The Fall and the Resurrection of Many
This child will be a “stumbling block” which causes many to fall and others to rise while a sword shall pierce the heart of our blessed Mother. Simeon utters the prophecy and initiates the first sword to pierce the mother’s heart. It is a sword of anticipation. As the Fathers of the Church proclaim that the Immaculate Heart of Mary was privileged to know the meaning of the prophets better than any other human being born of a woman.
Hence the first sword teaches us that anticipation presents a sorrow due to the direction this babe will walk. Mary and Joseph hear the words of Simeon but it is of Mary that Scripture tells us “she pondered these words in her heart”. Exactly,for Mary is the Woman of contemplation. For the contemplative a single word opens a wealth of understanding. She is full of grace. She is filled with the Love of the Holy Trinity. She is the Father’s innocent and pure maiden; she is the Son’s mother; she is the spouse of the Holy Ghost. Each relationship draws her more deeply into the Mystery of the Divine Wisdom.
St. Thomas Aquinas reveals that the end of all education is the formation of a contemplative character. All things are good; all is created by God for the good of man and the glory of the holy trinity. Mary Magdalen was always at the feet of our Lord to drink of the wisdom and love of the Master. Our Lord told Martha that this treasure would not be taken from her. The treasure of contemplation is of greater worth than the Bill Gates’ billions. Why has the Catholic school failed? Simply because the true end of education has been neglected or just ignored. Yet youth is meant for heroism as Paul Claudel remarks and that heroism cannot be achieved without a contemplative spirit in the driver’s seat.
Our Lord’s birth creates the reality of the fall and the resurrection of many. It is based upon the contemplation of the Truth which He will reveal to all those of good will. The Jew should have been prepared for this glorious encounter with the God of the burning bush.They fell to their own arrogant and condemning demeanor, which destroyed their destiny which should have brought the world to the feet of the Son of God. They rejected their savior in expectation of one who would come from the devil in the age to come.
On the other hand the Gentile received the Son of God and became enamored with the eternal Truth He revealed. Twelve apostles, filled with the Holy Ghost, were able to go throughout the world exposing the Holy Trinity and raising up children from every corner of the globe and in every age their voice continues to call humble souls to the Savior’s side. Resurrection comes because we rebellious human beings lay down our arms and pick up the humble Cross of Christ. There will always be those that fall and those that rise based on the soul’s reaction to the message of the good news (the holy Gospel).
Mary and Joseph heard the word of Simeon and pondered what they might mean. Today we are asked to hear the Son of God and witness to His crucifixion which is a stumbling block for the Jews and foolishness to the Greek but for those who humble themselves and accept the Love of God … it is their salvation.
Dear brothers and sisters in the faith rise up and reject the world, the flesh and the devil. Pick up the hearts of Jesus and Mary and save a soul a day by your fasting or your sacrifice or your alms giving. You have been chosen to stand out and bear witness to the overwhelming Love of God for your soul. Don’t allow this life to be fruitless. Save those souls who are forgotten.Save those souls who are ignorant of Jesus. Place all in the hands of our Lady and trust the truth that God wants each and every one of them.
In the hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
Fr. Richard Voigt
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