Gospel – Luke 2:22-32

When the days were completed for their purification
according to the law of Moses,
Mary and Joseph took Jesus 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 the sight of all the peoples:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and glory for your people Israel.”

Reflection on Sunday Gospel

Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God…

Are we Simeon as Lasallian educators?

Enlightened by the Spirit, Simeon recognizes the Lord’s Messiah in the infant Jesus.  Oh, if only it were that easy for us!

Think about your classroom or ministry… Who is your disruptive student? Who’s the rule breaker? Which of your students refuses to learn or be prepared for class? That client that has been written off as a lost cause? The student that knows how to push your buttons?

Maybe the better question is… Do we see God in the child? As Lasallian educators, followers of De La Salle, we’re called to recognize Jesus in each and every one of those, entrusted to our care. In his meditations De La Salle wrote:

“Recognize Jesus beneath the poor rags of the children whom you have to instruct. Adore him in them…May faith lead you to do this with affection and zeal, because these children are the members of Jesus Christ.” (Meditation, 96.3)

“You whom God has called to this ministry, work according to this grace he has given you to instruct by teaching and to exhort by encouraging those entrusted to your care, guiding them with attention and vigilance…” (Meditation for the Time of Retreat 193.2)

Take a moment and recognize Jesus in the child, my fellow Lasallian, and know that you are Simeon, enlightened by the Spirit!

 

St. John Baptist de La Salle … Pray for Us!
Live Jesus in our Hearts … Forever!

anonymous