When I look at the hands of Mary (left) and Joseph at their wedding, I am in touch with how it is both easy and hard to follow God’s will–and how sometimes we need the help of others (the priest’s hands joining theirs in the center) in doing so.
My Prayer:
Thank You for my body which is so capable of telling me all about my inner states–even if I am not yet aware of them.
Scriptural Touchstones:
When Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son. Matthew 1:18-25 (NRSV)
Invitation To Pray:
How does this image of Mary and her mother Anne invite you to pray? Do so now.
Photos:
Joseph and Mary (poorly restored) at their wedding in the Life of the Virgin Window (1217-1220) in the south choir aisle at the Chartres Cathedral in France. This scene fills the left pane in the fifth row from the bottom.
Other Posts in This Series:
Life of Mary (1): Mary’s Birth
Life of Mary (2) Mary’s First Bath
Life of Mary (3): Willing
Life of Mary (4): The Word
Life of Mary (5): Surprise!
Pray with Jill Geoffrion 
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