euphemos

This is part two of a short series on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as a guide for discernment. The introduction and “index” are here. The previous mystery, The Visitation, is here. The next mystery, The Presentation in the Temple, is here.

The Nativity of Jesus: Nobody wants to be helpful, the timing is awful, but… the baby is here.

Matthias Stomer’s Adoration of the Shepherds

• The revelation, call, or idea is clearly perceived.
• There’s no way to delay bringing it to light
• As the internet lady says – does it spark joy?

As we ponder an insight, call, or vocation, it either becomes obvious this is a dead end, or matures sufficiently that it demands to be shared with others. If we do not, it will die. What is this idea doing to us? Does it cause us to grow in faith, hope, and love? Do we find ourselves joyful? These are good signs we’re on the right track. Are we anxious, stressed, or obsessed? Perhaps we need to seek spiritual direction. Actually, yes, we should seek spiritual direction in either case.

This doesn’t mean there are no difficulties, nor that obstacles should be assumed to suggest we’re off track. What are the nature of the obstacles we encounter? Do they seem like the kind of obstacles the Holy Spirit would place in an effort to gently redirect us, or the kind of obstacles our enemy would introduce, in order to steer us off course? Joseph faces the obstacle of an apparent conflict between his understanding of what it means to be righteous, and his desire not to shame or distress Mary. God has to resolve that obstacle. Joseph and a very pregnant Mary have a significant (at least 70 miles, if they go through Samaria, otherwise closer to 90 miles) journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. This is an obstacle they simply have to tackle head-on. Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem, where there’s no room for them. No room with any of their cousins and kinfolk, and no room in the inn. That’s a pretty serious obstacle, and one they had to urgently and persistently face, until the God’s provision became clear.

While Marie Kondo has it wrong, in that she thanks the object, and not the giver, and encourages us to look to things as our source of joy, she’s asking a great question: does it spark joy? As Jesus arrives, Joseph and Mary welcome him joyfully, but so do the shepherds to whom the angel announces his arrival. How does our heart respond as we begin to describe this thing we’re discerning to those closest to us? A blend of joy and trepidation is entirely appropriate, but does joy dominate? Are we and others inspired to praise God? Perhaps we are not yet ready to discuss the insight, call, or vocation broadly or formally, but whom does God send to affirm and confirm us in our discernment process?

This is part two of a short series on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as a guide for discernment. The introduction and “index” are here. The previous mystery, The Annunciation, is here. The next mystery, the Nativity of Jesus, is here.

The Visitation

Cory Eisbacher’s Jump for Joy

Mary (now pregnant) heads up to the hill country to see her kinswoman, Elizabeth, who is both old and pregnant. Elizabeth recognizes there is something special about Mary and the child she’s carrying. Elizabeth calls her “blessed” for believing what the Lord told her.

This second stage, is perhaps summarized as – go about your business, and prepare yourself, but don’t focus on yourself.

Sometimes, the call of God is an immediate call to action. Many times, however, we receive some insight or calling, then need to ponder it while we prepare ourselves, or while we await God’s timing. In the case of Mary’s visit to her kinswoman Elizabeth, it says Mary got up in haste, and went to visit her in the hill country. She didn’t loiter about, go tell everyone about her amazing experience, or otherwise delay. Instead, she did the same thing she always does when a need is brought to her attention – she went to help.

There can be a temptation, I think, when we are in the process of discernment, to obsess a bit. “Did that really happen?” “What exactly did God mean?” “When, exactly, will I conceive?” “How will I know it happened?” “Did it already happen?” “Am I crazy?” “What about X, Y, and Z?” “How will I… ” While we certainly want to ponder those things that need pondering, we don’t want to make an idol of the message or the experience of receiving the message. Mary offers an excellent example – she hid these things in her heart, pondered them, and went about serving others.

Mary also received the gift of a consolation from St John, 6 months in utero, via St Elizabeth. Mary arrives, and greets Elizabeth, and barely begins her greeting before St John leaps within Elizabeth’s womb. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and inspired to bless God, and proclaim Mary most blessed among women. The language suggests that “as soon as” Mary’s voice sounded in Elizabeth’s ears, her son leapt, and she knew why. It doesn’t suggest this understanding came as a result of a protracted middle eastern greeting ritual, but rather by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

A note on Saint Elizabeth. I really admire Saint Elizabeth in this situation. Here she is, living through a miracle, 2/3 of the way through carrying a son promised to be “great,” and the beneficiary of a notable (and perhaps unique in its time?) miracle. She is not jealous that a greater miracle has occurred. She is not ready to tell Mary all about it, since she’s older, and 6 months pregnant, and all, or to compare stories. She humbly celebrates the arrival of the mother of her Lord, and celebrates Mary’s faith.

Often, I think, the best response to a possible call is to go about our business, making an extra effort to focus on others, and not on ourselves, but daring to hope God will give some consolation to affirm our discernment. God is often kind to provide consolations to strengthen our faith while we seek understanding. Perhaps there are things we can do to become better prepared for this calling – do them!

This is part one of a short series on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary as a guide for discernment. The introduction and “index” are here. The next mystery, The Visitation, is here.

The Annunciation of Our Lord

This first stage of discernment, corresponding to The Annunciation, we might refer to as reception and pondering. We receive a message that we’re “pretty sure” is from the Lord, give our assent to God’s intervention, then are left to ponder what just happened.

• Gabriel appears to Mary at an unexpected time and place. This is Nazareth, after all, in Galilee. A place of which Nathaniel asks “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” As far as we know, Mary wasn’t banging on God’s door looking for answers. There’s ancient tradition that hold Mary was devoted to service in the Temple, but for now, at least, the angel Gabriel “was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth.”
• When the Angel arrives, he finds Mary’s heart well prepared to receive the message he bears. He is able to greet her as “favored one,” and to repeat, in case she wasn’t sure, or was afraid, “you have found favor with God.”
• The message of the Lord is specific, but it is not exactly laid out step by step. It is a bit unsettling. It requires faith to receive. Parts of it need to be pondered.

The messenger (that’s what angel means) of the Lord appears to us, wherever we are. Occasionally, the messenger is obviously miraculous or supernatural, perhaps an angel visibly present, or a locution. Many times the message comes to us through a “regular ‘ole person,” but there’s something within our spirit that recognizes “this is a message from the Lord.”

There’s something about Gabriel, too. He doesn’t explain himself at all. There’s no “hey Mary, don’t worry, I’m one of the good Angels, you can trust me. See, look, I have a halo, not horns.” It’s simply “Hail, favored one, the Lord is with you.”

Sometimes, we are called to be a messenger, an angel of the lord (but not “The Angel Clarine”, just “a messenger”). When we’re so called, our response should be the same as Gabriel. Go to the person where they are (don’t wait for a convenient time or place), greet them in the name of the Lord, deliver the message, and skedaddle. Don’t stick around to see what they do next, don’t try to explain what you think is going on, and don’t try to add anything to what you’ve received to pass on.

Usually, this message of the Lord, unless it is a call to repentance, comes to a heart that is prepared. Did this great idea come at 2AM after killing off three 30-packs and a bottle of fireball? Good chance it’s my great idea. Am I in a state of grace? Have I been to confession recently? Did it come during adoration? Odds are higher it might be God’s great idea. On the other hand, God speaks of God’s own free will, and comes to us where we are, so hold this idea gently.

What about the message itself? Is the message one of joy and hope, or one of fear? Consistently, even when the message is dire, the first words out of an Angel’s mouth are “fear not.” Our enemy condescends to whisper sour nothings of fear and doubt in our ears, but our God consistently speaks of faith, hope, and charity. Gabriel’s message was super clear; “you will conceive… bear a son.. name him Jesus… he will be Son of the Most High… called holy – the Son of God” Where Mary had innocent questions “um… but I’m a virgin…” the angel pointed to the power of God, and offered the example of God’s faithfulness and power (Elizabeth’s conception at an advanced age).

There’s plenty left unsaid, lots of unanswered questions we might wonder why she didn’t ask (e.g. what should I tell Joseph?). Ultimately, however, the first stage, this stage of reception and pondering, is about trust. The word of the Lord comes to us. We believe it’s the word of the Lord. Are we willing to submit our will? Will we trust God, knowing that we don’t understand everything, and we have plenty to ponder, but without using that pondering as an excuse to delay giving our trust and assent?

I genuinely love the rosary, though you’d not necessarily know that by my (lack of) faithful consistency in carving out time from my schedule to pray it daily. My newfound freedom of schedule is certainly helping me get back on track there. One of the things I love most about praying the rosary is when a lightbulb goes off that makes this devotion super practical and relevant. The rosary is not just a good way to meditate upon the life of Christ (although, it is!).

I’ve recently grown to appreciate the joyful mysteries of the rosary as a pattern or guide for discernment.

So, let’s dive in on a short series looking at just that. Read more