GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 29TH DECEMBER 2016
THURSDAY IN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
1ST READING: 1John 2:3-11
PSALM: Psalm 96:1-3,5-6
GOSPEL: Luke 2:22-35
THEME: JESUS SAVES
Ordinarily, when we have the opportunity to make comments about someone’s baby, we say things like, “The baby is really cute…Look at the eyes and the nose…and the beautiful curly hair…. She (he) looks very much like his mother (or father)…” etc. We understandably make such utterances based on what our physical eyes see.
In our Gospel text, a man walks into the Jerusalem temple. It is not stated whether he was a priest, a scribe, or just a pious Jew. The only piece of information given to us is his name, Simeon, and the fact that he was a righteous and devout person who was awaiting the consolation of Israel.
There in the temple, Simeon encounters Mary and Joseph who had come to present their baby Jesus to the Lord. He picks up the baby in his arms and, addressing God, says, “…my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 2:30). It was an emphatic prophetic utterance that went far beyond what the physical eyes could see. It was a deep statement, encapsulating the identity and mission of the person of Jesus. He is an embodiment of salvation and was born into this world to save. In fact, the name “Jesus” itself carries with it the message that God saves.
Still speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, Simeon turns to Mary, the mother of Jesus and says, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel…” (Luke 2:34). Simeon thus prophesied that whereas some would take a stand for Jesus, others would take a stand against him. Those who reject him would have no pillar to hold on to and therefore would fall. Those who accept him, however, would find in him a true anchor and thus rise up from every difficult situation.
The season of Christmas fills our hearts with joy because we are celebrating the birth of one who saves us. By our own strength, we cannot save ourselves from sin and many other evils. The birth of Christ is therefore a big sigh of relief for every sinner and struggling saint. In the person of Christ, God has provided a way out of the “devil and the deep blue sea”.
Are you drowning in sin? Call upon Jesus! Are you beset with problems in your relationships, marriage and family life? Call upon Jesus! Have you slipped into the quagmire of financial constraints? Call upon Jesus! There is no situation in life that can overcome a person who accepts the salvation God offers us in Christ.
Will you accept this salvation? Remember, time is not on anyone’s side. The year 2016 is sliding away and another year beckons us. Now is the time to make a decision for Christ. His power to save is real.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into our world; thank you for choosing to save me. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).