The Presentation of the Lord—Fr. Leo Schneider

Joseph and Mary were devout Jews.  Following Jewish custom, they brought Jesus to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord.  To do so, a sacrifice of two young pigeons was made to seal the dedication in God’s eyes and in theirs. Joseph and Mary were humble people of small means. Otherwise, they would have sacrificed more expensive sacrifices.  Totally unneeded because the true covenant is in the heart, not the sacrificing of animals as is evident in the Psalms: It is not sacrifice that I desire, but a contrite heart.”

When Simeon held the child in his arms, being a holy mystic, he recognized Jesus as the Son of God sent to save us from sin. He abandons himself to God in praying for the Lord to take him, since the vision he waited for was upon him.

Another Holy person of prayer, Anna, was in the temple.  She came forward and gave thanks for the child who would be the salvation of many.  Joseph and Mary were amazed at the confirmation of their Son by strangers who recognized, as foretold to them, that Jesus was the son of God.

Simeon also recognized that Mary would share deeply in the Lord’s Paschal mission.  He tells her heart will be pierced so the thought of many may be laid bare. Her own suffering would lead to the redemption of all who call upon her. Thus we honor her as Theotokos, Mother of God.  

So we who were presented to God in baptism share in Christ’s mission as Mary did.  We have Jesus, Mary and Joseph to intercede for us that we bare our crosses and bring redemption into the world.  Our sacrifices and struggles can become a source of wisdom for others and a source of grace in the world for the redemption of us all.