Homily For Thursday Fourth Week in Ordinary Time Year A, 2nd February, 2023 The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. (World Day For Consecrated Life)

Readings: Mal.3:1-4, Ps.24, Heb. 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.

CHRIST THE TRUE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE OF OUR HEARTS

Today being forty days after the birth of Jesus at Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem. This event servers three purposes; the first is the redemption of the first-born male, which according to the law of Moses, was set apart for God. The second purpose is the purification of Mary which is done after giving birth and the third is the Presentation Jesus into the temple of God which dwells in human hearts.

Here in the Gospel, St Luke explained that Mary and Joseph wished to fulfil all the prescriptions in order to emphasize that Jesus was born into a family of simple people, lowly but of steadfast faith: a family that belonged to the poor of Israel the true People of God. It is important to note that these three purposes that is, the purification of the mother, the redemption of the son and the presentation, aimed at giving account of the presentation of Jesus in the Temple of God which dwells in human hearts. A symbol of the reality that shows the act of offering the Son of the Most High to the Father who sent him.

Hence, this becomes the confirmation of the words of the Prophet Malachi which we heard at the beginning of the first Reading: “Behold”, says the Lord, “I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming to purify the sons of Levi. Then the offering will be pleasing to the Lord” (3:1- 4), thereby indicating the role of the child Jesus.

The same child Jesus, who is immediately presented in the Temple, is the same person who, as an adult, would purify the temple of our hearts Jn 2:13-22). Above all, he would make himself the sacrifice and the High Priest of the new Covenant, as we heard in our second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews. A passage which tells us about the new priesthood instituted by Christ the High Priest. For which he will suffer greatly as prophecy by Simeon in our Gospel passage concerning both the Child Jesus and Mary the Mother when he said: “Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, a sword will pierce through your own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Thus, this is pointing out the salvation which Jesus will bring to his people, that which he embodies in himself, as he passed through the Cross, the violent death by which he was to vanquish death and transform humanity with the sacrifice of his life through love. Hence, he becomes the true Light of the world of which Simeon and Anna proclaimed as a revelation, that Jesus was to be the High Priest of all, who is to absolve and redeem all mankind from their sins. By so doing becomes the true light that enlightens every man who is born into this world.

Dear friends, today as we encounter Christ the true Light of the world presented in the temple of our hearts, let us of course, allow ourselves to be enlightened and made radiant by this light. Let us share in its splendour, and so be filled with it’s radiant, so that no one remains in the darkness. Let us bring this Light of Christ into our families and our homes, so that through sharing in his light we may be brought out of the darkness that covers our lives as individuals, families, communities, societies, country and the world at large.

LET US PRAY: Lord God, as we celebrate the presentation of your Son Jesus today, let the light of his presence dispel the darkness in our lives, in our families, societies and so illuminate our paths as we struggle and journey in faith towards achieving our goals and purposes in life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. God bless you.