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Dear Preachers:
Malachi proclaims the God is coming to the temple though the exact details are not clear. What is clear is the role of the messenger (the name Malachi means “my messenger”). This messenger is to prepare the way for God’s arrival among the people. It’s akin to the way the U.S. Capitol and its surroundings are cleaned and decorated for the presidential inauguration: everything must be ready for something significant. Yet, the messenger’s arrival is delayed, requiring the people to remain vigilant and patient. When the Lord comes to the Temple, the people’s fidelity to the covenant will be judged, especially the priests, who will be purified and made worthy to perform their duties. Only then will God be pleased with the sacrifices offered by them. God’s coming will repair the breach between the people and their Creator. Such a monumental task raises questions: What powerful figure will accomplish this work of restoration? What dramatic signs will accompany the messenger’s arrival? Today’s Gospel answers with a surprising twist: “It’s not what you expected, but this is the one God is sending to set things right between you and God.” The narrative introduces simple, faithful, observant Jews: Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna. Five times we are told that Jesus’ parents were following the prescriptions of the Law (verses 22, 23, 24, 27, 39). Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the work of the Holy
Spirit. For instance, the Spirit directs Simeon, enabling him to recognize in
the child the salvation long awaited: “For my eyes have seen your salvation.” Those who are faithful and vigilant in prayer are well-prepared to recognize God’s presence in ordinary people and events. Today’s Psalm is right: “Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord.” What will help us recognize the “king of glory”? Simeon and Anna teach us the answer: watchfulness and prayerful attentiveness. Today’s Gospel highlights one of Luke’s predominant themes: “the great reversal.” Note its unexpected elements: the poor, the lowly, and the needy, who trust in God, experience the joy and fulfillment of salvation. The self-sufficient, who see no need for God, are excluded. Luke’s Gospel centers on the “anawim” (the poor ones), represented here by the humble couple Mary and Joseph and by Simeon and Anna. In Luke’s vision, the lowly are raised up, not for their special gifts or prominence, but because they hunger for God and express that hunger through fidelity. At the beginning of today’s narrative and throughout the infancy narrative, Luke uses the phrase “when the days were completed.” This signals that something significant is taking place: the messianic age is beginning. With the Savior’s arrival comes an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The prophet Joel (chapter 3)had foretold this outpouring as a hallmark of the Messiah’s coming. Indeed, the Spirit moves Simeon, Anna, and all who remain vigilant. The “days are completed,” and we have the One we have longed for – God’s love made flesh in Jesus Christ. Although today’s story is set in ancient times, it reflects its historical context. Simeon, elderly and insignificant by societal standards, takes center stage, speaking first and uttering key lines. Luke emphasizes that Simeon had the Holy Spirit three times. Then Anna, the widow and prophetess, steps forward. She is the only woman in the Gospel called a prophet. At 84 years old, she never left the Temple, though she likely remained in the outer court reserved for women. Silent until now, Anna recognizes the Messiah in the infant Jesus and breaks her silence to give thanks and share the good news with others waiting for God’s help. In this way, Anna becomes the first evangelist. This story, though surprising at first, reveals a consistent theme: God recognizes the faithful, the watchful, the needy, and the insignificant in the eyes of the world. For them, God shows up. Like Anna, they help turn our eyes toward God, enabling us to recognize Jesus when he comes, even in humble and unexpected forms in our own time. Click here for a
link to this Sunday’s readings:
“Lift up your
heads, O gates; rise up, you ancient portals, Sometimes the biblical
footnotes added to clarify scripture lead my mind in a new direction. That
happened to me with the above passage where the gates and portals are explained
in the footnote as an impossible literal meaning since the portcullis (a gate
that moves up and down) was unknown in the ancient world. “What ancient portals
rise up and down?” I think to myself. Of course, the answer is obvious,
especially in light of the adjoining gospel story of the elder Simeon not seeing
death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. The ancient portals are the
eyes. Those present in the Temple see a poor couple with a baby carrying two
turtledoves but, both Simeon and Anna see more. Inspired by the Holy Spirit,
they see the salvation and renewal of the nations in the infant. Barbara
Molinari Quinby, MPS, Director
Mini-reflections on the Sunday scripture readings designed for persons on the run. “Faith Book” is also brief enough to be posted in the Sunday parish bulletins people take home. From today’s Responsorial Psalm: "Who is this king of glory? It is the Lord.” Reflection: Those who are faithful and vigilant in prayer are well-prepared to recognize God’s presence in ordinary people and events. Today’s Psalm is right: "Who is this king of glory?” What will help us recognize God’s entrance into our lives? Simeon and Anna teach us the answer: watchfulness and prayerful attentiveness. So we ask ourselves:
POSTCARDS TO DEATH ROW INMATES “One has to strongly affirm that condemnation to the death penalty is an inhuman measure that humiliates personal dignity, in whatever form it is carried out." ---Pope Francis Inmates on death row are the most forgotten people in the prison system. Each week I am posting in this space several inmates’ names and locations. I invite you to write a postcard to one or more of them to let them know that: we have not forgotten them; are praying for them and their families; or, whatever personal encouragement you might like to give them. If the inmate responds, you might consider becoming pen pals. Please write to:
----Central Prison P.O. 247 Phoenix, MD 21131 Please note: Central Prison is in Raleigh, NC., but for security purposes, mail to inmates is processed through a clearing house at the above address in Maryland. For more information on the Catholic position on the death penalty go to the Catholic Mobilizing Network: http://catholicsmobilizing.org/resources/cacp/ On this page you can sign “The National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty.” Also, check the interfaith page for People of Faith Against the Death Penalty: http://www.pfadp.org/ “First Impressions” is a service to preachers and those wishing to prepare for Sunday worship. It is sponsored by the Dominican Friars. If you would like “First Impressions” sent weekly to a friend, send a note to Fr. John Boll, OP at jboll@opsouth.org. If you would like to support this ministry, please send tax deductible contributions to fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.: St. Albert Priory, 3150 Vince Hagan Drive, Irving, Texas 75062-4736 Make checks payable to: Dominican Friars. Or, go to our webpage to make an online donation: https://www.PreacherExchange.com/donations.htm ORDERING OUR CDs: We have compiled Four CDs for sale:
If you are a preacher, lead a Lectionary-based scripture group, or are a member of a liturgical team, these CDs will be helpful in your preparation process. Individual worshipers report they also use these reflections as they prepare for Sunday liturgy. You can order the CDs by going to our webpage: https://www.PreacherExchange.com and clicking on the “First Impressions” CD link on the left. OTHER PUBLICATIONS BY EMAIL: 1. "HOMILÍAS DOMINICALES" ---These Spanish reflections on the Sunday and daily scriptures are written by Dominican sisters and friars. If you or a friend would like to receive these reflections drop a note to "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net> 2. "VOLUME 2" is an opportunity for you to hear from the readers of First Impressions. To subscribe or Send your own reflections: Send them to "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net > Your contributions to Volume 2 are welcome. OUR WEBSITE: http://www.PreacherExchange.com - Where you will find Preachers Exchange, which includes “First Impressions,” "Homilías Dominicales," and "Volume 2" as well as articles, book reviews, daily homilies and other material pertinent to preaching and Scripture reflection. FOR EMAIL HELP OR TO UNSUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE, OR CHANGE: Email "Fr. John J. Boll, O.P." <preacherexchange@att.net> (The latest are always listed first.)
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Today’s account of Jesus’ presentation in the Temple
fulfills the prophecy of Malachi in our first reading: “And suddenly there will
come to the Temple the Lord whom you seek.” Our Psalm Response also extols God’s
entrance into the sanctuary: “Lift up, O gates, your lintels; reach up, you
ancient portals, that the king of glory may come in!” However, if those longing
for God’s glorious arrival to save them were present at the scene of today’s
Gospel, they would have been disappointed and missed what they had longed for –
because God comes to the Temple, not with signs of splendor, but in quiet
humility.
