Meditation
My brothers and sisters, these are precious values in which we were raised; we must preserve them and teach them to our children so that they endure, especially in our time, when our Christian values have come to be seen as backwardness and weakness.
Is there anything in the whole universe more beautiful than being welcomed by our Lord Christ?
Is there anyone in the world who loves us and cares for us more than the Lord Jesus?
Is there any fragrance on earth sweeter than the scent of incense?
And is there any voice gentler than the voice of God?
Let the scent of incense be the first thing our children breathe, and the melody of hymns the first thing our little ones hear, so that they grow up in the love of the Father who nourishes their hearts, and drink in his words that quench the thirst of their minds. Let the house of God be the first place our children visit: “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16).
Prayer
Father, you granted the aged Simeon the grace of holding the child Jesus Christ in his arms, so that he was filled with joy and asked you to let him depart in peace once his eyes had seen and his hands had touched the Saviour of the world and the Redeemer of mankind. Grant us too the grace of always carrying your only Son Jesus Christ in our hearts, so that he may perfume our life and our soul with the fragrance of his infinite love, and the gentle breeze of his voice may reach the depths of our consciences. Amen.
