STRONG PRESENCE

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

 

Strong Presence

 

But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? – Malachi 3:2

 

Mr. Williams is someone you would rather not have for a professor. He is known for giving his students a hard time during class recitation. But it’s actually for the benefit of his students. He asks a lot of questions and makes sure that his students understand not just the theory but the full concept of the subject matter. Most often, the students are not able to prepare well for his class so they would try to avoid going to his class or they would all agree to boycott it just so they would be spared from the recitation, at least for that particular day.

Our knowledge of the Lord and the kind of relationship we have with Him will determine how we receive Him on the day of His coming. Many of us desire to have a life free of pain and suffering but we do not welcome the idea that God may come anytime soon to render His judgment on us. There is nothing to fear if we live our lives in union with God. But if we live in a wayward manner then maybe it’s time we set things aright with Him so that we may receive Him with love and confidence when He appears before us.Jane Gonzales (mjsg2468@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

If God appears before us now, would we be happy to face Him or are we going to tremble in fear?

 

Lord, lead me away from the things that offend You, and bring me to an understanding of behavior that will make me fit for heaven. Amen. 

 

Parents ’ Day

 

Every year we celebrate a Mothers’ Day and a Fathers’ Day. But why don’t we have a Parents’ Day where we celebrate father and mother together as a couple? February 2 would be a good occasion for such a Parents’ Day, as we see both parents of Jesus, Joseph and Mary. In obedience to the Law, they journeyed together to Jerusalem to present their firstborn child in the Temple. In the picture of Joseph and Mary in the Temple, we have a great model of husband and wife united in practicing and raising their child in the faith.

Luke stresses several times that they are doing this “as it is written in the law of the Lord.” Joseph and Mary are presented as people who faithfully keep God’s laws — together. Husband and wife are supposed to be companions in the journey of life. We see this as we contemplate Joseph and Mary together in the Temple.

Let me reflect on another point in today’s Gospel passage. Some Catholics argue that baptism has no value until a child reaches the age of reason and then is able to decide for oneself. But this is not the example that Mary and Joseph are giving us today. In biblical times, people saw the whole family as one entity. The question of husband, wife and child belonging to different religions was unthinkable because religion was supposed to play a role in strengthening family unity.

Parents provide their children with the basic necessities of life. What is more basic than one’s faith in God? Parents — the “first catechists” as Pope John Paul II once called them — and not catechists, nuns, priests or teachers, have the responsibility to initiate their children into their faith. As parents, they have the duty and privilege of raising their children in such a way that they grow up to become responsible citizens as well as committed children of God. The example of Joseph and Mary shows us that the best way to achieve this is by leading the way through the example of our own lives. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

Reflection Question:

Do I see married life as a common journey of husband and wife together — and until death will part them? Do I recognize that parents are the first catechists of their children?

 

Lord, bless all Christian parents and make them aware of their great responsibility and privilege to lead their children to You.

 

St. Theodoric, pray for us.