Be a sign of contradiction

Reflection

Jesus was a sign of contradiction to the people he encountered. If we want to follow Jesus, we also must say and do things that others find offensive: opposition to abortion, killing and the general disregard for life. Despite this difficult task, we are filled with hope that with God's help we can usher in the Kingdom of God.

Scripture

Luke
Chapter: 2

Simeon Praises the Lord

 
²²The time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the Law of Moses says a mother is supposed to do after her baby is born.^f
They took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem and presented him to the LORD,  ²³just as the Law of the Lord says, "Each first-born^g baby boy belongs to the Lord."  ²⁴The Law of the Lord also says that parents have to offer a sacrifice, giving at least a pair of doves or two young pigeons. So that is what Mary and Joseph did. 
²⁵At this time a man named Simeon was living in Jerusalem. Simeon was a good man. He loved God and was waiting for God to save the people of Israel. God's Spirit came to him   ²⁶and told him that he would not die until he had seen Christ the Lord. 
²⁷When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to do what the Law of Moses says should be done for a new baby, the Spirit told Simeon to go into the temple.   ²⁸Simeon took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God,

²⁹"Lord, I am your servant,
 and now I can die in peace,
because you have kept your promise to me.
³⁰With my own eyes I have seen
 what you have done to save your people,
³¹ and foreign nations will also see this.
³²Your mighty power is a light for all nations,
and it will bring honor to your people Israel." 

³³Jesus' parents were surprised at what Simeon had said.   ³⁴Then he blessed them and told Mary, "This child of yours will cause many people in Israel to fall and others to stand. The child will be like a warning sign. Many people will reject him,   ³⁵and you, Mary, will suffer as though you had been stabbed by a dagger. But all this will show what people are really thinking." 

 
³⁶The prophet Anna was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. In her youth she had been married for seven years, but her husband died.   ³⁷And now she was eighty-four years old.^h Night and day she served God in the temple by praying and often going without eating.^i 
38At that time Anna came in and praised God. She spoke about the child Jesus to everyone who hoped for Jerusalem to be set free. 

 
³⁹After Joseph and Mary had done everything that the Law of the Lord commands, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.  ⁴⁰The child Jesus grew. He became strong and wise, and God blessed him. 

Prayer

Lord, when we listen to you and then try to follow your words and actions, we can easily become overwhelmed.  We are so weak and sinful; you are so strong and good.  Help us to be the courageous people you call us to.  Amen