John of Endor
Named Felix at birth, a proselyte of Cypriot origin (Cintium), he is the only son of a Jewish woman who dies shortly after giving birth to him.
He kills his unfaithful wife ("that wretch of my wife, whom I killed")[2] and loses an eye when killing her Roman lover. Sentenced to life forced labor in Anatolia (Turkey), he earns the trust of the guard through his knowledge of herbal medicine and escapes after twenty years. He lives for fifteen years in Endor where he raises chickens. It is in this setting that he meets, as a supplier of eggs and chickens, Publius Quintilianus, a Roman favorable to Jesus.[3]
His conversion[edit | edit source]
Felix meets Jesus when he visits Endor with the apostles at the request of Judas Iscariot to see the "witch's cave." He is asked to be a guide, and that is when he exchanges about his life with Jesus.
Because of his painful past, he no longer believes in love, and is sarcastic on the subject:
"«No, man! Do not say that!» Jesus lays His hand on the man’s shoulder, He is deeply and openly distressed.
The man looks at Him with his only eye and what he sees on that most sweet and beautiful face causes him to be struck dumb and to change his expression. From being sarcastic he becomes very serious and then really sad. He lowers his head and with a different voice he asks: «Who are You?» [...]
«I did not know that You are good to everybody… thus… to murderers too… Forgive me for what I said… about God and love… Now I understand why You want to give me love… Because without love the world is hell, and You the Messiah want to make a paradise of it.»
«A paradise in every heart. Give Me the remembrance and the hatred that make you ill and let Me put love into your heart!» [...]
The man weeps with a bent head trying to conceal his tears. Only Jesus Who is walking beside him notices them. He notices but does not say anything else."[4]
A little later, with his face flushed by tears, he says:
"«Jesus… I find that to have the strength to speak and to work the holy magic of changing myself, of conjuring up my dead soul [...], I must pronounce Your Name, which is as sweet as Your eyes, and as holy as Your voice. You have given me a new life but it lacks form and energy, like the life of a new-born baby after a difficult birth. It still struggles in the grip of wicked old habits. Help me to come out of my death.»
«Yes, My friend.»«I… I have realised that there is still a little humanity in my heart. I am not entirely a beast, and I can still love and be loved, forgive and be forgiven. Your love, which is forgiveness, has taught me. Is it not so?»
«Then… take me with You. I was Felix![5] What irony! But give me a new name. That my past may be really dead. I will follow You like a stray dog, which finally finds a master. I will be Your slave, if You wish so. But do not leave me alone…»[6]
"John" is the new name Jesus gives to Felix:
"A name dear to Me: John.[7] Because you are grace granted by God."[6]
Character and appearance[edit | edit source]
Aged 60/65, one-eyed with a guttural voice.[8] He completely renounces his past to follow Jesus, leaves his goods and house to the poor and leaves Endor taking with him only clothes, some books, and a little money:
"«I have no house any longer. I will leave what I have to the poor. Just give me love and bread.»"[6]
He uses this money to offer a feast of roasted lambs to the famished peasants of Doras.[9]
Apostolic journey[edit | edit source]
John joins the group of disciples.
Because of his past, Jesus calls him to works of mercy:
"Against what did you sin? Against Mercy and Love. You demolished your soul by means of hatred. You will rebuild it through love and mercy. I will give you the material. I will make use of you especially for deeds of mercy and love. You are also capable of curing, and of speaking. So you are qualified to take care of physical and moral miseries and you are capable of doing it."[10]
Very cultured, he notes down some of Jesus' discourses[11] to serve as a tutor to Marjiam.
Accused as a fugitive prisoner by Judas Iscariot at the Temple, his strength waning and heart torn at the idea of being separated from Jesus, he has to take refuge in Antioch of Syria (Antigonea) in one of the houses owned by Lazarus of Bethany, son of Theophilus, governor of Syria.[12]
In this trial, John can fortunately rely on Syntyche. He who hated women after the betrayal of his wife, developed a genuine affection for her.
With Syntyche, a fugitive slave pursued like him, he lays the foundations of the Christian community of Antioch. In accordance with his promise, the spirit of Jesus visits him every night.
He converts Nicolaus, the proselyte who becomes one of the first deacons of the nascent church. Exhausted and ill, he dies there quickly in early June 29, receiving in spirit the visit of Jesus. Facing his sufferings, Syntyche writes to Jesus and to the apostles:[13]
"[...] out of pity, I prayed the Eternal Father to call him to peace. He used to say: ‘To freedom’."[14]
During the appearance of the resurrected Jesus to Syntyche, He confirms the fate reserved in Heaven for John of Endor:
"He is happy. He remembers nothing but love and lives in it."[15]
His name[edit | edit source]
Felix means in Latin "Happy". John means "the Eternal has done grace, has been favorable".
Where is he mentioned in the work?[edit | edit source]
GRM 188 GRM 189 GRM 190 GRM 191 GRM 192 GRM 193 GRM 194 GRM 195 GRM 196 GRM 197 GRM 198 GRM 199
GRM 200 GRM 201 GRM 202 GRM 203 GRM 205 GRM 206 GRM 206 GRM 210 GRM 249 GRM 250 GRM 251 GRM 252 GRM 253 GRM 254 GRM 255 GRM 256 GRM 260 GRM 261 GRM 262 GRM 275 GRM 276 GRM 277 GRM 278 GRM 280 GRM 281 GRM 282 GRM 285 GRM 286 GRM 287 GRM 289 GRM 290 GRM 293 GRM 294 GRM 295 GRM 296
GRM 302 GRM 303 GRM 304 GRM 306 GRM 307 GRM 310 GRM 311 GRM 312 GRM 313 GRM 314 GRM 315 GRM 316 GRM 318 GRM 319 GRM 320 GRM 321 GRM 322 GRM 323 GRM 324 GRM 336 GRM 355 GRM 364 GRM 365 GRM 366 GRM 384
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ AI illustration based of the indications given by Maria Valtorta.
- ↑ GRM 312.5
- ↑ GRM 192.6
- ↑ GRM 188.4
- ↑ Felix means happy in Latin.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 GRM 188.7.
- ↑ John means "the Eternal has been gracious, has been favorable".
- ↑ GRM 188.2
- ↑ GRM 191.2
- ↑ GRM 205.1.
- ↑ GRM 250
- ↑ GRM 312.6-9
- ↑ GRM 461.13-19 and 21-22
- ↑ GRM 461.16.
- ↑ GRM 632.30.