Power of God

From the vision of Saints who were gifted to witness the everyday life of the Holy Family ,
The following are their moments I truly contemplate:

⚜ Part 1

1. Joaquin and Anna ( the Blessed Virgin Mary’s parents) were childless for years and were scornfully treated by neighbors and some priests of the temple. So great were their joy when Mary was given to them through an immaculate conception.

2. Mary,during her childhood was offered to the temple (run by High priest Simeon and prophetess Anna) . It was like a monastery or like a catholic school of our time where they were educated in holiness. She lived there in seclusion like boarding school along with other girls her age. The child, Mary , experienced being bullied too by her batchmates.

3. When she was a teenager, the High priest arranged a marriage for Mary. They summoned bachelors in a ceremony, hoping that the promised messiah will be born of their union. Precisely why girls were offered in the temple in the first place.

4. Mary was silently hesitant about this match making because she made a vow of chastity . But by virtue of obedience she followed the high priest, Simeon.

5. Joseph, more advance in age is a pious and a loner .As a child he too offered a chaste life. He belong to a well to do family like Mary but chose to live a simpler and hidden life as an apprentice to a carpenter. He was among those men summoned in the temple for the match making. The high priest gave men branches that were prayed over. The branch which will sprout will be the sign that he was chosen for Mary…and yes it did instantenously. That’s why we see icons of St. Joseph with that staff with white flower.

6. Joseph and Mary were married. She was dressed beautifuly .Her hair arranged well and her wedding gown adorned with ornaments that she was the “talk of the town”. But deep inside she felt uneasy with everything.

7. After the wedding, when they were alone. They were both uneasy. Then Mary told him her vow of chastity and Joseph was so happy to reply how he too made the vow of celibacy. They were both happy to know each state in life. They promised to keep their vows. So they lived in purity all their married life. God gave Joseph the grace, extinguishing all sensual desire all his life. Their house was divided in 3 rooms one for Mary, one for Joseph, and one for his carpentry works. All their life they spent their time praying and working and inspiring everyone about God.

8. After the annunciation , she visited Elizabeth her cousin who was six months pregnant with John the baptist. She stayed there for months as a handmaid to her cousin.
9. The nativity was a glorious one .Celestial light enveloped the stable and Jesus was born “in a twinkling of an eye” while Mary was in ecstasy. Not the normal birth we see on mothers “pushing” painfully as we saw it in movies.

10. Jesus has His full reasoning even as a baby and can talk to Mary and Joseph at times. But his humanity is undoubtedly manifested too that no one suspected extra ordinary in them. She breastfed Him and washed Him like any other babies but with great reverence. Mary made him a a garment which she woved out of wool material somewhat brownish, exquisitely silvery and grayish in color that you can’t distinguished the color easily. It was wonderfully woven in uniform without folds. And it grew with Him until His crucifixion. He only clothed Himself with one garment to set the example of loving poverty. Well, since He was also divine in nature the garment was miraculously never soiled or smelled. That is why the roman guards during His passion even bet with it as prophets also wrote.

11. They were able to escape the slaughter of the innocents by hiding in Egypt were they lived a hard life among idolaters. Upon their arrival there an earthquake shooked the ground crashing idols to pieces. Soon after years of stay in Egypt they won the love of converts that when it was time to leave everyone was saddened by their departure.

12. When they returned to Nazareth ,Jesus was like any 7 year-old child. Like childhood gangs of our time ,He was treated as the leader. In this early years of His life , He already imparted teachings that made these children holy, some becoming His disciples later.

13. Jesus would help his father Joseph in his workroom sometimes making it easier for him. Mary would do some embroideries and Jesus would be the delivery boy. Sometimes He miraculously made Mary finished more of her needleworks in a shorter time.

14. They would always go to Jerusalem every year. Along with parents and their children which the boy Jesus always have as companions. When Jesus was twelve, He absented Himself from Joseph and Mary for 3 days. He busied Himself begging alms and distributing it to the poor. He also engaged Himself with debates that made Him famous catching the attention of pharisees that he was summoned and questioned regarding scriptures, anatomy and others that amazed the prelates of that time and at the same time raging in envy . That wàs the time Joseph and Mary found him in the temple.

15. When Mary was 33, God preserved her in that physical state til her death as to make her the closest image of her Son. Joseph, senior in age became bed-ridden. Mary begged him to stop working and that she and Jesus will take over their needs. He was always in pain and God allowed it to sanctify his soul even more. Jesus, in His twenties helped her mother Mary in everything. Here now; we can imagine how Jesus would clean his father . There was no disposable diapers that time and we can imagine how the two alternate each other nursing him. Jesus allowed angels to be visible to him singing hymns when pain is keenest.

16.Joseph died in the presence of Jesus and Mary. Before dying he tried to kneel before Jesus but he was hugged by his son to His bosom. Jesus instructed him to announce to the patriarchs in limbo that their redemption is near. Joseph did not die due to his sickness but of his overflowing love for his son. Jesus wrapped him in white cloth . The room glowed with light and emitted heavenly fragrance that their neighbors took notice. Jesus and Mary prepared his burial with a few devoted people they knew.