St.Paul states:4 when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son.
He came born of woman and subject to the Law,
5 in order to redeem the subjects of the Law,
that we might receive adoption as children of God.
6 And because you are children,
God has sent into your hearts the Spirit of his Son
which cries out: Abba! that is, Father!
7 You yourself are no longer a slave
7 You yourself are no longer a slave
but a son or daughter,
and yours is the inheritance by God’s grace.
(Gal 4:4-7)
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In today’s Liturgy of the Word we read of the infant Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple. He is “high Priest” (Hebrews 2:17) and hence the Church on this day, particularly during Holy Mass, celebrates also the Consecration of Priests :-)
------Using the Psalmist's words the Church exclaims:
(Ps 24)
7 Lift up, O gateways, your lintels,
open up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may enter!
open up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may enter!
8 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord, the strong, the mighty,
the Lord, valiant in battle.
The Lord, the strong, the mighty,
the Lord, valiant in battle.
9 Lift up your lintels, O gateways,
open up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may enter!
open up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may enter!
10 Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of Hosts,
he is the King of glory!
The Lord of Hosts,
he is the King of glory!
This Psalm, beautifully set to music by “Sons of Korah”
talks of the Creator who visits His people. It speaks of the Awaited One – urging us to “open up” our hearts that He, the “King of Glory" and "Lord of Hosts" may enter in!
Yet earlier on, this Psalm had asked:
“Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who will stand in His holy place?”
(vs 3)
-----
Speaking of Heaven, Revelation states clearly that:
“nothing unclean will enter it”
(Rev 21:27)
St Paul, in his letter to the Romans wrote that we have
“all have sinned and all fall short of the Glory of God”
(Rom 3:23)
Looks to me like we’re in
Looks to me like we’re in
BIG TROUBLE!!
But there’s hope!!! :-)
Malachi prophesized that He, the Awaited One:
“will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. So Yahweh will have priests who will present the offering as it should be. 4 Then Yahweh will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days” (Mal 3: 3,4)
and then in the second reading st.Paul, through his words indicates that this prophecy has been fulfilled:
“16 Jesus came to take by the hand not the angels but the human race. 17 So he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every respect, in order to be the High Priest faithful to God and merciful to them, a Priest able to ask pardon and atone for their sins.” (Hebrews 2)
Just in case I’m still wondering, st Paul in the letter quoted previously states that
“will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. So Yahweh will have priests who will present the offering as it should be. 4 Then Yahweh will accept with pleasure the offering of Judah and Jerusalem, as in former days” (Mal 3: 3,4)
and then in the second reading st.Paul, through his words indicates that this prophecy has been fulfilled:
“16 Jesus came to take by the hand not the angels but the human race. 17 So he had to be like his brothers and sisters in every respect, in order to be the High Priest faithful to God and merciful to them, a Priest able to ask pardon and atone for their sins.” (Hebrews 2)
Just in case I’m still wondering, st Paul in the letter quoted previously states that
“all are graciously forgiven
and made righteous
through the redemption
effected in Christ Jesus.”
(Rom 3:24)
AH! What a relief!!! :-)
-----
AH! What a relief!!! :-)
-----
Simeon rejoiced, praising and thanking God at seeing the Christ child! He knew that this little infant came to deliver us!
God's word states:
4 when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son.
He came born of woman and subject to the Law,
5 in order to redeem the subjects of the Law,
that we might receive adoption as children of God.
6 And because you are children,
God has sent into your hearts the Spirit
of his Son which cries out: Abba! that is, Father!
7 You yourself are no longer a slave
7 You yourself are no longer a slave
but a son or daughter,
and yours is the inheritance by God’s grace.
(Gal 4:4-7)
(Gal 4:4-7)
What about me though? What is my reaction? Do I, like Simeon rejoice? Do I, like st.Paul believe that I am TRULY a child of God? If so then am I living like a child of God?
-----
All quotes are from the Christian Community Bible
All quotes are from the Christian Community Bible
(Catholic Pastoral Edition)
link top right hand side
