The gospel for mass today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus in the temple. Joseph and Mary took baby Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, according to the law of Moses. But, before they left on their journey, they underwent a period of purification, according to the law of Moses. When they reached the temple, they were to offer a sacrifice of two turtledoves or pigeons, in keeping the law of the Lord. Then, Joseph and Mary presented baby Jesus to Simon, to perform the custom of the law in regard to him. At the end of the gospel reading, it says that after they had fulfilled all of the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee.
Did you notice that the common thread through this gospel is that Joseph and Mary fulfilled the law of the Lord? We should stop for a moment to consider this, and not just skim over this fact, before we begin focusing on the main theme of this gospel. So many modern people feel like the “rules” are a hindrance to their freedom. We have a unflattering term for people who feel this way in our church. They are called “cafeteria Catholics”, because they feel like it is their right to pick and choose what they do, or do not believe about the Catholic faith. It’s a very good thing Mary and Joseph, and Jesus himself, did not feel this way.
Laws and “rules” were not created by God to impose His will on mankind, or limit their freedom or enjoyment in life. Laws, “rules” and Catholic doctrine do not limit our freedom, but enhance it. We undergo a great deal more suffering when we ignore the laws or the rules in the long run. Not adhering to the rules, or breaking the law is a short term pleasure that usually results in long term suffering for oneself and those whose lives we affect. This is especially true when it comes to Catholic doctrine.
The main point of today’s feast though, is about baby Jesus’ presentation in the temple. Simon and Anna both gave prophecies about who he was, and what the future would hold for him, their people, and for Mary too. These two holy people recognized who Jesus was when they first saw him, much like John the Baptist recognized who Jesus was when he was still in the womb. Their testimony validated the importance of who jesus really was, along with many other eye witness accounts of his life.
The second reading for mass from the letter of Hebrews, tells us that Jesus came to destroy sin and death and to free those who had been subjected to slavery all their life. He became like us in every way because he is both human and divine. Jesus is the great, and merciful high priest who stands before God to expiate the sins of all people. He himself was tested through what he suffered and he is therefore able to help all those who are being tested as well. We should rely on Jesus in all the circumstances of our lives. He is our strength and the only means of our salvation.
The first reading for mass from the book of Malachi, says that the Lord is like a refiner’s fire. “He will sit refining and purifying silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, refining them like gold or like silver, that they may offer due sacrifice to the Lord.” This scripture passage ends by saying that after this purification, they will please the Lord, as in the days of old, as in years gone by.
If you remember, Joseph and Mary underwent a period of purification in the gospel reading for mass today too, before they offered their sacrifice to the Lord. It prepared them to come before God, to present baby Jesus, in purity, holiness and in a state of grace.
Aside from the beautiful story of baby Jesus’ presentation in the temple and the prophecies of Simon and Anna, it would be a good thing to give a little thought today about growing in holiness ourselves. In order to be even more pleasing to God, perhaps we could realize that we too, have a need for purification. We don’t have to decide that “this is who I am” and God should accept us just the way we are. He does. But, a wedding feast is a deeper communion of love, a celebration of love and new life. Jesus invites us to this feast. Should we greet him just as we are? Jesus is the bridegroom of the church. We should prepare ourselves to receive him, in holiness, through grace, in keeping with the “rules” and sacraments of the church.
Spiritual perfection is a good thing.
Sunday Mass Readings:
Mal 3: 1-4/ Ps 24: 7, 8, 9, 10/ Heb 2:14-18/ Lk 2-22-40 or Lk 2: 22-32
