The Joyful Mysteries
(Mondays [and Saturdays]. For shortened work weeks, these are the Mysteries on which I reflect while coming home from my first day at work.)
The Joyful Mysteries deal with Mary's remembrances of Jesus's childhood, from before He was born until He was a teenager. It is said that Mary kept these memories close to her heart. I imagine that she told them to Jesus's disciples after His death and resurrection. A part of me wonders if she might have shared them even before then. Would Jesus have heard these stories from His mother as she regaled His friends and disciples? I know that I sometimes find myself blushing when my mother tells others tales from my childhood. I do not doubt that Jesus was more tolerant of these stories of affection than I tend to be about my own.
The Joyful Mysteries deal with Mary's remembrances of Jesus's childhood, from before He was born until He was a teenager. It is said that Mary kept these memories close to her heart. I imagine that she told them to Jesus's disciples after His death and resurrection. A part of me wonders if she might have shared them even before then. Would Jesus have heard these stories from His mother as she regaled His friends and disciples? I know that I sometimes find myself blushing when my mother tells others tales from my childhood. I do not doubt that Jesus was more tolerant of these stories of affection than I tend to be about my own.
The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary
Luke 1:26-38
Mary hears God's call and accepts the tremendous responsibility that He trusts with her. How open am I to God's call? How willing am I to follow the plan that He has laid out for me? Mary's confidence and acceptance of the role given to her is an inspiration to us all.
In the Catholic Church, Mary has been given a special position which other Christian denominations avoid, and sometimes outright reject. Yet her importance to the Christian faith is undeniable. Just as Christ becomes the new Adam and rebuilds the covenant between man and God, so too is Mary the counterpoint to Eve. Immaculately conceived, Mary is alone among humanity (since Adam and Eve) to be born without sin. Her acceptance of God's plan for her redeems Eve's decision to disobey God's wishes. It is through her that the redemption of all of our sins can come into the world.
Mary was going against the social conventions of the time, and knew that she would face criticism and condemnation (or worse). She had faith that God would protect her and the child to be born from her. I pray that I might have such courage in the face of my fears. May I have the strength to follow God's will no matter the trials before me.
Luke 1:26-38
Mary hears God's call and accepts the tremendous responsibility that He trusts with her. How open am I to God's call? How willing am I to follow the plan that He has laid out for me? Mary's confidence and acceptance of the role given to her is an inspiration to us all.
In the Catholic Church, Mary has been given a special position which other Christian denominations avoid, and sometimes outright reject. Yet her importance to the Christian faith is undeniable. Just as Christ becomes the new Adam and rebuilds the covenant between man and God, so too is Mary the counterpoint to Eve. Immaculately conceived, Mary is alone among humanity (since Adam and Eve) to be born without sin. Her acceptance of God's plan for her redeems Eve's decision to disobey God's wishes. It is through her that the redemption of all of our sins can come into the world.
Mary was going against the social conventions of the time, and knew that she would face criticism and condemnation (or worse). She had faith that God would protect her and the child to be born from her. I pray that I might have such courage in the face of my fears. May I have the strength to follow God's will no matter the trials before me.
The Visitation of Mary to Saint Elizabeth
Luke 1:39-49
Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who, like Sarah from the Old Testament, has been blessed with a child in her old age. This child is, of course, John the Baptist who will announce the coming of Christ's teaching. Even in the womb, John recognizes the savior and "leaps" within Elizabeth at this first meeting.
To me, this event shows that life starts within the womb. John is identified as a separate individual even as he is still within Elizabeth. He responds to Jesus's presence as a separate presence as well.
It is also from this meeting that we get a large portion of the Hail Mary, one of the key prayers in the Rosary. Elizabeth recognizes Mary's role in the salvation to the world. It is only through Mary's acceptance of her destiny that Christ can come into this world in human form. Elizabeth sees this and greets her much younger cousin in a way that makes her understanding of this truth clear.
May we always hold sacred the miracle of pregnancy and be faithful to the fragile lives of unborn children. May we also recognize the roles of mothers in bringing their children into the world. So often only one of the two are remembered in the politics of this world. I pray that the world looks to protect and care for all children both before and after their births.
Luke 1:39-49
Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth who, like Sarah from the Old Testament, has been blessed with a child in her old age. This child is, of course, John the Baptist who will announce the coming of Christ's teaching. Even in the womb, John recognizes the savior and "leaps" within Elizabeth at this first meeting.
To me, this event shows that life starts within the womb. John is identified as a separate individual even as he is still within Elizabeth. He responds to Jesus's presence as a separate presence as well.
It is also from this meeting that we get a large portion of the Hail Mary, one of the key prayers in the Rosary. Elizabeth recognizes Mary's role in the salvation to the world. It is only through Mary's acceptance of her destiny that Christ can come into this world in human form. Elizabeth sees this and greets her much younger cousin in a way that makes her understanding of this truth clear.
May we always hold sacred the miracle of pregnancy and be faithful to the fragile lives of unborn children. May we also recognize the roles of mothers in bringing their children into the world. So often only one of the two are remembered in the politics of this world. I pray that the world looks to protect and care for all children both before and after their births.
The Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem
Luke 2:6-12
Jesus has been around since the beginning of time, but it is at the Nativity that He is born in human form. Instead of choosing to be born to a "noble" or "royal" family in a palace attended by servants, He is born in a manger with shepherds as witnesses to His arrival. He wishes to be one of us, not above us or beyond us. It is through His human experience that God shows His devotion to humanity.
He comes not as a king, but in the most helpless of forms: a human baby. He puts His faith in humanity, especially Mary and Joseph, to protect and watch over Him, just as we are supposed to put our faith in God. He shows His willingness to share in all of our sufferings, triumphs, and experiences, and through His birth, starts on the path to redeem us from our failings.
The celebration of the Nativity (i.e. Christmas) is celebrated now around the world. While not all people who partake in this celebration do so to glorify God, this occasion is celebrated by the giving of gifts, the gathering of families, and of charity to others; all of which are part of His divine message. Through history, there have been Christians who have been against the idea of celebrating the Nativity due to Christmas's connection to pagan traditions and fears that the message would be lost in the revelry that comes during this time. Yet I believe that the incorporation of other traditions shows part of Christ's universal message and that the revelry is completely appropriate for the arrival of our Lord and Savior.
We must also not forget Mary during this celebration. Giving birth is a difficult process in the best of conditions, and Mary's conditions were far from ideal. Yet she must be the one who gave the account of Jesus's birth. This is her story, and while it is filled with difficulties and challenges, the focus is on the wonders of Christ's birth.
May we not lose sight of the glorious miracle of human birth. May we not lose sight of the miracle of the Nativity. May we not get lost in the commercialism of Christmas, but cherish its true spirit. I pray that memory of the Nativity helps brings people and nations closer in fellowship and peace.
Luke 2:6-12
Jesus has been around since the beginning of time, but it is at the Nativity that He is born in human form. Instead of choosing to be born to a "noble" or "royal" family in a palace attended by servants, He is born in a manger with shepherds as witnesses to His arrival. He wishes to be one of us, not above us or beyond us. It is through His human experience that God shows His devotion to humanity.
He comes not as a king, but in the most helpless of forms: a human baby. He puts His faith in humanity, especially Mary and Joseph, to protect and watch over Him, just as we are supposed to put our faith in God. He shows His willingness to share in all of our sufferings, triumphs, and experiences, and through His birth, starts on the path to redeem us from our failings.
The celebration of the Nativity (i.e. Christmas) is celebrated now around the world. While not all people who partake in this celebration do so to glorify God, this occasion is celebrated by the giving of gifts, the gathering of families, and of charity to others; all of which are part of His divine message. Through history, there have been Christians who have been against the idea of celebrating the Nativity due to Christmas's connection to pagan traditions and fears that the message would be lost in the revelry that comes during this time. Yet I believe that the incorporation of other traditions shows part of Christ's universal message and that the revelry is completely appropriate for the arrival of our Lord and Savior.
We must also not forget Mary during this celebration. Giving birth is a difficult process in the best of conditions, and Mary's conditions were far from ideal. Yet she must be the one who gave the account of Jesus's birth. This is her story, and while it is filled with difficulties and challenges, the focus is on the wonders of Christ's birth.
May we not lose sight of the glorious miracle of human birth. May we not lose sight of the miracle of the Nativity. May we not get lost in the commercialism of Christmas, but cherish its true spirit. I pray that memory of the Nativity helps brings people and nations closer in fellowship and peace.
The Presentation of Jesus to the Temple
Luke 2:22-35
The Catholic tradition of baptizing a child can be traced to this event. Mary and Joseph show their devotion to their faith and traditions by presenting their first-born son to the temple and giving the appropriate offering. In doing so, they tie Jesus, the bringer on the New Covenant, into the faith and practices of the Old Covenant.
While many other religions prefer to wait to bring children into their faith until they are "old enough" to make a decision on the matter, the Catholic Church tries to include children from as close to their birth as possible. For some, this is seen as (and in some cases is) a type of superstition as a means to save the child's soul. To me, it is a way of publicly including the child and demonstrating to the Church the parents' commitment to raising the child in the teachings of the Church. The Catholic Church, in particular, has a number of points of initiation into full membership. The Catholic Sacrament of Baptism is just the beginning of a life-long connection to God.
Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple as required by Jewish law, showing their determination to raise Him as a faithful member of their religious community. May I also be committed to bringing my children into the loving embrace of God. May my contribution not simply be having them baptized and taking them to church each Sunday, but may I lead them to be knowledgeable members of the Church and teach them the meanings behind their faith both directly and through my actions throughout my life.
Luke 2:22-35
The Catholic tradition of baptizing a child can be traced to this event. Mary and Joseph show their devotion to their faith and traditions by presenting their first-born son to the temple and giving the appropriate offering. In doing so, they tie Jesus, the bringer on the New Covenant, into the faith and practices of the Old Covenant.
While many other religions prefer to wait to bring children into their faith until they are "old enough" to make a decision on the matter, the Catholic Church tries to include children from as close to their birth as possible. For some, this is seen as (and in some cases is) a type of superstition as a means to save the child's soul. To me, it is a way of publicly including the child and demonstrating to the Church the parents' commitment to raising the child in the teachings of the Church. The Catholic Church, in particular, has a number of points of initiation into full membership. The Catholic Sacrament of Baptism is just the beginning of a life-long connection to God.
Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple as required by Jewish law, showing their determination to raise Him as a faithful member of their religious community. May I also be committed to bringing my children into the loving embrace of God. May my contribution not simply be having them baptized and taking them to church each Sunday, but may I lead them to be knowledgeable members of the Church and teach them the meanings behind their faith both directly and through my actions throughout my life.
The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:41-51
As a young man, I pictured myself in the place of Jesus. I wanted to be able to speak wisdom in such a way that people couldn't help but stop and listen and be moved. This feeling has never gone away. It is probably one of the reasons I became a teacher, and it's definitely one of the reasons that I write on this website. While I am not certain that I can claim any true wisdom, I like to think that I help people think more deeply about their lives, their world, and their faith.
As a parent, I picture myself in the place of Joseph and Mary. This story starts with one of those terrible moments as a parent when you realize that you don't know where your child is. I have had a few of those terrifying moments in my life. They usually start with the phrase, "I thought she (or he) was with you." It is partially due to this story that I believe Jesus had brothers and sisters through an earlier marriage of Joseph's, or at least a good deal of cousins.
I wonder what their reactions were to finally finding Him in the temple. Relief certainly was a primary feeling. Did they also feel pride at His ability to speak with the learned men of what was the most cosmopolitan city in their area? I wonder if Joseph, and this is the last place where we hear of him, was saddened by Jesus's obvious knowledge that Joseph was not His father.
These Joyful Mysteries begin with Mary's acceptance of her destiny and end here with her witnessing her son's acceptance of His. I pray that, as a parent, I can be as accepting of the paths that my children are asked to take. May God's plans for them help them to make the world a better place, and if they must leave me, may I be supportive of them and the roles given to them.
Luke 2:41-51
As a young man, I pictured myself in the place of Jesus. I wanted to be able to speak wisdom in such a way that people couldn't help but stop and listen and be moved. This feeling has never gone away. It is probably one of the reasons I became a teacher, and it's definitely one of the reasons that I write on this website. While I am not certain that I can claim any true wisdom, I like to think that I help people think more deeply about their lives, their world, and their faith.
As a parent, I picture myself in the place of Joseph and Mary. This story starts with one of those terrible moments as a parent when you realize that you don't know where your child is. I have had a few of those terrifying moments in my life. They usually start with the phrase, "I thought she (or he) was with you." It is partially due to this story that I believe Jesus had brothers and sisters through an earlier marriage of Joseph's, or at least a good deal of cousins.
I wonder what their reactions were to finally finding Him in the temple. Relief certainly was a primary feeling. Did they also feel pride at His ability to speak with the learned men of what was the most cosmopolitan city in their area? I wonder if Joseph, and this is the last place where we hear of him, was saddened by Jesus's obvious knowledge that Joseph was not His father.
These Joyful Mysteries begin with Mary's acceptance of her destiny and end here with her witnessing her son's acceptance of His. I pray that, as a parent, I can be as accepting of the paths that my children are asked to take. May God's plans for them help them to make the world a better place, and if they must leave me, may I be supportive of them and the roles given to them.