Gospel: Luke
2:22-35
When the
days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the
parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as
it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be
consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or
two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there
was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting
the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been
revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had
seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when
the parents brought in the child Jesus to
perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and
blessed God, saying:
“Lord,
now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes
have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a
light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
The
child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon
blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for
the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted
(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may
be revealed.”
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Reflection:
Do you
feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Surely
the Holy Spirit was with Simeon because he knew beforehand the destiny of
Jesus. Not everyone is given the kind of wisdom that Simeon has. Let us take a
look how the gospel reading described Simeon: “This man was righteous and
devote (Luke 2:25).” We know now the hidden secret on how to have the grace of
the Holy Spirit—we have to be righteous and devout.
Righteousness
in terms of what? Righteousness in terms of how you live, you have to be
morally upright at all times. You don’t have to do wrong or compromise with
whatever is wrong. This is hard to do
initially but as you live and practice righteousness you would notice that it
will become part of your system already. Thus you will now slowly but surely
detest whatever forms of sin and evil.
You also
have to be devout in the observance of your faith. When it’s time for Holy Mass
you have to leave everything behind for your highest form of worship for God.
Same as when it’s time for your private moment with God through personal and
structured prayers. Your devoutness to your faith will always bring you closer
to Jesus. Thus you will always feel the presence of Jesus in every minute of
your life.
The Holy Spirit
will not be upon you if you continue to sin and do things that are against the
will of God. It is a gift that God the giver of the Holy Spirit freely gives to
those who are open to receive it.
Aspire to
be righteous and devout and see the positive transformation that it will create
in your life and in the lives of those around you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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