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In Homily 48, St Isaac the Syrian wrote: “He who accuses his brother on account of his evil deeds has God for his own Accuser. A man who corrects his brother in his private chamber cures his evil; but a man who makes accusation against another in a public gathering worsens his wounds. He who cures his brother in secret makes manifest the strength of his love; but he who puts his brother to shame in the eyes of his companions gives a proof of the strength of his envy.”

After a night in prayer on a mountain Jesus selected twelve disciples as His apostles. We can imagine the wonder and joy of these men as they began to realize what had taken place. St. Luke recounts, in today’s Gospel: Jesus coming down with the Twelve stood on a stretch of level ground and although surrounded by a very large crowd, looked directly at the Twelve and began to instruct them, the first of many teachings.

They will offer due sacrifice to the Lord, said the prophet Malachi in the first reading. Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, said St Luke in the Gospel for today. And when the parents of Jesus make their offering and present him to the Lord, Simeon sees the salvation which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles.