All parents think their children are above average. But today’s readings make me think about Mary and Joseph and how they were called to be parents. Their faith and devotion led them to accept those roles, roles they couldn’t have completely understood. They accepted and lived out those lives as parents of Jesus with such grace and humility and love. All parent rejoice and cry with and for their children. I can only imagine what that must have been like for Mary and Joseph.

Can you imagine taking your child to a church service and having a man like Simeon come along, hold your son and proclaim his eyes had seen salvation? Mary and Joseph were amazed and had to be a little afraid for their young son and what the future would hold. And think of Simeon, who trusted God and trusted the Spirit that he would see Christ the Lord. It’s this child. More faith and grace to believe, to trust. What this reminds me is that Jesus was both God and human, that he became man as a way to help us to find the way. In the second reading, we are told that “surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham; therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way …”

I am human and I will make mistakes, make bad decisions, try to go my own way and act selfishly. I am not an angel, but Jesus amazes me by accepting me as I am, by helping me find my way. He has experienced this often difficult human life. I pray today for the gift of faith and of trust in God.