Friday Gospel Recharge
A Reflection on Luke 2: 22-35
(5th Day within the Octave of Christmas, Year B of the Liturgical Calander, 2023)
Christ is Messiah and People Dedicated to God Proclaim this Truth
Dedicating oneself to living in the world as either married or single person can be a hard slog for those people. Often, we approach many societal pressures to compromise the truth of the Gospel in our workspace. Most of the time people are pressured to be silent on the doctrinal moral truths of the Church but today it can be equally pressured to renounce the universality of the Godhead in Jesus Christ. All religions lead to the truth many would want us to think, so why can’t we accept every religion equally since each claim something about God?
In today’s Gospel we learn about Mary and her spouse Joseph dedicating the Christ child to the Lord in the temple. For us Catholics this might seem hard to grasp why Mary and Joesph would do that, since our faith informs us that Jesus is God in the flesh, so why then is he required to be offered to God as prescribed by the Mosaic Law? Two things come to mind in this instance. First, Mary and Joseph were devout Jews; they did what the Law required them. Secondly, Jesus was doing the will of the Father via the agency of Mary and Joseph. In fact, in the life of Jesus all his actions were orientated towards giving activity to the Father’s will, so irrespective of his infancy he, no doubt, would have dedicated himself as the first born to the Lord as per prescription of the Law: ““How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2: 49).
Interestingly in this Gospel we learn of the presence of Simeon the temple priest. Not much is known about him. A very small account of him is provided here. However, his famous words acknowledge a revelation given to him, namely that after he sets his eyes on the Christ child, God would let him see his natural death.
Now, Simeon was of the Levitical priesthood. Without going much into detail, the Levitical priest dedicates his life to sanctifying the lives of the people by providing doctrinal instructions, offering sacrifices and providing pastoral care. These three aspects are also found in the working dimensions of Catholic priests today. However, Catholic ministerial priests receive their priesthood from Christ and not from the tribe of Levite. Setting this aside, Simeon, an elderly priest of the temple, made a proclamation when he saw the Christ child. He proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah and dedicated the rest of his days proclaiming this truth.
As Catholics we also belong the priesthood of Christ. By virtue of our baptism we enter into that common priesthood. It is through baptism that we are received into this priesthood. The laity don’t function as ministerial priests since the ministerial priest is at the service of the common priesthood sanctifying, teaching and governing it. We share in the very work of Christ by being priests, prophets and kings in the world. In other words, we dedicate our lives to be holy, teach and serve those in need.
What are we required to teach as Catholics of the common priesthood of Christ? Indeed we proclaim and embody the moral truths of the Church. However, as Catholics we should be undeniably dedicated to proclaiming Christ as Messiah. He was not just another moral person in times past who embodied decent values. To only proclaim that would be an insult to God and those who gave themselves for the message of the Gospel. Catholics and Christians everywhere are to teach what Jesus taught, and to proclaim what the Church teaches about Christ. He is not only the Messiah. He is also God the Son and God in human form. We’re called to proclaim this truth. We have an obligation to proclaim this since by virtue of our baptism we became priests of the common priesthood and as part of our membership we are required to be wholly dedicated to the things of holiness and truth.
Although all religions claim to offer some truths about God, Jesus coming to redeem us and to be God with us as Emmanuel makes his coming not only present at Christmas but Jesus as Emmanuel is with us every moment of every day. He wants to be with us in every part of our life. He came to redeem us. He came to be human so that we can learn to be divine. We need to not only know the truths about Him but to have a personal relationship with Him.
Society
thinks that Christmas is just one day whereas as Catholics we celebrate the
season of Christmas, including having an octave of Christmas where the
Christmas texts are used. This
Christmastide let’s be more faithful to proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah who
came to redeem and restore us to the Father’s love. Let’s not be afraid to tell
others that Jesus who was given to us as a gift from God the Father at
Christmas is indeed God and through him we are saved.
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