In time, however, their happy life in Nazareth must come to an end and Jesus must go out to spread message he was born to speak. In these days, Mary speaks with maternal concern for her son: "I worry that he does not get enough rest. I hope that he has some time alone, for he always needed to get away by himself and pray." Mary also must face loss of her husband: "The Lord has taken my dear Joseph home. I did not know it was possible to miss someone this much!" Finally, she shares her pain at crucifixion: "I remembered that years ago old Simeon had said a sword would pierce my heart. Believe me, Rebekah, it has," as well as her joy at Resurrection: "My soul is singing praises to Lord!"

One knows how story will turn out, and yet, Techler has managed to make it suspenseful. I found myself wanting to see what would happen next, eager to read next letter in collection. This is a wonderful volume, perfect for meditating on life of Mary.

To purchase "Shalom, Mary", please visit: http://diskuspublishing.com/shalommary.html

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur is editor of The Spiritual Woman Newsletter (http://www.spiritualwoman.net) and author of Letters to Mary from a Young Mother (iUniverse, 2004). She has a Master of Arts Degree in Applied Theology from Elms College

“Sure you say this, but we see who you sleep with.” Shouted a burly misanthrope near front of crowd.

“Mary is my touchstone and she is daughter of your master. He is a fine man but he cannot change world by himself. I see you are brave and I will be assured by Joseph that you will not only not be punished but you should be rewarded. Thank you.” Jesus walked off raised platform and went to get man. He brought him to Joseph and he asked Joseph.

“Do you have a place for this man that he deserves due to his long and hard life that you and others have brought upon him?”

“He will be made a forest warden and live in a cottage not far from here. I know that all of you deserve more but I am beholden to forces beyond my control. I did not have to bring our young Lord here to speak with you and I do not have to do all things I do which make your lives far better than other miners. I do these things as best I can and I hope that during my long absences that any transgressions that have occurred outside way I have instructed things be handled, will be brought to my attention.”

It was along night that saw most of managers sent packing or offered a job as a deep miner. Many of miners were asked who they thought would be best replacements for managers. The atmosphere of hope that prevailed was most satisfying to Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They spent night around a bonfire and entertained their ‘brothers’ who became more open and willing to entertain them as night wore on. As they left next day to head back to Isle of Avalon near Glastonbury they were met by non-working shifts who had gathered along roadside to pay their respects. The man who was to become warden stepped into path of horses and would not move. He waited for Jesus or Joseph to come out of carriage and walk up to him. Jesus and Joseph both came towards him and Jesus opened his arms. The man came crying into his arms and he said.

“I have a son who works in another mine which is run by someone from another Phoenician enterprise. I want him to have this warden’s job.”

“It will be done.” Joseph spoke and crowd began to cheer. Again Jesus was touched by or shook hands with many of miners before he returned to carriage.