A WORD FOR TODAY 2 FEBRUARY 2020

A WORD FOR TODAY

EVERY CHILD IS A BLESSING FROM THE LORD

Today we celebrate the feast of the presentation of the Lord in the temple. The parents of Jesus, Mary and Joseph brought Him to the temple and presented Him to the Lord as prescribed in the Jewish law and custom. As much as this feast is one in which Jesus was offered to the Lord, it is more importantly also one that reveals His coming to meet His people.

Jesus is a gift to humanity, He came from the Father to the world, to show the world the way to the Father. He is the one who is to bring salvation to His people and liberate them from the power of sin and death. When Simeon saw Him as narrated in the gospel reading today, he knew what the child would be as it has been revealed to him. The child Jesus is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, those who accept Him will rise, but those who reject Him will fall. This prohecy came to be fulfilled in time as Jesus lived and worked on earth.*_

Jesus as a child was a blessing and not a curse, not only to His parents, but to the entire world. He brought joy to those who are sad and He healed the sick, raised the dead and brought liberation to the captives. He lived all His life proclaiming the Good News and at the appointed time He gave it on the cross so as to pay the price of our redemption.

Every child is a blessing and even as we have grown to become adults, we must never forget that we were once children and as such by virtue of our baptism we have been offered and presented to God. This means that we belong to Him and we must represent Him and also be a blessing to our generation just as Christ was a blessing to our world.

We must treat children with love and affection and help them to grow up and actualize their goal in life. We must help them to follow the right path and we must never abuse them or lead them astray from the mission God has set for them. We must teach them to speak the truth and we must live an honest life for them to emulate. Let the light of Christ shine in them and help them also to discover their talents and use them in a manner that will be pleasing to the Lord and bring blessings to our world.

The favour of the Lord was upon Jesus, wonderful words were spoken about Him. He will also suffer and die for His people. We must learn from the humble family of Jesus to be contented and happy with who we are. Pain can come to us, joy can also come, but if we are in Christ and He reigns in our heart we shall overcome and conquer all.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊as you begin your day and do have a splendid Sunday. May Jesus who is presented in the temple give you the strength to keep representing Him well here on earth. Amen. *And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Malachi 3:1-4/Psalm 24:7-10/Hebrews 2:14-18/Luke 2:22-40

Watch-Word: And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon Him.

Never look down on any child, or treat them badly, because what you do to them now, could either make them wonderful and good or destroy them in the future.

(Fourth Sunday in the Ordinary Time, Cycle A. The feast of the presentation of the Lord)