29 December 2023 - Only By Grace Reflections

TOPIC: DOES YOUR BUCKET LIST CONTAIN SOMETHING REALLY MEANINGFUL AND FULFILLING?

First Reading: First John 2: 3-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96: 1-2a, 2b-3, 5b-6
Alleluia: Luke 2: 32
Gospel: Luke 2: 22-35

In today’s Gospel reading, we are introduced to a man advanced in years by the name of Simeon. He is described as a “just and devout man,” whose deepest wish was to see one particular person before he dies. He wished to see Jesus Christ, his bucket list wish, so to speak. That wish was granted on the day that Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus into the temple in Jerusalem. In response to the wonderful event, Simeon breaks into prayer, blessing the Almighty Father.

Simeon’s prayer has since become the prayer of the Church. It is prayed as part of the Night Prayer in the liturgy of the hours. Simeon’s prayer can be the prayer of every one of us, because like Simeon, our eyes too have seen the salvation God has prepared for all the nations to see. We too have seen the Christ, the bright and radiant light to enlighten the Gentiles.

Indeed, we will not fully see God’s salvation, the Savior, until the next life. Yet, our eyes have already seen the Savior, we have come to see Him with eyes of faith, in and through the Church. Just as Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to Simeon, so the Church brings the risen Lord to all of us. That is why Simeon’s prayer can become our prayer. Now we can see with the eyes of faith. Even if we are seeing as in a mirror dimly, we are grateful, and we know that one day we will see Him face to face.

This is the 1344th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to