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 forgiveness, but you are Mercy! Lord Jesus, by your Name, save us. You are the Love that can overcome Justice." "Joël’s wife was stoned as an adulteress. The four children live in hardship with their mother, because Joël's brothers drove them out as bastards to seize their brother’s goods. Do you know this?"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, he must go like all the Hebrews to Jerusalem. Wait for his return: it will coincide with your healing. (...) I forgive you. Rebirth with a new spirit and have the will not to sin anymore. Remember that in addition to refraining from sin, you must perform acts of justice intended to cancel your debt completely in the eyes of God, and consequently your penance must be continual because great—oh so great—is your debt!" The servant flees with Aser to Ptolemais.[3]
His name[edit | edit source]
Joël (Ioël) means "The Lord is God" - Historical reference: the prophet who calls for reconciliation with God.
Where is it mentioned in the work?[edit | edit source]
EMV 248 EMV 475 EMV 476