PRESENTATION OF THE LORD HOMILY, Luke 2:22–40, February 2, 2025
1) STORY
During the Second
World War, a Japanese soldier, Lieutenant HIROO ONODA, was fighting in the
Philippines. On February 28, 1945, he
was given the command to stand and fight as the American forces landed in the
Philippines. Though the war had ended a
few months later, he remained faithful to his duty by living and fighting in
the jungle for 29 years. Only when his
retired commanding officer, Major Yoshimi Taniguchi, returned to the
Philippines informing him that Japan had lost the war and that he was relieved
of his duty, did he surrender. He was
faithful to his duty.
2) GOSPEL, LUKE
2: 22 – 40
A) MARY AND
JOSEPH
i) They were
devout Jews faithful to their religion. “Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord.”
ii) They were
caring parents. “They returned to
Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth ... where the child became strong and
filled with the spirit.”
B) SIMEON
AND ANNA
They waited
patiently praying in the temple for the coming of Jesus and were rewarded for
their faithfulness by seeing the baby Jesus. This encounter brought them much joy and
peace.
3) APPLICATION TO
LIFE
A) BE A FAITHFUL
CATHOLIC
i) We are
faithful by praying each day, by attending Sunday Mass, and by going to
confession a few times a year.
ii) We are
faithful by living as disciples of Jesus and following his example of caring
for the poor, the hungry, and those in need.
B) CHRIST IS
NUMBER ONE
Jesus must be the
center of our lives and more important that money, fame, and power. We must resist the temptations of being
distracted by the computer, entertainment, and being too busy. Jesus gives us the power to help others. He gives us joy, happiness, and peace.
4) CONCLUSION
Just as the
soldier was faithful in carrying out his duty, so were Mary and Joseph faithful
to their religion and to their duty as parents. Simeon and Anna were faithful in praying and
waiting for their savior, Jesus. We must
be faithful in being good Catholics by praying and keeping Jesus as the center
of or lives. He is the source of our
joy, happiness, and peace.
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