Gospel of Luke 2:22-40
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. According to the Law of Moses, Mary and Joseph presented the baby Jesus in the temple for purification and blessing. Simeon and Anna the Prophetess waited years for this day. The Messiah had finally arrived! They joyously welcomed the baby Jesus into God's holy temple. Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms knowing he had set eyes on salvation. The newborn would become the savior of the world! That tiny little babe born of a poor family would provide spiritual richness to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike. Simeon can die in peace because he witnessed the arrival of the Prince of Peace - Jesus Christ.
Godparents come to mind when I think of Simeon and Anna. We normally pick godparents for a child's baptism. They are special people selected for their caring, warmth, and ability to foster a child's Christianity. Simeon and Anna were special in that they recognized and praised Jesus' holiness.
The divine presence of God dwells within the walls of the temple. However, Jesus become God's dwelling place among the people. When Jesus is twelve years of age, he is found preaching in the same temple where Simeon first recognized Christ's divinity.
We can recognize God's holy temple in all aspects of our lives. He's present in our family and our relationships. He's present in our health and well-being. He's present in our accomplishments and difficulties. Even after becoming human and dying on the cross, Our Lord still remains with us. We should never take God for granted. Our Lord blesses us immensely. It's amazing how much he loves us. Yet, in our own stubbornness we complain that God hasn't given us enough, or what we want.
Honestly, I think if God gave me everything I wanted I wouldn't be alive today. I would've done something really stupid to ruin my life forever.
In many ways, allowing his temple of graces to provide us with what we need on his terms makes for a more fruitful life. Our children love junk food but if we give it to them all the time they become malnourished and obese. This is why we must feed our children a balance diet.
God saves us and protects us. We must be aware of his presence and recognize how much he loves us. He doesn't want us to battle life alone. Pray to him. Lift him up in the tabernacle of our own hearts.
Godparents come to mind when I think of Simeon and Anna. We normally pick godparents for a child's baptism. They are special people selected for their caring, warmth, and ability to foster a child's Christianity. Simeon and Anna were special in that they recognized and praised Jesus' holiness.
The divine presence of God dwells within the walls of the temple. However, Jesus become God's dwelling place among the people. When Jesus is twelve years of age, he is found preaching in the same temple where Simeon first recognized Christ's divinity.
We can recognize God's holy temple in all aspects of our lives. He's present in our family and our relationships. He's present in our health and well-being. He's present in our accomplishments and difficulties. Even after becoming human and dying on the cross, Our Lord still remains with us. We should never take God for granted. Our Lord blesses us immensely. It's amazing how much he loves us. Yet, in our own stubbornness we complain that God hasn't given us enough, or what we want.
Honestly, I think if God gave me everything I wanted I wouldn't be alive today. I would've done something really stupid to ruin my life forever.
In many ways, allowing his temple of graces to provide us with what we need on his terms makes for a more fruitful life. Our children love junk food but if we give it to them all the time they become malnourished and obese. This is why we must feed our children a balance diet.
God saves us and protects us. We must be aware of his presence and recognize how much he loves us. He doesn't want us to battle life alone. Pray to him. Lift him up in the tabernacle of our own hearts.
Divine Office Evening Prayer Hymn:
As by the sun in splendor
The flags of night are furled,
So darkness shall surrender
To Christ who lights the world:
To Christ the star of day,
Who once was small and tender,
A candle’s gentle ray.
The flags of night are furled,
So darkness shall surrender
To Christ who lights the world:
To Christ the star of day,
Who once was small and tender,
A candle’s gentle ray.
(Tune: Allons, suivons les mages 76.76.676
Text: Jan Struther, 1901-1953)
-J.
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