“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Thursday, 2nd February 2017,
Fourth Week in the Ordinary Time
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.
Mal 3: 1-4;
Zab 24: 7-10;
Heb 2: 14-18
Lk 2: 22-40.
CONSECRATED TO THE LORD!
In the Gospel, Luke mentions three rituals of the Law which Mary and Jesus submitted themselves to. Eight days after His birth, Jesus was circumcised. Then 33 days later, His mother Mary took Jesus to the temple for a double purpose. First, she presented Jesus to the Lord as a first born Son, and then she redeemed Him back by paying five shekels. This was a practice that went all the way back to the redemption of the first born sons in Israel from the angel of death on the night of the first Passover in ancient Egypt. Secondly, Mary offered a sacrifice as a purification ritual because of her defilement due to the blood associated with childbirth.
All these three rituals - the circumcision, the purification after childbirth and the redemption of the first born son - point to the sinful and defiled state of fallen humanity. Because of sin, fallen humanity was separated from fellowship with God becoming worthy only of God's judgment. These rituals point to the need for salvation and cleansing. Our Saviour submitted to these rituals even though He was pure and sinless and undefiled. He submitted to these rituals as an infant, just as He would later as an adult submit to John the Baptist's baptism of repentance. He did this not because He needed any cleansing for Himself but because He identified Himself with His sinful people whom He came to save. Through this identification, Jesus took upon Himself the impurity and guilt of those He came to save. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21).When Mary offered a sin offering and a burnt offering for her ritual of purification, she brought the poor person's offering, which was two doves or pigeons. This is another reminder of the saving work of Jesus on our behalf. As it says, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9).
Simeon was just and devout man. The Holy Spirit was upon Him and gave Him prophetic revelation. He was looking for the consolation of Israel, which is a reference to the comfort Israel would receive through the saving work of the Messiah. Anna on the other hand was a prophetess. After she saw the baby Jesus, she spoke of Jesus to all those who were looking for the redemption which the Messiah would bring. On this day let us too remember our consecration to the Lord especially through Baptism. Let us offer ourselves to the Lord and his Kingdom with undivided hearts.
Prayer: Lord, I was born in sin. Accept the humble offering of my person and make me worthy of Your kingdom. Jesus I trust in You. Amen.