5th day within the Octave of Christmas
1 Jn 2:3-11
Lk 2:22-35
“Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord.”
On this joyous fifth day within the octave of Christmas, we celebrate the presentation of Jesus at the temple. As devout Jewish parents, Our Lady and St Joseph presented baby Jesus to consecrate Him to the Lord. In doing so, Jesus’ parents obeyed the Jewish laws according to Moses’ law.
When I read today’s gospel, I wonder if I am humble in Jesus’s eyes too. Having started my new job recently, I quickly learned that my character is far more important than whatever degree I achieved, or whichever school I came from. Coming from a privileged educational background, it was difficult for me to be humble when I began working in my new job.
Before joining the workplace, I was taught to not apologise in the workplace for my mistakes, as this would make me look weak. Within the first few months, I did not apologise when I made mistakes in my workplace. However, things quickly got worse. My relationship with my colleagues became increasingly strained over time.
When I went to my spiritual director a few months later, I told him about what was happening between me and my colleagues. Disappointed with me, he advised me to be humble. It was hard, but I took his advice. Over the next few weeks, I made efforts to reconcile with my colleagues. Also, I discovered what it meant to love our neighbours.
Very kindly, my colleagues accepted my apologies and we got along better. So, am I humble in Jesus’s eyes? My answer is still no, but what’s more important is if we always try to be humble and loving.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Brenda Khoo)
Prayer: Dear Mother Mary and Saint Joseph, please help us to be humble and obey Jesus’ commandment of love to God and men. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Lord, for giving us Your parents to show us what humility means, and how we can obey Your commandments of love to God and man. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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