The Presentation of the Lord

 Reflection on Today's Readings, the Presentation of the Lord, Tuesday 2nd February, 2021

Texts: Mal. 3:1-4; Ps. 24:7-10; Heb. 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Today is the presentation of the Lord in the temple. This was done in fulfilment of Mosaic law, which says, "When Yahweh has brought you into the Canaanites' country, as he swore to you and your ancestors that he would, and given it to you, to Yahweh you must make over whatever first issues from the womb, and every firstborn cast by animals belonging to you: these males belong to Yahweh. But every firstborn donkey you will redeem with a lamb or kid; if you do not redeem it, you must break its neck. All human firstborn, however, among your son, you will redeem" (Ex. 13:11-13). The celebration is a memorial of the Lord's redemptive action in Egypt, for it is said, "And when your sons asks you in days to come, 'What does this mean?' you will tell him, By the strength of his hand Yahweh brought us out of Egypt, out of the place of slave-labour. When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Yahweh killed all the Firstborn in Egypt, of man and beast alike. This is why I sacrifice every male first issuing from the womb to Yahweh and redeem every first-born of my sons" (Ex. 13:14-15). It reminds us that God who saved the people of old from their slavery, He is also able to save us, His people. Recalling the redemptive action, we are to live in gratitude for what He has done. It is also a reminder to intensify our faith in Him; the God who saved the people of old He is still able to save us. The celebration emphasizes once again in our own time, age and generation that God is still able to save and deliver. 

The celebration also reminds us of what Jesus Christ has come to do. Just as God fought for His people to deliver them from slavery and authority of Herod, so also Jesus has come to fight our battle to deliver us from fear of death. Hence, the second reading says, "Since the children share in flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise partook of the same nature, that through death he might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage." The presentation of our Lord is not just a memorial but the commissioning of what the redemptive action signals: the redemption from the power of sin and death. Today's psalm tells us that He has come as a warrior king. It says, "O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory! Who is this king of glory? The Lord, mighty, the valiant; the Lord, the valiant in war." He has come to hold principalities and powers to ransom and to deliver us from them. His faithful participate in this battle, for St. Paul says, "it is not against human enemies that we have to struggle, but against the principalities and the ruling forces who are masters of the darkness in this world, the spirits of evil in the heavens" (Eph. 6:12). The only way to win in the battle is to fight with Him by putting on the armour of God. St. Paul says, "Put on the full armour of God so as to be able to resist the devil's tactics" (Eph. 6:11). This celebration also marks the purification of Virgin Mary on the fortieth day of the birth of Jesus Christ; it is in fulfilment of the Law of Moses (Lev. 12:1-8). Virgin Mary, who is immaculate, did not need purification, but out of obedience and humility she did purification. Virgin Mary, by her purification, she has taught us obedience and humility. Let us embrace the two virtues, for they are needed in our journey of faith.

Today is also dedicated to the celebration of consecrated Life. Pope John Paul II declared today World Day for Consecrated Life. In the words of Thomas Pazhayampallil: "The reason for establishing this day as the World Day for Consecrated Life is threefold. First, it answers the intimate need to praise the Lord solemnly and to thank him for the great gift of Consecrated Life. Secondly, this day is intended to promote knowledge of and esteem for the Consecrated Life by the entire people of God. Thirdly, today consecrated people are invited to celebrate together solemnly the marvels, which the Lord has accomplished in them, to acquire a more vivid awareness of their irreplaceable mission in the Church and in the world" (Words of Eternal Life, p. 40). Consecrated people are those who have given up their lives for the service of God, the Church and humanity. They embraced the evangelical counsels: Poverty, chastity, and obedience. They are light in a world of materialism, consumerism, deviant behaviours, and moral decadence. Their presence in the world reminds us of the values of poverty, chastity and obedience to God and constituted authority. Their presence heals the world of materialism, consumerism and moral decadence. Let us appreciate them and promote the kind of life they represent in our world. The consecrated people are also reminded that their value increases daily; as the world grows in corruption and moral decadence, the more we need them to heal our world; the more our world grows in faithlessness, the more we need them.  Their value can never be over estimated. Dear consecrated people, come together and bless the Lord for calling you to work with Him; thank Him for His favour and blessings upon you.

 Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for delivering us from the power of the evil One and from the fear of death; grant that we may live for You all the days of our lives. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke