Daily Catholic Lectio
Fri, 2 February 2024
Presentation of the Lord, Feast
Malachi 3:1-4. Hebrews 2:14-18. Luke 2:22-40
Light and glory
On this day of Candlemas (‘Mass of the Candles’), we commemorate the presentation of the Lord in the Temple of Jerusalem. Two Mosaic Laws stand as a backdrop to the event: ‘every firstborn male be offered to God’ (cf. Exod 13:1-2, 11-16); ‘a woman who has given birth to a child is considered unclean for seven days. If the child is male, she will remain unclean for thirty-three days in the blood of her purification if the child’ (cf. Lev 12:5). The day is significant for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Mary is purified after her childbirth according to Jewish law; Joseph receives his child back from God; and Jesus is offered as a sacrifice to God, foreshadowing his later sacrifice.
The parents of Jesus, despite knowing that their child is the Messiah and the son of God, choose to offer him to God. This shows their obedience to the law and tradition.
Through this event, Jesus shows his solidarity with all of humanity. This is what is written by the author of the Letter to the Hebrews (today’s second reading): “Therefore he had to be like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God” (cf. Heb 2:14-18). Liturgically, today we conclude the season of Christmas, and we look forward to Easter.
This feast is also known as the feast of revelation. In the gospel of Luke, the revelation of Jesus occurs in three stages through different agents: (a) ‘Jesus, Son of God’ – the Archangel Gabriel announces that the child will be called Jesus and he will be called the Son of the Most High; (b) ‘Lord-Christ-Saviour’ – with these three titles, the angel announces the birth of Jesus to the shepherds; and (c) ‘Light to the gentiles, and the glory of the people of Israel’ – Simeon, who receives the baby Jesus in his hands, reveals that Jesus is the light and the glory.
The first reading is taken from the book of Malachi, the last book of the Hebrew Bible. Malachi prophecies, “The Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” The Lord will come in an unexpected way and time; he will come to his temple; and only those who seek him will be able to find him.
When the Babylonians captured the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, the glory of God left Israel. People longed to have the glory of God return to the Temple. The glory of the Lord returns to the Temple today. That’s why Simeon calls Jesus the glory of the people of Israel.
Simeon and Anna are in the Temple. Those who are at the dusk of their lives receive the dawn in their hands.
(a) Simeon sees in the child’s eyes his own eyes. In that moment, he realised the purpose of his life. He feels that his purpose is fulfilled.
(b) Simeon knows how the child will become. He knows that every child has the inner potential to become.
(c) Simeon feels the softness of the baby in his palms. He was able to see at once the might and the vulnerability of the child.
Today’s feast puts forth six lessons:
(a) Patience and waiting. Every day, about 100 children will be brought to the Temple of Jerusalem. How was Simeon able to identify Jesus amidst this? Because of his patience and waiting. In his patience and waiting, he felt the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Today we lose patience, and we consider waiting a waste of time. Because of our haste, we lose sight of the sparks of the Spirit.
(b) Praise. Simeon praises God. Anna praises the child. People who are filled with God are filled with praise and gratitude. They always see life and growth.
(c) Simplicity. The offerings of the parents of Jesus – a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons’ – show their poverty and simplicity. This is yet another manger experience in the gospel of Luke.
(d) It is not what we are but what we become that matters. Simeon does not praise the child for what he is – his colour, complexion, eyes, but praises him for what he would become. What we become adds value to us.
(e) Purpose. Simeon reveals the purpose of Jesus’ birth to Mary, and he himself was aware of the purpose of his own life. It is highly important that we identify the purpose of our lives.
(f) Daily consecration. This day is being observed as the World Day for the Consecrated Life. Every one of us is consecrated to the Lord. A heart that is consecrated to God enjoys internal freedom.
Through Simeon’s hands God’s hands were holding the child. God holds our hands today. We too have become his light and glory – here and now.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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