A weekly presentation of News, Information, Readings and Commentary for traditional Roman Catholics and Catholic Families remaining faithful to the teaching Magisterium as held by all faithful Catholics through the centuries.
Vol 15 Issue 53 Editor: Rev. Fr. Courtney Edward Krier
December 31, 2022, Saint Sylvester, opn!
Dear Reader:
In the celebration of the Feast of the Circumcision, we recognize the shifting of faith from the Old Testament to that of the New Testament. In the Old Testament we recall several persons and events that culminate in this feast:
The Promise to our First Parents that they would be saved from their sin, that they would be redeemed from their servitude to Satan and the history of mankind that believes and waits for the coming of the Saviour of the World seen in their offspring:
Abel, offering sacrifice to God in faith that it would be acceptable but being slain by his brother, Cain.
Noe, who builds an enormous ark far from the sea to be saved from the pending flood—saving just the handful who kept the faith.
Abraham, chosen, because of his faith, from amongst the rest of mankind to be the father of the people of God until His Seed—the Promised One—came from His loins.
Isaac, who accepted being sacrificed, believing his father that, as Abel’s, his sacrifice would be acceptable to God for man’s salvation.
Jacob, whose son, Joseph, saves the world; and whose son, Juda, by offering himself in place of the condemned brother, saves all his brethren.
Moses, who leads the Israelites out of Captivity by means of Aaron’s Rod, the wood that is given him as a sign that God will save those who believe in Him—and the wooden pole that he places in front of the people that whoever looks upon the image hanging on it would be saved.
Samuel, who serves the Lord all the days of his life awaiting the liberation of the Israelites despite the Holy of Holies falling into the hands of the enemy—yet anointing him who would save Israel from her enemy (King David). All which prefigures Christ falling into the hands of His enemies and, Simeon, serving God:
And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him.
And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:25-32; cf. 1 Kings 16)
This continues in David’s victory of the enemy of Israel but delivering to his son to build up the house of God as seen in the Christ giving Peter the keys to the kingdom and the building up of the house of God, the Church. As many books have been written on the Old Testament prophecies, types and prefigures, we must see in what Our Lord does the fulfillment, the keeping of the Law and the Prophets in all the details—and, as we meditate upon His Birth and all the accoutrements that connect His birth to the Old Testament—so, too, that of His Circumcision.
That is, this is part of our Faith: Circumcision was the sign of faith that salvation would be given and baptism is the sign that gives salvation.As always, enjoy the readings provided for your benefit. —The Editor
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