Faith Daily | 29 December 2020
PRAYER of the Week| APBA p.476
Almighty God,
you have shed upon us
the light of your incarnate Word:
may this light, kindled in our hearts,
shine forth in our lives;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 2: 22-35
22When 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 firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), 24and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated 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; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
GOSPEL Reflection: Contributed by Alison Dorman
Just last week we read in our daily readings Mary’s Song of Praise, The Magnificat.
I couldn’t help putting myself in Mary’s shoes as I read that and also today’s passage. It is the 8th day after the birth of this baby Jesus. The birth of her first baby, a momentous occasion in the life of any new mother, Mary has been told by an angel months before that she was carrying the Son of God in her womb. Incomprehensible since she wasn’t even married. Mary was a very young girl with a tremendous responsibility and privilege. Now Simeon is telling her of the Holy Spirit’s revelation to him for the life of Jesus - and Mary!! ‘A sword will pierce your own soul too.’!!
How would (and do) I respond to an overwhelming series of events?
This year has been one of totally unpredictable happenings in our individual worlds and in the global context. Where has my Faith and Hope been in this time of uncertainty and turmoil? I am human as Mary was, and my fear and anxiety are part of who I am. How can I not be overwhelmed by the uncertainty around me and stay Faithful and Hopeful as Mary did?
Mary remembered God’s faithfulness not only to her but throughout history. ‘For the Mighty one has done great things for me, and holy is his name.’ The second part of the Magnificat is Mary’s remembering what God has done throughout history. It is good for us to reflect on that in the light of 2020. GOD IS FAITHFUL!
I pray that one day I will be able to look back on my life and be able to say, with Simeon – ‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation.’
FINAL PRAYER: The Praise of His Glory. All Saints to Candlemas, London
O Lord,
You have given us your word
for a light to shine upon our path.
Grant us so to meditate on that word
and to follow its teaching,
that we may find in it the light
that shines more and more
until the perfect day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen