Journaling Archives - Page 2 of 68

Nativity (Birth of Jesus) – Giotto (1304-1306)

I was instantly attracted to the muted earth and jewel tones of Giotto’s depiction of the Nativity. It was a bit different than I was accustomed to seeing – both in color and “staging.”

Hail Mary

Mary is present to her child – having been crowned as Queen of heaven and Earth she’s present to us as well. She’s ready, willing and able to intercede for us.

Mary is relaxed in God’s plan – we’re called to emulate her grace in accepting God’s plan for our lives. I’ll admit Mary is a tough act to follow. However, we must remember that Mary was well versed in Scripture. She was able to discern God’s plan and accept it because of that knowledge. She knew that nothing was impossible for God! How well do we know Scripture – not just as a history but as God’s word to us today? Do we believe that nothing is impossible for Him? Let me say that again – NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD! Do we truly believe that?

Most chaste spouse

Joseph is contemplative, prayerful, aware and submissive. He is resigned to do God’s will even if he can’t understand it. How often do we follow in Joseph’s footsteps? Do we take time in our decision making to pray for discernment and to listen to God respond? Do we submit or surrender to what we discern is God’s will even if we can’t understand it?

Perfect models

Mary and Joseph are amazing models of faith and their lives are beautiful examples of how God’s plan is so much better than our plans. Whenever I ponder all this I laugh at how silly I am to think I can adequately control anything! I realize my desire to control is often an obstacle to Divine providence and requires so much work on my part. 🥴

Focus

Shepherds looking up and experiencing heaven on earth. When we focus on Christ and remain Christ-centered, we too can experience heaven on Earth.

Perfect peace

Jesus wrapped in cloth – vulnerable, still, peaceful. Sit with those three words for a while and think about the power of Jesus. That power is available to us as well – but we have to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, still and peaceful!

All is peaceful around Jesus – different people, realms (material and spiritual) and animals. There’s a stillness and prayerfulness in the people and a docility in the animals. That peace can only come from being close to Jesus! We remain close through prayer and worship.

Holy moments

Unlike other Nativity scenes, not everyone is gathered around or looking at the baby Jesus. While there is stillness depicted, I perceived a sort of busy-ness. Each figure seemed to be tending to their given task or call at the moment. This led me to thinking about our call and the moments in our lives.

Each moment of our lives is an opportunity to start over and raise our attention to God. To remain focused on the God given tasks at hand and not some other worldly distractions. When we do that we minimize the chance of giving in to the temptations that bombard us all day long.

I’m currently reading a book by Matthew Kelly entitled Holy Moments. It reminds me that we are constantly given the opportunity to make every moment of our lives holy moments. Of course, we can’t do that without God’s help.

I hope you take some time to ponder this image of the Nativity and share your thoughts with me. Merry Christmas! God bless you!

I am a follower

I am a follower of Jesus! Did you ever stop to think about what that REALLY means? Of course you have! I thought I had too, until yesterday morning when I meditated with the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. When I think of being a follower of Jesus, I think of “checking all the boxes” – worship, prayer, obedience, charity, forgiveness. Don’t get me wrong, that’s all great stuff. But there’s more!

Yesterday as I prayed the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, the meditation for the third Mystery: the Proclamation of the Kingdom, talked about Jesus describing a Kingdom that is not of this world, a Kingdom that calls sinners, not the just. As I pondered the scene, it occurred to me that being a follower of Jesus means acknowledging and revealing our imperfections and faults to the world. How many times have we heard the phrase, “Jesus came to call sinners?” If we’ve answered that call, then what does that make us? Honor that.

The judgment

I often think of the criticism and judgment Christians receive when they stumble. Honestly, I don’t think anyone of us is immune from it. It’s that phrase that starts with “Oh, some Christian he or she is……….” Imagine if the whole world understood that Jesus CAME TO CALL SINNERS. What if when the whole world saw you following Jesus (because they witnessed you “checking all the boxes”) they saw a sinner and not a saint? As I write this, I think maybe that would change the way people view Church. Maybe we’re part of the problem – we reveal to the world a self-righteous part of ourselves and hide the shadow because we believe that’s what being a follower of Jesus warrants.

What a relief

I’m relieved to know that “checking the boxes” doesn’t mean I have to be perfect – incapable of making mistakes or giving in to temptations. I can be the walking contradiction I am and be okay. As long as I remain open to allow Jesus to work in me and transform my heart one tiny bit at a time, I’ll be fine. I’m a work in progress and that’s alright with Jesus!

Forgiveness is key

Forgiveness of self is an integral part of acknowledging and revealing to the world who we really are. Today’s daily meditation from the Center for Action and Contemplation expresses that beautifully.

Sin and grace

From now on I will view the title of SINNER as a privilege and an honor because Jesus calls ME, the sinner and He is faithful! No wonder Pope Francis’ first words to the world after being elected Pope were I AM A SINNER! He understood the importance and grace of that moment! I hope you can too! God bless you!