Presentation of Our Lord – Feb 2nd, 2025
In today’s Gospel, Mary and Joseph, a faithful Israelite (or Jewish) couple have just had their baby, Jesus, circumcised; and are now taking him to be consecrated to the Lord. All of this, just a short time since Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, and all because of – and according to – the exact steps called for in the OT Law of Moses. The difference here is that the baby, Jesus, is the Christ.
To put thing into perspective: just as coincidence, there was a census – we heard about in Luke’s Christmas Gospel – that brought Mary and Joseph almost 100 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. As another coincidence, because Bethlehem is very close to/just a little over 5 miles from the Temple in Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph are taking Jesus to the Temple to be consecrated. As another coincidence, Simeon is waiting at just the right place in the Temple to see Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus walking toward him when he notices them.
Now, if you believe in coincidences, I just mentioned about 3 or 4 of them that had to happen exactly as they did in that order for Simeon to meet the Christ and fulfill what God had told him would happen years before. I, personally, do not believe in coincidences.
In the Gospel story, Simeon, and old Jewish man, who was (as scripture tells us) righteous and devout; and was awaiting the consolation – the healing – of Israel. (It is important here that he was awaiting the healing of “Israel”). The Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Christ…of the Lord. The Gospel says Simeon “came in the spirit into the Temple”. Simeon sees Mary and Joseph, with baby Jesus walking through the Temple, and recognizes Jesus as being the Christ. Simeon then took the child, Jesus, into his arms and blessed God, saying ‘Now, master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared for all the peoples: (not just Israel) a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and your people Israel’. In the beginning of the reading, Simeon was awaiting healing for Israel alone. Now, with the Holy Spirit upon him, holding the Christ child in his arms, Simeon proclaims the salvation of all the peoples. Jews and Gentiles, which meant everybody, everywhere…no exclusions! The Jews and the Gentiles were fierce enemies going back to the O.T. – for thousands of years…and were still enemies as Simeon was speaking. But this is a story of salvation for the world and healing of wounds and relationships that no one in that Temple could have ever considered being healed.
Christ came for the salvation of all people. Today, we are called, by Simeon’s example – no coincidence here – to wait for Christ in hope. He heals those wounds that we thought…or think…can never be healed.
We all know those times in our lives when we have been those Gentiles, away from God for what seems like a thousand years. And as a result, have painted a false picture of God: one that says I’m an outcast, a Gentile, I have sinned too much, I have done too much. It has been far too long since I really, honestly talked to God in prayer. Too much has happened in my life over too many years: I have discriminated, taken the Lord’s name in vain. I have, in some form – literally or emotionally destroyed/or maybe even taken the life of another. I have put myself, my ego, my own personal wellbeing ahead of others. I am too deep in sin. I’ve been there too long. Even in addiction to sin. I have done exactly that which God has told me not to do. Or, intentionally not done exactly that which God told me to do. He knows it, and I know it!
I have done so much…too much.
We may feel certain that God has given up on us. That we are simply too far gone. It is easier just to go through the motions: going to church, or not going to church. Receiving the eucharist or not receiving the eucharist.
Asking for forgiveness is too hard now, and too far away.
Sisters and brothers, these are falsehoods and lies of self-chosen or self-imposed darkness!
That is not of God! The Christ, our Gospel tells us about today, came to be the light of salvation to all the people. Simeon spent his whole life waiting for that light and recognized it among hundreds of people coming and going from the temple when he saw it. Today’s story is one of hope. If this is you, if you’re in that darkness…Go to God in the privacy of your room, in the privacy of your prayer, in the sacrament of Reconciliation! The name Simeon literally means “God Hears”. There’s a reason he was given that name at birth. God hears…No matter what we have to say. We may have been struggling, carrying a cross for years…even from our childhood. God doesn’t want that for us, or from us. It is NEVER too late to go to our heavenly Father. He will cry with you, wrap his loving arms around you…and yes, He will forgive you, NO MATTER WHAT you HAVE DONE! We just need to go to Him and ask.
Christ is coming! Easter is coming! Hope! Are we waiting for Christ, in the Temple like Simeon, with hope? Or are we standing outside, huddling in our own falsely created darkness? God did not spend thousands of years before Jesus, in preparation; then, send His Son to earth as one of us, and now have spent thousands of years since Jesus revealing to us his Gospel – his GOOD NEWS, because is going to say at the end…well, I said forgiveness for anything, but for you Deacon Mike, you’ve just done too much, and it’s been too long. I’m sorry.
No! That’s not what he said, and not what he meant!
Easter is coming. The light of Christ is coming for all people: Jews, Gentiles, for you, and for me! This is God’s story. And He made it our story when he became one of us! The greatest story ever told. A story of healing and salvation prepared for all the people.
God hears…all we have to do…is ask. Go to him…and ask.