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| CAMP JOHN HAY, BAGUIO CITY December 27, 2023 |
“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted (and you yourself a sword will pierce)
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
LUKE 2:34-35
What lies within this fragile heart that beats and bleeds and breaks apart. What secrets does it hold inside that I have tried so hard to hide. What dreams and hopes and fears and doubts that fill my mind and make me shout. What passions and desires and joys and pains that stir my soul and course my veins. What words and thoughts and feelings and deeds that shape my life and guide my needs. What truths and lies and rights and wrongs that form my voice and sing my songs. What is this heart that you can see that only you can set me free. What is this heart that I conceal that only you can make me reveal.
There is a light that shines within that no darkness can conceal. A light that guides my way that no storm can obscure. A light that warms my heart that no cold can quench. A light that is my life that no death can dim. There is a glory that bursts forth that no words can reveal. A glory that fills my soul that no pain can endure. A glory that lifts me up that no weight can wrench. A glory that is my hope that no sin can grim. A light and glory revealed that is Jesus!
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him 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: “Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you prepared in sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; 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 (and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:22-35)
To know Jesus is to know love. The love that gave His life for us, the love that conquered death and sin, the love that calls us to follow Him. To know Jesus is to know peace. The peace that surpasses understanding, the peace that guards our hearts and minds, the peace that comes from His presence. To know Jesus is to know joy. The joy that fills our souls with light, the joy that overflows with praise, the joy that comes from His grace. To know Jesus is to know life. The life that is abundant and eternal, the life that is in Him and through Him, the life that comes from His Spirit.
The way we may be sure that we know Jesus is to keep his commandments. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked. Beloved, I am writing no new commandment to you but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. And yet I do write a new commandment to you, which holds true in him and among you, for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light yet hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him to cause a fall. Whoever hates his brother is in darkness; he walks in darkness and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:3-11)
God's glory is beyond compare. His wondrous deeds are everywhere, He made the heavens and the earth, He gave us life and gave us worth. God's glory shines in every star. His wondrous deeds are near and far, He parted seas and raised the dead, He fed the hungry and healed the sick. God's glory fills the whole creation. His wondrous deeds are our salvation, He sent His Son to die for us, He rose again and gave us hope. God's glory is our highest praise. His wondrous deeds are all our days, He loves us more than we can know, He guides us where we need to go.
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. Sing to the Lord; bless his name. Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. The Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty go before him; praise and grandeur are in his sanctuary. (Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 5-6)
Lord, I offer you my life. All that I am and all that I have. Take me as I am, with all my flaws and sins and make me new, according to Your will. I offer You my heart, the source of my love and my emotions. Fill it with Your grace and Your compassion and let it beat in sync with Yours. I offer You my mind, the seat of my thoughts and my wisdom. Renew it with Your truth and Your vision and let it think of things above. I offer You my soul, the essence of my being and my identity. Save it with Your blood and Your mercy and let it rest in You alone. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Infancy Narrative
THE PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE
Luke 2:22-35
CHRIST AND HIS COMMANDMENTS / THE NEW COMMANDMENT
1 John 2:1-6 / 7-11
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
GOD OF THE UNIVERSE
Psalm 96:1-13