A SIGN THAT IS REJECTED

PRESENTATION OF THE LORD - Lk 2:22-40

A very old feast

This is a very old feast, which had its origins in Jerusalem. About the year 400 ad, the pilgrim Egeria wrote in her diary:

"The fortieth day after Epiphany is celebrated here with the greatest solemnity.  On that day there is a procession into the church of the Resurrection and all assemble there for the liturgy. . . . All the priests give sermons, and the bishops, too; and all preach on the gospel text describing how on the fortieth day Joseph and Mary took the Lord to the temple, and how Simeon and Anna the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, saw Him, and what words they spoke on seeing the Lord, and of the offering which his parents brought.”

This feast is always celebrated on the 2nd of February, which this year falls on a Sunday.

The firstborn belong to the Lord

According to the Law, all male children who were the firstborn belonged to the Lord and had to be consecrated to him. Taken to the Temple of the Lord, they only could be taken back home after a sacrifice to God.

Luke makes it very clear that Jesus was no common child, and that his dignity and his role as Messiah was recognized and proclaimed by Simeon, “an upright and devout man” and by Anna, a prophetess, who spent her life at the service of the Temple.

Simeon proclaims the child Jesus as the Saviour of all nations and the Light that will enlighten the pagans (Lk 2:32).

A sign that is rejected

What is puzzling is that at the same time, Simeon announces to Mary, Jesus’ mother, that this child is “destined to be a sign that is rejected”, causing “the fall and the rising of many in Israel”.

Jesus will be lifted up, and many will run to him for salvation, while others will mock and scorn him and then turn their backs on him.

We must ask ourselves where do we belong? Are we among those who rejected him? Or have we accepted him? If we have, then we are able to say with Simeon: “Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen salvation” (Lk 2:29)