Leviticus 12:1-8
Psalm 84
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
REFLECTION: “Incomparable Tenderness”
In our Gospel today, it’s
been forty days since the birth of Jesus. He is brought by Mary and Joseph into
Jerusalem. There, he is to be presented in the Temple, together with offerings
so that Mary might be considered ceremonially clean.
In the midst of
this special moment, sacrifice is being offered, and prophecy of pain and
sorrow echo from the walls of the temple. Simeon, an elderly man who had been waiting all his life to behold salvation incarnate, both praises God
for what he has been privileged to behold with his own eyes, and also points
out the destiny of Jesus… and the pain that his destiny will inflict on Mary.
And yet, in spite of
Simeon’s prophecy, Mary remains at Jesus’ side; just as Jesus remains at our
side day by day. She remains a quiet, steadfast presence in his life and
ministry, right to the day of his death… and beyond. There is a tenderness
expressed through Mary’s presence with her Son… but even her love, her
devotion, her determination to remain in the company of Jesus is paled, utterly paled, by the Eternal Father’s
tenderness towards us.
In his incomparable
tenderness, the Father sends his Son into the world that we may be renewed by
the power of the Spirit. The same Spirit that made Mary’s womb fruitful makes
fruitful the Church’s womb, the baptismal font, bringing to birth generation after
generation of faithful sons and daughters.
That means we are given an unparalleled opportunity to draw close to the
One who fashioned the cosmos, and call to him softly and tenderly, with the
most loving of words: “Abba”… “Daddy”.
I
don’t know about you, but my heart melts when I hear my children come to me saying
“Daddy”. There is something simple, genuine, and infinitely tender about being
addressed so. And, my friends, God gives us the privilege to coming to the
Father, through the Son, in the Spirit… with such a simple and loving word.
This privilege is ours because Jesus came in the flesh. He was obedient to the
Law. He lived a life free of sin, reaching out to others even to his death.
Are we willing to come God, today and every day, with such dependence, utter trust, and deep love?
Are we willing to come God, today and every day, with such dependence, utter trust, and deep love?
