Sunday Reflections
Presentation of the Lord – February 2, 2025

Reflection by:
Rita Bailey, Apostle of the Resurrection
The Presentation of the Lord Jesus in the Temple
Today’s gospel from Luke tells a familiar story. It is one of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary that we meditate on, and Simeon’s canticle is part of the night office in the Liturgy of the Hours.
Every time I read this gospel a new revelation jumps out at me. One time it might be the devout and dutiful behaviour of Mary and Joseph in following Judaic law. This reminds me that we, too, must be devout and faithful in practicing our faith, even when we are confused, distracted, or feel like we are just going through the motions.
On another reading, I meditate on the many years Anna and Joachim waited before they saw the Christ child. During this wait they prayed, attended the temple and were open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. They never lost faith. When we are longing for something in our lives: a medical diagnosis, a family reconciliation, or a more just society, it is easy to lose hope. By praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance, we can be assured that we will be in the right place at the right time, as Anna and Simeon were.
Another time it was the canticle of Simeon, when he proclaims “…for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.”
Simeon proclaims Christ’s salvific mission. A light for revelation to the Gentiles! That’s us! Prompted by the Holy Spirit. Simeon was inspired to proclaim the universal mission of the good news: it was for all peoples. After the Resurrection the message spreads around the Mediterranean, to Rome and eventually to all the ends of the earth.
Simeon is described as “righteous and devout” and “the holy Spirit was upon him.” Anna is said to have “worshipped day and night with fasting and prayer.” She too was prompted by the Holy Spirit to give thanks to God and proclaim this child to all “who were awaiting the redemption of Israel.”
For the past few weeks, I have been taking a bible study course in my parish on Luke’s Gospel. Each week we read a chapter, discuss the related questions, then watch a short film to deepen our understanding. When we came to the presentation in the temple, the film talked about the importance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Simeon and Anna.
It went on to recommend that we nurture our relationship with the Holy Spirit by practicing a nightly Examen of Consciousness. I had first heard about this Examen two weeks ago at a formation day for the Apostles of the Resurrection! Hearing this message a second time renewed my desire to begin this nightly habit right away. It consists of five steps that can be summarized as 1) Prayer for Enlightenment, 2) Reflective Thanksgiving, 3) Survey of Actions, 4) Contrition and Sorrow, and 5) Hopeful Resolution for the Future.
Like Mary and Joseph and Simeon and Anna, let us cultivate our relationship with the Holy Spirit as a daily practice so that we too can hear God’s voice and fulfill our calling to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples!
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