Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Today’s gospel of Luke (2:22-40) speaks of a certain man in Jerusalem called Simeon. Later in the same gospel account, we learn of Anna, who is called a prophetess. Both of them are of “a certain age”, meaning no longer young.

Along come Mary, Joseph, and their child Jesus. These last three, we can imagine, would be younger than the first two, Simeon and Anna. They all come together in the Temple of Jerusalem, and we become privy to their exchange. Looking at the child, Simeon recognizes the one he was waiting for. Simeon could do this because of the Holy Spirit who inspires him. Such a declaration did not pass unnoticed by Mary and Joseph. The important thing for us to pay attention to is that the aged Simeon was able to recognize and declare that this young boy was indeed the Christ he had been awaiting. Do we also see the youth who surround us as a threat or a fulfillment of our firmly held beliefs?

The scene with a similar message is repeated with Anna, the old prophetess when she sees the child. She, too, notices the youth as the long-awaited Savior. Again, age celebrates the presence of youth as a gift from God and as having a role and place in “their temple.” Is this also my honest reaction to today’s youth?

As a young couple, Mary and Joseph went to the Temple according to the law’s prescriptions. They also sought the advice of the “older” generation, who did not disappoint them but challenged them at the same time.

Can we do the same?

Let Us Pray:

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 the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.