Under Jewish Law a woman was required, after giving birth to a child, to offer to the Lord in sacrifice a lamb or two
turtledoves or two young pigeons. Mary and Joseph, in bringing
Jesus to the temple, fulfilled the prescribed legal requirement.
At the same time they also consecrated Jesus to God: “you shall
set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb” (Exod.
13:12). In presenting Jesus, Mary and Joseph were returning to
the Lord the very gift that he had given them. Their offering
expressed the depth of their devotion and love of God.
Simeon and Anna also gave God the worship of their hearts.
The Spirit rested upon Simeon, preparing his heart for the
Lord's coming and causing him to long to set his eyes on the
Christ the Lord. Delighting in Jesus, he declared: “mine eyes
have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence
of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles”.
Similarly Anna was seeking the Lord. She had been in the
temple for years, longing and praying for the Lord's coming.
Now drawn by the Spirit she blessed Jesus.
In Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna we see so much desire,
longing and love for the Lord. They rejoiced as they recognized
that Jesus was the longed-for Christ. It was the Holy Spirit who
gave birth to this desire, longing, recognition and delight in
their lives.
The Spirit wants to give us a similar longing - no longer, of
course, for the first coming of the Lord - but for his return. The
Spirit wishes to purify our hearts from all dullness, indifference
and apathy so that we may desire to see the light of Jesus' face
and long to set our eyes on his glory when he comes again.
By creating in our hearts this longing for and delight in Jesus,
the Holy Spirit consoles and comforts us.
St. Joseph the Worker Parish (excerpt: catholic-bible-school.org)
Showing posts with label gospel music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gospel music. Show all posts
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
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