Pondering the Journey

December 14, 2019

Christmas is just 11 days away! As we all scurry around preparing our homes for the light, joy and celebrations perhaps we can walk with Mary and Joseph as they prepare for their journey to THE Christmas.
Joseph has received word that there is to be a census and for this he must travel to Bethlehem to be counted. His wife, Mary, is nine months pregnant and must make the journey with him.
Remember, there were no cars, no google maps, no hotels.com, none of the modern conveniences we take for granted, including walking shoes! Joseph prepared a donkey to carry their satchels and Mary when she grew tired.
This was not an easy and fast trip to take. It would be an 8 – 10 day journey with a lot of mountains and rough terrain to traverse. They would join in a caravan of travellers who were on their own journeys. Perhaps they had other family and friends in this caravan traveling for the same reason.
Mary is preparing with packing bread and wine probably for the journey. Again remember, no McDonald’s, or Cracker Barrel to stop along the way, no 7-11 or Kroger to replenish or stop for a coke – they needed to carry what they would need for the journey.
She also must be thinking about what she needs for her baby if He makes His entrance during this trip. She must have blankets and swaddling clothes with them.
They must also prepare their house and carpenter shop to be empty for at least the next 20 to 30 days, perhaps more if the Baby is born during this journey.
So again, use your imagination, ask Mary and Joseph to show you how they prepared to welcome Jesus, and ask them to help you prepare to welcome Him into your home and your heart this Christmas!
O come, o come Emmanuel!

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December 15, 2019

It’s time. Time to load up the donkey and hit the road to Bethlehem.
Everything, every move, every action that Mary and Joseph have taken and will take, point only to one thing, their complete trust and faith in God.
Both Mary and Joseph model what humbling ourselves, as we are called to do, before our God looks like. They never put themselves first. They didn’t have any agenda except to faithfully follow the God they knew to be true, present and faithful. And when they questioned and asked God, they completely trusted His will and His answer. They knew no matter how it looked to the world, it only counted in how God saw it.
Today, ask God to give you the gift of that faith and humility, to make your heart ready to welcome His Son at Christmas!
Prepare ye the way of the Lord!

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December 16, 2019

2 hours and 27 minutes is how long it would take us to go from Nazareth to Bethlehem. 8 – 10 days is the length of time for Mary & Joseph.
The route they took was probably the one marked in red so as to avoid Samaria as good Jews did in those days.
This way, although longer, is flatter terrain and a more comfortable climate. There is however, along the way, the steep climb of 16 miles, it ascends 3500 feet over that 16 miles, from the Jordan valley near Jerricho to the heights on which Jerusalem lies. In Jesus’ time, this section of the road was called “the Way of Blood”, because of the danger from robbers. Incidentally, this section of road is where Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan is set.
After the first day of the journey they may have made it to Nain. Perhaps they could even find a comfortable place there to bed down for the night or perhaps through this entire journey they slept out under the stars. Either way, they are doing what God has called them to do, without complaint.
Oh God, please help me to hear and follow your prompting in my life.
O come, o come Emmanuel!

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December 17, 2019

So, I wonder what the weather is like for Mary & Joseph on their journey. Where is their shelter if it rains? Do they have anything like an umbrella or raincoat? Do they keep trekking in a light rain? Do they find a cave to wait out a storm?
On this, the second day of their journey are they resting by the Harod Stream? And if it has rained, has the stream become a raging river?
Mary & Joseph, thank you for your courage and faithfulness in following God’s plan for the salvation of mankind.

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God,
you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care:
Come and show your people the way to salvation.

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December 18, 2019

Today you have probably traveled by or through Beth Shean an ancient city full of history. This is the city where King Saul’s body was impaled on the wall. Do you stop and visit sites? Do you go to the marketplace in town? Or do you just walk around the outskirts to start your journey down the Jordan River valley?
I wonder about your conversation during your travels. Was it much like any couple expecting their first child? Did you talk about what He would look like? Did you wonder what color His eyes would be? Joseph, did you look forward to teaching Him your trade?
Mary and Joseph, you both knew who this child was, is. Was your conversation about the weightyness of this calling? Did you talk about what it would be like to raise God?
Did you know He would be born in Bethlehem and that this was really through God’s hand that the census was ordered? And did you talk about taking Him to the Temple in Jerusalem for His presentation?
So many things we can ponder to try and get to know you better and in knowing you, you show us so much more about your Son.

O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who did appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gave him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!

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December 19,2019

As you continue down the Jordan River valley I think about how Mary is feeling. My goodness – the things we take for granted! Look at where you are walking, without walking shoes or hiking boots, and nine months pregnant! How many of us would be bitching up a storm?!
I tend to think that both of you, Mary & Joseph are smiling, chatting, noticing the beauty around you (knowing the baby you carry is responsible for that beauty!) and maybe even singing! You stop along the way to rest and perhaps feel the Baby in your womb kicking up a storm – He is also enjoying the journey!
Wow! For anyone to think that either of you are not important to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has not pondered or meditated on how God moved in your lives. On how He could rely on your faithfulness and trust in Him.
Mary, you are the one that God chose to take all His DNA & RNA from. You are the one He chose to have the privilege of feeling Him grow and kick in your womb! You are the voice He chose to hear sing and pray from the point of His conception.
Mary, our Holy Baby must look just like you! He probably has your eyes, which I am sure are eyes that twinkle of love at all times. Oh Mary, show us your Son and how to love Him more!
And Joseph, what an honor! You were chosen to protect Mary and the Baby! I wonder if you put your head on Mary’s belly to hear the Baby and to talk to the Babe! You had the absolute privilege of feeling the Holy Child kick in Mary’s womb.
Thank you for your faithfulness to God’s plan of salvation! Please show me how to be faithful to your Son!

O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!

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December 20, 2010

Who is traveling with you on this journey? You have probably joined a caravan of many heading to their family’s town of origin for the census. And just think, we complain about filling out a census form, imagine if we had to walk for 10 days to fill it out!
There are many others to talk with, many to share with, especially women who are already mothers that love sharing with a young woman who will soon meet her baby. They share the needlework they are in process with, and special attention is paid to the swaddling clothes Mary is working on.
But I also wonder about family traveling with you. Joseph, perhaps you have children who are with you and Mary, I think particularly of James, who we know, and brothers and sisters mentioned in the Gospel. Were they a part of this journey? Did they know what was happening? I am sure with such a righteous and faithful father they did learn their Jewish faith and the prophets. They would know about the promised Messiah. But did they know He was their foster brother?
The Bible doesn’t tell us for sure any of this, but is that because it doesn’t change anything? Mary is still Mary, the Blessed Virgin and Joseph is still Joseph, her most chaste spouse. And they both had so much love to share or they would not have been created by God for this honor.
What about Clopas and Mary? Are they traveling with you? Do they have children with them?
I feel so much joy in this journey! The smiles and laughter and love are abundant and are generously shared with all!
Teach me to be joyful in this journey of life!

O Key of David,
opening the gates of God’s eternal Kingdom:
come and free the prisoners of darkness!

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December 21, 2019

Mary, I have been thinking about how beautiful you must have been, and are. A pregnant woman is always glowing and beautiful, but to be pregnant with the long awaited Messiah, to be the precious vessel chosen by God to carry His only begotten Son, oh my goodness, how you must of had a glow and beauty that was indescribable!
I watch children be naturally attracted to you today, and I have to think that on this journey the children in the caravan were also attracted to you. Oh, what a blessing they received when they hugged you or took your hand – much like Elizabeth who was filled with the Holy Spirit as soon as she heard your greeting, and her baby jumped for joy, these children would be changed forever!
Perhaps one of them was Veronica who wipes your Son’s face, or Simon who helps Him carry His Cross. Perhaps one was Peter, who would become the keeper of the Keys! Oh, what a blessing and wonderful thing to ponder!
Mary, I bet your feet and your back hurt. I wonder if you were having early contractions to prepare the way. I imagine you were tired. I also think that no one but you and God knew these things, that you accepted every second and every feeling as a gift, a gift to be treasured, and couldn’t help but smile at everyone. I think you shared your love with everyone just like you shared the Love with the world!
Oh, how beautiful!
Thank you for your example of faithfulness. Of putting one foot in front of the other to bring the journey to completion. How me to grow in my faith. Help me to smile and share Love with all I meet.

O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

O come, o come Emmanuel!

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December 23, 2019

Oh, Mary and Joseph! You are on the toughest part of your journey as Mary is so close to giving birth! The walk from Jericho to Bethlehem, about 16 miles of a 3500 foot ascent. That was generally a 2 day hike but I wonder if it perhaps took you longer.
As Jesus is preparing to make His first appearance here on earth as a man, the God-man, I have to wonder if you, Mary, were having contractions during this part of the journey. I wonder if you smiled through every one knowing that it must be to bring Jesus to the world!
Oh, so many thoughts that scroll through my head right now…. Mary, you also accepted the pain on the walk to Calvary because you knew too, that had to be for the salvation if the world.
I also think about how we are called to bring Jesus into the world, but if it becomes uncomfortable or painful, we give up. We turn away from Bethlehem and Jerusalem. We refuse to accept our labor pains and cross.
We refuse to make our ascent to the Holy!
Oh, so close! So close to seeing the face of the long awaited Messiah! So close to seeing the face of your Baby! So close to using the swaddling clothes you have been making for months! So close to feeling Love in your arms like no one before has ever imagined!
Joseph, I wonder if everytime you look at Mary your heart melts. Are you constantly amazed that you are on this journey with her? Are you afraid?
Mary and Joseph, thank you for your yes to God’s call! Thank you for the courage and strength you give us example of. Help us to say yes and follow your lead to Jesus.

O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!

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December 24, 2019

Mary & Joseph, I have been thinking about you all day as I scurried about with wrapping presents,finishing the tree, helping Kayla with the Nativity and talking about what each piece is and was. You have arrived in Bethlehem after such a long journey, and Mary, I am sure you know the time is fast approaching when Jesus, the God-man, the only begotten Son of God, your Son, will humble Himself to be born as one of us!
Bethlehem is crowded! Many others have made the trek for the required census. Joseph, you are always portrayed as frantically searching for a room, and being turned away at many inns. Isn’t it funny how we put our own spin on God’s Holy Word instead of taking it at face value?
The more I have pondered your journey, the more sure I am that you both were very secure in your faith that God had a plan and that plan would keep you safe and secure.
When we put today’s standards on your journey we cannot imagine being that sure in someone else, even when that someone else is God, that everything will work as it should. Instead of taking a true look at your journey, at what Luke has to say simply,
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7
we have started injecting political statements and bending this to our own agendas.
There are so many opinion pieces, written as theology, that say the Bible makes you both look weak and simple. Oh, I think it is quite the opposite! We can’t see humbleness of heart as strength, or meekness as wisdom – when in all actuality humility is strength of heart and meekness is knowledge that God is in control! Nothing you did was weak or dumb!
Back to your journey – I have been wondering if you passed Rachel’s tomb in Bethlehem and when you did, did you stop and pray for her? And ask her to pray for you?
Did you make a side trip to see Zechariah, Elizabeth and baby John?
Was there a midwife for the delivery? And did you see, feel and hear the angels around you? Did you know the bright star was for you and your Son?
Tonight, we celebrate the birth of Christ at midnight Mass, I look so forward to falling on my knees to humble myself and worship our Lord & Savior.
Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2: 7-8
Thank you for your example of strength in humility. Help me to be humble and meek in heart!

Come Lord Jesus, come!!!

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December 26, 2019

Oh Mary and Joseph, I imagine you are just in wonder and awe with Baby Jesus. By now you have counted all His fingers and toes, you have caressed and kissed His cheeks many times, you have swaddled, cuddled and rocked your baby and felt His love for you.
Such complete innocence and yet the salvation of the world lie on His shoulders.
Did you feel the angels with you on your journey? Did you hear their announcement to the shepherds? Did you hear them sing “Glory to God in the highest”? Were you surprised when the shepherds came and fell in adoration of your baby?
Joseph, did you know what was going to fall on the shoulders of your son? Did you know the love and hate just His name would stir in hearts? Did you look for ways to protect Him from His world?
Oh so many followers of your Son have already forgotten what and why we celebrated. They already take down the lights that signify your Son as the Light of the world, the tree that shows both the wood of the manger and the wood of the Cross, the evergreen symbol of hope has already been thrown to the curb. The star that represents the star that shined bright to lead pilgrims to your son is already tucked away in the attic. And all of the creches are stuffed in old newspapers and styrofoam. There is no more Holy music celebrating His birth.
It’s time that life go on as normal. There are much more important things to do.
Mary and Joseph, thank you. Help me remember who and what is most important in this life!

Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. Kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you! Save souls!

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December 27, 2019

Happy 3rd day of Christmas!
The feastday of Saint John the beloved apostle. Writer of the Gospel of John

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be
through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it
John 1:1-5

3 French hens – the Trinity – Father, Son & Holy Spirit.
Oh come let us adore Him!

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December 28, 2019

On the 4th day of Christmas we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Innocents. The following sermon is from Saint Quodvultdeus.

Quodvultdeus was a fifth-century church father and bishop of Carthage who was exiled to Naples. He was known to have been living in Carthage around 407 and became a deacon in 421 AD. He corresponded with Augustine of Hippo, who served as Quodvultdeus’ spiritual teacher.
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Even before they learn to speak, they proclaim Christ

A tiny child is born, who is a great king. Wise men are led to him from afar. They come to adore one who lies in a manger and yet reigns in heaven and on earth. When they tell of one who is born a king, Herod is disturbed. To save his kingdom he resolves to kill him, though if he would have faith in the child, he himself would reign in peace in this life and for ever in the life to come.

Why are you afraid, Herod, when you hear of the birth of a king? He does not come to drive you out, but to conquer the devil. But because you do not understand this you are disturbed and in a rage, and to destroy one child whom you seek, you show your cruelty in the death of so many children.

You are not restrained by the love of weeping mothers or fathers mourning the deaths of their sons, nor by the cries and sobs of the children. You destroy those who are tiny in body because fear is destroying your heart. You imagine that if you accomplish your desire you can prolong your own life, though you are seeking to kill Life himself.

Yet your throne is threatened by the source of grace, so small, yet so great, who is lying in the manger. He is using you, all unaware of it, to work out his own purposes freeing souls from captivity to the devil. He has taken up the sons of the enemy into the ranks of God’s adopted children.

The children die for Christ, though they do not know it. The parents mourn for the death of martyrs. The child makes of those as yet unable to speak fit witnesses to himself. See the kind of kingdom that is his, coming as he did in order to be this kind of king. See how the deliverer is already working deliverance, the saviour already working salvation.

But you, Herod, do not know this and are disturbed and furious. While you vent your fury against the child, you are already paying him homage, and do not know it.

How great a gift of grace is here! To what merits of their own do the children owe this kind of victory? They cannot speak, yet they bear witness to Christ. They cannot use their limbs to engage in battle, yet already they bear off the palm of victory.

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What are you afraid of that it is important to either support or ignore the killing of the innocents now? Is it a quest for glory, power and wealth? Is it for convenience sake? For political correctness? Or because it’s none of your business what a woman chooses to do with her own body (and the body of her child)?

Would you have stood by as those baby boys were massacred and their blood ran in the streets?

The words of this saint from 1600 years ago ring true today
“You destroy those who are tiny in body because fear is destroying your heart. You imagine that if you accomplish your desire you can prolong your own life”

Let us remember the truly innocent martyrs massacred by King Herrod and the 50 million innocent children massacred since 1973 for the sake of someone’s choice.

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December 29, 2019

Merry 5th day of Christmas! Today we celebrate the Holy Family.
From the beginning God the Father called us to be family. He showed us in His example of His love for His Son and the Holy Spirit and the perichoresis that exists in their relationship.
Perichoresis “allows the individuality of the persons to be maintained, while insisting that each person shares in the life of the other two” (McAllister) – sounds like family to me!
Then when the time came, God gave us the example of the Holy Family – Jesus, Mary & Joseph. An unlikely family from outside appearance. A young girl who had spent her life to now, as a temple maiden in prayer and worship, who is pregnant without the benefit of marriage. An older widower who was a good and righteous Jew and picked to marry the young girl and care for her once she could no longer spend her time in the Temple. For once a girl came to puberty they were “unclean” for part of the month and could not enter the temple.
Dogma holds the Mary was immaculately conceived, that is, she was conceived in the normal way but without the stain of original sin that we all inherited from our original parents, Adam & Eve. She was created to be Theotokos, the Mother of God, but she was also given the gift of free will so she had to give her fiat at the Annunciation in order for the Incarnation to be.
Imagine how beautiful she must have been since she was created by God to be His spouse and His mother!
Tradition holds that Joseph was an older man, a carpenter, and a devout Jew. He was picked to take Mary as his wife after the priests had assembled many eligible men, took their staffs and prayed over them, Joseph received his staff back a dove flew out of it and landed on his head. That was the sign they prayed for and at that moment they were betrothed.
Perhaps he was a widower with children and Mary came in as their stepmother. Even more an unlikely Holy Family in outside appearances.
Thank God what He sees and judges on is not what the world sees and judges but on what He sees and knows to be.
He saw that Mary gave her yes when that yes very well could have led to her being stoned to death! “I am the handmaid of the Lord…..”
He saw that Joseph gave his yes after a message in a dream and took Mary into his house and adopted her baby to be his own. That is when Jesus became in the line of David.
He saw that they both faithfully followed and did as He asked, knowing it wouldn’t be easy.
He saw the love, protection and care they gave to His only begotten Son, Jesus, even in the lowest of accommodations.
He saw them fulfilling their duties as Jewish parents and He saw them teach Jesus to walk, talk, their faith and a trade.
Imagine having the responsibility to teach God prayers to Him!
God saw them frantically search for the child Jesus for 3 days and when they found Him took Him back home to be family.
God saw Mary tell Jesus it was time. Time to start His walk to Calvary with the miracle at Cana. And God saw Mary walk that journey with her Son, even though she knew it would cause her much grief.
“(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:35
God saw them be family no matter what others thought, said or did.

Father, help our family to faithfully walk our journey as family. Allow us to keep you in the center.
Please bless all of our ancestors and all generations to come. Keep them in your loving embrace.
Hear and answer our prayers. Keep us safe and free from sin.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you! Save souls!