The Word Became Flesh Here

Today, we had our first full day in Nazareth, the city where the Holy Family lived.  This entire land is full of biblical places, and that was highlighted during our afternoon adventure up to the Precipice of Nazareth.  The Precipice is the high cliff that we hear of in Luke 4:28-30 and is the place where the synagogue officials chased Jesus after He preached of God’s work among the Gentiles.  As can be seen from the pictures on the mountain, the weather cooperated during our trip and we had some great views.  The beautiful views were stunning, but again, it was just a small glimpse into the rich history of this land. 

Another highlight of the day was attending Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation.  Going to Sunday Mass in a language that you do not understand at all is always an interesting experience.  In one sense, it is very worthwhile to see that people halfway around the globe experience the same thing we do every Sunday in a parish.  The structure of the Mass is all the same, and it is pretty easy to follow.  The challenging part, of course, is that we do not know a single word of Arabic.  That makes things a bit difficult, to say the least.  But this Sunday liturgy was special though, as it was First Communion!  This meant that the Church was probably more full than usual, especially with eager parents with their phones out trying to snap pictures of their kids processing around in their white albs.  Mass was a great experience to pray with the local community of Catholics here in Nazareth, especially on such an important day for that parish community. 

For me, however, the personal highlight was praying in the crypt church of the Annunciation.  It was in that spot that the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to announce to her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that this son would be the Son of God.  The altar at the site is inscribed in Latin “The Word Became Flesh Here.”  Frank Sheed, in “To Know Christ Jesus,” states that Mary’s words in her fiat are the “words of consecration bringing the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity into her womb, into our race.” To contemplate this mystery was very moving.  I was most moved when I pictured Mary, and what she would have been like in that moment.  What really struck me about this image was that it was her purity and virginity that allowed her to be the theotokos, the Mother of God.  As a man who is preparing to be ordained a deacon, I will soon make a promise of celibacy, forever giving up children of my own.  But, looking at the Blessed Mother gave me great hope, since it is precisely through her virginity that she was able to bring Christ to the world.  So too, in my own commitment to live chaste celibacy, the Lord will make Himself known to His people through my life as a deacon and priest.  And to bring Christ into the world, whether as the Mother of God like Mary, or as a priest celebrating the Mass, is an incredibly privileged, and humbling, role to play.  So please continue to pray for us, both during this time of pilgrimage, that we may be open to the many graces the Lord wishes to bestow upon us, but also as we prepare for ordination, that we may be good, holy, and fruitful deacons in the Church.