Why We Pilgrimage
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So often we can think about Christmas in a beautiful miracle sort of way. Mary was given a profound miracle of Jesus, the Messiah, born to save the world. Joseph consented and became Jesus’ father. The birth of Jesus was beautiful in a cozy warm stable, and everyone lived happily ever after until Jesus’ adult ministry.
But every so often, I’m reminded that the Christmas story was a bit more real than that. I would call it “The Great Interruption” of Mary and Joseph’s lives and of the entire universe.
Truly, Mary and Joseph had their plans up-ended and had to trust in the angels’ promises to them. They felt a great deal of fear and uncertainty. The plan didn’t follow the natural order of how things were supposed to happen. Mary conceived without Joseph… how could that be? Mary and Joseph weren’t married yet… what would others think and what would their families say? Joseph had to accept that he wouldn’t be Jesus’ natural blood father… how could that be? Mary and Joseph would have to be chaste for the rest of their lives because of this immaculate conception… what kind of sacrifice would that be? If this was truly the Messiah… what would that mean for the rest of their lives?
The Christmas story and the Gospel today shows us that the ways of God defy natural order and the way we think things should work. God’s ways can be awfully mysterious, uncertain, and may not make any sense. They may be “great interruptions” to our own plans that demand our own “yes” and faithfulness to an unknown journey like Mary and Joseph did.
What is so often our response to “great interruptions”? Usually fear. Often bewilderment and confusion. Sometimes anger and upset over our own plans getting disrupted. At times, a desire “to run” like Joseph and to quietly “divorce” from the situation. Our initial feelings are like Mary and Joseph’s because they are natural human responses to disquieting events. But they can’t stay there if we wish to be faithful people who follow God’s plan.
The way that Mary and Joseph ultimately responded should teach us how to respond to these “Christmas-like” great interruption events of our own lives: with piety, trust, and obedience. Believing the angel, following their instructions, and letting God’s plan play out in our lives.
So this Christmas, consider what “great interruption” God is trying to make in your life and how you might respond like Mary and Joseph.
Katie Zalany lives in Cleveland Ohio. She is a Third Order Secular Franciscan (OFS), spiritual director, benefits/wellness leader, certified health and life coach, and volunteer. She is the creator of the ministry Women in Waiting | Made for Fruitfulness and is a published author. Her writing interests and focus areas include Gospel reflections, Franciscan spirituality, women's spirituality, prayer, and integration of faith and daily living.
