Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Gospel Bullet Points (Luke 2:22-40)

• Today’s feast, the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, provides us with what we seek. In the gospel reading, we encounter Simon. The text does not say that he was old, advanced in years or that he was a priest. But clearly, with full trust in God’s promise, he embodied Israel’s long wait. He discovered, to his great surprise, that the great Messiah Yahweh promised them would be revealed as a baby boy. Like Simeon, the one stabilizing factor for us is the search for, discovery of, and obedience to God’s will in our lives.
• With joy, Simeon sings “Now my eyes have seen your salvation, Lord. Simeon sees Jesus as the light, now symbolized by the candles we use at mass representing the love, the warmth and the joy of Christ. We are likewise called to be Christ’s candles. Watch how candles burn. To give light and brilliance, they must sacrifice themselves, they must burn themselves. If we must serve, we sacrifice ourselves for others.
• We are likewise called to be Christ’s candles. Watch how candles burn. To give light and brilliance, they must sacrifice themselves, they must burn themselves. If we must serve, we sacrifice ourselves for others.