Friday the Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas December 29 (Luke 2:22-35)

Friday the Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas December 29 (Luke 2:22-35) When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." The Gospel of the Lord:” Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ. The Word of God for Everyone Dear People of God, Today's Word, God wants to tell all humanity about Mary and Joseph going to the Temple to be purified according to Jewish custom. Jesus is God who came to earth as a human being. He has complete authority over all creation. He has complete authority over both the human body and soul. But why did He have to go to the Temple to follow human customs? God let all humanity know that in order to live in harmony and become human like everyone else, the Son of God Himself had to humble Himself and become similar to humans, except for sin. That's why He followed the Jewish purification custom: He came to perform the circumcision and purification ceremony for Mary. Even though she was the Immaculate Conception, and pure in both body and soul, she still humbly obeyed God's command and went to the Temple to be purified according to human customs. Living in a human society, the Son of God and the Blessed Virgin still completely follow social customs like everyone else. He kept whatever customs the Jews proposed. That is why, He set a good example and wanted to let humanity know that: living in a society, we must follow the rules set forth by society so that society is orderly, peaceful, and happy. Today's Word of God mentions a man named Simeon. Day and night, he was in the Temple, always eager and longing to meet the Son of God coming to earth as a human. As soon as he saw the Baby Jesus being held in Mary's arms, the old man Simeon immediately praised, glorified, and thanked God because God's love had allowed him to see God's presence with his own eyes on earth. At the same time, God also gave the old man Simeon to prophesy about the pain that the Blessed Virgin Mary would have to endure, saying: "You yourself a sword will pierce." When the Blessed Mother Mary heard that word, she only meditated in her heart, and was awake to live in obedience, awake to live according to what God the Father had taught and invited her. Because of their absolute obedience to God the Father, Blessed Mother Mary and Saint Joseph fulfilled their duties as mothers and adoptive fathers of the Son of God in the middle of the world. She faithfully kept the word of God in all places and at all times. In particular, Mother always had absolute trust in the Supreme God, in the God of love, and believed that God's promises would be fulfilled. The Word of God today also reminds everyone: when living in society on this earth, we should also be alerted to follow the customs set forth by society, to build a country of love, peace, and prosperity. But above all, God invites everyone to put the law of love above all laws, because all is in the providence of God the Father, and each person's soul is under His control. Therefore, God the Father invites all humanity to live according to what He has commanded, because God the Father's commandments are always kept in an orderly and harmonious manner so that humans can have a peaceful life. A peaceful and happy life in this world. Thanks be to God. Amen