Every religion has its own important doctrines and principles. Judaism also has its own rites. It was evident in the book of the Torah. Some rules and laws in Torah seem to us meaningless but they were considered divine. I can give you a lot of examples. For example, we find this law in the book of Exodus, the LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.”
Questions come to our mind: Why the firstborn male? People in ancient cultures had this tradition that the eldest son was endowed with a lot of benefits for the Jewish family. The firstborn male was important because he was the “opener of the womb” (Exodus 13:2, 12, 15; Numbers 18:15; Luke 2:23). During birth, the firstborn son would become the primary heir of the family. The child who comes out first from the womb is dedicated to God, carrying God’s grace. The question arises: does it mean the families with feminine children do not have their share of grace?
God himself favored the younger sons in the Bible (Abel, Jacob and Joseph). The elder sons were considered important for the Israelite family even though they were often wicked and cunning (Cain and Esau). But the Israelites had this strong and long belief the elder sons were consecrated to the temple of God as an expiation of sin. The particular rigid law becomes meaningless when time and culture pass one over the other.
1. Obedience to God's law will bring wisdom:
Mary and Joseph, the poor parents of Jesus also obeyed to this strong/rigid law of the Israel people even though the law itself was not perfect. Here I offer my first message on the day of the presentation of the Lord. Obedience to God's law brings wisdom because through that you purify your will. God is operating there even though it is imperfect.
Jesus’ parents though poor, clearly received preannounced the arrival of Messiah through Simeon who said that the child would be “a sign of contradiction,” and saviour of the people of Israel: To liberate them, he will divide. Yet the parents obeyed to the law of consecration because through it God would operate His plan.
Today disobedience becomes a fashion. A prisoner was giving an interview, about his truck crash in Speedway saying, "I just wanted to disobey". Obedience from the heart produces authentic freedom in consecrated life. The hearts of Joseph and Mary wanted to obey to the law of the Lord through the sacrifice of their son in the image of doves for the Lord. There is a close Hebrew meaning behind the words "Sacrifice" and "Consecrate". The word sacrifice comes from two Latin words put together: sacer ("sacred") and facere ("to make or do"). Thus, sacrifice literally means "to make sacred." "The Lord transforms obedience into wisdom with the action of his Holy Spirit, When we sacrifice what the Lord asks, we are making our lives sacred by our actions—as the Savior did, in whose holy house we are worshipping when we covenant to offer sacrifices in His name and for His kingdom
2. Child Jesus connects the past and future:
For sure, all our communities are composed of elderly persons, some carrying pre-Vatican II experiences. Their role and presence are important in our communities. Simeon was an old man, nearing the day of death, carrying the child Jesus and announcing the prophecy of Messiah. Correctly predicting the presence of Messiah for the others. They tell almost 100 to 150 children were being brought to the temple of Jerusalem every day in those times. How could Simeon identify the presence of Messiah in the poor parents? We hear a proverb, "You don't choose a book, the book chose you". Simeon did not recognize Jesus, the Child recognized Simeon. Simeon carries the child. He understands his temporary existence. "Now, Lord, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation". The world will give us pleasure and increase our longing to acquire and live.
Our beautiful and strong instrument is Hope: From Isaiah, Malachi, the last prophet (of OT), and Simeon before the last moment to touch the child Jesus, all the prophets experienced this instrument. Let us hopefully celebrate this Feast that all the religious people will consecrate their hearts to the Lord.
Feb 2 – Presentation of our Lord Jesus (2025)
Ipinagdiriwang natin ngayon Ang kapistahan ng presentation of lord Jesus Christ in the temple.
Jewish tradition: Every religion has its own important doctrines and principles. Judaism also has its own rites. It was evident in the book of the Torah. The LORD said to Moses, “1Sinabi ng Panginoon kay Moises, 2“Italaga nʼyo sa akin ang lahat ng panganay na lalaki ng mga Israelita at ang panganay ng lahat ng hayop.” “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.” It is a Jewish tradition that every firstborn must be offered or presented to the Lord, sino ito panganay na lalaki sa pamilya? Why the firstborn? In olden days, they used to have maraming children, the first child/best child was offered, the eldest son had a lot of benefits in the family, Lord was pleased with Abel who offered the best fruits to the Lord. Offering or presentation is a gesture of recognizing God's goodness and generosity. presenting the child is an act of consecration meaning to say, you take care of him.
Sino ang mga sponsor ng misa ngayon? sino ang nag-aalok ng host at alak ngayon sa prusisyon? It is not howmuch we give, how we give, before starting anything good, try to offer it to the Lord, not to please him,
God himself favored the younger sons in the Bible (Abel, Jacob and Joseph). The elder sons were considered important for the Israelite family even though they were often wicked and cunning (Cain and Esau). But the Israelites had this strong and long belief the elder sons were consecrated to the temple of God as an expiation of sin. The particular rigid law becomes meaningless when time and culture pass one over the other.
Elderly people are experienced: The two significant names are mentioned here: namely Simeon and Anna and what is interesting is that matanda sila, Senior citizens, Prophet Anna was 84 years old, and had long experience in the religious life of staying in the Lord’s temple, spending time in prayer and fasting. These Senior citizens have a special place in the heart of God, even if you are already Senior, have Dementia, if you have dialysis, never disregard old people because the prayer of all people is very powerful, don't be ashamed if you are old, because aging is just another word for blessing, you are like Simon and Anna because you're always in the church day and night like Anna not day and night, but almost every morning you know you know that that's why I would like to express my gratitude to all the old people who Come To Church
Young ones should learn to appreciate the wisdom of the older ones, asks the Seniors to pray for you, asks your Grandma and grandpa to pray for you. Simeon correctly predicting the presence of Messiah for the others. They tell almost 100 to 150 children were being brought to the temple of Jerusalem every day in those times. How could Simeon identify the presence of Messiah in the poor parents? kababayans my dear friends you are the modern Simeon and Prophet of our time especially to lolos and lolas,
untiringly Thank you for making our church a place of your place of refuge and security Thank
reward and you know the prayer of Simon, “Lord allow me to go in peace because I have seen you can you imagine he had the chance to Hold the Messiah in his hands and to all the Seniors old people who Come To Church regularly our Servants is blessed Because of You our community is enjoying the blessings the rewards from God because you are here praying for the safety and for everybody praying for the good of our our community
Ang misa ng Candelaria:
This feast is also called kapistahan ng candelariyo, Ang Birhen ng Candelaria ay isang sikat na imahe sa lungsod ng Candelaria (Spain). Siya ay inilalarawan bilang isang Black Madonna. Ang Liwanag ng buhay natin at glory,
• Minsan kailangan natin ang biyaya natin pakita, dahil situasyon tayo ang candiliman, talagang
• walang tayo Nakikita ang purpose,
• walang tayo Nakikita kabuluhan,
• walang tayo Nakikita ang plan
• ang feeling mo useless, senseless, walang purpose
today is the day, there is a meaning, it is good to live for him, like Simeon and Anna, all over the life, put light and glory, si Jesus ay ang liwanagn luwalhati ng candiliman, ano mang kwentong buhay, you are not a loser, patalo, you have a success,
your life is just like the candle, in what ever situasyon, I put light and glory in my darkness, Like Simon and Anna, let your face be nonstop it means be consistent and never be frustrated even if it takes you to wait long, never be discouraged you know never give up even if it takes for you long to wait the blessings you have ask,
blessings may be delayed but not denied just keep waiting.
Let me end my reflection with three P.
• Let us make ourselves presentable before the Lord,
• Dear parents Please pray for your children, consecrate your children to God pray for them that God May bless them protect them and they may grow not only in age but also in wisdom and in humility and fear of the Lord.
• Let us purify ourselves every by doing the Will Of God that we may abound in good works if you love and like this
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