Our parish vision statement begins with the words, “All generations journeying together.”
So much of that inspiration comes from today’s Gospel, when Mary and Elizabeth embraced – right here. These expectant mothers represent “all generations.”
Elizabeth, a barren, elderly woman married for many years. Mary, an unwed teenager. And their unborn children, John and Jesus, representing their hope for the future.
Though Mary and Elizabeth’s age and life experiences are different, they find in each other what they couldn’t have on their own: Community. Affirmation. Friendship. Belonging. Understanding.
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These are things I hope we’ve found together on this pilgrimage. They’re things I hope all parishioners find at St. Pius X as we “journey together.”
Although we’re different ages and we come from different life experiences, like Mary and Elizabeth, God has brought us together. The Lord intends for us to find what we could not have on our own: Community. Affirmation. Friendship. Belonging. Understanding.
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May we carry the affirming, faithful, and communal spirit of Mary and Elizabeth forward so that we can show others what it feels like to be, “All generations journeying together with Jesus to satisfy our hungry hearts. Come and see!
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Image credits: (1) Wikipedia, Church of the Visitation (2) Israel Travel Center, Church of the Visitation (3) Custodia.org, Church of the Visitation
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Part of the reason why we’ve made this pilgrimage is to see and touch the places where Jesus lived, ministered, died, and rose from the dead. Today, for example, we find ourselves right where Jesus was born!
These experiences are meant to strengthen our faith and understanding that he really lived, he really died, and he really was raised from the dead. Jesus was a real, historical person – not some figment of our imagination or a character in a fairy tale.
Saint Luke makes the same effort when writing his Gospel, at times listing historical events with painstaking detail. In today’s Gospel, for example, he writes:
“In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus…when Quirinius was governor of Syria…And Joseph went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem.”
Luke wants the reader to be certain: Jesus of Nazareth was here.
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So, what’s special about his birthplace? Why did the Lord choose to become flesh here in Bethlehem?
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One reason is because “Bethlehem” means “house of bread.”
From his birth, the Lord is setting the stage for what he will leave behind: his resurrected presence in the Eucharist.
Luke adds a further detail: Jesus was born in a trough. Just as animals receive nourishment from food placed in a trough, so we are meant to feed on Christ, who was born in Bethlehem, the “house of bread.”
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May our presence here today reaffirm what we already believe: Jesus wasn’t a figure from a fairy tale. He was – and is – real.
And we are about to receive Him now. (If you’re reading this online, know we’re carrying you to the altar today).
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Image credits: (1) History Hit, Basilica of the Nativity (2) OMHKSEA, Basilica of the Nativity (3) www.bethlehem-city.org
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,* and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.”
He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, “So you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my drinking it, your will be done!”
Then he returned once more and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing again.
Then he returned to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to sinners.
Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
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I’m sure many of you have heard of Fulton Sheen, the most popular Catholic preacher of the last 100 years.
He was famous for many things: his style, his energy, his pomp and circumstance, and how his sermons made the Gospels seem relevant and accessible to a 20th century audience.
When Sheen was ordained a priest, he made two promises to God: first, he would offer Mass in honor of the Blessed Mother every Saturday, seeking her intercession to protect his priesthood.
And second: he would spend an hour a day in prayer.
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Sheen’s promise to pray a “holy hour” was transformative. He credits prayer, in particular, to making his heart more like Christ’s.
It’s why I’ve made the same effort – to pray an hour a day – for the last 12 years. I, too, can say that prayer has fueled my love for Christ.
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But, why pray for an hour?
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It comes from today’s Gospel – from the very place where we are standing now. “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” Jesus says to his disciples.
Sheen claims this is the only time when the Lord asks anything of them – just to keep him company.
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While the Lord doesn’t expect all of us to keep watch with him for an hour a day, every day, we all must pray.
It’s what made Sheen – and what can make us – a Saint.
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Image credits: (1) Dreamstime.com (2) Custodia Terrae Sanctae (3) Holy Land Sites
