she gave praise to God, and spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem.
When the parents had fulfilled all that was required by the law of the Lord, they returned to their town,
Nazareth in Galilee. There, the child grew in stature and strength, and was filled with wisdom: the grace of God was upon him.
REFLECTION:
The episode at the temple with Simeon is completed in today’s Gospel.
Mary and Joseph fulfill the law of Moses and Simeon tells them that their son Jesus would fulfill the will of the Father.
Jesus, the light of the nations, will reveal God’s immense love for man by his ascent to the cross,
the sign of contradiction (and the sign that the world hates).
Anna, the prophetess spoke of the mission of the child in Mary’s arms. He will be the Savior.
But that moment was yet in the distant future. Meantime, Mary and Joseph having redeemed their firstborn,
return to Nazareth to prepare their son for his mission. Nazareth becomes the school for Jesus, the Redeemer.
The Gospel tells us that he grew in age and wisdom in Nazareth. The hidden years of Jesus, some 30 years.
Who were the teachers of Jesus? Joseph and Mary.
From Joseph, the righteous one, Jesus must have learned the Law and the Prophets.
From Joseph Jesus must have learned the wisdom to discern the Father’s holy will.
From his mother, Jesus must have learned the joy of listening to God, humbly and in faith.
How blessed was Jesus to age in wisdom in the company of Joseph and Mary!
May we be taught also by the teachers of Jesus so that we, too, may grow in age and wisdom.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2020