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Spirituality Notes
Collection of Short Reflections

Knock - A Message in Images

During the Apparation at Knock, Ireland, in 1879 there were no 'words' spoken. Does that mean there was no message? The message is in the 'image'!

The centre of that image is the Lamb of God, Jesus, once slain but now risen at the Father's right hand. Above Him circle the angels signifying that He is in Heaven with His Father. He stands on the altar - the altar of the Mass in which the Risen Crucified Jesus makes Himself present in our day and age. He is the link that unites heaven and earth. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world who exists in eternity but in each Mass breaks through into our world.

What does the Mass mean for me? Like the discouraged disciples at Emmaus do I experience Jesus each time at mass? Do I allow Him to touch me, to heal me, to forgive me? Am I regular in my attendance?

To the left of the centrepiece of the vision stand three figures. Nearest the Lamb stands John the Evangelist with the open gospels. In the figure of John the Evangelist with the open bible we are asked what do the gospels mean to us? Are they a closed book? Do I open the gospels and read them prayerfully, allow Christ to speak to me from them. Do I find in them the love of Jesus for me, the guidance for my life? Do I experience what the disciples on the road the Emmaus felt - their hearts burning within them? What joy filled their lives!

Beside St. John stands Our Blessed Lady and on her right St. Joseph. Joseph stands with head bowed and hands joined in prayer. He was the protector of Jesus and Mary - the Holy Family. From what we know in the gospels it was, at times, not an easy task. What to do when he discovered Mary, his beloved, was with Child, or when the Child was about to be born and the inn was full, when Herod wanted to kill the Child! If Joseph had the sorrows of family life he, with Mary also had the joys - watching Jesus grow, take his first steps, helping him in his work.

When we see Joseph he reminds us of family life. What value do we place on family life? Is it our aim to amass greater possessions - a larger house, a bigger car, an extra holiday? Is this the way we measure success? What is of value in our family life? Is it not our relationships with one another. Are we building love between husband and wife, parents and children, children and parents? Love is built. It does not happen. It has to be worked at. We have to pray for the gifts of patience, kindness, compassion, forgiveness.

Finally, the image presents us with Mary, Our Blessed Mother. Mother of Jesus, given to us by Him as our Mother. Mothers are very important in our lives. Our natural mother has a very special place. Mothers fret and worry, rejoice and are joyful over the lot of their children. So too Mary Our Blessed Mother - we can be a constant source of joy and sorrow to her.

How do we treat Our Mother Mary? Does she figure in our lives? Do we claim her motherly love and protection? Do we come to her for support? There is a very simple practise to bring us close to her and lead us to Jesus - the rosary. We make contact with our natural mother by visiting her or phoning her. We contact Mary by praying her rosary. The rosary brings us into her presence. Like all good mothers she knows our needs. Through the rosary she exercises her motherly care.