3-Noon

NOON.

Toward noon Simon and Andrew, having finished their first half day’s work, returned. "What does this mean?" asked Andrew, when he saw the flowers scattered in front of the house. "Have you not read," answered Simon, "what Zechariah says (6:12): ’Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch; and He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord?’" "But," continued Andrew, "there is such an abundance of flowers, as though the chuppa (the marriage-bower) of a king’s son had been erected here." "Well," says Simon, "is He not a king? When our wise men say these Rabbis are kings, is He not all the more a king whose words and deeds are as much exalted over theirs as the heavens are above the earth?" "Yes, indeed," says Andrew, "His soul can have come from nowhere save from the throne of glory. Do you not feel as I do ? When I see Him before me only mentally, I cannot restrain myself for love, and I fall upon His neck and kiss Him. But when I see Him bodily, I tremble at His presence, as though I were in danger of touching the holy ark in the holy of holies. And when He takes my hand into His, my whole body trembles, the ground disappears from beneath my feet, and I seem to be suspended between heaven and earth." The two men had been busy out on the lake from early morn. Now they laid aside their girdles and washed their hands, for the noon meal was ready. Jesus was called, and pronounced the blessing. He did not seem to be a guest in this house, but rather its Master. Those assembled were silent and waited until He began the conversation. "And now, My brethren," He began, "add zest to our appetites, and tell us how you fared to-day." "Lord," said Peter, smiling, "the fish were more willing to go into our nets than the buyers were to take them out. Our lot was the best of all, and yet not the most valuable. We offered for sale breams, barbels and perch, in great number, at low prices; but we could see that the people who came to buy thought with the adage, ’A fat piece, but a thorn is in it.’ They seemed to be afraid of our fish, just as if these were heretical and full of witchcraft." "Have ye not read," said Jesus, "what is said in Psa 119:91 : ’All things are Thy servants?’ The fish are better servants of God than is mankind." "Yes," began Andrew, "we would have sold out sooner if the market master and several scribes had not been standing by, who scrutinized closely all who bought of us." "But you have certainly sold out, have you not?" asked Jesus. "Yes, Lord," answered the two brothers together. Then Andrew was silent, while Peter alone continued to narrate that the man of the royal household, who owed the deliverance of his son to Jesus, had often helped them out of a similar difficulty, and had saved them from waiting too long for customers.

"Then you finished your market business at a not very late hour?" said Jesus; "what have you been doing since?" "We went down to our boats, in order to take a chomer of wheat from Chorazin which had been sold to Bethsaida. Then five men came running down toward us who had been inquiring up and down the shore for us. The one cried: ’It is well that we have found you, for I am your debtor; I owe my health to your exalted Guest, but at the cost of the roof of your house.’ After he had explained the matter to me, he pressed a coin of gold into my hand, but I refused to accept it, until I should know what the repairing of the house would cost. Then his countenance fell, and he asked: ’Would you be willing to take us over, so that we can take the shortest road to Bethsaida Julias?’ Most assuredly, I said, ’if you hurry, and we will even consent to take the ordinary fare for the trip.’ Thereupon they ran back a piece, and afterward entered the boat with their baggage. Among this was a hammock, and a rosebush with budding roses, taken up with the roots (a rarity around the sea), of which the healed man said: ’I intend to plant this in a well-prepared bed in front of my house, and the roses which it will produce shall be called only by the name of Miracle Roses of Capernaum.’ The wind came from the west, and our boat sailed along almost without the use of the rudder, and we soon came to our destination. It was a lovely trip; for the five men could not hear enough of Thee, Lord. It was a good thing that there were two of us, so that we could relieve each other in narrating." This conversation at the table was interrupted by a singular incident. Mary, the mother of Jesus, had, indeed, on one occasion before this been at Capernaum (John 2:12); but since that time every month of separation had increased her yearning for her son. In her spirit she was constantly with Him; but, since His public ministry, the sympathy of her heart had not found the wished-for response. Even the sentiments of her immediate surroundings did not fully harmonize with hers. All the more diligently did she employ the spare moments which she could gain from the duties of a large household to work for Him. She prepared linen clothing for Him, and rejoiced in anticipation that she would possibly be able to take these things to Him herself. Such an opportunity had presented itself just at the right moment. A wealthy friend of her family, belonging to those few who had recognized in Jesus the One sent by God, had some business to attend to in Tiberias, which was at that time a great business and commercial centre; and he intended from there to make a visit to Capernaum, in order to hear once again the Word of truth from the mouth of the great Nazarene. He told Joseph of this, adding that he would not only gladly take Mary with him, but would consider it an honor to do so. He could easily make the journey to Tiberias, which was a distance of seven hours, on foot, while his beast of burden was at her service; and he would also see to it that she should be brought back again in safety. Mary heard this with joyful agitation, and a petitioning look at her husband readily secured his permission. As they desired to arrive at Capernaum about noon, her escort was ready to start between the ninth and the tenth hour i.e., about three and a half hours before sunrise. The man walked rapidly, and the animal seemed not to feel any weight. When they went by the grain-fields and flower-beds of Kefar-Kenna, the village above was yet lying in deep sleep. From there the way went on one arm of the plain Battauf, and from here gradually ascended to the water-shed, which is marked by the village Lubije. At sunrise they had come to the birth place of the Apostle Judas Thaddaeus, which was on a hill covered with fig and olive-oil trees. And when, after taking a short rest, they arrived at two wells up on the ridge of a hill, the first view of the dusky sea, lying sparkling in the sunshine, burst upon their view. When they were near it, passing by the south side of Karn Hattin, the rocky mass with its dark peaks, at the foot of which it is said that the Sermon on the Mount was delivered, they began to meet people from the neighborhood, who could inform them that Jesus was in Capernaum, and had on that morning performed a number of miracles. In order to go directly to Tiberias they did not descend through the Valley of Doves (Wadi Hamam) by way of the wheat village (Kefr Hattin) but went by way of the Emmaus Valley (Amwas), which ends at the sea near Tiberias. At Tiberias it happened that Mary found a boat which had just come from Capernaum and was to return at once. The fishermen were at first brusque, but, after they had looked at her, they became quieted and reverent.

It was Simon’s wife who first heard the gentle knock at the door of the house. She arose, looked through the wooden window-bars, and sprang back astounded, crying out with great joy: "Mary of Nazareth!" Scarcely had she said this, when Peter sprang up and hastened after her. He opened the door, and took hold of Mary’s hand, looking at her with intense earnestness, saying: "Blessed be she that cometh!" and with his left he took the bundle which she was carrying. Returning the salutation, she asked in a voice that indicated her anxiety and fear of hearing a negative answer: "Will I find Jesus here?" "Yes, in truth, mother of my Lord," answered Peter, and at the same moment Jesus came, followed by the others, who allowed Him to precede them, and remained a few steps behind Him. For a long time Mary held Him in her embrace, which He did not refuse; and her hot tears flowed down upon His breast, tears of deep joy and grief at the same time. "Peace be unto thee, peace be unto thee, My dear mother," said Jesus, pressing His lips upon the crown of her head. Then He supported her by the arm, and conducted her into the room, where first the women saluted each other with loud expressions of joy, followed by Andrew, who approached, feeling more than he could express, and whose hand she pressed all the more heartily. But when the women were beginning to ask how it happened that Mary had at this time of the day been able to get to Capernaum, Peter interrupted them, and said: "Why do you permit our friend to stand so long? She must be tired after her long journey. Be seated, lady, beside our Master, and break bread with us, so that you may refresh yourself, and honor us. We would like to be able to offer you something better than salted fish; but, Hannah (calling to his wife), bring in some grapes and figs, such as are yet to be had at Nazareth, so that our guest may be able to taste of the blessings of the Gennesar land." When they were all seated at the table. Jesus Himself asked her in whose company and in what way she had come. And when in her joy at again seeing her son she forgot to eat, He urged her to partake. And when He added that after the meal she should go up with Him to His chamber, she gave Him a look of the deepest gratitude; and the others, who knew well why and had so long remained silent, felt encouraged to speak. "How happy ye are," began Mary, "who have this beautiful and large and picturesque sea constantly before your eyes, whose waves, after my long ride on the ass, have so gently but quickly brought me into your midst, and how beautiful is this city! Its houses are visible from a long distance, and are seemingly swimming on the water." "Yes, Capernaum is beautiful," answered Simon, "and never was it more beautiful than it now is, when it is really, as its name signifies, the city of the Comforter and of consolation. But the majority of the inhabitants think of nothing further than of a delicious fowl and of old wine." "But Nazareth also," interrupted Andrew, "is not to be despised. We see the sea here; but you, when you ascend the hill, have also a view of the sea. I will never forget the evening when from there I saw the glorious sun. descend behind Mount Carmel and the Bay of Akko into the sea." "You are right, Andrew," said Jesus; "I, too, can never forget that hill; it has become for me what Sinai was for Moses." "Already from His boyhood days," continued Mary, "that was His favorite place; and when I missed my child and Joseph went to hunt Him, he seldom looked for Him there in vain." When the conversation had in this way been opened, inquiries were made concerning the individual members of Mary’s family. "How is Joseph getting along," exclaimed Simon; "he who has so faithfully guarded the tender shoot (Isa 11:1), which has now grown into the Tree of Life?" Then questions were asked concerning the brothers and sisters of Jesus. And the women thought that they, too, could now take a part in the conversation. They asked concerning the outward prosperity, but also concerning the attitude which they now assumed toward Jesus. Mary, well knowing that she was in the dearest family circle, spoke openly; His countenance by turns becoming bright and dark. Whenever she began to speak, all were silent and followed with intense interest her rather slowly and carefully selected and considered words. It was interesting to notice how the light and shadow of what she related produced corresponding feelings in the hearts of those that listened. Jesus, however, merely listened. He left His mother to the friends who were entertaining her, and rejoiced to see her received with such marked affection. When the meal had been concluded, which on this occasion lasted considerably beyond the usual time, Jesus arose, and, with covered head, spoke words of thanks. After this Mary also thanked her kind friends. Then she followed the beck of Jesus, and with Him went to His chamber, where Peter, as she heard, had already taken what she had brought with her. When she now had Him alone with her, and had reached the goal of her journey, she embraced Him, but instead of kissing Him, as she had done in her thoughts a thousand times at home, she hid her head on His shoulder, and He bent down over her. Amid strong agitation of her body, she burst out in violent weeping. She wept only, but did not speak; she clung to Him, and did not let Him go. Then, after awhile, Jesus said: "Mother, be calm, and sit down at My side, and tell Me why thou art weeping so." And when they were sitting, she began, holding His hand in hers and looking into His eyes, to speak, and said: "I rejoice that I at last have Thee again, and weep because I will soon not have Thee any more." "Dost thou then know," answered Jesus, "how soon or how late I shall leave this world?" "Oh, my child!" answered Mary, "do not the paleness of Thy countenance and the transparency of Thy hands tell me that Thou art wearing out Thy strength. And if Thou dost not wear out Thyself (I am, indeed, only a woman, and confined to the four walls of my house), how would it be possible not to see through the hatred of Thy enemies, which grows from day to day, and that they have sworn long ago to slay Thee!" "But yet," said Jesus, "has not a large number of the people come over to My side, who will thwart the plans of the enemy?" "Yes," said Mary, "the power of Thy sermons, Thy boldness over against those in authority, and the novelty of Thy whole appearance have enthused many for Thee; but this favor of the people is like a brook which the showers rapidly fill, but which soon disappears again. "Thou art right, O blessed among women," answered Jesus; "the majority of this people do not seek a salvation from their sins, but from entirely different burdens. And, when the time to decide comes, they will desert Me cowardly, faithlessly, and ungratefully. Thy look into the future does not deceive me, but even the enmity and infidelity of men must serve the plans of God, to carry out which I have come into this world. My path goes down into an abyss at which I shudder; but I obey, without consulting My own will, the God that is in Me, be it upward or downward." With these words, His face, which for some moments had been dark, brightened up as though transfigured, as the divine power within Him came to the foreground. Mary, drawing in all the rays of His countenance, felt herself filled with a trembling of heavenly bliss. A long pause ensued. Mary was silent; but, as always, she was engaged in prayer with her whole heart. "Beautiful," thus spoke her soul that was in deep communion with God, "was the rising sun, beautiful the green inclosure, beautiful the blue sea, beautiful this love-feast in the charming circle of friends, but more beautiful than all is He. What an hour this is! My eyes have seen the King in His beauty" (Isa 33:17).

"And now what does My mother say?" asked Jesus, breaking the silence. She reached out her hand toward His brow, but did not touch it, and cried: "Blessed art Thou who sayest: ’Lo, I am come; I delight to do Thy will, O my God!’" (Psa 40:8-9). "And blessed," He continued, taking hold of her hands, "is she who subjects her will to the will of her Creator, and who is not affrighted at the sight of the sword which shall pierce her soul. But, tell me, what is in that bundle there with which thou hast loaded down thyself?" The change to this question was abrupt, and Mary was compelled to collect her thoughts before she could answer. "What is sweeter for a mother," she began, "than to work for her dear child? and what would be more painful for her than to be compelled to give to other women the care for him who has lain under her heart? The bundle contains different kinds of linen garments which Thou wilt have need of; not, indeed, of a very fine texture, which our poverty is not able to secure, but substantial and neat, and everything cut, sewed, and prepared by my own hands. My thoughts are always with Thee, but never with greater pleasure than when my hands are doing something for Thee." When she opened her treasure and took out each single garment, and told its purpose, Jesus exclaimed repeatedly: "How well thou hast provided for Me! How diligently thou hast labored! This is more than I need, and more than I can use. This is good and plenty enough for the wedding of a son who is preparing to take his bride with him to a distant land." She knew well how little her presents were worthy of this praise, but she rejoiced, because He was pleased. The cheeks of her who was yet to suffer so much had for a long time not seen such a ruddy hue.

Then the Lord laid His arm around her shoulder, and when He had led her back to the couch at the wall, and had taken His seat near her, He began: "Now go on and tell Me further about what thou didst mention at the table. Does the city upon the hill continue to be white without and dark within?" "Today, my Son and Master," answered she, "they are as hostile to Thee as they were when they attempted to hurl Thee down the mountain" (Luk 4:29). "And is Mary yet," He continued, "as a lily among the thorns?" "Yes, Lord," was her answer, "the daughter of Eli continues to be the favorite object of slanderous tongues; but she lives so retired that the thorns hurt her but little." "And thy husband?" He continued; "they doubtless treat him less harshly because he is of the seed of David." "Oh, no," she answered; "as he is nothing but a carpenter, he is regarded in the eyes of the people as having committed a crime, because he has not rejected as a bastard Thee, who was sent to him from heaven." At these words the countenance of Jesus was enclouded, and Mary was frightened at herself, as though through her words she had defiled that which was holy; and as if to smooth the matter over, she added: "But the secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and such disgrace is an honor to us." "It is indeed so," He continued; "but are My sisters and brothers also so much above the defamations of the revilers as are their parents?" Mary looked down sadly, and said to the Lord, anxiously selecting her words: "Lord, in this slander not one of them joins; they all honor and love Thee; but Thou art going too far for them, and they are frightened at Thy opposition to the existing order of things; they cannot make themselves to understand that their firstborn brother is the Messiah of Israel." "How," he said, surprised; "are James and Jude also no further than this?" "Yes, my Lord," she answered, "these two stand nearest to me. Whenever we converse about Thee, they always take my part. When I left, they cried out after me to greet Thee, and to ask Thee to pray for them." "This I will do," He said, "this Galilee is a land of the shadow of death, and he who has for a long time been in prison can only slowly accustom himself to the light of the sun."

Conversing in this manner for about an hour, He arose, saying: "Now, mother, I must leave thee; the Mincha (evening prayer) time is approaching, and My calling directs Me to seek the lost sheep of the house of Israel." "And am I yet one of these?" she asked. "No," He answered; "thou knowest the Shepherd of Israel, and canst say with Shulamite, ’My friend is mine and I am His.’" "But since Thou art going around through the land," she said, "I but seldom get to see Thee; and how happy I am when I do see Thee!" "Thou wilt yet see Me often," He said, in return; "but joy without grief the sight of Me will not be to thee until we meet in the other world." "Yes," she answered, "I must train my soul to give Thee up for this world; but what is easy for Thee through Thy divine power is hard for me, who am nothing but a weak mortal." "And I know," He continued, "what it is that will draw thee down again to the ground after God hath so exalted thee, but only for the purpose of keeping and strengthening thy soul in its longings for that which is above." These words did her good; she felt that He had penetrated her soul. "Let us go, then," she said; "and do not for my sake alone use up the time which belongs by rights to the many." He then kissed her forehead, and said: "Depart in peace, and remain yet as long as thou canst here in Capernaum with this beloved family. I hope to see thee again, even if not just as I see thee at this hour. Thou standest in need of a strengthened faith, but it is only a short time yet, and thou wilt speak as did the prophetess Miriam: ’Sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea’" (Exo 15:21).