SECURITY
according to the law of Moses,
they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord,
just as it is written in the law of the Lord,
‘Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,’
and to offer the sacrifice of ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,’
in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord”
(Luke 2:22-24)
“In the Book of Leviticus it is laid down that, after giving birth to a male child, a woman is impure for seven days (that is, she is excluded from taking part in worship), that the boy is to be circumcised on the eighth day, and that the woman must then remain at home a further thirty-three days for her blood to be purified (cf. Leviticus 12: 1– 4). After this she is to present a purification sacrifice.” [32] Therefore, “When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,’ and to offer the sacrifice of ‘a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons,’ in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord”. (Luke 2:22-24) “Poor people need bring only two turtle-doves or two young pigeons. Mary presented the offering of the poor (cf. Luke 2: 24). Luke, whose entire Gospel is shot through with a theology of the poor and a theology of poverty, is once again making it abundantly clear that Jesus’ family belonged to the poor of Israel, and that it was among such as them that the promises would be fulfilled.” [33]
Every one of us innately longs for security; we want something or someone we can “hold on to” that will give us a sense of peace and stability. Many of us seek security in money; having enough now and for the future can give us a “sense” of security. Many of us seek security in physical or material possessions; having a nice home, abundant furnishings, and an adequate wardrobe can give us a “sense” of security. Many of seek security in people; having the right people: a strong husband, a dependable wife, or stable parents can give us a “sense” of security. However, when you are poor your only security comes from God. You are forced to depend, live vulnerable, and rely on someone else for everything. Most of us resist poverty because we fear that if we let go of providing security for ourselves God won’t come through with His end of the bargain. We resist poverty either because we are convinced the “this world” really can provide want we really want or God won’t do as good of a job as we can for ourselves.
So much of the Nativity story is influenced by poverty: the meager accommodations of the cave; the shepherds who were the first to hear the Good News; the Temple offerings in Jerusalem. God loves poverty—so much so that it was the canvas upon which He painted His birth into humanity. When Mary presented her sacrifice in the Temple she offered the sacrifice of the poor. Mary was poor. Joseph was poor. Jesus was poor. Their entire being was oriented toward God for everything. They sought security only from God. What’s more important than money or wealth or your bank account is your attitude towards it. Money isn’t the issue, our hearts are. The question we must ask is, “Where do I draw my security: from the things of this world or from God?”
It’s one thing to start a relationship with God and it’s another thing to stay in relationship with God. Most of us can admit that the challenge is staying in relationship. What I’ve learned about me is this: what “pulls me out of relationship” is me. I often walk away from God because I feel I have to do for myself, I have to provide my own security. Now of course, we have to be responsible. After all, prudence is the foundation of the Cardinal virtues. However, if we seek to provide our own security in life then we may fall into compartmentalizing our lives. Thus, I’ll trust God with “this” but I won’t trust God with “that”. Compartmentalizing will always threaten intimacy with God. Mary was poor. Joseph was poor. Jesus was poor. The entire being was oriented toward God for everything. They sought security only from God. Where are you compartmentalized? Where do you draw your security: from the things of this world or from God? What’s your attitude toward dependency? What’s your attitude towards interior poverty?
“Father, I want to know you. I want a relationship with you. Teach me how to receive. Teach me how to be in relationship with you and how to stay in relationship with you. Teach me how to seek security only from you.”
[32] Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives, pg. 81
[33] Ibid.
© Fr. Mark Toups, 2012. Expressed written permission required for duplication.
Every one of us innately longs for security; we want something or someone we can “hold on to” that will give us a sense of peace and stability. Many of us seek security in money; having enough now and for the future can give us a “sense” of security. Many of us seek security in physical or material possessions; having a nice home, abundant furnishings, and an adequate wardrobe can give us a “sense” of security. Many of seek security in people; having the right people: a strong husband, a dependable wife, or stable parents can give us a “sense” of security. However, when you are poor your only security comes from God. You are forced to depend, live vulnerable, and rely on someone else for everything. Most of us resist poverty because we fear that if we let go of providing security for ourselves God won’t come through with His end of the bargain. We resist poverty either because we are convinced the “this world” really can provide want we really want or God won’t do as good of a job as we can for ourselves.
So much of the Nativity story is influenced by poverty: the meager accommodations of the cave; the shepherds who were the first to hear the Good News; the Temple offerings in Jerusalem. God loves poverty—so much so that it was the canvas upon which He painted His birth into humanity. When Mary presented her sacrifice in the Temple she offered the sacrifice of the poor. Mary was poor. Joseph was poor. Jesus was poor. Their entire being was oriented toward God for everything. They sought security only from God. What’s more important than money or wealth or your bank account is your attitude towards it. Money isn’t the issue, our hearts are. The question we must ask is, “Where do I draw my security: from the things of this world or from God?”
It’s one thing to start a relationship with God and it’s another thing to stay in relationship with God. Most of us can admit that the challenge is staying in relationship. What I’ve learned about me is this: what “pulls me out of relationship” is me. I often walk away from God because I feel I have to do for myself, I have to provide my own security. Now of course, we have to be responsible. After all, prudence is the foundation of the Cardinal virtues. However, if we seek to provide our own security in life then we may fall into compartmentalizing our lives. Thus, I’ll trust God with “this” but I won’t trust God with “that”. Compartmentalizing will always threaten intimacy with God. Mary was poor. Joseph was poor. Jesus was poor. The entire being was oriented toward God for everything. They sought security only from God. Where are you compartmentalized? Where do you draw your security: from the things of this world or from God? What’s your attitude toward dependency? What’s your attitude towards interior poverty?
For your prayer
The Psalms are the sacred music of a chosen people. The Psalms were written as songs to praise God. Imagine how Mary and Joseph would have sung the Psalms as they traveled from Bethlehem to Jerusalem for the Presentation. Begin by slowly reading Psalm 113. Now, prayerfully imagine the scene in Luke 2:22-24. Be in the scene. Be with Joseph. Be with Mary. Be with them as they walk to Jerusalem. Be with them as they enter the great Temple. Be with them as they offer sacrifice with the priests. Notice their poverty. Notice their dependency. Pay attention to where they go for security.
Today's prayer
“Father, I want to know you. I want a relationship with you. Teach me how to receive. Teach me how to be in relationship with you and how to stay in relationship with you. Teach me how to seek security only from you.”
[32] Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives, pg. 81
[33] Ibid.
Want these delivered to you?
Click here > to get Fr. Mark delivered by email© Fr. Mark Toups, 2012. Expressed written permission required for duplication.
