The first reading makes clear the need for consistency between our faithful words and our actions. The Psalm is a song of praise to our one God. The Gospel is the story of the presentation of Jesus at the temple and the encounter with Simeon.

I have noticed a major change in where my mind drifts since I have retired. Previously my thoughts were dominated by planning for the future. Now they tend to focus on the past. I have been told that we tend to remember the good and forget the bad. Clearly my mind does not work that way. My memories tend to be of the times where I have fallen short, times of discrepancy between my faithful words and my actions. In many cases, I am able to see this inconsistency more in retrospect than at the time. (At the time, I was much better at pointing out the inconsistency of others. The second half of the epistle reminds me of how I am called to relate to others.)

The Psalm left me thinking about how I experienced Christmas. How much was the praise of God and how much was the distraction of contemporary idols? I was reminded of the materialism that is so imbedded in my culture. I think of how much of the last month was focused on shopping for “stuff” rather than really preparing for Christmas.

If I imagine myself in the temple at the time of Jesus’ presentation, I am reminded of something of which I was already aware, that is Jesus’ family was poor; their offering of two small birds rather than a larger animal was indicative of their economic standing. I also notice that I am asking myself something new: What did Mary and Joseph know about their Son? The Gospel says, “The Child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about Him” in conjunction with Simeon’s comments. Were Jesus’ parents fully aware of who He was, or did they too need to grow in this knowledge?

My prayer today focuses on the present.     

Dear Lord,
So much of my life has been spent living in the future or living in the past.
Allow me to live fully in the present, experiencing and growing in knowledge.
Help me to direct my attention to the here and now.
Assist me in being more aware of Your many gifts that surround me.
Let me sing a new song with praise and gratitude.
Guide me with the use of my time acting in Your service.
Grant me the strength and awareness to practice what I preach.