Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. And as you probably know, the presentation of Jesus in the temple served two purposes: the first is the dedication or consecration of the first-born son to God; AND the second is the purification of the mother of that boy – so we are thinking today about Mary.
The first-born son belonged to God, according to the Book of Exodus (ch.13), but the book of Numbers (ch. 18) tells us the first-born could be redeemed or bought back by paying five shekels or offering in sacrifice a pair of young pigeons.
The purification of the mother in Jewish Law was a ritual cleansing after childbirth.
Today we know that Our Lady didn’t need this purification because she was a virgin before, during and after the birth of Jesus but she underwent it to fulfil the Law.
I think, there are a number of lessons we can learn from today’s feast. The first, as I mentioned earlier, is that Mary after her virginal birth had no need for ritual presentation, and Jesus being God had no need to be dedicated to God in the temple. Yet Mary and Joseph, aware of this, went ahead and fulfilled the requirements of the Law and introduced Jesus into the Jewish religion. This teaches us the need to fulfil the requirements of the law (or commandments) in our individual circumstances as Christians.
I think that each of us should ask ourselves today: Tomasz, Pat, John, Rebecca, Mary… Are there religious laws/commandments or obligations you are yet to fulfil? This is a time to make up our minds to fulfil those obligations which may include different things: contracting a marriage the Catholic way, fulfilling our financial obligations to the Church, receiving the necessary sacraments, reconciling with the Church, etc. You know I counted all of this just to give you an example, but we know our own lives and hearts better than others do, so only we can find what this law or commandment or obligation is that we have neglected for many years.
Moreover, I think that the cooperation between Mary and Joseph should teach parents the need to collaborate in practicing their faith and raising their children in the Christian way. As Mary and Joseph brought Christ to the temple, parents should always bring their children to God through the examples of their actions. How well do parents present their children to the Lord these days? That’s another important question or lesson that flows from today’s feast.
Let’s go further. God’s Word asks us today: Do you know the favour of the Lord?
You know, after Jesus’ birth, Mary fulfils the Jewish rite of purification after childbirth. Since she can’t afford the customary offering of a lamb, she gives instead two pigeons as an offering of the poor. This rite, along with circumcision and the redemption of the first-born point to the fact that children are gifts from God. Jesus was born in an ordinary home where there were no luxuries. Like all godly parents, Mary and Joseph raised their son in the fear and wisdom of God. He, in turn, was obedient to them and grew in wisdom and grace. The Lord’s favour is with those who listen to his word with trust and obedience. So, today’s Gospel asks us: Do you know the joy of submission to God? And do you seek to pass on the faith and to help the young grow in wisdom and maturity?
Let’s go further still. You know, from today’s gospel, we can picture before our eyes Mother Mary as she walks, carrying the Baby Jesus in her arms. She brings him to the Temple; she presents him to the people; she brings him to meet his people. But in our hearts, we can contemplate something deeper. We can contemplate Mary, the Mother who walks, and also the Child who goes before her. She carries him, yet he is leading her along the path of the God who comes to us so that we might go to him. According to the letter to the Hebrews, Jesus walked the same path as we do, and shows us the new way, the “new and living way” which he himself is (ch. 10). Are we willing and ready to allow Jesus to lead us through daily life? How obedient are we to the promptings of the Holy Spirit?
Is there any other message in today’s feast? I think there is. Today we too, like Mary and Simeon, want to take Jesus into our arms, to bring him to his people. Surely we will be able to do so if we enter into the mystery in which Jesus himself is our guide. Let us bring others to Jesus, but let us also allow ourselves to be led by him. This is what we should be: guides who themselves are guided. Are we willing and ready to follow Jesus and lead others to him? Do we strive to bring Jesus to others by our way of life, our mode of talking and our decisions? I think if Jesus is indeed the light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of Israel as Simeon prophesied, then we – who belong to Him – we also have to be different in this world by living a different life; I mean a holy life. Hence, today we use lighted candles as a symbol of Christ’s presence, dispelling the darkness of sin and unbelief in our lives. Jesus is depicted as entering the sanctuary as the light of the nations and is symbolized by the flames of our candles. Let’s open our hearts to be a great temple for Him, who desires to live there.
Tomasz MAMELKA - Timperley 