🗓️28 DecSunday within the Octave of Christmas

🌟On this Sunday, immersed in the joy of the Christmas Octave, the liturgy leads us from the sacred silence of the holy night, where the Almighty Word descended from the royal throne, to the prophetic reality of the Temple. We celebrate the coming of Christ the King as a Child, but we are immediately confronted with the purpose of His coming: Redemption. The Epistle reminds us that He came to free us from the slavery of the law and to elevate us to the dignity of adopted children of God, capable of crying out "Abba, Father." The Gospel deepens this mystery, presenting us with the examples of faith of Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna. However, the admiration before the Child is pierced by Simeon's prophecy, which announces Jesus as a "sign of contradiction" and foretells the sword of sorrow that will pierce His Mother's soul. Thus, the altar becomes for us, simultaneously, the manger of the Nativity and the Calvary of the Passion, revealing that the glory of Christmas is inseparable from the sacrifice of the Cross.

📖Introit (Wis 18:14-15 | Ps 92:1)

Dum médium siléntium tenérent ómnia, et nox in suo cursu médium iter háberet, omnípotens Sermo tuus, Dómine, de coelis a regálibus sédibus venit. Ps. Dóminus regnávit, decórem indútus est: indútus est Dóminus fortitúdinem, et præcínxit se.
While all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course, Thy almighty Word leaped down from heaven from Thy royal throne. The Lord hath reigned, He is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded Himself.

📜Epistle (Gal 4:1-7)

Brethren: As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father. So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent His Son, made of a woman, made under the law: that He might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. Therefore he is no more a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

✝️Gospel (Lk 2:33-40)

At that time, His father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning Him. And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His Mother: Behold this Child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted. And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of Him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth. And the Child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in Him.

🕊️The Prophecy in the Temple: Joy and Sacrifice

🕯️Today's liturgy builds an indissoluble bridge between the manger and the cross, revealing that Christ's entire life is a single mystery of Redemption. The Epistle to the Galatians proclaims the divine purpose in the "fullness of time": adoptive sonship. God made us heirs not by our merits, but by sending His Son, born "under the law, that He might redeem them who were under the law." This liberation, however, has a price, and the Gospel unveils it in Simeon's prophecy. The same Child who is the joy of His parents and the hope of Israel is presented as a "sign of contradiction," destined for the "fall and resurrection of many." Saint Augustine explains this duality: "He is a fall for those who, being evil, build badly, for He destroys what they build; and He is a resurrection for those who lie fallen, that they may build well" (Saint Augustine, Sermon 51). Christ forces a fundamental decision, revealing "the thoughts of many hearts." The sword that pierces Mary's soul is her intimate participation in the Passion of her Son; she who presented Him in the Temple will accompany Him to Calvary, uniting her suffering with His for the salvation of the world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "Christ's whole life is a mystery of 'recapitulation'" (CCC 518), wherein He restores what Adam lost. The presentation in the Temple is the beginning of the offering that will be consummated on the Cross. Thus, as we approach the altar, we find not only the Child of the manger but the immolated Lamb, whose fragility conceals the power to make us children in the Son, heirs of the eternal promise.

🔗See English version of the critical articles here.