Article Archive

Luke 2:30-31

My own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations.

Today's narrative from Luke finds Mary and Joseph presenting the baby Jesus to the temple. Simeon, an old and wise man, met the couple and child and immediately recognized Jesus. You see, the Holy Spirit revealed to Simon that before Simon would die, he would meet the savior of the world. Today was that day. When Joseph and Mary presented Jesus to Simeon, there was no doubt to Simeon that his day had come. What joy he must have felt! His entire adult life had been a time of waiting, a time of hope. Now the revelation has come to pass. It was so amazing that even Mary and Joseph were surprised at Simeon. Simeon was so grateful that he offered a prayer of thanksgiving.  But along with this prayer of thanksgiving was also given a warning. Simeon relayed that there would be great difficulty for Jesus and for Mary. I'm sure that the holy couple had to wonder what all of this meant.

How often do we go through life and not take time to recognize the qualities of others? And if we do recognize these qualities or positive attributes, do we acknowledge them to the person? Everyone likes affirming compliments, and we should even listen to and accept criticism or heed danger when it is on the horizon. Even criticism or caution can be positive when given in the right spirit. This is what Simeon was doing. He let his inhibitions go and said what was on his heart, both the words of praise and of caution.  Pray that God gives us the holy boldness to express truth to others, even in difficult times.

John 20:18

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and then reported what he told her.

The Church has proclaimed today as the feast of Saint Mary Magdalene.  It's a time when we can use the life of Mary Magdalene as an example of finding hope in the midst of despair.  Mary is often seen as one who had sin but was transformed by grace and her belief in Jesus as the Savior.  Like Mary, we all go through times of grief.  In today's Gospel of John, we read about Mary, who was so stricken with grief that she didn't recognize Jesus whom she just lost a couple of days earlier.  She was so gripped in her own tomb of emotional loss that she didn't know what to do.  But when she recognized Jesus and he spoke to her, she became rejuvenated, reborn in hope and faith. 

In our day to day lives, many of us are trapped in our own tomb of sorrow. Maybe it's the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a job.  Maybe there's a situation where it's seems there's no hope.  But we have to remember that Jesus is always there for us, both in our tomb of emotion and in our resurrection experience.  There is hope for all of us. Daily attendance at church or a spiritual retreat can often be a helpful remedy in this experience.  Always keep your eyes and heart open to experience Jesus wherever we are.  Christ lives in the heart of believers and there are many believers out there.  You just have to open your heart to recognize them.