29 December 2014
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Today we make a special resolution to learn and put into practice what John teaches us in the first reading. And what is that?
Knowledge of God, our religious practices and devotions and the imitation of Christ are all wrapped up in one Christmas package, tied with big red and green bow. The three are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other two, and if you minimize or fail to accept the one, you reject the other two. It is as simple as that. With this in mind, let’s re-read today’s Gospel.
Simeon announces the future of the newborn Jesus. Salvation of the world will come about only through his suffering and death. Such is the life promised to every Christian. So he describes John’s Christmas making it his own. It is the message broadcast at every Mass, the sacrifice of the Cross, the knowledge and acceptance of the Father’s will for me now.
Simeon further told Mary she would experience the fullness of this Christmas message. Let us ask her to teach us by her example how to tie up together our devotions and religious practices with knowing God and doing his will in imitation of Christ.