The Gift of Joy

Today the pilgrims visited the Shepherds’ Field, the place where the Angel appeared to the shepherds who were tending to their sheep and proclaimed to them the good news of the birth of Jesus.  We had Mass in the cave where the shepherds kept their sheep in the night. We were told that the cave kept at least 200 sheep. The place is under the custody of the Franciscans. On top of the cave is a beautiful Church with holds drawings of shepherds before, during and after receiving the good news from the Angel.

During the homily, the celebrant said that the joy of contemplation is the dancing of the heart. The joy, which the shepherds received, impelled them to hasten to Bethlehem to see the newborn king. They gave the first witness to Mary and Joseph about what the Angel had told them. The shepherds, being the first pilgrims to Bethlehem, aroused a greater joy within us and made scripture clearer and more real in our minds. The experience of this place comes from the reaction of the shepherds to the good news.  They left their sheep immediately and went to Bethlehem to give witness to the good news which they received. This is what is kindled within us, the zeal to go out to give witness to the good news.