- BY ADMIN
- 28 JANUARY, 2020
The Greeting
Midday approached. After four days of strenuous journey, Mary reached her destination. Mary’s travel companion was Jonathan, brother of Elizabeth. When they reached Elizabeth’s place, she was preparing the evening meal. A surprising knock at the door made her ponder who could have come to meet her. “We have visitors! She spoke to her baby moving forcefully inside her belly. Elizabeth opened the door and was astounded to see her brother. Mary saw her cousin’s shining face and her heart throbbed with excitement. Mary’s affectionate and beaming smile indicated the great happiness inside her to meet the blessed woman, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth was too excited to meet Mary, “The last time I saw you, you were just starting to walk! And now look at you. What a lovely woman you have become.” The youthful charm and maturity of Mary inspired Elizabeth. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth got aware of Mary’s condition and responded joyfully in humility:
“Mary; you especially. Of all women, you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. As soon as I heard your voice, the child in me leaped for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
Mary’s reply to Elizabeth exhibited her profound praise for God. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”
While having the midday lunch, Elizabeth and her visitors had a light informal talk. As time passed, Mary got involved with different tasks such as visiting the village market with Elizabeth to purchase daily foodstuffs, and water, and prepare the meals. Elizabeth reached her last weeks of childbirth and informed Mary about Naomi, a midwife who lived five miles southwest of Jerusalem.
It was an evening preparation meal when Elizabeth felt her water break. Zachary and Jonathan both hurriedly went to call the midwife. Elizabeth had little contractions and seemed to be calm, so Naomi waited for some time and then returned.
Later that night, she pushed Zachary saying, “I think this baby’s coming now.”
About The Book
To further read about the childbirth process of Elizabeth, and how Mary and Naomi helped to make labor less painful, and easier for Elizabeth, read the religious narrative fiction I Am Only Mary.
Reading the book will help you know the pious role of Mary. The narrative fiction I Am Only Mary by Thomas W. Atzberger makes Mary accessible to us as a fellow Christian, emphasizing her humanity and her virtuous living of the call God gave to her. The book reveals Mary’s life and character elements we rarely know about. Mary is a devout girl who surrendered herself to God’s command and showed her obedience and love for God. As she said, “I am the Lord’s servant.”
The book is organized to give the readers the flavor of Mary’s probable life. It explains the Jewish culture, people engaged in cordial interpersonal relationships. They exhibited compassion, politeness, and care for each other. Community people make moral choices in their daily lives and worship their holy rituals and traditions.
This book is a must-read. The religious fiction and fascinating original prose meditation, I Am Only Mary is available on different online platforms for the readers who have a deep interest in Mary, the mother of Jesus. They can be either Muslims, who have a deep respect for her, as well as Catholics who revere her, and Protestants who are baffled by Catholics’ deep reverence. Everyone with even a remote interest in the person of Mary can gain deep inspiration by reading the book. The probable details of Mary’s journey have been uniquely depicted in narrative fiction. Since the history and biography about Mary are hardly available, reading this prose meditation brings us close to her.
About the Author
Thomas Atzberger is a retired lawyer from Columbus, Ohio. He completed three years of college-level studies in a Catholic seminary before earning degrees from John Carroll University and the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Thomas is an attorney by training and is a supervisor of stockbrokers. He has been married to his wife Christina since 1970, with three adult children. The inspiration to compile this amazing work comes from Thomas's life experience as a husband, father, uncle, neighbor, and relative of many in his extended family. His earnest feelings are that we should follow the virtuous living, and practice religious acts that work out our salvation. Thomas Atzberger aims to make Mary’s biography more interesting for the readers.