Responding to a Call (Luke 2:15-20)

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be always acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

According to Jewish law, male infants were to be circumcised on the eighth day after birth as a symbol of the covenant between God and Abraham (Genesis 17:10-14). It signified Jesus' full adherence to Jewish law from the outset.

Let me introduce a story about a family seeing an event in their lives and each processing it differently.

[Personal Story....] Let me begin with a story

A family had a tradition of gathering at a lakeside retreat every summer. On this particular year, as evening approached, the sky turned an unusual shade of orange and pink. It seemed like any other summer evening until they noticed something unusual over the horizon—a brilliant, shimmering light that seemed to dance above the water.

There was a sense of calm and peace that accompanied this light. Instinctively, they all gathered on the dock to watch, each with their own thoughts and expectations. That’s when their grandmother stood up, eyes wide, and softly murmured, “It’s a sign.” For her, it was confirmation of her steadfast faith.

To the younger brother, ever the scientist, immediately grabbed his phone, trying to find a logical explanation, perhaps some atmospheric phenomenon or a rare meteorological event. To him, the moment was awe-inspiring because it challenged his understanding of the world.

To the cousin, an artist at heart, saw it as nothing short of inspiration, something for her creativity. She began to sketch the scene, capturing all the colors and the reflections, seeing it as an expression of beauty and art.

As they discussed what they saw, it became clear that while each processed the moment differently, the experience brought them closer. It reminded them of the different paths through which faith, understanding, and inspiration guided their lives.

In the end, the light over the lake became a metaphor for the various ways we each encounter the divine and find meaning in everyday life. It teaches us that while our perspectives may differ, these differences enrich our shared journey of faith and family. I wonder how the miraculous event was processed many year ago by the shepherds and Mary and other people.

Now let’s travel to our Biblical passage.

------------------------

As we gather today, let's cast our minds back to a quiet night on the hills of Bethlehem. Imagine a group of shepherds, humble and perhaps weary from their night's watch, suddenly enveloped in the brilliance of an angelic announcement. In Luke 2:15-20, we are not just reading an account of events; we are invited into a journey of awe, faith, and a proclamation.

2:15–16. Angelic presence does not last forever. Angels leave. People must respond. How would shepherds respond—these tough men whose theological education came from the heavens and meadows rather than the synagogue and the rabbis? No quibbling or quarreling!

Rather, they made an immediate decision—to go to Bethlehem to see what God had reported to them. They wanted to be part of the work God was doing in his world. They saw God’s work in the face of a baby lying in a manger. What audacity that God would use society’s lowest occupations and its most meager resources to begin his awesome work of salvation.

2:17–20. Seeing the baby Jesus was not enough for the shepherds. They had to share the story. Everyone they met heard from them about angelic visits, angelic songs of praise, and a trip to a manger to find the baby of God’s glory.

The shepherds seeing this shared what had been told them about this child. The fact of the child was the news. The function of the child was the gospel. Shepherds found in a manger the Savior, the Messiah, the Lord himself. They let everyone in hearing distance know.

One word characterized their audience: amazed.

Shepherds became Jesus’ first evangelists.

Surprise, astonishment greeted the first testimonies about Jesus.

Surprise soon gave way to wonder and marvel at what God had done.

Everyone in Bethlehem began talking about God’s mysterious surprise—a surprise made known firsthand only to a couple from Nazareth and unappreciated shepherds carrying out their lonely nighttime tasks.

The mother responded differently. She had incubated amazement for nine months. Now she incubated experiences in her mind, experiences that gradually became treasured memories, each showing something new and different about her son, each confirming Gabriel’s promise of greatness for this Son of David and Son of the Most High. Surely nothing was impossible with God (1:30–37).

Shepherds came. They saw what God told them to expect. They proclaimed their findings to all who would listen. They turned back toward their jobs, a new song of praise in their hearts. What God had said, God had done. They returned to their sheep, never to be heard of again, but never to be forgotten.

We enter into today’s Feast on the memory of the Circumcision of Christ.

“And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb” (Luke 2:21).

About the Name of Jesus, St. Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians (2:9-10) says,

“God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”

The circumcision ceremony called for giving a name to the person. It was similar to our baptism when the child is also named. The act of circumcision, as later in baptism, marked the first consecration of the child to God.

The Son of God had to endure the rituals of a Jewish son. Obediently, Mary and Joseph performed the operation that dedicated the baby to the covenant faith of the Jews—a covenant faith initiated long ago as Abraham performed the first circumcision rites on his people (Gen. 17). Then the high moment came; they could officially announce his name. He would be called Jesus, just as the angel instructed (1:31). God’s Savior was here.

In the circumcision He shed His first drop of blood for humankind. Many theologians sustain that with that simple drop of blood, the Redemption of mankind could have been accomplished. But by the mysterious designs of Divine Providence, a great outpouring of blood, His death and even His last drop of blood that issued forth from the wound inflicted by Longinus’ spear were necessary for our Redemption. He accepted all this to accomplish the will of the Eternal Father.

Let us close this sermon by self reflection.

As we explore Luke 2:15-20 together, may we be open to seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary, responding to God’s call with urgency and sharing the joy of His presence with others. Amen