THE SILVERSMITH

Life is never easy and fair at times. If we go through trials and hardships and sometimes lose heart when confronted by our doubting and questioning minds then we should always stand firm in our principles and convictions anchored in Jesus. No matter how difficult it may seem we must not lose sight of what kind of suffering Jesus had to go through and all our problems will fade in the background. We should always have the attitude of humble acceptance and complete surrender clinging only to God and not on any person, thing, situation or possession in life. These experiences will all amount to something great in the end. Which reminds me of the story of a silversmith (narrated by Fr. Joseph Magdaong) who purifies silver by allowing it to sit on the fire at its extreme heat (blue flame) until it finally comes out pure. The silversmith knows that the work is done once the silver starts to reflect the image of the silversmith/refiner. Just in case we do not know, there is also a danger that if a silversmith has exceeded the refining process it will totally ruin the silver that's why a good silversmith keeps an eye on the silver 100% of the time during the refining process. Allow this to sink in to our souls for in time we will all come to know that we are in truth blessed and full of grace whenever we are subjected to this kind of situation knowing that we have a perfect and good silversmith who keeps a close eye on us and never leave us. God always work with perfection. We can always be assured that if we allow ourselves to go through the Refiner's fire then we will surely come out perfect. God is always precise in His moves and can never go wrong. Amen. Hallelujah!

Malachi 3:1-4
...For he is like the refiner’s fire, or like the fuller’s lye. 3 He will sit refining and purifying [silver], and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver that they may offer due sacrifice to the LORD.

Our God is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Let us allow this truth to sink into us and know that we are victorious in the Lord. Amen. Hallelujah!

Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10
R: Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord!
7 Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in! (R) 8 Who is this king of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle.

God became man. What a great privilege that our God stooped down from the Most High and Heavenly place to live and be among us. Amen. Hallelujah!


Hebrews 2:14-18
...he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Today is the feast of the presentation of Jesus and the characters of Simeon and Anna are inevitable drawn into this event of Jesus' life. They serve as models of faith and hope for the people of God. Here's a sharing from Sabbath By Fr. Bobby in connection with today's feast entitled, FULFILLED PERSON

“Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace,” said Simeon. Who can say with all sincerity that he or she is ready to die? It’s difficult to find such a person, isn’t it? We find one in today’s Gospel. Simeon is a picture of a fulfilled man. He desires for nothing more, waits for nothing more, and prays for nothing more. He is ready and willing to go from this life to the next. Why?
First, Simeon desires for nothing more because he already received what he desires most. His “eyes have seen the salvation which (God) has prepared for all nations to see, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel.” Simeon desired for Jesus, the Savior, the Light and the Glory. Now that he has set his eyes on Him, he is complete.
Second, Simeon waits for nothing more because he trusted in God’s promise to him that he will not see death before he sets his eyes on the Savior. Now that the promise is fulfilled, what else should Simeon wait for? Jesus has arrived not only in the general sense of the word “arrive,” but also in its particular meaning as Jesus comes into the life of Simeon.
Third, Simeon prays for nothing more because his prayer has already been granted. He has seen Jesus; he has seen peace. Now, he can go in peace as a servant of Him whose promise he has trusted.
What do we desire for? What do we wait for? What do we pray for? No one less than God can satisfy our desire. Nothing less than God’s fidelity to His word can bring about what we wait for. Nothing less than having the disposition of God’s servant can make us realize how God answers our prayers.
Simeon teaches us what it means to be a fulfilled person. And only a truly fulfilled person is ready to leave this world so as to enter God’s kingdom.
May the light of the candles we bring to Mass today to be blessed by the priest shed light upon our desire, our waiting and our prayer. Jesus Christ alone, who is the Light, can show us the truth about “the fulfilled person.”Fr. Bobby Titco

Reflection Question:
Am I a fulfilled person?

I desire for You, O Jesus, and I wait until I am fulfilled in You. Cast away all my inordinate attachments and release me from all my bondages. Let me be God’s humble servant always. Amen.

Luke 2:22-40
...“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, 30 for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”...“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 — and you yourself a sword will pierce — so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” ...She never left the temple, but worshipped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.