25 Days with St. Joseph: From Nazareth to Bethlehem-Day 6

“To be just is to be perfectly united to the Divine Will, and to be always conformed to it in all sorts of events, whether prosperous or adverse. That St. Joseph was this, no one can doubt.” — St. Francis de Sales

Good evening Lord.

It’s been a whole month since Mary left, and I miss her terribly. At least, I know that she arrived safely. The family that she traveled with returned after their sick relative passed away. They told me that they had left Mary settled in Elizabeth and Zacharias’ home, and that she was doing fine. They said that Mary has been helping Elizabeth with all the household chores, and she has also been sewing the swaddling clothes in which the baby is to be wrapped and reared. I am sure that Elizabeth is very happy to have her around. This gives me great comfort that even though I miss her, she is where God has called her to serve.

The family that accompanied her to Ein Kerem also shared with me that Zacharias had become mute. Apparently, right before Elizabeth became pregnant, it was Zacharias turn to enter the temple and burn incense as part of his priestly duties. This was a once-in-a-lifetime honor. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Zacharias was in the holy place for a very long time. Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. Shortly thereafter, Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months remained in seclusion. They did not know the reason for this, but I am sure Mary will share it all with me in due time.

I have decided that I will go to Ein Kerem to pick up Mary. I don’t think I could withstand the worry that I experienced when she left for a second time. Not knowing whether she had arrived safely caused me great anxiety. And at least, at that time, I knew that she was accompanied by people we knew. She may not be so lucky on her return. Therefore, I will wait two more months, to give time for Elizabeth to have her baby, and then I will head out to Ein Kerem. If she’s not ready to return, I will stay there as long as she needs me to. But she’s definitely much more important to me than any work I will have to turn down.

In the meantime, I have been extremely busy at the carpentry shop. The cradle that I made for our neighbors was a complete success, and other expectant parents have placed orders for similar cribs. I have also been building a lot of furniture. This keeps my mind occupied so I’m not constantly thinking about Mary.

Her aunt, my sisters, and other ladies from our town have been busy with our wedding preparations. We all want the wedding to take place as soon as Mary returns, especially me. I can’t wait to take her into my home and make her my wife.

It’s late and I must now rest. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow.

Good night, Lord.

Reflection:

Even though Joseph had a lot of work, he knew that Mary was more important, so he was willing to drop everything in order to serve her. We all have responsibilities, but God and family should always come first. How do I prioritize my work or my daily responsibilities? If I have to drop everything in order to serve a loved one, do I get upset or do I pray for discernment so God can help me to make the right decision?

Copyright © 2024 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.

Resources from the following books are being used on this journey:

1. The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Live of the Virgin Mother of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda
2. Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald H. Calloway
3. Las Palabras Calladas: Diario de Maria de Nazaret by Pedro Miguel Lamet 

1. All Bible references are from the New American Revised Edition Bible (NAREB) unless otherwise specified.

25 Days with St. Joseph: From Nazareth to Bethlehem-Day 5

“He [God] saw to it that Joseph be born of the royal family; He wanted him to be noble even with earthly nobility. The blood of David, of Solomon, and of all the kings of Judah flows in his veins.” — St. Peter Julian Eymard

Good morning Lord.

It’s been four days since Mary left, and I cannot stop thinking about her. “Is she alright?” I keep asking myself. 

They should be reaching Ein Kerem today, as long as they haven’t encountered any mishaps on the journey. This is what worries me the most. There are so many things that can happen on a journey through the desert: bandits or pirates of the desert, snakes, wild boars, sand storms… The group that she is traveling with was made up of just six persons. Mary was the seventh traveler. Hopefully, they met up with a larger group because seven persons, and four of them women, would not be enough to stop a band of robbers nor an attack from a wild boar.

I should have gone with her, God. Even though I have a lot of work, it could have waited. Mary is much more important than work, and if something happens to her, I will never be able to forgive myself.

I am also worried about her meager provisions. Did she take enough food to last her the entire trip? I know that her aunt packed a lot of bread for her, and she was taking water in wineskins. In these type of journeys, everyone shares what they bring, so hopefully between all of them, the food and water has been sufficient for the entire journey. And hopefully, the little donkey has been a good companion for Mary, carrying her few provisions, and carrying her when she’s been too tired to walk.

I have been offering a sacrifice as a prayer for Mary’s safety. I am having just dried bread for breakfast, bypassing lunch, and in the evening, just herbs with oil and bread. 

Last night, I sat outside the house. The night was cool, and I thought of Mary feeling cold and alone in the desert. I know that her aunt knit a heavy woolen cloak for her, but, is it enough when she’s sleeping outdoors with just the sky as her roof? I could smell the scent of olives in the air, and I wondered if Mary was already asleep.

I know God that You have sent angels to watch over Mary, and that I should not be worrying so much. My worry shows my lack of trust in You, but I’m only human. I can’t help myself. I wish that someone would come this way with some news. It’s so difficult to just wait, not knowing anything at all.

Lord, I must start my work day. Sitting here worrying is not helping Mary. I should have gone with her, but it’s too late now. All I can do is pray to You for her safety. Please, send your angels to protect her. 

Reflection:

We now live in a world where we can be in communication with anyone by the touch of a bottom. Even if someone is on the other side of the world, we can talk to them by phone, email, or WhatsApp. Joseph did not have that luxury. He had no way of knowing if Mary had made it safely to her destination. Even with our instant communication, many times we don’t take the time to reach out to those that may be lonely. This Advent, let’s take the time to reach out to someone that we have not heard from in a while. A phone call from us may be the best gift that we can give them.

Copyright © 2024 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.

Resources from the following books are being used on this journey:

1. The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Live of the Virgin Mother of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda
2. Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald H. Calloway
3. Las Palabras Calladas: Diario de Maria de Nazaret by Pedro Miguel Lamet 

1. All Bible references are from the New American Revised Edition Bible (NAREB) unless otherwise specified.

25 Days with St. Joseph: From Nazareth to Bethlehem-Day 4

“Saint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care.” — St. John Paul II

Good afternoon Lord.

Once again, I am doing my prayers to You in the afternoon because it was quite a busy morning. But first, I want to thank You for helping me yesterday to find the perfect transportation for Mary to go to Ein Kerem. 

As You know, right after Mary went back to her home, I left the carpentry shop. I went to visit some neighbors that had placed a large order of furniture for me to build for them. I asked them if they would be willing to pay me in advance with a donkey. They were surprised at my request, but they knew that the value of the furniture I would be making for them was much higher than the value of a donkey. Therefore, they agreed, and they gave me one of their donkeys.

I then walked over to Mary’s house, and I knocked at her door. Mary opened, looked at me, and when she noticed the donkey by my side, her eyes opened as big as saucers. 

“I thought that this humble beast would help make your journey more comfortable,” I told her, “so I place it at your service, Mary.” 

She hugged me and thanked me saying: “Joseph, this is far too generous, but I accept it because it will make my journey much more comfortable.”

Mary’s aunt and uncle invited me to stay for dinner. I accepted, and while her aunt prepared dinner, her uncle and I helped Mary to mount everything on the donkey. After dinner, I went to my house and retired for the night. I read the scriptures, said my evening prayers, and went to sleep right away because I wanted to wake up early to bid Mary good-bye.

This morning, I woke up before the crack of dawn, and rushed to Mary’s house. I accompanied her to where she was supposed to meet the rest of the travelers. I blessed her, hugged her, and wished her well.

It’s only been a few hours since she left, and I already miss her. Even though we still don’t live together, I go visit her every night. The next four months are going to be very difficult. Thankfully, I have a lot of work to keep me occupied.

Please Lord, accompany Mary on this journey. Do not allow any hardships to come her way. May all go well for her, and may her cousin Elizabeth bring forth a healthy baby into this world.

Reflection:

When Joseph found out that Mary would be going on a long journey, he went looking for a donkey to make the journey easier for her. How do I act when I know that someone could use my help? Do I act in haste or do I take time to ponder what is the proper way to help? I must place myself at the service of others with kindness and humility.

Copyright © 2024 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.

Resources from the following books are being used on this journey:

1. The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Live of the Virgin Mother of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda
2. Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald H. Calloway
3. Las Palabras Calladas: Diario de Maria de Nazaret by Pedro Miguel Lamet 

1. All Bible references are from the New American Revised Edition Bible (NAREB) unless otherwise specified.

25 Days with St. Joseph: From Nazareth to Bethlehem-Day 3

“During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah.” Luke 1:39

Good afternoon Lord. 

I was not able to talk to You this morning because I received a surprise visit from Mary. I was at the carpentry shop putting the finishing touches on the neighbors’ wooden cradle when she walked in. I was surprised to see her as it is not her custom to visit me at the shop. I was immediately worried that something might have happened. But she reassured me right away.

“No, Joseph,” she told me. “Nothing serious has happened, however, I have found out that my cousin Elizabeth whom everyone thought was barren, has conceived in her old age and is now in her sixth month. I feel that it is my responsibility to go to Ein Kerem to help her. Even though Elizabeth is old enough to be my mother, she is like a sister to me. We are very close. But before I go, I would like your permission, and your blessing, for me to go on such a long journey.”

Even though I was concerned that she would go on such a long trip without me, I said to her: “Mary, if you feel you must go, then I will not stand in your way. Just be careful and take care of yourself during the journey. The dirt path that wounds through the mountainous region is a popular place for bandits, who could surprise unsuspecting travelers. I would be more comfortable knowing that you are going with persons that we know.”

Ein Kerem is twenty-six leagues (1) distant from Nazareth. It will take at least four days to get there, and the greater part of the way is very rough and broken, unfit for a young Virgin Maiden. Even for a man, it would be quite dangerous. Therefore, for protection, we travel in groups. But unless Mary could find a group from Nazareth planning a trip to Ein Kerem, she would need to travel with complete strangers. I wish I could go with her, but I have a lot of work right now that I must finish. However, I will drop everything in a heartbeat if she doesn’t find a safe caravan to accompany her on the journey. 

I was thinking along those thoughts when she hugged me, and told me that I was the most generous and caring man on earth. She explained that her uncle had left the house early in the morning in search of anyone who would be going towards Ein Kerem in the next few days. As it turned out, a family we know well is leaving to Ein Kerem tomorrow morning to visit a sick relative. When her uncle told her, she rushed out of the house to find me. She will leave with them, and return just as soon as Elizabeth is able to care for the baby on her own. 

“The next three months will be the most difficult, and I can help her with the household chores,” Mary said to me. “I will stay four months at most, and my aunt with all her lady friends will continue with the wedding preparations while I’m gone. I promise you that there will be no delays, and as soon as I return, the wedding can take place as planned.”

I took her hands, and said to her: “I trust you, Mary. I know that you will return, and soon I will be able to take you into my house as my wife.”

She looked at me with joy in her eyes, but at the same time I caught a glimpse of worry. It was just a second, but I felt as if she was keeping something from me. She then approached the cradle that I was working on, and she caressed it with her soft hands: “You make beautiful work, Joseph. One day, you will make a similar crib for our child.”

I smiled, and figured that the concern I had seen in her eyes was due to the distress of the journey she would have to take to reach Elizabeth. I asked her if she had any trouble convincing her aunt and uncle to allow her to go by herself. Mary told me that she had broken the news to them the previous day, and that her aunt said the following words to her: 

“Mary, you are always thinking of others before you think of yourself. You have always been a special girl with a very big and generous heart. But Mary, you are betrothed to Joseph. The wedding will take place in just a few short months. If you are gone for four months, this may cause a delay in the preparations. Joseph may not be happy with this news. Elizabeth has plenty of relatives that live nearby that can help her. Please, reconsider and don’t be too hasty with your decision.”

Mary told me that before she responded to her aunt, she said a silent prayer to the Holy Spirit to put the proper words in her lips so she could convince them. This was her reply to her dear aunt:

“I agree with you that Elizabeth has plenty of relatives that can help her, but they all have their responsibilities, and none are as close to her as I am since they are all on Zacharias’ side of the family. Elizabeth has always been like a sister to me, and I know that she will feel much more confident having me by her side. As far as my wedding, there is no reason to delay it. You and the other ladies of our town are doing such a great job with the preparations, that you don’t need me to be present. I trust your judgment completely, and I know that you will make all the right choices for the festivities. As for Joseph, I will speak to him, and I am certain that he will understand.”

At that point in our conversation, she thanked me for understanding. I smiled at her, and told her that I knew nothing would hold her back once she had made up her mind, but that I was more relieved now that I knew that she was going with people we knew. I then asked her about her uncle’s reaction. 

“This is what he said to me,“ Mary told me. “Mary, when my dear brother Joachim was on his death bed, I promised him that I would look after you and your mother. And when your mother Anna got sick two years ago, I made the same promise to her. A journey to Ein Kerem is very dangerous, and I would not be honoring the promise that I made to your parents if I were to allow you to go with complete strangers. Let me talk to our neighbors tomorrow, and if it just so happens that someone is going in that direction, I promise that I will allow you to go, but only, if Joseph agrees and does not get upset with your decision.”

Mary told me that she thanked her uncle for always looking out for her, and at night, she prayed that her uncle would find a family to accompany her to Ein Kerem, or at the very least, to Jerusalem which is not far from Ein Kerem, just two leagues distant.

Mary´s prayers were definitely answered. She has now returned back to her home to prepare her few belongings for the arduous journey. And now, I must go too because there is something that I would like to provide to Mary for her journey. Lord, please help me to be on time.

Reflection:

Joseph was worried that he could not accompany Mary on her journey to visit Elizabeth, but he placed Mary’s desires above his own. Do I think of others first or do I place myself above others? If I am worried about something, do I hand it to God in trust that He will take care of the situation or do I try to take matters into my own hands? During this Advent, let’s pray for trust.

Copyright © 2024 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.

References:

(1) A league is an ancient unit of measurement derived from the Celtics. One league was the distance that a person could walk in about one hour. A land league is approximately three miles.

Resources from the following books are being used on this journey:

1. The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Live of the Virgin Mother of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda
2. Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Donald H. Calloway
3. Las Palabras Calladas: Diario de Maria de Nazaret by Pedro Miguel Lamet 

All Bible references are from the New American Revised Edition Bible (NAREB) unless otherwise specified.

25 Days with St. Joseph: From Nazareth to Bethlehem-Day 2

“God chose to make Joseph his most tangible image on earth, the depository of all the rights of his divine paternity, the husband of that noble Virgin who is Mistress of angels and men.” — Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

Good morning Lord. Today, I woke up thinking about my engagement to Mary, which took place six months ago. I know that she missed having her parents, Anna and Joachim, by her side. I remember them as being a humble and gentle couple. They were both called by You when Mary was still very young. 

I was remembering the words that I said to Mary immediately after our betrothal took place: “My spouse and Lady, I give thanks to the Lord most high God for the favor of having designed me as your husband without my merits, though I judged myself unworthy even of thy company; but His Majesty, who can raise up the lowly whenever He wishes, showed this mercy to me, and I desire and hope, relying on thy discretion and virtue, that thou help me to make a proper return in serving Him with an upright heart. Hold me, therefore, as thy servant, and by the true love which I have for thee, I beg of thee to supply my deficiencies in the fulfillment of the domestic duties and of other things, which as a worthy husband, I should know how to perform; tell me, Lady, what is thy pleasure, in order that I may fulfill it.” (1)

In retrospect, I know Lord that You were the one that placed those words in my heart. I am a man of few words, and I would have never been able to speak so eloquently had You not sent the Holy Spirit over me. I know that Mary was taken aback when she heard those words. And this is how she responded: “My master, I am fortunate, that the Most High, in order to place me in this state of life, has chosen thee for my husband and that He has given me such evident manifestation of His Will, that I serve thee.” (1)

I have engraved in my heart how the trees danced at that moment, and how the sun exploded in happiness at such humble manifestation of our commitment to each other. I looked into Mary’s eyes, and my soul was united to hers. It was just a second, but I knew in that instant that I loved her with all my heart. My hands found hers, and I knew that God had chosen for me the most humble and pure woman that He could find in the entire earth. And thus my heart accepted her as my spouse.

It is our Jewish custom for a betrothal to last a few months before the actual marriage takes place. In Israel, a marriage is more like a business between two families. If the two families are affluent, they would exchange jewelry, money, houses, and even slaves. The transaction between our families was more modest because we are very poor.

Once the arrangements were made, Mary came with her aunt and uncle to my house. I placed a coin in her hand, and I said these words: “With this coin, you are now my betrothed.” Then, my father blessed us in front of various witnesses, and he said to Mary: “You are now Joseph’s spouse.” From that moment on, the real wedding preparations began. This gives us an opportunity for us to get to know each other better before actually living together.

It is now midday, and I must get something to eat. Thank You Lord for this beautiful day. I offer You my labor and all my actions. Please guide my steps and actions so that I may be the man that Mary deserves.

Reflection:

Joseph was a man of few words but he trusted the Holy Spirit to give him the right words when he had to talk to Mary? How is my relationship with the Holy Spirit? During this Advent, it will be a good time to strengthen it. 

Copyright © 2024 Christy Romero. All rights reserved.

References:

1. The Mystical City of God: A Popular Abridgement of the Divine History and Live of the Virgin Mother of God by Venerable Mary of Agreda (Book 2, Chapter VII).

All Bible references are from the New American Revised Edition Bible (NAREB) unless otherwise specified.