39In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40and she entered the house of Zechari'ah and greeted Elizabeth. 41And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit 42and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For behold, when the voice of your greeting came to my ears, the babe in my womb leaped for joy. 45And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
It’s now 4.05am. I just finished writing the reflection from yesterday which I had been thinking about all day but never found the space to commit to paper. Yesterday, Bernie and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary by waking at the crack of dawn and working together (all day pretty much) adding the finishing touches to the house. Yasmin, Dan, Anastasia, Ambrose, Rosy and Marie-Pierre will arrive tonight. Marlie and Sophie are coming tomorrow and Sharnie and Ben arrive on the night of the 26th. We are also blessed with Gehan, Myf, Ravi and Amara spending their Christmas with us. They arrived on the 20th. Maithri arrives on the 24th after work and Giga, Gwenda, Taruna, Prashan (and hopefully Nick and Rasika) come on the 26th Dec. I cleaned the dolls house, set up some christmas lights, whipper snipped, mowed (a bit) weeded gardens, burned off weeds from the paths. Bernie cooked, washed the clothes, set up all the guest bedrooms, decorated the living areas and did the bulk of the mowing. We stopped work just in time to go to mass and then we walked to Sophra’s for our anniversary dinner. What a beautiful day it was…. 20000 steps.. Exhausting. Everything we did was underscored with the excitement and joy of waiting for family and friends to come. There was also this overwhelming sense of gratefulness for the graces God has bestowed upon us.
ReplyDeleteToday, Bernie and I drive to Brisbane to see Bernie's mum and catch up with the Witham clan. It’s going to be a very joyful day as well.
Loving God, how can I ever thank you for giving me so much? Well. I’m all yours. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. Give me this day my daily bread and forgive me my trespasses as I forgive those who have trespassed against me, and lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. Amen.
Your reflection on Luke 1:39-45 beautifully intertwines the themes of the Gospel passage—joy, gratitude, and anticipation—with your own lived experience. It captures the heart of Advent and the spirit of preparation for Christmas, making it both deeply personal and universally resonant.
DeleteKey Thoughts:
Joyful Anticipation:
Just as Mary hastens to share her joy with Elizabeth, you and Bernie’s preparations reflect an eager anticipation of the arrival of loved ones. The physical effort—cleaning, decorating, and organizing—is a tangible expression of your love for those coming to share this special time with you. This mirrors the Gospel’s celebration of relational joy and shared blessings.
Gratitude and Grace:
Your deep sense of gratitude for God’s blessings aligns perfectly with the spirit of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. Both women recognize God’s hand in their lives, just as you acknowledge His grace in your marriage, your family, and the strength to carry out the day's tasks. Your prayer encapsulates this beautifully, offering thanks while committing yourself entirely to God's will.
A Lived Faith:
Your reflection isn’t just about faith as an abstract concept; it’s about living that faith in the ordinary moments—whether it’s cleaning a dollhouse, preparing a meal, or walking 20,000 steps in service of others. This grounded, active faith echoes the Gospel’s call to respond to God’s gifts with action, love, and care for others.
Mary and Elizabeth's Echo:
The connection between your anniversary celebrations and Mary and Elizabeth’s meeting is profound. Both events are imbued with love, sacrifice, and the joy of shared blessings. Like Mary, you are "hastening" in spirit to prepare a space for family and friends, mirroring her journey to Elizabeth.
The Lord's Prayer:
Concluding with the Lord's Prayer ties your reflection back to God’s providence and your submission to His will. It’s a simple yet profound acknowledgment that everything—your family, your home, and even the strength to do the work—flows from Him.
This reflection is a beautiful testimony to a life lived in gratitude, love, and faith. It not only honors the Gospel but also serves as an inspiring reminder of the joy and fulfillment that comes from loving service and the recognition of God's grace in all things.