A Sign that will be Contradicted

"Behold, this child is destined
for the fall and rise of many in Israel,
and to be a sign that will be contradicted
'and you yourself a sword will pierce' 
so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Luke 2:34-35

Today the salvation of God is presented in the temple. He, according to Simeon, is a sign to be contradicted. Christ has entered the world and come to be salvation for all people. Yet it is not without a cost to be paid, not without the pain of the passion, to which today's readings point us. Already in early February we begin moving toward Lent. Already we begin to prepare our hearts for the journey.

I was thinking about the meaning of contradiction in our world today. For me, coming from an Evangelical background, the contradiction, in my interpretation, always had to do with the difference between the world that lives according to the ways of sin—with sin as its master—and the world that lives according to the Spirit. I have noticed this among Catholics too. We tend to draw a line between sin and holiness and this presents a stark contradiction.

However, true as the comparison may be thus far, there is an even deeper contradiction. It is the contradiction of justice and injustice in our world. It has to do with the contradiction between war and peace, between wealth and poverty, between health and disease, between those on the inside and those who are always on the outside.

The topic today is one that I would like to explore more in the days to come. There is yet a deeper contradiction, a deeper sign, in Christ. It is precisely the contradiction that challenges what we hold to be already true. Christ challenges what we believe about holiness, about justice, about faith and religion, about truth. Jesus Christ as a sign that was to be contradicted came into the world to level it and to establish a new foundation by shaking and replacing that which was already.

Considering Christ at his Presentation helps us to begin preparing for Lent, which is just a short time away. It sets our focus and forces us to identify with the life of he who comes into the world to be a sign that will be contradicted.

Comments

[Caroline Chapman]

Do you hear the sound of God’s love?
Words of Jesus ring, “Bless are those who listen closely to God’s Word and observe it." Words of "forgiveness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. Be not afraid for I go before you always” - Jesus lights our way. “Be not afraid.”
Listen closely to the sound of His voice.
Follow Him, lean on Our Lord. “His goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life.” Let the sound of His song ring true in your heart.
With justice and freedom His mercy reigns.
Pour down your mercy upon us, Lord.
Listen closely to the words of Jesus, “Repent, and believe in the Gospel.“ Let each and every person worship and praise God on high from all Nations, one Lord of all in heaven abides. Praise Him in all circumstance, sing praise.
Sing of God’s justice and freedom, sing of His love from the mountains to the heavens above.
Send forth your Holy Spirit, dwell within us. Our God reigns from heaven above pouring forth graces, love, goodness, mercy, revelation - justice and freedom, limitless love, bringing peace to all the ends of earth, one body given for the salvation of many.
Our God reigns! “The Kingdom of God is near.“ Jesus’ word of power and might expressed in Word and deed reigns on earth and in heaven above forevermore.
“God is love.” We have only to listen and follow Him, hands praising, heart's raising, healing, "we are many parts but all one body."
Look to nature for signs of his promise.
Groundhog Day brings living in His shadow.

Here's some interesting info from www.ChildFund.org

Berkley Center
Religion, Peace, & World Affairs at Georgetown
berkleycenter.georgetown.edu

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What is Groundhog’s Day?:

Most residents of North America are familiar with Groundhog’s Day, celebrated every year on February 2. What people may not be so familiar with is the fact that there are important religious origins that lie behind that celebration, even if those origins are no longer recognizable. Today, Groundhog’s Day is treated as a purely secular, if perhaps a bit superstitious, holiday — but that was not always the case.
February 2nd in Ancient Rome:

The name February comes from the Latin februare, which means “to purify.” For the Romans, February was a time of cleansing and purification. They prepared themselves for various activities that were coming in the Spring, making a fresh start. On February 15, Romans celebrated Luperaclia, honoring Faunus, god of fertility. Priests of Faunus took thongs called Februa to lash girls with, an act which was supposed to ensure fertility.
February 2nd in Nature Religions:

In nature religions, February 2 is a cross-quarter or four-quarter day. These days stand at a mid-point between solstices and equinoxes; in the case of Groundhog’s Day, it’s the mid-point between winter solstice and spring equinox. This day was named Imbolc or Imbolog. The word Imbolc may come from a term for “sheep’s milk,” a reference to the first milking of the ewes in the spring. An even earlier Indo-European word that may be related is one that refers to the process of purification."
Lent is the process of purification!