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.
+ + + +
+ + +
Reflection:
What do
you get when you worship God as a family?
It strengthens your family; it eternally imprints in the minds of your
children the importance of God in their lives as they grow-up. Many families
nowadays have their own bonding moments; they go on family vacation short trips
mainly to bond, nothing is wrong with that for it will strengthen the unity of
the family.
But we
must not forget that the best bonding moment for the family is to worship God
there at church for Holy Mass as a unit, as a family. There shall be unbelievable blessing for your
family if you worship God as a family, when your children grow-up they will also
carry this holy tradition.
For they
will also bring their own families before God to worship Him in His temple. And
this beautiful tradition of family worshipping God will go on and on until your
children’s children and it will go on further to your descendants.
But of
course like Mary whose heart was pierced with anguish as she saw the heart
wrenching persecution and punishment of Jesus. There would also be moments of
trials for your family it will be like your heart will be pierced also with
pain.
However
for so long as you bring your family to the church to worship God. You have
nothing to worry about for when God is with your family nobody can break it not
even the severest trial. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
No comments:
Post a Comment