62 / 85
Fifth Day within the Octave of the Nativity of the Lord
1 John 2:3-11
Psalm 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 5B-6
Luke 2:22-35
Summary
Jesus, Mary and Joseph present themselves in the temple on the 8th day after the birth of
Jesus in accordance to the Law of Moses; for the dual purpose of Mary's offering the two
turtle doves for her purification after giving birth to Jesus and Jesus' circumcision as dic-
tated by the Law.
Reflection
This scene in Scripture is an illuminating tableau of holy obedience as presented to us by
Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Can we find a more inexplicable example of humility beyond
measure given the holy sanctity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ever Virgin who knew not
man. Whose conception of her son was by the power of the Holy Spirit. That she was re-
quired to submit herself to the law of purification as if, she was made impure by her giv-
ing birth to her son, the spotless Lamb of God our Savior. And this is not all, that we find
here, that we should prayerfully ponder. The circumcision of Jesus, why? Because Jesus,
Mary and Joseph were observant Jews and this was the sign of God's covenant to Israel
for every male child that came forth from the womb. Think about this, that God became
a baby for you. Emanuel, God with us and was circumcised like all other Israelite babies,
so that you might have an example as you practice your Catholic faith seriously and
wholeheartedly. What Jesus, Mary and
Joseph did, we should do, in our prac-
tice of our Catholic faith. "BEING
FAITHFUL"! In the same way as the
devout Simeon recognized who Jesus
was, the Savior, a light to the Gentiles
and the glory of Israel. Simeon's
prophecy to Mary that her child would
be a contradiction and the rise and fall
of many in Israel; that a sword would
pierce her soul, that the hearts of
many, shall be revealed, is recondite
in the extreme, an enigma that only
the saints and the doctors of the
church, probably can fully understand.
But we must try!