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Gospel: 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
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Christmas was so last year.
But, as with many things, the Church is slow to let go. We’ve held onto the Christmas season for forty days. Aren’t we reminded of this weekly as we enter into our church and pass by our manger scene?
Today this season formally concludes with the Feast of the Presentation, when Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem, offering him in service to God.
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Of the four Gospel writers, only Matthew and Luke mention Christ’s birth. And just as every person has their own memories, or angle of recounting an event, each Gospel emphasizes different aspects of the birth of Jesus.
In Luke’s Gospel, an angel appears to shepherds in a field at night, leading them to adore the infant Lord. Then they return to their flocks, disappearing from the scene.
In Matthew’s Gospel, Magi – Gentile astrologers – from the East follow the light of a star to Jerusalem, then to Bethlehem. There they worship the Christ-child in a manger. Then they, too, return home.
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Although angels in heaven and a few people on earth rejoice over the Lord’s birth, two characters predict the violent rejection that Jesus will experience at the end of his life.
One is King Herod. He’s threatened by the idea of a newborn king in his midst, so he orders every boy under the age of two to be executed, triggering the exodus of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph into Egypt.
The Lord remains a refugee until Herod’s death several years later.
There’s also the prophet Simeon, whom we encounter in today’s Gospel. Holding the Christ-child in his arms, Simeon looks at Mary and warns her:
“Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that is contradicted – and you yourself a sword shall pierce – so that the hearts of many may be revealed.”
That’s not exactly what a new mother wants to hear; her child will not only cause rejoicing, but also division and sorrow.
“You yourself a sword shall pierce.”
An elderly Simeon sees a prophetic parallel between Jesus and his mother. Just as a lance will pierce Christ’s side on Calvary, so a sword of sorrow will be thrust into Mary’s soul as she watches her son die in agony.
Thus, the life of Jesus Christ is Good News – but not for all.
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Some scholars have added a second interpretation to Simeon’s prophecy – “You yourself a sword shall pierce.” While it is undoubtedly a sword of sorrow, it may also be a sword of decision.
In the Old Testament, a sword was symbolic of God’s impending judgment upon his people. The faithful would be cast to one side, while the unfaithful would be cast to another.
Thus, Christ’s life serves as a sword of decision, casting judgment upon all nations, revealing the contents of each person’s heart. Herod becomes the first to reveal his inner darkness, while Mary radiates her inner light.
Simeon’s prophecy truly comes to life during Christ’s public ministry. While he was teaching inside someone’s home, Mary and a few other family members appear outside, hoping desperately to speak with Jesus.
They fear he’s risking his life by the things he’s saying – “Love your enemies… Give to God what belongs to God… Take up your cross and follow me.” Some of his family members even think he’s, “out of his mind.”
Upon hearing that Mary’s outside, Jesus draws the sword of decision.
“Who is my mother?” he asks. “Who are my sisters and brothers? Those who hear the Word of God and act on it.”
Not even Mary receives special treatment. Although she is the Mother of God, she, too, must decide to follow Jesus as his disciple in order to receive her heavenly reward.
Thus, the content of Mary’s heart is revealed – not only her wondrous love for the Christ-child, but also her concern for him as an adult as she gathers outside someone’s home, then her sorrow as she gazes upon him at the foot of the cross.
Even when she didn’t understand, Mary followed Jesus faithfully to the end.
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Christmas was so last year.
Today’s Feast of the Presentation brings this holy season to an end with the prophecy of Simeon: “You yourself a sword shall pierce.”
That sword of decision not only pierced the hearts of Herod and Mary, but also each of us.
As we make daily decisions, the content of our hearts is revealed.
Like Mary, may it always be one thing:
Love for Jesus Christ.
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Image credits: (1) TaylorMarshall.com (2) Simeon Holding Jesus, Andrey Shishkin (3) DepositPhotos