Magnificat of the Shepherds

When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. Luke 2 15:20

 
My soul delights in the greatness of the people summoned by angels,

And my spirit embraces each puzzled face that peers through the lamplight at the warm-bundled gift of our song-filled God.

As our eyes meet, joy flows between us and our chins are lifted with gladness.

Yes, from this day forward all generations shall raise their voices to proclaim those who gather here as blessed, for the

Almighty has done great things for us.

Holy are the simple people.

And God’s mercy reaches from age to age for those who would join hands and follow a holy calling.

The power of wonder has called them from the meadows;
they are no longer cold.  

Kings sit alone in their palaces,
and we laugh together in this comfortable place.

In the midst of this night we have shared the bread and meat of our haversacks and our wineskins pass from mouth to mouth.

The kitchen of the inn is long locked and shuttered.
Come, God of Israel, celebrate with your people.  
 Magnificat of the Sheperds, Ann Johnson Miryam of Nazareth



Laughter could be heard throughout the streets of Bethlehem as men and woman made merry. But it was in the quiet of this humble stable that true joy was found, where hope entered the world. May we too, be like the simple shepherds, glorifying and praising God for what we have seen and heard.

"Dear children! Today, I and my Son desire to give you an abundance of joy and peace so that each of you may be a joyful carrier and witness of peace and joy in the places where you live. Little children, be a blessing and be peace. Thank you for having responded to my call." December 25, 2010 Message to Marija

Hope for the Journey

"Dear children! In this time of grace, when nature also prepares to give the most beautiful colors of the year, I call you, little children, to open your hearts to God the Creator for Him to transform and mould you in His image, so that all the good which has fallen asleep in your hearts may awaken to a new life and a longing towards eternity. Thank you for having responded to my call." February 25 2010 Message BVM



This word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

Rise up, be off to the potter's house; there I will give you my message.
I went down to the potter's house and there he was, working at the wheel.
Whenever the object of clay which he was making turned out badly in his hand, he tried again, making of the clay another object of whatever sort he pleased.
Then the word of the Lord came to me:
Can I not do to you, house of Israel, as this potter has done? says the LORD. Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, house of Israel.  Jeremiah 18 1-6



Dad has been ill with cancer for many years. He has suffered greatly, yet he never complains. His health keeps him close to home most of the time where he spends hours gardening.

Back in November, dad prepared his soil and planted several daffodil and tulip bulbs both in the front and backyard, then he sat back and waited for nature to transform them into the beauty that surrounds his home today. This beauty greets everyone that comes to the door, hinting of the warmth and love you will find inside.

Lord, as we continue our Lenten journey, open our hearts to the beauty that surrounds us this day that we may be transformed and molded into your image as we make our way towards eternity. Amen

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Seeking Shelter

Nine days I have been wandering this lone dusty road,

No beauty as yet have I seen.
The sky has been gray for sometime now;
And the dark hovering cloud follows me.

A fierce wind is blowing,
I shiver with cold;
The warmth of some shelter I seek.

The dust swirls toward me,
But I still move on;

With hand lifted, protecting my eyes.

The sky starts to rumble,
The rain begins to fall;
I look up to heaven and cry.

I know that I must keep on going,
No matter how long this road winds.
I must continue this journey,
For I know at the end what I’ll find.

 
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me...

Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.  Psalm 23: 4,6