Abel of Bethlehem in Galilee, called Ananias
A resident of Bethlehem of Galilee, he bears the premonitory name of Abel, victim of Cain. He is the only son of Myrta (Mirta), a young widow who is the object of Aser's lust, but to no avail. Out of spite, Aser involves young Abel in the Murder of Joel, a rich man, which he commits with accomplices (Aser, Jacob and Joel's servant).
On the basis of their false testimony, the tall teenager is about to be stoned to death. Jesus narrowly saves him and strikes the three murderers with immediate leprosy.[1]
Counted among the seventy-two disciples sent out "two by two"[2], he receives custody of Aurea, a young slave Gallic girl snatched by Jesus from the concupiscence of her master Roman luxurious.
We find him busily organizing Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem for Palm Sunday.[3]
Character and appearance
A young man pure, already on his way to high spirituality.[4] It is revealed when he asks Jesus about the healing of his former accusers who had become lepers:Jesus reminds him: "Abel, they were your Cains and they hate you as one cannot more. They wanted to take everything away from you: life, honor and your mother..." Abel replies: "They were my benefactors, since it's thanks to them that I got you, You. I love them for this don they have done for me, and I ask you that they be where I am: following you. I want their salvation as mine, more than mine, for greater is their sin.[5]Jesus will heal them, but not right away.
Apostolic journey
It's only natural that Jesus should count him among the "future priests" who will go "far and wide to evangelize"[6]
A surprising dialogue with Jesus puts Abel on a par with the apostle John and reveals his future:"Jesus puts an arm around the necks of the two and draws them to Himself, one to the right, the other to the left, and places a kiss on their hair, saying, "You will succeed because you have understood love." ...Hananya (Ananie) in fact means "God is Grace"- "I thought you were going to heal (the lepers) right away" said John.
- "Me too, as you always do" said Abel
- "They were great sinners. This waiting is just for who has so much sin. Now listen, Ananias..."
-"My name is Abel, Lord," said the astonished young man, and he looked at Jesus as if wondering, "Why is he wrong?"
-Jesus smiled: "To Me you are Ananias, for truly you seem born of the goodness of the Lord. Be this more and more, and listen..."[7]
Hence is justified the name Ananias given by Jesus to Abel. It was probably he who, at the time of the persecutions, welcomed Saul, stricken with blindness, to Damascus and baptizes him.[8]
His name
Abel means "breath", but also "son" - Historical figures: Abel, youngest son of Adam and Eve, shepherd killed by his jealous brother Cain
Where is he mentioned in the work?
EMV 248 EMV 279 EMV 282EMV 325 EMV 333 EMV 344 EMV 346 EMV 347 EMV 348 EMV 349 EMV 350 EMV 352 EMV 354 EMV 376
EMV 427 EMV 428 EMV 440 EMV 441 EMV 466 EMV 475 EMV 476
EMV 535 EMV 590
More about this character
According to Eastern tradition, Ananias(Hananya ) was one of the seventy-two disciples. He became bishop of Damascus, which he evangelized.
Ananias is said to have been stoned to death at Eleutheropolis (Beit Guvrin) around 72. He is celebrated by the Church on January 25.
His relics are kept in Rome, in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.