THE LIGHT TO THE NATIONS (The Presentation of the Lord)
First Reading: Malachi 3: 1 to 4
Second Reading: Hebrews 2: 11 to 18
Gospel Reading: Luke 2: 22 to 40
*First reading is from the book of Prophet Malachi. Malachi speaks of a day when suddenly the saviour of the world will come to his temple. He comes to live among his people and purify their hearts and make them dear to the Lord God. He will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. This prophecy of Malachi finds its fulfilment when Jesus is presented in the Jerusalem temple by His parents.
*Second reading is from the letter to Hebrews. It speaks that Jesus assumes human nature in order to make us free for God from the slavery of sin and death. He becomes like His brothers and sisters so that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God.
'My eyes have seen your salvation' Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. A detailed account of the happenings at Jerusalem temple when Jesus is presented there is given. First part of the Gospel narrates that Jesus is presented in the Jerusalem temple according to the law of Moses. Parents of Jesus brings Him to the Jerusalem temple in humble obedience to the Mosaic law; in order to submit to the ritual purification and to present the child Jesus and to redeem the first born by sacrificing turtle doves. Hence there are three reasons for the presentation of Jesus in the temple. 1. To fulfill the law of Moses, which required the presentation of the first born son to the temple. 2. To complete Mary's ritual purification after child birth. 3. To dedicate infant Jesus to God the Father. The second part of the Gospel narrates the appearance of two venerable elderly God-fearing persons in the temple: Prophet Simeon and Prophetess Anna. Venerable Simeon takes the divine Child in his arms and gives praise and thanks to God and declares that this is the light which shall give revelation to the gentiles. (This idea finds its echo in today's liturgy of blessing of candles during the celebration.) Then Prophetess Anna too appears in the temple and gives thanks to God and speaks of Child Jesus in glowing terms as one who will bring redemption of Jerusalem. This feast of Presentation of the Lord should help us to recognize the presence of God when He appears in total humility and simplicity as observed and recognized by Prophet Simeon and Prophetess Anna. Through this feast of the Presentation of the Lord the Church teaches us that Mary and Joseph recognized Jesus as a gift, not a possession and presents Him to the heavenly Father in the Jerusalem temple. We too can recognize that our lives really belong to God. Through baptism we belong to Christ. The parents of Jesus shows total humility in the scene of the presentation. In this context Kieran J. O'Mahony says: "Behind the idea of presenting a child is the conviction that every new life comes from God and is in some sense belongs to God." May the Lord Jesus who was presented in the Jerusalem temple in total humility and simplicity bless you and strengthen you to accept every situation in life in total humility and simplicity. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, February 2, 2025. Thanks.)
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