Reflections
 
The Poem of the Man God
 
Dr George Irumbayam

Of all the messages transmitted through the visions given to several people during this century by Jesus and Mary, the most voluminous is from Maria Valtorta (1897-1961). She was an Italian mystic. Seated or lying in bed, she bent down and wrote with a piece of hardboard placed on her lap, the visions that she saw. It added up to about ten thousand pages. A marvel in itself! Something impossible for anyone in her condition! But the word of God reminds us nothing is impossible to God. The truth is that the Holy Spirit made Maria write. Jesus and Mary appeared to her alternately. The material on these numerous pages gives us detailed information about persons and events—from Mary’s parents Joachim and Anne, Mary’s birth and wedding, birth of Jesus, the flight into Egypt, life at Nazareth, Jesus’ discussion with the lawyers, the death of Joseph, the public life of Jesus, his sermons, miracles, passion, death, resurrection, ascension and pentecost to the assumption of Mary. It is written in Italian. The English translation, "The Poem of the Man-God" is in five parts comprising about 5000 pages.

We can say that Maria, through her life filled with grief and suffering, became worthy of being chosen by Jesus as his medium. Her mother’s stubborn and rude behaviour gradually built up in her an attitude of detachment from this world and the things of this world (cf 1 Jn 2:15).

An unwarranted, unexpected blow with an iron rod from a young man, at the age of 23, forced her to be bed-ridden for 3 months. This heightend her sufferings. The life of St Francis of Assissi was a great inspiration to her. We can also say that the cancellation of marriage proposals that she received, through the treachery of her mother, was an incentive to grow spiritually. Maria, who read the autobiography of St Therese of Lisieux at one sitting, emulated her in offering herself in 1925 as a victim of love to the Merciful Love of God. In 1930 she made vast strides in sanctity by taking the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and lived a life of sacrifice and holiness, surrendering herself to God’s love. In 1934 she became completely bed-ridden. In 1935 she was able to procure the services of her friend Martha Dichioti, who was with her till her death,nursing her and listening to her reading out the notes she had made. Maria’s much-loved father died in 1935 and in 1943 her mother, who had pained her intensely, left this world . In 1943 began the visions . Maria kept a faithful record of them. It was from 1943-1947 that she wrote most prolifically. Jesus called her "Little John"( in memory of the evangelist John).

Though the events and gospel narratives of the New Testament are discussed in the "Poem of the Man-God", personalities and events of the Old Testament also make their appearance now and then. A remarkable and different revelation about the first sin and the ‘forbidden fruit’, the conviction that Mary Magdalene, Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha and the sinful woman are one and same person ( cf Lk Chapter 7), identification of Nathaniel and Bartholomew-such matters are presented in a new light. Several doubts that arise when we read the Bible are solved here. Mary Magdalene was a profligate woman who had divorced her husband and was living in Magdela, but when converted by Jesus, became deeply repentant.

Lazarus, Martha and Mary were the children of Theophilus, a high-ranking official in the Roman army, and his wealthy wife Eucheria. After the death of the parents, the children inherited a good part of Jerusalem and Palestine and a number of buildings. Bethany where they stayed, belonged to Juda while Magdala was part of Galilee. For those who travelled on horse back, the distance between the two cities was not great.

It was this Lazarus, who was poor in spirit and the close friend of Jesus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, four days after his body had suffered decay. Mary, as a harlot, should have been stoned to death, as per the Jewish law. Jesus was always against such cruelty ( he saves the life of the woman taken in adultery). He often reminds his hearers that his message is one of mercy and love. According to the request of Martha and Lazarus, Jesus gives Mary the gift of conversion and deliverance from the devils of the seven capital sins. Mary then becomes a model even to Martha through her deep repentance (cf Lk 10:41-42). A beautiful presentation of this family can be seen in this book.

A clear picture even of the apostles is not available in the Bible ( Jesus had 72 or more disciples besides the 12 apostles). In this book their characters are delineated clearly through their words and actions.

Among the apostles, the old, guileless Israelite Nathaniel (Barhtholomew) turns out to be the one most resembling Jesus. We see a great change taking place in the impulsive and short-tempered Peter. He, along with Philip and Simon the Zealot, are the oldest among the apostles. Philip is ready to leave behind his wife and two daughters in his house in order to follow Jesus. " I have brought the sword," Jesus declared. This word of God is here fulfilled. We also see the unfavourable change that occurred in Judas in whom dwelt Lucifer. Judas became increasingly a lover of wealth, a man of pride and sensuality and aspired after position and office.

The character of Thomas is also drawn well. He refused to believe in the resurrection of Jesus which he termed as something unreasonable. Neither did he believe in the apparitions of Jesus to the other apostles. But once he encountered the risen Jesus , he had full faith in him and asked him pardon. John shines out from the pages of this book as the youngest of the apostles, all aflame with a deep love of Jesus. Jesus describes him and Mathew as his reporter and his mouthpiece respectively. These are the only two apostles who wrote the gospels.

We can also see James, the elder brother of John, and Jesus’ cousins, and the other James and Jude Thaddeus characterised vividly. On one occasion, in the absence of Jesus, Judas remarks that Jesus is out of his senses. Jude Thaddeus at once attacks him. This delights the other apostles! There are numerous other incidents and personalitites mentioned! The book can be read like a novel. The passion of Jesus and Mary will make us shed tears now and then. Jesus says, "When you come to me, you will be accepting suffering not the grandeur of the world."
 
What Jesus suffered physically, Mary endured in her heart. When the soldier’s spear pierced the heart of Jesus, the sword that Simeon prophesied pierced the heart of Mary! The experience of reading "The Poem of the Man-God" is invaluable and unforgettable!