Word to the Wise
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 - Feb. 2: The Presentation of the Lord
[Mal 3:1-4; Heb 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40]"Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel." [Luke]
As with all of his "infancy narrative," the evangelist Luke packs a lot into the scene of the "purification" or "presentation." To begin with, the old title of "purification" would focus on Mary, but a newer title "presentation" focuses on Jesus. The feast is celebrated 40 days after Jesus' birthday because a woman who had just given birth in Jesus' time was considered "unclean" for forty days and had to undergo a purification rite at the end of that period. But Mary is warned by Simeon that she will have a greater suffering ahead ("and you yourself a sword will pierce...")
The temple and light are important themes. Jesus is seen as fulfilling the prophecy of Malachi in the first scripture for today: "And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek, etc." But he "replaces" the temple because the temple was a symbol of God's presence to Israel, but now Jesus becomes that presence not just for Israel but for the Gentiles as well. The liturgical symbol of this is the candle, and a candlelight procession can be part of the celebration, which traditionally has been called "candlemas day." For many Catholics this just becomes the prelude to the feast of St. Blaise, when throats are blessed, using blessed candles as part of the ritual. (It may not happen that way during the pandemic, however!)
The Canticle of Simeon is recited each day in the last "hour" of the Liturgy of the Hours - Compline. It is a prayer of gratitude and hope coming from the heart of the elderly Simeon. Grandparents know the feeling when they see their grandchildren born. but this particular encounter has universal significance. Christ is revealed as a light to the nations as well as the glory of Israel..
Coming as it does during the week and connected with a popular devotion (blessing of the throats), the feast of the Presentation of the Lord may pass without notice to many of us. The challenge is to focus on the revelation of Jesus and not on "spiritual vaccine" against sore throats! AMEN