Pastor's Spiritual Reflections

By Fr. Leo Schneider (12/28/2008)

Dear People of Holy Name,

In today’s gospel Simeon and Anna act like seers. Because of their holiness they see into the future to know that Jesus will be the salvation of all peoples. Simeon also states that Mary’s heart will be pierced so that the thoughts of many may be laid bare. Whether Simeon and Anna’s words were later insights of the Christian community or not, they function for us in the same way, as we journey through life we have a context in which to understand our journey.

Call it cognitive reframing if you want, but when we understand our own trials and tribulations as participation in an unfolding plan through which we grow in holiness and become ready to surrender our lives to God as Simeon did, we can live in genuine joy and peace.

Life is a constant gift and challenge. Sometimes it brings us challenges we would never choose, through them we grow in ways we never would have thought possible. At other times we may need to challenge ourselves to grow. Just like the kid who needs to jump into the water with mom or dad to learn how to swim, we need at times to push ourselves into new experiences that will help us grow.

What helps is to remember that the growth we make is what our lives are ultimately about. All else is secondary. Keeping that perspective keeps us in touch with our ultimate purpose in life. Such a perspective also keeps us grounded and centered in God. Prayer becomes a communion with the one who is with us. We live with meaning and purpose with the Spirit of God living in us and going forth from us.

Years ago when I was out walking and wondering why I was struggling with some issues in my life, today’s passage from Luke came to mind. I pulled a bible out of my pocket, sat on a stump in the woods and read, “—and you yourself a sword will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.” I realized then as I do now that often it is the trials of our lives that give us wisdom. Our tough experiences can strengthen us and bring us to a knowledge we would have never had without them.

The wisdom we gain becomes our gift to others. We see this in the relationship between parents and children. After adolescence when young adults are moving out into the world on their own, there are many things they may ask advice or help with. Suddenly, mom and dad know a few things again precisely because they have been there.

This is why we seek holy people, that through them we may come closer to God and grow in the gift of wisdom God has given them. As part of the family of God in the church we can look to each other. Each of us in our own unique way make the Lord present through the gifts He has given us. We can learn from each other as we humbly and honestly share our inner journey with one another.

On this feast of the Holy Family, let us ask the Lord to bless our community with an abundance of wisdom that we may bring God’s salvation to all me meet. Let us pray to be open to the Spirit that teaches us in all things, and know it is who we become through our challenges that gives ultimate meaning and purpose to our lives. Then we can live like Simeon who was ready to go home to the Lord for he had seen the salvation of our God.

In Christ’s peace, Fr. Leo