by Krishna Rose
“What then should we do if we are blessed with good looks and wealth? Is it a sin to enjoy the pleasures of one’s own good fortune, which by God is given unto us?” a woman dressed in fine-spun cloth, asked abrasively.
“If you have riches, do not lend it out at interest. Rather, give it to those who have need and confer it upon the poor who shall never return it. Beware of those who are dependent upon the pleasures of the flesh. Renounce the world—or you shall be overcome by it.”
“Are you saying that we should give up our work and do nothing but close our eyes to the world around us?” the woman asked facetiously, pleating her fine silken shawl in neat perfect lines over her finely embroidered dress and curvaceous form.
“Once, a woman was carrying a heavy jar full of water upon her head. She walked along hot pathways for days to reach her village, but when she put the container down, she found it empty,” Jesu replied.
“Is our work in this world fruitless, like that of the woman who worked hard to carry her jar, only to find it empty when she arrived?” the young man in the front asked, hoping he had understood something.
“Yes, my son. Do your work, but have no attachment to the fruits thereof. Those who thirst, drink from my lips through their ears. Those who are filled with pride, have no place to lay their heads and rest. They are deaf, blind, and mute. Those who have ears, are those who thirst.”
Sensing the confusion in the crowds, he answered their need. Asking the crowds to move back, so that the sick and needy could come forward for healing, the pitiful came to stand in a line before the Master.
“Fear not,” he said to them, “for I tell you in truth, that on this day, Satan shall be destroyed before your body is destroyed! While you pray with me, the angels of the Lord will protect your body and the anger of Satan will be impotent against my command. So great is my faith, that I shall cast out Satan by the power of the Lord who loves us.”
Jesu then requested that the young man bring a ewe, which was tied to a tree nearby. Once she was brought before him, he asked him to milk her, until there was enough milk to fill a large bowl. Then, upon placing the vessel on the ground, he prayed, “May the angels of fire, warm this milk by the sun’s merciful ray. And when the power of the angel of the sun has entered this milk, may then the angels of water and fire join harmoniously together with the angels of the air. Now come to me, one by one,” he said motioning to them, “and breathe in through your wide-open mouths, the power of the Lord, that He may come into you and cast out evil from you.”
The vapor of the warm milk rose slowly into the air, and one by one, the sick came forward. Opening their mouths wide, Jesu brought to them the milk, whose fragrance poured into them like a light. The congregation fell silent.
“Satan torments you, for you do not satisfy his desires. Do not fear, for he finds no more comfort within your body—come forth Satan!” he demanded, and the sick heaved and their bodies seized with wretchedness as they gasped for air, fainting on the ground. Fear paralyzed the onlookers.
“Satan—leave them!” Jesu ordered, pointing to the sick people’s opened mouths. Then the crowds saw with astonishment and terror, as abominable beasts crawled from the people’s mouths towards the steaming milk, to drink. He reached for the beasts’, pulling them out forcibly with his hands, one by one, from the people’s sick bodies. Taking a sharp stone in hand, he crushed the heads of the serpents, who writhed on the ground with venom dripping from their mouths as they hissed and cursed—until they lay dead.
All were amazed and petrified. Once the creatures had been removed from the sick, they recovered their breath at once, and all pain and suffering ceased. One of the men whom Jesu had healed, stood before him weeping. His sight had become clear and all disease had left him. He fell upon the ground where Jesu stood, kissing his bandaged feet in gratitude.
“See what beasts you nourish in your bodies?” he announced. “The ancient serpent has infected you with his poisonous breath. Feasting on your weakness, he revels in his control over you. Having cast him out, and having killed he who sucked upon your life force—henceforth be untainted, so that he might never again torment you. Give thanks to the Lord, that His angels have set you free, and sin no more. Let your bodies from this day forth, be as a temple dedicated unto clemency. Tonight come to me, for I shall baptize you and you shall again be made whole.”
Everyone was in awe of his words and of his power. Many more came close, crying out for the miracle of his healing, and with that, we set about milking and warming more milk in preparation for the crowds. Lazarus, Mary-Salome, Martha, Sarah-Tamar, and I, headed up groups, as people lined up. Once word spread, people came from far and wide and their faith was restored.
“Master, you are God’s holy messenger! We do not doubt you,” the people cried. And they wept and wailed, for what they had seen was the Lord’s miracle. Many came forward falling at his feet, beseeching him for his mercy. And so it was, that sometimes for seven days or more, people came to fast and pray with us, and upon the passing of the seventh day, he spoke with them and baptized them, offering unto them new life.
“The world has grown mute to prayer and deliverance, ignorant of its own mortal lethargy. Therefore, honor your divine Father and eternal Mother. Do as Their commandments bid. Kill no living thing, for life is given and taken by the Lord alone. And that which the Lord has given, let no man take away. Be warned, that whosoever eats the flesh of slain beasts, eats the body of death. And they shall be shunned by all the Lord’s angels who will turn from them.
“They, who do not heed God’s will, like an arrow from a bow, quickly become hosts to such evil, and verily sickness of mind and body shall follow. By repentance and fasting, thy debts and sins of the past seven years are forgiven. But believe me when I tell you, eye for eye, life after life, the wages of all that you do, and all that you do not do, shall prey upon you and follow your immortal soul until it is repaid.
“Therefore repent and do the will of the Lord, that His angels may serve you. He has given you every green seed-bearing herb and fruit-yielding tree, that you shall have them for meat. And He has given the milk of beasts to nourish you. But flesh and blood of slain beasts, you shall not eat.”
After hearing these words, they were changed.
“I teach things which you can understand, so that the Lord’s limitless mercy, might descend upon you and lead you to righteousness. These teachings unfold, and unbind you in your miseries. Now go in peace and sin no more.”
All were amazed. The lame could walk and the blind could see. Their diseases left them, and the sick were whole once more.
CHAPTER 22
OBEDIENCE
Obedience is when one submits one’s self to a higher power, having faith that it will set you free from struggle.
Obedience may in life shield us from harm—especially in matters of spirit, while disobedience causes the mind, body, and soul, to suffer.
“I beseech Thee Lord, divide and separate me from my needs. Taking me into Your fold, penetrate my every fear with faithfulness,” I cried, ripping at my red dress—frantically tearing its delicate fabric with my nails, revealing my sweaty flesh beneath. “I am ready!” I panted. “Unveil the light behind the darkness. Allow me to reach for Your blessings. I yearn for the freedom which I have ached for—for so long. Freedom from mortality, freedom from limitations, freedom from craving!
“The confines of the flesh have consumed me night and day with load, labor and worry. Please Lord, baptize me! Leave not one stone unturned. By Your loving kindness, bind me, comfort me, and console me,” I prayed shamelessly, my torn dress scattered, its frayed edges soaked by my tears, pooled together in a small puddle at my feet.
Then I saw him, Jesu, gazing pitifully at me, once again nail
ed to the cross. He cried out. Together we were again bound by certain death, seemingly abandoned and lost—he in the horror of crucifixion, and I as the witness without power to change the inevitable separation death brings to us all. Running towards him, I stretched out my hands to catch his tears which fell like torrents of rain from his sad, defeated eyes.
“Forgive me,” he cried, as he submitted himself knowingly into the hands of death. As his spirit exhaled, a fog imbued the air with death’s final song, taking with it my vision. “No!” I howled, glancing down at my hands which were covered in blood. I screamed, unable to understand how we had returned to this since our escape, believing the unthinkable had happened.
“Life is the valley of tears through which all must pass, Mary. Raise the mist,” the High-Priest instructed me. “Walk between worlds and set your compass beyond the bounds of human flesh. Cast yourself into the furnace of self-change and destroy self-interest at its root!”
“But how? What am I to do?” I asked, grimacing with uncertainty.
“Generations of angels acclaim your bravery and mighty acts of mercy. Mary! Why do you vacillate so? Fate necessitates your journey into the dark night of the soul—to declare glory unto the Lord. He is bound by love to help, just as you are bound by duty to guide souls in death, as in life. You are to foster those who sleep in the darkness of death’s captivity. Therefore pray, since you know not what to do,” he suggested, sounding mystified by my lack of certainty.
“Dear Lord, You are my rock and my redeemer,” I prayed. “Take my soul and lead me through these pastures, that Your light may descend upon the fearful shadows lurking beneath what I am familiar with.”
I was shaken to my bones—terrified after having again witnessed my husband’s sacrifice.
Into death I was thrown, a stranger in an unfamiliar territory. A foreboding, apprehensive feeling crept up on me. The world spun beneath my feet. The High-Priest reached for me, sensing my disorientation and I grabbed his hand gratefully, steadying myself. A tremendous heat seared at my lungs in the chaos of the shadowland’s embrace. A tight knot in my throat, instilled by my increasing fear, had left me gasping for air. As we made our way through a brutally oppressive gale of confusion, fighting waves of nausea, frightened, I was led to face my deepest fear—death itself.
“Death is under strict orders to be sorrowful and near at hand, like a shadow tugging at your living conscience, where it drags on the heels of the incarnate mortals existing on your plane. Fragile faith has kept many a soul from fulfilling what they came to earth to achieve. Therefore, without hesitation, be brave and dive into these most grim and unforgettable places, which lie halfway between the darkness of damnation and the edge of mortality. Once you challenge the shadows, you will be free of their hold on you” the High-Priest encouraged.
“Who are you, that you have so intrepidly entered our bounds?” a voice sneered intimidatingly from within the darkness. I staggered, watching horrified, as the High-Priest threw the approaching creature against a wall, commanding him to withdraw.
“You dare to walk uncorrupted through the lowest depths where custom dictates every creature to tremble,” the creature cackled antagonistically. “I foresaw your undertaking when first you entered my realms, and now I see that you attempt to release those who are bound here—who groan under the weight of my chains. Who are you that you have not yet died, yet dare to walk amongst us, commanding demons to flee from the land of men? What and who gives you such authority over the wicked?” it taunted in a whining, hollow voice, its long, twisted outstretched finger pointing in my direction.
The deformed beast possessed many feet and a long tail. Around its neck was draped, a large silver chain and whistle. Death cowered like a savage criminal in the murky shadows, streaked in the blood of those he had acquired. I thought for a moment, wondering how best to reply, when an almighty fearful cry caused a flash of fire to appear from the beast’s wide-open mouth. The High-Priest sucked air through his pursed lips and the fire rushed, retreating from us, disappearing like water from a cup, into him, leaving us in darkness once more.
Charged with a newfound bravery that coursed through my veins, I stood erect, staring into the pit of darkness from where the beast had come. “We come in peace, Brother Death. Fear me not, for I, like you, am the Lord’s messenger. It is His hand that extends out to all who are here confined. I am charged as torchbearer and light bringer to the fallen, weak and terrified. To break their shackles and release those who suffer in great misfortune,” I said firmly, intent upon facing my deepest terrors.
“These regions of earth have been enslaved by the underground regions for nigh on a thousand moons,” the shadow-being scoffed. “Suffering and chaos is our business, and blood is our thirst. There is no misfortune here, only the exchange of consequences after a life has been lived in excesses and wrongdoing,” death’s voice urged.
I shifted nervously, my heart pounding like a beating drum. The High-Priest gave me a reassuring nod. “My name is Mary Magdalene, and I have come here to free those who are held in your care. My authority lies with the Lord, who rules over the darkness, as its creator,” I declared, my voice fueled by emotion.
“Oh really Mary . . . Magdalene?” the beast’s hoarse voice repeated, taunting me.
An overwhelming fear gripped me as the shadow-being laughed, snickering in a deafening, high-pitched shriek. I felt uneasy, my true purpose suddenly blanketed with self-doubt. ‘What is happening to me?’ I wondered. I could not let death see my cowardice, else it would have hold over me! So I collected myself, trying to catch and restore my conviction.
A suspenseful, eerie hush, pierced the chaos, as the amorphous beast approached, trying to catch hold of me with its rough, hairy fingers. Out of its sulfurous mouth, malevolent curses came, as it moved combatively around me, searching for my weaknesses. Slamming my foot down hard on the ground, I seized the creature’s crooked hand, feeling its contorted leathery skin against mine. “Look at me,” I commanded. “I came in peace to relieve your kind of your misery. Therefore, restrain your disagreement with me, for I come not to quarrel, but to offer redemption.”
“Misery? What do you know of misery, Mistress of the Light? Innocence has long since been interrupted in entanglements that bind all who live without scruples. Oh, and there are so many,” he chortled, rubbing his gory hands together excitedly. “You may come to offer salvation, Mistress, but absolution has no place in these lands. I have seen the blind dwellers on earth. They do not notice the creeping beasts who live amongst them destroying all that is good, for they are so enslaved. Hardened, people live withered half-lives, fearful that their pretense might be discovered. All the while, the Prince of darkness and his minions shed virginal blood in bounty before their very eyes—though they see it not, for they are lost to the deceptions which the darkness offers them freely!
“And while humanity debates on political differences, false idols, and mundane gossip, we crucify their intelligence upon the altar of illusions. So that ‘our kind’ might flourish on earth, Mistress. Our corruption is vast, as many people through the ages paid for their wealth and power with their souls. Here, they are cast down, bound by the neck, to repay their debts in the everlasting fires of the nether regions. I know no misery Mistress, for I too am a deliverer like you, but I deliver coin for coin what is due,” the shadow-being said, snarling, as it pulled its hand from mine, affronted that I had dared to touch it.
Steadfast, I again tightly gripped death’s hand in mine, determined not to allow its faithful dedication to darkness thwart or hinder my stratagem. Inflamed with righteous rage, I proclaimed virtue into the darkness. “Your master holds no power over the sons and daughters of Eve. I do not fear you! Nor am I beholden to you, or your master. Yield, and obey the will of the divine or I shall send the Lord’s angels to destr
oy these lands,” I exclaimed, feeling larger than life. “Leave the living be, until their time has come. Let them live and make righteous choices!”
“Why do you tremble, daughter of Eve?” the creature’s spine-chilling voice squealed, hopeful of gaining power over me.
“The Lord is my keeper, and I tremble for His love is mighty. I do not fear you creature! For the Lord is my shepherd. Like a lightning bolt He shall descend upon you and your master’s feeble followers. Both here and on earth. I declare it before all the gods! Thou shalt not have power over the sons and daughters of Eve from this day forth! Be gone from this place,” I said, throwing his hand from mine, trembling with power—prayerfully spirited with fortitude and determined courage.
The shadow-being’s skeletal jaw tensed like an enraged bat. “You have no power here, Mary. These are my lands! This is the land of death and your proclamations have no influence to manifest such a baptism here,” the beast said, gripping my arm unrelentingly tight in its leathery palm.
“In the darkness where once you gained power, a light shall rise, so that you and all your master’s followers shall be burned to ash and renewed in the light of the Lord’s love for thee. The earth is thus pronounced free of your evil mission by the power and glory of the Lord’s holy name, so mote it be,” I decreed, sensing a reformation at hand, disarming myself from his alarming boldness.
“And even if you and your masters, alter your shape into that of an ant, which plans to sneak back into a dark hole, or yield into the shape of a bird that can fly high in the sky, I shall pursue you until the end of time, to remove your filthy existence from both this world and the next! Do you hear me creature?” I said shaking all over, as the power of the spirit within moved through me. “The Lord has sent his emissaries since time immemorial to save the fallen, lost souls of our world,” I said, pulling the beast to me, unwilling to negotiate on any terms.