Who Will Endure? By Rev. Paul Berghout (@FatherPB)

Who Will Endure? By Rev. Paul Berghout (@FatherPB)

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Piety

Thus, says the Lord God: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek…But who will endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like the refiner's fire, or like the fuller's lye. (Malachi 3:1-2)

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord… (and Simeon said) "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 2:22-23, 30-32)

Study

Any woman who has been captivated by the Lord Jesus, and feels an intense burden for others, understands why Anna went to the temple during the day and evening worshipping with fasting and prayer.

Anna fasted and prayed. Fasting brings a change in consciousness. Internal dialogue slows down; the mind quiets so you can hear deeper longings.

Anna prayed for her nation, testifying to Jesus to Israel “to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” The word redemption means liberation or deliverance, from the Roman rule, from their sinfulness, trauma, and despair.

It changed her from the hurt of losing her husband at a young age to be a prophetic hope-holder for a nation because she knew the solution was spiritual in the person of the Messiah.

A teenager named Paige Hunter is also a hope-holder for others. She was suicidal after a traumatic event in her life; she spiraled downwards and found herself standing on the rails of the Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland, England.

We just heard about Mary’s heart in Luke 2:35 that “a sword will pierce it so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

The sword of maternal grief that she will suffer as she stands at the foot of her Son's cross.  St. Ambrose, following Hebrews 4:12 said that the "sword" is a spiritual judgment that exposes the thoughts of anyone who comes into the presence of the crucified Christ.

Wearmouth Bridge

Two people in a van stopped nearby and talked Paige Hunter down from jumping off the bridge.

She never got to thank them, but she began tying hand-written, laminated notes intended to give people hope and encouragement to keep living and placing them on the bridge. Many people have since told her that her notes saved them from suicide. In 2018, the Police Superintendent presented her with a commendation for her contributions towards the mental health of her community.

Paige is currently a student at East Durham College, where she studies health and social care, turning her passion into a career.

What are the sources of your hope?

God is releasing a similar grace that Anna had upon a whole generation of women who will operate in the same anointing, making known the revelation of Jesus to give hope and purpose to the lost and hurting so that they find and know their way.

Now, for men, we hear that Simeon was righteous and devout. Righteous means obeying God’s law. Devout means to carry out religious duties.

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen said that “Pleasure is a by-product, not a goal. Happiness must be our bridesmaid, not our bride. Many people make the great mistake of aiming directly at pleasure; they forget that pleasure comes only from the fulfillment of some duty or obedience to a law.”

The Gospel and our faith call men to know, like Simeon, that Jesus “is destined for the fall and rise of many…” Thus, individuals choose their fate by deciding for or against Jesus.

Like Anna, Simeon frequented the Temple, now the Church, where for them, like us, is a privileged place where God’s revelation and some key salvific actions take place (Luke 2:46.49; 19:45-47).

The Presentation of the Lord in the Temple is like the Offertory part of Holy Mass when people bring and offer up the gifts of bread and wine. Simeon’s perspective is not personal or individualistic but focuses on the people of Israel. He makes himself a gift or offering.

Think of the timing – Simeon came in the Spirit into the temple. The courtyard around the temple was more than thirty-five acres and full of people. Anna, too, “And coming forward at that very time,” they Mary and Joseph carrying baby Jesus.

God’s timing is always perfect. And God is never late.

Action

Simeon got to hold Jesus. “He took him into his arms and blessed God.” He prays to God looking at Jesus.

We are all called to be ready to stand before God, our Maker. To be at peace with God, knowing that Jesus completely atoned for our sins.

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Amen.