HOMILY FOR FRIDAY, FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS (1)
HOMILY FOR FRIDAY, FIFTH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
HOMILY THEME: THE FULFILLMENT OF SEEING THE MESSIAH
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
(Lk. 2:22-35)
Fifth Day Within The Octave of Christmas. Memorial of St. Thomas Becket, Bishop and Martyr.
In the day’s Gospel, we have that touching scene of Simeon meeting and seeing Jesus the Messiah. Simeon was told that when this happens, he will “go in peace,” meaning, he will be meeting his death. It is interesting that he was more relieved and joyful than afraid of the event. The coming of the Messiah was an aching for every serious Jew. For Simeon, who was late in years, the grace of seeing the fulfillment of the promise during his lifetime is the ultimate grace.
Many of us see the Lord but we do not think and act like we have really seen the Lord. Simeon’s reaction was the perfect one. Even without the dying part, seeing the Lord is being fully blessed. It means knowing who we really are. It means a time for conversion. It means salvation is at hand. It means hope is near. It means God is present and had not abandoned us.
Unfortunately for some Jews, they did not see Jesus as the foretold promised Messiah. Even today, they are still waiting for the Messiah. They are still in their first advent. But for us Christians, the Messiah had come. But many of us live like they are still waiting for another Messiah. Until they become like Simeon in regarding Jesus, they will still be in the state of waiting. Sad thing is they might be waiting for no one. We already have the Messiah in Jesus. Let us look at Him. Let us know Him so we can love Him and serve Him.
Like the blind man, let us pray, “Lord, let me see you!”
We remember St. Thomas Becket today. He was torn between His friend, King Henry, and His Lord, Jesus, the King of Kings. King Henry wanted to rule the world. He made use of St. Thomas. But St. Thomas did not allow his friendship and power prevail. He remained faithful to the Lord and to the Church. As a result, He was murdered. He died faithful. For St. Thomas, He would rather see the Lord than be separated from Him.
