Levi the shepherd of Bethlehem in Judah
"This one, you see, was then just a child, (he was then about twelve years old). He was the first to see the angel."[1]Placed in quarantine by the village along with Elijah, after the massacre of the innocents, he becomes a shepherd "in the service of a rich Herodian from Jerusalem who had taken possession of the goods of many inhabitants who had been killed...", a harsh man.[2]
Elijah and he, faithful believer shepherds, recite evening and morning the "Gloria", "words from Heaven that had been engraved in letters of fire in their Hearts" heard from the Angels, with the hope of knowing if the Messiah is alive and to see him one day.[3]
During the Passion of the Christ, on his way up to Calvary, Levi is present with 9 other faithful shepherds. Jesus fixes his gaze on them as if they were Angels, seems to strengthen himself from their weeping and their love. He smiles at them.[4] This small group also stays at the foot of the cross.
At his Resurrection, Jesus appears "glorious" to him and the other shepherds: "[[Servant, To Serve, Service|Faithful servants], here I am. Go. I am waiting for you these days in Galilee. I want to tell you again that I love you. Jonah is happy, with the others, in Heaven." The shepherds sing the Gloria and go to announce the risen Christ to the pagans and strengthen the faith of their brothers.[5]
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 above all he keeps the shepherds near him to thank them for having been present from his birth to his death and for knowing how to suffer for their faith.[6]
Character and Appearance
He is barely forty years old when he meets Jesus again near Hebron. Virile and bearded face.[7]
Apostolic Journey
Witness of the Nativity[8] - of the Crucifixion[9] - of the Resurrection.[10] - of the Ascension.[11]
One of the seventy-two Disciples sent on Mission two by two.[12]
His Name
Levi means "Attachment". Historical reference: 3rd son of Jacob and Leah. He is the ancestor of the Levites, the priestly class.
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.