If we are to “imitate” Jesus in our lives we are invited to the same kind of growth that He experienced, and that, like Him, we are invited to focus on the source of that growth because indeed the “favor of God” is for us as much as it was for Jesus. 

Each of us is called to grow and become strong and be filled with wisdom BECAUSE the favor of God rests upon us as it rested on Jesus.   What a spectacular prospect, and what a magnificent reality rooted squarely in “God loves me!”

The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas

1 John 2:12-17

Psalm 96:7-8a, 8b-9, 10

L uke 2:36-40 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phan'u-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 by Tom Shanahan, S.J.

As we end 2009 and look forward to 2010 many of us have thoughts about how we might grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  We think of things such as what we might avoid (weight issues, smoking, alcohol use) and what we might add to our repertoire (prayer, caring for the poor, sacrifice for our loved ones).  These are undoubtedly admirable things to think about and to attempt to put into action, but the reading in today’s Gospel passage supplies what I believe to be the perfect “hidden” answer to our good desires facing a New Year.

The Holy Family is depicted here in St. Luke’s Gospel as fulfilling a normal religious obligation in bringing Jesus to Jerusalem for the Jewish ceremony of purification (“Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to God”).  There they meet Simeon and Anna, faithful and wise persons who had awaited the coming of the Messiah remaining steady and strong in their faith.

Completing the prescribed purification, Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus return to Galilee , their hometown, and Luke tells us succinctly, “the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and the favor of God was upon him.”   There is so much personal history of Jesus and the Holy Family contained in these phrases but they really don’t shed much direct light on Jesus as he lived the great majority of his life in Nazareth .

We refer to that “growing” and “becoming strong”, being filled with “wisdom” and receiving the “favor of God” as the hidden life of Jesus.  We remember that the public life of Jesus, the part that we are so familiar with because of the Gospels, covered a relatively small part of his whole life.  So we are intrigued: what went on during those nearly 30 years Jesus spent with Joseph and Mary?  We can only imagine the contours of that life as Jesus grew among his immediate family, the townspeople he knew, the skills that were developed in him as he learned Joseph’s trade, and the many other tasks of growing up into his identity as a human person.

What we do know about those “hidden” years is what St. Luke tells us in the gospel passage for today.  But what do those words/reality mean for us in our life-circumstances today?   If we are to “imitate” Jesus in our lives we are invited to the same kind of growth that He experienced, and that, like Him, we are invited to focus on the source of that growth because indeed the “favor of God” is for us as much as it was for Jesus. 

Can I bask in that “favor?”  Can I trust that because of who God is that the favor is mine as well as Jesus’?  That the often repeated phrase that we speak (God loves you) is a reality – a promise from God?  My call then is to realize that promise in my own life with its many and varied circumstances.  Each of us is called to grow and become strong and be filled with wisdom BECAUSE the favor of God rests upon us as it rested on Jesus.   What a spectacular prospect, and what a magnificent reality rooted squarely in “God loves me!”

Supplementary Reading

By DEfAulT oR By CHoICE?

Then He says, ‘Behold, I come to do your will.’ – Hebrews 10:9

In the course of writing for Kerygma, I encountered many single men and women who have chosen single-blessedness over marriage — not by default but out of choice. Some live apart from their families. Some live in communities of consecrated lay people. Some live alone.

While they share moments of loneliness, they are one in saying that they do not regret their decision. They don’t have to worry about the high cost of education, cost of living andthe like. They are able to savor moments of solitude that marriage would not always allow them to. They can freely relate to people without having to worry about a spouse’s jealousy or insecurity. More importantly, they are able to focus their energies and time to fulfilling their God-ordained mission.

Hey, am I not talking about myself here? I am single still and I am enjoying what I have just mentioned above. But during special occasions like Christmas, a certain feeling of vulnerability pervades — perhaps a need for companionship?

So, by default or by choice? The answer is in my heart, where God has planted His desire for me. --- Tess Atienza

R EFLECTION:

What state of life is God calling you to?

Lord, grant me wisdom and discernment so I would be able to see clearly what state of life would help me serve You and love You best.

• 12/30/2009 16:28 - Jan 4, 2010 - Monday Meditation (Jesus - He is the GOOD NEWS!)
• 12/30/2009 16:26 - Jan 3, 2010 - Epiphany (Finding the Finder!)
• 12/30/2009 15:29 - Jan 2, 2010 - Saturday Meditation (How can the World Know God, if it Can't Find GOD in us?)
• 12/30/2009 15:26 - Jan 1, 2010 - New Year Meditation (Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
• 12/27/2009 02:23 - Dec 31, 2009 - Thursday Meditation (Humanity Partakes in JESUS' Divinity!)

• 12/27/2009 02:18 - Dec 29, 2009 - Tuesday Meditation (In Jesus, We Have Victory!)
• 12/25/2009 10:09 - Cardinal George Celebrates Simbang Gabi
• 12/24/2009 20:26 - Dec 28, 2009 - “Niños Inocentes” (The Holy Innocent-Martyrs) Feast Day
• 12/24/2009 20:24 - Dec 27, 2009 - Sunday Meditation (From Shame to Holiness in JESUS!)
• 12/24/2009 20:22 - Dec 26, 2009 - Saturday Meditation (From Bethlehem to Calvary)