Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George

Author:Margaret George [George, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Israel, Women's Studies, Biblical Studies, Faith & Religion, Fiction - Historical
ISBN: 978-1447204756
Publisher: Pan Books
Published: 2002-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

It was late before they returned safely to the spot where they had camped the night before. Another night in the open fields. Mary was growing used to them. It no longer felt so odd to be outside, sleeping directly under the sky. Houses were on their way to becoming a memory.

“Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head,” Jesus said as they readied themselves to settle down for the night.

“Master,” said Peter, “in the summer that is all very well, but what shall we do in the winter?”

Jesus continued to spread out his cloak on the ground. “When the time comes, we will see.”

The thought of lying outside in the lashing rains was so distressing that Mary winced. She could almost feel the cold fingers of the raindrops, the sting of the wind on her face.

“My friends, we shall—” Suddenly Jesus broke off. He looked around in the direction where he had heard something.

Two lanterns were swinging in the darkness, seemingly hanging there in the air. Mary saw hands clutching the handles, and in the dim light she saw the face of Judas and, above the second lantern, the handsome religious man. “Ah. My Father has drawn two more.” Jesus stood up. “Welcome.”

Judas came forward nervously. “I don’t know exactly what I am doing here,” he said.

“God does,” said Jesus. “Trust him.”

Judas laughed. “He’s never spoken to me before. I don’t know why he would now.”

“He had never spoken to Moses, either, but Moses recognized it.”

“I am no Moses.”

“God knows that.” Jesus turned his attention to the other man.

“I found your answers to be . . . satisfying,” the man said. “Rational. Persuasive.” He paused and finally said, “Impressive.”

Jesus laughed. “It is flattering that you thought so. Who are you?”

“My name is Thomas,” he said. “We want to join you.”

“You do not know what that means,” said Jesus.

“None of these other people did, either,” said Judas, looking around. “From what I can see, they are just people who have taken a chance in faith.”

“Faith,” said Jesus. “Yes, that is the most important thing. Do you have faith?”

“I—yes, yes, I do!” Judas seemed flustered in defending himself. “I have long been searching for someone whose integrity is absolute. I said to myself, when I find that honest man, someone whose answers I can trust—”

“God will tell you right away there is no honest man,” said Jesus. “As the Psalmist says, ‘There is not one who does good, not even one.’ All are sinners in God’s eyes.”

“No, I did not mean—I seek only what is good within human reason. Look, I am a realist! I do not seek perfection!”

“Surely you will not settle for less in yourself?” Jesus asked.

“You are a hard taskmaster! Allow others leeway, tolerate nothing less than perfection in yourself? I will try, but—”

To Mary’s surprise, Jesus said, “‘I will try’? I hate those words! Say, rather, ‘I will.’” He glared at Judas. “If your child is drowning, do you say, ‘I will try to rescue him’? No, indeed! So with the Kingdom.

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