Malachi offers God’s promise that the Lord’s
coming would be preceded by a powerful messenger.
That messenger can either be Elijah or John the Baptist,
or both, depending on who is
looking and what they are looking
for. For the Old Testament people
longing for relief from oppression
the messenger would have been
Elijah, who was promised to
precede the Messiah. To the
chosen people of a few years
before the birth of Christ that
messenger was John the Baptist
announcing the good news of the
Messiah’s soon coming. Still, the
key figure in Malachi’s prophetic
promise is neither, Elijah or John
the Baptist but Jesus Christ, the
Lord of glory. Has Christ captured
you so radically that everything
or everyone else pales in comparison?
Today’s Psalmist exhorts us to prepare for the king
of glory, our Lord, Jesus Christ. He is the promised one
hoping to enter into our open hearts -- will you make
room for him?
Hebrews connects the humanity of Jesus with our
humanity. Tested through what he suffered, he promises
to help those of us who are being tested in any way and
at any time. Take him at his word, call upon him now!
Of the four gospel writers, (Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John), Luke alone provides the account of the
presentation of the Lord as part of his infancy narrative
(Luke 1:5- 2:52). The Holy Spirit made good on his
promise to the two prayer warriors, Simeon and Anna,
that before they died, they would see the Christ. What
promises has God made that strengthen your faith and
trust?
In a homily on today’s feast, Pope John Paul II said;
“The hymns of Bethlehem have now faded and the
cross of Golgotha can already be glimpsed; this happens
in the temple, the place where sacrifices are offered.
The event we are commemorating today is thus a
bridge linking the two most important seasons of the
Church's year -- the birth and the death of Jesus.”
Calling today the feast day of every consecrated person,
The Pope commended their choice to, “radically follow
Christ in poverty, chastity and obedience, and offer
total dedication to the service of all for the sake of
God’s kingdom.” Make a special effort today to
acknowledge the crucial contribution to the work of
evangelization made by these dedicated men and
women who are often on the front lines among the poor
and marginalized. If you have not yet made a radical
choice to follow Christ, do it now!
The Pope continued: “We draw life each day from
this event in Christ's life, meditating on its spiritual
meaning. In fact, every evening (in the Liturgy of the
Hours -- Evening Prayer) Simeon's prophetic words
echo in churches, monasteries, chapels and homes
throughout the world: "Lord, now 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
peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory
for your people Israel (Luke 2:29-32). So prayed
Simeon, who had been granted to see the promises of
the Old Covenant fulfilled. So prays the Church, which,
sparing no effort, does all she can to bring the gift of the
New Covenant to all peoples in every age.” Is your
voice added to this daily chorus?
Simeon and Anna’s dedication to prayer and fasting
model that prayer and contemplation are never a waste
of time or an obstacle to “being productive.” On the
contrary, time could not be better spent than in prayer
to develop a solid interior life. Those who pray
fervently and are continuously seeking the Lord’s will,
like Simeon and Anna, will come to recognize the Lord
in the circumstances in which he manifests himself.
On Simeon’s prophecy of Mary’s sufferings, “and
you yourself a sword shall pierce,” Pope John Paul II
taught; “Simeon's words seem like a second
Annunciation to Mary, for they tell her of the actual
historical situation in which the Son is to accomplish
his mission, namely, in misunderstanding and sorrow.”
On Simeon’s prophecy that Christ will be, “a sign of
contradiction,” St Cyril of Alexandria, interpreted the
words “sign of contradiction” like a noble cross, as St
Paul wrote to the Corinthians “a stumbling block to
Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23)
[…] It is a sign of contradiction in the sense that those
who mock (the cross) appear as foolish while in those
who recognize its power God reveals salvation and
life.”
As church, we derive hope from God’s promises,
wisdom from his inspired prophecies, and maturity
through prayer that is expectant and persistent.
For Reflection and Action:
1. List some Biblical promises to share with others.
2. How can you improve your prayer life?
Which Biblical prophecies encourage you?
Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is
assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Parish. Visit his web-
site: deaconralph.com.
1st Reading: Malachi 3:1-4
Responsorial Psalm: 24:7, 8, 9, 10
2nd Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18
Gospel: Luke 2:22-40
The Presentation of the Lord
Promises, prophecies, and prayer
Deacon Torrell
i
Sunday
Scripture
Commentaries
Gulf Pine Catholic
•
January 31, 2014
5
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