St. Mary's Church Elizabeth, IL

2/2

Now, Lord...

In many countries, particularly in Europe, today's feast is celebrated as Candlemas-named for the candles that are blessed today.  The feast commermorates the presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:21-40).  The day concindes with the fortieth day after the miracle of the Incarnation and it was formerly called the purification of Mary.

Jewish families, soon after a baby's birth, were to go through several prescribed ceremonies.  On the eight-day after birth, every boy was circumcised and named (Leviticus 12:3); Luke 1:59-60).  The circumcision symbolized the separation of the Chosen People from other people and Israel's unique relationship with God.  Every first-born son was presented to God one month after birth (Exodus 13:2; 1:6; Numbers 18:15).  The ceremony included "redeeming," that is "buying back" the child from God through offering .  It was a symbolic way of Jewish parents to acknowledge that God alone can give life and every life belongs to God.  The mother of a child, after giving birth, remained ceremonially unclean - 40 days after giving birth to a boy, and 80 days after the birth of a girl.  She could not enter the Temple.  As a offering for mother's cleansing , the parents were to bring a lamb for a burnt offering and a dove or pigeon for sin offering.  If the lamb were to expensive, they could bring a second dove or pigeon instead, and that is what Mary and Joseph did when her purificaiton time came about (Luke 2:24).

When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to be dedicated to God, they were met by an old, pious Jew by the name Simeon.  He greeted them with a powerful statement; "Now o Lord, as  you said, let Your servant depart in peace, because my eyes have seen your instrument of salvation, which you have prepared before all the people, a light to bring your revelation to the Gentiels, and the glory of your people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32).  Simeon could die in peace because he had seen the Messiah.  Interesting fact about Simeon's song.  The Jews were well acquainted with the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah and the blessings his coming would bring to Isarael, but many thought that he would come to save only his own people.  Simeon said, Jesus would be a light to everyone.  He also prophesized that Jesus would have a paradoxical effect on Israel.  With Jesus, there would be no neutral stand: some would fall because of him and nsome would rise.  People would either wholeheartedly accept him or totally reject him.

Today we celebrate a final manifestation of Jesus during his infancy: He was made manifest to Simeon and Anna when he was presented in the Temple according to the law.  Jesus revealed himself in many ways during his eartly life: to his disciples, to those whom he healed, on the cross, at table in Emmaus.

He continues to reveal himself in the world.  Do we recognize him in our neighbor for we know of his promise that what we do for th least of them we do for him?

Fr. Joachim