The hills and valleys of Mt. Tabor on a summer day can be a wonderful respite from city life in Bethany near Jerusalem. The parents had serious matters to attend to as they contemplated
aspirations of certain Roman agents including Sanhedrin and Herod Antipas. Even Temple priests had sold out to Caesar and his paladins. Time and politics weaved its magic over their lives but they had relatives and connections in other parts of world including Rome. Joseph of Arimathaea was wealthy beyond belief but his corporate partners included some whose wealth was even greater than Solomon. He knew full well nature of Temple priests or Sanhedrin. He was on their Council. They often intermarried and had genetic and esoteric programs and rituals that went by many names in different lands.The caves near Mt. Carmel and Mt. Tabor as well as many other spiritual places were not just kinds of things that kids enjoyed. They had been important in same way that cenotes and other caves have been all over world for as long as man has been an animal.
“So what should we call you two guys in order not to have to say your whole names all time?” Mary asked.
“J. A. will do for me.” Joseph of Arimathaea smiled at women whose genes were most desired in all their elite society that some call Pendragons or Dragons for short. He knew as well as anyone how important Virgin Earth of her womb was.
“You honor me by taking familiar rather than your respected name. It is you who have invited us to your fabulous estate and I who should take less respectful name.”
“Your family is most respected name in our whole big world. Just because you have less wealth in this generation does not change that fact. And besides when you hear nature of why I respectfully wanted to ask you here, I think you will know it is I who am beholden to you both.”
“My Joseph is quite adept in ‘seeing’ nature of things. He has already told me some things he thinks will be your purpose in these matters. I have prepared young Yeshua; though I have not been specific with him about it.” Mary noted with pride borne of having to defend her decision to marry a man whose wealth was far beneath her station.
“Unlike fools in some circles; I have greatest respect for wisdom and adeptness of Joseph; I assure you dear lady. I am a student of same system that Greeks call Thoth/Hermes or what is called Imhotep/Asklepios. I would not have sent my daughter Mary to Alexandria for this schooling if that was not my inclination. I have not discouraged attraction my daughter feels towards Yeshua despite fact that she is a little older and one of smartest and desirable women in all land, for reasons you note.”
“But we are preparing him to change nature of hegemony that includes very rich. Yes, I know Seneca and others who are rich, also see that elite can share their knowledge and position or power and world can be a better place for it. Indeed I believe elite would have more wealth if there were not so many Empires and intrigues. I had not heard you referred to with likes of those Cynics Seneca is involved with.” Joseph remarked inquisitively.
“Lucius Annaeus Seneca is a young man whose renown is certainly growing in Rome. In fact I would love to introduce Yeshua to him. They are close to same age. In my business operations I am seen as a shrewd bargainer but in my real life I am very much kin of Cynics you will find. I agree with you too. The rich need not be stripped of their wealth and they will have far more wealth if we could creatively utilize fantastic opportunities and knowledge mankind has garnered over these many millennia. As we spend time together this summer I think you will see me for what I am.”
“We appreciate you letting all of our children come here. The burden of taking care of Joseph’s dead brother’s children makes it a little difficult to manage at times. We are very proud of James and his studies at Qumran are you aware of them too?” Mary asked respectfully. “It was also a great relief to us that Jesus was allowed to stay in your home in Marmorica when he was in Egypt on his travels there.”
“Yes, I am an occasional visitor there and to their other meeting places." Joseph spoke with admiration evident. “You know we have taught Jesus more than just what schools have knowledge about. My expertise in code in Hebrew which relates to our ancestors sacerdotal knowledge is something he has a real penchant for.”
“Yes, it is obvious that his Hebrew has made his ability to ‘Unsheath his Soul’ better than any his age. So can I offer you some of wine from our vineyard’s best harvest?”
“It is a little early in afternoon for wine… But, sure… that would be nice on this occasion don’t you think Mary?”
“I think I’ll just have a citrus drink if you men are going to get drunk.” Mary chuckled. “You both know Jesus turns seventeen in a few months and he has been hanging out with Zealots or Zadokites who are giving Rome something to worry about since he came back from Alexandria and his studies there. He tells me Mary is going to continue studying there with Therapeutae and might take a look into Pythagorean approaches and he wants to be near her. I think they should not be thinking of having a family or getting married yet but I don’t necessarily think they should be apart. Do we have some way of making it so they won’t have a child if they do what comes naturally?”
“Yes, there are herbs as well as astrological methods to make sure of that which I know work.” J. A. remarked. “I have made these things fully known to Mary so you need not be concerned my dear.”
“His involvement with what some call bandits or zealots is totally OK with me, except I would not want him to take any risks which might end his life.” Joseph thoughtfully commented. “I think we need to listen to what J. A. has to say about why he called us here.”
“Yes, I see you both are pretty much up to speed on what I am concerned about too. I want to fund remainder of Jesus’ learning and I want to take them both to Cornwall with me at end of summer so they can learn in my favorite Celtic area where I do a lot of business. I have not raised this suggestion with Mary my daughter as yet.”
“I hear they have best bards and orators. I am sure Jesus would love to spend a winter there with Mary and yourself. That would be wonderful!” Mary enthused. “It certainly will take him out of harm’s way. That is not to suggest that Empire builders aren’t at work in Blessed Isles. Will they get to go to Eire and see Tara as well as Stonehenge? What about Carnac, he has already seen Karnac.”
Joseph stood and walked onto porch with his wine while J. A. and his wife continued to plan how to make kids aware of their plans. He felt very relieved that Jesus was to have such an excellent wife too. It was his greatest joy in life to have had someone who really shared what he knew was important. He wondered if Jesus and Mary were in caves and whether or not it would be OK to just share his sense of completion or fulfillment with them. He also wondered what rituals he, Mary and J. A. might end up doing in those caves or elsewhere during time they were going to have together. It was obvious they were to become more than just friends.
