The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord commemorates Jesus being presented to God in the Jerusalem temple. Jewish law required the firstborn son to be presented to the Lord in the temple. It was also an occasion of ritual purification of the mother. This is thus a combined feast, also known as the Feast of the Purification of Mary, the Feast of Candlemas, or the Feast of Encounter. St. Luke records the incident in the second chapter of the gospel; Mary and Joseph submit themselves to the law and, like any other Jewish parents, bring Christ to the Father in an act of obedience to God. Simeon, "righteous and devout", recognizes Jesus as the Lord's anointed one, and, in divine wisdom, prophesies that Jesus is meant to be "glory to Israel" and "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:23). The prophet Anna also praises the Lord and speaks about the child "to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). The Feast of Presentation reminds us of the humility of the Holy Family and the glory revealed to the nations through this profound manifestation of their humility. This day is observed by the Catholic Church as World Day for Consecrated Life, reflecting on the gift of consecrated life, praying for the self-emptying and sacrificial love of Infant Jesus to lead all consecrated men and women to dedicate their lives in the service of Crucified Christ.
O God, source and origin of all light, who showed the just man Simeon the Light for revelation to the Gentiles, sanctify us with Your blessing to tread the path of virtue and reach You, the eternal light which never fails.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
No comments:
Post a Comment