Aloha Friends and Fellow Essenes,

Here is some inspirational reading to prepare your hearts and minds for the Passover Sabbath.

 We wish you and those you love peace and joy during this most holy season.

Namaste,

Vivian

Excerpt from Jesus the Son of Man by Kahlil Gibran

THEY RELEASED ME and chose Him. Then He rose and I fell. And
they held Him a victim and a sacrifice for the passover. I was freed
from my chains, and walked with the throng behind Him, but I was a
living man going to my own grave.

I should have fled to the desert where shame is burned out by the
sun. Yet I walked with those who had chosen Him to bear my crime.

When they nailed Him on His cross I stood there. I saw and I heard
but I seemed outside of my body.

The thief who was crucified on His right said to Him, "Are you
bleeding with me, even you, Jesus of Nazareth?" And Jesus answered
and said, "Were it not for this nail that stays my hand I would reach
forth and clasp your hand. "We are crucified together."

Then He looked down and gazed upon His mother and a young man who
stood beside her. He said, "Mother, behold your son standing beside
you. "Woman, behold a man who shall carry these drops of my blood to
the North Country."

And when he heard the wailing of the women of Galilee He
said, "Behold, they weep and I thirst. "I am held too high to reach
their tears. "I will not take vinegar and gall to quench this
thirst."

Then His eyes opened wide to the sky and He said in compassion, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

When He uttered those words I thought I saw all men prostrated before
God beseeching forgiveness for the crucifixion of this one man. Then
again He said with a great voice: "Father, into Thy hand I yield back
my spirit."

And at last He lifted up His head and said, "Now it is finished, but
only upon this hill." And He closed His eyes. Then lightning cracked
the dark skies, and there was a great thunder.

 I know now that those who slew Him in my stead achieved my endless
torment. His crucifixion endured but for an hour. But I shall be
crucified unto the end of my years.