The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, December 29, 2004
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
St. Thomas Becket, bishop, martyr

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96:1-2a,2b-3,5b-6
Luke 2:22-35

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

The gospel of today speaks of Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the temple. The lives of this holy couple and that of Christ, centered around the temple in accordance with their Jewish traditions.

One wonders what was on their minds as they humbly present this newborn King to Simeon. Any thoughts of a joyful day, full of consolations must have been dampened by Simeon's message to Mary as he predicted her future sufferings. What must she have thought? Already they had been through so much pain during the events surrounding the birth of Christ!

The event serves as a reminder to us that even when we are obedient to our responsibilities with church, family and our work, suffering can and will come into our lives. In the first reading we were reminded that if we are in union with Christ we need to walk as He did. Christ encountered much suffering. When that suffering comes to us we can follow the example of Mary and Joseph and persevere. That suffering, accepted graciously, will have its merits for others and for ourselves.

“Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.“

- Joan of Jesus, OCDS
(jmurphy at utica dot edu)

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posted by joachim at 5:44 AM