It has been said that that fidelity (faithfulness and loyalty) and love are the surest ways to “walk in God’s presence” – as His people. In the Gospel of St. Luke (2, 22-35), we are shown Mary and Joseph their loyalty to God, obeying the Mosaic Law by offering the simple sacrifice in the Temple that was expected from poor people: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Two other devout people, whom the prophets called the Lord’s anawim (the poor, lowly, faithful ones) were Simeon and Anna, elderly Jews dedicated to prayer, fasting, and regular worship in the Temple. Their religious spirit helped them to recognize the child Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Moreover, Simeon’s joyful salute to the child shows that prayer and contemplation are never wasted.
Although some have suggested that time could be “better” spent than in prayer, since active charity is always calling and practical needs are constantly before us, the authentic spiritual life is really built on the foundation of prayer. People who pray, like Simeon and Anna, are fully open to the breath of the Spirit and then they are all the more ready to respond from the heart with genuine fidelity and love. They are also the ones best able to recognize signs from God, because they are attuned to God in a unique way.
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Did you know that the National Shrine in Washington, DC has chapels portraying each of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary? With the arrival of the Christmas season, there’s no better time to turn our hearts to these mysteries celebrating the jubilance of the Messiah’s birth and early life. Now, we can explore them all in 360° with an on-line, immersive tour: https://www.nationalshrine.org/blog/virtually-tour-the-joyful-mysteries-chapels/
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The Church celebrates today the feastday of St. Thomas Becket, who was appointed first as chancellor and then Archbishop of Canterbury (in 1162) by order of his friend, King Henry II. As Archbishop, he sided with the Pope on the respective authority of Church and state. For this decision he was slain in his own cathedral of Canterbury in 1170, having defied the king’s desire to govern the Church by royal decree. For more: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-thomas-becket-99
