Elias of Bethlehem in Judah, the shepherd
Shepherd of the Nativity, employed by Anne, the hostess who would later take in the holy Family at Bethlehem. He offers a bowl of milk to Joseph for the pregnant Mary and points them to the cave of the birth of Jesus: it is part of the stables in the mountain, "they are damp, cold and without doors. But it is always a refuge."[1]
He leads the other shepherds to find the cave. Together, generously, they fetch milk, cheeses, lamb Waterx and sheep Waterx skins for the holy Family. He is the one who carries a sheep on his shoulders to give milk to the child Jesus.[2]
He will later find them accommodation with his mistress.[3]
He is also the one who goes to warn Zacharias in Hebron of the birth of the Messiah.[4]
After the massacre of the innocents, in which his Woman and his children are slaughtered, he is harshly driven out along with Levi by the people of Bethlehem who hold him responsible for their misfortunes.[5] They are taken "into the service of a rich Herodian of Jerusalem who has appropriated the goods of many inhabitants who were killed..."[6]:"When I learned of the massacre and I returned - for I too had children (he weeps), Lord, and a Woman (...) and I saw them slaughtered (...) and could not find my own slaughtered... With stones, like a leper, like an unclean man; I was taken for a murderer... and I had to flee into the woods, live like a wolf... until I found a master. Oh! it is no longer Anne... This one is harsh and cruel..."[7]
Despite these Trials, he does not Revolt, remains good and keeps a strong faith. The most important thing for him is to know if the Messiah is alive and to see him one day.[8] Levi and he, faithful shepherds believers, recite morning and evening the "Gloria", "words from Heaven that had been engraved in letters of Fire in their Hearts" heard from the Angels, with this hope.[9]
Jesus also searches for them on his side with three Apostles[10] and eventually finds them near Hebron.[11] They leave with him for Jutta to see the bedridden crippled shepherd Isaac whom they take care of. Jesus heals him.[12]
The strength and faith of this man manifest in dramatic circumstances during the arrest of Jesus in Ramah (Judea):"It is Elijah, the shepherd, who tries to make his way by swinging a heavy cudgel. Old, powerful, threatening and strong, he almost reaches the Master".[13]During the Passion, while going up to Calvary, Elijah is present with 9 other faithful shepherds. Jesus looks at them as if they were Angels, seems to be strengthened by their tears and their love. He smiles at them.[14] This small group also remains at the foot of the cross. At his Resurrection, Jesus appears to him "glorious" and to the other shepherds:
"[[Servant, To Serve, Service|Faithful servants], here I am. Go. I await you these days in Galilee. I want to tell you again that I love you. Jonah is Blessed, with the others, in Heaven."They sing the Gloria and go to announce the Christ to the pagans and to strengthen the faith of their brothers.[15]
He is the one who finds and brings back the apostle Thomas, a doubter and stunned by the death of Jesus. After fleeing, he had indeed taken refuge in the cave of the Nativity.[16]
At his Ascension, Jesus calls to him his closest, the Apostles, the shepherds, Lazarus, Joseph, Nicodemus, Manahen, Maximin, Marziam and all those who are part of the seventy-two Disciples. But he especially keeps the shepherds near him to thank them for being present from his birth to his death and for knowing how to suffer for their faith.[17]
Character and appearance
An old man, tall and robust.
Apostolic journey
Witness of the Nativity[18] - of the Crucifixion[19] - of the Resurrection.[20] - of the Ascension.[21]
One of the seventy-two Disciples sent on Mission two by two.[22]
His name
Elijah (Èlyahou) means "my God is eternal". Historical reference: the great prophet who was taken up on a chariot of fire.
Where is he mentioned in the work?
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Notes and references
Note: Quotations from the work of Maria Valtorta on this page currently use machine-translated text and will gradually be replaced by the official English translation. Until then, the official translation may be consulted through the reference link provided with each quotation.