Homily For The Feast of The Presentation of The Lord, 4th Sunday in the Ordinary Time Year A, Feb 2, 2025.

“Do not be afraid to go out into the streets and public places, like the first apostles who preached Christ and the Good News of salvation in the squares of cities, towns, and villages. This is no time to be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the time to preach it from the rooftops. Do not be afraid to break out of comfortable and routine modes of living in order to take up the challenge of making Christ known in the modern world.” — John Paul II

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My Dearest Friends in Christ,

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord—once known as the Feast of the Purification of Mary—we are invited to reflect on the profound mystery of Christ’s coming into the world as the Light of revelation and the glory of God’s people. This feast is deeply rooted in the Jewish law, as outlined in the Book of Leviticus (12:1-8), which required a woman to undergo a period of purification after childbirth. For a male child, this period lasted 40 days, after which the mother was to present herself at the Temple to offer a sacrifice—a lamb for a burnt offering and a pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering. If the family was poor, as Mary and Joseph were, they could offer two turtledoves or pigeons instead. Additionally, the firstborn son was to be consecrated to the Lord, as every firstborn male belonged to God (Exodus 13:2, 12-15).

This feast, therefore, is not merely a historical remembrance of an event that took place in the Temple of Jerusalem; it is a living reminder of God’s promise fulfilled and the ongoing mission of Christ to bring light to a world shrouded in darkness. In fulfilling these ancient laws, Mary and Joseph demonstrate their faithfulness to God’s covenant, while Simeon and Anna recognize in the infant Jesus the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel and the nations. The Presentation of the Lord thus bridges the Old and New Covenants, revealing Christ as the Light that shines for all people, purifying and renewing humanity through His saving mission.

In the first reading from the prophet Malachi, we hear of the Lord’s messenger who will prepare the way for His coming. The Lord Himself will come to His Temple, but His arrival will not be without challenge. Malachi describes Him as a refiner’s fire, purifying and refining His people so that they may offer sacrifices pleasing to the Lord. This imagery of purification reminds us that the encounter with God is transformative. It demands a readiness to let go of all that is impure, all that keeps us from fully embracing His light.

Think for a moment about the process of refining silver or gold. The refiner heats the metal until it becomes liquid, allowing the impurities to rise to the surface so they can be removed. This process is not without discomfort, but it is necessary for the metal to shine in its full brilliance. In the same way, God’s presence in our lives refines us. He challenges us to confront our weaknesses, our sins, and our complacency, so that we may be purified and made worthy to stand before Him.

In the Gospel, we witness the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy. Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple to present Him to the Lord, in accordance with the Law. Here, we encounter two remarkable figures: Simeon and Anna. Both are advanced in years, yet they are filled with hope and expectation. Simeon, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognizes the child Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, the Light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel. Anna, a prophetess, spends her days in prayer and fasting, awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem. When she sees the child, she gives thanks to God and speaks of Him to all who are waiting for salvation.

Simeon and Anna are models of faith and perseverance. They remind us that the encounter with Christ is worth waiting for, worth sacrificing for, and worth proclaiming to others. Their lives teach us that true joy comes from recognizing God’s presence in our midst and responding with gratitude and praise.

But Simeon’s words also carry a sobering message. He tells Mary, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted.” Jesus, the Light of the world, will be a source of division. His message of love, mercy, and justice will challenge the status quo. It will expose the darkness in human hearts and call for a radical transformation.

This is where the second reading from Hebrews becomes particularly relevant. The author reminds us that Jesus shared in our humanity so that He might destroy the power of death and free us from the fear that enslaves us. Through His suffering and death, He became our merciful and faithful High Priest, able to help us in our trials.

What does this mean for us today? It means that the Light of Christ continues to shine in our world, calling us to live as children of the light. It means that we, like Simeon and Anna, are called to recognize Christ’s presence in our lives and to bear witness to Him in a world that often prefers darkness.

Let me share a story that illustrates this. There was a young woman named Maria who grew up in a community plagued by violence and corruption. For years, she felt trapped in a cycle of despair, unable to see a way out. One day, she encountered a group of Christians who shared with her the message of Christ’s love and redemption. At first, she was skeptical, but as she began to pray and read the Scriptures, she experienced a profound transformation. The Light of Christ illuminated her heart, giving her hope and courage to change her life. Today, Maria is a beacon of hope in her community, sharing the Good News with others and working to bring about positive change.

Maria’s story is a modern-day example of what Simeon and Anna experienced in the Temple. It reminds us that the Light of Christ is not confined to the past; it is alive and active today. But for this Light to shine brightly, we must be willing to let it refine us, challenge us, and guide us.

As we leave this Eucharistic celebration today, let us ask ourselves: How can we be instruments of Christ’s Light in our families, our workplaces, and our communities? How can we, like Simeon and Anna, bear witness to the hope and salvation that Christ brings? One way we can be light in the word is to be law-abiding citizens in our country, as Mary and Joseph following Jewish law came to the temple to fulfill the demands of the law even though they are parents to the messiah.

Let us hold fast to the immutable Truths of the Gospel and allow them to transform our lives. Let us participate fully in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, where we encounter the living Christ. And let us never be afraid to speak the Truth, even when it is difficult or unpopular, for it is the Truth that sets us free.

May the Light of Christ shine brightly in our hearts, and may we, like Simeon and Anna, rejoice in the salvation He brings. Amen.