From the Gospel according to Luke 2:22–40
When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer the sacrifice of a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons, in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God, saying:
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted -and you yourself a sword will pierce- so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of 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.
Called to Obedience
Today we celebrate the day of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of the Virgin Mary, a day also known as Candlemas.
Mary, although she had conceived by the work of the Holy Spirit and did not need purification, fulfilled the rite of purification forty days after giving birth and presented and consecrated her Son in the Temple, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law. This symbol points to Christ as the light that enlightens the nations. These gestures, which were not necessary for them, yet were fulfilled by Saint Joseph and Mary, teach us that, together in communion, obedience to the Law and to the fulfillment of the plan of Salvation is necessary. We are called to obedience, not in a cold or routine way, but as an act of humility, as an act of renunciation of our own criteria out of love for Love itself, who would later say to us: “Not my will, but Yours may be done.”
Marriage is an authentic school for growing in these virtues. In every daily act, we have the opportunity to live out this obedience and mutual submission to our spouse, as a free response to the Love of God. God invites us to live and to strengthen communion between spouses. Joseph and Mary received Simeon’s prophecy while they were together: it was foretold that He would be the Light and that there would be the experience of sorrow. Communion does not mean the absence of conflict or suffering, but remaining united in moments of light and in moments when “the sword comes.”
Let us welcome today this call that this reflection invites us to embrace: always to seek communion in marriage, being together, sharing intimacy, renouncing individual criteria, and presenting all of this to God in imitation of the Holy Family. Only in this way will we be able to bring the Light of God to the world around us.
Applied to Married Life
Carmel: Today, I think about what we lived at home at the beginning of our marriage, when everything seemed easy, and yet I realize how badly we were actually living it. I was in a bad mood all day, thinking I had made a mistake by marrying you, and I limited myself to managing the household, trying to keep things peaceful and going to bed before you even walked through the door.
Patrick: And I, trying to avoid that tense atmosphere, took refuge in work, sports, and friends.
Carmel: Thank goodness the Holy Spirit brought us our dear neighbors, Simeon and Anna, who opened our eyes to the need we had to present all our weaknesses and strengths to the Lord, going to church whenever we could.
Patrick: Yes, we’ll never have enough time to thank them. At the beginning it was very hard for us, but thanks to your determination, today it has become a real necessity to go together to daily Eucharist, to receive Communion, to pray as a couple, and thus try to live that communion with Christ in our family.
Carmel: Yes, what an immense Light the Lord gives us day by day. Now managing the house has gone into the background, and all I want is to get home to see you, hear about your day, and go to Mass together.
Patrick: And with how much of a perfectionist you are about order and cleanliness, it’s a true miracle to see what God has done in you, accepting that I’m not like that.
Carmel: Yes. If the Holy Family obeyed even the smallest details of the Law, the least I can do is allow myself to be guided humbly by the person God has sent most directly to me to be a mediator toward Him. And that person is you. At first I couldn’t accept not imposing my own criteria, but I admit that trying to live that obedience in marriage has helped me to be much more reasonable and not so demanding. So, glory to God!
Mother,
Help us to be humble and obedient to the teachings that your Son passed on to us through His life. Praised be you forever.