Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 30, 2020

February 2, 2020

 

Malachi 3:1-4

Psalm 24

Hebrews 2:14-18

Luke 2:22-40

Waiting in hope is such an important part of what it means to be a people of faith.  And when you think about it, it really is a natural part of what it means to be a human being.  For example; a farmer plants a crop and has to wait for nature to take its course; or, an expectant mother must wait for a baby to develop in her womb.  My point is that there is nothing that can be done to rush things; sometimes we just have to be patient and wait.

In today’s Gospel, Saint Luke introduces us to two individuals who have been waiting a long time for a promise to be fulfilled.  Luke uses the figures of Ann and Simeon to announce the fulfillment of God’s promise to all of humanity.

Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus to the Temple in order to fulfill their religious duty of making an offering for their firstborn.  We don’t know much about these folks but Luke tells us that Simeon is touched by the Holy spirit and comes to the temple.  Anna, it seems, is just there all the time.

Both Anna and Simeon were people who looked forward with hope.  When God acts and the promise that they have been waiting for is fulfilled Anna and Simeon are in tune.  They do not miss what is taking place before them.  Simeon recognizes that his wait is now over.  The long awaited promise of God has been fulfilled in the Child of Jesus.  Alleluia!

You may agree with me that we sometimes find it hard to wait.  “Is dinner ready yet?”  “Is this light ever going to turn green?”  Sound familiar?

So it’s not wonder that our culture is always in such a rush.  Our world consists of fast food, text messaging, on demand entertainment, and so much more.  We are very quickly losing a sense of what it means to appreciate anticipation.

But the best things in life are worth waiting for.  As Catholic Christians we are people who long for the coming of God’s Kingdom.  Our tradition is rich in stories of those who have gone before us.  Stories about real people with real lives and real desires just like our own.

Throughout the Bible certain persons, who we all know, are set apart and called “just, righteous, or upright.”  For example we remember Abraham, Noah, Lot, Joseph the foster father of our Lord, John the Baptist, Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea, Simeon, Anna and many, many others.  These are the people who taught us to wait patiently and reverently for the coming of the Lord and for His message of hope and encouragement.  Like those before us we need to be people who are just, righteous, and upright.”

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is important for us because it is both a message of hope and message of encouragement.  We all need the message of faith and hope shown in today’s Gospel to remind ourselves that God is still in charge of the world no matter how much evil  we hear about or even experience.  We need the reminder that in the fullness of time God is always acting.  When we fail to celebrate the separate events of the journey to salvation we may miss the message.  We must all be patient servants of the Lord. 

Question of the Day:  Will you place yourself in God’s hands and be patient to the plan He has for you?

Prayer: Lord God, teach us what it means to have patient faith.  When we face trials that are beyond our understanding, help us to find peace.  Help us to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.  You set all things in accordance to your time.  Remind us to wait patiently, and find peace in your plan.

Prosit 

Deacon Anthony J. Cincotta

Assistant Director for Retreat Ministry