Comfort, Help, Rescue

A Reflection on the Gospel for December 27th, 2020:
The Feast of The Holy Family

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Luke
2.22, 25-27, 34-35, 39-40 (shorter)
(For the longer version, see the print edition of Living with Christ.)

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law,

Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed — and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

When Mary and Joseph had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

What an example of obedience and trust the Holy Family gives us. Everything about this Gospel message demonstrates obedience to the Lord. Last Sunday we saw how Mary gave up her will for her life and accepted God’s will, despite not fully understanding what was happening or what was to come. She trusted in God’s promise. We know that Mary did not require purification, nor was a “sin offering” of sacrifice required on behalf of Jesus, yet they took Jesus to the temple in obedience. And because they were obedient, the Lord’s servant Simeon experienced the tangible outcome of a promise the Lord had made to him. Simeon had been waiting faithfully for the “consolation of Israel,” which means comfort, help, rescue. He had been in a period of spiritual waiting, resting with the Holy Spirit, so that he could die in peace, confident that the comfort, help, and rescue for the world had come. Simeon had lived in expectant hope, and his faithfulness was rewarded when he held Jesus in his arms and presented God with His own Son in the temple. Simeon then prepared Mary for what was to come and confirmed the Lord’s plan that her unconditional yes to the Lord would cause her immeasurable suffering. Even so, we know that Mary (and Joseph!) still stuck to their yes — returning home where together they raised the Son of God.


I have often thought about the obedience and faith of Mary and Joseph in those early years.  Any of us who have experienced the miracle of children in some capacity in our lives know how utterly dependent they are on the adults around them to protect, nurture, and guide them. I picture Jesus being carried in Mary’s arms as Joseph led them to safety on the journey into Egypt. Mary and Joseph were the models of wise and conscientious parents — listening to directions and warnings from angels — completely oblivious to the personal cost ahead for them because they were intent on protecting their child.


Saying yes to God does not mean my life will be perfect and serene; that I will understand everything that is happening; or that I will not experience challenges or pain. Mary’s heart was pierced. She experienced great pain and sorrow. Simeon had to live his life in waiting for a promise made to him. Joseph was subject to gossip and ridicule. Yet they each said yes, knowing that they were called to trust God and to share Christ with others. Their trust and their yes would be for the greater good of the whole world.


Can I be as obedient and trusting as Mary, Joseph, and Simeon? Will I risk the pain, discomfort, stigma? Am I willing to embark on a journey with nothing but trust that the Lord has a plan?
I pray for the courage to give an unconditional yes to these questions, and look to Mary, Joseph, and Simeon as models. My yes may make a difference to someone else; the way Mary and Joseph’s yes made a difference to Simeon and the whole world. It is because of their obedience that Jesus remains the comfort, help, and rescue for the world today.


Lord, help me to say yes to You and Your ways, despite any challenges or obstacles that “yes” may present in my life. Let me live in expectant hope and sure knowledge that my obedience to You will shine a light into the dark recesses of this world, and bring the comfort, help, and rescue to the world that only You can bring. Amen.




Sandy Graves

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