When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, Jesus' parents 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 in 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 rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so the inner thoughts of many will be revealed--and a sword shall 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 at 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 celebration of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple fits in between the celebration of Christmas and Ash Wednesday for a good reason. We recall that Christ came in humility as God became one with us, but came to give himself in service to the point of offering his life for the sins of the world. The prophet Simeon recognizes the glory of the Christ child, yet warns Mary of the impending difficulties he will endure and even the sword of the death of Jesus that shall pierce her heart. Jesus came to lift up those who are laid low by oppression and bias, and to push to the bottom those who have arrogantly exalted themselves.
As the Congressional hearings have begun today to repeal the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, we are seeing the thoughts of many being laid bare. It is often interesting how people assert the notion that repealing the policy is just too difficult is suppose to imply that they mean well, when in fact they are promoting a status quo that is harmful to our military and our nation's overall reputation. Religious and political conservatives are sticking to their age old opinions about homosexuality to tell the nation that LGBT people are just not suppose to be true to who they are when they defend our liberty. It is interesting that our military and congress which is suppose to protect our equal freedoms, can become an institution that stands in the way of people's civil rights.
When Jesus was presented in the temple, the prophet celebrated his arrival, but recognized that the world was just changed, never to be returned to the way it used to be. At last, the poor would have a name, a face, a purpose. Those who had been ostracized by society and the religious leaders would be made a part of God's community of loved people. Those who were thought to be on the sidelines and should stay there, were called to come and take their place as God's children who are loved by God. Jesus would challenge the status quo, prejudice and attitudes of arrogance. Jesus would also pay the price of his life for the message he would bring. As we all know, the death of Jesus was not the end, but a new beginning.
This past Sunday's reading from Jeremiah 1: 4-10 when we are told that before we were born, we were known and consecrated can be understood and applied to today's holy day. Jesus came for the reason that God had already consecrated him from the foundation of the world. So, God has given LGBT individuals a mission and a purpose for our lives here and now. We too have been consecrated and anointed for a special endeavor that is consecrated by God just by the fact that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14).
Today as we celebrate the presentation of Christ in the Temple, let us pause to reflect on how we offer ourselves to God as we are by being who we are. Let us offer to God ourselves as an act of praise and thanksgiving for all the God has done in and with our lives. May we offer to God our activism, our relationships, our hopes, dreams and our hurts and limitations. May we discover how much God loves us and may we place ourselves at the service of God and our neighbor.
Almighty and everliving God, we humbly pray that, as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple, so we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts by our Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Collect for The Presentation, BCP, Page 239).
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