GOSPEL

“For my eyes have seen your salvation”

From the Gospel according to Luk 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus 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:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for 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.”
There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time,
she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Gospel of the Lord

Cheese wrap.

The only offering that is pleasing to God and deserving of Him is the one involving His Son. Our good deeds hold no value unless we are in unity with Him, aligning them with His will and performing them in His name.. Today we commemorate the day when Our Mother offers Her Son to God the Father for the first time. Later, He offers Himself on the Cross, and now we participate in that offering in every Eucharist and in every sacrifice of ours where we unite as part of Him. It is the great offering to which the Father cannot resist.

Applied to married life

Charles: Ana, I’m going to ask you and the kids for a favor.

Ana: Yes, of course, whatever you need. We’re here for you.

Charles: (Lies down on the floor on a rug and says) Look, I want you to wrap me up in this rug, with my arms close to my body, and then unroll me in 15 minutes.

Ana: Well, if that’s what you want, we’ll do it. Kids! Come help me wrap up Dad in the rug. And why do you need us to do this?

Charles: Because I’ve promised the Lord to offer him 15 minutes without doing anything, and I can’t manage it. By the time I realize it, I’ve already gotten up to do something around the house. So, inside the rug, I’m completely immobilized.

(Ana and the kids wrap Charles in the rug amidst laughter and playful banter)

The kids: Look, a hot daddy. Hahaha. It’s like a hot dog but with a Dad sausage inside. Hahaha. Mom, can I put ketchup on his head?

Ana: No, kids, it’s sacrifice enough for him already. Let’s all pray instead, so the Lord may unite Dad’s sacrifice with His for the greater glory of God. Okay? Our Father, who art in heaven…

Kids: Okay. But if we add some cheese slices, it could be a cheese wrap. Hahaha. What if we add some flowers? Then it would be a spring roll. Hahaha.

(And amidst laughter, Carlos was able to offer his sacrifice united with that of Christ. Glory to God.)

Mother,

What an impressive offering the Eucharist is. What an immense gift the Lord has left us through the hands of our priests. Praise be to God.