Meditations with Mary IV

Luke Chapter 2:14-19

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart."

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Reflection

When we read how Mary pondered many things in her heart, many mistake this to believe that Mary did not know who Jesus is.

Is it more the case that Mary knowing fully who Jesus is, yet still pondered the fact that the Divine God would lower Himself to a mere creature. A vulnerable baby, in need of nurturing and care, indeed in need of love.

Through Mary we can also glimpse that there is much to ponder the Creator of all becomes the created, wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger. No-one had made room for this Prince of Peace, there were no vacancies for the King of Kings.

Is Christ still yearning for a place in your heart? This Prince, this King this Divine God who gave all, for love of...you.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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Meditation with Mary III

Meditation

Luke Chapter 2:1-7

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 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.

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Reflection

When we read this Scripture it reminds us that Joseph and Mary lived ordinary lives in an extraordinary way. Caesar had ordered this enrollment both Joseph and Mary like many others were obeying the law, neither of them thought themselves above the law of the land or better than others.

This display of obeying the law like any other people shows both Joseph and Mary's complete humility without the least bit of subservience to those in authority.

Yet, Mary was heavy with child, this must have been a troubling thought for Joseph as they journeyed together towards Bethlehem. It also must have been a difficult journey for Mary as she was jostled about on the donkey. We cannot imagine what thoughts were running through Joseph and Mary's mind but we can imagine the ordeal of having to travel quite a distance at such an hour of Promise.

Perhaps it is like how many of us journey on our path of faith. At times the road seems difficult it brings us great hardship and discomfort, but the outcome is worth it. We would not be where we are if we had not taken that first step into the unknown.

Like Joseph and Mary we travel a path known only to God. Do we do this from a spirit of obedience or do we begrudge every step?

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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Meditation With Saint Joseph

Meditation

Matthew chapter 1:18-24

"Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home."

Reflection

When we look at Joseph he seems to be a bit of an enigma, what do we make of this man who God found to be righteous?Just as with Mary, God did not simply pick Joseph from a pack he created Joseph to be true father to His Son Jesus, from the beginning Joseph was chosen to bear this honour for all time.

What we learn from Joseph is the lesson of listening. Joseph's ears were not attuned to what people would think of him, rather Joseph listened to the voice of God which floats through our heart as a gentle breeze ripples past a still pond disturbing but not enraging the quiet water.

This man not only listen to that still small voice of God, he then obeyed it without question. He did not question God's Wisdom but rather played his part in fulfilling the Will of God through humble servitude. Joseph accepted the responsibility that God entrusted to him, this righteous man above men put God first in his life and upon hearing the words of the Angel he then took Mary as his beloved and chaste spouse as they both perfected what living the Divine Will means to every family that embraces Catholic values.

At the heart of Joseph we see a man who bends to the Will of God in total and absolute self denial as he follows what God has requested of him, he who is a simple carpenter. There is no false humility, Joseph simply got on with what God had asked of him and from him we learn what true self giving is, and the quiet depths of a man totally in love with his Hidden God. A God who he would hold in his arms as Mary rested...This is Joseph a man after God's own Heart.

How much is your heart attuned to hear the still small voice of God?

Meditation with Mary II

Meditation

Luke Chapter 1:46-55

And Mary said: "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. For he has looked upon his handmaid's lowliness; behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart. He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped Israel his servant, remembering his mercy, according to his promise to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever."

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Reflection

We have had many Saints who led immensely holy lives their total love and zealousness for God is truly an example to us all. What makes Mary different from these wonderful Saints of our Church? It is by looking at the Saints that we gain a glimpse of just how unique and glorious that Mary truly is.

Mary was without sin as her soul was filled with Grace, therefore there is no corruption within the heart and soul of Mary. Still Mary was an ordinary woman, filled with an extraordinary love of God which overwhelms her completely. It is this consummation that makes Mary beloved of God, as the Triune Spirit glories in their perfect creature.

Within the heart of Mary is the illumination of the Triune Spirit. It is through Mary we gain a glimpse of the Divine as Mary surrendered herself to the Triune Spirit. Through Mary we also see the perfect joy that the Triune Spirit enjoyed when gazing at their most perfect woman, who with her Fiat, Mary in perfect conformity to The Divine Will, undid the imperfect will of Eve.

Mary is the beloved of the Triune Spirit, there can be no-one who can replace or who can compare to this most perfect wonderment of womanhood. It is also through Mary that we also gain a glimpse as to what we can be when we transcend our limitations and surrender our hearts to the Will of the Divine.

Mary is essentially, beloved of the Trinity for all time. For those who question Mary's place should ponder this thought; if Mary found favour with the Trinity who are any of us to find disfavour?

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

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