Just Sitting With Jesus

This December, a series of daily Advent, devotional postings is running from December 1st to December 25^th. Journey beside Mary, the Mother of God, as she waits for the birth of Jesus.

STRENGTH

Scripture: “The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him” (Luke 22:63).

Quote of the Day: “Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset” (Saint Francis de Sales).

Song Suggestions:
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” by Fernando Ortega
“All Things New,” by the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi
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Questions: Do I assume the worst of others? Do I judge others? What do I do when others judge me? Do I know how to just sit with Jesus?

MIND

After several months in Judea, Mary has returned to Nazareth. The betrothal period is finished and it is time for Joseph to take Mary into his own home. After a quiet marriage, Mary and Joseph go about daily life. Joseph, to his carpentry and Mary, keeps house and assists Joseph.

Mary and Joseph have been married for a month now and Mary is starting to show. It is obvious to the villagers in Nazareth that she is pregnant.

One morning, Mary walks out of Joseph’s house with a large jug on her head. Typically, she and the other women go to the spring together twice a day. It is a natural spring just outside of Nazareth. Yet, when Mary emerges from the house today, her eyebrows knit in confusion. Where are all of the women? They usually gather in the center of the village before departing for the spring.

Mary walks between the tightly packed mudbrick homes till she reaches the center of the village. She stands near the synagogue, the largest building in Nazareth. As usual for this time of day, the farmers have already left for the fields. The children are at work on the rooftops, in the courtyards, or are in the stables feeding the animals. One elderly woman is in the doorway of a house, shaking out a mat.

Mary smiles at the elderly woman. The woman scowls at her and then goes back into the house.

An ache pulls at Mary’s heart. She looks down at her nicely rounded stomach. Clearly, the young women have left for the spring without her.

Setting off by herself, Mary walks out of the village and up the hilly path to the spring. She prays to God and thanks him for the purple and yellow wildflowers that line her path. Galilean mountains spread before her. In the distance, she sees one of the major Roman roads, occupied by travelers who could be from Syria to the other side of the Jordan.

Mary reaches the spring, the water filling a handmade stone trough. All of the young women—about a dozen of them—are gathered around it, fetching their water for the day.

As Mary approaches, she hears one woman say, “Shush! She is coming!”

A couple of women giggle and as Mary steps toward the spring, the women all turn their heads to look at her.

Their faces become straight and serious. Warmth spreads to Mary’s cheeks as she knows they are all looking at her stomach. Mary focuses on little Jesus within her. She relishes His presence.

Smiling kindly at the women, Mary goes over to kneel at the trough and collect water. Just as she does so, each woman rises, lifts her heavy water jug onto her head, and leaves. One woman bumps Mary roughly and Mary almost falls over. Surely that was an accident.

The Nazarene women leave in whispers and grunts, glancing back at Mary as they walk away.

“Joseph….before they were married…harlot…virgin…Mary should not…she is pregnant already…I wonder…”

Mary wonders if she is only assuming and imagining their conversation, but her head feels dizzy and hot with embarrassment.

It is now just Mary at the spring. Just her and Jesus.

HEART

Historically, we cannot be certain that Mary and Joseph were scorned for Mary’s pregnancy. However, we can suppose and wonder what other villagers may have thought of Mary who may have been several months pregnant after just a few weeks of marriage.

Remember how when Joseph came to Mary after his dream, all suddenly seemed right? And when Mary was with Elizabeth, all were happy and peaceful? Now Mary is left again in hurt and confusion as her friends and relatives assume the worst of her. Again, Mary is left in a place where she wonders what God is doing. She has to choose to trust that His will is still good.

Let us do the same as we wait. Often when we are in a period of waiting or discernment, we go through cycles of ups and downs. Sometimes God’s will is clear and wonderful and sometimes God’s will seems cloudy and confusing. During the cycles of life and the circles of feelings that come with our humanity, let us imitate Mary. Let us wait patiently with Jesus.

What Mary is teaching us today is to sit with the Lord. To just be with Him despite unfortunate circumstances. Let’s just “be” with Him today in our greatest joys and most painful failures.

SOUL

Today for prayer, take a few minutes to be alone with just Jesus. Close the door to your bedroom, go for a walk alone, or go to a chapel—wherever you would like. Just sit with Jesus for a few (or walk with Him if that works best). No matter what you are feeling or thinking, share it with Him. If you are sad, sit with Him. If you are happy and peaceful, sit with Him. Just be in His presence and don’t be afraid—Jesus knows very well what it is to be at peace, just as He knows very well what it is to be scorned and afflicted.

O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid (December 19th Vespers Antiphon).

Mary, teach me how to wait.