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Sepphoris, Israel, 1995: Henry and Alice Cross, Harvard scholars leading an archaeological dig, discover clay tablets recording a family\u2019s epic history from Moses through Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Tablets raise serious questions about the foundations of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Was Moses a servant of God or a charlatan? What did Jesus want? What were Mary\u2019s secrets? The discovery holds many answers. Henry and Alice call their find the Jesus Tablets.<\/p>\n
News of the discovery leads to behind-the -scenes conflicts among world powers, some willing to kill either to suppress or reveal the evidence. The American President, the Israeli Prime Minister, the Pope, a Hamas commander, Jesuits, and agents with unknown allegiances all scheme to control the Tablets. Henry and Alice\u2019s struggle to protect what they\u2019ve unearthed takes them from Israel to Washington, D.C. as they survive shocking murders of innocent friends. Will they and the Tablets survive? How important is the truth? Will a Machiavellian solution to conflict in the Middle East actually work? You are invited to enter the complex labyrinth of Remarkable Silence<\/em>.<\/p>\n Some tablets displayed the same outline. A single word or short sentence appeared in the upper left hand corner, in the second line another short sentence. The body started on the third line, like modern correspondence. These sentences might furnish or reflect a name or source, the first word here a Greek form of the common name, Mary. The next phrase read \u2018of the tribe of.\u2019 Alice paused; the last word was an Egyptian proper name, Mosis, commonly associated with a god\u2019s name. Egyptians often shortened such names. Then she had it. \u201cMary of the tribe of Moses.\u201d<\/p>\n As she translated the reference to both a Mary and a Moses, she caught her breath. Alice moved toward the open window, crossing her arms to still their trembling. She drank in air. Was this possible? She could not be first to read such a discovery. She looked outr onto the hill of Sepphoris, feeling no joy, only fear, and she had never known real fear. A feeling of dread settled, as the room\u2019s heavy, dark furniture floated around her. She called out the window in a strained, high voice, sending for Henry. She waited, head on her arms on the sill.<\/p>\n Dust blew across the ancient landscape in slender fingers and whirling eddies as if to clear the land of these puny intruders so foolish as to seek Sepphoris\u2019 secrets.<\/p>\n *** \u201cWhat is it, sweetheart?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Alice pointed at the Tablets. Haltingly, she explained her morning\u2019s work and findings. Henry moved to the table, pulling her with him. His background in ancient Middle East languages didn\u2019t match hers. Nevertheless, he had no trouble coming to the same conclusion.<\/p>\n He removed his hat, nervously rubbed his cheek, then sank down in an old wooden chair, suddenly exhausted. \u201cI think I\u2019ve been coming to this all my life. My God, what have we found?\u201d He straightened abruptly, the professor taking over, and spoke again in his characteristic steady voice. \u201cWe have to be suspicious. It might be a hoax. But deep down I have a hunch they\u2019re the real deal.\u201d<\/p>\n Henry picked up a pen, rolling it slowly with his fingertips. \u201cI want us to translate them ourselves. At this point, we still control what happens.\u201d<\/p>\n Alice tried to use an equally deliberate tone, but her voice quavered. She rested a hand on his shoulder. \u201cIt might not be that easy. There might be linguistic problems I can\u2019t solve. Language experts work in teams for a reason. I have to admit, too, I\u2019m petrified.\u201d<\/p>\n He held out his hand. She grasped it. Finally, he spoke in that quiet voice that never failed to give her confidence. \u201cWe\u2019re scholars. These tablets are either meaningless or a stunning revelation. In either case we have to see it through. We\u2019re here for a reason. Maybe it\u2019s fate. If we release the news too soon we might never know what\u2019s in them.\u201d<\/p>\n Alice squeezed his hand, and then smiled. All that purity. She\u2019d married him for it. She bent to kiss him and went back to work. That was the beginning of the translations of what later became known as The Jesus Tablets. Alice would translate. Henry would keep the site running smoothly.<\/p>\n The end would not be so orderly.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n Group Discussion Questions<\/p>\n 1. The discovery of the Jesus Tablets at Sepphoris upends core beliefs of the world\u2019s three main religions. Are those who try to suppress them right to do so?<\/p>\n 2. Do you agree with the book\u2019s premise that bad people can accomplish good things?<\/p>\n 3. Is it vital to know the truth of Biblical history?<\/p>\n 4. In the end, a solution is found for peace in the Middle East. Is it a workable solution in the real world?<\/p>\n 5. Do you find Mary a sympathetic character? In what ways did she go against society\u2019s rules in her own time?<\/p>\n 6. Although this is a \u201cwhat if\u201d story, could the author\u2019s version of events be close to the truth?<\/p>\n 7. Every character in Remarkable Silence<\/em> believes in a higher power. Why do you think they do?<\/p>\n 8. What do you think of the idea that religious laws exist to keep society moral and productive?<\/p>\nRemarkable Silence<\/em><\/h3>\n
\nWith her heart racing curiosity trumped caution. Her eyes darted almost against her will to the next words: \u201cThe mother of Jesus, known as the Christ.\u201d Alice froze, then pushed herself to stand, weak-kneed. She reread the words. No mistake. Whoever wrote this introduced herself as the mother of Jesus, the mother of the man millions call Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
\nWhen Henry arrived, Alice walked into his arms, shaking her head.<\/p>\n