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.