Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
In some ways we are making a retreat back to the Christmas season. Feb 2nd is the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. This year Feb 2nd happens to fall on a Sunday. So here we are once again back to the childhood of Jesus, when just last week we heard about the call of the disciples.
I want to approach the feast of the presentation of Jesus in the temple as an extension of the feast of the Epiphany. The difference between the two feasts is that whereas at the Epiphany Jesus is manifested to the whole world, at his presentation in the temple, he is manifested to his own people. Simeon’s prophecy in today’s gospel foretells what Christ will accomplish for Israel as a nation. Simeon’s prophecies suggest that Jesus will be glory to the people Israel, and that he will be responsible for the rise and fall of many in Israel. Simeon also has a very different prophecy for Mary as opposed to what the angel has told her at the annunciation. He says to her, “… And you yourself a sword will pierce— so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Anna, the prophetess also focuses on the internal ministry of Jesus. She “spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”
I would like to stay with the mood of the readings and focus on faith in relation to our more immediate relationships. I would like to talk about faith between parents and children, faith in the family, and new evangelization.
1. Faith is a Family Affair. In many ways, Mary and Joseph were very privileged people. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary at her annunciation, she was full of grace, she was the mother of the Son of God, and she was told that her son would inherit the throne of David. Joseph too was chosen specially to be the foster-father for the Son of the Most high and he too was visited numerous times by an angel. However, scripture does not tell us that their privileged position made them any different than the rest of the Israelites. Mary and Joseph fulfilled all their religious duties like the rest of Israel. They brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord as the Law prescribed. This image of the presentation of the Jesus offers many points for us to reflect about: first, granted that our children belong to us we must acknowledge that first and foremost they belong to God. Second, to tilt the balance in favor or academics, arts and sports in a way that affects children's’ spiritual faith formation is contrary to what God wills for them. Third, faith formation is a family affair. The times when we thought that children learn faith by simply dropping then off at a Catholic school or enrolling them in religious education programs and even going to church every Sunday is gone. Fourth, the thinking that it is the responsibility of one of the parents to take children to mass while the other does the rest is archaic. Mary and Joseph teach us that complete formation of a child is the responsibility of the entire family.
2. Family Prayer. In recent times, I have put considerable effort to make First Holy Communion and Confirmation preparation an opportunity for the faith formation of the family. But in conversation with parents and children, I have also discovered that not only is prayer at home (apart from grace before meals or individual prayer before sleep) rare but that that biggest obstacle to prayer at home is not the lack of time or busy and scattered schedules, but rather, awkwardness. This is all the more true of couples. Even very devout and regularly church attending families find it awkward to prayer, either as a family, or as a couple. Many families and couples just do not know what to do if they came together for prayer. Here is one way to approach deal with awkwardness. Parents and couples – this biblical approach is for you. Take today’s gospel reading, for example. Read this passage once. In a few moments of silence, think about those things that drew your imagination. Read this passage a second time. This time share with each other those things that touched you. Read this passage a third time. This time, share with one another what this passage is saying to you personally. And now together discuss what this passage means for both of you together and for your family. End with a simple prayer or even a Hail Mary. When you become comfortable with this approach you can ask your children to join in. I promise you this. If you can do this once a month, or each weekend for fifteen minutes, it might transform your relationships at home.
3. Evangelization is life-demanding project. In today’s gospel reading Simeon and Anna prophesy that Jesus would be ‘light’ and ‘salvation’ for Israel. It is in this context that I want to talk about evangelization. Evangelization means that believers today can bring the light and the good news of salvation to those around them. In Dec 1975, Pope Paul the VI wrote an apostolic exhortation entitled Evangelii Nuntiandi (On Evangelization Today). This exhortation focused on the meaning and method for evangelization in the modern world. Later John Paul II popularized the term, Benedict XVI called for a new evangelization and Pope Francis has continued to emphasize the need for a new evangelization. Because of the emphasis on evangelization in the last 40 years, the term ‘evangelization’ gain wide currency in the Catholic world. However, I also think that the term got cheapened as a result. Evangelization is easier said than done and today it is more said than done.
Evangelization, even in its simplest sense – striving to proclaim the gospel – is a life-altering project. Evangelization is hard. This was true, first of all, for Jesus. He was the reason for the gospel and he is the gospel. And yet, both in his hometown and with religious authorities, evangelization demanded from him not just some time, a little energy, or few resources. Evangelization demanded his entire life. For Mary too, for who is the star of evangelization, it demanded life-altering decisions. Simeon had said to her that a sword will pierce her heart. The most important thing to understand about evangelization is that not something we “do.” Evangelization calls for our life, our families, and our parishes to have Christ at the center. When Christ is truly, genuinely, and tangibly at the center then life then evangelization becomes a by-product of who we are rather than something we do. Evangelization is the dynamic interaction of life and the gospel.
May this Eucharist, in which we adore and worship Christ our light and our salvation, help us individually and as a family, to become light and bearers of the good news of salvation. Amen.
- Fr. Satish Joseph