February 2, 2014

Presentation of the Lord A

Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
Today the feast of the Presentation of the Lord falls on a Sunday, this happens only occasionally. It is a wonderful feast for me to reflect on the message that I live and that I carry for Christ. It’s also a time to ask how I maintain the strength and freshness of my commitment to that message...it is important for each person to do this.
What is this feast all about? According to the laws found in the Leviticus (12:2-8) a woman who gives birth to a son is considered impure for forty days during which time she cannot touch anything sacred nor can she enter the sanctuary of the Temple. At the end of that period, a lamb is presented to the temple as a burnt offering and a pigeon or turtledove for a purification offering. If one could not afford a lamb, then two turtledoves could serve as a substitute. The purpose of the bringing their first born child to the Temple to be presented or dedicated to the Lord reminded the parents that their child really was a gift from God entrusted to them. I am honored when parents talk about the ‘miracle’ of the birth of their children. There is a purpose for each person in being created and God has tremendous plans for each child. These plans revolve around being loved and giving love so that others may be drawn to the Lord’s love.
So Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple to fulfill their religious obligations and encounter Simeon and Anna which is why this feast is also known as the ‘Feast of the Encounter.’ This word suggests an element of surprise. All their lives, Simeon and Anna had waited in the temple preparing them to ‘encounter’ the Messiah even though they had no idea of when or how it would happen. Because of their prayer life and attentiveness to the Spirit these two were able to see the ‘glory of God’ in this small child. Simeon picked up Jesus and in gratitude proclaimed his prayer Nunc Dimittis (“Lord, now you let your servant go in peace”). This beautiful prayer/canticle expresses the longing of the people of Israel down through the centuries for the coming of the Messiah. Simeon proclaims this mission is now finished; the new covenant is being born in Jesus. Living the Word adds this thought:”In some ways, this feast represents the last flicker of the Advent-Christmas season, commemorating the presentation of Jesus in the Jerusalem temple. In Vatican City, the large outdoor manger scene is left in place until this day. It is almost as if the Church just can’t give up on celebrating the mystery of God-made-flesh.”
The Lord came to Simeon and Anna in the Temple and the Lord comes to each person every day. In the Mass, Jesus comes in his Word and in the Eucharist to join each person in their life journey. Luke a Devotional Commentary says, “How blessed are we that the resurrected Lord has come to His temple to remain! In the Eucharist, under the appearance of ordinary bread and wine, Jesus comes to meet us. In baptism, He has taken up residence in the temple of our hearts as well. By the shedding of His blood and the outpouring of His Spirit, He has purified us and delivered us from death.” (This is seen in the first reading from Malachi 2:2-3).
Another aspect of this feast helps me to remember my mission and each person’s mission from God, this is the blessing of candles that is performed and as a result is called ‘Candlemas Day’. This ancient tradition is the day that people would bring to Church candles to be blessed. They would bring these candles home and light them when the Eucharist was brought in case of sickness or in any kind of difficulty or storms. These lit candles would remind them that Christ is with them. This is a very simple sign but it says so much, especially that darkness can be terrifying. It was as a young child that many became scared of the dark; some just had to have a light kept lit in their bedrooms to keep them safe from the ‘boogie man’ or whatever. But the point of the candle is that it gives light; a light in darkness gives location, balance and a center. I am comfortable. I know where I am and what is all around me. This is what Christ does for me and for each person. He keeps me balanced; giving me direction in my life; letting me know how I am to live each moment by bringing my gifts and His love to each and every one.
Like Simeon and Anna I have to be prepared each moment for an encounter with the Lord. Where will it come, when will it come; I can’t say that but I know it has come each day in my life and so often it has been a surprise. I have met the Lord in the poor and the helpless, the sick and the dying; I have met the Lord in the little ones giving a hug at the end of Mass or being affirmed or challenged by all sorts of people. What I can say is that each of these encounters helps me grow closer to the Lord when I reflect on them in gratitude. I try to do this each evening as I put my head on the pillow, ‘Where have I seen God today...what message did He have for me...’ Simeon trusted in God. I can trust that everything that happens in my life has a reason and can be used by the Lord; and most especially that I am never alone. Jesus promised that and it is the promise of the blessed candle, symbolizing that Jesus is my Light in any darkness. So I reflect on:

• Do I live my life each day in anticipation of God revealing Himself to me? How can I do this?
  
• What hinders me in my love of the Lord? What worries and anxieties hold me back from giving myself over to God?
  
• How does the knowledge that Jesus was tested as a human being bring consolation to my difficulties and struggles? Do I really believe that Jesus understands?
  
• Simeon and Anna waited in anticipation and excitement; do I put off my encountering with the Lord?
  
• Do I feel as Simeon did that being in God’s presence and much loved by Him is the achievement of my human life?
  

Sacred Space 2014 says it so beautifully:

“The feast of the Presentation can happen every day if I wish it so. This is because when I pray, I am presenting myself before God. God and I meet directly. When Jesus tells us to pray always, He is inviting us to live out our lives with this awareness of God.

Like Simeon, I can take the child in my arms. Perhaps the child wakes up and smiles at me. What goes on in my heart when this happens? Simeon praised God. I give thanks that God is presented to me in such a tangible and vulnerable form.”