Lectionary 325 and Presentation 524

Scripture: Lectionary 325 Ord. Time. Feb 2. Hebrews 12:4-7,11-15. Psalm
103:1-2.13-14.17-18. Mark 6:1-6:

Often those who live with a saintly person or a prophet do not take notice
of that person. They fit in with the rest and are often ignored or lost
sight of in the mix of daily encounters. Jesus, of all persons, suffered
from this type of behavior on the part of his neighbors and we are led to
think that even his cousins ("brothers" and "sisters") took him for
granted. He was just one of the bunch. Mark already has alluded to this
unawareness of who he is. We read or heard in the liturgy that his folks
were seeking him to bring him back to his senses; they felt he has gone out
of his mind." (Mark 3:21). The religious leaders went so far as to say he
was possessed!

In our selection for today, Mark 6:1-6, we see that such feelings have not
changed. He is now back in his hometown area and they start asking
outwardly and inwardly a whole bevy of questions: "Where did he get all
this (knowledge and wisdom)? What kind of wisdom is he endowed with? How
is it such miraculous deeds are accomplished by his hands? Isn't this the
carpenter the son of Mary, a brother of James and Joses and Judas and
Simon? Aren't his sisters our neighbors here? Mark goes on to say, "They
found him too much for them. And their lack of faith in him and his works
distressed him. Incidentally, Mark likes to volley many questions to the
disciples, too. Here we have an example of his giving us the questions from
his relatives and neighbors. They really are saying, "Who does he think he
is. He is no better than we are!"

We might be led to see why there is an underlying theme that scholars
suspect even in this pericope, namely, a messianic secret. Jesus is only
known somewhat by his disciples and a little more by the demons. The
religious leaders are even more ignorant of who he is and insinuate he is
ruled by the Prince of Demons whom they name Beelzebub, "Lord of the
flies."

Jesus is patient with his disciples for he takes them aside and often
explain things to them--especially his parables as we have already heard.
They will soon be asked by Jesus, "Who do people say I am? and Who do you
say I am?" The secret is beginning to be unraveled. They gradually will
come to know that he is the Anointed One of God, the Messiah and that he
will through his resurrection help them to see that he is also the Son of
God as well as the son of Mary--a term that means he is human and not a
negative remark about his mother.

We are asked the same questions by Jesus. Do we however ask questions that
are similar to his neighbors and the leaders? Where do we stand with the
identity of Jesus in our lives? Is he only the son of Mary? Is he also the
Son of God for us? Are we only interested in him as an object of
study--the historical Jesus? or are we believers in him as the Christ of
faith? Should we separate these two titles of Jesus? Is he the Son of God
become Son of Mary for the salvation of all people?

"Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, increase our faith. Help us to be like
John the Baptist saying, "Jesus must increase and I must decrease. Amen."

Scripture: Lectionary 524. The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple.
Malachai 3:1-4. Psalm 24:7.8.9.10. Hebrews 2:14-18. Luke 2:22-40.

On this Feast of Our Lord which used to be also a Feast of Our Lady we have
an exceptional collection of Scriptural passages that are easily
nourishment for a contemplative prayer. There are moreover four people who
are saints who can help us to appreciate the presence of the Lord in the
Temple and help us also to receive him in our hearts as Simeon received him
from Mary's arms into his arms. Joseph, Mary, Anna, and Simeon are there to
help us in this contemplative experience. The biblical scene easily
accommodates itself to such prayer; it is a splendid story developed by
Luke for our meditation and contemplation.

We need only to read it before the Eucharist in order to experience it at
the liturgy and then to return to it once more after the liturgy sometime
during the afternoon or evening. The scene is so full of symbolism and
color that we need not use our imaginations here. Luke does it for us. We
even could pray in our minds the fourth mystery of the Joyful set of the
Rosary as a mantra to help us enter into the contemplation of this mystery.

Forty days have passed since Christmas. Candles are blessed. Jesus is
presented to the Lord while Mary learns that her heart will be pierced
because of this child. We learn from her how to continue to live in the
presence of the Lord even when our hearts are broken, pierced, or deeply
sorrowful. The beautiful devotion of Our Lady of Sorrows has its origin in
this passage. Shrines are dedicated to this mystery. Luke is making it so
easy for us to meditate and even to contemplate its beauty of presentation.

All of the persons surrounding the child are filled with the Holy Spirit
the Sanctifier. So are we if we take the time to pray the mystery. The
place is sacred--the Temple in Jerusalem. All of the people are holy and
righteous. Simeon helps us to be patient as he was and finally found the
one he was waiting for. Mary and Joseph are amazed at what is being said
and what evolves in that sacred hour in the Temple. There the Presence of
God is felt. God is seen as Creator, Redeemer, and Father and Mother giving
us Jesus the one presented to God in the Temple. God loved us so much that
he gives us through Simeon's arms his beloved Son. Mary does the same as
she hands him both to Simeon and the priest. It is worth our time to
reflect on what has transpired since Christmas on this fortieth day after
the birth of the Lord. Amen.