The Presentation of the Lord

Mal. 3:1-4, Ps 23:7-10, Heb. 2:14-18, Lk 2:22-40. As we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrate the World Day of Consecrated Life. As Christ was presented in the Temple, today, the Church invites us to continuously offer ourselves “as a living, holy and pleasing sacrifice to God…” (Rom. 12:1). The prophet Malachi in today's first reading speaks of the Lord suddenly coming to Jerusalem to purify the lax, lazy and indifferent priests of His Temple as silver is purified by fire. The prophecy warns that nobody can endure the day of the Lord because He will be like a refining fire, purifying the sons of Levi. The first catechism of the early Church (14:1-3), saw Malachi’s prophecy of a pure sacrifice and offering made from east to west as a prophecy of the sacrifice. Hence, there will be a renewed priesthood and there will be a pure sacrifice offered worldwide and pleasing to God, the Eucharist.

That is why Paul in the second reading, proclaims Jesus as our Eternal High Priest of the New Covenant (Heb. 2:17) who offered Himself on the Altar of Calvary, the only pure priestly sacrifice that could please God. He replaces the former priesthood. As the first-fruits from the dead, as the conqueror of sin and death, Christ, in His person and through His mission, has set the course and cleared the way we are to follow; the decision to do so must be a daily and deliberate one. It takes faith to see God's power at work in the death of Jesus. Simeon hinted at this when he told Mary in today's Gospel that she herself would be pierced with a sword. The Gospel describes the rite of purification for a mother according to Leviticus 12:2-8 and the dedication of the child to God according to the injunction of Number 18:15-16. Simeon saw the Infant Jesus as the fulfillment of this prophesy who offers us His word, which illuminates our path; He gives us the Bread of life which sustains us on our journey.

May the Lord come into our hearts so that we might be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and recognise the indwelling presence of the Lord with us and in others! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!