Scripture: Feb. 2, Presentation of Our Lord. Malachi 3:1-4. Psalm
24:7.8.9.10 Hebrews 2:14-18. Luke 2:22-40. Lectionary # 524:

Only the Evangelist Luke gives us the narrative of the Presentation
of Jesus by his parents in the Temple. It is one of the most fascinating
stories in the Infancy Narrative and shows us the great artistic ability of
Luke who paints such a scene with his literary talents. The story begins
forty days after the birth of Jesus when the young mother Mary is
conforming with the law of purification. Luke adds the person of Joseph by
saying the couple went up to Jerusalem for the purification rites and
offered the simple gifts of the poor--a pair of turtle doves. Even though
we know this couple to be totally just and holy, that is, righteous in the
sight of God they obey the laws of their religion with reverence, awe, and
devotion. The ceremony will attract two devout persons to the ceremony,
Simeon and Anna. The scene reminds one of a modern icon showing Mary with
the child Jesus holding a Torah scroll within her bosom. He is surrounded
by light. We are alsod reminded of the fourth joyful mystery of the rosary
which suggests that we pray for the gift of listening to the word of God.
That is precisely what all four persons are doing as they are led to the
Temple. One does not need much imagination to feel the warmth and beauty
of this scene.

The persons who come with hope to the Temple are led by the Spirit.
We might say that almost everyone in Luke's Infancy Narrative is seen to be
led by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will be a theme that will be another
golden thread through Luke's twofold work of Gospel and Acts. Both persons
are hoping for the light of the nations and the Messiah of Israel to come
and God grants their wish on this event. Both Simeon and Anna gives us the
type of attitude and motivation we need when listening to the word of God
in the liturgy and celebrating God's presence in the sacrament of the
Eucharist.

The prayer of Simeon is expressed in what is called the Nunc
Dimittis, Latin for the first words of his beautiful prayer that is used
for night prayer by those praying the liturgy of the hours. Here is the
prayer we could use to conclude this day: Now, Master, you may let your
servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen in 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
2:29-32). Together with Mary and Joseph, Anna and Simeon we can pray the
prayer with all our heart, mind, and soul while doing this with reverence,
attention, and devotion.

The scene has other themes such as the sorrow Mary will experience
piercing her own soul as well as the artistic balance so characteristic of
the style of St. Luke. He also has this scene completing the Infancy
Narrative and giving us one of his crisp succinct summaries that collect
the next eleven or twelve years of Jesus in one sentence: "The child grew
and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon
him." (Luke 2:40). Amen.