Presentation of the Lord
(Lk 2:22-40)
The day of the Lord’s Nativity is known as “Christmas.” Forty days later, the day of the Lord’s Presentation in the Temple is known as “Candlemas.” The Light which was born into a dark world and manifested to the kings through a star, now fills the Temple as a “light to the nations, and the glory of His people Israel.” On this day, it is the Church’s tradition to bless the candles used throughout the year during the Mass. Every time we celebrate the Mass, we echo the Presentation, as the altar servers with the priest and ministers process into the sanctuary, carrying the candles which represent the presence of our Lord and the light of faith.
(Lk 2:22-40)
The day of the Lord’s Nativity is known as “Christmas.” Forty days later, the day of the Lord’s Presentation in the Temple is known as “Candlemas.” The Light which was born into a dark world and manifested to the kings through a star, now fills the Temple as a “light to the nations, and the glory of His people Israel.” On this day, it is the Church’s tradition to bless the candles used throughout the year during the Mass. Every time we celebrate the Mass, we echo the Presentation, as the altar servers with the priest and ministers process into the sanctuary, carrying the candles which represent the presence of our Lord and the light of faith.
There are two things taking place for Mary and Joseph on this day as they fulfill the precepts of the Law. One is the purification of Mary following childbirth. The law of Moses understood that childbirth is a sacred thing, in which the woman has a special cooperation with God, being the bearer of life. Through childbirth, God the creator is glorified and worshipped. Like the priest who must purify himself before and after going up to the Temple to offer the holy sacrifice, the woman must purify herself before and after giving birth, in order to signify that what takes place through her body is holy and miraculous.
Today, in a culture that fails to honor life as a sacred gift from God – where people do as they please – Catholics imitate Mary and Joseph, whose lives are governed by the holy Laws of God. Five times, the Gospel today stresses how Mary and Joseph were acting “according to the law of Moses.” Mary and Joseph teach us the correct way to live, which is not according to our own law and whatever we please, but we must live in obedience to the laws of God, with the single purpose of glorifying him.
Even though the rest of the world does what it pleases, Christians, who are God’s people, must follow God’s laws with regard to marriage and childbirth. This means living separately while prepare for marriage. And when they get married, it must be in God’s sight, in Church, before His altar, and not simply in a civil ceremony at the court house. And during marriage, children must be seen not simply as fulfilling human family plans, but above all as gifts from God which serve His purpose and plan for the human family.
This is the second thing taking place for Mary and Joseph: not only is Mary completing the sacred act of childbirth through her purification, but Mary and Joseph are consecrating their firstborn son, acknowledging that he belongs to God.
In the Law of Moses, God commanded the people to offer a sacrifice of redemption for their firstborn sons. The oldest son had special duties and obligations within the family. He was the bearer of the family name, and would inherit the family estate, continuing the sacred heritage of particular family, clan, or tribe. The firstborn son also belonged to God. God commanded Abraham to offer his firstborn son Isaac to him. Later, when the Pharaoh dared to persecute the Israelites in Egypt, whom God regarded as his firstborn son among the nations, He slew the firstborn sons of Egypt.
In the Law of Moses, God commanded the people to offer a sacrifice of redemption for their firstborn sons. The oldest son had special duties and obligations within the family. He was the bearer of the family name, and would inherit the family estate, continuing the sacred heritage of particular family, clan, or tribe. The firstborn son also belonged to God. God commanded Abraham to offer his firstborn son Isaac to him. Later, when the Pharaoh dared to persecute the Israelites in Egypt, whom God regarded as his firstborn son among the nations, He slew the firstborn sons of Egypt.
The Israelites always understood that one of their children, the firstborn, the most important, had to be given to God. Thus the Law commanded that he be Presented in the Temple on the 40th day and a sacrifice of redemption be offered. In the case of Mary and Joseph who were poor, the price of redemption was “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” It may have been a simple offering, but it was deeply important and symbolic.
When I was young, sodas still came in glass bottles, and when you were done you could get 5 cents back on the empty bottle. It was called “redemption.” You take the bottle back to the store to be “redeemed:” Coca-cola would redeem or “buy back” the bottle from you so it could be used again.
“Redemption,” to “redeem,” means to “buy back.” The firstborn son belongs to God, but if the parents pay the price of redemption, they may keep him and raise him at home as their own. Just as God ultimately allowed Abraham to keep Isaac, He allows parents to keep their children. But He makes it very clear to them: this child is not yours, he is Mine, he belongs to Me.
Catholics are no longer bound by the law of Moses, because Christ has fulfilled the law. But in the sacrament of baptism, we still proclaim the same truth: every child belongs first to God, and secondly to the parents. Catholics still try keep the custom of baptizing infants within a few weeks of birth. In my own case, I was born on November 7th. Within 40 days, November 25th, my parents brought me to the Church for baptism, for Redemption.
Catholics are no longer bound by the law of Moses, because Christ has fulfilled the law. But in the sacrament of baptism, we still proclaim the same truth: every child belongs first to God, and secondly to the parents. Catholics still try keep the custom of baptizing infants within a few weeks of birth. In my own case, I was born on November 7th. Within 40 days, November 25th, my parents brought me to the Church for baptism, for Redemption.
But what is different now from the Law of Moses, is that Christ pays the price of redemption. The sacrifice is no longer two turtledoves, it is his own sacrifice. Christ pays the price for the sins of the world by his own blood on the Cross, and through that sacrifice purchases or “buys back” sinners for God. Christ is the world’s redeemer, he pays the price of redemption so that we can belong to God again. Through baptism, we are redeemed!
When the infant Jesus is brought to the Temple, the old man Simeon and Anna speak prophetic words about him. Simeon proclaims him the “light of the nations, and the glory of Israel.” Simeon also prophecies that he will be a sign of contradiction that will lay bare the thoughts of many hearts, and that Mary’s own heart will be pierced by a sword. Jesus’ life will fulfill God’s plan.
When the infant Jesus is brought to the Temple, the old man Simeon and Anna speak prophetic words about him. Simeon proclaims him the “light of the nations, and the glory of Israel.” Simeon also prophecies that he will be a sign of contradiction that will lay bare the thoughts of many hearts, and that Mary’s own heart will be pierced by a sword. Jesus’ life will fulfill God’s plan.
My parents were blessed with five children, and each of them were consecrated in turn to God. As to God’s plan for each of them, they didn’t know. However, my parents always raised us with the understanding that we belonged first to God, and it was always their hope and understanding that at least one of their children would be further consecrated to the temple and set apart for priestly service or religious life. It ended up being the third-born instead of the firstborn.
Because they lived that way, following Joseph and Mary who were obedient to the law, all their children were raised to live holy vocations, whether through priesthood, marriage and family, or the single life. And each of my siblings has been in some way a surprise, a “sign of contradiction” to the world. I think of my younger brother with his seven beautiful children: there would not be seven beautiful children, six girls and a boy, if they had followed the ways of the world, instead of seeing every child as a sign and gift of God. I think of my older brother, who raised two beautiful children in difficult circumstances, who now are starting families of their own. I think of my other brother, not called to marriage, who was the first in our family to consider the priestly vocation, and now lives single, in service to the poor and mentally ill. I think of my younger sister, who chose her house near the church where their children could attend school and be raised in the tradition of the Catholic faith. “Sign of contradiction.”
Because they lived that way, following Joseph and Mary who were obedient to the law, all their children were raised to live holy vocations, whether through priesthood, marriage and family, or the single life. And each of my siblings has been in some way a surprise, a “sign of contradiction” to the world. I think of my younger brother with his seven beautiful children: there would not be seven beautiful children, six girls and a boy, if they had followed the ways of the world, instead of seeing every child as a sign and gift of God. I think of my older brother, who raised two beautiful children in difficult circumstances, who now are starting families of their own. I think of my other brother, not called to marriage, who was the first in our family to consider the priestly vocation, and now lives single, in service to the poor and mentally ill. I think of my younger sister, who chose her house near the church where their children could attend school and be raised in the tradition of the Catholic faith. “Sign of contradiction.”
And also, “sword of sorrow.” Now, none of us are saints. Each has also been a sword of sorrow to my parents, and each of us has experienced that sword in our lives as well. In particular, our teenage years were not always the easiest on the parents. Rebellion, selfishness, and ingratitude are difficult crosses for parents to bear, who are doing their best to guide and direct their children, who don’t always appreciate what it is they are trying to accomplish. To be consecrated to God means that our lives will have a sharing in the Cross of Christ. Again and again, children, teenagers, young adults, and even adults, need to be reminded of the day of their presentation, the day of their baptism: your life is different, you can’t do what everyone else does, you can’t do as you please, you belong to God and your life is to fulfill His purpose and His will. Be obedient to your consecration, and follow His laws!
When Jesus came into the Temple, the temple lit up with the Light of the World. And God spoke words of prophecy regarding His beloved Son. When a Christian is baptized, he receives that light of Christ into his life, and becomes “another Christ.” Let us then, remember the words spoken prophetically to us on the day of our baptism, when our godparents lit our candle from the Easter candle: “Receive the Light of Christ. This light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. You have been enlightened by Christ. Walk always as a child of the light. May you keep the flame of faith alive in your heart.”
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