A Man of Honour

Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour...
Mt.1:19

On first learning that Mary is pregnant, Joseph reveals why he was called to be the foster father of Jesus. He was a man of honour.

For such a pivotal person in God's plan for redeeming the world, it is surprising how little is said of Joseph in scripture. Yet, much can be learned of his character from the woman he married and the son he raised. Maybe in this context, "a man of honour" says it all.

 Oh that I could be worthy of those four words on my tombstone. 

Saint Joseph, please pray for me.

Welcome to the Family

A genealogy of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham:
Mt.1:1

Jesus' genealogy includes the good, the bad, the ugly, saints and sinners. Among all that I fit quite comfortably. 

I'm reminded of the "rumbling heaven-bound horde" of yesterday's Gospel. We're not a stately, pious procession but a noisy, smelly bunch whose common DNA is simply that we are all liked and loved by God. 

Welcome to the family!

The Rumbling Heaven-bound Horde

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31).

The very people the religious elite despised were the ones being welcomed into God’s kingdom first. Why? Because they were convicted and converted. True transformation works from the inside out, not the outside in.

This passage always reminds me of Mrs. Turpin’s vision in Flannery O’Connor’s short story *Revelation*. She sees a vast company of unlikely souls making their way into the next world. It is not a “respectable” sight—not a quiet or dignified procession—but a crowd of people rumbling toward heaven. Among them are “battalions of freaks and lunatics,” shouting, clapping, and leaping like frogs.

I hope to be there too—shouting, clapping, and leaping like a frog among that rumbling, heaven-bound horde.

Jesus, teach me to fear God more than impress man. I place my trust in you.

Father's Heart Turned to His Children

To turn the hearts of fathers towards their children,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob,
Happy shall they be who see you.
Eccl.48:10

In today's feria first reading, Sirach prophesies the return of Elijah to "make all things ready" as Jesus says. One symptom of this readiness is the turning of father's hearts back to their children.

The great sign of our "unreadyness" is the terrible fatherlessness in today's world. More children are being raised in homes where the father is dysfunctional or totally absent. A home where the father's heart is turned towards his children is a home where the kingdom of God is close at hand. 

There's no age limitation to this. Even though my children are now adults, they still are my children and my heart needs to be turned towards them. 

Jesus, help me always have a heart turned towards my children. 
Saint Lucy, please pray for me.

Wisdom is Silent

Jesus spoke to the crowds: ‘What description can I find for this generation? It is like children shouting to each other as they sit in the market place:
Mt.11:16

Fools shout in the market place. But even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise. (Prv.17:28)

I have regrets about many things I've said when I wish I had been silent. Perhaps the greatest wisdom I can have is to turn to Mumma Mary for help. Scripture records her as a woman who spoke little but pondered in her heart much. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, please intercede for me that I may have a guard over my mouth and keep watch on my lips.

His Hand My Hand

I, the Lord, your God.
I am holding you by the right hand;
I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid,
I will help you.
Is.41:13

God's strong right hand holds me. My weak left hand reaches out and holds on to him.

How wonderful that God wants to support me in my weakness. I don't need to hide, just reach up. 

Hand holding people are generally people who are walking, not running. There's a slow but steady Advent feel about this. 

I step out into today holding God's hand as I follow the donkey plodding slowly but inexorably towards Jerusalem. 

Lord, I rely on your strong right hand today. Thank you for always being there. 
Mary, Mother of God, please pray for me.

Slow But Sure

At that time: Jesus declared, ‘Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mt.11:28

Tiredness is part of life as long as I live on this mortal coil. God incarnate in Jesus knows this. He experienced it and He offers the remedy for it. Rest for my soul. 

How beautiful that at the very time when heavy burdens and tiredness are at their peak, in the days leading up to Christmas, Mumma Church leads me away to a place of rest. 

It's a time to focus back on the donkey plodding slowly but surely to Bethlehem. Slow but sure. That's a better pace for me today. 

Thank you Jesus for exchanging my burdens for your light easy yoke. Mumma Mary, please pray for me.