of
Babaon. Sadoc. Judas, a descendant of the
Asideans,thelastone,Ithink,ofthatclass.
Therearethestewardsofthevariousbuildings.
I do not see any of the faithful friends. How
manypeople!
Really! How many people. They are all
supercilious, some with an expression for the
occasion,somewiththesignsof truegriefon
their faces. They are all swallowed up by the
wideopengate,andIseepassbyallthosewho
insuccessivestagesappearedtobefriendlyor
hostile to the Master. Everybody, with the
exception of Gamaliel and of Simon, the member
of theSanhedrin.AndIseealsootherpeople,
whom I have never seen before, or whom I may
haveseenwithoutknowingtheirnames,disputing
round Jesus... Rabbis pass by with their

disciples, and scribes in close groups. And

Judaeans go along while I hear their riches
being listed... The garden is full of people
who,aftergoingtoexpresstheirsympathywith
the sisters who, probably according to the
local custom, are sitting under the porch, and
arethereforeoutsidethehousecomebackand
spreadoutinthegardenincontinuousblending
ofcoloursandbowinginsalutation.
Martha andMaryarewornout.They areholding
each other's hand like two little girls,
frightened of the sad gap in their family, of
the emptiness of their days now that they no
longerhavetotakecareofLazarus.Theylisten
to the words of visitors, they weep with true
friends, with loyal subordinates, they bow to
theicyimposingstiffmembersoftheSanhedrin
who have come more to attract attention to
themselves than to honour the dead man, and
although they are tired of repeating the same
things hundreds of times, they reply to those
askingthemaboutLazarus'lastmoments.
Joseph,Nicodemus,themostdevotedfriendsare
near them speaking only few words, but their
friendshipcomfortsthemmorethananyword.
Helkai comes back with the more intransigent
members of the Sanhedrin, to whom he has been
speakingforalongtimeandheasks:
HELKAI
Couldweseethedeadbody?
Martha grievously wipes her forehead with her
handandasks:
MARTHA
WhenisthateverdoneinIsrael?Itisalready
prepared...
Andtearsstreamslowlyfromhereyes.
HELKAI
Itisnotthecustom,thatistrue.Butthatis
what we wish. The more loyal friends are
certainlyentitledtoseetheirfriendsforthe
lasttime.

MAGDALENE
We also, as his sisters, should have been
entitled to see him. But it was necessary to
embalmhimatonce...Andwhenwewentbackinto
Lazarus'roomweonlysawtheformofhisbody
wrappedinlinencloths...
HELKAI
Youshouldhavegivenclearinstructions.Could
younothavehad thesudariumremovedfromhis
face?Canyounotremoveitnow?
MARTHA
Oh!itisalreadydecomposed...Andit istime
forthefuneral...
Josephjoinsintheconversation:
JOSEPH
Helkai, I think that we... out of excess of
love,arethecauseofgrief.Letusleavethe
sistersinpeace...
Simeon,Gamaliel'sson,movesforwardtoprevent
Helkaifromreplying:
GAMALIEL'SSON
My father will come as soon as he is able. I
represent him. He held Lazarus in high esteem.
Sodo.
I
Martharepliesbowing:
MARTHA
Maythehonouroftherabbiforourbrotherbe
rewardedbyGod.
AsGamaliel'ssonisthere,Helkaistandsaside
without insisting further, and he talks the
matter over with the others who point out to
him:
PHARISEES
Can you not smell the stench? Do you wish to
doubtit?Inanycaseweshallseewhetherthey
wall up the sepulchre. One cannot live without
air.

AnothergroupofPhariseesapproachthesisters.
They are almost all from Galilee. After
receiving their homage Martha cannot restrain
herself from expressing her surprise at their
presence.
SimonofCapernaumexplains:
SIMONOFCAPERNAUM
Woman, the Sanhedrin is in session to resolve
uponmattersofgreatimportanceand wearein
townforthatpurpose.
And he looks at Mary whose conversion he
certainlyremembers.Buthejustlooksather.
Then Johanan comes forward with Doras, the son
ofDoras,andwithIshmael,Hananiah,Sadocand
otherswhomIdonotknow.Theirviperousfaces
expresstheirintentionsbeforetheirwordsdo.
But in order to strike they wait till Joseph
goes away with Nicodemus to speak to three
Judaeans.
It isoldHananiahwho withhisclucking voice
ofadecrepitoldmandeliverstheblow:
HANANIAH
Whatdoyouthink,Mary?YourMasteristheonly
onetobeabsentamongthemanyfriendsofyour
brother. Peculiar friendship! So much love
whileLazaruswaswell!Andsomuchindifference
whenitwastimetolovehim!Everybodyreceives
miraclesfromHim.Butthereisnomiraclehere.
Whatdoyousay,woman,ofsuchasituation?He
hasdeceivedyoubitterly,thehandsomeGalilean
Rabbi,hey!DidyounotsaythatHetoldyouto
hope beyond what can be hoped for? So did you
nothope,orisitofnoavailtohopeinHim?
You were hoping in the Life, you said. Of
course!HesaysthatHeistheLife,hey!But
in there there is your dead brother. And over
there the entrance of the sepulchre is already
open.ButtheRabbiisnothere.Hey!Hey!
Dorassayswithasneer:

DORAS
Hecangivedeath,notlife
Martha lowers her head covering her face with
herhandsandweeps.Thatistherealsituation.
Her hope has been bitterly disappointed. The
Rabbi is not there. He did not even come to
console them. And by now He could be there.
Marthaisweeping.Shecanbutweep.
Mary is weeping, too. She also has to face
facts. She believed, she hoped beyond what is
credible... but nothing happened and the
servantshavealreadyremovedthestonefromthe
entrance to the sepulchre because the sun is
beginning to set and it sets early in winter,
anditisFridayandeverythingmustbedonein
timesothattheguestsmaynothavetoinfringe
thelawoftheSabbaththatisabouttobegin.
She has hoped so much, always, she hoped too
much. She has consumed her energies in that
hope.Andsheisdisappointed.
Hananiahinsists:
HANANIAH
Are you not replying to me? Are you now
persuadedthatHeis animpostor whohas taken
advantage of you and scoffed at you? Poor
women!andheshakeshisheadamonghisfriends
whoimitatehimsayingalso:
PHARISEES
Poorwomen!
Maximinusapproachesthemsaying:
MAXIMINUS
Itistime.Givetheorder.It'sforyoutogive
it.
Martha collapses on the floor, she is assisted
and carried away among the cries of the
servants,whorealisethatthetimetolaytheir
masterinthesepulchrehascomeandtheyintone
theirlamentations.
Mary wrings her hands convulsively. She
implores:

MAGDALENE
A little longer! A little longer! And send
servants on the road to Enshemesh and to the
fountain,oneveryroad.Servantsonhorseback.
ToseewhetherHeiscoming...
HANANIAH
Areyoustillhopeful,poorwretch?Howcanone
convince you that He has betrayed and
disappointed you? He has hated you and sneered
atyou...
It is too much! With her face wet with tears,
tortured but still faithful, in the semicircle
formedbytheguestswhohavegatheredtogether
toseethecorpsegoout,Maryproclaims:
MAGDALENE
IfJesusofNazarethhasdonethat,itiswell
done, and great is His love for us all in
Bethany.EverythingforGod'sgloryandHisown!
Hesaidthatthiswillbringaboutglorytothe
Lord because the power of His Word will shine
completely. Execute the order, Maximinus. The
sepulchreisnoobstacletothepowerofGod...
She moves away, supported by Naomi who has
approached her, and she makes a gesture... The
corpse,envelopedinlinencloths,departsfrom
thehouse,crossesthegardenbetweenthecrowds
formingadoublehedgeandshoutingtheirgrief.
Mary would like to follow the corpse, but she
staggers. She follows the crowds when they are
allnearthesepulchre.Andshearrivesintime
toseethelongmotionlessbodydisappearinthe
darkness of the sepulchre, where the reddish
lightof thetorches heldhighbytheservants
illuminates the steps for those who are
descending with the corpse. Lazarus' sepulchre
in factis ratherdeep intheground,probably
totakeadvantageofstrataofundergroundrock.
Mary utters a cry... It is a torture... She
shouts...Andwith thenameofher brothershe
utters also Jesus'. She looks as if they were
tearing her heart. And she only mentions those
twonames,andsherepeatsthemuntiltheheavy
thudofthestoneplacedagainsttheentranceof
the sepulchre tells her that Lazarus is no

longerontheEarth,notevenwithhisbody.She
isthenoverwhelmedandlosesconsciousness.She
collapsesintothearmsofthosesupportingher
andwhilesinkingintoadeepswoonshewhispers
again:
MAGDALENE
Jesus!Jesus!
Theycarryheraway.
Maximinus remains to dismiss the guests and
thank them on behalf of all the relatives. He
remainstohearthemallsaythattheywillcome
backtocondoleeveryday...
They disperse slowly. The last to depart are
Joseph, Nicodemus, Eleazar, John, Joachim,
Joshua. And at the gate they find Sadoc with
Uriel,wholaughmaliciouslysaying:
SADOC
Hischallenge!Andwewereafraidofit!
URIEL
Oh! He is really dead. How he stank
notwithstandingthearomaticessences!Thereis
no doubt about it! It was not necessary to
removethesudarium.Ithinkthatheisalready
decadent.
Theyarehappy.
Joseph looks at them. His glance is so severe
thatitcutsshortwordsandlaughter.Theyall
make haste to go back to be in town before
sunsetisover.
VII

JesusDecidestoGotoLazarus.
They are at the end of the meal. They remain
roundthetable,somewhatlazilysatisfiedwith
food and heat. They are not so talkative and
some are dozing. Thomas enjoys himself drawing
withaknifealittlebranchwithflowersonthe
woodofthetable.
They are roused by the voice of Jesus Who,
openingHisarms,whichwerefolded,leaningon
the edge of the table, and stretching out His

handsasthepriestdoeswhenhesays:TheLord
bewithyou,says:
JESUS
Andyetwemustgo!
Peterasks:
PETER
Where,Master?Totheshepherd?
JESUS
No, Simon. To Lazarus. We are going back to
Judaea.
Peterexclaims:
PETER
Master,rememberthattheJudaeanshateYou!
JamesofAlphaeussays:
JAMESOFALPHAEUS
TheywantedtostoneYounotlongago
Matthewexclaims:
MATTHEW
No,Master,itisnotprudent!
Iscariotasks
JUDASTHEISCARIOT
DoYounotcareforus?
Thaddeussays:
JUDASTHADDEUS
Oh!MyMasterandbrother,IbeseechYouinthe
nameofYourMother,andalsointhenameofthe
DivinitythatisinYou:donotallowsatansto
laytheirhandsonYourperson,to stifleYour
word.Youarealone,allaloneagainsttheworld
thathatesYouandispowerfulontheEarth
JohnwhoisupsetandlooksatHimwiththewide
openeyesofafrightenedgrievedchildsays:

JOHN
Master,protectYourlife!Whatwouldhappento
me,toallofus,ifwenolongerhadYou?
After his first exclamation, Peter has turned
roundtospeakexcitedlytheolderapostlesand
toThomasandJamesofZebedee.Theyareallof
the opinion that Jesus must not go near
Jerusalem,atleastuntilPassovertimemaymake
His stay there safer because, they say, the
presenceofaverylargenumberoffollowersof
the Master, who come from everywhere in
PalestineforthePassoverfestival,willdefend
theMaster.NoneofthosewhohateHimwilldare
touch Him when all the people crowd round Him
withlove...AndtheytellHimanxiously,almost
overbearingly...Lovemakesthemspeak.
PETER
Peace!Peace!Aretherenottwelvehoursinthe
day? A man who walks in the daytime does not
stumblebecausehe hasthe light ofthis world
toseeby,butifhewalksatnighthestumbles
because he cannot see. I know what I am doing
becausetheLightisinMe.Allowyourselvesto
beguidedbyHimWhocansee.Andbearinmind
that until the hour of darkness comes, nothing
sinister will take place. But when that hour
comes, no distance or power, not even Caesar's
armies, will be able to save Me from the
Judaeans. Because what is written must take
placeandthepowersofevilarealreadyworking
secretlytoaccomplishtheirdeed.DoletMedo
asIwishanddogoodwhileIamfreetodoso.
The hour will come when I shall no longer be
abletomoveafingerorutteronewordtowork
themiracle.TheworldwillbedevoidofallMy
power. A dreadful hour of punishment for man.
Not for Me. For man who will have refused to
love Me. An hour that will repeat itself,
throughthewillofmanwhowillhaverejected
Divinity to the extent of making himself
godless,afollowerofSatanand ofhiscursed
son.Anhourthatwilltakeplacewhentheend
of thisworldis close athand.Theprevailing
lackoffaithwillmakeMypowerofmiracleof
nouse,notbecauseIcanloseit,butbecause
no miracle can be granted where there is no

faith and no will to have it, where a miracle

would be made a butt of and an instrument of
evil,byusingthegoodreceivedtoturnitinto
greaterevil.NowIcanstillworkmiracles,and
workthemtogiveglorytoGod.Soletusgoto
our friend Lazarus who is sleeping. Let us go
and wake him from his sleep, that he may be
freshandreadytoservehisMaster.
theypointouttoHim:

APOSTOLES
Butifheissleeping,itisagoodthing.Heis
suretogetbetter.Sleepitselfisacure.Why
wakehim?
JESUS
Lazarusisdead.Iwaiteduntilhedied,before
going there, not for his sisters and for him.
Butforyou.Thatyoumaybelieve.Thatyoumay
growinfaith.LetusgotoLazarus.
Thomassays,aresignedfatalist:
THOMAS
All right! Let us go! We shall all die as he
diedandYouwanttodie
JESUS
Thomas,Thomas,andyouallwhoarecriticising
andgrumblinginyourhearts,yououghttoknow
thathewhowantstofollowMemusthaveforhis
lifethesamecarethatabirdhasforapassing
cloud.Thatis,toletitpassandgowherever
thewindblowsit.ThewindisthewillofGod
Who can give you life or take it away as He
wishes,neitheryoumustregretit,asthebird
doesnotregretthepassingcloud,butitsings
just the same as it is sure that the sky will
clear up again. Because the cloud is the
incident,theskyisreality.Theskyisalways
blueevenifcloudsseemtomakeitgrey.Itis
and remains blue above the clouds. The same
appliestotrueLife.Itisandremains,evenif
humanlifeends.HewhowantstofollowMemust
notbeanxiousabouthislifeorafraidforit.
IwillshowyouhowoneconquersHeaven.Buthow
canyouimitateMeifyouareafraidtocometo

Judaea,whereasnoharmwillbedonetoyounow?
Areyouhesitatingaboutshowingyourselveswith
Me?YouarefreetoleaveMe.Butifyouwantto
stayyoumustlearntodefytheworld,withits
criticism, its snares, its mockery, its
torments,inordertoconquerMyKingdom.Solet
usgoandbringbackfromthedeadLazarus,who
hasbeensleepinginhissepulchrefortwodays,
ashediedontheeveningthathisservantcame
here from Bethany. Tomorrow at the sixth hour,
afterdismissingthosewhohavebeenwaitingfor
themorrowtobecomfortedbyMeandreceivethe
reward for their faith, we shall depart from
hereandcrosstheriver,stoppingforthenight
inNike'shouse.Thenatdawnweshallsetout
towards Bethany, via Enshemesh. We shall be in
Bethanybeforethesixthhour.Andtherewillbe
manypeopleandtheirheartswillberoused. I
promiseditandIwillkeepMypromise...
JamesofAlphaeusasksalmostfearfully:
JAMESOFALPHAEUS
TowhomdidYoupromiseit,Lord?
JESUS
TothosewhohateMeandthosewholoveMe,to
both in the most clear manner. Do you not
rememberthedisputewiththescribesatKedesh?
ItwasstillpossibleforthemtosaythatIwas
mendacious,asIhadraisedfromthedeadagirl
who had just died and a man who had been dead
for one day. They said: You have not yet
recomposedadecomposedbody.InfactGodonly
can make a man from dust and remake a healthy
livingbodyfromrot.Well,Iwilldothat.At
themoonofChislev,onthebanksoftheJordan,
IMyselfremindedthescribesofthischallenge
and I said: At the new moon it shall be
accomplished. That with regard to those who
hateMe.Ipromisedthesisters,wholoveMein
aperfectmanner,torewardtheirfaithifthey
continued to hope against credibility. I have
triedthemseverelyandgrievedthemdeeplyand
I alone am aware of how much their hearts
suffered in the past days and I only know how
perfectistheirlove.Isolemnlytellyouthat
theydeserveagreatrewardbecausetheygrieve

more at the possibility that I may be derided

than over the fact that they cannot see their
brotherraisedfromthedead.Ilookedabsorbed,
tired and sad. I was close to them with My
spirit and I could hear their wailing and I
counted their tears. Poor sisters! I am now
eagertobringajustmanbacktotheEarth,a
brother to the embrace of his sisters, a
disciplebacktoMydisciples.Areyouweeping,
Simon? Yes, you and I are Lazarus' greatest
friends,andinyourtearsthereisyoursorrow
forMartha'sandMary'sgriefandthereisalso
theagonyofafriend,butthereisalsothejoy
ofknowingthathewillsoonbebroughtbackto
ourlove.Letusmoveandprepareourbagsand
gotorestinordertogetupatdawnandtidy
up herewhere...our returnisnot certain.We
shallhavetohandouttothepooreverythingwe
have and tell the most active ones to keep
pilgrims from looking for Me until I am in a
safeplace.Weshallalsohavetotellthemto
warn the disciples to look for Me at Lazarus'
house.Therearesomanythingstobedone.They
shallbedonebeforethepilgrimsarrive...Let
usgo.Putthefireoutandlightthelampsand
let everyone do what is to be done and go to
rest.Peaceto youall.Hestands up,blesses
themandwithdrawstoHislittleroom...
SimonofCannaeansays:
SIMONOFCANNAEAN
Hehasbeendeadforsomedays!
Thomasexclaims:
THOMAS
Thatisamiracle!
Andrewsays:
ANDREW
Iwanttoseewhatexcusetheywillfindthento
beindoubt!
JudasIscariotasks:

JUDASISCARIOT
Butwhendidtheservantcome?
Peterreplies:
PETER
TheeveningbeforeFriday
TheIscariotasksagain:
JUDASISCARIOT
Didhe?Whydidyounottellus?
Peterreplies:
PETER
BecausetheMastertoldmenottomentionit
JUDASISCARIOT
So...whenwearrivethere...hewillhavebeen
inthesepulchrefourdays?
Matthewsays:
MATTHEW
Certainly! Friday evening one day, the Sabbath
evening two days, this evening three days,
tomorrow four... So four days and a half...
Eternalpower!Buthewillbedecomposing!
PETER
He will be decomposing... I want to see also
thatandthen...
JamesofAlphaeusasks:
JAMESOFALPHAEUS
What,SimonPeter?
PETER
Then if Israel does not become converted, not
even Jahweh among lightning will be able to
converther.
Andtheygoawayspeakingthus.

SCENE21
EXT;INT.RESURREPTIONOFLAZARUS.DAY
JesusiscomingtowardsBethanyfromEnshemesh.
They must have marched really hard up the
difficult paths on the Adummim mountains. The
apostles, who are out of breath, find it
difficulttofollowJesusWhowalksrapidly,as
iflovecarriedHimonitsardentwings.Asmile
brightens Jesus' face as He proceeds ahead of
them all, with His head raised, in the mild
middaysunshine.
Before they arrive at the first houses of
Bethany,abarefootedboy,who isgoingtothe
fountain near the village with an empty copper
pitcher,seesHimandgivesashout.Helaysthe
pitcher on the ground and runs away, with all
thespeedofhislittlelegs,towardsthecentre
ofthevillage.
JudasThaddeusremarks:
JUDASTHADDEUS
He is certainly going to inform them that You
arearriving
After smiling, like everybody else, upon the
quick... decision of the little boy, who also
left his pitcher at the mercy of the first
passerby.
The little town, as seen from the fountain,
whichisalittlehigherup,seemsquietasif
it were deserted. Only the grey smoke rising
fromchimneysindicatesthatinthehouseswomen
are busy preparing the midday meal, and the
thick voices of men in the vast silent olive
groves and orchards inform one that men are
working. Even so Jesus prefers to take a path
thatrunsroundtherearofthevillage,sothat
HemayarriveatLazarus'housewithoutdrawing
theattentionofthecitizens.
They have gone almost half way when they hear
theboymentionedpreviouslycomeafterthem;he
runs past them and then stops thoughtfully in
themiddleofthepathlookinhatJesus...
Jesusaskscaressinghim:

JESUS
Peacetoyou,littleMark.WereyouafraidofMe
thatyouranaway?
MARK
No, Lord, I was not afraid. But as for many
daysMarthaandMaryhavebeensendingservants
on the roads leading here to see whether You
werecoming,whenIsawYouIrantotellthem
thatYouwerecoming...
JESUS
You did the right thing. The sisters will be
preparingtheirheartstoseeMe.
MARK
No, Lord. The sisters are not preparing
anything, because they do not know. They would
notletmetellthem.TheygotholdofmewhenI
entered the garden saying: The Rabbi is here
andtheydrovemeoutsaying:Youarealiaror
a fool. He is not coming any more because He
knowsbynowthatHecannotworkthemiracleany
more. And as I said that it was really You,
they gave me two mighty slaps as I never had
before... Lookhowredmycheeksare.Theyare
smarting!Andtheypushedmeawaysaying:That
willpurifyyouforlookingatademon.AndI
waslookingatYoutoseewhetherYouarealways
myJesus,asbeautiful

Jesusbendstokisshischeeks,whichhavebeen
slapped,saying:
JESUS
Theywillnolongersmart.Iamsorrythatyou
hadtosufferbecauseofMe...
MARK
I am not sorry, Lord, because those two slaps
madeYougivemetwokisses
And he clings to His legs hoping to receive
more.
Thaddeusasks:

JUDASTHADDEUS
Tellme,Mark.Whowasitthatdroveyouaway?
ThoseofLazarus'household?
MARK
No. The Judaeans. They come to condole every
day.Theyaresomany!Theystayin thehouse
andinthegarden.Theycomeearlyandgoaway
late.Theybehaveas ifthey werethemasters.
They illtreat everybody. Can't you see that
thereis nobodyinthe streets?Thefirstdays
people remained to watch... then... Now only
children wander about to... Oh! my pitcher! My
motheriswaitingforwater...Shewillgiveme
abeatingaswell!...
Theyalllaughathisdistressovertheprospect
offurthersmacks,andJesussays:
JESUS
Hurryupthen...
MARK
Thefactis...thatIwantedtogoinwithYou
andseeYouworkthemiracle...
Andheconcludes:
MARK
...and see their faces... to avenge myself for
theslaps...
JESUS
No,that'swrong.Youmustnotwishforrevenge.
Youmustbegoodandforgive...Butyourmother
iswaitingforthewater...
JamesofZebedeesays:
JAMESOFZEBEDEE
I will go, Master. I know where Mark lives. I
willtellthewomanandthenjoinYou...
Andrunningaway.
They set out again slowly and Jesus holds the
delightedboybythehand...
They are now at the garden railing. They walk

alongit.Manymountsaretiedtoit,watchedby
theowners'servants.Theirwhisperingdrawsthe
attentionofsomeJudaeanswhoturntowardsthe
open gate just when Jesus sets foot on the
borderofthegarden.
thefirsttoseeHimexclaim
SOMETHING
TheMaster!
Andthewordfliesfromgrouptogrouplikethe
rustling of the wind; it spreads, like a wave
thatcomesfromafarandbreaksontheshoreas
far as the walls of the house and enters it,
certainlycarriedbythemanyJudaeanspresent,
or by some Pharisees, rabbis or scribes or
Sadducees,scatteredhereandthere.
Jesus advances very slowly while people,
although rushing from every directions, move
awayfromthealleyalongwhichHe iswalking.
AsnoonegreetsHim,Hedoesnotgreetanybody,
as if He did not know any of the many people
gatheredtherelookingatHimwitheyesfullof
anger and hatred, with the exception of a few
who, being secret disciples or at least
righteoushearted,eveniftheydonotloveHim
asMessiah,respectHimasajustman.Andthose
areJoseph,Nicodemus,John,Eleazar,theother
John the scribe, whom I saw at the
multiplicationoftheloaves,andanotherJohn,
the one who fed the people that had come down
from the mountain of the beatitudes, Gamaliel
with his son, Joshua, Joachim, Manaen, the
scribeJoelofAbijah,seenattheJordaninthe
episode of Sabea, Joseph Barnabas the disciple
ofGamaliel,ChuzawholooksatJesusfromafar,
somewhatshyseeingHimagainafterthemistake
hehadmade,orperhapsfearofwhatpeoplemay
think prevents him from approaching Him as a
friend. It is a fact that neither friends nor
thosewholookatHimwithouthatrednorenemies
greet Him. And Jesus does not greet anyone
either.Hejustbowedlightlywhensettingfoot
inthealley.Hehasthenmovedstraightonas
ifHewereastrangertothelargecrowdaround
Him. The little boy is walking beside Him all
the time, in his garments of a poor little

peasant and barefooted, but with the bright

countenance of one who is really enjoying
himself,his livelydark eyeswideopentosee
everything...andtodefyeverybody...
Martha comes out of the house with a group of
JudaeanvisitorsamongwhomthereareHelkaiand
Sadoc. Withherhand sheshadeshereyes tired
of weeping from the sun, as the light hurts
them, so that she may see where is Jesus. She
sees Him. She departs from those accompanying
herandsherunstowardsJesusWhoisatafew
stepsfromthefountainshininginthesunshine.
She throws herself at Jesus' feet after bowing
to Him and kisses them, while bursting into
tearsshesays:
MARTHA
PeacetoYou,Master!
Jesusalso,assoonassheisclosetoHim,says
toher:
JESUS
Peacetoyou!
AndHeraisesHishand toblessher, releasing
thehandoftheboy,whoistakenbyBartholomew
andheldalittleback.
Marthagoeson:
MARTHA
ButthereisnomorepeaceforYourservant.
Still on her knees she looks up at Jesus and
withacryofgriefthatisclearlyheardinthe
prevailingsilencesheexclaims:
MARTHA
Lazarusisdead!IfYouhadbeenhere,hewould
not have died. Why did You not come sooner,
Master?
There is an unintentional tone of reproach in
herquestion.Shethenrevertstothedepressed
tone of one who no longer has the strength to
reproachandwhoseonlycomfortistorecollect
thelastactsandwishesofarelativetowhom
onehastriedtogivewhathewanted,andthere

isthereforenoremorseinone'sheart,andshe
says:
MARTHA
Lazarus,ourbrother,hascalledYousomuch!...
Now,see!IamgrievedandMaryisweepingand
she cannot set her mind at rest. And he is no
longerhere!Youknowhowmuchwelovedhim!We
werehopingeverythingfromYou!...
Amurmurofpityforthewomanandofreproach
for Jesus is heard, approving the understood
thought: ...and You could have satisfied our
request because we deserve it for the love we
haveforYou,whereasYouhavedisappointedus
andthemurmurpassesfromonegrouptothenext
oneaspeopleshaketheirheadsorcastderisory
glances. Only the few secret disciples mingled
with the crowd look compassionately at Jesus,
Who,paleandsad,listenstothegrievedwoman
speaking to Him. Gamaliel, his the arms folded
acrosshischestinhiswiderichrobeofvery
fine wool adorned with blue tassels, a little
apartinagroupofyoungmenamongwhomishis
son and Joseph Barnabas, stares at Jesus,
withouthatredandwithoutlove.
Martha,afterwipingherface,resumes:
MARTHA
ButevennowIhopebecauseIknowthatwhatever
YouaskofGod,HewillgrantYou.
A sorrowful heroic profession of faith uttered
inatremblingweepingvoice,withhereyesfull
ofanxietyandherheartthrobbingwiththelast
hope.
JESUS
Yourbrotherwillriseagain.Standup,Martha.
Marthastandsup,stoopingoutofrespectbefore
JesustoWhomshereplies:
MARTHA
I know, Master. He will rise again at the
resurrectiononthelastday.

JESUS
IamtheResurrectionandLife.Whoeverbelieves
inMe,evenifhedies,willlive.Andwhoever
believesandlivesinMewillneverdie.Doyou
believeallthat?
Jesus,Whohadpreviouslyspokeninaratherlow
voice,addressingMarthaonly,raisesHisvoice
when saying these sentences in which He
proclaims His power of God, and its perfect
timbreresoundslikeagoldenblareinthevast
garden. The people present quiver with an
emotionresemblingfear.Thensomesneershaking
theirheads.
Martha,intowhomJesusseemstowishtoinstill
astrongerandstrongerhopebyholdingHishand
on her shoulder, raises her lowered head. She
raises it towards Jesus staring with her sad
eyes at the Christ's bright ones and pressing
her hands against her breast with a different
anxietyshereplies:
MARTHA
Yes, I do, my Lord. I believe all that. I
believethatYouaretheChrist,theSonofthe
livingGod,thatYouhavecometotheworldand
thatYoucandoeverythingYouwant.Ibelieve.
IamnowgoingtotellMary
Andshedisappearsquicklyintothehouse.
JesusremainswhereHewas.Thatis,Hetakesa
fewstepsforwardandapproachestheflowerbed
that surrounds the basin of the fountain. The
flowerbed is strewn on one side with the
diamonddropsoftheveryfinedropletsofwater
of the jet, blown to that side by a light
breeze,likesilverdown,andJesusseemstobe
lost in contemplating the fish wriggle in the
limpid water and play describing silver commas
andgoldenreflectionsinthecrystallinewater
shininginthesunshine.
The Judaeans are watching Him. They have
involuntarily divided into clearly distinct
groups. On one side, in front of Jesus, all
thosewhoarehostiletoHim,usuallyseparated
from one another by sectarian spirit, but now
concordantinopposingJesus.BesideHim,behind
the apostles who have been joined by James of

Zebedee,thereareJoseph,Nicodemusandothers
whoarewelldisposedtoHim.Fartherawaythere
is Gamaliel, still in the same place and
attitude, and all alone, because his son and
disciples have parted from him and joined the
twomaingroupstobeclosertoJesus.
Withherusualcry:
MAGDALENE
Rabboni!
Mary runs out of the house with her arms
stretched out towards Jesus and throws herself
at His feet, which she kisses sobbing deeply.
SeveralJudaeanswhowereinthehousewithher
and who have followed her, weep with her with
doubtful sincerity. Also Maximinus, Marcella,
Sara,NaomihavefollowedMary,aswellasall
theservantsandtheirwailingisloudandhigh
pitched. I think that there is no one left in
thehouse.WhenMarthaseesMary crythus,she
criescopiously,too.
JESUS
Peace to you, Mary. Stand up! Look at Me! Why
weepthus,likeonewhohasnohope?
Jesusstoopstosaythesewordsinalowvoice,
His eyes staring at Mary's, who on her knees,
relaxing on her heels, stretches her hands
towardsHimimploringlyandisunabletospeak,
sodeepishersobbing:
JESUS
Did I not tell you to hope beyond what is
credibleinordertoseethegloryofGod?Has
your Master perhaps changed, that you are so
depressed?
ButMarydoesnotlistentothewordsthataim
at preparing her for too great a joy after so
muchanguish,andbeingabletospeakat last,
sheshouts:
MAGDALENE
Oh!Lord!WhydidYounotcomesooner?Whydid
Yougoawayfromus?YouknewthatLazaruswas
ill!IfYouhadbeenheremybrotherwouldnot

havedied.WhydidYounotcome?Istillhadto
prove to him that I loved him. He should have
lived. I had to show him that I persevered in
honesty. I afflicted my brother so much! And
now!AndnowthatIcouldhavemadehimhappy,
hehasbeentakenawayfromme!Youcouldhave
lefthimwithme.YoucouldhavegivenpoorMary
thejoyofcomfortinghimaftergrievinghimso
deeply.Oh!Jesus!Jesus!MyMaster!MySaviour!
Myhope!
Andshecollapsesagain,herforeheadonJesus'
feet,whicharewashedonceagainbyhertears,
andshemoans:
MAGDALENE
Whyhave youdonethat,Lord?!Alsoonaccount
ofthosewhohateYouandarenowrejoicingat
what has happened... Why have You done that,
Jesus?!
ButthereisnoreproachinMary'stoneasthere
wasinMartha's,thereisonlytheanguishofa
woman,whoisgrievednotonlyasasisterbut
alsoasadisciplewhofeelsthattheopinionof
herMasterisdiminished inthehearts ofmany
people.
Jesus,Whohasbentverylowtohearthosewords
whisperedwithherfaceneartheground,stands
upandsaysinaloudvoice:
JESUS
Mary,donotweep!AlsoyourMasterissuffering
for the death of His faithful friend... for
havinghadtolethimdie...
Oh! How sneering and radiant with hateful joy
arethefacesoftheenemiesofChrist!
They feel that He is defeated and rejoice,
whilst His friends are becoming sadder and
sadder.Jesussaysinanevenloudervoice:
JESUS
ButItellyou:donotweep.Standup!Lookat
Me!DoyouthinkthatI,Wholovedyousomuch,
havedonethiswithoutareason?Canyoubelieve
thatIhavegrievedyouthusinvain?Come.Let

usgotoLazarus.Wherehaveyouputhim?
Jesus'question,ratherthantoMaryandMartha,
whocannotspeakastheyarecryingevenlouder,
isaddressedtoalltheothersandparticularly
to those who have come out of the house with
Maryandlookmoreupset.Perhapstheyareolder
relatives, I do not know. And they reply to
Jesus,Whoisclearlydistressed:
OLDERRELATIVES
Comeandsee.
And they set out towards the place of the
sepulchre, which isatthe endoftheorchard,
where the ground is undulated and veins of
calcareousrockappearonitssurface.
Martha, beside Jesus Who has forced Mary to
stand up and is now guiding her, as she is
blinded by her copious tears, points out to
JesuswhereLazarusis,andwhen theyarenear
theplaceshealsosays:
MARTHA
Itisthere,Master,thatYourfriendisburied.
And she points at the stone placed across the
entranceofthesepulchre.
Jesus, followed by everybody, has to pass in
front of Gamaliel, in order to go there. But
neither He nor Gamaliel greet each other.
Gamalielthenjoinstheothersstoppingwithall
themore rigid Pharisees a fewmetresfromthe
sepulchre, while Jesus goes on, very close to
it, with the two sisters, Maximinus and those
who are perhaps relatives. Jesus looks at the
heavy stone placed as a door against the
sepulchre,aheavyobstaclebetweenHimandHis
dead friend, and He weeps. The wailing of the
sisters grows louder, as well as that of
intimatefriendsandrelatives.
Jesusshouts allofasudden,afterwipingHis
tears.
JESUS
Removethatstone.

Everybodyissurprisedandamurmurrunsthrough
thecrowdthathasbecomelargerassomepeople
of Bethany have entered the garden and have
followed the guests. I can see some Pharisees
touch their foreheads and shake their heads
meaning:
PHARISEES
Heismad!.
No one carries out the order. Even the most
faithful ones are hesitant and feel repugnance
todoit.
Jesus repeats His order in a louder voice
astonishing even more the people, who urged by
opposed feelings react at first as if they
wanted to run away, but immediately afterwards
they wish to draw closer, to see, defying the
stenchofthesepulchrethatJesuswantsopened.
Marthasaysstrivingtorestrainhertearstobe
abletospeak.
MARTHA
Master, it is not possible.He has been down
there for four days. And You know of what
diseasehedied!Onlyourlovemadeitpossible
forustocurehim...Bynowhewillcertainly
smell notwithstanding the ointments... What do
You want to see? His rottenness?... It is not
possible... also because of the uncleannes of
putrefactionand...
JESUS
DidInottellyouthatifyoubelieveyouwill
seethegloryofGod?Removethatstone.Iwant
it!
Itisthecryofdivinewill...
Asubduedoh!isutteredbyeverymouth.Faces
growpale.Somepeopleshiverasifanicywind
ofdeathhadblownovereverybody.
MarthanodstoMaximinuswhoorders togetthe
necessary tools to remove the servants the
heavystone.
Theservants runawayandcomebackwith picks
and sturdy levers. And they work inserting the

pointsoftheshiningpicksbetweentherockand
thestone,andthenreplacingthepickswiththe
sturdy levers and finally lifting the stone
carefully, letting it slide to one side and
dragging it cautiously against the rocky wall.
An infected stench comes out of the dark hole
makingeveryonewithdraw.
Marthaasksinalowvoice:
MARTHA
Master,doYouwanttogodownthere?IfYoudo,
torcheswillberequired...
But she is wan at the thought of having to go
down.
Jesusdoesnotreplytoher.HeraisesHiseyes
tothesky,HestretchesoutHisarmscrosswise
andpraysinaveryloud voice syllabisingthe
words:
JESUS
Father!IthankYouforhearingMe.Iknewthat
YoualwayshearMe.ButIsaidsoforthosewho
arepresenthere,forthepeoplesurroundingMe,
that they may believe in You, in Me, and that
YouhavesentMe!
HeremainsthusforamomentandHebecomesso
transfigured that He seems to be enraptured,
while without uttering any sound He says more
secret words of prayer or adoration. I do not
know. What I know is that He is so
transhumanised that it is not possible to look
at Him without feeling one's heart quiver. His
body seems to become light, spiritualised,
rising in height and also from the earth.
Although the shades of His hair, eyes,
complexion,garmentsremainunchangedcontrary
to what happened during the transfiguration on
mount Tabor when everything became light and
dazzlingbrightnessHeseemstoshedlightand
that His whole body becomes light. Light seems
to form a halo around Him, particularly round
Hisfaceraisedtothesky,certainlyenraptured
inthecontemplationofHisFather.
He remainsthusforsometime,thenHebecomes
Himself, the Man, but powerfully majestic. He
proceeds as far as the threshold of the

sepulchre.HemovesHisarmsforwardsofarHe
had held them crosswise, the palms turned
upwards now with palms turned downwards, so
that His hands are already inside the hole of
thesepulchreandtheirwhitenessisoutstanding
inthedarknessofthehole.Hisblueeyesare
blazingandtheirflashforecastingamiracleis
todayunsustainable,inthesilentdarkness,and
inapowerfulvoiceandwithacrylouderthan
theoneHeutteredonthelakewhenHeordered
thewindtoabate,inavoicethatIneverheard
inanyothermiracle,Heshouts:
JESUS
Lazarus!Comeout!
Hisvoiceisechoedby thesepulchralcaveand
coming out of it, it spreads all over the
garden,itisrepeatedbytheundulationsofthe
groundofBethany,Ithinkittravelsasfaras
thefirsthillsbeyondthefieldsandthencomes
back, repeated and subdued, like an order that
cannotfail.Itiscertainthatfromnumberless
directionsonecanhearagain:
JESUS(echoes)
out!out!out!
Everybody is thrilled with emotion and if
curiosity rivets everyone in his place, faces
growpaleandeyesareopenedwidewhilemouths
areclosedinvoluntarilywithcriesofsurprise
alreadyontheirlips.
Martha,alittlebehindandtoone side, seems
fascinatedlookingatJesus.Mary,whohasnever
movedawayfromtheMaster,fallsonher knees
at the entrance of the sepulchre, one hand on
her breast to check her throbbing heart, the
other holding the edge of Jesus' mantle
unconsciouslyandconvulsively,andonerealises
that she is trembling because the mantle is
shakenlightlybythehandholdingit.
Something white seems to emerge from the deep
end of the sepulchre. At first it is just a
shortconvexline,thenitbecomesovalshaped,
thenwiderandlongerlinesappear.Andthedead
body, enveloped in its bandages, comes slowly
forward,becomingmore visible,moremysterious

andmoreawful.
Jesus draws back, imperceptibly, but
continuously, as the other moves forward. Thus
thedistancebetweenthetwoisalwaysthesame.
Mary is compelled to drop the edge of the
mantle,butshedoesnotmovefromwheresheis.
Joy,emotion,everything,nailhertotheplace
wheresheis.
Anoh!isutteredmoreandmoreclearlybythe
lips previously closed by the anxiety of
suspense:fromawhisper hardlydistinguishable
it changes into a voice, from a voice into a
powerfulcry.
Lazarus is by now on the threshold of the
sepulchreandheremainsthererigidandsilent,
like a plaster statue just roughhewed, thus
shapeless, a long thing, thin at the head and
legs,thickeratthetrunk,asmacabreasdeath
itself,ghostlikeinthewhitebandagesagainst
thedarkbackgroundofthesepulchre.Asthesun
shines on him, putrid matter can be seen
dripping already here and there from the
bandages.
Jesusshoutsoutinaloudvoice:
JESUS
Unbindhimandlethimgo.Givehimclothesand
food.
Marthasays:
MARTHA
Master!...
And perhaps she would like to say more, but
JesusstaresathersubduingherwithHisbright
eyesandHesays:
JESUS
Here!Atonce!Bringagarment.Dresshiminthe
presence of all the people and give him
somethingtoeat.
Heordersandneverturnsroundtolookatthose
whoarebehindandaroundHim.Helooksonlyat
Lazarus, at Mary who is near her resurrected
brother, heedless of the disgust caused to
everybodybytheputridbandages,andatMartha

who is panting as if she felt her heart break

anddoes notknowwhethersheshouldshoutfor
joyorweep...
Theservantsrushtocarryouttheinstructions.
Naomiisthefirsttorunawayandtocomeback
withgarmentsfoldedonherarm.Someuntiethe
bandages after rolling up their sleeves and
tuckinguptheirgarmentssothatthey maynot
touchthedrippingrot.MarcellaandSarahcome
back with amphoras of perfumes followed by
servants carrying basins and jugs of water
steaminghot ortrayswith cupsof milk, wine,
fruit,honeycakes.
Theverylongnarrowbandages,whichIthinkare
oflinen,withselvedgeoneachside,obviously
woven for that purpose, unroll like rolls of
tape from a reel and pile up on the ground,
heavy with spices and pus. The servants move
themtoonesidebymeansofsticks.Theyhave
startedfrom thehead,but eventherethereis
matterthathascertainlydrippedfromthenose,
earsandmouth.Thesudariumplacedontheface
issoakedwithputridmatterandLazarus'face,
whichisverypaleandemaciated,withhiseyes
closed with the pomade placed in the eye
sockets, with his hair and thin short beard
stickingtogether,issoiledwithit.Theshroud
placed round his body falls off slowly as the
bandages are removed, freeing the trunk that
they had enveloped for days, restoring a human
figure to what they had previously transformed
into something like a huge chrysalid. The bony
shoulders, the emaciated arms, the ribs just
covered with skin, the sunken stomach begin to
appearslowly.Andasthebandagesfalloff,the
sisters,Maximinus,theservantsbusythemselves
removingthe first layer ofdirt andbalmsand
theyinsistcontinuouslychangingthewatermade
detergent with spices, until the skin appears
clean.
WhentheyuncoverLazarus'faceandhecanlook,
hedirectshisgazetowardsJesusbeforelooking
at his sisters, and he seems absentminded and
does not pay attention to what is happening
whilehelooksathisJesuswithalovingsmile
onhislipsandtearsshininginhisdeepsunken
eyes.Jesusalsosmilesathim,Hiseyesshining
with tears, and without speaking He directs

Lazarus' gaze towards the sky; Lazarus

understandsandmoveshislipsinsilentprayer.
Martha thinks that he wishes to say something
buthasnovoiceyetandsheasks:
MARTHA
Whatareyousayingtome,myLazarus?
LAZARUS
Nothing,Martha.IwasthankingtheMostHigh.
Hispronunciationissteady,hisvoiceloud.
The crowds utter an oh! of amazement once
again.
He has now been freed and cleaned down to his
sides.Andtheycanputonhimhisshorttunic,
akindofashortshirtthatreachesbelowhis
inguenfallingonhisthighs.
They make him sit down to untie his legs and
wash them. As soon as they appear Martha and
Maryutteraloudcrypointingtothelegsand
bandages.Andwhilstonthebandagestiedround
the legs and on the shroud placed under the
bandagesthe putridmatterisso copiousasto
stream down the cloth, the legs are completely
healed. Only red cyanotic scars indicate the
partsaffectedbygangrene.
All the people shout their amazement more
loudly; Jesus smiles and Lazarus smiles, too,
lookingforamomentathishealedlegs,thenhe
becomesengrossedagaininlookingatJesus.He
never seems to gratify his desire to see Him.
TheJudaeans,Pharisees,Sadducees,scribes,
rabbis come forward cautiously in order not to
contaminatetheirgarments.TheyexamineLazarus
closely.TheyexamineJesusclosely.Butneither
LazarusnorJesusmindsthem.Theylookateach
otherandalltherestmeansnothingtothem.
They now put sandals on Lazarus' feet and he
standsup,agileandsteady.Hetakesthetunic
thatMarthahandshim,heputsitonbyhimself,
hefastenshisbeltandadjuststhefoldofthe
garment. And there he is, lean and pale, but
like everybody else. He washes again his hands
andarmsasfarashiselbows,aftertuckingup
hissleeves.Andwithcleanwaterhewasheshis
faceandheadagain,untilhefeelsthatheis
thoroughly clean. He dries his hair and face,

handsthetoweltotheservantandgoesstraight
towardsJesus.Heprostrateshimself.Hekisses
Hisfeet.
Jesus bends, lifts him up, presses him to His
heartsaying:
JESUS
Welcomebackhome,Mydearfriend.Maypeaceand
joybewithyou. Liveto accomplishyour happy
destiny. Raise your face that I may greet you
withakiss.
AndHekissesLazarus'cheeksandiskissedby
him.
Only after worshipping and kissing the Master,
Lazarus speaks to his sisters and kisses them;
he then kisses Maximinus and Naomi, who are
weepingforjoy,andsomeofthosewhoIthink
are related to the family or are very close
friends.HethenkissesJoseph,Nicodemus,Simon
Zealotandafewmore.
Jesus goes personally towards a servant who is
carryingatrayonwhichthereissomefoodand
He takes a honeycake, an apple, a goblet of
wine, and He offers them to Lazarus, after
offering and blessing them, so that he may
nourish himself. And Lazarus eats with the
healthyappetite ofonewhoiswell.Afurther
oh!ofamazementisutteredbythecrowd.
Jesus seems to see no one but Lazarus, but in
actualfactHeobserveseverythingandeverybody
and when He sees with what furious gestures
Sadoc, Helkai, Hananiah, Felix, Doras and
Cornelius and others are about to go away, He
saysinaloudvoice:
JESUS
Waitamoment,Sadoc.Iwanttohaveawordwith
you,withyouandyourfriends.
They stop with the sinister look of criminals.
Joseph of Arimathea makes a gesture as if he
were frightened and beckons to the Zealot to
restrainJesus.ButHeisalreadygoingtowards
therancorousgroupandisalreadysayingloud:

JESUS
Sadoc,iswhatyouhaveseenenoughforyou?One
day you told Me that in order to believe, you
andyour peers neededtosee a decomposeddead
bodyberecomposed andingoodhealth. Areyou
satisfiedwiththerottennessyouhaveseen?Can
youadmitthatLazaruswasdeadandthatnowhe
isaliveandhealthy,ashehasneverbeenfor
manyyears?Iknow.Youcameheretotemptthese
people,toincreasetheirgriefandtheirdoubt.
YoucameherelookingforMe,hopingtofindMe
hidingintheroomofthedyingman.Youdidnot
comewithfeelings oflove andwiththedesire
to honourthedeceasedman,butto ensurethat
Lazaruswasreallydead,andyouhavecontinued
tocomerejoicingallthemoreastimewentby.
Ifthesituationhadevolvedasyouwerehoping,
asyoubelieveditwouldevolve,youwouldhave
been right in exulting. The Friend Who cures
everybody, but does not cure His friend. The
Master Who rewards everybody's faith, but not
thefaithofHisfriendsinBethany.TheMessiah
powerlessagainsttherealityofdeath.Thatis
whatwasmakingyouexult.ThenGodgaveyouHis
reply. No prophet had ever been able to put
together what was decomposed, in addition to
being dead. God did it. That is the living
witness of what I am. One day it was God Who
took some dust and made it into a form and He
breathedthevitalspiritintoitandmanwas.I
was there to say: Let man be made in our own
image and likeness. Because I am the Word of
theFather.Today,I,theWord,saidtowhatis
even less than dust, I said to rottenness:
Live, and decomposition was recomposed into
flesh, intowholesome, living,breathingflesh.
Thereitislookingatyou.AndtothefleshI
joined thespiritthathad beenlyingfordays
in Abraham's bosom.Icalledhim withMy will,
becauseIcandoeverything,asIamtheLiving
Being, theKingofkingstoWhomall creatures
and things are subject. What are you going to
replytoMenow?
He is in front of them, tall, ablaze with
majesty, really Judge and God. They do not
reply.
Heinsists:

JESUS
Is it not yet enough for you to believe, to
acceptwhatisineluctable?
Sadocsaysharshly:
SADOC
YouhavekeptbutonepartofYourpromise.This
isnotthesignofJonah...
TheLordsays:
JESUS
Youshallhavethatoneaswell.Ipromisedit
andIwillkeepMypromise.Andanotherperson,
whoispresenthere,andiswaitingforanother
sign,shallhaveit.Andasheisajustman,he
will accept it. You will not. You will remain
whatyouare.
HeturnsroundandseesSimon,thememberofthe
Sanhedrin,thesonofElianna.Hegazesathim.
HeleavesthepreviousgroupandwhenHeisface
tofacewithhim,Hesaysinalowbutincisive
voice:
JESUS
YouarefortunatethatLazarusdoesnotremember
hisstayamongthedead!Whathaveyoudonewith
yourfather,oCain?
Simon runs away with a cry of fear that he
changesintoahowlofmalediction:
SIMONOFELIANNA
MayYoubecursed,Nazarene!
TowhichJesusreplies:
JESUS
Yourcurseisrising toHeavenand fromHeaven
the Most High throws it back at you. You are
markedwiththesign,youwretch!
Hegoesbacktothegroupsthatareastonished,
almost frightened. He meets Gamaliel who is
going towards the road. He looks at Gamaliel,

wholooksatHim.Jesussaysto
himwithoutstopping:
JESUS
Be ready, rabbi. The sign will come soon. I
neverlie.
The garden slowly becomes empty. The Judaeans
are dumbfounded, but most of them are bursting
with wrath. If glances could reduce one to
ashes, Jesus would have been pulverised a long
time ago. They speak and discuss among
themselves while going away, and they are so
upset by their defeat that they are unable to
concealthepurposeoftheirpresencehereunder
thehypocritical appearanceoffriendship. They
goawaywithoutsayinggoodbyetoLazarusorto
thesisters.
Some remain behind as they have been conquered
totheLordbythemiracle.Amongthemthereis
JosephBarnabas,whothrowshimselfonhisknees
before Jesus worshipping Him. Another one is
Joel of Abijah, the scribe, who does the same
thingbeforedeparting.Andthereareothersas
well, whom I do not know, but they must be
influentialpeople.
InthemeantimeLazarus,surroundedbyhismore
intimates,haswithdrawnintothehouse.Joseph,
NicodemusandothergoodpeoplegreetJesusand
go away. The Judaeans who were staying with
Martha and Mary depart giving low bows. The
servants close the gate. The house becomes
peacefulagain.
Jesus looks about Himself. He sees smoke and
flames at the end of the garden, towards the
sepulchre.Allalone,standinginthemiddleof
apathJesussays:
JESUS
Rottenness that is being destroyed by fire...
Therottennessofdeath...Butnofirewillever
destroy the corruption of hearts... of those
hearts... Not even the fire of Hell. It will
last forever... How horrible!... Worse than
death... Worse than putrefaction... And... But
who will save you, o Mankind, if you love so
muchtobecorrupt?Youwanttobecorrupt.And
I...Ihavetornamanfromhissepulchrewith

oneword...Andwithamultitudeofwords...and
a multitude of sorrows I shall not be able to
tearawayfromsinman,men,Nationsofmen.He
sitsdownandwithHishandsHecoversHisface
dejectedly...
Aservant,whoispassingby,seesHim.Hegoes
into the house. Shortly afterwards Mary comes
out. She goes towards Jesus walking so lightly
that she does not seem to be touching the
ground. She approaches Him and says in a low
voice:
MAGDALENE
Rabboni, You are tired... Come, my Lord. Your
tired apostles have gone to the other house,
except Simon the Zealot... Are You weeping,
Master?Why?...
ShekneelsatJesus'feet...shewatchesHim...
Jesuslooksather.Hedoesnotreply.Hestands
up and directs His steps towards the house
followedbyMary.
They go into one of the halls. Lazarus is not
there, neither is the Zealot. But Martha is
there, she is happy, transfigured by joy. She
turnstowardsJesusexplaining:
MARTHA
Lazarus has gone to the bathroom. To purify
himselffurther.Oh!Master!Master!Whatshall
ItellYou?
SheadoresHimwithherwholebeing.Shebecomes
awareofJesus'sadnessandsays:
MARTHA
Are You sad, Lord? Are You not happy that
Lazarus...
Shebecomessuspicious:
MARTHA
Oh!Youaregravewithme.Ihavesinned.Itis
true.
Marysays:

MAGDALENE
Wehavesinned,sister.
MARTHA
No.Youdidnot.Oh!Master,Marydidnotsin.
Maryobeyed.Ionlydisobeyed.IsentforYou...
because I could no longer bear their
insinuationsthatYouwerenottheMessiah,the
Lord... and I could no longer put up with all
thatsuffering...Lazaruswassoanxioustohave
You.HecalledYousomuch...Forgiveme,Jesus.
Jesusasks:
JESUS
Areyounotsayinganything,Mary?
MAGDALENE
Master...I...Isufferedthenonlyasawoman.
Isufferedbecause...Martha,swear,swearhere,
before the Master that you will never tell
Lazarus of his frenzy... my Master... I have
known You completely, o Divine Mercy, during
Lazarus' last hours. Oh! my God! How much You
have loved me, as You have forgiven me. You,
God,You,Pure,You...,ifmybrother,whodoes
love me, but is a man, only a man, has not
forgiven me everything from the bottom of his
heart?!No.Iamwrong.Hehasnotforgivenmy
pastandwhenhisweaknessonthepointofdeath
blunted his goodness, which I thought was
oblivionofthepast,heshouted hisgriefand
hisindignationagainstme...Oh!...
Maryweeps...
JESUS
Donotweep,Mary.Godhasforgivenyouandhas
forgotten. Lazarus' soul has also forgiven and
forgotten,itwantedtoforget.Themanhasnot
been able to forget everything. And when the
flesh overwhelmed the weakened will with its
lastpangs,themanspoke.
MAGDALENE
Iamnotindignantatit,Lord.Ithelpedmeto
loveYoumoreandtoloveLazarusmore.Butit
wasfromthatmomentthatIalsowishedtohave

You here... because it was too distressing to

think that Lazarus should die without peace
throughmyfault...andlater,whenIheardthe
JudaeansderideYou...whenIsawthatYouwere
notcomingevenafterhisdeath,notevenafter
IhadobeyedYouhopingbeyondwhatiscredible,
hoping till the moment when the sepulchre was
openedtoreceivehim,thenmyspiritsuffered.
Lord, if I had anything to expiate, and I
certainlyhadit,Ididexpiate...
JESUS
PoorMary!Iknowyour heart.Youdeservedthe
miracle and let that confirm you in of God,
Mary.
MAGDALENE
MyMaster,Iwillalwayshopeandbelievenow.I
will never doubt again, Lord. I will live on
faith. You have enabled me to believe what is
unbelievable.
JESUS
And what about you, Martha? Have you learned?
No.Notyet.YouareMyMartha.Butyouarenot
yet My perfect worshipper. Why do you act and
youdonotcontemplate?Itisholier.See?Your
strength,asitistooinclinedtowardsearthly
things,yieldedtotheascertainmentofearthly
matters that at time seem without remedy. In
actualfactearthlymattersarewithoutremedy,
unless God intervenes. That is why human
creatures must be able to believe and
contemplate, and love to the utmost power of
their whole being, with thought, soul, flesh,
blood;Irepeat:withallthestrengthofman.I
wantyoutobestrong,Martha.Iwantyoutobe
perfect. You did not obey because you did not
believe and hope completely, and you did not
believe and hope because you did not love
absolutely. But I absolve you. I forgive you,
Martha.IraisedLazarustoday.Iwillnowgive
you a stronger heart. I gave him life. I will
instill into you the strength to love, believe
andhope perfectly.Behappynow andinpeace.
Forgive those who offended you in the past
days...

MARTHA
Lord,Ihavesinnedagainstthat.NotlongagoI
saidtooldHananiah,whohadsneeredatYouin
previous days: Who has triumphed? You or God?
Yourmockery ormyfaith?Christ istheLiving
BeingandtheTruth.IknewthatHisglorywould
shine more brightly. And you, old man, make
yourselfanewsoul,ifyoudonotwanttoknow
whatdeathis.
JESUS
Youspokethetruth,butdonotcontendwiththe
wicked, Mary. And forgive. Forgive if you want
toimitateMe...HereisLazarus.Icanhearhis
voice.
Lazarusinfactcomesin,wearingfreshclothes
andcleanshaven,hishairdressedandscented.
MaximinusandtheZealotarewithhim.
LAZARUS
Master!
Lazarus kneels down once again worshipping.
Jesuslaysahandonhisheadandsmilessaying:
JESUS
The test is over, My friend. For you and for
yoursisters.Behappyandstrongnowinserving
the Lord. What do you remember, Me friend, of
thepast?Imeanofyourlasthours?
LAZARUS
AgreatdesiretoseeYouandagreatpeacein
theloveofmysisters.
JESUS
Whatdidyouregretmosttoleavedying?
LAZARUS
You,Lord,andmysisters.You,becauseIwould
nothavebeenabletoserveYou,them...because
theyhavegivenmyeveryjoy...
Marysayswithasigh:
MAGDALENE
Oh!me,brother!

LAZARUS
You more than Martha. You have given me Jesus
andthemeasureofwhatisJesus.AndJesushas
givenyoutome.Youarethegift
Mary says and she scrutinises her brother's
face.
MAGDALENE
Yousaidsoalsowhenyouweredying...
LAZARUS
Becauseitismyconstantthought.
MAGDALENE
ButIhavegrievedyousodeeply...
LAZARUS
Also my disease was painful. But through it I
hopeIhaveexpiated thefaultsof oldLazarus
andthatIhaverisenpurifiedtobeworthyof
God.YouandI,thetwowhohaverisenagainto
serve the Lord, and Martha between us, as she
hasalwaysbeenthepeaceofthehouse.
JESUS
Do you hear that, Mary? Lazarus is speaking
wordsof wisdomandtruth. I willnowwithdraw
andleaveyoutoyourjoy...
LAZARUS
No,Lord.Stayherewithus.StayinBethanyand
inmyhouse.Itwillbelovely...
JESUS
Iwillstay.Iwanttomakeupforwhatyouhave
suffered. Martha, do not be sad. Martha thinks
that she has grieved Me. But My grief is not
brought about by you, but by those who do not
want to be redeemed. They hate more and more.
Their hearts are poisoned... Well... let us
forgive...
Lazarussayswithhismildsmile...
LAZARUS
Letusforgive,Lord

anditallendsonthatword.
SCENE22
INT. THE SABBATH BEFORE THE ENTRY INTO
JERUSALEM.THESUPPERATBETHANYNIGHT.
Supperhasbeenpreparedinthecompletelywhite
hall where Jesus spoke to the women disciples.
Thewholewhitehallisbrightandsilverywith
a nuance not so snowwhite and cold, cast by
bundles of branches of apple or peartrees, or
other fruittrees, as white as snow, but with
suchalightshadeofpinkthatmakesonethink
ofsnowlightlytouchedbythekissofaremote
dawn. They protrude from potbellied vases or
from slender silver amphorae, on the shelves,
chests and dressers placed along the walls of
thehall.Theflowersshedthetypicalscentof
blossoms of fruittrees through the hall, the
freshbitterishscentofpurespringtime...
Lazarus enters the hall walking beside Jesus.
Behind them, in twos or larger groups, the
apostles. Last are Lazarus' two sisters with
Maximinus.Idonotseethewomendisciples.Not
even Mary. Perhaps they preferred to remain in
Simon'shousewiththedistressedMother.
The day is turning to twilight. But the last
sunbeams are still shining on the rustling
leaves of some palmtrees in a group a few
metresawayfromthehall,andonthetopofa
giganticlaurelonwhichsparrowsaresquabbling
beforegoingtorest.Beyondthepalmtreesand
the laurel, beyond the hedges of roses and
jasminesand thebedsofliliesof thevalley,
of other flowers and sweetsmelling plants,
there is a white spot sprayed with the light
green of the early leaves of a group of late
pear or appletrees in the orchard. It looks
likeacloudentangledamongthebranches.
Jesus passing near an amphora full of branches
remarks:
JESUS
Theyalreadyhadthefirstlittlefruits.Look!
Onthetopsthereareblossoms,whereasfarther
down the blossoms have fallen off and the
ovariesareswelling.

LAZARUS
Mary wanted to pick them. She took bundles of
themalsotoYourMother.Shegotupatdawn,I
think,lestanotherdayofsunshinemightspoil
the delicate corollas. I heard of this
destruction only a short while ago. But I was
notsoangryaboutitas thepeasant servants.
Nay,Ithoughtthatitwasjusttoofferallthe
beauties of creation to You, the King of all
things.
Jesussitsdownsmilingin Hisplaceand looks
atMary,whowithhersisterisgettingreadyto
serveasifshewereamaid,bringingthecups
of purification and the towels, then pouring
wineintochalicesandlayingthetraysoffood
on the table, as the servants bring them from
thekitchenorhandthemoveraftercarvingthem
onthesideboards.
Naturally, if the sisters serve all guests
courteously, their attention is particularly
directed to the two who are dearest to them:
JesusandLazarus.
At a certain moment Peter, who is eating with
relish,says:
PETER
Look! I am just noticing this! All the dishes
areliketheonesservedinGalilee.Ithink...
Ofcourse!Iseemtobeataweddingbreakfast.
Butthereisnoshortageofwinehereasthere
wasatCana.
Marysmilesfillingtheapostle'schaliceagain
withclearambercolouredwine.Butshedoesnot
speak.AndLazarusexplains:
LAZARUS
Andthatisinfactwhatthesisters,andMary
in particular, wanted: to serve a supper that
gavethe Mastertheimpression ofbeinginHis
Galilee,asupperthat,althoughimperfect,was
tobebetter,muchbetterthanwhatiscustomary
here...
JamesofAlphaeusremarks:
JAMESOFALPHAEUS

ButtomakeHimfeelthat,Maryshouldhavebeen
atthistable.ShewasatCana.Themiracletook
placethroughHer.
LAZARUS
Thatmusthavebeenagrandwine!
theIscariotsays:
JUDASISCARIOT
Wineisthesymbolofmirthandoughttobethe
symbol alsoof fertility,aswineisthe juice
ofthefertilevine.ButIdonotthinkthatit
fecundatedverymuch.Susannahasnoson.
Johnsays,somewhatdreamy,ashealwaysiswhen
he innerly contemplates the miracles worked by
God:
JOHN
Oh! what a wine it was! It fecundated our
spirits...
Andheconcludes:
JOHN
Itwasworkedonbehalfofavirgin...andthe
influence of purity descended upon those who
relishedit.
theIscariotaskslaughing:
JUDASISCARIOT
ButdoyouthinkthatSusannaisavirgin?
JOHN
Ididnotsaythat.VirginistheMotherofthe
Lord. Virginity emanates from everything
accomplished on Her behalf. I always consider
how virginal everything is when performed for
Mary...
And he dreams again smiling at I wonder which
vision.
Peter says pointing at John who, lying on his
littlebed:

PETER
Blessed boy! I think that he does not even
remembertheworldanymore,now.Lookathim
Andlostinthought,istoyingwithlittlebits
ofbreadforgettingtoeat.
JesusalsobendsalittletolookatJohnwhois
at one of the corners of the Ushaped table,
thusalittlebehindthebackoftheLord,Who
isatthemiddleofthecentralside,withHis
cousin James on His left and Lazarus on His
right; after Lazarus there is the Zealot and
Maximinus, and after James there is the other
JamesandthenPeter.John,instead,isbetween
Andrew and Bartholomew, then there is Thomas,
withinfrontofhimJudas,Philip,Matthewand
Thaddeus,whoisatthecorner,atthebeginning
ofthelongcentraltable.
MaryofLazarusleavesthehallwhileMarthais
puttingonthe table trays fullof early green
figs, green fennel stalks, fresh shelled
almonds, strawberries that look even redder
amongthepaleemeraldgreenofthefennelsand
ofthefigsandthewhiteofthealmonds,ofthe
little melons or other fruit of the kind... I
think they look like the green melons of
southernItaly,andgoldenoranges.
Petersaysopeninghiseyeswideandpointingat
thestrawberriesandthemelons:
PETER
Thesefruits already?Ihavenot seenanyripe
onesanywheres.
LAZARUS
Some of them came from the shores beyond Gaza
whereIhaveamarketgardenoftheseproducts,
andsome fromthesunnyterraces onthehouse,
the nursery for the more delicate plants that
needtobeprotectedfromfrost.ARomanfriend
taught me how to grow them... The only good
thinghetaughtme...
Lazarus becomes gloomy. Martha sighs... But
Lazarus becomes at once the perfect host who
doesnotsaddenhisguests.

LAZARUS
ItisawidespreadcustominthevillasatBaia
and Syracuse and along the Sybaris gulf to
cultivatesuchdelightswiththatmethodtohave
themprematurely.Eatthem:thelastfruitsare
theorangesfromLibya,theearliestthemelons
of Egypt grown in the solaria and these Latin
fruitsandthewhitealmondsofourfatherland,
the tender broad beans, the digestive stalks
tastingofanise...Martha,haveyouseentothe
boy?
MARTHA
Yes,Ihaveseen toeverybody.Marywasdeeply
movedrememberingEgypt...

LAZARUS
We hadsomeplantsinourpoor kitchengarden.
Indogdaysitwasagreatjoytodipthemelons
intothewellofourneighbour,asitwasdeep
and cool, and eat them in the evening... I
remember...Ihadalittlegreedygoatandwehad
to watch her because she was fond of tender
plantsandfruits...
Jesus, Who was speaking with His head somewhat
lowered, raises it and looks at the palmtrees
rustling in the breeze of the evening that is
fallingandsays:
JESUS
WhenIseethosepalmtrees...EverytimeIsee
palmtreesIsee Egypt again,itsyellow sandy
soilblownsoeasilybythewind,andfaraway
thepyramidstrembledintherarefiedair...and
the tall trunks of the palmtrees... and the
house where... But it is no use speaking of
them.Eachperiodhasitsanxiety...Anditsjoy
with its anxiety... Lazarus, would you give me
someofthosefruits?Ishouldliketotakethem
to Mary and Matthias. I do not think that
Johannahasany.
LAZARUS
She has not. She said so yesterday and she
intendstoplantsomeatBetherandhavesolaria
built.ButIshallnotgivethemtoYounow.I

pickedasmanyasIhadandforsomedaysthere
willbenoripeones.IwillsendthemtoYouor
send for them by Thursday. We will prepare a
lovely basket of them for those children. Is
thatright,Martha?
MARTHA
Yes,brother.Andwewilladdsomelittlelilies
ofthevalleythatJohannalikessomuch.
MaryMagdalenecomesbackin.Sheisholdingin
her hands a thinnecked amphora, ending in a
little bill, as pretty as the neck of a bird.
Thealabasterisofapreciousrosyyellowhue,
like the complexion of some blondes. The
apostleslookatherthinking,perhaps,thatshe
is bringing some rare delicacy. But Mary does
notgotothecentre,insidetheUofthetable,
wherehersisteris. Shegoesbehindthe seat
bedsandstopsbetweenthatofJesusandLazarus
andthatofthetwoJameses.
She uncorks the alabaster vase and places her
hand under the little bill to receive a few
dropsofaviscousliquidthatflowsslowlyfrom
the open amphora. A strong smell of tuberoses
and other essences, a very intense pleasant
scent spreads in the hall. But Mary is not
satisfied with the little quantity of perfume
thatflows.Shestoopsandwithasharpblowshe
breaks the neck of the amphora against the
cornerofJesus'littlebed.Thethinneckfalls
on the floor; shedding scented drops on the
marble pavement. The amphora now has a wide
aperture through which plenty unguent flows in
thickgushes.
MaryplacesherselfbehindJesusandspreadsthe
thickoilonherJesus'hair,shesprinklesall
Hislockswith it,she stretches themandthen
putstheminorderwiththecombtakenfromher
own hair, tidying them on the adored head.
Jesus' fairred hair shines now like dark gold
andisverybrightaftertheunction.Thelight
of the chandelier, lit by the servants, is
reflected on Jesus fair hair like a beautiful
copper coloured bronze helmet. The scent is
exhilarating. Through the nostrils it rises to
theheadand,spreadasitiswithoutrestraint,
itissointensethatitisalmostasexciting

assternutatorypowder.
Lazarus, with his head turned round, smiles
watchinghowcarefullyMaryanointsandarranges
Jesus' locks so that His hair may look tidy
after the scented massage, while she does not
worry about her plaits, which, no longer
supported by the wide comb that helps the
hairpins to hold them in place, are falling
lower and lower on her neck, and are about to
loosencompletelyonhershoulders.
Marthaalsolooksathersmiling.Theothersare
talking to one another in low voices with
different expressions on their faces. But Mary
is not yet satisfied. There is still plenty
ointment in the broken vase, and Jesus' hair,
although thick, is already saturated with it.
Mary then repeats the loving gesture of an
eveningoflongago.Shekneelsdownatthefoot
of the bed, she unties the buckles of Jesus'
sandalsandtakesthemoff,anddippingthelong
fingersofherbeautifulhandintothevase,she
takesasmuchointmentasshecanandspreadsit
onHisbarefeet,toebytoe,thenonthesoles
andheels,thenup,on themalleoli,whichshe
uncovers by throwing back His linen tunic, and
lastly on the insteps, she delays on the
metatarsi,whichwillbepiercedbythedreadful
nails,sheinsistsuntilshefindsnomorebalm
inthehollowvase.Thensheshattersitonthe
floor and with her hands now free she removes
her big hairpins, she quickly looses her heavy
plaits and with that golden, bright, soft,
flowingbundleofhairsheremovestheexcessof
ointment from Jesus' feet that are dripping
balm.
Judas,whosofarhasbeensilentwatchingwith
lewd envious eyes the beautiful woman and the
Master Whose head and feet she was anointing,
raises his voice, the only voice of open
reproach;someoftheothers,notallof them,
had murmured something or had made gestures of
surprisedbutalsocalmdisapproval.ButJudas,
who has stood up to have a better view of the
ointment spread on Jesus' feet, says with ill
grace:
JUDASISCARIOT

Whatauseless heathenwaste!Whydothat?And
thenweexpect theChiefsof theSanhedrinnot
to speak of sin! Those are deeds of a lustful
courtesan and they do not become the new life
you are leading, woman. They are too strong a
recollectionofyourpast!
The insult is such that everybody is
dumbfounded. It is such that everybody stirs,
some sit up on the beds, some jump to their
feet, everyone looks at Judas, as if he had
suddenly become insane. Martha flares up.
Lazarus springs to his feet striking the table
withhisfistandsays:
LAZARUS
Inmyhouse...
ThenhelooksatJesusandcontrolshimself.
JUDASISCARIOT
Yes. Are you all looking at me? You have all
murmuredinyourhearts. Butnow thatIechoed
yourwordsand I openlysaid whatyouthought,
youareallreadytosaythatIamwrong.Iwill
repeatwhatIsaid.IdonotmeanthatMaryis
the Master's lover. But I say that certain
actions do not become Him or her. It is an
imprudent action. And an unjust one. Yes. Why
such waste? If she wanted to destroy the
memoriesofherpast,shecouldhavegiventhat
vaseandointmenttome.Itwasatleastapound
of pure nard! And of high value. I could have
solditforatleastthreehundred denarii,as
thatisthepricefornardofthatquality.And
Icouldhavesoldthevase,whichwasbeautiful
and precious. I would have given the money to
the poor who crowd round us. We never have
enough. And those asking for alms tomorrow in
Jerusalemwillbenumberless.
Theotherssay
OTHERS
Thatistrue.Youcouldhaveusedalittlefor
theMasterandtherest...
MaryofMagdalaseemstobedeaf.Shecontinues

wipingJesus'feetwithherloosehairthatnow,
atitsend,isalsoheavywiththeointmentand
darkerthanonthetopofherhead.Jesus'feet
aresmoothandsoftintheirshadeofoldivory,
as if they were covered with fresh skin. And
Mary puts the sandals on the Christ's feet
again, kissing each foot before and after
putting the sandal on, deaf to everything that
isnotherloveforJesus.
Jesus defends her laying His hand on her head
bentinthelastkissandsaying:
JESUS
Leave her alone. Why are you annoying and
upsettingher?You donotrealisewhat shehas
done. Mary has accomplished an action that is
rightful and good with regard to Me. The poor
willalwaysbeamongyou.Iamabouttogoaway.
You will always have them, but you will soon
nothaveMeanylonger.Youwillalwaysbeable
togivealmstothepoor.ShortlytoMe,tothe
Son of man among men, it will no longer be
possibletogiveanyhonour,throughthewillof
men, and because the hour has come. Love is
lighttoher.ShefeelsthatIamabouttodie
and she wanted to anticipate the burial
anointingforMybody.Itellyousolemnlythat
wherever the Good News is proclaimed, this
prophetic action of love of hers will be
remembered.Allovertheworld.Throughoutages.
I wish God would turn every human being into
another Mary who does not value things, who
entertainsnoattachmentforanything,whodoes
not cherish the least memory of the past, but
destroysandtreadsoneverythingthatisflesh
and world, and breaks and spreads herself, as
shedidwiththenardandthealabaster,onher
LordandoutofloveforHim.Donotweep,Mary.
InthishourIrepeattoyouthewordsIspoke
toSimonthePhariseeandtoyoursisterMartha:
You are forgiven everything, because you have
loved completely. You have chosen the better
part.Anditwillnotbetakenawayfromyou.Go
in peace,Mykindlittlesheepfoundagain.Go
in peace. The pastures of love shall be your
foodforever.Standup.KissalsoMyhandsthat
haveabsolvedandblessedyou...Howmanypeople
these hands of Mine have absolved, blessed,

cured, assisted! And yet I tell you that the

people whom I have assisted are preparing
tortureforthesehands...
There is deathlike silence in the air sultry
with the intense scent. Mary, her loose hair
clothing her shoulders and veiling her face,
kissestherighthandthatJesusoffersherand
cannotdetachherlipsfromit...
Martha,deeplymoved,approachesherandgathers
herloosehair,whichshebraidscaressingher,
and then she wipes the tears on her cheeks
endeavouringtodrythem...
No one feels like eating any more... Christ's
words make them pensive. Judas of Alphaeus is
thefirsttogetup.Heasksleavetowithdraw.
His brother James imitates him and Andrew and
John follow suit. The others remain, but they
arealreadystanding,intentonpurifyingtheir
hands in silver basins handed to them by the
servants.Maryand Marthadothe samewiththe
MasterandLazarus.
A servant comes in and he bends to speak to
Maximinus,who,afterlisteningtohim,says:
SERVANT
Master,therearesomepeoplewhowouldliketo
seeYou.Theysaythattheycomefromafar.What
shallwedo?
JesuscallsPhilip,JamesofZebedeeandThomas
andsaystothem:
JESUS
Go,evangelize,cure,actinMyname.Tellthem
thatIshallbegoinguptotheTempletomorrow.
SimonZealotasks:
SIMONZEALOT
Isitwisetotellthemthat,Lord?
JESUS
There is no sense in being silent about it,
becauseitisalreadymentionedintheHolypoor
willalwaysbeamongyou.Iamabouttogoaway.
You will always have them, but City, more by
enemiesthanbyfriends.Go!

PETER
H'm! As long as friends know... we know. But
theydonotbetray.Idonotknowhowtheothers
canbeinformed.
JudasofKeriothsayslyingshamelessly:
JUDASOFKERIOTH
Among the many friends there are always some
enemies,SimonofJonas.Nowthefriendsare...
too many and they are accepted as such too
easily.WhenIthinkhowlongIhadtowaitand
pray!...But those weretheearlydays andone
was cautious. Then the triumphs dazzled us and
wewerenolongerwary.Andthatwaswrong.But
ithappenstoallwinners.Victoriespreventone
fromseeingclearlyandenfeebleone'sprudence
in acting. I am speaking of us disciples, of
course,notoftheMaster.Heisperfect.Ifwe
hadremainedonlytwelve,weshouldnothaveto
trembleforfearofbetrayals!
It is impossible to describe the glance Christ
casts at the perfidious apostle. A glance of
warning and infinite sorrow. But Judas pays no
attention to it. He passes by the table to go
out...
JesusfollowshimwithHiseyesandwhenHesees
himgoout,Heaskshim:
JESUS
Whereareyougoing?
Judasrepliesevasively:
JUDASKEIROT
Out...
JESUS
Outofthisroom,oroutofthehouse?
JUDASKEIROT
Out...So...Foralittlewalk.
JESUS
Donotgo,Judas.StaywithMe,withus...

JUDASKEIROT
Your brothers have gone away with John and
Andrew.WhymustInotgo?
JESUS
Youarenotgoingtohavearestastheydid...
Judas does not reply, but he goes out
obstinately.Notawordisutteredinthehall.
Lazarus and his sisters and the four apostles
who have stayed: Peter, Simon, Matthew and
Bartholomew,lookatoneanother.
Jesuslooksoutside.Hehasgotupandhasgone
toawindowtofollowJudas'movementsandwhen
He sees him go out of the house wearing his
mantle and set out towards the gate, which
cannotbeseenfromhere,Hecallshiminaloud
voice:
JESUS
Judas! Wait for Me. I have something to tell
you
And He gently frees Himself from Lazarus who,
realising that the Master was grieved, had
passedhisarmroundHiswaistembracingHim.
SCENE23
EXT.TWODECISIONATBETHANY.DAY
I
JUDASKEIROT
JesusHeleavesthehall,joiningJudas,whohad
continued walking . although more slowly. He
reacheshimat about onethirdofthedistance
between the house and the garden wall, near a
thicket of plants with thick leaves that look
like green baked clay sprayed with clusters of
littleflowers,andeachflowerisasmallcross
withheavypetalsasiftheyweremadeoflight
yellowwax,withastrongscent.Idonotknow
theirname.Hedrawshimbehindthethicketand
holdinghisforearmtightwithHishand,Heasks
himagain:

JESUS
Whereareyougoing,Judas?Please,stayhere!
JUDASKEIROT
Since you know everything, why do You ask me?
WhatneedisthereforYoutoask,sinceYoucan
readtheheartsofmen?YouknowthatIamgoing
tomyfriends.Youdootallowmetogothere.
Theypressmetogo.Iamgoing.
JESUS
Yourfriends!Youshouldsayyourruin!Thatis
whereyouaregoing.Youaregoingtoyourtrue
murderers. Don't go Judas! Don't go! You are
goingtocommitacrime...You...
JUDASKIEROT
Ah! You are afraid?! Are You afraid at last?!
Yourealiseatlastthatyouareaman!Youare
aman!Nothingmorethanaman!Becausemanonly
is afraid of death. God knows that He cannot
die. If You felt that You were God, You would
knowthatYoucouldnotdieandYouwouldnotbe
afraid.BecausenowthatYoufeeldeathcloseat
hand, You are afraid like all men and You are
tryingwitheverypossiblemeanstoavertitand
You see danger everywhere and in everything.
Where is Your lovely boldness? Where are Your
confidentprotestationsthatYouwerehappyand
thirstingforaccomplishingtheSacrifice?There
isnotevenanechoofthemleftinYourheart!
Youthoughtthatthishourwouldnevercome,so
You feigned power, generosity and You spoke
solemn sentences. Go away! You are as bad as
thosewhomYoureproachasbeinghypocrites!You
haveenticedusandbetrayedus.Andwehadleft
everythingforYoursake!AndbecauseofYouwe
arehated!Youhavebroughtaboutourruin...
JESUS
Thatisenough.Go!Goaway!Notmanyhourshave
gonebysinceyousaidtoMe:Helpmetostay.
Defend me! I have done that. To what avail?
Tell Me one thing more, and think about it
beforetellingMe.Isthisyoursincerewill?To
gotoyourfriends,topreferthemtoMe?

JUDASKEIROT
Yes. It is. I do not have to think about it,
because for a long time I have wanted nothing
butthat.
JESUS
Thengo.Goddoesnotdoviolencetoman'swill.
AndJesusturnsHisbackonhimandgoesslowly
back to the house. When He is close to it He
raises His head, attracted by the eyes of
Lazarus, who standing where he was before, is
lookingfixedlyatHim.Itisaverypaleface
thatendeavourstosmileatthefaithfulfriend.
II
MARYMAGDALENE
Theygotowardsthehousestoppingnowandagain
to watch the reawakening of trees and Jesus,
tallasHeis,liftsonearmandpicksalittle
bunch of flowers from an almondtree that is
getting warm in the sun, against the southern
wallofthehouse.
Marycomesoutandseesthemandsheapproaches
themtohearwhatJesusissaying:
MAGDALENE
See, Lazarus? Also to these flowers the Lord
said:Comeout.Andthey obeyedtoservethe
Lord. What a mystery germination is! It seems
impossible for such fragile petals and such
tenderstemstosproutfromahardtrunkorhard
seedsandtochangeintofruitorplants.Isit
wrong,Master,tosaythatthelymphorthegerm
islikethesouloftheplantoroftheseed?
PETER
Itisnotwrongbecauseitisthevitalpart.It
isnoteternalinthem,butwascreatedforeach
speciesonthefirstdaythatplantsandcereals
existed.Inmanitiseternal,likeitsCreator,
created each time a new man is conceived. But
matter is alive through it. That is why I say
thatonlythroughhissoulmanisalive.Andhe
doesnotliveonlyhere.Butalsointhebeyond.
Helivesbecauseofhissoul.WeHebrewsdonot
draw designs on sepulchres as the Gentiles do.
But if we did, we should not design an

extinguished torch, an empty sandglass or any

other item symbolising the end, but the seed
thatisthrownintothefurrowandgrowsintoan
ear. Because it is the death of the body that
frees the soul from the bark and makes it
fructify in the flowerbeds of God. The seed.
ThevitalsparkthatGodputintoourdustand
becomesanearifthroughourgoodwillandalso
through sorrow we can fertilise the clod that
enclosesit. Theseed.The symboloflifethat
lastsforever...ButMaximinusiscallingyou...
LAZARUS
I will go, Master. Some of the stewards have
probably come. Everything came to a standstill
theselastmonths.Theyarenowmakinghasteto
showmetheiraccounts...
JESUS
That you approve in advance because you are a
goodmaster.
LAZARUS
Andbecausetheyaregoodservants.
JESUS
Agoodmastermakesservantsgood.
LAZARUS
So I shall certainly become a good servant
becauseIhaveYouasaperfectMaster
MaryremainswithJesus.
JESUS
Andwhataboutyou,Mary,willyoubecomeagood
servantofyourLord?
MAGDALENE
You only know, Rabboni. I... only know that I
wasabigsinner.
Jesussmiles:
JESUS
Have you seen Lazarus? He, too, was seriously
ill,andyetdoyounotthinkthatheisquite
well?

MAGDALENE
Itisso,Rabboni.Youhavecuredhim.WhatYou
doisalwayscomplete.Lazarushasneverbeenso
strongandcheerfulashehasbeensincehecame
outofthesepulchre.
JESUS
You are right, Mary. What I do is always
complete.Thusalsoyourredemptioniscomplete
becauseIworkedit.
MAGDALENE
That is true, my beloved Saviour and Redeemer,
my King and God. It is true. And, if You want
it,IalsoshallbeagoodservantofmyLord.
As for me, I want it, Lord. I do not know
whetheryoudo.
JESUS
Iwantit,Mary.AgoodservantofMine.Today
more than yesterday. Tomorrow more than today.
Until I will say to you: Enough, Mary. It is
timeforyoutorest.
MAGDALENE
Agreed,Lord.IwouldlikeYoutocallme,then.
As Youcalledmy brotherout ofthesepulchre.
Oh!callmeoutofthislife!
JESUS
No,notoutofthislife.Iwillcallyoutothe
Life,tothetrueLife.Iwillcallyououtof
thesepulchrethatisthefleshandtheEarth.I
willcallyoutotheweddingofyoursoulwith
yourLord.
MAGDALENE
Mywedding!Youlovevirgins,Lord...
JESUS
IlovethosewholoveMe,Mary.
MAGDALENE
Youaredivinelygood,Rabboni!ThatiswhyI
could not set my mind at rest when I heard
people say that You were bad because You were
not coming. Everything seemed to be collapsing

around me. How hard it was to say to myself:

No. You must not accept this evidence. What
seemstoyoutobeobviousisonlyadream.The
real fact is the power, the goodness, the
divinityofyourLord.Ah!HowmuchIsuffered!
So much grief for Lazarus' death and for his
words...DidhesayanythingtoYou?Doeshenot
remember?Tellmethetruth...
JESUS
Ineverlie,Mary.Heisafraidthathemayhave
spokenandsaidwhathadgrievedhislife.ButI
reassured him, without lying, and he is now
tranquil.
MAGDALENE
Thank You, Lord. Those words... have done me
good. Yes. Just like the cure of a doctor who
laysbaretherootsofadiseaseandburnsthem.
They finished destroying the old Mary. I still
had too high an opinion of myself. Now... I
measure the bottom of my abjection and I know
thatImustgoalongwayto climb outofit.
ButIwilldoit,ifYouhelpme.
JESUS
Iwillhelpyou,Mary.Iwillhelpyoualsowhen
Ihavegoneaway.
MAGDALENE
How,myLord?
JESUS
Byincreasingyourloveinanimmeasurableway.
Thereisnootherwayforyou.
MAGDALENE
Too mild when compared with what I have to
expiate! Everybody is saved through love.
EverybodyobtainsHeaven.Butwhatissufficient
for the pure, the just, is not sufficient for
thegreatsinner.
JESUS
There is no other way for you, Mary. Because,
whatever way you may take, it will still be
love.LoveifyouhelppeopleinMyname.Love
if you evangelize. Love if you live in

isolation.Loveifyoumartyriseyourself.Love
if youwillmake peoplemartyriseyou. Youcan
but love, Mary. It is your nature. Flames can
but burn whether they creep on the ground,
burning straw, or they arise like a bright
embracearoundatrunk,ahouseoranaltarto
ascendtowardsthesky.Everyonehashisnature.
Thewisdomofthemastersofthespiritrestsin
the ability to exploit the inclinations of men
directing them along the way where they can
developprofitably.Suchalawexistsalsoamong
plants and animals and it would be silly to
pretend that a fruittree should yield flowers
only, or should bear other fruit than its
natural ones, or that an animal should fulfill
thefunctionstypicalofanotherspecies.Could
youpretendthatabee,destinedtomakehoney,
shouldbecomealittlebirdthatsingsamongthe
leafybranchesofahedge? Orthat thislittle
branchofanalmondtreethatIamholdinginMy
hands,withallthetreefromwhichIpickedit,
insteadofyieldingalmondsshouldexudesweet
smelling resins from its bark? A bee works, a
bird sings, an almondtree bears fruit, a
resiniferous plant secretes resins. And each
fulfillsitstask.Soulsdothesame.Yourtask
istolove.
MAGDALENE
Theninflameme,Lord.Grantmeitasagrace.
JESUS
Is the power of love that you possess not
sufficientforyou?
MAGDALENE
It'stoo little,Lord.Itcouldhaveservedto
lovemen.NottoloveYouWhoaretheinfinite
Lord.
JESUS
And just because I am such, a limitless love
wouldberequired...
MAGDALENE
Yes,myLord.ThatiswhatIwant:thatYougive
mealimitlesslove.

JESUS
Mary,theMostHighWhoknowswhatloveis,said
to man: You shall love Me with all your
strength. He does not exact more than that.
Because He is aware that it is already a
martyrdomtolovewithallone'sstrength...
MAGDALENE
Itdoesnotmatter,myLord.Givemeaninfinite
love that I may love You as You deserve to be
loved,thatImayloveYouasIhavenotloved
anybodyelse.
JESUS
YouareaskingMeforasufferingthatislikea
firethatburnsandconsumes,Mary.Itburnsand
consumesslowly...Thinkaboutit.
MAGDALENE
I have been thinking about it for such a long
time, my Lord. But I dared not ask You. Now I
knowhowmuchYouloveme.JustnowIamaware
ofhowmuchYoulovemeandIdaretoaskYou.
Givemethatinfinitelove,Lord.
Jesus looks at her. She is in front of Him,
stillthinaftersomanylonghoursofwatchand
so muchgrief, wearingamodestdressandwith
herhairarrangedinasimpleway,likeagirl
withoutmalice,herpalefacefullofeagerness,
her imploring eyes already shining with love,
lookingmorelikeaseraphthanawoman.Sheis
reallythecontemplatoraskingforthemartyrdom
ofabsolutecontemplation.
Jesus says one word only after looking at her
carefully,asifHewantedtoweighherwill:
JESUS
Yes.
MAGDALENE
Ah!myLord!Whatagracetodieoutoflovefor
You!shesaysfallingonherkneesandkissing
Jesus'feet.
JESUS

Stand up, Mary. Take these flowers. They are

thoseofyourspiritualwedding.Beassweetas
the fruit of the almondtree, as pure as its
flower and as bright as the oil that is
extractedfromitsfruit,whenitislit,andas
sweet smelling as this oil when sated with
essences it is spread in banquets or on the
headsofkings,scentedwithyourvirtues.Then
you will really spread on your Lord the balm
thatHewillappreciateinfinitely.
Marytakestheflowersbutshedoesnotstandup
andinadvanceofherbalmsofloveshekisses
andshedstearsonthefeetofherMaster.
SCENE25
INT.INTHECAVERNAGAIN.DAY
MAGDALENEPENITENT
Marymagdelenesays:
MARYMAGDALENE
Icannotanymore,Rabboni!Nomoresufferingin
memoryofYoursorrow!
Sheisinhercaveofapenitent.
Mary weeps. She calls Jesus with love. She
cannot suffer anymore. But she can still love.
Her flesh, worn out by penance, cannot endure
anymore the fatigue of scourging herself, but
herheartstillhaspassionatethrobs,andwith
her last strength she consumes herself in
loving. And she loves by remaining with her
forehead crowned with thorns and her waist
enclosedinthorns.Shelovesbytalkingtoher
Masterinacontinuousprofessionofloveandin
arenewedactofsorrow.
She has slipped down with her forehead to the
ground.Thesameposture shehad onCalvaryin
frontofJesuslaidonthelapofMary.Thesame
one she had in the house of Jerusalem when
Veronicaunrolledherveil.Thesameoneshehad
in the garden of Joseph of Arimathaea, when
JesuscalledherandsherecognizedHim.Butnow
sheweepsbecauseJesusisnotthere.

MARYMAGDALENE
My life escapes me, my Master. And must I die
withoutseeingYouagain?WhencanIbeblessed
withthesightofYou?Mysinsstandbeforeme
and accuse me. You have forgiven me, and I
believethatHellwillnothaveme.Buthowlong
the stop for expiation before living with You!
Oh! Good Master! Because of the love that You
have given me, comfort my soul! The hour of
death has come. Because of Your desolate dying
ontheCross,comfortYourcreature!Youarethe
Onewhohasbegottenme.You.Notmymother.You
have resurrected me more than You resurrected
Lazarus,mybrother.Sincehewasalreadygood,
andhisdeathcouldnotbutbeawaitinginYour
Limbo.Iwasdeadinmysoul,andtodiemeans
to die for eternity. Jesus, into Your hands I
commendmyspirit!ItisYours,becauseYouhave
redeemed it. I accept for a last expiation to
knowthebitternessofYourdyingabandoned.But
give me a sign that my life has served to
expiatemysins.'
Then Mary see in the distance the pasion of
Jesus
SCENE26
INT.JESUS'PASSOVERANDMAGDALENESCENES.DAY
I
TheThursdayEveningbeforePassover.Arrivalat
theSupperRoom.
Itisalargeroomthatisnotperfectlysquare,
but it is somewhat rectangular. The difference
betweenthelongersideandtheshorteroneis,
atmost,ametreoralittlemore.Theceiling
islow.Perhapsitappearstobeso,becausethe
height of the room does not correspond to its
size.It isslightly vaulted,thatis, thetwo
shorterwallsdonotformarightanglewiththe
ceiling,butitisroundish.
Inthetwoshorterwallstherearetwolargelow
windows, facing each other. I cannot see what
they look onto, a courtyard or a street,
because the shutters are closed. I said:
shutters.Idonotknowwhetheritistheright

word. They are window coverings made of boards

andthey arefirmlyclosed byiron barsacross
them.
The floor is made of large square bricks of
baked clay discoloured by age. From the centre
oftheceilinghangsamultiarmoillamp.
In one of the two longer walls there is no
opening,intheother,instead,thereisasmall
doorinonecorneranditisreachedbymeansof
a small staircase of six steps with no
bannisters, ending on a landing of one square
metre.Onthelandingandagainstthewallthere
isanotherstep,atwhoselevelthedooropens.
IdonotknowwhetherIhavemademyselfclear.
The walls are just whitewashed without
decorations or borders. In the centre of the
room there is a long rectangular table, very
long as compared to its width, it is placed
paralleltothelongwallsandismadeofvery
plainwood.Alongthelongwallstherearesome
seats. Against the short walls, under the
window, on one side there is a kind of chest
withsomebasinsand amphoraeon it,and under
theotherwindowthereisalonglowsideboard,
ontopofwhichthereisnothingatpresent.
Andthatisthedescriptionoftheroominwhich
Passover will be consumed. I have seen it
distinctly all day long, in fact I have been
able to count the steps and observe all the
details. And now that it is getting dark, my
Jesus is taking me to the rest of the
contemplation.
Iseethatthelargeroomleads,bymeansofthe
sixstep staircase, to a dark vestibule on the
leftsideofwhich,withrespecttome,thereis
adoorthatopensontothestreet;thedooris
wide,lowandverysolid,reinforcedwithmetal
studs and bars. Facing the little door that
leads from the supperroom into the vestibule,
there is another door that opens onto another
room, which is not so large. I would say that
the supperroom has been obtained from the
difference in level between the ground and the
restofthehouseandthestreet,itislikea
basement,asortofcellarthathasbeencleaned
up or adapted, but is still sunken for a good
metreintheground,probablytoheightenitand
proportionittoitsvastness.

IntheroomthatIseenow,thereisMarywith
otherwomen.IrecognisetheMagdaleneandMary
themotherofJames,JudasandSimon.Theyseem
tohavejustarrived,ledbyJohn,astheytake
off their mantles and lay them folded on the
stools scattered about the room, while they
greet the apostle, who goes away, and a woman
and a man, who have rushed there upon their
arrival,andIamundertheimpressionthatthey
are the owners of the house and disciples or
sympathisers of the Nazarene, because they are
full of attention for and of respectful
familiarity with Mary. She is wearing a deep
bluedress,adeepindigoblue.OnHerheadShe
hasawhiteveilthatappearswhenShetakesHer
mantle off, as it covers also Her head. She
looks worn out and aged. She is very sad,
although She smiles kindly. She is very pale.
Also Her movements are tired and hesitating,
likethoseofapersonengrossedinthought.
Through the door left ajar I can see the
landlord coming and going in the vestibule and
in the upperroom, which he illuminates
completelylightingtheremainingflamesofthe
large oil lamp. He then goes to the main door
and opens it and Jesus comes in with the
apostles. I can see that it is getting dark,
because the shadows of the night are already
descending in the street closed between high
houses.
He is with all the apostles. He greets the
landlordwithHisusualsalutation:
JESUS
Peacetothishouse
And then, while the apostles go down into the
supperroom, He enters the room where Mary is.
ThepiouswomengreetHimwithdeeprespectand
then go away, closing the door and leaving
MotherandSonfree.
Jesus embraces His Mother and kisses Her
forehead.MaryfirstkissesthehandofHerSon
andthen Hisrightcheek.JesusmakesMarysit
down and sits beside Her, they are sitting on
twostoolsclosetoeachother.HemakesHersit
down,taking Hertothestools,holdingHerby
thehand,andHecontinuestoholdHerhandalso

whenShehassatdown.
Jesus also is engrossed in thought and sad,
notwithstanding that He strives to smile. Mary
studies His expression anxiously. Poor Mother,
Who through grace and love realises what this
hourmeans!PainfulspasmsappearacrossMary's
faceand Hereyesdilateatan interiorvision
of deep grief. But She does not make a scene.
SheisassolemnasHerSon.
HespeakstoHer.HegreetsHerandimploresHer
toprayforHim.
JESUS
Mother,Ihavecometogetstrengthandcomfort
fromYou.Iamlikealittlebaby,Mother,who
needstheheartofhismotherforhisgrief,and
his mother's breast for his strength. In this
hourIhavebecomeYourlittleJesusofalong
timeago.IamnottheMaster,Mother.Iamonly
Your Son, as in Nazareth when I was a little
boy, as in Nazareth before departing from My
private life. I have but You. Men, at the
presentmoment,arenotfriendlywithandloyal
toYourJesus.Theyarenotevenbraveindoing
good.Onlythewickedareconstantandstrongin
doingevil.ButYouarefaithful toMeandYou
are My strength, Mother, in this hour. Support
MewithYourloveand Yourprayers.Amongthose
whomoreorlessloveMe,Youaretheonlyone
whoknowshowtoprayinthishour.Youknowhow
to pray and to understand. The others are
concernedwiththefestivity,theyareengrossed
in joyful thoughts, or in criminal thoughts,
whileIam suffering fromso manythings.Many
thingswilldieafterthishour,andamongthem
their humanity, and they will be able to be
worthy of Me, all of them, except him who got
lostandwhomnopowercanbringbackatleast
to repentance.But forthe timebeingtheyare
unconscious men who do not perceive that I am
dying,whiletheyarerejoicingthinkingthatMy
triumph is more than ever close at hand. The
hosannas of a few days ago have intoxicated
them.Mother,Ihavecomeforthishourandfrom
asupernaturalpointofviewitisajoytosee
it arrive. But My Ego is also afraid of it,
becausethischalicebearsthenameofbetrayal,

abjuration, ferocity, blasphemy, abandonment.

Support Me, Mother. As when with Your prayers
You drew the Spirit of God upon Yourself, and
throughitYou gavetheworldtheOneExpected
bypeoples,drawnowuponYourSonthestrength
that may help Me to accomplish the deed for
whichIcame.Mother,goodbye.BlessMe,Mother;
also on behalf of the Father. And forgive
everybody.Letusforgivetogether,asfromthis
moment,letusforgivethosewhotortureus.
Whilespeaking,JesushassliddownonHisknees
at the feet of His Mother and He looks at Her
embracingHerbythewaist.
Mary weeps silently, Her face slightly raised
foraninternalprayertoGod.Tearsstreamdown
HerpalecheeksandfallonHerlapandonthe
headofJesus,WhothenrestsitonHerheart.
Then Mary lays Her hand on Jesus' head, as if
ShewishedtoblessHim,Shethenbends,kisses
His hair and caresses it, She caresses His
shoulders and arms, She takes His face in Her
handsandturnsittowardsHerself,Shepresses
ittoHerheart.ShekissesHimagain,shedding
tears, on His forehead, His cheeks, His
sorrowful eyes, She cuddles that poor tired
head,as ifHewereababy,asIsaw Herlull
thedivineNewbornintheGrotto.ButShedoes
notsing,now.Sheonlysays:
MARYVIRGIN
Son!Jesus!MyJesus!
Butinsuchavoicethatbreaksmyheart.
Then Jesus stands up. He adjusts His mantle,
remainsstandinginfrontofHisMother,Whois
stillweeping,and HeblessesHerinHis turn.
ThenHeturnsHisstepstowardsthedoor.Before
goingoutHesaystoHer:
JESUS
Mother, I will come again before consuming My
Passover.PraywhilewaitingforMe.
AndHegoesout.

II
THEPASSOVERSUPPER
JESUS
Mylittlechildren,Iwillremainwithyoufora
short time. And afterwards you will be looking
for Me as orphans look for their dead parent.
Andweeping, youwillgoaboutspeakingofHim
andinvainyouwillknockatHissilenttomb,
and you will also knock at the blue gates of
Heaven, with your souls elevated in suppliant
searchforlove,saying:WhereisourJesus?We
wantHim.WithoutHimthereisnomorelightin
theworld,nojoy,nolove.EithergiveHimback
tous,orletuscomein.WewanttobewhereHe
is. But for the time being you cannot come
whereIamgoing.TotheJudaeansalsoIsaid:
LateryouwilllookforMe,butyoucannotcome
whereIamgoing.Isaythesametoyou.
ThinkofMyMother...NeithercanShecomewhere
Iamgoing.Andyet,IlefttheFathertocome
toHerandbecomeJesusinHerimmaculatewomb.
Andyet,IcamefromtheInviolateWomaninthe
bright ecstasy of My Birthday. And I was
nourished Me with Her virginity fecundated by
theperfectLoveWholivesinHeaven.Andyet,I
have grown up through Her, costing Her fatigue
andtears...Andyet,IaskofHersuchheroism
as no one has ever accomplished, and in
comparisonwithwhichtheheroismofJudithand
that of Jael are the heroisms of poor women
quarrelling with the rival at the village
fountain.Andyet,noonelovesMeasShedoes.
And,notwithstandingallthat,IwillleaveHer
and go where She will come only after a long
time. The commandment I give you: Sanctify
yourselvesyearbyyear,monthbymonth,dayby
day,hourbyhour,tobeabletocometoMewhen
itisyourhourdoesnotapplytoHer.Sheis
fullofgraceandholiness.Sheisthecreature
whohashadeverythingandhasgiveneverything.
There is nothing to be added or to be taken
away.SheisthemostholywitnessofwhatGod
cando.
But in order to be sure that you are able to
joinMeandtoforgetthegriefinmourningthe
separation from your Jesus, I give you a new
commandment.And itis:loveone another.As I

have loved you, you must love one another. By

this love it will be known that you are My
disciples.Whenafatherhasmanysons,howdoes
one know that they are such? Not so much by
their physical appearance because there are
menwhoareineverythinglikeanotherman,with
whomthereisnobloodtieandtheyarenoteven
of the same country as by their common love
for the family, for their father and for one
another.And evenwhenthe fatherdies,agood
family doesnotbreakup,becauseoneis their
bloodanditisthesametheyhadfromtheseed
oftheirfather,andittiesinknotsthatnot
even death loosens, because love is stronger
thandeath.Now,ifyouloveoneanotherafterI
haveleftyou,everybodywillacknowledgeyouas
Mychildren,andthereforeasMydisciples,and
asbrotherstooneanother,havinghadonlyone
father.
Peterasks:
PETER
Lord,butwhereareYougoing?
JESUS
I am going where at present you cannot follow
Me.ButyouwillfollowMelater.
PETER
And why not now? I have always followed You
since You said to me: Follow Me. I left
everything without regret... Now, to go away
withoutYourpoorSimon,leavingmewithoutYou,
Who are everything to me, after that for Your
sake I left the little property I had
previously,isnotfairorniceofYou.AreYou
goingtoYourdeath?Allright.Iwillcomeas
well. We shall go to the next world together.
ButIwillhavedefendedYoubeforethat.Iam
readytogivemylifeforYou.
JESUS
YouwillgiveyourlifeforMe?Now?Notnow.I
solemnlyoh!Idosolemnlytellyoubefore
thecockcrows,youwillhavedisownedMethree
times.Thisisthefirstwatch.Thenthesecond
willcome...andthenthethird.Beforethecock

crows loudly, you will have disowned your Lord

threetimes.
PETER
Impossible, Master! I believe everything You
say,butnotthat.Iamsureofmyself.
JESUS
Now,atpresentyouaresure.Becauseyoustill
haveMe.YouhaveGodwithyou.Beforelong,the
Incarnate God will be caught, and you will no
longer have Him. And Satan, after making you
heavyyourverycertaintyisatrickofSatan,
ballasttoweighyou downwillfrightenyou.
Hewillinsinuatetoyou:Goddoesnotexist.I
do. And as you will still be able to reason,
althoughmadedullbyfear,youwillunderstand
that,whenSatanisthemasterofthehour,Good
is dead and Evil is active, the spirit is
dejected and the human is triumphant. You will
then be like warriors without a leader, chased
by the enemy, and in the dismay of being
defeated you will bow your necks to the
conqueror, and in order not to be killed you
willdisownthefallenhero.
But, please do not let your hearts be upset.
BelieveinGod.AndbelievealsoinMe.Believe
in Me, against all appearances. Let him who
remains and him who runs away believe in My
mercyandintheFather's.Bothhewhoissilent
andhewhomoveshislipstosay:Idonotknow
Him. And likewise believe in My forgiveness.
And believe that, whatever your actions may be
in future, in Good and in My Doctrine,
consequently in My Church, they will give you
equal places in Heaven. In the house of My
Fathertherearemanyabodes.Ifitwerenotso,
Iwouldhavetoldyou.BecauseIamgoingahead,
toprepareaplaceforyou.Dogoodfathersnot
dolikewisewhentheyhavetotaketheirlittle
childrenelsewhere?Theygoahead,theyprepare
thehouse,thefurnishings,theprovisions.They
thengobacktogettheirdearestones.Theydo
sooutoflove,sothatthelittleonesmaylack
nothingandmaynotbeuncomfortableinthenew
place.Idothesameandforthesamereason.I
amgoingnow.AndwhenIhavepreparedaplace
for each of you in the celestial Jerusalem, I

willcomeagainandtakeyouwithMesothatyou
may be where I am, where there is no death or
mourning, no tears, no shouting, no hunger, no
pain,nodarkness,noparchingthirst,butonly
light,peace,happinessandsinging.Oh!songof
theHighestHeavenswhenthetwelvechosenones
will sit on thrones with the twelve patriarchs
ofthetribesofIsraelandintheardourofthe
fire of spiritual love, standing upright over
theseaofbeatitude,theywillsingtheeternal
songaccompaniedbythearpeggiooftheeternal
alleluiaoftheangelicalhost...
IwantyoutobewhereIshallbe.Andyouknow
whereIamgoingandyouknowtheway.
Thomasasks:
THOMAS
But,Lord!Weknownothing.Youarenottelling
uswhereYouaregoing.Howcanweknowtheway
tobetakentocometowardsyouandcurtailthe
wait?
JESUS
I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. You have
heard Me say so and explain it several times,
and really some people, who did not even know
thatthereisaGod,havewalkedahead,alongMy
way, and they are already ahead of you. Oh!
whereareyou, lostsheepof God,broughtback
tothefoldbyMe?Andwhereareyou,whosesoul
hasbeenraised?
PETER
Who? Of whom are you speaking? Of Mary of
Lazarus? She is in the other room, with Your
Mother.DoYouwanther?OrdoYouwantJohanna?
Sheiscertainlyinhermansion,butifYouwish
so,wewillgoandcallherforYou...
JESUS
No. Not them... I am thinking of the one who
will be revealed only in Heaven... and of
Photinai... They found Me. And they have never
left My way again. To one I pointed out the
Father as the true God and the Spirit as a
Levite in this individual adoration. To the
other,whodidnotevenknowshehadasoul,I

said: My name is Saviour, I save whoever has

the good will to be saved. I am the One Who
looksforthosewhoarelost,IgiveLife,Truth
and Purity. Those who look for Me, will find
Me. And they both found God... I bless you,
weak Eves who have become stronger than
Judith... I am coming, I am coming where you
are...YoucomfortMe...Mayyoubeblessed!...
III
JohnGoestoGetMary
My internal warner tells me that that was the
timewhenJohnwenttoMary.
Iseethefavouriteapostlewholooksevenpaler
than when he was in Caiaphas' courtyard with
Peter. Perhaps because the light of the fire
theregaveareflectionof heatto hischeeks,
which now look hollow, as if he had suffered
from a serious disease and were bloodless. His
faceemergesfromhislilactuniclikethatofa
drownedman, sodeathlikeisit. Hiseyesalso
are dimmed, his hair is dull and ruffled, his
beard,whichhasgrownduringthesehours,lays
aveilofalightshadeonhischeeksandchin,
andasitisveryfair,itmakeshimlookeven
paler.Thereisnothingleftinhimofthekind
joyful John, or of the angry John who shortly
before,hisfaceflushedwithindignation,with
difficulty restrained himself from manhandling
Judas.
He knocks at the door of the house and, as if
frominsidesomeone,fearinghemightfindJudas
in front of him again, were asking who was
knocking,hereplies:
JOHN
ItisI,John.
Thedoorisopenedandhegoesin.Healsogoes
into the Supperroom, without replying to the
mistresswhohadaskedhim:
MISTRESS
Butwhatishappeningintown?
He locks himself in and falls on his knees
againsttheseatinwhichJesushadsatandhe

weeps calling Him sadly. He kisses the

tablecloth on the spot where Jesus had joined
Hishands,hecaressesthechalicethatHeheld
withHisfingers...Thenhesays:

JOHN
Oh!MostHighGod,helpme!Helpmetotellthe
Mother!Ihavenotgottheheart!...Andyet,I
musttellHer.ImusttellHer,becauseIamthe
onlyoneleft!
He stands up and is pensive. He touches the
chaliceagain,asifhewishedtodrawstrength
fromthatobjectthattheMasterhadtouched.He
looksaround...InthecornerinwhichJesushad
placed it,heseesthe purificatorusedbythe
Master to dry His hands after washing the
apostles'feet,andtheotheronewithwhichHe
hadgirdedHiswaist.
Mary has reappeared at the door of Her room,
leaningonthedoorpostasifShedidnothave
enoughstrengthtostandupbyHerselfandsays.

MARYVIRGIN
John,youhavecome?

JohnraiseshisheadandlooksatHer.Hewould
like to speak, and he opens his mouth, but he
doesnotmanage.Twolargetearsstreamdownhis
cheeks. He lowers his head, ashamed of his
weakness.
MARYVIRGIN
Comehere,John.Donotweep.Youmustnotweep.
You have always loved Him and made Him happy.
Maythatcomfortyou.
Thesewordsopenthefloodgatestothetearsof
John, who cries so loud and noisily, that the
mistressappears withMaryMagdalene,Zebedee's
wifeandtheotherwomen...
MARYVIRGIN
ComewithMe,John.
Mary departs from the doorpost and takes the

disciple by the wrist, and drags him into the

room,asifhewerealittleboy,andShecloses
thedoorgently,tobealonewithhim.
John does not react. But when he feels Mary's
tremblinghandrestonhishead,hefallsonhis
knees laying on the floor the objects he was
holdingagainsthisheart,andwithhisfaceon
the floor, holding the edge of Mary's mantle
pressedonhisexcitedface,hesayssobbing:
JOHN
Forgiveme!Forgiveme!Mother,forgiveme!
Mary,Whoisstandingandisutterlydistressed,
withonehandpressedagainstHerheartandthe
other one hanging by Her side, says in a
heartrendingvoice:
MARYVIRGIN
What must I forgive you, My poor son? What?
Forgiveyou!
Johnraiseshisface,showingitasitis,with
nolongeranytraceofmanlypride,thefaceof
apoorweepingchild,andheshouts:
JOHN
For abandoning Him! For running away! For not
defendingHim!Oh!myMaster!OMaster,forgive
me!Ishouldhavedied,ratherthanabandonYou!
Mother, Mother, who will ever rid me of this
remorse?
MARYVIRGIN
Peace, John. He forgives you, He has already
forgiven you. He has never taken your
bewildermentintoconsideration.Helovesyou.
Mary speaks with pauses between the short
sentences, as if She were panting, holding one
hand on John's head and pressing the other to
Herpoorheartthatisthrobbingwithanguish.
JOHN
But even yesterday evening I was not able to
understand...andIsleptwhileHewasaskingus
tobeawakeandcomfortHim.IleftmyJesusall
alone!AndthenIranawaywhenthatcursedman

camewiththerascals...
MARYVIRGIN
John,donotcurse.Donothate,John.Letthe
Fatherjudgethat.3Listen:whereisHenow?
John falls again with his face on the floor,
weepinglouder
MARYVIRGIN
TellMe,John.WhereisMySon?
JOHN
Mother...I...Mother,Heis...Mother...
MARYVIRGIN
Hehasbeencondemned,Iknow.Iamaskingyou:
whereisHejustnow.
JOHN
I did everything in my power so that He might
seeme...Itriedtoapplytothemightyonesto
obtain compassion, to make Him... to make Him
sufferless.TheyhavenothurtHimverybadly.
MARYVIRGIN
Do not lie, John. Not even out of pity for a
mother.Youwouldnotsucceed. Anditwouldbe
useless.Iknow.SinceyesterdayeveningIhave
followedHim inHissorrow.Youcannot seeit,
butMyfleshisbruisedbythesamescourgesas
His,thesamethornsarepiercingMyforehead,I
felt the blows... everything. But now... I no
longersee.NowIdonotknowwhereMySonis,
Who has been condemned to the cross!.. to the
cross!.. to the cross!... Oh! God, give Me
strength! He must see Me. I must not feel My
sorrow while He feels His. Then when
everything...is over, thenletMedie,oGod,
if You so wish. Not now. No, for His sake. So
that He may see Me. Let us go, John. Where is
Jesus?
JOHN
He is leaving Pilate's house. This clamour is
thecrowdshoutingaroundHim,tiedasHeis,on
thestepsofthePraetorium,awaitingthecross,
oralreadyonHiswaytoGolgotha.

MARYVIRGIN
Inform your mother, John, and the other women.
And let us go. Take that chalice, that bread,
those linens... Put them here. We shall find
solaceinthem...later...andletusgo.
Johnpicksuptheobjectsleftonthefloorand
goesouttocallthewomen.Marywaitsforhim,
rubbingHerfacewiththoselinensasthoughShe
wantedtofindthecaressofHerSon'shandin
them,andShekissesthechaliceandthebread,
and places everything on a shelf. And She
envelopsHerselfinHermantle,whichShelowers
asfarasHereyes,overtheveilthatwrapsHer
headandisfoldedroundHerneck.Shedoesnot
weep,butSheistrembling.AndSheseemstobe
shortofbreath,asShepantssomuchwithher
mouthopen.Johncomesbackin,followedbythe
weepingwomen.
MARYVIRGIN
My dear daughters! Be silent! Help me not to
weep!Letusgo.
AndSheleanson John, whoguidesandsupports
HerasifShewereblind.
IV
TheWayoftheCrossfromthePraetoriumto
Calvary.
The ascent to Calvary begins. A barren road,
without the least shade, paved with uneven
stones,thatgoesstraightupthehill.SoJesus
suffers tremendously in climbing, also because
oftheweightofthecrosswhich,beingsolong,
mustbeveryheavy.Hefindsaprotrudingstone
and as He is exhausted, He can lift His feet
onlyalittle,soHestrumblesandfallsonHis
rightknee,butHecanholdHimselfupwithHis
lefthand.Thecrowdhowlswithjoy...
He gets up again. He proceeds, bending and
panting more and more, congested, feverish...
TheboardthatswingsinfrontofHimobstructs
His sight; His long tunic, the front part of
which trails on the ground, as He now walks
bending, hampers His steps. He stumbles again

and falls on both knees, hurting Himself where

He is already wounded; and the cross, which
slipsoutofHishandsandfalls,afterstriking
Hisbackviolently,compelsHimtobendtopick
it up and to toil painfully to put it back on
Hisshoulder.WhileHedoesso,onecanclearly
see on His right shoulder the wound made
by the rubbing of the cross, which has opened
the many sores of the scourges, making
them all into one, from which serum and blood
transude, so that spot of His white tunic
isallstained.Thepeopleevenapplaudforthe
joyofseeingHimfallsobadly...
Longinus urges to make haste and the soldiers,
striking with the flat of their daggers, press
poor Jesus to proceed. He sets out again more
and more slowly, despite all solicitations.
Jesusseemscompletelyintoxicated,asHesways
somuch,knockingagainstoneortheotherlines
of soldiers, wandering all over the road. And
thepeoplenoticeitandshout:
PEOPLE
Hisdoctrine hasgonetoHis head. Look, look,
howHestaggers!
Andothers,andtheyarenotofthepeople,but
priestsandscribes,saywithagrin:
OTHERS
No. It is still the fumes of the banquets in
Lazarus' house. Were they good? Take our food
now...
Andothersentencesofthekind.
Longinus, who turns round now and again, feels
sorry for Him and orders a few minutes' stop.
And the rabble insults him so much that the
centurion orders the soldiers to charge them.
Andthefaintheartedcrowdsatthesightofthe
shining threatening lances, run away shouting
and hurling themselves here and there down the
mountain.
Itisherethat,amongthefewpeoplewhohave
remained, I again see the small group of the
shepherds appear from behind some ruins,
probably of a collapsed low wall. They are
desolate, upset, dusty, in rags, and with the

poweroftheirglancestheyattracttheMaster's
attention. He turns His head round, He sees
them...Helooksatthemfixedlyasiftheywere
the faces of angels, He seems to quench His
thirstandfortifyHimselfwiththeirtears,and
He smiles... The order to resume the march is
givenandJesuspassesjustinfrontofthemand
He hears their anguished weeping. With
difficulty He turns His head round from under
the yoke of the cross and He smiles once
again... His solace... Ten faces... a rest in
theburningsun...
And immediately afterwards, the pain of the
third fall, a complete one. And this time He
doesnot stumble.He falls becauseofasudden
lack of strength, due to a syncope. He falls
headlong, knocking His face on the uneven
stones, and He remains in the dust under the
cross that falls on Him. The soldiers try to
raiseHim.ButasHeseemstobedead,theygo
andinformthecenturion.
While they go and come back, Jesus comes to
Himself, and slowly, with the help of two
soldiers, one of whom lifts the cross and the
other helps the Condemned One to stand up, He
puts Himself in His place again. But He is
reallyexhausted.
Thecrowdshout.
CROW
MakesurethatHediesonlyonthecross!
thechiefscribessaytothesoldiers:
SCRIBES
If youlet Himdie beforehand,you willanswer
to theProconsul,bearthatinyourminds.The
culprit must arrive alive at the execution
place.
The latter cast withering glances at them, but
disciplinepreventsthemfromspeaking.
ButLonginusisjustasafraidastheJewsthat
theChristmaydieontheroad,andhedoesnot
want to have troubles. Without needing to be
reminded,he knows whatis hisdutyasofficer
responsible for the execution and he takes
action.

HetakesactiondisconcertingtheJewswhohave
alreadyranaheadalongtheroadthattheyhave
reached from all over the mountain, sweating,
scratching themselves to pass among the few
thorny bushes of the bare burnt mountain,
falling on the rubble encumbering it as if it
were a dump for Jerusalem, without feeling any
painexceptthatofmissingthepantingofthe
Martyr,oneofHissorrowfulglances,agesture,
evenaninvoluntaryone,ofsuffering,andwith
no other fearbutthat ofnotbeingsuccessful
in having a good place. So Longinus gives the
ordertotakethelongerroadthatwindsupthe
mountainandisthereforenotsosteep.
This road seems a path that by dint of being
used by many people has changed into a rather
comfortable road. This crossroad is situated
abouthalfwayupthemountain.ButIseethat
farther up, the straight road is crossed four
timesbythisone,whichclimbswithaslighter
slopeandtocompensateforthisismuchlonger.
Andmanypeoplearegoingupthisroad,butthey
do not participate in this shameful uproar of
people possessed, who follow Jesus to take
delightinHistortures.Theyaremostlywomen,
weeping and veiled, and some small groups of
men,verysmallonesindeed,whoaremuchahead
ofthewomenandareabouttopassfromsight,
when going on their way, the road turns round
themountain.
Calvary here looks somehow pointed in its odd
structure, which is snoutshaped on one side,
whilstontheothersideitdropssheer.Themen
disappear behind the stony point and I lose
sightofthem.
The people following Jesus are shouting with
rage.ItwasmorepleasantforthemtoseeHim
fall.Whilehurlingobsceneimprecationsatthe
Condemned One and at those leading Him, some
follow the judicial procession, and some go on
almostrunningupthesteeproad,tomakeupfor
the disappointment received, by having a very
goodpositiononthetop.
The women, who are proceeding weeping, turn
round upon hearing the shouts, and see the
procession turn towards them. Then they stop,
leaning against the mountain, lest they should
be pushed down the slope by the violent Jews.

Theylowertheirveilsontheirfacesevenmore,
and there is one completely covered with her
veil,likeaMuslim,leavingonlyherverydark
eyesfree.Theyaresumptuouslydressedandthey
have a strong old man to defend them, but all
envelopedasheisinhismantle,Icannotsee
hisfaceclearly.Icanonlyseehislongbeard,
whichismorewhitethandark,stickoutofhis
verydarkmantle.
When Jesus arrives near them, they weep more
loudly and bow low to Him. Then they move
forward resolutely. The soldiers would like to
drivethembackwith their lances.But theone
whoisallcoveredlikeaMuslimmovesherveil
aside for a moment before the ensign, who has
just arrived on horseback to see what it the
causeof thisnewhindrance,and heordersthe
soldierstoletherpass.Icannotseeherface
or herdress,becausetheshiftingoftheveil
isdonewiththespeedofaflash,andherdress
is all concealed under a heavy mantle that
reaches down to the ground and is completely
closedbyasetofbuckles.Thehandthatcomes
outfromthereforamomenttoshifttheveil,
is white and beautiful. And it is the only
thing, inaddition toherverydarkeyes,that
can be seen of this tall matron, who is
certainly influential if she is so promptly
obeyedbyLonginus'adjutant.
They approach Jesus weeping and kneel at His
feet,whileHestopspanting...andyetHestill
knowshowtosmileatthosecompassionatewomen
and at their escort, who uncovers himself to
showthatheisJonathan.Buttheguardsdonot
lethimpass.Onlythewomen.
OneofthemisJohannaofChuza.Andsheismore
haggardthanwhenshewasdying.Onlythetraces
ofhertearsarered,allherfaceissnowwhite
withher kinddarkeyes,which,dimmed asthey
are, seem to have become a very dark violet
shadelikecertainflowers.Inherhandshehas
asilveramphoraandoffersittoJesus.ButHe
refuses it. In any case, He is so breathless
that He would not even be able to drink. With
HislefthandHewipesthesweatandbloodthat
tricklesintoHiseyesandthat,streamingdown
Hispurplefaceandneck,theveinsofwhichare
swollen through the laboured throbbing of His

heart,wetsallHistunicatthechest.
Another woman, who is accompanied by a young
maidservantholdingasmallcasketinherarms,
opens it and takes out a square piece of very
finelinencloth,andoffersittotheRedeemer.
He accepts it. And as He cannot manage by
Himself with one hand only, the compassionate
womanhelpsHimtotakeittoHisface,watching
not to knock against His crown. And Jesus
presses the cool linen cloth to His poor face
and holds it there, as if He felt a great
relief.Hethenhandsthelinenclothbackand
Hesays:
JESUS
Thank you, Johanna, thank you, Nike,...
Sarah,... Marcella,... Eliza,... Lydia,...
Anne,... Valeria,... and you... But... do not
weep... for Me... daughters of... Jerusalem...
But for your sins... and for those... of your
town... Bless... Johanna... for not having...
moresons...See...ItisGod'smercy...not...
not to have sons... because... they suffer...
for this... And you... too, Elizabeth...
Better... as it was... than among deicides...
And you... mothers... weep for... your sons,
because... this hour will not pass... without
punishment...Andwhatapunishment,ifitisso
for...theInnocent...Youwillweepthen...for
having conceived... suckled and for... having
more...sons...Themothers...ofthosedays...
willweepbecause...Isolemnlytellyou...that
he willbe lucky...whothen...willbe...the
first... to fall... under the ruins. I bless
you... Go... home... pray... for Me. Goodbye,
Jonathan...takethemaway...
And in the midst of the loud noise of weeping
women and cursing Judaeans, Jesus sets out
again.
Jesus is once again completely wet with
perspiration. Also the soldiers and the other
two condemned men are perspiring, because the
sunthisstormydayisasburningasflames,and
theside ofthemountain,verywarmbyitself,
increases the heat of the sun. What this sun
must feel like on Jesus' woolen garment placed
on the wounds of the scourges, one can easily

imagineandbehorrorstrickenattheidea...
ButHenevermoans.Butalthoughtheroadisnot
sosteepastheotheroneanditisnotstrewn
with uneven stones, which were so dangerous to
His feet that He is now dragging, Jesus is
staggering more and more, and once again He
knocksfirstintoonelineofsoldiersandthen
intotheotherandisbentmorethanpreviously.
They decide to overcome the difficulty by
passingarope round Hiswaistand holdingthe
twoendsasiftheywerereins.Itdoesinfact
supportHim,butitdoesnotmakeHisloadany
lighter. On the contrary the rope, knocking
againstthecross,shiftsitcontinuouslyonHis
shoulderandmakesitstrikethecrown,whichby
now has turned Jesus' forehead into a bleeding
tattoomark.Further,theroperubsagainstHis
waist, where there are many wounds, and it
certainly makes them bleed again, in fact His
white tunic is tinged with pale red at the
waist.So,inordertohelpHim,theymakeHim
suffermore.
Theroadcontinues.Itgoesroundthemountain,
it comes backalmost tothefront, towardsthe
steep road. Here, there is Mary with John. I
shouldsaythatJohnhastakenHertothatshady
place,behindtheslopeofthemountain,togive
Hersomerelief.Itisthesteepestpartofthe
mountain.Thereisnootherroadgoingroundit.
Aboveandunderitthe slope rises ordescends
steeply,and thatis whythe cruel peoplehave
abandoned it. It is shady there, because I
should say that it is the north, and Mary,
leaning as She is on the mountain side, is
protected from the sun. She is leaning against
the slope, standing, but already exhausted,
panting, as white as death, in Her very dark
bluedress,whichisalmostblack.Johnlooksat
Her with desolate pity. He has no trace of
colour on his face either, and he looks wan,
with wideopen tired eyes, unkempt, and his
cheeksaresunkenasifheweresufferingfroma
disease.
The other women Mary and Martha of Lazarus,
Mary of Alphaeus and Mary of Zebedee, Susanna
from Cana, the mistress of the house and some
morewhomIdonotknowareallinthemiddle
of theroadlookingto seewhether theSaviour

is coming. And when they see Longinus arrive,

theyrushtowardsMarytoinformHer.AndMary,
supported by John who is holding Her by the
elbow,departsfromthehillside,statelyinHer
grief, and places Herself resolutely in the
middle of the road, moving aside only at the
arrivalofLonginus,whofromtheheightofhis
blackhorselooksatthepaleWomanandatHer
blond wan companion, whose meek eyes are blue
like Hers. And Longinus shakes his head while
passing by followed by the eleven soldiers on
horseback.
Mary tries to pass through the dismounted
soldiers,who,beingwarmandinahurry,strive
to drive Her back with their lances, all the
morethatstonesarethrownfromthepavedroad,
as a protestagainst somuch compassion.Itis
the Jews, who once again curse because of the
haltbroughtaboutbythepiouswomenandsay:
JEWS
Quick!ItisEastertomorrow.Everythingmustbe
accomplished by this evening! You are
accomplices who deride our Law! Oppressors!
DeathtotheinvadersandtotheirChrist!They
love Him! Look how they love Him! Well, take
Him! Put Him in your cursed Eternal City! We
surrender Him to you! We don't want Him! Let
rotters be with rotters! And leprosy with
lepers!
Longinus gets tired and followed by the ten
lancershespurshishorseagainstthereviling
pack of hounds, who run away for the second
time. And in doing so he sees a cart standing
still, which has certainly come up from the
vegetablegardens at the foot of the mountain
andiswaitingforthecrowdstopass,sothat
itmaygodowntowardsthetownwithitsloadof
greens.Ithinkthatcuriosityhasmadetheman
fromCyreneandhissonsgoupthere,becauseit
was not necessary for him to do so. The two
sons, lying on the top of the green pile of
vegetables, look and laugh at the fleeing
Judaeans. The man, instead, a very strong man,
about fortyfifty years old, standing near the
littledonkey,whichisfrightenedandtriesto
drawback,looksattentivelyattheprocession.

Longinuslookshim upanddown.He thinksthat

hecanbeusefulandsaystohiminacommanding
voice:
LONGINUS
Man,comehere.
ThemanfromCyrenefeignshehasnotheard.But
onecannottriflewithLonginus.Herepeatsthe
order in such a way that the man throws the
reins to one of his sons and approaches the
centurion.
heasks:
LONGINUS
Doyouseethatman?
And in doing so, he turns round to point out
Jesus and he sees Mary, Who is imploring the
soldierstoletHerpass.HetakespityonHer
andheshouts:
LONGINUS
LettheWomanpass.
HethenresumesspeakingtothemanfromCyrene:
LONGINUS
He cannot proceed further laden as He is. You
arestrong.TakeHiscrossandcarryitinHis
steadasfarasthesummit.
CYRENE
I cannot... I have the donkey... it is
restive...theboyscannotholdit...
ButLonginussays:
LONGINUS
Go,ifyoudonotwanttoloseyourdonkeyand
gettwentyblowsaspunishment.
The man from Cyrene dare no longer react. He
shoutstotheboys:
CYRENE
Gohomeandbequick.AndsaythatIamcoming
atonce.

AndhethengoestowardsJesus.
HereachesHimjustwhenJesusturnstowardsHis
Mother, Whom only now He sees coming towards
Him,because Heisproceedingso bentandwith
Hiseyesalmostclosed,asifHewereblind,and
Heshouts:
JESUS
Mother!
SinceHe began being tortured, itisthe first
word that expresses His sufferings. Because in
thatcrythereistheconfessionofeverything,
and all the dreadful sorrow of His spirit, of
Hismorale,ofHisbody.Itistheheartbroken
andheartbreakingcryofalittleboywhodies
all alone, among torturers and the most cruel
tortures...andwhogoessofarastobeafraid
of his own breathing. It is the wailing of a
raving little boy tormented by nightmare
visions...andwantshismummy,hisdearmummy,
becauseonlyherfreshkissessoothetheardour
of his fever, her voice dispels phantoms, her
embracemakesdeathlessfearful...
Marypresses HerhandagainstHerheart,asif
Shehadbeenstabbed,andShestaggerslightly.
ButShecollectsHerself,quickensHerstepand
while going towards Her tortured Son with
outstretchedarms,Sheshouts:
MARYVIRGIN
Son!
ButShesayssoinsuchawaythatwhoeverhas
not got the heart of a hyena, feels it is
breakingbecauseofsomuchgrief.
I notice signs of compassion even among the
Romans...andyettheyaresoldiers,accustomed
toslaughters,markedbyscars...Butthewords:
Mother!andSon!arealwaysthesameforall
those who, I repeat it, are not worse than
hyenas,theyareunderstoodeverywhereandthey
raisewavesofcompassioneverywhere...
ThemanfromCyrenefeelssuchpity...Andashe
seesthatMarycannotembraceHerSonbecauseof
the cross, and that after stretching Her arms
out,She letsthemdrop,convincedthatSheis

unable to do so and She only looks at Him,

strivingtosmilewithHersmileofamartyrto
encourage Him, while Her trembling lips drink
Hertears,andHe,turningHisheadround,from
undertheyokeofthecross,triesinHisturn
to smile at Her and send Her a kiss with His
poorlips,woundedandsplitbyblowsandfever
hehastenstoremovethecross,andhedoesso
withthegentlenessofafather,inordernotto
give a shove to the crown or rub against His
sores.
But Mary cannot kiss Her Son... Even the
lightesttouchwouldbeatortureforHistorn
flesh, and Mary refrains, and then... the most
holy feelings have a profound modesty and they
exact respect or at least compassion, whilst
herethereiscuriosity,andaboveall,mockery.
Onlythetwoanguishedsoulskisseachother.
The procession, which sets out again under the
pressure of the waves of the furious people,
divides them, pushing the Mother against the
mountain,tobesneeredatbyallthepeople...
Behind Jesus there is now the man from Cyrene
withthecross.AndJesus,freedofthatweight,
is proceeding more easily. He is panting
violently,HeoftenpressesHishandagainstHis
heart, as if He had a great pain or a wound
there, in the sternumheart region, and now,
since His hands are no longer tied and He is
able to do so, He pushes His hair, which had
fallen forward and is sticky with blood and
perspiration,behindHisears,tofeelsomeair
on Hiscyanoticface,Heuntiesthecord round
Hisneck,asitmakesHimsufferinbreathing...
ButHecanwalkbetter.
Mary has withdrawn with the women. She follows
the procession once it has passed, and then,
alongashortcut,She turns Herstepstowards
thetopofthemountain,defyingtheinsultsof
thecannibalisticpopulace.
NowthatJesuscanwalkfreely,thelaststretch
oftheroadaroundthemountainissooncovered,
and they are already close to the top crowded
withshoutingpeople.
Longinusstopsandordershismentoinexorably
repel everybody farther down, so that the top,
theplaceoftheexecution,maybefree.Andone
half of the century carries out the order,

rushingtothespotandmercilesslydrivingback
whoever is there, making use of their daggers
andlancestodoso.Thehailofblowswiththe
flatofswordsandclubsmakestheJewsrunaway
fromthetop,andtheywouldliketostopinthe
openspacebelow.Butthosealreadytheredonot
giveinandthepeoplebegintobrawlfiercely.
Theyallseemtobemad.
AsItoldyoulastyear,thetopofCalvaryis
shaped like an irregular trapezium, slightly
higher on the right side, after which the
mountaindescendssteeplyformorethanhalfof
itsheight.Inthislittleopenspacethereare
already three deep holes, lined with bricks or
slates, that is, built for a special purpose.
Near them there are stones and earth ready to
prop the crosses. Other holes instead are full
of stones. It is obvious that they empty them
eachtimeaccordingtothenumberrequired.
Underthetrapezoidalsummit,onthesideofthe
mountainthatdoesnotdescendsteeply,thereis
a kind of platform that slopes down gently
forming a second little open space. Two wide
pathsdepartfromitgoingroundthetop,which
isthusisolatedandraisedatleasttwometres
inheightonallsides.
The soldiers, who have driven the people away
from the top, with convincing blows of their
lances subdue quarrels and make room, so that
theprocessionmaypasswithoutanyhindranceon
the last stretch of the road, and they remain
there forming a double hedge while the thr ee
condemned men, surrounded by the soldiers on
horsebackandprotectedbehindbytheotherhalf
of the century, arrive at the spot where they
arestopped: atthefootofthenaturalraised
platformthatisthesummitofGolgotha.
Whilethattakesplace,IseetheMaries,anda
little behind them there is Johanna of Chuza
withtheotherfourladiesmentionedpreviously.
Theothershavewithdrawn.Andtheymusthave
gone by themselves, because Jonathan is still
there, behind his mistress. The one we call
Veronica and whom Jesus called Nike, is no
longerthereandalsohermaidservantisabsent.
And also the one, who was all covered with a
veil and was obeyed by the soldiers, is no
longer there.IcanseeJohanna, theold woman

named Eliza, Anne (the mistress of the house

where Jesus went for the vintage in the first
year of His public life), and two more whom I
cannotidentify.
Behind these women and the Maries I can see
Joseph and Simon of Alphaeus, and Alphaeus of
Sarahwiththegroupoftheshepherds.Theyhave
scuffled with those who wanted to repel them
insulting them, and the strength of these men,
increasedby their loveandgrief,has beenso
powerful that they defeated their opponents,
forming a free semicircle at which the very
pusillanimous Jews dare only to hurl cries of
death and shake their fists. But nothing else,
because the crooks of the shepherds are knotty
and heavy, and these valiant men lack neither
strengthnortheabilitytoaimaccurately.And
I am not wrong in saying so. It takes real
courage for a few men, known as Galileans or
followers of the Galilean Master, to oppose a
hostilepopulation.Itistheonlyplaceonthe
wholeofCalvaryinwhichChristisnotcursed!
The mountain, on the three sides on which the
slopesdescendgentlytowardsthevalley,isall
crowdedwithpeople.Theyellowishbarrenearth
cannolongerbeseen.Inthesunthatappears
and disappears, it looks like a flowery meadow
with corollas of all colours, so numerous and
closetogetheraretheheadgearsandmantlesof
the sadists standing there. More people are
beyondthetorrent,ontheroad,andmorebeyond
thewalls.And there aremoreonthe terraces,
which are closer. The rest of the town is
deserted...empty...silent.Theyareallhere.
Alltheloveandallthehatred.AlltheSilence
that loves and forgives. All the Clamour that
hatesandcurses.
While the men responsible for the execution
prepare their instruments, finishing emptying
the holes, and the men condemned await in the
middleofthesquareformedbythesoldiers,the
Jews, who have taken shelter in the corner
opposite the Maries, insult them. They insult
alsotheMother:
JEWS
Death to the Galileans. Death! Galileans!
Galileans! Curse them! Death to the Galilean

blasphemer.Nailonthecrossalsothewombthat
bore Him! Away from here the vipers that give
birthtodemons!Deathtothem!ClearIsraelof
thefemaleswhocopulatewiththebillygoat!...
Longinus, who has dismounted, turns round and
seestheMother...Heordershismentostopthe
uproar...Thefiftysoldierswhowerebehindthe
condemned men charge the rabble and clear the
second esplanade completely, as the Jews run
away along the mountain, treading on one
another. Also the other soldiers dismount, and
onetakestheelevenhorses,inadditiontothat
of the centurion, and takes them to a shady
spot,behindtheridgeofthemountain.
Thecenturionsetsouttowardsthetop.Johanna
ofChuzamovesforwardandstopshim.Shegives
himanamphora andapurse.Shethen withdraws
weeping, and goes towards the edge of the
mountainwiththeotherwomen.
Everythingisreadyonthesummit.Theymakethe
condemnedmengoup.AndonceagainJesuspasses
nearHis Mother,Who uttersagroan,whichShe
triestostifle,bypressingHermantleagainst
Herlips.
TheJewsnoticeit,theylaughandderide.John,
the meek John, who has one arm round Mary's
shoulderstosupportHer,turnsroundandglares
atthem.Evenhiseyesarephosphorescent.Ifhe
didnothavetoprotectthewomen,Ithinkthat
hewouldgriponeofthecowardsbythethroat.
As soon as the condemned men are on the fatal
platform, the soldiers surround the open space
onthreesides.Onlytheonethatdropssheeris
empty.
Thecenturionordersthe manfromCyrenetogo
away.Andhegoesaway,unwillinglynow,and I
wouldnotsayoutofsadism,butoutoflove.In
fact he stops near the Galileans, sharing with
themtheinsultsthatthecrowdsgiveliberally
tothesehaggardbelieversoftheChrist.
The two robbers throw their crosses on the
groundswearing.Jesusissilent.
Thesorrowfulwayhascometoitsend.
V
TheCrucifixion


Four brawny men, who look like Judaeans, and
Judaeans more worthy of the cross
than the condemned men, certainly of the same
categoryasthescourgers,jumpfromapathonto
the place of the execution. They are wearing
shortsleevelesstunics,andintheirhandsthey
areholdingnails,hammersandropes,whichthey
showtothecondemnedmenscoffingatthem.The
crowdisexcitedwithcruelfrenzy.
ThecenturionoffersJesustheamphora,sothat
Hemaydrinktheanaestheticmixtureofmyrrhed
wine. But Jesus refuses it. The two robbers
instead drink a lot of it. Then the amphora,
withawideflaredmouth,isplacednearalarge
stone,almostontheedgeofthesummit.
The condemned men are ordered to undress. The
tworobbersdosowithoutshame.Onthecontrary
they amuse themselves making obscene gestures
towards the crowd, and in particular towards a
group of priests, who are all white in their
linen garments, and who have gone back to the
lower open space little by little, taking
advantageoftheircastetocreepupthere.The
priests have been joined by two or three
Phariseesandotheroverbearingpersonages,whom
hatred has made friends. And I see people I
know,suchasthePhariseesJohananandIshmael,
thescribesSadocandEliofCapernaum...
The executioners offer the condemned men three
rags, so that they may tie them round their
groins.Therobberstakethemutteringthemost
horrible curses. Jesus, Who strips Himself
slowly because of the pangs of the wounds,
refusesit.He perhapsthinksthatHecankeep
on the short drawers, which He had on also
duringtheflagellation.ButwhenHeistoldto
takethemoffaswell,HestretchesoutHishand
to beg for the rag of the executioners to
conceal His nakedness. He is really the
AnnihilatedOnetotheextentofhavingtoaska
ragofcriminals.
But Mary has noticed everything and She has
removed the long thin white veil covering Her
headunderHerdarkmantle,andonwhichShehas
already shed so many tears. She removes it
withoutlettingHermantledropandgivesitto
JohnsothathemayhandittoLonginusforHer

Son. The centurion takes the veil without any

objectionand,whenheseesthatJesusisabout
to strip Himself completely, facing the side
where there are no people, and thus turning
towardsthecrowdHisbackfurrowedwithbruises
and blisters, and covered with sores and dark
cruststhatarebleedingagain,hegivesHimHis
Mother's linen veil. Jesus recognises it and
wraps it round His pelvis several times,
fasteningit carefully sothat itmaynotfall
off...Andonthelinenveil,sofarsoakedonly
with tears, the first drops of blood begin to
fall, because many of the wounds, just covered
with bloodclots, have reopened again, as He
stoopedtotakeoffHissandalsandlaydownHis
garments,andbloodisstreamingdownagain.
Jesusnowturnstowardsthecrowd.And onecan
thus see that also His chest, legs and
arms have all been struck by the scourges. At
theheightofHisliverthereisahugebruise,
andunderHisleftcostalarchthereare seven
clearstripesinrelief,endingwithsevensmall
cuts bleeding inside a violaceous circle... a
cruel blow of a scourge in such a sensitive
region of the diaphragm. His knees, bruised by
repeated falls that began immediately after He
wascapturedandendedonCalvary,aredarkwith
hematomas and the kneecaps are torn,
particularlytherightone,byalargebleeding
wound.
ThecrowdsscoffatHiminchorus:
CROWDS
Oh!Handsome!Themosthandsomeofthe sonsof
men!ThedaughtersofJerusalemadoreYou...
Andinthetoneofapsalmtheyintone:
CROWDS
Mybelovedisfreshandruddy,tobeknownamong
tenthousand.Hisheadispurestgold,hislocks
are palm fronds, as silky as the feathers of
ravens.Hiseyesare liketwodovesbathingin
streamsnotofwater,butofmilk,inthemilk
ofhisorbit.Hischeeksarebedsofspices,his
lips are purple lilies distilling precious
myrrh.Hishandsareroundedliketheworkofa
goldsmithendinginrosyhyacinths.Histrunkis

ivory veined with sapphires. His legs are

perfect columns of white marble on bases of
gold.HismajestyislikethatofLebanon;heis
more majestic than the tall cedar. His
conversation is drenched with sweetness and he
is altogether delightful; and they laugh and
shoutalso:Theleper!Theleper!SohaveYou
fornicated withan idol, ifGodhasstruckYou
so? Have You mumbled against the saints of
Israel,asMaryofMosesdid,ifYouhavebeen
punished so? Oh! Oh! the Perfect One! Are You
the Son of God? Certainly not. You are the
abortion of Satan! At least he, Mammon, is
powerfulandstrong.You...areinrags,Youare
powerlessandrevolting.
Therobbersaretiedtothecrossesandtheyare
carriedtotheirplaces, onetotheright,one
to theleft,withregardtotheplacedestined
toJesus.Theyhowl,swear,curse,particularly
whenthe crossesare carriedtotheholes,and
theyhurtthem makingtheropescutinto their
wrists, their oaths against God, the Law, the
Romans,theJudaeansarehellish.
ItisJesus'turn.Heliesonthecrossmeekly.
Thetworobbersweresorebelliousthat,asthe
four executioners were not sufficient to hold
them,somesoldiershadtointervene,toprevent
them from kicking away the torturers who were
tyingtheirwriststothecross.Butnohelpis
requiredforJesus.HeliesdownandplacesHis
headwheretheytell Him.He stretches outHis
armsandHislegsasHeistold.Heonlytakes
caretoarrangeHisveilproperly.NowHislong,
slender white body stands out against the dark
woodandtheyellowground.
Two executioners sit on His chest to hold Him
fast.AndIthinkoftheoppressionandpainHe
must have felt under that weight. A third one
takesHisrightarm, holdingHim withonehand
onthefirstpartofHisforearmandtheother
onthetipsofHisfingers.Thefourthone,who
already has in his hand the long sharppointed
quadrangular nail, ending with a round flat
head, as big as a large coin of bygone days,
watches whether the hole already made in the
wood corresponds to the radiusulnar joint of
the wrist. It does. The executioner places the

point of the nail on the wrist, he raises the

hammerandgivesthefirststroke.
Jesus,WhohadclosedHiseyes,uttersacryand
hasacontractionbecauseofthesharppain,and
opensHiseyes floodedwithtears.The painHe
suffersmustbedreadful...Thenailpenetrates,
tearing muscles, veins, nerves, shattering
bones...
MaryrepliestothecryofHertorturedSonwith
agroanthatsoundsalmostlikethemoaningofa
slaughteredlamb;andShebends,asifShewere
crushed,holdingHerheadinHerhands.Inorder
nottotortureHer,Jesusuttersnomorecries.
But the strokes continue, methodical and hard,
ironstrikingiron...andwemustconsiderthat
alivinglimbreceivesthem.
The right hand is now nailed. They pass on to
the left one. The hole in the wood does not
correspond tothecarpus.Sotheytake a rope,
theytieittotheleftwristandtheypullit
until the joint is dislocated, tearing tendons
andmuscles,besideslaceratingtheskinalready
cutintobytheropesusedtocaptureHim.The
other hand must suffer as well, because it is
stretchedas a consequence,andtheholeinit
widensroundthenail.Nowthebeginningofthe
metacarpus, near the wrist, hardly arrives at
the hole. They resign themselves and they nail
the hand where they can, that is, between the
thumbandtheotherfingers,justinthemiddle
of the metacarpus. The nail penetrates more
easily here, but with greater pain, because it
cuts important nerves, so that the fingers
remain motionless, whilst those of the right
hand have contractions and tremors that denote
their vitality. But Jesus no longer utters
cries,Heonlymoansinadeephoarsevoicewith
Hislipsfirmlyclosed,whiletearsofpainfall
onthegroundafterfallingonthewood.
It is now the turn of His feet. At two metres
andmorefromthefootofthecrossthereisa
small wedge, hardly sufficient for one foot.
Bothfeetareplacedonittoseewhetheritis
intherightspot,andasitisalittlelowand
the feet hardly reach it, they pull the poor
Martyr by His malleoli. So the coarse wood of
the cross rubs on the wounds, moves the crown
that tears His hair once again and is on the

point of falling. One of the executioners

pressesitdownonHisheadagainwithaslap...
ThosewhoweresittingonJesus'chest,nowget
uptomovetoHisknees,becauseJesuswithan
involuntary movement withdraws His legs upon
seeing the very long nail, which is twice as
long and thick as those used for the hands,
shineinthesunshine.TheyweighonHisflayed
kneesandpressonHispoorbruisedshins,while
the other two are performing the much more
difficult operation of nailing one foot on top
of theother,trying tocombinethetwojoints
ofthetarsi.
Although they try to keep the feet still,
holding them by the malleoli and toes on the
wedge, the foot underneath is shifted by the
vibrationsofthenail,andtheyhavealmostto
unnail it, because the nail, which has pierced
the tender parts and is already blunt having
piercedtherightfoot,istobemovedalittle
closer to the centre. And they hammer, and
hammer,andhammer...Onlythedreadfulnoiseof
the hammer striking the head of the nail is
heard, because all Calvary is nothing but eyes
and ears to perceive acts and noises and
rejoice...
The harsh noise of iron is accompanied by the
low plaintive lament of a dove: the hoarse
groaning of Mary, Who bends more and more at
eachstroke, asifthe hammerwoundedHer,the
Martyr Mother. And one understands that She is
abouttobecrushedbysuchtorture.Crucifixion
is dreadful, equal to flagellation with regard
to pain, it is more cruel to be seen, because
onesees thenailsdisappearintheflesh.But
in compensation it is shorter, whereas
flagellation is enervating because of its
duration.
I think that the Agony at Gethsemane, the
Flagellation and the Crucifixion are the most
dreadfulmoments.Theyrevealallthetortureof
theChristtome.Hisdeathrelievesme,because
I say: It is all over! But they are not the
end.Theyarethebeginningofnewsufferings.
The cross is now dragged near the hole and it
jerks on the uneven ground shaking the poor
Crucified. The cross is raised and twice it
slipsoutofthehandsofthoseraisingit;the

first time it falls with a crash, the second

timeitfallsonitsrightarm,causingterrible
pain to Jesus, because the jerk He receives
shakesHiswoundedlimbs.
Butwhentheyletthecrossdropintoitshole
and before being made fast with stones and
earth,itswaysinalldirections,continuously,
shifting the poor Body, hanging from three
nails,thesufferingmustbeatrocious.Allthe
weightofthebodymovesforwardanddownwards,
andtheholesbecomewider,particularlytheone
ofthelefthand,andalsotheholeofthefeet
widens out, while the blood drips more
copiously. And if that of the feet trickles
along the toes onto the ground and along the
woodofthecross,thatofthehandsrunsalong
theforearms,asthe wristsarehigher upthan
the armpits, because of the position, and it
tricklesdownthesidesfromthearmpitstowards
the waist. When the cross sways, before being
fastened, the crown moves, because the head
fallsbackknockingagainstthewoodanddrives
the thick knot of thorns, at the end of the
pricklycrown,intothenapeoftheneck,then
it lies again on the forehead, scratching it
mercilessly.Atlonglastthecrossismadefast
and there is only the torture of being
suspended.
Theyraisetherobberswho,oncetheyareplaced
in a vertical position, shout as if they were
being flayed alive, because of the torture of
theropesthat cutintotheirwristsand cause
theirhandstoturndarkwiththeveinsswollen
likeropes.
Jesusissilent.Thecrowdinsteadisnolonger
silent. The people resume bawling in a hellish
way.
NowthetopofGolgothahasitstrophyandits
guardofhonour.Atthetopthereisthecross
of Jesus. At the sides the other two crosses.
Halfacenturyofsoldiers,infightingtrim,is
placedallroundthesummit;insidethiscircle
of armed soldiers there are the ten dismounted
soldiers,whothrowdiceforthegarmentsofthe
condemned men. Longinus is standing upright
between the cross of Jesus and the one on the
right. And he seems to be mounting guard of
honour for the Martyr King. The other half

century,atrest,isontheleftpathandonthe
loweropenspace,undertheordersofLonginus'
adjutant, awaiting to be employed in case of
need.Theindifferenceofthesoldiersisalmost
total. Only an odd one now and again looks at
thecrucifiedmen.
Longinus, instead, watches everything with
curiosityandinterest,hemakescomparisonsand
judgesmentally.Hecomparesthecrucifiedmen,
and the Christ in particular, and the
spectators. His piercing eye does not miss any
detail. And to see better, he shades his eyes
withhishand,becausethesunmustbeannoying
him.
The sun is in fact strange. It is yellowred
likeafire.Thenthefireseemstogooutall
of a sudden, because of a huge cloud of pitch
thatrisesfrombehindthechainsoftheJudaean
mountains and soars swiftly across the sky,
disappearing behind other mountains. And when
the sun comes out again, it is so strong that
theeyeenduresitwithdifficulty.
While looking, he sees Mary, just under the
slope, with Her tormented face raised towards
Her Son. He calls one of the soldiers who are
playingdiceandsaystohim:
LONGINUS
IfHisMotherwantstocomeupwiththesonwho
is escorting Her,letHercome.Escort Herand
helpHer.
And Mary with John, who is believed to be Her
son, climbs the steps cut in the tufaceous
rock,Ithink, andpassesbeyond thecordonof
soldiers,andgoestothefootofthecross,but
alittleaside,tobeseenandseeHerJesus.
Thecrowdshowersthemostdisgracefulabuseson
Her at once, associating Her with Her Son in
theircurses.ButwithHertremblingwhitelips,
ShetriesonlytocomfortHim,withananguished
smilethatwipesthetears,whichnowillpower
canrefrain.
The people, beginning with priests, scribes,
Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians and the like,
amuse themselves by going on a kind of
roundabout, climbing the steep road, passing
along the elevation at the end, and descending

along the other road, or viceversa. And while

they pass at the foot of the summit, on the
second open space, they do not fail to offer
their blasphemous words as a compliment to the
DyingVictim.Allthebaseness,cruelty,hatred
and folly, which men are capable of expressing
withtheirtongues,isamplytestifiedbythose
infernalmouths.Thefiercestarethemembersof
the Temple, with the assistance of the
Pharisees.
shoutthreepriests.
PRIESTS
Well? You, the Saviour of mankind, why do You
not save Yourself? Has Your king Beelzebub
abandonedYou?HashedisownedYou?
AndagroupofJudaeansshout:
JUDAEANS
You,Whonotmorethanfivedaysago,withthe
help of the Demon, made the Father say... ha!
ha!ha!thatHewouldglorifyYou,howcomeYou
donotremindHimtokeepHispromise?
AndthreePhariseesadd:
PHARISEES
Blasphemer! He said that He saved the others
with the help of God! And He cannot save
Himself! Do You want us to believe You? Then
workthe miracle.Hey,are Younolonger able?
YourhandsarenownailedandYouarenaked.
And some Sadducees and Herodians say to the
soldiers:
SADDUCEES
Watch His witchcraft, you who have taken His
garments! He has the infernal sign within
Himself!
Acrowdhowlsinchorus:
CROW
DescendfromthecrossandwewillbelieveYou.
You Who want to destroy the Temple... Fool!...

Look at it over there, the glorious and holy

TempleofIsrael.Itisuntouchable,oprofaner!
AndYouaredying.
Otherpriestssay:
PRIEST
Blasphemous!YoutheSonofGod?Comedownfrom
there,then.Strikeusbylightning,ifYouare
God. We are not afraid of You and we spit at
You.
Others who are passing by shake their heads
saying:
OTHERS
He can but weep. Save Yourself, if it is true
thatYouaretheChosenOne!
Andthesoldiersremark:
SOLDIERS
So,saveYourself!Burntoashesthissuburraof
the suburra! Yes! You are the suburra of the
empire,youJudaeanrabble.Doso!Romewillput
YouonCapitolandwillworshipYouasagod!
Thepriestsandtheiraccomplicessay:
PRIESTS
Thearmsofwomenweremorepleasantthanthose
ofthecross,weretheynot?But,look,Your...
(andtheyutteradisgracefulword)arealready
therewaitingtoreceiveYou.Youhavethewhole
ofJerusalemasYourmatchmaker.
Andtheyhisslikesnakes.
Othersthrowstonesshouting:
OTHERS
Change these into bread, since You multiply
loaves.
Others mimicking the Hosannas of Palm Sunday,
throwbranchesandshout:

ANOTHERS
Curses on Him Who comes in the name of the
Demon!CursedbeHiskingdom!GlorytoZionthat
cutsHimofftheliving!
A Pharisee stands in front of the cross, he
raises his hand in an indecent gesture, and
says:
PHARISEE
IentrustYoutotheGodofSinaididYousay?
Now the God of Sinai is preparing You for the
eternalfire.Whydon'tYoucall Jonah sothat
hemayrepayYourkindness?
Anotheronesays:
ANOTHERONE
Don't ruin the cross with the strokes of Your
head. It is to be used for Your followers. A
wholelegionofthemwilldieonYourcross,I
swear it on Jehovah. And Lazarus will be the
firstoneI'll putthere.We shall seewhether
Youfreehimfromdeath,now.
PEOPLE
Yes. Let us go to Lazarus. Let us nail him on
theothersideofthecrossandparrotlikethey
speakslowlyasJesusdid,saying:Lazarus,My
friend,comeout!Unbindhimandlethimgo.
ANOTHERONE
No! He used to say to Martha and Mary, His
women:IamtheResurrectionandLifeHa!Ha!
Ha! The Resurrection cannot drive death back,
andtheLifeisdying!
OTHER
There is Mary with Martha over there. Let us
ask them where Lazarus is and let us look for
him.
Andtheycomeforward,towardsthewomen,asking
arrogantly:
PEOPLE
WhereisLazarus?Athismansion?

And while the other women, struck with terror,

run behind the shepherds, Mary Magdalene comes
forward, and finding in her grief the ancient
boldnessofherdaysofsin,shesays:
MARYMAGDALENE
Go.Youwillalready findthesoldiers ofRome
in themansion,with fivehundredarmedmenof
my land, and they will castrate you like old
billygoats destined to feed the slaves of
millstones.
PRIEST
ImpudentIsthathowyouspeaktopriests?
MARYMAGDALENE
Sacrilegious! Filthy! Cursed! Turn round! On
yourbacks,Icanseethem,youhavetonguesof
infernalflames.
Mary's assertion sounds so certain that the
cowards,whoarereallystruckwithterror,turn
round; but if they have no flames on their
shoulders, they have the sharppointed Roman
lances at their backs. In fact Longinus has
givenanorder,andthefiftysoldiers,whowere
resting, have come into action and they prick
the buttocks of the first Judaeans they find.
The latter run away shouting and the soldiers
stoptoblocktheentrancestothetworoadsand
protecttheopenspace.TheJudaeanscurse,but
Romeisthestronger.
The Magdalene lowers her veil again she had
raised it to speak to the revilers and goes
backtoherplace.Theotherwomenjoinher.
Buttherobber onthelefthandside continues
to insult from his cross. He seems to have
summarised all the curses of the other people
andherepeatsthemall,andendsbysaying:
THEROBBERONTHELEFT
SaveYourselfandsaveus,ifYouwantpeopleto
believe You. You the Christ? You are mad! The
worldbelongstocraftypeople,andGoddoesnot
exist. I do. That is true and everything is
permitted to me. God?... Nonsense! Invented to
keep us quiet. Long live our egos! Man's ego

aloneiskingandgod!
Theotherrobber,whoisontherighthandside
withMaryalmostnearhisfeet,andlooksatHer
almostmorethanhelooksatJesus,andforsome
momentshasbeenweepingmurmuringMymother,
says:
OTHERROBBER
Besilent.DoyounotfearGodevennowthatyou
sufferthispain?WhydoyouinsultHimWhois
good?AndHistortureisevengreaterthanours.
AndHehasdonenothingwrong.
Buttherobbercontinuestocurse.
Jesus is silent. Panting as a result of the
effort Hehasto makebecauseofHis position,
because of His fever and heart and breathing
conditions,theconsequenceofthe flagellation
Hesufferedinsuchaviolentform,andalsoof
thedeepanguishthathadmadeHimsweatblood,
He tries to find some relief by reducing the
weightonHisfeet,pullingHimselfupwithHis
armsandhangingfromHishands.PerhapsHedoes
soalsotoovercomethecrampthattorturesHis
feet and is revealed by the trembling of His
muscles.Butthesametremblingisnoticeablein
thefibresofHisarms,whichareconstrainedin
thatpositionandmustbefrozenattheirends,
because they are higher up and deprived of
blood, which arrives at the wrists with
difficulty and trickles from the holes of the
nails, leavingthe fingerswithout circulation.
Thoseofthelefthandinparticulararealready
cadavericandmotionless,benttowardsthepalm.
Also the toes of the feet show their pain,
especially the big toes move up and down and
openout,probablybecausetheirnerveshavenot
beeninjuredsoseriously.
And the trunk reveals all its pain with its
movement,whichisfastbutnotdeep,andtires
Him without giving any relief. His ribs, wide
andhigh asthey are,becausethestructureof
this Body is perfect, are now enlarged beyond
measure,asaconsequenceofthepositiontaken
bythebodyandofthepulmonaryoedemathathas
certainlydevelopedinside.Andyettheydonot

serve to relieve the effort in breathing, all

the more that the abdomen with its movement
helpsthediaphragm,whichisbecomingmoreand
moreparalyzed.
And the congestion and asphyxia increase every
minute,asisshownbythecyanoticcolourthat
emphasises the lips, which the fever has made
brightred,andbytheredvioletstreaks,which
tinge the neck along the turgid jugular veins,
andwidenoutasfarasthecheeks,towardsthe
ears and temples, while the nose is thin and
bloodless,andtheeyesaresunkeninacircle,
whichislividwherenobloodhastrickledfrom
thecrown.
Under the left costal arch one can see the
throbbingimpartedbythepointoftheheart,an
irregular but violent palpitation, and now and
again, owing to an internal convulsion, the
diaphragm has a deep pulsation, which is
revealedbyatotalstretchingoftheskin,for
whatitcanstretchon thatpoorwounded dying
Body.
The Face already has the aspect we see in
photographs of the Holy Shroud, with the nose
diverged and swollen on one side; and the
likenessisincreasedbythefactthattheright
eye is almost closed, owing to a swelling on
thisside.Themouth,insteadisopen,withthe
wound on the upper lip by now turned into a
crust.
Histhirst,causedbythelossofblood,bythe
feverandbythesun,mustbeburning,somuch
sothatHe,withautomaticmovements,drinksthe
dropsofHisperspirationandHistears,aswell
as those of blood, that run down from His
forehead to His moustache, and He wets His
tonguewiththem...
The crown of thorns prevents Him from leaning
against the trunk of the cross to help the
suspensiononHisarmsandlightentheweighton
His feet. His kidneys and all His spine are
curved outwards, detached from the cross from
His pelvis upwards, owing to force of inertia
that makes a body, suspended like His, hang
forward.
The Judaeans, driven beyond the open space, do
not stop insulting, and the unrepentant robber
echoestheirinsults.

Theotherone,whonowlooksattheMotherwith
deeperanddeepercompassion,andweeps,answers
himbacksharply,whenhehearsthatShealsois
includedintheinsult.
THEROBBERONTHERIGHT
Be silent. Remember that you were born of a
woman. And consider that our mothers have wept
because of their sons. And they were tears of
shame... because we are criminals. Our mothers
aredead...Iwouldliketoaskminetoforgive
me... But shall I be able? She was a holy
woman... I killed her with the sorrow I gave
her... I am a sinner... Who will forgive me?
Mother,inthenameofYourdyingSon,prayfor
me.
TheMotherforamomentraisesHertorturedface
and looks at him, the poor wretch who through
the remembrance of his mother and the
contemplation of the Mother moves towards
repentance,andSheseemstocaresshimwithHer
kindgentleeyes.
Disma weeps louder, which raises even more the
mockeryofthe crowd andofhiscompanion.The
formershout:
CROWD
Verywell.TakeHerasyourmother.SoShewill
havetwocriminalsons!
Thelatteraggravatesthesituationsaying:
THEROBBERONTHELEFT
Shelovesyoubecauseyouareasmallercopyof
Herdarling.
Jesusspeaksforthefirsttime:
JESUS
Father, forgive them because they do not know
whattheyaredoing!
This prayer overcomes all fear in Disma. He
darestolookattheChristandsays:
THEROBBERONTHERIGHT
Lord,remembermewhenYouareinYourKingdom.

It is just that I should suffer. But give me

mercy and peace hereafter. I heard You speak
onceand I foolishly rejectedYourword.Inow
repent.AndIrepentofmysinsbeforeYou,the
Son of the Most High. I believe that You come
fromGod.IbelieveinYourpower.Ibelievein
Your mercy. Christ, forgive me in the name of
YourMotherandofYourMostHolyFather.
Jesus turns round and looks at him with deep
compassion, and He smiles a still beautiful
smilewithHispoortorturedlips.Hesays:
JESUS
I tell you: today you will be with Me in
Paradise.
The repentant robber calms down, and as he no
longer remembers the prayers he learned when a
child,herepeatsasanejaculation:
THEROBBERONTHERIGHT
JesusNazarene,kingoftheJews,havemercyon
me;JesusNazarene,kingoftheJews,Ihopein
You; Jesus Nazarene, king of the Jesus, I
believeinYourDivinity.
Theotherrobbercontinuescursing.
The sky becomes duller and duller. Now the
cloudshardlyeveropentoletthesunshine.On
thecontrarytheyclusterontopofoneanother
in leaden, white, greenish strati, they
disentangleaccordingtothecapricesofacold
wind, which at times blows in the sky, then
descends to the ground, and then drops again,
and when it drops the air is almost more
sinister, sultry and dull than when it hisses,
blowingbitingandfast.
The light, previously exceedingly bright, is
becoming greenish. And faces look strange. The
profiles of the soldiers, under their helmets
and in their armour, which were previously
shiningandhavenowbecomerathertarnishedin
thegreenishlightandunderanashengreysky,
aresohardthattheyseemtobechiselled.The
Judaeans, the complexion, hair and beards of
whom are mostly brown, seem drowned people, so
wanaretheirfaces.Thewomenlooklikestatues

ofbluishsnowbecauseoftheirdeadlypaleness,
whichisaccentuatedbythelight.
Jesus seems to be turning ominously livid,
becauseofabeginningofputrefaction,asifHe
werealreadydead.Hisheadbeginstohangover
His chest. His strength fails Him rapidly. He
shivers,althoughHeisburningwithfever.And
in His weakness, He whispers the name that so
far He has only uttered in the bottom of His
heart:
JESUS
Mother!Mother!
Hemurmursitinalowvoice,likeasigh,asif
He were already lightly delirious and thus
preventedfromholdingbackwhatHiswillwould
notliketoreveal.AndeachtimeMarymakesan
unrestrainable gesture of stretching Her arms,
asifShewishedtosuccourHim.Andthecruel
peoplelaughatsuchpangsofHimWhoisdying
andofHerWhosuffersagonies.
Priestsandscribesclimbupagainasfarasthe
shepherds, who, however, are on the lower open
space. And as the soldiers want to drive them
back,theyreactsaying:
PRIESTSANDSCRIBES
Are these Galileans staying here? We want to
stayhereaswell,aswehavetoascertainthat
justiceisdonetotheveryend.Andfromafar,
inthislight,wecannotsee.
Infactmanybegintobeupsetbythelightthat
is enveloping the world and some people are
afraid.Also thesoldierspointtothe skyand
toakindofconethatseemsofslate,sodark
it is, and that rises like a pinetree from
behind the top of a mountain. It looks like a
waterspout. It rises and rises and seems to
producedarkeranddarkerclouds,asifitwere
avolcanobelchingsmokeandlava.
It is in this frightening twilight that Jesus
givesJohntoMaryandMarytoJohn.Helowers
Hishead,becausetheMotherhasgonecloserto
thecrosstoseeHimbetter,andHesays:
JESUS

Woman, this is Your son. Son, this is your

Mother.
Mary looks even more upset after this word,
whichisthewillofJesus,Whohasnothingto
give His Mother but a man, He Who out of love
for man, deprives Her of the ManGod, born of
Her. But the poor Mother tries to weep only
silently, because it is impossible for Her not
to weep... Tears stream down Her cheeks
notwithstandingalltheeffortstorefrainthem,
evenifonHerlipsthereisaheartbrokensmile
tocomfortHim...
Jesus' sufferings increase more and more. And
thelightfadesmoreandmore.
It is in this seabottom light that Nicodemus
and Joseph appear from behind some Judaeans,
andtheysay:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
Stepaside!
thesoldiersask:
THESOLDIERS
Youarenotallowed.Whatdoyouwant?
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
Topass.WearefriendsoftheChrist.
The chief priests turn round. the priests ask
indignantly:
THEPRIESTS
Whodareprofesshimselffriendoftherebel?
AndJosephrepliesresolutely:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
I, Joseph of Arimathea, the Elder, and noble
memberoftheSupremeCouncil,andNicodemusthe
headoftheJudaeans,iswithme.
ELEAZAROFANNAS
Thosewhosidewiththerebelarerebels.
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA

And those who take sides with murderers, are

murderers, EleazarofAnnas. I havelivedas a
justman.AndnowIamoldandclosetodeath.I
do not want to become unjust, while Heaven is
alreadydescendinguponmeandtheeternalJudge
withit.
ELEAZAROFANNAS
Andyou,Nicodemus!I'msurprised!
NICODEMUS
SoamI.Andofonethingonly:thatIsraelis
so corrupt that you cannot even recognise God
anymore.
ELEAZAROFANNAS
Youdisgustme.
NICODEMUS
Moveaside,then,andletmepass.ThatisallI
want.
ELEAZAROFANNAS
Tobecomeevenmorecontaminated?
NICODEMUS
If I have not become contaminated being with
you, nothing else will ever contaminate me.
Soldier,hereisthepurseandmypass.
Andhegivesthedecurionwhoisclosesttohim,
apurseandawaxedboard.
The decurion examines them and says to the
soldiers:
DECURION
Letthetwomenpass.
AndJosephandNicodemusapproachtheshepherds.
IdonotevenknowwhetherJesuscanseethemin
the thick fog that is getting thicker and
thicker, and with His eyes that are already
veiledbyagony.ButtheyseeHimandtheyweep
withoutanyrespectforpublicopinion,although
thepriestsnowabusethem.
The sufferings are worse and worse. The body
begins to suffer from the arching typical of

tetanus, and the clamour of the crowd

exasperates it. The death of fibres and nerves
extends from the tortured limbs to the trunk,
making breathing more and more difficult,
diaphragmaticcontractionweakandheartbeating
irregular.
Theface ofChristpasses, inturns,fromvery
deepred blushes to the greenish paleness of a
person bleeding to death. His lips move with
greater difficulty, because the overstrained
nervesoftheneckandoftheheaditself,that
for dozens of times have acted as a lever for
thewholebody,pushingonthecrossbar,spread
thecrampalsotothejaws.Histhroat,swollen
by the obstructed carotid arteries, must be
painful and must spread its oedema to the
tongue, which looks swollen and slow in its
movements.
His back, even in the moments when the
tetanising contractions do not bend it in a
completearchfromthenapeofHisnecktoHis
hips, leaning as extreme points against the
stake of the cross, bends more and more
forwards, because the limbs are continuously
weigheddownbytheburdenofthedeadflesh.
The people cannot see this situation very
clearly, because the light now is like dark
ashes,andonlythosewhoareatthefootofthe
crosscanseewell.
AtacertainmomentJesuscollapsesforwardsand
downwards, as if He were already dead, He no
longer pants, His head hangs inertly forward,
His body, from His hips upwards, is completely
detached from the cross, forming an angle with
itsbar.
Maryuttersacry:
MARYVIRGIN
Heisdead!
Atragiccrythatspreadsinthedarkair.And
Jesusseemsreallydead.
AnothercryofawomanrepliestoHer,andIsee
a bustle in the group of the women. Then some
ten people go away holding something. But I
cannotseewhogoesawayso.Thefoggylightis
too faint. It looks as we are immersed in a
cloudofverydensevolcanicash.

SomeofthepriestsandoftheJudaeansshout:
PRIESTSANDJUDAEANS
Itisnotpossible.Itisasimulationtomake
usgoaway.Soldier,prickHimwithyourlance.
ItisagoodmedicinetogiveHisvoicebackto
Him.
And as the soldiers do not do so, a volley of
stonesandclodsofearthflytowardsthecross,
hitting the Martyr and falling back on the
armouroftheRomans.
The medicine, as the Judaeans say ironically,
works the wonder. Some of the stones have
certainlyhitthetarget,perhapsthewoundofa
hand, or the head itself, because they were
aiminghigh.Jesusmoanspitifullyandrecovers
His senses. His thorax begins to breathe again
withdifficultyandHisheadmovesfromleftto
right, seeking where it may rest in order to
suffer less, but finding nothing but greater
pain.
With great difficulty, pressing once again on
Historturedfeet,findingstrengthinHiswill,
andonlyinit,Jesusstiffensonthecross,He
standsupright,asifHewereahealthymanwith
all his strength, He raises His face, looking
with wide open eyes at the world stretched at
His feet, at the far away town, which one can
see just indistinctly as a vague whiteness in
themist,andatthedarkskywhereeverytrace
of blue and of light has disappeared. And to
thisclosed,compact,lowsky,resemblingahuge
slabofdarkslate,Heshoutsinaloudvoice,
overcomingwithHiswillpowerandwiththeneed
of HissoultheobstacleofHisswollentongue
andHisoedematousthroat:
JESUS
Eloi,Eloi,lammascebacteni!
HemustfeelthatHeisdying,andinabsolute
abandonment by Heaven, if He confesses His
Father'sabandonment,withsuchaneclamation.
People laugh and deride Him. They insult Him
saying:

PEOPLE
God has nothing to do with You! Demons are
cursedbyGod!
Otherpeopleshout:
OTHERPEOPLE
Letussee whetherElijah, whomHe iscalling,
willcometosaveHim.
Andotherssay:
OTHERS
Give Him some vinegar, that He may gargle His
throat.Ithelpsone'svoice!ElijahorGod,as
itisuncertainwhatthismadmanwants,arefar
away...Aloudvoiceisrequiredtomakeoneself
heard
Andtheylaughlikehyenasorlikedemons.
But no soldier gives Him vinegar and no one
comes from Heaven to give comfort. It is the
solitary, total, cruel, also supernaturally
cruelagonyoftheGreatVictim.
The avalanches of desolate grief, which had
already oppressed Him at Gethsemane, come back
again. The waves of the sins of all the world
comebacktostriketheshipwreckedinnocent,to
submerge Him in their bittemess. And above all
what comes back is the sensation, more
crucifying than the cross itself, more
despairing than any torture, that God has
abandonedHimandthatHisprayerdoesnotrise
toHim...
And it is the final torture. The one that
acceleratesdeath,becauseitsqueezesthelast
drops of blood out of the pores, because it
crushes the remaining fibres of the heart,
becauseitendswhatthefirstknowledgeofthis
abandonment has begun: death. Because of that,
asfirstcause,myJesusdied,oGod,Whohave
struck Him for us! Because after Your
abandonment,throughYourabandonment,whatdoes
a person become? Either insane or dead. Jesus
could not become insane, because His
intelligencewas divine,and since intelligence
isspiritual,ittriumphedoverthetotaltrauma
ofHimWhomGodhadstruck.SoHebecameadead

man:theDeadMan,theMostHolyDeadMan,the
MostInnocentDeadMan.HeWhowastheLife,was
dead. Killed by Your abandonment and by our
sins.
Darkness becomes deeper. Jerusalem disappears
completely. The very slopes of Calvary seem to
vanish.Onlythetopisvisible,asifdarkness
held it high up to receive the only and last
survivinglight,layingitasanoffering,with
itsdivinetrophy,onapoolofliquidonyx,so
thatitmaybeseenbyloveandbyhatred.
Andfrom thatlight, which isnolongerlight,
comestheplaintivevoiceofJesus:
JESUS
Iamthirsty!
A wind in fact is blowing, which makes even
healthy people thirsty. A strong wind that now
blows continuously, and is full of dust, cold
and frightening. And I think of what pain its
violentgustsmusthavecausedtothelungs,the
heart, thethroatof Jesus,andto Hisfrozen,
benumbed, wounded limbs. Everything has really
combinedtotorturetheMartyr.
A soldier goes towards a jar, in which the
assistants of the executioner have put some
vinegar with gall, so that with its bitterness
it may increase the salivation of those
condemned to capital punishment. He takes the
spongeimmersedintheliquid,hesticksitona
thinyetstiffcane,whichisalreadyavailable
nearby, and offers the sponge to the Dying
Victim.
Jesus leans eagerly forward towards the
approaching sponge. He looks like a starving
babyseekingthenippleofitsmother.
MaryWhoseesandcertainlyhassuchathought,
leaningonJohn,sayswithamoan:
MARYVIRGIN
Oh! And I cannot give Him even one of My
tears... Oh! breast of Mine, why do you not
trickle milk? Oh! God, why do You abandon us
thus?AmiracleforMySon!WhowillliftMeup,
sothatImayquenchHisthirstwithMyblood,
sinceIhavenomilk?...

Jesus, Who has greedily sucked the sour bitter

drink, makes a wryfaceindisgust.Aboveall,
itmustactasacorrosiveonHiswoundedsplit
lips.
Hewithdraws,losesheart,abandonsHimself.All
theweightofHisbodyfallsheavilyonHisfeet
and forward. His wounded extremities are the
partsthatsufferthedreadfulpainastheyare
torn open by the weight of the body that
abandonsitself.Hemakesnofurthermovementto
alleviate such pain. His body, from His hips
upwards,isdetachedfromthecross,andremains
such.
HisheadhangsforwardsoheavilythatHisneck
seems hollowed in three places: at the throat,
whichiscompletelysunken,andatbothsidesof
the sternum cleidomastoid. He pants more and
moreandinterruptedly,anditsoundsmorelike
adeathrattle.Nowandagainapainfulfitof
coughingbringsalightrosyfoamtoHis lips.
Andtheintervalsbetweenoneexpirationandthe
next one are becoming longer and longer. His
abdomenisnowmotionless.OnlyHisthoraxstill
heaves, but laboriously and with difficulty...
Pulmonaryparalysisisincreasingmoreandmore.
Andfainterandfainter,soundinglikeachild's
wailing,comestheinvocation:
JESUS
Mother!
Andthepoorwretchwhispers:
MARYVIRGIN
Yes,darling,Iamhere.
Andwhen Hissightbecomes misty andmakesHim
say:
JESUS
Mother, where are You? I cannot see You any
more.AreYouabandoningMeaswell?
Andtheyarenotevenwords,butjustamurmur
that can hardly be heard by Her Who with Her
heart rather than with Her ears receives every
sighofHerdyingSon,Shesays:

MARYVIRGIN
No,no,Son!IwillnotabandonYou!Listento
Me, My dear... Your Mother is here, She is
here... and She only regrets that She cannot
comewhereYouare...
Itisheartrending...
AndJohnweepsopenly.Jesusmusthearhimweep.
ButHedoesnotsayanything.IthinkthatHis
impending death makes Him speak as if He were
raving and that He does not even know what He
says, and, unfortunately, He does not even
understand His Mother's consolation and His
favouriteapostle'slove.
Longinus who inadvertently is no longer
standingateasewithhisarmsfoldedacrosshis
chest, and one leg crossed over the other
alternately,toeasethe longwaitonhisfeet
andisnowinsteadstandingstiffatattention,
hislefthandonhissword,hisrightoneheld
againsthisside,asifhewereonthestepsof
the imperial throne does not want to be
influenced. But his face is affected in the
effort of overcoming his emotion, and his eyes
begin to shine with tears that only his iron
disciplinecanrefrain.
Theothersoldiers,whowereplayingdice,have
stopped and have stood up, putting on the
helmets that had served to cast the dice, and
theyarenearthelittlestepsduginthetufa,
looking heedful and silent. The others are on
duty and cannot move. They look like statues.
ButsomeofthosewhoarecloserandhearMary's
words, mutter something between their lips and
shaketheirheads.
There is dead silence. Then in utter darkness,
theword:
JESUS
Everythingisaccomplished!
...is clearly heard and His deathrattle grows
louderandlouder,withlongerandlongerpauses
betweenonerattleandthenextone.
Time passes in such distressing rhythm. Life
comesbackwhentheairispiercedbytheharsh
breathingoftheDyingVictim...Lifestopswhen

the painful sound is no longer heard. One

suffers hearing it... one suffers not hearing
it...Onesays:
ONE
Enoughofthissuffering!
andthenonesays:
ONE
Oh!God!letitnotbeHislastbreath.
All the Maries are weeping, with their heads
leaningagainstthescarp.Andtheirweepingis
clearly heard, because the crowd is now silent
again, to listen to the deathrattles of the
dyingMaster.
There is silence again. Then the supplication
pronounced withinfinitekindness,withfervent
prayer:
JESUS
Father,intoYourhandsIcommitMyspirit!
Further silence. Also the deathrattle becomes
fainter. It is just a breath confined to His
lipsandthroat.
Then, there is the last spasm of Jesus. A
dreadfulconvulsionthatseemstotearthebody
withthethreenailsfromthecross,risesthree
timesfromthefeettothehead,throughallthe
poor tortured nerves; it heaves the abdomen
threetimesin anabnormal way,thenleavesit
after dilating it as if it were upsetting the
viscera,and itdropsandbecomeshollowasis
it were empty; it heaves, swells and contracts
the thorax so violently, that the skin sinks
between the ribs which stretch appearing under
the skin and reopening the wounds of the
scourges;itmakestheheadfallbackviolently
once,twice,threetimes,hittingthewoodhard;
it contracts all the muscles of the face in a
spasm, accentuating the deviation of the mouth
to the right, it opens wide and dilates the
eyelids under which one can see the eyeballs
rolland thescleroticappear. Thebodyisall
bent;in thelastofthe three contractionsit
isadrawnarch,whichvibratesandisdreadful

to look at, and then a powerful cry,

unimaginable in that exhausted body, bursts
forthrendingtheair,theloudcrymentioned
bytheGospelsandisthefirstpartoftheword
JESUS
Mother...
Andnothingelse...
His head falls on His chest, His body leans
forward, the trembling stops, He breathes no
more.HehasbreathedHislast.
The Earth replies to the cry of the murdered
Innocent with a frightening rumble. From a
thousandbuglehorngiantsseemtogiveoutonly
onesoundandon thatterriblechordthereare
the isolated rending notes of lightning that
streaks the sky in all directions, falling on
thetown,ontheTemple,onthecrowd...Ithink
that some people were struck by lightning,
because the crowd was struck directly. The
lightning is the only irregular light that
enablesonetoseeatintervals.Andimmediately
afterwards, while the volley of thunderbolts
still continues, the earth is shaken by a
cyclonic whirlwind. The earthquake and the
tornado join together to give an apocalyptic
punishment to the blasphemers. The summit of
Golgothatremblesandquakeslikeaplateinthe
handsofamadman,becauseofthesubsultoryand
undulatory shocks that shake the three crosses
so violently that they seem on the point of
beingoverturned.
Longinus,John,thesoldiersgrabwhateverthey
can, as best they can, not to fall. But John,
whilegraspingthecrosswithonearm,withthe
other supports Mary Who, both because or Her
grief and the unsteadiness, has leaned on his
chest. The other soldiers, and in particular
thoseonthesideslopingdownhill,havehadto
take shelter in the centre, to avoid being
throwndowntheprecipice.Therobbershowlwith
terror,thecrowdhowlsevenmoreandwouldlike
torunaway.Butitisnotpossible.Peoplefall
one on top of the other, they tread on one
another, they fall into the fissures of the
ground,theyhurtthemselves,theyrolldownthe

slopeasiftheyhadgonemad.
The earthquake and the tornado recur three
times,thenthereistheabsoluteimmobilityof
adeadworld.Onlyflashesoflightning,without
the rumble of thunder, still streak the sky
illuminating the scene of the Jews fleeing in
everydirection,attheirwits'end,theirhands
stretchedforwardorraisedtothesky,atwhich
they had so far sneered and of which they are
nowafraid.Darknessismitigatedbyadimlight
which, increased by the silent magnetic
lightning, enables one to see that many are
lyingontheground,Idonotknowwhetherthey
are dead or have fainted. A house is on fire
insidethewallsandtheflamesriseupstraight
inthestillair,abrightredspotinthegrey
green atmosphere. Mary raises Her head from
John's chest andlooksatHerJesus.She calls
Him,asShecannotseeHimwellinthedimlight
andHerpooreyesarefulloftears.Shecalls
Himthreetimes:
MARYVIRGIN
Jesus!Jesus!Jesus!
ItisthefirsttimethatShecallsHimbyHis
name,sinceShehasbeenonCalvary.Then,asa
flash forms a kind of crown over the top of
Golgotha, She sees Him, motionless, all bent
forward, with His head hanging so much forward
and to the right, that His cheek touches His
shoulderandHischinrestsonHisribs,andShe
understands.ShestretchesoutHerhandsinthe
darkairandshouts:
MARYVIRGIN
MySon!MySon!MySon!
Shethenlistens...AlsoHermouthisopen,She
seemstobewantingtohearalsowithit,asHer
eyesarewideopentosee...Shecannotbelieve
thatHerJesusisnolonger...
John, who has also looked and heard and has
understood that everything is over, embraces
MaryandtriestotakeHerawaysaying:
JOHN
Henolongersuffers.

But before the apostle finishes his sentence,

Mary, who has understood, frees Herself, She
turns round, She bends towards the ground, She
coversHereyeswithHerhandsandshouts:
MARYVIRGIN
InolongerhaveMySon!
ShethenstaggersandwouldfallifJohndidnot
hold Her against his heart, and he then sits
down, on the ground, to sustain Her on his
chest, more easily until the Maries, no longer
heldbackbytheuppercircleofarmedsoldiers
because, since the Jews have run away, the
Roman soldiers have gathered in the open space
below, commenting on the event replace the
apostleneartheMother.
The Magdalene sits where John was, and she
almost lays Mary on her knees, holding Her
between her arms and her breast, kissing Her
deadly pale face, which is reclined on her
compassionateshoulder.MarthaandSusanna,with
a sponge and a linen cloth soaked in vinegar,
moisten Her temples and nostrils, while Her
sisterinlawMarykissesHerhandscallingHer
in a heartrending voice, and as soon as Mary
opensHereyesagainandcastsaglancethatHer
griefmakes,sotosay,dull,shesaystoHer:
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Daughter,mybeloveddaughter,listen...tellme
thatYouseeme...IamYourMary...Don'tlook
atmeso!...
AndasthefirstsobopensMary'sthroatandHer
first tears begin to fall, the good begin to
fall,thegoodMaryofAlphaeussays:
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Yes,weep...Herewithme,asifYouwereneara
mother,mypoorholydaughter
AndwhenshehearsHersay:
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Oh!Mary!Mary!haveyouseen?

Shemoans:
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Yes, I have... but... but... daughter... oh!
daughter!...
AndtheelderlyMarycanfindnootherwordand
weeps. She weeps disconsolately, echoed by all
the other women, that is, Martha and Mary,
John'smotherandSusanna.
The other pious women are no longer there. I
think that they have gone away, and the
shepherdswiththem,whenthatfemininecrywas
heard...
Thesoldiers arespeakinginlow voicestoone
another.
SOLDIERONE
HaveyounoticedtheJudaeans?Theywereafraid,
now.
SOLDIERTWO
Andtheywerebeatingtheirbreasts.
SOLDIERTHREE
Thepriestswerethemostterrorised!
SOLDIERFOUR
What a fright! I have seen other earthquakes.
But never like this one. Look: the ground is
fulloffissures.
SOLDIERFIVE
And a whole stretch of the long way has slid
downoverthere.
SOLDIERSIX
Andtherearebodiesunderit.
SOLDIERSEVEN
Leavethem!Somanysnakesless.
SOLDIEREIGHT
Oh!anotherfire!Inthecountry...
SOLIDERNINE
ButisHereallydead?

SOLDIERTEN
Can'tyousee?Doyoudoubtit?
Joseph and Nicodemus appear from behind the
rock. They had certainly taken shelter there,
behind the protection of the mountain, to save
themselves from the thunderbolts. They go to
Longinus.
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
WewanttheCorpse.
LONGINUS
Only the Proconsul can grant it. Go quick,
becauseIheardthattheJudaeanswanttogoto
thePraetoriumtoobtainpermissiontofracture
Hislegs.IwouldnotlikethemtodisfigureHis
body.
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
Howdoyouknow?
LONGINUS
Areportoftheensign.Go.Iwillwait.
The two men rush down the steep road and
disappear. It is at this moment that Longinus
approaches John and in a low voice says
something to him, which I do not understand.
Then he makes a soldier give him a lance. He
looks at the women, who are all attending to
Mary, Who is slowly recovering Her strength.
Theyhavealltheirbacksturnedtothecross.
Longinus places himself in front of the
Crucified,heponderscarefullyhowtodealthe
blow and he strikes it. The lance penetrates
deeply from the bottom upwards, from right to
left.
John,waveringbetweenthedesiretoseeandthe
horrorofseeing,makesawryfaceforamoment.
Longinussays:
LONGINUS
Itisdone,myfriend
Andheends:

LONGINUS
Better so. As for a knight. And without
fracturingbones...HewasreallyaJustMan!
A lot of water and just a trickle of blood,
alreadytendingtoclot,dripfromthewound.I
saiddrip.Theyonlycomeouttricklingfromthe
neat cut that remains motionless, whereas, had
there been any breathing, it would have opened
andclosedwiththemovementsofthethoraxand
abdomen...
...While on Calvary everything remains in this
tragic situation, I join Joseph and Nicodemus,
who are going down along a short cut to gain
time.
They are almost at the bottom when they meet
Gamaliel.AnunkemptGamaliel,withnoheadgear,
no mantle, with his magnificent garment soiled
withmouldand tornby bramble.AGamalielwho
isrunning,climbingandpanting,withhishands
in his thin very grizzled hair of an elderly
man.Theyspeaktooneanotherwithoutstopping.
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
Gamaliel!You?
GAMALIEL
You,Joseph?AreyouleavingHim?
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
No,Iamnot.Buthowcomeyouarehere?Andin
thatstate?...
GAMALIEL
Dreadfulthings!IwasintheTemple!Thesign!
The Temple door unhinged! The purple hyacinth
veil is hanging torn! The Holy of Holies is
open!Thereisanathemauponus!
Hehasspokenwhilerunningtowardsthesummit,
drivenmadbythetest.
Thetwomenlookathimgo...theylookateach
other...theysaytogether:
THEYSAYTOGETHER
Thesestones willshudderatMylastwords!He
hadpromisedhim!...

Theyhastentheirpacetowardsthetown.
In the country, between the mountain and the
walls and beyond them, many people looking
idioticarewandering,inthestilldimlight...
Theyhowl,weepandlament...
Somesay:
SOMESAY
HisBloodhasrainedfire!
SOMEEXCLAIM
Jehovah has appeared in the midst of the
lightningtocursetheTemple!
Somemoan:
SIMON
Thesepulchres!Thesepulchres!
Joseph gets hold of a man who is striking his
head against the walls and calls him by his
name,dragginghimasheentersthetown:
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
Simon!Whatareyousaying?
SIMON
Leave me! You are dead, too! All dead! All
outside!Andtheycurseme.
Nicodemussays:
NICODEMUS
Hehasgonemad.
They leave him and they hasten towards the
Praetorium.
The town is a prey to terror. People roam
beatingtheirbreasts.Peoplewhojumpbackwards
orturnroundfrighteneduponhearingavoiceor
stepsbehindthem.
In one of the many dark archivolts, the
apparitionofNicodemusdressedinwhitewool
because, in order to be quicker, he has taken
off his dark mantle on Golgotha causes a
fleeing Pharisee to utter a cry of terror. He
thenrealisesthatitisNicodemusandheclings
tohisneckwithastrangeeffusion,shouting:

PHARISEE
Don't curse me! My mother appeared to me and
said:Becursedforever!
Andthenhecollapsesonthegroundmoaning:
PHARISEE
I'mafraid!I'mafraid!
thetwomensay:
THETWOMEN
Theyareallmad!
They arrive at the Praetorium. And it is only
here, while waiting to be received by the
Proconsul, thatJoseph andNicodemusunderstand
the reason for so much terror. Many sepulchres
had been opened by the earthquake, and there
were people who swore that they had seen
skeletons come out of them, and that for a
moment they resumed human appearance and were
goingaboutaccusingandcursingthosewhowere
guiltyofthedeicide.
I leave them in the entrancehall of the
Praetorium, which Jesus' two friends enter
without so many stupid horrors and fears of
contamination,andIgobacktoCalvary,joining
Gamaliel,whobynowexhausted,isclimbingthe
last few metres. He is proceeding striking his
breast,andwhenhearrivesatthefirstofthe
two open spaces, he throws himself on the
ground,facedownwards,alongwhiteformonthe
yellowishground,andhesaysmoaning:
GAMALIEL
The sign! The sign! Tell me that You forgive
me!Awhisper,evenonlyawhisper,totellme
thatYouhearmeandforgiveme.
IunderstandthathethinksthatJesusisstill
alive. And he changes his mind only when a
soldier,pushinghimwithhislance,says:
SOLDIER
Getupandbesilent.It'sofnouse!Youshould
havethoughtofthatpreviously.Heisdead.And

I,aheathen,amtellingyou:thisMan,Whomyou
havecrucified,wasreallytheSonofGod!
GAMALIEL
Dead?AreYoudead?Oh!...
Gamalielraiseshisterrorisedface,hetriesto
see as far up as the top, in the twilight. He
cannot see much, but he can see enough to
realise that Jesus is dead. And he sees the
compassionategroupthatisconsolingMary,and
Johnstandingontheleftsideofthecrossand
weeping,andLonginus,standingstraightonthe
rightside,solemninhisrespectfulposture.
He kneels down, stretches his arms out and
weepingsays:
GAMALIEL
It was You! It was You! We can no longer be
forgiven.WehaveaskedYourBlooduponus.And
ItcriestoHeaven,andHeavencursesus...Oh!
But You were Mercy!... I say to You, I, the
destroyedrabbiofJudah:YourBloodonus,for
pity'ssake.SprinkleuswithIt!Becauseonly
YourBloodcanimpetrateforgivenessforus...
and he weeps. And then, in a lower voice, he
confesses his torture: I have the requested
sign...Butagesandagesofspiritualblindness
are upon my interior sight, and against my
presentwillrisesthevoiceofmyproudthought
of the past... Have mercy on me! Light of the
world, let one of Your rays descend on the
darknessthatdidnotunderstandYou!Iamthe
old Judaean faithful to what I thought was
justice, and it was error. I am now a barren
land,nolongerwithanyoftheancienttreesof
theancientFaith,withoutanyseedorstalkof
the new Faith. I am an arid desert. Work the
miracleofmakingaflower,thathasYourname,
springupinthispoorheartofanoldobstinate
Israelite. Since You are the Liberator, come
into my poor thought, which is a prisoner of
formulas. Isaiah says so: ...He paid for
sinnersandtookuponHimselfthesinsofmany.
Oh!alsomine,JesusNazarene...
He stands up. He looks at the cross which is
becomingneaterandneaterinthelightthatis

clearing up, and then he goes away, stooping,

aged,destroyed.
AndonCalvarythereisonceagainsilence,just
brokenbyMary'sweeping.Thetworobbers,worn
outbyfear,nolongerspeak.
Nicodemus and Joseph arrive back running and
theysaythattheyhavePilate'spermission.But
Longinus, who is not too trustful, sends a
horsesoldiertotheProconsultolearnwhathe
hastodoalsowithregardtothetworobbers.
Thesoldiergoesandcomebackatagallopwith
theordertohandoverJesusandbreakthelegs
oftheothertwo,bywilloftheJews.
Longinus calls the four executioners, who are
cravenly crouched under the rock, still
terrorisedbywhathashappened,andordersthem
togivetherobbersthedeathblowwithaclub.
WhichtakesplacewithoutanyprotestbyDisma,
towhomtheblowoftheclub,deliveredtohis
heart,afterstrikinghisknees,breaksinhalf,
on his lips, the name of Jesus, in a death
rattle.Theotherrobberuttershorriblecurses.
Theirdeathrattlesarelugubrious.
The four executioners would also like to take
careofJesus, takingHimdownfromthecross.
ButJosephandNicodemusdonotallowthem.Also
JosephtakesoffhismantleandtellsJohntodo
likewise and to hold the ladders, while they
climbthemwithleversandtongs.
Mary stands up trembling, supported by the
women,andSheapproachesthecross.
In the meantime the soldiers, having fulfilled
theirtask,goaway.AndLonginus,before
descending beyond the lower open space, turns
roundfromtheheightofhisblackhorsetolook
atMaryandattheCrucified.Thenthenoiseof
the hooves resounds on the stones and that of
the weapons against the armour, and fades away
inthedistance.
Theleft palmis unnailed. Thearm falls along
theBody,whichisnowhangingsemidetached.
TheytellJohntoclimbupaswell,leavingthe
ladders to the women. And John, after climbing
upwhereNicodemuswaspreviously,passesJesus'
arm round his neck and holds it so, hanging
completely on his shoulder, embraced at the
waist by his arm and held by the tips of the
fingers not to touch the horrible gash of the

lefthand,whichisalmost open. Whenthefeet

areunnailed,Johnhastomakeagreateffortto
holdandsupporttheBodyofhisMasterbetween
thecrossandhisownbody.
Maryhas alreadyplacedHerselfatthe footof
the cross, sitting with Her back against it,
readytoreceiveHerJesusinHerlap.
Buttheunnailingoftherightarmisthemost
difficultoperation.DespiteallJohn'sefforts,
the Body is hanging completely forward and the
head of the nail is deeply sunk in the flesh.
Andastheydonotwanttomakethewoundworse,
thetwocompassionatemenworkhard.Atlastthe
nail is seized with the tongs and pulled out
gently.
JohnhasbeenholdingJesusallthetimebythe
armpits,withHisheadhangingonhisshoulder,
whileNicodemusandJosephgetholdofHim,one
atthethighs,theotherattheknees,andthey
cautiouslycomedowntheladders.
Whenontheground,theywouldliketolayHim
on the sheet that they have spread on their
mantles.ButMarywantsHim.ShehasopenedHer
mantle,lettingithangononeside,andSheis
sitting with Her knees rather apart to form a
cradleforHerJesus.
While the disciples are turning round to give
HerSontoHer,thecrownedheadfallsbackand
thearms hangdowntowards theground, andthe
woundedhandswouldrubonthesoil,ifthepity
of the pious women did not hold them up to
preventthat.
He is now in His Mother's lap... And He looks
likeabigtiredchildwhoisasleepallcuddled
upinhismother'slap.MaryisholdingHimwith
HerrightarmroundtheshouldersofHerSonand
Her left one stretched over the abdomen to
supportHimalsobythehips.
Jesus'headisrestingonHisMother'sshoulder.
AndShecallsHim...ShecallsHiminaheart
rending voice. She then detaches Him from Her
shoulder and caresses Him with Her left hand,
She takes and stretches out His hands and,
beforefoldingthemonHisdeadbody,Shekisses
them and weeps on their wounds. Then She
caressesHischeeks,particularlywheretheyare
bruisedandswollen,ShekissesHissunkeneyes,
Hismouthlightlytwistedtotherightandhalf

open.
She would like to tidy His hair, as She has
tidied His beard encrusted with blood. But in
doing so, She touches the thorns. She stings
Herself trying to remove that crown, and She
wants to do it by Herself, with the only hand
whichisfree,andSherejectseverybodysaying:
MARYVIRGIN
No,no!Iwill!Iwill!
AndSheseemstobeholdingthetenderheadofa
newborn baby with Her fingers, so delicately
does She do it. And when She succeeds in
removingthetorturingcrown,Shebendstocure
allthescratchesofthethornswithHerkisses.
With a trembling hand She parts His ruffled
hair,Shetidiesitandweeps,speakinginalow
voice,andwithHerfingersShewipesthetears
that drop on the cold body covered with blood
andShethinksofcleaningitwithHertearsand
Herveil,whichisstillroundJesus'loins.And
ShepullsoneendofittowardsHerselfandShe
beginstocleananddrytheholylimbswithit.
AndShecontinuallycaressesHisface,thenHis
handsandHisbruisedkneesandthenrevertsto
drying His Body, on which endless tears are
dropping.
AndwhiledoingsoHerhandtouchesthegashon
His chest. Her little hand, covered with the
linen veil, enters almost completely into the
large hole of the wound. Mary bends to see in
the dim light which has formed, and She sees.
She sees the chest torn open and the heart of
HerSon.Sheuttersacrythen.Aswordseemsto
be splitting Her heart. She shouts and then
throws Herself on Her Son and She seems dead,
too.
TheysuccourandconsoleHer.Theywanttotake
Her divine Dead Son away from Her and as She
shouts:
MARYVIRGIN
Where, where shall I put You? In which place,
safeandworthyofYou?
Joseph,allbentinarespectful bow,hisopen
handpressedagainsthischest,says:

JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
Takecourage,oWoman!Mysepulchreisnewand
worthyofagreatman.IgiveittoHim.Andmy
friend here, Nicodemus, has already taken the
spices tothesepulchre, ashewishesto offer
them.ButIbegYou,asitisgettingdark,let
usproceed...ItisPreparationDay.Begood,o
holyWoman!
Also John and the women beg Her likewise and
MaryallowsHerSontoberemovedfromHerlap,
and She stands up, distressed, while they
envelopHiminasheet,begging:
MARYVIRGIN
Oh!doitgently!
Nicodemus and John at the shoulders, Joseph at
the feet, they lift, the Corpse enveloped not
only in the sheet, but resting also on the
mantleswhichactas a stretcher,andtheyset
outdowntheroad.
Mary,supportedbyHersisterinlawandbythe
Magdalene, goes down towards the sepulchre,
followedbyMartha,MaryofZebedeeandSusanna,
who have picked up the nails, the tongs, the
crown,thespongeandthecane.
OnCalvaryremainthethreecrosses,thecentral
one of which is bare and the other two have
theirlivingtrophies,whoaredying.
VI
TheBurialofJesusandtheSpiritualDistress
ofMary.
Thelittleprocession,afterdescendingCalvary,
atthefootofitfindsthesepulchreofJoseph
of Arimathea,hewn outofthelimestoneofthe
mountain. The compassionate disciples enter it
withJesus'Body.

Thereistheburialroomproperwithitsloculi
(they are different from those of the
catacombs).Thesearelikeroundcavities,that
penetrate into the stone, like the cells of a
beehive, to give an idea. At present they are
all empty. The empty opening of each loculus

looks like a black spot on the grey stone.

Beforethisroomthereisakindofanteroom,in
themiddleofwhichthereisaslabofstonefor
anointing. Jesus is placed on it, enveloped in
Hissheet.
Also John and Mary go in. But nobody else,
because the preparatory room is small, and if
morepeoplewereinit,theywouldnotbeable
tomove.Theotherwomenarenearthedoor,that
is near the opening, because there is not a
properdoor.
TheMotherisstandingneartheanointingstone
caressing, contemplating, moaning, weeping. The
flickeringlightofthetorchesilluminatesHer
facenowandagain,andIseelargeteardrops
streamdownthecheeksofHerravagedface.And
IcanhearHerwords.Everyoneofthem.Allof
them, very clearly, although whispered between
Herlips,arealconversationofamother'ssoul
with the soul of Her Son. I am told to write
them.
MARYVIRGIN
PoorSon!Howmanywounds!...HowmuchYouhave
suffered! Look what they have done to You!...
How cold You are, Son! Your fingers are ice
cold.Andhowmotionlesstheyare!Theyseemto
bebroken.Never,noteveninthesoundsleepof
achild,orintheheavysleepafterworkingas
an artisan,weretheysoinert...Andhowcold
they are! Poor hands! My darling, My love, My
holy love, give them to Your Mother! Look how
laceratedtheyare!John,lookwhatagash!Oh!
cruel men! Here, give Me this wounded hand of
Yours.ThatImaydressit.Oh!Iwillnothurt
You...Iwillusekissesandtears,andIwill
warmitwithMybreathandMylove.
Caress Me,Son!Youareicecold,Iamburning
with fever. My fever will be relieved by Your
ice,andYouricewillbemitigatedbyMyfever.
A caress, Son! Only a few hours have gone by
sinceYoulast caressedMe,andtheyseemages
to Me.For monthsIwaswithoutYour caresses,
and they seemed hours to Me, because I was
always waiting for You to come back, and I
considered each day an hour, and each hour a
minute,tosaytoMyselfthatYouhadnotbeen
awayforoneormoremonths,butonlyforafew

days,forafewhours.Whyistimesolongnow?
Ah!inhumantorture!BecauseYouaredead.
TheyhavekilledYou!Youarenolongeronthe
Earth! No longer! Wherever I send My soul to
look for Yours and embrace it, because finding
You,havingYou,feelingYouwasthelifeofMy
bodyandofMyspirit,whereverIlookforYou
withthewaveofMylove,Inolongerfindyou,
I do not find You any more. Nothing of You is
lefttoMebutthesecoldsoullessremains!
OsoulofMyJesus,osoulofMyChrist,osoul
of My Lord, where are You? O cruel
hyenasjoinedtoSatan,whyhaveyoutakenaway
the soul of My Son? And why have you not
crucified Me with Him? Were you afraid of
committing a second crime? (Her voice is
becomingstrongerandstrongerandmoreandmore
heartrending).Andwhatwasitforyoukilling
apoorwoman,sinceyoudidnothesitatetokill
God Incarnate? Have you not committed a second
crime? And is letting a mother outlive her
murderedsonnotthemostnefariouscrime?
Every child has a father and mother. Also an
illegitimateboyhasafatherandamother.
ButYouhadonlyYourMothertomakeYourflesh
of rose and lily, to make these embroidered
veins, as blue as our streams in Galilee, and
these lips of pomegranate, and this hair more
gracefulthantheblondfleece ofthegoatsof
ourhills,and these eyes: twolittlelakesof
Paradise. No, more than that, they are of the
water that comes from the Unique and Quadruple
RiverofthePlaceofDelight,andcarrieswith
it,initsfourbranches,gold,onyx,beryland
ivory, and diamonds, and palms, and honey, and
roses, and infinite riches, o Pishon, Gihon,
Tigris, Euphrates: way for the angels exulting
inGod,wayforthekingsadoringYou,knownor
unknownEssence,butLivingandPresentevenin
the most obscure heart! Only Your Mother did
thatforYou,bymeansofHeryes...Iformed
Youwithmusicandlove,ImadeYouwithpurity
andobedience,MyJoy!WhatisYourHeart?The
flameofMine,thatsplittocondenseinacrown
aroundthekissgivenbyGodtoHisVirgin.That
iswhatYourHeartis.Ah!
TheshoutissoheartrendingthattheMagdalene

hastens to succour Her with John. The other

womendarenotmoveandweepingandveiled,look
stealthily from the opening. Mary takes two
steps. She has laid Her Son down again on the
stone with the delicacy of one who lays a
newbornbaby inacradle.Shetakestwosteps,
Shebendsatthefootofthefunerealbed,where
theMagdaleneisweepingonherknees,Shegets
holdofhershoulder,shakesherandcallsher:
MARYMAGDALENE
Mary. Tell Me. These people think that Jesus
cannotrisefromthedead,becauseHeisaman
and He died of wounds. But is you brother not
olderthanHeis?
MARYVIRGIN
Yes,heis.
MARYMAGDALENE
Washenotonebigsore?
MARYVIRGIN
Yes,hewas.
MARYMAGDALENE
Washenotalreadyputridbeforedescendinginto
hissepulchre?
MARYVIRGIN
Yes,hewas.
MARYMAGDALENE
And did he not rise from the dead after four
daysofasphyxiaandputrefaction?
MARYVIRGIN
Yes,hedid.
MARYMAGDALENE
So?
Thereis a longgravesilence.Thenaninhuman
howl.Marystaggers,pressingahandagainstHer
breast. They support Her. She repels them. She
seems to repel the compassionate people. In
actual factSherepelswhatShealonecansee.
AndSheshouts:

MARYVIRGIN
Back!Back,youcruelone!Notthisrevenge!Be
silent! I do not want to hear you! Be silent!
Ah!heisbitingatMyheart!
JOHN
Who,Mother?
MARYVIRGIN
O John! It is Satan! Satan who is saying: He
will not rise. No prophet said that. O Most
HighGod!HelpMeallofyou,goodspirits,and
youcompassionatemen!Myreasoniswavering!I
do notrememberanything anymore.Whatdothe
prophetssay?What doesthePsalmsay? Oh!who
willrepeattoMethepassagesthatspeakofMy
Jesus?
It istheMagdalenewhoinher melodious voice
recites David's psalm on the Passion of the
Messiah.
Maryweepsmorebitterly,supportedbyJohn,and
Her tears fall on Her dead Son, wetting Him
completely. Mary notices that and wipes Him
sayinginalowvoice:
MARYVIRGIN
So many tears. And when You were so thirsty I
couldnotgiveYouevenonedrop.Andnow...I
amwettingYoucompletely!Youlooklikeashrub
underheavydew.Here,YourMotherwilldryYou
now,Son!Youhavetastedsomuchbitterness!Do
notletalsothebitternessandthesaltofYour
Mother'stearsfallonYourwoundedlips!...
TheninaloudvoiceShecalls:
MARYVIRGIN
Mary.Daviddoesnotsay...DoYouknowIsaiah?
Repeathiswords...
TheMagdalenerepeatsthepassageonthePassion
andsheendssayingwithasob:
MARYMAGDALENE
Beloved and lovable... Beauty... Joy... Source
of health... Goodbye... On Your eyes... ...He

surrenderedHislifetodeathandwastakenfor
asinner,HeWhotookawaythesinsoftheworld
andprayedforsinners.
Alongsilence.
Nicodemus and Joseph beckon to John and the
Magdalene. The two preparers have finished
preparingthebandages.
MARYMAGDALENE
Come,Mother.
ItistheMagdalenewhosaysso,tryingtotake
Mary away from Her Son and to separate Jesus'
fingerswhichareinterlacedwithMary's,Whois
kissingthemweeping.
The Mother straightens Herself up. She is
impressive.ForthelasttimeShestretchesout
the poor bloodless fingers and lays the inert
handalongthesideofthebody.ThenShelowers
Her arms towards the ground, and standing
upright, Her head bent lightly back, She prays
and offers. Not a word is heard. But from Her
whole appearance it is clear that She is
praying. She is really the Priestess at the
altar, the Priestess at the moment of the
offertory.
MARYVIRGIN
Offerimus praeclarae majestati tuae de tuis
donis,acdatis,hostiampuram,hostiamsanctam,
hostiamimmaculatam...

ThenSheturnsroundandsays:
MARYVIRGIN
You may continue. But He will rise from the
dead. In vain you mistrust My reason and are
blind to the truth He spoke to you. In vain
SatantriestolaysnarestoMyfaith.Toredeem
theworldalsothetorturegiventoMyheartby
Satan defeated is required. I suffer it and I
offeritforfuturemen.Goodbye,Son!Goodbye,
My Child! Goodbye, My little Boy! Goodbye...
Goodbye..Holy...Good...Belovedandlovable...
Beauty...Joy... Sourceofhealth...Goodbye...

On Youreyes...onYourlips...on Yourgolden
hair...onYourfrozenlimbs...onYourpierced
heart...oh!onYourpiercedheart...Mykiss...
My kiss... My kiss... Goodbye... Goodbye...
Lord!HavemercyonMe!
Joseph ensures that everything is in order and
on theFacehelaysanotherlinensudariumand
other cloths of the kind, similar to wide
rectangular strips, that pass from right to
left, above the Body, making the Shroud adhere
totheBody.Itisnotthetypicaldressingas
seen in mummies and also in Lazarus'
resurrection. It is a rudimentary dressing.
Jesus is now annulled. Even His shape is
confusedunderthelinens.Itlookslikealong
heapofcloths,narrower attheendsand wider
at the centre, laid on the grey stone. Mary
weepslouder.
VII
THERETURNTOTHESUPPERROOM.
JosephofArimatheaputsoutoneofthetorches,
hehasalastlookroundandgoestotheopening
ofthesepulchre,holdinguphightheremaining
torchstilllit.
Mary bends once again to kiss Her Son through
His wrappings. And She would like todo so
controllingHergrief, tocontainit inaform
ofrespectfortheCorpse,which,beingalready
embalmed,nolongerbelongstoHer.ButwhenShe
is close to the veiled face, She is unable to
control Herself and relapses into a new crisis
ofaffliction.
They lift Her with difficulty and with greater
difficultytheytakeHerawayfromthefunereal
bed. They rearrange the cloths that had been
upset, and carrying Her rather than supporting
Her, they take away the poor Mother, Who goes
offlookingbacktoseeHerJesus,Whoisleft
aloneinthedarksepulchre.
Theygointothesilentvegetablegardeninthe
eveninglight.Thefaintlight,thathadcleared
after the tragedy on Golgotha, is already
growing darker, as night is falling. And in
there,underthethickbranches,althoughstill
bareofleavesandjustadornedwiththewhite

pink buds of the blossoming appletrees,

strangely late in this orchard of Joseph,
whereas elsewhere they are already all covered
withopenblossomsshowingtheirtinyfruit,it
isdarkerthaninanyotherplace.
They roll the heavy sepulchral stone into its
lodging. Some long branches of a ruffled rose
bushhangingfromthetopofthegrottotowards
thegroundseemtobeknockingatthestonedoor
saying: Why are you closing before a weeping
mother?Andtheyalsoseemtobeweepingdrops
of blood, as they shed their red petals and
theircorollasliealongthedarkstone,andthe
closedbudsknockagainsttheinexorabledoor.
Butsoonmorebloodstainsthatsepulchraldoor
andmoretearswetit.Mary,Whosofarhasbeen
supported by John and has been sobbing rather
quietly,freesHerselffromtheapostleandwith
a cry, which I think makes the very fibres of
the plants quiver, throws Herself against the
entrance,Shegetsholdoftheprotrudingstone
to shift it, She skins Her fingers and breaks
Her nails without being successful and prizes
theroughstoneevenwithHerhead.AndHercry
sounds like the roar of a lioness that wounds
herself struggling near the trap in which her
littleonesareclosed,beingcompassionateand
wildoutofmotherlylove.
MARYVIRGIN
Openit!Doyounotwantto?Well,Iamstaying
here. Not inside? Well, here, outside. Here is
MybreadandMybed.HereisMyabode.Ihaveno
other home, no other purpose. You may go. Go
back to the world which is disgusting. I am
staying where there is no avidity or smell of
blood.
JOHN
Look,Mary!TheguardsoftheTemplearecoming.
Letusgoaway,sothattheymaynotscornYou.
MARYVIGIN
The guards? Scorn? No. They are cowardly. Yes,
cowardly.AndifI,dreadfulinMygrief,should
march against them, they would flee like Satan
beforeGod.ButIrememberthatIamMary...and
IwillnotstrikeasIwouldbeentitledto.I

willbegood...andtheywillnotevenseeMe.
And if they see Me and ask Me: What do You
want?, I will say to them: The charity of
being allowed to breathe the balmy air coming
outfromthisfissure.Iwillsay:Inthename
ofyourmothers.Everybodyhasamother...also
thepitifulrobbersaidso...
MARYMAGDALENE
Butthesemenareworsethanrobbers.Theywill
insultYou.
MARYVIRGIN
Oh!...AndistherestillaninsultofwhichI
amnotaware,aftertoday's
It istheMagdalenewhofindsareasoncapable
ofbendingtheSorrowfulMothertoobedience.
MARYMAGDALENE
You are good, You are holy, and You believe,
andYouarestrong.Butwhatarewe?...Youare
awareof it!The majorityhaverun away. Those
who have remained are trembling. The doubt,
whichisalreadyinus,wouldoverwhelmus.You
are the Mother. You have not only duties and
rights onYour Son,butalso dutiesandrights
onwhatbelongstoYourSon.Youmustcomeback
with us, among us, to gather us together, to
reassureus, toinfuseYourfaithinto us.You
said so, after Your just reproach for our
timidity and misbelief: It will be easier for
Him to rise, if He is free from these useless
bandages.IsaytoYou:Ifwesucceedinbeing
unitedinthefaithinHisResurrection,Hewill
riseearlier,WewillevokeHimwithourlove...
Mother,MotherofmySaviour,comebackwithus,
sinceYouaretheloveofGod,togiveusthis
loveofYours!DoYouwantpoorMaryofMagdala
to get lost again, after He saved her with so
muchpity?
MARYVIRGIN
No. I would be reproached for that. You are
right. I must go back... and look for the
apostles... the disciples... the relatives...
everybody...Andsay...say:havefaith.Say:He
forgivesyou...WhomhaveIalreadytoldso?...

Ah! The Iscariot... I will have to... yes, I

willhavetolookalsoforhim...becauseheis
thebiggestsinner...
Mary remains with Her breast, trembling as if
Sheweredisgusted,andthenShesays:
MARYVIGIN
John,youwilllookforhim.Andyouwillbring
himtoMe.Youmustdothat.AndImustdothat.
Father,letalsothisbedonefortheredemption
ofMankind.Letusgo.
She stands up. They leave the halfdark out
withoutsayinganything.
They arrive thus in the street where is the
Supper room. And it is time, because She is
exhausted and She drags Herself along like an
olddecrepitwoman.AndShesaysso.
MARYVIRGIN
Oh!letMegointothatroom,whereMyJesushad
Hislastmeal.WherethevoiceofMyChildspoke
Hislastwordsinpeace!
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Yes. We shall go. But now, look, come here,
where we were yesterday. Have a rest. Say
goodbye to Joseph and Nicodemus, who are
withdrawing.
MARYVIRGIN
Yes, I will say goodbye to them. Oh! I say
goodbyetothem,Ithankthem.Iblessthem!
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Come,docome.YouwilldosoatYourleisure.
MARYVIRGIN
No.Here.Joseph...Oh!Ihavenotknownanybody
withthisnamewhodidnotloveMe...
Nicodemussays:
NICODEMUS
Oh!HolyMother!Doforgiveus!

Josephadds:
JOSEPHDEARIMATHAEA
Begood,now.RestinYourFaith.Wewillcome
tomorrow
Themistressofthehouseobjects:
THEMISTRESSOFTHEHOUSE
ItisSabbathtomorrow
JOSEPHOFARIMATHAEA
TheSabbathisdead.Wewillcome.TheLordbe
withyou
Andtheygoaway.
VIII
THENIGHTOFGOODFRIDAY.
With clenched fists Mary knocks at the little
closeddoorofthesummerdoor.Itisaparoxysm
of torture, until She turns pale and, while
whispering:
MARYVIRGIN
Oh!MyJesus!Iamcoming!Iamcoming!
Shecollapseswithoutstrengthintothearmsof
the weeping women, who support Her to prevent
Herfromfallingatthefootofthatdoor,and
they carry Her thus into the room in front of
it.
Mary, assisted by the weeping women, comes to
Herself and She weeps without having any other
strength but that of shedding tears. It really
seems that Her life must flow and be consumed
completelyinHertears.
They want to give Her some refreshment. Martha
offersHersomewine;themistressofthehouse
wouldlikeHertotakeatleastsomehoney;Mary
of Alphaeus, kneeling in front of Her, offers
Heracupoflukewarmmilk,saying:
MARYOFALPHAEUS
I milked it myself from little Rachel's goat

(Rachel must be a daughter of the people who

live in this house, I do not know whether as
tenantsoraskeepers).
ButMarydoesnotwantanything.Sheweeps.She
can only weep. And She asks and hears them
promisethattheywilllookfortheapostlesand
disciples, for the lance and Jesus' garments,
andthatatthebreakoftheday,sincetheydo
notwanttoletHergonow,theywillletHergo
intotheSupperroom.
MARYDEALPHAEUS
Yes. If You calm down a little, if You rest a
little,IwilltakeYouthere.Weshallbothgo
in,andonmykneesIwilllookforeverytrace
ofJesusonYourbehalf...
AndMaryofAlphaeussobs.
MARYOFALPHAEUS
But look! Here You have the chalice and the
bread broken by Him and used by Him for the
Eucharist.Isthereaholiersouvenir?See?John
broughtthem forYou thismorning,sothatYou
might see them this evening...Poor John, he is
overthereandisweepingandisafraid...
MARYVIRGIN
Afraid?Why?Comehere,John.
John comes out from the shade, because in the
roomthereisonlyalittlelampplacedonthe
table near the objects of the Passion, and he
kneelsatthefeetofMary,Whocaresseshimand
Maryvirginasks:
MARYVIRGIN
Whyareyouafraid?
AndJohn,kissingHerhandsandweepingreplies:
JOHN
BecauseYouarenotwell.Youarefeverishand
worried...AndYouarenottranquil.AndifYou
continueso,YouwilldieasHedid...

MARYVIRGIN
Oh!Iwishitweretrue!
JOHN
No! Mother! So, try to calm down... For His
sake... Oh! do You not say that He will rise
from the dead? Yes, You do, and it is true.
Then,whenHerises,doYouwantHimtofindthe
house devoid of You? Because He will certainly
comehere...Oh!poor,poorJesus,ifinsteadof
hearing Your cry of love He should hear our
cries of grief, if instead of finding Your
breasttorestHistorturedgloriousheadon,He
should find Your closed sepulchre... You must
live. To greet Him when He comes back... I do
notsaytoourlove.Wedeserveallkindsof
reproach because of our behaviour. But to Your
love.Oh!whatmeetingwillitbe?Andwhatwill
Hebelike?MotherofWisdom,Mamaofthemost
ignorant John, since You know everything, tell
uswhatHewillbelike,whenHeappearsafter
risingfromthedead.
Marthasays:
MARTHA
ThesoresofLazarus'legswerehealed,butone
could see their marks. And He appeared wrapped
inbandagesfullofrottenness
MaryMagdaleneadds:
MARYMAGDALENE
Wehadtowashhimandwashhimoveragain...
Marthaends:
MARTHA
Andhewasweak,andwehadtofeedhimbyHis
order.
Susannaasks:
SUSANNA
WhatdoYousay?WhatwillJesusbelikewhen
Herises?AndHerise?
AndMary,bewilderedandblindedinthishourof

redeemingmartyrdom,replies:
MARYVIRGIN
I do not know... I do not know anything any
more...ExceptthatHeisdead!...
Sheburstsintotearsagainandkissesthelinen
cloth that Jesus had round His hips, and She
presses it to Her heart and lulls it as if it
were a baby... And She touches the nails, the
thorns,thespongeandshouts:
MARYVIRGIN
These are the things that Your Fatherland gave
You! Iron, thorns, vinegar, gall! And insults,
insults, insults! And among all the sons of
Israel a man from Cyrene had to be chosen to
carrythecrossforYou.Thatmanisassacred
toMeasaspouse.AndifIknewanotheronewho
hashelpedMySon,Iwouldkisshisfeet.Sono
one took pity on Him? Go out! Go away! It
grievesMeeventoseeyou!Becauseamongallof
you, you were not able to obtain even a less
crueltorture.Uselessandidleservantsofyour
King,goout!
SheisdreadfulinHeroutburst.Standingstiff,
Shelookseventaller,withHerimperiouseyes,
Herarmstretchedoutpaintingatthedoor.She
commandslikeaqueenonherthrone.
They all leave without reacting to avoid
exciting Her more, and they sit outside the
closeddoor,listeningtoHermoaningandtoany
noise She may make. But after the noise of a
chairpushed aside andofHerkneesfallingon
thefloor,becauseShekneelsdownwithHerhead
against the table on which are the objects of
the Passion, they can only hear Her weep
unceasinglyanddisconsolately.
...Outside the others are on tenterhooks for
manyreasons.
The women moan. Not so much out of fear for
themselves, but for their sons and husbands.
Susannathinksofherhusband, whoisknownas
one of Jesus' followers in Galilee. Mary of
Zebedeethinksofherhusband,whoistheguest
ofafriend,andofhersonJames,ofwhomshe
hashadnonewssincethepreviousevening.And

Marthasayssobbing:
MARTHA
Perhaps they have already gone to Bethany! Who
didnotknowwhatLazaruswasfortheMaster?
MarySalomeretorts
MARYSALOME
ButheisprotectedbyRome
MARTHA
Oh!protected!Consideringhowmuchthechiefs
of Israelhate us,who knows whatchargesthey
willmaketoPilateagainsthim...Oh!God!
Martha,notknowingwhichwaytoturn,shouts:
MARTHA
The arms! The arms! The house is full of
them... and also the mansion! I know! This
morning, at dawn, Levi, the guardian came, and
hetoldme...Butyouknowaswell!Andyoutold
theJewsonCalvary...Fool!Youhaveputinthe
hands of the cruel people the weapon to kill
Lazarus!...
MARYMAGDALENE
I said so. I did. I spoke the truth without
knowing. But be quiet, you chickenhearted
woman! WhatIsaidisthesafestguaranteefor
Lazarus. They will be wary of venturing on
searching where they know there are armed
people!Theyarecowards!
MARTHA
Yes,theJewsare.ButtheRomansarenot.
MARYMAGDALENE
I am not afraid of Rome. She is just and
peacefulinherprovisions.
Johnsays:
JOHN
Maryisright.Longinussaidtome:Ihopeyou
willbeleftalone.Butifyouarenot,comeor
sendsomeonetothePraetorium.Pilateisbenign

towards the followers of the Nazarene. He was

generousalsotowardsHim.Wewilldefendyou.
MARYOFALPHAEUS
ButiftheJewsactbythemselves?Itwasthey
who captured Jesus yesterday evening! And if
they say that we are desecrators, they are
entitledtocaptureus.Oh!Mysons!Ihavefour
of them! Where will Joseph and Simon be? They
were on Calvary and later they came down when
Johannawasunabletoresist.Theycamedownto
help and defend the women, they, the shepherds
and Alphaeus... all of them! Oh! They will
certainlyhavealreadykilledthem.Didyouhear
that Johanna is dying? It is certainly because
shehasbeenwounded.Andbefore themob could
strikeawoman,theymusthavedefendedherand
were killed!... And Judas and James? My little
Judas!Mydarling!AndJamesaskindasagirl!
Oh! I have no children left! I am like the
motheroftheMaccabeanchildren!...
All the women weep desperately, except the
mistressofthehouse,whohasgonetolookfor
a hiding place for her husband, and Mary
Magdalene,whoisnotweeping.Buthereyesare
full of fire and she has become the
authoritative woman of days gone by. She does
not speak. But she darts angry looks at her
dejectedcompanionsandinhereyesonecanread
anepithetveryclearly:
MARYMAGDALENE
Cowards!
Aloudknockatthedoor makes everyonestart.
Themasterofthehousebravelyrunsaway.Mary
ofZebedeewouldlikeherJohntofollowhimand
pushes him towards the yard. The other women,
with the exception of the Magdalene, press
againstoneanothermoaning.
It is Mary of Magdala who goes straight and
resolutelytothedoorandasks:
MARYOFMAGDALA
Whoisit?

Thevoiceofawomanreplies:
NIKE
IamNike.Ihavesomethingtobegiventothe
Mother.Open!Quick.Thepatrolisaround.
John,whohasfreedhimselffromhismotherand
hasrushedtowardstheMagdalene,busieshimself
with the many locks, which are well fastened
thisevening.Heopensthe door. Nikecomesin
withaservantandabrawnymanwhoisescorting
them.Theyclosethedoor.
Nike(Veronique)saysweepingandsheisunable
tospeak..
NIKE
Ihaveathing...
ALL
Letussee!Letussee!

NIKE
No.TheMotherfirst.ItisHerright.
MARYOFALPHAEUS
She is so exhausted! She will not be able to
resist...
NIKE
Oh! don't say that! On the contrary, it will
comfortHer.TellHer!
Johnknocksatthedoorlightly.
MARYVIRGIN
Whoisit?

JOHN
ItisI,Mother.Nikeishere...Shecameduring
thenight...ShebroughtasouvenirtoYou...a
gift...ShehopestocomfortYouwithit.
MARYVIRGIN
Oh!onegiftonlycancomfortMe!Thesmileof
HisFace...

JOHN

Mother!
JohnembracesHerlestShe shouldfall,andas
if he were confiding the true Name of God, he
says:
JOHN
Itisthat.ThesmileofHisFace,impressedon
a linen cloth with which Nike wiped Him on
Calvary.
MARYVIRGIN
Oh! Father! Most High God! Holy Son! Eternal
Love!MayYoubeblessed!Thesign!ThesignI
askedofYou.Lether,lethercomein!
Mary sits down, because She cannot stand any
longer,andwhileJohnbeckonstothewomen,who
arepeepingintotheroom,toletNikepass,She
recoversHerself.
Nike goes in and kneels at Her feet with the
servant beside her. John, standing near Mary,
holds his arm round Her shoulders, as if he
wanted tosupportHer.Nikedoes notutterone
word.Butsheopensthecasket,takesthelinen
clothoutandunfoldsit.AndtheFaceofJesus,
thelivingFaceofJesus,thesorrowfulandyet
smiling Face of Jesus looks at His Mother and
smilesatHer.
Mary utters a cry of sorrowful love and
stretchesoutHerarms.Thewomenecho Hercry
fromthedoorspacewheretheyhavecrowded.And
theyimitateHerkneelingbeforetheFaceofthe
Saviour.
Nike cannot find words. She hands the linen
clothovertothemotherlyhandsandshestoops
to kiss its edge. She then goes out backwards
without waiting for Mary to come out of Her
ecstasy.
She goes away... She is already out, in the
night, when they think of her... There is
nothingtobedoneexcepttoclosethedoor,as
itwasbefore.
Maryisonceagainalone.In a conversationof
HersoulwiththeimageofHerSon,becausethey
allwithdrawagain.
Somemoretimegoesby.ThenMarthasays:

MARTHA
Whatshallwedofortheointments?
MarySalomesays:
MARYSALOME
Andweshallnotbeabletogetanything...
MARTHA
Andweshoulddothat...Manypoundsofaloeand
myrrh...butHewassobadlywashed...
MaryofAlphaeusremarks:
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Weoughttohaveeverythingreadybydawnonthe
firstdayaftertheSabbath.
Susannaasks:
SUSANNA
Andwhatabouttheguards?Whatshallwedo?
Marthareplies:
MARTHA
WeshalltellJoseph,iftheydonotletusgo
in.
SUSANNA
We shall not be able to shift the stone by
ourselves.
TheMagdalenereplies:
MARYMAGDALENE
Oh! do you think that five of us will not be
able?Weareallstrong...andlovewilldothe
rest.
Johnsays:
JOHN
InanycaseIwillcomewithyou
MARYSALOME
Certainlynotyou.Idonotwanttoloseyouas

well,son.
MARYMAGDALENE
Don'tworryaboutit.Weshallbeenough.
SUSANNA
But in the meantime... Who will give us the
spices?
Theyarealldepressed...ThenMarthasays:
MARTHA
We could have asked Nike whether it was true
aboutJohanna...abouttherebellions...
SUSANNA
Thatistrue!Butweare dullwitted.We could
have taken also the spices then. Isaac was at
thedoorstepwhenwecameback...
MARYMAGDALENE
In the mansion there are many small vases of
essences,andthereissomefineincense.Iwill
goandgetthem.
AndMary Magdalene standsupfromherseatand
putsonhermantle.
Marthashouts:
MARTHA
Youshallnotgo.
MARYMAGDALENE
Iwillgo.
MARTHA
Youaremad!Theywillgetyou!
SUSANNA
Yoursisterisright.Don'tgo!
MARYMAGDALENE
Oh!whatuselesshowlingfemalesyouare!Jesus
really hadafinegroupoffollowers!Haveyou
already used up your reserve of courage? With
regardtome,themoreIusethemoreIget.

JOHN
Iwillgowithher.Iamaman.
MARYSALOME
AndIamyourmotherandIforbidyou.
MARYMAGDALENE
Begood,MarySalome,andyou,too,John.Iwill
gobymyself.Iamnotafraid.Iknowwhatitis
like going round the streets at night. I have
done that thousands of times for sinful
reasons...andshouldIbeafraidnowthatIam
goingtoservetheSonofGod?
MARTHA
Butthereisarevoltintowntoday.Youheard
whatthemansaid.
MARYMAGDALENE
Heisfainthearted.Andyouarelikehim.Iam
going.
SUSANNA
Andifthesoldiersfindyou?
MARYMAGDALENE
I will say: I am the daughter of Theophilus,
the Syrian, a faithful servant of Caesar. And
theywillletmego.Inanycase...Amanbefore
a beautiful young woman is a more harmless
playthingthanastalkofstraw.Iknow,muchto
myshame...
MARTHA
But how do you expect to find perfumes in the
mansionifnoonehaslivedinitforyears?
MARYMAGDALENE
Doyouthinkso?Oh!Martha!Doyounotremember
thatIsraelforced youtoleaveit,becauseit
wasoneof mymeetingplaceswithmylovers? I
kept everything there that served to make them
evenmorecrazyaboutme.WhenIwassavedbymy
Saviour, in a place known only to me, I
concealed the alabasters and incenses that I
used for my orgies of love. And I swore that
onlythetearsshedonmysinsandtheadoration

of the Most Holy Jesus would be the scented

waters and the burning incenses of repentant
Mary. And that I would use those signs of a
profanecultofsensesandofthefleshonlyto
sanctifythemonHimandtoanointHim.Thisis
thehour.Iamgoing.Remainhere.Andbecalm.
TheangelofGodwillcomewithmeandnoharm
willbefallme.Goodbye.Iwillbringyounews.
And do not say anything to Her... You would
increaseHerworries...
AndMaryofMagdalagoesoutsureofherselfand
imposing.
JOHN
Mother,letthatbealessonforyou...Andmay
it say to you: do not let the world say that
your son is a coward. Tomorrow, no, today,
becausethisisalreadythesecondwatch,Iwill
golookingformycompanions,asShewants...
Salomeobjectstodetainhim.
MARYSALOMME
ItistheSabbath...youcannot...
JOHN
TheSabbath isdead.IalsosaywithJoseph.
The new era has begun. Other laws, other
sacrificesandceremoniesforit.
MaryofSalomebendsherheadonherkneesand
weepswithoutprotestinganymore.
MaryofClopassayswithamoan.
MARYOFCLOPAS
Oh!IwishwecouldhavenewsofLazarus.

JOHN
If you let me go, you will have news, because
Simon the Cananean had instructions to take my
companions to Lazarus. Jesus told Simon when I
waspresent.
MARYSALOMME
Alas!Aretheyallthere?Sotheyarealllost!

MaryofClopasandSalomeweepdesolately.
Moretimepasseswhiletheyweepandwait.Then
Mary Magdalene comes back triumphantly, laden
withbagsfullofsmallpreciousvases.
MARYMAGDALENE
See,nothing hashappenedtome. Hereareoils
of all kinds, and nard, and olibanum, and
benzoin.Thereisnomyrrhandnoaloe...Idid
notwant anybittemess...Iamdrinkingitall
now... In the meantime we will mix these and
tomorrow we will get... oh! if we pay, Isaac
willgivethemalsoonaSabbath...Wewillget
myrrhandaloe.
MARTHA
Didanyoneseeyou?
MARYMAGDALENE
Noone.Thereisnotevenabataround.
SUSANNA
Andthesoldiers?
MARYMAGDALENE
The soldiers? I think they must be snoring in
theirpallets.
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Whatabouttheseditions...thearrests...
MARYMAGDALENE
Thefearofthatmansawthem...
MARTHA
Whoisinthemansion?
MARYMAGDALENE
Leviandhiswife.Aspeacefulaschildren.The
armedmenhavefled...ha!ha!Finebravemenwe
have,honestly!...Theyranawayassoonasthey
heard of the death sentence. I tell you the
truth:Romeishardandusesthescourge...But
byitshemakespeoplefearherandserveher.
Andshehasmen,notcowards...Oh!yes!Heused
to say: My followers will experience the same
destiny as Mine. H'm! If many Romans become

followers of Jesus, that may be true. But if

therearetobemartyrsamongtheIsraelites!He
willremainalone...Here.Thisismysack.And
this one is Johanna's, who... yes. We are not
only cowards, but also liars. Johanna is only
depressed. She and Eliza felt ill on Golgotha.
One is a mother whose son died, and, as she
heard the deathrattles of Jesus, she was badly
upset.Theotherisdelicateandnotusedtoso
muchwalkingandexposuretothesun.Butthere
are no wounds and no agonies. She certainly
weeps,aswedo.Nothingelse.Sheregretsthat
shewastakenaway.Shewillcometomorrow.And
she sends these spices. The ones she had. As
ordered by Plautina, Valeria had remained with
her, and now she has gone with the slaves to
Claudia'shouse,becausetheyhavemuchincense.
Whenshe comes,becauseshe,too,bythe grace
of Heaven, is not an ever trembling coward,
don'tstartshoutingasif youfeltthedagger
at your throats. Come on. Get up. Let us take
themortarsandwork.Weepingisofnoavail.Or
atleastweepandwork.Ourbalmwillbemixed
with our tears. And He will feel them upon
Himself...Hewillfeelourlove.
Andshebitesherlips,nottoweepandtogive
strength to the others, who are really
depressed.
Theyworkeagerly.MarycallsJohn.
JOHN
Mother,whatisthematter?
MARYVIRGIN
Thoseblows...
JOHN
Theyarepoundingincenses...
MARYVIRGIN
Ah!... But forgive Me... Don't make that
noise...theysoundlikethehammers...
Johntellsthewomen,whogooutintotheyard,
inordernottobeheardsomuch.Johngoesback
totheMother.

MARYVIRGIN
Howdidtheygetthem?
JOHN
Mary of Lazarus went to her house and to
Johanna's...Alsosomemorewillbebrought...
MARYVIRGIN
Didanybodycome?
JOHN
NobodyafterNike.
MARYVIRGIN
ButlookatHim,John,howhandsomeHeisalso
inHissorrow!
Mary is absorbed in contemplation, with Her
hands joined, before the cloth, which She has
spread out on a chest holding it with some
weights.
JOHN
Handsome, yes, Mother. And He is smiling at
You... Donotweepany more...Somehourshave
alreadygoneby.ThereislesstowaitforHis
return...
AndinthemeantimeJohnweeps...
Marycaresseshischeek. ButShe looks onlyat
theimageofHerSon.
Johngoesout,blindedbyhistears.
Also the Magdalene, who has come back to get
some amphorae, is in the same state. But she
saystotheApostle:
MARYMAGDALENE
We must not let them see that we are weeping.
Because, otherwise, the women over there will
notbeabletodoanything.Andwehavetodo...
Johnconcludes:
JOHN
...andwehavetobelieve

MARYMAGDALENE
Yes. We must believe. If one were not able to
believe, it would be despair. I believe. And
you?
JOHN
I,too...
MARYMAGDALENE
Yousaysobadly.Youdonotloveenoughyet.If
youlovedwithyourwholeself,itwouldnotbe
possiblefor younot tobelieve. Loveis light
and voice. Also against the darkness of denial
andthesilenceofdeathitsays:Ibelieve.
Wonderful is the Magdalene, so great and
imposing, authoritative in her confession of
faith!Herheartmustbetorntopieces.Andher
eyes inflamed by tears confirm that. But her
spiritisundefeated.
John looks at her full of admiration and
whispers:
JOHN
Youarestrong!
MARYMAGDALENE
Always.Iwassomuch,thatIdaredtodefythe
world.AndIwas,then,withoutGod.NowthatI
haveHim,IfeelIknowhowtodefyalsohell.
You,whoaregood,shouldbestrongerthanIam.
Because sin disheartens, you know? More than
consumption.Butyouareinnocent...Thatiswhy
Helovedyousomuch...
JOHN
Helovedyouaswell...
MARYMAGDALENE
And I was not innocent. But I was His
conquest...
IX
THEHOLYSATURDAY
Hoursgoby.Howslowtheyareforthosewhoare

waiting...
Mary stands up and, leaning on pieces of
furniture, She goes to the door. She tries to
walk across the large entrance hall. But when
Shehasnothingtoleanon,Shestaggersasif
Shewereintoxicated.
Martha, who sees Her from the yard, which is
beyond the door open at the end of the hall,
rushestowardsHer.
MARTHA
WheredoYouwanttogo?
MARYMAGDALENE
Inthere.YoupromisedMe
MARTHA
WaituntilJohncomes.
MARYMAGDALENE
Enoughofwaiting.YoucanseethatIamcalm.
Since you have had the room locked
frominside,goandhaveitopened.Iwillwait
here.
Susanna, as all the women have gathered there,
goesawaytocallthemasterofthehousewith
the keys. Mary in the meantime leans on the
little door, as if She wished to open it with
the power of Her will. The man arrives.
Frightened and downcast, he opens the door and
withdraws. And Mary, supported by the arms of
Martha and Mary of Alphaeus, goes into the
Supperroom.
Everythingisstillasitwasattheendofthe
Supper. The course of events and the
instructions given by Jesus have prevented
tampering.Onlytheseatshavebeenputbackin
theirplaces.AndMary,Whohasnotbeeninthe
Supper room, goes straight to the place where
HerJesuswassitting.Sheseemstobeguidedby
a hand. And She looks like a sleepwalker, so
stiff is She in Her effort to walk... She
proceeds. She walks round the couch, She
insinuates Herself between it and the table...
Sheremainsstandingfor a momentandthenShe
collapses across the table in a fresh outburst
of tears.Shethencalmsdown.She kneelsdown
andprayswithHerheadrestingontheedgeof

the table. She caresses the tablecloth, the

seat, the dishes, the edge of the table. She
caressesthetablecloth,theseat,thedishes,
the edge of the large tray on which the lamb
was, the large knife used to carve it, the
amphora placed before that seat. She does not
knowthatSheistouchingwhatalsotheIscariot
has touched. She then remains stupified, with
Her head resting on Her arms crossed on the
table.
Allthewomenaresilent,withtheexceptionof
Hersisterinlawwhosays:
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Come, Mary. We are afraid of the Jews. Would
Youlikethemtocomeinhere?
MARYVIRGIN
No.Thisisaholyplace.Letusgo.HelpMe...
YouhavedonetherightthingintellingMe.I
wouldalsolikeachest,abeautifullargeone
withalock,tocloseallMytreasuresinit.
TheMagdalenesayspromisingit:
MARYMAGDALENE
IwillhaveitbroughttoYoufromourmansion
tomorrow.Itisthenicestoneinthehouse.It
isstrongandsafe.IgiveittoYouwithjoy
They go out. Mary is really exhausted. She
staggersinclimbingthe fewsteps.AndifHer
grief is less dramatic, it is because it no
longerhasthestrengthofbeingso.Butinits
quietnessitisevenmoretragical.
They go into the room in which they were
previously, and before going back to Her seat,
MarycaressestheHolyFaceoftheveronica,as
ifitwereafaceofflesh.
Thereissilenceagain,untilthereisafurther
knockingatthedoor.
Since the town is quiet, the women are not so
frightened.Butwhenthroughthehalfopendoor
they see Longinus' cleanshaven face appear,
they all run away as if they had seen a dead
body enveloped in its shroud or the Devil
himself.Themasterofthehouse,whoisidling

about the hall curiously, is the first to run

away.
TheMagdalene,whowaswithMary,rushesthere.
Longinus, with an involuntary mocking smile on
hislips,hasgonein,andhasclosedtheheavy
maindoorhimself.Heisnotwearingauniform,
buthehasonashortgreytunicunderamantle
whichisalsodark.
MaryMagdalenelooksathimandhelooksather.
Stillleaningagainstthedoor,Longinusasks:
LONGINUS
MayIcomeinwithoutcontaminatinganybody?And
withoutterrifyinganyone?Thismorningatdawn
IsawJoseph,thecitizen,andhementionedthe
Mother's desire to me. I apologise for not
thinkingofitmyself.Hereisthelance.Ihad
kept it as a souvenir of a... of the Saint of
Saints.Oh!Heisindeed!Butitisrightthat
the Mother should have it. With regard to the
garments... it is more difficult. Do not tell
Her... but perhaps they have already been sold
for a few coins... It is the right of the
soldiers.ButIwilltrytofindthem...
MARYMAGDALENE
Come.Sheisinthere.
LONGINUS
ButIamaheathen!
MARYMAGDALENE
Itdoesnotmatter.IwillgoandtellHer,if
youwishso.
LONGINUS
Oh!no...IdidnotthinkIdeservedthat.
MaryMagdalenegoestotheBlessedVirgin.
MARYMAGDALENE
Mother, Longinus is out there... He offers the
lancetoYou.
MARYVIRGIN
Lethimcomein.
Themasterofthehouse,whoisattheentrance,

grumbles:
MASTEROFTHEHOUSE
Butheisaheathen.
MARYVIRGIN
I am the Mother of everybody, man. As He is
everybody'sRedeemer.
Longinusgoesinandonthethresholdhesalutes
intheRomanway,withhisarm(hehastakenoff
hismantle)andthenhegreetsHersaying:Ave,
Domina. A Roman greets you: the Mother of
mankind.ThetrueMother.Iwouldhavelikednot
tobethere...at...atthataffair.Butitwas
anorder.But,ifIservetogivewhatYouwish,
I forgive destiny for choosing me for that
horriblething.HereandhegivesHerthelance
envelopedin a redcloth.Onlythe steel head,
nottheshaft.
Marytakesitandbecomesevenwanner.Hervery
lipsdisappearinthepallor.Thelanceseemsto
open Her veins. And Her lips tremble as She
says:
MARYVIRGIN
May He lead you to Himself. Because of your
kindness.
LONGINUS
HewastheonlyJustManIevermetinthevast
empireofRome.IregretIonlyknewHimthrough
thewordsofmycompanions.Now...itislate!
MARYVIRGIN
No, son. He has finished evangelizing. But His
Gospelremains.InHisChurch.
LONGINUS
WhereisHisChurch?
Longinusisslightlyironical.
MARYVIRGIN
It is here. Today it is struck and scattered.
But tomorrow it will gather like a tree that
tidies upitsfoliageafterastorm.And,even

if there were nobody else, I am here. And the

GospelofJesusChrist,theSonofGodandMine,
isallwritteninMyheart.AllIneeddoisto
lookatMyheartinordertobeabletorepeat
ittoyou.
LONGINUS
I will come. A religion that has as its head
suchaherocanbutbedivine.Ave,Domina!
AndalsoLonginusgoesaway.
Marykissesthelancewherethereisstillthe
Blood of Her Son... And She does not want to
removethatBlood.ButSheleavesitsaying:
MARYVIRGIN
ArubyofGod,onthecruellance..
X
TheMorningoftheResurrection.

The women resume working at the ointments,

which, during the night, in the cool of the
courtyard,havebecomeathickpomade.
JohnandPeterthinkthattheyoughttotidyup
the Supperroom, cleaning the tableware, but
putting everything back, as if the Supper were
justover.
Johnsays:
JOHN
Hetoldus
PETER
Hehadalsosaid:Donotfallasleep!Hehad
said:Donotbeproud,Peter.Doyounotknow
that the hour of the trial is about to come?
And...andHesaid:YouwilldenyMe...
Peter weeps again, while with deep grief he
says:
PETER
AndIdiddenyHim!
JOHN
Enough,Peter!Nowyouhavecollectedyourself.

Enoughofthistorture!
PETER
No,neverenough.IfIshouldbecomeasoldas
the ancient patriarchs, if I should live the
sevenhundredortheninehundredyearsofAdam
and of his first grandchildren, I would never
ceasehavingthistorture.
JOHN
DoyounothopeinHisMercy?
PETER
Yes, I do. If I did not believe in that, I
should be like the Iscariot: a desperate man.
ButevenifHeforgivesmefromthebosomofHis
Father, where He has gone back, I will not
forgivemyself.I!I!Iwhosaid:Idonotknow
Him,becauseatthatmomentitwasdangerousto
know Him, because I was ashamed of being His
disciple, because I was afraid of being
tortured... He was going towards His death...
andIthoughtofsavingmylife.Andtosaveit,
IrejectedHim,likeawomaninsin,who,after
giving birth to a child, rejects the fruit of
herwomb,whichisdangeroustokeep,beforeher
unawarehusbandcomesback.Iam worse thanan
adulteress...worsethan...
MaryMagdalene,attractedbytheirshouts,comes
in.
MARYMAGDALENE
Donotshoutlikethat.Marycanhearyou.She
is soexhausted!She hasnostrengthleft,and
everything hurts Her. Your useless unseemly
shouts renew Her torture of what you have
been...
PETER
See? See, John? A woman can order me to be
quiet. Andshe isright.Because we,the males
sacredtotheLord,haveonlybeenabletolie
ortorunaway.Thewomenhavebeenbrave.You,
a little more than a woman, so young and pure
you are, were able to remain. We, the strong
ones, the males, have fled. Oh! how the world
must despise me! Tell me, tell me, woman! You

areright!Putyourfootonmylipsthatlied.
On the sole of your sandal there is perhaps a
littleofHisBlood.AndonlythatBlood,mixed
withthemudoftheroad,cangivethedeniera
little forgiveness, a little peace. I must get
accustomedtothescornoftheworld!WhatamI?
Tellme:whatamI?
MARYMAGDALENE
Youarefullofpride
RepliescalmlytheMagdalene.
MARYMAGDALENE
Sorrow?Also.Butyoumust believethatoutof
tenpartsofyoursorrow,five,Idonotwantto
offend you by saying six, five are of your
sorrowofbeingonewhocanbedespised.AndI
will really scorn you if you continue only to
moanandgetintoafrenzy,justlikeafoolish
woman! What is done is done. And no unseemly
shouting can repair it or cancel it. It only
servestodrawattentionandbegforundeserved
pity.Bemanlyinyourrepentance.Donotshout.
Act.
...youknowwhoIwas...But,whenIrealised
thatIwasmoredespicablethanvomit,Ididnot
fall into fits of convulsions. I acted. In
public. Without being indulgent towards myself
andwithoutaskingforindulgence.Didtheworld
despiseme?Itwasright.Ihaddeservedit.The
worldsaid:Anewwhimoftheprostitute?And
itcalledblasphemymyrecoursetoJesus?Itwas
right. The world remembered my previous
behaviour that justified such remarks. So? The
world had to convince itself that the sinner
Mary no longer existed. By means of facts, I
convincedtheworld.Dothesameandbequiet
Johnobjects:
JOHN
Youaresevere,Mary
MARYMAGDALENE
Morewithmyselfthanwith other people.But I
admit it. I do not have the light hand of the
Mother. She is Love. I... oh! I! I lashed my

feelingswiththewhipofmywill.AndIwilldo
soevenmore.DoyouthinkthatIhaveforgiven
myselfforbeinglustful?No,Ihavenot.ButI
onlysaysotomyself.AndIwillalwaysrepeat
it to myself. I shall die consumed with this
secret regret of having been my own corrupter,
withthisinconsolablesorrowofhavingprofaned
myselfandnothavingbeenabletogiveHimbut
atrampledonheart...See...Ihaveworkedmore
than all the others at the balms... And with
greater courage than the others I will uncover
Him...Oh!God!whatwillHebelikenow!(Mary
of Magdala grows pale at the very thought of
it). And I will cover Him with fresh balms,
removing those which are certainly all tainted
onHiscountlesswounds...Iwilldoso,because
theotherwomenwilllooklikeconvolvuliafter
adownpour...Butitgrievesmetohavetodoit
withthesehandsofmineaccustomedtocaressing
lustfully,andtohavetoapproachHisHoliness
with this stained body of mine... I should
like... I should like to have the hand of the
VirginMothertoaccomplishthislastunction...
Mary is now weeping silently, without sobbing.
How different she is from the theatrical Mary
alwaysshowntous!Sheisweepingnoiselessly,
asshedidonthedayofherforgivenessinthe
houseofthePharisee.
Peterasksher:
PETER
Areyousayingthat...thewomenwillbeafraid?
MARYMAGDALENE
Notafraid...ButtheywillbeupsetseeingHis
Body, which is certainly already rotten...
swollen...black.Andthen,andthisiscertain,
theywillbeafraidoftheguards.
PETER
Doyouwantmetocome?WithJohn?
MARYMAGDALENE
Ha! Certainly not! We women are all going.
Because,aswewereallupthere,soitisfair
thatweshouldallberoundHisdeathbed.You
and John will remain here. She cannot remain

alone!...
PETER
IsShenotcoming?
MARYMAGDALENE
WearenotlettingHercome!
PETER
She is convinced that He will rise from the
dead...Whatdoyouthink?
MARYMAGDALENE
I,afterMary,amtheonewhobelievesmore.I
havealwaysbelievedthatthatcouldbe.Hesaid
so.AndHeneverlies...Never!...Oh!beforeI
usedtocallHimJesus,Master,Saviour,Lord...
Now,now I feelthatHeis sogreatthat I do
notknow,IdarenotgiveHimanameanymore...
WhatshallIsaytoHimwhenIseeHim?...
PETER
ButdoyoureallythinkthatHewillrise?...
MARYMAGDALENE

Anotherone!Oh!BydintoftellingyouthatI
do believe and of hearing you say that you do
notbelieve,Iwillendupbynotbelievingany
moremyself!IhavebelievedandIdobelieve.I
havebelievedandalongtimeagoIprepareda
garment for Him. And tomorrow, as tomorrow is
thethirdday,Iwillbringithere,tohaveit
ready...
PETER
ButifyousaythatHewillbeblack,swollen,
filthy?
MARYMAGDALENE

Filthy,never.Sinisfilthy.But...ofcourse!
He will be black. So? Was Lazarus not
already putrid? And yet he rose. And his body
was healed. But, if I say so!... Be quiet,
you misbelievers! My human reason says also to
me: He is dead and will not rise. But

myspirit,Hisspirit,becauseIhavereceived
a new spirit from Him, shouts resounding like
blares of silver trumpets: He will rise! He
will rise! He will rise! Why do you hurl me
like a little boat against the cliffs of your
doubts?Ibelieve!Ibelieve,myLord!Although
tornbygrief,LazarushasobeyedtheMasterand
has remained in Bethany... I, who know who
Lazarus of Theophilus is, a strong man, not a
fearfulleveret,canappreciatethesacrificehe
madebyremainingintheshadeandnotnearthe
weapons he had snatched Him from armed men. I
have believed and I believe. And I am staying
here. Waiting like Her. But let me go. It is
daybreak.As soonas there isenoughlight,we
willgototheSepulchre...
And the Magdalene goes away, her face flushed
withweeping,butalwaysbrave.
ShegoesbackintoMary'sroom.
MARYVIRGIN
WhatwasthematterwithPeter?
MARYMAGDALENE
Anervousfit.Buthehasgotoverit.
MARYVIRGIN
Donotbesevere,Mary.Hesuffers.
MARYMAGDALENE
SodoI.ButYouknowthatnotevenoncehaveI
asked a pitying caress of You. He has already
been cured by You... On the contrary, I think
thatYoualone,Mother,areinneedofabalsam.
My holy, beloved Mother! But take heart...
Tomorrow is the third day. We shall lock
ourselves in here, the two of us: His lovers.
You,theholyLover;I,thepoorlover...ButI
loveHimasmuchasIcan,withmywholeself.
AndwewillwaitforHim...Therest,thosewho
donotbelieve,wewilllocktheminoverthere,
with their doubts. And I will put many roses
here... I will have the chest brought here
today... I will go to the mansion house and I
will instruct Levi. All these horrible things
must disappear! Our Resurrected Lord must not
seethem...Somanyroses...AndYouwillputon

a new dress... He must not see You so. I will

comb Your hair, I will wash Your poor face
disfiguredbytears.Eternalmaid,Iwillactas
Yourmother...Ishallhave,atlast,thejoyof
taking motherly care of a child more innocent
thananewbornbaby!Dear!
Andwithheremotionalexuberance,theMagdalene
presses to her breast the head of Mary Who is
sitting,shekissesandcaressesHer,shetidies
thelightlocksofHer hairruffledbehindHer
ears,withher linen dress shewipesthe fresh
tearsthatstreamdownHercheeksagain,again,
always...
Thewomencome inwith lightsandamphoraeand
largemouthedvases.
MaryofAlphaeusiscarryingaheavymortar.She
explains:
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Itisnotpossibletostayoutside.Thereisa
weakwindthatblowsoutthelamps.
Theyplacethemselvesononeside.Theylayall
theirthings onalong narrowtable,thenthey
give the final touch to their balms by mixing
the already heavy pomade of essences in the
mortar with a white powder, handfuls of which
theytakefrom a littlesack.They mixworking
with all their energy and then they fill a
largemouthedvase.Theyplaceitonthefloor.
They repeat the same operation with another
vase.Perfumesandtearsfallontheresins.
MaryMagdalenesays:
MARYMAGDALENE
ThisisnottheunctionthatIhopedIshouldbe
abletoprepareforYou.
Because it is the Magdalene who, being more
skilledthantheotherwomen,hascontrolledand
directed the composition of the perfume, which
issostrongthattheydecidetoopenthedoor
andleavethewindowajaroverthegarden,which
is justbeginningto appearinthe early light
ofdawn.
Theyallweepmoreloudlyaftertheremarkmade
by the Magdalene in a subdued voice. They all
weep more loudly after the remark made by the

Magdaleneinasubduedvoice.
Theyhavefinished.Allthevasesarefull.
Theygooutwiththeemptyamphorae,themortar
no longeruseful,andmany lamps.Twoonlyare
leftinthelittleroomandtheytremble,they
seemtobesobbingaswell,withtheflickering
oftheirlight...
The women come back again and they close the
window,becauseit isarathercolddawn.They
putontheirmantles andtheytake large sacks
intowhichtheyputthevasesofthebalm.
Mary stands up and looks for Her mantle. But
theyall crowd round HerconvincingHernotto
come.
MARYOFALPHAEUS
Youarenotfittostand,Mary.Youhavenothad
anyfoodfortwodays.Onlyalittlewater.
SUSSANA
Yes,Mother,Wewilldoitquicklyandwell.And
weshallsoonbeback.
MARTHA
Benotafraid.WewillembalmHimlikeaking.
Look what precious balm we have prepared! And
howmuchofit!...
MARYMAGDALENE
Wewillnotneglectanypartofthebodyorany
woundandwewillarrangeHimproperlywithour
hands.Wearestrongandwearemothers.Wewill
place Him like a child in a cradle. And the
otherswillonlyhavetoclosetheplace.
ButMaryinsists:
MARYVIRGIN
ItisMyduty
Shesays.
MARYVIRGIN
IhavealwaystakencareofHim.Onlytheselast
three years that He was in the world, I
surrendered the care of Him to other people,
whenHewasfarawayfromMe.Nowthattheworld
hasrejectedanddisownedHim,HeisMineagain.

AndIamonceagainHisservant.
Peter, who had approached the door with John,
withoutbeingseenbythewomen,runsawayupon
hearing these words. He runs to some secluded
cornertobewailhissin.Johnremainsnearthe
door. But he does not say anything. He would
liketogoaswell.Buthemakesthesacrifice
ofremainingwiththeMother.
MaryMagdalenetakesMarybacktoHerseat.She
kneels infrontofHer,sheembracesHer knees
raising her sorrowful loving face towards Her,
andshepromises:
MARYMAGDALENE
With His Spirit, He knows and sees everything.
But with my kisses I will tell His Body Your
loveandYourwish.Iknowwhatislove.Iknow
what spur, what hunger it is to love, what
nostalgiaofbeingwithwhoeverisourlove.And
that applies also to any base love that looks
like gold, but is filth. And when she who has
sinnedcanunderstandwhatistheholylovefor
thelivingMercy,Whommendidnotknowhowto
love, then she can understand better what is
Yourlove,Mother.
YouknowthatIknowhowtolove.AndYouknow
thatHesaidso,thateveningofmytruebirth,
on the shores of our serene lake, that Mary
knowshowtolovemuch.Nowthisexuberantlove
ofmine,likewaterthatoverflowsfromatilted
basin,likeafloweryroserythatstreamsdowna
wall, like a flame that finding timber spreads
and grows, has poured onto Him, and from Him
Lovehasdrawnfreshpower...
Oh!mypoweroflovingwasnotabletotakeHis
placeontheCross!...ButwhatIwasnotable
todoforHimtosuffer,andbleed,anddiein
His place, amid the mockery of all the world,
happy,happy,happytosufferinHisplace,and
I am certain that the thread of my poor life
would have been burnt more by the triumphant
lovethanbytheinfamousscaffold,andfromthe
ashestherewouldhavesprungupthefreshsnow
whiteflowerofthenewvirginlife,unawareof
everythingthatisnotGodallthatIwasnot
abletodoforHim,IcanstilldoforYou....
Mother,WhomIlovewithallmyheart.

Rely on me. I, who in the house of Simon, the

Pharisee, knew how to gently caress His holy
feet,now,withmysoulthatopensmoreandmore
toGrace,withgreatergentlenesswillbeable
to caress His holy limbs, to dress His wounds
embalmingthemmorewithmylove,withthebalm
taken from my heart wrung by love and sorrow,
thanwiththeointment.Anddeathwillnotspoil
thatbodythathaslovedsomuchandissomuch
loved. Death will flee, because Love is
stronger. Love is invincible. And I, Mother,
withYourperfectlove,withmytotallove,will
embalmmyKingofLove.
Marykissesthisimpassionedwomanwho,atlast,
hasbeenabletofindsomuchpassion,andShe
yields to her entreaties. The women go out
takingalamp.Oneonlyisleftintheroom.The
Magdalene is the last to go out, after a last
kisstotheMotherWhoremains.
XI
ThePiousWomenattheSepulchre
The women, in the meanwhile, after leaving the
housearewalkingclosetothewall,shadowsin
the shade. They are silent for some time, all
muffledupandfrightenedinsomuchsilenceand
solitude. Then, recovering confidence seeing
thatthetowniscompletelycalm,theygroupand
daretospeak.
Susannaasks:
SUSANNA
WilltheGatesbealreadyopen?
Salomereplies:
SALOME
Certainly.Lookoverthereatthefirstmarket
gardenerwhoisgoinginwithvegetables.Heis
goingtothemarket
Susannaasksagain:
SUSANNA
Willtheysayanythingtous?

theMagdaleneinquires:
MARYMAGDALENE
Who?
SUSANNA
The soldiers, at the Judicial Gate. There...
onlyfewpeoplearegoinginandevenfewerare
comingout...Weshallrousesuspicion....
MARYMAGDALENE
So? They will look at us. They will see five
women going towards the country. We could be
alsopeoplewho,aftercelebratingPassover,are
goingbacktotheirvillages.
SALOME
But...Inordernottoattracttheattentionof
any malicious person, why do we not go out by
anotherGateandthenwecangoroundalongthe
walls?...
MARYMAGDALENE
Wewouldgothelongwayround.
SALOME
Butweshallbesafer.LetustaketheGateof
theWater...
MARYMAGDALENE
Oh!Salome!IfIwereyou,Ishouldchoosethe
EasternGate!Youwouldhavetogoalongerway
round!Wemustmakehasteandgobacksoon.
ItistheMagdalenewhoissoresolute.
theyallbegher:
ALL
Thenanotherone,butnottheJudicialGate.Be
good...
MARYMAGDALENE
All right. Well, since that is what you want,
letuscallonJohanna.Shebeggedmetolether

know. If we had gone straight there, we could

havedonewithoutseeingher.Butsinceyouwant
togoalongerwayround,letuscallonher...

SUSANNA
Oh! yes. Also because of the guards placed
there...Sheiswellknownand
MARTHA
I think we should call also on Joseph of
Arimathea.Heistheowneroftheplace.
MARYMAGDALENE
Whynot!Toavoidattractingpeople'sattention,
we will form a procession! What a
timidsister I have! Rather,doyouknow what,
Martha?Letusdothis.Iwillgoaheadandhave
alook.YouwillfollowmewithJohanna.Iwill
standinthemiddleoftheroad,shouldtherebe
any danger, and you will see me. And we will
comeback.ButIcanassureyouthattheguards,
seeing this, I thought of it (and she shows a
pursefullofmoney)willletusdoeverything.
SALOME
WewilltellJohannaaswell.Youareright.
MARYMAGDALENE
Gothen,andletmego.
Marthasays,whoisafraidforhersister:
MARTHA
Areyougoingallalone,Mary?Iwillcomewith
you.for youneartheGate,outsidethewalls.
Andthenyouwillallcometogetheralongthe
MARYMAGDALENE
No. You will go with Mary of Alphaeus to
Johanna's. Salome and Susanna will wait
mainroad.Goodbye.
AndMaryMagdalenecutsotherpossiblecomments
short, as she goes away quickly with her bag
fullofbalmsandhermoneyinherbreast.
She flies, so fast she goes along the road,

which is becoming more delightful in the first

pinkshadeofdawn.ShegoesinbytheJudicial
Gate,tobequicker.Andnoonestopsher...
The others watch her go, then they turn their
backs to the crossroads where they were, and
they take another one, narrow and dark, which
near the Sixtus opens out into a wider road,
wheretherearesomebeautifulhouses.Theypart
again, Salome and Susanna proceed along the
road,whileMarthaandMaryofAlphaeusknockat
theirondoorandshowthemselvesatthelittle
window(judashole)halfopenedbytheporter.
TheyenterandgotoJohanna,whoalreadyupand
alldressedin a verydarkvioletgarmentthat
makes her look even paler, is preparing some
oilswithhernurseandamaidservant.
JOHANNA
Haveyoucome?MayGodrewardyou.But,ifyou
hadnotcome,Ishouldhavegonebymyself...To
find comfort... Because many things have
remainedupsetafterthatdreadfulday.And,in
ordernottofeelalone,Imustgoagainstthat
Stone and knock and say: Master, I am poor
Johanna...Donotleavemealone,You,too...
Johannaweepssilentlybutwithdeepdesolation,
while Esther, her nurse, makes large
indecipherable gestures behind the back of her
mistress,whileputtingamantleonher.
JOHANNA
Iamgoing,Esther.
ESTHER
MayGodcomfortyou!
They leave the mansion house to join their
companions.Itisatthismomentthattheshort
but strong earthquake takes place, creating a
panic again in the people of Jerusalem, still
terrorised by the events of Friday. The three
women retrace their steps precipitately, and
they remain in the large hall, among
maidservants and servants who are howling and
imploringtheLord,fearingnewshocks...
...TheMagdalene,instead,isjustontheborder
ofthepaththattakesonetothekitchengarden

of Joseph of Arimathea, when she is caught in

the powerful and also harmonious roar of this
heavenlysign,while,inthefaintrosylightof
dawn,thatisadvancinginthesky,wheretothe
west a persistent star still resists, and that
makes fair the so far greenish light, a very
bright light appears and descends like and
incandescent wonderful globe, cutting the calm
airinazigzagcourse.
MaryofMagdalaisalmostgrazed andthrownon
the ground by it. She bends for a moment
whispering:
MARYMAGDALENE
MyLord!
Andthen shestraightens uplike a stalk after
thewindhaspassedby,andsherunstowardsthe
kitchengardenevenfaster.
She enters it quickly, and goes towards the
sepulchreintherockasfastasabirdthatis
chased and is looking for its nest. But, no
matter how fast she runs, she cannot be there
whentheheavenlymeteoractsasaleverandas
a flame on the seal of lime, placed as a
reinforcementfortheheavystone,orwhenwith
the final crash the stone door collapses,
causingsuchashakethatjoinstheoneofthe
earthquake,which,althoughofashortduration,
issoviolentthatitknockstheguardsdownas
iftheyweredead.
WhenMaryarrives,sheseestheuselessjailors
of the Triumpher thrown on the ground like a
sheaf of mown corn. Mary Magdalene does not
associatetheearthquakewithResurrection.But
looking at the spectacle, she thinks it is a
punishmentofGodforthedesecratorsofJesus'
Sepulchre,andshefallsonherkneessaying:
MARYMAGDALENE
Alas!TheyhavestolenHim!
Sheisreallydisconsolateandweepslikeagirl
whohascome,beingsurethatshewouldfindher
father whom she was looking for, and instead
findsthehouseempty.
ShethenstandsupandrunsawaytogotoPeter
and John. And as she thinks of nothing but of

informing the two, she forgets to go and meet

her companions and remain on the road, but as
fast as a gazelle she goes back the road she
came,shepassesthroughtheJudicialGate,and
flies through the streets, which are a little
morecrowded,andsherushesagainstthedoorof
thehospitablehouseandknocksatitfuriously.
Themistressopensthedoortoher.
MaryMagdaleneaskspanting:
MARYMAGDALENE
WhereareJohnandPeter?
thewomanpointingattheSupperroomsays:
WOMAN
There
MaryofMagdalaentersandassoonassheisin,
standing before the two astonished men, and in
hervoice,keptlowoutofpityfortheMother,
thereis moreanguishthan ifshehadshouted,
shesays:
MARYMAGDALENE
They have taken the Lord away from the
Sepulchre! I wonder where they have put Him!
and for the first time she staggers and is
unsteady,andinordernottofall,sheholdson
whatevershecan.
thetwoask:
THETWO
What?Whatareyousaying?
Andpantingshereplies:
MARYMAGDALENE
I went ahead... to buy the guards... so that
theywouldletusgo.Theyaretherelikedead
bodies...TheSepulchreisopen,thestoneison
theground...Who?Whodidit?Oh!come!Letus
run...
Peter and John set out at once. Mary follows
them for a few steps. Then she goes back. She

seizes the mistress of the house, she shakes

her, violent in her farsighted love, and she
shoutsinherface:
PETER
MindyoudonotletanybodygotoHer(andshe
points at the door of Mary's room). Remember
thatIamyourmistress.Obeyandbesilent.
...In the meantime Susanna and Salome, after
leavingtheircompanionsandreachingthewalls,
are caught in the earthquake. Frightened, they
takeshelterunderatreeandremainthere,torn
betweentheirdesiretogo totheSepulchreor
toruntoJohanna's.Butloveovercomesfearand
theygotowardstheSepulchre.
They are still frightened when they enter the
gardenandseethesenselessguards...theysee
abright light comeoutofthe openSepulchre.
Their fright increases and reaches its climax
when, holding each other's hand to pluck up
courage,theypeepinfromthethresholdandin
thedarksepulchralcave,theyseeabrightmost
beautiful creature, that smiling kindly greets
them from the place where it is standing:
leaningontherighthandsideoftheanointment
stone, which, grey as it is, disappears behind
so much incandescent brightness. They fall on
theirknees,utterlyastonished.
Buttheangelspeakstothemgently:
ANGEL
Be not afraid of me. I am the angel of the
divine Sorrow. I have come to rejoice at its
end. The sorrow of the Christ, His humiliation
in death is over. Jesus of Nazareth, the
Crucified Whom you are looking for, has risen
fromthedead.Heisnolongerhere!Theplace
whereHewaslaidisempty.Rejoicewithme.Go.
TellPeterand thedisciplesthatHehas risen
and will precede you in Galilee. You will see
Himthereforashorttime,asHesaid.
Thewomenfall withtheirfaceson theground,
and when they raise them, they run as if they
werechasedbyapunishment.Theyareterrorised
andtheywhisper:

WOMEN
Weshalldienow!Wehaveseentheangelofthe
Lord!
Theycalmdownalittleintheopencountryand
theyconsult witheachother.Whatare theyto
do? If they relate what they have seen, they
will not be believed. If they say where they
comefrom,theymaybe chargedbytheJudaeans
withthe murderofthe guards.No. Theycannot
sayanythingtofriendsortoenemies...
Fearful,dumbfounded,theygobackhomealonga
differentroad.Theygoin andtakeshelterin
the Supper room. They do not even ask to see
Mary...Andin there theythinkthatwhatthey
have seen is nothing but a deception of the
Demon. Humble as they are, they conclude that
itisnotpossiblethattheyhavebeengranted
to see the messenger of God. It is Satan who
wanted tofrighten themto sendthemawayfrom
there.
They weep and pray like two little girls
frightenedbyanightmare...
...The third group, that of Johanna, Mary of
AlphaeusandMartha,whentheyseethatnothing
new is happening, decides to go where their
companionsarecertainlywaitingforthem.They
go outintothestreets,whereby nowthereare
frightened people, who comment on the new
earthquake connecting it with the event of
Friday,andseealsothingswhichdonotexist.
MaryofAlphaeussays;
MARYOFALPHAEUS
It is better if they are all frightened! The
guards may be so as well and will raise no
objection
Andtheywalkfasttowardsthewalls.
Butwhiletheyaregoingthere,PeterandJohn,
followed by the Magdalene, have arrived at the
garden.AndJohn,whorunsfaster,isthefirst
to arrive at the Sepulchre. The guards are no
longer there. Neither is the angel there any
more.

John, timid and sorrowful, kneels down at the

open entrance to venerate and get some
indicationfromthethingshesees.Butheonly
sees, heaped on the floor, the linen cloths
placedontheShroud.
JOHN
There is really nothing, Simon! Mary has seen
accurately.Come,comein,look.
Peter,whoisbreathlessaftersomuchrunning,
goesintotheSepulchre.Onthewayhehadsaid:
PETER
Iwillneverdaretoapproachthatplace.
Butnowhethinksonlyoffindingoutwherethe
Mastermaybe.AndhecallsHimalso,asifHe
mightbeconcealedinsomedarkcorner.
At this early hour in the morning it is still
verydarkinthedeepSepulchre,whichreceives
light only from the opening of the entrance,
where John and the Magdalene now cast a
shadow... And Peter finds it hard to see, and
hastohelphimselfwithhishandstoascertain
whatthesituationis...Hetouches,trembling,
thetableofthe anointment,and feels thatit
isempty...
PETER
He is not here, John! He is not here!... Oh!
comehere!IhaveweptsomuchthatIcanhardly
seeinthispoorlight.
John stands up and goes in. And while he does
so, Peter discovers the sudarium in a corner,
folded diligently and within it the Shroud
rolledupcarefully.
JOHN
They have really abducted Him. The guards were
nothereforus,buttodothat...Andwehave
letthemdoit.Bygoingaway,wehaveallowed
that...
PETER
Oh!wherewilltheyhaveputHim?

Thetwodisciplescomeoutlookingannihilated.
TWODISCILPES
Letusgo,woman.YouwilltelltheMother...
MARYMAGDALENE
I am not going away. I am staying here...
Somebody will come... Oh! I am not coming...
ThereisstillsomethingofHimhere.TheMother
wasright...TobreathetheairwhereHewasis
theonlyrelieflefttous.
Petersays:
PETER
Theonlyrelief...Nowyoualsocanseethatit
wasnonsensetohope...
Marydoesnotevenreplytohim.Shecroucheson
the ground, close to the entrance, and weeps,
whiletheothersgoawayslowly.
Shethen raisesherheadand looks inside,and
throughhertearssheseestwoangels,sittingat
the head and at the foot of the anointment
stone.PoorMaryissostupifiedinherfiercest
struggle between hope that is dying and faith
that she looks at them like one whose mind is
completely blank,withoutevenbeingsurprised.
The strong woman, who has resisted everything
likeaheroine,hasnothingleftbuttears.
Oneofthetwoshiningyoungboys(becausethey
looklikeverybeautifuladolescents)asks:
ONEANGELS
Whyareyouweeping,woman?
MARYMAGDALENE
Because they have taken away my Lord and I do
notknowwheretheyhaveputHim.
Mary is not afraid to speak to them. She does
notask:.
MARYMAGDALENE
Whoareyou?

Nothing. Nothing amazes her any more. She has

already suffered everything that can astonish
ahuman being. Now she is only a broken thing
thatweepswithoutstrengthorreserve.
The angelical youth looks at his companion and
smiles.Andsodoestheother.Andinaflashof
angelical joy they both look outside, towards
the garden all in bloom with millions of
corollasthathaveopenedatthefirstsunshine
on the closely planted appletrees of the
orchard.
Mary turns round to see whom they are looking
at.AndsheseesaMan,mosthandsome,andIdo
notknowhowshedoesnotrecogniseHimatonce.
AManWholooksatherpitifullyandasksher:
JESUS
Woman,whyareyouweeping?Whomareyoulooking
for?
ItistruethatJesusisdimmedoutofpityfor
thewoman,whomemotionshaveexhaustedandwho
mightdiefrom suddenjoy, butIreallywonder
whyshedoesnotrecogniseHim.
AndMarysobbingsays:
MAYMAGDALENE
They have taken my Lord Jesus! I had come to
embalmHimwhileawaitingHisresurrection...I
gathered all my courage, my hope and my faith
aroundmylove...andnowIcannotfindHimany
more...Orrather, I putmylovearoundfaith,
hopeandcouragetodefendthemfrommen...but
allinvain!MenhaveabductedmyLoveandwith
it theyhavedeprivedmeofeverything...Omy
lord,ifyouhavetakenHimaway,tellmewhere
youhaveputHim.AndIwillgetHim...Iwill
nottellanybody...Itwillbeasecretbetween
you and me. Look: I am the daughter of
Theophilus, Lazarus' sister, but I am on my
kneesbefore youtoimploreyou, likeaslave.
DoyouwantmetopayyouforHisBody?Iwill
do so.How muchdo youwant?Iamrich.Ican
give you as much gold and as many gems as it
weighs. But give it back to me. I will not
denounceyou.Doyouwanttostrikeme?Doso.
UntilIbleed,ifyouwishso.IfyoubearHima

grudge,letmeexpiateit.ButgiveHimbackto
me.Oh!don'tmakemewretchedwiththismisery,
mylord!Havemercyonapoorwoman!...Doyou
notwanttodoitonmybehalf?Then,doitfor
His Mother. Tell me! Tell me where is my Lord
Jesus.Iamstrong.IwilltakeHiminmyarms
and I will carry Him like a child to safety.
Lord...lord...youcanseeit...forthreedays
wehavebeenstruckbythewrathofGodforwhat
was done to the Son of God... Do not add
DesecrationtoCrime...
JESUS
Mary!
Jesusshinesincallingher.HerevealsHimself
inHistriumphantbrightness.
MARYMAGDALENE
Rabboni!
Mary'scryisreallythegreatcrythatcloses
the cycle of death. With the first one, the
darkness of hatred enveloped the Victim with
funereal bandages; with the second, the lights
of love increased His brightness. And Mary
stands up as her cry fills the garden, she
rushes to Jesus' feet and would like to kiss
them.
Jesus moves her away, hardly touching her
foreheadwiththetipsofHisfingers:
JESUS
DonottouchMe!IhavenotyetascendedtoMy
Fatherinthisappearance.GotoMybrothersand
friends,andtellthemthatIamascendingtoMy
Fatherandyours,toMyGodandyours.Andthen
Iwillcometothem.
And Jesus disappears, absorbed by an
unsustainable light. Mary kisses the ground
whereJesuswasandsherunstowardsthehouse.
WhileMagdalenegoestothehouseoftheSupper,
she,ontheonehandiscomfortedandhappy,but
veryinsidefeelsweighedsomuchonher heart
because she is not the Pure One to touch to
lovely rabbony and she asks her how long, how
long!totakeforworthyofthat...

INT.THEEND.DAY

SCENE27

I
MARYWITHHERLOVE
MaryMagdaleneisinthecaverninacrudedark
garment and she has slipped down with her
foreheadtotheground.Thesamepostureshehad
onCalvaryinfrontofJesuslaidonthelapof
Mary. The same one she had in the house of
Jerusalem when Veronica unrolled her veil. The
same one she had in the garden of Joseph of
Arimathaea, when Jesus called her and she
recognizedHim.Thenshehearsavoice:
JESUS
'MARY!'
Jesushasappeared.Heseemstodescendfromthe
crude cross. But He is no longer wounded and
dying. He is beautiful, as the morning of the
Resurrection. He descends from the altar and
goes toward the prostrate woman. He bends over
her.Hecallsheragain,andsincesheseemsto
believe that the Voice sounds through her
spiritual senses, and with her face to the
ground as it is, she does not see the light
which Christ radiates. He touches her, placing
His hand on her head and taking her by the
elbow,asatBethany,toraiseherup.Whenshe
feelsherselftouchedandrecognizesthelength
ofthathand,shegivesaloudshout,andraises
afacetransfiguredwithjoy.Thenshelowersit
tokissthefeetofherSaviour.
JESUS
'Arise,Mary.ItisI.Yourlifeescapes.Itis
true. But I come to tell you that the Christ
awaits you.ForMary,thereisnowaiting.All
isforgivenher.Fromthefirstmoment,shewas
forgiven. But now she is more than forgiven.
YourplaceisalreadypreparedinMyKingdom.I
have come, Mary, to tell you that. I did not
giveanordertoanangeltotellyou,becauseI
return a hundredfold what I receive. And I
rememberwhatIreceivedfromyou.

Mary, let us relive together an hour of the

past. Recall Bethany. It was the evening after
the Sabbath. There were but six days lacking
tillMydeath.Yourecallyourhouse?Itwasall
beautiful in the flowery enclosure of its
orchard.Watersanginthe pond, andthe first
rosesscenteditswallsallaround.Lazarushad
invitedMetohissupper,andyouhadstripped
the garden of its most beautiful flowers to
adornthetablewhereyourMasterhadtakenHis
food. Martha had not dared to reprove you,
becausesherememberedMywords,andshewatched
youwith a sweet envybecauseyouwereradiant
with love, coming and going with the
preparations.'
As Jesus spoke,Isawthescenedescribed:The
houseofBethanyallwithflowersandcheerful.
The banquet room richly laid out; Martha
occupiedwithchoresandMarywithsomeflowers.
JESUS
'AndthenIarrived.Andswifterthanagazelle
you ran, preceding the servants, to open the
gatewithyourhabitualshout.Italwaysseemed
liketheshoutofaprisonersetfree.Infact,
I Myself was your freedom, and you were a
prisoner set free. The apostles were with Me.
All of them. Even that one who was now a
gangrenousmemberoftheapostolicbody.Butyou
were there to take his place. And you did not
know that while looking at your head bowed to
kissMyfeet,andlookingat youreye,sincere
and full of love, and above all in looking at
yourspirit, I forgotMydisgust athavingthe
traitoratMyside.IhadwantedyouonCalvary
forthis.AndinthegardenofJosephforthis.
Because to see you was to be assured that My
death was not without purpose. And to show
Myselftoyouwasanactofgratitudeforyour
faithful love. Blessed are you, Mary, who have
neverbetrayedMe, whohaveconfirmedMeinMy
hope as Redeemer, you in whom I saw all those
savedbyMydying!Whileallate,youadored.'
JESUS
YourMasterlovesyou,Mary.Heisheretotell

you this. Have no fear, no anxiety of another

death. Yourdeathis nodifferentthan thatof
one who pours out his blood for Me. What does
themartyrgive?HislifeforloveofhisGod.
Whatdoesthepenitentgive?His lifeforlove
ofhisGod.Whatdoesthelovergive?Hislife
fortheloveofhisGod.Youseethatthereis
no difference. Martyrdom, penitence, love
consummate the same sacrifice and for the same
end. In you, then, penitent and lover, is the
samemartyrdomofonewhoperishesinthearena.
Mary,Iprecedeyouintoglory.KissMyhandand
laydowninpeace.Rest.Itistimeforyouto
rest.GiveMeyourthorns.Nowisthetimefor
roses.Restandwait.Iblessyou,blessedone.'
Yougave Meperfumed water,Mary,forMy weary
feet, and chaste and burning kisses for My
hands, and still not content, you wanted to
breakyourlastpreciousvasetoanointMyhead,
arranging My hair for Me like a mama. And you
wanted to anoint My hands and My feet so that
all of your Master would be fragrant like the
membersofaconsecratedKing'....
JesushasobligedMarytoliedownonherbed.
Andthesaint,herfacewashedwithweepingfrom
ecstasy, has stretched herself out as her God
wanted, and now seems to sleep with her arms
folded on her bosom, with tears continuing to
fallbutwithamouththatlaughs.
Sherisestositupwhenaveryvividbrilliance
occursinthecavefromthecomingofanangel
bearingachalicewhichhe laysuponthe altar
and which he adores. Mary also, kneeling near
thelittlebed,adores.Shecannotmoveanymore.
Her strength fails. But she is blissful. The
angeltakesthechaliceandgiveshercommunion.
ThenherisesagaintoHeaven.
Mary,likeaflowerburnedbytoomuchsun,bows
over, bows with her arms still folded on her
bosom, and falls face down amid the leaves of
her bed. She is dead. The Eucharistic ecstasy
hascutoffthelastvitalthread."
II
AssumptionofSt.MaryMagdalene

Amonkgotomagdalene'caverntoseesher.Then
abrightnessfullenviroment.Themonkstandup
andinthedistanceseestheassumptionofMary
Magdalene serverd with angels and he slippes
downwithhisforeheadtothegroundaworship
tonewsaint.