IN YOUR LIGHT WE SEE LIGHT. PURIFY US LORD. (Malachi 3:1-4/Psalm 24:7-10/Hebrews 2:14-18/Luke 2:22-40)

IN YOUR LIGHT, WE SEE LIGHT! PURIFY US LORD
(Homily for Saturday 2 February, 2019
The Feast of Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple)

Today the Church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord which occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus and is also known as Candle mass day since the blessing and procession of candles are included in today's liturgy.

In the Gospel record, we read of three presentations of Jesus at the Temple. Today, the first of the presentations marks forty days following Jesus’ birth. Two things were required of Mary and Joseph according to the Law of Moses: Jesus’ parents were required to present Jesus in the temple, dedicating him to God as their firstborn son. Also, there was Mary’s need for “purification.” We read in the Book of Leviticus that a new mother is to be ceremonially purified by a priest forty days after childbirth (Lev 12: 1-8). Today's Feast is also called the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Jewish tradition.

This refers to the other aspect of the presentation that consists of the ritual purification of Jewish women after they had given birth. In Mary’s case, this purification was not necessary, but it indicates the renewal of her total offering of herself to God for the accomplishment of His Divine Plan.

A second presentation was when Jesus was 12 years when he greatly impressed the temple authorities with his precocious knowledge. And a third presentation was Christ’s activities in the temple, when, as an adult, he was presented with the goings in the Temple – what was going on, outside and inside the temple.

Today’s celebration has its own significance and it has a direct link to Christmas feast since it points back to the Solemnity of Christmas.
Today's first reading gives us an important insight to understand profoundly the mystery of the Lord’s Presentation in the Temple by Mary and Joseph, in accordance with the canons of Mosaic Law. The text, taken from the Prophet Malachi says, ‘I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord who you seek’ (Mal 3:1). From all the Gospels, we know that it is the Precursor, St John the Baptist who was born 6 months before Jesus, that God sent to prepare His way. Putting these evangelical facts together, we can comprehend the words of the Prophet Malachi. The Lord God promised that He would send a Precursor to prepare His way. Since there are only 6 months between the birth of St John the Baptist and Jesus, it is clear that the prophecy meant that suddenly after the Precursor, the Lord Himself will come. So, soon after the Baptist’s birth, God entered His temple.

Jesus’ presentation signifies God’s entrance to His temple. God made man entered His temple, presenting Himself to those who were really searching for Him. Today’s Gospel introduces us to different people and events that in themselves provide numerous lessons and themes for further reflection.

First of all, Mary and Joseph respect the Mosaic Law by offering the sacrifice prescribed for the poor: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. Simeon and Anna were two venerable elderly people dedicated to prayer and fasting and so their strong religious spirit rendered them able to recognize the Messiah.

At the end of the Gospel, Simeon’s prophecy of Mary’s sufferings is emphasized. The archangel Michael’s announcement was a fount of incredible joy because it pertained to Jesus’ messianic royalty and the supernatural character of His virginal conception. The announcement of the elderly Simeon in the temple today instead spoke of the Lord’s work of redemption that He would complete associating Himself through suffering to His Mother. Simeon’s prophecy also announces that Christ will be ‘a sign of contradiction’ as St Paul wrote to the Corinthians ‘a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles’ (1 Cor 1:23).

Today's celebration is quite symbolic beginning with that of the candles, dove and the symbolic representation of Mary and Joseph who came to the temple with their firstborn Son Christ and then the two temple great figures Simeon and Anna. In the first place, let the candle procession we observe today not just be a mere ritual that has no spiritual effect. Let the blessed candles we carry into the Church be a sign of illumination. Let our hearts and minds be illuminated with that of Light of Christ who is the light of the nation.

Let the ancient hymn that accompanied our procession into the Church reflect the meaning of this Feast in our lives. Let the light of Christ light our way as we go. Be a stronghold for our faith, guide us as we continue our Christian journey. As this great Light illuminated Simeon and Anna and enabled them to recognize the infant Jesus when He was presented into the temple, may this same Light be an illumination that will drive away all forces of darkness and sin from our hearts so that our hearts will be the temple for the dwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Let Us Pray: Lord Jesus, give me grace to live a good life so that through me the world will come to know who you are. Amen.