Chapter Text
Mary wandered over to the campfire, squinting as she tried to make out the figure sitting there. Upon getting closer, she realized it was Matthew and sat on the log next to him.
“Shalom,” she offered a smile, tired but warm. “What are you working on?”
“Oh, Mary, shalom,” he looked up, eyes somewhat bleary, as if he’d been looking down at his parchment for a very long time. “I’m just finishing up editing this piece. Remember how a couple weeks ago I mentioned I was studying the genealogy of Jesus? He said He’d be interested in hearing my theories, so I’m just ensuring that everything is in order before I give it to Him.”
“Oh, I do remember that. It’s just been so busy, with the healings and everyone traveling to the Decapolis, I’m impressed you remembered it.” She chuckled.
“Well, I’m just doing my best to please Him, you know?” Matthew shrugged, brown eyes reflecting the flames of the campfire. “And, I actually don’t mind the work. It’s rather fascinating.”
Mary nodded, smiling. “I don’t know nearly as much about genealogies as you, but I also think they’re interesting. I’m always trying to find out more about my family- when I have time, anyway- but have never really been able to trace back very far. I tried reaching out to a family member when we all passed through Magdala last year, but, no luck.” She shrugged.
He nodded seriously, considering this. “The same has happened to me. Sometimes I can’t identify certain relatives, and when that happens, I should move on and come back later, but my mind insists I must solve it immediately.” He hesitated. “Do you have any advice on how I could work on this?”
Mary thought for a minute before giving some suggestions, while Matthew listened like she was giving him the secrets of the universe.
“Matthew, Mary,” Philip stepped up with a smile, “what are you two talking about?”
“Genealogies,” Matthew replied earnestly, “Mary was just giving me some helpful insight about studying it.”
Andrew came and sat down, “I’ve never been very interested in studying them myself,” he admitted, then went on with a grin, “but I’ve always wondered if I’m related to someone famous.”
Matthew tilted his head. “Like who?”
“Oh, Moses. Joshua. King David. Isaiah.” Andrew shrugged. “I’m not picky.”
Philip and Mary smiled, while Matthew still looked very serious. “Well,” he said slowly, “if you have any scrolls about your family, I’d be happy to study them. Although… if I did find you were related to someone important, that might make Simon even more…” He trailed off.
Philip smiled and offered, “Simon-ish?”
“That works.”
Andrew snorted. “Don’t worry, Matthew. I was only joking. My family isn’t that interesting.”
Mary laughed quietly. “You know, I’ve heard Simon talking about your mother, and she sounded like a wonderful person. I think that alone makes your family interesting.”
Andrew smiled. “Well, she was lovely. But I don’t think she’s descended from Moses.”
“Maybe not,” Philip said, nudging him with his elbow, “but you never know. Stranger things have happened.”
Matthew nodded seriously. “Much stranger.”
The three of them exchanged amused glances- Matthew’s earnestness was always endearing- and Mary felt a familiar warmth settle over her. How she loved and cherished these moments- the quiet ones, when no one was arguing, no one was exhausted, and no one was afraid. Just friends around a fire, talking about nothing and everything.
A breeze rustled the nearby trees, sending sparks drifting upward from the flames. Mary pulled her shawl a little tighter around her shoulders.
“You know,” she said, “I think genealogies are interesting because they remind us we’re part of something bigger. Even if we don’t know everyone’s name.”
Matthew’s face lit up in the way it always did when someone put something into words he’d been struggling to say. “Yes. That’s exactly it.”
Philip stretched his legs out toward the fire, smiling. “Well, whether or not Andrew is related to King David, I’m glad we’re all part of this family- a found family. The family Rabbi called us to.”
Andrew nodded, while Matthew smiled; a small, soft smile that lit his whole face. “Me too.”
For a moment, the only sounds were the crackling of the fire and crickets chirping in the distance. The moon was full and shining brightly in the dark sky, reminding them all that even in the darkest moments there was still light.
Letting out a slow breath, Mary sighed. “I suppose we should get some sleep; tomorrow will be another long day.”
“Yeah,” Philip nodded, “to be honest, I’m almost asleep just sitting here.”
“Well, you better get to bed, then, because I’m not carrying you there.” Andrew joked.
Philip rolled his eyes good naturedly. “Alright, alright, goodnight everyone.” He started off.
“Goodnight,” Andrew echoed, heading to his own tent.
Matthew lingered a moment longer, staring down at his parchment. Mary watched him with gentle curiosity.
“You know,” she said softly, “He’ll be pleased with your work. You always give Him your best.”
Matthew’s breath caught -just barely- at the quiet certainty in her voice.
He looked up, giving a grateful smile. “Thank you, Mary. I appreciate it.”
“Shalom shalom, sleep well.” Giving him a warm nod, Mary turned to her tent and went in, being careful not to wake the other women.
Matthew watched her retreating figure, then looked at his parchment a final time before setting it aside for the night. He went to his tent and laid down, but then suddenly a thought popped into his head.
Doesn’t Jesus already know who all His ancestors are? After all, He is God. He considered this for a moment. Well, I suppose I can ask Him in the morning.
But as he closed his eyes, it wasn’t genealogies he was thinking about.
It was Mary’s smile in the firelight.