By
Melanie Rigney
(He who aspires to
become a bishop) must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he
may not fall into disgrace, the devil’s trap. (1 Timothy 3:7)
Of mercy and judgment I will sing; to you, O Lord, I will
sing praise. I will persevere in the way of integrity; when will you come to
me? (Psalm 101:1-2)
(Simeon said to Mary:) “… (Y)ou yourself a sword will pierce
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:35)
Piety
Lord, I
beg that You give me the wisdom to see you even in the hardest times… or the
faith to believe You are there even when I can’t see You.
Study
Imagine being Mary, perhaps thinking
the most confusing parts are over: she’s said yes to the Lord, things are
resolved with Joseph, she’s had the baby, and he’s healthy. Maybe now, life can
return to normal. So she and Joseph take the forty-day-old Jesus to the temple
as the rules of their faith require, bringing a pair of turtledoves since they
aren’t wealthy enough to sacrifice a lamb (ah, the symbolism).
But she quickly finds that life will never return to normal. Simeon gives a prophecy
that she will be pierced by a sword “so that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed.”
Consider what your own reaction might
be to that prophecy. What does he mean? When will it happen? And how can such a
piercing reveal the thoughts of many hearts?
One wonders about Mary’s reaction.
Perhaps, from time to time, she pondered Simeon’s words late at night, when
Joseph and the baby were asleep. Perhaps she wondered, “Why me?” as we do so
often when our lives seem to be beset by confusion and lacking clear direction
from the Lord.
Or perhaps she was so confident in God
and His presence that this was simply another turn in the road. And perhaps,
despite her sorrow and pain at Calvary, that confidence stayed with her every
moment in the years to come. Truly, her model of faith amid uncertainty and
tragedy is one we can emulate, with heavenly support.
Action
Spend some time with Mary today.
Listen to what she has to say about both sorrow and joy.
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