Available for Service and Mission
Today the Church celebrates the Lord’s Presentation. The narrative is only found in Luke’s gospel. It was Jewish Law that the first-born son belonged to God and had to be “bought back” from God forty days after birth. Thus, today, forty days after Christmas, Mary and Joseph, faith-filled Jews, bring Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. Being poor, they simply offer the modest sacrifice of two turtledoves.
While they are accomplishing the prescribed ritual in the temple, two unique individuals arrive on the scene: Simeon and Anna. Both are pious, prayerful, elderly, and faith-filled people; they thank God for this unique opportunity and speak prophetic words about this special child. He is destined to be “a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel.” Truly, a beautiful prophecy! Through the life of this child, “the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
One may validly assert that presentation implies “total consecration,” giving oneself unreservedly to the Lord, committing to a life of self-sacrificing service and missionary witness. Certainly, this is manifested in Jesus’ life. But we also see it in the lives of Mary and Joseph. Yes, today’s feast could also be termed “the presentation of the holy family.”
Mary’s life, beginning with her fiat at Nazareth, manifests her complete availability to doing God’s will: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done unto me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). With profound faith, Mary and Joseph face numerous trials surrounding the birth of Jesus and the flight to Egypt. Mary’s faith meets several tests, the greatest of which was watching her only son die on Calvary. Who is not moved when contemplating the pietá, Mary lovingly cradling the body of her crucified son?
In the Church’s tradition, when one “presents” oneself for marriage, ordination, or religious profession, it is understood that the person is making a firm decision to faithfully live with that commitment—and all that that commitment entails. The decision does not change, whether the ramifications bring light or darkness, joy or sorrow, foreseen or unforeseen consequences.
In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted World Day for Consecrated Life on February 2 for women and men who take religious vows. Through these promises, they commit themselves to a life of faithful prayer and missionary service. It is noteworthy that February 2, the feast of the presentation, is also known as Candlemas Day, the day on which candles are blessed, symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. Yes, those in religious life (and all other commitments) are called to reflect the light of Christ to all peoples.
Pope Francis commented in 2023 on the meaning of consecrated life; “all charisms are for mission, and they are precisely so with the incalculable richness of their variety, so that the Church may bear witness to and proclaim the Gospel to everyone and in every situation.” For Francis, the “self-presentation” of an authentic Christian means “seeing what really matters in life. It means welcoming the Lord’s gift with open arms, as Simeon did.”
Friends, on this feast of the Lord’s Presentation, let us prayerfully strive to do the following:
- Renew your various commitments,
- Reignite the flame of faith,
- Share the light of missionary service,
- Restore personal relationships, and,
- Be renewed in hope.
Finally, with Mary let us treasure all these things in our hearts (cf. Lk 2:51).
Photo of candles at Church by Sebbi Strauch via Unsplash.