Daily Devotional

Jesus regards us as a family; He wants us to be familiar with Him and to see Him as a friend rather than a police officer. Familiarity draws us to God. However, it can also lead to contempt. The problem with the Nazarenes was not familiarity but contempt; they were angry with Jesus. They expressed this anger by claiming to know the so-called brothers and sisters of Jesus.

Absalom’s greatest mistake was assuming that all those surrounding him were loyal to his cause. Not everyone singing your praises and cheering you on means well for you. Absalom had the privilege of hearing Ahithophel’s wise counsel, but ignored it and chose to go by Hushai’s advice because it seemed more pleasing in his ears. Absalom did not know that Hushai came from David’s camp.

Jesus physically comes into the temple as a baby, but He is the king of kings. This is why today’s Responsorial Psalm proclaims, “O gates, lift high your heads, let Him enter the king of glory.” Simeon and Anna, like everyone else, saw a baby, but they also had eyes to see beyond His form as a baby. They recognised and worshipped God in Jesus. Do you recognise God’s presence in the Holy Eucharist, or do you see only bread?