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:
Are you a parent?
Parents play a very vital role in the formation of
values of their children, where the parents go so their child.
For example, if the parents seldom brings to church
for Holy Mass their children there’s a big chance that when they grow up they
will also rarely go to church for Holy Mass. If parents do not lead worthy
lives there’s a big chance as well that children would be also. In other words
the fruit would almost be the same with the tree.
In the gospel, Mary and Joseph both devoted to their
Jewish faith brought the child Jesus to the temple in compliance with their
Jewish law. They were leading by example on how it is to be faithful to the
laws of God; they were forming the child Jesus to be like them.
It always pays to be good and godly parents because it
helps mold the mind of the child to be good and to be godly as he/she matures.
On the other hand we can just imagine a child being brought up by irresponsible
parents and parents who do not recognize the vital role of God in their
life.
Though it does not assure 100% that the fruit
will always be like the tree. Yet when we always model good and godly behavior
to our children we are already conditioning their minds to always do what is
good and godly.
Therefore this modelling of good behavior will surely
help them become good and law abiding individuals in the future. But the big
question mark is, are we good role models to our children? – Marino J.
Dasmarinas
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