A LIGHT FOR ALL THE NATIONS
Introduction
God comes to his temple today as if incognito, as a child carried in the arms of its mother. Simeon, the old man in the Temple, took Jesus in his arms and recognized this child as the Saviour expected by the Jews in the Old Testament but also as the salvation of all people. In him, the old Israel can fade away in peace. This child was to be the glory of Israel, yes, but also the light to enlighten everyone including pagans. He comes to us now not merely to be the light of us Christians. He does not belong to us alone but to all. St. John tells us how to reflect the light of Christ: all those who love their neighbors are living in the light.
Opening Prayer
God, Father of light,
the old man, Simeon, recognized your Son
as the light that would shine on all.
May we too, recognize Jesus,
even if he comes to us in a humble way,
in the shape and person of a child,
of old people, of the poor and the little ones.
Make us receive him too,
as the light not only of our lives
but as the bright dawn for all nations.
For you are the Father of all
and Jesus belongs to all as their Saviour and Lord,
now and for ever. Amen!
1 Reading: 1 JOHN 2:3-11
Beloved: The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked. Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light, yet hates his brother, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Responsorial PSALM 96:1-2A, 2B-3, 5B-6
R. (11a) Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name. R.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. R.
The LORD made the heavens.
Splendour and majesty go before him;
praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary. R.
Alleluia LUKE 2:32
Alleluia, alleluia.
A light of revelation to the Gentiles
and glory for your people Israel.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LUKE 2:22-35
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
Commentary
Waiting in Hope
Simeon is a symbol of the “waiting in hope” that the season of Advent was all about. He cherished a promise from the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah in person. However, given the times he lived in, with its reduction of religion to mere ritualistic services and an easy commerce for the spiritual leaders, one would have least expected the Messiah to appear then. Moreover, when someone waits for a long, long time, the wait can get monotonous, weary, and less intense and alert; and there is every chance that one may miss the target when it appears. Not so with Simeon. He waited in hope with fresh eyes, and he recognized the baby-Messiah who came by in swaddling clothes. When we pass through dark times and the daylight seems to be a distant dream, may Simeon inspire us to wait in hope for God’s breakthrough.
Intercessions
– For all parents, who take their children to church for baptism, that God may bless them and their children, we pray:
– For all parents, who suffer when their children bring sorrow to them, that they may keep trusting in the Lord, we pray:
– For all peoples, who come to know Christ, that they may accept him as their joy and life, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Loving God,
a humble piece of bread and a little wine
are enough to let Jesus come among us.
Enliven these simple gifts with your Spirit,
that we may welcome among us
him, who enlightens all nations
with his joy and the bright morning,
of true justice and deep commitment,
of loving service, a sense of compassion
and a boundless generosity,
Jesus, the Saviour of all and our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
God of light,
we have sat at the festive table
of him who came to unite all peoples far and near
as brothers and sisters,
who can love and accept one another,
notwithstanding all their differences
of race and culture,
of social standing and personality.
Make us believe and practice
that this is only possible
in him, who became one of us
and who laid down his life for all,
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
May the Holy Spirit rest also on us, that we accept and recognize Jesus as the Lord and Saviour of everyone and the light that brightens the lives of all. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!