Gospel:
Luke 2:22-40
When the
days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary
and Joseph took Jesus 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:
“Now,
Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my
eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the
peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for 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 Band you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many
hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven
years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was
eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with
fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to
God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of
Jerusalem.
When they
had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to
Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong,
filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
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Reflection:
An
absentee parent was wondering how come her children have no proper values and
no love for God. Many parents are perhaps in the same boat, they are puzzled
how their children grew up in such manner.
But
parents should not look far to discover the cause of their children’s negative
behavior. They simply have to go in-front of the mirror and they surely would
discover the person behind their
children’s negative behavior.
Parents are the basic formators of their
children as such they are the foremost teachers of their children. If they reared their children with love for
God they would mature as lovers of God. If they reared them with discipline and
right manners they would grow-up as such as well.
The
Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph ensured that the young Jesus would grow-up to
become someone who would love God dearly. This was the reason why they always
took time to present Jesus to the Lord. Joseph and Mary knew the important role
of love for God in a child’s life. Both of them knew how to properly mold their
only child Jesus so that He would grow as a man who love God.
Even if
you are very busy, never forget to find time to bring your children to the
Lord. Never neglect to introduce Jesus to them and to teach them about your
faith for it will surely bear fruit.
Do you
always bring your children to Holy Mass? Have you introduced Jesus and the
bible to them already? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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