We are part of a family

Every one of us is part of a family: we all have a mother and a father.  Some of us have other siblings and extended family as well.  In modern times, the concept of family has become much more fluid but at its core, every family is meant to include adults who are the keepers of tradition and wisdom and children who look to their parents, guardians and other adults in order to learn the traditions and wisdom that are meant to be passed on to them.

The writings of Ben Sirach the Sage speak of some of this wisdom in today’s first reading in the context of the family of faith to which we all belong: Whoever honours a father atones for sins ... and whoever respects their mother is like one who lays up treasure (Sir 3:3-4).  Children don’t always know what it means to respect their parents or their elders, except if they have learned this behaviour from others.  Respect begins with an appreciation for the fact that parents have wisdom and knowledge which they are willing to impart.

It is often only when children themselves become adults, and their parents grow older, that we are able to truly grasp the meaning of the wisdom that is set before us today.  If we have had the privilege of spending time in the company of elderly parents or grandparents, the words of Ben Sirach will apply even more to our situations: help your father in his old age, and do not grieve him as long as he lives.  Even if his mind fails, be patient with him ... kindness to your father will not be forgotten (Sir 3:12-14).

Today, we continue our prayerful gaze upon the holy family of Nazareth.  Saint Luke tells us that Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary ... and increased in wisdom and in years, and in favour with God and human beings (Lk 2:51-52).  Jesus’ parents probably were the first to tell him about the wisdom of Ben Sirach.  I wonder if the words we heard today from the prophet made sense to him when he first heard them read to him, or whether he too needed to grow in his understanding of their worth.  As time went on, perhaps Jesus heard these words echoed in his heart as he gazed upon Joseph in his old age.  We are not told any details of that time in their life, but we can surmise that there must have been a time when Jesus helped Joseph, just as Joseph had helped him in his younger years.  Perhaps there were times in Joseph’s life when his mind began to fail him.  Jesus is always patient with us; perhaps Joseph was among the first to benefit from his divine son’s kindnesses.

We too can ask Jesus to show us the same kindness that he showed to his parents.  We can also ask him to teach us to be patient with ourselves and with others.  Saint Paul gives us some practical advice about how we can recognize the fruit of God’s kindness and patience at work within us.  As God’s chosen ones, he says ... clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience (Col 3:12).  Each of these is a gift from God.  In fact, only with God’s help can we learn how to recognize these traits and to use them wisely.

In the coming days, let us all ask Jesus to help us to open our hearts to him so that his word can dwell richly in our hearts (cf Col 3:16), and let us give thanks for the gift of our families, the schools of discipleship in which we live every day.

When God appears

Each year, when Christmas arrives, we hear the story once again.  We know the characters very well: Joseph, the just man; Mary, a young girl who is betrothed; shepherds who heard the good news proclaimed to them by angels ... The picture seems to be the epitome of serenity and peace, but I think that serenity was the last thing on the minds of that young couple.

All the plans had been put in place.  Joseph, a good and just man, a carpenter from the village of Nazareth in Galilee was betrothed - formally promised in marriage - to a young virgin who also lived in that place.  Perhaps by the time we happen on the scene, the plans had already been put in place for a wedding to take place, and then everything seemed to come crashing down around them.  Joseph heard the news that Mary was with child.  Being a good and just man, he decided to dismiss her quietly, but then the plot thickened even more: an angel appeared to him and told him that the child was from God, that there was a much larger plan unfolding and that he and his betrothed were being invited to be part of it.

Joseph agreed to cooperate with the plan.   He did not dismiss Mary, but then there was yet another unexpected turn of events: a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered (Lk 2:1).  The Romans were very orderly in every aspect of governing.  They determined that in order to keep proper records about the population of their empire, everyone would go to their own towns to be registered.  So it was that Joseph ... went from the town of Nazareth ... to the city of David called Bethlehem because he was descended from the house and family of David ... along with Mary to whom he was betrothed (Lk 2:4-5).  Knowing that she was with child, Joseph probably would have preferred to keep her safely at home until the child was born, but he didn’t dare disobey the order to partake in the census.

There were other things about poor Joseph’s plans that also had to be changed: when they arrived in Bethlehem, there was no room for them to stay in any normal accommodations, and to make things even more complicated, while they were there, the time came for Mary to deliver her child (Lk 2:6) so he had to find somewhere for her to rest.  They ended up not in a hotel, but in a stable, not in a hospital but surrounded by animals.  Against the bracing chill of the night air, a stable filled with animals would have provided some warmth and shelter from the wind but it certainly was not ideal.  Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes to keep him warm (Lk 2:7).  In the manger, it was not sheets and a pillow that made him comfortable, but the food that had been placed there for the animals.

There was nothing either normal, expected or preferred about the way all this came about, yet the grace of God appeared in this way, bringing salvation to all (Ti 2:11).  We too can find ourselves in situations where even the most well-intentioned of our plans sometimes get turned upside down.  In such situations, perhaps we need to pause and consider the possibility that God may be at work.  Because Joseph and Mary said yes, their lives were changed forever.  Because they said yes, a people who once walked in darkness, who lived in a land of deep darkness ... have seen a great light (Is 9:1).

Merry Christmas!  Buon Natale!  Joyeux Noël!  Feliz Navidad!  Feliz Natal!  Fröhliche Weihnachten!  Wesołych Świąt!

His Word Today: Speechless

Good morning everyone,

On this final day before the Church begins the liturgical season of Christmas, the scriptures present the image of Zechariah at the moment when he and Elizabeth are presenting their child in the temple.  Like the episodes of other encounters with the angel, this part of the story also recounts marvellous happenings and an overwhelming need to sing for joy.

In contrast to Mary's response of faith, when Zachariah encountered the angel Gabriel, he expressed skepticism (Lk 1:18).  In response to his questions, the proof of God's miraculous presence was confirmed by the fact that Zachariah's speech was taken away until the moment when he confirmed the plan that the Lord had set out.

We do not know how long Zachariah may have dreamed about having a son who would bear his name, or who would carry on his blood line, but in the end he was asked to say yes to a plan that was devised with a much wider scope than he could ever have imagined.  It took an extended period of time without the strength of his voice for this man to realize the significance of this moment in time.  Was he exuberant or reluctant to write on that tablet?

May his example of faith help us to grow in trust so that we too might be willing to understand that God's plans for us are far beyond our own comprehension.  At times we need to stop talking in order to get out of the way; only then are we able to recognize the way things are meant to be.

Have a great day.

A special visitor

Every year, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, we encounter Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Different parts of the story are recounted from one year to another.  This year, we meet Mary as she arrives at the home of Zachariah and Elizabeth; the moment of their initial meeting is described in the gospel of Saint Luke as a particularly joyous occasion, and this joy helps us to prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christmas.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb (Lk 1:41).  In many parts of the Orient, when two people meet, they will bow to one another as a sign of greeting and respect for each other.  In some traditions, the belief is that the two persons who meet are recognizing the spirit that dwells within the person they are meeting.  Even before Mary and Elizabeth had exchanged any words, the child Elizabeth was carrying within her was aware that the Son of God was near, and with a leap, was alerting Elizabeth to the fact that this beloved relative of hers was indeed highly favoured.

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry: ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb’ (Lk 1:42).  The scriptures speak of the angel’s conversation with Mary and so we know that Gabriel revealed to her the fact that her relative Elizabeth had ... conceived a son in her old age (cf Lk 1:36) but we are not told of any such apparition to Elizabeth, so it is possible that Elizabeth was unaware of Mary’s joyful news until the young girl arrived on the threshold of the older woman’s doorstep.  If this was indeed the case, the child leaping in Elizabeth’s womb and the words of greeting she offered are both signs that even before his birth, John the Baptist recognized the person of Jesus, and John’s joy was echoed in Elizabeth’s words.

During the three months that Mary stayed with Elizabeth (cf Lk 1:56), they had many occasions to spend time together.  Both these women would have been aware of the prophets and the words they had spoken.  It is quite possible that they pondered together the words that we heard in today’s first reading: from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel (Mi 5:1).  Along with their wondering about what the future would hold, both these women – the older one who had already lived her life, who had perhaps given up on the possibility of ever knowing the joy of having a child of her own, and the younger one who was only just setting out on life’s journey – would have pondered the wisdom of the prophet’s teaching.  What wonderful conversations they must have had.  I wonder if they both had moments of quiet reflection and prayer during which they were aware that they were in the presence of God, already participating in the miracle of bringing forth the one who would prepare the way and the one who would rule in Israel.

As we continue our preparations over the next few days for the celebration of Christmas, let us ask Mary and Elizabeth to share their joy with us.  Let us also humbly place ourselves in the presence of our God, as they did, simply saying: I have come to do your will (Heb 5:7).

His Word Today: Novena Day 6

Good morning everyone,

The gospel passages which precede the account of the Nativity of the Lord focus today on the response that Mary makes to Elizabeth's greeting.  This is the first time that Saint Luke records the words of Mary following her yes, offered in answer to the angel's invitation.

Mary's words are a song of praise, a song that has echoed down through the ages, ever since she first uttered them: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my saviour (Lk 1:46-47).  This is followed by a litany of praise for all that God has accomplished in her own life and in the lives of his people from one generation to another, finally focusing on the great gift of God's mercy.

Mary's Magnificat - the title by which this song of praise has come to be known - is repeated daily on the lips of those who pray the prayer of the Church, known as the Liturgy of the Hours.  This prayer can be prayed by everyone who has recognized God's presence in their lives; for all that God has done in us, and for all that God continues to reveal to us, we sing a continual song of praise.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Novena Day 5

Good morning everyone,

As we look to Mary for an example of how we should strive to live our faith, today, we see her setting out and travelling to the hill country in haste (Lk 1:39) in search of her kinswoman Elizabeth.  The angel Gabriel had told her that Elizabeth ... in her old age, was with child and Mary immediately set out in search of her.  She knew that Elizabeth was an older woman and so she would need help, but Mary also knew that Elizabeth carried within her another part of the secret that she herself had discovered.

The moment of meeting between these two women must have truly been a time of great joy.  Two women met one another, but at that same instant, the child in the womb of the older woman recognized the presence of God in the womb of the younger woman.  As if to communicate his reverence for the child in Mary's womb, the child in Elizabeth's womb leapt for joy (cf Lk 1:41).

Have we ever been aware of being in the presence of holiness?  Have our hearts leapt with joy at such moments?  If so, we will never forget what that was like.  In fact, that precise moment will continuously echo in our memories - as though it had only just happened - and we will find strength in that memory to continue leaping with joy every time that we are in the presence of Jesus.

Have a great day.

His Word Today: Novena Day 4

Good morning everyone,

As our journey brings us ever closer to the celebration of Christmas, today the Scriptures present the image of Mary at the moment when she encountered the angel Gabriel. Saint Luke describes the conversation that took place between a young virgin who was obviously overwhelmed with the prospect that was being put before her and the messenger who was sent from the eternal God (Lk 1:26-38).

The conversation that ensued involved human questions with human horizons and answers that came from a different place altogether. The angel's responses were both direct and at the same time eternal in their scope. No wonder Mary pondered these realities in her heart. It would have taken an entire lifetime even to begin unpacking the meaning of these words.

At the heart of this in encounter, there was an offer made to a young maiden and her response. It was her yes that changed everything. The same is true for us: when we say yes to God all things change.  Do you know what that's like? Do you know what it's like to have God ask a question of you, and for you to have the great privilege of answering yes? If you have answered yes, your life has never been the same. This is the mystery that we are  invited to ponder today.

 Have a great day.