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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Their own town of Nazareth

Their own town of Nazareth

Published Dec 30, 2021 12:05 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Reflections today

Luke writes that Mary and Joseph are natives of Nazareth. They go to Bethlehem only to register for a Roman census. There, Mary gives birth to Jesus. The child is circumcised on the eighth day and presented to the Lord in the Temple. The family returns to Nazareth when they have fulfilled their obligations in the Temple.

Jesus’ growth and development in Nazareth is intellectual as well as physical: “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom...” This serves to introduce the next scene where the 12-year-old boy astounds the teachers at the Temple with his wisdom (Lk 2:41-52). Jesus, being truly man, also has to grow. At the same time, he is the Son of God, possessing incomparable wisdom.

Jesus will henceforth be known among his contemporaries and in history as “Jesus of Nazareth” or “the Nazorean” after the town where he was brought up.

The name Nazareth may have come from the word nazir or “consecrated person.” It reminds us of people like Samson and John the Baptist. But Jesus is truly nazir because he is consecrated to God as God’s beloved Son.

Nazareth may also be related to the Hebrew word neser that can have two meanings: “to guard” and “to blossom.” The first fits Nazareth’s location atop a hill, seemingly guarding the vast plains of Esdraelon. The second, on the other hand, has a messianic connotation: the long-expected Messiah is the “blossom” or “shoot” of Jesse, the father of David (Is 11:1). It fits the person of Jesus, the Son of David.

GOSPEL • LUKE 2:36-40

There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had fulfilled all the prescrip- tions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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