Feb 2nd

Post date: Feb 04, 2020 4:20:39 PM

February 2, 2020 Homily by Fr. Karl Schray

The Feast of the Presentation of the child Jesus

and the purification of Mary. We used to bless all the candles to be used in

the church for the next year and so we called this day Candlemas Day.

First, let me say how important is the first reading from Malachi (written

some 500 years before Christ). “suddenly there will come to the Temple

the Lord whom you seek.” This prophecy is fulfilled in today’s Feast.

Mary and Joseph present their newborn Child in the Temple, even

though Jesus, the Son of God, is already consecrated to the Lord

and Mary has no need of purification.

Yet, their humble and obedient fulfillment of the law enables us to see

our salvation, to encounter our long-awaited consolation and redemption.

Mary said her fiat in peace and holy joy on the day of the

Annunciation/Incarnation.

But there was sorrow, too, in her heart at the thought of the sufferings

which Isaiah had foretold would befall her Son.

Still more light is given to her on the mystery of the Redemption

when the holy man, Simeon, speaks of the child Jesus as the

salvation which you have prepared in the sight of the peoples:

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and glory for your people Israel.”

Mary and Joseph remain silent in wonder and thanksgiving.

This Canticle of Simeon is a beautiful prayer that expresses peace and

fulfillment once God has touched our lives.

For some it is a long time of prayer and waiting before that happens.

Because we do not always experience God when we want,

does not mean that we should give up praying and waiting.

The truth is he is with us all the time, we just do not realize it—

that’s why we walk by faith and not by sight.

With Simeon may we pray: “Now, Master, you may let your servant

go in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation.”

Turning to Mary herself, Simeon addressed to her the prophetic words:

And your own soul a sword shall pierce,

so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Mary will have a share in the Savior’s trials. His suffering will be hers.

Her very heart will be pierced by a sword of sorrow.

Jesus’ fullness of grace had two apparently contradictory effects—the most

perfect peace of soul and the will to lay himself down for us. Mary’s grace

produced two similarly contrasting effects—

the pure joys of the days of the Annunciation and Nativity

and the desire to be united to the sufferings of her Son for our salvation.

Thus, presenting him in the Temple, she already offers him for us.

Joy and sorrow are wedded in the heart of the Mother of God

who is already the Mother of all who believe in her Son.

And just as Mary carries her baby to the temple,

now she presents us to the Lord through her intercession.