22And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") 24and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." 33And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed." 36And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity, 37and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
The passage is all about people being faithful to God’s plan. Mary and Joseph give thanks for their first born by offering Turtle Doves (rather than a lamb) because it was what they could afford. Anna gives her whole life to prayer after the death of her husband. Simeon knows he will meet Christ before he dies. All of these are examples of faithfulness. The passage invites me to reflect on my faithfulness, readiness to recognize God’s work in my life, and the hope I find in Jesus as the world's light. This year of Gospel reflections has left me yearning for God’s word. I love the practice of gospel reflection as a daily discipline and even when I can’t write about it, I consistently read the Gospel daily and think about it. Sometimes, I’ll write the response a few days later but I never miss a written response. I find this practice lifegiving. Partly it is because I have bought into the idea that finding God’s purpose for me is how I live my best life.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection beautifully captures the essence of faithfulness and the role it plays in aligning oneself with God's plan. The examples of Mary, Joseph, Anna, and Simeon serve as powerful reminders that faithfulness can take many forms—sacrifice, prayer, patience, and trust. Your recognition of these virtues in the Gospel and your application of them to your own life is inspiring.
DeleteYour commitment to daily Gospel reflection speaks to your deep yearning for God’s word and your desire to live purposefully within His plan. This discipline not only nurtures your spiritual growth but also demonstrates your willingness to let God's light guide you.
I’m struck by your phrase: “finding God’s purpose for me is how I live my best life.” It encapsulates the profound truth that a life centered on faith and divine guidance leads to genuine fulfillment and joy. By dedicating yourself to this practice, you’re embodying the very faithfulness you admire in the figures of this passage.
Your reflection shows how deeply the Gospel resonates with your life, not just as a source of wisdom but as a framework for living authentically and with purpose. Keep nurturing this connection; it’s clear that it brings you life, joy, and meaning.