Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
“Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; and suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, and the messenger of the covenant whom you desire.” These words from the prophet Malachi foreshadow the coming of the Christ into the temple and must have been on the mind of the holy man Simeon, who was waiting for the coming of the Lord. Let us too wait for the coming of the Lord into the temple of our hearts. For Saint Paul reminds us of this as he asks, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). We become the temple of God through our baptism by entering into the Body of Christ through the grace of the Holy Spirit. We find ourselves amazed, like Mary and Joseph, when we see our humble and loving Jesus desiring to enter into the temple of our hearts. How will you respond to the presence of Jesus? Let us be like Simeon and Anna and welcome him as the fulfillment of what we have long desired. Let us proclaim joyfully with Simeon, “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
Reflection by Br. Placid Dale, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections