
One Quiet Moment
Marianist Reflection for December 2024
by Bro. Michael J. McAward, SM
“…in one quiet moment, a woman and man accepted the part they would have in God’s plan… Glory to God, for Salvation is near!”
As we contemplate, once again, the great mystery of the Incarnation, how our God and Creator took on a human nature, we not only recall the immense love of God, shown to us at one quiet moment a long time ago, but we also cannot help but bear in mind that, in so many ways, this love is still unknown or unrequited in our present time – a time whose moments are anything but quiet. Yet, deeper into the contemplation, we may see that the world into which Jesus was born, had its own difficulties, many of which still plague us today.
Could those who closed their doors to the Holy Family have imagined that they were, in fact, refusing to welcome their God? This Holy Family was poor; yet they simply wished to be faithful. Still, they would be pursued by those who sought power and dominance; violence and intolerance would surround them; the child would be rejected and, later, even killed. Yes, his parents’ hearts would be broken, but their faith would not be shaken. They would nurture their child, teach him, and tenderly hold the very hand which had fashioned the stars. They were a family, a Holy Family, a family which began through the power of the Holy Spirit, broke bread with the one who was the Bread of Life, and their home was the first church, bringing Glory to God the Father in Heaven!
We find much to inspire us in this Holy Family. Like Mary, we try to be receptive to the Spirit working in our lives and live the calling that is particularly ours, in our daily lives. Like St. Joseph, we stay confident and trust in God to guide, protect and enrich our own families. Like Mary and Joseph, we marvel at Jesus, their son, knowing that the fulness of God’s love is present and manifest in him.
In a world that presents us each day with painful and tragic realities, we look to the Holy Family and find strength in their example of mutual love, self-giving faithfulness, and unending trust. As we wait during this month of December for the celebration of this incredible act of God’s love, in giving us a Savior, let us reflect on what it really means:
- May the greatest act of humility, the Almighty taking on a human nature so that we might be saved, inspire us to act humbly with each other, seeking to be powerful through service, support, and love, rather than dominance and diminishment!
- May the trust that the Holy Family showed, despite so many obstacles and unknowns, inspire us to remain faithful to our bonds of commitment toward our families and others, despite challenges and any lack of clarity. Thus, we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with that same trust, because we believe that a God who would send his Son to redeem us, truly loves and cares for us, despite the pain and suffering we must encounter!
- And like Mary and Joseph, may we listen, ponder and respond to the call that God makes to each one of us, opening our hearts and our lives, letting God enter in a real way, to transform us and our world!
Let us all accept the part we have in God’s plan, giving “glory to God, for our salvation is near!”
May the blessings of the Incarnation be yours this Advent and Christmas!
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