In Haste

Note:  Lack of time and some tech difficulties with the computer have forced me to miss posting the slice of daily bread for today, but this will appear with tomorrow's slice.

"Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town in Judah..." (Lk 1:30).  What was Mary's hurry?  Despite her own recent pregnancy, she wanted to get to her cousin Elizabeth's as fast as possible to be of help to her before she delivered her child, her typical other-centered focus. The town of Ain Karin, not far from Jerusalem is the accepted place of the encounter with Elizabeth and Zechariah where Mary spent three months helping as much as she could.  She has never stopped traveling here and there to be of help to others, particularly of us, who need her help so much.  /whether is be at LaSallette, Lourdes, Fatima, Medjugorje. or a private appearance as in the case of Roy Schoeman, a Jewish Harvard professor whom she guided to the Catholic Church, she is there for each one of us.    (Google Roy Schoeman for a four part fascinating story). She is not always "in haste", but takes her time, respecting our freedom and the power of free choice God has given us.
Although we are "in haste" mode to be ready for Christmas, we might follow Mary's example of allowing the element of TIME its proper place, despite the over-powering sense of urgency that so often propels us "in haste."
Bro Rene