This article completes those written in 2024 on the subject of prayer.
JOSEPH, MARY AND THE MEXICAN DAD.
I like to watch Al Jazeera TV for news of the world, and this morning Mexican refugees trying to make their way into America were being interviewed by the Press. One man, the father of several children, was hoping they would be interviewed by officials before President Trump took Office. Then he concluded the interview by saying “hopefully this will be God’s Will, but if not, then at a time that God appoints. We are obliged to keep trying for the sake of a better life for our children”. The sad part is, he was surrounded by difficulties on all sides; his case seemed hopeless, yet his trust remained.
If we look carefully at the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, we see that trust exercised also in hopeless situations. In Matthew’s account, Joseph finds himself surrendering to God when he discovers Mary is pregnant and he is not the father. Then he called to take the child down to Egypt and later return, but not to his home territory.
In Luke’s gospel, Mary surrenders when she encounters the angel Gabriel and learns that as a virgin, she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Both Joseph and Mary are at first concerned for themselves: Joseph is tempted to divorce Mary to protect his reputation. Mary is concerned because she is a virgin. But then, they see the wider picture. For Joseph, the child to be born will save his people from their sins. For Mary, the child is to be called Jesus (Saviour) who will be Son of the Most High. He will rule over the people and his reign will have no end. For both, it is enough to know that others will benefit from all that is happening right now.
In the story above about the Mexican dad, he too sees a wider picture. He is concerned for the sake of his children, not for his own self. This Mexican dad shows us just what it is to believe in God. He shows us that Faith helps us keep Hope alive. I remember reading a remark by Pope John Paul 11, about the spirituality of the poor, about how special it is. Now I understand: only the poor can really appreciate the mystery of Christ in our world and God in our lives. Only the poor can truly surrender to God no matter the depth of hopelessness.
So we come to celebrate Christmas, the birth of Christ. Is he still relevant today? To answer that, which story moves you more? The story of the Mexican dad, or the story of a wealthy man or woman living in luxury with far more than is needed, obsessed with the notion of keeping migrants away from what they possess?!
Spirituality and faith go together, otherwise faith is simply consent to theoretical beliefs attempting to explain God in our lives. It can be of little use for our growth into God. Prayer develops our spirituality if we allow it to be guided by those who have real faith. Our Mexican dad was a person of real faith. Not too many of us are capable of living with trust like his.
Ponder the Christmas story everyone. Find its relevance for yourselves. The baby in the crib was also surrounded by difficulties. It seems that at the end of his life, God didn’t come to his rescue, just as I suspect the Mexican dad might have experienced. However, I’d be happy to wager a bet that he is still full of hope, and is a far happier person than many of us.
Trust is the fruit of prayer. The people of Israel have some great warriors in this regard, and so too does Mexico!
Have a blessed and happy Christmas everyone. Ponder the Christmas scene, find its meaning and you will lay the foundation stone needed to serve as Vincentians are called to do.
PRAYER
Child in the crib
What a world you entered
Has you reign endured?
Mary and Joseph
Was your trust worth it?
Are we better off?
Things have scarcely changed
People still fight
Potentates rule
The wealthy live in fear
The poor are blocked
At every turn.
Holy Spirit
Descend upon us
And teach us the meaning
Of the mysterious story
We ponder at this time
Grant us the grace of
Hope.
