THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD - 2 FEBRUARY

THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (CANDLEMAS, The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mariä Lichtmess)

On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, “we contemplate the Lord Jesus, whom Mary and Joseph bring to the Temple ‘to present him to the Lord’ (Luke 2:22). This Gospel scene reveals the mystery of the Son of the Virgin, the consecrated One of the Father who came into the world to do his will faithfully (cf. Hebrews 10:5-7).

THE LIGHT FOR REVELATION TO THE GENTILES

Simeon identifies him as a ‘light for revelation to the Gentiles’ (Lk 2:32) and announces with prophetic words his supreme offering to God and his final victory (cf. Lk 2:32-35). This is the meeting point of the two Testaments, Old and New. Jesus enters the ancient Temple, he who is the new Temple of God: he comes to visit his people, thus bringing to fulfilment obedience to the Law and ushering in the last times of salvation.

NONE OF THEM NOTICED ANYTHING

It is interesting to take a close look at this entrance of the Child Jesus into the solemnity of the Temple, in the great comings and goings of many people, busy with their work: priests and Levites taking turns to be on duty, the numerous devout people and pilgrims anxious to encounter the Holy God of Israel. Yet none of them noticed anything. Jesus was a child like the others, a first-born son of very simple parents.

THE NEW AND SPECIAL PRESENCE

Even the priests proved incapable of recognising the signs of the new and special presence of the Messiah and Saviour. Alone two elderly people, Simeon and Anna, discover this great newness. Led by the Holy Spirit, in this Child they find the fulfilment of their long waiting and watchfulness. They both contemplate the light of God that comes to illuminate the world and their prophetic gaze is opened to the future in the proclamation of the Messiah: ‘Lumen ad revelationem gentium!’ (‘a light for revelation to the Gentiles’ – Lk 2:32). The prophetic attitude of the two elderly people contains the entire Old Covenant which expresses the joy of the encounter with the Redeemer. Upon seeing the Child, Simeon and Anna understood that he was the Awaited One.”

(His Holiness Benedict XVI)

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