Translated by Jay G. Williams
1 To the multitude I speak only in parables, for the world is drunk with its own importance, addicted to its own pride. Drunken understanding is worse than drunken ignorance.
2
To you I will explain everything, if you will but sober up.
3
Peter said, “How, Master, can I sober up? Show me the way.” Jesus said, “To be
my disciple you must renounce everything. Cleanse your heart of the world and
its cravings.”
4 Peter said, “Teacher, if I renounce everything, how can I live?” Jesus said, “What I ask is not a law, for no law can demand the impossible. Only
the Spirit can achieve the impossible. The world tells us that complete
renunciation is impossible, but consider the birds of the air. They have no
regular employment or storage barns; yet they live more happily than we.
Renunciation is a work of the Spirit that never ends; it is freedom from the
craving of the world. It is a life of genuine simplicity. It is the
disenchantment of the world. Renunciation is repentance. It is to turn around
and go in exactly the opposite direction.”
5
Do not think that I come to teach you about the Eternal Source. The
Source is beyond all understanding. To speak about the Source is to create an
idol. I come to proclaim the kingdom. Nevertheless, to live in the kingdom is
to be one with the Source.
6 James
said, “May I help you to rule the kingdom?” Jesus said, “If you wish to rule,
you are far from the kingdom and from me.”
7 The
kingdom is like seeds sown upon the earth; if the earth is good, the seeds will
sprout and grow.
8 The
seed of the kingdom is within you. Nourish it.
9 Philip
asked, “When will the kingdom come?” Jesus said, “When the time is full, the
seed sprouts up and grows you know not how, but you will know when the harvest
is ready. Only be sure that you water with care.”
10
Peter said, “Show us a sign that we may believe.”
Jesus said, “The
kingdom is its own sign. Do you not know that the deaf hear, the lame dance,
and the blind receive their sight? Have you no eyes to see?”
11 Mary
said, “I love you, Jesus.” Jesus said, “That is a good beginning; the kingdom
is born from love.”
12 Recognize
the kingdom where it is. It is in the eyes of every person you meet. If you see
the kingdom in me, you will see it everywhere. If you see the kingdom in any
face, then you will know me.
13 One
day, as
Jesus taught his disciples, Peter left to quiet children who were
playing in the courtyard and disturbing his concentration.
Jesus asked, “Where
are you going?” Peter replied, “To make the children be quiet.” Jesus said, “Do
not do that; let us go outside.” The children were playing a game, laughing and
showing great delight.
Jesus said, “Behold, the kingdom is like this, full of
joy and gladness; let us join them.” And so
Jesus and his disciples played with
the children all that day.
14
Peter said, “Let us fast and punish our bodies so that the kingdom
will come.”
Jesus said, “Your body is the gift of our Mother. Treat your body
with holiness and respect. It is not your body that causes your addiction; it
is your psyche. Clean the inside of the cup; that is what matters.”
15 Your body is the temple of the Holy
Spirit. What other temple do you need?
16
Close the windows, shut the doors, keep the foolishness and violence
of the world away. When your mind is free of foolishness and empties into the
great Sea, then you will be close.
17 The disciples said, “Teach us how to
pray.”
Jesus replied, “Go into your inner room and close the door. Do not pray
in public as the addicts do, for that is idolatry. Do not try to tell the
Eternal Source what to do, for that is presumptuous. Just listen. Listen, I
say, listen. Those who have ears let them hear.”
18 Peter asked, “How should we live? Teach us the Law.”
Jesus said, “The
law only cleans the outside of the cup but leaves the inside full of foul debris. If
you think I have come with a new Law, you are wrong. The law was given for
hardness of heart, and the wine of the kingdom dissolves the hardness.”
19 The
world’s addiction to the ego creates hearts of stone.
20 The
world needs laws, for craving creates conflict, but when the kingdom comes,
there is only the law of love. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is
nothing more than is needed. To love your neighbor is to love the Eternal
Source.”
21 Everything I say is of the kingdom,
not of the Law. Sing and dance for the good news.
22 There
once was a pearl merchant who sought the world’s most perfect pearl. He
travelled the earth, enduring great perils and sufferings, but returned to his
home tired, impoverished, and empty-handed. Then his wife discovered the pearl
he sought for so long in the headband he had worn on his journey.
23 John
said, “Teach us about the kingdom.” Jesus said, “Do not look for the kingdom as
though it will appear in one place or another. The kingdom is here, now.
Nevertheless, you must prepare for its wonderful appearance. It is like a flash
of lightning that illumines all. So do not close your eyes, even for a moment.
The kingdom is like the leading lady of the drama who waits in the wings for
her cue. She is there, but you do not see her.”
24 The
world is addicted, always craving, never satisfied. Because the world craves,
there is suffering and violence and hate. Those who succeed in the world are
the unhappiest of all.
25 Do
not despise the world or its people; the seeds of the kingdom are everywhere.
Delight in everything.
26 Peter
said, “Some effeminate men wanted to see you but I sent them away.” Jesus said,
“You were wrong to do that, Peter. Did I not tell you that the seeds of the
kingdom are everywhere?” Peter replied, “But suppose they will not reform their
ways?” Jesus said, “Think not of the faults of others, Peter. For no one has
achieved true righteousness. Have more faith in the power of the kingdom.
Therefore I say, do not judge others or censure them. Look only to your own craving.”
27 Nathaniel said, “Must we become
celibates for the sake of the kingdom?”
Jesus said, “No, sexual desire is a
gift from our Mother, and we must give thanks for her gifts and use them
wisely. Celibacy does not end the craving but only intensifies it. True
marriage, however, is the reunification of Adam and is the great and holy
Mystery. Only the Child of Adam enters the kingdom.”
28
I am the light that shines in the darkness, the light that
enlightens every person. You have always known me, though today, in your
blindness, you do not recognize me.
29
Only the naked should baptize the naked.
30 Running
floodwaters of the earth and the unpredictable winds of heaven; a plunge of
death into the waters, the fluttering of the dove: the Child of Adam is born.
31 Peter
said, “Why do you allow women to follow you? Should not only men be disciples?”
Jesus said, “Peter, Peter, are you so blind? Do you not see that the seeds of
the kingdom are planted in both women and men and that in the kingdom there is
no difference between them? We are all the union of male and female and
therefore are in ourselves both male and female. Until you realize that, the kingdom
will be far away. To remind you of your blindness, when I appear in glory, Mary
shall see me first. She is my beloved disciple.”
32 The
kingdom is agape manifest among us. It is the one great miracle. If you
know agape, the kingdom comes.
33 Agape is not just feeling in the human heart, but grows among us. Act
in agape; then there will be feeling.
34
Judas asked, “What should we do for the poor?” Jesus answered,
“Love the poor, but do not pity them. They are much closer to the kingdom than
are the rich. Do not think that the end of life is worldly goods. It is the
things of the world that blind us to the kingdom. But feed the hungry and care
for the suffering as you would care for your own mother or father or wife or
friend. Watch for the kingdom, for it is there among the poor, the glories revealed
among those without a dwelling, for the Child of Adam has nowhere to lay his
head.”
35 Weep
for the rich, for it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom.
36 The
true gifts of the Magi I give you: compassion, simplicity, and dare not be
first in the world.
37 The
kingdom is like an ancient well flowing with living water. Draw up the water,
and quench your thirst.
38 Trust in the kingdom. That is
all that is needed.
39 From the Source flows the One
and the One contains the Two. The Two give birth to the Third, who is the Child
of Adam, and from the Three flow forth all things.
40 All
flows creatively from the Source. When you create, the power of the Source is
yours. Music, Poetry, Art are gifts from the Source.
41 John
said, “Teach us about the Spirit.”
Jesus said, “The Spirit is the kingdom made
manifest. When the trees move their branches you know that the Spirit is there.
The Spirit is your life. When you breathe, it is the Spirit that moves within
you. When your breath flows perfectly with the Spirit, you are in the kingdom.
Watch your breath.”
42 Our enemies surround us and
want to destroy the kingdom. How shall we fight against our enemies? Shall we
take up arms?”
Jesus said, “Love your enemies; do good to those who misuse you,
for in them dwells also the kingdom. And forgive, always forgive.” “But,” said
James, “suppose that they should kill us?”
Jesus replied, “No one can kill the
kingdom for it has been from the beginning and will be until the end. As for
the rest, it is mortal and will return to the Mother. Do not cling to life.
Life and death are twin sisters who can never be separated. Death too is a
blessing. But enter the kingdom where there is eternal life.
43 In all things be mindful.
44 John asked, “Is my soul
immortal? Will I go to heaven?”
Jesus said, “Your psyche is a function
of your body, and like your body will return to dust. But the kingdom of light
is everlasting. Enter the kingdom of light and find eternal peace.”
45 I will die and on the third
day burst forth again from the tomb. The kingdom of light can be hidden for a
time, but cannot be destroyed. Not by the so-called religious authorities, not
by the great world empires. If you trust in the kingdom, you will not fear
death.
46 Peter said, “I hope and pray
you will not die.”
Jesus said, “If you wish to enter the kingdom you must die,
for new life comes only from death. Peter, all component parts decay. Even your
psyche will crumble into dust. But if your trust is into the light, you
will rest in the light. Like me, you will burst forth again from the tomb. For
the light is eternal.”
47 Judas said, “Teacher, the
prophets taught us that the Eternal demands justice for all. Should we not
organize to fight against injustice in our world?
Jesus said, “Agape
demands justice in the world and woe to the poor person who does not seek to
right the wrongs among people. But agape also knows that justice without
the kingdom is hollow and unstable. In this world of craving, injustice will
always reign because craving demands injustice. To think that there can be true
justice without the coming of the kingdom is an illusion.”
48 The kingdom comes from the
glory of the Eternal, Incomprehensible Source.
49 Judas said, “Let us organize
ourselves with the chief and lieutenants, so that our movement may be more
effective.”
Jesus said, “Agape does not hold to order. The more you
organize, the more your organization will become but one more institution of
craving. Soon you will have some men ruling over others. Some will be forced to
bow to their masters. There will be ordinances and taboos. People will begin to
think that faith is just subscribing to a set of ideas and the kingdom will become
a fossil to be put on the shelf along with all other ancient doctrines. Then
there will be persecutions and wars carried out in my name as the blind lead
the blind into disaster. No, Judas, call no person Father or Rabbi or the Reverend
or your Holiness. All of this comes from the craving of the world, and will
only end in violence and disorder. The kingdom comes as a miracle and miracles
cannot be contained.”
50 When you meet as friends, love
one another. Celebrate agape.
51 Proclaim the good news of the
eternal kingdom but think not of proselytes. The kingdom will provide the
miracle.
52 Do not think that a tribe or
nation or empire can become the kingdom, for the kingdom will grow when and
where it wills. Nothing will impede the kingdom more than a nation of addicts
pretending to be the kingdom.
53 I looked and I saw a great
beast rising out of the earth, devouring everyone in its path. Great was its
pride and great its claims to truth. To those whom it enticed it offered holy
feelings and future hopes, but it attacked the very kingdom it proclaimed.
Those who were devoured seldom returned. The name of the beast was the Holy Church
54 Keep my teachings secret; cast
no pearls before the swine, lest the great beast overhear the word and destroy.
55 To
live in the kingdom is to laugh and be glad. There is no soberness in the realm
of light; it is freedom, hope, and joy.
56 I do not come to
judge the world or anyone in it. I come to reveal the light of the kingdom.
Those who turn from the light and seek the darkness condemn themselves and
enter the darkness. Those who seek the light are of the light. Trust in the
light and the healing is yours.
57 Do not judge others. If they
seek the darkness, that is their danger, their woe. But trust the light and it
will grow into a great flame. Let your light shine before all people that they
may see and trust also.
58 James said, “There are other
teachers in other lands who offer wisdom to the world. How should we think of
them?”
Jesus said, “The seeds of the kingdom are everywhere. Do not think of
the kingdom as your personal possession. My light is to be found everywhere in
the world, and many are those who have found me. But beware the influence of
humanity’s dark craving. Traditions of humanity are few that have not become
corrupted by the craving. But where there is light, rejoice in it.”
59 One night
Jesus gathered those
he taught and led them to an inner room set apart. There, at the meal, he took
a loaf of bread and broke it before them. “This bread,” he said, “is a gift
from the Mother of us all. Together we partake of her substance. This loaf also
comes from the sunlight of the Father’s heavenly realm, now broken that we may
become one in the heavenly light. Together we share the bread of heaven and earth,
the kingdom of love is among us; this is my body.”
60 The kingdom does not belong to
individuals. It becomes manifest in agape shared. Therefore the loaf
must be broken so that agape may be known in the sharing.
61
Jesus also took a cup of wine,
rich in aroma and body, and he said, “This wine is a gift from our Mother to
make glad the hearts of humans, so that we may know joy and peace. It is
likewise a gift from the sun from the Father’s heavenly realm. It reminds us of
the great transformation which the light and love of the kingdom bring. This is
my blood poured out. In the world, wine may bring drunkenness; here one finds
the kingdom.”
62 I am the True Light, glowing
from the Eternal Source. Cleave the wood, I am there; lift the stone, I am there.
63
Jesus asked of Mary, “What
shall you do when I return from the dead?” Mary said, “If you were to return from
the dead I would observe awestruck silence, and speak to no one about it.”
Jesus said, “You have learned well, Mary. You shall be my apostle.”
64 Have you not heard that it was
said of old, “those who speak do not know, those who know do not speak?”
65 Peter said, “But we must say something.
How can we proclaim the good news if we can say nothing?”
Jesus smiled, but did
not speak. Then he led his disciples in the Circular Dance of Joy, that they
danced until the dawn.
66
Jesus hung upon the Tree of Life. He chanted the ancient psalms as blood dripped
from his hands and feet. He spoke words of peace to those who had run away in
fear. He encouraged and forgave. The earth trembled and the heavens grew dark.
The Mother sobbed and the Father mourned. But in the midst of the trembling
there was serenity; in the midst of darkness there was tremendous light
streaming from every pore of his body, radiating to every corner of the earth.
In death, life is born; in darkness, there is a dawning.
67 Death came, the tomb was made
ready and then, after the burial, sealed. But nothing can hold the light. At
any moment it can burst forth with an unimaginable radiance. And it does.
68 And you must die. Your
craving, born of your prideful ego, must perish. Your death, like that of
Jesus,
will be dreadfully painful, for the addiction is so intense and has gone on so
long. Earth will tremble and Heavens will grow dark before the veil is rent,
the Holy of Holies is revealed, and the light, the eternal light, begins to
shine.
69 The Well, the Water, and the
Drink of Eternity: the three are one.
70 I am the Way, the Truth, and
the Life. In every part of the world those who know, know me. I am the wise
man’s treasure, and the lost man’s refuge.
71 To you I leave the gifts of
the Spirit: agape, simplicity and peace. The kingdom of light is here.
It is time to rejoice.
72 Take care to whom these words
are given, for those of the world will laugh and deride and then use them for
their own worldly ends. Hide my secrets until the time is fulfilled. Beware the
beast.
