Reflection for Thursday December 29, 5th Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord: Luke 2:22-35

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 had. 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 we live, we have to be morally upright at all times. We don’t have to do wrong or compromise with whatever is wrong.  This is hard to do initially but as we live and practice righteousness we would notice that it will become part of our life’s system already. Thus, we will now slowly but surely detest whatever form of sin and evil.  

We also have to be devout in the observance of our faith. When it’s time for Holy Mass we have to leave everything behind for our pious presence at Holy Mass. Same as when it’s time for our private moment with God through personal and structured prayers. Our devoutness to our faith will always bring us closer to Jesus.  

The Holy Spirit will not be upon us if we continue to sin and do things that are contrary to the will of God. When we begin to aspire to be righteous and devout we would see a positive transformation in our lives and in the lives of those around us. – Marino J. Dasmarinas