On this Feast of the Purification of Mary and the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple we have a brief resummarization of the Christmas story. Jesus – the one foretold by all the prophets – did indeed come to this earth. He came as Son of God and Son of Mary in order to ransom us (from our sins) and open the gates of eternal life for us! He came to be the Great Light by which all in the world could see the validity and rightness of their actions: so that there would be no more sin – and there could be harmony and balance in life!
The first reading speaks of the future coming of the Messiah – who would one day "come to the temple" – the King of Glory! The second reading tells why he came – to identify with us completely in all things but sin – so that any experience in life that we have, especially of pain and suffering – and even sin – can be transformed into healing and forgiveness. The gospel passage relates the actual arrival at the Temple in Jerusalem – for the first time – of the great King of Kings – the Lord, God and Savior – who was but a tiny baby held in the arms of his holy mother and escorted by his faithful and entirely devoted foster-father! And it was Simeon who received him – who blessed God – and thanked God for letting his eyes behold this very Light who would make all the difference to all the nations! God kept his promise to Simeon – the Messiah would keep his promise to shine for us!
God promised us that Jesus could be our Light as well! The only catch is that we have to welcome the Light, and be willing to see what it reveals – and then do what we see needs to be done!
May we this day, once again, thank God, the almighty and loving Father – for providing for our spiritual needs so that one day we can live with him forever – with all of our brothers and sisters in his one great family of love!
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