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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. Coming up to the Millennium 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. John the Baptist is asking us - 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, John the Baptist 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. Coming up to the millennium we need to ask 'have we forgotten Mary, our Mother?' Pray God she is still a reality in our lives.

John the Baptist preached before the first coming of Christ. In the vision of Knock he preaches again for us as we approach the new millennium. His message is clear. Look to the Mass as the place we meet the Risen Jesus. What part does it play in our lives? Look to the Gospel. Do we open that book in prayer to be nourished in our daily lives? What do we value in family life? Are we actively building love? Besides our natural mother we have another mother - Mary the Mother of Jesus as our Mother. Do we allow her to 'mother' us on our journey through life?

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