This is the homily for the Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, February 02, 2025, Luke 2:22-40. Jospeh and Mary brought Jesus to the temple with the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves and two young pigeons. Simeon and Anna encountered the Lord. Let your servant go in peace.
This Weekly Homily- Reflection based on Sunday Readings.
Father Ryan Jimenez, RCJ, publishes his homily-reflection every week. Father Ryan is a priest of the religious congregation known as Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus (RCJ). It is founded by Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia in Messina, Italy.
He tries his best to publish it faithfully weekly. As early as Monday or Tuesday, he already published his homily. Father Ryan wants to describe his reflection as BRIEF (Biblical, Reflective, Informative, Encouraging, and Funny). First, it is Biblical. It means that it is based on the Scriptures especially on the current readings of the Sunday's liturgy. Before making the homily, Father Ryan tries his best to pray and meditate the Word of God first. He also reads and studies different biblical commentaries of the said readings. He tries his best that all his reflections and homilies must emanate from the Word of God. The Word of God should be our light and life. Sharing reflections based on Scriptures as guide for the people to love God and His people especially for the least, last and lost in the society.
Second, Father Ryan desires that all his homilies and reflections are Reflective. He prays that people listening to him will lead to reflections and contemplations. As we follow the Lord, we need to be always reflective and ponder in our daily lives. As the famous Greek philosopher Socrates said, "An unreflective life is not worth living for". There is the importance to pause for a while and think our lives in relation to God. God is always our point of reference. Without Him, we are nothing. He is the vine and we are the branches. Apart from Him, we could not find our meaning. Third, it is Informative. Father Ryan tries his best to inform his audience especially about the Scriptures and our daily lives. From time to time, he mentions some Greek, Hebrew and Latin words that will help the audience to understand the original meaning of the Words.
Fourth, it is Encouraging. Father Ryan wants his audience to be encouraged and inspired after watching the video. Though it is difficult to inspire people nowadays, but Father Ryan remains optimistic that relies solely in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the source of life and inspiration. Without His help and guidance, father Ryan could not inspire nor encourage everyone. Thus, he constantly begs the intervention of the Spirit as he makes and publishes his video. He is convinced that it is not his work; but it is the work of God.
Listening to God's words nourish one's life and existence as we strive to pattern our lives after the example of Jesus. God inspires everyone. God wants us to be with Him always. Homilies remind us to have always the constant communion and communication with God. Without God, we are nothing. We are only branches and God is our tree. Thus, we continue to cling to God. And in return after we are nourished by God, it's our mission and responsibility to share to others. We can't kept within ourselves the Good News that we receive. We will go back to God together. Since we are all pilgrims here. There are many co-journeyers who long to be with our Creator everyday. Thus let's support and remind each other of the ever-abiding presence of God in our lives. Let us listen to Him for He loves us. He has to remind himself always that it is all because of God. Once Father Ryan receives praises and adulations from his audience, he has to all all the credits to God. That is why, Father Ryan always says in his video, "Purihin ang Diyos, Purihin ang Panginoon". It should be God who will receive the glory and not him; for God is the real content Creator. I am just his instrument.
Finally, the homilies are designed to be Funny. Funny in the sense that the audience will not sleep nor skip. Father Ryan gives many humorous stories to strike his points. This humor reminds us of the beauty of life. Though there are a lot of problems and trials that beset us; however there is always a positive side of everything. By narrating jokes, it reminds everyone to be always optimistic and hopeful. God is always with us. Many things happen not in our own designs but Father Ryan believes that God has a more beautiful plan. We just need to trust and believe God's ways. We can't kept within ourselves the Good News that we receive. We will go back to God together. Since we are all pilgrims here. There are many co-journeyers who long to be with our Creator everyday. Thus let's support and remind each other of the ever-abiding presence of God in our lives. Let us listen to Him for He loves us.
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