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:
The story is told about a mother who 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 face 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.
Aside from fulfilling the Jewish law that says that the firstborn must be
brought to the temple. And the child’s mother must go to the temple to offer sacrifice
to purify herself after childbirth. The Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph ensured
that the child Jesus would also grow up to become someone who would love God
dearly.
This is the reason why they took time to present Jesus to God in the
temple. 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 loves God.
Even if we are very busy, let us not forget to find time to bring our
children to the Lord to attend Holy Mass. Let us not forget to introduce Jesus
to them and to teach them about our faith for it will surely bear fruit someday.
Do you always bring your children to Holy Mass? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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