Mary…did you know? Part 10

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Under the heat of the rising sun the Centurion cautiously surveyed the familiar surroundings.  Countless times he occupied the place where his shadow was cast, but on this day he sensed something out of order and a slight feeling of uneasiness began to wash over him.

As he stood in his place of attention, his authority could not be mistaken, and the stern look on his face was set to serious business as he visually searched the crowd.

Carefully His eyes scanned to and fro, and though the multitude was larger than usual, he found,  that satisfaction and appeased anger sat firm upon the majority of faces.  It was an expression that he was well acquainted with and usually mirrored on such a day,  but not this day.

This day his face reflected the conflict residing in his heart.  And though he was a Roman officer known to be hard and swift handed, he was also a man of resolute justice, and today he feared that he saw error in the system he swore an allegiance to uphold and enforce.

Mary…did you know? Part 9

 

“Jesus!” shrieked Magdalena as she instinctively reached for her Lord.

“Stand back!” growled a soldier as he slapped her hands aside and barred her way with the shaft of his spear.

John lurched forward in reaction to the soldier’s harsh treatment, but when the Roman turned the tip of his spear, and gave a warning thrust;  John shrank back and pulled Magdalena protectively to his side.

Jesus’ mother,  who was now separated from her two supporters, stood trembling at the dismal sight unfolding before her.

And as the heat from the morning sun began to swell, she helplessly watched as six roman soldiers, hunched closely to the ground, went about performing their grisly task.

It was in that place of anguish where she discovered that it did not take a skilled eye to see that

Mary…did you know? Part 8

 

The three quickly fell amongst the multitude and steadily made their way towards Golgotha.

Their walk proved to be laborious and painfully quiet, for the crowd had grown tired of their ranting and now followed in mixed sounds of sorrow, the shuffling of feet, and remarks that lacked greatly in feeling and compassion.

As the trio continued their pace they each began to overhear comments made from those who walked around them, and it wasn’t long before they found that words could be harsh and capable of delivering a sting to the heart just as cutting as the slash of a whip.

*     *     *     *

“He brought it upon himself,” one could be heard saying in an unsympathetic tone.  “What did he think was going to happen?  You do not go against the Sanhedrin.”

“True, so true,” said those who walked beside him.

“Law breaker that is all he is!” said another who eagerly chimed in.  “There is no justification in breaking the Sabbath… even if it is to

Mary…did you know? Part 7

 

Both women found walking extremely difficult as they pressed through the throngs of people.

The city was loud and hot, and the disruptiveness of the multitude added to their grief.

As they rounded a corner, Mary Magdalene stopped short as she began to recognize her surroundings.

“Here, we will go through here,” she pointed while tugging on Mary’s arm.

And together they slipped into a nearby alley where they instantly gained relief from the pressing of the crowd.

*   *   *   *

Moving down the corridors clothed in shadows, Mary began to pick up her pace as Magdalena pulled her through the various alleys and narrow passages.

Somberly she pressed on and as she took careful steps upon the stony path, she could not help

Mary…did You Know? Part 6

Crucify… Crucify… Crucify…

The echo resonating from Jerusalem slowly began to fade but its effect created bewilderment and confusion on the minds of those contained within the small dwelling.

Both James and John remained speechless as they paced anxiously around the room and on occasion one could be heard muttering under his breath as he contemplated thoughts filled with bleak returns.

Elizabeth, Josiah, and Mary Magdalene had moved back to the table and quietly eased onto the bench.  Each sat motionless as they struggled with the significance of what their ears had perceived.

Jesus’ mother continued to stare out the forsaken window and as she stood before its frame a gentle breeze softly blew strands of  long aging hair lightly across her face.

Never turning her eyes away from the city, Mary effortlessly raised her arms behind her head and gathered her thick long hair.  Then she swept it over her shoulder and instinctively began to braid.

As her fingers began to weave, she recalled the words spoken to her many years ago.

“Do not be afraid… for you have found