February 2, The Feast of Candlemas, celebrates the Presentation of the Lord at the Temple.
The Gospel of Luke accounts the presentation, telling us that Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification and to perform the redemption of the firstborn, outlined in the Law of Moses:
Exodus 13:12-15
12 you are to give over to the Lord the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the Lord. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.
14 “In days to come, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ say to him, ‘With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed the firstborn of both people and animals in Egypt. This is why I sacrifice to the Lord the first male offspring of every womb and redeem each of my firstborn sons.’
Leviticus 12:8
8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”
Luke 2: 22-24: When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[b]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[c]
Luke states that Mary and Joseph take the option provided for those in poverty who cannot afford a lamb. By the law they instead offer a pair of turtledoves. Doves are symbolic of peace. They are gracious creatures throughout cultures because they mate for life and have a gentle disposition. A dove is used in the account of the Flood, alerting Noah, returning for food when it is still not safe to go forth into the world, its failure to return is a signal that life can once again live in safety on the earth. It is a dove that descends on Jesus at his baptism, God announcing 'This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.'
The fact the son of God, Jesus the newborn Messiah is impoverished in worldly wealth, is an active reminder that God does not discriminate on material, rather the intent of a sacrifice and our confession of repentance. We see this with Cain and Abel - the heart's pure intent of a sacrifice and act of contrition is more important than the sacrifice (i.e., lamb or doves); Christ is a perfect sacrifice because he loved his Father and followed the law with pure intent. God through Christ shows his ceaseless love for all his creatures from the meek, weak to the strong and powerful. Mary and Joseph accepted the task of following God, raising the Messiah, even though they faced poverty and isolation from the comforts of the world. God's grace is more secure than the tangible material wealth.
Redemption comes from God's grace and Christ's sacrifice. The redemption in the presentation of the Temple is a representation of the saving power that God granted the Hebrews in Egypt, Egypt - suffering, testing, strife and desperate hope that only God grants. 'Out of Egypt I have called my son.' It can also be reflected in Abraham's call to sacrifice Isaac and God's door to redemption, God providing the sacrifice of a lamb. The active truths and symbolism in this passage uncover many paths of light, a way forward, an recognition of God's grace, spiritual truths, relevant to our own lives.
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
The Holy Family, Mary and Joseph as parents of the baby Jesus do everything by the letter of the law. Their acknowledgment of God's law is not based on arbitrary actions, tradition, but an active faith and diligence to serve God.
Jesus did not come to abolish the law, rather to fulfill it. Christ dying on the cross to save us from sins is an act of grace, but to accept grace we must acknowledge our sins and the law. The law is a representation of God's will, we will miss the mark, prone to sin, that is where grace is essential; we are called Mary and Joseph followed the law out of love and trust in God's will, Jesus is our example as he followed God's law, while reminding us that the law can only be fulfilled in recognition of humble trust in God's will. When we place the law above God, who created the law, then we fall into sin. When filled with God's grace we ant to follow His law because we recognize its truth and peace.
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One of my favorite passages in the Bible is 'The Song of Simeon.' I recite it daily, a collect that stirs my soul and reawakens a spirit of hope and recognition in Christ's active love and the path of light, redemption he provides us.
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Once you have experienced the light of Christ, the peace that the Holy Spirit provides, you are filled the life giving love and a constant drive to follow that light, at times it is blinding, forcing us to take small humble steps, our faith tested and refined, yet when you truly recognized and accept Christ as savior the sword that pierces your core is love and love's light can reveal truth even in darkness.
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[d] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
The elderly prophetess Anna was also in the Temple, and offered prayers and praise to God for Jesus, and spoke to everyone there about Jesus and his role in the redemption of Israel (Luke 2:36-38).
Let us go forth actively following the love of Christ, serving our fellow creatures and allowing our souls to be filled with love and an overflowing peace. Peace is an ability to be refined by fire instead of consumed by fear. Peace doesn't mean we will always dwell in worldly safety, but the knowledge that God's peace surpasses the world. It is a peace that opens the eyes of the blind and love that reconciles the broken, purification and redemption of heart, body, mind and soul.
God revealed his love and peace in Jesus Christ , humility is the greatest gift and power. The truth has been revealed. Will we hear the call like Anna and Simeon?
