Daily Readings - Fri Dec 29 2023
Luke
22And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord")24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.27And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,29"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word;30for my eyes have seen your salvation31that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.34And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
Sermon
The Gospel reading today tells the story of Mary and Joseph presenting the infant Jesus in the Temple, fulfilling the requirements of Jewish law for purification after childbirth. This act of obedience and devotion was not just a routine ceremony; it marked a profound moment in salvation history. Simeon, a righteous and God-fearing man, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognizes the infant Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. With prophetic insight, Simeon declares that Jesus is "a light for revelation to the nations" and the "glory of God's people Israel." Yet, he also foretells the challenges and contradictions that Jesus will face, and the sorrow that Mary will endure as a mother.
This passage invites us to reflect on the intersection of faith, obedience, and the unfolding of God's plan. Mary and Joseph, though humble and obedient to the law, are part of something much larger than themselves. Simeon's prophecy reminds us that Jesus' mission is not only for Israel but for all humanity, and that His presence will stir both joy and division. The Temple, a place of encounter with God, becomes the setting where the past (Simeon's longing) and the future (Jesus' mission) meet. This moment in the Temple is a microcosm of the Christian life: a life of faith, obedience, and trust in God's promises, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
As we reflect on this reading, we are called to consider how we encounter Christ in our own lives. Like Simeon, we are invited to recognize the presence of God in unexpected moments and to trust in His plan, even when it leads to challenges. Mary's experience of a "sword piercing her soul" reminds us that discipleship is not without its sorrows, but it is in these moments that our faith is tested and refined. Let us ask for the grace to embrace God's will with courage and trust, knowing that our encounters with Christ have the power to transform us and bring light to a world in need.