Br. Ed has done many different ministries in the Order over the years, and is now an emeritus pastoral associate at Blessed Sacrament Church in Madison, Wisconsin.
In today's Gospel we get a hint that Caiaphas wants to kill Jesus in order to maintain his political power. Today our politicians sometimes try to protect their vested interest rather than working for the common good.
Jesus' enemies want to stone him because he is preaching a vision of Judaism that is different than their own. Can we look upon what is new with eyes of love that try to understand rather than with condemnation?
Jesus tells his followers whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant. This is looking at the world the way God sees it, the right way up, unlike when we have allowed our own vision to be skewed, thinking servanthood is low.
Jesus admonished the Pharisees to be more humble. Humility is seeing ourselves as God sees us, not more or less, which allows us to become purified of our bad qualities because we also see the good.
In today's Gospel, Jesus gives instructions to his disciples, who are open to accepting his wisdom and applying it to themselves. This is the virtue of docility, which is not so popular today, but important for learning nonetheless.
On this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrate Jesus as the Light of the World by blessings candles and committing ourselves to be light for others.