Today's Message: The Presentation of the Lord
Malachi 3: 1-4; Hebrews 2: 14-18; Luke 2: 22-40
One of the problems with belonging to an established group is that one feels that they ‘have heard all the questions and know all the answers.’ Unfortunately there is a tendency to view our faith in the same way. We know the story beginning with Adam and Eve; travel through Abraham and continue through Moses who was chosen to lead the Israelites through the desert to the Promised Land with the Ten Commandments as their foundational code of conduct. The Wisdom Books and the Prophets consistently reminded the people of their duties. A Messiah was promised and we are brought to Mary, Joseph and John the Baptist, Jesus’ birth and presentation in the Temple. Every weekend we hear this story in the Nicene Creed. We have been doing this since the fourth century. The whole story is there in scripture and provides the complete guide for what we should do to be His disciple. Everything we need for our salvation is there. Unfortunately this can give us a false sense of security that we are on the ‘winning side.’ We know where Jesus is and how to act accordingly. We are well aware of His presence in our lives and in the world. We see those who act as if they reject Jesus, but we are on the safe side. Our salvation is assured. We feel honored and proud. But do we see Jesus in our lives? Do we recognize Him in our world? We would answer ‘of course’ … but do we?
John the Baptist had questions at the beginning. Herod refused to see that there was a ‘new king’ who would usurp his power. The shepherds and magi recognized Jesus but allowed themselves to see with God’s eyes. The educational, religious and governmental leaders of Israel who were immersed in the Jewish faith and traditions didn’t recognize Jesus because they felt they knew exactly who and what the Messiah would be. The people were inquisitive; all listened, few followed and many were skeptical. All asked for proof … and even demanded ‘signs’ from Jesus. The Herod who allowed Jesus to be killed on the cross wanted Jesus to perform ‘magic tricks’ so he could be entertained. Is there something deeper? Do I just want some sort of entertainment or to realize I’m OK and don’t have to worry about my journey to heaven? We look for help in today's readings.
The word ‘Malachi’ means ‘my messenger;' God is sending a messenger to the people of Israel around the 4th century B.C. God is interested in shaping the people on their spiritual journey. This happens when the people are in a danger zone when they look to themselves while not paying attention to God and His ways. In the scene today, the people and the religious leaders have been very ‘cocky,' they know it all, they are complacent. The priests are not performing their religious duties especially with regard to teaching and offering sacrifices. Malachi is telling of a figure who will come to be known as the Messiah. This figure will bring about the justice the people are seeking and will lead the people. The question begins: will they interpret the Messiah the way they want or can they see it’s all about God and His plan and living His message of love?
Paul is addressing the worries of the Hebrews with regard to their fear of death. What is going to happen to them? Already people are not only being challenged but being threatened and persecuted for their belief in Jesus. Paul tells them that this fear and not death itself is holding them in bondage … this is the devil’s work. Paul says that Jesus’ death and resurrection is the perfect sacrifice showing God’s love and the forgiveness of sins. Do I trust God? Do I believe in His ways? Do I disagree with Jesus’ plan of love in carrying out God’s plans?
According to the Law of Moses, 40 days after giving birth to a male child, the mother was to undergo the ritual for purification (Leviticus 12:2-8). Wealthy people were to offer a lamb; poorer families offered two turtledoves. Then the child was consecrated to the Lord (Exodus 13:2, 12). Luke continues in showing this theme that Mary and Joseph were faithful and ‘churchgoing’ Jews. They come to the temple and encounter Simeon — his name means ‘God has heard.’ Simeon is a prophet who is waiting for God’s rule to return to Israel … not only the Romans leaving but the people’s faith and belief in God’s plan being restored through the Messiah. Simeon’s prayer is known as the ‘Nunc Dimittis’ and is a beautiful hymn praising God’s ways. Mary and Joseph have no idea what Simeon is saying or why he is saying it. Only later does Mary see that Simeon is telling her what will happen. Mary reflects on all these happenings in her heart. Do we take time to read the scriptures and to imagine being in the scene? Do we think of the meaning this scene has for me as a believer? What are the ‘swords’ that have pierced my heart? Am I aware that I am on a mission of love as were Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as well as Simeon and Anna? Again Mary and Joseph had no idea of what had happened at this religious ritual. Simeon was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, stating that Jesus was the culmination and fulfillment of everything his Jewish faith had taught him. Anna’s prayers had been answered.
How many times have we ‘reflected in our hearts’ on the people who have touched us with their example and lives as well as their words? We can truly call them ‘Beatitude people.’ They are people in our own families, at work, at school, friends, neighbors who have embrace the ‘blessedness’ of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). These people have shared their giftedness and love, revealing God’s blessings in their compassion, generosity, mercy and peace. They have consistently trusted in God’s mercy that they’ve experienced and, most importantly, have shared it with you and me. How blessed we are! As Church and as individuals, each of us has God’s Spirit living in us. We are God’s gift to our world. Do we believe this? Do we share this? Do we ask God for help each day to live this?
So I reflect on:
“I stand nearby and share the joy of Simeon and Anna, marveling at what they say about this 40-day-old child of a poor and observant Jewish family. How do I feel for His parents when I hear what the future holds for them?
“After all these miraculous events, Mary, Jesus, and Joseph went home. Life carried on. Can I accept that, between the exciting or miraculous events in my life, there are years of ordinary living and doing and being? I thank God for everyday graces.”
One of the problems with belonging to an established group is that one feels that they ‘have heard all the questions and know all the answers.’ Unfortunately there is a tendency to view our faith in the same way. We know the story beginning with Adam and Eve; travel through Abraham and continue through Moses who was chosen to lead the Israelites through the desert to the Promised Land with the Ten Commandments as their foundational code of conduct. The Wisdom Books and the Prophets consistently reminded the people of their duties. A Messiah was promised and we are brought to Mary, Joseph and John the Baptist, Jesus’ birth and presentation in the Temple. Every weekend we hear this story in the Nicene Creed. We have been doing this since the fourth century. The whole story is there in scripture and provides the complete guide for what we should do to be His disciple. Everything we need for our salvation is there. Unfortunately this can give us a false sense of security that we are on the ‘winning side.’ We know where Jesus is and how to act accordingly. We are well aware of His presence in our lives and in the world. We see those who act as if they reject Jesus, but we are on the safe side. Our salvation is assured. We feel honored and proud. But do we see Jesus in our lives? Do we recognize Him in our world? We would answer ‘of course’ … but do we?
John the Baptist had questions at the beginning. Herod refused to see that there was a ‘new king’ who would usurp his power. The shepherds and magi recognized Jesus but allowed themselves to see with God’s eyes. The educational, religious and governmental leaders of Israel who were immersed in the Jewish faith and traditions didn’t recognize Jesus because they felt they knew exactly who and what the Messiah would be. The people were inquisitive; all listened, few followed and many were skeptical. All asked for proof … and even demanded ‘signs’ from Jesus. The Herod who allowed Jesus to be killed on the cross wanted Jesus to perform ‘magic tricks’ so he could be entertained. Is there something deeper? Do I just want some sort of entertainment or to realize I’m OK and don’t have to worry about my journey to heaven? We look for help in today's readings.
The word ‘Malachi’ means ‘my messenger;' God is sending a messenger to the people of Israel around the 4th century B.C. God is interested in shaping the people on their spiritual journey. This happens when the people are in a danger zone when they look to themselves while not paying attention to God and His ways. In the scene today, the people and the religious leaders have been very ‘cocky,' they know it all, they are complacent. The priests are not performing their religious duties especially with regard to teaching and offering sacrifices. Malachi is telling of a figure who will come to be known as the Messiah. This figure will bring about the justice the people are seeking and will lead the people. The question begins: will they interpret the Messiah the way they want or can they see it’s all about God and His plan and living His message of love?
Paul is addressing the worries of the Hebrews with regard to their fear of death. What is going to happen to them? Already people are not only being challenged but being threatened and persecuted for their belief in Jesus. Paul tells them that this fear and not death itself is holding them in bondage … this is the devil’s work. Paul says that Jesus’ death and resurrection is the perfect sacrifice showing God’s love and the forgiveness of sins. Do I trust God? Do I believe in His ways? Do I disagree with Jesus’ plan of love in carrying out God’s plans?
According to the Law of Moses, 40 days after giving birth to a male child, the mother was to undergo the ritual for purification (Leviticus 12:2-8). Wealthy people were to offer a lamb; poorer families offered two turtledoves. Then the child was consecrated to the Lord (Exodus 13:2, 12). Luke continues in showing this theme that Mary and Joseph were faithful and ‘churchgoing’ Jews. They come to the temple and encounter Simeon — his name means ‘God has heard.’ Simeon is a prophet who is waiting for God’s rule to return to Israel … not only the Romans leaving but the people’s faith and belief in God’s plan being restored through the Messiah. Simeon’s prayer is known as the ‘Nunc Dimittis’ and is a beautiful hymn praising God’s ways. Mary and Joseph have no idea what Simeon is saying or why he is saying it. Only later does Mary see that Simeon is telling her what will happen. Mary reflects on all these happenings in her heart. Do we take time to read the scriptures and to imagine being in the scene? Do we think of the meaning this scene has for me as a believer? What are the ‘swords’ that have pierced my heart? Am I aware that I am on a mission of love as were Jesus, Mary and Joseph, as well as Simeon and Anna? Again Mary and Joseph had no idea of what had happened at this religious ritual. Simeon was under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, stating that Jesus was the culmination and fulfillment of everything his Jewish faith had taught him. Anna’s prayers had been answered.
How many times have we ‘reflected in our hearts’ on the people who have touched us with their example and lives as well as their words? We can truly call them ‘Beatitude people.’ They are people in our own families, at work, at school, friends, neighbors who have embrace the ‘blessedness’ of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). These people have shared their giftedness and love, revealing God’s blessings in their compassion, generosity, mercy and peace. They have consistently trusted in God’s mercy that they’ve experienced and, most importantly, have shared it with you and me. How blessed we are! As Church and as individuals, each of us has God’s Spirit living in us. We are God’s gift to our world. Do we believe this? Do we share this? Do we ask God for help each day to live this?
So I reflect on:
- I think about those moments when I have been gifted with an inner certainty about God’s presence and action in my life. It has been momentary flashes of goodness and love and experiences adding to my continual conversion.
- Sometimes I think and act as though God was only an ideal rather than my life-giving, loving savior and Lord. How do these moments of divine presence come into play as to how I live my daily life?
- Anna and Simeon got their ‘answer’ after a long life of prayer, religious observance, and patient, hopeful waiting. Do I?
“I stand nearby and share the joy of Simeon and Anna, marveling at what they say about this 40-day-old child of a poor and observant Jewish family. How do I feel for His parents when I hear what the future holds for them?
“After all these miraculous events, Mary, Jesus, and Joseph went home. Life carried on. Can I accept that, between the exciting or miraculous events in my life, there are years of ordinary living and doing and being? I thank God for everyday graces.”
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