Reflection by Rev. Leonard N. Peterson
You may know the long-running TV series ‘Law and Order’ and its trademark ‘plink plunk’ sound between scenes. Each show featured an incident of law violation followed by the court trial. Evidently a winning formula as the franchise has continued to produce spin-offs.
Generally speaking, in real life, most people prefer to live under authentic law and consistent order. It’s the criminal element among us who “ply their trade,” so to speak.
Joseph and Mary, the holy parents of a Holy Child, certainly knew the law of their nation and kept them in good order. That is why they entered the great Temple on a day long ago to participate in the established rite of presentation that all Hebrew mothers had to go through forty days after the birth of their male child. Obviously, Mary did not have to undergo any purification, but she, with Joseph, did so to preclude any scandal. So, in all humility they lined up with the other couples and their boys.
The topic of law and order enters our thinking from time to time. It often proceeds from “something out there” to something personal. We believe that Our Lord Jesus provided us guidelines. He fulfilled the Old Testament Law. He passed on the same to what would eventually become His Catholic Church through His Apostles and their successors. Twenty-one centuries later the obligation to obey remains, even if the idea of obedience these days is culturally foreign.
Sad to say, a growing number of those who call themselves Catholic have chosen not to agree. So, we note their absence from Sunday Mass in a downward trend that underscores the prediction of our late pope Benedict XVI that the Church will grow smaller and poorer.
It is difficult to understand how a rational person could decide to ignore Christ’s words ‘Do this in memory of Me,’ spoken at the Last Supper to His Apostles is beyond the scope of this reflection. I will just say the words “relativism” and “self-referential morality” for the time being. You can explore them.
Honestly though, a person’s bias against law in general certainly threatens order. How safe would it be to cross a busy street? Or board a plane? Or ride a New York City subway?
I began this piece with reference to a popular TV show. Let me close with some homespun wisdom I found that recognizes the problem. “Many people believe in law and order as long as they can lay down the law and give the orders.”
God love you and give you His peace.
Rev. Peterson’s Reading & Gospel Summary
Reading I: Malachi 3: 1-4
The Lord’s messenger (Elijah) will make Israel ready for the Lord’s coming by returning the people to covenant obedience.
Reading II: Hebrews 2: 14-18
Jesus was like us in all things but sin. He took on our nature in order to die so that He could “rob” Satan of his claim over our lives.
The Gospel: Luke 2: 22-40, or 22-32
Mary and Joseph fulfill the Law of Purification for all new mothers, not because they needed to be cleansed, but because they wanted to avoid giving others scandal. The elderly Simeon calls the Child “the Light to all nations.”