• BY ADMIN
  • 28 JANUARY, 2020
A Visitor

Scholars from different countries desire to visit holy places to get engage in their quest for knowledge and wisdom. To fulfill their life-long quest for wisdom, they visited different countries to study the scriptures, and meet religious philosophers, researchers, and intellectuals. The purpose of their visit is to nurture their soul and seek wisdom and understanding of the Father Holy. Moreover, they gained experience of different cultures and knowing people’s views about the wisdom of the scriptures.

The religious fiction, I Am Only Mary written by Thomas Atzberger explores the culture of the times during the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The author illustrates the prehistoric setting that brings us into Mary's everyday life, introducing us through quiet observation to her childhood and family as well as how she responded to these normal events including worship and friendship, holidays or meeting learned people or philosophers who paid a special visit to her village.

The book talks about the visit of a renowned scholar, named Azach, from Zippori. Joachim met this scholarly person during his visit to Jerusalem. He was inspired to meet Azach as he favored the Psalms and the moral truths gained from them. It was during the trip, Azach and Joachim planned that Azach should study the scriptures in Jerusalem. Azach, agreeing with the idea of Joachim went straight to Jerusalem for the study of the Proverbs and the Prophets. On his way back, he visited a few villages including the village Nazareth where Joachim’s family lives. Azach was a noted religious speaker of Zippori and other religious places found in Jerusalem. While speaking to Zippori about his spiritual journey to seek knowledge and wisdom of the scriptures, he stated,

“I am always seeking to refine my understanding of what the Father wants of us, that is, each of us, as one of his people. I have planned to visit a few villages on my way back home to share what I learned with the people there. I have been to Ephraim, Neapolis, Salim, and Nain, and now I am here a few steps from my own home sharing my thoughts about the wisdom of scriptures.”

According to the author, the people of Nazareth are highly hospitable and followed the special tradition of welcoming their special guests. For instance, a special meal was prepared. The author quotes the instances from her childhood when she met the scholar. Mary was excited to meet the learned person so she stood with her father and showed a friendly gesture by smiling, and giggling. Watching the friendly manner of the little girl, Azach, told Mary that he had a little girl by name of Rebecca. She has twenty ribs and he will show her how he counts her ribs. Being excited, Mary smiled, twisted, and pushed at the man’s hand to play with him.

Joachim and the whole family feel blessed that they met a scholarly professor who had an inspiring personality. It is the spiritual light and knowledge that has made Azach grow into an intellectual, teaching wisdom to people and live a better life with more compassion towards others.

About The Book

To further know about Mary’s unique childhood instances, how Mary grew closer to the other children in the village, know about villagers and neighbors and begin understanding the customs and traditions of the village, literary critics, historians, and avid readers can flip through, the historical religious narrative, I Am Only Mary.

Reading the book will help you know the pious role of Mary. 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. Mary, a devout girl showed her obedience and love to God.

The book is organized to give the readers the flavor of Mary’s probable life. It explores the culture of the times during the life of Mary, people were engaged in cordial interpersonal relationships and exhibited compassion, politeness, and care for each other. Community people make moral choices in their daily lives and worship their holy rituals and traditions. The author illustrates the prehistoric setting that brings us into Mary's everyday life, introducing us through quiet observation to her childhood and family as well as how she responded to these normal events including worship and friendship, holidays or meeting learned people or philosophers who paid a special visit to her village.

Mary’s adolescence and her betrothal process with Joseph. At that moment, she received a vision from The Holy Spirit that Mary, being a blessed woman will conceive and bear a holy child. Mary planned to visit her relative Elizabeth to convey to her the surprising news of her childbearing.

I Am Only Mary is available on different online platforms. The book can be read by anyone who has a keen interest to know in Mary’s life. 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, and has been married to his wife Christina since 1970, with three adult children. Tom is an attorney by training and is a supervisor of stockbrokers. His inspiration for this work came from his 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