In today’s Gospel we have a scene of the holy family fulfilling an ancient Jewish religious ritual, consecrating their newborn
son to God. We call this the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It is one of the Churches oldest feast days.
Historically it first was celebrated forty days after Epiphany on February 15th but was later moved to forty days after Christmas, to February 2nd. It is a moment in the life of the holy family in which we see their faithfulness to their Jewish faith, which in these days of rising anti-Semitism is important for us to take note of -- that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were born, lived and died as faithful Jews!
Until Vatican II the Roman Catholic Church along with other Christian Churches were openly anti-Semitic which led to centuries of persecution and ultimately to the holocaust. It does us well to reflect on this reality and to be willing to speak out against anti-Semitic statements and actions.
We find ourselves living in a time where there is a stark rise in, not only anti-Semitism, but in racism and bigotry of all stripes. There has been an astonishing rise in anti-immigrant and migrant sentiment not only here in the US but around the world. People of color, immigrants, Jews, Muslims, members of the LGBTQ community, as well as women, are all feeling less and less safe in their own communities because of the rise in violent acts against them.
Most of these acts of violence are perpetrated almost exclusively by men who are often in some way associated with the
Christian Nationalist Movement or by other racist, bigoted motivations.
This weekend we also mark the beginning of Black History Month and celebrate The National Day of Prayer for the African American Family. The setting aside of this month and this weekend, in the midst of the most disturbing increase and attempted normalization of racism, bigotry, xenophobia and misogyny, calls for us to reflect on the core message of Jesus’ message of radical love of God and neighbor, and Jesus’ way is very clear as to who is our neighbor!
We need to reflect on the reality that Jesus taught his disciples to cross borders, to reach out to others who were different
from themselves. To be willing to let go of the stereotypes of the past, like that of the Samaritans, and to see ALL other people as sisters and brothers, as beloved children of God, worthy of our love, worthy of being treated with dignity and respect. It is a clarion call for ALL who call themselves Christians. There is no way around it.
Jesus made himself extremely clear: if we do not care for the least among us, we will suffer the loss of heaven. He gave no
qualifiers about the nationality, political status, gender, race or place of birth of the person in need. They are our sister and
brother, and we are called to love them and care for them, to bind up their wounds, to give of our time and resources, like
the Good Samaritan. And in doing so we live out our discipleship of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Fr. Tim
son to God. We call this the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It is one of the Churches oldest feast days.
Historically it first was celebrated forty days after Epiphany on February 15th but was later moved to forty days after Christmas, to February 2nd. It is a moment in the life of the holy family in which we see their faithfulness to their Jewish faith, which in these days of rising anti-Semitism is important for us to take note of -- that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were born, lived and died as faithful Jews!
Until Vatican II the Roman Catholic Church along with other Christian Churches were openly anti-Semitic which led to centuries of persecution and ultimately to the holocaust. It does us well to reflect on this reality and to be willing to speak out against anti-Semitic statements and actions.
We find ourselves living in a time where there is a stark rise in, not only anti-Semitism, but in racism and bigotry of all stripes. There has been an astonishing rise in anti-immigrant and migrant sentiment not only here in the US but around the world. People of color, immigrants, Jews, Muslims, members of the LGBTQ community, as well as women, are all feeling less and less safe in their own communities because of the rise in violent acts against them.
Most of these acts of violence are perpetrated almost exclusively by men who are often in some way associated with the
Christian Nationalist Movement or by other racist, bigoted motivations.
This weekend we also mark the beginning of Black History Month and celebrate The National Day of Prayer for the African American Family. The setting aside of this month and this weekend, in the midst of the most disturbing increase and attempted normalization of racism, bigotry, xenophobia and misogyny, calls for us to reflect on the core message of Jesus’ message of radical love of God and neighbor, and Jesus’ way is very clear as to who is our neighbor!
We need to reflect on the reality that Jesus taught his disciples to cross borders, to reach out to others who were different
from themselves. To be willing to let go of the stereotypes of the past, like that of the Samaritans, and to see ALL other people as sisters and brothers, as beloved children of God, worthy of our love, worthy of being treated with dignity and respect. It is a clarion call for ALL who call themselves Christians. There is no way around it.
Jesus made himself extremely clear: if we do not care for the least among us, we will suffer the loss of heaven. He gave no
qualifiers about the nationality, political status, gender, race or place of birth of the person in need. They are our sister and
brother, and we are called to love them and care for them, to bind up their wounds, to give of our time and resources, like
the Good Samaritan. And in doing so we live out our discipleship of Jesus Christ.
Blessings,
Fr. Tim
RSS Feed
