Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Just as the infant Jesus was presented to God in the temple on that one historic day, so too does Jesus the Christ want to present himself in the temple of our hearts. Scripture tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Jesus desires to be and remain present to and with us, constantly dwelling deep within us. On this important Feast Day, let us pray for the graces of conversion that we might be more intimately united with our Lord who so earnestly desires to present himself to us.
The Gospel reading this past Sunday located Jesus in the synagogue, having read a Messianic Prophecy from the Book of Isaiah. Jesus declares, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” That declaration was not only true for Jesus’ hearers in that moment; it is true for us any time we respond to the Word of God. In today’s Gospel we find Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus in the temple as the Law of Moses prescribed. As we read today’s text, can we also affirm that this scripture is fulfilled in us? As Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts (Rev. 3:20), as he presents himself at the temple of our hearts, let us open wide the door and invite him to come in and remain present in a deeper more intimate way. Our glorious psalm today speaks of gates, doors, and portals being flung open so that the King of Glory may enter! Today, let us give generous and complete admittance, hospitality, welcome, and residence to our King of Glory. May he not just cross the threshold of our hearts and then depart. May he find a home within us where he can remain constantly and be ever present.
Our first reading from the prophet Malachi sounds a bit ominous. The prophet asks, “who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears?” Thanks be to God that Christ comes to us as our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lover, our Friend. On this side of the Cross, we know that our Lord is not someone to be feared (except in holy awe), but someone to be welcomed and received. Malachi describes our Lord as a refiner. When precious metals like gold and silver are refined, impurities are removed so that the beauty and brilliance of the pure metal may be enjoyed. Today, let us invite the Lord our refiner to purify us from our sin, and lead us to greater conversion in holiness. As we pray today, let us include an examination of conscience and prayers for healing, renewal, restoration, and forgiveness. Let us ask Christ to make himself present to our impurity as a fiery refiner.
In our second reading, we rejoice in the victory that is ours in this Christ who presents himself to us anew this day. Christ, through his Paschal Mystery, has destroyed death and sin and satan and everything that holds us captive and keeps us enslaved. Thanks be to God that we have this merciful and faithful high priest who intercedes for us before the Father and expiates our sins. This Christ who presents himself in the temple of our hearts also suffered and was tested in every way that we were, except through sin. Let us present our suffering to our ever-present Christ today, joining our sufferings with his so that somehow they might be redemptive. Christ suffered all things so that he can identify with your sufferings and mine. Christ is present, always, without exception, in your sufferings and mine. We may not always understand why we suffer the things we do, but one thing we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt: Christ is present in our suffering, always.
I offer two songs to accompany your prayer today: “But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming” from Handel’s Messiah, and “Refiner’s Fire.” You can click on the links to listen. May God bless you richly today, friends, as you invite Christ to be even more present to you. Amen!
Elizabeth Wells (formerly Wourms)