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 form 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 presence at Mass. 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.
The Holy Spirit will not be upon you if
you continue to sin and do things that are contrary to the will of God. Aspire
to be righteous and devout and see the positive transformation that it will
create in your life and in the life of those around you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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