Por Fr. Ed Liptak, SDB
Often in our Catholic upbringing, with Rosary in hand we have prayed in the Joyful Mysteries, The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple. The Gospel of Luke, however, speaks of two duties of the Law: ‘Purification’ of husband and wife; ‘Presentation’ of their firstborn. Luke treats them as one, ‘purification’ after all the privacy of childbearing; ‘presentation’ to say that a child was theirs but also the Creator’s.
Today, we concentrate on coming to the Temple of the Lord. The prophet Malachi foretells the coming of the ‘messenger’ of God: “Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.” Then, he goes on about who will be able to endure his arrival. He will purify Israel’s iniquity like gold and silver are purified in the fire and restore value to the ancient sacrifices. Now, likewise, we of the new covenant should gratefully accept the purifying arrival of our Redeemer to die for us.
The Letter to the Hebrews sought a hidden meaning deep within the tranquil scene of a child presented by his parents to God: “Since [we humans] share in blood and flesh, Jesus likewise shared in them, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the Devil.” Hebrews seeks belief that the simple Presentation scene images the dawn of humanity’s conflict against sin, death, and Satan through Jesus. Let us not fear death, says Hebrews. This Child came to destroy it.
Luke’s Gospel also puts the Holy Family before us, but also an elderly man and woman who help us see beyond just a child being presented. Simeon, filled with the Spirit, was at the Temple when Jesus arrived. He took little Jesus in his arms, gazed upon Him, and saw more than a child. This was the world’s Savior. Further, Simeon pronounced the Child to be Light for the Gentiles and the Glory of Israel. Anna, an aged widow gifted with the habit of prayer and sacrifice came by. God awarded her a new dignity: “[She] spoke about the child to all awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” Indeed, the Old Law was passed.
Old or young, however, we learn of Jesus,
let it deepen, bloom, and grow.