Recognizing Jesus

Homily for the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ

We read a passage from St. Luke’s Gospel today on this Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the temple. Forty days after the birth of Jesus, his parents took him to Jerusalem in accordance with the law of Moses which dictated that if the firstborn child was male, he was to be consecrated to the Lord. This would have taken place in the courtyard set aside for the women of the children of Israel. While they were there, they were met by two different individuals, Simeon and Anna, who like Elizabeth and Zechariah and Mary and Joseph would have been part of the remnant of Israel in St. Luke’s narrative.

Simeon and Anna shared several similarities. They were both elderly and were both in somewhat difficult circumstances, particularly Anna, a widow who had been left without resources when her husband died just seven years after they were married. Perhaps it was because they were people in difficult circumstances that they recognized Jesus as the salvation of Israel. Throughout the Gospels, we hear of people who are unable to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, but these two individuals, faithful followers of the law of Moses, possessed eyes of faith and hearts that were open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

The question we might ask ourselves today is whether we are able to recognize Jesus in the many ways that he is present to us in our lives. While it may be easy to recognize him in the consecrated bread and wine of the Eucharist, it may not be so easy to recognize him in the face of the other people that we meet in our lives – especially in the people that may be a challenge for us. We might find it easy to see the face of Jesus in familiar and cherished passages from the Scriptures. Can we also see him in those passages from the Scriptures which challenge us and ask us to change?

In the first reading for today’s liturgy from the prophet Malachi, Jesus is described as a challenging messenger who will refine us and purify us. In order to see Jesus in this description, we must be aware of our sins and be willing to allow ourselves to be purified. The prophet’s oracle seems to indicate that not all will be able to stand in the presence of such a Messiah.

As we celebrate this great feast around the altar of the Lord, may our hearts be open to receiving God’s message, may our ears be open to hear God’s word, and may our eyes be open to recognize Jesus in both the comfortable and uncomfortable experiences of our lives.