I carry my Son Jesus to you!
J.M.J.
December 29, 2016
St. Thomas a Becket
Dear Family of Mary!
“Dear children! With great joy, today I am carrying my Son Jesus to you, for Him to give you His peace. Open your hearts, little children, and be joyful that you can receive it. Heaven is with you and is fighting for peace in your hearts, in the families and in the world; and you, little children, help with your prayers for it to be so. I bless you with my Son Jesus and call you not to lose hope; and for your gaze and heart to always be directed towards Heaven and eternity. In this way, you will be open to God and to His plans. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (December 29, 2016)
Today we hear the account of Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple. It is a wonderful moment in the lives of Jesus and Mary. I hear echoes of it in the message given to us on Christmas Day. Our Lady carried Jesus, her Son, into the Temple to present Him to the Priests, and she carries Jesus to us as well. Simeon and Ana opened their hearts to receive Jesus that day, and Our Lady asks us to open our hearts and receive him as well. Simeon and Ana both had experienced the long wait for the Messiah, and Our Lady tells us not to lose hope but keep our gaze and our heart always directed towards heaven and eternity as we wait for Jesus as they did. Simeon and Ana were open to God and His plans, and Our Lady wants us to also be open, ready to respond to the Holy Spirit for the sake of His plans.
Here is the Gospel:
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.” (Luke 2:2-35)
May we not lose hope and keep our gaze and our hearts on Heaven and eternity! May we be open to God’s plans all our days! And may we always open our hearts to receive Jesus!
In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!
Cathy Nolan
©Mary TV 2016
