RENUNGAN MINGGUAN – PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

REFLECTION FOR THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, which celebrates Jesus being presented in the Temple, fulfilling the Law, and being recognized as the Light of the world.

In Malachi 3:1-4, Malachi prophesies the arrival of God’s messenger who will purify the people, like a refiner’s fire purifies silver. This prophecy finds fulfillment in Christ, who enters the Temple, not just as an infant, but as the Lord who will cleanse and sanctify His people. The imagery of purification reminds us that God desires our hearts to be refined, calling us to holiness.

While in Hebrews 2:14-18, emphasizes Christ’s humanity. He shares in our flesh and blood, so that through His suffering, He can destroy the power of death. He is a merciful and faithful High Priest, able to help those who are tested. This passage reminds us that Jesus did not remain distant but became one with us in our struggles, making our salvation personal and tangible.

In the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40, Simeon, who recognizes Jesus as the “light for revelation to the Gentiles” and warns Mary of the suffering she will endure. While Anna, the prophetess, who praises God upon seeing the child and tells others about Him. Simeon and Anna had been waiting for the Messiah, and in their faithfulness, they were able to see God’s salvation.

This feast reminds us that Christ has come to sanctify us and calls us to bear witness to His presence. Therefore, todays readings call us: to be attentive to God’s presence in our lives, to recognize Christ in our midst,  to let God purify our hearts through prayer, sacraments, and daily conversion, always turn to Him in our weaknesses, to find Christ in the ordinary moments and people around us and to reflect that “light” through our faith and actions.  May we, like Simeon and Anna, always recognize and rejoice in the Lord’s coming.

– Fr. Jerry Joseph –