The Childhood of Jesus
The Gospel of James
Biographical Gospel of the Lord
- Chapter 105 -
Cyrenius Makes A Sacrifice
WHEN CYRENIUS now saw Eudokia opposite Tullia, he found her to be considerably more beautiful than Tullia and it hurt him to part with her forever.
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He therefore asked the Baby once more if he might not at least keep her as a maid and companion of Tullia.
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But the Baby said: 'My Cyrenius! You can take as many maids as you like into your house,
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but not Eudokia! Her you must leave here, and that because I want it that way for your own good.'
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When Eudokia saw and quite plainly heard how this small, minor Child answered Cyrenius in a commanding manner,
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she was horrified and exclaimed, 'But in the name of all the gods, just what is this? A minor Child commands him before whom Asia and Egypt tremble when he speaks!
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And the great commander listens fearfully to the so firmly commanding Child and willingly submits according to His declaration?
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As I hear, I am supposed to separate from Cyrenius, so that another one may take my place!
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Oh, that will not happen as easily as this minor Child may think!
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It would in fact be an utter disgrace for you, oh mighty Cyrenius, if you should actually allow yourself to be commanded by this Child. Therefore be a man and a Roman.'
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When Cyrenius heard this from Eudokia, he became provoked and declared:
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'Yes, Eudokia! Right now I will show you that I am a man and a Roman!
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See, even if this Child whom Tullia coaxes were not of divine origin and He were to speak to me with nearly such divine wisdom, I still would do as He says.
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But this Child is of the most high, divine origin, and I thus will follow Him all the more in whatever He wants of me! -
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Now what would you prefer: to do what this Child of all children wants, or to die forever?'
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These words of Cyrenius to Eudokia had a great effect.
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To be sure, she began to weep because she now would suddenly have to give up so much splendor,
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but in doing so she considered that a God's counsel just does not allow itself to be amended, and thus resigned herself to this turn of providence.
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Mary now went over to Eudokia and assured her, 'Eudokia, do not mourn over this exchange!
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For you gave up only a very minor splendor so you might receive another much greater one for it.
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See, I am also a daughter of a king, but the royal splendor is long passed away, and see, now I am a handmaiden of the Lord, and that is a greater splendor than all the kingship of the world!'
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These words had a very strong effect on Eudokia and she began to take heart in Joseph's house.