The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Intention: That, in this Octave of Christmas, our Church will continue to find ways to be the Body of Christ and his Good News to all people and in all places.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 2: 22-35
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they 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 Messiah 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 sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for 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.”
From the Second Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
God has had the goodness to remedy so great a misfortune by the establishment of the Christian Schools, where the teaching is offered free of charge and entirely for the glory of God, where the children are kept all day, learn to read, to write, and their religion, and are always kept busy, so that when their parents want them to go to work, they are prepared for employment.
Thank God, who has had the goodness to employ you to procure such an important advantage for children. Be faithful and exact to do this without any payment, so that you can say with Saint Paul, the source of my consolation is to announce the Gospel free of charge, without having it cost anything to those who hear me.
Prayer
Eternal Father, all that is good and right is a gift from you. There are marvelous things that happen in our lives, some that we cannot even comprehend. Lord, help us to be thankful that you care so much about us. Today, let us be especially thankful for your gift of salvation, for second chances to do the right things, to be at our best, to embrace and live your truth. We ask this of you who lives with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.