Joel of Bethlehem in Galilee
Rich man from Bethlehem in Galilee who is found murdered. His servant swears to have seen Abel, the son of the young widow Myrtha, near the victim.[1]
Aser, who desires the young widow, and Jacob, the lover of Joël's wife, swear they saw him attack Joël. It is a plot. The three are struck with sudden leprosy when Jesus arrives just in time to stop the stoning of Abel.[2] It is this same Abel, now a disciple, who evangelizes the outcasts and comes to supplicate Jesus to heal them. Jesus goes to Jiphthahel for this.
The servant, a bit foolish and impressionable, gradually gains confidence, and his ardent desire to be forgiven rubs off on Aser.
"Lord, our sin does not deserve to be forgiven, but You are the Mercy! Lord Jesus, for the sake of Your Name, save us. You are the Love which can overcome Justice. [...] Joel’s wife was stoned because she was an adulteress. Her four children are living with her mother and are finding it difficult to make ends meet, because Joel’s brothers drove them out as illegitimate children and they took possession of their brother’s property. Did you know that?"[3]
But their faith is strong, as is their persistence. Aser abandons his wealth for the orphans. He and the servant will be forgiven and healed, but not immediately:
"Abel must come with Me, like all Hebrews he must go to Jerusalem. Wait for his return. It will coincide with your recovery. [...] I forgive you. May you revive with new spirits and sin no more. Remember that in addition to abstaining from sin, you must accomplish acts of justice directed at the complete cancellation of your debt in the eyes of God, and that consequently your penance is to be continuous, because your debt is a heavy one indeed."[4]
The servant flees with Aser to Ptolemais.[5]
His name[edit | edit source]
Joël (Ioël) means "The Lord is God" - Historical reference: the prophet who calls for reconciliation with God.