Warm Blooded

    

    Where is Jesus' favorite place to be?

    Probably in the arms of Our Lady.

    Lately, I've been praying often with images of the child Jesus in the arms of Our Lady. Perhaps the most famous of these images is that of "Our Lady of Perpetual Help," where Jesus is being held by His mother, who comforts Him as angels bring the instruments of His future torture. It is a dark image, yet a very peaceful one.

    Here at seminary, we have a beautiful version of this icon in our main chapel. (See the picture above!) This particular image was a gift from a Pope* to the Josephinum. Originally, it was planned the the Pope would make a visit to the Josephinum while in the United States. When that plan fell through, he instead sent this image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help as a gift. It now has it's own dedicated area in the chapel, both for a Marian shrine and as a way to pray with a 2nd class relic of St. John Paul II. 

    Here's a question that popped into my head while I was praying with a similar image: Why does Jesus want the comfort of the arms of the Blessed Mother? It seems like a simple enough answer: because it's comforting. But does Jesus need comfort? Is he not our perfect comfort? Why would grace Himself need to be close to Mary, Full of Grace?

    You likely already thought of a sufficient answer to this question, but in any case here is the answer I received: God made us warm blooded. A cold blooded animal cannot raise or lower it's own body temperature- it relies on the temperature of its environment to stay "just right". Warm blooded animals can usually reach our "goldilocks temperature" in any weather. Christ is THE source of all life- He needs no more life, no more comfort- He is spiritually warm blooded. But when a warm-blooded creature finds itself in a cold place, it will seek warmth nonetheless. Christ is the source of goodness in a world coldly corrupted by evil. Take a moment to imagine the sadness in His spirit as He walked the earth, or as He is in tabernacles around the world that are ignored and unnoticed. The Immaculata, however, has been made full of grace, and so She is an unblemished source of life and goodness. Jesus loves to be near to Her and immersed in Her because She is a true gate of heaven in the world.

    Another way to say this is that Jesus, journeying (not wandering) through this valley of tears, can enjoy the rest of Mater Maria on the way of His mission. We, who are wandering, can be refilled and rejuvenated by resting in Her arms. Take some time to meditate on this- rest in Her arms with Jesus. Let the Trinity love you through Our Lady and do.... nothing. Just receive. In silence you can be reformed, the Queen of Peace can ready you for the road ahead. Wait in joyful hope. (It will be joyful after a while- trust me.)

    Psalm 118: 19-20: "Open to me the gates of holiness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter through it." Mary is the gate of heaven. Enter with Jesus through Her heart, and you will give grateful joy to the Father. 

*This section has been edited. I'm not sure it which pope gave the gift of this icon. (9/29/2024)