Mary to Jesus: “I was a Samaritan”

“Tell me about Capernaum,” Jesus said, as he and Mary moved north.

To their right lay the Sea of Galilee. At the far north end west of the Sea was Mary’s home.

“I’m not from there,” Mary said.

“Where?” Jesus asked.

“I was a Samaritan,” Mary said. She looked to Jesus for reaction but saw none. “Most Jews despise us.” she added. “I can see you do not.”

“Why?”

“Why does anyone despise others?” Mary answered. “Tribes. Beliefs. Gangs. Silliness. Arguments.”

“It is silliness,” Jesus answered.

“Does your Abba agree?” Mary asked.

“Of course,” Jesus answered. “We are all one. All are.”

“Are we?”

“I think so. What do you think?”

“I think you and John are opposites. You are both crazy.”

Jesus laughed.

“Trouble,” Mary said.

“Tell me about Capernaum,” Jesus responded.

“It’s peaceful. There’s no trouble. You’ll like it.”

“Do you have a family?”

“I left them when I decided to go off on my own and believe nothing. They would not have understood.”

“Who do you live with in Capernaum?”

“A big family” Mary responded. “I help out. They are good to me.”

Jesus thought about what Mary was saying. Capernaum was different than Nazareth. Relaxed. More open. More like the life he wanted to make universal.

“I am going to Capernaum and that is where we start out. My aim is all. A world beyond all gangs and tribes and silliness.”

They made good time. It would take at least another day.

As before, they slept on the ground beneath the stars. They did not move to one another as Jesus and Rachel had done. But as were going to sleep, Mary reached over to where Jesus was. Seeing, Jesus reached too. Their fingers touched. Unity.

“Touch hands. Touch lives.”

Peace descended even though on this well-travelled way rarely a day passed when one did not need to be on guard.