“FIRST IMPRESSIONS”
THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD

February 2, 2025

Malachi 3: 1-4; Psalm 24; Hebrews
 2: 14-18; Luke 2: 22-40

by Jude Siciliano, OP

Dear Preachers:

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.

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.”
Anna, an aged widow, also speaks up. Like Simeon, her life has been devoted to prayer and waiting for God’s fulfillment of the people’s messianic hopes. It wasn’t the high-ranking officials in the Temple who recognized God’s presence in the child. Instead, two faithful servants, attuned through prayer, saw God’s unfolding plan.

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:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm