My Beloved One of Nazareth
A reflection by S.Marcelina Mikulska, CSFN
A beautiful, young girl, with delicate and pure soul, bustles around doing her daily more or less significant occupations. Each of her gestures, subtle touch, smile on her lips and in her eyes, are like the delight in her heart, which reflects the Incarnate Love residing in her soul. It seems as if she is in adoration of the affectionate goodness of God.
The girl’s name is Mary, the one, who knows the way to every human heart. Through her, God loves within us and becomes the Lord of our hearts. He is the Prince of Peace. She is a quiet and ordinary girl, yet there is something extraordinary about her. It is Mary, who upholds the youth of our faith and lets us be faithful to Her Son. It is Jesus, Her Son, who chose me for His Spouse, that I might follow the “First Nazaretanka”, His and our Mother, by spreading the Kingdom of God’s Love, wherever His Will calls me. I have always been attracted to Mary’s quiet surrender, but each experience of it is different. Now, I know that without Mary it is impossible to experience the mystery of Nazareth.
Mary shows the way to Jesus. She has shown me the way. Her quiet, humble, and valiant heart enchanted my heart. It is important to ask Mary for the way, because She does not delay in answering. She answers promptly and concretely.
Several years ago I chose to go on a pilgrimage. I hoped that I would find on that pilgrimage the answers to many of my youthful questions concerning my life and my vocation. My heart was bursting with many desires, but I did not know which ones were in accord with God’s Will. Especially, the decision involving my dedication to God exclusively raised many questions within my heart and caused me to hesitate. “Is it I? Is this for me? Am I able to persevere in this way rest of my life? “ And, at length… “Why me?”
I knew one thing-Mary would help me!!! It happened. She answered me very tangibly on my pilgrimage. On my way to the Black Madonna I met people, who did not know me and they stated right away, “She will be a Nazaretanka!!!” Confidence and its lack alternated in my head and in my heart. Is God really as concrete and personal as He now seems? Does His Mother really know the way to each human heart and its deepest desire? Now, I can say, YES!!! I experienced it on my own skin. Mary is the Mother, who knows the hopes of every human heart. She helps each one to be “crazy” for Jesus.
It has been three years since I pronounced my final vows in the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. I would like to sing a song of gratitude for the LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS, which guards me. Therefore, on August 11-12, 2007, I participated in the 20th Jubilee Pedestrian Polish Marian Pilgrimage from Chicago to the Sanctuary of Our Blessed Lady of Czestochowa in Merrillville, Indiana. Is it not sometimes good to choose difficulty, which brings joy to the heart? It was thus while walking in the sweltering sun that poured from the sky, and suffering fatigue while at the same time experiencing the openness to a sister or brother, who walked next to me. Prayerful reflection and the decision to continue the journey were not always easy but, the belief in God’s help, urged me on.
Admiring the witnesses of faith of so many people, I thanked God and all, who participated in the pilgrimage to the throne of our Mother, and decided to have a vacation with God.
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