«But this year You also will have to send Jesus to school. It is time.»
«I will never send Jesus to school,» says Mary resolutely. It is most unusual to hear Her talk in this way and above all to hear Her talk before Joseph.
«Why? The Child must learn to be ready in good time to pass His exam when He comes of age…»
«The Child will be ready. But He will not go to school. That is quite definite.»
«You will be the only woman in Israel to do that.»
«I will be the only one. But that is what I am going to do. Isn’t that right, Joseph?»
«Yes, that’s correct. There is no need for Jesus to go to school. Mary was brought up in the Temple, and She knows the Law as well as any doctor. She will be His Teacher. That’s what I want, too.»
«You are spoiling the Boy.»
«You cannot say that. He is the best boy in Nazareth. Have you ever heard Him cry, or be naughty, or be disobedient, or lack respect?»
«No. That’s true. But He will do all that if You continue to spoil Him.»
«You do not necessarily spoil your children just because you keep them at home. To keep them at home implies loving them with good common sense and wholeheartedly. And that is how we love our Jesus, and since Mary is better educated than a teacher, She will be Jesus’ Teacher.»
«And when Your Jesus is a Man, He will be like a silly little woman frightened even of flies.»
«He will not. Mary is a strong woman, and She will give Him a manly education. I am not a coward, and I can give Him man-like examples. Jesus is a creature without any physical or moral faults. He will grow, therefore, upright and strong, both in His body and in His spirit. You can be sure of that, Alphaeus. He will not be a disgrace to the family. In any case, that is what I have decided, and that is all.»
«Perhaps Mary has decided, and you…»
«And if it were so? Is it not fair that two, who love each other, should have the same thoughts and the same wishes, so that each may accept the wishes of the other as if they were his own? If Mary should wish silly things, I would say to Her: ‘No’. But She is asking for something which is full of wisdom, and I agree, and I make it my own. We love each other, we do as we did the first day, and we shall go on doing so as long as we live. Is that right, Mary?»
«Yes, Joseph. And let us hope it will never happen, but when one should die without the other, we will still go on loving each other.»
Joseph pats Mary on the head as if She were a young daughter and She looks at him with Her serene loving eyes.
38.8 Her sister-in-law interferes: «You are quite right. I wish I could teach! Our children at school learn evil and good. At home they only learn what is good. But I do not know whether… if Mary…»
«What is it you want, My dear sister-in-law? Speak freely. You know that I love you and I am happy when I can do something that pleases you.»
«I was thinking… James and Judas are only a little older than Jesus. They are already going to school… for what they have learned!… Jesus instead already knows the Law so well… I would like… eh, I mean, if I asked You to take them as well, when You teach Jesus? I think they would behave better and be better educated. After all, they are cousins, and it is only fair that they should love one another like brothers. Oh! I would be so happy!»
«If Joseph wants, and your husband agrees, I am quite willing. It is the same to speak to one as to speak to three. And it is a joy to go through the whole Bible. Let them come.»
The three children, who have come in very quietly, are listening and are awaiting the final decision.
«They will drive You to despair, Mary,» says Alphaeus.
«No! They are always good with Me. You will be good if I teach you, will you not?»
The two boys move near Mary, one on Her left side, the other on Her right, they place their arms around Her shoulders, they lean their little heads on Her shoulders, and they promise all the good in the world.
«Let them try, Alphaeus, and let Me try. I am sure you will not be dissatisfied with the test. They can come every day from the sixth hour until evening. It will be enough, believe Me. I know how to teach without tiring them. You must keep their attention and let them relax at the same time. You must understand them, love them, and be loved by them, if you wish to get good results. And you will love Me, will you not?»
Two big kisses are the answer.
«See?»
«I see. I can only say: ‘Thank You’. And what will Jesus say, when He sees His Mummy busy with others? What do you say, Jesus?»
«I say: ‘Happy are those who listen to Her and build their dwelling near Hers’. As for Wisdom, happy are those who are My Mother’s friends, and I am happy that those whom I love are Her friends.»
«But who puts such words on the lips of the Child?» Alphaeus asks, astonished.
«Nobody, brother. Nobody in this world».
The vision ends here.