Daily Reading

Daily Reflection

Today’s Gospel narrates the Presentation of our Lord Jesus in the temple.

Every first-born male child had to be consecrated to the Lord in accordance with the law. Mary and Joseph, therefore, took Jesus to Jerusalem, obediently observing the Law of Moses. Here they encounter Simeon an upright man who like many in Israel looked forward to and eagerly awaited the promised Messiah. It was revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Christ of the Lord. Now he bursts into song even as he takes Jesus into his arms and blesses God. The Nunc dimitis or the song of Simeon summarizes the hopes of those in Israel who longed for the coming of the Messiah who would be the light and the glory of Israel. Simeon goes on to predict that sorrow would accompany both Jesus and Mary as his life slowly enfolds.

Do we have the same zeal and fervour as Simeon did? Do we earnestly desire to perceive the Christ, take him in our arms and hold him close to our heart?