Presentation of the Lord (February 2, 2014) Readings: Malachi 3: 1-4 / Hebrews 2: 14-18 / Luke 2: 22-40

Presentation of the Lord (February 2, 2014)

Readings: Malachi 3: 1-4 / Hebrews 2: 14-18 / Luke 2: 22-40

Fr. Charles Johnson, O.P.

                  Noted Dominican theologian, Gustavo Gutierrez, who spent many years serving the poor in his native Peru, tells the story of the visit of Pope Blessed John Paul II to the poor shantytowns of Lima, the capital of that country.  Husband and wife, Victor and Irene were asked to give a greeting to the pope in the name of the community. They began by saying, “Holy Father, we are hungry.  We suffer affliction, we lack work, we are sick. Our hearts are crushed by suffering as we see our tubercular wives giving birth, our children dying, our sons and daughters growing up weak and without a future.  But, despite all of this, we believe in the God of Life.”

              The hard-hitting impact of their greeting was matched by their simplicity and honesty. Their suffering was accompanied by sincere joy and trust in God.  Pope John Paul II was moved by such unshakeable faith as he reached out to his flock, poor in material wealth and power, but rich in faith. Some might say that to say such a greeting was, perhaps, out of place.  Some of the organizers might have been caught off-guard.  It was a festive event, after all.  Were such words like “rain on the parade?” 

          Not for the pope, not for the people.  In the midst of the celebration of the papal visit to those poor settlements, there was always the recognition of the effects of sin and suffering all around them.  Still, they celebrated. Still, they trusted.  Why? Because they knew that God was with them.

           Perhaps the words of the just man Simeon and the prophetess Anna came as a surprise to Mary and Joseph as they presented their child, Jesus, in the temple. Imagine the inspiration they felt as Simeon lifted up the baby Jesus and said, “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.” Now imagine what they wondered when he addressed Mary, the mother of Jesus: “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 ….” In the midst of a joyous moment, presenting their first-born son in the temple, an ominous prophecy was given, one that spoke of pain, suffering and conflict.  Was that an inappropriate message or one given at the wrong time and place? Well, that’s not the issue.  The words of Simeon and Anna were the truth, the truth that needed to be spoken. 

           Simeon and Anna knew who Jesus was because they knew and trusted in God’s promise.  At the same time, they recognized the reality of humanity – the reality of the possibility of rejection of God and His promise. They knew that God’s salvation and the rejection of it are contrary to each other, but that in Christ there can be reconciliation. Only in Christ can the rejection by humanity be overcome – a rejection overcome by acceptance:  God in Christ accepting and taking on our sinfulness so that, in return, we might know redemption.      

        Christ is the source of our joy and peace, but he is no stranger to rejection and suffering.  Pope emeritus Benedict XVI writes, “The Suffering Servant has the great mission to bring God’s light to the world. Yet it is in the darkness of the Cross that this mission is fulfilled.” 

      Redemption is always good and healing, but sometimes it can be uncomfortable, even painful. Christ, the Eternal Light, shines brightly because he knows the darkness. The Good News is always that, good.  If it startles us, perhaps it’s because the reality of sin has come to be accepted, even comfortable. The message of Christ is appropriate in all moments. Not just because it’s the right thing at the right time, but because it’s what we need to hear.