Vlog 20   THE AVATARS OF THE PISCEAN AGE – JESUS AND MARY MAGDALENE

NOTE BY NANCY:   I hope many of you are listening to Patricia Cota-Robles’  profound wkly Vlogs.  She speaks for the Company of Heaven.   These Vlogs will assist in preparing you for the truths that are being and will be revealed in the very near future as Earth ascends to the higher dimensions of LOVE, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY FOR ALL.  We are entering the New Aquarian Age–a time illustrated by this Aquarian Symbol–the Waterbearer for a thirsty humanity.

I am adding additional information, found in my own research, on Mary of Magdala following this Vlog.

Vlog 20
 
THE AVATARS OF THE PISCEAN AGE – JESUS AND MARY MAGDALENE

Patricia Cota-Robles

http://www.eraofpeace.org/vlog-content?mc_cid=a4e77c6e76&mc_eid=e47f92bc05

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON MARY OF MAGDALA

http://pathwaytoascension.com/magdala.html

 

Mary Magdalene: Author of the Fourth Gospel?

http://pathwaytoascension.com/magdala4.html

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WELCOME TO THE NEW EARTH

WELCOME TO THE NEW EARTH

                    Patricia Cota-Robles

                  January 2013

 www.eraofpeace.org

 Patricia CotaRobles

Congratulations! Through the unified efforts of Heaven and Earth, we have God Victoriously Birthed the New Earth in the 5th-Dimensional Realms of CAUSE.

During the unprecedented celestial alignment that took place on December 21st and 22nd, 2012, our Father-Mother God Inbreathed the Earth and ALL Creation up the Spiral of Evolution into the next octave of our learning experiences. This event, which was called the Shift of the Ages, is a natural part of our evolutionary experience that occurs only once every so many million years.

This shift involved not only the Sons and Daughters of God evolving on Earth, but also the Sons and Daughters of God throughout Infinity. Each and every Child of God is now in position to cocreate with our God Parents the next phase of our journey back to the Heart of our Father-Mother God. This will be a unique process for every Child of God throughout the Universe, but on Earth it will be glorious beyond our wildest imagination.

In order to grasp the magnitude of what the Birth of the New Earth in the 5th-Dimensional Realms of Cause means for each of us, we must understand that the 5th Dimension is a frequency of Light that transcends separation and duality. Within this higher frequency of vibration the gross mutations of disease, poverty, hunger, war, greed, hatred, or pain and suffering of any kind cannot be sustained. The 5th Dimension is a timeless, spaceless frequency of God’s Infinite Light and Perfection. It is the frequency that we have always known as the Heavenly Realms. Now with the Shift of the Ages God Victoriously accomplished, the Heavenly Realms have Ascended up the Spiral of Evolution into the 6th-Dimensional Realms of Light.

Within the 5th Dimension Divine Love and the consciousness of Oneness and Reverence for Life are the ONLY reality. The Sons and Daughters of God abiding in the 5th Dimension are destined to cocreate experiences that enhance life with every thought, word, action, feeling, and belief we express. We will cocreate win-win situations for everybody as we perpetually focus on Love, Light, and the highest good for ALL concerned. This may sound too good to be true, but actually it does not even begin to describe the wonders and joyous things we will be cocreating once we accept that the New Earth has been Birthed, and we daily and hourly live out of that profound Truth.

I know the events of the 2012 December Solstice have created a lot of confusion.  That is because of people’s expectations, and because it is difficult for people to step back and see the bigger picture. For aeons of time our fragmented, fear-based human egos have manipulated us into believing that our physical body is who we are and that the physical plane is our only reality. Nothing could be further from the Truth, but that illusion is a hard habit to break. We look at the outer world and come to erroneous conclusions about events that have taken place in multidimensional levels of our existence. Our conclusions are wrong because we are multidimensional Beings of Light abiding within many dimensions simultaneously. The physical plane is the least real of all of the dimensions we abide in, and it is the very last dimension to reflect the changes that have taken place in the Realms of Cause.

The Company of Heaven is very aware of the challenge we have with our egos, and they are doing everything they can to help us perceive the Truth of the miraculous Birth of the New Earth. Ask your I AM Presence and the Company of Heaven for clarity as you take the following information into your heart of hearts. You are already aware of the wonders that have transpired. That is true even if you do not remember these events on a conscious level. You have been an instrument of God during this Cosmic Moment, and you were an intricate part in the fulfillment of this important part of the Divine Plan.

On December 21, 2012, during the moments of Earth’s alignment with the Galactic Core of the Milky Way, our Father-Mother God Inbreathed this planet and all Life evolving upon her up the Spiral of Evolution. During that Cosmic Moment, this precious planet reclaimed her rightful place in our Solar System. That sacred event paved the way for another activity of Light that had to be victoriously accomplished in order for the New Earth and ALL Humanity to be successfully birthed into the full embrace of the 5th Dimension.

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus, the Avatar of the Piscean Age, revealed an activity of Light that would take place during these “end times” which would serve as a catalyst for returning the fallen Sons and Daughters of God on Earth to Christ Consciousness. The event he revealed was a Baptism by Sacred Fire that would be initiated by our Mother God, the Holy Spirit, on behalf of awakening Humanity.  This miraculous event was God Victoriously accomplished on December 22, 2012, thus paving the way for the successful Birth of the New Earth in the 5th Dimension.

In order for us to comprehend the enormity of what has occurred for Humanity and the Earth, the Company of Heaven asked me to reiterate some important information they gave to us about events that paved the way for the wondrous Birth of the New Earth. There are thousands of new people on our newsletter list, and this background is very important. This article is a little long, but I promise you it is well worth your time.

Baptism by Sacred Fire

In the beginning, we were a full-grown Being of Light, and an Immortal Victorious Threefold Flame enveloped our Earthly bodies. The Blue Flame of our Father God’s Power activated our left-brain hemisphere and the rational, logical portion of our brain. It also activated the masculine power center within our Throat Chakra.  The Pink Flame of our Mother God’s Love activated our right-brain hemisphere and the creative, intuitive portion of our brain. This Sacred Fire also activated the feminine love center within our Heart Chakra. Our Mother God is the feminine polarity of God. She is the Holy Comforter and expresses the Love Nature of God.  She is the Being we came to know as the Holy Spirit within the Holy Trinity.

Initially, the masculine and the feminine polarities of our Father-Mother God were perfectly balanced within us. This allowed our Father God’s Blue Flame of Power and our Mother God’s Pink Flame of Love to merge into the Violet Flame of God’s Infinite Perfection.

This perfectly balanced Violet Flame activated our spiritual brain centers, which are our pituitary, pineal, hypothalamus glands, and the ganglionic centers at the base of our brain. When these spiritual brain centers were activated, our Crown Chakra of Enlightenment opened to full breadth allowing the Yellow-gold Flame of Christ Consciousness to Birth the Child of God that we are into the physical plane of Earth. This Yellow-gold Flame completed our Immortal Victorious Threefold Flame and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity within us.

After our fall from Grace, we created overwhelming pain and suffering for ourselves. We used our gift of free will and our creative faculties of thought and feeling to create patterns of imperfection that resulted in all of the maladies that are now existing on Earth. When we began experiencing pain for the first time we were afraid, and we had no idea how to cope with what was happening in our lives. We were so buried in our self-inflicted strife that we could not raise our heads above the mud puddle of our miscreations enough to see the Light.  This prevented us from communicating with our God Self or from perceiving viable solutions to our problems through Christ Consciousness. All we wanted to do was make the pain stop.

We knew that our Heart Chakra was the portal through which our feelings were expressed in the physical plane. We thought that maybe if we blocked this portal, the pain would stop. So the Children of Earth, in a desperate attempt to stop our pain, made the fateful decision to close our Heart Chakras.

The Beings of Light revealed that when we closed our Heart Chakras, we blocked the portal through which our Mother God’s Love entered the physical plane of Earth. This catastrophic occurrence forced our Mother God to withdraw her Love to a mere trickle of its original intensity. This created monumental problems that catapulted the Earth and all her Life into a downward spiral of darkness, pain, and suffering.

Once we closed our Heart Chakras, the infinitesimal amount of Divine Love our Mother God was able to project through our right-brain hemispheres, was barely enough to sustain brain consciousness. This caused our right brains to became almost dormant. When that occurred, the Blue Flame of Power from our Father God and the Pink Flame of Love from our Mother God no longer merged into the perfectly balanced Violet Flame of God’s Infinite Perfection.

Our Father-Mother God’s balanced Violet Flame was the catalyst that activated our spiritual brain centers and opened our Crown Chakra. Without the support of the Violet Flame, our spiritual brain centers began to atrophy. This forced our Crown Chakra to close, which prevented us from communicating with our God Self and the Company of Heaven. We were no longer able to maintain Christ Consciousness.

When we lost conscious awareness of our God Self and the Company of Heaven, we started to perceive the physical plane as our only reality. We came to the distorted conclusion that our physical body is all that we are and that the gratification of our physical senses is our purpose and reason for being. As we plodded through our Earthly existence making choices that took us further into separation and darkness, we developed a fear-based alter ego. This fragmented aspect of our personality is known as our human ego. Our human ego usurped the control our God Self was supposed to have over our Earthly bodies.

Without the balance of our Mother God’s Love, we began abusing our masculine power. We made power-oriented decisions that did not take into consideration how our choices would affect other people, or if they reflected Love or a Reverence for Life. When we were in male bodies we abused our power by being violent and aggressive. When we were in female bodies, we abused our power by suppressing it and allowing ourselves to be dominated and oppressed. The more we abused our power, the deeper we fell into the abyss of our human miscreations. As time went on, our plight became much worse.

Then, 2,000 years ago, during the dawn of the Piscean Age, an evaluation was made by our Father-Mother God and the Company of Heaven to see what the greatest need of the hour was for Humanity. The Shift of the Ages was coming and our hearts were still closed. We were oblivious about the Love of our Mother God, and we no longer functioned with Christ Consciousness. It was clear that without powerful Divine Intervention Humanity would not be ready to make the shift into the 5th Dimension.

The Children of God on Earth had fallen into an abusive and power-oriented patriarchal consciousness. We were being totally manipulated by the “dog eat dog” attitude of our fragmented and fear-based human egos. We were oblivious of our Mother God and her Divine Love. We knew that there was only One God and that we are all Children of God, but it did not occur to us that this all-encompassing Presence of God was both masculine and feminine. Amazingly, we assumed that as Children of God we had a single parent, and we believed that parent was male—a Father God. What child is ever birthed without a Mother? “As above, so below.”

During Earth’s evaluation by our Father-Mother God and the Company of Heaven at the inception of the Piscean Age, it was clear that the greatest need of the hour was for Humanity to reclaim our Divine Birthright as Sons and Daughters of God.

The only way to accomplish that goal was for us to return to Christ Consciousness. And the ONLY way to return to Christ Consciousness, was for us to open our Heart Chakras and the portal within our right-brain hemispheres through which our Mother God could return to Earth. In other words, without the Love of our Mother God there was no way to regain Christ Consciousness. Humanity would have to open our Heart Chakras and balance our Mother God’s Flame of Divine Love within our Immortal Victorious Threefold Flame. Only then could our right and left brain hemispheres become balanced, and our spiritual brain centers reactivated, thus opening our Crown Chakra and returning us to Christ Consciousness.

In order to accomplish this mighty feat, a Divine Plan was set into motion. Our Father-Mother God summoned a Beloved Son and Daughter of God from the Great Silence. These precious Beings were Twin Flames who had been in the Great Silence for a very long time learning how to anchor the archetypes for both the return of our Mother God and Humanity’s return to Christ Consciousness. They are the ones we have known as Jesus the Christ and Mary Magdalene. These selfless Beings of Light volunteered to embody on Planet Earth to demonstrate to the fallen Children of God the reality of our Mother God, and the path of Divine Love Humanity must follow in order to return to Christ Consciousness.

Jesus and Mary Magdalene knew that because of Humanity’s ingrained belief in the patriarchal authority of a single Father God, Mary’s role would initially be as a silent partner. Her part of the Divine Plan was cloaked in secrecy to prevent the plan from being blocked through the abuse of power being wielded by Humanity’s patriarchal human egos at the time. Jesus and Mary Magdalene were equal partners, and together they God Victoriously accomplished the Immaculate Concept of their Divine Missions.

During what is referred to as “the lost 18 years,” Jesus and Mary Magdalene studied in the mystery schools of India, Tibet, and Egypt. When it was time to begin their mission of anchoring the archetypes for the return of our Mother God and Humanity’s return to Christ Consciousness, Jesus demonstrated for all the world to see the imperative first step-the return of the Divine Feminine, our Mother God, the Holy Spirit.

At the age of 30, Jesus and Mary Magdalene came to the banks of the Jordan River, where Jesus immersed himself in the sacred water element. Water represents the emotional strata for the Earth as well as the emotional bodies for Humanity. Once Jesus was in the water, he participated in a Divine Ceremony that anchored the archetype for the return of our Mother God. In that ceremony, John the Baptist washed away the sins of the world by Baptizing Jesus with the Love of our Mother God-the Holy Spirit.

We have all seen pictures of Jesus standing in the Jordan River with the Dove of the Holy Spirit descending into his Crown Chakra. In that moment, Jesus’ right-brain hemisphere was brought into perfect balance with his left-brain hemisphere. His spiritual brain centers were activated, and his Crown Chakra was opened to full breadth. When this occurred, Jesus became the Christ grown to full stature and his mission of modeling Humanity’s Divine Potential as a Beloved Child of God began in earnest. Simultaneously, Mary Magdalene experienced the same anointing through a Baptism of the Holy Spirit. At that moment, Jesus and Mary Magdalene became the Avatars of the Piscean Age.

For the next three years Jesus modeled to the world the path of Oneness and Divine Love that each of us must follow in order to regain Christ Consciousness.  Day in and day out, Mary Magdalene supported Jesus with her love, and held the sacred space for the fulfillment of their Divine Missions.

The path of Oneness and Divine Love is the only way the Children of God will return, through Christ Consciousness, to the Heart of our Divine Father and Mother. Jesus demonstrated this path and our Divine Potential through various activities of Light and the miracles he performed. Both he and Mary Magdalene clearly revealed the Oneness of Life through their dedication to each other and their reverence for ALL Life.

At the age of 33 Jesus accomplished the final facets of his Divine Mission.  Thirty-three is the master number that reflects the Christ made manifest. There is a lot of discussion at this time as to whether Jesus was actually crucified and whether or not he resurrected his body. The Company of Heaven has confirmed that both of these events were vitally important to the fulfillment of Jesus and Mary Magdalene’s Divine Plan.

Contrary to the guilt-inducing things we are often told, the reason Jesus was tortured and crucified was not to atone for Humanity’s sins because we are such worthless sinners and worms in the dust that someone had to save us. In Truth, our Father-Mother God gave each of us the gift of free will and NO ONE is allowed to interfere with Humanity’s experience, or the ramifications, of our free-will choices. We are responsible for how we have used our gift of Life, and we must experience the consequences of our thoughts, words, actions, feelings, and beliefs whether they were positive or negative.

Jesus agreed to be crucified because he wanted to prove to the world that there is nothing the fallen human ego can do to the physical body that will destroy the Divinity within us. His crucifixion and resurrection proved that even if one’s body is reviled, tortured, and crucified, the Divinity within is eternal and lives on in our Light Body.

Jesus and Mary Magdalene came to anchor the archetypes for the return of our Mother God and to demonstrate the path of Oneness and Divine Love that each of us must follow in order to return to Christ Consciousness. Jesus knew, however, that our human egos were powerful and that our lack of trust in ourselves was overwhelming. He was very aware that the potential was great that we would misunderstand his mission. After all, many Avatars had come and gone since Humanity’s fall from Grace, each one with the intent of teaching Humanity the path of Divine Love that would lead to Christ Consciousness. In every attempt, Humanity separated ourselves from the Avatars and Deified them with the hope that they would save us. Jesus was determined to not let that happen this time, so he created a plan that would clearly demonstrate to Humanity that we are each responsible for our individual return to Christ Consciousness.

In the final act of Beloved Jesus’ mission he wanted to clearly reveal to Humanity that he cannot do this for us and that we are not saved simply because he was here. Jesus left a powerful archetype to prove that no matter how dedicated we are to him, we are each responsible for our return to ChristConsciousness. In order to create this archetype, Jesus invoked the assistance of his Beloved Disciples.

After Jesus’ resurrection in his Light Body, he remained on Earth for 40 days.  During that time he expanded his Light Body and lifted the Disciples into Christ Consciousness, so that they could experience the return of our Mother God and what it was like to reconnect with their God Selves. In Christ Consciousness the Disciples were able to perform all of the miracles Jesus performed. They quickly learned the lessons that would enable them to continue the mission that had been started by their beloved brother, Jesus. They prepared to spread the Truth of our Mother God, the reality of Humanity’s Divinity, and the Path of Oneness and Divine Love that would lead to Christ Consciousness for every evolving soul.

At the end of the 40 days, it was time for Jesus to Ascend into the next phase of his mission. When the Heavens opened and Jesus Ascended into the Realms of Illumined Truth, he withdrew his Light Body from the Disciples. Since the Disciples had not attained Christ Consciousness through their own endeavors they began to falter and they lost the ability to sustain Christ Consciousness.

The Disciples realized that in spite of their great love for Jesus and their dedication to him and his mission, he could not save them or sustain them in Christ Consciousness. It was not enough for them to love him, or for them to accept him as their personal savior. Reaching Christ Consciousness was something each of them would have to accomplish on his own. The most Jesus and Mary Magdalene could do was anchor the archetypes for the return of our Mother God, and demonstrate the path of Oneness and Divine Love that we must each follow in order to return to Christ Consciousness.

For ten days the Disciples struggled with their predicament. On the 50th day after Jesus’ resurrection, the day we now call Pentecost, the Disciples realized what they must do in order to attain and sustain Christ Consciousness. On that day the Disciples entered what was called the Upper Room. This was a higher state of consciousness that they each attained by consecrating their lives to the path of Oneness and Divine Love. In that elevated state of consciousness, each of the Disciples opened his heart and from the depths of his Being invoked the return of our Mother God through a Baptism of the Holy Spirit. This time the Baptism was by Sacred Fire instead of water.

In that instant, the Disciples’ right-brain hemispheres were brought into perfect balance with their left-brain hemispheres. Their spiritual brain centers were activated, and their Crown Chakras were opened to full breadth. This allowed the Disciples to regain Christ Consciousness and to reconnect with their God Selves.  We have all seen depictions of the Disciples after their Baptism with Sacred Fire by the Holy Spirit. They are shown with a Flame pulsating from their CrownChakras indicating that they had regained Christ Consciousness.

Even with all of the archetypes that were carefully anchored during the Piscean Age, Jesus and Mary Magdalene knew that it would be millennia before Humanity would really understand their message and reclaim our Divine Birthright as Beloved Children of God. It was obvious that our human egos were not going to relinquish their patriarchal control easily. The resistance would be great, and every possible effort would be made to suppress the role of Mary Magdalene and the Truth of our Mother God. Jesus confirmed this knowing in Revelations when he stated, “In the Day of the Seventh Angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God will be fulfilled and time will be no more.” He said this would involve the Second Coming of the Christ through a Baptism by Sacred Fire.

The Piscean Age was the Day of the Sixth Angel. Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace because of the Divine Qualities associated with the Sixth Solar Aspect of Deity, which was the predominant influence during the 2,000-year cycle of the Piscean Age. Jesus’ symbol is the fish, because he and Mary Magdalene were the Avatars of the Piscean Age, which is represented by the symbol of the fish.

                         The Shift of the Ages and the Birth of the New Earth.

Now we have entered the Age of Aquarius and the 7th Angel is beginning to sound.  During the next 2,000 years, the 7th Solar Aspect of Deity which pulsates with the Violet Flame will be the predominant influence on Earth.

During the past 25 years, Humanity en masse reached a tipping point that allowed for the return of our Mother God in profound and unprecedented ways. The I AM Presence of every man, woman, and child on Earth has made the choice to reclaim our Divine Birthright as Sons and Daughters of God and to return to Christ Consciousness. On December 21, 2012, we God Victoriously passed through the Shift of the Ages. On December 22, 2012, Humanity received a Baptism from our Mother  od-the Holy Spirit-that bathed Humanity and the Earth in 5th-Dimensional Crystalline Solar Sacred Fire. This paved the way for the God Victorious Birth of the New Earth into the 5th-Dimensional Realms of Cause.

On December 22, 2012 literally millions of awakened Humanity around the world focused the power of our attention on the Birth of the New Earth. Together we created a Forcefield of Divine Light that moved the Earth and ALL her Life through an unstoppable shift of energy, vibration, and consciousness. Now every particle of Life on Earth is abiding in frequencies of Divine Light that will transform this blessed planet into the patterns of perfection for our new Planetary Cause of Divine Love as we focus on them through our thoughts, words, actions, feelings, and beliefs. This is the beginning of the Renaissance of Divine Love Humanity is destined to cocreate in the physical world of form as we live, move, breathe, and act out of this new reality. Pay attention. Focus ONLY on what you want to cocreate on the New Earth through Love and Reverence for ALL Life.

With the Birth of the New Earth we have moved into a Higher Order of Being. Love is the Order of the New Day on Planet Earth. This is not just a lofty platitude or wishful thinking. This is the reality of the New Earth we are now living upon.  A supreme consciousness of Love is filtering into the heart and mind of every person on the planet. The masses of Humanity will soon “see with new eyes and hear with new ears.” Daily and hourly keep this inner knowing in your heart and mind. Pay attention to the Loving experiences manifesting all around you. You will be amazed at the things that are happening within Humanity that reflect a new consciousness of Love, Oneness, and Reverence for ALL Life.

Just for a moment, take a deep breath and enter the Divinity of your heart. Feel the elation pouring forth from our Father-Mother God and the Company of Heaven in response to the unprecedented Victory in the Light the I AM Presences of Humanity have cocreated. Never in the history of time has the collective energy, vibration, and consciousness of Humanity taken such a quantum leap into the frequencies of Light.

Throughout 2013, 2014, and 2015 the Company of Heaven will guide us through amazing opportunities that will accelerate the process of our tangible manifestation of the New Earth. All we have to do is ask. Those patterns of perfection exist right here, right now. These are wondrous times. Stay focused in the Light and pay attention. This is the beginning of our glorious New Reality.

And so it is!

Patricia Diane Cota-Robles

New Age Study of Humanity’s Purpose

a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit educational organization

www.eraofpeace.org

FAX: 520-751-2981;

Phone: 520-885-7909

New Age Study of Humanity’s Purpose

PO Box 41883

Tucson, Arizona 85717

This article is copyrighted, but you have my permission to share it through any medium as long as it is offered for FREE, is not altered, and the proper credit line is included. Thank you.

©2013 Patricia Diane Cota-Robles

The information in this monthly sharing is being given to Humanity by the Beings of Light in the Realms of Illumined Truth. The Divine Intent of these celestial sharings is to encourage, empower, uplift, and inspire Humanity by allowing us to see the bigger picture during these wondrous but often challenging times

ASCENDED MASTERS: Who Are They & What Is Their Purpose?

ASCENDED MASTERS:  Who Are They & What Is Their Purpose?

Nancy B. Detweiler, M.Ed., M.Div.

       The Ascended Masters presently serving Earth humans are largely those Souls that lived numerous lives on Planet Earth … successfully completed the Initiatory Process as demonstrated to us by Jesus during his last incarnation on Earth[i] and by which he achieved ascension to higher levels of consciousness.  They are our elder brothers and sisters in whose footsteps we are to follow by graduating from Planet Earth’s Schoolhouse.

In the words of Elizabeth Claire Prophet in her book CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN:  The Path of The Higher Self:  “Those who become Ascended Masters are immediately enlisted in world service as emissaries of the Most High.  Whereas before the ascension, they were instruments of the Holy Spirit at outer levels, they now function as His instruments at ‘inner levels,’ using the combined Light momentum of all other Ascended Beings to implement the plan of God—Above and Below.  Their ministrations mightily assist their unascended brothers and sisters in finding their divine plan and in humbling themselves before their own Divine Identity.”

 

       Study the Divine Self Chart below.  We presently reside in a physical body (bottom of the chart)—the only part of our selves that we can see with our physical eyes.  In truth, there is much more to our identity than our physical body.  Note the silver cord rising from our crown chakra (top of head) upward to the next two figures—connecting the three into one being—YOU.

The Divine Self Chart as depicted by Elizabeth Claire Prophet

       We ascend in consciousness as we increasingly connect through this silver cord with our Higher/Christ Self (2nd figure) and our indwelling I AM PRESENCE (symbolized by the white circle radiating outward in the top figure).  Our I AM PRESENCE is the spark of God within us.  (We are a part of God just like each wave is a part of the ocean.)  While we are progressing through Earth’s classrooms, all the good that we do is stored in our Causal Body, represented by the colorful circles of the top figure.  This storing of the good services we perform is what Jesus meant when he instructed us to store up treasures in heaven.  Why?  Because all that is stored within our Causal Body is for use when we graduate from Earth’s Schoolhouse … ascend … and become Ascended Masters.  Our treasures in heaven are the talents we have developed and the good that we have performed during numerous lifetimes which we will use to serve others as Ascended Masters.  As you read about the Ascended Masters, note the pattern of activities that tends to run throughout their unascended incarnations and continues into their present service as ascended servants of the Divine Plan.  Note how Twin Flames work together as Ascended Masters.  Through the Ascended Masters, we can behold our future!

Our earthly pathway to ascension involves utter dedication to completing the mission given to us by Mother-Father God.  Working with us on this mission will be our Twin Flame who is most often on a higher dimension.  As Earth approaches its ascension in 2012, a steadily increasing number of people are becoming aware of their Twin Flame.  Each of the Ascended Masters also achieved ascension with the help of their Twin Flame.  We seldom hear this because the truth of Twin Flames has so recently been released into the public domain (late 19th into the 20th century).

Ascended Master Jesus and Ascended Lady Master Mary of Magdala (now called Nada) are examples of individuals who worked together on Earth in accomplishing the mission given them as Twin Flames.  Quoting Elizabeth Claire Prophet:  “Through such dedicated lifestreams [humankind has] been given insight into the nature of the soul, the purpose of life, and the science of being.  Once they had completed the task which the Father sent them to do, many of these holy men and women departed this earth plane, ascending into the Presence of God—into the Consciousness of God.  They are known as Ascended Masters precisely because through sacred communion and service to Life, based upon the complete surrender of their human identity patterns, their consciousness became one with His prior to their reunion with the God Self [or I AM PRESENCE].  From this level of complete identification with God, these holy ones continue to illumine with an expanding awareness of God’s Mind their brothers and sisters who have not yet graduated from Life’s schoolrooms upon this and other planets.  Therefore, in our consideration of consciousness we shall look to these teachers who, while yet maintaining contact with [humankind], live and move and have their being in the Great Sea of God’s Consciousness; for they have approximated more of God’s consciousness than all who remain in the unascended state.” [ii]

My goal with this article is to introduce you to some of the best known Ascended Masters presently serving unascended humankind on Earth.  As our elder brothers and sisters, the Ascended Masters unveil our future—we are to become Ascended Masters.  This is the next step in our spiritual evolutionary journey back to the Source.  They are ever-present with us—to guide our footsteps and to accompany us in fulfilling the mission we have been given.  As you study the Masters, consider that Earth and Its inhabitants are truly immersed in Love radiating from magnificent beings—every minute of every day!

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       If you do not yet know your mission, you will at the exact perfect moment for its fulfillment.  Meanwhile, be at peace, perform acts of service/kindness, and continue to expand your consciousness through meditation and study.

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       It is instructive to our own understanding of life to know some of the incarnations of the Ascended Masters prior to their ascension.  This knowledge ties life together … gives it deeper meaning, for we are to follow in their footsteps.

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       I do need to caution readers that this information is available through telepathic communication of those who have worked closely with the Ascended Masters.  For this reason, information regarding incarnations of a particular ascended being may vary in accordance with the Intuitive’s ability to communicate telepathically and with his/her own belief system. (Even the best of unascended Intuitives unknowingly block facts that do not match the prevailing belief systems of our planet.)  For this reason, I choose to trust those persons who have made a major positive and lasting impact upon the world’s knowledge of Truth, such as A.D.K. Luk, Elizabeth Claire & Mark Prophet, Edgar Cayce, and Charles Fillmore.

Another factor to consider is that Truth is increasingly being revealed—Truth that Planet Earth has not been ready to hear until now.  As Jesus taught:  “Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known.”  (Luke 12:2)  The Apostle Paul, as an unascended disciple, echoes Jesus’ teaching:  “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.  Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.”  (I Corinthians 13:12)

Unascended and Ascended are working together to release much that has heretofore been hidden in preparation for Earth, and all those inhabitants who so choose, to ascend at the close of our present cycle in 2012.

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ASCENDED MASTERS/LADY MASTERS

 Ascended Master Jesus

Serving on the 6th Ray as World Teacher & Wayshower, Hierarch & Avatar of the Piscean Age.

“The natural plans of God intend the ascension to be the sole destiny of every man.” [iii]

       At the time of Jesus’ first known incarnation on Earth, the population of Earth had descended into the material world so completely they had lost their attunement to God, forgotten their divine identity, and begun to experiment in ways that were not a part of the Divine Plan.  The Soul of Jesus offered to incarnate as Adam and in so doing, give Earthlings a jump start on their spiritual evolution journey.

Ascended Lady Master Nada

Lord of the 6th Ray & Member of the Karmic Board

Love is the full power of creativity.”

       Nada, Jesus’ Twin Flame, volunteered to incarnate with him as Eve.  They came to Earth on a mission and innocently listened to the disinformation given to them.[iv] (Be sure to read this Endnote.)  When Adam and Eve realized their mistake, they pleaded for forgiveness.  However, the Universal Law we reap what we sow had been activated, meaning that they would have to learn from their mistake.  God did promise Adam that one day he would once again have the opportunity to reveal the Way back to Oneness with the Divine Self.

Adam & Eve’s son Seth became the bloodline through which the Soul of Jesus would reincarnate many times—always attempting to live the perfect life of Love.  During his lifetime as Enoch, he “walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”  As Hermes, or Thoth, he became deified as Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom.

As Melchizedek, the Soul of Jesus was without father or mother.  Melchizedek is thought to be the author of both the biblical book of Job, which tells the story of humankind’s journey to enlightenment – and – the Prodigal Son parable, which relates the son’s journey back to the Father.  Melchizedek was not born onto Earth and he did not die.  He simply returned to the realms of Spirit.

As Joseph, the Soul of Jesus saved the Egyptians and people in the surrounding area from starvation during a seven year famine.  Some researchers believe that Joseph may actually have been Amenhotep IV—the daring religious reformer who insisted on worshipping only one God.  Joseph married Aseneth, who some identify with Eve—the Soul of Nada, the Twin Flame of Jesus.  According to the unfolding Divine Plan for Earth, Twin Flames may periodically incarnate in order to accomplish a mission together.

As Joshua, the Soul of Jesus accompanied Moses and the Israelites to the Promised Land.  As Asaph, the Soul of Jesus once more wrote a portion of the Bible.  As a leader of Temple worship, Asaph wrote Psalms 50 through 73.  As Jeshua, the Soul of Jesus had a leadership role in the return of the Jews to the Promised Land after exile in Babylon.

As Zend, he authored the Zoroastrian bible.  According to Edgar Cayce, the Soul of Jesus was involved in writing the majority of the Old Testament—in one incarnation or another.  Zoroastrianism bears similarities to the Jewish and Christian religions.[v]

During his life as Jesus, Nada re-joined him as Mary of Magdala.  She played a key role in Jesus’ ministry as leader of the group of wealthy women who traveled with Jesus.  Following Jesus’ ministry, Mary of Magdala journeyed to France and Britain, continuing Jesus’ ministry of teaching.  Together, they completed the mission they had originally undertaken as Adam and Eve—to show the Way Back Home.

Very credible research has been done in which Mary of Magdala is identified as the Beloved Disciple and Author of the Gospel of John.  You may read this article at:  http://ramon_k_jusino.tripod.com/magdalene.html

This greatly abbreviated history of the Twin Flame Souls of Jesus and Nada makes for fascinating research.

Lady Master Nada is very much involved with the initiation and sponsoring of Twin Flames and the Aquarian Age family.  She also assists professionals of all types who are serving the needs of God’s children.  Nada serves in Jesus’ Etheric Retreat over Saudi Arabia.  She uses her experience as an attorney and judge on Atlantis as she serves on the Karmic Board.

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 Ascended Lady Master Mother Mary

Archeia of the 5th Ray

Incarnation of the Divine Mother

&

Initiator of Souls through the Mother Flame

“I AM not only your Mother but your very personal friend.  I ask you to take my hand, to take me to your home, to accept me as your friend—not as a remote deity, an icon, or an object of irreverence, but simply as the handmaid of the Lord.  Whose Lord?  Your Lord.  I AM the servant of the Lord who lives within you.  I AM one with whom you can be comfortable.  I will sit at your kitchen table and have a cup of tea with you.  I will receive whatever offering of food that you prepare; for all is sanctified by love.  I will receive whatever is precious to you and take it to my heart and give it back to you with the full consecration of my love.” [vi]    ––Mother Mary through Elizabeth Clare Prophet

Painting of Mother Mary by Ruth Hawkins

Ruth is now ascended, the Twin Flame of Paul the Venetian.

       Mary is from the Angelic Kingdom—Queen of Angels.  Her Twin Flame, Archangel Raphael, remained in the realms of Spirit while Mary incarnated on Earth to be an example of the Divine Woman and an ensoulment of the Mother Ray.  She is one of the archeiai avatars who has experienced directly the veil of human tears. [vii]

Mary served in the Temple of Truth during the early days of Atlantis.  As a priestess of the Most High God, she studied the healing arts.  During the days of the prophet Samuel, Mary was the wife of Jesse and the mother of eight sons, in fulfillment of her role on the Mother Ray.

Her final embodiment was as Mary the Mother of Jesus.[viii]

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The Ascended Master St. Germain

Lord of the 7th Ray

Avatar and Hierarch of the Aquarian Age

 “Pierce now the veil in your belief in yourself as mortals.”

“Understand, then, that it is movement to the God Self within that is your salvation in this age.” [ix]

       St. Germain is the Master of the Aquarian Age, like Jesus has served as Master of the Piscean Age.  In preparation for our ascension, St. Germain revealed the Purple Transmuting Flame to Earth humans as a means of grace and speeding up our spiritual growth process.

70,000 years ago, St. Germain was the emperor-king of a highly advanced civilization that existed where the Sahara Desert is now located.  He possessed the spiritual maturity to ascend at the end of that lifetime, but chose to continue incarnating in order to serve those evolving on Earth—a choice we, too, can make.

On Atlantis, he served as a priest of the sacred fire (transmuting flame) in Lord Zadkiel’s Temple of Purification.  As the Old Testament prophet Samuel, he anointed King Saul and David, thereby assisting in laying the spiritual foundations of Israel.

His next incarnation was that of Joseph, husband of Mother Mary and father to Jesus.  Joseph returned to spirit during Jesus’ adolescent years.  It was then that Joseph of Arimathea, Mary’s uncle, assumed responsibility for Mary and her family.

          In the 3rd century as St. Alban, he was the first martyr of England.  In the 5th century, he incarnated as the Greek philosopher Proclus.  As Merlin the Magician, he tutored King Arthur as a child.  Later he assisted King Arthur in framing the Holy Order of the Knights of the Round Table and in establishing the quest for the Holy Grail—the cup that is symbolic of the Christ Consciousness.

       As Roger Bacon in the 13th century, he predicted both aircraft and submarines and wrote Opus Majus—a treatise on physics, chemistry, and mathematics.  In the 15th century, he served as Christopher Columbus and discovered America by prophecy rather than by astronomy” (Encyclopedia Britannica).      America—the land in which he dreamed of establishing a nation of freedom for all.

As Francis Bacon, he was the son of Queen Elizabeth and the rightful heir to the throne of England.  However, the Queen banished him to France.  He oversaw the translation of the King James Version of the Bible, wrote the Shakespearean plays, assisted in founding the Masonic Orders and the original Rosicrucian Order.[x]  (See Endnote)  He promoted the colonization of the New World and was an officer in the Virginia Company, which sponsored the settlement of Jamestown, England’s first permanent colony in America.

St. Germain ascended on May 1, 1684.  Soon thereafter, he was given permission by the Lords of Karma to function on the 3rd dimension as an ascended being, while having the appearance of the unascended.  During the 18th century, he was well known in the courts of Europe as le Comte de Saint Germain—“The Wonderman of Europe.”

 

       “An ascended master may occupy any number of bodies, i.e. forcefields, simultaneously in order to accomplish his mission on earth.” [xi]  He appeared and disappeared throughout the courts of Europe.  Voltaire described him in a letter to Frederick II of Prussia as “a man who never dies and who knows everything.”

St. Germain considers the United States “a child of my heart” and worked closely with the Founding Fathers while appearing both visible and invisible.  In his appearance as a mysterious old professor, he revealed his design of the American flag “with a variable field of stars to complement the thirteen stripes—a prophecy of the continual unfoldment of the vast destiny of the new nation….  He broke the deadlock and inspired the early American patriots to sign the Declaration of Independence.”  He was present with George Washington during the winter at Valley Forge.   St. Germain assisted in writing the Constitution and later anointed George Washington as the first president of America.  (As the prophet Samuel, he had anointed the first king of Israel.)

During the 20th century, St. Germain released knowledge of the Purple Transmuting Flame in order to assist Earth humans in preparing for ascension.  As physical fire is used to purify gold, so the Purple Transmuting Flame can be used to purify our lower bodies.

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       On May 1, 1954, St. Germain and his Twin Flame, Portia, were crowned on the inner planes as Hierarchs of the Aquarian Age.[xii]

Ascended Lady Master Portia – Goddess of Justice

Portia directs an etheric retreat over Ghana.

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Ascended Master El Morya

 Lord of the 1st Ray

        “The will of God is the flawless diamond, it is the shining of the Divine Mind, it is the rushing of the wind of the Spirit, and it is the strength and laughter of real identity.” [xiii] 

        “Life is not worth living when it is lived even for a moment outside of the will of God.” [xiv]

 

El Morya had incarnations as Abraham—the father of three world religions—and Melchior, one of the Wise Men to visit Jesus at the time of his birth.  He was King Arthur, 6th century King of Britain and worked under the guidance of Merlin (St. Germain) to create the Order of the Knights of the Round Table.

As Thomas a Becket, he resigned the position of Lord Chancellor of England when Henry II appointed him Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162.  In 1172, he was canonized saint and martyr.

During the 16th century, El Morya incarnated as Sir Thomas Moore.  In this lifetime, El Morya as Sir Thomas Moore was appointed Lord Chancellor by Henry VIII in 1529.  When the King desired to divorce his first wife, who was childless, and marry Anne Boleyn, Moore refused to support him in his decision because it went against the laws of the church.  As a result, Moore was beheaded in 1535.  He was canonized Saint Thomas Moore in 1935.

From 1556 through 1605, he reigned as Akbar the Great, the most powerful of the Mogul emperors of India.  He abolished discrimination against Hindus.  “His capital city became a flourishing cultural center where scholars of the Muslim and Hindu sects, Jains, Zoroastrians, and Christians met to discuss theology and philosophy.”  He strongly supported the arts and music.  “His long reign brought peace and prosperity to the entire Indian empire.” [xv]

During the 19th century he incarnated as Thomas Moore, national lyricist of Ireland.  Then, in his final embodiment, he was a Rajput prince, El Morya Khan.  He helped found the Theosophical Society “for the purpose of forming a nucleus for comparative study of religion, philosophy, and science.”  He ascended in 1898.

As an Ascended Master, El Morya worked with Mark & Elizabeth Claire Prophet to create Summit University for the purpose of teaching & Summit University Press for publishing the Ascended Masters’ Teachings.  From the Etheric Retreat of God’s Will located over the city of Darjeeling, India, El Morya works “with members of the Darjeeling Council and the Brothers of the Diamond Heart in assisting humankind to make the blueprint of every project on Earth reflect the Will of God.[xvi]

El Morya invites us to visit his Darjeeling Retreat of God’s Will during your sleep or in meditation.  The musical piece “Pomp & Circumstance, by Elgar, is the keynote of the retreat.  Listening to this music assists in attuning to the retreat.

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Ascended Lady Master Kuan Yin

Painting by the now Ascended Lady Master Ruth Hawkins

Goddess of Mercy

Member of the Karmic Board

Predecessor of St. Germain as Chohan of the 7th Ray

Hierarch of the Etheric Temple of Mercy over Peking, China

“Silence is the ultimate experience of harmony, bliss,

peace, and comfort.”

 “I am called the Mother of Mercy; there is no one who can be more gentle than I.  Like Mother Mary, I too have stood in the rooms where bodies first came forth from the wombs of your mothers.  I too touched the top of your heads.  I too blessed you; not only in this embodiment, but all the embodiments since I have been secluded from the peoples of Earth by the maya [negativity] of human creation; praying with all the mercy and compassion of My heart that each one of you might fulfill your Divine Plan.  I have loved you regardless of mistakes, not only in this life, but in those that have gone before.” [xvii]

Kuan Yin, Kuan Shih Yin Tzu Tsai meaning the sovereign who looks on the sounds of the world.  According to legend, she paused on the threshold of heaven to listen to the cries of the world.”  Kuan Yin was worshipped in China before the advent of Buddhism.

Kuan Yin seems to have rarely incarnated on Earth.  She has taken the vow of the bodhisattva to work with Earth humans and others within our solar system to introduce the teachings of the Ascended Masters.  As a member of the Karmic Board, she pleads for mercy in the unfolding of the Universal Law we reap what we sow, asking that those individuals who have truly earned physical/mental challenges in the forthcoming incarnation be allowed, instead, to pursue in the freedom of a sound mind and body the light of the law.  Then, once the individual has attained a stage of spiritual maturity that will allow it, he/she is given the opportunity and joy of balancing every jot and tittle of misqualified energy and so fulfill the law of his own being.[xviii]

 Ascended Master Lao-Tzu

       Kuan Yin’s Twin Flame is Lao-Tzu, the father of Taoism.  She is the Hierarch of the Etheric Temple of Mercy, located over Peking, China.  You may visit the Temple of Mercy in your sleep or meditation.  Silence is observed at all times; this silence is healing for the turbulence of your feeling worlds and bodies.

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 Ascended Master Gautama Buddha

The Compassionate One

Serves in the Office of Lord of the World

“Let enlightenment in this age [the Aquarian Age] be the experience of the Buddha where you are.” [xix]

Only in selflessness can the soul be trusted with omnipotence.  When the Lord God knows by the proof of action that the soul can let go and bestow upon humanity every blessing that it has received from on high, then he will bequeath to that soul limitless energy and the powers not only of this world but of many worlds.” [xx]

 

Within Earth’s Spiritual Hierarchy, Buddha holds the office of Lord of the World.  He is the Lord of the Earth mentioned in Revelations 11:4 and Hierarch of the Etheric Retreat at Shamballa over the Gobi Desert.  Shamballa is the mystic home of the Great White Brotherhood – “the guardian band of the human race.  Its Members were composed of great Intelligences Who had volunteered to become radiating centers of Light until the Light Presence within each man was awakened and enabled to fulfill Its own destiny.” [xxi]

Buddha incarnated on Earth as Siddhartha Gautama in 563 B.C.  For 45 years, he walked throughout India, preaching the Universal Doctrine, Dhamma.  Buddha focalizes the consciousness of God as Father.[xxii]

“The purpose of the evolution of a Buddha is to hold a spiritual Aura around a planet long enough to nourish the souls of all evolving consciousnesses who are evolving toward God mastery in that scheme of evolution.  The Aura of the Buddha Himself becomes for the soul what the atmosphere of Earth and the forces of the elements are to the bodies and nature kingdom.” — Lord Himalaya, April 17, 1954 [xxiii]

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Ascended Master Kuthumi

Serves in the Office of World Teacher along with Ascended Master Jesus

“Through faith you become our hands, our feet, our presence on earth.  You correspond to us by outpicturing our consciousness before [humankind].” [xxiv]

       Kuthumi presently serves, along with Jesus, in the Spiritual Hierarchy’s Office of World Teacher.  He is a Master Psychologist, Sponsor of Youth, and Initiator of those who choose to walk the path in accordance with their Soul’s Road Map.[xxv]

As Pharoah Thutmose III (1567 B.C.), prophet and high priest, he expanded the Egyptian Kingdom to include most of the Middle East.  During the 6th century, he incarnated as Pythagoras and was an initiate of the mysteries of Isis in Egypt.  He founded a mystery school of the Great White Brotherhood where carefully selected students pursued a “philosophy based on the mathematics of universal law, illustrated in music and in a disciplined way of life.”

As Balthazar, one of the Three Wise Men, he is thought to have been the King of Ethiopia.

In the 12th century, he incarnated as Francis of Assisi.  He renounced family and wealth, choosing instead to live among the poor and lepers.  Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order. One of his disciples and most dedicated co-workers was the noble Lady Clare, his Twin Flame.  She, too, chose to forego her life within a wealthy family and work alongside Francis.  During this incarnation, Lady Clare created the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order of the Franciscan tradition for women.  Today, this order is known as the Poor Clares.

       Lady Clare

Mumtaz Mahal

                             Mumtaz was a reincarnation of Lady Clare – note the physical similarities.

       In the 16th century, he incarnated as Mogul emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666).  He overthrew the corrupt government of his father and restored the noble ethics of his grandfather Akbar the Great (an incarnation of El Morya).  As Shah Jahan, he built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  The Taj Mahal “is the symbol of the Mother principle and the shrine for his eternal love for his Twin Flame.”

As Koot Hoomi Lai Singh, the Kashmiri Brahman, he is thought to have “attended Oxford University and, in 1875, the university in Leipzig, where he visited with Dr. Gustav Fechner, founder of modern psychology.”

Students of Theosophy know Kuthumi as Master K.H.  Kuthumi, El Morya, and the Master M. worked through Helen Blavatsky in 1875 to found the Theosophical Society.  Kuthumi is the Hierarch of the Etheric Temple of Illumination over Kashmir.

Kuthumi “maintains a focus at Shigatse.  Here he plays sacred classical music of East & West and compositions of the heavenly hosts as well as of Earth’s early root races on an organ keyed to the music of the spheres, drawing souls who are making the transition called death out of the astral plane and into the etheric retreats of the Brotherhood.  Those who are able to see Kuthumi at the moment of the passing often find peace in the certain knowing that they have seen the Ascended Master Jesus—so closely do Jesus and Kuthumi resemble one another in their adoration and manifestation of the [Cosmic] Christ.” [xxvi]

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 Ascended Master Paul the Venetian

Painting by Paul the Venetian’s Twin Flame, the now Ascended Lady Master Ruth Hawkins

Master Artist and Artisan of the Temple Builders

Lord of the Third Ray

       “Understand that when you discipline your energy, your supply, your expression, the hours of your day, your service to life, you are increasing your capacity to release Love.” [xxvii]

Ascended Master Paul the Venetian’s devotion “is to beauty, the perfection of the Soul through compassion, patience, understanding, self-discipline, and the development of the intuitive and creative faculties of the heart by the alchemy of self-sacrifice, selflessness, and surrender.”

On Atlantis, he served as head of cultural affairs in the government.  He incarnated into the Incan Empire as an artist who used paints that did not fade.  Later he embodied in Egypt as a master of esoteric architecture and worked with El Morya in constructing the pyramids.

His final incarnation was as Paolo Veronese, one of the greatest artists of the Venetian School.  He became famous as a decorator of large architecture and churches—called Painter of Pageants.  His famous 1562 “Marriage at Cana” hangs in the Louvre today.

He made his ascension on April 19, 1588.  His Etheric Retreat, the Chateau de Liberte, is located over southern France on the Rhone River.  Should you want visit this retreat you may simply ask your High/Christ Self and guardian angels to take you there while you sleep.

In the words of Paul the Venetian:  “I will take you by the hand and show you my castle, I will show you the works of art that have been brought forth by chelas unascended and ascended.  And we will go through many rooms, and lastly I will take you to the room where there is a frame that hangs.  In some cases it will be an empty frame.  In some cases it will have a canvas in it.  It will be your frame, the frame of your identity waiting for you to bring forth the genius of your soul.  And when you see that frame, if it is empty you will want to fill it.  And so, I will take you to that place where you can work with other artisans who are learning the art of living love by the discipline of the hand and the discipline of expression so that you can draw the image of your own Christ-perfection.”

 

Ascended Master Paul the Venetian teaches us that “to come into union with the Christ flame is to move with love.  The more you are disciplined, the stronger are the grids of consciousness.  And to have a strong consciousness, as strong sinews, enables you to balance megatons of the light force you call love.  The art of living love is to be creative.  And the art of being creative is to be self-disciplined.” [xxviii]

Paul the Venetian’s Twin Flame is Ruth Hawkins.  They are a modern example of one Twin Flame being ascended and working on the inner planes while the other works on Earth and remains unascended until she returns to Spirit.

Ascended Lady Master Ruth Hawkins

Goddess of Beauty

      Ruth’s last incarnation began in 1907 in Kansas.  She ascended in 1995.  She worked tirelessly for the ascended masters and dedicated her life to serving with her Twin Flame, Paul the Venetian.  She was an artist, often channeling her painting from her Twin Flame before she saw the person she was painting.  She painted many of the Ascended Masters.[xxix]

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Ascended Master Serapis Bey

Lord of the 4th Ray

Hierarch of the Etheric Ascension Temple over Luxor, Egypt

       “Now, for the second time in the history of the human race, unascended beings are contributing voluntarily their breath to carry the golden and white Ascension Flame of Luxor around the world, permeating the consciousness of mankind with Its sacred power.”

       “We hope that the lifestreams attracted here get the feeling that death is not the end, but that the Ascension, the conscious Ascension, is the ultimate victory of all their endeavors.  We send out on the Ascension Flame the strong feeling of everlasting Life and the joy of service.” [xxx] Serapis Bey, July 1956

Serapis Bey served as a High Priest in the Temple of the Sacred Fire on Atlantis.  He and his companions left Atlantis before the final cataclysm, taking the Ascension Flame to Luxor, Egypt.  Serapis introduces himself:  “I am the hierophant of Luxor, Retreat of the Ascension Flame.  I am known among the Brotherhood as the disciplinarian, and among my disciples as the fiery Master, and among those who have rejected the disciplines of our retreat by various and sundry names.” [xxxi]

 

Serapis Bey later incarnated in Egypt as the Pharoah Amenhotep III.  While pharaoh, he constructed the physical Temple at Luxor on the Nile.  His reign was mainly peaceful; he went to war only one time.  Instead, he focused on massive construction projects.

During the Graeco-Roman period in Egypt, approximately forty-two temples were erected to him.  King Ptolemy I proclaimed him the official god for Egypt.  He remains one of the most mysterious Egyptian gods, with no known country of origin. [xxxii]

 

In the 5th century B.C., Serapis Bey incarnated as Leonidas, King of Sparta, where he was killed in battle.

Serving in the Temple of Ascension, Serapis Bey—“great initiate of the Mother flame—administers the gift of the working of miracles—Mother’s miracles—to the Lightbearers of Earth.   This gift, in order to be received, requires utmost Love, for only Love begets self-discipline in the sacred fire that is neither brittle nor fanatical nor self-demeaning.”

From his Ascension Temple, the beloved Hierarch of Luxor initiates candidates for the ascension, assigning tutors to walk with their charges every missed step on the paths of the seven rays.  And the line is drawn; the chela may not pass until he fulfills that neglected, long-forgotten or suppressed missed step.”

       “His methods of discipline are tailor-made for each candidate for the ascension….  Serapis has explained to us how important it is, especially in this Dark Cycle of the descent of earth’s karma, that we the Lightbearers come to his etheric retreat at Luxor and strive to win our ascension both from inner levels and on the outer, conscientiously applying what we have learned “out of body” in the performance of the daily tasks at hand:  ‘For we count not one, but a number of ascensions each year as absolutely indispensable to the holding of the balance of Life upon earth.” [xxxiii] 

Serapis Bey teaches:    “Your Life must become a channel for the power, the peace, the healing and the supply of your [I AM] Presence which is one with the Source of all Life.  This is your reason for Being, and for this came you into the world.  You shall know neither peace nor happiness until you fulfill this purpose consciously.

       ‘Press’ your outer consciousness against the great Body of the Presence until you can actually and actively feel Its strength, Its omnipresence, Its omnipotence, Its vital health and well being, Its peace, and Its power.  The nature of God is the most contagious of all natures, but you must expose yourself to Its influence in order to experience Its Presence alive within you and flowing through you to expand the borders of the Kingdom.” [xxxiv]

You may attend classes in the Etheric Ascension Temple of Luxor during your sleep or in meditation.  The ascension flame is an intense fiery white with a crystal glow; its melody is the “Triumphal March” from “Aida.”  The keynote of the retreat is “Liebestraum” by Franz Liszt.  The radiance of the electronic presence of Serapis Bey and his Twin Flame pour through the aria “Celeste Aida.” [xxxv]

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Ascended Master Hilarion – The Healer

Lord of the 5th Ray

Hierarch of the Etheric Temple of Truth over Crete

“The gift of Truth and of Healing is only for the sharing, only for the giving away.”

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       There is confusion among researchers as to whether Pallas Athena is the Twin Flame of the Maha Chohan or Hilarion.  My research indicates Pallas Athena is the Twin Flame of the Maha Chohan for this planet.

The service offered by each planet’s Maha Chohan is to “direct vertically downward that gift of radiation of the Holy Spirit for that planet.” [xxxvi]  According to the teachings of Jesus in John 14:26, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”  Thus, the service of Earth’s Maha Chohan is to radiate the energy of the Holy Spirit to us.

       As Ascended Master El Morya explains:  “Beloved Pallas Athena is the Patroness of [the Temple of Truth] and guardian Spirit of the Virtue of absolute Truth…. Hilarion is the ‘present’ Hierarch of the Temple of Truth.  His service is to direct the Ray of Truth to, through, and around all sincere individuals who are consecrated and dedicated to spreading the message of the Spiritual Law, as they presently see it.” [xxxvii]

 

       The level of service being offered by the Mahan Chohan and Pallas Athena is more indicative of Twin Flames—both are dedicated to continuous service to absolute Truth.  El Morya explains:  “Truth is one of the Virtues of the Godhead, for which the Being known as Pallas Athena, the Goddess of Truth, became a magnetizing Focus and the essence of Truth established through Her Contemplation of Cosmic Truth forms the core and center of the Flame of Truth.  Around this Flame has been built the Temple of Truth in the etheric Realm.” [xxxviii]

My research has not identified the Twin Flame of Hilarion.  I strongly suspect that we will eventually learn that Hilarion’s Twin Flame will be the Soul last incarnated as Myrtle Fillmore.  As we shall soon see, Hilarion’s Soul last incarnated as Charles Fillmore.  Charles & Myrtle most definitely performed a Twin Flame mission when they co-founded the Unity Movement.

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       The Soul of Hilarion incarnated as Iamblichus, the Neoplatonic writer, in 245 B.C.  He became the chief representative of Syrian Neoplatonism; his influence spread over the ancient world.  He founded his own school near Antioch, Syria, where he designed a curriculum for studying Plato and Aristotle.  He began to mathematize all fields of philosophical concern.  Iamblichus descended from an ancient line of Syrian priest-kings.  He maintained that the transcendent  cannot be reached through mental contemplation because the transcendent is supra-rational.  Instead, the soul’s inner divinity unites with God.[xxxix]

 

       In the first century A.D., the Soul of Hilarion incarnated as the Apostle Paul of the New Testament.  Paul wrote much of the New Testament.  He was a Roman citizen and played a large role in carrying the teachings of Jesus to Europe.  Paul suffered from an unnamed physical birth defect.  Although he mentions it in his writings, he seems not to have allowed it to interfere with his work.  The characteristic most noticed by modern women is his apparent discrimination against them.  Paul reflected the prevailing attitude toward women during his time.  They had few legal rights, although we see many involved in the ministry of Jesus and in spreading his teachings as far away as Europe.  Jesus was unique in his treatment of women as equals.

The Soul of Paul incarnated during the 4th century as Hilarion, a Palestinian mystic and monk.  He founded Christian monasticism in Palestine.  Hilarion spent twenty years in the deserts of Palestine, preparing for his healing ministry.  According to the historian of his day, Jerome, Hilarion healed all types of conditions.  According to Jerome, while Hilarion was living in Sicily, he prevented a tsunami from coming ashore after an earthquake.  The people claimed him as their own and followed him as they had Jesus.

In the words of Mark & Elizabeth Prophet, “Alas, they deified the miracle worker instead of internalizing his example and teaching on the crystallization (Christ realization) of the God flame.  And he became the crystal and the crystal returned to the mist—and they missed it.  They missed the whole point of his mission, his sacrifice, and his victory!  As with Jesus, they wanted the loaves and fishes.  They wanted to be fed and delivered of their transgressions (karma) come upon them through their diseases—without paying the price.  Yes, whatever was free they would take, but they didn’t want the personal responsibility of internalizing the Word, of ‘being and becomingthe Christ.”  [xl]

In 1854, Charles Fillmore was born.   He knew himself to be a reincarnation of the Apostle Paul, thereby indicating that he was the Soul of Hilarion.  The similarity in personal appearance is striking.

      Ascended Master Hilarion

 
Charles Fillmore

Charles Fillmore

“All power has its birth in the silence….  God is your higher Self and is in constant waiting upon you….  Every thought of personal possessions must be dropped out of mind before men can come into the realization of the invisible supply.” [xli]

 

Charles Fillmore and his wife, Myrtle, were the co-founders of the Unity Movement and the Unity School of Practical Christianity (now called Unity Institute).  This movement is worldwide and grouped among the New Thought organizations that sprang up in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Charles Fillmore worked closely with both his first wife, Myrtle, and his second wife, Cora.  He would jokingly say, “I am atoning for the Apostle Paul’s discrimination against women.”  “Unity began when Myrtle Fillmore received the idea, ‘I am a child of God and therefore I do not inherit sickness,’ and was healed [of tuberculosis] by the power of God in her.” [xlii]

Fillmore was born with one leg withered and shorter than the other.  He healed himself through diligent prayer.  Healing prayer became a major part of Unity’s ministry.  The Silent Unity Prayer Ministry has been in continual operation 24/7 for 100+ years.

Fillmore studied the Bible continually, interpreting it metaphysically—thereby revealing the hidden wisdom within.  Unity’s Metaphysical Bible Dictionary is a compilation of Fillmore’s writings.  After Myrtle’s death, Fillmore co-authored books with his second wife, Cora.

Fillmore was known to go to the airport with no money … when the Airline Customers Representative asked for the price of the ticket, he nonchalantly pulled the needed money from his pocket and purchased the ticket.  Thus, the experiential value of this quote from Fillmore:  “The spiritual substance from which comes all visible wealth is never depleted.  It is right with you all the time and responds to your faith in it and your demands on it.”

I perceive Fillmore’s life as an enhancement of the Apostle Paul’s in the following ways.

1.  Paul discriminated against women.  Charles and Myrtle Fillmore were equal co-founders of the Unity Movement; Charles and Cora were co-authors.

2.  Paul suffered with a physical deformity throughout his life.  Charles healed his withered leg through prayer.

3.  Paul wrote much of the New Testament; Pauline theology had tremendous impact on the formation of Christian doctrine.  Charles wrote metaphysical interpretations of the Bible—revealing the means for Bible students to uncover the hidden wisdom within the surface words.  The hidden wisdom greatly surpasses the doctrines of the Christian religion.

4.  Paul’s missionary work covered much of the known world of his time.  Charles’ work created a world-wide movement of thought in which individuals take the responsibility for developing the Christ Consciousness within.

5.  Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5 – “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”   Charles, through his practical  Christianity, taught how to assume personal responsibility for developing the mind that was in Christ Jesus.

 

You may visit Unity Village for retreats, classes, and healing prayer.  http://unity.org/aboutunity/whoweare/index.html

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Ascended Master Lanello

Ascended Master Lanello incarnated on Earth in numerous capacities.  Among them are:  High Priest in the Temple of the Solar Logos on Atlantis.   As Mark the evangelist, he is thought to be the author of Mark’s Gospel.  Roughly a century later, he incarnated as Origen, an early Christian scholar and distinguished theologian.  St. Jerome, historian, wrote of Origen:  “the greatest teacher of the Church after the apostles.” [xliii]

Despite his renown, the early Church Fathers rejected Origen’s teachings on pre-existence of souls (reincarnation).  In 553 C.E. (A.D.), the Fifth Ecumenical Council condemned Origen and his writings as heretical.  “If anyone does not anathematize Arius, Eunomius, Macedonius, Apollinarius, Nestorius, Eutyches, and Origen, as well as their heretical books, and also all other heretics who have already been condemned and anathematized by the holy, catholic, and apostolic church and by the four holy synods which have already been mentioned, and also all those who have thought or now think in the same way as the aforesaid heretics and who persist in their error even to death:  let him be anathema.” [xliv]  Anathema is defined by Webster:  “a curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication.  The majority of Origen’s books were burned.  Years later, Lanello’s Twin Flame, Elizabeth Clare Prophet with the help of her daughter, Erin, wrote a well researched book entitled REINCARNATION:  The Missing Link in Christianity.

During the 5th-6th centuries, Lanello incarnated as Bodhidharma, an Indian Buddhist monk credited with founding Zen Buddhism and carrying it to China.  According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, accounts of Bodhidharma’s life are mostly legendary.

In the 13th century, Lanello incarnated as Bonadventure, an Italian medieval scholar, theologian, and philosopher.  According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, Bonadventure, a Franciscan, served as the Seventh Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor and was Cardinal Bishop of Albano.

                   Bonadventure

 Mark L. Prophet

       In the above pictures, we can see the Soul carrying forward a similar physical appearance from one incarnation to the next.

Elizabeth Clare Prophet

       Lanello’s last incarnation was as Mark L. Prophet, Twin Flame to Elizabeth Clare Prophet.  Together, they founded Summit University and co-authored books—with a major focus of getting the teachings of the Ascended Masters out to the people.  After 12 years of marriage with Elizabeth, Mark returned to spirit in 1973.  Elizabeth continued their work, becoming an internationally recognized spiritual teacher of the Ascended Masters’ teachings.  She returned to spirit in 2009.

***************************

       I have listed some of the most well known Ascended Masters and Lady Masters.  There are many others.  Once more, my goal is to allow readers to recognize our future as Ascended Masters … how we will continue to use our most developed talents for the good of all following our ascension into the 5th dimension and above.  Many of us will follow the example of the above Masters and lovingly serve the unascended in the etheric Temples and Retreats while they sleep.

For now, we can learn to telepathically communicate with the Masters … to work consciously with them on a project benefiting Earth and its inhabitants.  They make up the Spiritual Hierarchy—the Great White Brotherhood—in charge of planet Earth.  Because members of the Galactic Federation of Light come from numerous other planets, they bow to the will of Earth’s Spiritual Hierarchy as they direct the unfolding of the Divine Plan for Earth’s Ascension.

Many Earth humans are already meeting their Twin Flame during sleep, meditation, or possibly in physical bodies.  Twin Flames are coming together to receive “the very special spiritual and physical assignment with one’s Twin Flame—a mission drawn from the higher spheres of their divine plan (causal bodies) which must be fulfilled ere they are allowed to graduate (i.e. ascend) from earth’s schoolhouse.” [xlv]

Soul families, as contrasted with karmic relationships, are coming together as we move into place for the work required in order to allow Earth humans to be re-united with the ascended galactic society.

St. Germain is in charge of this New Aquarian Age.  Under his direction and, with the help of our galactic families, Earth humans are to create a galactic society—an ascended society that honors the Divine Will & Plan for all of humanity.

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Note:  I give thanks to my Twin Flame, Uriel, for the privilege of working telepathically with him these past 16 years.  (Uriel is not to be confused with the Archangel Uriel.)


[i]  See my article entitled “Ascension” at:  http://www.pathwaytoascension.com/ascension.html in which I describe     the Initiations that all must successfully pass in order to ascend.

[ii]  Elizabeth Claire Prophet, CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN:  The Path of the Higher Self.  Los Angeles:  Summit

University Press, 1972.

[iii]   Jesus & Kuthumi,  Corona Class Lessons:  For Those Who Would Teach Men the Way.  Summit University

Press, 1986.

[iv]   Adam & Eve were fooled by the Serpent (an ancient symbol of wisdom) into thinking they could be of more help to earthlings if they tasted the symbolic fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil.  Incarnations later, Jesus was once more given disinformation as he pondered how best to minister unto the people of Palestine.  (See the temptations of Jesus in Matthew 4.)  This time Jesus was not fooled.  It is instructive for us to consider that temptations are very often framed in such a way as to lead us to think that we can be of more meaningful service if we submit to the temptations.  Discernment is an advanced spiritual lesson that is best learned on 3rd dimension where good and evil exist.    

[v]   Glenn Sanderfur,  Lives of the Master:  The Rest of the Jesus Story.  Virginia Beach, Virginia:  A.R.E. Press, 1988.

This book is based on the Readings of Edgar Cayce, the most scientifically documented Intuitive in history.

[vi]   Jesus & Kuthumi (Dictated to Mark & Elizabeth Prophet),  Prayer & Meditation.  Los Angeles:  Summit Univesity

Press., 1963.

[vii]   Prophet,  CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[viii]   Prophet, CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[ix]   Jesus & Kuthumi (Dictated to Mark & Elizabeth Prophet),  Prayer & Meditation.

[x]   The secret orders which Francis Bacon helped to establish have since been infiltrated by those with dark intent— those who are presently seeking to take control of the planet as the New World Order.  Here again, we see that the dark forces adopt what is good and manipulate it to fool others.   Most humans are not tempted by outright evil.  Instead, we tend to succumb to evil when we are fooled into thinking it is for the good of others.

[xi]   Prophet, CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xii]   Prophet,  CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xiii]   Mark L. Prophet & Elizabeth Clare Prophet,  Lords of the Seven Rays.,  Summit University Press, 1986.

[xiv]   Jesus & Kuthumi (dictated to Mark & Elizabeth Prophet),  Prayer & Meditation.

[xv]   Prophet, CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xvi]   Prophet, CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xvii]   A.D.K. Luk,  The Law of Life & Teachings of Divine Beings, Book III.  A.D.K. Luk Publications:  1978.

[xviii]   Prophet, CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xix]   Prophet,  CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xx]   Jesus & Kuthumi (dictated to Mark & Elizabeth Prophet),  Prayer & Meditation.

[xxi]   A.D.K. Luk, Law of Life & Teachings By Divine Beings, Book III.  “Great White Brotherhood refers to Light, not

Race.

 [xxii]   Prophet,  CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xxiii]   A.D.K. Luk,  Law of Life & Teachings By Divine Beings, Book I.

[xxiv]   Jesus & Kuthumi,  Coron Class Lessons.  Summit University Press, 1986.

[xxv]   You may learn about your Soul’s Road Map at:       http://www.pathwaytoascension.com/roadmap_to_ascension.html

[xxvi]   Prophet,  CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xxvii]   Mark L. & Elizabeth Clare Prophet,  Lords of the Seven Rays.

[xxviii]   Prophet,  CLIMB THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN.

[xxix]   Mark L. & Elizabeth Clare Prophet,  The Masters & Their Retreats.  Summit University Press, reprinted 2003.

[xxx]   A.D,K. Luk,  Law of Life & Teachings of Divine Beings, Book III.

[xxxi]   Mark L. & Elizabeth Clare Prophet,  Lords of the Seven Rays.

[xxxii]   Mark L. & Elizabeth Clare Prophet, Lords of the Seven Rays.

[xxxiii]  Mark L. & Elizabeth Clare Prophet,  Lords of the Seven Rays.

[xxxiv]   A.D.K. Luk,  Law of Life & Teachings By Divine Beings, Book III.

[xxxv]  Mark L. & Elizabeth Clare Prophet,  Lords of the Seven Rays.

[xxxvi]   A.D.K. Luk,  Law of Life & Teachings By Divine Beings, Book I.

[xxxvii]   A.D.K. Luk,  Law of Life & Teachings By Divine Beings, Book III.

[xxxviii]   A.D.K. Luk,  Law of Life & Teachings By Divine Beings, Book III.

[xl]   Mark L. & Elizabeth Clare Prophet,  Lords of the Seven Rays.

[xli]   The Essential Charles Fillmore:  With Commentary by James Gaither.  Unity Village, MO:  Unity Books, 1999.

[xlii]   James Dillet Freeman,  The Story of Unity.  Unity Village, Missouri:  Unity Books, 1978.

[xliii]   Joseph Head & S.L. Cranston, eds.,  Reincarnation:  The Phoenix Fire Mystery.  New York:  Julian Press/Crown

Publishers, Inc., 1997.

[xliv]   Norman P. Tanner, ed., Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils, Washington, D.C.:  Georgetown University Press,

1990.

 [xlv]   Mark L. & Elizabeth Clare Prophet,  Lords of the Seven Rays.

MARY MAGDALENE, THE MYSTERIOUS ONE

MARY MAGDALENE, THE MYSTERIOUS ONE

Nancy B. Detweiler, M.Ed., M.Div.

www.pathwaytoascension.com

For most of the past 2,000 years of the Piscean Age, the true identity of Mary Magdalene has remained shrouded in secrecy.  Why?  What earth-shaking cataclysm is thereby postponed?  Why is Mary Magdalene the only biblical character to be controversial?  Why, in 591 C.E. (A.D.), did Pope Gregory I in his Homily 33 declare that Mary Magdalene and the woman caught in adultery (Luke 7) were one and the same; and that the faithful should regard Mary Magdalene as a penitent whore?  In 1969, the Vatican officially repealed Pope Gregory I’s designation of Mary Magdalene as a whore and declared her a saint instead.  However, the majority of the public continues to think of her as the prostitute.[1]

For many, Mary Magdalene’s identity has been confused by the presence of at least seven women called “Mary” in the gospel stories.  At least one major Hollywood movie presented Mary Magdalene as Mary, the sister of Lazarus.  Can we solve the mystery—who is Mary Magdalene?

Harper’s Bible Dictionary lists the seven Marys.

1.  Mary, the mother of Jesus – Roman Catholics venerate this Mary as the Virgin Mother of the God Child, Jesus.  Yet, aside from the virgin birth stories in synoptic gospels of Matthew and Luke, Mary—the mother of Jesus—is portrayed as not truly understanding her son’s mission.

At age twelve, Jesus is perplexed when his parents, believing him to be lost, do not immediately look for him in the Temple.  “Why were you looking for me?  Did you not know that I would be in the house of my Father?  But they could not understand the words which he said to them.” Luke 2:49-50

Mark, the earliest of the synoptic gospels, does not mention the birth of Jesus.  The Gospel of Mark depicts Jesus’ family reacting to his healing of those afflicted with unclean spirits by thinking he has gone insane:  “And his relatives heard of it, and went out to seize him, for they said, ‘He has lost his mind.’” Mark 3:21

A few verses later, the Gospel of Mark leaves the impression that Jesus makes no response to the request of his mother and brothers to see him.  “The people were sitting around him; and they said to him, ‘Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you.’  And he answered, saying to them, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’  And he looked at those who sat near him and said, ‘Behold my mother and behold my brothers.  For whoever does the will of God is my brother and my sister and my mother.’” Mark 3:32-35

The Gospel of John differs in many ways from the synoptic gospels.  Although Jesus’ birth is not mentioned in the Gospel of John, Mary appears to be familiar with the spiritual power residing within Jesus—as depicted in the story of the wedding in Cana.  But is this Mary, the mother of Jesus – or – is it Mary Magdalene?  Has the text been manipulated so that it appears to be the wedding of an unnamed couple in Cana to which Jesus had been invited?  Let’s look at the narrative in John 2:1-11.

When the wine is depleted, Mary commands the servants to obey Jesus’ instructions.  As a result, jars of water are transformed into wine.  Upon Jesus’ request, the servants take the newly created wine to the chief guest (or master of ceremonies) for his approval.  The chief guest calls the bridegroom to him and says, “Every man at first brings the best wine; and when they have drunk, then that which is weak; but you have kept the best until now.” John 2:8-10

Four significant impressions stand out in John’s account of this wedding:

1) Mary takes charge when the wine runs out, even though as an invited guest she would be acting inappropriately.

2) No mention is made of the bride.

3) The chief guest calls the bridegroom to commend him on the wine.  Was this Jesus?

4)  Mary and Jesus were responsible for the wine … why?

Jewish custom was that the wedding feast took place in the home of the groom’s father.  Here is where the wine flowed freely and the celebration lasted for a week.[2] By the time Jesus began his ministry, his earthly father had died.  According to the Talmud, Joseph of Arimathea was the younger brother of the father of Mary, mother of Jesus.  As Mary’s uncle, Joseph of Arimathea became their legal guardian.[3]

Joseph of Arimathea was one of the wealthiest men in the world, with vast holdings in the tin mines of Britain and one of the largest private merchant shipping fleets afloat.[4] Since the village of Cana is located between Magdala—a thriving community for shipbuilding and pickled fish that were shipped throughout the Roman Empire—and Phoenicia, also known for its shipbuilding industry, could Joseph of Arimathea have owned a residence in Cana?  History and traditional legends report Jesus spending much time in the company of his uncle during the “lost years” of the New Testament record.[5] Could the wedding feast have taken place in Joseph’s residence in Cana?  Connecting all the dots certainly makes it a possibility—a possibility that could even explain why Mary and Jesus took charge when the wine gave out.

2.  Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus – Mary Magdalene is frequently confused with Mary of Bethany.  This confusion is based partially on the three differing stories of a woman anointing Jesus.

In the Gospel of John, Mary of Bethany is depicted as the “Mary” who anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair.  “Mary took a cruse containing pure and expensive nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” Mary of Bethany anointing  her Master’s feet is a sign of Middle Eastern hospitality and of her obeisance to him as one of his disciples.  (John 11:1-2  from Lamsa’s ancient Aramaic text)  The fact that she used very expensive pure nard reveals Jesus’ friends in Bethany were also wealthy.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is eating at the home of a Pharisee.  An anonymous female sinner appears and symbolically bows down to Jesus as she wets his feet with her tears of repentance, wipes them with her hair, then kisses and anoints them with perfume.  Afterwards Jesus compares the woman’s deed with the lack of ancient Middle Eastern hospitality he received upon entering the Pharisee’s home:  “when I entered your house, you did not give me even water for my feet.  You did not kiss me; but she, since she entered, has not ceased to kiss my feet.  You did not anoint my head with oil; but she has anointed my feet with perfume.” He then forgives the woman’s sins and affirms, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:37-50 – Lamsa’s ancient Aramaic text)  This is the woman to whom Pope Gregory I refers in his homily 33 of 591 C.E. (A.D.)

Both versions proclaim obeisance by the holding of Jesus’ feet and reflect John the Baptist’s statement:  “He who is coming after me is greater than I, one whose shoes I am not worthy to remove.” (Matthew 3:11)

As we shall see later, the Gospel of Mark’s version is striking in its differences.  According to some biblical scholars, there is no reason to think the anointing event was limited to only one occasion.  Due to the hot, dry climate, it was Middle Eastern custom to anoint oneself/guests with aromatic oils.  It is possible the gospels reflect written or oral accounts of more than one anointing.  Both Luke’s and John’s versions appear to occur early in Jesus’ ministry.  Mark’s version takes place at the end of Jesus’ ministry.

Another reason Mary Magdalene is confused with Mary of Bethany is that Jesus considered the three siblings—Martha, Mary, & Lazarus—close friends whom he visited frequently.  However, Mary of Bethany’s personality is the opposite of Mary Magdalene’s.  Mary of Bethany is most often mentioned as being in the company of Martha and Lazarus in or near her home in Bethany.    She is the passive, mystical member of the family who appears to lack practicality.  Martha is definitely the head of the household.  Mary of Bethany views Jesus as her teacher; she sits at his feet while he speaks in her home—oblivious to the food preparations occupying Martha’s attention.  Mary of Bethany was not active within the ministry of Jesus.  He saw her only when he visited Bethany, a Judean village on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives about two miles east of Jerusalem and approximately two weeks journey by foot from Nazareth—Jesus’ hometown and Capernaum—where Jesus’ ministry was based in Galilee.

The map at the bottom of blog reveals the distance from Magdala, near Capernaum on the west side of the Sea of Galilee in Galilee, and Bethany, located just outside Jerusalem near the Dead Sea in Judea.  Samaria is located between Galilee and Judea—most Jews would not enter Samaria during the time of Jesus.  Almost the entirety of Palestine separated the hometowns of Mary of Bethany and Mary of Magdala.  To confuse their identities defies logic.

The lesser known “Marys” were:

3.  Mary, the mother of James, Joseph, and Salome – or – the “other Mary” as she is called in the crucifixion and burial scenes.

4.  Mary, the wife of Clopas and sister-in-law to Mary, mother of Jesus.  Some accounts list her as the sister of Mary, mother of Jesus.  This Mary was also present at the cross.  She is often confused with Mary, the mother of James, Joseph, and Salome.  In Matthew 10:3, “James,” the lesser disciple, is listed as the son of Alphaeus (also called Clopas and Cleopas) and thus, the son of this Mary and cousin to Jesus.

5.  Mary of Jerusalem in whose spacious home Jesus and his disciples celebrated their last Passover together and where 120 (not counting women) of Jesus’ followers met after his death.  (Acts 1:13-15)   Mary of Jerusalem’s son, John Mark, accompanied Barnabas and Paul on some of their missionary journeys.

6.  Mary of Rome, who is mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:6:  “Greet Mary, who has labored hard among you.”

And, last but far from least:

7.  Mary Magdalene or Mary of Magdala, whose name appears first in every listing of Jesus’ female disciples.  (Mark 15:40-41, 47;  Mark 16:1; Matthew 27:55-56, 61; Matthew 28:1; Luke 8:2-3; and Luke 24:10)      Biblical scholars therefore believe Mary Magdalene to have been the leader of a group of women who traveled with and served Jesus throughout his three years ministry.

Mary Magdalene was ever-present with Jesus in all four gospel narratives.  The majority of Jesus’ ministry took place in Galilee, along the western shores of the Sea of Galilee.   “He did not wish to travel in Judea because the Jews wanted to kill him.” (John 7:1) His ministry was centered in Capernaum, where he taught in the synagogue and frequently stayed in the home of Peter.  Archaeological remains of both the synagogue and Peter’s house are visible today.  The still vividly painted ceramic tile floors of Peter’s home are confirmation of his wife’s wealth.

Floor Plan of Peter’s house

Ceramic tile floor in Peter’s house in Capernaum – a long brick, waist-high fireplace is located to the right.  This room is thought to be the cooking area.  Note the size of the home.  Ceramic tile floors are found only in the ruins of wealthy homes.

Ruins of Capernaum with Sea of Galilee in background

Synagogue at Capernaum – the black stones belong to the synagogue know by Jesus, the white stones are the synagogue built over the one in which Jesus taught.

Synagogue at Capernaum – built over the one Jesus knew.

Photos by Nancy B. Detweiler – 1993

Ancient traditional legends state Peter’s wife’s name as Petronilla, a beautiful, well-bred, wealthy woman who assisted Peter throughout his ministry.  She and Peter were martyred together in Rome.

Jesus and his disciples have been portrayed as poor.  This could not be farther from the truth.  The fishing business was an international industry; Jesus’ uncle—Joseph of Arimathea—was acknowledged as one of the wealthiest men in the world; a group of wealthy women traveled with Jesus; anytime Jesus needed a large house in which to meet, it was available to him.  Jesus descended from King David; he was of royal lineage.  Matthew 1: 16 provides the genealogy for Jesus, tracing him through the line of Joseph to King David.  “Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus.” The people of Palestine recognized Jesus’ royal lineage.  One example:   “Have mercy on us, O son of David,” called two blind men as Jesus passed by.  (Matthew 9:27)

The main route of an international highway known as the Via Maris was located along the western coast of the Sea of Galilee.  Capernaum and Magdala—located on this route—prospered by the international fish trade.  The Sea of Galilee contained some forty species of fish that were salted in Magdala and shipped throughout the Roman Empire.[6]

According to the Jewish Virtual Library, Via Maris was one of the most important trade routes in the Middle East during ancient times.  Via Maris is Latin for “Way of the Sea” referred to in Isaiah 9:1.  The map above reveals the three major trade routes in ancient Palestine:  Via Maris, Ridge Route, and the King’s Highway.  The Via Maris “connected the major routes from the Fertile Crescent to Mesopotamia (from Egypt to modern day Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and Syria.”[7] Ancient Palestine was cosmopolitan; its territory was alive with international trade and exposure to numerous cultures.  Biblical characters spoke several languages, including Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic.  Studying the geography of ancient Palestine requires that we re-think our concept of who the biblical characters were.  Those characters that we study by name were not poor, naïve, and uneducated.  Instead, they were wealthy, educated, and well-traveled.

Ancient Magdala (Tarichaeae = the Greek name; Magdala = the Hebrew—they were one and the same) was a thriving rural community on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee between Capernaum and Tiberias.  Magdala contained a small synagogue and we can assume Jesus taught in this synagogue as well as the one in Capernaum.  In fact, Mark 1:39 confirms, “He preached in all their synagogues throughout Galilee.

According to traditional legends, Mary Magdalene met Jesus in the home of Peter.  At the time they met, Mary Magdalene is described as being young, beautiful, arrogant, gorgeously attired, worldly, and very wealthy.  When she stepped into his presence, she was so impressed that she immediately renounced her former life in order to follow Jesus.[8]

This transformation from a life focused on the emotional and materialistic planes to a life completely dedicated to serving the Christ denotes the healing mentioned in Luke 8:2:  “Mary who is called Magdala, from whom seven demons went out ….” Charles Fillmore, founder of the Unity Movement, interprets demons to be error thoughts and feelings.[9] Mary Magdalene was not possessed.  She lists the seven powers of wrath or demons in her The Gospel of Mary.  They are:  “darkness, desire, ignorance, excitement (likely meaning fear) of death, kingdom of the flesh, foolish wisdom of the flesh, and wrathful wisdom.”  Another translation of The Gospel of Mary lists these demons or manifestations as:  darkness, craving, ignorance, lethal jealousy, enslavement to the body, intoxicated wisdom, and guileful wisdom.

These demons are the same demons each of us must overcome in order to achieve a higher, 5th dimensional consciousness—no negativity or non-truth can more forward into the higher dimensions.  The description of young Mary Magdalene by the traditional legends could describe any number of super stars in our 21st century American culture—super stars whom many attempt to emulate.  In modern language, Mary Magdalene was a super star who was transformed into a servant of the Christ and thereafter used her wealth to support Jesus’ ministry.

Biblical scholars have found no evidence to prove that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, or the woman caught in adultery, whom (as the story is told) Jesus prevented from being stoned to death.  This connection was made many years later, possibly by those who wanted to hide her true identity.  In fact, according to a footnote in Lamsa’s translation of the Bible from the Aramaic of the Peshitta, this story is not found in the ancient Peshitta, but occurs in later Aramaic texts.  This footnote explains:  “With reference to originality of the Peshitta text, the Church of the East received the scripture from the hands of the blessed Apostles themselves in the Aramaic original … the Peshitta is the text of the Church of the East which has come down from the biblical times without any change or revision.”[10]

As related in John 8:1-11, the woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus while he taught in the Temple of Jerusalem.  By this time, Mary Magdalene was an established and integral part of Jesus’ ministry.  Even if this were not the case, Mary Magdalene lived in Magdala, a town located approximately two weeks foot-journey from Jerusalem.  Even though her family was wealthy, the possibility of a young Jewish woman from Magdala being free to roam alone in the metropolitan city of Jerusalem appears remote.  Ancient tradition places her first meeting with Jesus as being in Peter’s home in Capernaum, not in the Temple of Jerusalem.  It seems far more likely that Mary Magdalene’s family were friends with Peter and Petronilla’s family.  Both were wealthy and would have associated in the same economic/social circles.  The outskirts of the villages located around the Sea of Galilee were very close to each other, enabling easily accessible interaction between their residents.

From her life of materialism, Mary Magdalene became the most spiritually advanced of Jesus’ disciples—an Initiate into the hidden wisdom to which Jesus so often referred.  She pre-empts Peter and John when she receives revelations from the risen Christ that she is to share with the disciples gathered at the home of Mary of Jerusalem.  The Gospel of Mary reiterates this favored position.

“At Peter’s request, she (Mary Magdalene) tells the disciples about things that were hidden from them.  The basis for her knowledge is a vision of the Lord and a private dialogue with him….  After Mary finishes recounting her vision to the disciples, Andrew and then Peter challenge her on two grounds.  First of all, Andrew says, ‘these teachings are strange.’  Secondly, Peter questions, would the Savior really have told these teachings to a woman and kept them from the male disciples.  Levi admonishes Peter for contending with the woman as against the adversaries and acknowledges that the Savior loved her more than the other disciples….  The confrontation of Mary with Peter is also found in The Gospel of Thomas, Pistis Sophia, and The Gospel of the Egyptians.[11] The Gospel of Mary portrays Mary Magdalene as the Savior’s beloved, possessed of knowledge and teaching superior to that of the public apostolic tradition.  Her superiority is based on vision and private revelation and is demonstrated in her capacity to strengthen the wavering disciples, and turn them toward the Good.”[12]

Throughout the four gospel narratives, we see Mary Magdalene and a group of wealthy women traveling with Jesus.  They financially supported his ministry, as well as served alongside of him and the other disciples.  Joanna, the wife of Herod Antipas’ steward, Chuza, and Susanna are also listed as belonging to this wealthy group of women. (Luke 8:3)   Some of the women traveling with Jesus were either the wives or family members of Jesus’ disciples—Peter’s wife Petronilla; Philip’s wife and daughter; Mary, wife of Clopas and mother of the lesser James.  For the duration of his ministry, Jesus was surrounded by his wealthy female disciples.  His attitude and treatment of them had no resemblance to the traditional attitudes toward women that were prevalent in the Middle Eastern culture during biblical times.  They were his equals and he recognized them as such.

How and why has Mary Magdalene been confused with Mary of Bethany?  From the biblical account alone, we see Mary Magdalene stood out as a respected leader of Jesus’ female disciples, many of whom were likewise wealthy and would have been accustomed to demanding the respect afforded an individual of high status in Galilee.  Yet, they willingly accepted Mary Magdalene’s leadership.  Mary Magdalene possessed the “eyes to see and the ears to hear”—a phrase Jesus used to denote those who could understand the hidden meaning of his teachings—the spiritually awakened.  Mary Magdalene understood the mission of Jesus.

In contrast, Mary of Bethany led a sheltered life in the home of her siblings, Martha and Lazarus.  Mary Magdalene is assertive with a strong sense of individual identity evidenced in her leadership role; Mary of Bethany, though loving the teachings of Jesus, is passive and submits to the leadership of her sister, Martha.  She sits at Jesus feet to listen to his teachings, while Mary Magdalene walked beside him throughout his ministry.  To confuse the two women defies reason.  The answer as to why confuse them is a matter of far greater import.

The discovery in 1945 of the Nag Hammadi Library consisting of 4th century manuscripts can shed light on this confusion.  The Gospel of Philip identifies Mary Magdalene as “the one who was called his companion,” meaning Jesus’ companion.  “And the companion of the … Mary Magdalene.  Loved her more than [all] the disciples and [used to] kiss her [often] on her […]  The rest of [the disciples].  They said to him, ‘Why do you love her more than all of us?’  The savior answered and said to them, ‘Why do I not love you like her?  When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another.  When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness.’” [13] According to ancient traditions, Jesus and Mary Magdalene had three children:  a daughter named Sara and two sons.

In The Gospel of Mary, Levi tells Peter, Andrew, and the other disciples:  “Surely the Savior knows her very well.  That is why he loved her more than us.” At least until the 4th century, the early Christians had no reason for concern over Jesus and Mary Magdalene being married.  Quoting from Harper’s Encyclopedia of Bible Life:  “Marriage was an agreement between two heads of families, not between two individuals who were ‘in love.’  …  For a man, marriage was the only conceivable state; bachelorhood is never mentioned as a viable alternative.” [14]

Since Joseph of Arimathea was legal guardian for Jesus, he would have been the one to meet with the father of a perspective wife.  The very likely connection between Joseph of Arimathea and the wealthy families living in a major shipbuilding community like Magdala enhances the likelihood of marriage between Mary Magdalene and Jesus.  Marriage was for the purpose of having children and continuing the family lineage and DNA.

The relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus is that of Twin Flames—two parts of the same Soul.  The symbolic story of Twin Flames is found in Genesis 2.  “And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to all fowls of the air, and to all wild beasts; but for Adam there was not found a helper who was equal to him.  So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the place with flesh in its stead.  And of the rib which the Lord God had taken from Adam he made a woman, and brought her to Adam.  And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh.  And they were both naked, Adam and his wife, and were not ashamed.”[15] To be naked is symbolic of being pure, open.

According to the Ascended Masters’ teachings, twin flames are two parts of the same Soul.  Although twin flames may experience a few lifetimes together, they tend to go their separate ways until they are ready to be reunited, to leave the wheel of karma, and to prepare for ascension into higher dimensional living.  In order to prepare for ascension, twin flames must accomplish a mission together.  This does not mean the twin flames will be on the same dimension while engaged in the mission; however, they will most likely be consciously aware of working together.  Twin Flames are never truly separated because as one grows—or fails to grow—he/she impacts the other.  Even though Twin Flames are in vastly different sections of the cosmos, the soul link is ever-present and they will eventually be ready to reunite on the same plane.

When she first met him at Peter’s home in Capernaum, Mary Magdalene instantly recognized Jesus as her twin flame and transformed her lifestyle in order to complete their mission together.   She accompanied and assisted Jesus throughout his ministry, then continued, as the Apostle of Apostles, to teach the disciples the hidden wisdom Jesus had taught her privately.[16]

This Twin Flame relationship is evident in Mark’s story of the woman anointing Jesus’ head.  In Mark 14:1-9, we find “There came a woman who had with her an alabaster vessel of perfume of pure nard, of good quality and very expensive; and she opened it and poured it upon the head of Jesus.. Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a good deed for me.. But this one has done it with what she had; she anointed my body in advance as for the burial. And truly I say to you, wherever this my gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told as a memorial to her.'”

Although Mark’s gospel does not identify this woman, we can derive several clues from the narrative:

1.  The woman is wealthy. She uses very expensive pure nard (spikenard), a perfume imported from the Himalayas in alabaster boxes and opened on special occasions. In biblical times, this nard cost approximately one year’s wages. (Harper’s Bible Dictionary).

2.  Anointing on the head, during biblical times, was a means of investing someone with power, such as the anointing of Solomon as king by the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan. (I Kings 1:39) Anointing could also signify the consecration of someone or something for a holy purpose.  Anointing on the head in the presence of a gathering was performed by priests and prophets—persons held in high esteem and possessing spiritual authority.[17]

3.  Jesus recognized the woman’s anointing as highly significant. In his words: “Wherever this my gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

4.  The story of the woman anointing his head is to be told as a memorial to her, not to Jesus. Jesus knew her actions to be on par with his gospel. This eternal union instituted by Jesus signifies a pairing of male and female.

Mary Magdalene and Jesus were Twin Flames performing their mission together.  Even though the time of being physically together was drawing to a close, this joint mission continued as Mary Magdalene became the Apostle of Apostles.

Palestine in Jesus’ time – Taken from:  Harper’s Bible Dictionary

Map of major trade routes running through Palestine – Taken from the Jewish Virtual Library Website.

Ascended Master Jesus

Ascended Lady Master Nada – St. Mary Magdalene


[1] Preface to The Gospel of Mary, David Tresemer, Ph.D. & Laura-Lea Cannon.  The two extant copies of this gospel   are a part of The Nag Hammadi Library.

 

[2] Harper’s Encyclopedia of Bible Life, Madeline S. & J. Lane Miller.

[3] The Drama of the Lost Disciples, George F. Jowett.

[4] Jowett.

[5] Jowett.

[6] Harper’s Bible Dictionary, Paul J. Achtemeier, General Editor.

[7] http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/ViaMaris.html

[8] New Age Bible Interpretation, Corrine Heline.

[9] Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, Charles Fillmore.

[10] Preface to Holy Bible:  From the Ancient Eastern Text, George M. Lamsa, Translator – from the Aramaic of the

Peshitta.

[11] The Gospel of Mary Introduction, Karen L. King.

[12] King.

[13] The Gospel of Philip, Nag Hammadi Library.

[14] Harper’s Encyclopedia of Bible Life, pages 98-100.

[15] Genesis 2:20-25.

[16] The Gospel of Mary.

[17] Harper’s Bible Dictionary.

MARY OF MAGDALA AS SEEN IN THE ANCIENT TEXTS

MARY OF MAGDALA
AS SEEN IN THE ANCIENT TEXTS

www.pathwaytoascension.com

Compilation & Comments
Nancy B. Detweiler, M.Ed., M.Div.

Mary of Magdala (or Mary Magdalene) played a major role in the ministry of Jesus; yet she is the most mysterious of biblical characters.  In 591 C.E., Pope Gregory I, in his Homily 33, declared her to be a whore.  This proclamation was recanted in 1969 by the Vatican, when she was declared St. Mary Magdalene.  However, the public continues to think in terms of Mary being a sinner; she is viewed as an example of one who has been forgiven.  Those who search for her true identity most often confuse her with Mary of Bethany, sister of Jesus’ friends Martha and Lazarus.

Can we determine the true identity of Mary of Magdala?  Why has she, out of all the biblical characters, been the only one to be so mysterious?

The place to start our search for Mary’s true identity is in the ancient texts.

THE BIBLE

Quotes taken from Lamsa’s translation from the Aramaic of the Peshitta.  The Peshitta is considered the most ancient of Aramaic (the language of Jesus) scriptural texts.  According to the Catholicos Patriarch of the East, Mar Eshai Shimun, this text was handed down by the Apostles and has not been changed or revised.  (1957)

Gospel of Matthew – written by an unknown Jewish Christian in Antioch, Syria around 90 C.E. (A.D.).

Gospel of Mark – Early church tradition attributes the authorship to Mark, a companion of the Apostle Paul in Rome around 70 C.E. (A.D.).

Gospel of Luke – Early church tradition attributes the authorship to Luke, a companion of the Apostle Paul most likely in southern Greece around 80-90 C.E. (A.D.).

Gospel of John – This gospel is very different from the synoptic gospels. The author of this gospel remains a mystery and is simply attributed to “the beloved disciple.” With the newly proclaimed evidence of Mary of Magdala’s role in the ministry of Jesus and her intimate relationship with him, she could easily be “the beloved disciple” who wrote the Gospel of John. An excellent article on this subject may be found at the following URL:  www.BelovedDisciple.org.

Mary of Magdala played a major role in the ministry of Jesus. She was accepted as the leader of a group of wealthy women who followed and served Jesus. Her name is listed first in every listing of the women who accompanied Jesus. These lists read as follows:

Following the crucifixion: “There were also many women there, who were looking from afar, those who had followed Jesus from Galilee, and who used to minister to him. One of them was Mary of Magdala; and the others were Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.”

“So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a shroud of fine linen, and laid it in his own new tomb which was hewn in a rock; and they rolled a large stone, and placed it against the door of the tomb and went away. And there were there Mary of Magdala and the other Mary, who were sitting opposite the tomb.”

“In the evening of the Sabbath, when the first day of the week began to dawn, there came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to see the tomb.”

Matthew 27:55-56, 61; 28:1

Following the crucifixion: “There were also women who were looking from afar, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother James, the young and of Joses, and Salome; who had followed him, when he was in Galilee and ministered to him; and many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.”

“But Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.”

“When the Sabbath had passed, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.”

Mark 15:40-41, 47; 16:1

“And the women who were healed of diseases and unclean spirits, Mary who is called of Magdala, from whom seven demons went out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza the steward of Herod, and Suzanna, and many others, who ministered to them of their wealth.”

“And on the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was yet dark, they came to the tomb and brought the spices which they had prepared; and there with them other women.

“They were Mary of Magdala, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the rest who were with them.”

Luke 8:2-3; 24:1,10

According to all four New Testament gospels, Mary of Magdala is foremost in the narrative relating Jesus’ burial in Joseph of Arimathea’s new tomb.

Matthew’s Gospel – see above scripture.

Mark’s Gospel – see above scripture.

Luke’s Gospel – see above scripture.

“Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister and Mary of Cleopas and Mary of Magdala.”

John 19:25

It is interesting to note that in the gospel of John, Mary of Magdala, is listed last. Did she, as the author of the Gospel of John, simply place her name last?

According to all four New Testament gospels, Mary of Magdala is foremost in the discovery of the empty tomb:

“In the evening of the Sabbath, when the first day of the week began to dawn, there came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to see the tomb.. He is not here, for he has risen, just as he had said. Come, see the place where our Lord was laid.”

Matthew 28:1, 6

“When the Sabbath had passed, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.. And they looked and saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was very large. And they entered the tomb, and saw a young man, sitting on the right, covered with a white robe; and they were astonished. But he said to them, Do not be afraid. You seek Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified; he has risen; he is not here; behold the place where he was laid.”

Mark 16:1-6

“And on the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was yet dark, they came to the tomb.. They entered in, but they did not find the body of Jesus.. They were Mary of Magdala, and Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James, and the rest who were with them.”

Luke 24:1-3, 10

“On the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was yet dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb; and she saw that the stone was removed from the tomb.”

John 20:1

Note the difference in the narrative in John’s gospel. Mary of Magdala comes to the tomb alone. Is she simply relating her story as the author of the 4th gospel?

In all four gospels, Mary of Magdala is foremost in receiving the news of Jesus’ resurrection. She is to tell the disciples:

“.there came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to see the tomb.. But the angel answered, saying to the women, ‘You need not be afraid; for I know that you are seeking Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just as he had said. Come, see the place where our Lord was laid. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead and behold, he will go before you to Galilee; there you will see him; lo I have told you.’ And they went away hurriedly from the tomb with fear and with great joy, running to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said to them, ‘Peace be to you.’ And they came up and laid hold of his feet and worshipped him.”

Matthew 28:1, 5-9

“.Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James .. But he said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. You seek Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified; he has risen; he is not here; behold the place where he was laid. But go away and tell his disciples, and Peter, that he will be before you just as he has told you.'”

Mark 16:1, 6-7

“.They were Mary of Magdala, and Joanne, and Mary the mother of James, and the rest who were with them, who told these things to the apostles.”

Luke 24:4-10

“On the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was yet dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb.. So the disciples went away again to their lodging place. But Mary was standing near the tomb weeping; and as she wept, she looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they said to her, ‘Woman, why do you weep?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ She said this and turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why do you weep? and whom do you want?’ She thought he was the gardener, so she said to him, ‘My lord, if you are the one who has taken him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will go and take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned around and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuli!’ which means, My Teacher! Jesus said to her, ‘Do not come near me; for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. Then Mary of Magdala came and brought glad tidings to the disciples, that she had seen our Lord and that he had told her these things.”

John 20:1, 10-18

Note the difference in the narrative. Mary of Magdala is alone at the tomb. Jesus appears to her first, then later to the disciples. Is Mary of Magdala, as the author of John’s gospel, telling the story of her private encounter with Jesus?

In Mark 14:1-9, we find “There came a woman who had with her an alabaster vessel of perfume of pure nard, of good quality and very expensive; and she opened it and poured it upon the head of Jesus.. Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a good deed for me.. But this one has done it with what she had; she anointed my body in advance as for the burial. And truly I say to you, wherever this my gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told as a memorial to her.'”

Although Mark’s gospel does not identify this woman, we can derive several clues from the narrative:

1.  The woman is wealthy. She uses very expensive pure nard (spikenard), a perfume imported from the Himalayas in alabaster boxes and opened on special occasions. In biblical times, this nard cost approximately one year’s wages. (Harper’s Bible Dictionary).

2.  Anointing on the head, during biblical times, was a means of investing someone with power, such as the anointing of Solomon as king by the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan. (I Kings 1:39) Anointing could also signify the consecration of someone or something for a holy purpose. (Harper’s Bible Dictionary) Anointing on the head in the presence of a gathering was performed by priests and prophets—persons held in high esteem and possessing spiritual authority.

3.  Jesus recognized the woman’s anointing as highly significant. In his words: “Wherever this my gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

4.  The story of the woman anointing his head is to be told as a memorial to her, not to Jesus. Jesus knew her actions to be on par with his gospel. This eternal union instituted by Jesus signifies a pairing of male and female.

THE NON-CANONICAL GOSPELS

Non-canonical means not selected by the Church Fathers
to be contained within the New Testament.

Note that all the ancient texts quoted pre-date
the Ecumenical Councils in which church doctrine was determined.

The 1st Ecumenical Council met in Nicaea in 325 C.E. This Council defined the foundations of orthodoxy.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS

The gospel of Thomas is a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus by the early Christians. The earliest of the Greek fragments found thus far dates from 200 C.E.; however its original composition most likely took place during the second half of the 1st century C.E. Thomas was revered in the early Syriac church as an apostle and brother of Jesus (some early traditions state “twin” brother of Jesus).

“His disciples said to Him, ‘When will the Kingdom come?’ [Jesus said], ‘It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying “Here it is” or “There it is.” Rather, the Kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it.’ Simon Peter said to them, ‘Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of Life.’ Jesus said, ‘I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.'”

Sayings 113-114, Gospel of Thomas

In this gospel, the mother of Jesus is referred to by the disciples as “your mother,” thus the Mary to whom Peter is referring would be Mary of Magdala. Ancient traditions reveal Peter’s jealousy of Mary of Magdala because Jesus taught her inner, subtle truths the disciples could not yet understand. Mary of Magdala was destined to become a revered teacher of the truths taught to her by Jesus.

THE DIALOGUE OF THE SAVIOR

Jesus is teaching Miriam, Matthew, and Judas

“Miriam” = Greek for Mary

The Dialogue of the Savior is a question and answer session between Jesus and Miriam, Matthew, and Judas.

Miriam responds to Jesus: “Thus about ‘the wickedness of each day,’ and ‘the laborer being worthy of his food,’ and ‘the disciple resembling his teacher.’ This word she spoke as a woman who knew the All.”

Portion of #139 – The Dialogue of the Savior

“Miriam said, ‘Tell me, Lord, why I have come to this place, to benefit or to suffer loss?’ The Lord said, ‘Because you [singular] reveal the greatness of the revealer.'”

Portion of #140 – The Dialogue of the Savior

THE GOSPEL OF PETER

Peter, the disciple of Jesus, is generally accepted by scholars as the author of this gospel. It was likely written during the second half of the 1st century C.E. (A.D.) in Syria.

“Early in the morning of the Lord’s day Mary Magdalene, a woman disciple of the Lord—for fear of the Jews, since [they] were inflamed with wrath, she had not done at the sepulcher of the Lord what women are wont to do for those beloved of them who die—took with her women friends and came to the sepulcher where he was laid.” Portion # 12 – The Gospel of Peter

Peter assumes that it is Mary of Magdala who has the responsibility to come to the tomb and “do for those beloved of them who die.” The other women appear to have accompanied Mary of Magdala at her request, as a means of protection.

THE GOSPEL OF MARY MAGDALENE

The current edition of the gospel of Mary Magdalene makes up the first part of the so-called Berlin Papyrus. It is written in Sahidic Coptic. The 1st edition of this gospel dates approximately 150 C.E. (A.D.) and is accepted by scholars to have been inspired by Mary of Magdala, if not actually penned by her.

“Having said all this, he departed….  Then Mary arose, embraced them all, and began to speak to her brothers: ‘Do not remain in sorrow and doubt, for his Grace will guide you and comfort you. Instead, let us praise his greatness, for he has prepared us for this. He is calling upon us to become fully human.’ Thus Mary turned their hearts toward the Good, and they began to discuss the meaning of the Teacher’s words.”

Page 9, verses 5, 12-20 – The Gospel of Mary

Upon Jesus’ departure, Mary of Magdala becomes the teacher.

“Peter said to Mary: ‘Sister, we know that the Teacher loved you differently from other women. Tell us whatever you remember of any words he told you which we have not yet heard. Mary said to them: ‘I will now speak to you of that which has not been given to you to hear.'”

Page 10, verses 1-9 – The Gospel of Mary

Jesus taught Mary of Magdala about the “seven demons” from which the gospel of Luke (chapter 8) states Mary was healed by Jesus.

“Freed from this third climate, the soul continued its ascent, and found itself in the fourth climate. This has seven manifestations. The first manifestation is Darkness; the second, Craving; the third, Ignorance; the fourth, Lethal Jealousy; the fifth, Enslavement to the Body; the sixth, Intoxicated Wisdom; the seventh, Guileful Wisdom.”

Page 16, verses 1-10 – The Gospel of Mary

Note that these seven demons are characteristic of the temptations encountered by the soul during its initiatory process and reveal a soul that is journeying toward spiritual maturity. The soul can be healed from these seven demons.

“The soul answered: ‘That which oppressed me has been slain; that which encircled me has vanished; my craving has faded, and I am freed from my ignorance. I left the world with the aid of another world; a design was erased, by virtue of a higher design. Henceforth I travel toward Repose, where time rests in the Eternity of Time; I go now into Silence.’ Having said all this, Mary became silent, for it was in silence that the Teacher spoke to her.”

“Then Andrew began to speak, and said to his brothers: ‘Tell me, what do you think of these things she has been telling us? As for me, I do not believe that the Teacher would speak like this. These ideas are too different from those we have known.’ And Peter added: ‘How is it possible that the Teacher talked in this manner with a woman about secrets of which we ourselves are ignorant? Must we change our customs, and listen to this woman? Did he really choose her, and prefer her to us?'”

Jesus promised, as stated in the gospel of Thomas, to make Mary a “male.” Jesus is giving Mary the role of “male” by teaching his disciples through her.

“Then Mary wept, and answered him: ‘My brother Peter, what can you be thinking? Do you believe that this is just my own imagination, that I invented this vision? Or do you believe that I would lie about our Teacher?’ At this, Levi spoke up: ‘Peter, you have always been hot-tempered, and now we see you repudiating a woman just as our adversaries do. Yet if the Teacher held her worthy, who are you to reject her? Surely the Teacher knew her very well, for he loved her more than us. Therefore let us atone, and become fully human so that the Teacher can take root is us. Let us grow as he demanded of us, and walk forth to spread the gospel, without trying to lay down any rules and laws other than those he witnessed.'”

Page 18, verses 1-21 – The Gospel of Mary

THE GOSPEL OF PHILIP

The gospel of Philip reads more like the orthodox catechisms of the 2nd thru the 4th centuries. The Greek text was written as late as the 2nd half of the 3rd century C. E. (A.D.)-around 250 C.E.-most likely in Syria.

“There were three who always walked with the lord: Mary his mother and her sister and Magdalene, the one who was called his companion. His sister and his mother and his companion were each a Mary.”

Section 59 – The Gospel of Philip

“And the companion of [.] Mary Magdalene. [.] loved her more than [all] the disciples [and used to] kiss her [often] on her [.]. The rest of the disciples .. They said to him, ‘Why do you love her more than all of us?’ The savior answered and said to them, ‘Why do I not love you like her? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness.'”

Section 64 – The Gospel of Philip

Jesus confirms that Mary of Magdala could see the light; the disciples remained in darkness. It is interesting to note that Section 59 states: “For it is by a kiss that the perfect conceive and give birth. For this reason we also kiss one another. We receive conception from the grace which is in one another.”

“If the woman had not separated from the man, she should not die with the man. His separation became the beginning of death. Because of this Christ came to repair the separation which was from the beginning and again unite the two, and to give life to those who die as a result of the separation and unite them.”

Section 70 – The Gospel of Philip

Male and female – “again unite the two” – metaphysicians teach that twin flames are once more to come together as “two halves of the same soul.”

**********************

Jesus stated, in the gospel of Thomas, that he would himself make Mary of Magdala into a “male.”  Could he also mean the re-uniting of twin flames? According to metaphysicians, Mary of Magdala (known in spirit as Nada) and Jesus (known in spirit as Sananda) are twin flames.

Jesus/Sananda                         Mary of Magdala/Nada

**********************

CHURCH HISTORY NOTE: “Mary of Magdala’s identity as a prostitute stems from Homily 33 of Pope Gregory I, delivered in the year 591, in which he declared that she and the unnamed woman in Luke 7 are, in fact, one and the same, and that the faithful should hold Mary as the penitent whore.”

Saint Augustine and the biblical apostles called Mary of Magdala the “apostle of apostles.”

In 1969, the Catholic Church officially repealed Pope Gregory’s designation of Mary Magdalene as a whore, thereby admitting their error. Even though the Catholic Church now calls her Saint Mary Magdalene, many Christians continue to think of her as the woman who sinned.

(Preface by David Tresemer, Ph.D. and Laura-Lea Cannon, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene)

***********************

A second article will follow entitled “Mary Magdalene – the Mysterious One” in which we will look at her true identity from additional points of view.

MARY OF MAGDALA AS SEEN IN THE ANCIENT TEXTS

MARY OF MAGDALA
AS SEEN IN THE ANCIENT TEXTS

www.pathwaytoascension.com

Compilation & Comments
Nancy B. Detweiler, M.Ed., M.Div.

THE BIBLE

Quotes taken from Lamsa’s translation from the Aramaic of the Peshitta

Gospel of Matthew – written by an unknown Jewish Christian in Antioch, Syria around 90 C.E. (A.D.).

Gospel of Mark – Early church tradition attributes the authorship to Mark, a companion of the Apostle Paul in Rome around 70 C.E. (A.D.).

Gospel of Luke – Early church tradition attributes the authorship to Luke, a companion of the Apostle Paul most likely in southern Greece around 80-90 C.E. (A.D.).

Gospel of John – This gospel is very different from the synoptic gospels. The author of this gospel remains a mystery and is simply attributed to “the beloved disciple.” With the newly proclaimed evidence of Mary of Magdala’s role in the ministry of Jesus and her intimate relationship with him, she could easily be “the beloved disciple” who wrote the Gospel of John. An excellent article on this subject may be found at the following URL:  www.BelovedDisciple.org

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Mary of Magdala played a major role in the ministry of Jesus. She was accepted as the leader of a group of wealthy women who followed and served Jesus. Her name is listed first in every listing of the women who accompanied Jesus. These lists read as follows:

Following the crucifixion: “There were also many women there, who were looking from afar, those who had followed Jesus from Galilee, and who used to minister to him. One of them was Mary of Magdala; and the others were Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.”

“So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a shroud of fine linen, and laid it in his own new tomb which was hewn in a rock; and they rolled a large stone, and placed it against the door of the tomb and went away. And there were there Mary of Magdala and the other Mary, who were sitting opposite the tomb.”

“In the evening of the Sabbath, when the first day of the week began to dawn, there came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to see the tomb.”

Matthew 27:55-56, 61; 28:1

Following the crucifixion: “There were also women who were looking from afar, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother James, the young and of Joses, and Salome; who had followed him, when he was in Galilee and ministered to him; and many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.”

“But Mary of Magdala and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.”

“When the Sabbath had passed, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.”

Mark 15:40-41, 47; 16:1

“And the women who were healed of diseases and unclean spirits, Mary who is called of Magdala, from whom seven demons went out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza the steward of Herod, and Suzanna, and many others, who ministered to them of their wealth.”

“And on the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was yet dark, they came to the tomb and brought the spices which they had prepared; and there with them other women.

“They were Mary of Magdala, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the rest who were with them.”

Luke 8:2-3; 24:1,10

According to all four New Testament gospels, Mary of Magdala is foremost in the narrative relating Jesus’ burial in Joseph of Arimathea’s new tomb:

Matthew’s Gospel – see above scripture.

Mark’s Gospel – see above scripture.

Luke’s Gospel – see above scripture.

“Now there were standing by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother’s sister and Mary of Cleopas and Mary of Magdala.”

John 19:25

It is interesting to note that in the gospel of John, Mary of Magdala, is listed last. Did she, as the author of the Gospel of John, simply place her name last?

According to all four New Testament gospels, Mary of Magdala is foremost in the discovery of the empty tomb:

“In the evening of the Sabbath, when the first day of the week began to dawn, there came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to see the tomb.. He is not here, for he has risen, just as he had said. Come, see the place where our Lord was laid.”

Matthew 28:1, 6

“When the Sabbath had passed, Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.. And they looked and saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was very large. And they entered the tomb, and saw a young man, sitting on the right, covered with a white robe; and they were astonished. But he said to them, Do not be afraid. You seek Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified; he has risen; he is not here; behold the place where he was laid.”

Mark 16:1-6

“And on the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was yet dark, they came to the tomb.. They entered in, but they did not find the body of Jesus.. They were Mary of Magdala, and Joanna, and Mary, the mother of James, and the rest who were with them.”

Luke 24:1-3, 10

“On the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was yet dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb; and she saw that the stone was removed from the tomb.”

John 20:1

Note the difference in the narrative in John’s gospel. Mary of Magdala comes to the tomb alone. Is she simply relating her story as the author of the 4th gospel?

In all four gospels, Mary of Magdala is foremost in receiving the news of Jesus’ resurrection. She is to tell the disciples:

“.there came Mary of Magdala and the other Mary to see the tomb.. But the angel answered, saying to the women, ‘You need not be afraid; for I know that you are seeking Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, just as he had said. Come, see the place where our Lord was laid. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead and behold, he will go before you to Galilee; there you will see him; lo I have told you.’ And they went away hurriedly from the tomb with fear and with great joy, running to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said to them, ‘Peace be to you.’ And they came up and laid hold of his feet and worshipped him.”

Matthew 28:1, 5-9

“.Mary of Magdala, and Mary the mother of James .. But he said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. You seek Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified; he has risen; he is not here; behold the place where he was laid. But go away and tell his disciples, and Peter, that he will be before you just as he has told you.'”

Mark 16:1, 6-7

“.They were Mary of Magdala, and Joanne, and Mary the mother of James, and the rest who were with them, who told these things to the apostles.”

Luke 24:4-10

“On the first day of the week, early in the morning, while it was yet dark, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb.. So the disciples went away again to their lodging place. But Mary was standing near the tomb weeping; and as she wept, she looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they said to her, ‘Woman, why do you weep?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ She said this and turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why do you weep? and whom do you want?’ She thought he was the gardener, so she said to him, ‘My lord, if you are the one who has taken him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will go and take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned around and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbuli!’ which means, My Teacher! Jesus said to her, ‘Do not come near me; for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God. Then Mary of Magdala came and brought glad tidings to the disciples, that she had seen our Lord and that he had told her these things.”

John 20:1, 10-18

Note the difference in the narrative. Mary of Magdala is alone at the tomb. Jesus appears to her first, then later to the disciples. Is Mary of Magdala, as the author of John’s gospel, telling the story of her private encounter with Jesus?

In Mark 14:1-9, we find “There came a woman who had with her an alabaster vessel of perfume of pure nard, of good quality and very expensive; and she opened it and poured it upon the head of Jesus.. Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has done a good deed for me.. But this one has done it with what she had; she anointed my body in advance as for the burial. And truly I say to you, wherever this my gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told as a memorial to her.'”

Although Mark’s gospel does not identify this woman, we can derive several clues from the narrative:

The woman is wealthy. She uses very expensive pure nard (spikenard), a perfume imported from the Himalayas in alabaster boxes and opened on special occasions. In biblical times, this nard cost approximately one year’s wages. (Harper’s Bible Dictionary).

Anointing on the head, during biblical times, was a means of investing someone with power, such as the anointing of Solomon as king by the priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan. (I Kings 1:39) Anointing could also signify the consecration of someone or something for a holy purpose. (Harper’s Bible Dictionary) Anointing on the head in the presence of a gathering was performed by priests and prophets—persons held in high esteem and possessing spiritual authority.

Jesus recognized the woman’s anointing as highly significant. In his words: “Wherever this my gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

The story of the woman anointing his head is to be told as a memorial to her, not to Jesus. Jesus knew her actions to be on par with his gospel. This eternal union instituted by Jesus signifies a pairing of male and female.

THE NON-CANONICAL GOSPELS

Non-canonical means not selected by the Church Fathers
to be contained within the New Testament.

Note that all the ancient texts quoted pre-date
the Ecumenical Councils in which church doctrine was determined.

The 1st Ecumenical Council met in Nicaea in 325 C.E. This Council defined the foundations of orthodoxy.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS

The gospel of Thomas is a collection of sayings attributed to Jesus by the early Christians. The earliest of the Greek fragments found thus far dates from 200 C.E.; however its original composition most likely took place during the second half of the 1st century C.E. Thomas was revered in the early Syriac church as an apostle and brother of Jesus (some early traditions state “twin” brother of Jesus).

“His disciples said to Him, ‘When will the Kingdom come?’ [Jesus said], ‘It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying “Here it is” or “There it is.” Rather, the Kingdom of the Father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it.’ Simon Peter said to them, ‘Let Mary leave us, for women are not worthy of Life.’ Jesus said, ‘I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she too may become a living spirit resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.'”

Sayings 113-114, Gospel of Thomas

In this gospel, the mother of Jesus is referred to by the disciples as “your mother,” thus the Mary to whom Peter is referring would be Mary of Magdala. Ancient traditions reveal Peter’s jealousy of Mary of Magdala because Jesus taught her inner, subtle truths the disciples could not yet understand. Mary of Magdala was destined to become a revered teacher of the truths taught to her by Jesus.

THE DIALOGUE OF THE SAVIOR

Jesus is teaching Miriam, Matthew, and Judas

“Miriam” = Greek for Mary

The Dialogue of the Savior is a question and answer session between Jesus and Miriam, Matthew, and Judas.

Miriam responds to Jesus: “Thus about ‘the wickedness of each day,’ and ‘the laborer being worthy of his food,’ and ‘the disciple resembling his teacher.’ This word she spoke as a woman who knew the All.”

Portion of #139 – The Dialogue of the Savior

“Miriam said, ‘Tell me, Lord, why I have come to this place, to benefit or to suffer loss?’ The Lord said, ‘Because you [singular] reveal the greatness of the revealer.'”

Portion of #140 – The Dialogue of the Savior

THE GOSPEL OF PETER

Peter, the disciple of Jesus, is generally accepted by scholars as the author of this gospel. It was likely written during the second half of the 1st century C.E. (A.D.) in Syria.

“Early in the morning of the Lord’s day Mary Magdalene, a woman disciple of the Lord—for fear of the Jews, since [they] were inflamed with wrath, she had not done at the sepulcher of the Lord what women are wont to do for those beloved of them who die—took with her women friends and came to the sepulcher where he was laid.” Portion # 12 – The Gospel of Peter

Peter assumes that it is Mary of Magdala who has the responsibility to come to the tomb and “do for those beloved of them who die.” The other women appear to have accompanied Mary of Magdala at her request, as a means of protection.

THE GOSPEL OF MARY MAGDALENE

The current edition of the gospel of Mary Magdalene makes up the first part of the so-called Berlin Papyrus. It is written in Sahidic Coptic. The 1st edition of this gospel dates approximately 150 C.E. (A.D.) and is accepted by scholars to have been inspired by Mary of Magdala, if not actually penned by her.

“Having said all this, he departed….  Then Mary arose, embraced them all, and began to speak to her brothers: ‘Do not remain in sorrow and doubt, for his Grace will guide you and comfort you. Instead, let us praise his greatness, for he has prepared us for this. He is calling upon us to become fully human.’ Thus Mary turned their hearts toward the Good, and they began to discuss the meaning of the Teacher’s words.”

Page 9, verses 5, 12-20 – The Gospel of Mary

Upon Jesus’ departure, Mary of Magdala becomes the teacher.

“Peter said to Mary: ‘Sister, we know that the Teacher loved you differently from other women. Tell us whatever you remember of any words he told you which we have not yet heard. Mary said to them: ‘I will now speak to you of that which has not been given to you to hear.'”

Page 10, verses 1-9 – The Gospel of Mary

Jesus taught Mary of Magdala about the “seven demons” from which the gospel of Luke (chapter 8) states Mary was healed by Jesus.

“Freed from this third climate, the soul continued its ascent, and found itself in the fourth climate. This has seven manifestations. The first manifestation is Darkness; the second, Craving; the third, Ignorance; the fourth, Lethal Jealousy; the fifth, Enslavement to the Body; the sixth, Intoxicated Wisdom; the seventh, Guileful Wisdom.”

Page 16, verses 1-10 – The Gospel of Mary

Note that these seven demons are characteristic of the temptations encountered by the soul during its initiatory process and reveal a soul that is journeying toward spiritual maturity. The soul can be healed from these seven demons.

“The soul answered: ‘That which oppressed me has been slain; that which encircled me has vanished; my craving has faded, and I am freed from my ignorance. I left the world with the aid of another world; a design was erased, by virtue of a higher design. Henceforth I travel toward Repose, where time rests in the Eternity of Time; I go now into Silence.’ Having said all this, Mary became silent, for it was in silence that the Teacher spoke to her.”

“Then Andrew began to speak, and said to his brothers: ‘Tell me, what do you think of these things she has been telling us? As for me, I do not believe that the Teacher would speak like this. These ideas are too different from those we have known.’ And Peter added: ‘How is it possible that the Teacher talked in this manner with a woman about secrets of which we ourselves are ignorant? Must we change our customs, and listen to this woman? Did he really choose her, and prefer her to us?'”

Jesus promised, as stated in the gospel of Thomas, to make Mary a “male.” Jesus is giving Mary the role of “male” by teaching his disciples through her.

“Then Mary wept, and answered him: ‘My brother Peter, what can you be thinking? Do you believe that this is just my own imagination, that I invented this vision? Or do you believe that I would lie about our Teacher?’ At this, Levi spoke up: ‘Peter, you have always been hot-tempered, and now we see you repudiating a woman just as our adversaries do. Yet if the Teacher held her worthy, who are you to reject her? Surely the Teacher knew her very well, for he loved her more than us. Therefore let us atone, and become fully human so that the Teacher can take root is us. Let us grow as he demanded of us, and walk forth to spread the gospel, without trying to lay down any rules and laws other than those he witnessed.'”

Page 18, verses 1-21 – The Gospel of Mary

THE GOSPEL OF PHILIP

The gospel of Philip reads more like the orthodox catechisms of the 2nd thru the 4th centuries. The Greek text was written as late as the 2nd half of the 3rd century C. E. (A.D.)-around 250 C.E.-most likely in Syria.

“There were three who always walked with the lord: Mary his mother and her sister and Magdalene, the one who was called his companion. His sister and his mother and his companion were each a Mary.”

Section 59 – The Gospel of Philip

“And the companion of [.] Mary Magdalene. [.] loved her more than [all] the disciples [and used to] kiss her [often] on her [.]. The rest of the disciples .. They said to him, ‘Why do you love her more than all of us?’ The savior answered and said to them, ‘Why do I not love you like her? When a blind man and one who sees are both together in darkness, they are no different from one another. When the light comes, then he who sees will see the light, and he who is blind will remain in darkness.'”

Section 64 – The Gospel of Philip

Jesus confirms that Mary of Magdala could see the light; the disciples remained in darkness. It is interesting to note that Section 59 states: “For it is by a kiss that the perfect conceive and give birth. For this reason we also kiss one another. We receive conception from the grace which is in one another.” Ancient traditions reveal Jesus and Mary of Magdala as having at least one child, named Sara.

“If the woman had not separated from the man, she should not die with the man. His separation became the beginning of death. Because of this Christ came to repair the separation which was from the beginning and again unite the two, and to give life to those who die as a result of the separation and unite them.”

Section 70 – The Gospel of Philip

Mary of Magdala/Nada

Jesus stated, in the gospel of Thomas, that he would himself make Mary of Magdala into a “male.”  Could he also mean the re-uniting of twin flames? Mary of Magdala (known in spirit as Nada) and Jesus (known in spirit as Sananda) are twin flames.

Jesus

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CHURCH HISTORY NOTE: “Mary of Magdala’s identity as a prostitute stems from Homily 33 of Pope Gregory I, delivered in the year 591, in which he declared that she and the unnamed woman in Luke 7 are, in fact, one and the same, and that the faithful should hold Mary as the penitent whore.”

Saint Augustine and the biblical apostles called Mary of Magdala the “apostle of apostles.”

In 1969, the Catholic Church officially repealed Pope Gregory’s designation of Mary Magdalene as a whore, thereby admitting their error. Even though the Catholic Church now calls her Saint Mary Magdalene, many Christians continue to think of her as the woman who sinned.

(Preface by David Tresemer, Ph.D. and Laura-Lea Cannon, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene)

IF JESUS IS A WAYSHOWER, WHAT DID HE SHOW US? – PART 5 – I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD

“If Jesus Is A Wayshower, What Did He Show Us?”
Nancy Detweiler, M.Ed., M.Div.
www.pathwaytoascension.com 

BE SURE TO READ THE INTRODUCTION TO THIS SERIES FIRST.

Part 5 of Series
“I Have Overcome the World”

“These things I have said to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but have courage I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) How many times have we wished we could conquer, or overcome, the world’s tyranny over us? We may study truths (or universal laws) that, when integrated into our lifestyles, will render our lives filled with joy, peace, abundance, and love. But the gap between talking about universal laws and integrating the truth is wide and deep-seated. We feel hampered by the pressures of meeting physical plane requirements and by the firm grip with which the status quo exerts influence upon our thinking and behavior. How can we overcome the world? By studying and practicing these universal laws until they become second-nature to us. Meditating on the life of Jesus can be very instructive because he, as a Wayshower, demonstrated the integration of these laws into his lifestyle.

After he was baptized, “Jesus was carried away by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (John 4:1) Jesus spent forty days and nights praying in the wilderness, struggling with the temptations relating to his future ministry and how he would conduct it. The world’s standards, as depicted by the devil, would have him perform spectacular feats like turning stones to bread and jumping off the pinnacle of the temple. Palestine has very rocky soil. If Jesus turned all the rocks into bread, he could feed the poor. If he jumped off the pinnacle of the temple and allowed the angels to form a parachute around him, slowly lowering him to the ground, everyone would see how the angels care marvelously for us. He could commence his ministry with a big splash not soon forgotten. People would worship him and therefore, listen to what he had to teach. What could be the harm?

Jesus conquered the world’s standards by realizing that these marketing techniques would be ego-based spectacles. He would be drawing attention to himself rather than allowing God to manifest through him. How could he discern between his ego and his intuitive guidance?

Jesus was very familiar with the sacred texts of his time. He used the Scriptures as his guide in making decisions. Thus, while devising his techniques for embarking on his ministry, Jesus could compare his ideas with the scriptural teachings, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:2) He, therefore, knew he could make no decisions that would deflect the people’s attention from God onto himself.

As we study the Bible, we find guidelines that assist us in making decisions. The world and its customs may be saying one thing, while sacred scripture states another. We can overcome the world by following biblical teachings and integrating them into the manner by which we approach earth plane life.

One of these universal laws is: “No one can serve two masters. For either you will hate the one and like the other; or you will honor one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth …. Therefore do not worry or say, what will we eat, or what will we drink, or with what will we be clothed? For worldly people seek after all these things. Your Father in heaven knows that all of these things are also necessary for you. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:24a, 31-33) Jesus performed his ministry, while teaching and trusting in this universal law. He and his disciples walked throughout the land of Palestine. Though Jesus owned nothing for himself—and could have viewed life through the lens of his own lack—he, instead, had everything at his fingertips. He chose to serve God while being unconcerned over acquiring his own wealth. His needs were richly supplied. Jesus’ great uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, was one of the wealthiest men in the known world. Several of his disciples were well off financially. A group of wealthy women traveled with Jesus and his disciples, paying for the expenses. (Luke 8:3) Wealthy friends provided lodging and food. Whenever he needed a large room in which to celebrate a religious feast, a wealthy friend made one available to him. Even his seamless robe was a symbol of wealth, so much so the Roman soldiers threw dice to see who would get it after they had crucified him. Jesus walked the land, teaching and healing. God provided abundantly for him while he did so.

The world would have us believe that we must work for all we acquire. Jesus revealed that when we seek first the kingdom of God, our needs are met while we go about fulfilling our role in the divine plan. We allow the world to conquer us when we buy into the belief that we must seek first to support ourselves, then—if any time is left—perform the vocation of our dreams. It is a matter of deciding: whom do we believe? The world or the teachings of Jesus? When we seek first the kingdom of God while following our soul’s vocation, we can overcome the world and its influences.

Jesus exhibited another universal law that can be very difficult for us to comprehend and integrate into our lives. This law states: “You have heard it said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you that you should not resist evil.” (Matthew 5:38-39a) If we are not to resist evil, how are we to cope with life as we know it on physical plane? Two contrasting examples within Jesus’ life stand out.

First, Jesus frequently read the Scriptures in the synagogues, then expounded on them. When speaking in his hometown of Nazareth, he enraged the crowds. They proceeded to take him to the edge of a mountain cliff, plotting to throw him over it. Jesus paid no attention to them, passed through the crowds, and went on his way. (Luke 4:16-30) He resisted not evil by giving it no thought energy and walking away. It is important to note that Jesus did not allow the enraged people to have their way with him. He did not remain in the crowd and beg them for mercy, nor did he fight his way out of harm’s way. Instead, he permeated himself with the conscious realization of the Father’s presence. He so intently concentrated on the Good that evil could not touch him.

In stark contrast, Jesus’ crucifixion seems to be a time when evil overpowered him. He was arrested, beaten, and crucified. However, Jesus was still in charge. He did not resist evil; he submitted to it. He could have walked away. This time, allowing himself to appear to be controlled by evil was a part of the Divine Plan. Jesus explains, “For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” (John 10:17-18) Jesus knew that humanity is so fearful of death that we can be manipulated by the threat of it. He knew there is no death. He was aware that it is our resistance that creates pain. Jesus agreed to allow himself to be crucified, in order to resurrect his physical body and to prove to humanity: there is no death. The only way we could be set free—from the authority fear of death holds over us—was for someone to prove, in a very concrete manner, that death does not exist. Jesus permitted evil to have its way over him in order to accomplish this higher goal. He overcame the world and emerged victorious.

His ability to do so was based upon knowledge of another universal law: “Like attracts like.” All of life is made up of neutral energy, which we qualify as positive or negative by the way we think, feel, and act. Our thoughts, feelings, and behavior literally determine the quality of the energy field surrounding us. Therefore, if we think and feel in predominantly negative ways, our energy field is permeated with negativity. Since like attracts like, this negativity magnetizes more negativity. A predominantly positive energy field attracts more positive. The positive energy has no kinship with the negative; it simply flows past it. In order to retain the quality of either positive or negative, all energy must be fed with more of the same; otherwise, the energy returns to a neutral state. Thus, we can repel negativity by concentrating on the positive. Take the example of Jesus and the murderous crowd in Nazareth. Had Jesus allowed himself to be afraid and to think in terms of being thrown over the cliff, his energy field would have magnetized the danger to him. Instead, Jesus focused on the positive in the form of God’s protecting presence around him and walked away unharmed.

Unity’s Prayer of Protection teaches us to think as Jesus thought. It is a very helpful prayer for children and adults. This prayer is a series of affirmations that remind us of Truth and can be made even more beneficial by visualizing the energy around us as we pray. I encourage you to use this prayer often.

The Light of God surrounds me,
The Love of God enfolds me,
The Power of God protects me,
The Presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is,
And all is well!

We magnetize our Good into our lives through abiding by the universal law of like attracts like. Affirmations assist in this process, but the real work comes in converting our conscious awareness from a focus on the negative to a concentration on the positive. In order to overcome the world and its influences, we must transform ourselves from the inside out. Affirmations remind us of the inner work that is our goal.

Taking a firm grip on our minds and emotions requires much self-discipline. It is an advanced spiritual art, but one that all can achieve. Look at the challenges in your life. Is there one that you would like to overcome?

Let’s take a challenge to our physical health as an example. First, remember that Jesus taught, “resist not evil.” The same law is true for dis-ease in our physical bodies. To resist the dis-ease is to focus our thoughts and feelings upon the problem. Instead, give thanks to the source of your dis-ease, expressing your appreciation for this opportunity to integrate Truth into your lifestyle. Then, visualize yourself possessing radiant health. Allow your emotions to feel the state of perfect health. Affirm perfect health. Whenever you are tempted to allow your thoughts to dwell on the dis-ease, practice self-discipline by instantly moving your thoughts from your dis-ease to visualizing and affirming perfect health. Our bodies have no choice. As long as we concentrate our emotional and mental energies upon perfect health, our bodies obey the command. Because like attracts like, the dis-ease withers away from lack of attention. (IMPORTANT NOTE: this example is not intended to encourage anyone to ignore professional medical assistance, change in lifestyle required, and a nutritious diet. These modalities are the way by which we implement actively the perfect health we are affirming and envisioning. As we progress into the 5th dimensional consciousness that Jesus exhibited, we will be able to heal the physical body with our thoughts. However, at this point in time, few of us possess this 5th dimensional consciousness.)

Via this method, we overcome the world and its challenges. We obey the teaching of Jesus: “If you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:23-24)

UNITY’S PRAYER OF PROTECTION
The Light of God surrounds me,
The Love of God enfolds me,
The Power of God protects me,
The Presence of God watches over me.
Wherever I am, God is.
And, all is well.

BENEDICTION
Go forth, knowing that as you seek first the kingdom of God, the world is an open door. “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8