Meditating on the birth of baby Jesus in the cave of Bethlehem, it’s easy enough jump to the spiritual significance of preparing a place for the Lord to be “born” in our own hearts. One thing that strikes me in this mystery, though, is that baby Jesus doesn’t come into the cave alone. Being God, after all, He could have zapped Himself into that cave, as He zapped Himself into the Upper Room – but He didn’t; He entered the cave in Mary’s womb and under Joseph’s care, and it was in their arms that He rested when he was born.
And the spiritual significance here is a little harder to take – because I’m very ready (or so I think) to welcome Jesus into the “cave” of my heart…so long as He doesn’t bring friends! There are some shady corners, after all, and it smells a little funny, and there some doubtful critters – oh yes, come Jesus, come spiritually…and preferably alone. But that’s not how Jesus does things! How does He come? In the womb of Mary – the Church – and under the care of Joseph – His human ministers.
And if we won’t let that family into our hearts – if we aren’t willing to be open and vulnerable with those mothers and brothers and sisters of Christ who are trying to do God’s will (cf. Mark 3:35) – how can we expect Him to be born in us?
Are you sharing the “cave” of your heart with Jesus’ human family?
Sr. EMJ