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Feast
of the Presentation of the Lord
The
Institute
February
2, 2016 / Gospel long form
PRESENTATION
OF JESUS’ BIRTH ++++++++++++++++
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In this beautiful
passage from St. Luke’s Gospel one theme came to mind as I brought it to prayer
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Mary & Joseph
bring child Jesus to temple & encounter the holy man, Simeon
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Simeon says to Mary: “This child is destined for the fall and
rise of many in Israel…a sign that will be contradicted & U a sword will
pierce”
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Luke doesn’t present
birth of Lord in a very + way
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Matt’s Gospel also
presents this same sense of tragedy re J’s birth w/ Herod’s tragic slaughter of
all baby boys 2 assure he’s assassinated Messiah
JESUS’
BIRTH IN LUKE +++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Luke also foretells
opposition, rejection & suffering as he speaks of “the fall or rise of many” and of Jesus as “a sign to be contradicted”
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When he says that “the thoughts of many hearts will be
revealed,” he means thoughts that are contrary and in opposition to Jesus
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Image of sword
piercing Mary is symbol of decision; like a knife cutting piece of cloth in two
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The idea is that all
people, including Mary, will have to decide whether to accept or reject Jesus
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4 Luke Mary is 1
person who’s already decided & she’s decided 2 accept Lord completely.
TRUST
& INCONVENIENCE +++++++++++++++++++++
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So, through these
words of Simeon, Luke is setting the stage 4 rest of Gospel & rest of Js’
life
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Sword he speaks of
became a symbol of division in Jesus’ day & would lead 2 his crucifixion
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That same sword
demands a decision of all people of all times.
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We are 2C Mary as
example decision we R2 make
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Summed up in (1)
Trusting in the Lord, even when we don’t fully understand, & (2) following
Lord’s way, even when inconvenient & uncomfortable
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Where are trust &
inconvenience being raised in my life of faith today?
CONCLUSION
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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So, in this tender
story of Js’ being brought to the temple, Luke’s giving us entire Gospel in
miniature & calling us 2 make R decision
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No coincidence that
it comes in midst of R choices that have 2B made today re quality of R lives
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
