Gospel: Lk 2:16-21
So they came hurriedly, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. On seeing him, they related what they had been told about the child; and all were astonished on hearing the shepherds. As for Mary, she treasured all these words, and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds then returned, giving glory and praise to God for all they had heard and seen, just as the angels had told them. On the eighth day, the circumcision of the baby had to be performed; he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Reflections
SHE TREASURED ALL THESE WORDS AND PONDERED THEM IN HER HEART
We read this several times in the Bible. It seems to be Mary’s way to ponder things in her heart when she experiences something incomprehensible. How could a young girl comprehend that she, who is a child herself, is about to bear a child in her womb when she had never been with a man? How can she understand that the child she gave birth to in Bethlehem is God himself? How can she fathom the mystery of this CHILD who has to do his FATHER’s business? And how can she accept that her son has to die a criminal’s death? And as to her own mystery, how can she grasp the destiny that awaits her – that all generations will call her blessed?
In silence and solitude, she pondered all these things in her heart. Did she actually under¬stand? Maybe, not fully. But in the depth of her heart she learned to accept what she could not under¬stand fully. She learned what it is to surrender herself into the arms of the Living God.
Loving God, we do not always understand the things that happen to us. It is difficult to accept the death of a loved one, the disgrace of failure, the betrayal of a spouse. When we encounter your mysterious ways in our life, help us like Mary to go into the depth of our heart and ponder on them and may we, like Mary, learn to abandon ourselves to your holy will. Amen.
Daily Reflection 2018
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Biblical Texts are taken from Christian Community Bible, Catholic Pastoral Edition (57th Edition) The New English Translation for the ROMAN MISSAL
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