Hearing The Word

A weekly newsletter delivering context and insight into the Sunday Gospels.

February 2, 2025

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

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.

A VIEW FROM THE PULPIT ...

Our Presentation to God Through Baptism

~ Rev. Andrew J. Auletta

Saint Joseph Parish + Downingtown, Pa.

Approximately 150 years before Christ, before the rise of the Roman Republic, the Seleucid Empire controlled much of the Eastern Mediterranean world. The desecration of the Temple and years of oppression resulted in the Maccabean revolt.

In 164 B.C., the Maccabean revolt succeeded in driving the Seleucids from Jerusalem, and the Jewish people rededicated the Temple to God as an act of reparation for its desecration. Unexpectedly, a miracle occurred during the rededication! An oil lamp used for the celebration was filled with enough oil for only one day, but it burned for eight days. This event has been remembered for the past 2,000 years as Hanukkah.

Today, as we celebrate Jesus’ presentation and consecration to God the Father in the Temple, I can't help but recall this important moment in the Old Testament. The light of the oil lamp that shone for eight days was a testimony to God’s people that He was present and the Temple was cleansed. In the same way, when God became incarnate, the light of Jesus’ life serves as the same testimony that the temple of the human heart has been cleansed. Humanity is redeemed. As Joseph and Mary offered Jesus to God the Father in the Temple, they also bring Jesus into our hearts through their intercessions and prayers.

Through Baptism, all of us have been presented to God the Father through Jesus Christ and received His light. The small candle that our Godparents receive from the Paschal candle is a testimony that, by our configuration to Jesus, we are united with Him in His redemption of humanity. Our hearts and souls are cleansed and made worthy of receiving His life and grace. While the Jewish people celebrated the dedication of the Temple through light, today we celebrate the dedication of our hearts to God through Jesus Christ.

A VIEW FROM THE PEW ...

Purifying Our Hearts Through Simple Acts of Love: Following the Holy Family's Example

~ Jennifer Dusza

Saint Mary Catholic Church + Schwenksville, Pa.

This week’s gospel tells us the story of the Presentation in the Temple in which Joseph and Mary take Jesus to Jerusalem to fulfill the prescriptions of Moses, and in being obedient to the law, they share Jesus with Simeon and Anna who have been so desperately awaiting the coming of the Messiah. We, too, when we are obedient to the laws of our Holy Church and the Will of God, bring Christ to those in the world who are seeking and desiring Him. And the joy of those who have had a personal experience with Christ is life-changing and indescribable.

We hear heart-breaking stories every day but rather than just scrolling past or saying “I’ll pray for them” what are some tangible ways that we can be like the Holy Family and bring Christ to our broken world? God is love, so anytime we show love to another we are bringing Christ to them. We are making a difference in that person’s life. If every one of us who sits in the pew on Sunday showed love to five people each day, what a change we would see in ourselves and in our communities! So, let’s give it a try this week. Five simple gestures each day is the goal- smile at a stranger, have patience with other drivers, say thank you to the check-out clerk, call or text a relative to let them know you’re thinking of them, hold the door for someone, give a compliment to your spouse or children, hug a loved one, speak only positive words, leave a good review for a local business, encourage a colleague. Let’s not just read about the period of purification, but let’s work on purifying ourselves.

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