HOMILY FOR SATURDAY 5TH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS (1)
HOMILY: (Lk. 2:22-35) Fifth Day Within the Octave of Christmas, December 29, 2018
In today’s Gospel Simeon finally set eyes on Jesus
HOMILY FOR SATURDAY 5TH DAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
HOMILY THEME: HAVE YOU SEEN THE LORD?
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY: (Lk. 2:22-35) Fifth Day Within the Octave of Christmas, December 29
In today’s Gospel Simeon finally set eyes on Jesus, the Messiah, being brought by His parents to be presented in the temple being the first born of Mary and Joseph. The Holy Spirit revealed it to Simeon who would not meet death until he sees the Messiah. Simeon approached the Holy Family and expressed his fulfillment and prophesy on Jesus.
This scene says that Jesus was a good Jew. Mary and Joseph were responsible parents. Their faith accompanied them and helped them to face the challenges of Jesus’ life and ministry. While Jesus was the Son of God, it did not free them from their task of forming and educating Jesus in the faith. God entrusted children to their parents. God invited parents to cooperate with Him in the work of salvation. Parents should see children as gifts from God who they must rear according to His will and not to their whim.
The emergence of Simeon confirms the story of Jesus as the Messiah. The angel did not only appear to Mary and Elizabeth. It appeared to others too in order to reveal God’s plan. Those who were selected were given their roles. With Simeon, he enlightened Mary and Joseph about Jesus’ life and mission. And for him, it was enough. To have seen what the angel revealed was the fullness of life for him.
Have you seen the Lord? He is present everyday, everywhere, to everyone. An experience of the Lord is an experience of grace, holiness, and bliss. For Simeon, encountering the Lord was enough. He was willing to accept the angel’s message that he will meet his death when he sees Jesus. To have seen the Lord is to have lived life to the full.
