Today is the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This is depicted in the beautiful stained glass windows in our Church. It shows Mary and Joseph in the temple, with their two turtle doves, to be presented as an offering, and Simeon holding the infant Christ child.
When can we expect to experience God fully?
Do you desire to face the refiner’s fire? How are you preparing to meet Him? The Lord is coming, we learn in the scriptures today, but before we meet Him, He will burn away everything in our lives that would keep us from experiencing Him fully.
The Second Reading reminds us that as we prepare to meet Him, He is actually at our side, so we are never alone. The beautiful Gospel story showing us how Jesus first comes to the people in the temple, can be a bit of a shock in contrast to the refiner’s fire of Malachi 3: 2. We see the Lord of hosts entering the temple as a helpless infant in Mary’s arms, protected by Joseph. The Son of God approaches His people
in the most vulnerable way. Those in the Temple see a poor couple carrying two turtledoves, which shows they are people of little or no importance. But Simeon and Anna, inspired by the Holy Spirit, see more. This is why we too are called to welcome Jesus in those who are most vulnerable in our society; the unborn, the mentally ill, the imprisoned, the immigrant and the refugee.
In the Gospel we hear the prayer by Simeon as he holds the infant Jesus in his arms. It confirms the hopes of Israel are fulfilled in the Incarnation. Simeon’s words serve as the traditional Gospel canticle of Night Prayer called the Nunc Dimittis. I pray it every night as I fall asleep. I would encourage you to do the same.
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in His peace.