A day to proclaim hosanna

The following is a selection from my biblical novel, "The Crosses at Zarin." Salome and Zebedee, parents of James and John, the apostles, have gone to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover:

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Jerusalem, which had been relatively quiet over the Sabbath, began to stir early on the first day of the week. With Passover only a few days away there was extra fervor in the morning songs of worship. Hardly had the last strains died away, however, than the hawkers began their loud and raucous calling and before the sun was an hour high the streets were so crowded it was a feat of strength and agility to pass through.

Not having accomplished his money-changing business, Zebedee prepared to start early for the Temple.

"I will go, too, and leave my gift of linen," Salome said. She could have gone another day but she did not wish to be separated from her husband in this vast crowd for even an hour. Although burning with questions as to the recent miraculous change in his mood, she did not pry. In his own good time he would offer an explanation. Meanwhile, sufficient was the joy of his good spirits.

The week ahead with its age-old customs would be a good week.

Shortly before this time, Zebedee had had a silent encounter with Jesus who, with one gaze of unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness, has erased all the worries about a probable unlawful misdeed he had done and even the deeper worries about the safety of his sons following Jesus, who was not accepted as the Messiah by all.

As they drew nearer to the Temple, traffic was so congested they resorted to an old trick their sons had taught them, traveling by rooftop.

At one point while they were thus above the jostling of the crowd, Salome paused to watch what appeared to be some joyful company of people making their way into the city from the direction of the Fish Gate. Women and children were strewing palm branches along the roadway. Behind them rode someone on a donkey, closely followed by many others afoot who wave flowers and branches and shouted, "Hosanna, hosanna to the King."

"Is it King Herod?" Salome asked, calling her husband's attention.

"Herod loves his Arabian steeds. He would not ride a thing so lowly as a donkey," Zebedee replied.

"Lowly? Did not one of our prophets say our King would come riding on a donkey?" Salome reminded.

The slow-moving column disappeared behind some buildings and Zebedee and Salome proceeded with their journey. On a rooftop somewhat closer to the street that led from the Fish Gate, they again heard the joyful shouts and this time saw the procession directly beneath them.

"It is Jesus," Salome exclaimed. "And there are James and John. Hosanna, hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord," she shouted, adding her voice to those of others. Turning to Zebedee she saw that his eyes were riveted on the man riding the donkey. "It is Jesus," she repeated, thinking Zebedee was having difficulty recognizing him. "Let us hurry to join them. Surely they are going to crown him on this day." Salome tugged at Zebedee's sleeve, but not until Jesus was again hidden from view did her husband make any move to go.

"I thought he might look up," Zebedee explained, and seeing the frustration in Salome's eyes knew that it must have seemed like a poor excuse for not hurrying after them.

Shortly afterward, Zebedee thought, I must tell others about that wonderful silent encounter I had with Him so that they, too, will long to see Him again. But I grow old. Maybe James or John can do it.

REJOICE!

Jean Bell Mosley is an author and longtime resident of Cape Girardeau.