Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Today the church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Accordingly, the gospel reading (Luke 2:22-40) is the story of the presentation of Jesus by Mary and Joseph in the temple. This presentation shows Mary and Joseph as devout Jews faithfully observing the law of the Lord as they bring their firstborn son to be consecrated to the Lord. This was the law and custom for Jewish parents. The unexpected part of the story (at least for Mary and Joseph) is the meeting of Simeon (and later, Anna) there.
Simeon was a devout and holy man about whom we are told, “the Holy Spirit was upon him” and “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord.” Simeon came to the temple and saw the child Jesus, took him into his arms and blessed God aloud saying that Jesus was the salvation, “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” The next verse tells us that Mary and Joseph were “amazed at what was said about him.” And Simeon blessed them as well.
Similarly, Anna, a prophetess in the temple, spoke about the child Jesus, “to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” Here was the hope, the consolation of Israel that the people had been awaiting.
I think about what that was like for Mary and Joseph. It seems that these encounters and blessings were unexpected, beautiful ways through which the Holy Spirit spoke to them and touched them. Sure, they had been told by God’s angel that Jesus was to be the Messiah, but they were human too, and I imagine it was a nice confirmation that, yes, this child, this unexpected child from God, really was the awaited one.
I think, too, about how I know I need that kind of confirmation and validation that I am on the right track, doing God’s will, or simply that I really am a child of God. It seems to me that we receive that kind of validation from God when we, like Mary and Joseph with Jesus, take the time and effort to present ourselves, our labors, to God. Whether it be by presenting ourselves to God in church, in private prayer, in the Eucharist, or in spending time with holy people who we know to be close to God. There, God can touch our lives in a special way.
If we present ourselves, our work/vocation, our worries, anxieties, fears, our hopes and desires to God, we open ourselves to the graces of the Holy Spirit that may come unexpectedly, like Simeon and Anna. Sometimes it’s just a matter of “showing up” and God will do the rest.
- Eileen Miller