A CROWN OF JOY AND A CROSS OF SORROW

When I say I am a Christian, it doesn’t mean I am free from problems, trial and temptations. I am just saying that I could face them all because Jesus is with me and He is my anchor.

It is a common misconception that when you are a follower of Christ, you are supposed to be sinless. No way, Jose. Unless your name is Jesus, the Christ. Because we are but humans. We have a nature that caves in when difficulties arise.

The main difference between Jesus and us has to do with self. We are self-ish while Jesus is self-less. Humans’ highest craving is self-preservation. Anything that threatens the self’s sense of security is being rejected and shunned. On the other hand, Jesus thinks about Himself last. He always placed others’ needs before His. His heart was always ready to those who need Him.

Today is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple. Luke tells us, quoting Exodus 13:2,12, that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem because every firstborn child was to be dedicated to the Lord. They also went to sacrifice a pair of doves or two young pigeons, showing that Mary and Joseph were poor. Once in the temple, Jesus was purified by the prayer of Simeon, in the presence of Anna the prophetess. Simeon, upon seeing the Messiah, gave thanks to the Lord, singing a hymn now called the Nunc Dimittis:

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace,
your word has been fulfilled:
My own eyes have seen the salvation,
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Simeon told Mary, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” Simeon thus foreshadowed the crucifixion and the sorrows of Mary at seeing the death of her Son.

Life goes through a cycle like a wheel. Sometimes you are way up there, sometimes you feel like it is the end of the world. The popular sayings “no pain, no gain” and “no guts, no glory” are significant illustrations of life’s cycle.

Mary is the most blessed among women who ever lived and the sole claimant of the title “Mother of the Messiah”. What an honor bestowed. Most women would have liked to be in her shoes. But that is due to the prestige of  being known as the “mother of Christ.”

While Mary’s place and role is enviable, it is not purely bliss and ecstacy. If you would consider the sorrows and pains she’s been subjected to, you would not want to be in her place at all.

When Mary said yes to God, she probably did not anticipate the sorrow she would undergo. But she trusted her Lord totally. Hers was a complete submission to the Lord’s will in her life. “Let it be done according to your word” is the most important sentence that came out of her mouth. It sealed God’s saving plan. Through her, the Messiah is born.

My friends, Mary was given a crown of joy and a cross of sorrow. We too have our own share of sorrows in this life. Let us emulate Mary’s complete trust in our Lord so we could reap the joy only her son Jesus could bring.

Simeon waited a long time to see the promised Messiah. His wait did not make him impatient; rather, it made Him draw closer to God. Brothers and sisters, we may not personally have seen Jesus nor witness His death and resurrection but we are blessed because we have a true account of what happened in the bible and we can get it right through our fingertips when we use the net. Let us not take this privilege lightly and seek the words and will of God everyday.

Loving Father, we just know how majestic is your name. You take care of us and chose us even before we were born. May we live worthily and expectantly in joyful anticipation of the 2nd coming of our Christ, the King. Amen,”

Meditation: Luke 2:22-35

22 And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.” 25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And inspired by the Spirit he came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 29 “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; 30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation 31 which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.” 33 And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against 35 (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.”

--that in all things God may be glofirifed