Part 1 of the series: Women of the Bible I would like to meet.

Of course, first on my list of women from Sacred Scripture that I would like to list is:

Our Mother Mary.

I think, other than the Trinity, I would love to meet her.

I would like to sit down and have a glass of iced tea with her and some cookies.

I don't know if she likes coffee, but I don't, so I didn't include that in my list of questions for her.

I'd love to sit under and olive tree with her and feel the the warm breeze on our faces.

I would love to sit and pray with her.

Perhaps, even an angel might visit?

I have so many questions for her.

 

 

 

 

Here's what I would like to learn.

How did you feel when you were asked to be the Mother of Jesus?  

 

Were you afraid? 

 

Did St. Gabriel surprise you?

 

What did St. Gabriel look like?

 

How did you talk your parents into allowing you to go visit Elizabeth and Joachim?

 

How did you feel when you saw Elizabeth?

 

How did you feel when Elizabeth told you that her baby kicked when he recognized your Son?

 

 

 Were you even in more awe of God?

 

Did you help to deliver John?

Traveling must have been difficult for you, how did you do it?

 

When you got home, how did your parents react when they found out they were going to be grandparents?

 

Were they upset or did they welcome your new baby?

 

 Was your pregnancy with Jesus, an easy one?

Did you get morning sickness? 

 

What did Joseph say when you told him you were having a baby? 

 

Were you afraid that he might reject you and your baby?

 

When you became Joseph's wife, did you have a big wedding?

 

Did all the villagers attend your wedding?

 

What was your life like as a woman 2000 years ago?

 

You and Joseph were required to go to Bethlehem.  Were you afraid when you and Joseph had to leave?

You must have been in labor when you found a stable to give birth to the Son of God.  Was this humiliation for you?

Was Jesus a good baby?

Did he sleep the night early or did he keep you awake?

How did you feel when the shepherds came to visit?

How did you feel when the wise men came to visit?

When you returned home, did the ladies of the village coo and kiss Jesus?

Was Jesus a beautiful child? 

Did He have fun with the other children in the village? 

 

Did he play with his friends or did he work with Joseph?

 

Did you see angels around your Son? 

 

Did you talk with angels about your Son? 

 

How did the village react to your Son? 

 

Was Jesus tall? 

 

Was he popular in the village?

 

Did He go to dances and parties in the village?

 

Did he have a pet?

 

What was Jesus' favorite food that you made?

 

Did Jesus help you cook in the kitchen?

 

Did you pray as a family daily?

 

Did you absolutely adore Your Son?

 

Blessed Mother, thank you for answering my questions.

 

I hope to meet you in heaven and sit with you under a tree,

 

drink some special tea,

 

and  

 

listen to what you have to say.

 

Mary's Memories - The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden

I felt my heart begin to break when I knew Jesus and His Apostles had left for the Garden.  The Apostles were uneasy.  They sensed that My Son was sorrowful.  He had warned them that He would be killed, but they did not believe.  I fell to my knees with the other women and we began to pray.  Jesus began to suffer in the Garden.  He felt the weight of sin on his shoulders and satan was there to tempt Him again.  Jesus was sorrowful beyond words.  I could feel His sorrow in my heart.  How he could bear the weight I do not know.  I’ve never known such sorrow.  He asked His Father to let this cup pass, but the Father withdrew.  Jesus accepted His cup for love of us.  His soul was at peace, but He knew what was to come.  When they came to arrest Him, My Jesus identified Himself to the soldiers of the temple.  They began to beat Him.  When Peter tried to stop this by cutting off the ear of the soldier, Jesus reminded Peter that this what was meant to be.  Jesus healed the soldier’s ear.  The other soldiers were stunned.   My Son was beaten and taken to both Herod and Pilate.  My Jesus, My Beautiful Son!  My heart weeps.  My heart weeps when I see You.  My precious Child.  I love You!

The Scourging at the Pillar.

How could I look?  Jesus did not look like Himself.  His beautiful face was swollen and bruised.  His eye was swollen shut.  When asked about the charges, Jesus would not answer.  Pilate tried to calm the crowds.  He knew that Jesus did not do anything wrong, but he was afraid.  He ordered Jesus to be scourged.  My Son!  My Son!  You are the Son of God, but they do not know You!  These are the people who were cheering You and calling You the Messiah.  Now they are calling for your death.  My Son!  I am here.  I hear the whips as they strike Your flesh.  I feel the whips as they rip into Your flesh.  I see the blood flow from Your skin.  Your flesh is hanging in shreds, and they continue to beat You.  The sear of the air on Your wounds brings tears to My eyes.  My Son, how do You bear this pain?  They want to kill You.  Pilate did not order that.  My God!  My God!  Protect Your Son!  I am weak.  How much more weak are You, My beautiful Child?  At last, the beatings have stopped and the soldiers are giving You back Your clothing that is soaked with your blood.  You can barely walk.  You lost so much blood!  If they only knew how much You loved them!   I see You looking at me.  I am here, My Son!  I am here.  Be strong!  I. am. here.


The Crowning with Thorns

I didn’t realize they could find new ways to torture You.  Now, they are mocking You?  They are laughing at You and calling You the King of the Jews?  My Son, You are a King.  You will not show them, but You continue to pray for them and forgive them.  My Son, You are My God, too.  
Does Your love know an end?  Your love for us is unending.  I am with You as you walk this road.  I am here.  What is that in the soldier’s hand?  Is that supposed to be a crown?  I thought the mocking and the spitting were enough, now they are going to crown You with thorns?  How can they torture Love?  Oh, my Jesus!  I don’t know that I can bear this!  They have pulled Your clothes away.  The bleeding has started again. Oh, your most precious blood hits the ground!  They are giving you  a purple robe?  Oh, My Son!  They mock You even more!  They laugh.  They don’t know.  Yet, you pray for them, and You have forgiven them.  My Jesus, Your love is beyond all measure.  I die each time they harm You.  I must forgive them as You have forgiven them.  My Jesus!  My Son!  I am here with You.


The Carrying of the Cross

They have condemned You to die.  Pilate was afraid of the crowd.  They screamed for Your death and asked for Barabbas.  You who have done no wrong.  You who are Love.  They screamed for Your death, and Pilate gave in.  His wife warned Pilate to have nothing to do with You.  She knows You.  She loves You.  I see her in the window weeping as Pilate condemns you to death.  Pilate has washed his hands of You.  He is turning You over to be killed.  They drag You through the streets.  You are so weak.  How can You walk?  Your body has been beaten and you’ve lost so much blood.  My Dearest Son!  They have condemned Love!  They have condemned Love!  I must forgive as You forgive.  Now, I must watch You die.  How can You carry the cross?  John will get me closer to You.  You must know that I am here with You!  I will help You with Your cross.  John will get me closer to You.  Oh, Jesus, My Son, my heart breaks as I see Your disfigured face.  I see Your flesh hanging from Your body.  I see Your blood soaked garments.  I see Your eyes, and You see mine.  I cannot get close enough to help You.  John will take care of me.  Have no worries.  I forgive as You have forgiven.  My beautiful Son.  You are love, and they hate You.  They do not realize what they are doing.  The soldiers have forced Simeon to help You.  He does not understand the great graces You have given Him.  He knows that You will die.  You know that You will die.  Even as the torture continues, You forgive.  My Jesus, My Son, My God!  I love You.

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

My Son, My Son.  The nails have pierced Your Hands and Feet.  The soldiers have allowed us to be closer to You now.  There is no turning back.  The soldiers continue to mock You.  They are even casting lots for Your clothes which are stained with Your most precious blood.  The Jewish leaders are screaming at You.  They want You to prove You are God and come off the cross by yourself.  My Jesus!  How do you bear this pain?  I am not sure I can bear this pain, yet You bear this without complaint.  My Son, I do forgive them.  You have forgiven them.  You have promised one thief that he will join You in Paradise today.  The other, You have offered the chance for forgiveness.  He has refused You.  My heart continues to break.  I kiss Your feet.  They are so cold and blue.  You are shivering in the cold.  You’ve asked for something to drink, but they give you a drink to numb Your pain.  You refuse that.  You are willing to take the pain of sin completely on You.  My Son!  My Son!  My heart is broken.  Yet, You are still my strength.  Your breath is so shallow now.  Your pain is so great.  I dare not touch You for fear of causing You pain.  I see Your eyes as You hang on that cross.  I must touch You.  It’s almost the third hour now.  I see Your eyes closing.  I hear You call out to Your Father.  Jesus, He has not abandoned You, even if He did, I will not, but He has not abandoned You.  You are one with Him.  He feels Your pain, and He weeps.  My Jesus!  You have died.  My heart breaks for love of You.  The earth has quacked.  The temple is greatly damaged.  My Son, You are truly dead!  Your body is cold and is beginning to stiffen.  My Jesus!  We will lay You to rest soon.  Come back!  Come back!  I need You.  My tears are like cold rain drops.  The rain has been falling.  Your body is washed.  Your Father has washed His Son’s Body.  You lay here in my arms.  I do not want to let You go.  John reminds me that he is now my son and that I am his mother.  We must go.  Once the Sabbath has passed, Your body will be prepared for death.  There is very little time now.  John touches my arm.  We must leave.  He weeps as I do.  You are love.  Your mission is finished.  My heart is broken. 

Mary's Memories: The Luminous Mysteries

Mary's Memories
Meditations on the Luminous Mysteries

The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan
I knew it was time for my Son, Jesus, to leave home and begin His public ministry.  I was elated that He would soon be revealed as the Promised Messiah, but I knew that He would suffer.  The Father had been preparing both of us for this day.  I felt a great deal of pain knowing that Jesus would suffer for love of His people, but I knew that salvation was at hand.  I knew that Jesus would deliver His people from the depths of sin.  John was born before Jesus.  Elizabeth said that John jumped in her womb when I cradled Jesus in my womb.  John says that he baptizes with water, but that the one who is to come will baptize with the Spirit.  There's Jesus in the water with John being baptized.  I see a great light forming over the head of my Son.  The Father is speaking, "This is My Beloved Son in whom I AM well pleased."

The Wedding at Cana

I heard that Jesus is on His way with some of His followers.  He was looking forward to this wedding feast.  There He is!  There's my Son!  Jesus has brought some men with Him.  They are the men that Jesus has chosen.  I must welcome them.  Jesus and His friends have already found a place to sit.  I'll bring them some food and drink.  They must be very hungry from their journey.  I see that the waiters are very upset.  They have run out of wine.  My Son smiles at me and greets me with the love only the Son can give.  "Mother," he says.  "Meet my friends."  I smile and give them some bread and cheese.  They are so hungry.  I can see the waiters are trying to decide what to do.  "Jesus, they have no more wine."  Jesus stops eating and looks at me with His beautiful smile, "Woman, what would you have Me do?  My hour has not yet come."  I smiled at Jesus.  I knew what He would do next, and He knew that I knew.  Jesus would not refuse my request.  His time had come.  I called the waiters over.  "Do whatever He tells you."  Jesus smiled and sighed.  He told the waiters to fill 6 pottery vessels with water, then to take the vessels to the head waiter.  They did this.  Then they knew.  The water had been turned into the finest wine.  There would be no embarrassment at this wedding.  Jesus' new friends didn't know what to say.  They didn't need to talk.  I brought them more food to eat.

The Proclamation of the Gospel

After the wedding Jesus began to preach in temples and synagogues around Israel.  He publicly  cured the sick and cast out demons.  He preached repentance, love, and joy to all that He met.  Jesus forgave sinners their sin.  Jesus and His friends did not travel to the Gentiles.  He told me that there would be workers to do this later, but if a gentile came to Him with great faith, Jesus would heal them.  He healed the centurion's servant.  He healed the lepers.  He healed the daughter of the gentile woman who came to Him and begged Jesus to heal her.  Jesus saw her great faith and humility, and He healed her daughter.  Jesus also raised the dead.  Lazarus was His friend, yet, when Jesus heard that Lazarus was ill.  He waited.  He did not leave to heal him.  When Jesus finally arrived, Lazarus was dead.  My Jesus wept at the tomb.  People asked why He did not come when He heard that Lazarus was ill.  Jesus only replied, "Roll away the stone."  Then He said, "Lazarus, come forth."  Lazarus was brought back to life by my Son!   Finally they knew, Jesus was the Son of God.  Yet, so many hated Him and tried to harm Him, but they failed.  Jesus only said, "My hour has not yet come."

The Transfiguration
I did not see this, but Peter told me.  He said that Jesus asked the three of them, Peter, James and John, to go up with Him to the mountain.  He did not say why.  Peter thought they were going to pray.  Jesus loved to pray to His Father on the mountain top, in silence.  When they reached the top of the mountain, Jesus became brilliant with light.  The Apostles were frightened.  They dropped to their knees.  Then they say Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah!  The mountain was full of electricity and light.  Peter said there was no light as bright as this on earth.  Then, Peter, oh, dear Peter, said,"It's a good thing we are here, Lord, so that we can build tents for You and Moses and Elijah."  While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them up, and a voice form the cloud said, “This is My Beloved Son, Whom I love.  With Him I AM well pleased.  Listen to Him.”  The Apostles were terrified and fell to their knees.  At once the light was gone, and Jesus was alone. The Apostles did not know what to say or ask Jesus.  Jesus knew their thoughts and confusion.  He did tell them not to speak of this.  They didn't.

The Institution of the Eucharist.
This moment was so sacred.  The time for His Passion and Death were near.  Jesus asked the Father to give me strength to bear this with Him.  We both knew that it was for this reason He had been born.  Jesus and His Apostles were celebrating the feast of the Passover in a room above a house.  Just a few days before, Jesus had told His Apostles that He would soon be tortured and killed.  Peter, dear Peter, swore that this would not happen and the he would die protecting Jesus.  Jesus was overwhelmed with grief.  He did not want to suffer and die, but for love of us, He would and He would suffer and die with great joy knowing that we would be saved through His death.  He turned to Peter and said, "Get away from Me, satan."  Peter was shocked at this rebuke.  He knew he had offended Jesus, and he hung his head in shame.  Now the time had come, and Jesus' hour was near.  Before the meal began, Jesus took off his cloak, wrapped a towel around His waist and began to wash the feet of His friends.  Jesus told them that no man was greater than the master.  He told them to serve as He was serving.  Again, dear Peter said to My Son, "Lord I am not worthy.  You will not wash my feet."  Jesus again rebuked Peter.  Peter regretted what he had said.  "Lord, not only my  feet but my head as well."  Then they all sat down to eat the unleavened bread and bitter herbs.  Judas left.  Before anyone spoke, Jesus pronounced the prayers that had been said for centuries in our history, then He took the bread.  He broke the bread and gave it to His Apostles saying, "Take this and eat of it.  For this is My Body of the new covenant.  Do this in remembrance of Me."  No one spoke as Jesus gave each Apostle His Body.  Then He took the wine and said, "This is My Blood which will be shed for You.  Do this in remembrance of Me."  The Apostles drank the Blood of My Son.  My Heart began to shred.  When the meal was finished, Jesus and His Apostles left for the Garden.  

Mary's Memories - Meditations on the Rosary

Pope John Paul II wrote of "Mary's Memories" in the Rosary.   In his Apostolic letter "Rosarium Virginis Mariae"  Pope John Paul, soon to be canonized, wrote,

"Mary lived with her eyes fixed on Christ, treasuring his every word: “She kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19; cf. 2:51). The memories of Jesus, impressed upon her heart, were always with her, leading her to reflect on the various moments of her life at her Son's side. In a way those memories were to be the “rosary” which she recited uninterruptedly throughout her earthly life."

With the season of Advent upon us, our focus should turn to Mary, the Mother of God.  By imitating her virtue, we will be better prepared to greet her Son on Christmas Day.    Inspired by her memories of the Rosary, I wrote these Meditations on the Rosary.  The first ones we encounter in "Mary's memories," are the Joyful mysteries.  As I wrote, I tried to look at these mysteries through Mary's eyes.  Of course, these responses are fictional.  I am writing these, not Mary.  My hope is that by looking at these mysteries through Mary's eyes, we will come to know Jesus better.

Mary's Memories
Meditations on the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation

I was praying, thanking God for all of His goodness and mercies.  I heard my name whispered in the wind.  I opened my eyes and I saw a being of light in front of me.  He greeted me by saying, "Hail, full of grace."  I was surprised by such a greeting.  He was so beautiful.  I knew he was from God.  He told me his name was Gabriel.  He told me that I was blessed among women.  He said that I would bear a son, the Promised One, and that I would name Him, Jesus.  I was very surprised.  I didn't understand how this could be since I had not known man.  He said that the power of the Holy Spirit would come upon me.  This is how I would conceive my Son, the Holy one of God.  I replied that it should be done according to God's Will.  When the angel left, I knew I was with child.

The Visitation

Gabriel also told me that my cousin, Elizabeth, who was beyond the age of bearing children was going to have a son!  I was so excited!  He said that Elizabeth was in her sixth month.  I knew that I had to go help her.  I sought permission, and I was allowed to go to take care of her.  The journey was difficult, but the Babe in my womb made my travels easier.  I didn't know what Joseph would think when I returned, but I knew that God would take care of my precious Son, His Son, and me.  When I saw Elizabeth she was great with child, and she knew I was pregnant.  She said that her son jumped in her womb when we arrived.  God is so good!  Elizabeth and I immediately fell into prayer praising God for these miracle children of ours!  Elizabeth knew that my Son was her Savior!  God is so good!  I stayed until John was born.  Now, I could see that my body had changed.  My parents and Joseph would know that I was with child.  God would take care of us.

The Birth of Jesus
Joseph is such a wonderful husband!  He said that an angel came to him in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take me for his wife.  The angel told him that this baby would be the promised Messiah.  That next morning, Joseph brought me home.  Now, we are on a journey to Bethlehem where Joseph must register for the census.  I am great with child now.  I feel so tired.  Joseph has been so kind.  He bought a donkey so that I could ride.  My Son kicks so much.  I think He's ready to be born, too!  I know He's a King, but only Joseph and I know that.  He should be born in a palace, but Joseph was only able to find a stable.  I know my time has come.  My Babe will begin his life in poverty for Joseph and I do not have wealth.  We only have love.  My Son will be rich in love.  The angels have surrounded me now.  Joseph is outside waiting. The angels will bring Jesus into this world, and they do.  I do not need a midwife.  God is watching over us.  Joseph heard the first cry of his foster child, and he ran into to meet the Son of God.  Joseph could hear the angels singing, too.  There is great joy in heaven.  Joseph fell to his knees adoring and worshiping the Son of God!!  God's Son is born.  I wrapped Jesus in all the blankets we brought with us.  I hold Him close to my heart.  He's a beautiful baby!  We adore Jesus!  He is our God and our Son.  The Father is so good to us!



The Presentation

My child must be given back to God today.  Joseph and I will go to the temple and pay our tribute to the temple to ransom our Son.  I must be purified too.  Joseph feels he can take care of Jesus while I take the ritual bath.  He still seems a little nervous, though.  Joseph asked me last night if I thought that he would be able to teach Jesus anything.  I know that Joseph will teach him so much!  Jesus will be a carpenter like his father.  We enter the temple.  The women of the temple tell me how beautiful Jesus is.  This makes both Joseph and I proud.  We don't have much money.  Joseph gave me his food last night, and he didn't eat.  Later I saw Jesus asleep in Joseph's arms.  I smiled.  God is so good!  Simeon stopped us as we walked into the temple.  He said that God could take him now because God had kept His promise that he, Simeon, would not die until he beheld the Messiah.  Simeon also told me that my Son would be the rise and fall of many and that a sword would pierce my heart.  Yet, Simeon's face glowed when he held Jesus.  I believe that what he spoke is true for I felt the scrape of a knife on my heart at that moment.


The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple

Every year we travel to Jerusalem with our families in a caravan.  Jesus enjoys His cousins, and  He loves my mother's bread!  Jesus always finds His way to the fires where Mother cooks.  Jesus is a good boy.  He always waits until He is offered bread from Grandmother, then He eats it so fast!  Grand Mother loves her Grandson!  Everyone seems to love Jesus!  Our visit to the temple is prayerful and holy.  Jesus was with the men this year.  He became a man!  Jesus, my child, is a man according to our traditions.  We have all gathered to go home, and it's time to leave.  I don't see Jesus, but He is probably with His cousins.  I don't see them either.  Joseph said not to worry about Him.  He needs to be given the respect of a man now.  He knows that Jesus will be at His grandmother's cooking fires for supper.  We traveled the entire day.  Evening has come and I still haven't seen Jesus.  I asked Mother if Jesus had been here.  She told me that she hadn't seen Him all day.  He usually finds her to give her a hug.  It's then that Joseph and I realized that Jesus is not with the caravan.  We can't go back tonight.  We have to wait until morning. 

Joseph is very upset.  We reached Jerusalem the next evening.  We looked for Jesus among the people we knew who were still there.  They had not seen Jesus. We found a place to stay, and Joseph promised me that we would continue our search in the morning.  We both rose at dawn.  I had been in prayer most of the night.  Joseph slept fitfully.  We searched and searched.  We reached the temple and decided to go in to pray for our Son's safety.  As we entered the Temple, we both saw Jesus and ran to him.  I don't think I've ever seen Joseph so upset.  He couldn't even talk.  Jesus smiled at both of us.  I said to Jesus, "Your father and I have been searching for You."  Jesus looked at me.  He looked confused.  He didn't seem to understand why Joseph was so upset.  Jesus said to me, "Didn't you know that I must be about my Father's business?"  The elders in the temple took Joseph aside.  Joseph told me later that the elders told him that Jesus was wise beyond His years.  They wanted Joseph to consider leaving Him at the temple to be educated in the law.  Joseph, thanked them for being so kind.  I could see that Joseph was calm now.  Joseph said that Jesus would be returning with us to Nazareth.  The elders understood.  We left the temple as a family and began our second journey home.