29-Dec-16

Gospel LK 2:22-35
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:
What do I expect when I pray, "God guide me toward your will for me?"
Do I realize that for God to bring His will about in my life it requires me to surrender my will?
God promised Simeon,
"......that he should not see death
before he had seen the Christ of the Lord."
With faithfulness and patience, Simeon waited for God's word to be fulfilled.
Finally, in God's time, Simeon was able to hold the Christ child in his arms and proclaim,
"Lord, now let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled...."
Mary and Joseph were obedient to the law of Moses that "every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord."
They were obedient to the law in raising their child who would one day challenge the law.
My mother's axiom, "All good things take time," no longer falls tenderly upon one's ear. We live in a "now" society, a time of instant gratification.
However, Peter cautions us,
"But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day." (2 Peter 3:8)
Like Simeon, Mary and Joseph, if our prayer is for God's will to come about, it will have to be in God's time.
For our part, we must be faithful, patient and obedient.
"God has perfect timing: never early, never late. It takes a little patience and faith but it's worth the wait." - - Unknown