It took twice as long for me to return to the inn because I couldn't seem to fly in a straight line. My navigation system had become distorted by the extraordinary news I got from Rabbi Al bar Levi.  After bouncing off a building wall my brain was jolted back on track and I began to try to sort out events up to now.
 About a year ago I felt compelled to get deeper into the scriptures and to find a rabbi/teacher to help me in my search for spiritual meaning and to reinvest the ancient scriptures with the joy, promise and hope God intended.  I hate to admit it but my faith had become sterile; a matter of form and following the rules that the priests had heaped over and above the Ten Commandments. In addition to the common folk's everyday struggle just to survive they also had to obey psuedo-commandments governing the smallest details of their lives. The religious hierarchy obeyed the laws if they found it convenient to do so.and if a show of obedience promoted their public image of righteousness.
  Of course there were, and are, truly devout and sincere religious leaders who do their best to be trustworthy shepherds of an often confused flock waiting to be led to the truth. But sadly, most of the so-called 'leaders' are in business for themselves and a very profitable business it is. The money- changers who make a profit on exchanging Temple coins for unacceptable Roman money are required to pay a fee to the priests. It's sort of a franchise. Only Temple money can be used for paying Temple tax, tithes, and special gifts.
 Worshippers bringing animals for sacrifice must bring only those "without spot or blemish."  Such sacrifices were later recognized as a symbol of the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah who was without spot or blemish.  Not surprisingly the priests reject the animals, brought by the worshippers, as being blemished or spotted no matter what their condition.  In order to offer a 'proper' sacrifice, the worshipper has to buy, at an exorbitant price, an approved animal from the priests.  What a racket.
 When religion becomes institutionalized, perpetuating the institution and the leadership become the only reasons for its being.  Blasphemy and worldly reasoning are acceptable if that will protect the institution and thus the leaders' bird nest on the ground..  No wonder Jesus lost his cool and took a whip to the money changers.  They're fortunate He didn't send them to their reward immediately.
 What with the rattling of coins and the all the animal noises it was hard for me to hear in this place where only praises and and the voice of God should prevail. But, I didn't really know what I was looking or listening for in my search for a mentor so the noise wasn't much of a bother.
 I noticed two elegantly dressed Pharisees gossiping through their perfumed beards ( their mouths were moving; a sure sign that they were gossiping. )  They seemed to have positioned themselves beside a building column as though to be remote from the peasantry. I flew onto the turban of one of the men in time to hear him say the name "Al bar Levi."
 "I'd heard Al bar Levi was in line for a seat on the Great Sanhedrin," said Amos. "That was until a rumor started that he thinks the Messiah has already come and is in our midst at this very moment in the person of Jesus. If the rumor is true, it would ruin any chance he might have had.about the possibility of being on the Sanhedrin."
 "How foolish,"  Abijah, his companion responded. "Even if he really believed that nonsense he should have kept quiet about it. Once on the Sanhedrin he would have been set for life."
 "Remember not to say anything about this to anyone," Amos said in a low voice.    This is just a rumor, you understand.  Personally I like bar Levi.  There's something charming about his eccentricity but I just don't think he's fit for the Great Sanhedrin. Obviously. he is completely wrong about the Messiah since this Jesus fellow is from Nazareth. Why,---- everyone knows nothing good ever came from Nazareth. Besides, the scriptures are very clear that Bethlehem will be the birthplace of the Messiah."
 "You're right as usual, Amos," Abijah said. " Well, I must be going,  I am to continue instructing a class of converts this afternoon."  He sighed. "Gentiles are so stupid.  One of them actually asked if his conversion will impact his spiritual life in some way.  I set him straight right then.  I told him to follow the rules, do as he was told and he would eventually become as spiritual as me."
 "Well done old friend,"  Amos said.  "By the way you must tell me where you got that beautiful turban. Say,---isn't that Al bar Levi over there?"
 "Where?"
 "Over there by the Laver; talking to a priest."
 "Yes it is.  Oh no; ---I think he's seen us," Abijah said in a panicky voice.  He tugged on his friend's arm.  "Come on; we can't afford to be seen talking to him."  They pulled up the fringed hems of their fancy robes and scurried off to escape Al bar Levi.
 Left in their wake I detected an unexpected but familiar odor.  The odor of Death.