+ Today we celebrate a most beautiful feast of the Lord Jesus. Since the day of his birth, the prescribed time has now passed and so Mary, for her own purification rite – following the dictates of the law of her people – goes to Jerusalem – and at the same time presents the Child Jesus to Simeon who receives him on behalf of all mankind! He had been promised this supreme privilege – not to see death until he took the baby Jesus into his arms to bless him! This he did with great tenderness and love! No doubt the baby grasped Simeon's arms and hugged him, happy to be embraced by one of his own! Simeon then prophesied that this child would be a light to all the nations, and the glory of his own people, Israel.
Anna was also there, a very holy and devout woman, who spoke that Jesus would be the redemption of Jerusalem. He was the long-awaited Messiah and Son of God!
And so, Jesus was poised already at a very young age, to take up his mission as Messiah and Redeemer – and at least at that point, there were some who recognized him when they saw him! May we recognize him today when we see him, especially in the way he provided for us to do just that: in the love we have for one another and in the Eucharistic Bread (the Holy Communion) that we take at this Mass. The "light and glory" of Jesus is rekindled deep within our hearts each time we "take and eat," "take and drink." It is the very light and life of God himself rekindled within us – for yet another day!
Who is the king of glory? It is the Lord! He is a light of revelation to the Gentiles and glory for God's people Israel!
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