Simeon the prophet, as he holds baby JEsus in his hands, he stares into the face of this child who bears the marks of eternity and then his gazes meets that of his mother's, speaks these words that have echoed forth from the temple threshold through the ages,
"behold this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that thoughts of many shall be revealed."
"A sword shall pierce..."
These words remind us that when it comes to love, we can never play it safe. We cannot keep a distance. When it comes ot love we must be willing to be wounded.
christmas reminds us that God does not play it safe; he does not keep a safe distance. Rather he journeys from heaven to earth, he ocmes down to be not just with us, but one of us.
He allows himself to be wounded by love for all.
Mary's yes to god also opens wide the door to love. She alos bears the mark, bears the wound. Her heart is pierced by love itself.
She does not play it safe; she does not keep her distance. She opens wide to love.
We too must follow her lead.
If love is goign to be a force that changes the world then we can no longer play it safe, guard our distance, go forth cautiously.
We must be willing to let the sword of love pierce our heart; we must be wounded.
"Crucify my heart, crucify my thoughts, crucify my words, crucify my love that I may be wounded for you O Lord, Sweet Jesus, that my life may radiate your love, your goodness, your grace, your gentleness, your obedience, your devotion to the Father, your devotion to all of humanity."
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