Devotion to the sorrows of our dear mother, Mary, leads us to understand the patterns of the divine invasion that began at Christmas. The new family approaches the temple to entrust the babe to God. In doing so Simeon whose name means “obedience” takes the child in hand and lifting the baby up to God he prophesies what this baby will mean to everyone. He is a child of contradiction for many will fall or rise due to their response to this “stumbling block”. Turning to Mary he informs her that a sword shall pierce her own heart that the thoughts of all nations might be revealed.
This moment initiates the beginning of the sword severing our blessed Mother’s heart. Jesus, the Savior, is going to be accepted by some and rejected by others. His life and death will cause souls to fall into a hell of their own making or climb to the heaven through the grace of His Love. Hence the sword of anticipation reveals itself as the first stage in the mystical life of Christ taking over the soul.
Yes, anticipation is the sword that strikes every soul that longs for heaven. We anticipate the suffering that purchases that intimate union with the humanity of the divine logos. Our daily examination of conscience helps us to anticipate the moments which cause us to lose the presence of God. From this examination we take up the cross of our own correction. Where am I expressing that damnable pride that seeks to make me elevate myself over my brothers and sisters? Where am I letting the desires of the flesh to dominate over my soul’s growth. Why do I let that envy sneak into my reactions to the good of another?
As anticipation is a sword, it cuts two ways. It can be a very useful tool for the perfection of our spiritual life. It can also be a stone upon which we stumble because we do not want to correct ourselves. Weakness in our desire to attain the spiritual union with the holy family leads us to simply sit back and do nothing. Our sloth poisons our desire for the good that God is presenting us now and forever.
Today we are living in the moment of the Presentation of our Lord in the temple. We see a complete divide in our country. It is so clear that we can draw it upon party lines, we can recognize it in the media, we can sense it in the church memberships that compromise with the Truth revealed by our Lord. Anticipation is the sense that forces us to decide on a side. Whom do you love? What is the goal of your life? Why must there be such a conflict in this world of ours?
The answer to anticipation’s questions is clear. God has created a moral universe in which Love appears as defenseless, weak, unattractive. Its appearance reverses with Faith. When we can look through the veil of this world and see beyond it the joy of putting all our chips on Our Lord and our Lady. It only makes sense when we see how the final judgment will play itself out in our lives. The time of the Presentation is now and our Lord is calling us to increase our faith and believe in a world without sin and filled only with Love beyond all telling.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Richard Voigt
May you all enjoy a holy and Christ filled New Year.
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