Jesus knew he owed Ruth his deference. And knew her wisdom to be great. He wanted to rise above his anger. Wanted to live according to The Way. Yet he chafed against her words. As they walked on, the medallion hung about his neck like a stone. Weighted with frustration, he fell behind, scuffing his sandals in the dust.

CHAPTER 32

Somewhere within ancient Palestine—33 A.D.

Intent on their journey, Jesus and his sisters followed the winding footpath as it turned northward. They knew they were nearing the great Salt Sea when the scent of brine infused the air.

“C-can we go to the s-sea?” Tabitha begged, longing to see its famed expanse.

Jesus laid a hand on her shoulder. “Remember to breathe,” he counseled. He knew that the stresses of their journey had made it impossible for her to pay attention to her breathing. But now that they were out of harm’s way, he wanted her to remember.

Tabitha’s forehead crinkled as she drew in a long, slow breath. “I have heard that one can float without swimming!” she said, her voice smooth as glass.

Jesus smiled and patted her back. “Well done!” he cheered.

But Ruth did not share their merriment. She nodded ahead. “I am told that up ahead the sea narrows into a river. When it does, we must cross to its east bank as soon as possible before continuing.”

Ruth avoided her companions’ bewildered stares and gazed toward the horizon. Though they had traveled in relative safety through the outlying communities (where some remained sympathetic to The Way), she felt increasing tension as they neared Jerusalem and the lands ruled by Temple authorities. These religious leaders derived their power from the people’s blind deference and would therefore not look kindly on their example of spiritual independence. Nor Jesus’s new insistence on speaking of the Mother. Her concern was heightened by the fact that their progress toward Nazareth had been slowed by the daily arrival of messengers imploring them to visit impoverished villages. Unable to refuse such requests, the companions had traveled to communities outside the river valley, bringing healing to the sick and hope to the despairing.

And word of their compassion spread.

Jesus woke in the small village of Zoar and went to sit under a cypress tree for morning Communion. Despite Ruth’s warnings, it had become his habit to perform the daily practice with others. Having felt the transformative power of the practice in his own life, he could not resist sharing it. Soon a group of men, women, and children, compelled by the clarity of his eyes and the ease of his ways, broke away from the other villagers, who remained suspicious, and joined Jesus in the early light.