“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.” LK 2:22-35
Daily Consecration: Humbly submit your will to God (Thy Will be done) and consecrate yourself to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through Mary and Joseph.
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.” Lk 2:22-35
There are many things revealed to us in the Scriptures today. First, Mary and Joseph were faithful to God and they followed the laws of the Jewish faith, they were religious. Some of us do not think it is cool or popular to be religious. Some people are even attacking all religions in some areas of social media today and believing that no religion is best. St. John Vianney said, “Do not try to please everybody. Try to please God, the Angels and Saints-they are your public.” (Thanks Mr. Powell!) It is very difficult to accept ourselves as sinners and love ourselves. It is difficult for a person to understand their value and worth. This is why it is so important that a person who is baptized rise each morning and remind themselves of their identity in Jesus. Christians are chosen to be holy and without blemish before the Father, adopted and redeemed through Jesus, the Son, and sealed in the Holy Spirit. The Father has given us every heavenly blessing to make us saints through the Son! How can a baptized person ever know their worth, their value, if the Father gives us His only Son’s life!
I always want attention and to impress others. I used to always want other people’s approval. I wanted to please everyone (middle child-keep the peace). Don’t get me wrong, it is nice being appreciated. God wants us to use our gifts he gave us to love Him and help others, including making a living and raising a family (if this is our vocation).
Second, it is important to be obedient. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple to be circumcised 8 days after His birth. This was the law of Moses from the Lord. A Christian is called to follow God’s laws. In the first reading John reminds us, “Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments.” I have never made it through a day without coming face to face with the temptation of breaking one of the commandments. I have learned that I have to train myself to make good decisions, to pray in the face of temptation, and ask the Holy Spirit for prudence every day so when these times come I can see it and choose correctly. A person first must be committed to God and His commands and have an unwavering perseverance to strive to be holy. Otherwise, we waver and it ends in misery.
Third, again we see the power and workings of the Holy Spirit.
“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.”
Silent prayer and reading the Scriptures have had a tremendous impact in my life, but after that my dedication to faithfully calling the Holy Spirit to influence my day and decisions has been crucial to making good choices. The Holy Spirit is always at work and has a very important role in your life if you ask Him to come to you, join your spirit, and guide you. Be prepared to start seeing things in a completely different way when you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Fourth, the canticle of Simeon is one for the ages. This is a canticle set in the last hours of prayer (Compline) in the Liturgy of the Hours by the Church because it is filled with peace and joy, a great thought to go to sleep with! It is the promise of God redeeming His people through Jesus, the Messiah!
“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.”
I love what the Scriptures say about Mary and Joseph after Simeon’s canticle, “The child’s mother and father were amazed at what was said about him.” Amazed! This goes a little beyond being proud of your children accomplishing something great in the classroom or on the playing field. We are talking about the salvation of souls! This is everlasting and permanent given to us out of complete and total unselfishness, out of love. Last, Mary is given a prophecy from Simeon,
“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.”
Mary’s heart is pierced with Christ’s on the Cross to completely fulfill Christ’s soul as human and divine. Amazing! Mary does not endure just one sword, but 7. Take time in adoration to reflect on the 7 Dolors of Mary.
http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/DOLORS.htm courtesy of EWTN.com
With suffering comes great joy, obedience to the will of God brings great peace, an unwavering faithfulness to God and His plan for you brings eternal life. Thank you Mary and Joseph for doing God’s will in your lives so that we may be given the gift of a Savior!
Today’s challenge: I have given a couple of prayers to pray: Compline (Night prayer) before you go to bed with the Laudete app or google liturgy of the hours, and the EWTN link to spend time with Mary in her sorrows that prepare her for great joy and peace. In reflecting with others in their suffering, it reminds us that our suffering isn’t that bad after all!
Be a servant, become a saint!
#Christian YOLO
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