“Jesus is Savior and Light to the Nations.”
Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; and Lk 2:22-40.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
1. Today, we join the universal Church to celebrate the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. this feast reveals Jesus to us as Savior and Light to the nations, who comes into the world to dispel the darkness of sin. Today’s feast occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus, in keeping with the Jewish custom and the biblical significance of the number forty – that is, completion, perfection. Today, the parents of Jesus present him to God in the temple. He is the King of Glory who enters his temple, brought by Mary and Joseph (Ps 24).
2. Today, we see an unusual insistence on the Law of the Lord by St. Luke. Luke introduces and concludes today’s gospel passage – the account of Jesus’ presentation in the Temple – with reference to the Law. At the introduction we read, “When the day came for them to be purified as laid down by the Law… the parents of Jesus took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord…” (Lk 2:22). This introduction brings out another aspect of today’s feast, the purification of Mary, according to the Jewish custom of purifying the woman after childbirth. In the conclusion Luke writes, “When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required…they went back to Galilee…” (Lk 2:39). Luke’s insistence on the Law in this passage is not a mere portrayal of fulfilment of some laid down rituals, but has the following more crucial implications: First, it shows forth the religious faithfulness of Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph; and secondly, it highlights Jesus’ belonging and consecration to the Lord.
3. The Old Testament Law referred to in this passage is the law pertaining to firstborns, which states, “Consecrate to Me every firstborn that opens the womb among the Israelites… It belongs to Me” (Ex 13:2). The reasoning behind this law is important. Yahweh himself gave the reason in the following instructions that followed the law. He says, “And when your son asks you in days to come, ‘What does this mean?’ you will tell him, ‘By sheer power the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, of man and of beast alike. For this I sacrifice to the Lord every male that first issues from the womb and redeem every firstborn of my sons. The rite will serve as a sign…for the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand” (Ex 13:14-16). Therefore, this law was more than a law of mere purification. It was for the Israelites a reminder of the marvels the Lord wrought for them – freedom from slavery – and it is a sign of consecrating to God the means of generation in acknowledgement of the fact that all life and power belong to him.
4. With this understanding, Jesus’ presentation in the temple was therefore an acknowledgement of the fact that Jesus belonged to the Lord: He is the chosen One, the Son of God (cf. Lk 9:35), the firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15) – the firstborn par excellence. Also, by his presentation, Jesus was numbered amongst the Jews. It showed his belonging to and solidarity with or incorporation into the people of Israel. He is a unique firstborn son consecrated in a unique manner. His uniqueness was gradually revealed throughout his life, culminating in his Passion, whereby he died as the sacrificial lamb offered in place of all men and women, and in his Resurrection, whereby he rose again as the firstborn from the dead and the hope of our own redemption, in the same way as the sacrificed lamb was the sign of the Israelites’ redemption from slavery in Egypt.
5. In today’s Gospel passage, we find a reference to what some have described as the Messianic drama, which culminates in the Passion of Jesus. Taking the child Jesus into his arms, Simeon, led by the Holy Spirit, utters words of prophecy: “Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised; because my eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared for all the nations to see, a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel” (Lk 2:29-32). These words reveal Jesus as the salvation of the world, the center of all the prophets’ preaching and expectation. Jesus is the Anointed One of the Lord, the Light of Salvation to the Nations whom the prophets had proclaimed and awaited. Jesus is the King of Glory who enters the temple. Jesus’ mission is not only to bring salvation and consolation to Israel, but to shine the light of salvation to all nations. Here we see the universal significance of Jesus’ appearing.
6. How will Jesus bring about this universal salvation? The answer lies in the words of Simeon to Mary: “You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected – and a sword will pierce your own soul too…” (Lk 2:34-35). These words point to the Messianic drama: Jesus comes as the awaited One; yet his very own people will not recognize him. Tension sets in; some go for him; others rebel against him. This tension leads up to his death; Mary who shares intimately every aspect of Jesus’ life is deeply touched: a sword at last pierces her own soul too as she watches her son hang upon the wood of the Cross. The Messianic drama is at last complete as Jesus rises from the dead as Savior and Light to the nations, firstborn from the dead.
7. We have mentioned that Jesus was a firstborn whose consecration to the Lord was unique and sublime. As the ancient Law prescribed (Ex 13:14-16), Mary and Joseph killed and sacrificed turtledoves or pigeons to redeem the life of their firstborn, Jesus; yet little did they realize, that this firstborn son of theirs, who was uniquely consecrated to God was, at the appointed time, to offer the one and eternal sacrifice for the redemption of all mankind. At this, Malachi’s words of prophecy in today’s first reading are fulfilled: “And the Lord you are seeking will suddenly enter his Temple; and the angel of the covenant whom you are longing for, yes, he is coming.”
8. Dear friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, the Lord, indeed, has dispelled the darkness of sin. May his light drive far away from us the shadows of sin and death, that we may walk in his light. And let us like Joseph and Mary be resolved today to bring our children and ourselves and offer them (ourselves) up to God, that they (we) may be consecrated to his service and purpose.
To God be the glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
Fr. Anthony D. Lawir,
Pastor, St. Agnes and Our Lady of the Snows Parishes, Pittsfield and Dexter.