Nazareth -
Where Jesus grew up, with Mary and Joseph teaching Him the faith and how to live - God silently learns from man. Prayed for intentions here today, especially families, those trying to conceive, for those who are pregnant. Being in the church of the Annunciation, I am struck by the awareness that Your grace is ever present - nothing is impossible for you; but do we receive it? It is obvious You are willing and offering Your grace already for those whom I am praying, though perhaps differently than they may wish. What makes me sad is that there are many who will not respond to the grace you offer, or will reject it. I notice the desire to stay with the hidden life of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. At Mass Fr. Gaffney preached about "surprise, seeming impossibility, and submission". I offered my Mass intention for a couple who hope to conceive, in this place where Mary conceived Jesus with her "fiat". Here she places herself under the Mission of Christ. Jesus, don't let us resist Your grace! Help us to be present to the grace of this place. Some attendants notice all of us trying to pray and open up a special area where we can be right next to the cave of the Annunciation and pray, undisturbed by the crowds ushering by - little acts of charity that make a big difference to us!
Synagoge - (Luke 4, Matthew)
Jesus reads from the scroll, and "His own accepted Him not".
Annunciation Cave -
We have 1 hr to pray; I choose to spend my time here. Jesus, I don't want to miss you come near to me, to be unresponsive or unreceptive to your grace. Help me to say my fiat to You like Mary, with full faith. We prayed the Angelus at noon in the place where the Angel appeared to Mary. The silence of God (remembering Shusaku Endo's book). For 30 years He lived here quietly, silently in Nazareth. Mary pondered on this "silence", when the angel came, when the shepherds came, when she found Him in the temple.
Mount Tabor -
We walked up the mount just like Peter, James and John did when they saw Jesus reveal Himself in the Transfiguration. Praying for a transformation of desire. Africans were singing in the church when we got there - so joyful and full of life. Jesus spent 30 years listening to us in Nazareth, here the Father's voice asks us not to do anything but "listen to Him".
Fr. Hurley - this is an important place. The disciples thought they knew who Jesus was, and when He takes them up here to show them His glory they are afraid. Don't be deceived into thinking you fully understand the mystery of Jesus.
Adoration - Just a few of us here after a long day, good just to be silent with Jesus.
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