The Ancient Witnesses

118 • The Ancient Witnesses: A Journey to Discover Our Sacred Roots

We all knew how life-like reading in the reading room could be, and Mentor let us know we would be returning to the Crux. Now he tested us on the previous session. “When was the first announcement of the Good News?” he asked. Father Greg smiled but did not reply. “Matthew’s Gospel is first,” answered Joseph. “But Mark’s Gospel was earlier,” I countered, recalling what I had learned at our seminary. “Which of them is right,” Mentor? asked Cesar. “Listen carefully to the question,” he replied, “and draw your answer from the Hebrew Scriptures.” That was the clue I needed, recalling Genesis 3:15. “When was the message of the gospel first announced?” Mentor repeated. “When the Lord cursed the Serpent,” I answered. “Truly,” said Mentor, “and in the announcement of eternal enmity between the Serpent and the woman, between his offspring and her offspring.” “Yes!” I said, high-fiving Joseph. “God’s plan,” Mentor continued, “was to send a Champion to remedy the rebellion ignited by the fallen angel.” “So, Satan started a fire that Jesus came to put out!” declared Preacher. “Truly,” agreed Mentor, “the Champion will be a future descendant of Eve who will come forth from Abraham, of whom you shall soon hear.”