THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD : Thursday 2nd February 2023

The Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple reflects the following:

1. i) The fidelity of Joseph and Mary revealed their piety and devotion to the Law of Moses relating to the birth of the Child Jesus.
2. ii) The offering of ‘a pair of turtle doves’ is the sacrifice prescribed for the poor who could not afford a lamb (Lk.2:24).

In this event, the manifestation of Jesus took place by Simeon with the canticle (Lk.2:29-32) and Anna, the prophetess, as in Lk.2:36-38. Simeon’s oracle has linked Mary directly with Jesus’ mission, especially His suffering destiny – the Cross!

What does this feast say to us today?

Luke presented to us Jesus as a sign of contradiction (Lk.2:34-25) in the light of His mission and destiny. This significant event confronts us with a decision as disciples of Jesus. We will fail in our responsibility if we turn to self-centredness. We can carry out God’s will if we cooperate with Jesus in His mission with our self-sacrificial attitude and way of life. This is the choice we have to make in our discipleship.

As a result, we practise inclusiveness in our relationships with others, especially in the Malaysian context. In ‘Adsumus Sancte Spiritus’, we pray with the whole Church that we will be able to live synodality by embracing God’s gift of Salvation for all peoples (Lk.2:31).