Reflection for 5th day within the octave Memorial of St. Thomas Beckett 

By

 

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Today's WORD of GOD 

Luke 2: 28 - 35 


Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 

 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, 

    you may now dismiss your servant in peace. 

 *For my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,and the glory of your people Israel.” 


The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too 


 Today's Reflection 

In Today’s Gospel Story, We See Mary & Joseph Respecting the Mosaic Law by Offering the Sacrifice Prescribed for the Poor: a Pair of Turtledoves or two Young Pigeons. Two Others Among the LORD'S Beloved were Simeon & Anna, Both Venerable Elderly People Dedicated to Prayer & Fasting & Regular Worshippers in GOD'S Temple. Their Strong Religious Spirit Rendered Them Able to Recognize the Messiah in the Child JESUS as HE was Brought into the Temple Area. Simeon’s Joyful Response to the Child JESUS Reminds Us that Prayer & Contemplation are Not Just a Waste of Time or an Alternative to Charity. On the Contrary, Time could Not Be Better Spent than in Prayer, since True Christian Charity is Based Upon a Solid Interior Life. Only People who Pray, like Simeon & Anna, are Fully Open to the Breath of the SPIRIT. 

Simeon’s Prophecy of Mary’s Sorrow was Like a 2nd Annunciation to Mary, for They Tell Her how Her Son is to Accomplish HIS Mission, Namely, in Misunderstanding & Sorrow. 

If Gabriel’s Message was a Fount of Incredible Joy, the Message of the Holy Old Man in the Temple Spoke instead of Our LORD'S Work of Redemption, that would Cause Great Suffering to HIS Mother as well as to HIMSELF. Its Fruits however would Be Magnificent, Leading to the “Rising” of Many, into the Light of GOD'S Grace.

If Every Child is Endlessly Fascinating, how much more would that have been True of the Child JESUS? 

Having Held This Child in His Arms & having Set His Eyes upon HIM, Simeon was Reading to Leave This World for the Next, “Now, Master, you can let Your Servant Go in Peace.” 

We have Not Had the Privilege of Holding the Child JESUS in Our Arms, like Simeon, but We Do Behold the Risen LORD with the Eyes of Faith. 

We Recognize HIM in the Breaking of bread in the Eucharist, We Hear HIS Voice when the Gospels are Proclaimed, & if We are Alert, We See HIM in Each Other. We also Look Forward to that Day Beyond This Earthly Day when We too will See HIM Face to Face. 

Good Morning

GOD Bless Us All

Happy feast of St. Thomas Beckett