Selections from The Secret Magdalene

ALSO FROM THE FIFTEENTH SCROLL OF THE SECRET MAGDALENE

I speak in the face of Peter's anger as a sapling stands in the wind. "As you are his rock, said he also this: 'Where two or more are gathered in my name, there too I shall be.'"

Peter draws back as if I have struck him. "Gathered in his name? Does he mean to have us speak out?"

"He would have you remember him so that you will find yourself."

But Peter does not hear what I say, for he is pulling on his beard and he himself is saying, "But if they did not spare him, how will they spare us?"

In this moment, I have had enough of humility. My submission sickens me. I think of what was reported to me: that three times as Yeshu stood before Pilate, Peter denied him. So thinking, I stand forth as my very self, the beloved of Yeshu. I stand forth as Mariamne, the very Magdal-eder. I stand forth as the Queen Bee. "Be resolute, Peter. He has made you a 'man' as I am a man, and what is hidden from you now, in time will be shown to you. Depart this place and do his will."

Peter has stepped back from me, his uncertainty of self replaced by execration of me. Under the skin of his face, the muscles twitch with venom. "Woman. I will go to Galilee. I will speak of Yehoshua who is the Messiah. But I shall erase all thoughts of you from the minds of men."

I have nothing to say to him, but this thing: "Do what you will." And then Peter, like Jacob, is gone. Moments later, so too am I.

It is done.