12/29/2025 (Monday) Today’s Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-35

22 After the days of her purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him to Jerusalem, in order to present him to the Lord,
23 just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “For every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord,”
24 and in order to offer a sacrifice, according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and God-fearing, awaiting the consolation of Israel. And the Holy Spirit was with him.
26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see his own death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.
27 And he went with the Spirit to the temple. And when the child Jesus was brought in by his parents, in order to act on his behalf according to the custom of the law,
28 he also took him up, into his arms, and he blessed God and said:
29 “Now you may dismiss your servant in peace, O Lord, according to your word.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared before the face of all peoples:
32 the light of revelation to the nations and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 And his father and mother were wondering over these things, which were spoken about him.
34 And Simeon blessed them, and he said to his mother Mary: “Behold, this one has been set for the ruin and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and as a sign which will be contradicted.
35 And a sword will pierce through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

12/29/2025 (Monday) Today’s Gospel Reflection / homily / sermon: Luke 2:22-35

The story of the presentation of Jesus in the temple invites us to reflect on faithfulness, patience, and the quiet ways God fulfills His promises. Mary and Joseph come as ordinary parents, doing what faithful people do such as showing up, offering what they can, and entrusting their child to God. There is nothing dramatic on the surface. Yet in that simple act of obedience, something extraordinary happens. God meets them in the everyday.

Simeon represents those who have learned to wait with hope. He has lived long enough to see disappointments, unanswered prayers, and changing times, yet he never lets go of trust. In a world that demands instant results including fast internet, quick success, overnight fame, Simeon reminds us that some of the most important things in life require patience. Think of parents working abroad for years so their children can study, or teachers who quietly shape lives without recognition. Their waiting is not wasted. God is at work even when progress seems slow.

When Simeon finally recognizes the child, he sees more than what is visible. He sees salvation meant not just for a small group, but for all people. This challenges us today to widen our hearts. In modern life, it is easy to build walls between rich and poor, locals and migrants, those who think like us and those who do not. Simeon’s vision invites us to see God’s light shining beyond our comfort zones. A modern example is when young people volunteer in communities very different from their own and discover shared humanity, hope, and dignity.

Yet the message Simeon shares is not only comforting; it is also honest. He speaks of struggle, resistance, and pain. Following God’s way does not guarantee an easy life. Parents know this well when they worry about their children’s future in a world filled with pressure, violence, and uncertainty. Young people feel it when they choose honesty over cheating, kindness over popularity, or faith over fitting in. Doing what is right can be costly, but it shapes a life of meaning.

Mary’s quiet presence reminds us that faith often involves holding things in our hearts without fully understanding them. There are moments when answers do not come immediately: a delayed dream, a failed exam, a broken relationship, a sickness that disrupts plans. Like Mary, we are invited not to harden our hearts, but to remain open, trusting that God can bring purpose even out of confusion and pain.

This passage also challenges us to recognize Jesus in unexpected places. Simeon finds hope not in power, wealth, or influence, but in a child carried by humble parents. Today, God’s presence is often encountered in small and unnoticed ways: a kind message during a difficult day, a friend who listens without judgment, a community pantry that feeds families quietly, or a student who stands up for someone being bullied. These moments may not make headlines, but they reveal God’s saving work among us.

Ultimately, this story invites us to ask how we, too, can become people of hope. Like Mary and Joseph, we can be faithful in simple responsibilities. Like Simeon, we can wait with trust and speak truth with love. And like all who encounter God’s light, we are called not to keep it to ourselves, but to let it shine through our choices, our compassion, and our courage. In a world searching for direction, even small acts of faith can become signs of God’s enduring promise.

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