20211229 DISMISSED IN PEACE
29 December, 2021, Wednesday, 5th Day Within the Octave of Christmas
First reading | 1 John 2:3-11 © |
Anyone who loves his brother is living in the light
We can be sure that we know God
only by keeping his commandments.
Anyone who says, ‘I know him’,
and does not keep his commandments,
is a liar,
refusing to admit the truth.
But when anyone does obey what he has said,
God’s love comes to perfection in him.
We can be sure that we are in God
only when the one who claims to be living in him
is living the same kind of life as Christ lived.
My dear people,
this is not a new commandment that I am writing to tell you,
but an old commandment
that you were given from the beginning,
the original commandment which was the message brought to you.
Yet in another way, what I am writing to you,
and what is being carried out in your lives as it was in his,
is a new commandment;
because the night is over
and the real light is already shining.
Anyone who claims to be in the light
but hates his brother
is still in the dark.
But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light
and need not be afraid of stumbling;
unlike the man who hates his brother and is in the darkness,
not knowing where he is going,
because it is too dark to see.
Responsorial Psalm |
Psalm 95(96):1-3,5-6 © |
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
O sing a new song to the Lord,
sing to the Lord all the earth.
O sing to the Lord, bless his name.
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
Proclaim his help day by day,
tell among the nations his glory
and his wonders among all the peoples.
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
It was the Lord who made the heavens,
his are majesty and state and power
and splendour in his holy place.
Let the heavens rejoice and earth be glad.
Gospel Acclamation | Jn1:14,12 |
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us.
To all who received him he gave power to become children of God.
Alleluia!
Or: |
Alleluia, alleluia!
A light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.
Alleluia!
Gospel | Luke 2:22-35 © |
'You have prepared a light to enlighten the pagans'
When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord – observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord – and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:
‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,
just as you promised;
because my eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations to see,
a light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of your people Israel.’
As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.’
DISMISSED IN PEACE
SCRIPTURE READINGS: [1 JOHN 2:3-11; LUKE 2:22-35]
As we approach the close of the year, Simeon is also preparing us for the close of life on earth. Just as the old year must pass for the new year to begin, so too, the old life must end so that the new life can begin. The question is, how prepared are we not just to close the year, but when our days on earth come to pass? Will the Lord find us at peace with ourselves, with Him, and with the world? Death is inevitable, of which we have no control. We cannot determine when death will come, when our last day on earth will happen. It could come when we least expect it, young or old. However, we can determine how we will welcome death when it comes, regardless of the time.
Simeon in today’s gospel teaches us how to prepare to depart from this world. We read that he “was an upright and devout man.” Living a life of integrity and honesty is certainly a pre-requisite for us to die in peace. When we live an inconsistent lifestyle, a life of sin, a life of deceit and irresponsibility, a life that is lived only for oneself, without regard for the rights of others, then we cannot live in peace. Those of us who have ill-gotten gains will deeply regret because we cannot take even a cent to the next world. That is why it is important for us to strive to live an upright and just life. St John wrote, “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.” (1 Jn 3:18-22) In other words, we can depart from this world at peace when we are at peace with God and our fellowmen.
Secondly, St John tells us that we must walk in the light. Christmas is a celebration of Christ as the Light of the World. He shows us that the way to walk in the light is to love our brothers and sisters, bearing no hatred or grudges against anyone. “Yet in another way, what I am writing to you, and what is being carried out in your lives as it was in his, is a new commandment; because the night is over and the real light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark. But anyone who loves his brother is living in the light and need not be afraid of stumbling; unlike the man who hates his brother and is in the darkness, not knowing where he is going, because it is too dark to see.” Indeed, the birth of our Lord is God’s way to show us His love for us, and how we can be the light in darkness.
Thirdly, Simeon was attentive to the Holy Spirit. He was a man of prayer. “He looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required.” Three times in these two verses, St Luke underscored how sensitive Simeon was towards the Holy Spirit. Unless we walk before the Lord in righteousness, we cannot claim the Holy Spirit is in us “because wisdom will not enter a deceitful soul, or dwell in a body enslaved to sin.” (Wis 1:4)
We too must be alert to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in our lives by striving to walk in the Spirit. Discernment is so important in this world today, especially when values in the world are blurred so much so that it is difficult for us to distinguish truth from falsehood. Only when we are in touch with the Holy Spirit through a life of righteousness accompanied by prayer and faith, will we be able to listen to the Holy Spirit directing us in our daily life and prompting us to act accordingly when necessary.
Fourthly, the source of peace is when we discover Christ in our life. Simeon took Jesus “into his arms and blessed God; and he said: ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.'” Simeon had the revelation from God to recognize that in Christ, salvation has dawned. The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that Jesus would be the Saviour of the world, the glory of Israel and the light for the Gentiles. Knowing that God’s promise has been fulfilled in Christ, Simeon was ready to go.
Hence, the Canticle of Nunc Dimittis is sung at the end of every compline and at the Rite for the Dying. It is the last hymn that we are invited to sing before going to bed because we cannot be sure whether we will wake up the next day. Nevertheless, if we have seen the salvation of God at work in Christ and in our lives, we should not be too worried whether we will remain on earth or in heaven. To have Christ is all that we need. This explains why those who have known the Lord are less fearful of death and often look with great expectation and joy to be welcomed by the Lord. This is because they know the Lord. Only those who do not know the Lord are afraid of death because they are not too sure whether life would continue and where they would be. For those of us who have seen the Lord and know that He is our Saviour, we are more than confident that he would bring us to His Father’s house. There is no fear but only joy.
This was the attitude of St Paul towards death and life. He was ambivalent towards death and life. He wrote, “It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.” (Phil 1:20-24) St Paul was confident that “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” (Rom 14:8) For St Paul, it does not matter whether one stays on earth or be with the Lord in heaven. What is important is that we complete the mission given to us.
St Paul was focused on wanting to please the Lord in life and in death. Simeon spoke of Jesus’ mission and that of Mary’s, which is to bring about the salvation of Israel. “As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too – so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'” Carrying out the will of God in our lives will not be easy but He will supply us the grace.
But we will find peace and joy too, not because there are no sufferings when we walk the way of truth and love but because we know we are walking with the Lord. He will give us joy in our labour of love and service. This is an inner joy that comes from Him alone, not from external circumstances, even when we are facing opposition. It is this joy that comes from the assurance of Christ’s love and presence with us. As we walk with Him, we find perfect joy knowing that whatever sacrifices we make now is for the perfection of His love in us.
In the final analysis, knowing that we have done our best, kept His commandments, especially of love and selfless service to Him and our brothers and sisters, is what will give us peace when departing from this world. St John wrote, “But when anyone does obey what he has said, God’s love comes to perfection in him. We can be sure that we are in God only when the one who claims to be living in him is living the same kind of life as Christ lived.” So, let us live our life well and be at peace with a clear conscience at all times. Like Simeon, we must strive with God’s grace to live a life of holiness and always be attuned to the prompting of the Holy Spirit so that we can walk in peace and joy.
Written by The Most Rev William Goh, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Singapore © All Rights Reserved.
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