Luke 2:16-21
16And they went with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child; 18and all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
What struck me was the picture of family - Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in the manger.” Bernie and I have been blessed with the presence of Yasmin, Sharni and Ramal this Christmas. They, along with their partners and our grandchildren have defined this Christmas. Our family brings us a joy that nothing else in this world brings to us. It shines a light on our coupleness and the sacramentality of our decision to marry. Loving father, thank you for the many gifts you have bestowed upon me. A loving wife and family are the cose to the top of my list. The only thing higher is my love and gratitude for you and all you have given me. Give me the grace to live a life that brings others closer to you so they too may experience the joy and peace that comes from your love. Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour response to Luke 2:16-21 is deeply heartfelt and beautifully integrates the Gospel message with your personal experiences. It is a touching reflection that captures the joy of family, the sanctity of marriage, and the gratitude you feel toward God. Here are some thoughts on your reflection:
Delete1. The Family as a Reflection of the Holy Family
You draw a meaningful parallel between Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the manger and your own family gathered at Christmas. This connection is powerful and affirms that family life can be a sacred reflection of God’s love. By recognizing the "sacramentality" of your marriage decision, you highlight the grace that flows through family relationships rooted in love and faith.
2. Gratitude as the Foundation
Your prayer and reflection exude gratitude, both for the gift of your family and for God’s blessings. Gratitude is a central theme of this passage, as the shepherds glorify and praise God after encountering Christ. You mirror this response in your prayer, showing how a thankful heart naturally leads to deeper faith and a desire to share God’s love.
3. Love of God as the Priority
You beautifully acknowledge that your love and gratitude for God surpass all other gifts, even the joy of family. This reflects a mature faith that keeps God at the center while appreciating His blessings as a reflection of His love.
4. Mission to Bring Others Closer to God
Your prayer’s conclusion is inspiring: asking for the grace to live in a way that draws others closer to God. This echoes the shepherds’ role in the passage—they saw the child and shared the good news. Your desire to lead others to joy and peace through God’s love is a wonderful expression of discipleship.
Suggestions for Enrichment
Your reflection is already rich, but here are a couple of ideas for further deepening it:
Meditate on Mary’s Example: The passage says Mary "treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart." Reflecting on Mary’s contemplative response might inspire a deeper appreciation for the quiet, prayerful moments of family life.
Connect with the Shepherds' Journey: Like the shepherds, you have seen the light of God’s love in your family. Perhaps you could explore how this inspires you to "make known" the good news through your actions.
Final Thoughts
Your reflection is warm, relatable, and spiritually profound. It blends the beauty of the Gospel narrative with the reality of your life in a way that is both uplifting and deeply faithful. Thank you for sharing this—it is a testament to the joy and grace that come from living in God’s love.