Today (January 1, 2020) is also a holy day honouring Mary, the Holy Mother of God. I am always deeply touched when imagining the deep love, care and trust of Mother Mary as she held her infant son, the Son of God. This year I was moved by Pope Francis' Christmas Eve homily where he shared an old legend about a poor shepherd who felt he was extremely poor and felt embarrassed that he had nothing to give to the Christ child when he ran from the fields to see Him whom the Angel announced.
"Seeing that shepherd with empty hands, she [Mary] asked him to draw near. And she put the baby Jesus in his arms. That shepherd, in accepting him, became aware of having received what he did not deserve, of holding in his arms the greatest gift of all time. He looked at his hands, those hands that seemed to him always empty; they had become the cradle of God. He felt himself loved and, overcoming his embarrassment, began to show Jesus to the others, for he could not keep for himself the gift of gifts".
We too can become the cradle of God - in our hearts when we adore and contemplate Him but also in our actions when we joyfully share He who abides within us, with others. Jesus came for ALL of humankind and loves each one of us dearly.
One of the ways we can love others is to lift them up in prayer. I absolutely love this quote below:
Prayers are God-filled words in which our love and God’s love are joined. That love embraces the people for whom we are praying, and love always changes people and situations. This doesn’t mean that we will always get what we want, but Jesus does promise that we will get what we need." — Rev. Jude Winkler, OFM
While reflecting on the beauty and love of the Baby Jesus through the eyes of His mom, let us embrace our loved ones and the possibilities of the upcoming year in prayer - believing with all our hearts that love truly changes people and situations and all will work out for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
Please enjoy this adaptation of a Polish Carol I wrote - my brother Daniel and sister Caitlin are singing along with me. One of my favourite lines is: "In all humility do I rest my head upon your crib and gaze upon you precious King in the radiance of your love".
I send love to and embrace all who are reading this right now in prayer. Peace and blessings to you throughout 2020!
