Jesus would have grabbed the headlines

by Gunther Simmermacher · Published July 13, 2009 · Updated March 16, 2012

THE MOUNTAIN GRAPEVINE: A Reconstruction of Events Surrounding the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, by May-Muriel d’Oliveira. Self-published. 2009. 134pp. R180.

Reviewed by G�nther Simmermacher

The banner headline screams: �Jesusmania rocks the city�. One can almost imagine the posters on the lampposts of old Jerusalem�s main roads during the week that changed everything.

May-Muriel d�Oliveira, a theology graduate from St Joseph�s Theological Institute in Cedara, has compiled a most clever notional newspaper, �The Mountain Grapevine� of the book�s title, covering the week between Jesus� triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and his Passion and Resurrection.

D�Oliveira presents an entertaining illustrated newspaper, with news reports, vibrant letters pages, thoughtful editorials, bright opinion columns and very clever advertisements.

The idea was to create a historical picture of Jerusalem that week: the growing news value of the Galilean amid other pressing concerns (the imminent Passover festivities, harvest forecasts, and politics). Through the medium of the newspaper, we get a sense of the contemporary lifestyle � running advertisements for swordsmiths, tanners, water-carriers, accommodation, sweets and so on accomplish that with a delightful touch.

Concepts such as notional newspapers to illustrate history are notoriously difficult to pull off well. They can turn out to be amateurish and, especially when dealing with religious matter, cloying. D�Oliveira navigates the pitfalls skilfully. Fastidious journalists might spot details that could have done with editing, but the quality of The Mountain Grapevine certainly exceeds that of many current local newspapers.

In best journalistic convention, d�Oliveira�s editor is a mostly dispassionate observer from a pragmatic Jewish perspective (though after the crucifixion she is won over by the Nazarene). In prudent editorials, the newspaper observes Jesus� controversial presence and conduct with caution and charity.

Letters to the editor are divided on the Jesus phenomenon. In one edition, a correspondent indignantly questions the purpose of giving this �Jesus dude� such extensive coverage. The editor replies: �Is patience a virtue or not? Jesus is the man of the moment. Let him be the light for a while � it won�t last.� In editorials and letters, d�Oliveira adroitly captures the furore and division that Jesus created among the Jewish establishment.

The book is intended to provide a historical sense of the events in Holy Week, the prevailing attitudes, and an insight into some of the main characters, including Pontius Pilate and King Herod, presenting theological and historical scholarship in an immediately accessible format. D�Oliveira has met that aim admirably.

The Mountain Grapevine is great fun and richly informative. It might also serve as an excellent tool in teaching Religious Education and catechism.

The Mountain Grapevine is a self-published book. It is available from the Pauline Multimedia Centre in Johannesburg, the Catholic Bookshop in Cape Town, or from the author (083 785 2205)