TERESITA TANSECO-CRUZ
Recently, as I imagined Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus at the Temple with two doves – supposedly the offering of the poor, I suddenly and quite haphazardly wondered if Mary, given her “station in life”, ever FELT poor.
Just as abruptly, I realized how clueless that had sounded.
How could the Blessed Mother possibly feel poor as she cradled her Son, Jesus our Savior, and having surrendered herself entirely to God, was wrapped profusely with His grace?
I return more deliberately to the image, a luminous meaning now coming into focus. Two doves meant the earthly poor. And Mary – yes, earthly poor but absolutely brimming with God’s love and grace and in fact holding the Incarnate One in her arms. Clear, integral. No disunity of “stations” there.
Perhaps a similar manner of sacred fusion happens when we tend abidingly to our sisters and brothers who are underprivileged and outcasts of society, as Christ had shown us how to do. We give of what we have and they give of what they have. We may assist them in their material needs, but we all have God’s rich love to share with one another, in a kind of “Grace Exchange.”
And in this two-way channel of human oneness and dignity, we discover humility, compassion, gratitude, and love. No one is more important than the other. No lack is less significant than another. We all belong to God. His encompassing embrace levels all.
A “whisper ” of the Lord’s presence…brief, bountiful.
Gratefully, humbly, I pray to continually emerge from my spot in the dark cave of earthly distortions and disparities, into the light – there to await Light Himself passing by!
Terry- this is so beautiful! I just love staring at the image of our Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus and Joseph. How they may be dressed in simple clothes but flowing with love, humility and compassion. Thanks for sharing your Elijah moments… made me ponder more about the “Graceful Exchange.”
This is a reflection worth remembering whenever I pause and appreciate this sacred moment in the Joyful Mysteries. Thank you for sharing!
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