The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Lectionary: 202
Lectionary: 202
Beloved:
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.
Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, "I know him," but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked.
Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you
but an old commandment that you had from the beginning.
The old commandment is the word that you have heard.
And yet I do write a new commandment to you,
which holds true in him and among you,
for the darkness is passing away,
and the true light is already shining.
Whoever says he is in the light,
yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother remains in the light,
and there is nothing in him to cause a fall.
Whoever hates his brother is in darkness;
he walks in darkness
and does not know where he is going
because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary.
R. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Gospel Lk
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."
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."
www.usccb.org
Meditation:"This child is set for the fall and
rising of many"
Jesus is the new temple (John 1:14; 2:19-22). In the Old Testament God manifested his presence in the “pillar of cloud” by day and the “pillar of fire” by night as he led them through the wilderness. God’s glory visibly came to dwell over the ark and the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34-38). When the first temple was build in Jerusalem God’s glory came to rest there (1 Kings 8). After the first temple was destroyed, Ezekiel saw God’s glory leave it (Ezekiel 10). But God promised one day to fill it with even greater glory (Haggai 2:1-9; Zechariah 8-9). That promise is fulfilled when the “King of Glory” himself comes to his temple (Psalm 24:7-10; Malachi 3:1). Through Jesus’coming in the flesh and through his saving death, resurrection, and ascension we are made living temples of his Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 3:16-17). Do you recognize that you are God’s temple and that his Spirit dwells within you?
Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and he prophesied to Mary about the destiny of this child and the suffering she would undergo for his sake. There is a certain paradox for those blessed by the Lord. Mary was given the blessedness of being the mother of the Son of God. That blessedness also would become a sword which pierced her heart as her Son died upon the cross. She received both a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. But her joy was not diminished by her sorrow because it was fueled by her faith, hope, and trust in God and his promises. Jesus promised his disciples that "no one will take your joy from you" (John 16:22). The Lord gives us a supernatural joy which enables us to bear any sorrow or pain and which neither life nor death can take way. Do you know the joy of a life fully surrendered to God with faith and trust?
"Lord Jesus, may I recognize your visitation and be prepared for your action in my life today, just as Simeon Anna were prepared and ready to respond to your visitation and action in their day."
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 In the Spirit |
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The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
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Luke 2:22-35
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." 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."
Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I
long to abide in your presence. You refresh my soul and fill me with your
light, although I don’t turn to you often enough or exercise enough faith
when I do remember you. But here I am now, Lord, ready to spend a few
precious moments with you in the room of my heart. I want to pick up more
readily on the inspirations of your Spirit. I want to be a docile instrument
in your hands to serve you and your Church.
Petition: Lord, teach me to be open to your Spirit.
1. Simeon, a Man of the Spirit: Luke tells us three times in this short passage that Simeon
was a man who was attentive to the Holy Spirit. The “Holy Spirit was upon
him” since “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.” Simeon was in
conversation with the Spirit and learned to listen to his holy inspirations.
Just as in Christ’s life we see him many times moved by the Spirit—for
example, to come to be baptized by John and subsequently to be “driven by the
Spirit” into the desert—so in Simeon’s life, he is not only inspired, but
also powerfully moved by the Spirit. We should take a moment in our
meditation to admire this man who lent himself totally to the movements of
the Spirit.
2. Mary, Overshadowed by the Spirit: There is no one who
demonstrates docility to the Spirit more than Mary Immaculate. She didn’t
put up any obstacles to the work of the Holy Spirit; as the Spirit
expresses to us through the Gospel writer, “the Holy Spirit will come upon
you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (Luke 1:35). As John
Paul II describes it, Mary “responded with faithful obedience to every
request of God, to every motion of the Holy Spirit.” As she stands here at
the presentation of her firstborn son, she now hears words spoken to her
through the Spirit’s instrument: “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." Once more, Mary acquiesces to the Holy Spirit and accepts the
foretold suffering far in advance.
3. Amazed by the Spirit: All of us have heard
incredible stories of moments in which the Holy Spirit clearly intervened or
directed a situation. Maybe we have experienced this in our own lives. Is
there any reason why we shouldn’t? Are there any obstacles that the Holy
Spirit would find in our lives? He should be the soul’s gentle guest. But how
do we foster this friendship with the Holy Spirit? We have to bring silence
into our hearts so as to distinguish his voice from the noise of so many
worldly voices trying to drown out his word, and it also means we have to be
docile and obedient once we have heard it.
Conversation with Christ: Lord Jesus, there are
so many lessons to be learned from your presentation in the Temple. I have
taken one of them: the presence of your Holy Spirit so evident in this Gospel
passage. In the Christmas season we celebrate your being among us as a tiny
child. Yet, your whole life will show us how to be docile to the Holy Spirit.
You have sent him so that we might not be alone. May he always accompany me
in life, and may he always remind me of the many things you did and said, as
you lead me to the Father’s house.
Resolution: I will spend the day attentive to the Holy
Spirit and make this a particular point for my examination of conscience.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29
Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
LUKE 2:22-35
Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
LUKE 2:22-35
(1 John 2:3-11; Psalm 96)
KEY VERSE: "And you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (v 35).
READING: A Jewish boy was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. The ceremony following this was called the Redemption of the First-born. For the sum of five shekels parents could "buy back" their son from God in recognition of God's gracious gift of human life (Num.18:16). When a woman gave birth to a boy she was unclean forthirty-three days; if it was a girl, for sixty-six days. She could not enter the Temple or share in any religious ceremony (Lev.12). At the end of that time she had to bring a lamb for a burnt offering, or a pair of pigeons if she was poor (Lv 12:8). When Joseph and Mary came to the Temple for the purification rite, they met Simeon who praised God for allowing him to look upon the child who would be a "light for revelation to the Gentiles" bringing salvation to his people (Lk 2:32). Mary's deep faith and piety would not spare her from the suffering of her son. When Mary stood at the foot of the cross, did she recall the words of Simeon that "a sword" would pierce her heart? Full of grace yet full of sorrow, Mary never lost faith in God or her son.
REFLECTING: Am I able to say "Yes" to God despite adversity?
PRAYING: Sorrowful Mother, console me in my own sufferings.
Optional
Memorial of Thomas Becket, bishop and martyr
At the archbishop of Canterbury's recommendation, Thomas Becket was made Chancellor to the King of England, Henry II, a post he held for eight years. King Henry was a friend of Thomas for many years, and he believed that Thomas would support him in his effort to take some power away from the Church. However, Thomas strongly objected to the king's plan and blocked all his efforts. While at dinner one evening, King Henry mentioned that he wished the Archbishop would meet his demise. Henry's guards overheard this remark, and while Thomas was saying his evening breviary, the soldiers surprised him at the altar in church and killed him. When the people of London heard of the news, they were shocked that such an act would be committed by the King of England against a man of God and the Catholic Church. Thomas was very quickly considered a Martyr for the Faith and was Canonized at Rome in the year 1173 A.D.
www.daily-word-of-life.com
Let heaven and earth exult in joy!
‘Now,
Master, you can let your servant go in peace.’Praying daily in the temple, the upright and devout Simeon awaited in patient expectation the day on which all the messianic prophecies and the hopes of Israel would be fulfilled. With the eyes of faith and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, he saw in the infant Jesus the glory of his people, the light of the world—the saviour whom God had promised.
Our faith offers us a like assurance. Through the saving death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus our deepest yearnings are realised. As Paul affirmed, God is ever present to us; for we ourselves are living temples in which the Holy Spirit dwells (see 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Dear Lord, ‘grant that our lives may always be founded on the power of this holy mystery.’
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December 29
St. Thomas Becket
(1118-1170)
A strong man who wavered for a moment,
but then learned one cannot come to terms with evil and so became a strong
churchman, a martyr and a saint—that was Thomas Becket, archbishop of
Canterbury, murdered in his cathedral on December 29, 1170.
His career had
been a stormy one. While archdeacon of Canterbury, he was made chancellor of
England at the age of 36 by his friend King Henry II. When Henry felt it
advantageous to make his chancellor the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas gave
him fair warning: he might not accept all of Henry’s intrusions into Church
affairs. Nevertheless, he was made archbishop (1162), resigned his
chancellorship and reformed his whole way of life!
Troubles began.
Henry insisted upon usurping Church rights. At one time, supposing some
conciliatory action possible, Thomas came close to compromise. He momentarily
approved the Constitutions of Clarendon, which would have denied the clergy the
right of trial by a Church court and prevented them from making direct appeal
to Rome. But Thomas rejected the Constitutions, fled to France for safety and
remained in exile for seven years. When he returned to England, he suspected it
would mean certain death. Because Thomas refused to remit censures he had
placed upon bishops favored by the king, Henry cried out in a rage, “Will no
one rid me of this troublesome priest!” Four knights, taking his words as his
wish, slew Thomas in the Canterbury cathedral.
Thomas Becket
remains a hero-saint down to our own times.
Comment:
No one becomes a saint without struggle, especially with himself. Thomas knew he must stand firm in defense of truth and right, even at the cost of his life. We also must take a stand in the face of pressures—against dishonesty, deceit, destruction of life—at the cost of popularity, convenience, promotion and even greater goods.
No one becomes a saint without struggle, especially with himself. Thomas knew he must stand firm in defense of truth and right, even at the cost of his life. We also must take a stand in the face of pressures—against dishonesty, deceit, destruction of life—at the cost of popularity, convenience, promotion and even greater goods.
Quote:
In T.S. Eliot's powerful drama, Murder in the Cathedral, Becket faces a final temptation to seek martyrdom for earthly glory and revenge. With real insight into his life situation, Thomas responds: "The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason."
In T.S. Eliot's powerful drama, Murder in the Cathedral, Becket faces a final temptation to seek martyrdom for earthly glory and revenge. With real insight into his life situation, Thomas responds: "The last temptation is the greatest treason: To do the right deed for the wrong reason."
LECTIO: LUKE 2,22-35
Lectio:
Saturday,
December 29, 2012
Christmas Time
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1) Opening prayer
God, Father of light,
the old man Simeon recognized your Son
as the light that would shine on all.
May we too recognize Jesus,
even if he comes to us in a humble way,
in the shape and person of children,
of old people, of the poor and the little ones.
Make us receive him too
as the light not only of our lives
but as the bright dawn for all nations.
For you are the Father of all
and Jesus belongs to all as their Saviour and Lord,
now and for ever.
God, Father of light,
the old man Simeon recognized your Son
as the light that would shine on all.
May we too recognize Jesus,
even if he comes to us in a humble way,
in the shape and person of children,
of old people, of the poor and the little ones.
Make us receive him too
as the light not only of our lives
but as the bright dawn for all nations.
For you are the Father of all
and Jesus belongs to all as their Saviour and Lord,
now and for ever.
2) Gospel Reading –
Luke 2, 22-35
And when the day came for them to be purified in keeping with the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord - observing what is written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord - and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is prescribed in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to the restoration of Israel and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
Now, Master, you are letting your servant go in peace as you promised;
for my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have made ready in the sight of the nations;
a light of revelation for the gentiles and glory for your people Israel.
As the child's father and mother were wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed - and a sword will pierce your soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'
And when the day came for them to be purified in keeping with the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord - observing what is written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord - and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is prescribed in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to the restoration of Israel and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
Now, Master, you are letting your servant go in peace as you promised;
for my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have made ready in the sight of the nations;
a light of revelation for the gentiles and glory for your people Israel.
As the child's father and mother were wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed - and a sword will pierce your soul too - so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'
3) Reflection
• The first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke are not a history according to the meaning that we give to history. They rather serve more than everything else, as a mirror in which the converted Christians from Paganism, discover that Christ had come to fulfil the prophecies of the Old Testament and to respond to the more profound aspirations of the human heart. They are then, symbol and mirror of what was happening among the Christians at the time of Luke. The communities coming from Paganism were born from the communities of converted Jews, but they were diverse. The New did not correspond to what the Old imagined and expected. It was a “sign of contradiction” (Lk 2, 34), it caused tension and it was a source of great suffering, of pain. In the attitude of Mary the image of the People of God, Luke represents a model of how to persevere in the New, without being unfaithful to the Old.
• In these two chapters of the Gospel of Luke, everything turns around the birth of the two children: John and Jesus. The two chapters make us feel the perfume of the Gospel of Luke. In them, the environment is one of tenderness and of praise. From the beginning to the end, there is praise and singing, because, finally, the mercy of God has been revealed in Jesus; he fulfils the promises made to the Fathers. And God fulfils them in behalf of the poor, of the anawim, like Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, Anne and Simeon, the shepherds. All of them knew how to wait for his coming.
• The insistence of Luke in saying that Mary and Joseph fulfilled everything which the Law prescribes, recalls what Paul writes in the Letter to the Galatians: “When the completion of the time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law so that we could receive adoption as sons” (Gal 4, 4-5).
• The story of the old Simeon teaches that hope, even if not immediately, will be realized some day. It is not frustrated, it is realized. But the way does not always correspond to what we imagine. Simeon was waiting for the glorious Messiah of Israel. Going to the Temple in the midst of many couples who were taking their child, he sees the realization of his hope and of the hope of the People: “My eyes have seen the salvation, which you have made ready in the sight of the nations, a light of revelation for the Gentiles and glory for your People Israel”.
• In the text of today’s Gospel, we have the preferred themes of Luke, that is, a strong insistence on the action of the Holy Spirit, on prayer and on the prayer environment, a continuous attention to the action and participation of the women and a constant concern for the poor and of the message for the poor.
• The first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke are not a history according to the meaning that we give to history. They rather serve more than everything else, as a mirror in which the converted Christians from Paganism, discover that Christ had come to fulfil the prophecies of the Old Testament and to respond to the more profound aspirations of the human heart. They are then, symbol and mirror of what was happening among the Christians at the time of Luke. The communities coming from Paganism were born from the communities of converted Jews, but they were diverse. The New did not correspond to what the Old imagined and expected. It was a “sign of contradiction” (Lk 2, 34), it caused tension and it was a source of great suffering, of pain. In the attitude of Mary the image of the People of God, Luke represents a model of how to persevere in the New, without being unfaithful to the Old.
• In these two chapters of the Gospel of Luke, everything turns around the birth of the two children: John and Jesus. The two chapters make us feel the perfume of the Gospel of Luke. In them, the environment is one of tenderness and of praise. From the beginning to the end, there is praise and singing, because, finally, the mercy of God has been revealed in Jesus; he fulfils the promises made to the Fathers. And God fulfils them in behalf of the poor, of the anawim, like Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, Anne and Simeon, the shepherds. All of them knew how to wait for his coming.
• The insistence of Luke in saying that Mary and Joseph fulfilled everything which the Law prescribes, recalls what Paul writes in the Letter to the Galatians: “When the completion of the time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law so that we could receive adoption as sons” (Gal 4, 4-5).
• The story of the old Simeon teaches that hope, even if not immediately, will be realized some day. It is not frustrated, it is realized. But the way does not always correspond to what we imagine. Simeon was waiting for the glorious Messiah of Israel. Going to the Temple in the midst of many couples who were taking their child, he sees the realization of his hope and of the hope of the People: “My eyes have seen the salvation, which you have made ready in the sight of the nations, a light of revelation for the Gentiles and glory for your People Israel”.
• In the text of today’s Gospel, we have the preferred themes of Luke, that is, a strong insistence on the action of the Holy Spirit, on prayer and on the prayer environment, a continuous attention to the action and participation of the women and a constant concern for the poor and of the message for the poor.
4) Personal
questions
• Would you be capable to perceive in a poor child the light to enlighten the nations?
• Would you be capable of waiting your whole life for the realization of your hope?
• Would you be capable to perceive in a poor child the light to enlighten the nations?
• Would you be capable of waiting your whole life for the realization of your hope?
5) Concluding Prayer
Sing a new song to Yahweh!
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
Sing to Yahweh, bless his name!
Proclaim his salvation day after day. (Ps 96,1-2)
Sing a new song to Yahweh!
Sing to Yahweh, all the earth!
Sing to Yahweh, bless his name!
Proclaim his salvation day after day. (Ps 96,1-2)
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