Last of the Gnostics

Introduction

The early Gnostics, especially the Cathars, on whom this book is based, have always held a fascination for me. I’ve always considered their beliefs closer to Jesus’ message than traditional Christianity. For this reason, I think that their historical existence is of substantial significance. Moreover, a careful look at their spirituality can provide insight into the recent proliferation of New Age spirituality, as well as the reason for the coming downfall of traditional Christianity.

Gnosticism is the pursuit of Gnosis. Gnosis, pronounced NO-SIS, is the direct knowing of God, or more specifically, the direct knowing that we are all one consciousness. A Gnostic can either have Gnosis, or be in pursuit thereof. (An agnostic is just the opposite: someone who believes that, although God may or may not exist, it is impossible to have true, firsthand knowledge of God.)

As you read this book, you will often find reference to the term “the nous,” pronounced NOSS. This term was used by early Gnostics to refer to the connection that each of us has to the soul within -- that still, inner voice from God that we can all hear when we really listen.

There is a large body of historical material that shows that the original Gnostics believed in the interconnectedness of consciousness. The Gnostics were the first people in the West to spiritualize the concept of a direct connection -- through our soul -- to God. This was a significant development. It was the first step that has allowed us to evolve to the point where we are now ready -- as a civilization -- to recognize that God exists in everyone and everything.

The Gnostic message of being directly connected to God was denied by the Catholic Church, and acceptance of such a belief was labeled as heresy. The first members of the Catholic Church were content to hear the words of Jesus, and to accept priests as their leaders and intermediaries to God.

Whereas the early Catholics denied their connection to God, they did acknowledge Jesus’ direct link, which is documented by many scriptures, including “It is not I who perform these miracles, but the Father,” and “Of these things I do you can do as well, and even greater.” From these teachings, the Gnostics recognized that they, too, were directly linked to God, and so they felt no need for religious leaders and intermediaries.

Today, more and more people are finding spirituality on their own, using a direct connection with God. Most of these people have no idea that they are Gnostics and that their beliefs are affecting everyone. Gnosticism is changing civilization, as more and more people realize that we are all connected. There is a steadily growing awareness that all of humankind is one, a complete consciousness that is interconnected and interrelated. Humanity is starting to recognize that we all share the same source, the same consciousness. This is the very thing that the early Gnostics tried to instill.

The time for society to accept this revolutionary idea is drawing near. We are approaching a moment in history when humanity will acknowledge that God exists in all things, and that God is all things. For this reason, I am writing to honor the last organized Gnostics -- the Cathars -- who were murdered for their unwavering belief in Gnosis. Without their efforts, we may not have reached this opportunity. Their story needs to be told, and we need remember their contribution.

                                                             * * * * *

This is my ninth book, although the first to be published. I wrote it in 2006. Here is a list of the previous eight and the year they were written:

A Stranger from the Past                             1991                         
Enlightenment School                                   1992                        
The Secret                                                      1993                                  
New Thinking for the New Age: Part I          1994   
The Spirit Club                                               1995                    
Conversations with an Immortal                   1997
Countdown to Awareness                             1998
New Thinking for the New Age: Part II          2003

It is my hope that all of these books will be published. All of them have a common theme -- a vision of a future based on Gnostic beliefs. I have always told friends that I didn’t want to be published until the world began to change. I often refer to this coming change as a shift, or a transition. For this reason I have not been in a hurry to publish. Now, as we near the end of this decade, I feel this shift is upon us.


Chapter One

As Mary Magdalene walked down to Jesus’ tomb, her grief was still apparent on her face. Her lover and husband lay dead after his brutal crucifixion. She was in intense emotional pain, and did not know how it could ever subside.

Suddenly, as she approached the tomb, Jesus appeared right in front of her, as if from nowhere, only a few feet away! She instantly felt their closeness again, and relief from her pain. Her eyes welled up with tears of happiness and she lunged forward to embrace him.

Jesus put up his hand to stop her, but spoke gently. “Stand back, Mary. I am in spirit now. You cannot feel me.”

Her emotions were still raging. She was disappointed that she could not hug him, yet overjoyed to see him again.

“Have you been to the Kingdom yet?” she asked, with tears flooding down her cheeks.

He nodded, with a joyful grin. “Yes, it is so beautiful. Don’t worry, we will be together again. You have nothing to fear.”

“I miss you.”

“I know, but you have to be strong. Now is the time for you to perform your mission.”

Mary Magdalene looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“I need you to go live in France with the Essenes. Have your father take you, and also bring Sarah and Mariam. The three of you are to spread my message in France. What you start will last for generations. Then it will die, but it will be reborn in the end times.”

“And what about the Apostles?” she asked quizzically.

“They will be persecuted by the Romans, but they will succeed in starting a new church. A universal church that will spread and eventually become the Church of Rome.”

Mary suddenly became angry. “Why them? Why should they start a church? They don’t understand your message.”

“It is how it has to be, for now. In the end times, this church will eventually fall, to be replaced by yours. Your mission will lead to the correct outcome. People are not yet ready to recognize that we are all God. It will take generations, millennia. Your mission is to not let my message die.”

Now Mary looked almost afraid. “How can we do this? It is such a burden.”

Jesus grinned. “The Essenes will help. I need you to tell the people of Languedoc the good news. Write a gospel and share it with the people. Trust me, in the end times, it will have a much larger impact than Peter’s Church of Rome. It will impact the entire world. His church will fall and yours will rise.”

Mary was crying again, but she was also feeling consoled and joyous. “You want me to teach about the nous?”

He nodded. “Yes! Teach the Essene Perfecti in Languedoc. They will help you spread the message. Tell them that I sent you.”

Jesus’ spirit body began to slowly dissolve into the ethers.

“Don’t go! Will I see you again?”

She waited for his reply, but the visitation had ended. Once more, she felt her terrible loss. Then she fell to her knees in desperation and cried.

                                                                 * * * * *

Mary made the thirty-mile journey to the Essene community at Mount Carmel, northwest of Jerusalem on the Mediterranean coast. Her meeting with Jesus had consoled her, and the intensity of her grieving had somewhat diminished. She gathered her strength, knowing that she must lead the others to France. She was Joseph of Arimathea’s daughter and the strongest of the women disciples.

Walking through the gates, the first person she saw was Anna, Jesus’ grandmother, one of the spiritual leaders of the community. She walked to Anna, who was on her hands and knees, tending to the garden.

“I just saw Jesus! He spoke to me!”

Anna looked up at Mary in her normal serious gaze. “Did he give you a message?”

Mary nodded.

“Let’s go inside and talk.” Anna rose and dusted off her clothes.

Mary smiled. “I’ll go get Sarah and Mariam and meet you in your room.”

The four most important women in Jesus’ life all sat comfortably in Anna’s room. This was where Jesus had spent many hours talking with his grandmother about the ways of God.

Mary Magdalene looked at Sarah and Mariam. “I saw Jesus this morning, near his tomb, and he gave me a message!”

Sarah and Mariam stared at her with wide-eyed, shocked expressions, waiting for Mary to continue.

“He said that we have to go to France, to Sarah’s home, with the Essenes. He said for us to teach the Perfecti what we know, and have them help us spread his message.”

“Why not here?” Mariam asked thoughtfully.

“He said this is how it has to be, because people here are not ready to recognize their divinity. We are to spread the message in France, and Peter and the Apostles are to spread it here.”

“Most of the Apostles are feeble minded,” Sarah said. “What message can they spread?”

“Now, we don’t need to call them names,” Anna said. “These are the men that Jesus selected to be his Apostles. They have a role to play.”

“I’m sorry,” Sarah said.

Anna looked at Mary. “Anything else?”

“Yes. He said that Peter and the Apostles would be persecuted, but would still create a church. Peter’s church is going to become the Church of Rome. It will eventually fall because it will not include his true message.”

“And what happens to the message that we deliver in France?” Sarah asked.

“It will have an impact for generations, and then will die at the hands of the Church of Rome. However,” Mary grinned, “it will be reborn in the end times, and will replace Peter’s Church, impacting the entire world.”

“The end times? When are the end times?” Mariam asked.

“Jesus said millennia from now,” Mary replied. “That means at least a thousand years.”

“Let me see if I understand,” Sarah replied. “The three of us are going to create a new religion that is going to die and then one day be reborn and become the world’s religion?”

Mary nodded.

There was silence. Everyone deferred to Anna to ask the next question. Anna stared at Mary, contemplating what needed to be done.

“Okay, Jesus wants the three of you to make sure that his true message is not lost. You’re the only three who understand it and can travel to France. I am much too old. Joseph will take you in one of his boats. There is no time to waste. You must leave as soon as Joseph can make the arrangements.”

Anna looked at Mary. “You need to tell the Apostles that you saw Jesus. This is of huge historical importance. Do not tell them what he said or where you are going. There could be danger to your travel plans, so it will be better if we are discreet.”

Mary, Sarah, and Mariam all nodded in agreement.

They continued to discuss the details of their trip as the night progressed, and also talked about which of the Essene disciples would travel with them.

                                                                 * * * * *

The next day, Mary, Sarah, and Mariam walked to the Apostle John’s house in Jerusalem. All three were first cousins and granddaughters of Anna. Of Anna’s children, Joseph of Arimathea was the oldest, and Mother Mary was the youngest. Mary Magdalene was the daughter of Joseph of Arimathea; Sarah, the daughter of Isaac; and Mariam, the daughter of Rebekah.

The three granddaughters were the closest people to Jesus, although Anna was one of Jesus’ teachers and he was very close to her, as well. Amazingly, all three girls were born in the same year as Jesus. Not only were they Jesus’ first cousins; they were highly evolved souls and spiritual adepts. They could converse with Jesus on a level that was beyond that of the Apostles, or nearly anyone of that era. In many respects, they were Jesus’ spiritual equals.

As they approached John’s house, Mary knocked on the door and Phillip answered, smiling. “Come in! We’ve been looking for you.”

Phillip was one of the few Apostles who respected Mary and deferred to her understanding of Jesus’ message.

“Why?” Mary asked, walking into the house, with Sarah and Mariam following.

“Peter, John, and James saw Jesus yesterday near the tomb. He told them that he saw you first.”

Nine of the twelve original Apostles were present. Thaddaeus and Matthias had left Jerusalem, fearful of persecution. The twelfth, Judas, had hanged himself after the crucifixion.

Peter was the leader of the Apostles and had always been antagonistic towards the women. They did not like to be in his company. In fact, they wouldn’t have come today if it could have been avoided.

As usual, Peter was confrontational. “What did Jesus tell you?” Peter asked Mary accusingly, as the three women were seated.

“Only that I had nothing to fear, and that we would be together again in God’s Kingdom.”

“We want to hear more,” Peter replied sternly. “Not about what he said yesterday, but about what he told you in secret. We know that he told you things that he kept from us. You are like him. You understood his ways.”

Mary was quite surprised. In the past, they had never shown any willingness or wanted to talk about the inner mysteries. Several of them had even commented that it was sorcery.

“If that is what you want, then I can tell you,” Mary said softly.

All of the Apostles nodded in agreement: Peter, Simon, John, James (John’s brother), Phillip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew and James.

“Before I begin, I would like to know what Jesus told you at the tomb.”

“He told us to spread his message.” Peter replied. “To take his place and to spread the good news of God’s Kingdom. He said that it is our duty as Apostles.”

Sarah rolled her eyes, but didn’t say what was on her mind.

Mary nodded. “All right then. I will tell you what he told me about our demons.” She paused for a moment before continuing, to make sure that they really wanted to hear this.

“The first demon is darkness. Without a connection to the Holy Spirit -- the nous -- we live in darkness. With a connection to the nous, light enters our soul. The stronger this connection becomes, the more light that we shine. We become light beings, and our spirit shines brightly. For those with eyes to see, this light is magnificent.”

“This is utter nonsense!” Peter exclaimed. “Why would the Lord say such things? I have never heard anything like this before.”

“I, for one, don’t believe he said it,” Andrew added.

“Nor do I,” Simon quickly interjected in a loud voice.

“Calm down,” John said. “These are the teachings of the Essenes. Are not most of Jesus’ family Essenes? Was not Jesus taught at Qumran and Mount Carmel? Does he not visit there often? Maybe he just never taught us the ways of the Essenes.”

There was confused silence and resentful tension in the room. Peter, Andrew, and Simon really did not want to listen to the women. But the other Apostles were not as antagonistic.

“Was not Mary the closest to Jesus?” Phillip implored. “Did he not speak to her the most? If anyone knows him, it is her. Let her finish, and then we can discuss this matter among ourselves. We did agree to hear what she had to say.”

Stony silence prevailed, but Phillip nodded for Mary to continue, so she went on.

“The second demon is craving. Here we do not recognize our soul, so we crave a connection with God. We feel alone, abandoned and neglected -- when in fact, God is always with us. Our craving is misguided. The illusion of separation from God is false. We are not separate from God, but intricately connected.”

Peter scanned the other Apostles, wanting to stop her from lecturing them. His eyes held anger and a complete lack of understanding about what she was talking about. But somehow he remained silent, and allowed her to continue.

“The third demon is ignorance. Here the ego, thinking it is real, creates mischief. The ego, being ignorant, does not know that the soul is available for guidance. Ignoring the soul, the ego uses experience and memories to find its way in life. The ego is limited to past experience for its decisions. These thoughts from the ego lead one astray. The ego is the mischief-maker, the beginning of all misery. Only the quiet mind can lead one to peace.

“The fourth demon is jealousy. Here we are jealous of God. Overcoming ignorance, we have found the soul. However, we have also found that our identity is threatened. We have discovered that the “me” of the ego does not really exist! All that exists is God -- one consciousness that we all share. To overcome this jealousy, we have to give up our illusional, personal identity and become one with God.

“The fifth demon is enslavement to the body. As our jealousy begins to fade, the body continues to seek pleasure. This can be the simple fact of feeling alive, to the more habitual practices of eating, drinking, and sexuality. Feeling and thinking that we are the body must be replaced by the recognition that we are the soul, that we are literally consciousness itself. Then we can begin to feed the soul and not the body.

“The sixth demon is intoxicated wisdom. After we have battled with the preceding five demons, we have achieved a level of spiritual wisdom that is beyond what we have previously obtained. Now we have Gnosis -- knowledge of God. This leads us to ignore God and instead play God. We voice our knowledge to the masses, exclaiming our virtue and wisdom. We feel spiritual. We feel god-like. In time, this is overcome, as we recognize our folly and submit to the true will of God.

“The last demon is guileful wisdom. Here we are near enlightenment. We are spiritual beings by this point, with Gnosis, and at the edge of melding with God. But we don’t want to let our individuality go quite yet. We don’t want to be completely consumed by God. Our ego has one last splurge of individuality. We use our guileful wisdom to keep God at bay, refusing to surrender to the inevitable. Here we are quiet, making our final preparations for enlightenment.”

Mary stopped and glanced at the Apostles. “That’s it.” 

 “What exactly does all that mean?” Matthew asked, completely confused.

Mary answered quickly. “Our innocence, our purity, our divinity, our goodness are all found through the nous, which is our soul’s connection to God. It takes lifetimes, but, in time, we overcome these demons and find our connection with God. In the end, we become enlightened -- one with God. That is what Jesus attained, and it is our ultimate goal as well. Life is a spiritual journey to find God by overcoming our demons.”

“Mary,” Phillip asked, “the Lord said that he cast out all seven of your demons. Does that mean that you are also enlightened?”

Mary grinned. “Jesus is enlightened. I am still on my journey.”

“That is blasphemy,” Peter interjected. “I’ve heard enough. These are not the words of our Lord.”

“Would you like to hear his actual words?” Mary asked. “His explanation of enlightenment?”

“Hrrmp,” Peter muttered.

“Of course, we would love to hear it,” Phillip said.

Mary nodded. “That which oppressed me has been slain; that which encircled me has vanished; my craving has faded; I am freed from my ignorance. I left the world with the aid of another world. Henceforth, I travel toward Repose, where time rests
in the Eternity of Time; I go now into Silence.”

“What does that mean?” Phillip asked, suddenly bewildered.

Mary answered quickly. “It discusses how the demons have been slain using the connection to the nous. The nous is the connector between this world and the world of the Kingdom. Once this connection has been established, time stands still. It is silence of the mind that opens this connection. The quiet mind keeps the mischief maker -- the ego -- at bay. It allows purity and innocence and love to blossom. It is the goal of all. It is the outcome that we all seek.”

“That is beautiful,” Thomas said.

Mary smiled.

But the other Apostles were not convinced. “I don’t understand a word of it,” Andrew said.

“It is simply nonsense,” Peter reiterated.

Mary rose. “I’m sorry, but we have to leave now. I would like to be at my father’s house by nightfall.”

The Apostles rose and nodded their goodbyes. Phillip was the only one smiling as Mary, Sarah, and Mariam left. It had been an uncomfortable discussion, but one that needed to take place. The chasm between the Gnostics and the Catholics was now established.

As they walked away, Sarah said, “I’m glad we don’t have to see them again. They wouldn’t know the nous if it hit them over the head.”

They all laughed.

“Phillip, Thomas, and John understand,” Mariam said. “I’ve discussed it with them several times. I wish we could take them with us.”

“No, they can’t come,” Mary replied. “Jesus was very specific. The Apostles are to remain here to help Peter establish his church.”

                                                                 * * * * *

A few days later, they made the short journey from Mount Carmel to the Mediterranean port where Joseph’s boat awaited. There were twelve in total who would be moving to France: Mary Magdalene, Sarah and her husband (the disciple Philip), Mariam and her husband (the disciple Nathan), Martha (Mary Magdalene’s sister) and her husband Lazarus, plus five more Essene disciples.

Mother Mary, an Essene herself, walked with them down to the port to see them off. She had tears in her eyes as she hugged Mary Magdalene goodbye. They both knew it was, most likely, the last time they would see each other.

Joseph of Arimathea had decided to go along on the journey. He was getting old and realized that he might not see his daughters again. Also, he knew that this was a traumatic voyage for them, and he wanted them to feel safe. His presence gave everyone a sense of comfort. He was the wise man of the family, the patriarch. He was the one man to whom even Jesus deferred. In fact, his wealth and prestige were of such significance that nearly everyone in Jerusalem knew of him.

Chapter Two

The group arrived in Provence, on the Mediterranean coast, in April, 30 AD.
Today this is known as the coastal town of Saint Maries da la Mer, in southern France. As the name implies, it was named after Mary Magdalene.

There is an old church in Saint Maries called The Black Madonna Sarah Church, which was built to honor Sarah, Mary Magdalene’s first cousin. Sarah had an Egyptian mother, giving her a dark complexion. This is the reason for the black Madonnas located throughout Europe, one of which can be found, today, at this church.

After they arrived, Sarah showed the way to the Essene commune near Aix, known today as Saint Maximin Le Saint Baume. Every year on July 22nd -- the date of Mary Magdalene’s death -- people celebrate the Feast of Mary Magdalene. Her skull is removed from her tomb inside Saint Maximin Cathedral and paraded around the city. This celebration dates back to the Middle Ages.

Also of historical note, many Christian scholars consider Saint Maximin Le Saint Baume to be the third most important Christian historical site, after Jerusalem and Rome. It has this honor for one reason and one reason alone -- Mary Magdalene. Today, thousands of pilgrims from all over the world continuously stream into this city to honor her. Whereas it is not generally acknowledged that Mary Magdalene moved to France, the people of southern France have no doubts and the historical evidence is overwhelming.

                                                                 * * * * *

The walk to the Essene community was less than a day’s walk north, located in a hilly area, within view of the Alps to the east. This is where Sarah grew up, and she knew the area well. They followed numerous roads until they reached the commune, arriving at sunset.

When they walked through the gates, Sarah was immediately recognized, and several people ran to greet her. The arriving visitors were joyously welcomed. The community knew that Sarah had gone to Palestine to be a disciple of Jesus. Now she had returned with a husband, Philip, and matured into a strong young lady.
Sarah smiled and greeted her family and friends. Her parents, Isaac (a brother of Mother Mary), and Tabitha (her dark-skinned Egyptian mother), were there to hug her. The children gathered around her, laughing and giggling. Their friend and teacher had returned.

Sarah introduced the people she had brought with her. This included Mariam and her husband Nathan, along with several fellow Essenes from Mount Carmel. When she introduced Mary Magdalene as Jesus’ wife and her first cousin, there was awe and silence.

“Where is Jesus?” one of the younger children asked.

Mary smiled and looked down lovingly at the child. “He is in God’s Kingdom. That is why we came to you. He asked that we come here and spread his message. He told us to come to you!”

There was more silence.

Sarah smiled joyfully. “Oh, we can talk about this later! It’s time to eat. Is there any food?”

Everyone smiled, joining Sarah’s enthusiasm for life.

“Of course. This way,” said one of the Perfecti, in a white robe.

The commune knew Jesus. He had visited several years ago. They knew of his special mission and his strong spiritual link to God. He was the walking embodiment of God. A true enlightened one. The Essene Perfecti enjoyed spending time with Jesus and learning from him when he visited. They had spent hours talking with him about spirituality. One of the Perfecti, John, had known that this day would come, and that Sarah would return after Jesus’ persecution. He was ready to help spread Jesus’ message.

Mary decided to sit and rest for a bit, and gazed around the peaceful community setting. As in the other Essene communes, all of the Essenes wore colored robes. Each Essene wore the color that matched their spiritual development. Only a few wore white, which was the highest level, that of the rank of Perfecti. It would be the color that Sarah, Mary Magdalene, and Mariam would wear.

The commune was essentially a school, with a focus on spirituality. The members would rise early, and spend each day in rigorous pursuits of knowledge. They studied spirituality, languages, philosophy, astrology, astronomy, science, history, math and writing. They had an extensive library, much of it provided by Joseph of Arimathea.

Some of their ancient writings were hundreds of years old. The various Essene communities located throughout the Mediterranean area would copy their texts and would share them with each other. Joseph’s fleet of ships made the transferring relatively easy.

There were over two hundred people in this community, but only nineteen of them had achieved the level of Perfecti. These nineteen met with Sarah, Mary Magdalene, and Mariam to hear the words that Jesus had related to his wife.
Mary told them why they had come, and asked for their assistance in spreading the message. The Essene Perfecti understood that Jesus’ message would be spread either by them or, eventually, by the Apostles or their acolytes. And they understood how important it was that the correct message be revealed.

“We should do it in pairs,” Mary Magdalene said. “One man and one woman. This is what he would have wanted. To show that we are equals.”

“Yes, that is how it shall be done,” one of the Perfecti acknowledged. “We have eleven men and eleven women.”

“I will write a Gospel and we can share it with the people,” Mary said.

“That is glorious idea. So shall it be,” replied a Perfecti.

“And only the Perfecti shall preach the message,” Mary said. “Only those with a pure heart and innocence. Only those who deserve such an honor. The Perfecti will represent Jesus. They will be his true apostles.”

“So shall it be,” acknowledged another.

The arrival of Sarah, Mary and Mariam in Aix was an incredible event. And that night, a major change occurred in the lives of the Essenes. They decided that they would spread Jesus’ message so that it would not die with him. This was counter to their normal pursuits from within the confines of their small community. Now they were going to leave the protection of their walls, to go out and actually spread the word.

                                                                     * * * * *

A few days passed, and Sarah could wait no longer to leave the commune and preach the message. At breakfast, one of the Perfecti blessed the vegetarian food, and then they all said the Lord’s Prayer. This had become a new custom, instigated by Mary Magdalene. Some of the Perfecti had also begun to say the Prayer before going to bed.

“I’m going outside today to preach,” Sarah announced. “I will be gone for several days, and I plan on living off of the charity of the people.”

“But we have not paired up yet,” Mary replied, a little startled. “Who will you take with you?”

“I will go,” John said, the Essene Perfecti who had anticipated Sarah’s return.

Sarah nodded at him. Her husband, Philip, was jealous, but he knew that he was not ready to become a Perfecti. This was something that was achieved, not given.
Becoming an Essene Perfecti was not easy. One had to be expertly versed in the Law (Hebrew scripture), and had to hold the virtues of honesty, righteousness, justice, loving kindness, and humility. First, one had to join as a novice with a probationary period that lasted up to ten years. New people were tenured up the ranks very slowly, and were made to prove their ability to be pure or “perfect.”

It was not easy being an Essene, for each Essene community was a very strict place to live. Life there was much like being in a cult, in that there was little freedom. Behavior was strictly controlled, and life was highly codified and stringent.

However, there were benefits for these early Gnostics. Everyone was given access to an extensive education, and the opportunity to become a pious devotee of God. Perhaps the greatest benefit of being an Essene was access to their libraries. They had some of the oldest documents known. Scrolls from Plato, Socrates, Pythagoras, and Philo could all be read firsthand.

After breakfast, John and Sarah packed a few belongings and said goodbye to those gathered at the gates. It was an exciting time, the beginning of a new era.

                                                                   * * * * *   

Sarah and John walked back to the sea port. They could have gone to Aix, ten miles to the west, but Sarah wanted to start by the ocean. Sarah and John were longstanding friends who had known each other while growing up in the Essene community. John was older, now in his forties. And he was now a celibate Essene priest -- a Perfecti.

When they arrived at the port, there were many people with whom they could converse. Sarah went up to a group of men, wearing her white robe and looking highly conspicuous with her dark complexion.

“Good evening, gentlemen. Have you heard of Jesus?”

“Who?” one of the fishermen replied.

“The son of God, the Hebrew who recently rose from the dead in Palestine after his crucifixion in Jerusalem.”

Several of the men laughed. “The son of God himself?”

Sarah nodded. “I walked with him. I was one of his disciples. His wife, Mary Magdalene, now lives here, in the Essene community near Aix.

The fishermen became quiet. “Are you both Essene priests from Aix?”

They both nodded.

The Essenes were respected and were known as holy people with impeccable morality. They were not liars.

“Word of Jesus has reached this port,” one replied. “They say that he performs miracles.”

Sarah smiled. “Yes, he did. I witnessed several. However, Jesus is now in God’s Kingdom. He rose in spirit on the third day after the recent crucifixion. He appeared to Mary Magdalene and several of the Apostles. He promised that all of us would join him upon our deaths. This is the good news. We do live on. Our destiny is to be with Jesus in God’s Kingdom.”

“How do you know that he was the son of God?” one of the fishermen asked.

“He preached it, and he proved it with miracles like nothing ever seen before. I watched him cure cripples, lepers, and the blind. There was nothing beyond his abilities. He even raised my cousin Lazarus from the dead.”

Sarah reached into her traveling bag and retrieved a scroll.

“He also proved it with beautiful words of God, like nothing we have ever heard before. Would you like to hear?”

The men nodded.

She began to read. “It is the Father-Mother Creator within me that does the works you see. Likewise, it is the same Creator within you who cares for you day by day. . . . Know that I am in you as you are in me. And as I am one in my Father and He is one in me, so it is likewise that you are in my Father and He in you.

“If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.

“The Kingdom is inside you, and it is outside you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will realize that you are the sons of the living Father.

Sarah stopped for a moment to comment. “In this next passage, Jesus is warning us not to get too attached to material things.”

“Attachment to matter gives rise to passion against nature. Thus trouble arises in the whole body; this is why I tell you: ‘Be in harmony.’ If you are out of balance, take inspiration from manifestations of your true nature.”

She stopped again. “Not everyone will understand this,” she said, “but your true nature is expressed as that still, small voice within, that voice that always helps us to know what is right.”

Sarah continued, “The following are the words he said in my presence at Mount Carmel in Palestine:

“My beloved family and friends, into whose presence I am returned after a long journey, I am now of a man’s stature and the Law of One does rest within me, though not all is yet fulfilled. I await the full awakening, when God comes and dwells permanently within my consciousness.

“I also came to know that I was sovereign unto myself, so long as I was aligned and attuned to my omnipotent Creator Source, my mighty I AM. I realized that I was free and not dependent upon another. . . . I am here on the earth plane to do my Father’s will, and to prepare the way so that you may return to the One who is calling you to rest from your soul’s long journey.”

“These are beautiful words,” said one of the fishermen, after she finished. “Is he the Jewish messiah?”

Sarah nodded. “I believe he is, even though the Jews rejected him and had him crucified. I believe God sent him to us to relieve our anxiety and discomfort. Jesus brought us the wisdom to be like him. He taught us how to have Gnosis, to know God. We are all destined for the Kingdom through Gnosis. Our destiny is to be with Jesus in the Kingdom -- perhaps not after this lifetime, but eventually.”

 “What are your names?” Sarah asked. “Where do you live? When Perfecti pass through, they can tell you more of Jesus’ wisdom.”

They gave their names and directions to their homes. Sarah wrote them down with the pen and ink that she had brought in her bag. Sarah and John smiled and thanked them for listening, then they moved on and began speaking to another group along the dock.

After a few hours, she had written down over fifty names. One person asked if they needed a place to stay and they gratefully accepted. They lived there for two weeks and preached to the port city.

                                                                   * * * * *   

It was the beginning of the Cathar movement. Cathar means “purity” in Greek, and the Cathars were considered the “pure ones.” The Cathars adopted the term “Perfecti” to refer to their priests. This is only one of several things that the Essenes and Cathars had in common. Their diets were nearly identical and they both pursued intense acetic lifestyles in the pursuit of Gnosis.

When she returned to the community, Sarah told the other Perfecti what she had accomplished and how. Her methods were then replicated by the other Perfecti. Steadily, they all began to spread the message of Jesus.

Sarah was quite passionate about her mission and spread the holy word throughout Provence and the more populated Languedoc region to the west. She visited nearly every village and preached. Her legend grew, as more and more people heard of her and of her royal blood. For she was Jesus’ first cousin. Her father was Mother Mary’s brother Isaac.

Mary Magdalene also made some pilgrimages of her own, but they were much shorter and less frequent. When people heard that Mary was in Provence, they would come and visit her. She had so many visitors that she tended to stay home and preach from within the confines of the community. The Gospel that she wrote did become the basis for much of the preaching. Parts of this Gospel were discovered in Egypt in the late 19th century. Her work was titled The Gospel of Mary. The explanation of the seven demons in Chapter One to the apostles comes from this Gospel.

Today, in the French regions of Provence and Languedoc, numerous black Madonnas still honor Sarah’s memory. They exist because the people of southern France wanted the world to know that the first Christian priest was a woman.

There is also a festival that honors the Cathars every May 23-25, in Saint Maries de la Mer. It originated during the Middle Ages, and is a tribute to Saint Sarah the Egyptian, also called Sarah Kali, the “Black Queen.”

There is no historical proof that Mariam even came to Provence with Mary Magdalene and Sarah. But, I suppose, with two powerful personalities such as Mary Magdalene and Sarah, it was hard for her to stand out.

The three women were thirty-three years old when they arrived in Provence. There wasn’t much time to make a historical mark, so it’s quite amazing how much of an impact Mary Magdalene and Sarah made.

It should also be noted that the Essenes’ history came to an end within one generation after Jesus’ crucifixion.