​A few years ago my husband and I were fortunate to be able to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The entire journey through Israel and Palestine was filled with blessings and many insights into the Scriptures. The last site we visited was Emmaus, a small town to which most pilgrimages do not go because now it is a place which is hostile to Christianity; therefore, it was a gift to be able to go there. We hear about this small town during the Easter season because Jesus appeared (at first not recognized) to two disciples who were discouraged and on the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. As they walked, not only did the Risen Jesus explain how the prophecies were fulfilled, but He did something that changed everything for them: at dinner He blessed and broke the bread, at which point they recognized Him and He vanished. (Luke 24:13-35) They were so excited, literally on fire with the Eucharist, that they ran all the way back to Jerusalem, no small feat since these places are not really close together.* After hearing this passage again, I realized that we know next to nothing about these two disciples, except the name of one of them, Cleopas. In fact, we do not even know if the second one was a man or a woman. They were ‘little,’ unnoticed but for their encounter, never to be mentioned again. And yet, both the disciples and Emmaus have an indelible, fixed place in our awareness because of what took place there: the Risen Jesus made manifest in the bread blessed, broken, and shared. The freedom which arose within the two disciples’ was immense. They let go of their discouragement and fear, becoming immersed in the joy of encountering the Risen Christ.

If we are honest, we all like to be noticed in some way even if we are the most introverted or shy of people. Everyone wants to know that they have caught someone’s attention, to be loved, to have made a difference, or to get credit for something we may have accomplished. Unfortunately for some, this desire can become a bit too strong, resulting in either self-centeredness or the sin of pride which overpowers everything we do. That pride can lead to envy and other sinful behaviors even in the most prayerful of people because sometimes it can be so subtle that we are not aware of this motivation until we have our eyes opened to it. If another person points this out to us, it can be quite painful, but it can also be a bitter pill to swallow if we realize it during prayer; that is, if it is the Lord who reveals this to us. However, it is in that revelation that freedom begins. Remember that Jesus said the truth will set us free? Well, at first truth can make us rather uncomfortable, but if we accept the graces offered by the Lord to let go of our sinful tendency, we will come to great freedom and joy. We will discover that there is great freedom in being little, unselfconscious, and even ‘under-credited’ by the world. When that happens and we accept it with joy, we are truly free, because it is in that freedom that holiness grows, noticed, if you will, by the One whose judgment is the only one that counts: our merciful God.

In the story of the two disciples who traveled to Emmaus with Jesus there are two important aspects to consider. The first is that upon reflection, they realized their hearts were burning within them during the entire time they were walking with Jesus, even though they were quite discouraged because they had thought that perhaps He had not ‘been the one.’ This teaches us to trust what is happening within our own hearts. If we are experiencing a true movement of the Holy Spirit or the presence of Jesus with us, then we ought to meet Him in our prayer to talk about it with Him. Just as with the two disciples, He will reveal what we need. The second is that they recognized Jesus when He blessed and broke the bread; that is, when He gave them Himself in the Eucharist.**  Of course, we have access to Jesus in the Sacraments daily. Thus, every time we experience the Eucharist we are in fact having the same encounter with Jesus that they did! And I might add that when we go to Reconciliation we are also having an intimate experience of Jesus since it is then that we encounter His Divine Mercy and receive grace to free us from our sins. Therefore, we know that through pouring out our fear and brokenness to the Lord we find true freedom to grow in holiness because in this letting go, we become comfortable with ourselves as we are, no longer needing recognition from anyone but the One we love. 

Finally, the story of the two disciples teaches us that God’s mercy brings the joy which heals all pain. In other words, God’s mercy brings the strength to endure any suffering we might have, and in knowing His closeness, we find great joy. Freedom from fear, discouragement, and from the need to be noticed with the rewards that come from the world, brings joy and peace; the wonderful truth is that God offers it through His death and Resurrection. It takes trust to let go in this way, and therefore our prayer needs to always be: “Jesus, I trust in you!” 

May we embrace Divine Mercy, allowing the Lord to transform our brokenness and desire to be huge in the eyes of the world into an acceptance of being little so that He can be big! May we grow in freedom to be who God created us to be, that we might give Him great glory! And may we find the joy that heals all pain in the Heart of the Risen Lord! Alleluia! Peace!

                                                                                   ©Michele L. Catanese

* Fun facts: The town of Emmaus, by the route they would have taken, is  a little less than 7 miles (11 kilometers) from Jerusalem. That should make it a bit clearer as to just how empowered the 2 disciples were as a result of everything that had transpired. To have run all the way back after taking all day to walk it is rather amazing. The Church that is in Emmaus/El-Qubeibeh today is called the Basilica of the Manifestation of the Risen Christ to Clopas and Simon, indeed a mouthful! (Traditionally it was said that the second disciple was Simon, but nowhere is that mentioned directly in the Scriptures.)
** Jesus disappeared as soon as He blessed, broke, and shared the bread because it had become His Body, and therefore He only needed to be present in one form. He was equally present in the bread, now Eucharist, as He had been when He had been standing before them. 

Note: Many great saints made themselves little as they let go of their desire to do anything but love God and do His will. The most obvious is St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, of whom I have written many times. I believe the desire to give everything over to the Lord in total trust so as to become little in order for Him to be more known is a hallmark of holiness. Another of my favorites, among so many, is St. Benedict Joseph Labrè whom I have written about twice. Since I will be taking a ‘blog holiday’ for a few weeks, there will be no new entry on May 16. Therefore, my recommendation is that in two weeks, you might read an Easter entry I wrote in 2016 in which St. Benedict Joseph was mentioned along with a couple of other saints, a full paragraph devoted to him. 
https://www.catanesesd.com/micheles-blog/who-will-tell-of-his-posterity
If you would like more information on St. Benedict Joseph Labrè you can click here:
https://catholicsaints.info/saints-of-the-day-benedict-joseph-labre/​
​
Images:
1. My photo, sculpture behind the altar in the Church in Emmaus, Palestine. 
2. My photo, taken in Big Bend National Park. This little flower stood out, obviously.
3. Icon, the two disciples with Jesus on the road to Emmaus and then at table.
4. Icon, Christ All Merciful by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/christ-all-merciful-022-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. Painting, Quebec Village (Saint-Hilarion) by Arthur Lismer (1926) You can find more on this painting at https://agnes.queensu.ca/explore/collections/object/quebec-village-saint-hilarion/

In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

Now that Lent is over and the Easter season has arrived it is good to think about what we learned in the last 7 weeks. Hopefully, as we are singing our alleluias we do not forget what we gained as insight into ourselves, our relationship to others, and to God. If we do not come away with at least some small thing, then it might be helpful to look back at where we have been spiritually and where we are now. Even if we think we did not ‘do Lent’ very well or that we somehow did not live up to whatever our Lenten intentions were, there is always some little gift hidden along the way that we would lose out on if we let it go unnoticed. That we even realize we could have done better is a gift because it means that our intentions were ‘in the right place’ in regard to the process. The Divine Mercy which flows from the Heart of Jesus will most assuredly honor that. Besides, it is never too late to grow in the spiritual life. Therefore, this is not the time for regrets, but rather for joy. No matter what our Lent was like, Jesus died for us and for all of our attempts, failed or otherwise, so that we might have life to the full with Him in Heaven forever. Surely that is something for which to rejoice!

Jesus’ death and resurrection were acts of Divine Mercy, and therefore purify all of the things we could have done better and which often come back to nag us in the form of regrets. Who among us does not regret our own sinfulness or some behavior of which we are not proud? These regrets are seen vividly in the actions of the apostles, all of whom abandoned Jesus after He was arrested in the Garden. The most dramatic of these were Judas and Peter: sadly, Judas refused forgiveness and hence redemption, but Peter after much remorse, did accept it. While Judas did have deep regret, he let it overwhelm him; Peter accepted God’s mercy, letting go of regret, and becoming transformed into new life, which included a new way to serve Jesus. Therefore, the joy of Easter enables us to learn something from our regrets, and to let go of them as we accept the gift of redemption through Divine Mercy offered to us on the cross of Christ.

Recently I have reflected upon a different apostle, however: St. John, “the one whom Jesus loved.” He, too, ran from the soldiers in the Garden, leaving Jesus to arrest, cruel treatment, and death. But I wondered what it was like for him as he brought Jesus’ mother, Mary, to the cross. While we know John did this, I have never heard any commentary about what may have been going on in his mind and heart as he stood before the cross, equally as guilty as the other apostles who also left Jesus that night. My thought is that perhaps what enabled John to go to the cross with Mary was not guilt, but rather, love. He loved Mary and was honored to have Jesus put her into his care; John also loved the Lord and so he must have already begun letting go of his regrets, facing the issue head-on. That is, he must have looked into the eyes of Jesus and seen the Divine Mercy which is beyond all telling. He was washed clean in the blood and water that flowed from the side of Jesus; I imagine that on Easter morning when he ran to the tomb with Peter, John already believed it was empty, and thus the mercy of Jesus dying on the cross became powerful Easter grace, healing any trace of previous regret John (or Peter) may have had.

The other side of regret is joyful gratitude. Every moment transformed by the Paschal mysteries, that is the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, is filled with the purification of all our failures, even our worst decision and our subsequent worst sin. All of it is purified by the greatness of God’s love and by the incomprehensible mercy which flows from the Risen Jesus and therefore leads us to gratitude and the joy of new freedom. But there is something else to consider: Jesus has gratitude for us, too. That is, whenever we respond to His call to offer our weakness and sin as a gift to Him, thus enabling greater interior freedom, Jesus rejoices and is filled with gratitude for our love. Whenever we respond to His love with our love, all of Heaven rejoices. 

​Even if how we handled Lent was not to our ‘specification,’ acknowledging that is actually a gift; it is an opportunity to continue to live a gospel life the way we desire and the way God desires, but without expecting more than we are capable of doing at the moment. Perhaps we are called to set our goals anew, turning more to Jesus and His Divine Mercy, and less to our self-reliance. If so, then we have indeed ‘done Lent’ well and have offered a finer gift to God than we realized. Life is a process, but in the Risen Jesus we can always find mercy, and therefore spiritual growth and new life. One of the gifts of Jesus’ victorious Resurrection lies in the knowledge that interior freedom and holiness are never beyond our reach. Let us turn to Jesus with gratitude and joy so that our joy may in turn be His. Alleluia!

May we rejoice in the victory won for us by our Risen Lord, Jesus! May we rejoice in the boundlessness of Divine Mercy! May we accept God’s invitation to come to new life in His Risen Son! And may our joy and gratitude be offered as a gift to the Lord who also rejoices over us! Let us meet at the Empty tomb, rejoicing that He is alive! Alleluia! Peace!

                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

Images:
1. Icon, The Risen Christ by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can obtain a copy of this icon at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-risen-christ-014-william-hart-mcnichols.html
2. My photo, a rose taken in the rose gardens in Portland, Oregon. I chose this because I love the reddish color on the borders of the golden petals. It spoke to me of the Resurrection in which the blood is transformed into glory.
3. Inset of a Russian icon, Woman, Behold, Your Son. I must point out the commas in the words of Jesus which name this icon. Jesus was telling Mary to behold her 'new' son, John! Jesus entrusted John to her as her son, and Mary to John as His mother. I chose this for the expression on St. John's face.
4. My photo, bush in bloom, taken a number of years ago in the driveway of St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church in Albuquerque, NM.
5. Illumination (inset), Madonna of Mercy with Kneeling Friars, (unseen in the inset), by Blessed Fra Angelico. Jesus brings us Divine Mercy; therefore, Mary is the Mother of Mercy. I had to include Mary here especially since she was at the cross with St. John.  For more see interestingpretties.blogspot.com/2012/10/madonna-of-mercy-with-kneeling-friars.html
6. Painting, Jesus, I Trust in You (Divine Mercy) as seen and described by St. Faustina Kowalska. The Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday.
​
Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

One of the traits that many people share is that of desiring perfection in one way or another. Those who are artists (of whatever kind) are always in search of honing their craft in the pursuit of perfecting it. Perfection is a ‘loaded’ concept, however. It is the proverbial double-edged sword since perfection is both a virtue we strive for and a burden we can carry: it is a virtue to want to be the best we can be, but it can be a burden because it can never be attained in this lifetime, (and if not reigned in it can lead to the prison of perfectionism). In the spiritual life we know that holiness is about striving for perfection, something evident in the lives of the saints. Holiness is the goal of every Christian who sincerely wants to respond to the call from God to be the best we can be in virtue and in love. However, we are prone to sin and so it would be truly unfortunate to think we should become perfect at some point. Therefore, we need to understand what it means to strive for holiness in this life so that we reach perfection in the next. And it is good to remember that while we pursue holiness individually, it is never really about ourselves; rather, it is directed toward the community. The most important reason to desire holiness, however, is because it is essentially for God: our growing holy is an act of love we offer to Him. 

More than once I have heard a cringe-worthy ‘explanation’ of what Jesus said at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, “Be perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) When this is explained in a way that lays an unnecessary burden upon us, my heart sinks. Jesus most certainly did not intend this statement to be guilt-producing because He knows that it is impossible for us to be perfect. We can strive towards perfection, which is another way of expressing our desire to grow in holiness, but if we believe that we are the ones who must make ourselves perfect then we will have missed His point entirely. Let me be clear: the burden is shared by Jesus; it is not all on us! Therefore, to better understand what He said we need to consider two aspects, context and meaning.

The context is a discourse given by Jesus to teach His followers the way of life desired by God. (Matt. 5-7) He taught that we are to work at becoming the light of the world; to live by the spirit of the Law, not by the letter of the Law; to be faithful in relationships, to not retaliate, and to love our enemies. He went on to elaborate how to live this way by almsgiving, praying humbly (the Lord’s Prayer), depending completely on God, and not being judgmental. At first this can seem overwhelming, but rather than laying a heavy burden on us, Jesus was outlining a way of life which enables us to strive toward holiness, something we can think of as the path toward perfection. Jesus clarified His teaching when He later said: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Thus, Jesus indicated that to live the Christian life we bear the yoke (the burden) together with Him, and in so doing, it will become lighter and we will grow holier. We cannot to do this without Jesus. 

The second aspect is meaning, which refers mainly to the intended message within the words spoken. When Jesus said to be perfect He was actually calling us to love perfectly, agapè, which is a Greek word that means to love as God loves, especially those who are the hardest to love.* It is only with agapè that we can love an enemy, since such a one would be most difficult to love. This love is not about feelings, but rather it is about acting with mercy and forgiveness, offering kindness to our enemy, just as God does. God’s love for sinners, (all of us), never fails: that is agapè. To love this way is quite difficult, but if we willingly take on the yoke with Jesus, His grace can enable our love to grow in ways beyond our natural ability. This way of love is what identifies us as Christians. Thus, we can reflect upon the entire passage in its context and meaning:  Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:46-48) That is, love with agapè as your heavenly Father loves.

​In these last weeks of Lent, the deepest part of our journey, we can be mindful of how important it is to trust in the love of God enough to strive for the perfection to which He calls us, which is not that we be perfect, but that we are open to His will and the action of His love within us. This means we must let Him love us perfectly so that we are transformed into the way of His love and in turn, share it with our brothers and sisters. 

May we allow God’s perfect love to transform our hearts! May we desire to be yoked to Jesus so that we can bear life’s trials and joys together, loving as He does! And may this time late in Lent inspire us to strive for holiness so that we might glorify God! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                                                                           ©Michele L. Catanese

*Remember that in Greek there are multiple words for love. Some of the words used in Scripture are: philia, which indicates the love of friends, eros, which indicates the love between spouses, and agapè, God’s perfect love.

Images:
1. My photo of a rose, taken in some gardens in Ireland.
2. Painting, Sermon on the Mount by James Tissot. (1886-96)
3. Painting, The Wood Sawyers by  Jean-Francois Millet. (1848)
4. Icon, La Sangre de Cristo, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in a copy, you can find this at fineartamerica.com/featured/la-sangre-de-cristo-242-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5. My photo, waves on the Big Island of Hawaii. 

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

One of my favorite aspects of being a musician was the challenge and the thrill of blending my instrument with those of the musicians with whom I was playing. Being the soloist on occasion was wonderful, but truly it was more exciting to hear my clarinet blend with the oboe, for example, so that it sounded like one instrument, one unique sound. Similarly, there is nothing better than singing in a choir when it is able to become as one multilayered voice. This union of voices, or any other instrument, involves listening as well as some skill, but when it occurs it is a moving experience. Without this union there might be a voice that blares above the choir, or an orchestral instrument dominating the melody when actually playing harmony, or worse, a total cacophony of noise obliterating the intention of the music. This concept also holds true in our liturgical gatherings in which the amalgamation of voices in unity is equally important in singing and speaking our prayer. We do more than just prevent chaos. Rather, this harmony is an integral part of being a community united in Christ. And not only is this unity crucial during the liturgy, but it is important that we take it out the door with us. First, it strengthens the community in every way, and second, peace flourishes when we are one.* This peace arises from the shared desire to offer love and mercy to one another, and it fosters trust in God as we work together to lift up the uncertain or powerless. In short, unity offers hope.

The practice of joining voices in unified prayer goes back to the origins of all organized religious and liturgical practice. For Christians the essence of perfect unity in prayer is found in Jesus’ response to the apostles’ request to teach them to pray: the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus certainly intended this prayer to be universal and foundational. It was for individual private prayer, but as the perfect prayer it was also meant for communal gatherings. Therefore, along with the Eucharist it was at the heart of the Mass from its very beginning, joining the early Christian community into one Body. Their unity in prayer moved them to share all their material goods in common and then their love moved them outward to the poor. (See Acts 1:13-14; 2:42-47; 4:32-37) St. Paul eloquently described this unity when he explained how we are one Body with Christ as the head and we, the many parts (or members). This unity culminates in various gifts of grace in addition to the faith, hope, and love which are received by all the members at Baptism. (1 Corinthians 12&13) As the Church grew, religious communities began to flourish with the same focus on communal sharing of goods and prayer, centering on celebration of the Mass and prayer together multiple times each day, (99.9% of which was sung.) They came together in choir, facing each other in two sections, each side alternating between listening and singing (chanting) the Psalms and prayers of the Liturgy of the Hours in unison. Religious communities and lay people still pray this way, blending their voices into the cadence of the assembly. For those praying in this way, this union is a sublime spiritual experience which also serves to strengthen the bonds of the community.

Every time we attend Mass we are invited into a similar experience in prayer which encourages our attentiveness to the worshipers around us so that we do not simply think of what ‘I am saying,’ but of what ‘we are saying’ as a Body. Additionally, the unified cadence of the assembly offers an important reminder that our connection also goes beyond those who are in the church. Even the prayers of the liturgy point outward: for example, every version of the Preface prayer, (said by the priest before the Holy, Holy) ends with a declaration that we join our voices in prayer with the angels and/or saints. In other words, when we pray together, we are united with all the living faithful, all those who have gone before us, and all the choirs of angels. Power and grace abound when the entire Church prays in this unity. Our unity builds up the community, not just within the church building, but beyond the doors. Just as in the early Church, founded on the Body and Blood of Christ and built up by the apostles through the Holy Spirit, we are called to share our prayer and our material goods to work toward unity in the larger community, and hopefully in the world. Thus, praying together fosters unity and brings peace.

As we focus on prayer this Lent, we can consider the ways we are called to be unified during prayer as a gathered community; that is, we can listen and consider our responses more attentively during our prayer at Mass. Additionally, when we pray at home, we can be mindful that our private prayer also makes us one; whether meditating, or praying a Rosary, the Divine Mercy chaplet or any devotional prayer, we are joining ourselves with a vast army of pray-ers. In these times it is especially important that we pray intentionally so that the bonds of the community are strengthened, cultivating trust in God and fostering hope, which in turn builds peace among peoples. The foundation of the Church was built upon this, so that even when we are by ourselves, we are actually never alone. We are one people, one Body headed by Jesus Christ who is our hope, our strength, and our salvation. 

May we cling to the strength that arises from unity, empowered by the Holy Spirit, so that our faith may not falter, nor our hope waiver! May we pray with both the humility to blend our voices and the boldness to form a strengthened community! And may we find wisdom and peace in prayer! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

​                                                                        ©Michele L. Catanese

* Remember, unity does not mean that the members of a community are supposed to be totally alike. Rather, like an orchestra (to use the metaphor above) there needs to be different voices which blend in union. It does not mean a loss of identity of the members, but a blending that is not possible unless the many work as one. Being one was something Jesus spoke of and it was what He prayed for us at the Last Supper, for example, (John 17:20)

​Images:
1. Painting, The Orchestra at the Opera, Edgar Degas, 1870.
2. Icon, Cristo Pantocrator by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this icon at fineartamerica.com/featured/cristo-pantocrator-175-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. Fresco painting, The Institution of the Eucharist by Blessed Fra Angelico.
4. My photo, Bern, Switzerland.
5. My photo, sheep peacefully gathered together; taken just outside of Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland.

There is little more humbling than the words said as ashes are applied upon our foreheads on Ash Wednesday: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” It is humbling mostly because it is a reminder that we are finite, and although created by God in a miraculous way, we will all face death at some point. These words call to mind who we are before God: He is the Creator and we are but the created. They emphasize our total reliance upon God for everything, and that as sinners we periodically need to orient our heart back to Him. Furthermore, the ashes are a symbol of sorrow because in them we recognize our sinfulness; thus, they move us to penitence by emphasizing the effort needed to cleanse what has been sullied. Lent offers the time to re-prioritize our choices so we might choose that which leads us closer to God and eliminate that which moves us away. In humility we must recognize our own unworthiness for such a gift of mercy during this prescribed time, but not without understanding that those words on Ash Wednesday offer hope, too. One of my first Scripture professors, Fr. Demetrius Dumm, O.S.B., once said that “humility means to be in touch with the Truth.” Thus, the hope-filled truth is that while we are sinners, we are loved sinners, and in His unbounded mercy God never ceases to offer opportunities for us to return to Him. 

​During Lent we are encouraged to redirect our lives through three important practices. First, prayer leads to a deeper spiritual life, aiding our growth in relationship with God and therefore in holiness. Prayer also moves us outward to others because it leads to growth in love and compassion. Second, almsgiving and doing works of mercy moves us to consider what we have and whether we have become too material, helping us examine our levels of generosity and hospitality. Finally, in doing penance we atone for any areas of sinfulness to which we are prone. We also grow in simplicity; as we practice abstinence and fasting we become more aware of our hungers and the result of them. We should ask ourselves, “For what do we long? Are the things we long for leading toward God or away from Him?” Abstinence and fasting teach greater discernment as we examine our choices and desires, but coupled with prayer they also teach us to realign our focus. For example, one Lent I decided to give up coffee and within a couple of days I thought I had made the 'worst' Lenten choice of my life. I love coffee and therefore the struggle was so difficult that quite soon I wanted to give up; however, I knew I had made a commitment. The result was that when my ‘interior whining’ finally quieted down, I realized that the point was not to focus on myself and what I was missing, but rather to focus more on God. It was not about me or what I gave up, but it was about what, or rather, Who I filled the emptiness with. It turned out to be one of the most powerful Lenten experiences ever. No matter what we have chosen to sacrifice, it should lead us into greater humility and also to gratitude for God’s mercy.

Remember that in the second creation story (Genesis 2), God made the first human creature out of the clay of the earth, that is, dust and water. This creature was called A-dam which in Hebrew literally means ‘of the earth.’ Then God lovingly breathed His own breath into A-dam and life entered this creature. Again, remember that the Hebrew word for ‘breath’ (ruah) also means ‘spirit,’ hence the spirit or soul of A-dam was filled with God’s goodness. God then provided a companion for A-dam; taking a rib and thus sharing the clay and ruah, He created He-vah, (which means ‘living’), who is now identified as a woman while A-dam is identified as a man.​* Therefore, as descendants of Adam and Eve we are all essentially from the earth insofar as we are creatures filled with the breath of God, that is, with a soul. The story provides a reminder that we are sacred, created to be in a relationship of love with God. It reveals that God intended everything to be for our happiness, even though we also see the result of our capacity for making the wrong choices, as revealed in the next chapter of Genesis. But it is important to note that Adam and Eve were centered on God at first, and then shifted their focus to self. Thus, God began the process of sending His Son for our redemption.

​“Humility means to be in touch with the Truth.” We are dust and we are in need of redemption: that is the truth. Perhaps our intention this Lent can be to pray for the humility to see ourselves in truth. But in standing in this truth, let us remember that God is rich in mercy and bountiful in love. Therefore, He sees the good and the beauty that lies beneath whatever is in need of healing. God wants us to return to Him with all our hearts because He deeply desires that we have our wounds bound up, find new life in His love, and rejoice in Heaven with Him forever. If our sin is keeping us from this realization in truth, it is our humility in doing penance, offering alms, and doing good works that will open our eyes just a bit more. Yes, our humility will move us to the Truth, who is Love.

​May we embrace the humility of our finiteness and our total reliance upon God! May we grow spiritually through our efforts at prayer, almsgiving, and abstinence! And may we be moved to hope and gratitude for the mercy and love of God! Let us meet in the heart of Jesus! Peace!

                                  ©Michele L. Catanese

* I described A-dam without using a pronoun because in the original Hebrew the ‘earth creature’ is an ‘it’ until the rib is removed and the woman created. Only when Eve is created are terms for gender used. Thus, without the female, he is not a male and vice versa; both are intended for companionship with one another in love, in an intimate relationship, just as God wants to share with them. They are equal in God’s sight, but are created with distinct roles.

Images:
1. My photo, Mt. Etna, Sicily, Italy. What looks like a cloud is really dust coming from the mountain in the strong wind present while we were up there. The rest is ash.
2. Painting, Works of Mercy, by Olivuccio di Ciccarello. This scene depicts almsgiving.
3. Mosaic, The Creation of Adam, found in the Palatine Chapel in Palermo, Sicily, Italy.
4. Icon, Our Lady of Kiev, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. When I think of humility being in touch with the truth, Our Lady comes to mind. I picked this icon to remind us to pray for the triumph of her Immaculate Heart and for reparation of sin. You can purchase a copy of this in a variety of mediums at fineartamerica.com/featured/our-lady-of-grace-vladimir-002-william-hart-mcnichols.html
5.  Ashes from Clip Art. 

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

​I have a memory from my childhood in which something upsetting took place on a particular day, and as a result I felt the need for my mother to console me. Though I do not remember why, my mother was not available and perhaps was away from the house at that moment. What I do remember, however, is that in the midst of my distress an image (a holy card, probably) of the Blessed Virgin Mary at my bedside caught my attention and somehow all at once she seemed present to me. I vividly remember being greatly comforted, no longer feeling like I was alone. Her presence was gentle and it seemed as if she had always been there. I especially needed something gentle, and like any truly loving mother, she knew when and how to console me. That the experience seemed normal at the time is not really surprising since children possess a capacity for openness that sometimes is lost as they grow older. However, what stands out the most in this experience is that Mary seemed to have ‘come to me’ before I even asked. The result of this experience is that from a young age I learned to turn to Mary often and to understand that she is consistently with us far more than we may realize. That is, while we can (and should) turn to her for any reason, she also comes to us, just as she went to Elizabeth in love and service responding to a need she saw. And with Elizabeth, in wonder and gratitude we can say: “How does this happen to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:43)

There are three aspects of Mary’s motherhood that I would like to point out. First, Jesus shared her with us, that is, He entrusted us to her for a reason. It was not only because He knew we would need her motherly care and powerful intercession, but He also wanted us to have a relationship with the person who meant most to Him during His life and on into eternity. This aspect is worthy of much meditation: Jesus wanted to share Mary with us so that she would love us as she loves Him. Second, Mary’s motherhood shared with us also reveals a great deal about her continuing role which began with her “yes” to God at the Annunciation. That “yes” was an assent to everything that was to come for all time, a willing obedience that led to her being crowned Queen of Heaven after her death.​* Third, it tells of her great humility. Consider this: Mary accepted the crown as Queen of Heaven in just the same way as she accepted the role of Mother of God, repeating her great ‘Fiat’, that is, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38) The humility of the first yes led to her acceptance of the great honor of Queenship because it is what her Lord wanted. Thus, we should also consider that Mary accepted Queenship just as any one of us should accept a grace/gift from God: with humility and gratitude. Remember, it is not a matter of our worthiness, but a matter of God’s love and graciousness. To accept is to do His will!

Mary is powerful in Heaven as an intercessor, having the unique role of being closer to Jesus than any other created being, and (as stated above) she is also intensely interested in all her children. Throughout the years Mary has elected to give warnings or to ask prayer in concern for humanity in a public way, as it were, in what are now considered major apparitions such as the one at Lourdes. More regularly, she comes to each of us when we invoke her intercession for our own concerns or when we simply are in need of our Blessed Mother. While most likely we will not see her visibly as did Saints like Juan Diego or Bernadette Soubirous, she is no less present when we call upon her. And truly I believe that whenever we say her name, Mary, or address her by one of her titles we are consoling her sorrowful heart because we are being attentive to her concerns for the world, helping her to bear the burden in some small way. In fact, I believe that when we say her name in prayer, Mary smiles. Saying her name reverently is our gift of love to her, but in doing so we are also inviting her to do that which she most loves: taking care of the children entrusted to her by Jesus.

It would be good to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary as we pray that beautiful prayer, imagining each scene as if we were there. Perhaps we can also read and reflect upon the Annunciation, Visitation, Nativity, and Presentation of Jesus (Luke 1:26-56; 2:1-40) or any other gospel passage in which Mary appears.** Another suggestion is to do some study by choosing one of the apparitions of Mary to learn more about the particular events and her messages to the people. But no matter what we choose, let us always remember to call upon Mary not only during our need, but also to thank her for being such an attentive, humble mother. Indeed, how blessed are we that the mother of our Lord, the Queen of Heaven, should come to us! 

May we give thanks to Jesus for sharing His mother Mary with us as our mother, too! May we turn to Mary for her intercession whenever we need her help! May we become more aware and more attentive to Mary’s presence in the ordinary moments of our lives! And may we let Mary show us the way to her Son, which is the role she savors the most! Let us meet in the hearts of Mary and Jesus! Peace!

                                                                       ©Michele L. Catanese

*Mary's ‘yes’ has such theological depth that I cannot go into all of the ramifications of it in this entry. Although sanctity was already present in that she was conceived immaculately, (that is, there is nothing but grace within her), she was but a young woman, probably 13 years of age, and therefore she could not have fully understood all that such an assent would entail, especially that it meant a role for her eternally. Therefore, it is a testament to her trust in God and her profound humility which enabled her to say, “Be it done to me according to Your word.” She did not know of the great suffering to come, nor that one day she would be crowned as Queen of Heaven. All she knew was that she loved God with all of her heart and soul, and that everything He asked of her she would do willingly.
** You can find references to Mary in all four gospels, of course, though the best is Luke who is said to have interviewed her and who therefore wrote more about her than any other gospel writer. He also included her in the beginning of the Acts of the Apostles. See Luke 1&2, and also Acts 1:13-14 which implies Mary was present for all the important events in the early church, including Pentecost. There is no doubt that Luke was conveying her importance to the Church from its very beginning. John also wrote some important passages that reveal much about Mary, especially the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12) and Mary at the foot of the cross, (John 19:25-30).

Images:
1. My photo, New Mexico. I chose this because it seems to me the terrain may have entailed something like this when Mary went to Elizabeth in the hill country.
2. Icon, Mother of God Asking for Humility, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. https://fineartamerica.com/featured/mother-of-god-asking-for-humility-143-william-hart-mcnichols.html
3. My photo taken at the shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, Michigan. This is the site of the only approved apparition of Mary that took place in the United States.
4. Fresco painting, inset of The Visitation, by Blessed Fra Angelico.
5.My photo, Lake Michigan.

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

I suspect nearly everyone is familiar with the now iconic opening of the first Star Wars film in which a holographic figure of the Princess sends a message saying: “Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are my only hope.” There was palpable desperation in her plea. Perhaps these days we are feeling a bit like that, only in reality our hope is placed not in the imperfect, but in the perfect, that is, in the Lord Jesus. It is for this reason that I love the motto of the Holy Cross religious congregations: “Ave Crux, Spes Unica” which translates to “Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope.” It is in the cross of Christ that victory was won, and that victory offers real hope as we try to overcome the challenges of life and live as disciples. We do not have to be a prince or princess (though we are ‘a royal priesthood’) to send such a message to God when we are suffering or feeling stressed by the burdens we carry; all we need is to trust in the promises of Christ as we send our prayer to Him. It is also important that we remember, and therefore rely upon, the “great cloud of witnesses” that have gone before us into Heaven, the saints and holy ones. (Hebrews 12:1) We have an army of saints literally at our disposal to intercede for us, helping to handle all that comes our way. But in all of that, it is the power of the Cross and the Lord who hung upon it, victorious over death, from which all hope arises.

In the Letter to the Hebrews the verses which refer to this great cloud of witnesses are filled with a powerful message of hope. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus….” (Hebrews 12:1-2) In these verses the author connects those growing in holiness as they persevere in the faith, with the Lord who is the victor. His death, then, is the connection with all those who have gone before us ‘marked with the sign of faith’ and who now can intercede on our behalf. This refers to all the faithful, not just the canonized. Therefore we can and should ask the assistance of our departed loved ones as well as those known as the officially recognized Saints in the church. 

As I reflected upon the cloud of witnesses it seems clear that it includes all holy ones, not just the ones who came after Jesus, but also those who came before such as Abraham and the patriarchs, Moses, Deborah, Esther, David, the prophets, and all those who remained committed to the covenant. Included are Elizabeth, Zechariah, John the Baptizer, Joseph,* the apostles, the known and unknown martyrs, and all the faithful who attained Heaven right up to the present day. In short, we have quite a number of friends upon whom to call in time of trouble; all these are tied together in the Cross of Christ and therefore in the sacraments that flow from Him. What binds us together in this great cloud is love.

We may wonder why the author of Hebrews referred to this ‘group’ as witnesses. The author** was alluding to the testimony they gave to the faith based on how they lived their lives in Christ. In other words, the holy ones point to the victory in Christ that comes to those who persevere in living faithfully as disciples. But what makes them so powerful is that they ‘reached the finish line,’ to continue the metaphor of the passage, not by their own power, but by relying on Jesus in whom they placed their hope. With each successive generation their number continues to grow such that we have more support than ever. It makes sense, therefore, to enlist their assistance as we bear whatever burdens we may have. In addition to the Saints, we can ask the assistance of the Holy Souls in Purgatory who can pray for us as we can pray for them; perhaps enlisting their help speeds the process of their purgation (or cleansing)! Finally, let us remember to pray to our own dear departed asking their assistance as well; these faithful are also part of the cloud. Thus, we have a powerful army of loved ones and canonized ones who can pray for us when we are distracted by daily responsibilities and cares. As we go to these holy ones, our hope enlarges and perhaps our own holiness will grow as we pray to them for comfort, perseverance, growth in patience, kindness, compassion, mercy, love, and encouragement to live as witnesses, too. 

In short, as we pray to and with the holy ones in that great cloud of witnesses, our connection to them deepens as we await the day when we will join them in Heaven where we, too, will become more powerful in intercession for those still on earth. Yes, we begin the process of joining them while in this life when we commit ourselves to Christ. We all need help to maintain our commitment, to fight against all that which attacks our faith and our morals, all that seeks to divide, scatter, weaken, and thwart the Kingdom of God. It is in and through the Cross and the love of Jesus who hung upon it that we unite ourselves with the cloud of witnesses. In this way, the Cross is our only Hope!

May we turn to the saints and the prayerful intercession they provide! May the Holy Ones unite us with our only true hope: the Cross of Jesus Christ and the victory which He already won! And may we aspire to grow in holiness so that we may become one with the cloud of witnesses! Let us meet in the Cross of Christ! Peace!

​                                           ©Michele L. Catanese

* I did not forget the Blessed Virgin Mary, Most Holy. I did not name her because she is the Queen of Heaven and as such she is the Queen of the entire cloud of witnesses. 

** The author of this letter is unknown. What is known is that while it contains much of the teaching of St. Paul, he did not write this letter, evidenced in the differences in the syntax used throughout as well as the fact that it is not even a letter, but rather more like an essay: it is totally unlike the format of his letters and bears no address. There is a theory that this letter was written by a woman, Prisca, also known as Priscilla, but it could have been Barnabas or another close associate of Paul. (Reference: page 1323-1324 in the NABRE Bible)

​Images:
1. Image, Jeanie's Father Beneath the Cross, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can find this image and a large variety of icons at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/312-jeanies-father-beneath-the-cross-william-hart-mcnichols.html
2. Fresco, The Cloud of Witnesses, by Giusto Menabuoi, (1320-1-1391) Dome Fresco, Padua Baptistry, Padua, Italy. 
 3. Painting, The Communion of Saints by Ira Thomas. “Waves of individual persons are united in an embrace for all eternity in Heaven.”
http://www.catholicworldart.com/Communion.html
​4. My photo, walking path in Estes Park, Colorado.
5. My photo, two ducks sitting on a branch.
6. My photo, mountains near Silverthorne, Colorado.

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

As I was driving down a main road the other day I noticed a distinctive vehicle pull out from a side street. Behind the wheel was one of the priests from my parish. I recognized the vehicle first, and then saw that it was indeed Father. But what grabbed my attention was the expression on his face: he looked happy and content. He was clearly not aware anyone was looking at him, so I have no doubt his expression was authentic. Of course, I know him and therefore I know that he is definitely joyful in his priesthood, but the fact remains that even without ‘doing’ anything other than driving his car, his countenance spoke volumes.* Upon reflection, I realized that something about his expression communicated his interior disposition which uplifted me without him even knowing anything had taken place. Of course, someone who is happy, whoever it may be, is always uplifting. But recognizing this also gave rise to insights into the power contained by our interior attitudes and demeanor, and hence, our presence, even when our encounter is seemingly indirect. Just as Jesus’ very presence elicited faith and hope in the people He met, so too, should our presence be a sign of hope, and in that way, it should glorify God.

​It is not only what we do, but also who we are that should glorify God; that is, people should see Christ in us. This may feel daunting since we know we are prone to sin, but let’s be careful not to think this impossible or that it is too much of a burden to even consider. We must also acknowledge that sometimes we simply do not feel upbeat at all, especially in times of suffering. But if we are sincere and authentic, even in the worst conditions, we can glorify God through our faith and the graces of patience, bearing suffering with dignity, humbly asking for help when we need it, and of course, maintaining our hope in God. Jesus never promised us lives devoid of suffering, but when it does come, it can take on meaning if we unite our suffering to His, offering it as prayer. What Jesus does promise is victory in Heaven, (although it can also happen in certain instances during this life), and we were promised to never be alone in our suffering: He is with us, knowing full well the burden suffering places upon us. We will always need to pray for the graces to bear trial with patience and hope. But in doing so, we are in fact glorifying God by fighting the impulse to let suffering or our need for healing overpower us. Further, we are not meant to be disingenuous in pretending to be cheerful when we are feeling terrible; it is not healthy to be anything other than who we are, as we are. But one can be of ‘good cheer’ authentically, that is, to be filled with joy, even when suffering. This is because good cheer (or gladness) is a disposition of heart: it is about the joy that resides within which arises from loving the Lord and trusting in His care. It is an attitude grounded in hope which indeed glorifies God.

Who we are should be grounded in our relationship to God. It should be obvious to others that we are Christian. This does not mean that wearing a sign such as a crucifix is all we need, but when we do wear one, we should remember it is, in fact, a declaration of what we believe and of Whose we are. What definitively ‘clothes us,’ revealing that we are followers of Christ, is our behavior: it should be apparent that we are His.** This is not to say we must be perfect, (which is actually impossible), but it means we are honest, try to love our neighbor, forgive when we can, be generous as we are able, and ask humbly for forgiveness when we do wrong. The more we glorify God by our actions, the more we grow in love for Him, and therefore find interior peace as we assist in building the Kingdom. This is what it means to clothe ourselves in Christ: as we work at living the Gospel He taught, we grow in the disposition of gladness and joy within our hearts. This leads to gratitude, peace, hope, and greater love of the Lord.

Something we might think of doing is taking up the practice of praying for a ‘stranger’ encountered at some point during the day. In prayer, perhaps before going to bed, pick out a person who crossed your path that day while in a store, at work, school, church, or a service provider or delivery person who came to your home, etc., whose presence touched you or for whom you simply feel inspired to pray. There does not have to be a discernable reason for your choice. Your prayer may make a difference in their life; we simply entrust them to God. This practice can make us more attentive to how we are clothed in Christ and can increase our ability to notice others more sensitively. Being noticed raises the dignity of the ‘other’ from anonymous to brother or sister, and fosters a connection, even if just for a moment. It does not take much to offer God’s love; sometimes a smile is all we need give. Clothing ourselves in Christ, that is, living the Gospel message as His disciples, is how we share love and hope, it is how we can ‘ignite’ our own inner joy, and it also glorifies God.

May we clothe ourselves in Christ and offer that clothing to others as Jesus would have us do! May we recognize Jesus in our brothers and sisters who are as yet strangers! And may we find inner gladness and contentment in the love of God by trusting in His promises! Let us continue to meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace!

•                             ©Michele L. Catanese

* It spoke volumes not just upon the fact that he is a happy person, but his collar and black clerical shirt made it clear to anyone who observed that he is ordained. A happy priest is a great witness to the beauty of the priestly vocation and as such, his happiness is a great ‘advertisement.’ But it also reminds us that we all witnesses to our own vocation in what we do. 
** This reminds me of the joke about the person with a bumper sticker on their car that said “Honk if you love Jesus.” Forgetting it was there, the driver got quite angry, making gestures and yelling at all those people who kept honking! Not a great witness, eh?!
-Also of note is that I began the thread about being clothed in Christ in my previous entry. Here are some references from the letters of St. Paul: Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:27 and also Ephesians 5:13-17 in which St. Paul told us to cloth ourselves with spiritual armor against the attacks of the evil one.

Images:
1. My photo, a car in Rome, Italy. (Check out the model name of the VW. It is a bit of familial fun for me.) 
2. Painting, St. Philip Neri. I chose St. Philip because he was known for his raucous sense of humor and for always being of good cheer even in the midst of his own hardship. In my mind, he is the patron saint of joy.
3. Icon, San Jose Flor de Jese, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. While much is unknown in the life of St. Joseph, it is clear that he was the connection between the promise made to David, son of Jesse, and Jesus. I also love how gentle Joseph appears in this icon; his gesture and his face seem to exude gentleness and reverence. You can obtain a copy of this icon in one of a variety of mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/san-jose-flor-de-jese-william-hart-mcnichols.html.
4. My photo, taken in Vaduz, Liechtenstein. We happened to be in Vaduz at the exact time when the cows are taken "home" from their mountain wanderings for the winter. They are adorned with flowers and large cow bells (which ring quite loudly) as they are paraded through the streets in a celebration of sorts. It is a sight to behold. But I did not chose this for the cows! Rather, it was selected for the people interacting.
5. Painting, Corporal Works of Mercy.

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

One of my favorite activities is reading a good novel. And yes, reading is definitely an activity. When one immerses in a book fully, the imagination comes alive and our emotions and senses engage. If we let it, a really good novel can transport a person as if through a portal into the world created by the writer. A novel which so transported me is A Gentleman in Moscow * about a Count Rostov who as a young man in 1922 is incarcerated for life in one of the most prestigious hotels in Moscow as a result of his opposition to Communism. While he could have suffered a worse fate, Rostov could never leave the building. He was moved from the luxurious suite in which he had been residing to living quarters that were rather tiny in what amounted to an attic. On the day Count Rostov was moved, he had to choose what to keep in the cramped space, losing the rest to the authorities. Among the items he retained were two bottles of brandy that had belonged to his long deceased father and were therefore precious to him. Later that night, three members of the hotel staff visited to console him. Without hesitation, Rostov opened one of the bottles of brandy, sharing the entire bottle with them. Earlier he had mused that what makes certain possessions dear is that they are “invested with memories” (pg. 14) which in turn makes them difficult to part with; and yet for a man who had just lost so much, he was able to offer the brandy as if he was inviting them into the beauty of his remembrances, finding freedom and joy in this ‘prized possession’ now poured out. In doing so, he had actually not decreased the precious brandy, but rather, he increased it, because in this simple gesture of sharing his unspoken memories with them, they had all created a new memory which then gave birth to the priceless intimacy of deep friendship that grew throughout the years.

​This passage inspired me to reflect upon that which we hold valuable and what makes it so. Material things can evoke precious, joyful memories as well as difficult, painful lessons now valuable because we learned from them. And of course, the important people in our lives often do the same. It is in the intimacy of sharing with them that friendship blossoms; 'wisdom is doubled and pain is halved' when shared with our loved ones. In turn, this gave rise to another important question: what do we invest in our spiritual memories? In other words, has there been something special which we actively value that occurred through receiving a Sacrament, hearing a particular homily, praying privately, reading a passage of Scripture, or perhaps an interaction with someone that evoked a sense of the presence of God? What memories are invested in these experiences that make them precious? We all have these, but often we do not revisit them, thus diminishing the impact that they have on us now. Our memory can serve as an aid to remind us of graces received which either helped during times of challenge, or simply came as gift from God. Additionally, when we share our faith with another, we do indeed increase it just as Rostov did with his treasured brandy, discovering that the time of sharing becomes a new memory made which is more valuable than any material thing.

This weekend the Christmas season concluded and now Ordinary Time has begun. Perhaps we can take this seasonal beginning as an opportunity to commit ourselves to praying with the Scriptures more regularly. Doing so would enable our entrance into the wealth of ‘invested memories’ shared by the writers who came before us. We can learn from our biblical ancestor's mistakes, revel in their victories, and more easily recognize the mercy and love of God which is always with His people. And of course, we can delve more fully into the gospel message of Jesus so that we might better incorporate it into our own word and deed.** It is important when reading Scripture (or spiritual readings from a saint, other spiritual writers, or yes, sometimes even a novel), that we enter into it not just with our heads, but with our hearts. In this prayerful reading, our desire should be to “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14; Col. 3:10) that we might in turn offer what is most precious to us, our faith, as we share our time, talent, and treasure with our brothers and sisters. 

As mentioned previously, the limitations on the world in which Rostov lived were profound. But in sharing so much with his friends, he was able to actually ‘expand his borders’ through interior freedom; that is, what should have confined him, did not. This is also the wisdom of our spiritual life: there are many different constraints upon us, all of which arise from being broken in a broken world. But with the grace of God, especially in the Sacraments and the Word, we are not at all confined or limited spiritually. Our ability to grow in holiness is a clear sign that there are no constraints to spiritual progress that cannot be overcome with God’s grace. This does not imply that life is easy, but when we recognize what we have been given, our valued loved ones, and our sacred memories, we become even more receptive of God’s actions within our lives, which in turn leads to gratitude… and gratitude begets joy. 

May we spend time prayerfully reflecting upon what is valuable to us and why, and thus be moved to gratitude! May we immerse in our ‘invested memories’ of the Lord and His goodness! And may we grow in freedom, gratitude, and joy, as we work within the limitations life puts upon us, knowing that with the love and mercy of God we are indeed free! Let us meet in the Heart of Jesus! Peace! 

                            ©Michele L. Catanese
*The novel on which this entry is based is A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.
​**It would be good to read actively, that is, to prayerfully enter into each passage of Scripture, allowing the imagination to flow and the senses and emotions to become engaged. No matter which part of the Bible we are reading, we can imagine how the place looked, what it felt like, (the physical environment), the smells, the people and their appearance, and even what something might have tasted like. For example, there is a great description of the manna in the desert during the exodus; what it tasted like is described in detail. (Exodus 16:31) If we are reading a Psalm or a New Testament letter, we can imagine the circumstances behind it, let the imagery or wisdom involved spark thoughts within us, and then respond in prayer.

Images:
1. My photo of some of my favorite novels.
2. Oil painting, Luncheon of the Boating Party by Auguste Renoir. You can find more on this at  www.phillipscollection.org/collection/luncheon-boating-party
3. Fresco painting, The Baptism of Jesus by Giotto.  I saw the original among his other great works on the walls of the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy. (Chosen in honor of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord which was this past Sunday.)
4. My photo, the sky, taken in New Mexico just outside Albuquerque. 
5. Image, Jesus After Jose Ribera, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. You can obtain a copy in one of many mediums at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/jesus-after-jose-ribera-321-william-hart-mcnichols.html

Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. 

On the fourth Sunday of Advent the first reading contained a prophecy referring to the ruler who would come forth from Bethlehem-Ephrathah, “too small to be among the clans of Judah,” (Micah 5:1). That is, the clan from which this ruler would come would be the smallest of the small, residing in a town that was totally insignificant. When this foretold ruler did come into the world, this prophecy was fulfilled: Jesus was born to a humble carpenter, Joseph, and a woman of ordinary background, Mary, insignificant people in the eyes of the world. Even in preparation for His birth, Jesus’ parents were so unimportant and lowly that inns would not take them in despite Mary’s advanced pregnancy. No doubt, when Mary and Joseph rode through the streets of Bethlehem, no one had a clue who they were or who they were ushering into the world. They passed unnoticed until they found the stable where Jesus was born, a cave tucked away in a place more insignificant and obscure then Bethlehem itself. Angels, shepherds, and Magi found them, however, and the heavens resounded with “Glory to God in the Highest” as the sky blazed with the light of a star only outdone by the very light of the One to whom it pointed. And on the 8th day when all the sounds and sights had long since faded, the parents, unimportant in the eyes of the world, took that Child to the Temple to be circumcised and named according to Jewish Law. And it was there that the infant Jesus was recognized as the Messiah by two separate elderly prophets, Simeon and Anna. Jesus was recognized not through angelic fanfare or stars from Heaven, but rather, it came from within them because of the hopeful expectation and faith with which the hearts of these two people were filled.

We rightfully associate Advent with waiting, and yet ironically it is during the Christmas season that we encounter Simeon and Anna who are among the greatest of those who wait. For most of their long lives they remained in the Temple precinct praying in expectation that God would fulfill His promises. Luke’s Gospel (2:25-35) tells us that at some point in his life Simeon had been informed by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. In becoming so very aged, it would have been easy to lose hope in what he had come to believe, yet year after year Simeon waited and hoped, expecting that God would fulfill His promise. Perhaps he became so much a ‘fixture’ at the Temple that he became an unimportant figure, the kind that people take for granted, and perhaps do not take too seriously. And in the case of Anna, Luke states that now 84, she had been married for 7 years and then widowed. (Luke 2:36-38)* Widows were among the poorest of the poor, so we can infer that her constant presence in the Temple area worshiping and fasting means she was faithful, but also incredibly insignificant, as if invisible. Indeed, she was the most insignificant of the insignificant. 

Insignificant as these two separate individuals were deemed, they were the first to recognize the tiny Baby carried by the poor Jewish couple who were at the Temple for His presentation to the priests in accordance with the Law.** What enabled Simeon and then Anna to recognize the Messiah in the midst of the seeming ordinariness of the Holy Family? It was their unwavering hope in the promise made by God. Hope is expectation fueled by belief and faith, the fruit of persistent prayer. Hope is not about expecting an outcome as if our power can make something happen, but rather hope is about humbly wading into the mystery of God’s designs; it is centered upon the power and wisdom of God which is imbued with mercy and love, and is way beyond our own. Hope becomes powerful in the humble acceptance of God as the one in whom we must totally rely: we believe because He said so. But this belief requires a radical openness to how He will accomplish what He has promised. That is, hope accepts the mystery of that which can come at any time, in any way God chooses. This was the hope to which Simeon and Anna adhered.

Simeon and Anna did not know that the Messiah would be revealed to them as a tiny, vulnerable baby born to two obscure people. For that matter, nowhere in the text does it indicate that they knew He was the Son of God! All they knew was that this child was the long-awaited, promised Messiah who would come to liberate their land, a land filled with God’s  greatly suffering and oppressed people, and that was enough for them. Once they saw Jesus, they glorified God and could finally “depart in peace” with great joy. Their hope, their expectation and reliance upon God all those years, had been graced by the arrival of the Prince of Peace. From them we learn that in order to truly have hope, we must rely on the power of God and not upon ourselves. We also learn that even the least likely one might be a bearer of the Messiah, or perhaps is Emmanuel, the Messiah-in-our-midst, in His most distressing, surprising, or humble disguise (such as in a piece of bread and a cup of wine.) Perhaps Simeon and Anna can teach us to hope expectantly and to always keep our eyes and ears open for the coming of the Lord.

May we learn from Simeon and Anna to never cease hoping in the Lord! May we keep our eyes and ears open for the presence of Emmanuel each day! And may we offer welcoming hearts and open hands to all, especially the most seemingly insignificant of our neighbors! Let us meet in the hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Peace!

                        ©Michele L. Catanese

*It seems unlikely that someone would have lived to be 84 at that time. Life expectancy was so much shorter than it is today, and so if someone lived into their 50’s they were considered “elderly.” Hyperbole is probably what is being employed here; that is, exaggerating something in order to make a point. In this case the age of Anna seems to indicate advanced age and wisdom. (Remember that in ancient cultures age was synonymous with wisdom.)
**Luke 2:22 seems to indicate that Joseph and Mary were both to be purified in the Temple, but in reality, only the female would need purification in a ritual way since she had “an issue of blood” at the time of the birth and thus was impure according to Mosaic Law. (It is so hard for us to swallow in today’s society given the beauty of birth, but they did not live in sanitary times, so being considered impure in this situation actually does make some sense.) Obviously, the father of the child would not be in need of purification. Therefore, it was only Mary and Jesus who were there for rituals: Mary was to get the mikvah, or ritual milk bath, and Jesus was to be circumcised and named. Also, that Mary and Joseph were poor is emphasized by her offering for sacrifice: two turtledoves were the offering of those who could not afford a lamb. (See footnote to this verse in the NABRE Bible.)

Images:
1. Icon, Holy Family for the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem by Fr. William Hart McNichols. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, go to https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-holy-family-for-the-holy-family-hospital-of-bethlehem-william-hart-mcnichols.html
2. Fresco painting, Presentation of Jesus  (1303-1310) by Giotto di Bondone, found in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy. I want to point out that Mary is handing Jesus to Simeon to hold. Behind Mary (to the left) is Joseph and behind Simeon (to the right) is Anna.
3. My photo, the Gulf of Mexico in the twilight, Gulf Shores, Alabama.
4. Painting, Still Life with a Decanter by Camille Pissarro, (1830-1903). I chose this painting because it is an ordinary scene of bread and wine. 
5. My photo, a Medallion of the Holy Family, taken in Nazareth, Israel.

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