Readings:
Mal.3:1-4, Ps.24, Heb. 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40
Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia.
AN
ENCOUNTER WITH CHRIST THE LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATE THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD
Today makes
it forty days after the birth of Jesus at Christmas. So, we celebrate the Feast
of the Presentation. A day we are reminded of the event of the Presentation of
Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem. This event serves 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 of Jesus into the
temple of God which dwells in human hearts.
Hence,
in our Gospel passage today, 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 are, the purification of the mother, the redemption of
the son and the presentation, aimed at giving an 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.
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 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 be filled
with its radiance 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.
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