Luke 2: 16-21
So the shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Be Amazed
“All who hear it were amazed…And Mary kept all these things and reflected on them in her heart.” How often do we let ourselves be amazed? Life really is amazing. Earlier this year, I walked into the scene of two rabbits nesting in the bed of lettuce in my garden. They had found a way past the weak fence that I had constructed. Amazing! On the parochial school girls’ basketball team I coach, I asked one girl to lead us in prayer before practice. She crossed herself and began, “Bless us O Lord and these thine gifts…” We roared in laughter as she led us in the prayer before meals. It is now our team prayer. Amazing! As we begin this new year, we would be well to follow Mary’s example and keep all these amazing things in our hearts. Especially since, as we hear in the verse that follows, the shepherds will return glorifying God once more proclaiming the wonderful ways in which God’s love enters the world. The gifts just keep coming.
—Rev. Paul J. Shelton, SJ, is the provincial assistant for vocations for the Midwest Jesuits. If you are interested in becoming a Jesuit or know a young man who would be a good Jesuit, please visit beajesuit.org.
Prayer
Lord, you continue to amaze us, in both the big and little moments of our lives. Open our hearts to recognize and cherish these times so that we may see your presence and proclaim your love in our world.
—Jesuit Prayer team
Pray with the Pope
Pray with the monthly prayer intentions of the pope.