Don Fabio Rosini, Director of Vocations Service of the Dioceses of Rome, comments on the Gospel of December 31, 2023, the Sunday between the Octave of Christmas, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
In this Sunday's Gospel (Luke 2:22-40) Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
When the days of their ritual purification according to the Law of Moses had expired, [Maria e Giuseppe] They brought the child [Gesù] to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every firstborn male shall be holy to the Lord” – and to offer as a sacrifice a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, as prescribed by the law of the Lord. Now there lived in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and pious man, who waited for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. The Holy Spirit had announced to him that he would not see death without first seeing the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went to the temple, and while the parents brought the child Jesus there to do what the law required him to do, he also took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Now you can go, O Lord. “May your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation prepared by you before all the people: a light to reveal you to the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.” The Father and Mother of Jesus marveled at the things that were said about him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother: “Behold, he is here for the fall and resurrection of many in Israel and as a sign of contradiction – and a sword will pierce your soul also – so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” .” There was also a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuèle, from the tribe of Asher. She was already very old, had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then became a widow and was now 84 years old. He left the temple never and served God day and night with fasting and prayers. Arriving at that moment, she also began to praise God and spoke about the child to those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. As she fulfilled everything according to the law of the Lord They returned to Galilee, to their city of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, full of wisdom, and the grace of God rested on him.
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