Fr. Alex sx
On this fourth Sunday of ordinary time, the liturgy celebrates the feast of the presentation of the Lord Jesus. Today's liturgy shows Jesus going to meet his people, it is the feast of the presentation of the Child Jesus. The novelty of the baby Jesus will meet the temple tradition, the promise has its fulfilment. Young Mary and Joseph meet Simeon and Anna elders, everything is brought to completion when Jesus arrived. This event teaches us: 1) We are also called to receive Jesus who comes to meet us. It is a necessity to find the God of life, and find it every day in our life. The Lord is not found virtually but by truly discovering him in life; for example, going to Mass, listening to his word, visiting sick people, helping the poor or practising the charitable works recommended by the Catholic Church. This means welcoming Jesus, our Lord of life. 2)The second teaching that this feast of the presentation of the Lord suggests to us is that he is the source of the Vocation for each person. Knowing our Christian vocation is fundamental for our existence. Today at the feast of the presentation of our Lord, we ask for the grace to rediscover the Lord alive and present in the believing people. When we go to church, we not only go to comply with the law, but also to answer the call of God just as Mary and Joseph did being moved by law and tradition; Anna and Simeon were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit made these two elderly people, Anna and Simeon not to be afraid of God's novelty. To conclude this reflection on the feast of the presentation of the Lord, I must say that it is taken from one of the homilies of Pope Francis. The celebration of the presentation is to prepare for a new life, which is the living encounter of the Lord with his people, that is, to welcome him in our arms, to experience the joy that Jesus is.
On this fourth Sunday of ordinary time, the liturgy celebrates the feast of the presentation of the Lord Jesus. Today's liturgy shows Jesus going to meet his people, it is the feast of the presentation of the Child Jesus. The novelty of the baby Jesus will meet the temple tradition, the promise has its fulfilment. Young Mary and Joseph meet Simeon and Anna elders, everything is brought to completion when Jesus arrived. This event teaches us: 1) We are also called to receive Jesus who comes to meet us. It is a necessity to find the God of life, and find it every day in our life. The Lord is not found virtually but by truly discovering him in life; for example, going to Mass, listening to his word, visiting sick people, helping the poor or practising the charitable works recommended by the Catholic Church. This means welcoming Jesus, our Lord of life. 2)The second teaching that this feast of the presentation of the Lord suggests to us is that he is the source of the Vocation for each person. Knowing our Christian vocation is fundamental for our existence. Today at the feast of the presentation of our Lord, we ask for the grace to rediscover the Lord alive and present in the believing people. When we go to church, we not only go to comply with the law, but also to answer the call of God just as Mary and Joseph did being moved by law and tradition; Anna and Simeon were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit made these two elderly people, Anna and Simeon not to be afraid of God's novelty. To conclude this reflection on the feast of the presentation of the Lord, I must say that it is taken from one of the homilies of Pope Francis. The celebration of the presentation is to prepare for a new life, which is the living encounter of the Lord with his people, that is, to welcome him in our arms, to experience the joy that Jesus is.