FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2024
FRIDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME YEAR B
THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHILD JESUS IN THE TEMPLE (FEAST)
Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrew 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40
OUR RESPONSE TO THE APPEARANCE OF CHRIST JESUS IN OUR WORLD
Today, during the mass, the liturgy begins with he blessing of the candle and the procession with the lighted candle into the church. It is a visual reminder of the theophany of Jesus. It calls to our minds the person being revealed to the world. He is the light of the world. The light that enlightens mankind and that overcomes the darkness of the world.
The church celebrates yet another epiphany of the Lord. Jesus is shown to the world as the Saviour of the world. The testimony of Simeon and Anna are great revelations of who Jesus is to our world and to the Jews.
Looking particularly on the testimony of Simeon who was promise the honour of seeing and knowing the savior of the world, we witnessed to a fulfilled man. He was then filled with sense of fulfillment to have seen and recognized the Saviour of the world. In the same manner, he became a witness to confirm to the people that Jesus is the Saviour and messiah being expected. This, Simeon accomplished to the amazement of the people. He sees himself as having accomplished his life desires and made that canticle that the church uses in her daily night prayer.
Same is said of Anna as well. She was present also at that time in the temple. And as promised her, she was awaiting revelation of the savior of the world. Her mode of awaiting the savior was through fasting and prayer ever since she lost her husband. Just as Simeon also awaited the savior in living a devout life and being faithful to temple worship.
Their response in anticipation of the coming of the Saviour of the world, is very instructive for all who believe in Jesus. They believed in the prophecies especially of the first reading of today. They were persistent, dogged, never giving up and awaited him patiently.
Their lives were austere, devout and holy. They held on to temple worship with fasting and prayers. Anna teaches us the act of self denial and devout living with prayer and fasting. And we are taught to attend to the Lord in such wise. Drawing near to Jesus demands certain discipline in life. It demands also some forms of mortification and commitment to a life of serious searching and hope. It means being focused on him who is the way, the truth and the life.
The prophecy of Anna to Mary and the Father of Jesus speaks also to those who are bearers of Jesus as we are today. That a sword will pierce our souls. So it is not only to Mary that this prophecy is made to but also to us who bear Jesus in our hearts and minds. We must be ready to accept those swords and bear their scourging.
As we have undertaken to be disciples of Jesus, faithful followers and ardent believers in him, we must braze ourselves and accept the challenge of being bearers of him, of living the ideal life as demanded, of accepting sufferings and scourges and of living in hope and happiness that one day, life expectations will be accomplished as it was for Simeon and Anna.
Heavenly Father, as you appeared in your temple, manifesting your glory and spreading your graces, may we be enriched, empowered and blessed. May the light of glory, continue to shine in our lives, enlighten our ways and fill us with zeal, strong faith, greater desires to follow and make you known to the world by our lives of devotion, commitment and faithfulness through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
