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Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

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The most important BIRTHDAY in the history of humanity is the birthday of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The key to experiencing the overflowing, exuberant joy of Christmas depends on the time, energy, and effort that we expend in preparing for this day. In short, the key to the success of the party depends on the prior preparation for the party.

The Church teaches about the three comings of the Lord Jesus Christ: In the Incarnation, historically about 2000 years ago (Jesus born in Bethlehem), at the end of time—this is left for God the Father; finally, and very pertinent to us in the present moment, is that Jesus comes to us constantly by means of grace!

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Mary  is model, teacher, guide, inspiration, life, sweetness and hope to all to raise their eyes to her with love.  In the beautiful prayer of St. Bernard,  the Memorare, we pray with confidence: “Never was it known that anyone who had recourse to Mary was left unaided…”

May is the month of Mary and it concludes with one of the most beautiful Marian Feast days— the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin St. Elizabeth.  Many superb spiritual lessons can be learned from this Marian gem, which also is the 2^nd Joyful Mystery. Let us descend into the “Spiritual mine” and grab on to the excellent treasures.

 The last part of the prior mystery— the Annunciation/Incarnation— ends with Mary’s “Fiat”— that is to say Mary’s “Yes” to God.  The exact words are: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.”   In that moment, one of the most sublime moments in the history of the world took place: the Incarnation of the Son of God.   That is to say, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, descended from His heavenly throne, and became Incarnate (man) in the most pure womb of the Virgin Mary!     In rapt awe, we humbly adore this sublime mystery!

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Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

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It is couched in between two Minor Prophets, Obadiah and Micah. It is composed of only 4 chapters, with only 48 verses in total; a small book, a minor prophet but with an extremely explosive message—it is the book and the person of Jonah. God summoned Jonah to go to a place he did not want to go, to visit a people he did not particularly like, and to give a message he literally detested—all this to the pagan city of Nineveh!

Jonah’s response to God’s call?  A flat and unequivocal “No!” I will not go! To prove it, Jonah jumped into a pagan ship going in the exact opposite direction. Jonah reasoned that this would solve the problem. God had other plans.  When God wants to carry out a mission, he finds the wherewithal to accomplish it! God sent two unexpected surprises to Jonah: a powerful storm and a huge fish.  Neither of these ever crossed the mind of Jonah.

The storm compelled the sailors to question who provoked it. Jonah pleads guilty.  Then Jonah, cast into the depths of the sea, surmising his life would be snuffed out, finds himself swallowed up by a huge fish in whose belly he remains for three long days and three long nights!