The Presentation of Our Lord - Saturday, February 2, 2019

Holy Cross Monastery, West Park, NY

Br. Bob Pierson, OHC
The Presentation of Our Lord, Year C - Saturday, February 2, 2019

Malachi 3:1-4
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40

Click here for an audio version of the sermon.

Today we celebrate two “feast days” if you will:  first, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and second, Groundhog's Day.  At first glance the two events seem to have nothing in common, but in fact there is a connection.  Both celebrations have to do with the coming of the Light.  In Punxsutawny, PA, people will be watching a groundhog named Phil, so see if he sees his shadow.  If he does, we will have six more weeks of winter.  Or is it the other way around?  I can never keep it straight.  The fact of the matter is we will have at least six more weeks of winter regardless, because the spring equinox is six weeks away.  This curious event is situated on February 2nd because it's the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is set on February 2nd because it's 40 days after Christmas, and according to Jewish tradition, that's the day that a new mother needs to present herself in the Temple for her “purification” after childbirth.  But according to Luke's account, it's also the day that Mary and Joseph bring the child Jesus to the Temple for his presentation to “be designated as holy to the Lord.”  And as Jesus is introduced to the old man, Simeon, he issues a statement which is very familiar to those of us who pray Compline on a regular basis:  “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

Phil the groundhog sees his shadow when the light of the sun appears, and Simeon sees his salvation when the light for revelation to the Gentiles appears.  Wouldn't it be great if we paid as much attention to the coming of the light in Jesus as some of us do to the coming of the light to create Phil's shadow?  Simeon's bold proclamation is good news not just to the people of Israel but to the Gentiles, or as some translations put it, the nations, in other words, all peoples of the world.  Jesus is announced as the savior of the world by the old man in the Temple, and his parents are “amazed.”

But not everything that Simeon has to say is Good News.  He also announces that Jesus' ministry will bring “the falling and rising of many in Israel” and that he “will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed,” and he tells Mary “a sword will pierce your own soul too.”  I wonder how Mary and Joseph reacted to that news.  Were they still “amazed?”  Are we “amazed” at what we are hearing today?  As both Simeon and Anna attest, this baby is a very special child.

As the light of each day gets longer and longer, we are reminded that the Light that is Christ has come to enlighten our lives, and to cast away the shadows so that we can live in the salvation God has planned for us.  Let's make sure we recognize that Light and allow it to illuminate our lives.  The people who walked in darkness HAVE seen a great light;  so arise, shine for your light has come, a light of revelation to the nations and for the glory of God's people everywhere.