The Assumption

“How long will you possess him?”

It was not just a question but more like a sharp hook that pulls the muscles of the heart. Miriam still felt a throbbing pain. The question kept darting at her and she hit it back every time. Sleep seemed to evade her. She tried to recollect the events of the day to keep the question at bay.

It was the twelfth Passover since she lost him on the same day due to treacherous scheme. She shuddered to think about the slow death from the excruciating pain…

She remembered how much and often she had prayed to the lord to take her away to stop the flash back of the suffering in his eyes.

It darted at her again.

The stranger had stood straight in front of her and his gaze was fixed. He was the only one left in the audience. Few scores of the followers had assembled at her house, as they normally did during the first day of the Passover.

Miriam had seen the numbers swell in the audience every year and it had spread in all directions. The Way seemed stronger. Some of the members from the group would also join during the meeting. Few others had already become martyrs, Miriam noted.

The stranger had greeted her.

“Age has set upon you rather quickly”, observed the stranger.

It was an unusual comment from a stranger in a foreign land, thought Miriam.

Silence.

“Perhaps you are worried about the gossip!” queried the stranger.

Actually, this was the first dart thrown at her.

She recollected how he had spent the last forty days guiding them on what to do and how he ascended with glory. Final triumph, indeed!

Over the years, many in the Way had commented among themselves that she would follow him in the same manner. They also believed.

It was not long before it reached her.

Gradually, she reasoned that she had a right. After all, she was his mother!

It became a secret wish.

The second dart was already thrown at her and startled her from the inside, disrupting her reminiscences.

The final words of the stranger echoed in her mind.

“Don’t you recollect that there is neither giving nor taking in the kingdom? Is it not written that commands you not to save your treasures here but up there. Truly I tell you the longer you cling to your possessions here, the more difficult and uncertain will your place be. Give up and you shall be redeemed.

She remembered that the stranger had not stayed long after this and soon, he had saluted her and left the house.

As Miriam turned in her bed, tears flowed down her cheek.

As she lay awake, there was a glimmer of realization, a ray of light.

Sleep descended upon her gracefully.