Comments on: Saturday 12/29/18 The first cut

By: A

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 00:55:05 +0000

Even though you’re off on the timing as to what is happening in the Temple, Julie, this is still a much better reflection on this event in the Holy Family’s life than you wrote last year.

Last year, your usual sarcasm deprived this moment of its beauty and poignancy. Now, you appreciate them. Much better, thank you!

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 19:35:42 +0000

Luke says “When the days were completed for their THEIR PURIFICATION according to the law of Moses”. The first thing to note is that Luke is not talking about the time of Jesus’ circumcision. That occurred on the eighth day after his birth. Luke has already talked about that (Luke 2:21) now he is referring to a later time. Specifically, he’s talking about the fortieth day after Christ’s birth. We know that because of he quotes from Leviticus 12:8 (“a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons”), which refers to the purification ritual that a Jewish mother needed to perform to become ritually clean again after childbirth.

In the case of a boy, this was on the fortieth day after childbirth.

According to Jewish law a mother does not have to be present for the circumcision. A representative is chosen. Luke 2:22-25 is referring to Mary’s purification.

The readings can be very confusing if we nitpick. For me, the prophesy is central to this reading. However, I think Julie has a point about the celebration. It is a time of wonderment, a celebration for the whole community, not just the immediate family. One can just imagine from the moment of Jesus’ birth when the shepherds and wise men dropped in for a peek at the babe to the prophesy of Simeon and Anna, Mary and Joseph must have been overwhelmed. It not so different today – grandparents offer prayers for the little one – and all kinds of advice! So I do not think Julie’s reflection is out of place, it is just a different perspective. Thank you Julie. God bless.

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 17:23:59 +0000

I have always co-mingled the presentation in the temple with circumscision since we read them backwards and within days of each other instead of spacing them out. (We also throw in the finding in the temple in there just to further complicate things.) Matthew doesn’t even mention either event, which strikes me as odd and Luke never says the Holy Family fled to Egypt. A lot of cinematic portrayals conflagulate the two events as if they are the same thing, probably for expediency (I’m thinking of Jesus of Nazareth specifically.) I’m happy to delete the post if you feel my commentary is off base.

By: sr. ann foy

sr. ann foy — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 16:33:59 +0000

I agree with John Ciribassi as circumcision was performed 8 days after the birth and Mary had to stay away from the Temple for another 33 days. But Simeon ‘s message must have made her fear for Jesus and her self and so would Joseph

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 13:18:07 +0000

I look forward to your reflection, you have a way of keeping it real by cutting (no pun intended) right to to heart of the matter. I could feel Mary’s love for Jesus through your love for your son while basking in my love for my children.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 13:09:21 +0000

Whats not to get excited about. New life, the beauty, the innocence, the potential…the awesome gift of God. Great story to share. Interesting how the biblical moments are brought to light. Thank you Julie

By: John J Ciribassi

John J Ciribassi — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 13:01:54 +0000

I have always been confused by this reading regarding timing. If this is the ceremony of presentation to the temple, this happens at 40 days after birth. Circumcision happens at 8 days after birth. So, I don’t think circumcision was happening during this reading. Also, did the Holy Family head to Egypt before this and, if so, did they make the long trip from Egypt back to Jerusalem for the presentation or did they do the presentation before leaving for Egypt (meaning they hung around risking death from Herod for 40 days before leaving)?
Thanks for sharing your son’s story Julie. I agree that we sometimes remove ceremony for the sake of expediency and thus lose some of the flavor of life.

By: Misore

Misore — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 10:23:13 +0000

It is a good reflection if keenly read. Very encouraging indeed