Sunday 2nd February 2020. Read Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 24, Hebrews 2:14-18 and Luke 2:22-40).
_“Simeon
blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for
the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against
(and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many
hearts may be revealed.” *(Luke 2:34-35)*_
As I was just
about to begin today’s reflection, I picked up my phone and received a couple
of whatsapp messages all of which were concerning the slain seminarian who was
abducted by terrorists a few weeks ago from the seminary in Kaduna. Every day, Christians
are kidnapped, assaulted, raped, brutalized, and killed like chickens in
Nigeria under a government that has created such a conducive environment for
religious persecution.
As Simon
said to Mary in today’s Gospel passage, a sword has indeed been pierced into
the heart of Christianity and all Christians in Nigeria. What was Mary’s
offence for accepting to be the Mother of Christ? Nothing! What was the offence
of countless Christians who have been killed and are still being killed by
various terrorist groups who have found haven in Nigeria today? Nothing!
The truth
is that none of these things happening should be a surprise to us because Jesus
warned us beforehand: “I have said all this to you to keep you from falling
away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when
whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do
this because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these
things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told you of
them. (John 16:1-4).
At a time
like this, what lessons do our readings convey for us:
*1. Persecution
is a Form of Purification.*
How many
of us would still identify ourselves as Christians if we know this might be a
death sentence? In our first reading today, God speaking through the prophet
Malachi talks about sending His messenger who would be like a “a refiner's fire
and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he
will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, till they
present right offerings to the LORD.” (Malachi 3:2-3). Indeed, persecution is a
process of refining; a fire that melts to remove every form of impurity.
St. Peter
explains further when he noted: “In this you rejoice, though now for a little
while you may have to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your
faith, more precious than gold which though perishable is tested by fire, may
redound to praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter
1:6-7). This is not a time for us to despair, it is rather a time for us to
deepen our Christian commitments; a time to repent of our sins and live holy
lives. Of course, if our Christianity is mere lip service, we would simply fall
away. Only strong Christians and withstand persecution and endure to death.
*2. Death
is Not the End but the Beginning of A Greater Life.*
Our second
reading today from the book of Hebrews contains a beautiful theology of the
meaning of Christ’s death. Ordinarily, we think of death as something sad and
painful, we pray to avoid death and when it happens, we feel as though God
failed us, as though the enemies were stronger. Nevertheless, the book of Hebrews
shows us that the death of Jesus was never a defeat. Instead, it was an
opportunity for Jesus to “destroy him who had the power of death, that is the
devil. and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong
bondage.”
As
Christians, we should not be afraid to die knowing full well that Christ, by
his death has won the victory over death and that if we die for his sake, we are
assured of paradise. Our present Government (including fellow Christians in power)
may pretend not to have a hand in the current killings but so far they have failed
to prove otherwise. While we pray for things to get better, we simply bear in
mind that this world is not our home.
*3. Jesus
Clearly Understands: He Feels Our Pains.*
The book
of Hebrews goes on to say that the suffering of Jesus Christ was “so that he
might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make
expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and
been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18) This
is our consolation. Jesus feels our pains. No wonder when Jesus accosted Saul
on the road to Damascus, Jesus asked: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts
9:4). This battle is not ours to fight, yes, this battle is not ours to fight.
*4. Let us
Present Ourselves to God.*
In our Gospel
passage, we see how Joseph and Mary presented the child Jesus to the temple in
obedience to the Jewish rules and regulations. Even though they knew that Jesus
is God amidst men, they humbly did what the law required. They came into the
temple like every other normal couple wanting to present their child. This
teaches us the need for humility and obedience to constituted authority. The fact
that we are being persecuted today should never be an excuse for a breakdown of
law and order in society.
When we
are humble, God exalts us. This is exactly what played out in our Gospel
passage. Simon received inspiration from the Holy Spirit. He identified the
child as the Messiah and sang praises to God. Anna too, a holy woman who had
spent her life in the temple came around and spoke so well of this child as the
one who will redeem Jerusalem. It was another moment of Epiphany for Joseph and
Mary.
Every time
we pray it is always an opportunity to present ourselves to God and just as
the presentation of Jesus was a moment of revelation, in prayer, God reveals so
many things to us. We get to what would happen to us, we get to hear from God
when we spend quality time in prayer. Never shy away from prayers and never
rush prayers.
Let us
Pray: Lord Jesus, in a troubled time like this, make me a stronger Christian.
Amen. May the souls of the departed Christian martyrs in our nation rest in
peace. Amen.
Happy
Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless
you. (Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Bible Study: Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm
24, Hebrews 2:14-18 and Luke 2:22-40).
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