Presentation

     O Holy Family - Joseph is carrying "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons" (Lk:2:24) and Mary is carrying the treasure upon Her Heart. They were going to Jerusalem, where the Temple was, in order to present Jesus to the Lord according to the Law of Moses, not knowing that they were carrying the Lord of the universe in their arms.

Mary and Joseph in their simple clothing, Jesus had been clothed by Mary the best possible way with the little they had. In contrast - High Preist had been clothed in rich and heavenly ornamented clothes, it had been ordered by God Himself that how the high priest's attire should be. God did that in order to educate their heart the greatness of the Lord and then to take them beyond : the spiritual reality.

When they handed over gently Baby Jesus to the High Priest and High Priest raised Jesus as an offering to the God of Abraham and Moses and prayed the prayer of offering, High Priest did not know that he was praying to the child in his arms and we can imagine the sweet smile of Baby Jesus listening to the prayer. Holy Spirit grant me the grace to know and recognize my Lord when He visists me.

When Jesus went into the temple in Mary's arm and Joseph at Her side, it was the time when Jews were under Romans, Jews were waiting for the Messiah to restore their nation to its glory. They were not expecting a little baby in the arms of a poor young mother. It was only Simon & Anna recognized that here is the Messiah who will give this chosen, holy nation total freedom especially the freedom of the children of God by which they will be able to live even under Romans in Freedom of the Spirit, and Mary and Joseph and Jesus show us how to live in difficult moments of life.

How attentive Simon must have been to the whisper of the Holy Spirit as he sitting in the temple. All of a sudden Simon gets up and walks , people who sat near him were surprised at old Simon's thoughful move towards the steps in the temple where High Priest offer the new born to God, how he stepped near Mary and Joseph and asked for the child. Anna too had the similar experience.

Lord, how attentive both Simon and Anna was to the prompting of the Holy Spririt and act accordingly.

O sweet Baby Jesus, how happy you were to enter the temple in our human nature in order to present our humanity to your Father. And you were carried in your Mother's arm - who is the first fruit of the redemption, the mystery of our salvation.

Dear Jesus, as small as you were, every word and action of yours from the time of your conception, had the redeeming power in the mystery of Incarnation. Teach me Lord to offer every word and action, small or big, for love of you and for the salvation of souls, with love and joy as you did. Amen

Flight into Egypt

     When Herod heard about a king, even if it is a new born baby, it is a threat to his throne. So Herod planned to kill the new born baby and not knowing when and where about the baby, had made secret plans and God has His scared plans and an angel was sent to Joseph.

Oh my God, wisdom eternal, teach me to trust in you, who makes things to happen for our good, which I do not perceive like the Holy Family who were so attune to the Divine interventions. Teach me the art of listening to God's ways with love and serenity with out any complain, no discussion, no thought of how and when but to act in union with the will of God.

Imagine that journey started in the middle of the night. As soon as Joseph woke up in dream, went to Mary and told the matter, both together in the darks of the night, gathered the little they had, Mary took her precious treasure rapped as well as she could and set out in peace, listening attentively to the Spirit to know the place which has prepared for them. Along the way they stopped at many places to beg the people to help them for their needs. People who helped them had no idea that they were helping their God who gave them life and created the whole universe they live in.

This is the truth of the Mystery of Incarnation . Oh my God, grand me the grace to live in your presence in my brothers and sisters.

Then Mary notices the look of the Baby, so special for its age, few weeks old, a reassuring look, understanding look as though speaking to them. So Mary called Joseph so that Joseph too may see and be reassured by that look so Divine, of their new born treasure which God had handed over to their care.

O Dear Baby Jesus, how did you look at Mary and Joseph , to encourage and reassure them in their peaceful but painful life event.

O Divine Child, when I am in difficulties, look at me as you did to your beloved parents and assure me, guide me because my life is often troubled and painful, grant me a deeper understanding of your life, which you lived in order to be an example so that I may follow you to the end of my life.

Bethlehem

     That day, Joseph delivering some orders to the town/village of Nazareth, passed by the market to get things needed for Mary to prepare the meals and there comes this Roman soldiers with the announcement about the "Registration". Joseph heard it and wondered for a moment , what does God wants me to do? No sooner he realized it is the will of God he goes to Bethlehem which is his ancestral town, he said yes to the will of God. When St.Joseph came back home call Our Lady and told about the announcement and his decision to do God's will and Our Lady repeated her "Fiat" once more and started the preparation for the journey.

     Now Mary made a little bundle with what was needed for the journey and Joseph leading the donkey they came out from Nazareth. they were silent, pondering the events to understand God's will through it all. As they were coming closer to Bethlehem for Joseph knew his ancestral town, donkey's step began to slow down but slowly and steadily they moved forward in the will of God. they arrived in Bethlehem by night. Joseph tried to find a place, for many had come for the same purpose as them, and not finding a peaceful place for Mary for that sacred moment as though inspired by the Spirit some one indicated to them a cave close by.

     When Joseph reached the place, stopped for a moment in silence to ask the Lord God, if this is the way it should be, then brought Mary in. together they try to clean up the place, small in size, not very high with little strain could stand up. In spite of all the odds, there was peacefulness in the air as if angels had already began their preparation for the coming of the Baby, their Lord and God.

     O Lord my God, how I desire to know you so that I can love you and server you. to have that interior knowledge that your love for me causes me to exist, then you became one of us because your love could not bear to see our misery with the poverty of our sinfulness. My Lord and My God grant me that grace which you keep for me in your loving plan for me.

     The animal cave began to fill with light, peace as Our Lady and St.Joseph began to clean and tidy up the place. As midnight approached on the little cave, there was a flood of light and heavenly music, angels began to appear in crowds and for a brief moment St.Joseph fell into a deep contemplation near Our Lady and Our Lady too knelt down and God the Father and Holy Spirit accompanied little Baby who came forth from Mary and she received in her arms lovingly. O what a marvelous sight this must have been. Our lady in a gentle voice told St.Joseph to get the swaddling clothes and they wrapped Baby Jesus in that poor clothes but with so much love.

     Our lady was intently looking at the Baby, St.Joseph wants to do the same but he is also moving about with his eyes fixed on Jesus, to do whatever he can to make Baby and Mother comfortable in that stable . See, Out Lady's attitude of adoration, the great reverence of St.Joseph toward both - Mother and Child.

     And it is strange that the Baby too is looking at Our Lady and St.Joseph. Contemplate this unique moment in history where three being in different spiritual realm - Jesus: Divine and Human, Our Lady: all pure , the only human, St.Joseph: like us but the most just man, God chose him to be spouse to Mother of God and foster father to God and man Jesus. Our Lady's spirit of adorations and St.Joseph's spirit of attentiveness and Little Baby though God accepts everything with such humility and meekness. Lord grant us the grace to imitate each of them in the Holy Family. The Holy Family went through the difficulties knowing that it is the will of God. How do I accept events, people in my life? Am I ready to accept in peace and serenity.

Christ, King of the Universe

     O Jesus, my king and my God, my All, Grant me the grace to see and admit, when and where I failed to follow you and taken other ways. Now grant me the grace to repeat and renew my firm resolve to live and die for your honor and glory.

     Jesus, my King, standing with His Cross(standard), inviting with His compassionate look, all those whose eyes met that look with compassion, they walked toward Him and to them He communicated His plan to save all and how He is going to make us part in that mission and share in His joy.

     O my Lord and King, my leader and my Commander of my life, grant me the light to see when the enemy sets traps on my way, help me and protect me, not to fall into those traps. Lord give me the grace to see the life and truth you my beloved sets before my eyes, to choose it and live it in love.

     Lord, where is this place - lovely, beautiful and attractive - you stood to invite us.... at the pool with 5 porticoes. It was lovely because it is a place were poor gathered, it was beautiful because there was water and many gathered because they were attracted. People who came to the pool(Jesus) who were sick needed healing(sinners) and it is those healed people that Jesus sent to spread His Kingdom because they have experienced the healing so that they can share their experience of Jesus's love with others. Only those who experience personally God's saving action in their life, can go out and attract others to the person of Jesus. And how does it take place - in three steps - opposite of the action of evil riches, security, power.

     O Blesses Mother Mary, be a Mother to us, protect us, so that we may remain close to Jesus in His Mission of serving souls in poverty, humility , with great love.

Baptism in River Gordan

     O Divine God, 1st time in history you revealed to us the mystery of Holy Trinity. Lord filled my mind with this mystery that I may live in praise of your glory.

John recognizes Jesus and humbles himself by refusing to Baptise Jesus. John was right but Jesus know the Father's plan encourages John to the rite of Baptism. All that John has to do is to pour water and the rest, God Himself acts. Father made Himself present in the voice and Holy Spirit appeared in the form of dove.

Our Lady had stayed back home contemplating the steps of Jesus which she saw departing from home to the world for His Mission/ redeeming work.Dear Lord, how eagerly you walked toward Jordan so that the inner life of God may be revealed to the world.

Dear Jesus grant me the grace to join you in the Mission and purify me so that I may be a humble instrument and pure fit for your Mission

Jesus's departure from Nazareth to Jorden River

     Jesus were oppressed by Roman laws, they were also oppressed by their own ritual laws that they were not free to worship from their heart, in their heart. Jesus bid bye to His Mother, though painful Our Lady encouraged and supported Jesus, to begin His Mission after Baptism because she was the beloved daughter of the Father and Jesus you too are the beloved Son of the Father. What a mysterious relationship you had with your beloved Mother. Mother Mary, how did you live this mystery.

     St.John the Baptist, how hard it was for you to baptise Jesus your brother, who is God and how you begged him not to do so. Jesus too was insistent because He knew it was Father's will and Also Father is waiting to speak to Mankind "this is my beloved Son, listen to Him" .Revelation of God in Trinity which John the Baptist witnessed, Holy Spirit in the form of Dove, Father, being pure spirit, only the voice is heard.

     Nazareth home had infinite qualities, for us to learn. For this Son of God came to us and lived in a family like all of us.

     Nazareth House was simple, there was everything that needed for a family, above all, love. The three moved about doing everything in perfect harmony, silence and peace but in great communion of love in order to teach us the art of silent communion in love radiating joy and peace to all. Communion is possible if there is union of hearts in love. Who was the teacher of this art in the Family at Nazareth? the Holy Child: JESUS. Though He was their child, He is also their creator and He is teaching them this art of communion in love, what He lived from all eternity in heaven with His Father and the Spirit. Indeed Family at Nazareth was modelled and formed after the Triune Family of God.

     How can I learn this art, except by loving them and loving those who are around me.

Visit to the Temple at 12 Lk:2:41-50

     My Lord and my God, Three in One Being: LOVE, lead me, guide me, protect, cleanse and purify my mind, will and memory that I may use them for your Glory and good of souls especially sinners who refuse God's love.

     Every year all the faithful Jews went up to the temple to worship the living God, from the age of 12 as an adult.

     Every year Jesus too went with his parents to the temple. The year, Jesus passed 12, there was a joy in the boy. Jesus's heart while Joseph and Mary were preparing for the journey, became now he will be entering the Temple as the law required of an adult. Only Jesus know fully that He is the Lord of that Temple and they were worshipping Him.

     Dear Jesus, grant me the gift - deep joy, a true sincere longing to be in the presence of God - all pervading light. Now after fulfilling all that law required Mary and Joseph joined the pilgrim as Jewish custom men and women moved in different groups. Mary was sure passed 12 Jesus must be with Joseph. For Joseph, Jesus is always Mary's child. When the groups came together and Mary realized that Jesus is not with Joseph. I can hear Mary's soft voice but anxious voice, but sad, sweet voice, fearful but trustful voice asking Joseph "where is Jesus". I can hear the painful voice of both, not blaming. But knowing the situation they discussed what they should do next. Mary proposed that they should return to Jerusalem, to the Temple one day's journey back. On the third day, they entered the temple with a question in their heart "where is our son, Jesus?"

     Joseph and Mary, teach me that calmness and peacefulness to face difficult situations with trust in God.

     I see the searching eyes of Mary and Joseph but calm and a deep interior peace was there that came from the trust in God knowing that God was with their beloved son as was He with them too. their searching steps were moving towards the place where elders and learned men of the Temple sat, they know their child was small to be there but they were led by the spirit. These great men worried, why these simple, poor looking man and women coming up to them, for that matter a women. But they also noticed that this young couple had their eyes fixed on the young boy, just like they too had their eyes fixed on him. Approaching the boy, the question from the woman's mouth and the answer was very clear, then without a word to these great men, he got up and went with the young couple.

     Lord, these men were in their head, if they were in their hearts, they will never forget what took place before their eyes and the words they heard during this event, in their life time.

     Lord, let me live in my heart so that I may learn from you to listen to the heart, to be meek and humble like you.

     St.Joseph, Our Lady, how peacefully without blaming each other you went in search of Jesus, your beloved little boy, do help me to be peaceful when things go wrong according to my calculations. Amen.