I Want To See Jesus!

The Holy Family

27 December 2020

 

First Reading 3:2-6, 12-14

 

God sets a father in honor over his children;

a mother's authority he confirms over her sons.

Whoever honors his father atones his sins,

and preserves himself from them.

When he prays, he is heard;

he stores up riches who reveres his mother.

Whoever honors his father will live a long life;

he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.

 

My son, take care of your father when he is old;

grieve him not as long as he lives.

Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;

revile him not all the days of his life;

kindness to a father will not be forgotten,

firmly planted against the debt of your sins

--a house raised in justice to you.

 

Second Reading COL 3:12-21

 

Brothers and sisters:

Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,

heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another,

if one has a grievance against another;

as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.

And over all these put on love,

that is, the bond of perfection.

And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,

the peace into which you were also called in one body.

And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,

as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,

singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed,

do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to the Father through him.

Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,

as is proper in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives,

and avoid any bitterness toward them.

Children, obey your parents in everything,

for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,

so they may not become discouraged.

 

Gospel LK 2:22-40

 

When the days were completed for their purification

according to the law of Moses,

They 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:

"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace,

according to your word,

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

which you prepared in sight of all the peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and glory for 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."

There was also a prophetess, Anna,

the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.

She was advanced in years,

having lived seven years with her husband after marriage,

and then as a widow until she was eighty-four.

She never left the temple,

but worshiped  night and day with fasting and prayer.

And coming forward at that very time,

she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child

to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions

of the law of the Lord,

they returned to Galilee,

to their town of Nazareth.

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom;

and the favor of God was upon him.

 

Reflection

By: Anabelle Payod-Balla

 

Is this possible?

 

Would you like to see Jesus?

 

I was passing through the Eucharistic Adoration Chapel of St. Joseph Parish in Gagalangin, when I felt the tug to go inside and gaze upon the Eucharist.

I just came back from the Youth Encounter seminar at that time and I thought it would be nice to spend time with the Lord and thank Him for the opportunity given.

However, the moment I knelt down and closed my eyes, I immediately felt His strong presence that I burst into tears and sobbed openly. It felt like He was hugging me tight, embracing me close to Him. It felt good. It was at that time that I felt my connection with Him was real, that He is real, that He is physically present with me.

Every time I relive that encounter, I feel reconnected to God's embrace. I feel joy, I feel an overwhelming sense of lightness. I want to experience it again. I want to see God, I want to see Jesus.

 

I may not be able to fathom how Simeon and Ana felt when they saw Jesus but I am sure, they were overjoyed and filled with grace.

 

May you seek and see Jesus, and feel His loving embrace This Christmas season.

Merry Christmas!

   

Prayer

Father, thank You for allowing us to feel Your presence through Jesus. We want Your loving embrace. We want to see Jesus. Amen.