HE HAD TO BECOME HUMAN LIKE US
"Who is the King of glory? It is the Lord." This King comes to
us, to be with us until the end of time!
Today in the
responsorial psalm we acclaim, "Who is the King of glory? It is the
Lord." This King comes to us, to be with us until the end of time!
In his Letter to
the Hebrews, Paul writes: "He had to become like his brothers and sisters
in every way, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God
to expiate the sins of the people" (Heb 2:17). Jesus came to help in every
way, so that we may find our faith and keep it!
Today, the Gospel
of Luke highlights the beginning of the consecrated life of Jesus Christ. We
hear about His beginnings in the excitement of Simeon and Anna over this
special Child. Celebrating this event will have more of an effect in our own
lives if we see in it something basic to every human life: that all life comes
from the hand of our heavenly Father, and all our joy and fulfillment comes in
voluntarily and generously using that life in the service of God in our world.
All life belongs to our Creator!
Reflecting on our
own baptism we were given a candle lit from the Easter Candle. The Easter
Candle is a symbol of the presence of Jesus Christ in us, and our sharing in
His life, ministry, strength, and dedication all for God's Kingdom. In our
Liturgy of the Hours' reading today, St. Sophronius links this quotation to the
blessing of candles when he says: "Let no one fail to carry a light"
to meet the Lord, and to join Him in His Presentation.
The Presentation of
the Child Jesus in the Temple coupled with the blessing of candles should
remind each of us of that burning candle given at our baptism.
Is it still burning
brightly?