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1.
1John2:2:3-11
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2.
Luke 2:22-35
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"
The presentation in the temple"
Dear brothers and sisters we are
invited to reflect about the obedience that our Mother Mary and Joseph her
husband had in respecting the Jewish laws, customs and traditions. This happens
when St. Joseph and Mary do everything
according to the law etc.
Luke 2:22-35
The Presentation in the Temple.
Today’s gospel passage is about
the presentation of the Lord in the Temple by which this gospel, we read this
also during the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord this coming February 2. I
would like to share with you two things for us to reflect as we listen to the
gospel:
First is what St. Luke mentions
for several times, the Law. The Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph do
everything according to the law. Like for example, the Blessed Virgin humbly
submits herself for purification forty days after giving birth to her eldest
Son, Jesus even if she does not need this. She offers her first Son to God even
if there is no need for the Son of God to be presented and offered to God. But
she follows the law obediently.
This law was given by Moses to
the Jews which ordained that after childbirth a woman should continue, for
forty days, in a state of unclean and not to appear in public. The days became
double if the child is a girl. At the end of forty days, the mother brought to
the Temple a lamb and a young pigeon or turtle-dove, as an offering to God.
These were offered to God by the priest to cleanse her of legal impurity and
reinstated to her former privileges. A dove was required of all as a
sin-offering, whether rich or poor; but as the expense of a lamb might be too
great for the poor, these were allowed to substitute for it a second dove. Such
was the case, Scripture tells us, for the Holy Family.
The law also required that the
first-born son be offered to God. After his presentation the child shall be
ransomed with a certain sum of money and specific sacrifices offered on the
occasion. Mary complied exactly with all these laws. She obeyed not only in the
essential points of the law, but had strict regard to all laws.
We are different from St. Joseph
and the Blessed Virgin Mary, they follow the law to the last details and we are
tempted to avoid laws. If we commit unnecessary violation of the laws, we argue
immediately if we are going to follow the law or not. You know I am inspired by
the example the Holy Family has shown, even if they don’t need to follow the
law but they follow it wholeheartedly. I wish we can also.
Second is what Simeon said to the
Blessed Virgin Mary that Jesus is a sign of contradiction. Jesus is a sign of
contradiction and He calls His followers to be signs of contradiction too. How
true this is for us today. With each passing day the Christian faith appears to
be more and more contrary to the ways of our world: the culture of life versus
the culture of death, true family values versus hedonistic individualism,
relativism versus the truth that will set us free. Following Christ or living
as a true Christian is becoming increasingly unpopular and counter-cultural
nowadays. Our following of Christ will necessarily cause us to be singled out
from among others. The sword will also pierce our own hearts and when that hour
comes, it will reveal what is really in our hearts.
If we decide to follow Him
faithfully, let us make a clear decision if we are for Christ or against Him.
There is no third alternative.
Hakuna maoni:
Chapisha Maoni