Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
From time to time the Feast of the Presentation falls on a Sunday, and when it does it supersedes that Sunday’s Mass. That means there are different readings and prayers than we would have gotten on that Sunday. We miss the one time in three years that we would normally hear St. Paul’s beautiful hymn to love, as it’s called, from 1 Cor 13. Of course, the good news is many more people can celebrate the Presentation with it being on a Sunday than when it is on a weekday.
The Gospel we hear today has a lot to it but, I think, one of the main things for us to pay attention to is the information about Simeon. Particularly we should notice that Simeon had a special gift, from the Holy Spirit, that revealed the identity of this child. Something similar happened at the Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord. The Christ, the Son of God, was there but not everyone recognized Him.
How about us? When we encounter Jesus in the Eucharist or in others, do we recognize Him? We need to. As I’ve written about many times the identity of Jesus is central to our salvation. Whether it is Simon, whose name is about to be changed to Peter, who recognizes Jesus when they are asked who do the people say that I am? or Peter again in John’s Gospel when Jesus asks the twelve if they are going to leave Him too because of the hard teaching of the Eucharist, or us when told that the Eucharist is the Body of Christ or the Blood of Christ, our recognition of His identity makes all the difference.
Another thing about the reading is that Joseph and Mary were “amazed by what was said about Him.” Weren’t they both told by and angel about who this child was? Yes, but I wonder how much they really understood, especially Mary, given her young age at the time. Simeon also told Mary ” …and you yourself a sword will pierce”. Love is full of joy and sorrow for all of us, including Mary. You don’t get one without the other.
I know someone at church here whose wife of 50+ years is (likely) dying from cancer. He’s struggling with the sorrows of life but also still experiencing joy, despite the terrible situation, because he knows God gives us the strength to be able to deal with whatever comes.
So today, as we think about Simeon and Anna and Joseph and Mary, and especially about Jesus, I hope we can renew our confession about the identity of Jesus and to accept that love carries both joy and sorrow, and ask God to help us get through the sorrows.
That’s all for now. Thanks for reading.
I hope you have a great week.
Peace, Bob
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