The Presentation of the Lord

Called to be signs of contraction

Luke 2:22-40

The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives the explanation on the Presentation of Jesus: 

"The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows him to be the firstborn Son who belongs to the Lord.²¹⁶ With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior-the name given to this event in the Byzantine tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-expected Messiah, the "light to the nations" and the "glory of Israel", but also "a sign that is spoken against". The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ's perfect and unique oblation on the cross that will impart the salvation God had "prepared in the presence of all peoples"." (CCC, 529)

We can reflect on three things:

1. Jesus as first born offered to the Lord - consecrate the very born, the very first offering.  It puts our lives immediately on track when we think immediately of God and offer our first and best gifts to Him.

2.  Light - of Jesus as manifested in Simeon and Ana.  We who are offered to God are called to radiate the light of God and His reason to the world espousing darkness and sin; 

3. A sign of contradiction - that all of our actions to the smallest detail account for the rise and fall of our children; thus

Always think about God and serve Him well and be the cause of salvation of all peoples starting from our families.