THE WORD
1 Jn 2,3-11 / Lk 2,22-35
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, [Joseph and Mary] 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 Messiah 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 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 and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
IN OTHER WORDS
In one of my pastoral visits, I visited a house where everybody was busy. The mother welcomed me and offered me something to drink. The daughter was on her cell phone while attending to her mom’s concerns.
That experience reminds me about the rite of purification and presentation of the child done simultaneously as prescribed in Mosaic Law. These rites that Mary and Joseph complied with despite their being favored by God as the Holy Family, spoke of humility and obedience. The Mother of God, even being immaculate and pure, and even knowing that her son was God, did not hesitate to submit herself to the requirements of Jewish Law. Humility and obedience arise when one has total dedication and willingness to listen. Only in this way can Jesus be the light that enlightens every one of us, and not a sign of contradiction. That is why it is necessary to be enlightened and docilely guided by Him. It is also necessary to listen attentively to the church’s teachings and participate in different pastoral activities.
The Blessed Virgin and Sts. Joseph, Simeon and Anna are models of what God requires of us to carry on his work of salvation. If we imitate them, the Holy Spirit will help us to know that Jesus is our Savior and will complete his work of salvation in us.
- Fr. Aureenhor Ian Nercua, SVD | Argentina
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
