The first reading tells us about the Lord that we seek, and notes that we must be alert at all times because this Lord that we seek will suddenly come to his temple. The sudden entrance of the Lord into his temple is confirmed in the gospel reading, and we learn from that reading that Jesus Christ is that Lord who we seek, as attested to by Simeon, the righteous man from Jerusalem, and Anna, a prophetess. We are told by Simeon that the Lord that we seek will bring about the fall and rising of many because he will humble the proud and exalt the lowly. But more importantly, we seek the Lord because, just as the second reading teaches us, he alone is our divine Lord who came to partake of our human nature so that through death he might destroy the devil who has the power of death, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage. He made expiation for the sins of the people by his own death, and because he himself has suffered and has been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. Are we still seeking the help of the Lord always, or have we allowed human pride to make us start believing that we can face life without the help of Christ Jesus?
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK:
O Lord, grant me the required alertness that befits your visitation, so that carelessness and distractions will not rob me of your precious visit. Grant, Lord, that your visit to me will open me up to see the worthlessness of my life without you, my Lord, because you alone give meaning to my life.
TRAIN A VIRTUE FOR CHRIST: (sincerity) do not be deceitful or hypocritical.
MEDITATION POINTS FOR THE WEEK:
(a) How sincere am I with myself?
(b) Is being sincere a problem to me?
(c) Am I a hypocrite when it comes to being sincere?
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
You shall not hate your brother in your heart; you shall rebuke neighbour in sincerity, that you do not bear sin for him. (Leviticus 19:17)
Write down below something from today’s homily. Reflect on it for the coming week
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BIBLE PASSAGES FOR DAILY REFLECTION
SUNDAY: PSALM 33
MONDAY: PSALM 15
TUESDAY: PSALM 36
WEDNESDAY: PSALM 73
THURSDAY: PSALM 92
FRIDAY: PSALM 136
SATURDAY: PSALM 19