My husband’s birthday is August 15, and his entrance into this world was a most miraculous event. Here is the true story of his birth, which highlights two important things:
The power of prayer and miracles.
Peter’s Denial of Jesus
After arresting him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance. Luke 22:54
One of the high priest’s maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus. “But he denied it, saying, I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” Mark 14:66-68
Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord: May it be done to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
On March 25 (nine months before Christmas), we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation when the angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her of God’s great plan for her to be the mother of Jesus.
I can only imagine this young teenage girl never dreamed she would become the Mother of God!
Her fiat (Latin for yes) launched God’s great plan of salvation, bringing Jesus into the world.
Pause and ponder:
Think of a time that God brought a surprise into your life.
Thank Him for this unexpected gift.
TERROR!! TERROR!!
On every side!
Lunging blockade
Cavernous hide
Shrieking, clanking
Ricochets space
Chiseled evil
Horrified face
Arms of armor
Motherly clutch
Smothers wailing
with pressing touch
“Eloi! Eloi!
Forsake us not!
My God! My God!
Is this our lot?”
Eden trembles
Tyranny thrusts
Spotless slaughtered
Returns to dust
Bloodstained tunic
Swaddling shroud
Sorrow piercing
Behold your child—
In dry bedrock, up wells life breath . . .
Christ-Cornerstone vanquishes death!
Guiltless victims, pure innocence
Your sweet souls now taste blissfulness.
Death’s Call
With gratitude to St. Marie Maravillas de Jesus
The call is faint – or is it loud
the call weaves through the cryptic crowd
where there’s more roar than ought aloud
The call is faint – or is it loud
The call is not from reaper, grim
the call is sweet, a hallowed hymn
and through the chaos we do swim
The call is not from reaper, grim
We shut our eyes and stuff our ears
thinking we’ll live beyond our years
but soon or late, we’ll face death-fears
We shut our eyes and stuff our ears
The call leads to the endless door
where bodies fall from breath no more
with some souls dammed, and some that soar
The call leads to the endless door
When comes the day you cannot stall
and loud death blares its fated call
in arms of Love do blindly fall
When comes the day you cannot stall
St. Maria Maravillas de Jesus, 1891-1974, was a Carmelite nun whose quote, “Death is no more than falling blindly into the arms of God,” inspired this poetic reflection.
What Can You Bring to Jesus in the Eucharist?
Source and Summit:
The source and summit of the Catholic faith is the Holy Eucharist. Jesus said, “My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.” John 6:55-56
At Mass, like the disciples at the Last Supper, we partake in the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Shocking Results:
The Pew Research Center conducted a survey in 2019 regarding the Catholic Eucharist. The findings showed that nearly 70% of self-described Catholics believe that the bread and the wine used in Communion are just symbols–and not Christ’s true body, blood, soul, and divinity.
These results were, of course, concerning to the Church leaders. And in 2022, a National Eucharist Revival was launched to inspire, educate, and unite the faithful into a deeper relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist.
Looking Inward:
The results of the Pew study were also shocking to me, especially as a First Eucharist catechist. I started some soul-searching to see if there were some things I needed to work on to deepen my relationship with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
The Holy Spirit revealed several things to me, and they all seemed to point to one special word.
The One Word that Sums it Up:
For me, the one word was reverence. I needed to work on being more reverent. Since I believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine, do my actions show what I believe? Do people see me showing great reverence for our Lord in the Eucharist–or not?
The Gift:
It was during this time of discernment that I received a beautiful gift. While attending Mass at a parish I had never been to, I experienced the great gift of reverence.
It was so moving that I felt compelled to write a poem about it.
Reverence
It has been a long, long time,
that I’ve seen reverence of this kind.
The hands moved slow, the words were sung,
the host held high, and bells were rung.
The church adored the holy sight,
the stained glass glowed with golden light.
My time did come to meet the King,
I am so poor, what can I bring?
I took small steps up towards my God,
and then I bowed and gave a nod.
Within me now, my precious Lord,
sweet inner wonder was outpoured.
Strong joy and peace erased all fears,
and I gave the King my gift of tears.
So, what can you bring to Jesus in the Eucharist?
Mine, that particular Mass, was tears of joy-filled awe. Since then, it has been other things. Such as dressing up, arriving early, fully participating in the Mass, sitting up close to focus better on the altar, and fasting an hour before Mass.
What can you bring to Jesus in the Eucharist? Ask Him, and He will let you know. Then we can bring our gifts together to the King.
Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez, 1881-1956, was a Catholic archbishop of Mexico City who lived through the religious persecution of the Cristero War. He proclaimed a message of faith, hope, and unity. He has been described as kind, intelligent, prudent, and humorous.
Death Looms . . .
Recently, a piece of his writing entered my life at the most appropriate time. My family was immersed in walking with a loved one through his final days on earth when “Do not be afraid” appeared as the Mediation of the Day for August 13, 2023, in my Magnificat magazine.
Trust = Peace
The meditation reminded me to live one day at a time, trusting in God’s great plan for us. I dedicate the following poem (my poetic version of his meditation) to Archbishop Martinez for his heavenly reminders that brought much peace during a tough time.
This Day
Dedicated to Servant of God Luis Maria Martinez
Let this day come as it may
a gift from God above.
Let this day come as it may
wrapped in the good Lord’s love.
Let this day come as it may
He knows just what we need.
Let this day come as it may,
embrace each flow’r and weed.
Let this day come as it may
consenting to His will
Let this day come as it may
secure that God fulfills.
But if this day you turn away
from God’s most perfect plan.
And if this day you waste away
His providential span,
then today and every day
repent your wayward ways.
And today and every day,
return with hope and pray.
For this day and every day
God seeks you without cease.
Yes, this day and every day
He longs to give you peace.
Postscript:
Archbishop Martinez was not only a scholarly and holy priest but also a writer of spiritual poetry! I hope to learn from his wisdom.
What does infertility have to do with the feast day of Saints Anne and Joachim, Mary’s parents, and Jesus’s grandparents? Continue reading
A Freedom Poem
