9/15/2022 (Thursday) Today’s gospel reading: Luke 2:33-35
33 Jesus’ father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
34 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
35 and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
9/15/2022 (Thursday) Today’s gospel reflection: Luke 2:33-35
Jesus came to liberate the world from the enslavement of sin. That means He came to drive away the darkness that envelops many souls. Those who will accept Him as Lord and savior will achieve freedom. On the other hand, those who reject Him will fall down. The words the Prophet Simeon that Jesus is a contradiction is indeed true.
To Jesus, there is no middle ground. We either cling to the status quo of a dark world or we embrace the kingdom offered by Jesus the Messiah. Yet our victory against darkness is possible only through the cross of Jesus. At the foot of that cross was Mary His mother. Her heart was pierced because the suffering and death of her Son was also hers. Thus, accepting Jesus as Lord and King makes us the recipient of blessings of peace and joy but at the same, we become the bearer of the unfinished mission of Jesus. That means necessarily that we will have our own crosses to carry.