1998

"We walked the journey to Tyre.  Three days it took us but Melena knew of houses of refuge and hospitality along the way, and constantly we met with friends.  When we arrived in Tyre, the ship to Capernaum was already waiting in the docks.It had been three years and I was just turning twenty-four.  The child Melena had left in the care of the first house that gave us refuge.  This journey would be perilous enough for three adults.  Thaddai had grown into a tall and handsome young man. It seemed strange, yet so very natural that our deep friendship carried none of the lust of my youth.   His pardon of me was complete and we inhabited each other's souls.  The trek from Capernaum to Aelia Capitolina, or Jerusalem would be another seven days.  Fortunately the bishop's knowledge of houses of refuge and we never wanted for shelter along the way.  As we were approaching the great city way ahead I noted a cloud of dust that could signify one thing and one thing only...From a distance, we were being approached by soldiers on horseback...