“NOW, MASTER, YOU MAY LET YOUR SERVANT GO IN PEACE, ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD, FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION.” LK 2:22-40
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,
Mary and Joseph 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 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:
“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 the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.” Canticle of Simeon repeated in Night Prayer of Divine Office
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.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna,
the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.
She was advanced in years,
having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage,
and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.
And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child
to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions
of the law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;
and the favor of God was upon him. Lk 2:22-40
We are filled with the same Holy Spirit as Simeon and Anna to guide us each day. Say, “Come, Holy Spirit” often throughout your day. ”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.” Anna never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. In the new year, we have the great opportunity that the Catholic Church has prepared for us to spend more time in the Church, worshiping, fasting, and praying.
Jesus teaches us how to fight the Devil by increasing our faith with the Scriptures, fasting, praying, and replacing our pride with humility. Every part of the Christmas story is filled with humble people. The most humble is God becoming Man for our salvation. Our next greatest model of this is Mary. Strive to devote yourself even greater to Mary.
Then, the most overlooked saint, silent yet strong, protector, chaste and humble, St. Joseph. Find one of the many ways to continue to dedicate yourself to him this year. We look to these great models who were with Jesus during His life to guide us. They have great wisdom to pass onto us.
We too have Jesus with us in the Word, living and effective, which will never pass away. In the Eucharist, an everlasting covenant of sacrifice, until He returns. Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament, a time to get away from the world and be with God face to face and just talk to Him.
“Wherever two or three are gathered in my name I am there with you.” In prayer anywhere with anyone, Jesus is with us. In these places, with Jesus, time and eternity meet and they are the most powerful and useful times of our lives. Bring yourself to Jesus as He daily prepares a host for you, yearns to see your face in Adoration, and speaks to you directly through the Scriptures and in those He put around you. Take time to listen. Jesus is always trying to tell you something.
Today’s challenge: Pray and ask Jesus what is the best way to draw closer to Him in this new year.
Be a servant, be a saint today!
#Christian YOLO
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