Daily Reflection – Dec 29, 2015
Tuesday 29 December 2015
First Reading: 1 John 2:3-11
Psalm Response:
Let heaven and earth exult in joy!
Psalm 96:1-3, 5-6
Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-35
Today’s Note: The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Today’s Saint: St Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr
Gospel Reading:
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.”
Reflection:
The Annunciation, most of us would say, was made to Mary by Gabriel. Right, in Luke’s gospel, but not in Matthew’s. There Joseph receives the annunciation. For some reason Simeon is portrayed as an old man and often thought of as a priest. He might be your age, and is undoubtedly a lay man. He knows whom he is holding and warns Mary of what will come. John’s letter warns us against hating.
Today we celebrate Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury and martyr. There are many Catholics who are deeply disturbed by the admission of whole Anglican parishes and dioceses into the Roman communion. Do we welcome communion, John would ask, in the light who is Christ?
Can you pray with Simeon: “Now, Lord, you may dismiss your servant in peace according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation”? Then he looks down on the face of an infant. It is enough for him. When will you be ready to die? What more do you think you must do? Gaze a while on the face of this infant, Then, discuss this with the adult Jesus.
You are dawn from on high who breaks upon us, the light of the Gentiles. Bring us into communion with all people, walking in your light, bathed in your light and life.
