29 December 2014 - GOSPEL LK 2:22-35

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."

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Reflection:

In today's Gospel, v heard abt d presentation of d Lord in d Temple & d purification of Mary. Joseph & Mary went to d Temple to fulfill d requirement of d Law.

Acc. to d book of Exodus, the Lord commanded, "Consecrate to me all d firdtborn, whatevr is d first to open d womb d Israelite of human beings & animals is mine (13:1)."

When God slew d firstborn of d Egyptians, He saved d firstborn of d Israelites. Therefore, d firstborn of d Israelites belonged to d Lord & they had to spend their life in d service of d Lord.

Acc. to d book of Leviticus, "If a woman conceived & bore a male child, she shall b ceremonially unclean 7 days (12:2), b4 d circumcision of d male child & 33 days after it.

During these 40 days, she was nt supposed to go to d sanctuary. After 40 days she could purify herself by offering to d priest at d door of d Temple d offering of a lamb, & a young pigeon or a dove.

The conception & birth of Jesus did nt defile Mary as other women r by their children. Bt to show the obedience of d Lord Jesus to d Law bz He was born under d Law. Mary & Jesus had nothing to cleanse themselves bt still they submitted themselves to d rite of purification in order to obey d Law.

V must also present & offer our children & ourselves to d Lord both to thank Him for His mercies & to cleanse ourselves frm d stain of sin.

Jesus loves u. Hv a blessed week wt Jesus. God bless.

💐💙 Wt love..... Fr Robin, Powai 💙💐