‘Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
according to your word; 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.’   Luke 2 : 29 – 32

This week’s reading : Luke 2 : 22 - 40

Thought for the week

There must have been many special moments for Mary and Joseph after Jesus was born. Moments together as a family. Moments for Mary to treasure and reflect, and Joseph to plan and pray for the next step in keeping the family safe.

Just like all new parents there are so many new experiences in being a family. Yet Jesus is the holy child, the Messiah, the Lord Himself. Joseph and Mary know they must share their first born son with the whole world, with the whole of humanity.

Simeon appears, full of faith, and ‘takes the child in his arms’. So the sharing has begun. Mary and Joseph witnessing Simeon, receiving Jesus, opening his arms in faith, believing and praising the Lord.

For each of us faith is personal, individual, real as we each encounter Jesus in our daily lives and walk with Him. Yet we are called to share Him as well. To let the Lord’s Light shine. To share with others the hope Jesus has brought us, the love that gives us strength, the joy that fills our hearts. Joy seems so scarce these days! Let us share the joy we have in knowing the Lord’s love and all His promises.

Rev Paul

Prayer for this week

Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God.

Amen

A poem about Joy

Joy is not made to be a crumb – Mary Oliver

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate.

Give in to it.

There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be.

We are not wise, and not very often kind.

And much can never be redeemed.

Still, life has some possibility left.

Perhaps this is its way of fighting back,

that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world.

It could be anything,

but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins.

Anyway, that’s often the case.

Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty.

Joy is not made to be a crumb.

from Swan: Poems and Prose Poems