Someone accused Mariam of untoward behavior of which she was innocent. Her accuser was suspicious that Mariam was carrying out his own earlier life-patterns.
Rabbi Jesus told Mariam, "He is being tortured by his own past behaviour."
If we sin, it may come back to haunt us. We may lose inner peace.
Don't sin.
Mariam prayed that unbearable consequences after a bad decision would one day be put aright.
Rabbi Jesus told her, "What went so awfully wrong in this world, will go so tremendously right in the next."
All will be well.
Mariam pondered over a decision to be made. She felt tempted to make a hasty decision.
Make haste slowly. Check out every possible difficulty which may occur, before making a final decision which may prove irrevocable.
Mariam encountered a bad situation.
She despairingly asked the Rabbi, "What do you consider this situation to be?"
Rabbi Jesus told her grimly, "Men behaving badly."
Don't ever forget you are made in the Image and Likeness of God. Behave accordingly.
Someone tried to pick a quarrel with Mariam. She loftily decided to ignore the insult.
Mariam told the Rabbi, "It's a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!"
Rabbi Jesus smiled, "You don't have to accept every invitation to a squabble."
Mariam pondered people who hate others.
Rabbi Jesus told her, "They struggle with the law of love."
Mariam assisted a family through their family disputes. Despairingly she told the Rabbi, "They care more about holding a grudge than having solid relationships."
Rabbi Jesus answered, "They hold on to the past at the expense of their present, and so the future withers away."
Forgive and do not hold a grudge. Life is too short. God put us on earth to love our family members, not to dislike them. If family members reject your olive branch, well at least you tried. Sometimes you can't win them all.
Mariam was experiencing evangelization fatigue. She was tired of endlessly teaching catechetics.
She told the Rabbi, "I teach people the Word of God, and then many fall right back into their old sinful way of life."
Rabbi Jesus counselled her, "Be patient. You never know when a Saul becomes a Paul."
Never give up spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is discipleship duty to bear witness to God, not to endeavour to measure success of outcome.
If Jesus had become tired of teaching us, what would have become of us?
Witness with perseverance.
Photograph with thanks to the wall artist
Mariam assisted people in need through their crisis. Thereafter they troubled her, with the result that Mariam was reluctant to get involved when their next crisis inevitably occurred.
Rabbi Jesus told her, "They are the authors of their own misfortune."
Help others, but not to the extent that they bring you down with them.
Mariam experienced hostility from another, who perceived her in a negative light.
Rabbi Jesus consoled her by soberly saying, "Her perception is not the reality."
Just do the best you can. You are not responsible for how others see you. You are only responsible for how God sees you.
Mariam landed in the middle of a heated controversy where no-one would give way on their personal opinion.
Mariam told the Rabbi, "This is an argument ..."
Rabbi Jesus commented, " . . . where ideas collide instead of coincide."
Try to find the middle way with tolerance, wisdom and compassion.
Otherwise the situation will never be resolved.
Someone despised Mariam, who disconsolately confided to the Rabbi, “She hates me.”
Rabbi Jesus gently replied, “You are all that she is not.”
Jealousy
of another’s gifts may poison the well of personal kindness. Learn to embrace
the gifts that God has given you, otherwise you will lose inner serenity. And
then you will resent others for being what you are not.
Arguments surrounded wedding attire.
Mariam asked the Rabbi's Mother, "What should I wear in order not to offend?"
Mother Maria answered, "Just wear what you want. This is not a beauty contest, it is a solemn exchange of vows in the Sight of Almighty God."
Don't lose sight of the true meaning of the ceremony.
