FROM BETHLEHEM TO GOLGATHA

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The Christian mysteries are an indivisible whole.
If we become immersed in one,
we are led to all the others.
Thus the way from Bethlehem leads
inevitably to Golgotha, from the crib
to the cross.
When the blessed virgin brought the
child to the temple, Simeon prophesied
that her soul would be pierced by a sword,
that this child was set for the fall
and the resurrection of many,
for a sign that would be contradicted.
His prophecy announced the passion,
the fight between light and darkness
that already showed itself
before the crib.
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Edith Stein
Jewish convert to Catholicism
killed at Auschwitz
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When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; and with you I am well pleased."
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Luke 3: 21-22
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And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up.  Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we perish?”
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Mark 4: 37-38
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And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem,
 and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives,
 then sent Jesus two disciples,  saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.  And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. .
All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.  And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David:
 Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.  And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?  And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
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Matthew 21: 1-11 
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And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha,
 that is to say, a place of a skull,They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof,
 he would not drink.
And they crucified him, and bparted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
 And sitting down they watched him there;
And set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus the King of the Jews.
Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.
And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
And saying, Thou that destroyest the atemple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the bSon of God, come down from the cross.
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
 He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.
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Matthew 27: 33-38
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