Do This in Memory of Me: Simple souls

By: Laura Worhacz

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“Bethlehem had its joys also, joys most sweet and consoling. The shepherds—simple souls—came to adore the infant Savior. Mary rejoiced at seeing their homage and the willing offerings they made to her Jesus.” - St. Peter Julian Eymard (Eymard Library Volume 7, page 69 )

Dearest Eucharistic Family,

Rejoicing with you through the final days of preparation in our Advent season, ready to enter the celebration of Christmas. The joy of this season is like no other since we reflect on the gift of life in the newborn king.  In today’s Gospel Mary magnifies the Lord by her consent to His divine plan for her life. She is a simple soul ready to serve her God. The shepherds came to adore, and our Lady was elated. Her whole life was a ray of JESUS’ humility. God’s love came in a very unexpected way to Mary, yet she remembered God’s promise of mercy.

In an earlier blog, I mentioned my husband’s illness, cancer is now added to his cirrhosis and many other health issues that he is suffering from. Advent for our family this year was not spent traditionally. However, the blessings from our church, extended families, friends, prayer cenacle, and ministries came to pay homage to the precious life of my husband in so many various ways. St. Peter Julian tells us, “Mary rejoices in seeing their homage.” Eucharistically adoring our Lord and moreover, bringing that adoration to our relationships, will keep our Lady’s Magnificat proclaiming “the greatness of the Lord.”  May the Joy of Christmas extend to the deepest recesses of our hearts, instilling a detachment from the things of this world. May the precious gift of life, love, family and friends be yours, and the gift of yourself offered to them bring to you the JOY of Bethlehem.
 
Luke 1:46-56

Mary said:
 
"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
and has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever."