THE WORD
Mal 3,1-4/Heb 2,14-18/Lk 22-23;
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses. They 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 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.”
IN OTHER WORD
Married people, by virtue of the marriage sacrament, is mandated to be open to new life and take the corresponding responsibility for children. Today’s feast underlines the importance of “presenting” the children to God through the Sacrament of Baptism which welcomes them to the Family of God, allowing them to call God our Father.
One challenge we have in the parish is to educate young parents of the meaning and importance of the Sacrament of Baptism. Most of the parents just consider it as “tradition.” They were baptized so their children must be baptized as well. While it is true that it is partly tradition, Baptism is, more importantly, a part of our Faith. It makes us children of God. It removes the stain of the original sin we inherited from our first parents. It welcomes us to the Church, to God’s Family.
Joseph and Mary, being good Jews, observed the law as well. They presented the boy Jesus with their corresponding sacrifice. Today, we do not have to offer “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” What we have to offer as a sacrifice is a “good witness” to the children. That by our words and examples we mirror to them what it means to be a child of God. The presentation of the Lord was also witnessed by Simeon Who, when he saw the baby Jesus, praised God for fulfilling his promise.
Today, we continue to have witnesses or godparents to assist our parents in raising the children of God. May we continue to have good and responsible godparents who will help parents fulfill their own promise made at the Sacrament of Matrimony.
- Fr. Carlos Macatangga, SVD (Toronto, Canada)
The Word in other words 2017
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.
