DAILY- HOMILY

December 29, 2014

Monday, Fifth Day within the Octave of Christmas 

[Memorial, St. Thomas Becket]

1 Jn 2: 3-11 / Ps 96: 1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6 / Lk 2: 22-35 

Reading: 1 Jn 2: 3-11

How can we know that we know him? If we fulfill his commands. If you say, "I know him," but do not fulfill his commands, you are a liar and the truth is not in you. But if you keep his word, God's love is made complete in you. This is how we know that we are in him: he who claims to live in him must live as he lived. My dear friends, I am not writing you a new commandment, but reminding you of an old one, one you had from the beginning. This old commandment is the word you have heard. But, in a way, I give it as a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines. If you claim to be in the light but hate your brother, you are still in darkness. If you love your brothers and sisters, you remain in the light and nothing in you will make you fall. But if you hate your brother you are in the dark and walk in darkness without knowing where you go, for the darkness has blinded you.

Gospel: Luke 2:22-35

When the day came for the purification according to the law of Moses, they brought the baby up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male shall be consecrated to God. And they offered a sacrifice as ordered in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. There lived in Jerusalem at this time a very upright and devout man named Simeon; the Holy Spirit was in him. He looked forward to the time when the Lord would comfort Israel, and he had been assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah of the Lord. So he was led into the Temple by the Holy Spirit at the time the parents brought the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law. Simeon took the child in his arms and blessed God, saying, "Now, O Lord, you can dismiss your servant in peace, for you have fulfilled your word and my eyes have seen your salvation, which you display for all the people to see. Here is the light you will reveal to the nations and the glory of your people Israel." His father and mother wondered at what was said about the child. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother, "See him; he will be for the rise or fall of the multitudes of Israel. He shall stand as a sign of contradiction, while a sword will pierce your own soul. Then the secret thoughts of many may be brought to light."

Reflection:

As obedient, humble, and faithful members of the "small remnant of Israel, Mary and  Joseph brought Jesus, being a firstborn male,  to the temple to be consecrated to God. As offering, they brought as sacrifice a pair of turtledoves and two young pigeons. In Jerusalem lived an upright and devout man, Simeon. The Holy Spirit was in him and he was just waiting for the time when Israel would be liberated. He would not die before seeing the Messiah, and rightly so.  In the temple, Simeon took the child and blessed him.  "...mine eyes have seen your salvation. Here is the light you will reveal to the nations and the glory of Israel."  Turning towards Mary, he said, " A sword will pierce your own soul."  Joseph and Mary wondered what was said about the child. And what was said to Mary, would this mean that she would suffer because of her son? What would happen to him?

Prayer Requests:

We pray …

… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn

… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary

… for families who are in need of healing

… for world peace and reconciliation

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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