February 2, 2010
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
By Beth DeCristofaro
Thus says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me… (Malachi 3:1)
Lift up your heads, O gates; rise up, you ancient portals that the king of glory may enter. (Psalm 24:7)
(Simeon said) “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
“The King of Glory Comes”, Text © 1967, William F. Jabusch. Administered by OCP. All rights reserved.
Piety
The King of glory comes, the nation rejoices. Open the gates before him, lift up your voices. … He gave his life for us, the pledge of salvation, He took upon himself the sins of the nation. … He conquered sin and death; he truly has risen, And he will share with us his heavenly vision. (Melody is a traditional Israeli folk song)
Study
Jesus’ parents are in the temple for a rather routine matter of prayer – important for an observant Jewish family but not a moment in which anyone expects an earth shattering pronouncement to charge the air. Simeon’s words are awe-inspiring, challenging and life changing. The psalmist uses an over-the-top image to try to put into words another moment which is greater than it seems and which foreshadows Simeon’s moment of epiphany. In the psalm, the great gates and towers of a walled city, circled like a gathering of elders, bow down to the returning, triumphant king. The city performs obeisance. Simeon declares his life is fulfilled. Have our eyes recognized God’s salvation?
After all, Jesus came. We have the testimony of witnesses. We are chosen inheritors of his grace and, as Paul says, “Surely he did not help angels but rather the descendants of Abraham.” (Hebrews 2:16) How can we not express our gratitude and amazement in grandiose language?
And how like family life is this gospel reading. Today we read about Jesus as a baby in arms. But readings all this week are of the adult Jesus claiming his place as the one for whom the messenger testified. Have we not experienced this sense of time slipping away as we watch our kids grow up seemingly overnight or our grand schemes not be realized, our hopes dusty in the overwhelming reality of day to day life. Perhaps we have been ground down by tragedy or disappointments.
Jesus walks into our lives every time we take time to look for him, the triumphant king. He is not over the horizon but at our gates. The feast of the Preparation of the Lord is known as Candlemas and processions of candles are traditional. The candles symbolize the light of the world. They are lit for us. And we can be candles to the world too.
Action
Look at those around you closely. Do you see a light in somebody who needs tending? Take the time to care for someone’s light and feel your own candle flare up with the loving presence of Jesus within. If your own light needs stoking, reach out to someone who can share with you the light of Jesus through their loving presence.
