THE YEAR OF CONSECRATION TO THE LORD (proclaimed by Pope Francis I) Secularization from an odd point of view is that it is something we FALL into, rather it something that we FALL out of. It is inaccurate for anyone to say that we (as Catholic) or any Catholic has internalized a secular point of view in this day and age. It is more accurate to observe that we are all born into a secular point of view. As the early Church members have proven time and time again that in order to distance or detach oneself from secular values of the world it is necessary to become removed from that society physically. This is why at the beginning of the Church many early Saints went into self imposed exile as Hermits or into Monasteries or Convents. Some also became Anchorites that sought to establish their home within the physical structure of the Church in an anteroom much like the Prophetess Anna at the time of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple to Simeon the Priest by his parents Joseph and the Blessed Mother Mary: 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. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, 10 and the holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Messiah of the Lord.He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel. The childs father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 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. There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 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. Luke 2:22-38.........In this year of [personal] Consecration to the Lord, how will we achieve detachment from the world when we still live in it? Only you can decide the action you will pursue to become an Anchorite for Christ as the Prophetess Anna did so many years ago.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 00:35:34 +0000
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