Mary’s Story: Roman Catholic Version I – Ch. 2 – Origins: Joachim’s Visitation

Mary’s Story: Catholic Version I – Ch. 1 – Origins: Joachim’s Visitation

(This chapter is based on sections 1, 4 & 5 of the First Gospel according to James)

The great day of the Lord was coming and Joachim, being a wealthy Judean man, had determined to give double the required offering to obtain forgiveness from his God. However, before he had even begun to carry out his plan in anticipation of the coming religious event, a neighbour admonished him, saying, “It is not appropriate for you to bring your offerings, because you have no descendants in Israel.”

Joachim was quite put out by this. He felt humiliated but he was determined to establish whether his lot was really that serious.  He obtained some help to look into the registers of the twelve tribes of Israel, saying: ‘I shall see the registers of the twelve tribes of Israel, as to whether I alone have not been successful in having offspring in Israel.’ The search seemed to show that all the righteous had in Israelhad been blessed with offspring. However, he remembered that even the patriarch Abraham, the Father of the Jews had initially been childless. But in the last days of his life, God gave him a son Isaac. This still did not entirely reassure nor comfort Joachim.

Joachim determined that he was simply not worthy. He felt he had failed his wife. In his grief over his lot, he decided to leave his wife, Anna. He instructed his servants on the care of his animals and land and turned his face to the desert. Where else should he go?  He pitched his tent there, alone, and began a fast of forty days and forty nights, saying in himself: ‘I hereby make a vow not to partake of either food or for drink until the Lord my God shall look upon me. Prayershall be my food and drink.’

Joachim’s fast was drawing to a close and still he had not heard from the Lord. He was beginning to be concerned about what his next step should be when suddenly, one evening, there was a great rush of wind and he was confronted by a strange being, radiating light and clothed in a shining white robe. He fell on his knees, sure that judgment had come to him, but the figure quickly reassured him, “Don’t be afraid, I have come to bring you good news. Joachim, the Lord God has heard your prayer. Go home to your wife and resume normal relations. Your wife Anna will conceive.”

Joachim was overjoyed. His prayers were going to be answered! He was practically singing as he packed up his tent and headed homewards. He first found his shepherds and gave them some orders: “Bring me ten ewes without spot or blemish, and they shall be for the Lord my God; and bring me twelve tender calves, and they shall be for sacrifices for the priestsand the elders; and a hundred goats to sacrifice for all the people.”

Then he continued joyfully homewards, leading these animals to be taken for sacrifice offerings. When he came in sight of his gate, he saw Anna waiting for him. As soon as she saw him she rushed towards him, threw her arms around his neck and said, “Now I know that the Lord God has blessed me richly; for the widow will no longer be a widow, for I the childless shall conceive.”

Thereupon Joachim broke his fast and took great pleasure in enjoying a meal his wife prepared for him that evening. That night he rested from his fast and in preparation for his self-imposed task of the day to follow. He was up early the next morning and gathered his servants to help him take all the animals selected to be offered before his God at the temple. He watched attentively as the priests went through the rituals of slaughter and sacrifice on the altar, burning incense all the while. Everything went as well as good be expected and he knew from the signal he received from the priest in charge that his offerings had been well received; his sins were forgiven.

Tired but relieved, feeling like a heavy load had finally been lifted from his shoulders, Joachim returned home. That night he and Anna made love with a passion they had not shared for many years. 

Mary’s Story: Roman Catholic Version I – Ch. 1 – Origins: Anna's Visitation

Mary’s Story: Roman Catholic Version I – Ch. 1 – Origins

Introduction

Some of you who have been reading my "Story of Mary" no doubt know that many think Joseph, unlike in the story you have been reading, was an older man who already had children. There is good reason to believe this might be the true story, as Joseph disappears early from the biblical narrative. Also, if Jesus was Mary's only son, it is fitting that, at his death, he entrusts her care to his beloved disciple John. His step-siblings doubtless had their own families to attend to by that time. Not being Mary's children, they would not have shared the bond Mary and Jesus did, especially under the circumstances of the story. So, I am going to now rewrite my Story of Mary to fit this narrative.

This version, I am taking the liberty of calling the Roman Catholic because it fits better with their doctrines as developed in the last millennium. They first decreed that Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived, which most of us Christians accept. But then they went on to say she never had any more children and so remained a Perpetual Virgin. With all due respect to my fellow Christians of that persuasion, how you can have had a child and still be called a virgin escapes me, but I'm not Roman Catholic.

As with the first version of my story, I am continuing to draw on extra-canonical texts. Whether what they say is truthful, even in part, or all myth and legend, is not my primary concern. They contain elements that make the story more full if one wants to write historical fiction. Also, one has to acknowledge that their content certainly reflects the thinking of writers at the time besides those of the Gospels and Acts. Ultimately, we can learn from myth and legend too.

(This chapter is based on paragraphs 2-3 of The Protoevangelium[the First Gospel] of James)

Anna took a deep breath, then another. Finally, she could restrain herself no longer and she let out such a wail that her neighbours came running, “Oh, woe is me,” she cried, “Why has our God made me childless? What have I done to receive this judgment? And now my husband is gone and I am a widow. What shall I do? What can I do? I am alone!”

Anna’s neighbours tried to console her but it was her maidservant Judith who stopped her wailing, “How long do you humiliate your soul?” she asked, “You have been mourning for days. Where is it getting you? Look, an important feast day of the Lord is coming, and you can’t mourn then. Bathe yourself, put off your garments of mourning and dress for the feast. Perhaps your God will answer your prayers then.”

When some of her neighbours agreed that this was good advice, that Anna had nothing to lose with it, she went along with Judith’s suggestion. In fact, thinking that if God’s Spirit might see fit to indeed visit her at this time, she put on her best, her wedding garments. The final touch was a beautiful headband Judith offered her. Anna had initially protested the proposition, knowing how Judith valued it, as it had been a handmade gift. Indeed, with its attached jewels, it looked more like a tiara than a headband. Judith countered by saying that it wasn’t proper that she should wear it herself, because she was a maid-servant, and it had such a regal appearance. Anna acquiesced and Judith helped her adjust it over her head covering.

Then Anna went down to her garden and found a seat under the laurel tree. With the support she had, feeling clean after her bath, and dressed as she was, she could not help feeling better and, if she had admitted it, even a little hopeful. She raised her hands to heaven in the warm afternoon sun and prayed, “O God of our fathers, bless me and hear my prayer, as You blessed the womb of Sarah, and gave her a son Isaac.”

Noticing a sparrow’s nest up in the tree as she looked up brought her back to her plight with a rush of negative thoughts again: “Alas! Who gave me birth? And what womb produced me? Because I have become a curse in the presence of the sons of Israel, and I have been reproached, and they have even driven me in derision out of the temple of the Lord. Alas! To what have I been likened? I am not like the fowls of the heaven, because even the fowls of the heaven like this sparrow here are productive before You, O Lord. Even the beasts of the earth are productive before You, O Lord. I am neither like these waters in this garden, because even these waters are productive before You, nor like this earth, because even the earth brings forth its fruits in season, and blesses You, O Lord.”

Suddenly Anna was interrupted in her lament by the sound and feel of rushing wind. A radiant figure with a cloak of shining white was before her! ‘Oh, an angel,’ Anna thought, but before she could go further the being said: “Anna, Anna, the Lord has heard your prayer, and you shall conceive, and shall bring forth; and your seed shall be spoken of in all the world.”

Anna fell prostate in fear before the angel and cried, “As the Lord my God lives, I make this vow if this comes to pass. If I have either a male or female child, I will bring it as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall minister to Him in holy things all the days of its life.”

With that, the being vanished into the air in another rush of wind and Anna was once again alone in the quiet of her garden.

The Story of Mary III - Chapter 29 – Wakened in the Passover Night

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

Mary awoke with a start. Someone was pounding on the door of Uncle Benjamin’s house and calling for her! Mary listened to see if Uncle Benjamin would respond, for she as a woman should not go to the door of her host first, especially at night. Then she heard him moving towards the door. Understandably, she could hear a little annoyance in his voice as he asked what all the fuss was about in the middle of the night. She could not hear everything that was said but then she heard him approach where she was sleeping and call out tersely, “Mary, this man at the door says Jesus has been captured by the temple police and taken for trial before the Sanhedrin! They took him to Governor Pilate who has sent him to King Herod! He says his name is John. He thinks you will want to join him and his friends, that you will want to be there.”

Mary felt as if she was going to faint. Her head spun and she clutched at her clothes. First John, her cousin, and now her son! “Oh, Jahweh,” she cried in her spirit, “help your maidservant! Protect your son! Oh, what can I do?” 

It seemed as if her prayers were heard. She was able to pull herself together and try to get up. Benjamin saw her unsteadiness and helped her to her feet and supported her as she walked out to meet John. Yes, he was the kind young man she had taken a liking to ever since meeting him those years ago in Cana. 

John bowed slightly as Mary approached, “Mother, he began,” addressing her politely. “We had to let you know what has happened to your beloved son. I volunteered to come and tell you. Do you want to come with us?”

What else would she do? “Of course,” Mary said. 

“But Mary,” Benjamin interjected, “Will it be safe? Let me come with you.”

“No, Uncle Benjamin,” she said, looking lovingly at her aging uncle, “It will be too much for you.” She knew how much he cared for his nephew and thought of how this must also be affecting him. “Stay here with Aunt Hannah. I will let you know what happens.” 

Mary turned to go with John and then impulsively turned back and embraced her uncle and kissed him, “You can pray for us, please?” 

“Of course,” Benjamin said and then Mary was gone with the young man. 

John took Mary’s hand to make sure she was OK. Mary clutched her cloak tightly around her as she hurried through the chill of the dark night with John, praying earnestly in her heart for her beloved son’s welfare. Then John began to fill her in on what had happened.

“We had gone with Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives after we finished seder,thinking we would continue on to Bethany for the night. Jesus seemed unusually troubled and went off by himself to pray, which you know is not that unusual for him. He did ask us to pray with him – more than once. We were so tired we kept falling asleep. I feel so bad now that we did not do that, or what happened next might have been avoided (Mathew 26:36-46). We had fallen asleep again when suddenly this crowd of noisy men with torches and clubs came storming across the valley and into the garden. And Judas was leading them! He took them right to Jesus (Matthew 26:37-50).”

‘Judas,’ Mary thought, ‘I never really had liked that one-’

John was continuing, “Jesus said something to Judas about betraying him and the next thing we knew Jesus was in the hands of these men and being led away, back towards the city.  Then what had happened at sedermade more sense. Jesus was talking about one of us betraying him but the idea seemed so preposterous. We all asked him if he meant one of us. He said it was the one to whom he would give a piece of bread after he had dipped it, and gave it to Judas. When Judas asked him whether he meant him, Jesus had said, “You said so (Matt. 26:20-25, John 13:21-26).” Then he told Judas to do quickly what he was going to do and Judas left us. We thought he had sent Judas to take care of some bill or something (John 13:27-30).”

“Where are we going?” Mary interrupted John.

“To King Herod’s palace, as that is where they took Jesus after taking him to the council and then the governor (Luke 23:1-12). Mary shuddered. She did not want to imagine what would happen in front of Herod. She had never forgotten what this king’s father had done all those years ago to all those innocent babies in the Bethlehem area when he could not find her own son (Matthew 2:16-18). And then there had been the beheading of John. Poor John. And now? Now? Would it be Jesus’ turn? Mary’s heart felt a sharp pang of pain and she remembered another happening from the past, the words of Simeon in the temple when they had dedicated Jesus: “as a result of him the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed – and a sword will pierce your own soul as well (Luke 2:25-35)!” How often those words had troubled her. What did they mean? Now, she realized, she was going to find out.

When they neared the palace, all seemed quiet there but they could hear a growing roar of voices from the governor’s quarters beyond that.  When they got nearer, all Mary could hear was “Crucify him! Crucify him!” 

‘Oh no, Mary thought, ‘What is wrong with these people? What has happened? What has Jesus done wrong?’

When they arrived at the edge of the crowd, Mary instinctively covered her face. She did not want to be recognized and get into trouble. But John saw some of his friends, Jesus’ followers, and steered Mary in their direction. Mary saw that some of the women she was just getting to know were there too. There were Joanna, Clopas’ wife, Susanna, Salome and Mary from Magdala (Mark 15:40, Luke 8:15). There was another woman Mary was to learn later was Veronica, the one Jesus had healed of a bleeding problem that had plagued her for 12 years (Mark 5:25-34). 

They were all weeping but they all hugged Mary when they recognized her with John and expressed their distress at what they were seeing through their tears. Then they all turned to see what was unfolding before them when they saw their beloved Jesus at the entrance to the governor’s quarters. There was something that looked like branches wrapped around his head and blood dripping down his face. Beside him was a man with a white toga they all knew instinctively must be the hated governor, Pilate. A number of Roman soldiers flanked the two men. Mary knew this was not good. Part of her wished she had not come to this place to see this.

The Story of Mary III - Chapter 28 – Mary Meets the Other Women in Jesus’ Life

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

Months passed and Mary saw little of her son. Neighbours, friends and sometimes visiting relatives would share snippets of information. It seems one of Jesus’ followers, the young fisherman John Mary remembered from the wedding at Cana, had family in Jerusalem and that’s where Jesus and his friends would stay when he went there. At least he has somewhere to go when he’s in Jerusalem, thought Mary. 

Then Mary heard some news that made her take notice. Apparently, Jesus now also had some women who followed along with him. This was something new. Traveling teachers usually only had male students. Indeed, many were now referring to Jesus as ‘rabbi,’ ‘Teacher.’ Mary tried to learn who these women followers were and what had brought that about. 

It turned out that there were actually quite a few of these female devotees. Some, Mary discovered, were women who had been healed of evil spirits and disabilities. One name in particular figured prominently in this group: another Mary. However, this Mary had quite a different background. She was from Magdala on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. Evidently Jesus had cast out seven demons from her. There were also rumours she had been a prostitute. No wonder she has become a follower of my son, Mary thought – to be freed from all that. Perhaps just as surprising was that another woman named Joanna, the wife of Cuza, King Herod’s household manager, was in this group. Some of these women, such as Joanna and another named Susanna were women of means. It seems they provided for Jesus and his followers out of their own resources. Again, Mary was pleased to learn that, in some way, her son was being looked after and having his material needs met.

A couple of years passed by. Mary continued to hear of Jesus’ teaching and his miracle working. Jesus had on a couple of occasions actually miraculously fed the crowds that gathered around him. I guess I need not worry about his getting enough to eat, thought Mary wryly. She had also heard that on a couple of occasions Jesu was supposed to have raised people from the dead. That was something to ponder. Who but God had such power? Some of these had just died when Jesus intervened but then she heard an even more amazing story. She had heard of Jesus friends in bethany, where pilgrims often stayed when they went to the feasts in Jerusalem. The man of the household had died. Jesus had not arrived until 4 days later, and he had called the man, Lazarus was his name, from the tomb. He had come out walking! Mary could not help but wonder where this was all headed. What was Jesus ultimate goal?

But Mary also continued to hear tales of Jesus’ confrontations with the areligious leaders. She was beginning to pick up that some were so disturbed by Jesus’ claims that they wanted to kill him. When she heard that Mary was determined to find Jesus and see for herself that he was alright. She needed to get some answers too. How far was Jesus taking this?

Mary knew Jesus and his followers had gone to Passover so she decided to go to Jerusalem and find them. She went to her Uncle Benjamin‘s place and was warmly received. It was some time since they had seen her. Unele Benjamin told her that when Jesus was in Jerusalem he spent time at the temple preaching and sometimes doing miracles. Here, he often also got caught up in debates with the religious leaders, the lawyers of the Torah, the scribes and even the Pharisees. Just like when he was twelve, Mary thought. Apparently, he had been quite hard on the Pharisees in one of his speeches. Mary wondered if he was being fair. People generally looked up to the Pharisees as models of law-abiding behaviour, the Law of Moses, that is. Mary determined to go to the temple to find Jesus.

It was not hard to find Jesus. Mary just had to go where the crowds were thickest. She wanted more than ever to run forward and talk to her son but she held back. She saw his young followers with him, hanging on every word. She gathered that the women with them were the ones he had heard about who helped provide his support for the group. 

Jesus was busy teaching and Mary felt she could not disturb him. However, she did edge closer until she was next to some of the women. They were clustered more around the fringe of the crowd that was thronging Jesus. She greeted some of them and began to make their acquaintance. They seemed like sincere and caring persons. 

Eventually Mary mustered up enough courage to tell the women who se really was. She added how long it was since she had seen him and immediately wished she had not said that. “Oh,” they said, “We have to tell Jesus you’re her so you can talk with him.” 

“That would be wonderful,” Mary replied, “but, really, I will be happy just to join you for a while. Let Jesus do what he needs to do.”

“You are a wonderful mother, the other Mary told her. No wonder Jesu is such a loving person.”

“We really think He is our long-awaited Messiah.” At that Mary’s ears perked up. Did that not sound like what the angel and the prophets had told her years ago. Now others were coming to that conclusion. This was truly astonishing.

“Yes, one of the women chimed in, ‘Last first day of the week we really saw what it would be like if he were our king, as the Messiah will be.”

“What do you mean,” asked Mary.

“Oh, have you not heard?” they asked. “Jesus got hold of a donkey colt. Some of us put blankets on it and Jesus mounted it to go back into Jerusalem. Seeing Jesus like that really drove the crowds wild. They began to tear palm and other branches from the roadside and wave them before him as he rode. They even threw their cloaks down in front of him. Just like people do for a king! All the while, they were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel. Some of the religious leaders were not impressed. They tried to tell Jesu to use his influence to tell the crowds to stop but it was to no avail. We know that some of them really want to catch him and put him on trial for blasphemy and treason. “

“Blasphemy?” Mary said incredulously. She had never herd Jesus say a bad word in his life. 

“Yes, Jesu talks about God as if Yahweh is his father and sometimes also makes it sound as if he is equal with god. No person can really make that claim but then, we have never seen or heard of anyone like Jesu either.”

Mary’s heart skipped a beat when she heard about the intention of the authorities. If only Jesus had listened to her a long time ago. But he always seemed to know what he was doing, what he believed he need to do, and she had learned a long time ago that there was no stopping him.

Mary was glad she had made the acquaintance of these women. She could feel their support for Jesus, even for her. The women asked if she and her family had a place to stay. She thanked them for their concern, their hospitality, and reassured them she was looked after. She told them where she was staying; at relatives. Then she bade her new friends good evening, Happy Passover, and went to join her family at her Uncle Bejanmin and Aunt Hannah’s home. 

Then came the day to celebrate the Passover feast. Mary was told that Jesus had instructed his young men on preparing a place for them and everything had fallen into place just as he had predicted. Yes, Mary thought, ‘he always seems to know what’s going to happen.’ 

The Story of Mary III - Chapter 24 – Jesus is Baptized

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

The day that Mary was dreading somewhat came soon enough. One morning before Jesus went to work, he simply said to his mother, “I think the time has come for me to go and pay a visit to John. I want to see what he has to say to me, about me. I believe his words will make it clear to me what I should do and when.”

“Jesus,” Mary responded, sighing inwardly with a heartache only a mother can have, especially one having some foreboding sense of what lay before them, “When the angel told me about your birth, I said I was in the hands of The Highest One as his servant. That is still true. Therefore, I must let you go and, indeed, give you my full blessing, love and support as you do.”

“And, for my part,” Jesus replied, “I will do what I can over the next week or two to prepare James and Joseph to carry on in my absence. They know enough to be able to do much of the work and they can learn more over time, as I did. What is just as important is that I let those we have worked for know, that in future, James and Joseph will be their contacts for future jobs, not me.”

True to his word, Jesus discussed and arranged this with his brothers and their employers. So it was that, some ten days later, Jesus bade his family farewell, “I can’t promise when I will see you again,” he said truthfully. “You know I will keep you all in my prayers, as I have all these years when we have been together, especially since father died. But you know, I must fulfil my heavenly father’s calling, and I know he will look after you too.”

This reference to The Highest One as his heavenly father was something Jesus had begun to use ever since that time he had stayed behind in the temple in Jerusalem years before. Mary still wondered what he had learned there that had brought this conviction to him. She knew too though that he only spoke like this in front of the family. No one else ever referred to Jehovah that way, and although the family had gotten used to Jesus doing so, it still seemed strange sometimes.

So it was that Jesus left Nazareth and began the trek down to the Jordan Valley and along it in pursuit of his increasingly renowned relative. The days went by and Mary waited and yearned for her beloved son’s return. Finally, one day, some 6 weeks later, to her great joy, Jesus was at the door. Mary left her chores and ran to greet him. Then she insisted he stay with them and have something to eat and tell them what had happened.

Jesus was pleased to do so. He too loved to be with his family, especially as he knew the times for this were fast disappearing. 

“I found John,” Jesus began, “and I persuaded him that I too needed to be baptized by him. “And you know, mother,” he continued, leaning towards her and looking at her, “When I came out of the water, my heavenly father spoke to me in a clearer way than I have ever heard before. He said, ‘This is my Jesus Son, in whom I am well pleased (Matthew 3:1-170.’ Oh, I tell you, that was wonderful. You have no idea how reassuring it was. That was just the sign I was looking for, the identification I needed. But you won’t believe what happened next,’ he said, pausing for effect, “It was as if something came over me and before I knew it I was somewhere - I have no clue where – in the wilds of Judea. I can only believe it was The Spirit of Jehovah took me there. In fact, I know it was. It is the gift of baptism.” 

“I did not know where I was and I had this strong conviction there was a purpose to be there – to fast and pray and prepare for my mission. I began to do that, but then, the strangest thing happened. The evil one appeared. That was a trying time, let me tell you. He tried to tempt me in different directions than what I knew Jehovah was calling me. It was only with His help and the use of passages from his word that I remembered and used in my defense that I could fend the evil one off. When it was all over, I was starved and – mother you know about these things – angels came and fed me! The next thing I knew, I was on my way home (Matthew 4:1-11).”

Mary marveled at all of this. She still did not grasp what it all meant. “Well,” she said finally, “I’m just glad you’re home safe and sound.”

“But you know, I can’t stay, mother,” Jesus answered, “I have to be about my father’s business.”

The Story of Mary III - Chapter 27 – Jesus Family Becomes Concerned

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

After the incident in Nazareth, Jesus made his home in Capernaum for the most part. After all, this was near where many of his new friends were from. He got more of a welcome in this area than in his hometown. Mary had difficulty getting used to Jesus not being around though. He had been such a pillar of support for her for so many years since his father’s death. All she could do was keep her ears open for reports that filtered back from the area around the Sea of Galilee, and these were becoming more astonishing all the time. 

Mary received stories of Jesus performing miraculous healings and driving demons out of possessed individuals. He had gone to Jerusalem to the Passover and run into some challenges there. Apparently, he had gotten angry at what he saw going on at the temple and upset some of the leaders when he tried to stop the buying and selling that went on with its money exchanging in the temple courts. Mary appreciated his zeal for his heavenly father but she grew concerned when she heard that what he was doing was raising the ire of some of the leaders. She believed that Jesus had the right idea with all the good he was doing for people. She even heard about some of his wonderful messages. But Mary knew enough about the Sanhedrin, the council that basically ran things in Jerusalem, and the High Priest’s family which ran the Sanhedrin, to be concerned. Then, there was also Herod and his supporters, and behind them all, the Romans.

Mary was unsure how to handle her growing unease. She really was not sure where to turn. Ever since the incident with Jesus in the local synagogue, she had been wary of her neighbours. Finally, she disclosed her fears to her sons James and Joseph. They did not have the wisdom and maturity Jesus had displayed at their age but they were growing up and Jesus had been a good influence on them.

James response had been that they should simply go and see Jesus and talk to him about what he was doing. Having no better ideas than a face-to-face encounter, Mary accepted James’ proposal. The family made the necessary preparations and began the trek to Capernaum. 

When Mary and her children arrived at Capernaum, they went to Simon’s home. He was the one they knew best and Mary also knew Jesus spent time here. When they arrived, Simon’s family filled them in on the latest. To her dismay, Mary heard that Jesus was getting so besieged by crowds looking for help he wasn’t taking time to eat properly (John 3:20).

James, being the bolder and sometimes abrupt of her children simply responded to this news by saying they had to confront Jesus and help him rein things in. “He’s out of his mind,” was James’ opinion (John 3:21). Mary had some misgivings about that. After all, she knew Jesus firmly believed he was doing what he ought to do. He might be overdoing it, but it wasn’t that bad. 

Nevertheless, they went to the home where they were told Jesus was staying. Sure enough, the crowds so thronged the doorway as people tried to get in for help and her what Jesus was saying, it was practically impossible for them to push their way through. They asked those in front of them to simply pass on the message to Jesus that they were outside and wanted to see him.

The message was passed along. Those sitting next to Jesus told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are outside looking for you.” 3:33He answered them and said, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 3:34And looking at those who were sitting around him in a circle, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 3:35For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother (Mark 3:32-35).”

When this response was transmitted back to Jesus’ waiting family, James was of the opinion they should force their way in and talk sense into Jesus and get him to come home with them. However, Mary knew her son best. She heard in the response she received that she and her family were best not to interfere further or they might indeed be guilty of keeping Jesus from doing god’s will. She pulled James by the arm and said, “Come, let’s go home.” 

“But mother,” James replied, “What Jesus is doing is not good for him.”

Mary looked James squarely in the eye and said,” I think he does know what he is doing. He might not understand fully yet what purpose he is carrying out, but I don’t think we can or should try any harder to stop him. You know you brother believes strongly that he has a very unique mission to complete. I think the best we can do is go home and pray for him, that he will receive the wisdom he needs to do the will of The Highest and that Jahweh will look after him.”

Mary felt a sadness and heaviness in her heart even as she tried to present this idea strongly to her children, perhaps trying to convince herself as well as them by putting this into audible speech. Deep inside though, she knew Jesus was doing what he felt called to do. She turned and led her boys back home to Nazareth.

The Story of Mary III - Chapter 26 – Jesus is Rejected By His Own - Updated July 4

NOTE: THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE IN A MUCH IMPROVED, EXPANDED BOOK, "A SWORD SHALL PIERCE YOUR SOUL" from FriesenPress

After spending a few days with Jesus in Capernaum, Mary decided she needed to go home. She had enjoyed being able to spend time with Jesus’ new friends, and even their families. The family of the one called Simon, in particular, had been such good hosts.  

She had listened with intent wonder at the things she heard Jesus sharing with the young men, and not only them, but the crowds that seemed to gather around nonstop.  Jesus was getting known. More amazingly, she saw Jesus healing people of diseases and even casting out evil spirits. Sometimes she wondered if Jesus was overdoing it. He hardly seemed to take a rest. It was hard to believe this was her son doing all this. It made her realize anew what all those voices from the past had said about her child. Now, she was seeing it come true. But where would it go? She was soon to find out one of those possibilities.

Mary pulled Jesus aside one morning and said, “I think I need to go home. The children are getting restless. The boys need to go back to work. Why don’t you come back with us. Our people in Nazareth could also benefit from hearing your teaching and even from your healing.”

“Thank you mother, for your invitation,” Jesus replied. “I must ask the Father about it. Why don’t you go on home with the family and I will follow if it is his will.” Suddenly pulling her close, Jesus kissed both of her cheeks and added, “You know I love you mother, and always will. Our Father will take care of you. Go in peace.”

Mary turned to gather her children and her things, marveling again at Jesus’ manner of speaking. Suddenly he was a mature man, speaking with authority. Where had this come from?

One Sabbath day, not long after, Jesus, having made his way back to Nazareth after all, went to the synagogue. People had heard about the things he was doing and were glad to see him. Those who had known him better growing up and knew what a brilliant student he had been, were eager to hear what he had to tell them. Mary was told he was at the synagogue and she hurried to see what was happening. She had not seen Jesus for some time and missed him dearly She was beginning to realize how much she had come to depend on him after Joseph’s death. She knew he had ended up at Capernaum and seemed to be making that his home. He had attracted some young followers and it seemed he was staying at the home of one of them, a fisherman named Simon, son of Zebedee.

Jesus’ brothers and sisters followed alongwith Mary and they arrived at the synagogue just as they could see through the door that Jesus was standing up and making his way to the front. Doing so indicated he was ready to take a turn at reading. The leader of the synagogue gave him the Torah to read. Jesus took the scroll and found this passage:“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and the regaining of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:16-19).”

Then Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to tell them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled even as you heard it being read.” As he went on to explain what he meant, his fellow Nazarenes nodded in approval andamazement at the gracious words coming out of his mouth (Luke 4:20-22). They believed they knew what it meant to be poor, as many of them were. Many also had experience being captives. They certainly felt oppressed, even under their own King Herod, let alone the Romans. Hearing that it was time to proclaim “the year of the Lord’s favour” lifted their spirits. Was Jesus going to help them shake off the yokes of their oppressors! It all sounded too good to be true.

As they listened to this some naysayers began to question what he said. They said to one another, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Whereas just a short time before they had been buoyed by his words, they now began to question how a local boy like Jesus could make these claims for himself. They soon had everyone beginning to discount what Jesus was saying. They had expected him to do some miracles for them but he was doing nothing of the kind. Without such deeds, how could they believe he had any power to do what he was talking of.

As if reading their minds, Jesus said to them, “No doubt you will quote to me the proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ and say, ‘What we have heard that you did in Capernaum, do here in your hometown too.’”He added, “I tell you the truth, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. Let me remind you of a truth from the prophets: There were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days, when the sky was shut up three and a half years, and there was a great famine over all the land. Yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to a woman who was a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, yet none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.” 

When they heard this, all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage. How could Jesus talk of occasions where God had seemed to pour his favour on Gentiles. Given the Jews animosity to the Gentiles, going back especially to the time of Babylon, then Greece and now Rome, this was not something they could accept. How could their God help the Gentiles? Had Jesus forgotten all they had suffered under the Gentiles? The Gentiles had not done them any favours.

How could Jesus only speak of good things done to Gentiles? It sounded as if he was twisting the words of the prophets to make them say something new and different. They really did not know what Jesus was trying to tell them. They only knew they did not like the sound of something they could not understand. It sounded to them like blasphemy, to so misuse the prophets and attribute grace to the Gentiles to God! 

Suddenly they were all on their feet and rushing to the front of the synagogue. They grabbed Jesus and practically carried him out of the synagogue and dragged him out of the town. The penalty for blasphemy was death and this mob was intent on that. 

Mary was shocked as she saw her beloved son treated this way. She wanted to cry out and tell them they were mistaken, to beg them to let Jesus go. Jesus would never say anything to favour evildoers like the Gentiles. But seeing the murderous looks on her neighbours faces and hearing their angry cries, she felt afraid for her other children, let alone herself. How could they turn on one of their own like this? What if they turned on them, as Jesus’ family?

Mary followed from a distance, keeping well back of the crowd. She had to see what was going to happen to Jesus. She gripped the hands of her younger ones and ordered the older ones to stay with her. She saw the crowd bring him to the brow of the hill at the edge of the town, pushing him to the edge of the cliff. They wanted to throw him over the edge! It was obvious they really were intent on killing him. But, suddenly she saw Jesus simply turn back, pass through the crowd and disappear. No one could touch him!

Mary had seen it all unfold. She was still too terror stricken to really appreciate what she had just seen, that Jesus had been spared. She had felt powerless in the face of these angry citizens. She wished she had not come; she felt especially sorry that Jesus’ siblings had seen and heard this. What questions they would have, never mind the confusion in her mind. What would they think of their brother when they saw how their fellow Nazarenes thought of him. That Jesus deserved to die for what he had said. Sometimes Mary had begun to wonder if Jesus was going a bit too far, getting carried away with his deeply ingrained sense of mission and God’s calling. 

Mary’s heart ached as she trudged home. She got her children their evening meal but she really had no appetite herself. She was glad for their silence, that she did not have to answer questions about all of this. As she wearily lay down for the night, she just felt exhausted, and was glad for sleep. All she had energy for was to quickly breath a silent prayer to Yahweh for Jesus, first of thanks for his apparent deliverance, but then also for his safety and his future.