A Sword will Pierce Through Your Soul Also.


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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