THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD – Luke 2:22-40
According to the Law of Moses, the first born should be consecrated to God. Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem for that purpose. In the temple, they presented and consecrated Jesus. He belongs to God, the Father. Thus, it is not surprising that, as a young adult, he remained behind in his Father’s house, where he belonged. However, to take Jesus with them, they had to offer “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Being the Son of God, he chose to be born under the Law to rescue those who were under the Law. According to the second reading taken from the letter to the Hebrews, Christ shared with all of us the same things that we have, flesh and blood «so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.» Sharing in everything that we are and have, except sin, «he is able to help those who are being tested», because «he himself was tested by what he suffered».
Taken to the temple to be consecrated, Jesus is recognised by Simeon as the Saviour, a «light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Before him, everybody will have to make a choice: either they accept or reject him. Nothing will remain hidden and the inner thoughts, feelings and decisions will be brought into the open. In Jesus Christ, we will find salvation or fall by the side. Simeon puts it clearly: «This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed.»
Let us accept Jesus as the light for the paths of our lives and proclaim him as the Saviour of the world.
In this feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrate the day of Consecrated Life. Let us pray for all those who have surrendered their lives to the Lord, that they may remain faithful to the end.
