Let’s follow up on Imagining Jesus: Explore your spiritual journey.
I am sure your visit to Jesus’ carpentry shop was quite eventful. He can convey so much in those times we spend intimately with Him. In Father Mark Mary’s visit, he said that he and Jesus were making candle holders to give to his mom, Mary, and the broken pieces he set off to the side. I did not see that.
I, also, asked a friend to see what she would come up with because mine was vastly differently from Father Mary Mary. I gave her a week just as I have given you. During that week, her mom passed away which made her very tender. It was amazing what she said. She researched what tools were available at that time. She found it very difficult to describe the box. She felt an overwhelming beauty and love in the box. I asked her to explain the meaning of the box and what she knew. She said she couldn’t explain much except they were giving the box to Mary.
I waited a few days and asked if she had discovered any more details about the box. She said no—only that it was given to Mary and had an overwhelming beauty. I smiled, knowing exactly what the box symbolized. I explained to her that the box represented her, and the beauty within was a reflection of her own inner light and goodness. I shared that just as in John 19:25-27, she too was entrusted to Mary, signifying a special bond and care:
“25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” 27 Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”
I find it hard to express her reaction in mere words. When I shared that I saw the profound love from Our Blessed Jesus for her, the joy in her eyes was undeniable. She mentioned that this revelation filled her heart with an overwhelming happiness, something she desperately needed to hear. I explained that the box represented her and what was held within was her very soul.
As you can see from the these two accounts that each of us will experience things differently when we enter his carpentry shop. I am sure you experience this as well. Now I will tell you about my visit.
When I entered his shop, we are using a planner to smooth out a piece of wood. We spend time just plane the wood. He has his hands placed on mine ever so lightly. I never noticed the his callouses on his hands from all the years of working wood. He doesn’t say a word at first. I just notice how lightly he has his hands on mine guiding me along the piece of the wood.
I looked into His eyes at times and noticed the love held within tinged with pain of sin. He has such beautiful eyes. They glistens. There is an overwhelming amount of love I saw within and gentleness. Our time together was absolutely beautiful. He has such a mild demeanor. He didn’t come off as a brute to me.
Anyway, as you might be wondering as what we might have been making or making. I honestly don’t know. All I see is the planing. Every once and a while I will try to do things on my own and cut the wood wrong leaving a mark and sometimes I run smooth. He continues to work with me ever so gently. He has told me not to worry and to carry on. I do not know what we are making. But that’s okay because I know that it is something special – something very special.
So tell me what you are seeing in His shop? Know that whatever it is will be indescribable. You are extremely precious to Him.
Leave a Reply