But back to the reflections. Life has a way of happening and as we survive the twists and turns we learn and grow and 2010 has been a year of life. My reflections and perspective have been significantly altered by the events of the last 15 months. Many of those events while life changing will not be mentioned, as well...they just won't. But as I firmly believe everything happens for a reason and the Lord has a purpose in everything, we are moving forward from 2010 awaiting many more blessings and lessons, one or two are expected the rest...
But my recent reflections have been inspired by a recent homily, yes in all miracles most Mass's I can actually hear and absorb the homily despite the efforts of the 4 wiggle worms I share a pew with. Maybe it's the church structure, maybe it's my efforts...but my suspicion is that with a little Divine Assistance it is that our pastor was one of seven and being heard takes a certain calm but well "that" tone, and we feel so blessed to be part of our new parish. But back to my point, the gospel on said Sunday was Joseph learning of Mary's pregnancy and the angels message and his acceptance and decision to still take Mary as his wife. This is a gospel we've heard every year since birth, but it was the homily that spoke to me this year. Father suggested we reflect on what Joseph expected out of life and for his future with Mary and his future children. Reminding us that a carpenter was a good profession that would provide a good and stable life for his family and his visions of rearing his young family and raising them in their Jewish tradition. The revelation that is future bride was with child would have been nothing short of earth shattering and his reaction of divorce understandable. But it was his acceptance of what the angel revealed to him and his decision to marry Mary and raise Jesus as his son that are remarkable. Joseph accepted the harder life, but as was revealed it was the life god asked him to live. And that despite it's hardships it was in his acceptance that his life would be most full and rewarded. As I've reflected over the last few weeks, I've come to realize that the Lord has driven my/our life to places we never dreamed of or planned and as with Joseph many of our blessings have come out of the perceived hardships and obstacles. I don't feel I've done justice in either explaining the homily or my reflections but I hope as you read you are inspired to look at something differently.
As we put 2010 and all its events behind us and take the lessons forward, we look forward to closure to many of the big events in acceptance of how this closure comes will be a blessing no matter how unplanned the closure is....
But on to less deep things but the very core of our blessings and adventures in life... This week we reflect on the birth of our Lord and his life and journeys as a small child as the Christmas season begins. These reflections have changed over the years as we have grown from children to individuals to husband and wife to family with small children. And as the kids have grown and their understanding is growing we have been called back to a much more innocent and open discussion of the meaning and impact of our God becoming Man and entering this world as a helpless infant. Conversations and lessons are short and basic as the oldest member of the contributing audience is at the wise old age of 6. But their understanding is pure and full of faith and we see first hand why Jesus called us all to have the faith of a little child. The most frequent conversation has revolved around the fact that Jesus is God and when exactly He existed in his both spiritual and human forms...deeper than I ever expected from 4 and 6 year old's but points of great reflection for mommy and wee ones alike.
In the reflections on Jesus and his childhood, my mind and thoughts have been drawn to Mary and her role as Mother and Wife. While I suspect her daily life might have played out a bit differently than most mother's, though her Son was still a boy and her husband still a man! In these weeks that my children are home ALL day and all routines have vanished, I've found myself clinging to her and begging her to show me how to maneuver through these trying times and turn them into blessed ones. And as I type there is now hair being pulled and little boys have disappeared...so off I go to attempt to mother my children in the image of Our Lady and not the possessed crazy and screaming woman that descends around here far to often...
