DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD…

1 John 2:12-17

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his sake.13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.17 And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.

Luke 2:36-40

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanu-el, of the tribe of Asher; she was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity,37 and as a widow till she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day.
38 And coming up at that very hour she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.39 And when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.  

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING: John the Apostle address his shepherds or pastors as “little children” not to belittle them, however he speaks to them as a father figure who has been entrusted with certain obligations and endowed with charisms and powers given by Christ to correctly form them into the image of Christ Jesus. John caution his apostolic ministers to not chase after the fleshly lusts of the world which will potentially derail their calling to be in service of the people. 

St LUKE THE APOSTLE is the only author who gave us the angelic visitation and revelation to Mary, Joseph and the supernatural illumination of Simeon and Anna, that the boy child borne of Mary was the promised Messiah. Anna, not unlike Mary, and Simeon have made a Nazarite vow to remain in a celibate state by not engaging in the conjugal act, even in marriage as a sacrificial offering in service to God and in expectation to encounter the Messiah!

Luke the Apostle purposely included the story of Anna that mirrors the story of Mary, who remained a virgin even in marriage, in order to devote their lives exclusively to worship, fast and pray daily for the coming of the Messiah! We are called to pray for our pastors and religious sisters who have made vows of celibacy, obedience and poverty that is purposed to offer their lives exclusively for the formation and salvation of the people of God! Whilst the sex scandal has certainly called into question the biblical Tradition (Mt 19:12) of celibacy, we are called to abstain from the lust of the world that seeks to separate us from our vocation and sacramental vows be it in marriage or the single life. To be sure, all of us must temper our lives so that we may conform to the image of Christ rather than the image of the world, failing which we shall not see the second coming of Christ Jesus!

LET US PRAY: Psalms 96:7-10

7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!
9 Worship the LORD in holy array; tremble before him, all the earth!
10 Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.”

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER 
Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days.