Chapter 44 Hannah of Bethsaida: 73

My father's sister ran away from home when she was young and lived in a hut by the old vineyard her father had left behind. She lives alone.Country people come to seek treatment when they are sick.She cured them with green herbs, with dried roots and flowers. People regard her as a prophet, but others say that she is a witch and fairy. One day my father said to me, "Go and give my sister this bread, this jug of wine, and this basket of raisins." I tied up my things, tied them to my horse, and started on my way till I came to the vineyard.I went into my aunt's hut, and she was very happy.

It was cool and we sat.At this time, a person came along the road, and he greeted my aunt: "Good evening, I hope you have a safe night!" So the aunt stood up, respectfully stood in front of this person, and replied: "Good evening, master of all good spirits, hero who conquers all evil spirits!" The man looked at her pleasantly, and then walked away. I snickered inwardly, thinking that my aunt was a little crazy.But I now understand that she was not crazy, but I was ignorant at the time. She knew that although I didn't show it, I was snickering at her in my heart.

She said to me without anger: "Listen, niece, and take to heart my words: He who has just passed this place like a bird's shadow across the air, will conquer the empire of Saza and Tazza; The oxen of the Zeldeans, the lions of Egypt fight, and shall prevail; and he shall rule the world." "And the land on which he walks will be destroyed, and Jerusalem, which sits on the hill, will drift away with the cloud of desolation." Listening to her, I turned from snickering to silence.I asked, "Who is this man, and what country or tribe is he from? How did he manage to defeat the great emperors and rule over their empire?"

She replied: "He was born in this land, but we have conceived him in our thoughts since the beginning of ages. He belongs to all tribes and returns to no tribe. He will be Fire reigns." Then she stood up suddenly, standing like a steep rock, and said: "May the angel of the Lord have mercy on me and say these words: he shall be slain, his youth shall be shrouded in shrouds, he shall be silenced." Rest quietly beside the silent heart of the earth. The maidens of the Jews will weep for him." Then she raised her hand to the air and said, "But he was only physically killed."

"In spirit he shall arise, and with his hosts, march from this land where the sun was born, to the land where the setting sun is mine." "His name shall stand above all." My aunt was an old seer when she spoke these words, and I was a maiden, an uncultivated field, a stone unbuilt in a wall. But everything she saw in the mirror of her mind happened in my day. Jesus of Nazareth rises from the dead, and marches men and women at the head of fallen nations; the city where he was brought to judge is lost; in the hall where he was tried and condemned, owls wail dirges, and night Drops of dew fell on the collapsed marble.

I am an old woman, age has bent my back, my people and my race are dead. I later saw Jesus only once and heard him speak once.He was on top of a mountain, speaking to friends and disciples. Now I am old and lonely, but he still appears in my dreams. He came like a white angel with wings, and his gentleness calmed me from the fear of the dark; he lifted me up to farther dreams. I am still a plowed field, a ripe fruit that will not fall to the ground.My most cherished wealth is the warmth of the sun and my memory of this person. I know there will never again be kings, prophets, or priests among my people, as my aunt once foretold.

We will pass away like flowing water in obscurity. But those who crossed his midstream will be remembered for it.