Mal 3:1-4
Heb 2:14-18
Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32

A Listening Heart

This Sunday the Church celebrates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord that occurs forty days after the birth of Jesus. The gospel tells of Mary and Joseph bringing the infant Jesus to the temple to be presented to God according to Mosaic Law. It then introduces us to two people who provide numerous lessons and themes for further reflection. Simeon and Anna were two elderly people dedicated to prayer and fasting and so their strong religious spirit helped them recognize the baby Jesus as the Messiah. 

Only those who spend time in prayer like Simeon and Anna are open to the breath of the Spirit within themselves. They know how to recognize the Lord even when he is presented to them as a baby because they possess an interior vision. They have learned how to listen to their interior heart to what is around them.  

Simeon and Anna each have something to say to us about how to receive the Lord. We too are called to receive the Lord in prayer and to witness to his presence in our lives. As disciples of Jesus, we proclaim God’s gift of presence to others by witnessing to the Lord in our lives by what we say and do. 

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord’s second major theme is Light. We are familiar with the beautiful symbolism associated with light. Light means that Christ is present in our world. In addition to celebrating the feast of the Presentation, the Church also blesses candles to be used throughout the year. The day is known as Candlemas Day. 

In spite of Christ being the Light of the world, we live in a world that is rife with division, political turmoil and environmental catastrophies. The presence of that Light, the Light of a loving and compassionate God is absent from the lives of many people. If we are to imitate Simeon and Anna as prayerful people who recognize and know the Light of the world, we should be making that Light present wherever we are. We can’t change the problems of our world but we can make a difference in our own small way wherever we are. 

Last week we reflected on the beatitudes and the challenges from the Gospel of Luke to make a difference in our lives. This week you might want to continue with that challenge or choose a new one so that you do become a brighter light to all you meet in your daily life. Pray, take a stand to change yourself and your world and be the reflection of the true Light of the World!

In what ways does prayer help you to see the realities of your world?What is