No Room

According to the visions of Anne Catherine Emmerich, who received the stigmata, and who was privileged to see the life of Mary as it unfolded on specific dates, St. Joseph reassured Mary on the way to Bethlehem that they would surely find room with his relatives in the city of his ancestry.  He was worried about her, but he had so many relatives in that city that he was sure someone would take them in.  And he was ready to offer money, as he did not think it right that they should expect people to put them up without recompense.  But the city was crowded, and as they went from door to door, Joseph's heart sank.  Then he recalled the caves just outside the city where he had played as a child.

According to the visions, Joseph's brothers had teased him so much because he preferred to be quiet and alone much of the time.  So he retreated to the caves, where he could think and pray and imagine.  He remembered how welcoming the caves were to a lonely child, and he also remembered how much room was there for the animals -- the donkey on which Mary rode and the she-ass that had been given to them as a gift.  He remembered also that shepherds often used the caves on cold nights for shelter -- and that the Essenes lived close by.

God had entrusted His own son to this man, who had been ridiculed for not being like the other children, but who had sought refuge in caves as he grew up.  Joseph knew where to go when there was 'no room' in the city, in people's hearts, for him.  God had prepared him from childhood for this mission-- but Joseph did not recognize his life-long preparation until he had been turned away from the doors where he expected a welcome.

What happens to us when we are turned away from the welcome we expected -- when there is "no room" for us?  Can we still believe that we will be led to a safe place, a refuge, where God Himself will be with us?

Reading Emmerich's visions amazes me.  I see how many wonders unfolded all over the area at the birth of this child-- how even pagans and star-worshippers were brought to adore the new king, and how shepherds were notified of the wonder in their midst.  There was no room in Bethlehem -- but how much better for the little family to be cared for by the kings and the shepherds.  They were given provisions for living by the kings -- who even distributed goods to the surrounding shepherds.  And the report of the shepherds brought the nearby Essenes, who brought food and necessities to Mary and Joseph.

When the world has 'no room' for us, can we trust that God has already provided what we need? And that He will bring people to us to support our need?