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93.1
First Point
In
his circumcision Jesus Christ submitted to the law which required that all
male children be circumcised on the eighth day after their birth,[i]
although he was exempt from and superior to all law, being himself the
sovereign Legislator.
This law applied only to
sinners, and since he was incapable of sin, Jesus Christ was in no way
subject to it. What admirable humility on the part of Jesus, making
himself resemble sinners though he was not one, and totally innocent
though he was, took upon himself the burden of our sins when he came into
the world, for he came only to make satisfaction for them! [ii]
Let us today admire the
obedience and the humility of our Savior in this mystery. He came into
this world as he himself says, not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.
[iii]
Learn from him to submit to those whom God has given you as your
superiors, to humble yourself on the occasions that will arise, and to
circumcise yourself with a true circumcision not made by human hands,
[iv]
as Saint Paul says, but which, he says, consists in stripping off your
carnal body, that is, your sins, passions and your own inclinations. For,
as the same apostle remarks elsewhere, true circumcision is not
performed on the flesh, which is only exterior, but rather on the heart,
performed by the Spirit.[v]
For this reason, since you
belong to Jesus Christ, mortify your flesh with its passions and
disorderly desires,
[vi]
as Saint Paul says, and Jesus Christ will make you live again with him,
even though your flesh has not been circumcised, totally abolishing the
decree of your condemnation.
[vii]
93.2
Second Point
In
this mystery Jesus Christ carried out his function and his role as
Redeemer of all by shedding his blood out of the love he had for us. By
this outpouring of his blood he showed that he was beginning to take on
the burden of our sins and to appear on earth as a sinner. First, because
under the Old Law, circumcision was established only for sinners. Second,
because Jesus Christ, appearing in this world as the high priest of
future blessings,
[viii]
according to Saint Paul, offered himself to God in the temple on this
day as a spotless victim to purify our consciences from dead works, so
that in the name of all of us he might offer to the living and eternal God
an act of true worship in his role as Mediator of the New Testament.
[ix]
Is there anything that
could be more humiliating for the Son of God than to appear as a sinner,
although he was holiness itself, the Just One par excellence? Yet Jesus
Christ, although exempt from sin, suffers on this day in his sacred body
the pain that we would have been obliged to endure as sinners, while we
who have offended God so much consider ourselves and wish to be considered
as innocent and just. We seek and think we have a right to seek our
comfort; we give all our attention to avoid work and suffering.
Arouse in yourself
sentiments of humility, and feel ashamed when you see how you avoid
occasions of suffering, whereas Jesus Christ sought them for love of you.
Thank him for such great goodness shown to you in his circumcision.
93.3
Third Point
The Eternal Father having
informed the Most Blessed Virgin by the angel who announced to her the
mystery of the Incarnation of his Son, that she should call him Jesus,
[x]
on this day she and Saint Joseph gave him this name, which means Savior.
It was quite proper that, when Jesus Christ began to suffer and to shed
his blood for our sins, this name should be given him at the same time, so
that he begin at this moment to have the name so admirably suited to him
according to the ministry he had been assigned, and at the same time that
he offer himself exteriorly and publicly to God his Father to fulfill this
ministry, so that he might not seem to have this adorable name in vain.
Is it only in vain that you
have the name of Christian and minister of Jesus Christ [xi]
in the work you do? Do you live in a manner that befits these glorious
names? Do you instruct those for whom you are responsible with the
attention and the zeal God asks of you in so holy a work? By your good
conduct make yourself worthy of this distinguished role. Act in such a way
that your life may begin today to be holy and edifying and continue to be
such in the future.
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