The Presentation of the Lord

The Scripture readings for this blog can be found at http://usccb.org/bible/readings/020220.cfm

Today we commemorate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, formerly known as the Purification of Mary and Candlemas Day. According to the Law of Moses, 40 Days after the birth of a male child, the mother was to undergo the ritual of purification. Wealthy people offered lamb while poorer people offered two turtle-doves. It is at this time that the newborn male is consecrated to the Lord.


In today’s feast we see the continuation of how our salvation history is being worked out through Jesus, Mary and Joseph. It started with Gabriel visiting Mary to let her know that she was to be the mother of the Savior of the World. Mary wasn’t sure how this would work out but accepted the angel’s explanation that it was through the power of the Holy Spirit that the child would be born and would be the known as the Son of God. She gave her YES to God to become the mother of the Lord.


Then Joseph, uncertain as to how Mary got pregnant, also accepted, in a dream, Gabriel’s message about how Mary was to be the Mother of the Savior, and he (Joseph) was to be the protector of this precious gift. Joseph trusted the words of the Angel and did what was expected of him by God.


At Christmas we have the birth of the Lord in Bethlehem, and the visit of the Magi and the Shepherds, all praising God for the gift of this new child being born the King of Kings. We hear of angels singing “Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth peace to men of good will.”


Finally today we have at the Presentation of the Lord. When Jesus entered the Temple in Jerusalem, Simeon, upon seeing Jesus, saw something special. The name Simeon means “God has heard.” Simeon embraced the Child Jesus in his arms and said a prayer that has become the Church’s daily night prayer, “Now, Lord you can let me go. You have kept your word. I have Seen your salvation. He will be a light to the Gentiles, as well as the glory of Israel.”


In  Simeon we see represented all the Old Testament Holy Ones who were looking for the Messiah. In Simeon we have a remembrance of Abraham, Jacob, Moses Isaiah, and all the Old Testament prophets. Simeon saw in Jesus the fulfillment of all the Old Testament prophecies of the coming of the Messiah. Simeon would go on to prophesy that Mary herself will suffer. He said to Mary “…and you yourself a sword will pierce…”


Then we have Anna, which means “God’s favor.” Anna also recognized something special in Jesus. She saw in Jesus that he was for all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. 


Mary, Joseph, Simeon and Anna were all open to the promptings of God in their lives. Scripture was central to who they were. They were always open to do God’s Will, even when it seemed difficult and hard. They recognized God’s presence in their lives.

We are all called to follow God in our own special way. We can, like Mary, say yes to God in bringing Jesus into the world. Mary brought Jesus physically into the world by being the mother of Jesus. We can bring Jesus into the world by how we live our lives: by loving God and loving neighbor. There will be times that this will be difficult, but like Mary, we are to trust that God will be there with us to guide us according to His Holy Will.


Or we can be like Joseph who was the guardian of Jesus in his early years. Joseph was open to God in his life and was ready to do what God needed him to do in serving Jesus in his childhood needs. By serving others that God has put into our lives, as Jesus was placed into Joseph’s life, we are following in Joseph’s steps in serving God in those we serve.


Then we have Simeon and Anna who were at the temple, reflecting on God’s Word in Holy Scripture, and being open to God when he appeared as Jesus in the arms of Mary and Joseph. Scripture was central to Simeon and Anna and how they lived their lives. As a result, they were able to recognize the Messiah as he entered the temple. The study and reflection upon scripture should be central to who we are as Christians.

Let us all be open to God and his promptings in our lives by being those people who bring the love of God to a world darkened by sin. Let us recognize the presence of God in each one of us. And as we approach the altar for Holy Communion, let us, like Simeon and Anna, recognize Jesus in his Holy Temple.