The Presentation: Last Sunday's Sermon

The Readings

The Gospel

Luke 2:22-40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord"), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,

"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."

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, "This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too."

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.

The Sermon

Simeon has been waiting for this moment. The Holy Spirit promised him that before he died he would meet the messiah. It is no coincidence that Mary and Joseph have brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem at the same time that Simeon is there. Simeon knows at once that Jesus is the one. He is the one who will change everything. He is the one who will light up the nations.

Simeon tells them that his eyes have seen salvation. He holds Jesus and blesses him and then he gives an ominous prophesy. He says, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel.” His last and most troubling words are for Mary. He says, “and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

I have a feeling that those last few words were carried by her all the way to his crucifixion on the cross. Mothers and fathers worry about their children and this statement by a prophet must have compounded her worry.

Also in this reading we here that the prophet Anna, a person who was greatly respected had words of praise for Jesus' birth and the promise that he would give to his people.

After this reading there is an intermission. All we know is that they returned to Nazareth and Jesus grew and became strong and filled with wisdom. The story of Jesus picks up again when Jesus is at the temple with his family. He is only twelve and is accidentally left behind as they were returning home. After that, Jesus is 30years old and beginning his mission.

Much of Jesus life is a mystery and maybe that is a good thing. We know so little about Jesus early life that we get to focus on what is so important: the years he preached, healed and blessed the world with his grace and sacrifice.

Over the last few weeks we have been reading passages from different gospels. We have read from John, Luke and Matthew. In each of them people would cross paths with Jesus, even as an infant, and they instantly realized that he was the one. He was the messiah, the savior, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. These are marvelous accounts and I do not presume to question their accuracy.

Just knowing things do not come so easily for me and I suspect they do not come easily for many of you. I came to believe in Jesus in a different way. My aha moment had to evolve. I read scripture and other writings. I soulfully meditated on my relationship to God. I join in the Sunday service with others in my community. Gradually, my faith grew and I came to believe that my own salvation would come through becoming one of Jesus disciples.

Jesus, through his teaching and his example of love for all of us is the rock that is the foundation of my faith. No, I was not God smacked one day and suddenly became “saved”. God spoon fed me and nourished my soul and I am so glad God did! May your spiritual journey be as fruitful as mine has been.

God Bless!

Fr. Fred