Year A, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. The last time the Presentation of the Lord occurred on a Sunday was 2014, and the time before that in 2003. I know because I remember it distinctly. My mother had just started to manage going to Mass again after a serious stroke the previous September. And as was the custom in the parish we took along our own candles to be blessed which would be used at home. It was called a ‘Thunder Candle’, lit not just in physical storms also in those storms of life, troubles, worries, times of distress: a symbol of trusting in God, surrender to His will, and protection from evil. The last time such a candle is lit is at a person’s bedside, during prayers for the dying. No better time to trust in God, surrender to His will and ask for our Lady’s protection. The candle is placed in the coffin – now a symbol to the living of the saving power of entrusting our lives to God. Just as that candle had a far deeper and greater meaning than its physical purpose because of faith, so today’s feast of the Presentation of the Lord has a deeper meaning and significance than the consecrating of the first- born son to God which was the Jewish custom. Jesus - the only begotten Son of God, offered in the temple, is the most perfect Lamb sacrificed for the sins of the world. The Presentation of the Lord in a way foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross, when He lays Himself down as a sacrifice, as a conciliation, for the sins of humanity. That is why the prophet Simeon announces to Mary: “You see this child, he is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected” – and to Mary who will witness this “and a sword will pierce your own soul too . . .”
From the beginning of his life, Jesus is destined for sacrifice, to atone for our sins. He is also – as Simeon highlights – “a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel.” The event of Jesus' presentation in the temple is a historical fact of the early life of Jesus, but from a spiritual perspective we can find in it all His later actions and teaching, and most clearly His Sacrifice on the Cross and Death. The Presentation of the Lord has such a true and deep meaning; our salvation, liberation from the slavery of sin and our redemption. It is also an invitation to surrender, entrusting ourselves to the Father, because this is the way we accept His protection from eternal death, the way we follow Jesus into life eternal. Today’ feast, however, also has another meaning. It is in fact a celebration, the day of consecrated life. All those who have decided to choose religious life, a life devoted to God alone, recognize in the offering of Jesus, that it is also a symbol of their offering. They – answering God's call – decided that their lives will be entirely and exclusively dedicated to God. Like the prophet Simeon and the prophetess Anna “serving God night and day with fasting and prayer . . . and praising him”. And that's why today we should not forget also to pray for religious vocations. So that we won’t lack those who wish to offer themselves to God exclusively, like Jesus was offered in the temple then , and is offered in this temple today . But we should also pray for those who have already dedicated themselves to the Lord in the active religious life and in contemplative life, so that there always be those who pray unceasingly because “The prayer of a righteous person
has great power in its effects.” We need the power of prayer, now more than ever, in our world and in our community. We are called to follow Christ – to consecrate ourselves to God – to trust Him and to seek happiness by following His Law. Just as Jesus was offered to the Father in the temple then, we will soon offer Him in the sublime sacrifice of the Eucharist now. We come to Communion to entrust ourselves to God, to join with Him and each other in that surrender to the Father, who promises us life eternal.
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