May the Lord give you grace and peace in the Holy Spirit.
It is 02nd February 2023.
We celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. We reflect on Malachi 3:1-4 and Luke 2:22-40.
What are we to present to the Lord?
“When you are so devoted to doing what is right that you press straight on and disregard what men are saying about you, there is the triumph of moral courage,” says Phillips Brooks.
It is the day of consecration and for those who are in the consecrated life, let us whisper a prayer.
As we remember the presentation of the infant Jesus by His parents in the temple, we need to ask ourselves what have got to present to the Lord. The candle we carry in our hands reminds us of the need for our witnessing for Jesus even amidst all kinds of darkness.
The prophet Malachi reminds us that all those who eagerly look forward to seeing the Lord will have a surprise. The Lord appears in the temple suddenly when we are prepared and consecrated our lives. Simeon and Anna stand representing all those who long for the Lord and eventually find Him.
As this stands symbolically for the purification of the Mother of Jesus, the circumcision of the child Jesus and to the redemption of the child through sacrifice as all male children belong to the Lord.
Preparation brings power and peace to all those who go through it.
This feast invites us to be patient in meeting the Lord to praise and thank Him and live a God-centered life with simplicity and openness.
May we be ready to offer our very selves to the Lord daily. God bless you.