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  Episode Transcript  

One

You Are Part of the Holy Family

By faith and Baptism, Jesus lives in you. That’s not symbolic, that’s real. And once you think about that, something very personal follows. Mary is the mother of Jesus. And if Jesus lives in you, then Mary is your spiritual Mother. And since Jesus lives in us, St. Joseph, the father entrusted with Jesus’ care, is our foster father too. He took care of everything Jesus needed, and he still takes care of us.

Jesus lived his whole hidden life inside the Holy Family. And since he lives in you now, you are part of that same family, with Mary as your Mother, Joseph as your guardian, protector, and provider, and Jesus living close to you, not far away.

We’re meant to live in friendship with all three, letting them help us become more and more like Christ.

St. John Paul II wrote that when we pray the Rosary, the Holy Spirit, “mystically transports us to Mary’s side as she watches over the human growth of Christ in the home of Nazareth… training us and molding us with the same care, until Christ is fully formed in us” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 15).

That means something very concrete: when we pray the Rosary, the Holy Spirit brings us, by faith, into the home and the life of the Holy Family. God gave us imagination to help us pray. When we meditate, we don’t leave our humanity behind, we bring it with us. So today, I want you to form a real picture in your mind and enter into it by faith.

And just so you know where this comes from for me: I’ve been to Nazareth many times, over thirty, to the church built over the home of the Holy Family. I know the hill, the light, the simplicity of the place. That physical memory shapes how I pray. But your Nazareth may look different. That’s okay. What matters isn’t the image. What matters is that you enter.

So let me help you today. I can show you the way. Let’s go there for breakfast, that’s when I like to go. As we begin to pray the Our Father and the ten Hail Mary’s, we start walking up the hill. Nazareth sits on a hill. It’s morning. The air is fresh. Birds are singing.

Okay, there’s their home. It’s not very big, but it’s clean and beautiful. We walk up to the door and knock. There’s that little moment of nervous anticipation.

Two

Joseph Opens the Door

The door opens, and St. Joseph welcomes you in. There’s a warm breakfast waiting and something hot to drink on the table. They invite you to sit down, and you take your place. Mary, Joseph, and Jesus sit too. It all feels natural, like you belong there. Because you do. Our Lady pours you a hot drink, and you pick up your mug.

Here you are. And here they are. And this is not pretend because we are praying the Rosary.

Mary looks at you with such a welcoming smile and says, “You know, I’ve watched over you for a long time. I’m so glad we can finally talk. What’s on your mind this morning?”

What would you say to her? What have you always wanted to tell her? Well, tell her…

As you pray the Our Father and Hail Marys, pay attention, deep in your soul, to how she responds.

Three

Jesus Turns Toward You

Then Mary turns and brings you more fully into Jesus’ presence. How old is He? He lived in this home until he was thirty. Sometimes when I go, He’s very young, like my grandsons. Sometimes He’s about twelve. Sometimes He’s grown, strong, peaceful, steady. Whatever age you see him, remember who he is: the Son of God who has chosen to live close to you.

He looks at you and says, “You have a lot on your mind today. Tell me about it.”

Tell Him everything that’s burdening your soul. Don’t hold back. And He knows there’s one thing, one thing you feel has come between you and Him, something you’ve wanted to say.

Go ahead. Tell Him now. Then listen closely to what He says in response as you pray the Our Father and Hail Mary’s.

Four

Joseph Speaks

Joseph has been quietly listening. He’s gotten up once or twice, stirring the fire, bringing more food or drink to the table. Now he sits down and looks at you. He tells you how God the Father entrusted him with Mary and Jesus, to protect them, provide for them, and take responsibility for their lives.

Then he looks you straight in the eyes and says, “I will do the same for you. I’ve been entrusted with your care too. Bring your needs to me.”

This is usually when I tell Joseph the truth, “Mary and Jesus have made it clear what they want me to do… but I forget. Or honestly, I’m too attached to my fears and my sins to follow through.”

Joseph smiles and says, “I know what it’s like to be the only imperfect one in the bunch. Entrust your resolutions to me. Come back to me often. We’ll work on this together.”

Five

Go Often

I love going to the home of the Holy Family early in the morning for breakfast and good conversation. But you can go anytime. Anytime you pick up the Rosary. Anytime you turn your heart toward them in prayer. Nazareth isn’t just a place on a map. It’s a place in your soul, a place you can return to.

I go when I’m happy. I go when I’m anxious and overwhelmed. I go when I’m angry and don’t know what to do with it. I go when I’ve sinned, because they are my refuge.

Most of all, I just go to be with them. They go about their work. There’s usually food, or at least a hot pot of coffee, ready. And now this part matters: You don’t need to go the way I go. You just need to go. I promise, I won’t be there. Somehow, they have a place and time just for you.

Go there now. And go there often.

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