"Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord"

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Gospel Reading: Luke 2:22-40

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord. Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." The child's father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted and you yourself a sword will pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

In today’s Gospel reading, Mary and Joseph take Jesus to Jerusalem for his purification. In this ceremony, every male child is “consecrated to the Lord.” Not only is the child offered up, but a sacrifice was made at the same time. But because Mary and Joseph were poor, they could not make the customary sacrifice of a lamb or goat, but sacrifice a pair of birds. Theirs is but a humble sacrifice for someone so great. The Jews recognized that all God’s creations were a gift including children. The children were taken to the temple to offer them up into his service. This was a commitment to raise their children according to Mosaic Law. The Gospel reading goes on to discuss an elderly man named Simeon. Simeon was the Rabi that performed the purification ceremony. He was a man filled with the Holy Spirit and knew that Christ the Lord would visit his temple before he died. Once he holds Jesus in his hand, he replies, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” Simon not only acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah for the people of Israel, but also for the entire world. Jesus brought the true light into the world so that all could find Glory in God. Simeon was not the only witness in the temple. The Gospel reading mentions a second witness, Anna, that was a prophetess that never left the temple. Anna was completely devoted to God and worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. Because of her devotion to God and her purity of heart, she also recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

The Lord found favor in these two witnesses, not because of their worldly riches, but because of the spiritual commitment to God. They devoted their lives to the coming of Christ. They waited patiently until his arrival and when Jesus was presented to them in the temple, they recognized him as the Messiah. They became a witness and a proclamation of the coming of the Lord. How devoted are you to God? Are you willing to fast and pray every day for his glory? Are you willing to proclaim the presence of God in your life? Are you consumed with the world around or do you see Christ around you? What offering are you willing to make for God? Mary and Joseph made a simple offering to God to honor God and to thank him for their son. Our offerings do not need to be grand, but they need to be from the heart. When we fast, we should fast from things that separate us from God and when we pray, we should pray with a contrite heart.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, help me recognize you in my life.

Help me to see the one true light and to follow its path.

Give me the strength to proclaim your presence.

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon