Author: Lana Kaczmarek

“After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions, and all who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers.” (LK 2:46-47)

Have you ever stopped to consider how easy it is for us to change our mind but how difficult it is to change our hearts? Have you ever set your mind on purchasing a particular item online or in a store and have decided it’s the best, it’s the fastest, it’s on sale, it’s 50% off, it’s the greatest discount ever only to end up buying something different? We might have experienced a moment when there were so many choices to choose from that it was difficult to make a final decision. Research says on average we make about 35,000 decisions a day. That’s a lot of decisions. Have you asked God for help? Imagine being in the Temple hearing Jesus speak for the first time in a public setting. All those who heard him speaking in the Temple were astounded. They were amazed at the profound wisdom that came from the heart of this 12-year-old boy who spoke the truth with such eloquence and confidence that they couldn’t stop listening to him. Imagine listening to the voice of this sweet young boy speak with so much love about God, Moses, the prophets and the One who was to come into the world to redeem the house of Israel. Why did they change their minds so quickly about who Jesus was? He never changed his message. He consistently preached the Good News of forgiveness, God’s love for humanity and the mission of our salvation. How sad to consider that those who heard Jesus speak when he was twelve were probably the same teachers, scribes and elders who later questioned his relationship with the Father, diminished his authority, did not believe he was the chosen Messiah and would not accept he was the Son of God. He would and could only be in their minds the Carpenter’s son and the son of Mary, his mother. What an amazing thing to simply be a member of the Holy Family. To be a child of Mary and a child of Joseph. God, as we know is unchanging – he remains without change.  God is loving, kind and merciful. God has always been loving, kind and merciful. He will never change. He will always love us. He will always be merciful and kind to us. Have you ever thought about how easy it is for us to change our minds about God in moments of trial? In difficult situations, we tend to question or doubt God’s presence or his love for us yet he never stops loving us. He remains with us in every moment, even in moments of trial. Let us pray for the grace that our relationship with God may be strengthen and that we may come to know and believe without a doubt in every moment and circumstance, that God truly loves us and he will never leave our side. God will never change his mind and he will never change his heart. He will love us forever.

[Simeon took the child Jesus] into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (LK 28:32)

On the eighth day, Mary and Joseph took the child Jesus into the Temple to present him to the Lord as prescribed by the law. In the darkness of a world covered over by sin, Christ enters humanity as “a light for revelation.” Once again we can reflect on the great moment when God brings order by giving the order, “let there be light.” Jesus comes into our world as the face of God, the face of Divine Mercy to make visible the Father’s face of infinite love and to show the world how much God desires us. God’s love for us is real. Light reveals, it makes known what is hidden and unveils what we are unable to see. However, our spiritual vision needs to be corrected, our gaze needs to be purified in order to behold God’s gracious gift of self and to see his light and to experience his glory. Simeon and Anna were both spirit filled people. They were filled with the hope that their eyes would personally behold the “Light of the World.” They longed for the anticipated Messiah. When Jesus revealed his light, his love, his life, Simeon and Anna saw it, rejoiced in it and drew others to it. Sadly, it was not seen by all but only by some. Why? Let’s take a moment to consider how they might have prepared to encounter the Christ, the One sent by the Father. The people who were not prepared for the coming of the Lord did not see him even though he was in their midst talking to them face to face. They could not see him. This will repeat itself many times with the Pharisees and Scribes who were unable to see Jesus because their own darkness prevented them from seeing his glorious light.  Simeon and Anna’s actions are helpful for our own spiritual journey as we search for the Light in our desperate times especially in bleak moments covered with despair, confusion and desolation. We hear that Simeon was a righteous, devout and holy man filled with the Holy Spirit and that Anna was a woman dedicated to the Temple and lived a life of fasting and prayer. These beautiful, spiritual disciplines are so beneficial to our spiritual senses for “blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” Let us pray that our Lord will prepare our hearts and light our way so we may see him in our hearts and encounter him personally and intimately in our prayer.

The angel said to [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. (LK 2:10-11)

I often wonder and am really surprised how often God, an angel, prophet or Jesus approaches someone in the Bible and begins the conversation by saying, “do not be afraid.” Why be afraid of God when he loves us so much and wants to help us so much? When the Angel Gabriel first appeared to Zechariah in the Temple, and to Mary in her home, and to Joseph in a dream, and to the Shepherds in the field, he greeted them by saying, “do not be afraid.” There are many other scenes in the New Testament with similar greetings. For example, when Jesus calls the disciples he says to Peter, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” Or when the disciples were caught in a storm and Jesus came to them walking on the water and said, “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” There is also the beautiful scene of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. As God spoke to the disciples, they hid. Then Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” Or how about the time when Jesus heard that Jairus’ daughter died. He said to him, “Do not be afraid; just have faith and she will be saved.” Or the women who were heading to the tomb on Easter morning to bring spices for the body of Jesus but were surprised by an angel that said them, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.” And finally, in the Book of Revelation, when John experienced Jesus in a vision, Jesus told him, “Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever.” Jesus reminds us, we have nothing to be afraid of any more. God loves us and sent his Son Jesus to save us – not to condemn us.  So do not be afraid, but rather be loved.

“The time came for [Mary] 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.”  (LK 2:6-7)

Sometimes, after all the planning, coordinating, preparing and anticipating – things just don’t always go as we had hoped for or as we had planned. They just don’t. We anticipate things will come to pass as planned, promised or expected. However, we are often left disappointed or even angered when things don’t meet our expectations or bring us a desired result. How would you respond if your food order wasn’t correct? It is too hot or too cold or it’s not even what you ordered or exactly how you ordered it. How would you respond? What if someone else is in your seat or the reservation record can not be found on the day of your departure? How would you respond to these situations? Will it be helpful or hurtful?  Please keep in mind God will provide more food, he will find you another seat and he will offer you another room perhaps in another inn. I can only imagine what it must be like traveling with our Mother Mary and Father Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. What must they be thinking about? How do they feel about the unknown? What are they thinking about the precious cargo they are carrying and have been entrusted to care for?  When they finally arrive, things don’t seem to be going as planned. There is no reservation, no room, no food, not even a place to sit. But they trust that God will provide, he always does. God always provides. God decides a cave, in all its simplicity is the best and natural place for the Son of God to enter into this world.  It is a poor but simple and humble setting – almost as if God is recreating in nature preparing once again to say, “let there be light.” Do you sense the peace Mary and Joseph are experiencing in total submission to God’s will?  The peace they are enjoying even in a moment of urgency? What if there is a change required in your life? Perhaps that change is happening now. Ask Mary and Joseph to accompany to help you and to pray for you in your moment of need.

[Elizabeth said,] Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb… Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (LK 1:42,45-47)

In the eyes of the Church and in the souls of so many believers, the name Mary calls to mind so many splendid images of a special person who seems to always be available to us, especially in moments of great need; of a kind woman who is always willing to walk the distance with us no matter how long the journey might be; of a gentle soul who prays for us unceasingly even when we don’t have the energy or the desire to pray for ourselves; of a humble mother who is always so willing to come to our aid no matter what the circumstance might be. She simply wants to help us poor sinners, poor children of God, poor children of Mary. Mary’s name also invokes in us so many stories of how God uses her as an instrument to share the Good News of our salvation; to deliver us important signs and warnings when we drift too far away from God’s presence; to offer us motherly advice at the crossroads of life or in moments of deep discernment; to give us a gentle correction when we choose the wrong rather than choose the right or when we do the bad rather than the good; to provide us with loving inspiration when we are afraid and unable to move forward and to offer us help in moments of darkness, bleak situations or moments of dire need. The mere mention of Mary’s name brings strength to those who are weary, comfort to the sorrowing, hope to the despairing, faith to the unbelieving, something to brighten our day when everything else seems so heavy or everyone around us seems so gray. It brings to heart so many joyful memories that describe our awesome relationship with God, our awesome relationship with Mary, the Mother of God. Some immediate images that come to mind and heart are: Mother, Beloved, Immaculate, Blessed, Beautiful, Virgin, Star, Perfect, Holy, Pure, Vessel, Temple, Tabernacle, Grace, Intercessor, Mystical Rose and the one that might help us during this season to more fully anticipate the gift we desire to more purely celebrate is joy. The Church calls Mary the “Cause of our Joy.” What is the cause of your joy? Not what makes you happy for a brief moment but that which fills you with everlasting joy? For Mary, it is Jesus – God’s Love. Let us pray to our Lord that he would fill us with his love so that like Mary we may perpetually sing for joy.

Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  May it be done to me according to your word.” (LK 1:30)

To know the Lord, to love him and to serve him is at the heart of our Catholic faith and our Christian duty – it is our salvation. It is simply who we are, what we are about and what we must do to more fully realize our identity as beloved children of God. God invites us to more fully live out our call to become holy by becoming faithful witnesses of God’s love, evangelizers of the gospel and missionaries of mercy in the world and in our families.  We are invited to deepen our knowledge of God by understanding his divine plan and living in his holy will. We are invited to deepen our love of God in the Mass, through personal prayer and with deep devotion. We are asked to serve him in faith, in joy and in ministry through random acts of kindness and intentional works of mercy.  We can do this by spending more quality time with sacred scripture, by more fully entering into silent prayer, by more faithfully celebrating the Sacraments of God’s infinite love and divine mercy and by simply living every moment, every action, every thought, every situation, every conversation in accordance with God’s divine plan and his holy will. Mary is certainly our humble role model, our faithful example, our spiritual guide.  She abandoned herself, her thoughts, her will according to God’s Way, his Word, his Will. Mary loves us, intercedes for us, prays unceasingly for us.  Perhaps this is a good time to ask Mary for assistance with your preparation in all things. Ask Mary to spend some quiet time with you in prayer. Ask her for the grace to help you to more intimately and personally know God. Ask her to help you understand all the ways God has blessed you, your work, your family, your ministry. Ask her for the courage to know God’s plan for you and for the strength to entirely surrender to his holy will by saying yes to God from your heart, “May it be done to me according to your word.”

The angel said to [Mary] in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.” (LK 1:35)

Have you ever considered what makes a person or a place or an object holy? Perhaps a Holy Card or a Holy Rosary, Holy Water or Holy Oils, Holy Mary or the Holy Family, Holy Communion or the Holy Land? God is the One who makes everything holy for he is the source of all holiness. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the mystery of the Holy Cross, God makes everything that is receptive to him and his grace holy. Mary is holy because God created her immaculate and without the stain of sin. She is perfected in holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit that consumed her in the fire of his Holy Love and in the Holy Child who is consumed in totality by Mary’s heart, mind, body and soul. Mary is most holy, since in all reality, she is the first to receive spiritually and physically the fullness of Holy Communion — the eternal and redemptive gift of God’s love — the precious Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of God’s dearly Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called us to be holy as he our Lord and God is holy. He invites us to be one with him in an unbreakable bound and covenant of unity and peace that is meant for ever. Would you desire holiness simply for the sake of loving God more perfectly? Meaning, freely loving God with all your heart, body, mind and soul? Holiness could seem like an impossibility but as we know, nothing is impossible for God. We must embrace the fact that we are in constant need of the Father’s merciful love and redeeming grace in order to live out more fully the call to holiness and to walk the Way of Jesus by living out his holy way of life. So let us pray for the grace to respond like Mary and allow God to overshadow us with the embrace of his Holy Love and make us holy. “Lord God, king of heaven and earth, direct our minds and bodies throughout this day, and make us holy. Keep us faithful to your law in thought, word and deed. Be our helper now and always, free us from sin, and bring us to salvation in that kingdom where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.” Amen (prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours – Week III)

[The Angel said to Mary,] “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (LK 1:28-30)

Have you found favor with God? A profound yet wonderfully challenging question to consider. But before you attempt to answer the question, like Mary, let us take some time to ponder the question then take it to prayer. Let us give it some serious thought for a moment then thoroughly take it to contemplation. First, let us consider who God is, who we are and what is the difference. God is God and we are not. God is Creator and we are his creation. God is the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Creator of the Sun and Moon, Creator of the Planets and Stars, Creator of Time and Space, Creator of the Universe and Galaxies and everything contained in them. God is complete, perfect, pure, infinite, without need, unchangeable, the first cause of existence. God didn’t need us, never needed us, still doesn’t need us, will never need us. Yet he still chose to create us in the beauty of his image and likeness — not out of necessity, but simply out of love. Even when we disobeyed him and were banished from Eden, he still showed his great love to us by covering our shame with his tender love and divine mercy. Even when we said we will never sin again, we gave our attention and hearts to lifeless idols and still God pardoned our sins and accepted our offering of peace. Even when we lied and rejected the law of the Commandments and bore false witness against his Beloved Son, Jesus, who innocently became mortal for us and suffered greatly for our sins, was severely punished for our offenses and died a painful, shameful death because of our iniquities — God still loved us, desired us and forgave us — and even more amazing, God still loves us, still desires us and will forgive us every time we say we are sorry from our hearts. We have definitely found favor with God. Never be afraid to say it. We are the apple of his eye.

“The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said, “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” (LK 1:26-28)

Prayer is such an important part of who we are. It is how we communicate with God as Father, Brother and Friend. Prayer enables us to deepen our intimate and felt knowledge of the One who has created us and molded us in his image and likeness.  After we had tarnished our image through sin and self-absorption, prayer permitted us to restore the personal relationship with God through the One who suffered and died for us in order to recreate us into the beloved children of God we were meant to be. Prayer encourages and inspires us to go deeper into the scenes of the Bible and place ourselves into the scripture story, our story in order to more clearly hear the voice of God speaking to our hearts and inviting us to change and grow. One of my favorite scenes to visit is the Annunciation. Imagine placing yourself into the scene. Silence your heart. Quiet your mind. Take a deep breath and enter the scene. As you sit next to our Mother Mary, what do you want or need to say to her? What do you wish to tell her, share with her, ask her to pray for? What is she saying to you, teaching you, asking of you? What does the temperature outside feel like? Is it hot or cool, windy or breezeless, sunny or raining? Is the air fragrant with flowers, perfumes, fresh baked bread?  Are there any sounds of nature? Can you hear any birds in the background? What does Gabriel’s wings sound like, what does he look like, did he startle you? Did you pray with him when he said “Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” Can you imagine being in Galilee where God decided to leave his throne in heaven and come down to ask Mary to be his his holy vessel and the Mother of his Beloved Son so that he can enter into our broken humanity, die to repair our sins and bring all God’s children safely back home to heaven? What is God saying to you right now? What do you want to say to God.  Tell him. He is listening.